88 | Books galore: the best book recommendations of 2023

Episode 137 features writer and literary translator Tiffany Tsao discussing her latest novel, But Won't I Miss Me, a literary body horror set in an alternate reality where new mothers are literally reborn. Drawn from personal experience, the novel explores postpartum depression, birth trauma, the guilt and inadequacy often felt in early motherhood, and how women's and maternal health is sidelined and dismissed. Tiffany shares what it was like to inhabit this unsettling headspace as both a writer and a mother, and how she developed the genuinely terrifying mechanics of rebirth. She also explores the novel's themes of cultural identity, including its use of history from Indonesia's 1965 massacres and 1998 riots, as well as the structural and worldbuilding challenges of crafting the story. Born in the US and raised between Indonesia and Singapore, Tiffany Tsao is a former academic turned award-winning literary translator. She received the 2023 PEN Translation Prize for her translation of Budi Darma's People from Bloomington, and her translation of Norman Erikson Pasaribu's Happy Stories, Mostly was longlisted for the International Booker Prize in 2022. She lives in Sydney. Get a copy of But Won't I Miss Me from Booktopia, your local bookshop, or your local library.

While reading rates are falling in Australia and around the world, the good news is there are lots of great ways to make more time for the books in your life, encourage others to return to reading, and soak up all the great health benefits it gives you. In this bonus ep, James and Ashley discuss their love of reading and the upcoming second installment of Randwick's Reading Takeover. (Come along, it's free!) Check out Ruby's (aka Literary Luddite) recommendations for making time for reading and connecting with fellow readers. Join us for a live recording of James and Ashley Stay at Home as part of Randwick's Reading Takeover: Celebration of Reading Author Panel on Saturday 28 November, 10am-12pm at Randwick Town Hall. Hear some of Sydney's favourite authors from across genres celebrate their favourite books. They'll share what inspires them, what keeps them reading late into the night, and what they secretly wish they'd written. Our November panel features the legendary Kate Forsyth, debut sensation Josh Hortinela and Penguin Literary Prize winner Mary Colussi, co-hosted by Ashley Kalagian Blunt and James McKenzie Watson of James and Ashley Stay at Home. The author talk kicks off our final Reading Takeover weekend. Stay for books signings, dedicated reading time, and snacks. Town Hall is open until 4pm for reading and writing Saturday and Sunday! Plus, The Rose Read Bookshop will be onsite throughout the weekend, sharing some of their favourite titles as well. Books & authors discussed in this episode: Suzanne Leal Dinuka McKenzie 'A Philosopher's One-Word Theory to Explain Why the World Feels So Weird' (aka The Unicontext) by Derek Thompson Stephen King Kate Forsyth Josh Hortinela (from ep 135) Mary Colussi (from ep 131) Other upcoming events: Launceston – find Ashley at the Tamar Valley Writers Festival on Saturday 17 October as part of the Killer Appetites: Crime and Thriller panel Sydney – James is in conversation with Chris Hammer for his latest novel, Full Circle, Manly Library, Thursday 29 Oct, 6:30pm Katoomba – Ashley is part of the Blue Mountains Writers Festival, taking place in Katoomba from 30 October to 1 November Penrith – Ashley is teaching Writing Crime as part of the Write Out West Festival, Friday 27 November, 2-4pm Penrith – Ashley is speaking on the Crime Stories panel as part of the Write Out West Festival, Friday 27 November, 6.30pm Sydney – Randwick's Reading Takeover author panel with Kate Forsyth, Josh Hortinela and Mary Colussi, hosted by James and Ashley, Saturday 28 November, 10am-12pm, free Sydney – Randwick's Reading Takeover workshop: Balancing Plot & Theme with Ashley Kalagian Blunt, Sunday 29 November, 10am-12pm, $15 Randwick's Reading Takeover – Randwick Town Hall is open (and full of snacks!) for drop-in reading and writing, Saturday and Sunday 28-29 November, 12-4pm 2027 Winter Writing Retreat – both Ashley and James will be teaching for the Writers at the Woolshed winter retreat, running 6-11 June 2027. Learn more about Ashley's thrillers, Dark Mode, Cold Truth, and Like, Follow, Die and get your copies from Booktopia, your local bookshop or your local library. Learn more about James's award-winning novel Denizen and get your copy from Booktopia, your local bookshop or your local library. Get in touch! ashleykalagianblunt.com jamesmckenziewatson.com Instagram: @akalagianblunt + @jamesmcwatson

Episode 135 features debut sensation Joshua Hortinela, a beloved fixture of the Australian book scene, discussing his first novel, Hate You to Love You. A joyful celebration of rom-coms on page and screen, with a soft spot for 90s classics, the story cleverly subverts the genre's familiar tropes and doubles as a love letter to Sydney's bookshops. As his character Carlos reflects, 'If my younger self had been able to find books that represented me … maybe I wouldn't have been so scared of love.' Josh shares whether writing came before or after bookselling, why honest queer representation matters, and what his own path to publication was like after guiding so many other authors along theirs. He also reveals how he got his publishing deal, and his top rom-com picks for readers new to the genre. Joshua Hortinela is a writer and bookseller who also works in social media marketing. A passionate reader, he has worked in the book industry for nearly ten years. He also works as a freelance writer, photographer and moderator for events. He lives in Sydney and can tell you where to find the best coffee or cocktail in town. Hate You to Love You is his first novel. Find Hate You to Love You through Booktopia or from your local bookshop or library. Books & authors discussed in this episode:

Episode 134 features powerhouse author, publisher and podcaster Dani Vee discussing her latest picture book, My Spinning, Anxious Brain. For neurodivergent kids, this story draws on her own lived experience and mental health advocacy. Dani says, 'I wanted a book about ADHD that didn't ignore the bad stuff and the hard stuff, but also celebrated this really unique brain.' She shares her emotions when she learned her ADHD diagnosed as an adult, how her advocacy around anxiety and mental health started by accident, and her advice as both an author and a publisher. This includes her number one key tip for writers looking to pitch their work to agents, publishers and booksellers alike. Find My Spinning, Anxious Brain through Booktopia or from your local bookshop or library. Books & authors discussed in this episode: My Supercharged ADHD Brain by Dani Vee and James Layton, illustrated by Ruth-Mary Smith Choppy Waters by Jack Heath Sisterhood Rules by Kathy Lette Counterfeit by Kristin Chen Jay Martin (from ep 115) The Lineup by Nicholas Timms Hayley Scrivenor The Graduate by Rebecca Lim Upcoming events: Nowra – Ashley is in conversation at Nowra Library, Wednesday 2 September, 5.30pm Canberra – Ashley returns to Ginsights on Thursday 3 September, 6pm Kiama – join Ashley for an in-conversation at Kiama Library on Tuesday 8 September, 5.30pm Sydney – Randwick's Reading Takeover is a celebration of books happening over two weekends, 12-13 September and 28-29 November, and features author panels with James and Ashley, plus $15 workshops with Kavita Bedford and Ashley Launceston – find Ashley at the Tamar Valley Writers Festival on Saturday 17 October as part of the Killer Appetites: Crime and Thriller panel Katoomba – Ashley is part of the Blue Mountains Writers Festival, taking place in Katoomba from 30 October to 1 November Penrith – Ashley is teaching Writing Crime as part of the Write Out West Festival, Friday 27 November, 2-4pm Penrith – Ashley is speaking on the Crime Stories panel as part of the Write Out West Festival, Friday 27 November, 6.30pm

In ep 133, James and Ashley share an episode one of their favourite Australian writing podcasts – The Word Count with Jo Dixon, Fiona Taylor and Jacq Ellem. If you've not heard The Word Count before, this bonus episode will give you a taste of what it's all about. If you have, then you already know you're in for a treat. We'll be back in a fortnight with another author interview! The Word Count episode 59: It's the news we've been bursting to share for months … Jo spills all the behind-the-scenes details of her HUGE FOUR-BOOK DEAL with Poisoned Pen Press! Jo shares: How the deal actually came about Why having an agent changed everything What happened when "the call" finally came And whether she's come down from cloud nine yet! Plus our usual segments – Accountability and Goal Setting – because even life-changing book deals don't stop the writing chaos! About the Word Count: The Word Count follows three Australian writers navigating the road from blank page to published book – and everything in between. Every fortnight, Jo, Fiona and Jacq share their progress, set new goals and hold each other accountable, with plenty of honest conversation and laughter along the way. Jo Dixon is the bestselling author of three psychological thrillers, published by HQ/HarperCollins. Fiona Taylor is the host of Three Questions with Fiona Taylor and is writing her first psychological thriller. Jacq Ellem is the host of the internationally award-winning podcast Tales From Three Corners and has her debut book forthcoming with Affirm Press.