Is it possible to hibernate your problems away? Our main character – privileged, vain, and traumatised – chooses to sleep for a year to take a break from her life. In our spiciest review yet, we discuss self-medication, unlikable characters, and one of the worst mental heath professionals we’ve ever encountered in fiction. Mental healthContinue reading “S3E5. My Year of Rest and Relaxation Review”
Category Archives: Podcast show notes
Interview: Robyn Dennison on Blind Spot
When Dale stumbles into a bedroom at a party and sees a drunk girl being undressed by a group of guys, he backs away and runs. He’s pretty drunk himself, but he knows what he saw. Why didn’t he stop them? Why did he run? Blind Spot follows Dale as he grapples with the aftermathContinue reading “Interview: Robyn Dennison on Blind Spot”
S3E4. Challenger Deep Review
Neal Shusterman is one of our favourite authors, so it was a no brainer for us to dive into a book he’s written about an often stigmatised mental health disorder. Joined by Leah from YA Book Chat, we discuss the experiences of delusions and hallucinations; hospital-based treatments of mental health disorders; and the role ofContinue reading “S3E4. Challenger Deep Review”
Interview: Margo Candela on The Neapolitan Sisters
Three sisters. Three sisters. Three vastly different lives. A maelstrom of family secrets. The Neapolitan Sisters is riotous, provocative tale of family and sisterhood. Maritza is a princess bridezilla, Claudia is the family “fixer,” and Dulcina “Dooley” is finally sober. As the three are reunited for a wedding, their secrets are unravelled. We speak in-depthContinue reading “Interview: Margo Candela on The Neapolitan Sisters”
Interview: Ashley Kalagian Blunt on Dark Mode
When our whole lives are online, how can we keep things private… and safe? Dark Mode delves into the terrifying reality of the dark web, and the price we pay for surrendering our privacy one click at a time. Join us as we speak with author Ashley Kalagian Blunt about online misogyny, radicalisation, narcissism andContinue reading “Interview: Ashley Kalagian Blunt on Dark Mode”
S3E3. Queenie review
There are plenty of dates in this story, but Queenie is not about romance. Queen Jenkins navigates life after a long-term relationship break-up. The premise sounds like a rom-com, but the story visits some dark places along the way. Listen to find out why we think Queenie is well worth a read. Mental health topicsContinue reading “S3E3. Queenie review”
Interview: Elfy Scott on The One Thing We’ve Never Spoken About
If we don’t talk about complex mental health conditions, how can we expect things to change? Journalist, presenter, and producer Elfy Scott joins us to talk about her book The One Thing We’ve Never Spoken About. This powerful piece of non-fiction draws from Elfy’s family’s experience with schizophrenia to ask big questions about vulnerability, justiceContinue reading “Interview: Elfy Scott on The One Thing We’ve Never Spoken About”
Interview: Anne Buist talks Locked Ward
In our latest author interview, we talk with Anne Buist, author and psychiatrist. Anne recently published the fourth novel in the Natalie King Series, Locked Ward. The novel follows forensic psychiatrist Natalie, as she stays in the mother-baby unit of a private psychiatric unit – only to find herself in the centre of a murderContinue reading “Interview: Anne Buist talks Locked Ward”
Interview: Allayne L. Webster talks Selfie
In this special interview, we chat with Allayne L. Webster, who recently published her tenth novel, Selfie. In Selfie, we meet year 8 student Tully, who is shocked to find herself the new best friend of teenage influencer Dene Walker. We chat about teenage friendships, the impact of social media on trust and identity, andContinue reading “Interview: Allayne L. Webster talks Selfie”
S3E2. Tiger Daughter (ft. interview with Rebecca Lim)
Last episode was prompted by Elise’s recommendation. This time, it’s Priscilla’s. Tiger Daughter tells the story of Wen and Henry, and what happens when tragedy strikes their community. We cover themes of domestic abuse, misogyny, and the ripple effect of suicide – all framed by the Chinese immigrant experience in Australia. The first part of this episodeContinue reading “S3E2. Tiger Daughter (ft. interview with Rebecca Lim)”
Novel Feelings 