Stories Behind the Story with Better Reading
Episodes
Rebecca Herrmann: on the rise of audiobooks
20 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Bolinda Audio founder Rebecca Herrmann talks to Cheryl Akle about the rise in audiobooks, and why so many people are drawn to audio storytelling. ...
Inga Simpson: on her treechange and opening a writer's retreat
19 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Inga Simpson talks to Cheryl Akle about how a treechange inspired her writing, and why she opened a writing retreat. Her latest novel, The Last Women ...
Morris Gleitzman: on ending his popular Once series
15 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Bestselling author Morris Gleitzman talks to Cheryl Akle about the challenges of bringing his award-winning Once series to a close. The seve...
Ann Patchett: reflecting on her life and career
12 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Award-winning author Ann Patchett talks to Cheryl Akle about why she decided to write an essay collection, and how it helped her reflect on her life. ...
Dinah Jefferies: on the influence living in Spain had on her writing career
08 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Bestselling author Dinah Jefferies talks to Cheryl Akle about her time living in Spain, and how the GFC sparked her career in writing. Her latest nove...
Christos Tsiolkas: on how his cultural heritage has influenced his writing
07 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Award-winning author Christos Tsiolkas talks to Cheryl Akle about learning to love his cultural heritage, and what that meant for his writing. His lat...
Sara Foster: on the lack of maternal figures in dystopian fiction
05 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Sara Foster talks to Cheryl Akle about the lack of positive maternal figures in dystopian fiction. Her latest novel, The Hush, is a near-future dystop...
Van Badham: on QAnon and the rise of conspiracy theorists
01 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Van Badham talks to Cheryl Akle about the rise of QAnon, conspiracy theorists, and what it means for the world today. Her latest book, QAnon and ...
Garry Linnell: on one of Australia's most infamous serial killers
28 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Walkley Award-winning journalist Garry Linnell talks to Cheryl Akle about his latest book, The Devil's Work, which explores the life of Frederick Deem...
David Hunt: on exploring the crazy history of Australia
24 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
David Hunt talks to Cheryl Akle about the fascinating history of Australia, and how he finds the humour in it. His latest book, Girt Nation, is out no...
Lola Berry: on learning from failure
21 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Bestselling author Lola Berry talks to Cheryl Akle about why failing is something she looks forward to. Her new book, Fearlessly Failing, is a compani...
Anita Heiss: on the Aboriginal heroes of the Gundagai flood
17 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Poet, social commentator and bestselling author Anita Heiss talks to Cheryl Akle about her latest book, Bila Yarrudhanggalangdhuray (River o...
Julie Kalman: on people smuggling and the criminalisation of refugees
15 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Historian Julie Kalman talks to Cheryl Akle about people smuggling and the criminalisation of refugees in Australia. Her book, Smuggled, provides comp...
Shane Jenek: on the genesis to Courtney Act
14 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Shane Jenek talks to Cheryl Akle about the genesis to Courtney Act – artist, advocate, and now, author. Shane’s memoir, Caught in the Ac...
Jessie Burton: on retelling the story of Medusa
10 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Bestselling author Jessie Burton talks to Cheryl Akle about why the tale of Medusa was so appealing to her, and the challenges that go into a retellin...
Kate Langbroek: on what the Italian way of life can teach us
07 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Comedian, radio and television presenter Kate Langbroek talks to Cheryl Akle about why she moved to Italy with her family, and what the Italian w...
Yumi Stynes: on breaking the stigma around women's mental and sexual health
03 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Writer, radio broadcaster and television presenter Yumi Stynes talks to Cheryl Akle about how she's breaking the stigma around everything wo...
James Han Mattson: on exploring social issues through horror fiction
31 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
James Han Mattson talks to Cheryl Akle about how he explored social issues and racial relations in his literary horror novel, Repr...
Mimi Kwa: on exploring her family history
27 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
TV presenter and journalist Mimi Kwa talks to Cheryl Akle about how she explored her incredible family history in her debut memoir, Hou...
Tricia Stringer: on exploring female friendship in fiction
24 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Bestselling author Tricia Stringer talks to Cheryl Akle about exploring female friendship in fiction, and how COVID has shown us the importance of hum...
Karen Herbert: on how redundancy lead her to writing The River Mouth
20 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Karen Herbert talks to Cheryl Akle about how being made redundant gave her time to write The River Mouth, and why telling stories with ...
Caroline Overington: on how she turned lockdown into a bestselling thriller
17 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Associate Editor of The Australian and bestselling author Caroline Overington talks to Cheryl Akle about turning The Cuckoo's Cry ...
John Safran: on the smoking epidemic and the rise of vaping
13 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Filmmaker and bestselling author John Safran talks to Cheryl Akle about his latest book, Puff Piece, a deep dive into Big Tobacco and the va...
Judy Nunn: on writing, theatre and showbusiness
10 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Bestselling author, screenwriter and actor Judy Nunn talks to Cheryl Akle about her career in theatre and how it has influenced her writing. Her lates...
Tom Keneally: on exploring rural Australia through fiction
06 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Award-winning author Tom Keneally talks to Cheryl Akle about his extraordinary legacy and exploring rural Australia through fiction. His latest book,&...
Damien Cave: on how moving to Australia changed his relationship with risk
03 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
New York Times Journalist and author Damien Cave talks to Cheryl Akle about his move to Australia, and how it changed the way he and his family a...
Brendan Cowell: on acting, writing and everything in between
29 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Award-winning writer, director and actor Brendan Cowell talks to Cheryl Akle about his latest novel, Plum, and why it's so important to fost...
Tim Ayliffe: on the rise of extremism in Australia
26 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Journalist and author Tim Ayliffe talks to Cheryl Akle about politics, power, and the rise of far-right extremism in Australia. His latest novel,...
Cecelia Ahern: on how we are shaped by the people in our lives
22 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Cecilia Ahern talks to Cheryl Akle about her Sunday Times bestselling novel Freckles, which explores how we are shaped by the people in...
Alison MacLeod: on the power of fiction
19 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Alison MacLeod talks to Cheryl Akle about her latest historical fiction novel, Tenderness, an exploration of society's reaction to the ...
John M. Green: on publishing
15 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
John M. Green talks to Cheryl Akle about co-founding a publishing house, and why it's so important for us to embrace our creative side. His latest nov...
Robyn Harding: on why readers are drawn to domestic thrillers
12 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Bestselling author Robyn Harding talks to Cheryl Akle about why she's drawn to writing domestic thrillers, and what makes the genre so popular. H...
Thomas Mayo: on masculinity, love and culture
08 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Thomas Mayo talks to Cheryl Akle about his latest book, Dear Son, a collection of heartfelt letters written by First Nations ...
Catherine Steadman: on pulling back the curtain on show business
05 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Actor and bestselling author Catherine Steadman talks to Cheryl Akle about being an actress and an author, and how she pulls back the (...
Lisa Millar: on overcoming her fear of flying
01 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Walkley Award-winning journalist Lisa Millar talks to Cheryl Akle about the flight that changed her life and how she overcame her fear of fl...
Jake Avila: on the diving trip that inspired Cave Diver
30 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Jake Avila talks to Cheryl Akle about what makes cave diving so dangerous, and how a diving trip inspired his action-packed thriller, Cave Diver. Host...
Kim Lock: on using writing as an outlet for anxiety
29 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Kim Lock talks to Cheryl Akle about her acute anxiety and how her experiences living with it inspired her latest novel, The Other Side of Beautif...
Karen Brooks: on challenging the male perspective of history
25 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Author and academic Karen Brooks talks to Cheryl Akle about how her historical novels challenge the male perspective of history. Her latest novel, The...
Dr Norman Swan: on the toll COVID has taken on our wellbeing
22 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Norman Swan talks to Cheryl Akle about his latest book So You Think You Know What's Good for You? and why it's so important to ...
Imran Mahmood: on how a courtroom speech inspired his crime writing
18 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Imran Mahmood talks to Cheryl Akle about his career as a criminal defence barrister, which inspired his crime writing. His latest novel, I Know W...
John Doyle: on the life and career of the man behind Rampaging Roy Slaven
16 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Screenwriter, comedian, radio presenter, and author John Doyle talks to Cheryl Akle about his fascinating career, from Triple J to commentat...
Hannah Bent: on inspiration, grief, and change
16 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Author Hannah Bent talks to Cheryl Akle about her sister who lives with Down Syndrome, and who contracted Encephalitis with devastating consequen...
Pamela Hart: on cosy mysteries and home renovations
11 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Bestselling author Pamela Hart talks to Cheryl Akle about home renovations, cosy mysteries, and her first crime novel Digging Up Dirt. Hosted on Acast...
Kate Thwaites: on toxic culture in Australian Parliament
09 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Politician and author Kate Thwaites talks to Cheryl Akle about toxic culture and misogyny in the Australian Parliament. Her new book, Enough is E...
Nicola West: on setting a crime novel in her hometown
08 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Nicola West talks to Cheryl Akle about her small-town upbringing and how her father's law enforcement background influenced her debut novel, Catch Us ...
Sophie Green: on how her spiritual beliefs influence her writing
04 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Bestselling author Sophie Green talks to Cheryl Akle about yoga and how her spiritual beliefs influence her writing. Her latest novel, ...
Zakiya Dalila Harris: on being a young black woman in the publishing industry
02 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
New York Times bestselling author Zakiya Dalila Harris talks to Cheryl Akle about diversity in the publishing industry and how her own exper...
Kyle Perry: on overcoming the dreaded second book syndrome
01 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Bestselling author Kyle Perry talks to Cheryl Akle about the overwhelming success of his debut, The Bluffs, and writing The Deep on the...
James Phelps: on his research into the Australian prison system
28 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Bestselling author and journalist James Phelps talks to Cheryl Akle about his switch from writing true crime to fiction for his new novel, T...
Shannah Kennedy: on allowing ourselves to be happy with Plan B
25 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Bestselling author and life coach, Shannah Kennedy talks to Cheryl Akle about allowing ourselves to be happy when we don’t get what we planned in li...
Campbell Mattinson: on using writing to break down barriers of love and loss
21 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Campbell Mattinson talks to Cheryl Akle about how his writing has changed over the years and the tragedy that inspired his debut novel,...
Michael Mohammed Ahmad: on being Lebanese-Australian and reclaiming Arab humanity
18 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Award-winning author Michael Mohammed Ahmad and Cheryl Akle talk about being Lebanese-Australians, their parallel stories, and the normalised compromi...
Erina Reddan: on how her childhood inspired her fiction
14 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Walkley award winning journalist Erina Reddan talks to Cheryl Akle about her career as a foreign correspondent and how her childhood inspired her...
Fiona McIntosh: on what makes a good crime novel
11 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Bestselling author Fiona McIntosh talks to Cheryl Akle about hiring a retired detective to help her undertake research for Mirror Man,&...
Jillian Cantor: on why she chose to write about Nobel Prize winner Marie Curie
07 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Bestselling author Jillian Cantor talks to Cheryl Akle about her latest novel, Half Life, which is a fictional reimagining of the life of two tim...
Cassandra Austin: on feminism and how women's roles have changed
05 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Cassandra Austin talks to Cheryl Akle about her work as a filmmaker, feminism, and how women's roles have changed in the last few decades. Her latest ...
Julia Baird: on winning the ABIA Book of the Year
04 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Award-winning author Julia Baird talks to Cheryl Akle about winning the 2021 ABIA Book of the Year for Phosphorescence, and how the world has cha...
A.W Hammond: on researching and writing about moral grey areas in his WWII historical novel
30 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
A.W. Hammond talks to Cheryl Akle about researching the lives of those in occupied Paris during WWII, the intricacies of WWII historical fiction, and ...
Monica Dux: on Catholicism and her lapsed faith
30 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Monica Dux talks to Cheryl Akle about growing up Catholic and how she lost her faith. Her latest book, Lapsed, explores her relationship&nbs...
Ruhi Lee: on overcoming her family's expectations
28 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Melbourne writer Ruhi Lee talks to Cheryl Akle about her pathway to writing, her family's reaction to her memoir, and what she hopes for her young dau...
Mary-Anne O'Connor: on her work with women's shelters and researching women's suffrage
27 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Bestselling author Mary-Anne O'Connor talks to Cheryl Akle about her work with women's shelters, and researching women's suffrage for her la...
Kamalle Dabboussy: on his ongoing fight to free his daughter and grandchildren from the Islamic State
22 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Kamalle Dabboussy speaks to Cheryl about his ongoing fight to free his daughter and grandchildren from an Islamic State nightmare, and the events that...
Cindy Solonec: on her rich cultural heritage
21 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Cindy Solonec talks to Cheryl Akle about her rich cultural Nigena, Spanish and English heritage, and how she turned her PhD thesis about her f...
Yumiko Kadota: on being a female surgeon in a male-dominated industry
20 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Yumiko Kadota talks to Cheryl Akle about the challenges she faced as a young female surgeon in a male-dominated industry. Her bestselling memoir, Emot...
Kate Holden: on what really happened to Glen Turner
16 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Kate Holden talks to Cheryl Akle about the brutal story behind the murder of Glen Turner, and what inspired her to write about it. Her latest book,&nb...
Better Reading Book Chat: episode 14
15 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Better Reading’s Cheryl Akle and Jane Tara discuss their favourite new releases, road trips, and their love for audiobooks.Books mentioned:The Book ...
Kathy Reichs: on her career as a forensic anthropologist, crime writer and TV producer
13 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Bestselling author Kathy Reichs talks to Cheryl Akle about how her background as a forensic anthropologist inspired the Temperance Brennan series. The...
Tori Haschka: on her love of food and how it influenced her first novel
09 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Food and lifestyle writer Tori Haschka talks to Cheryl Akle about her first novel, Grace Under Pressure, their shared love of food, and how it has inf...
Meredith Jaffé: on writing a book set in a men's prison
06 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Meredith Jaffé talks to Cheryl Akle about why she decided to set her latest novel in a men's prison. The Dressmakers of Yarrandarrah Prison ...
Dr Robert Isaacs: on bridging the divide between white and black Australia
02 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Dr Robert Isaacs talks to Cheryl Akle about his religious upbringing, and discovering his indigenous heritage. His memoir, Two Cultures, One...
Better Reading Book Chat: episode 13
31 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Better Reading's Cheryl Akle and Jane Tara discuss their favourite new releases, what audiobooks they're listening to... and a surprise from...
Cathy Kelly: on journalism, perspective, and how her writing has evolved
30 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Sunday Times bestselling author Cathy Kelly talks to Cheryl Akle about her early career as a journalist, and how her writing has changed ove...
Madeleine Ryan: on being diagnosed with autism while writing A Room Called Earth
26 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Madeleine Ryan talks to Cheryl Akle about how she was diagnosed with autism while writing her debut novel, A Room Called Earth. Hosted on Acast. See ...
Better Reading Book Chat: episode 12
24 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Better Reading's Cheryl Akle and Jane Tara discuss their favourite new releases, Cheryl's recent trip to Gundagai, and her new column in The Australia...
Richard Flanagan: on the rotting underbelly of the Tasmanian salmon industry
23 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Booker Prize-winning author Richard Flanagan talks to Cheryl Akle about his latest non-fiction book, Toxic, which uncovers the rotting underbelly of t...
Reverend Bill Crews: on twelve practical life lessons for the secular and spiritual alike
19 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Reverend Bill Crews AM talks to Cheryl Akle about his straight-talking and inspiring manifesto on what it takes to be a better human and how...
Better Reading Book Chat: episode 11
17 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Better Reading's Cheryl Akle and Jane Tara discuss their favourite new releases, forensics, art, and their love of dogs.Books mentioned:Toxic by Richa...
Christina Sweeney-Baird: on imagining a man-killing virus for The End of Men... before COVID-19
16 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Book Chat: 2021 Better Reading Top 100
12 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Cheryl Akle and Jane Tara discuss the 2021 Better Reading Top 100. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Adam Thompson: on Aboriginal heritage, muttonbirding and storytelling
10 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Aboriginal (pakana) writer, Adam Thompson talks to Cheryl Akle about the importance of maintaining Aboriginal heritage sites, muttonbirding ...
Nikki Gemmell: on writing about Australia's dark history
09 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Bestselling author Nikki Gemmell talks to Cheryl Akle about colonisation, Australia's dark history, and how this inspired her thrilling...
Kate Foster: on raising a neurodiverse child
05 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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. ...
Better Reading Book Chat: episode 9
03 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 men...
Nicola Moriarty: on growing up in a family of storytellers
02 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 writin...
Lisa Harding: on growing up around addiction and the power of escapism
28 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Actress, playwright and author Lisa Harding talks to Cheryl Akle about the power of escapism, addiction, her childhood, and her acting career. Her lat...
Better Reading Book Chat: episode 8
26 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Better Reading's Cheryl Akle and Jane Tara discuss their favourite new releases... and audiobooks.Books mentioned:The Hill We Climb by Amanda GormanTh...
George Saunders: on how writing can fundamentally change someone
25 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Man Booker Prize-winning author George Saunders returns to talk to Cheryl Akle about the fundamental way writing can change someone. His latest book, ...
Rick Morton: on complex PTSD and rediscovering love
21 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Award-winning Journalist and writer Rick Morton talks to Cheryl Akle about quantum physics, journalism, growing up poor, having complex PTSD, and redi...
Better Reading Book Chat: episode 7
19 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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!Bo...
Stan Grant: on western liberalism and the state of the world
18 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Walkley Award-winning journalist and international commentator Stan Grant talks to Cheryl Akle about universal western liberalism, its virtues and the...
Neil Mercer: on what happened to Trudie Adams
12 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Walkley Award-winning investigative journalist Neil Mercer talks to Cheryl Akle about the importance of women speaking up, and his latest book Ba...
Katie McMahon: on how her love of medicine turned into a love of writing
11 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 w...
Kirsty Everett: on how she survived cancer not once, but twice
07 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 H...
Dr Sarah Woodhouse: on trauma and how to break free from it
04 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 l...
Better Reading Book Chat: episode 6
31 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Zoe Daniel: on America's chaotic political climate
30 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
U.S. correspondent, journalist, and author Zoe Daniel talks to Cheryl Akle about her latest book, Greetings from Trumpland which explores America's ch...
Kathy George: on Namibia to Melbourne and more
29 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Author Kathy George talks to Cheryl Akle about her adventure from Namibia to Melbourne, and her debut novel Sargasso. Hosted on Acast. See acast....
Better Reading Book Chat: episode 5
28 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Better Reading’s Cheryl Akle and Jane Tara discuss their favourite new releases, Better Reading Preview, the Top 100… and the 2021 Indie Book Awar...
Tana Douglas: on being the world's first female roadie and working with legends
23 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
World-famous roadie and author Tana Douglas talks to Cheryl Akle about her debut book, Loud, where she shares her experience of becoming the world's f...
C.J. Tudor: on interviewing movie stars and becoming an award-winning author
21 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Bestselling author C.J. Tudor talks to Cheryl Akle about the many movie stars she has interviewed and becoming an award-winning author. Her latest boo...