Virginia and Louise do a deep dive into Barbara Kingsolver’s Pullitzer Prize winning and compelling novel Demon Copperhead and talk all things Charles Dickens as well as adding some shameful new entries to the infamous Ick Register. Books Oliver Twist, by Charles Dickens, 1838 Hard Times, by Charles Dickens, 1854 Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsol…

Louise and Virginia thought it might be fun to do an episode on books that they feel a bit embarrassed to have never read (until now). There were a lot of books to choose from, but they discuss four in this conversation. During this chat they also create an Ick Register for authors who use words that give the ick, so that readers can be warned in a…

Louise and Virginia have a great conversation about a lovely Western Australian novel. Salt River Road by the very talented debut author Molly Schmidt captures the large Tetley family at the worst time of their lives. Their wife and mother, Elena, has died after a long illness and left them all devastated. Although the book looks at grief through t…

Louise and Virginia have a conversation about two books with many overlaps, one fiction and one non-fiction, and reflect on the fact that none of this information was taught in the classroom when they were at school. Books Killing for Country by David Marr Edenglassie by Melissa Lukashenko TV Show The Crown – Netflix Podcasts The Rest is History – …

Virginia and Louise dive into four new releases some of them from our favourite authors! They also encourage everyone to get their hands on Salt River Road by Molly Schmidt for a bookclub deep dive episode coming up. Books The Fraud, Zadie Smyth, 2023, Hamish Hamilton Penguin Normal Rules Don’t Apply, Kate Atkinson, 2023, Penguin Random House Tom L…

Louise and Virginia have finally had a conversation about six literary controversies/hoaxes/scandals and it’s a lot of fun! This is a Topic they both find fascinating so it was great to select three stories each and dive in. Authors Norma Khouri John Hughes Carmen Mola Antonio Mercero Agustin Martinez Jorge Diaz Harold Stewart James McAuley Dawn Do…

Virginia and Louise have read a swag of newly released books both well-known authors and others new - and only some with the hype they deserve. Books Yellowface R F Kuang Harper Collins 2023 Crook Manifesto Colson Whitehead 2023 The Sitter Angela O’ Keefe Queensland University Press 2023 Old God’s Time Sebastian Barry 2023 Podcasts The Trial of Luc…

This time it’s Louise’s turn to talk about the massive French classic that she has been reading, The Hunchback of Notre-Dame by Victor Hugo. Louise tells Virginia about a very impertinent act by the original translator of the novel, and they discuss the aspects that Louise loved and some that she wasn’t so keen on. Hugo and Dumas were both born in …

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas Streaming Au Coeur de Peloton/Tour de France: Unchained Arnold SBS on Demand Rogue Heroes ABC iView Dangerous Remedy Podcast Strict ScrutinyBy Virginia Seymour and Louise Jones

Virginia and Louise immerse themselves in the meadows, riverbanks, orchards, high tides and deep snow to explore the deep connection and chasms between community, environment and climate change, in the emerging genre and precious language of eco-fiction. Books The Offing by Benjamin Myers, 2019 Stolen by Ann-Helene Laestadius, 2023 Also consider A …

Virginia and Louise are excited to share some must-read new releases including compelling stories about activist guerilla gardeners, true crime podcasters, writers rooms, surveillance and murder as well as the pitfalls and power dynamics of modern relationships, social media, dating apps and late night sketch TV. Books I Have Some Questions For You…

Louise and Virginia jet off to San Francisco in the episode, where they discuss the origins of the City and County, and why it became the home and haven for people wanting to discard façades and identities they may have held in their home towns. They also discuss the original gold rush and the modern tech gold rush and the impact these have had on …

Louise and Virginia do a deep dive into the very contentious topic of Cancel Culture and the trend of cancelling books and authors. They also touch on the subject of banning books (and indeed burning books), which always have the opposite effect of that sought. Virginia and Lou both have very strong opinions on the subject and it’s such an interest…

Louise and Virginia have been immersed in some armchair travel to Tokyo, which has made them both very keen to travel there. These four books are great to read if you have a trip to Japan on your horizon or your bucket list. They also discuss some fabulous TV series to get streaming, a podcast, and they’ve both had very different recent experiences…

From soccer teams, eerie forests, dysfunctional families and loyal companions, Louise and Virginia ventured back into the world of books for younger readers. Books A Walk in the Dark by Jane Godwin – Lothian Hachette Football Fever by Kristin Darell - Penguin Take Me with You When You Go by David Levithan and Jennifer Niven – Penguin 2022 Runt by C…

Louise lost her beautiful Lagotto dog Buster, two months ago, and so today Virginia and Louise want to dedicate this episode to him and to celebrate the wonder and loyalty that is a dog. In this conversation they discuss four lovely dog-related books as well as a few other things they’ve been diving into lately. Books Dog Stories – Everyman’s Pocke…

Louise and Virginia have been reading some books by debut writers as well as a charming re-release from the 1960s. These are all great books which they enjoyed enormously. They also discuss a few other non-bookish things they’ve been diving into. Books A Helping Hand by Celia Dale Dirt Town by Hayley Scrivenor Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus …

After a long break Virginia and Louise are excited to be back in their makeshift cushion studios to discuss some new releases by authors they absolutely love……. as well as some other popular culture they have been diving in to. Email hello@divinginpodcast.com Instagram @diving_in_podcast Virginia’s Instagram @virginia_reads Louise’s Instagram @loui…

Louise and Virginia conclude their dive into Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes in this Book Club episode. They discuss Part 2 of Don Quixote, published over 10 years after Part 1, after an imposter had published a fake sequel. Virginia and Louise discuss several characters, the infamous cave scene and much more .…

Louise and Virginia dive into Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes in this Book Club episode. They discuss Part 1 of Don Quixote, first published in Spain in 1605 and regarded as the first modern novel. The conversation covers madness, quests, Shakespeare, naval battles, fools, heroes and the role of the sidekick.…

Hello dear friends! Virginia and Louise share some truly excellent Spanish writers and stories in preparation for our up-coming deep dive into Don Quixote. Books The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon As I walked out one Midsummer morning – Laurie Lee The Sun also Rises by Ernest Hemingway The Tales of the Alhambra by Washington Irving Televis…

Louise and Virginia chat about two books that they’ve been eagerly looking forward to. Louise went down the Crime route with a gripping detective story that spans Tokyo and London. Virginia finally got her hands on Nina Stibbe’s new novel and as also with Nina Stibbe, the book is a complete delight. Books The Fine Art of Invisible Detection by Robe…

Louise and Virginia have been reading Ghost Stories, a new release and some classic collections. The Louise Erdrich novel is a must-read for book lovers, and the classic ghost stories are the perfect place to start if you love this genre. Louise and Virginia also announce the book they will reading for a Book Club ‘deep dive’ in June. Books The Tur…

Virginia and Louise dive into the Greek Myths but barely scratch the surface. They also celebrate their 50th episode with a list of their 50 favourite authors Books The Theban Plays By Sophocles Antigone by Sophocles The Song of Achille by Madeline Miller The Penelopiad By Margaret Attwood Greek Myths By Charlotte Higgins Heroines of Olympus by Ell…

Louise and Virginia are sweltering in the heat of a Perth summer so they are cooling down with books set in cold countries. This episode they head off to Iceland and Norway and there’s plenty of frosty chill. Books The Therapist by Helene Flood The Sorrow Stone by Kári Gíslason A Question of Guilt by Jorn Lier Horst The Valley of Lost Secrets by Le…

Books Love Marriage by Monica Ali Brick Lane by Monica Ali The Purloined Letter by Edgar Allan Poe The Women of Troy by Pat Barker TV Series Hidden Assets – SBS Pieces of Her - Netflix Podcasts The Trojan Horse Affair with Hamza Syed and Brian Reed Soundtracking with Edith Bowman Movie BelfastBy Virginia Seymour and Louise Jones

Louise and Virginia record their first bookish conversation for 2022, after an extra long break over a very hot Western Australian summer. Given the state of the world it’s no surprise that they both reached for some cozy crime books, as well as some other great reads. Lou also recommends a fabulous movie, Virginia has been diving into Stoic philos…

Welcome to the second Diving In podcast for the FANZA Fringe – Virginia and Louise review six wonderful books including Miles Franklin winner Amanda Lohrey’s The Labyrinth and the much anticipated We Were Not Men by Campbell Mattinson Email hello@divinginpodcast.com Instagram @diving_in_podcast Virginia’s Instagram @virginia_reads Louise’s Instagra…

Welcome to the FANZA Fringe – Virginia and Louise from the Diving In podcast in Australia are thrilled to be part of the fringe program for FANZA, the charitable Foundation for Australian and New Zealand Arts. The psychological consequences of hoarding and a murderous small town in New Zealand are just some of the surprising narratives in the books…

Virginia and Louise do a deep dive into The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles, 2021, Penguin Random House.By Virginia Seymour and Louise Jones

By complete coincidence Louise and Virginia read five books which all feature women who are either locked away or are prisoners of their minds. In spite of the serious-sounding themes of the books they spent most of this conversation in puddles of laughter, providing plenty of bloopers material. Books The Mad Women’s Ball by Victoria Mas and transl…

Louise and Virginia have been devouring more new releases which have revealed several small coincidences. They also chat about a few non bookish things they’ve been diving into recently. Books The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak, 2021, Penguin. Love and Virtue by Diana Reid, 2021 Ultimo Press Anything But Fine by Tobias Madden, 2021, Penguin…

Louise and Virginia have been reading several new releases and loving all of them. They chat about seven very different books in the conversation and there are plenty of laughs. Books The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller, 2021, Penguin RandomHouse Beautiful World, Where Are You? by Sally Rooney, 2021, Faber The Book of Form and Emptiness by Ru…

Louise and Virginia have been reading some small but gripping books that have been translated into English; perhaps the ultimate type of ‘own voices’ reading. By complete coincidence they ended up in the same parts of the world. Books: Tomorrow They Won’t Dare to Murder Us by Joseph Andras and translated by Simon Lesser. 2021, Verso. People Like Th…

Virginia and Louise loved reading Hamnet for Episode 21 ‘Twin Tales’, so decided to do a deep dive into Maggie O’Farrell’s back catalogue. They discuss four of her earlier novels, all fantastic, as well as a few other things they’ve been diving into. Books After You’d Gone by Maggie O’Farrell, 2000, Tinder Press The Distance Between Us by Maggie O’…

Today’s books are all crime books set in the legal world. Some are brand new, one is an oldie, but all are great. Email hello@divinginpodcast.com Instagram @diving_in_podcast Virginia’s Instagram @virginia_reads Louise’s Instagram @louise_cooks_and_reads Song ‘Diving In’ – original music and lyrics written and performed by Laura Adeline – https://l…

Louise and Virginia thought it might be fun if they each chose a book for the other, and in this episode they reveal what they thought of the books they were given. They also discuss some great podcast episodes, a couple of books they’ve each finished recently, and an excellent period costume drama series. Email hello@divinginpodcast.com Instagram …

Louise and Virginia dive into ‘pleasurable terror’ and explore Wuthering Heights for Book Club. They have some controversial views about Heathcliff and Cathy, take a deep dive into why we love all things gothic, and also discuss some new-release Gothic fiction. Email hello@divinginpodcast.com Instagram @diving_in_podcast Virginia’s Instagram @virgi…

Louise takes a Swandive with Polly Phillips, author of award winning novel ‘My Best Friend’s Murder’ published by Simon & Schuster. Email hello@divinginpodcast.com Instagram @diving_in_podcast Virginia’s Instagram @virginia_reads Louise’s Instagram @louise_cooks_and_reads Song ‘Diving In’ – original music and lyrics written and performed by Laura A…

Louise and Virginia decided to have another episode where they read whatever they wanted and they chose some great books. They also discussed a couple of good podcasts, a life hack that is wine-related, and some book news. Email hello@divinginpodcast.com Instagram @diving_in_podcast Virginia’s Instagram @virginia_reads Louise’s Instagram @louise_co…

Louise and Virginia abandoned any theme this episode and read whatever books took their fancy. They also have a useful writing tip, a life hack, and they’ve been diving into a variety of other great things. Email hello@divinginpodcast.com Instagram @diving_in_podcast Virginia’s Instagram @virginia_reads Louise’s Instagram @louise_cooks_and_reads So…

Louise and Virginia both started reading books by Tana French so they decided to make that the theme for today, and they’ve paired those books with some much older crime novels for contrast. They also discuss some current reads, share some bookish news, a writing tip from a very successful author and discuss a gripping crime series on Netflix. Emai…

Louise and Virginia discuss several books with truth-telling at the heart of the story. They also chat about two excellent podcasts, a Netflix movie, some publishing news, a life hack and a writing tip. Email hello@divinginpodcast.com Instagram @diving_in_podcast Virginia’s Instagram @virginia_reads Louise’s Instagram @louise_cooks_and_reads Song ‘…

Ooh la la! – Virginia and Louise stroll along the boulevards of Paris old and young and also share a couple of recent reads. Email hello@divinginpodcast.com Instagram @diving_in_podcast Virginia’s Instagram @virginia_reads Louise’s Instagram @louise_cooks_and_reads Song ‘Diving In’ – original music and lyrics written and performed by Laura Adeline …

Virginia and Louise share their most recent reads and two wonderful books by award winning writers whose characters dwell on the other side of the tracks. Email hello@divinginpodcast.com Instagram @diving_in_podcast Virginia’s Instagram @virginia_reads Louise’s Instagram @louise_cooks_and_reads Song ‘Diving In’ – original music and lyrics written a…

Louise and Virginia share their most recent reads and then giggle through some bodice rippers! Books Girl A, Abigail Dean 2021, Harper Collins Still Life by Louise Penny, 2006, MacMillan. Hidden Sins by Selena Montgomery, 2006, Harper Collins. Reckless by Selena Montgomery, 2008, Harper Collins The Duchess Deal by Tessa Dare, 2017 Romancing the Duk…

Louise and Virginia have been diving into a stack of fantastic books over their long summer break and they discuss a few of their favourites. They also chat about some of the other non-bookish things they’ve been diving into lately. Email hello@divinginpodcast.com Instagram @diving_in_podcast Virginia’s Instagram @virginia_reads Louise’s Instagram …

Louise and Virginia dive deep into Edith Wharton’s 1905 House of Mirth and examine the social conventions and contradictions of the Gilded Age amongst New York high society and the fate of her beautiful flawed protagonist Lily Bart. Email hello@divinginpodcast.com Instagram @diving_in_podcast Virginia’s Instagram @virginia_reads Louise’s Instagram …

Virginia and Louise share with you some of their most recent reads including Mark Watson’s moving and modern ‘Contacts’, best-selling author Sally Hepworth’s latest, ‘The Good Sister’ and Mikael Niemi’s atmospheric Swedish tale ‘To Cook a Bear’. Email hello@divinginpodcast.com Instagram @diving_in_podcast Virginia’s Instagram @virginia_reads Louise…

Virginia and Louise dive in to some highly anticipated new releases by best-selling Australian authors. They include a compelling character driven story about a university reunion, a fast paced crime novel set in Sydney, the story of a magical quest by a gravediggers daughter and a reimagined fictional memoir. Email hello@divinginpodcast.com Instag…