Book Matters
A monthly podcast about books and the people who write them. Packed with reading recommendations, author interviews and insightful advice on finding books for you and your family from the helpful staff at Connected Libraries.
Episodes
106 episodes
Victoria Purman - Back to Chat
Today we invite back Adelaide writer Victoria Purman onto Book Matters to chat about her new novel The Marriage Trap - A charming but pointed look at the tumultuous extraordinary decade of the 1960s, and the effects of the pill, reb...
Back to Chat - Fiona Lowe
In this episode we are bringing back one of our most popular writers to see what they have been up to since we last spoke with them.We spoke to Fiona Lowe in 2021 about her novel 'A Home Like Ours' so it was great to bring her back to ch...
Mercedes Mercier & Kathy Lette
On Book Matters today we have two amazing Australian writers. Janine speaks with Mercedes Mercier about her newest novel The Couple's Retreat, then Kiara speaks with Kathy Lette about her new novel The Sisterhood Rules.We hope you enjoy!...
Shailee Thompson & Courtney Peppernell
On the podcast today Courtney speaks with Brisbane writer Shailee Thompson about her debut novel “How to kill a guy in ten dates” – a sharp and entertaining novel that blends humor, suspense and modern-day dating in unexpected way...
Rebecca Heath & Susi Fox
In this episode Janine speaks with Adelaide writer Rebecca Heath about her latest novel 'The Last Encore' - a gripping, claustrophobic Australian thriller with a killer twist. Kiara then chats to Vic...
Chris Hammer - Summer Series
Here at Book Matters, we are taking a well-earned break over the summer holidays but we have some recordings of our Live In Conversation events held at the library during 2025.We welcomed Chris Hammer to the library in October where he s...
Jane Harper - Summer Series
During the year we hosted some fabulous live author events at Connected Libraries! For our Summer Series we are proud to give you the recording of our event with internationally bestselling Melbourne author Jane Harper who chats with Cour...
Libby Iriks & Brooke Crawford
For our last episode of Book Matters for the year we have two great interviews for you.Both are Australian authors, and their books are ideal for Christmas gifts and to take away on your summer holiday.Courtney speaks with Libby I...
Sally Hepworth - Back to Chat 2025
Welcome to Back to Chat, a special episode of Book Matters! On today’s special episode we are celebrating five years of Book Matters with a familiar and much-loved guest. That’s right—we’re bringing back one of our most popular auth...
Toni Jordan & Louise Wallace
On this episode of Book matters we have some interesting interviews for you.Kiara speaks with Melbourne author Toni Jordan about her new novel ‘Tenderfoot’ - an exquisite and bittersweet read that brings back memories of growing...
Jessica Mansour-Nahra & Jess Kitching
On Book Matters this month Janine talks to Jessica Mansour-Nahra about her gripping gothic domestic thriller "The Farm" It asks confronting questions about women's bodies, what is expected of them, and who is really in control...
Kate Halfpenny & Sinead Stubbins
On Book Matters this month Sam chats to Kate Halfpenny about her memoir Boogie Wonderland, when Covid lockdowns hit Melbourne, metropolitan midlife couple Kate and Chris decide to make a sea change and move to a small coastal town to eas...
Leonie Kelsall & Matt Rogers
On Book Matters today Janine chats to Adelaide writer Leonie Kelsall. We chat about her latest rural fiction novel, The path through the Coojong trees. We also talk about her writing and why she also writes under a pseudonym Courtney then...
Kelly Rimmer - Back to Chat 2025
Welcome to Back to Chat, a special episode of Book Matters! On today’s special episode we are celebrating five years of Book Matters with a familiar and much-loved guest. That’s right—we’re bringing back one of our most popular auth...
Jodi McAlister & Sarah Clutton
On the podcast today Courtney chats with Melbourne author Jodi McAlister about her rom-com – “An Academic Affair” - a charming new romance about two English professors who embark on a fake relationship…only to discover that it may be harder to ...
Lenora Thaker - NAIDOC Week Special Episode
On this special NAIDOC Week episode, our local history librarian Kate speaks with Lenora Thaker - a proud Meriam and Wagedagam woman born and living on Gimuy-Walubarra Yidinji country in Far North Queensland. They chat about her...
Maya Linnell - Back to Chat 2025
Welcome to Back to Chat, a special episode of Book Matters! On today’s special episode we are celebrating five years of Book Matters with a familiar and much-loved guest. That’s right—we’re bringing back one of our most popular auth...
Sally Gould & Michelle Prak
On Book Matters today, Courtney speaks with Sydney paramedic Sally Gould about her memoir Frog, an intimate look at the human cost of the job and the cumulative effect of trauma. Sally shares a personal story which offe...
Jane Caro - Australian Crime Special Episode
Today on Book Matters we are celebrating Australian crime fiction by chatting to Sydney writer Jane Caro about her compelling and fascinating new mystery novel Lyrebird, which brings a detective out of retirement to investigate ...
Madeleine Cleary & Lauren K McKellar
On Book Matters today Kate speaks with Melbourne author Madeliene Cleary about her new historical fiction novel “The Butterfly Women” which shines a light on Melbourne in 1863, the goldrush and the brothels that operated in that ...
Catherine Greer & Victoria Brownlee
On the podcast today Sam chats to Sydney author Catherine Greer about her novel The Bittersweet Bakery Café which sheds light on the complex lives of women, then Kiara speaks with Victoria Brownlee who describes herself as an Ea...
Vanessa McCausland & Ella Ward
On the podcast this month Janine speaks with Sydney author Vanessa McCausland about her new release “The Last Illusion of Paige White” a haunting, compelling and beautifully written novel about two women, a tragedy on the lake, and sec...
Kylie Ladd & Leonie Norrington
On the podcast this month Janine speaks with author Kylie Ladd about her new release "The Mix-Up" - A beautifully told and thought-provoking novel about a mix-up that leaves two children wondering who they really are and where they belong ....