The opening scene of Chris Flynn’s fourth and latest novel, Orpheus Nine, came to him in a dream. Not long after, he had the whole story down from start to finish. This week, Chris and Michael sit down for a conversation about the falsity of certitude, how trauma can re-shape a community, and what The Exorcist, the Bible, and Winnie the Pooh all have in common.

 

Reading list:

A Tiger in Eden, Chris Flynn, 2012

The Glass Kingdom, Chris Flynn,2014

Mammoth, Chris Flynn,2020

Here Be Leviathans, Chris Flynn, 2022

Orpheus Nine, Chris Flynn, 2025

 

The Cracked Mirror, Christopher Brookmyer, 2024

 

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: Chris Flynn

The opening scene of Chris Flynn&rsquo;s fourth and latest novel, Orpheus Nine, came to him in a dream. Not long after, he had the whole story down from start to finish. This week, Chris and Michael sit down for a conversation about the falsity of certitude, how trauma can re-shape a community, and what The Exorcist, the Bible, and Winnie the Pooh all have in common.
&nbsp;
Reading list:
A Tiger in Eden, Chris Flynn, 2012
The Glass Kingdom, Chris Flynn, 2014
Mammoth, Chris Flynn, 2020
Here Be Leviathans, Chris Flynn, 2022
Orpheus Nine, Chris Flynn, 2025
&nbsp;
The Cracked Mirror, Christopher Brookmyer, 2024
&nbsp;
You can find these books and all the others we mentioned at your favourite independent book store.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Socials: Stay in touch with Read This on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/themonthlymagazine/?hl=en">Instagram</a>
Guest: Chris Flynn

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.

A weekly show about the books we love and the stories behind them. Hear the best writers from Australia and around the world talk about their lives and their work.

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Chris Flynn’s New Book Arrived in a Dream

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/eb5df2bf-539e-4a47-b04a-b2c1000428bf/transcript

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

The seed of the idea for Irish author Kevin Barry&rsquo;s latest novel was planted more than 25 years ago. But it wasn&rsquo;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&rsquo;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.
&nbsp;
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
&nbsp;
Underworld, Don DeLillo, 1997
&nbsp;
You can find these books and all the others we mentioned at your favourite independent book store.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Socials: Stay in touch with Read This on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/themonthlymagazine/?hl=en">Instagram</a>
Guest: Kevin Barry

Kevin Barry Is a Gunslinger

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/b710a30c-6149-4ed1-9b1d-b300007381b0/transcript

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

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.
&nbsp;
Reading list:
I Want Everything, Dominic Amerena, 2025
&nbsp;
Stinkbug, Sinead Stubbins, 2025
&nbsp;
You can find these books and all the others we mentioned at your favourite independent book store.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Socials: Stay in touch with Read This on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/themonthlymagazine/?hl=en">Instagram</a>
Guest: Dominic Amerena

Dominic Amerena Finds Happiness in the Act of Writing

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/09429fae-36ed-41b4-a63b-b2f90062de9f/transcript

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

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&rsquo;s now Sir Ian Rankin. This week, Michael sits down with Ian at Sydney Writers&rsquo; Festival for discussion about his latest Rebus book, Midnight and Blue.
&nbsp;
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
&nbsp;
A Killing Kindness, Reginald Hill, 1980
In the Woods, Tana French, 2007
The Broken Shore, Peter Temple, 2005
&nbsp;
You can find these books and all the others we mentioned at your favourite independent book store.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Socials: Stay in touch with Read This on <a href="https://www.instagram.com/themonthlymagazine/?hl=en">Instagram</a>
Guest: Ian Rankin

John Rebus Will Outlive Ian Rankin

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/3f9cb917-d156-488c-aece-b2f2005ccaab/transcript

Chris Flynn’s New Book Arrived in a Dream

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