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• 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 RankinSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• 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 BradleySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• 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 PetersSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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  39:17
• 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 WilsonSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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• 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 StanleySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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