Stories Behind The Story With Better Reading

Better Reading's Cheryl Akle and Jane Tara discuss their favourite new releases, forensics, art, and their love of dogs.Books mentioned:Toxic by Richard FlanaganThe End of Men by Christina Sweeney-BairdBefore You Knew My Name by Jacqueline BublitzThe Road Trip by Beth O'LearyHow to Train Your Dog by Jen & Ryan TateHow To Mend a Broken Heart by Rachael JohnsThe Bone Code by Kathy ReichsStill Life by Amber Creswell Bell See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Christina Sweeney-Baird talks to Cheryl Akle about the research that went into writing about a man-killing virus in her debut novel The End of Men, and how the film rights have already sold.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Cheryl Akle and Jane Tara discuss the 2021 Better Reading Top 100. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Aboriginal (pakana) writer, Adam Thompson talks to Cheryl Akle about the importance of maintaining Aboriginal heritage sites, muttonbirding and his journey from storytelling to writing. His debut, Born Into This, is out now.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Bestselling author Nikki Gemmell talks to Cheryl Akle about colonisation, Australia's dark history, and how this inspired her thrilling new historical novel, The Ripping Tree. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Kate Foster talks to Cheryl Akle about her debut children's book Paws, and how her own experience with a neurodiverse child inspired her to write it. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Better Reading's Cheryl Akle and Jane Tara discuss what they're both reading… and the winning books at the Australian Book Industry Awards.Books mentioned:The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip WilliamsPhosphorescence by Julia BairdBorn Into This by Adam ThompsonSuch a Fun Age by Kiley ReidThe Animals in that Country by Laura Jean McKayA Lonely Girl is a Dangerous Thing by Jessie TuSweet Sweet Revenge LTD by Jonas JonassonThe Bone Code by Kathy Reichs See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Bestselling author Nicola Moriarty talks to Cheryl Akle about how she grew up in a family of storytellers, and how she's passing on her love of writing to her daughters. Her latest novel, You Need to Know, is a family drama about the secrets we keep, the lies we tell and the truths that won't stay hidden. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Actress, playwright and author Lisa Harding talks to Cheryl Akle about the power of escapism, addiction, her childhood, and her acting career. Her latest novel, Bright Burning Things is out now. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Better Reading's Cheryl Akle and Jane Tara discuss their favourite new releases... and audiobooks.Books mentioned:The Hill We Climb by Amanda GormanThe Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip WilliamsWith The Falling of the Dusk by Stan GrantSisters of Freedom by Marry-Anne O'ConnorThose Hamilton Sisters by Averil KennyA Home Like Ours by Fiona LoweMy Year of Living Vulnerably by Rick Morton See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Man Booker Prize-winning author George Saunders returns to talk to Cheryl Akle about the fundamental way writing can change someone. His latest book, A Swim in a Pond in the Rain, is a deep exploration of writing, and how the mind works while reading. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Award-winning Journalist and writer Rick Morton talks to Cheryl Akle about quantum physics, journalism, growing up poor, having complex PTSD, and rediscovering love. His latest book, My Year of Living Vulnerably, is out now.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Better Reading's Cheryl Akle and Jane Tara discuss their favourite new releases, the ABIA shortlist... and how they both want to travel on the Ghan!Books mentioned:Trick of the Light by Fiona McCallumThe Jam Queens by Josephine Moon Buddhism for Meat Eaters by Josephine Moon Half Life by Jillian CantorBarrenjoey Road by Neil Mercer and Ruby JonesYou Need to Know by Nicola MoriartyMirrorland by Carole JohnstoneWild at Heart by Alienor le GouvelloThe Truth About Her by Jacqueline Maley See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Walkley Award-winning journalist and international commentator Stan Grant talks to Cheryl Akle about universal western liberalism, its virtues and the deep trouble with it, and how we are at a time of momentous upheaval and enormous geopolitical shifts. Stan's latest book, With the Falling of the Dusk, is in stores now. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Walkley Award-winning investigative journalist Neil Mercer talks to Cheryl Akle about the importance of women speaking up, and his latest book Barrenjoey Road. Content warning: Sexual assault See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

GP and author Katie McMahon talks to Cheryl Akle about her career as a doctor, and how her debut novel, The Mistake, was written at a Fiona McIntosh writing masterclass. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Motivational speaker and author Kirsty Everett talks to Cheryl Akle about how she survived two bouts of cancer, and how she came to write her memoir Honey Blood. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Research Psychologist Dr Sarah Woodhouse talks to Cheryl Akle about trauma, how most of us have experienced trauma, and how you can break the trauma loop by using the latest research-based techniques that she writes about in her book, You’re Not Broken.  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Better Reading's Cheryl Akle and Jane Tara discuss their favourite new releases, book news, the Top 100... and elephants.Books mentioned:The Chase by Candice FoxLove Objects by Emily MaguireThe Zookeeper of Belfast by S. Kirk WalshLoud by Tana DouglasAs Swallows Fly by L.P. McMahonGreetings from Trumpland by Zoe Daniel and Roscoe Whalan See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

U.S. correspondent, journalist, and author Zoe Daniel talks to Cheryl Akle about her latest book, Greetings from Trumpland which explores America's chaotic political climate and how the world has reacted to it. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.