Luke has always hated horror. But was a classic by genre-master Stephen King enough to change his mind?

In this Book Club episode, Luke breaks down the origins of his resistance to horror of all kinds, and why despite this, he still had plenty of things that excited him about diving into Pet Sematary - including growing closer to his mother. He reveals how the book was nothing like he expected, the surprisingly emotional and personal journey it took him on, and the dark themes he was forced to confront.  

Stay connected on our socials:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/inthegoodbooks_podcast/ 
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@inthegoodbooks_podcast 

Thanks to Hachette - for the list of their expert readalikes for Pet Sematary and other Good Book Club picks, go to https://www.hachette.com.au/news/in-the-good-books 

and for more, visit www.hachette.com.au

Luke has always hated horror. But was a classic by genre-master Stephen King enough to change his mind?
In this Book Club episode, Luke breaks down the origins of his resistance to horror of all kinds, and why despite this, he still had plenty of things that excited him about diving into Pet Sematary - including growing closer to his mother. He reveals how the book was nothing like he expected, the surprisingly emotional and personal journey it took him on, and the dark themes he was forced to confront.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Stay connected on our socials: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/inthegoodbooks_podcast/&nbsp; TikTok - <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@inthegoodbooks_podcast">https://www.tiktok.com/@inthegoodbooks_podcast</a>&nbsp;
Thanks to Hachette - for the list of their expert readalikes for Pet Sematary and other Good Book Club picks, go to <a href="https://www.hachette.com.au/news/in-the-good-books">https://www.hachette.com.au/news/in-the-good-books</a>&nbsp;
and for more, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hachette.com.au">www.hachette.com.au</a>

What’s your story? Everyone has one — the ones we read and the ones we live.

In The Good Books is a new weekly podcast that serves as a community for those who believe in the power of a good story.

Each week, host Luke Bateman shares the books that have shaped his world, from timeless classics to buzzy bestsellers. He’ll also sit down with the most fascinating voices in the literary world — from bestselling authors to emerging new talent — as they reveal the inspirations behind their work.

This is more than a book club; it's a space to explore how the stories we consume influence the lives we lead.

We want to hear from you! Send us your audio by emailing us at GoodBooks@nine.com.au. 

Follow all the action on our socials: 

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/inthegoodbooks_podcast/
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@inthegoodbooks_podcast

What&rsquo;s your story? Everyone has one &mdash; the ones we read and the ones we live.
In The Good Books is a new weekly podcast that serves as a community for those who believe in the power of a good story.
Each week, host Luke Bateman shares the books that have shaped his world, from timeless classics to buzzy bestsellers. He&rsquo;ll also sit down with the most fascinating voices in the literary world &mdash; from bestselling authors to emerging new talent &mdash; as they reveal the inspirations behind their work.
This is more than a book club; it's a space to explore how the stories we consume influence the lives we lead.
We want to hear from you! Send us your audio by emailing us at&nbsp;<a href="mailto:GoodBooks@nine.com.au">GoodBooks@nine.com.au</a>.&nbsp;
Follow all the action on our socials:&nbsp;
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/inthegoodbooks_podcast/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@inthegoodbooks_podcast

Luke Bateman shares the books that have shaped his world, from timeless classics to buzzy bestsellers. A community for those who believe in the power of a good story.

In The Good Books with Luke Bateman

Book Club: Did Stephen King's 'Pet Sematary' Convert Me to Horror?

Everyone is discussing their favourite Australian books right now following the ABC Radio National Top 100 Australian books countdown. So, here are four of Luke's absolute favourites - from non-stop action adventure, to a fantasy gateway to non-fiction that changes how you see the world.

Stay connected on our socials:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/inthegoodbooks_podcast/ 
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@inthegoodbooks_podcast 

Everyone is discussing their favourite Australian books right now following the ABC Radio National Top 100 Australian books countdown. So, here are four of Luke's absolute favourites - from non-stop action adventure, to a fantasy gateway to non-fiction that changes how you see the world.
Stay connected on our socials: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/inthegoodbooks_podcast/&nbsp; TikTok - <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@inthegoodbooks_podcast">https://www.tiktok.com/@inthegoodbooks_podcast</a>&nbsp;

My Favourite Australian Books

History was written by the victors and the wealthy— but Ariel Lawhon is on a relentless mission to resurrect the women they erased.

From an off-grid childhood reading by kerosene light in New Mexico to teaching herself how to write after leaving home at 16, Ariel shares the unconventional roots of her storytelling and why she views historical fiction not as a genre, but as an unflinching lens on human survival. She dives deep into the fierce, 70-year journey of Irish pirate chieftain Grace O’Malley, reveals the Dublin jewelry-shop breakthrough that sparked the novel's "Maiden, Mother, Matriarch" structure, and explains what it truly means to be a "mercenary" author who grips readers by the jugular. Along the way, Ariel touches on why history's deepest truths are found in the home rather than the war room, and finally, reveals the 800-page masterpiece she wishes she could read for the first time all over again.

Stay connected on our socials:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/inthegoodbooks_podcast/ 
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@inthegoodbooks_podcast 

History was written by the victors and the wealthy&mdash; but Ariel Lawhon is on a relentless mission to resurrect the women they erased.
From an off-grid childhood reading by kerosene light in New Mexico to teaching herself how to write after leaving home at 16, Ariel shares the unconventional roots of her storytelling and why she views historical fiction not as a genre, but as an unflinching lens on human survival. She dives deep into the fierce, 70-year journey of Irish pirate chieftain Grace O&rsquo;Malley, reveals the Dublin jewelry-shop breakthrough that sparked the novel's "Maiden, Mother, Matriarch" structure, and explains what it truly means to be a "mercenary" author who grips readers by the jugular. Along the way, Ariel touches on why history's deepest truths are found in the home rather than the war room, and finally, reveals the 800-page masterpiece she wishes she could read for the first time all over again.
Stay connected on our socials: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/inthegoodbooks_podcast/&nbsp; TikTok - <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@inthegoodbooks_podcast">https://www.tiktok.com/@inthegoodbooks_podcast</a>&nbsp;

Ariel Lawhon on the Pirate Queen and Writing the Incredible Women History Forgot

How do you hold your ground when speaking the truth makes you a target?

For award-winning journalist, broadcaster, and author Antoinette Lattouf, at least one way is to draw upon the stories of all those who've done it before you.

In this episode, Antoinette unpacks the brutal reality of challenging power and the personal price of unflinching integrity - discussing her own battle against the ABC after speaking out on human rights in Gaza, and many other incredible examples from her book Women Who Win.

Antoinette reveals the books that shaped her, why a First Nations teacher changed the way she saw stories, how reading taught her to question authority and what effective communication really means to her today.

It's a conversation about institutional retaliation, mental health stigma, why women’s stories have so often been written out of history, and what “winning” means when the cost is high.

How do you hold your ground when speaking the truth makes you a target?
For award-winning journalist, broadcaster, and author Antoinette Lattouf, at least one way is to draw upon the stories of all those who've done it before you.
In this episode, Antoinette unpacks the brutal reality of challenging power and the personal price of unflinching integrity - discussing her own battle against the ABC after speaking out on human rights in Gaza, and many other incredible examples from her book Women Who Win.
Antoinette reveals the books that shaped her, why a First Nations teacher changed the way she saw stories, how reading taught her to question authority and what effective communication really means to her today.
It's a conversation about institutional retaliation, mental health stigma, why women&rsquo;s stories have so often been written out of history, and what &ldquo;winning&rdquo; means when the cost is high.

Book Club: Did Stephen King's 'Pet Sematary' Convert Me to Horror?

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