From ride-or-die besties to deep, complex bonds, Luke explores the most memorable friendships which anchor the greatest fantasy novels and fictional worlds.
(00:00) Intro
(00:34) Listener Audio
(04:47) Friendships in Fiction
(07:12) Friendship #1: Locke and Jean from The Gentleman Bastard series 
(11:57)Friendship #2: Jude and Willem from A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
(17:53)Friendship #3: Aman Jair and Arlen Bales from The Demon Cycle series
(22:27) The Importance of Friendship
(24:06) Share Your Friendship Stories and Favorite Fictional Friendships

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

From ride-or-die besties to deep, complex bonds, Luke explores the most memorable friendships which anchor the greatest fantasy novels and fictional worlds.
<ul>
<li>(00:00) Intro</li>
<li>(00:34) Listener Audio</li>
<li>(04:47) Friendships in Fiction</li>
<li>(07:12) Friendship #1: Locke and Jean from <a href="https://books.apple.com/pl/book/the-gentleman-bastard-series-3-book-bundle/id998195744">The Gentleman Bastard series </a></li>
<li>(11:57)Friendship #2: Jude and Willem from <a href="https://books.apple.com/au/book/a-little-life/id994799509">A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara</a></li>
<li>(17:53)Friendship #3: Aman Jair and Arlen Bales from <a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-demon-cycle-5-book-bundle/id1499290776">The Demon Cycle series</a></li>
<li>(22:27) The Importance of Friendship</li>
<li>(24:06) Share Your Friendship Stories and Favorite Fictional Friendships</li>
</ul>
We want to hear from you! Send us your audio by emailing us at GoodBooks@nine.com.au.&nbsp;
Follow all the action on our socials:&nbsp;
Instagram -<a href="https://www.instagram.com/inthegoodbooks_podcast/"> https://www.instagram.com/inthegoodbooks_podcast/</a> TikTok -<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@inthegoodbooks_podcast"> https://www.tiktok.com/@inthegoodbooks_podcast</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

Luke's Favourite Fictional Friendships

Join The Good Books Club as Luke reviews Paullina Simons’ sweeping historical romance, The Bronze Horseman.
(00:00) Intro
(00:34) Listener Audio
(03:23) The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons
(04:15) First Impressions
(06:18) The Setting: Leningrad, the Siege, and the War Hardship
(09:11) Tension in the Metanova Apartment
(10:26) The Love Story
(11:38) The Sexual/Romantic Writing
(13:40) Alexander's Character
(16:45) SPOILER: Alexander's Sacrifice and The Ending
(19:20) Final Takeaway
(21:05) The Next Book Club Pick: Moon Blooded Breeding Clinic by CM Ncosta

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 

Join The Good Books Club as Luke reviews Paullina Simons&rsquo; sweeping historical romance, The Bronze Horseman.
<ul>
<li>(00:00) Intro</li>
<li>(00:34) Listener Audio</li>
<li>(03:23) <a href="https://books.apple.com/au/book/the-bronze-horseman/id660542444">The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons</a></li>
<li>(04:15) First Impressions</li>
<li>(06:18) The Setting: Leningrad, the Siege, and the War Hardship</li>
<li>(09:11) Tension in the Metanova Apartment</li>
<li>(10:26) The Love Story</li>
<li>(11:38) The Sexual/Romantic Writing</li>
<li>(13:40) Alexander's Character</li>
<li>(16:45) SPOILER: Alexander's Sacrifice and The Ending</li>
<li>(19:20) Final Takeaway</li>
<li>(21:05) The Next Book Club Pick: <a href="https://books.apple.com/au/audiobook/moon-blooded-breeding-clinic-cambric-creek-sweet-steamy/id1704748554">Moon Blooded Breeding Clinic by CM Ncosta</a></li>
</ul>
We want to hear from you! Send us your audio by emailing us at GoodBooks@nine.com.au.&nbsp;
Follow all the action on our socials:&nbsp;
Instagram -<a href="https://www.instagram.com/inthegoodbooks_podcast/"> https://www.instagram.com/inthegoodbooks_podcast/</a> TikTok -<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@inthegoodbooks_podcast"> https://www.tiktok.com/@inthegoodbooks_podcast</a>&nbsp;

BOOK CLUB: The Bronze Horseman 

Move over, Chosen Ones. 

We're shining a spotlight on the fantastic but often overlooked side characters of fantasy who well and truly make the story.
(00:00) Intro
(00:34) Listener Audio: A Little Lifeby Hanya Yanagihara
(04:33) Unsung Heroes in Fiction
(06:03) #1: Samwise Gamgee from The Lord of the Rings
(09:28) #2: Szeth-son-son-Vallano from Stormlight Archive
(12:49) #3: Night Eyes from Realm of the Elderlings
(16:41) The Importance of Unsung Heroes and Why We Relate to Them
(18:19) Share Your Favorite Unsung Heroes

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 

Move over, Chosen Ones.&nbsp;
We're shining a spotlight on the fantastic but often overlooked side characters of fantasy who well and truly make the story.
<ul>
<li>(00:00) Intro</li>
<li>(00:34) Listener Audio:&nbsp;<a href="https://books.apple.com/au/book/a-little-life/id994799509">A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara</a></li>
<li>(04:33) Unsung Heroes in Fiction</li>
<li>(06:03) #1: Samwise Gamgee from <a href="https://books.apple.com/au/book/the-lord-of-the-rings/id1564890010">The Lord of the Rings</a></li>
<li>(09:28) #2: Szeth-son-son-Vallano from <a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-stormlight-archive-books-1-4/id6449191703">Stormlight Archive</a></li>
<li>(12:49) #3:&nbsp;Night Eyes from <a href="https://books.apple.com/us/author/robin-hobb/id309950718">Realm of the Elderlings</a></li>
<li>(16:41) The Importance of Unsung Heroes and Why We Relate to Them</li>
<li>(18:19) Share Your Favorite Unsung Heroes</li>
</ul>
We want to hear from you! Send us your audio by emailing us at GoodBooks@nine.com.au.&nbsp;
Follow all the action on our socials:&nbsp;
Instagram -<a href="https://www.instagram.com/inthegoodbooks_podcast/"> https://www.instagram.com/inthegoodbooks_podcast/</a> TikTok -<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@inthegoodbooks_podcast"> https://www.tiktok.com/@inthegoodbooks_podcast</a>&nbsp;

Celebrating Unsung Heroes

New year, new me... Right? 

Luke shares the four most impactful non-fiction books to help you achieve personal growth, cultivate success, and change your mindset for a better 2026.
(00:00) Intro
(00:34) Listener Audio
(01:19) Book Recommendation: The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne
(02:29) How to Become the Best Version of Yourself
(04:47) The Science of Stuck by Britt Frank
(08:21) Atomic Habits by James Clear 
(11:24) The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins
(15:40) The Second Mountain by David Brooks
(20:01) The 4-Book Wrap Up
(21:00) Make Reading Books A 2026 Goal

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 

New year, new me... Right?&nbsp;
Luke shares the four most impactful non-fiction books to help you achieve personal growth, cultivate success, and change your mindset for a better 2026.
<ul>
<li>(00:00) Intro</li>
<li>(00:34) Listener Audio</li>
<li>(01:19) Book Recommendation: <a href="https://books.apple.com/au/book/the-hearts-invisible-furies/id1130835263">The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne</a></li>
<li>(02:29) How to Become the Best Version of Yourself</li>
<li>(04:47) <a href="https://books.apple.com/us/audiobook/the-science-of-stuck-breaking-through-inertia-to/id1579443664">The Science of Stuck by Britt Frank</a> </li>
<li>(08:21) <a href="https://books.apple.com/au/book/atomic-habits/id1374709151">Atomic Habits by James Clear </a></li>
<li>(11:24)<a href="https://books.apple.com/au/book/the-let-them-theory/id6737295867"> The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins</a></li>
<li>(15:40) <a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-second-mountain/id1399986640">The Second Mountain by David Brooks</a></li>
<li>(20:01) The 4-Book Wrap Up</li>
<li>(21:00) Make Reading Books A 2026 Goal</li>
</ul>
We want to hear from you! Send us your audio by emailing us at GoodBooks@nine.com.au.&nbsp;
Follow all the action on our socials:&nbsp;
Instagram -<a href="https://www.instagram.com/inthegoodbooks_podcast/"> https://www.instagram.com/inthegoodbooks_podcast/</a> TikTok -<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@inthegoodbooks_podcast"> https://www.tiktok.com/@inthegoodbooks_podcast</a>&nbsp;

Luke's Favourite Fictional Friendships

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