Former Sydney Swans footballer and author of 2025's unhinged footy novel Pissants, Brandon Jack, joins Steph from @Stephanie's House of Books for a chat.How did being an AFL player prepare Brandon for being an author? What hurts more - being critiqued by your editor or letting down your coach? And will Brandon actually reveal WHO the embittered fringe players from Pissants are based on?Plus, Brandon shares his hot tips for perfecting your writing craft and we ask the big questions, like can you change the colour of track changes in Word?Brandon Jack is an Australian author, journalist, musician and former Sydney Swans AFL player.After retiring from football in 2017, he published his memoir 28 in 2021 and in 2025 released his debut novel Pissants, a chaotic and hilarious behind-the-scenes look into what actually goes on in a professional football club.++Is there a cool person you’d like to hear on our podcast? Let us know in the comments!Follow us on socials:@brandonjackk@stephanieshouseofbooksPresented by Obooko —your go-to spot for free e-books.++Today’s reading list:28 by Brandon JackPissants by Brandon JackTrainspotting by Irvine WelshPostcards from the Edge by Carrie FisherA Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer EganLess Than Zero by Bret Easton EllisThe Shards by Bret Easton EllisIn Persuasion Nation by George SaundersTenth of December by George SaundersBoy Swallows Universe by Trent DaltonCrime and Punishment by Fyodor DostoevskyJust Kids by Patti SmithDusk by Robbie ArnottThe Rain Heron by Robbie Arnott
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Ashley Kalagian Blunt, author
Queen of tech-noir, author Ashley Kalagian Blunt joins Steph from @stephanieshouseofbooks for a chat.Find out what happened when law-abiding Ashley stepped into the dark web for the first time, what current true crime she's obsessed with, and how she single handedly re-defined an entire sub-genre of thriller.Plus, how hitting rock bottom with chronic fatigue actually helped Ashley find the thing she was really meant to do.Ashley Kalagian Blunt is the Sydney-based author of Dark Mode, Cold Truth and How to Be Australian. Her books explore how modern technology makes us vulnerable , and have inspired a new generation of thrillers about internet-based crime. Her new Audible Original, Like, Follow, Die, is out now, with the print and ebook editions coming in March 2026.++Is there a cool person you’d like to hear on our podcast? Let us know in the comments!Follow us on socials:@stephanieshouseofbooks@akalagianbluntPresented by Obooko—your go-to spot for free e-books.++Today’s reading list:My Name is Revenge by Ashley Kalagian BluntDark Mode by Ashley Kalagian BluntLike Follow Die by Ashley Kalagian BluntCold Truth by Ashley Kalagian BluntHow to be Australian by Ashley Kalagian BluntAnd Then the Darkness: The disappearance of Peter Falconio and the trials of Joanne Lees by Sue WilliamsThe Wolf Tree by Laura McCluskeyThe Couple Next Door by Shari LapenaThe Secret History by Donna TarttBody Friend by Katherine BrabonCure by Katherine Brabon
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Season Finale with Literature Lad
I'm Steph from @Stephanieshouseofbooks and it's our season finale!I'm joined today by @literature_lad who has brought a small suitcase of Australian fiction to share with us.Join us as we chat about some of our favourite moments from this season, reflect on Steph's latest favourite book Reservoir Bitches, and manifest the celebs we want to visit the pod next season.Also, Zack announces there will be a Cool People Reading in real life book club, but stay tuned, because we need to work out the details first.Thanks so much for listening to Season One! I hope you've loved it. See you in Season Two!++Is there a cool person you’d like to hear on our podcast? Let us know in the comments!Follow us on socials:@stephanieshouseofbooks@literature_ladPresented by Obooko—your go-to spot for free e-books.++Today’s reading list:Reservoir Bitches by Dahlia de la CerdaAnimal by Lisa TaddeoAustralia Day by Melanie ChengThe Burrow by Melanie ChengDiving Falling by Kylie MirmohamadiBetween a Wolf and a Dog by Georgia BlainAustralian Gospel by Lech BlaineEx-Wife by Ursula ParrottColony by Annika NorlinThe Thrill of It by Mandy BeaumontThe Furies by Mandy BeaumontAn Exciting and Vivid Inner Life by Paul Dalla RosaLimber Lost by Robbie ArnottThe Rain Heron by Robbie ArnottThe White Girl by Tony BirchWomen and Children by Tony BirchLove, Pamela by Pamela Anderson
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Marc Pittonet, Carlton AFL player
I'm Steph from @Stephanieshouseofbooks and today I'm joined by avid reader and AFL player, Carlton ruckman Marc Pittonet. Find out how Marc chooses what book to read the night before a big game, how he uses reading books like Fourth Wing as a wellness tool, and what book he's read eight times.Plus, would Marc ever consider reading a book on field during the team warm up like Jack Ginnivan did in round one?++Is there a cool person you’d like to hear on our podcast? Let us know in the comments!Follow us on socials:@stephanieshouseofbooks@marc_pittonetPresented by Obooko—your go-to spot for free e-books.++Today’s reading list:Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch AlbomThe Power Law: Venture Capital and the Making of the New Future by Sebastian MallabyFourth Wing by Rebecca YarrosRed Notice by Bill BrowderShoedog by Phil KnightIce Station by Matthew ReillySeven Ancient Wonders by Matthew Reilly Harry Potter by JK RowlingWay of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan MillmanIntensity by Pep Lijnders
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JP Pomare, author
I'm Steph from @Stephanieshouseofbooks and today - by popular demand - I'm joined by the very funny, award-winning author of seven books, JP Pomare.JP talks about the process of having his crime books adapted for the screen, how cancel culture becomes problematic, and what happened when his ex-girlfriend said her favourite book was Shantaram.He also gives us a sneak peak into the book he's currently writing, a follow up to The Wrong Woman.Plus, JP reveals that he wants to become a book reviewer on Instagram and needs help deciding on a name.JP's psychological thriller In the Clearing was adapted into an eight-part series by Disney. His novel The Last Guests has been developed into an erotic thriller airing on Stan in late 2025.++Is there a cool person you’d like to hear on our podcast? Let us know in the comments!Follow us on socials:@stephanieshouseofbooks@jppomarePresented by Obooko—your go-to spot for free e-books.++Today’s reading list:The Last Guests by JP PomareIn the Clearing by JP PomareHarry Potter by JK RowlingCold Truth by Ashley Kalagian BluntThe Hollow Girl by Lyn YeowartTomorrow & Tomorrow & Tomorrow by Gabrielle ZevinProphet Song by Paul LynchLimberlost by Robbie ArnottThe Heart in Winter by Kevin BarryThe Genetic Book of the Dead by Richard DawkinsThinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel KahnemanSons and Lovers by DH Lawrence
Your favourite footballers, chefs and influencers — but make it bookish. Steph from @stephanieshouseofbooks gets behind the mic to talk reading, recommendations, and the chaos of fitting books into busy lives with some of Australia's most creative and cool people. Smart talk, hot recommendations and hilarious stories.
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