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

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>

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

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.

Drawing Courage from 'Dangerous' Women - Antoinette Lattouf

Prepare for a peek inside the one-of-a-kind mind behind some of the most seriously kid-approved stories ever!

In this episode, record-breaking and internationally bestselling children’s author and Australian Children’s Laureate Andy Griffiths shares:
How telling neighborhood kids fibs about his bath time led to his love of storytelling
How his path to being an author first led to teaching and punk-rock
Why iconic children's stories like Hansel & Gretel have a special blend of horror and humour
The 5 Essential Elements of Children's Fiction
How Andy still listens closely to his inner ten year old
Andy's mission as Australian Children’s Laureate to defend endangered school libraries and rebuild long-form focus in a screen-obsessed world.
How all his books (including his latest You and Me and the Gigantic Knucklehead) are always true stories (even if nothing true happens in them)
How absurd, uninhibited play is the key to imagination and creativity for anyone

And much much more. 

Prepare for a peek inside the one-of-a-kind mind behind some of the most seriously kid-approved stories ever!
In this episode, record-breaking and internationally bestselling children&rsquo;s author and Australian Children&rsquo;s Laureate Andy Griffiths shares:
<ul>
<li>How telling neighborhood kids fibs about his bath time led to his love of storytelling</li>
<li>How his path to being an author first led to teaching and punk-rock</li>
<li>Why iconic children's stories like Hansel &amp; Gretel have a special blend of horror and humour</li>
<li>The 5 Essential Elements of Children's Fiction</li>
<li>How Andy still listens closely to his inner ten year old</li>
<li>Andy's mission as Australian Children&rsquo;s Laureate to defend endangered school libraries and rebuild long-form focus in a screen-obsessed world.</li>
<li>How all his books (including his latest&nbsp;You and Me and the Gigantic Knucklehead) are always true stories (even if nothing true happens in them)</li>
<li>How absurd, uninhibited play is the key to imagination and creativity for anyone</li>
</ul>
And much much more.&nbsp;

The Serious Power of Uninhibited Imagination, with Andy Griffiths

Luke becomes acquainted with this regency romance classic, with it themes, characters and moments, and what they all have to show us about modern romance today.

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 Pride and Prejudice 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 becomes acquainted with this regency romance classic, with it themes, characters and moments, and what they all have to show us about modern romance today.
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 Pride and Prejudice 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>

Book Club: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Luke is joined by Shen Tao, the brilliant debut author behind The Poet Empress—a novel Luke proudly declares as his favorite book of the year so far! 

But despite being a debut, it was far from Shen's first work. In fact, as she reveals, there were many unpublished books before it...

Shen details exactly what made The Poet Empress different, the breakthrough that allowed its first four chapters to "flow like water," how dark themes of forbidden female literacy and systemic corruption shaped the narrative, and how ancient Chinese philosophy and different views of masculinity helped humanise her complex antagonists.

Plus, she reveals the books that most influence her life, and why writing to her is a true form of magic.

Luke is joined by Shen Tao, the brilliant debut author behind&nbsp;The Poet Empress&mdash;a novel Luke proudly declares as his favorite book of the year so far!&nbsp;
But despite being a debut, it was far from Shen's first work. In fact, as she reveals, there were many unpublished books before it...
Shen details exactly what made The Poet Empress different, the breakthrough that allowed its first four chapters to "flow like water," how dark themes of forbidden female literacy and systemic corruption shaped the narrative, and how ancient Chinese philosophy and different views of masculinity helped humanise her complex antagonists.
Plus, she reveals the books that most influence her life, and why writing to her is a true form of magic.

Shen Tao: The Real Magic of Words & the Poet Empress

From relentless research, to battling book bans, to a career of 30 bestsellers and counting, Jodi Picoult is a literary force unlike any other.

In this conversation, Luke and Jodi trace her journey from reading at three years old and surviving over 100 agent rejections (and getting the ultimate petty revenge decades later) to the eerie 10-word postcard that inspired her new book, Hollow Bones, and a peek into what she's working on next. Jodi pulls back the curtain on her creative process—explaining the "tornado" moment when a book’s first line finally touches down, and the deeply personal reasons behind the big topics she chooses to explore.

Jodi also pulls zero punches on culture and society, exposing the infuriating inadequacies within women's healthcare, the true political motive behind censorship in schools, and her hot take on why she 'calls BS' on William Shakespeare. Complete with warm reflections on her legacy, this episode is a masterclass in craft, courage, and conviction.

From relentless research, to battling book bans, to a career of 30 bestsellers and counting, Jodi Picoult is a literary force unlike any other.
In this conversation, Luke and Jodi trace her journey from reading at three years old and surviving over 100 agent rejections (and getting the ultimate petty revenge decades later) to the eerie 10-word postcard that inspired her new book, Hollow Bones, and a peek into what she's working on next. Jodi pulls back the curtain on her creative process&mdash;explaining the "tornado" moment when a book&rsquo;s first line finally touches down, and the deeply personal reasons behind the big topics she chooses to explore.
Jodi also pulls zero punches on culture and society, exposing the infuriating inadequacies within women's healthcare, the true political motive behind censorship in schools, and her hot take on why she 'calls BS' on William Shakespeare. Complete with warm reflections on her legacy, this episode is a masterclass in craft, courage, and conviction.

The Limitless Passion of Jodi Picoult

Sydney-based author Joshua Hortinella, after becoming beloved in the book industry for over a decade, has just penned Hate You to Love You, one of the most vibrant romance debuts of the year.

Josh spills wild behind-the-scenes secrets of bookselling—including the joys of stocking, heartwarming customer interactions, and mysterious boxes. 
He opens up about how queer representation helped him overcoming feeling like a "side character" in his own life, shares the emotional highs and lows of writing enemies-to-lovers dynamics, how his book was an accidental love letter, and why holding it for the first time was an experience so powerful he almost had a panic attack. 

But most of all, Josh shares his deep love for love itself, including rom-com nostalgia and why queer literature is for everyone, along with his top three recommendations for jus that topic... along with the book he is drawn to read every single winter.

Sydney-based author Joshua Hortinella, after becoming beloved in the book industry for over a decade, has just penned Hate You to Love You, one of the most vibrant romance debuts of the year.
Josh spills wild behind-the-scenes secrets of bookselling&mdash;including the joys of stocking, heartwarming customer interactions, and mysterious boxes.&nbsp; He opens up about how queer representation helped him overcoming feeling like a "side character" in his own life,&nbsp;shares the emotional highs and lows of writing enemies-to-lovers dynamics, how his book was an accidental love letter, and why holding it for the first time was an experience so powerful he almost had a panic attack.&nbsp;
But most of all, Josh shares his deep love for love itself, including rom-com nostalgia and why queer literature is for everyone, along with his top three recommendations for jus that topic... along with the book he is drawn to read every single winter.

Joshua Hortinela Talks Representation, That 'Rom Com Feeling' and His Top Queer Romance Recommendations

A pre-birth prophecy, a contrarian relationship to fear that pushes her toward her deepest discomforts, and years spent studying both the stars and the greatest monsters of our imaginations alike. 
These aren't the notes of a fictional character - this is the lore of V.E Schwab herself!  

In this incredibly candid interview, she tells Luke all about it, along with illuminating insights into her writing philosophy and her most loved works, including:
How The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue contains her most personal character ever (that's not Addie!)
How Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil explores not only her favourite monster, but one of her favourite themes
 How she had the end to her her upcoming novel Victorious, the finale in her Villains Trilogy, from the very start - and exactly what we can expect from it.

 

A pre-birth prophecy, a contrarian relationship to fear that pushes her toward her deepest discomforts, and years spent studying both the stars and the greatest monsters of our imaginations alike.&nbsp; These aren't the notes of a fictional character - this is the lore of V.E Schwab herself!&nbsp;&nbsp;
In this incredibly candid interview, she tells Luke all about it, along with illuminating insights into her writing philosophy and her most loved works, including:
<ul>
<li>How&nbsp;The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue contains her most personal character ever (that's not Addie!)</li>
<li>How&nbsp;Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil explores not only her favourite monster, but one of her favourite themes</li>
<li>&nbsp;How she had the end to her her upcoming novel Victorious, the finale in her Villains Trilogy, from the very start - and exactly what we can expect from it.</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;

V.E Schwab: Fear, Magic, Monsters and Her Own 'Deep Lore'

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

Social links:

Follow the podcast:

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