Nichola Hamilton has lived with this terrible disorder for most of her life. She has had countless surgical procedures and swallowed probably truckloads of different drugs to help her live a relatively normal life. Through all this she has remained cheerful ( most days) and determined that she will not be limited or defined by this disease. Through many health obstacles she has written an handbook for those who have been diagnosed or are living with Crohn’s, and for those who live with them. It sets out the options for treatment, ways of coping and just simple encouragement that there is life possible even after radical surgery.
A beautifully written novel that is based on one single imaginary starting point- what was life like for the the wife of the eponymous hero of Swift’s ‘Gulliver’s Travels’? Although Gulliver was fictional, Lauren Chater’s book is firmly grounded in her research of the reality of day today existence for women in this period- and particularly the extraordinary niche occupied by midwives.
Lauren Chater Interview
Author Lauren Chater
Lauren Chater is in the Narratives Library. To hear her read from the book click here. (Scroll down to ‘C’ on the page)
Next week , a truly inspiring story and really useful reference book – Nichola Hamilton’s ‘Living with Crohn’s Disease’
Born in the UK but now a full time resident of Australia, Thriller writer L. A Larkin writes fast paced, action novels with an environmental theme. Her previous three novels – The Genesis Flaw, Thirst, and Devour all examined the ways in which money and technology and criminal activity are impacting on the environment- her fourth latest book ‘Prey’ takes her heroine Olivia Wolfe, to South Africa where she digs down deep into the illegal rhino horn trade.But first we are going to hear Louisa herself reading from ‘Prey’
Ronnie Scott’s novel take us into one dreamy hot summer in the life of his young, student protagonist.
Sharing a house in the inner city in Melbourne with much older and more sophisticated gay friends, he agonises over social situations and his inability to fashion any sort of social life for himself. You want to tell him, he’ll be fine- just give it some time!
Ronnie Scott Interview
Author: Ronnie Scott
Next week…
We go deep into South Africa on the trail of rhino poachers with L.A Larkin’s latest Olivia Wolfe crime thriller ‘Prey’!
To buy t his book, click on image to go to Booktopia.
Katherine Kovacic writes crime thrillers centred around the art world.
The Shifting Landscape is the third in a series of following the adventures of art Appraiser Alex Clayton, the first two books being- ThePortrait of Molly Dean and Painting in the Shadows.
With her faithful Irish wolfhound Hogarth always at her side friend, Alex finds herself called to appraise an historic art collection in a country landscape drenched in money and a bloody Indigenous past. When the family patriarch is murdered on the eve of announcing the succession plans, a valuable painting mysteriously vanishes and Alex is caught up in chasing it down.
Author Katherine Kovacic
Katherine Kovacic Interview
Katherine reads from ‘The Shifting Landscape’ in the Narratives Library under ‘Crime’.
Something a little different in this post, John hasn’t written the book yet ( he says there will be about 5 volumes!) but this is an inspiring interview with permaculture legend John Barrie Button about what it feels like to be bitten by one of the most venomous snakes in the world- An Australian Tiger Snake. And then 25 years later , survive complete liver failure!
Click on the image link above or the one below to hear this episode on the Libsyn site
An historical picture book for little ones and a cautionary tale for older ones!
Click image to buy book at Booktopia
Chance is an ‘ almost’ teenager who sees issues very black and white. When she discovers something about her mother she never suspected she can’t keep picking away at the truth until her whole life unravels.
Here’s Sue Whiting to tell us why she likes writing about these sorts of teens and also a little bit from us at the end where we ask -how are you coping with launching a book during Covid-19?
Sue Whiting Interview -‘The Book of Chance’
Corrinne Fenton – ‘To the Bridge’
Click on image to buy book in Booktopia.
Well from angsty teens to little tots and a true story of a small boy, nine years old, who desired to see the Sydney Harbour Bridge when it was being constructed.
One problem, he lived over 600 miles away in Leongatha. No problem at all- he saddled up his faithful pony Ginger Mick and off we went.
This is a wonderful account here from the author on how she came upon this story and followed family connections up to see it finally in print.
Once again at the end we ask Corinne how Covid-19 had affected her new book and she has some very cheering things to say about how the publishing industry is coping.
Corinne Fenton – Interview
That’s all till next week. As always we are producing remotely so some audio quality issues have to be tolerated! We have some fabulous authors coming up over the next few weeks so please support them buy purchasing any books you like the sound of.
Laura Jean Mackay -‘The Animals in That Country’ and ‘Parlour Games for Modern Families’ by Spiri Tsintziris and Myfanwy Jones.
To buy this book, click on image.
Ever so slightly disquieting and scary, this novel imagines a very different kind of pandemic.
Interview- Laura Jean Mackay
Narratives Quickpod
Parlour Games for Modern Families
To buy this book, click on image.
Stuck at home? Isolating with your partner or family? Running out of ideas to keep you all amused?
Well these two authors have got you covered- over 130 games that anyone can play using no more than a pencil, a piece of paper, imagination and a willingness , in some cases, to make a proper tit of yourself!
Wonderfully researched and easy to use, these two authors had agreat time testing all of these out so you know they work!.
Interview with Spiri Tsintziris
Author Spiri Tsintziris
Author Myfanwy Jones
Please note:We are conducting all our interviews by phone in the interests of public safety – apologies for some lapses in audio quality!
Like many others in Australia who are concerned about the plight of refugees I was happy to read that the town of Toowoomba welcomed the very first family to arrive from Sudan with open arms.
I could only imagine at the difficulty they had adjusting to life in Australia, but hoped they would find new peaceful lives here.
But we have all come to learn that the scars and trauma from growing up in a war torn country can follow people to their new land, and some have difficulty coping with this.
As Ayik Chut says himself in this interview, he was fine for the first year here and then things began to unravel for him as the horrors of his time as a child soldier in the Sudanese Army began to catch up with him. He covers a little in this interview of what transpired but the most amazing part of his story we didn’t get to in the interview- that of his career in film and TV! Ayik has worked alongside stars such as Chris Hemsworth and Idris Elba, and appeared in a number of TV series such as ‘Safe Harbour’ . He is now the father of two children and a proud Australian.
Ayik Chut Deng – Interview
Due to restrictions on close contact and travel, all our interviews are being conducted over the phone at the moment. Apologies for any drop in audio quality!
next week..
Fun games to play for all the family with ‘Parlour Games for Modern Families’ by Myfanwy Jones and Spiri Tsintziras.
One of the joys of having little people in your life is you get to read lovely big picture books to them.
Here are two new ones on very different themes that take quite sophisticated concepts and reduce them to simple ideas that little ones can relate to.
Augmented by charming illustrations they provide a little bit of pleasure at the end of the busy day – or in the present climate, they keep them occupied for just a little bit longer!
The Artist – Alison Binks
Click image to buy from Booktopia
‘The Artist’ is about a small boy filling his days by observing and recording what he sees about him with his box of paints. He also sails, plays with his dog, and plays piano. Alison Binks wrote and illustrated the book.
Author/illustrator Alison Binks
Alison Binks Interview
Alison Binks reads ‘The Artist’
Who’s Your Real Mum? – Bernadette Green and Anna Zoble
Click image to buy in Booktopia
Nicholas is confused- he wants to know why Elvi seems to have two Mums – which one is her ‘real’ Mum? Elvi strings him along for a bit with silly answers, but she isn’t avoiding the issue, she just doesn’t think it matters! Anna Zobel illustrated this gentle book on the art of gender non-discrimination.
Author Bernadette Green
Bernadette Green Interview
The Narratives Library has invited all authors with new books to launch who have missed out on openings, festivals and book club nights and other promotions that involve gatherings to ring up for an interview and will be featuring them in posts and Podcasts over the next few months.
Remember- all our book images take you to Booktopia, an all Australian company where you can purchase books at great prices. Now more than ever , authors need your support!
Next week : Lauren Chater with ‘Gulliver’s Wife’
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