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
112 episodes
Holly Craig - Find Me
In this episode Janine speaks with Perth writer Holly Craig about her new thriller Find Me, a terrifying survivalist thriller as two sisters navigate the eerie Tasmanian wilderness, in search of their missing brother.An e...
Rebecca Lim - The Graduate
Tim speaks with writer and illustrator Rebecca Lim based in Melbourne, Australia. She worked as a commercial lawyer for several years before leaving to write full time. They chat about her new novel The Graduate - a ...
Petronella McGovern - Back to Chat
In this episode Janine speaks to Petronella McGovern about her new novel 'Every Time She Wakes', a taut, time-bending thriller about family, identity and defying fate.We last spoke to her back in 2022, and if you want to know mo...
Georgia Harper - Dove
In this episode Sam speaks with Georgia Harper about her new novel 'Dove' - a thought provoking, nuanced and utterly original psychological thriller exploring power and gender, set against the backdrop of 1990'...
Fiona Hardy - Old Games
In this episode Tim speaks with Melbourne author Fiona Hardy about her writing and her new novel 'Old Games' a pacey, off-beat Aussie crime story about two best female friends and investigators unravelling the private lives of Melbourne's celeb...
Rachel Fox McLeod & Hannah Gould
Today we speak with two very different authors on the podcast. Rachel Fox McLeod chats with Courtney about her debut novel 'Disgraceful' - ahilarious and moving debut novel about a woman who writes a ‘f*ck-it’ list to re...
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, rebellio...
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 ...