What We Read… during the First Half of 2018

In this episode, Diem and Sarah share some book recommendations from the first half of their 2018 reading year. Recommendations include non-fiction books on the romance genre to stories about the experience of Russian women during the second world war. Other books mentioned range from romances, short story collections, verse novels, and old childhood favourites.

Show notes

A Series of Unfortunate Events series by Lemony Snicket

Good Omens: The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han

Beyond Heaving Bosoms: The Smart Bitches’ Guide to Romance Novels by Sarah Wendell and Candy Tan

Smart Bitches Trashy Books romance review blog

Dangerous Books for Girls: The Bad Reputation of Romance Novels Explained by Maya Rodale

Almost Love by Louise O’Neill

Asking for It by Louise O’Neill

Only Ever Yours by Louise O’Neill

The Surface Breaks by Louise O’Neill

Leah on the Offbeat by Becky Albertalli

Simon Vs the Homo Sapien Agenda by Becky Albertalli

The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli

Lonely Hearts Bookshop series by Annie Darling

Titantic by Bridget Minamore

Thirst Aid Kit podcast

Bridget Minamore

The Unwomanly Face of War: An Oral History of Women in World War II by Svetlana Alexievich

Chasing Charlie Duskin by Cath Crowley

Beginner’s Luck by Kate Clayborn

Luck of the Draw by Kate Clayborn

One in a Million by Lindsey Kelk

Circe by Madeleine Miller

The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang

The Wedding Date by Jasmie Guillory

Wicked and the Wallflower by Sarah Maclean

How Do You Like Me Now? by Holly Bourne

Roomies by Christina Lauren

The Friendship Cure by Kate Leaver

Single, Carefree, Mellow by Katherine Heiny

 

 

What We Read… during Summer 17/18

In this episode, Diem and Lily talk about all the books they read during summer, which was 5 months ago… but better late than never! The cold Melbourne days has really made them think about the warmer lazy ones filled with good reads. They talk about books with angry teen girls, unlikeable female characters, gender fluidity, feminist messages, and heroines who don’t need a prince charming but get one anyway.

Show notes

Take Three Girls by Cath Crowley, Simmone Howell and Fiona Wood

When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandhya Menon

Simon VS the Homosapien Agenda by Becky Albertalli

Beautiful Mess by Claire Christian

Eleanor Oliphant is Not Okay by Gail Honeyman

Shrill: Notes from a Loud Woman by Lindy West

Begin, End, Begin: a #LoveOzYA Anthology edited by Danielle Binks

Finding Nevo by Nevo Zisin

The House of Secrets by Sarra Manning

Adorkable by Sarra Manning

London Belongs to Us by Sarra Manning

It Felt like a Kiss by Sarra Manning

Unsticky by Sarra Manning

I’ve Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella

Confessions of a Shopaholic series by Sophie Kinsella

Hot Mess by Lucy Vine

Hannah can be found on Twitter @hannahplusone

The Yearbook Committee by Sarah Ayoub

One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus

The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson

Moxie by Jennifer Mathieu

Autoboyography by Christina Lauren

Hidden Legacy series by Ilona Andrews

Young Jane Young by Gabrielle Zevin

Call Me By Your Name  by André Aciman

Between Us by Clare Atkins

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

 

 

 

Book Review: Piglettes by Clementine Beauvais

In this episode, Diem and Sarah review Piglettes by Clementine Beauvais, a book that made them laugh out loud numerous times on public transport.

Show notes

Piglettes by Clementine Beauvais

Amanda the Bookish Manicurist

Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison

Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging (2008 film)

Promo for Les Petites Reines

An announcement from Diem (it’s not a sad one!)

In this episode, Diem gives all you lovely listeners an update about the podcast.

Also, how awesome is the updated logo? Diem’s pal Lauren is amazing and deserves so much love. Send her good vibes!

 

Interview: Jessica Townsend

In this episode, Diem interviews Jessica Townsend, author of Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow. They talk about book deals, writing grumpy and misunderstood characters, the importance of character names, and scary kid’s films of the 80s and 90s.

Show notes

Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend

Return to Oz (1984 film)

Tomorrow, When the War Began by John Marsden

The Loneliest Girl in the Universe by Lauren James

Murder Most Unladylike Mysteries series by Robin Stevens

Turtles All the Way Down by John Green

Book Review: Beautiful Mess by Claire Christian

In this episode, Sarah and Diem review Beautiful Mess by Claire Christian, the winner of the 2016 Text Prize.

Show notes

Beautiful Mess by Claire Christian

Beautiful Mess review on Readings blog

Interview: Kate O’Donnell

In this episode, Diem chats to Kate O’Donnell about her debut novel Untidy Towns. They then talk about 90s YA, keeping diaries, the LoveOzYA community, reading YA, books about artists and readers, and the New Adult genre.

Show notes

Untidy Towns by Kate O’Donnell

The YA Room

Kate O’Donnell’s interview with Sarah from Written Word Worlds

Henrietta Dugdale

My Brilliant Career by Miles Franklin

The Mitfords

The Pursuit of Love by Nancy Mitford

Love in a Cold Climate by Nancy Mitford

Secret Scribbled Notebooks by Joanne Horniman

Clara in Washington by Penny Tangey

Loving Richard Feynman by Penny Tangey

Margaret Clarke

People Might Hear You by Robin Klein

The Babysitter’s Club

Margo Lanagan

Borrowed Light by Anna Fienberg

Nick Earls

My Place by Sally Morgan

Dear Swoosie by Kate Constable and Penni Russon

Jaclyn Moriarty

Looking for Alibrandi (2000 film)

Looking for Alibrandi by Melina Marchetta

Tomorrow, When the War Began by John Marsden

John Steinbeck

The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde

Because of You by Pip Harry

The Society of the Spectacle Book by Guy Debord

The Book of Dust by Phillip Pullman

Take Three Girls by Cath Crowley, Simmone Howell and Fiona Wood

Dragon’s Green by Scarlet Thomas

PopCo by Scarlet Thomas

Our Tragic Universe by Scarlet Thomas

The End of Mr. Y by by Scarlet Thomas

Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Towsend

Genuine Fraud by E. Lockhart

Tin Heart by Shivaun Plozza

Amelia Westlake by Erin Gough

Night Games: Sex, Power and Sport by Anna Krien

Turtles All the Way Down by John Green

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

elina MarchettaPaper Towns by John Green

An Abundance of Katherines by John Green

Looking for Alaska by John Green

The Simple Gift by Steven Herrick

Ballad for a Mad Girl by Vikki Wakefield

All I Ever Wanted by Vikki Wakefield

Wild Awake by Hilary T. Smith

On the Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta

Man Bites Dog by Adam Ford