Books On The Go

A podcast where we talk about our book of the week. Read along with us!

A Woman Talks to Her Tongue with Alison Gorman 09/15/2025

A Woman Talks to Her Tongue with Alison Gorman A special episode: Anna chats with award-winning poet about her debut poetry collection . These poems examine family secrets, silences and women’s voices. Beautiful and assured, we loved this book. Alison joins us fresh from her sold-out launch in Sydney to discuss the moving themes from the collection and other favourite poets, including Judith Beveridge, Eileen Chong, Sarah Holland-Batt, Audrey Molloy, Ada Limón and Sharon Olds. Alison recommends podcasts Poetry Off The Shelf, Poetry Unbound, Close Readings and The Literary Life. Coming up: by Maria Reva Follow us! Email: Instagram: and Substack: Credits Artwork: Sascha Wilkosz /episode/index/show/booksonthego/id/38221420

Flesh by David Szalay 08/30/2025

Flesh by David Szalay Anna and Geoff discuss to Palestine Action and the . Our book of the week is , the new novel by David Szalay which has been long-listed for the . It tells the story of Istvan, a Hungarian British man, in an episodic structure using key points in his life, moving from a poor upbringing in Hungary to the riches of London, charting his rise and fall. We both read this quickly and found much to discuss. Coming up: by Maria Reva. Follow us! Email: Instagram: Substack: Credits Artwork: Sascha Wilkosz /episode/index/show/booksonthego/id/38028880

Comfort Reading Recommendations for 2025 08/14/2025

Comfort Reading Recommendations for 2025 Anna and Annie discuss the . We have many comfort reading recommendations! Here are some of the books discussed: DEAD GIRL GONE by Gareth and Louise Ward THE THURSDAY MURDER CLUB series and WE SOLVE MURDERS by Richard Osman IN SPITE OF YOU by Patrick Lenton CONSIDER YOURSELF KISSED by Jessica Stanley THE WEDDING FORECAST by Nina Kenwood FINE WEATHER, JEEVES by P. G. Wodehouse DIARY OF A PROVINCIAL LADY by E. M. Delafield LESS by Andrew Sean Greer THE UNCOMMON READER by Alan Bennett THE NEVERMOOR SERIES by Jessica Townsend PIPPI LONGSTOCKING by Astrid Lindgren FINN FAMILY MOOMINTROLL by Tove Jansson THE SUMMER BOOK by Tove Jansson translated by Thomas Teal RAINCLOWD PALACE by Phillipa Rice TELL ME EVERYTHING by Elizabeth Strout TASTE – MY LIFE THROUGH FOOD by Stanley Tucci Coming up: our Booker Longlist reading updates. Follow us! Email: Instagram: and Substack: Credits Artwork: Sascha Wilkosz /episode/index/show/booksonthego/id/37826820

Perfection by Vincent Latronico translated by Sophie Hughes 07/30/2025

Perfection by Vincent Latronico translated by Sophie Hughes Anna and Geoff discuss by Vincent Latronico translated by Sophie Hughes. PERFECTION is a short novel about Tom and Anna, digital nomads living in Berlin. A re-telling of the cult classic 1960s novel by Georges Perec, it examines a couple who have built a stylish life but find themselves disilusioned. Perfection was shortlisted for the . Slight spoiler alert as we discuss the ending. Coming up: Comfort reading recommendations Follow us! Email: Instagram: and Substack: Credits Artwork: Sascha Wilkosz /episode/index/show/booksonthego/id/37614525

The Director by Daniel Kehlmann translated by Ross Benjamin 07/26/2025

The Director by Daniel Kehlmann translated by Ross Benjamin Anna and Geoff discuss by best-selling author of and Daniel Kehlmann, translated by Ross Benjamin. THE DIRECTOR tells the story of cinema director G. W. Pabst, who in the 1930s fled Nazi Germany for Hollywood and then returned to make films for the German Reich. This novel explores Pabst’s moral dilemma and the place of art in a dictatorship. Described as ‘his best novel yet’ (The Guardian) and ‘nothing short of brilliant’ (Wall Street Journal), it mixes comedy, tragedy and horror in Kehlmann’s ironic style. Coming up: by Vincnezo Latronico translated by Sophie Hughes. Follow us! Email: Instagram: and Substack: Credits Artwork: Sascha Wilkosz /episode/index/show/booksonthego/id/37560130

Our Top 10 Books of the Year So Far 06/23/2025

Our Top 10 Books of the Year So Far Anna and Annie discuss our 10 best books of 2025 so far. Books mentioned: by Rosanna Pike by Florence Knapp by Holly Gramazio by Chimananda Ngoze Adiche by Garth Greenwell by Sinéad Stubbins by Alexei Navalny translated by Arch Tait and Stephen Dalziel by Eric Schnall by Hisham Matar by Roisin O’Donnell by Christian Kracht translated by Daniel Bowles Follow us! Email: Instagram: and Substack: Credits Artwork: Sascha Wilkosz /episode/index/show/booksonthego/id/37127515

The Empusium by Olga Tokarczuk translated by Antonia Lloyd-Jones 06/20/2025

The Empusium by Olga Tokarczuk translated by Antonia Lloyd-Jones Anna and Geoff discuss the and the new regulating (or not) AI and creative work. Our book of the week is THE EMPUSIUM: A HEALTH RESORT HORROR STORY by Olga Tokarczuk translated by Antonia Lloyd-Jones. Tokarczuk is the Nobel Prize lauereate author of FLIGHTS and DRIVE YOUR PLOW OVER THE BONES OF THE DEAD. Her latest novel is inspired by Thomas Mann's THE MAGIC MOUNTAIN and set in a sanatorium in west Poland in 1913. An instant national bestseller and New York Times book of the year, it satirises misogyny and has gothic horror elements. We differed on this one! Coming up: our best books of the year so far. Follow us! Email: Instagram: Substack: Credits Artwork: Sascha Wilkosz /episode/index/show/booksonthego/id/37085440

The Names by Florence Knapp 06/16/2025

The Names by Florence Knapp Anna and Annie discuss the 2025 and try to predict the winner. Since we recorded this the winner has been announced: by Yael Van Der Wouden. (Annie was right!) And Annie wraps up recent Australian book award news including the Theory and Practice by Michelle de Kretser and the . Our book of the week is by Florence Knapp. Cora goes with her daughter Maia to register the birth of her son. According to family tradition, he will be called Gordon, after her husband. Cora prefers the name Julian and Maia suggests Bear. The story breaks into three as we see the ripple effects of each decision. Described as 'the best debut novel in years' (The Sunday Times), this buzzy book has been an instant bestseller and on many 'best of 2025' lists. Coming up: by Olga Tokarczuk translated by Antonia Lloyd-Jones. Follow us! Email: Instagram: and Substack: Credits Artwork: Sascha Wilkosz /episode/index/show/booksonthego/id/37020890

Small Rain by Garth Greenwell 05/26/2025

Small Rain by Garth Greenwell Anna and Annie discuss the winner of the Pulitzer Prize for fiction, by Percival Everett. Our book of the week is by Garth Greenwell. A poet is admitted to hospital with severe pain. Bedridden, he reflects on his relationships, music and poetry and the small details of life. Winner of the for Fiction and longlisted for the National Book Critics Circle Award for Fiction. We loved this one. Coming up: by Olga Tokarczuk translated by Antonia Lloyd-Jones. Follow us! Email: Instagram: and Substack: Credits Artwork: Sascha Wilkosz /episode/index/show/booksonthego/id/36710690

Fundamentally by Nussaibah Younis 05/13/2025

Fundamentally by Nussaibah Younis Anna and Annie discuss the between Nagi Maehashi of RecipeTin Eats and Brooke Bellamy of Bake with Brooki and ask whether it is possible to copyright a recipe. Our book of the week is by Nussaibah Younis. Shortlisted for the , this debut novel centres on Nadia, a UN worker who travels to Iraq to rescue ISIS brides. A serious topic treated with authenticity and humour, Younis describes it as 'Fleabag goes to Iraq'. Other books discussed: TOO SOON by Betty Shamieh UNFINISHED BUSINESS by Shankari Chandran Coming up: by Garth Greenwell Follow us! Email: Instagram: and Substack: Credits Artwork: Sascha Wilkosz /episode/index/show/booksonthego/id/36545165

Memorial Days by Geraldine Brooks 04/26/2025

Memorial Days by Geraldine Brooks Anna and Annie discuss the . Our book of the week is by Geraldine Brooks, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of . This is a moving and honest memoir of Brooks' time grieving her late husband Tony Horwitz and also a portrait of their marriage. Partly set on a remote island off the coast of Tasmania, it is our final Australian book for #AussieApril. Coming up: by Nussaibah Younis. Follow us! Email: Instagram: and Substack: Credits Artwork: Sascha Wilkosz /episode/index/show/booksonthego/id/36322955

Sea Green with Pink Shorts Press 04/17/2025

Sea Green with Pink Shorts Press A special episode! Anna is joined by Emily Hart and Margot Lloyd, founders of . We discuss the exciting launch of this new publisher and the . Our book of the week is by Barbara Hanrahan, re-issued by Pink Shorts Press this year with an introduction by Laura Elizabeth Woollett. This semi-autobiographical novel tells the story of Virginia, a school-teacher and artist who travels from Adelaide to London in the 1960s. An Australian feminist classic, it explores the clash between a conservative upbringing with an artistic life. Other books mentioned - perfect for a bad feminist Aussie April! MY BEAUTIFUL FRIEND by Elena Ferrante translated by Anne Goldstein THE TRANSIT OF VENUS by Shirley Hazzard MONKEY GRIP by Helen Garner THEORY AND PRACTICE by Michelle de Kretser WEST GIRLS by Laura Elizabeth Woollett Coming up: MEMORIAL DAYS by Geraldine Brooks Follow us! Email: Instagram: and Substack: Pink Shorts Press: / Credits Artwork: Sascha Wilkosz /episode/index/show/booksonthego/id/36202710

Somebody Down There Likes Me by Robert Lukins 04/13/2025

Somebody Down There Likes Me by Robert Lukins Anna and Annie discuss the and some upcoming book-to-screen adaptations: , , and . Our book of the week is by Robert Lukins. A dysfunctional family comes together in Connecticut when the parents announce they have lost everything. This will appeal to SUCCESSION fans – we’re ready for the tv adaptation! Coming up: Aussie April continues with by Barbara Hanrahan with Emily and Margot from Pink Shorts Press, and by Geraldine Brooks. Follow us! Email: Instagram: and Substack: Credits Artwork: Sascha Wilkosz /episode/index/show/booksonthego/id/36112475

The Season by Helen Garner 04/07/2025

The Season by Helen Garner Anna and Annie discuss the for fiction, including WOO WOO by Ella Baxter and HIGHWAY 13 by Fiona McFarlane. Our book of the week is by Helen Garner. This is a memoir of a year Garner spent following her grandson's club football team. It explores masculinity, the sense of community at the local club and being a grandmother. As always with Garner's books, there is much to discuss. Coming up: by Robert Lukins. Follow us! Email: Instagram: and @mr_annie Substack: Credits Artwork: Sascha Wilkosz /episode/index/show/booksonthego/id/36033275

The House of the Dead by Fyodor Dostoevsky 04/01/2025

The House of the Dead by Fyodor Dostoevsky Geoff and Anna discuss by Fyodor Dostoevsky translated by David McDuff. This is a fictionalised account of the four years Dostoevsky spent in a Siberian prison camp after he was arrested for taking part in a political conspiracy. Sold as a novel but with the feel of a documentary, it contains fascinating details and joins a collection of Russian prison memoirs. Other books discussed: by Alexei Navalny translated by Arch Tait and Stephen Dalziel by Nelson Mandela by Behrouz Boochani translated by Omid Tofighian by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn Coming up: by Helen Garner Follow us! Email: Instagram: @abailliekaras Substack: Credits Artwork: Sascha Wilkosz /episode/index/show/booksonthego/id/35957685

White Nights by Fyodor Dostoevsky translated by Ronald Meyer 03/18/2025

White Nights by Fyodor Dostoevsky translated by Ronald Meyer Anna and Geoff discuss by Fyodor Dostoevsky translated by Ronald Meyer. A man meets a woman on the street in St Petersburg and falls in love in this short story. It has become a in recent months and Penguin has commissioned to be read by Bridgerton’s Luke Thompson. Dostoevsky was in his romantic, millennial era when he wrote this (notably, before he spent four years in prison and escaped a death sentence). Other books mentioned: by Teffi translated by Anne Marie Jackson by Fyodor Dostoevsky by Fyodor Dostoevsky by Stefan Zweig translated by Anthea Bell Coming up: by Dostoevsky Follow us! Email: Instagram: Substack: Credits Artwork: Sascha Wilkosz /episode/index/show/booksonthego/id/35742570

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower 03/11/2025

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower A special episode: Anna chats with Kate Slotover of the . Our book of the week is by Beth Brower. Recommended by our friend Shawn Mooney of , we enjoyed this novel set in Victorian London about a young woman returning to claim her inheritance. Light and witty, these books have been compared with Jane Austen and P. G. Wodehouse. Kate has become obsessed with the series and has now read all eight books. But will she convince Anna to do the same? Books mentioned: by Susanna Clarke by Georgette Heyer by Georgette Heyer by Georgette Heyer by Georgette Heyer by Laura Shepherd-Robinson Coming up: WHITE NIGHTS by Fyodor Dostoevsky Follow us! Kate: Instagram: @ Web: Substack: Anna: Instagram: @ Substack: Email: Credits Artwork: Sascha Wilkosz /episode/index/show/booksonthego/id/35645160

Ep 284: Patriot by Alexei Navalny with special guest John Wood 03/07/2025

Ep 284: Patriot by Alexei Navalny with special guest John Wood A special episode: Anna is joined by author and founder . We discuss our reactions to the 2025 . Our book of the week is by Alexei Navalny translated by Arch Tait with Stephen Dalziel. This is Navalny’s autobiography detailing his rise to be a Russian opposition leader, but is also a prison diary following his arrest in January 2021. He died in prison in February 2024. A New York Times bestseller, best book of the year (New Yorker, Atlantic, NPR) and finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award. We highly recommend it - essential reading. Books mentioned SO BIG by Edna Ferber DAYS IN THE CAUCASUS by Banine translated by Anne Thompson-Ahmadova by Bill Browder by Masha Gessen by Svetlana Alexievich translated by Bela Shayevich by Geoffrey Robertson KC by Ian Frazier DISAPPEARING EARTH by Julia Phillips A SWIM IN A POND IN THE RAIN by George Saunders Films Coming up: WHITE NIGHTS and THE HOUSE OF THE DEAD by Fyodor Dostoevsky Follow us! John: Linkedin : Anna: Instagram: Substack: Email: Credits Artwork: Sascha Wilkosz /episode/index/show/booksonthego/id/35568790

Ep 283: Eurotrash by Christian Kracht translated by Daniel Bowles 03/03/2025

Ep 283: Eurotrash by Christian Kracht translated by Daniel Bowles Anna and Geoff react to the 2025 . Our book of the week is by Christian Kracht translated by Daniel Bowles. A middle-aged man goes on a dubious road trip through Switzerland with his 80-year old mother, recently discharged from a mental institution. Blackly comic and written as autofiction, this was the Financial Times Best Translated Book of 2024 and a Time best book of 2024 and has been longlisted for the 2025 Booker International Prize. Other books discussed: by Will Self (the story THE NORTH LONDON BOOK OF THE DEAD) by Graham Greene by Patrick deWitt Follow us! Email: Instagram: @abailliekaras Substack: Credits Artwork: Sascha Wilkosz /episode/index/show/booksonthego/id/35507915

Ep 282: The Husbands with Holly Gramazio 02/23/2025

Ep 282: The Husbands with Holly Gramazio A special episode: Anna chats with author about her debut novel . When Lauren returns to her flat in London one night, she finds a husband called Michael: the only problem is, she isn’t married. It turns out that her attic is producing an endless supply of husbands. An instant New York Times best-seller, we loved this genre-bending comedy. Holly talks about her inspiration for THE HUSBANDS, why she loves attics and the unusual setting for her next novel. Books discussed: by Sylvia Townsend Warner by Rowan Hisayo Buchanan by Nora Ephron by Zen Cho by Ellen Montgomery by C S Lewis by Langston Hughes Follow us! Holly: Website: Bluesky: @hollygramazio.bsky.social Instagram: @holly_gramazio Anna: Substack: Instagram: Email: /episode/index/show/booksonthego/id/35392945

Ep 281: Our Evenings by Alan Hollinghurst 02/18/2025

Ep 281: Our Evenings by Alan Hollinghurst Anna and Geoff review the new novel by Booker Prize-winning author Alan Hollinghurst. Dave Win is a Burmese-British actor reminiscing about his life, growing up as a gay man in the 1960s through to 2019. We loved the exact and beautiful prose but found it slow. The blurb also suggests a tension between Dave and bully Giles whereas the story is more of a (fictional) memoir of Dave and his mother. The called it 'the best novel that's been written about contemporary Britain in the past ten years.' An interesting read and much to discuss! If you enjoyed this book, we recommend: Garth Greenwell (his latest is on our TBR) Alan Hollinghurst’s earlier work (Geoff’s favourite: ) Coming up: with Holly Gramazio Follow us! Email: Instagram: Substack: Credit Artwork: Sascha Wilkosz /episode/index/show/booksonthego/id/35332065

Ep 280: City of Destruction with Vaseem Khan 02/11/2025

Ep 280: City of Destruction with Vaseem Khan A special episode: Anna speaks with author about his new crime novel . This is the fifth in the Malabar House series set in 1950s Bombay after Partition. Persis Wadia is India’s first female police detective and is sent to work in Malabar House. In CITY OF DESTRUCTION, a gunman attempts to assassinate the Defence Minister at a political rally and Persis shoots him dead. The Minister wants war with Pakistan, MI6 agents are involved and Persis is sent to investigate another case. An intriguing mystery set against the backdrop of India’s history and written with warmth and wit. We loved it! Vaseem recommends these crime series: The Wyndham and Banerjee series by The by Philip Kerr Vaseem’s upcoming books are GIRL IN CELL A and , the first in a new series featuring Q from the James Bond franchise. Coming up: OUR EVENINGS by Alan Hollinghurst Follow us! Vaseem: and podcast Email: Instagram: Substack: /episode/index/show/booksonthego/id/35240230

Ep 279: Disappoint Me by Nicola Dinan 02/04/2025

Ep 279: Disappoint Me by Nicola Dinan Anna and Annie discuss the success of Rebecca Yarros’s new book , the third in the Emperyean series. Annie gives her views about why they have been and the popularity of romantasy. Our book of the week is by Nicola Dinan. This buzzy new novel by the author of centres around Max, a 30 year-old trans woman who starts dating Vincent but is unsure whether she is cut out to be a trad wife. Chosen as a ‘Best Book of 2025’ by Stylist, Vogue, GQ, Elle and Cosmopolitan, this is funny, moving and original. We loved it. Coming up: by Helen Garner Follow us! Email: Instagram: / Substack: Storygraph: @mr_annie Credits Artwork: Sascha Wilkosz /episode/index/show/booksonthego/id/35142850

Ep 278: Loose Lips with Kemper Donovan 01/27/2025

Ep 278: Loose Lips with Kemper Donovan A special episode! Anna chats with USA Today best-selling author Kemper Donovan about his new novel , the second in the Ghostwriter series after the best-selling (see ep 265). Kemper hosts the podcast and his crime novels bring the Golden Age of murder mysteries into a contemporary setting. LOOSE LIPS finds our ghost-writer on a literary cruise hosted by publishing celebrity Payton Garrett. A mysterious death occurs and the cruise becomes a murder investigation. Described as KNIVES OUT meets high seas intrigue, this is a fun and clever mystery. We loved it! Kemper recommends: by Imogen West-Knights by Gary Shteyngart by Agatha Christie by Ruth Ware by Stuart Turton by Carter Dickson (John Dickson Carr) podcast Coming up: by Nicola Dinan Follow us! Kemper: Website: Podcast: Facebook: Kemper Donovan Books X: @allaboutthedame Insta: @allaboutagatha Anna: Insta: @abailliekaras Substack: Email: /episode/index/show/booksonthego/id/35025955

Ep 277: Book Recommendations with Anthony Nocera 12/20/2024

Ep 277: Book Recommendations with Anthony Nocera A special episode : Anna chats with author Anthony Nocera. We discuss Anthony’s brilliant essay WEDNESDAY BANG in the current issue of and his upcoming plays: Log Boy, My Hair is Thinning and Someone Like You. Anthony’s book recommendations: by by Emma Cline by Paul Dalla Rosa Follow us! Instagram: @abailliekaras and @anocera02 Anthony: Email: Credits Artwork: Sascha Wilkosz /episode/index/show/booksonthego/id/34545365

Ep 276: Best Books of 2024 12/14/2024

Ep 276: Best Books of 2024 Anna, Annie and Amanda reveal our favourite reads of 2024! Books discussed: MAGIC PILL by Johann Hari ALL THE BEAUTY IN THE WORLD by Patrick Bringley THE ALTERNATIVES by Caoilinn Hughes THIS STRANGE AND EVENTFUL HISTORY by Claire Messud RAPTURE by Emily Maguire WOO WOO by Ella Baxter THE GENTLEMAN FROM PERU by André Aciman JUICE by Tim Winton (Annie recommends the audiobook) INTERMEZZO by Sally Rooney QUESTION 7 by Richard Flanagan THE WYCH ELM by Tana French Children’s Pick LANDOVEL by Emily Rodda Follow us! Instagram: @abailliekaras / @mr_annie / @vibrant_lives_podcast Email: Coming up: Book recommendations with author Anthony Nocera /episode/index/show/booksonthego/id/34442675

Ep 275: Australian Literature with Farrin Foster 12/09/2024

Ep 275: Australian Literature with Farrin Foster A special episode: we chat with about new literary journal and emerging Australian authors. We talk about authors who are also musicians, autofiction and taking a book of poetry in your bag for waiting times. Farrin recommends the work of: Seamus Lonergan – KT Major Olivia De Zilva ROCK FLIGHT by Hasib Hourani Dom Guerrera Rapture by Emily Maguire Coming up: Our Best Books of 2024 Follow us! Instagram: @abailliekaras and @splinterjournal Email: [email protected] /episode/index/show/booksonthego/id/34343335

Ep 274: Comfort Reading Recommendations 12/01/2024

Ep 274: Comfort Reading Recommendations Anna and Annie discuss the 2024 ORBITAL by Samantha Harvey. Our comfort reading recommendations are: ARGYLLE by Elly Conway WE SOLVE MURDERS by Richard Osman LOOSE LIPS by Kemper Donovan THE SPY COAST by Tess Gerritsen THE ROM COMMERS by Katherine Center THE WEDDING FORECAST by Nina Kenwood WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR IS IN THE LIBRARY by Michiko Aoyama translated by Alison Watts HAPPY GO LUCKY by David Sedaris WINTERING by Katherine May THE GARDEN AGAINST TIME by Olivia Laing WHAT I ATE IN A YEAR by Stanley Tucci TRAVELS IN EUROPE by Charles Dickens Follow us! Instagram: @abailliekaras and @mr_annie Email: [email protected] /episode/index/show/booksonthego/id/34220720

Ep 273: James by Percival Everett 11/15/2024

Ep 273: James by Percival Everett Anna and Annie discuss the , Parade by Rachel Cusk, and ghostwriters in crime writing. Our book of the week is by Percival Everett. This re-telling of Huckleberry Finn has been an instant New York Times best-seller, shortlisted for the Booker Prize and National Book award and described as 'genius' (The Atlantic). Coming up: our comfort reading recommendations. Follow us! Email: Instagram: @abailliekaras and @mr_annie Credits Artwork: Sascha Wilkosz /episode/index/show/booksonthego/id/33940752

Ep 272: All Fours by Miranda July 11/09/2024

Ep 272: All Fours by Miranda July Anna and Annie discuss . Our book of the week is by award-winning author and artist Miranda July. Described as July's 'peri-menopause novel', ALL FOURS tells the story of a woman who escapes married life and creates a space for herself. A finalist for the 2024 National Book Award and instant New York Times bestseller, it's funny, frank and causing a stir amongst book clubs. We recorded this before the US election but some of the themes will resonate. Coming up: JAMES by Percival Everett. Follow us! Email: Instagram: @abailliekaras and @mr_annie Credits Artwork: Sascha Wilkosz /episode/index/show/booksonthego/id/33858292

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