From the Lighthouse

Sing, O Muse, of the books we loathe: Literary Confessions pt. 1

What books do you absolutely hate? What books have you pretended to have read? Which books are you ashamed of loving? This week, Stephanie, Michelle and Jimmy let the silly season go to their heads entirely and spill all their deepest, darkest secrets. Shh, don't tell anyone.

Elf, Rudolph, Mannequin Mom, Mr Hanky, and the Osmonds - it must be the Christmas Show!

Christmas is a time for...escaping family by watching television and reading? This week, Stephanie, Michelle and Jimmy discuss their favourite Christmas books, films and tv shows, and Stephanie is mocked for liking Elf. Merry Christmas!

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On Speedy Death and the Golden Age of Gladys Mitchell

Gladys Mitchell is one of the most entertaining of the Golden Age detective novelists. However, she's relatively little known today. This week, Stephanie and Jimmy discuss her first novel, Speedy Death, with Dr Lee O'Brien, and make the case that everybody should really be reading Gladys Mitchell. 

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The Power of Love, or Why We Read Romance Novels

Romance fiction is often unfairly maligned as silly and escapist, largely because of its association with a female readership, but in terms of popularity, nothing beats romance. This week, Stephanie and Jimmy discuss the phenomenal power of the romance novel with romance expert Associate Professor Hsu-Ming Teo. 

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How Jean Rhys's Wide Sargasso Sea has Ruined Mr. Rochester Forever

Jean Rhys's lyrical, beautiful novel Wide Sargasso Sea is a prequel of sorts to Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre, focusing on the story of Mr. Rochester's first wife. This week, Stephanie and Michelle discuss Jamaica, Jane Eyre, and how Jean Rhys ruined Mr. Rochester for them both forever. 

Kazuo Ishiguro: An Artist of the Nobel World

Kazuo Ishiguro was recently awarded the 2017 Nobel Prize for Literature. This week, Stephanie, Michelle and Jimmy commend the Nobel Prize committee for their excellent choice. They talk Japanese cinema, floating worlds, perfect novels, and Stephanie offends Bob Dylan fans. 

The 2017 Man Booker Prize Shortlist Show

Between the two of them, Stephanie and Michelle have read the Man Booker Prize shortlist, as well as most of the longlist. This week, Stephanie and Michelle discuss the books that made it through to the shortlist, those that didn't (how did Reservoir 13 not get to the shortlist?), and predict the winner.

A Pain in the Neck: Celebrating 125 Years of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

We can't stop talking about Sherlock. To celebrate 125 years since the publication of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, Stephanie and Jimmy are joined by Dr Lee O'Brien to discuss the continuing appeal of Conan Doyle's most famous creation. They discuss the lovable Watson, the beguiling Irene Adler, the surprising darkness of these stories, and why Sherlock can be such a pain in the neck. 

The 2017 Man Booker Prize Longlist Show

The Man Booker Dozen (otherwise known as the longlist) is about to be whittled down to six. On the eve of the shortlist announcement, Stephanie and Michelle discuss the longlisted novels, pick their favourites, and predict the novels that will go through to the shortlist.

From Former Student to New York Times Bestseller: Liane Moriarty and Big Little Lies

Liane Moriarty's Big Little Lies was a New York Times bestseller, and now it's an award-nominated HBO series starring Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman. That's really exciting for us, as Liane Moriarty is a Macquarie University English Department alumni! This week, Stephanie is joined by Associate Professor Marcelle Freiman, who supervised Liane's first creative work, to discuss the book, the series, and how excited we are to see a promising student become an international sensation.