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• You Should Be Reading Catherine Chidgey

  Catherine Chidgey is wildly underread in Australia. The multi-award winning New Zealand writer has written nine novels and her latest, The Book of Guilt, was described as “compulsively readable” by The Guardian. This week, Michael sits down with Catherine for a discussion about why WWII continues to hold the public’s imagination, how she plans out her books, and which contemporary New Zealand writers we should all be reading. Reading list: In a Fishbone Church, Catherine Chidgey, 1998 The Wish Child, Catherine Chidgey, 2016 Remote Sympathy, Catherine Chidgey, 2020 Pet, Catherine Chidgey, 2023 The Book of Guilt, Catherine Chidgey, 2025 You can find these books and all the others we mentioned at your favourite independent book store. Socials: Stay in touch with Read This on Instagram Guest: Catherine ChidgeySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• Kevin Barry Is a Gunslinger

  The seed of the idea for Irish author Kevin Barry’s latest novel was planted more than 25 years ago. But it wasn’t until late into the pandemic as he was walking in the countryside and had a vision of a young couple on horseback riding double that he decided to write The Heart in Winter. Set in 1890s Montana, the book is a savagely funny and achingly romantic tale of young lovers on the lam. On this week’s episode Michael chats with Kevin about The Heart in Winter and why these days, glamorous sentences are not the most important thing in his writing. Reading list: City of Bohane, Kevin Barry, 2011 Beatlebone, Kevin Barry, 2015 Night Boat to Tangier, Kevin Barry, 2019 The Heart in Winter, Kevin Barry, 2024 Underworld, Don DeLillo, 1997 You can find these books and all the others we mentioned at your favourite independent book store. Socials: Stay in touch with Read This on Instagram Guest: Kevin BarrySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• Dominic Amerena Finds Happiness in the Act of Writing

  Australian author Dominic Amerena has been a writer for years. Now, finally, comes his dazzling debut novel I Want Everything. The story follows an ambitious young writer who tells a white lie to land a scoop, and explores desire, deception, authenticity, and the costs of creative ambition. This week Michael and Dominic chat about the necessity for, and pitfalls of, ambition, and why a writer should never be satisfied. Reading list: I Want Everything, Dominic Amerena, 2025 Stinkbug, Sinead Stubbins, 2025 You can find these books and all the others we mentioned at your favourite independent book store. Socials: Stay in touch with Read This on Instagram Guest: Dominic AmerenaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• John Rebus Will Outlive Ian Rankin

  Ian Rankin introduced Detective John Rebus in his 1987 novel Knots and Crosses. Since then, Rankin has published another two dozen books in the series and has sold almost 40 million books to date. Unsurprisingly, he’s now Sir Ian Rankin. This week, Michael sits down with Ian at Sydney Writers’ Festival for discussion about his latest Rebus book, Midnight and Blue. Reading list: Knots and Crosses, Ian Rankin, 1987 Black and Blue, Ian Rankin, 1997 The Hanging Garden, Ian Rankin, 1998 Standing in Another Man's Grave, Ian Rankin, 2012 Midnight and Blue, Ian Rankin, 2025 A Killing Kindness, Reginald Hill, 1980 In the Woods, Tana French, 2007 The Broken Shore, Peter Temple, 2005 You can find these books and all the others we mentioned at your favourite independent book store. Socials: Stay in touch with Read This on Instagram Guest: Ian RankinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• Hoot and Holler for Kaliane Bradley

  On the surface, Kaliane Bradley’s debut is a time-travel novel; it’s speculative fiction meets romance and espionage. But underneath? It's a sharp, satirical exploration of institutional control—of what happens when government red tape meets the impossible. This week, Michael sits down for a conversation with Kaliane Bradley to discuss her bestselling book The Ministry of Time. Reading list: The Ministry of Time, Kaliane Bradley, 2024 The Time Traveller’s Wife, Audrey Niffenegger ,2003 Life After Life, Kate Atkinson, 2013 Discworld (series), Terry Pratchett, 1983–2015 You can find these books and all the others we mentioned at your favourite independent book store. Socials: Stay in touch with Read This on Instagram Guest: Kaliane BradleySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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