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Today on the podcast Janine speaks with Sydney Author Genevieve Gannon who is an award-winning Sydney-based journalist and author of four novels. Her new book The Gifted Son, explores the subject of “one punch” when a talented student is a victim and the consequences of everyone around him.   Genevieve is fast becoming the Australian version of Jodi Picoult  where she writes about moral dilemmas in her novels. Then Courtney speaks with Aussie writer Simon Rowell about his crime thriller series. His latest novel is a fast-paced crime story, vividly set in the towns along the Murray River. Wild Card is a gripping new mystery about gang warfare and small-town corruption, featuring a crime-fighting duo like no other. We hope you enjoy!  https://www.cclc.vic.gov.au/https://www.instagram.com/caseycardinialibraries/https://twitter.com/CasCarLibrarieshttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2i9T4cx7vDpqmiRGbVse0g

In our first episode for 2023 we celebrate Library Lovers Day!  Courtney speaks with Nina Kenwood about her new novel Unnecessary Drama which is a slow-burn enemies-to-lovers story. And a coming-of-age story, and a moving-out-of-home story, and a making-new-friends story, and a dealing-with-anxiety story. And according to the author it’s funny! Then Carol speaks to Canberra author Emma Grey about her new novel The Last Love Note, which she wrote in the wake of her husband’s death. It’s a fictional tribute to their love, an attempt to articulate the magnitude of her loss and a life-affirming commitment to hope.   We hope you enjoy! https://www.cclc.vic.gov.au/https://www.instagram.com/caseycardinialibraries/https://twitter.com/CasCarLibrarieshttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2i9T4cx7vDpqmiRGbVse0g

Back in lockdown during 2021 we had the pleasure of speaking with historical fiction writer Fiona McIntosh.   She was just launching her new novel ‘The Spy’s Wife’ which takes us from the windswept moors of the Yorkshire dales, to the noisy beer halls of Munich, and grand country estates in the picture-book Bavarian mountains.   This is a lively and high-stakes thriller that will keep you second-guessing until the very end.   She also briefly spoke about her writing process and research for her books as well as hinting at a new Jack Hawksworth novel to be released in 2023. We hope you enjoy! https://www.cclc.vic.gov.au/https://www.instagram.com/caseycardinialibraries/https://twitter.com/CasCarLibrarieshttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2i9T4cx7vDpqmiRGbVse0g

Sue shares an interview with author Heather Morris who tells us about her global bestselling novel "Three Sisters" which is based on the incredible true story of the Meller sisters - a beautiful story of hope in the hardest of times and of finding love after loss.    Three Sisters is her third novel, and the final piece in the phenomenon that is the Tattooist of Auschwitz series.   We hope you enjoy https://www.cclc.vic.gov.au/https://www.instagram.com/caseycardinialibraries/https://twitter.com/CasCarLibrarieshttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2i9T4cx7vDpqmiRGbVse0g

Back in February last year we had the pleasure of speaking with Sydney author Mary-Anne O’Connor for Library Lovers Day.   She spoke about her writing process and told us all about her inspiration for her new novel “Dressed by Iris”, which is a vivid, romantic story of Sydney in the 1930s Depression - the heartbreak, the glamour, the dark underbelly, the struggle towards a better day - and one young woman's dream of designing her way from rags to riches. She also speaks about her work with the Hornsby Ku-ring-ai Women’s Shelter which offers safe emergency accommodation and support services to women facing domestic violence and homelessness. We hope you enjoy. https://www.cclc.vic.gov.au/https://www.instagram.com/caseycardinialibraries/https://twitter.com/CasCarLibrarieshttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2i9T4cx7vDpqmiRGbVse0g

Welcome to our Summer Series where we look back at some of the In-Conversation online events over the previous year. Back in lockdown we had the utmost pleasure in speaking with Australian Author Judy Nunn via Zoom who told us all about her new novel Showtime,  which will take you from the cotton mills of England to the magnificent theatres of Melbourne, on a scintillating journey through the golden age of Australian showbusiness.   Judy also tells us about her transition from Actor to Author and what goes on behind the scenes in the theatre world as well as what inspired her other novels.  https://www.cclc.vic.gov.au/https://www.instagram.com/caseycardinialibraries/https://twitter.com/CasCarLibrarieshttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2i9T4cx7vDpqmiRGbVse0g

 In our final episode for 2022 Carol has a wonderful chat with Christine Courtenay who has written a memoir about her late husband Bryce Courtenay. From his humble beginnings in Africa to his dazzling success in advertising and as a bestselling author, Bryce’s extraordinary, rags-to-riches life story reads like one of his epic novels. It was a life marked by all the big themes – overcoming adversity, love, loss, hard-won success, fame and fortune, and holding tight to a dream. Christine uncovers the events that shaped the man behind the stories – a man complex, driven and unfailingly positive, who never lost sight of his childhood dream to be a writer. Then to round off the year Janine speaks with Melbourne author of over 80 novels Nicola Marsh about her writing life and her new novel The Promise of Home - a rural fiction novel set in Victoria which would make an ideal book to take away for your summer holidays. Lastly from all the team here at Book Matters we hope you all have a great festive season and we will be back in 2023 with more reading recommendations and interviews with a whole new group of writers https://www.cclc.vic.gov.au/https://www.instagram.com/caseycardinialibraries/https://twitter.com/CasCarLibrarieshttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2i9T4cx7vDpqmiRGbVse0g

Welcome to this very special episode of Book Matters to coincide with the 16 Days of Activism.    Casey Cardinia Libraries is proud to support the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender based Violence campaign. And what better way to contribute to the conversation than with books.  We have an interview with Manjula Datta O'Connor about her enlightening book, Daughters of Durga: Dowries, Gender Violence and Family in Australia. We also have some special book reviews from our staff here at Casey Cardinia Libraries. https://www.cclc.vic.gov.au/https://www.instagram.com/caseycardinialibraries/https://twitter.com/CasCarLibrarieshttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2i9T4cx7vDpqmiRGbVse0g

We talk to two authors about their very different novels. Courtney chats to Tom Baragwanath about his crime novel Paper Cage set in Masterton New Zealand about a small community where children have gone missing which is a nail-biting thriller and a beautifully written, acutely observed portrait of a community. Janine then chats to Tasmanian author Minnie Darke about her new novel With Love from Wish & Co a heartwarming novel about what we are prepared to give--and give up--in the name of love, and such a timely novel with Christmas on the horizon. And of course we have some great reading recommendations from our staff here at Casey Cardinia Libraries. https://www.cclc.vic.gov.au/https://www.instagram.com/caseycardinialibraries/https://twitter.com/CasCarLibrarieshttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2i9T4cx7vDpqmiRGbVse0g

Today on Book Matters we are bringing you a bonus Australian Crime lovers special - Courtney delves into 'The Tilt ' which is a stunning multi-layered novel by Chris Hammer who is the acclaimed and award-winning author of the international bestsellers Scrublands, Silver, Trust and Treasure & Dirt.  Then Janine chats with Australian author Petronella McGovern about her new novel 'The Liars' which is a compelling family drama of marital secrets and family tensions set within an investigation of sinister unsolved killings. We hope you enjoy.#australiancrimeauthors#crimefiction#allenandunwin https://www.cclc.vic.gov.au/https://www.instagram.com/caseycardinialibraries/https://twitter.com/CasCarLibrarieshttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2i9T4cx7vDpqmiRGbVse0g

On Book Matters today Janine speaks with the lovely Tricia Stringer about her new novel Keeping Up Appearances which is a delightful novel full of practical wisdom and dry humour that examines female friendship, buried secrets and why honesty is (usually) the best policy. Then Lynda chats to author Alex Sarkis about her novel Something Blue which is about loving home and leaving home, but never escaping your roots. Or your footy colours.    And of course we have our library staff who will share what they have been reading!  We hope you enjoy! https://www.cclc.vic.gov.au/https://www.instagram.com/caseycardinialibraries/https://twitter.com/CasCarLibrarieshttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2i9T4cx7vDpqmiRGbVse0g

Today at Book Matters we enjoy chatting to two fabulous Australian authors. First up Sam talks to acclaimed writer Meg Bignell about her newest novel The angry women's choir - a laugh out loud tale of friendship, music and the incredible capability of women to achieve wonderful things. Jess then speaks to debut YA author Miranda Luby about her novel Sadie Starr's guide to starting over; a magnificent exploration of performative feminism, #MeToo, eating disorders, bullying, family dynamics and grief. And of course we have some great reading recommendations from our staff here at the library - listen and enjoy https://www.cclc.vic.gov.au/https://www.instagram.com/caseycardinialibraries/https://twitter.com/CasCarLibrarieshttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2i9T4cx7vDpqmiRGbVse0g

Here at Book Matters we recognise and celebrate the importance of diversity in books as they serve as both a mirror and a window into different human experiences. This month we celebrate the many wonderful LGBTQ books and authors in honour of Wear it purple day. Wear It Purple strives to foster supportive, safe, empowering and inclusive environments for rainbow young people. The role literature plays in the empowerment of LGBTQ community is vitally important and as such we are delighted to chat to two amazing LGBBTQ authors today!First up Courtney chats to Nigel Featherstone about his remarkable new novel My Heart is a little wild thing; a story about family, love and the cost of freedom.  Jess then speaks to Cadence Bell about her wild coming-of-gender memoirs The All of It: A Bogan Rhapsody; a raw and beautifully honest account of Cadence’s life. We hope you enjoy! https://www.cclc.vic.gov.au/https://www.instagram.com/caseycardinialibraries/https://twitter.com/CasCarLibrarieshttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2i9T4cx7vDpqmiRGbVse0g

Today at Book Matters we welcome two phenomenal Australian authors. First up  Courtney speaks with Sulari Gentill about her new literary adventure novel The woman in library, which examines the complicated nature of friendship and how words can turn into a deadly weapon. Then  Janine speaks with debut author Neela Janakiramana about her compelling and illuminating psychological thriller novel The registrar, which delves into the human experience of both a surgeon in training and the medical system. We hope you enjoy!  https://www.cclc.vic.gov.au/https://www.instagram.com/caseycardinialibraries/https://twitter.com/CasCarLibrarieshttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2i9T4cx7vDpqmiRGbVse0g

On the podcast today we speak to two exceptional Australian crime writers. Emma Viskic is author of the internationally acclaimed Caleb Zelic series. Her novels have won numerous prizes, including a Ned Kelly Award and an unprecedented five Davitt Awards.  We hear about Those Who Perish which concludes the Caleb Zelic series.Then we chat to debut novelist Matthew Spencer whose novel Black River takes us to a  long, burning summer in Sydney where a young woman was found murdered in the deserted grounds of an elite boarding school.   A serial killer preying on victims along the banks of the Parramatta River. And of course we find out what our staff have been reading with some great book reviews:Someone Else's Child by Kylie OrrThe Hating Game by Sally ThorneThe Murder Rule by Dervla McTiernanThe Wild Place by Christian WhiteThis Tender Land by William Kent KruegerListen and enjoy!   https://www.cclc.vic.gov.au/https://www.instagram.com/caseycardinialibraries/https://twitter.com/CasCarLibrarieshttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2i9T4cx7vDpqmiRGbVse0g

National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia in the first week of July each year (Sunday to Sunday), to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth. In this special episode we have interviews with two amazing writers.   Firstly we speak with Richard Pritchard about his children's fiction novel Wylah the Koorie Warrior which we wrote in conjunction with Jordan Gould.Then we hear from Dr Anita Heiss who speaks about her updated memoir Am I Black Enough for you - 10 years later,  and her other writing.We hope you enjoy. https://www.cclc.vic.gov.au/https://www.instagram.com/caseycardinialibraries/https://twitter.com/CasCarLibrarieshttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2i9T4cx7vDpqmiRGbVse0g

In our annual Debut Author special we have three new Australian authors to chat to. First up Janine chats to Bernadette Jiwa about her debut novel The Making of Her which is is a page-turning mother-daughter love story, spanning the 1960s to 1990s, charting one woman’s journey to escape the legacy of the society that shaped her. Courtney then speaks with Lyn Yeowart  about her suspenseful, original and engaging story The Silent Listener that has drawn comparisons to Where the Crawdads Sing and The Dry. And last but definitely not least Janine chats to Kylie Orr about her domestic suspense novel Someone Else's Child which is a gripping contemporary novel from a magnificent new talent that tackles the almost unbreakable loyalty of female friendships, the generosity of community and the lengths we will go to save a child. https://www.cclc.vic.gov.au/https://www.instagram.com/caseycardinialibraries/https://twitter.com/CasCarLibrarieshttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2i9T4cx7vDpqmiRGbVse0g

In this episode we travel across to the USA where we chat  to New York times best selling Women's Fiction author Jane Green from her home in Westport, Connecticut, about her new novel Sister Stardust in which she  re-imagines the life of troubled icon Talitha Getty in this transporting story from a forgotten chapter of the Swinging ’60s. We then talk to young adult fiction writer E. Lockhart from her home in New York, about her latest novel "Family of Liars" which is a thrilling prequel to the TikTok phenomenon and #1 New York Times bestseller "We Were Liars" and takes readers back to the story of another summer, another generation, and the secrets that will haunt them for decades to come.  https://www.cclc.vic.gov.au/https://www.instagram.com/caseycardinialibraries/https://twitter.com/CasCarLibrarieshttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2i9T4cx7vDpqmiRGbVse0g

On this episode we chat to Sydney writer Mark Lamprell about his new novel "The Secret Wife" which takes us back to the 1960's in suburban Sydney - a perfect example of the powers of female friendship.  We also talk to Mary-Rose Cuskelly about her debut novel "The Cane" which is set in the cane fields of Queensland and is an evocative and atmospheric thriller, set in the 1970's.Staff Reviews:The Shadow House by Anna DownesThis is How it Always is by Laurie FrankelHoneybee by Craig Silvey https://www.cclc.vic.gov.au/https://www.instagram.com/caseycardinialibraries/https://twitter.com/CasCarLibrarieshttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2i9T4cx7vDpqmiRGbVse0g

In this episode we chat to two very different authors.   Benjamin Stevenson is an Australian award-winning stand-up comedian and author who chats about his new murder mystery novel Everyone in my Family has killed Someone.   Then we go across to North Carolina in the USA and talk to Women's Fiction author Kristy Woodson Harvey about her Peachtree Bluff series which is being adapted for television as well as her first foray into historical fiction with her new book The Wedding Veil.Staff reviews:  The Forever Dog by Karen BeckerPlaying Nice by J P DelaneyPuff Piece by John SafranThe Unhoneymooners by Christina LaurenCommon People by Tony Birch https://www.cclc.vic.gov.au/https://www.instagram.com/caseycardinialibraries/https://twitter.com/CasCarLibrarieshttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2i9T4cx7vDpqmiRGbVse0g