It's the halfway point of the year and, surprise, Luke's read a lot of books so far! Here he takes us through some of his favourite discoveries - from a fantasy at the end of the world, sci-fi that takes you out of this world, a non-fiction that changes the way you see our world and more.

Which of these have you read? What have your favourite book discoveries of the year been so far?
Let us know and have your voice notes featured on the podcast: 
email goodbooks@taptmedia.com.au.

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

It's the halfway point of the year and, surprise, Luke's read a lot of books so far! Here he takes us through some of his favourite discoveries - from a fantasy at the end of the world, sci-fi that takes you out of this world, a non-fiction that changes the way you see our world and more.
Which of these have you read? What have your favourite book discoveries of the year been so far? Let us know and have your voice notes featured on the podcast:&nbsp; email <a href="mailto:goodbooks@taptmedia.com.au">goodbooks@taptmedia.com.au</a>.
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;

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 Reads in 2026 So Far

You wouldn't expect constructing a crime thriller to be a time of laughter and healing after a tragic loss. But that's exactly what it was for Matt Nable.

In this conversation, the multi-talented ex-sport star, actor and author talks about why writing is his biggest love above all, the encouragement another legendary Australian writer gave him that changed everything, the moment he felt safe revealing his creativity to his fellow footy-mates, everything that went into crafting his latest book Mire.

Find more of Matt's books here: https://www.hachette.com.au/matt-nable

Thanks to Hachette Australia.

You wouldn't expect constructing a crime thriller to be a time of laughter and healing after a tragic loss. But that's exactly what it was for Matt Nable.
In this conversation, the multi-talented ex-sport star, actor and author talks about why writing is his biggest love above all, the encouragement another legendary Australian writer gave him that changed everything, the moment he felt safe revealing his creativity to his fellow footy-mates, everything that went into crafting his latest book&nbsp;Mire.
Find more of Matt's books here: https://www.hachette.com.au/matt-nable
Thanks to Hachette Australia.

The Secret Grief Behind Matt Nable’s Latest Novel

The episode that proves that you SHOULD meet your heroes
Luke is joined by Peter V. Brett, the acclaimed writer behind the Demon Cycle, a fantasy series destined to one of Luke's favourites from the moment he picked it up at 13. 
In this raw and far-ranging chat, Luke gets to express just how much Peter's work has meant to him, and explore the incredible impact that fantasy can have as a whole.

Peter retells the beginnings of his career, from the many manuscripts that will never see the light of day, to writing his breakthrough on his phone on the subway to his day job, the breakthough, all he learned along the way- and even a peek at what's next. He explains how witnessing the 9/11 attacks in New York inspired his written world, how he deliberately aims for his works to make his readers more empathetic, the importance of representation, what true literary heroes really look like, and the incredible power fantasy has to empower us and help us find belonging.

The episode that proves that you SHOULD meet your heroes Luke is joined by Peter V. Brett, the acclaimed writer behind the Demon Cycle, a fantasy series destined to one of Luke's favourites from the moment he picked it up at 13.&nbsp; In this raw and far-ranging chat, Luke gets to express just how much Peter's work has meant to him, and explore the incredible impact that fantasy can have as a whole. Peter retells the beginnings of his career, from the many manuscripts that will never see the light of day, to writing his breakthrough on his phone on the subway to his day job, the breakthough, all he learned along the way- and even a peek at what's next. He explains how witnessing the 9/11 attacks in New York inspired his written world, how he deliberately aims for his works to make his readers more empathetic, the importance of representation, what true literary heroes really look like, and the incredible power fantasy has to empower us and help us find belonging.

One of Luke's MOST LOVED Authors! Peter V. Brett on How Fantasy Worlds Give Us Real Strength

Prepare to be immersed in the times and lives of history in the most sweeping epic of Maggie O'Farrell's career yet. 

In this episode, Luke breaks down the lyrical, poetry-like prose and perspective-shifting narrative while exploring the story's rich tapestry of 19th-century Irish history, complex family dynamics, and the resonances he himself found with the stories vivid characters. 

How do the hardships of the past shape who we are? Can forcing ourselves to slow down help us truly step into another person's shoes? What does it mean to deeply belong to a place that outlasts all human attempts to own or alter it?

What are your thoughts? Let us know and have your voice notes featured on the podcast: email goodbooks@taptmedia.com.au.

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 Land 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

Prepare to be immersed in the times and lives of history in the most sweeping epic of Maggie O'Farrell's career yet.&nbsp;
In this episode, Luke breaks down the lyrical, poetry-like prose and perspective-shifting narrative while exploring the story's rich tapestry of 19th-century Irish history, complex family dynamics, and the resonances he himself found with the stories vivid characters.&nbsp;
How do the hardships of the past shape who we are? Can forcing ourselves to slow down help us truly step into another person's shoes? What does it mean to deeply belong to a place that outlasts all human attempts to own or alter it?
What are your thoughts? Let us know and have your voice notes featured on the podcast: email <a href="mailto:goodbooks@taptmedia.com.au">goodbooks@taptmedia.com.au</a>.
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 Land and other Good Book Club picks, go to&nbsp;<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>

Luke's Favourite Reads in 2026 So Far

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