Best Good Read Podcasts (2024)

1
Episode 220 - A Shocking Buddy-Read with Our Mystery Man John Valeri 1:32:25

1h ago1:32:25

1:32:25

Welcome to Episode 220 – It’s another 10th episode, which means it’s giveaway time! One lucky newsletter subscriber will win copies of The Gardener’s Plot: A Mystery by Deborah J. Benoit and The Author’s Guide to Murder by Beatriz Williams, Lauren Willig, and Karen White. We send one newsletter per month, and it is free. Sign up on our website, and…

1
Chris Baker on life, love, memory and taking the plunge in 'Swimming Sydney' 29:24

3d ago29:24

29:24

Swimming Sydney is a tale of 52 swims in and around Sydney that take place over a calendar year. From Palm Beach to Cronulla, Mount Druitt to Bondi, Chris Baker swims at iconic beaches, municipal pools, harbour baths, tidal rock pools, bushland lakes and a backyard pool. Taking his weekly plunges, Baker reflects on friendship, history and family, a…

1
Chris Hammer on small town crime and blood relatives in 'The Valley' 18:37

3h ago18:37

18:37

A controversial entrepreneur is murdered in a remote mountain valley, but this is no ordinary case. Ivan and Nell are soon contending with cowboy lawyers, conmen, bullion thieves and grave robbers. But it's when Nell discovers the victim is a close blood relative that the past begins to take on a looming significance. What did take place in The Val…

1
Melissa Lucashenko on her HNSA award-winning novel, 'Edenglassie' 17:17

6d ago17:17

17:17

When Mulanyin meets the beautiful Nita in Edenglassie, their saltwater people still outnumber the British. As colonial unrest peaks, Mulanyin dreams of taking his bride home to Yugambeh Country, but his plans for independence collide with white justice. Two centuries later, fiery activist Winona meets Dr Johnny. Together they care for obstinate cen…

1
Beverley McWilliams on her 2024 HNSA prize-winning novel for children, 'Spies in the Sky' 18:32

6d ago18:32

18:32

Royal Blue is a royal racing pigeon from a long line of champions. Every morning he wakes in his comfortable loft at Sandringham House, eats the very best seeds and spends the day training with his best friend to be the fastest and strongest pigeon in Britain.But there’s a war going on, and things are changing. Then one day the King himself comes t…

1
Melissa Lucashenko on her 2024 Historical Novel Society award-winning novel, 'Edenglassie' 17:17

14d ago17:17

17:17

When Mulanyin meets the beautiful Nita in Edenglassie, their saltwater people still outnumber the British. As colonial unrest peaks, Mulanyin dreams of taking his bride home to Yugambeh Country, but his plans for independence collide with white justice. Two centuries later, fiery activist Winona meets Dr Johnny. Together they care for obstinate cen…

1
Beverley McWilliams on her 2024 Historical Novel Society prize-winning novel for children, 'Spies in the Sky' 18:32

8d ago18:32

18:32

Royal Blue is a royal racing pigeon from a long line of champions. Every morning he wakes in his comfortable loft at Sandringham House, eats the very best seeds and spends the day training with his best friend to be the fastest and strongest pigeon in Britain. But there’s a war going on, and things are changing. Then one day the King himself comes …

1
Episode 219 - Exploring Picture Book Art 1:10:13

15d ago1:10:13

1:10:13

Welcome to Episode 219! In this episode, we recap some exciting Biblio Adventures, including trips to the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, the Montague Book Mill, the Montague Center Library, and an author event at RJ Julia Booksellers with Betsy Lerner.Chris talks about a handful of picture books she read:The Tower of Life: How Yaffa Eliach …

1
Kathy Mexted on the incredible stories of Australian women who reach for the sky in 'Take Flight' 19:14

14d ago19:14

19:14

From balancing on a wingtip to circling with eagles, Take Flight tells the stories of Australian women who have leapt, tumbled and dived, and reached for the stars. Helicopter pilot Alida Soemawinata ascends over Kata Tjuṯa. Paramotor pilot Sacha Dench follows migrating swans from the Arctic tundra to the English countryside. Birdwoman Stef Walter …

1
Emily Rodda on her epic three part fantasy adventure, 'Landovel' 18:55

18d ago18:55

18:55

Derry knows no other life than that of a captive on Cram's Rock, shunned by the other young prisoners for being Cram's poison taster. Until the day everything changes, when a traveller arrives, on the run from the sinister El executioners. She leaves Derry with a magical notebook full of secrets, secrets that might hold the key to Derry's destiny –…

1
Episode 218 - Playwright Spotlight with Laura Thoma 1:43:27

22d ago1:43:27

1:43:27

Welcome to Episode 218, featuring a Playwright Spotlight with Laura Thoma about her new Christmas play, MISS MARGARET’S BARTON COTTAGE CHRISTMAS SURPRISE, coming this December to Drama Works Theatre in Old Saybrook.We made up for lost time with a slew of Biblio Adventures, starting with a discussion with James R. Benn at the Mystic & Noank Library,…

1
Tim Winton on a story of catastrophe, survival and the power of humanity in 'Juice' 22:42

26d ago22:42

22:42

Two fugitives, a man and a child, drive all night across a stony desert. As dawn breaks, they roll into an abandoned mine site. From the vehicle they survey a forsaken place – middens of twisted iron, rusty wire, piles of sun-baked trash. They’re exhausted, traumatised, desperate now. But as a refuge, this is the most promising place they’ve seen. …

1
Episode 217 - Author Spotlight with James R. Benn 1:24:05

1M ago1:24:05

1:24:05

We are thrilled to welcome James R. Benn, author of the Billy Boyle World War II mystery series. The nineteenth book in the series, THE PHANTOM PATROL, is out today! It’s Winter 1944, and Boyle is on a mission that takes him from the beleaguered art world of Paris to the front lines of the Battle of the Bulge. Some of the novels we discuss in this …

1
Justin Fox on the pathway to his first novel, 'Quietly Waiting' 15:15

2M ago15:15

15:15

Justin Fox on the pathway to his first novel, 'Quietly Waiting'Tanya is a strong, independent young woman living in England. Surrounded by limitless possibilities, her biggest fear is not being able to find her true place in the world. Never usually driven by emotions, her world is turned upside down when she meets Evan. Evan is instantly her soulm…

1
Dr Norman Swan on his latest book, 'So You Want to Know What's Good For Your Kids?' 28:48

2M ago28:48

28:48

We all want our kids to grow into happy, healthy adults and the first ten years count more than any other time in our lives. So what should we be doing to give them the best chance? Most books on childhood stop at age five and start again in adolescence. They miss the critical primary school age years leading to adolescence - the years that make al…

1
Episode 216 - Guest Spotlight with Michael Kelleher, Director of the Windham Campbell Prizes 1:32:43

2M ago1:32:43

1:32:43

Emily is back in Connecticut, which means she and Chris were able to record this episode together at Book Cougars HQ. We are grateful for long-distance recording technology, but talking about books in person is much more fun! Our special guest is Michael Kelleher, Director of the Windham Campbell Prizes. Mike explains that these awards are given to…

1
Sean Williams, Connor Chamberlain and John Goodwin on the 40th Volume of 'Writers of the Future' 32:51

2M ago32:51

32:51

L. Ron Hubbard created the Writers of the Future Writing Contest in 1983 to provide "a means for new and budding writers to have a chance for their creative efforts to be seen and acknowledged." The 559 winners and published finalists of the Writing Contest have published over 8,000 novels and short stories, created 36 New York Times bestselling no…

1
Science fiction author Sean Williams, illustrator Connor Chamberlain and John Goodwin on the 40th Anniversary Volume of 'Writers of the Future' 32:51

2M ago32:51

32:51

L. Ron Hubbard created the Writers of the Future Writing Contest in 1983 to provide "a means for new and budding writers to have a chance for their creative efforts to be seen and acknowledged." The 559 winners and published finalists of the Writing Contest have published over 8,000 novels and short stories, created 36 New York Times bestselling no…

1
Episode 215 - The Midwest Episode 53:28

2M ago53:28

53:28

We’re calling this episode “The Midwest Episode” because we recorded it while both of us were visiting the Midwest. Emily is spending time with her daughter and granddaughter in Michigan, and Chris was visiting her mom in Chicago. Newer listeners might not realize that although we both now live in Connecticut, we are transplants from the Midwest. E…

1
Elifie Shiosaki on the galaxy of Noongar stories in her new poetry collection, 'Refugia' 25:50

3M ago25:50

25:50

'Refugia' is an unparalleled work of vision and political fury from Noongar and Yawuru poet and scholar Elfie Shiosaki. Inspired by the beeliar (Swan River) and the NASA James Webb Space Telescope’s first year of science, this collection draws on colonial archives to contest the occupation of Noongar Country. As the bicentennial year of the colony …

1
Elfie Shiosaki on the galaxy of Noongar stories in her new poetry collection, 'Refugia' 25:50

3M ago25:50

25:50

'Refugia' is an unparalleled work of vision and political fury from Noongar and Yawuru poet and scholar Elfie Shiosaki. Inspired by the beeliar (Swan River) and the NASA James Webb Space Telescope’s first year of science, this collection draws on colonial archives to contest the occupation of Noongar Country. As the bicentennial year of the colony …

1
Episode 214 - Biblio Adventure Extravaganza 1:10:45

3M ago1:10:45

1:10:45

Welcome to Episode 214! This episode contains a lot of biblio adventuring. Emily is in Traverse City, Michigan, helping her daughter, getting to know her new granddaughter, and discovering the many excellent Little Free Libraries in the area. She also shopped at Horizon Books and has been spending time at the Traverse City Library. Meanwhile, back …

1
Episode 213 - "I'll Have What You're Reading" with Booktuber Shawn Breathes Books 1:47:36

3M ago1:47:36

1:47:36

Welcome to Episode 213!BookTuber Shawn Breathes Books joins us to celebrate Jenny Colvin and “I’ll Have What You’re Reading,” the memorial buddy read we jointly hosted with him the last few months. We also discuss Andrea Robbin Skinner’s recent revelation about her mother, Alice Munro, and how it has impacted us as readers. Some other highlights:In…

1
Episode 212 - Author Spotlight with Juliet Grames 47:58

4M ago47:58

47:58

Welcome to Episode 212!This episode is different from all of our previous shows because Emily was unexpectedly called out of town to attend her granddaughter’s birth! Baby Neena arrived three weeks early. She and her mom, Rachel, are doing great. And yes, Emily has already read a book to her, SPOT GOES TO THE FARM, by Eric Hill.Instead of recording…

1
Shelley Davidow on love in Berlin and the creative urge in 'The Girl With the Violin' 20:23

4M ago20:23

20:23

It's 1989 and for a young Jewish-Australian violinist, a scholarship to Berlin is the chance of a lifetime. Germany is on the verge of change as the wall is torn down, and Susanna is swept along by the tumultuous event. Under the careful guidance of Stefan Heinemeyer, her renowned violin teacher and the grandson of a Nazi, she begins a composition …

1
Michael Robotham on twenty years of crime fiction and his new thriller, 'Storm Child' 18:55

4M ago18:55

18:55

The most painful of Evie Cormac's memories have been locked away, ever since she was held prisoner as a child - a child whose rescue captured hearts and headlines. Forensic psychologist Cyrus Haven's mission is to guide her to something near normality. But today, on a British beach, seventeen bodies wash up in front of them. There is only one survi…

1
Katherine Allum on her debut novel set in the American Southwest, 'The Skeleton House' 21:58

4M ago21:58

21:58

Meg’s life is woven into the fabric of St. Stephens. It’s a tapestry made of two precious children, a hidden truth, and a husband whose ideas of a perfect wife do not match her own. When Meg puts her foot down on a third kid, gets a job, and is empowered by the same book group that was meant to keep her in her place, her marriage begins to disinteg…

1
Yuot Alaak on an incredible journey in his memoir, 'Father of the Lost Boys' 20:31

4M ago20:31

20:31

During the Second Sudanese Civil War, thousands of South Sudanese boys were displaced from their villages or orphaned in attacks from northern government troops. Many became refugees in Ethiopia. There, in 1989, teacher and community leader Mecak Ajang Alaak assumed care of the Lost Boys in a bid to protect them from becoming child soldiers. So beg…

1
Episode 211 - Deep Dive Into Summer Reading 1:22:47

4M ago1:22:47

1:22:47

We dove into summer with our first big Biblio Adventure of the season! It involved art by kids inspired by Emily Dickinson’s poem, “Hope is the thing with feathers,” lobster, a little free library, and Bank Square Books. A great day! In other Biblio Adventures, Emily went to see Ann Leary talk about her new essay collection, I’VE TRIED BEING NICE, …

1
Dr Clare Bailey on enjoying the things you love to eat in 'The Fast 800 Keto Treats Recipe Book' 20:08

4M ago20:08

20:08

In this enticing new cookbook, Dr Clare Bailey shows you how to create fabulous bakes, sweet treats and desserts with recipes that are low in sugar, high in protein yet irresistibly delicious!From family favourites such as brownies, cheesecakes and crumbles to healthy cupcakes and bite-size muffins, The Fast 800 Treats Recipe Book brings you sweet …

1
Gerard McCann on the long unspoken truth of child sexual abuse in his memoir 'Anatomy of a Secret' 29:24

4M ago29:24

29:24

As a boy, Gerard McCann was sexually abused by a Catholic priest at his local church. As a grown man, he confronts the trauma of what he suffered and the psychological aftermath of his experience, grappling with shame, guilt and the devastating impact it had on his family, relationships and sense of self. Despite what he endured, Gerard’s story is …

1
Gerard McCann on the unspoken truth of child sexual abuse in his memoir 'Anatomy of a Secret' 29:24

4M ago29:24

29:24

As a boy, Gerard McCann was sexually abused by a Catholic priest at his local church. As a grown man, he confronts the trauma of what he suffered and the psychological aftermath of his experience, grappling with shame, guilt and the devastating impact it had on his family, relationships and sense of self. Despite what he endured, Gerard’s story is …

1
Julia Lawrinson on a life less ordinary in her memoir, 'How to Avoid a Happy Life' 23:21

5M ago23:21

23:21

Some people are born into bad situations, some people have bad situations thrust upon them, and some people find bad situations through their dodgy choices, lack of information and personal idiosyncrasies. Julia’s life sits at the intersection of all three.From high school dropout on a psych ward to card-carrying lesbian on a motorbike, from enduri…

1
Episode 210 - Getting Cozy with Our Mystery Man, John Valeri 1:45:19

4M ago1:45:19

1:45:19

Welcome to Episode 210, where we have the pleasure of welcoming back Our Mystery Man, John Valeri! For those of you who are new to the Book Cougars, John is a frequent guest. He’s a reader, professional reviewer, and interviewer extraordinaire (check out his BookTube channel, CENTRAL BOOKING). John joins us to not only recommend some hot new myster…

1
Episode 209 - Author Spotlight with Sara Paretsky 1:36:43

5M ago1:36:43

1:36:43

Welcome to Episode 209! We were thrilled and honored to talk with New York Times bestselling author, mystery legend, and social justice advocate Sara Paretsky. We talk with Sara about her newly published novel, PAY DIRT, the 22nd installment in her V.I. Warshawski series, founding Sisters in Crime, and so much more. Don’t miss our conversation at t…

1
Ben Miller on his illustrated fairytale mash-up, 'Diary of a Big Bad Wolf' 15:41

5M ago15:41

15:41

Thrown out of the pack for being a weakling, Laurence the Wolf is down on his luck. He knows he’s strong, and brave, and cool, but nobody else seems to think so. What’s more, he’s STARVING. A clever plot to gobble up Little Red Riding Hood once and for all is foiled by all the creatures of the fairytale forest and just as things are getting despera…

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