This week, we're diving into Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors — does it deserve all the buzz, or is it just another overhyped bestseller? We unpack its themes, characters, and emotional weight alongside two other thought-provoking reads: I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman, a haunting dystopian novel, and Bite Back by Hannah Ferguson, a fiery feminist critique of modern media.
BOOK RECS:
Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors
I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacquelin Harpman
Bite Back by Hannah Ferguson
The Natural Way of Things by Charlotte Wood
OTHER RECS:
Book Journal from Kunitsa Co.
Embroidery Course from Collective Gen
Geneva Vanderzeil on Instagram
Happy Reading!
Some books dominate the literary conversation — but do they actually deserve it? In this episode we take on some of the biggest books of the last year with Sally Rooney's millennial angst, Rachel Kushner's cinematic storytelling, plus rising star Lottie Hazell. Do these authors and their latest books live up to their reputations, or are they just riding the wave of hype?
BOOK RECS:
Intermezzo by Sally Rooney
Creation Lake by Rachel Kushner
Piglet by Lottie Hazell
OTHER RECS:
Cat Power Sings Dylan: the 1966 Royal Albert Hall Concert by Cat Power
The 1966 Royal Albert Hall Bob Dylan Concert by Bob Dylan
Alligator Bites Never Heal by Doechii
NPR's Doechii Tiny Desk Concert
Selling Sunset on Netflix
Happy Reading!
We're back! ...and with some brand spanking new recommendations of the best, most memorable books we devoured all last year. What reads lived up to the hype? What let us down? Plus, what surprised us the most! Listen to us agree (and disagree!) in one of our fave eps each year.
BOOK RECS
Jacinta’s -
Book I expected to like and didn’t: The Mistletoe Mystery: A Maid Novel by Nita Prose
Book I expected to like and loved: Funny Story by Emily Henry
Book I didn’t expect to like and loved: Orbital by Samantha Harvey
Jacinta’s top 10:
Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar
Creation Lake by Rachel Kushner
Orbital by Samantha Harvey
The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell
Parade by Rachel Cusk
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
Light Eaters by Zoe Schlanger
Forest of Noise by Mosab Abu Toha
All the Beauty in the World: The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Me by Patrick Bringley
Emma’s -
Book I expected to like and didn’t: Orbital by Samantha Harvey
Book I expected to like and loved: Prima Facie by Suzie Miller
Book I didn’t expect to like and loved: Things Will Calm Down Soon by Zoe Foster-Blake
Emma’s top 10:
Prima Facie by Suzie Miller
Darling Girls by Sally Hepworth
Chai Time at Cinnamon Gardens by Shankari Chandran
Know My Name by Chanel Miller
The Kitchen God’s Wife by Amy Tan
The Work by Bri Lee
The Queen’s Gambit by Walter Tevis
What You Are Looking for is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama
Let us Descend by Jesmyn Ward
Runt by Craig Silvey
Get cozy with a warm drink and join us for a special Christmas-themed episode of our podcast, where we unwrap the magic of holiday books! This week, we’re diving into three heartwarming and festive reads perfect for the season to give you all the feels.
BOOK RECS:
One Day in December by Josie Silver: https://www.readings.com.au/product/9780525574682/one-day-in-december--josie-silver--2018--9780525574682
Everyone this Christmas has a Secret by Benjamin Stevenson
Christmas Days by Jeanette Winterson
OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS:
Stuff the British Stole on ABC iVew
Happy Holidays and Happy Reading!
Is it worth the hype??? We are constantly bombarded with so many bestsellers and recommendations of the hot new book, but do they really live up to expectation? In this ep, we’re unpacking some recent popular books and spilling on whether they’re actually worth your time or not.
BOOK RECS:
OTHER RECS:
Happy Reading!
We have made no secret of the fact that we love a historical fiction story! Now we're dividing into some of our favourites, so cosy up and transport yourself into past worlds with our most loved and enjoyable historical fiction recommendations.
BOOK RECS:
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
OTHER RECS:
Guts (Spilled) Deluxe Edition by Olivia Rodrigo
Digital clean-up! Unsubscribe from emails, unfollow people on socials who make you unhappy.
Happy Reading!
There have been a raft of bestselling autobiographies hitting bookshops in the past few years - Britney, Prince Harry, Michelle Obama anyone? So we’ve done the hard work for you and read some of the most popular (and the ones that you should be!) to work out if they’re actually worth the hype.
BOOK RECS:
The Woman in Me by Britney Spears
Strong Female Character by Fern Brady
Spare by Prince Harry
OTHER RECS:
Fern Brady's Instagram
Taskmaster TV Show
Joy Ride Movie
Happy Reading!
In the wake of Valentine's Day this year, we decided to dust of a couple of our favourite romance and love stories (historical fiction and romcoms included!). This episode we want to share the love along with these heart-warming tales with you as well...
BOOK RECS:
A Long Petal of the Sea by Isabel Allende
Book Lovers by Emily Henry
Love Stories by Trent Dalton
OTHER RECS:
Happiness for Beginners on Netflix
Deadloch TV Show
Happy Reading!
It's our favourite episode of the year! Join us as we embark on a literary journey through the pages of our favourite books from the year 2023. From captivating novels to thought-provoking non-fiction, we've curated a list that we hope has something for every kind of reader.
Whether you're an avid reader looking for your next favourite book or someone seeking an informed list of the most noteworthy releases, listen as we reminisce about the unforgettable stories that made 2023 a remarkable year in literature.
Emma’s top 5 books for 2023:
Jacinta’s top 5 books for 2023:
Happy Reading!
It's almost Christmas and Halloween was months ago??? Do not fear (or maybe do)! We have a bunch of our favourite thrillers - covering crime, historical, psychological, even ecological - from this year to keep you on the edge of your seat...
BOOK RECS:
The Guest by Emma Cline
Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll
Once There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghy
OTHER RECS:
Mrs. Davis TV Show on Binge
Spirited Film
Happy Reading!
In a belated book club pick, we're tackling books by marginalised authors we don't usually see and experience in the mainstream media as often as we should. Our bookcases (and minds!) were very much expanded - we hope yours will be too.
BOOK RECS:
Love in Colour by Bolu Babalola
Sand Talk by Tyson Yunkaporta
Black Girl, Call Home by Jasmine Mans
OTHER RECS:
Happy Reading!
Emma and Jacinta xx
There's a reason YA Novels are so popular - coming-of-age is a universal experience that can take whatever form imaginable. So, this ep we're celebrating that awkward, bemusing time between childhood and adulthood, and here are are absolute favourite YA novels from an expert and novice...
BOOK RECS:
The House by the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros
They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera
OTHER RECS:
The Bear Season 2
Hello Sunshine Newsletter (scroll to bottom to sign up)
Happy Reading!
Emma and Jacinta xx
We're doing things a little different this episode. We're using our respective birth years as the jumping off point for some new book recommendations. It proves very interesting! Take a listen to what what happening in the late 80s and early 90s, and celebrate the books that were also born in the same year as us...
BOOK RECS:
Black Swans: Stories by Eve Babitz
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
OTHER RECS:
Vice’s series ‘The Story Of’ - It Wasn’t Me by Shaggy
The Story Of Series
The Barbie Movie
Happy Reading!
This episode we're shining a light on our favourite books that have been unfairly subjected to censorship throughout modern history. Beyond the cliché classics that have been banned, we have also picked some more recent recommendations that have made the blacklist in a bid to silence these authors... You might be surprised at some of the titles that have been challenged over the years!
BOOK RECS:
All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M Johnson
Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi
Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe
OTHER RECS:
Happy Reading!
One of the joys of reading is being able to travel to some dream destinations via the book you’re bingeing. This ep, we’re taking you on an epic world adventure to some of our bucket list travel spots thanks to some amazing books!
BOOK RECS:
San Francisco/Hong Kong/China - Counterfeit by Kirstin Chen
Hydra, Greece - A Theatre for Dreamers by Polly Samson
Alberta, Canada - The Erratics by Vicki Laveau-Harvie
OTHER RECS:
Kleo TV Series on Netflix
Ted Lasso Season 3 on Apple TV
Happy Reading!
This year is set to be a huge one for TV show and movie releases... And a ton of these are based on some absolutely incredible books! So this ep, it's a recommendation extravaganza as we’re giving you our top three books you have to read before getting stuck into these very exciting upcoming television shows, movie or music too.
BOOK RECS:
Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
The Rearranged Life of Oona Lockhart (Oona Out of Order) by Margarita Montimore
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
OTHER RECS:
Happy Reading!
Love Emma & Jacinta xxx
This ep, we’re bringing the laughs and chatting about our favourite satire or comedy books to make you laugh. We debate the ever popular My Year of Rest & Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh and both fall on very different sides of this dark satire. Where do you land? Strap in for all the LOLs and great recommendations.
P.S. We get into My Rest & Relaxation spoilers from 10.10 to 11.28, so skip ahead if you need to!
BOOK RECS:
My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh
Less by Andrew Sean Greer
This Is Going to Hurt: Secret Diaries of a Junior Doctor by Adam Kay
OTHER RECS:
This is Going to Hurt TV Show
Bandsplain Podcast
If cats had a podcast on Youtube
Happy Reading!
The best time of the year is here!
www.adelaidefestival.com.au
BOOK RECS:
The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart by Holly Ringland
Bruny by Heather Rose
The Arsonists’ City by Hala Alyan
OTHER RECS:
The White Lotus Season 2
Le Gateau Chocolat and Johnny Woo ‘A Night at the Musicals 3: Summer Lovin’ Tour’
Happy Reading!
We're so excited to kick off this year with a different kind of theme - this episode we're recommending you books based on your specific zodiac sign! For thousands of years, people have looked to the night sky for life's biggest (…and most inconsequential) questions and now we're using it to chart what book you should pick up next. Whether you're a newbie or make every important decision according to the position of the stars and planets, we've got a recommendation for you from your trusty Sagittarius Sun, Virgo Moon (Emma) and Virgo Sun, Libra Moon (Jacinta) book-obsessed friends. We've got links below too if you don't know your astrological chart off by heart and remember you can refer to your either Sun, Moon or Ascendant sign for the best books for you!
ZODIAC BOOK RECS:
Aries: The Power by Naomi Alderman
Taurus: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Gemini: Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams
Cancer: A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
Leo: The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
Virgo: Atomic Habits by James Clear
Libra: No Friend but the Mountain by Behrouz Boochani
Scorpio: The Guest List by Lucy Foley
Sagittarius: The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien
Capricorn: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Aquarius: Dune by Frank Hebert
Pisces: 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez
OTHER LINKS:
Find your Astrological Chart: we love Co-Star, The Pattern and this free online Birth Chart Report
Regret Me from Honeycomb by Daisy Jones & the Six
Tarot Deck by Adam JK
Happy Reading!
Okay, so we cannot quite believe that 2022 is almost over, but we’re ready anyway! This ep, we’re bringing you a list of some of our absolute standout books we’ve read this year. As always, we’ve got an eclectic mix covering all genres and styles.
Jacinta’s book recommendations:
Emma’s book recommendations:
Other recommendations:
