Kate Evans

And the way he writes people and society and social changes and social issues is fantastic.

It's so rooted in character and in authentic, addictive dialogue that you're really swept away with the story.

So I think listeners should look out for that one.

Thank you very much.

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Wild times in old Berlin, 19th century circuses and what tragedy does to a family.

These are the stories in today's novel selection.

Hi, I'm Kate Evans.

Today, a story of travelling human spectacle in Elizabeth McNeill's Circus of Wonders.

And new Australian fiction with the arresting Echolalia by Bryony Doyle.

Well, when we first meet her, as you say, the marriage is at an end, but she's been funny and sharp and spiky and difficult, but she doesn't entirely know why, does she?

But you kept some of the same characters.

So how does that work?

Now, Michael Delaney is also with us, a writer and digital producer here at the ABC and a regular guest on the bookshelf.

Hi, Michael.

Now, you write a lot of non-fiction.

Do you chuck it away the way that Meg does?

Start again?

Now, last time you were on the show, we were in the early days of lockdown and you just rearranged all of your bookshelves in colour.