Read This

Schwartz
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Read This

Read This is a show about the books we love and the stories behind them, hosted by Michael Williams. Every Thursday, you’ll hear insightful conversations with the smartest, funniest readers and writers we know and in-depth interviews with the best Australian and international authors talking about their lives and their work. You’ll never be left wondering what to read next.

  1. 25 JUNE

    You Should Be Reading Catherine Chidgey

    Catherine Chidgey is wildly underread in Australia. The multi-award winning New Zealand writer has written nine novels and her latest, The Book of Guilt, was described as “compulsively readable” by The Guardian. This week, Michael sits down with Catherine for a discussion about why WWII continues to hold the public’s imagination, how she plans out her books, and which contemporary New Zealand writers we should all be reading.   Reading list: In a Fishbone Church, Catherine Chidgey, 1998 The Wish Child, Catherine Chidgey, 2016 Remote Sympathy, Catherine Chidgey, 2020 Pet, Catherine Chidgey, 2023 The Book of Guilt, Catherine Chidgey, 2025   You can find these books and all the others we mentioned at your favourite independent book store.    Socials: Stay in touch with Read This on Instagram Guest: Catherine Chidgey

    34 min

  2. 18 JUNE

    Kevin Barry Is a Gunslinger

    The seed of the idea for Irish author Kevin Barry’s latest novel was planted more than 25 years ago. But it wasn’t until late into the pandemic as he was walking in the countryside and had a vision of a young couple on horseback riding double that he decided to write The Heart in Winter. Set in 1890s Montana, the book is a savagely funny and achingly romantic tale of young lovers on the lam. On this week’s episode Michael chats with Kevin about The Heart in Winter and why these days, glamorous sentences are not the most important thing in his writing.   Reading list: City of Bohane, Kevin Barry, 2011 Beatlebone, Kevin Barry, 2015 Night Boat to Tangier, Kevin Barry, 2019 The Heart in Winter, Kevin Barry, 2024   Underworld, Don DeLillo, 1997   You can find these books and all the others we mentioned at your favourite independent book store.    Socials: Stay in touch with Read This on Instagram Guest: Kevin Barry

    30 min

  3. 11 JUNE

    Dominic Amerena Finds Happiness in the Act of Writing

    Australian author Dominic Amerena has been a writer for years. Now, finally, comes his dazzling debut novel I Want Everything. The story follows an ambitious young writer who tells a white lie to land a scoop, and explores desire, deception, authenticity, and the costs of creative ambition. This week Michael and Dominic chat about the necessity for, and pitfalls of, ambition, and why a writer should never be satisfied.   Reading list: I Want Everything, Dominic Amerena, 2025   Stinkbug, Sinead Stubbins, 2025   You can find these books and all the others we mentioned at your favourite independent book store.    Socials: Stay in touch with Read This on Instagram Guest: Dominic Amerena

    29 min

  4. 4 JUNE

    John Rebus Will Outlive Ian Rankin

    Ian Rankin introduced Detective John Rebus in his 1987 novel Knots and Crosses. Since then, Rankin has published another two dozen books in the series and has sold almost 40 million books to date. Unsurprisingly, he’s now Sir Ian Rankin. This week, Michael sits down with Ian at Sydney Writers’ Festival for discussion about his latest Rebus book, Midnight and Blue.   Reading list: Knots and Crosses, Ian Rankin, 1987 Black and Blue, Ian Rankin, 1997 The Hanging Garden, Ian Rankin, 1998 Standing in Another Man's Grave, Ian Rankin, 2012 Midnight and Blue, Ian Rankin, 2025   A Killing Kindness, Reginald Hill, 1980 In the Woods, Tana French, 2007 The Broken Shore, Peter Temple, 2005   You can find these books and all the others we mentioned at your favourite independent book store.    Socials: Stay in touch with Read This on Instagram Guest: Ian Rankin

    31 min

  5. 28 MAY

    Hoot and Holler for Kaliane Bradley

    On the surface, Kaliane Bradley’s debut is a time-travel novel; it’s speculative fiction meets romance and espionage. But underneath? It's a sharp, satirical exploration of institutional control—of what happens when government red tape meets the impossible. This week, Michael sits down for a conversation with Kaliane Bradley to discuss her bestselling book The Ministry of Time.   Reading list: The Ministry of Time, Kaliane Bradley, 2024   The Time Traveller’s Wife, Audrey Niffenegger ,2003 Life After Life, Kate Atkinson, 2013 Discworld (series), Terry Pratchett, 1983–2015   You can find these books and all the others we mentioned at your favourite independent book store.    Socials: Stay in touch with Read This on Instagram Guest: Kaliane Bradley

    29 min

  6. 21 MAY

    Torrey Peters’ Never-Ending Transition

    Torrey Peters’ debut novel, Detransition, Baby, was an instant sensation. Longlisted for the Women’s Prize in the UK and named one of the New York Times’ best books of the 21st century so far, the book catapulted Torrey into the limelight. Her second and latest book, Stag Dance, is a collection of four stories that are brutal, funny, and brilliant. This week, Michael sits down with Torrey to discuss the genesis of Stag Dance and why she isn’t interested in trans identity.   Reading list: Detransition, Baby, Torrey Peters, 2021 Stag Dance, Torrey Peters, 2025   The Unquiet Grave, Dervla McTiernan, 2025   You can find these books and all the others we mentioned at your favourite independent book store.    Socials: Stay in touch with Read This on Instagram Guest: Torrey Peters

    39 min

  7. 14 MAY

    Kevin Wilson Is Wonderfully Weird

    Kevin Wilson writes weird books about weird people — in the best possible way. In 2019’s Nothing to See Here, two children have a condition that means they spontaneously combust. In Now Is Not the Time to Panic, two lonely young artists wreak havoc on their small town, prompting fears of Satanism. This week, Michael sits down with Kevin to discuss how he wrote his latest novel, Run for the Hills, why having children revealed the multitude of ways weirdness can manifest.   Reading list: The Family Fang, Kevin Wilson, 2011 Nothing to See Here, Kevin Wilson, 2019 Now Is Not the Time to Panic, Kevin Wilson, 2022 Run for the Hills, Kevin Wilson, 2025   The Yearling, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, 1938 We Have Always Lived in the Castle, Shirley Jackson, 1962 True Grit, Charles Portis, 1968 Member of the Wedding, Carson McCullers, 1946   You can find these books and all the others we mentioned at your favourite independent book store.    Socials: Stay in touch with Read This on Instagram Guest: Kevin Wilson

    32 min

  8. 7 MAY

    What’s On Jessica Stanley’s Bookshelves?

    London-based Australian author Jessica Stanley’s second novel, Consider Yourself Kissed, opens with all the beats of a classic romantic comedy – a meet-cute, a grand gesture, instant attraction – but what follows is a book about the next bit, the day to day reality of just living. But Jessica writes it with grace and wit and compassion, finding the romance in what comes next when two people decide to be together. This week, Michael sits down with Jessica for a conversation about life, love, and the importance of what’s on your bookshelf.   Reading list: A Great Hope, Jessica Stanley, 2022 Consider Yourself Kissed, Jessica Stanley, 2025   You can find these books and all the others we mentioned at your favourite independent book store.    Socials: Stay in touch with Read This on Instagram Guest: Jessica Stanley

    25 min
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4.8
out of 5
447 Ratings

About

Read This is a show about the books we love and the stories behind them, hosted by Michael Williams. Every Thursday, you’ll hear insightful conversations with the smartest, funniest readers and writers we know and in-depth interviews with the best Australian and international authors talking about their lives and their work. You’ll never be left wondering what to read next.

Information

  • Creator
    Schwartz
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    98
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright Schwartz
  • Show Website
    Read This

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