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Our website - www.perksofbeingabooklover.com. Instagram - @perksofbeingabookloverpod Facebook - Perks of Being a Book Lover. To send us a message go to our website and click the Contact button. You can find Holly Gramazio at her website https://www.hollygramazio.net/ or on IG at holly_gramazio When we first heard the premise of Holly Gramazio's novel The Husbands, we were intrigued. A woman's husband goes up to the attic to retrieve something and down comes…a different husband. Wouldn't we all sometimes like to exchange the husband we have for a better, newer, or just different model? Holly turned this idea into a novel that is both funny and thoughtfully considered. It may not, in fact, be such a great thing to have an endless supply of potential husbands so easy to exchange. Her book has been optioned by Apple Plus for a limited series and I just saw that Juno Temple, the actress who played Keeley in the Ted Lasso series, is slated to play the starring role. And because it is April, and April is National Poetry Month, we're discussing books related to poets. Not everyone loves poetry, but these books aren't actually poetry–so you can still partake of poetry month. They are historical fiction, memoirs, essays, and children's books written by or inspired by poets. Books Mentioned in This Episode: 1- The Husbands by Holly Gramazio 2- Lakewood by Megan Giddings 3- I Used to Live Here Once: The Haunted Life of Jean Rhys by Miranda Seymour 4- Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys 5- Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte 6- The Animals in That Country by Laura Jean McKay 7- Thank You for Calling the Lesbian Line by Elizabeth Lovett 8- Saint X by Alexis Schaitkin 9- A Five Star Read Recommended by Fellow Book Lover Chelsea @2_girls_bookin_it - The Endless Fall by Emmerson Hoyt 10- The Swan's Nest by Laura Mcneal 11- You Could Make This Place Beautiful by Maggie Smith 12- Memorial Drive by Natasha Trethaway 13- Emily's House by Amy Belding Brown 14- Finding Langston by Lesa Cline-Ransome 15- Bite by Bite: Nourishments and Jamborees by Aimee Nezhukumatathil 16- World of Wonders: In Praise of Fireflies, Whale Sharks, and Other Astonishments by Aimee Nezhukumatathil 17- The Poet's Dog by Patricia McLachlan Media mentioned-- 1- Severance (Apple+, 2022 - Present) 2- Reduced Shakespeare Company--https://www.reducedshakespeare.com 3- Saint X (Hulu, 2023)
Dr Laura Jean McKay is the first New Zealand-based author to win one of the world's top science fiction prizes, the Arthur C. Clarke Award, for her novel The Animals in That Country.
In a special series direct from the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival Laura Jean McKay chats with Irma about the experience of touring her books to the UK, why she threw up in a caravan sink after finishing her novel, how the publishing landscape for short fiction has changed over the last two decades, a disastrous book event that ended up in an Oscar-winning performance, writing about big political themes, the surreal experience of recording her audiobook during the pandemic, why winning prizes can be a lonely experience, the overwhelming and unexpected support of the sci-fi community, how to develop writing muscles, the worst writing advice she received from a very famous author, why a serious illness altered the development of her novel, and the practical methods that she used to climb out of an intense period of writer's block.About Laura Jean MackayLaura Jean McKay is the author of The Animals in That Country - winner of the prestigious Arthur C Clarke Award, The Victorian Prize for Literature, the ABIA Small Publishers Adult Book of the Year and co-winner of the Aurealis Award for Best Science Fiction Novel 2021. Laura is also the author of Holiday in Cambodia and was Adjunct Lecturer in Creative Writing at Massey University. Her latest collection is Gunflower, shortlisted for the Queensland Literary Award and named one of The Guardian's best books of 2023.
Author and poet* Dr Laura Jean McKay joins Liz and Ben for two of Terry Pratchett's short stories about intelligent animals: “Hollywood Chickens” (1990) and “From the Horse's Mouth” (1972). In 1973 Hollywood, a truck full of chickens overturned on a busy highway, depositing a population of chickens on the verge. A decade and a half later, scientists try to piece together the story of how they developed and evolved in pursuit of a very specific goal... In the town of Blackbury, rag and bone man Ron is amazed to discover that his carthorse, Johnno, can talk. Will their relationship be forever changed by the adventure they share together? These stories don't share too much in common beyond being about animals, but they are a nice sample of Pratchett's writing from two interesting points in his career: towards the end of his early phase of children's stories for newspapers, not long after his first novel was published; and at the height of his early fame - the year, in fact, that he published five novels. You can find “Hollywood Chickens” most readily in A Blink of the Screen, and “From the Horse's Mouth” in A Stroke of the Pen. Do you have a favourite Pratchett short story? What do you think of the way he writes animals? Should we have inserted an ad for Maggi noodles into this episode? What are your best horse pun names, and how would you get to the other side? We'd love to hear from you whether you're a horse, chicken, human or have mutant powers: join the conversation for this episode via email, or by using the hashtag #Pratchat81 on social media. Dr Laura Jean McKay (she/her) is an author, poet* and an Adjunct Lecturer in Creative Writing at Massey University. Her novel The Animals in That Country - “like Thelma and Louise with a woman and a dingo” - has won multiple awards, including the Arthur C Clarke Award. Her latest book is the short fiction collection Gunflower, published in 2023. You can find Laura as @laurajeanmckay on Twitter and Instagram, and find out more about her books on her website, laurajeanmckay.com.au. * Even if she doesn't know it. You'll find full notes and errata for this episode on our website, and you can hopefully still get tickets for Guards! Guards! at the Roleystone Theatre in Perth, which opens on 22 November 2024. Next episode we're back on track to crack the Clacks in the most recent Discworld board game: Clacks! If you have questions about this game recreating the race between Moist and the Grand Trunk company, get them in to us ASAP by tagging us or using the hashtag #Pratchat82 on social media, or emailing us at chat@pratchatpodcast.com.
When a car veers off the road with devastating consequences, the small wheatbelt town of Garringarup is left reeling, but no one's worlds are more shattered than those of Hannah and Freya, the partners of the passengers. On a day when wedding bells should have been ringing, their lives are torn apart by the web of lies the accident has exposed. Think Jodi Picoult meets Liane Moriaty and you have an idea of the fast-paced, page turning ethical dilemmas explored by Fiona Lowe in “The Accident”. + Dumped by her husband of twenty-five years, Jo Peck—smart, successful and sixty—is totally floored. She's hurt, angry and devastated…but not for long! In this candid memoir Jo discovers the comfort and support of friends, newly forged connections with extended family, good therapy…and internet dating! Annie loved Jo's raunchy rediscovery of self because, as Jo explained, “The unvarnished truth is very compelling”. Guests Fiona Lowe, author of 37 books. Her latest is “The Accident” Jo Peck author of “Suddenly Single at Sixty” Our random reader is Sameer Other books that get a mention Samir mentions “Master of the Game” by Sidney Sheldon, “Le Miserables” by Victor Hugo, “Cultural Heritage of India” six volumes gathered under the guidance of the Ramakrishna Institute of Culture. Sarah mentions “The Animals in that Country” by Laura Jean McKay.Annie mentions “Long Island” by Colm Toibin. He is the author of 7 books, including “Brooklyn”. INSTAGRAM @fionaloweaustralianauthor @text_publishing @goyougoodthing57 @harpercollinsaustraliaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
When a car veers off the road with devastating consequences, the small wheatbelt town of Garringarup is left reeling, but no one's worlds are more shattered than those of Hannah and Freya, the partners of the passengers. On a day when wedding bells should have been ringing, their lives are torn apart by the web of lies the accident has exposed. Think Jodi Picoult meets Liane Moriaty and you have an idea of the fast-paced, page turning ethical dilemmas explored by Fiona Lowe in “The Accident”. + Dumped by her husband of twenty-five years, Jo Peck—smart, successful and sixty—is totally floored. She's hurt, angry and devastated…but not for long! In this candid memoir Jo discovers the comfort and support of friends, newly forged connections with extended family, good therapy…and internet dating! Annie loved Jo's raunchy rediscovery of self because, as Jo explained, “The unvarnished truth is very compelling”. Guests Fiona Lowe, author of 37 books. Her latest is “The Accident” Jo Peck author of “Suddenly Single at Sixty” Our random reader is Sameer Other books that get a mention Samir mentions “Master of the Game” by Sidney Sheldon, “Le Miserables” by Victor Hugo, “Cultural Heritage of India” six volumes gathered under the guidance of the Ramakrishna Institute of Culture. Sarah mentions “The Animals in that Country” by Laura Jean McKay.Annie mentions “Long Island” by Colm Toibin. He is the author of 7 books, including “Brooklyn”. INSTAGRAM @fionaloweaustralianauthor @text_publishing @goyougoodthing57 @harpercollinsaustraliaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Ed and Amanda chat with Arthur C. Clarke, Victorian Prize for Literature, and ABIA award-winning author, Laura Jean McKay, following the Strange Creatures panel at the Words on the Waves Writers Festival. Laura shares her experience of preempting the Covid pandemic with her book, 'The Animals in That Country,' and what it was like to watch life mimicking her art. Buy Laura's books. Learn more about the Words on the Waves Writers Festival. Connect with us at https://notquitewritepodcast.com Register for the next Not Quite Write Prize at https://notquitewriteprize.com
Kiwi writer and poet Freya Daly Sadgrove joins Liz and Ben from Sydney as we adjust our uniforms and march into the horrible realities of war (class, gender and literal) to discuss Terry Pratchett's thirty-first Discworld novel, 2003's Monstrous Regiment. Polly Perks has cut off her hair, put on some trousers and joined the army under the name of Oliver, all so she can find her strong but gentle-minded brother, Paul. Is soon turns out that her regiment, led by the infamous Sergeant Jackrum who swears to look after “his little lads”, is quite possibly the last one left in all of Borogravia. In her search for Paul, Polly will have to deal with the enemy, the free press, a vampire who might kill for a coffee, Sam Vimes, and The Secret: she might not be the only impostor in the ranks... Coming in between the first two Tiffany Aching novels, Monstrous Regiment - which is also monstrous in size, possibly Pratchett's second longest novel - is the last truly standalone Discworld story. It introduces a wonderful cast of characters who, sadly, we'll never see again. Not only that, but it gives major supporting roles to old favourites Sam Vimes and William de Worde, with a side order of Otto von Chriek! Critics at the time compared it to Evelyn Waugh, Jonathan Swift and All Quiet on the Western Front, and it remains one of Pratchett's most beloved and celebrated novels - both for what it says about war, and about gender. Did you know The Secret before you read Monstrous Regiment? What's it like re-reading it when you do know? How do you feel about the ending(s)? How does Pratchett's handling of gender hold up against our modern understanding? What would you prohibit, in Nugganite fashion? And would you rather have a type of food or clothing named after you? Get on board the conversation for this episode with the hashtag #Pratchat76. Freya Daly Sadgrove (she/her) is a pākehā writer and performance poet from New Zealand, currently living in Sydney. Her first book of poetry, Head Girl, was published in 2020 by Te Herenga Waka University Press, and she is one of the creators of New Zealand live poetry showcase Show Ponies, which presents poets like they're pop stars. Her first full-length live show, 2023's Whole New Woman, blended poetry with live rock music. Freya has a website at freyadalysad.com (though it might not be available at the moment), and you can also find her as @FreyaDalySad on Twitter. As usual you'll find comprehensive notes and errata for this episode on our website, including lots of photos of the components we discuss. Next episode we're discussing two short stories about animals: “Hollywood Chickens” (found in A Blink of the Screen) and “From the Horse's Mouth” (from A Stroke of the Pen). Our guest will be the author of The Animals in That Country, Laura Jean McKay. Get your questions in by mid-April 2024 by replying to us or using the hashtag #Pratchat77 on social media, or email us at chat@pratchatpodcast.com.
Our Monstrous Regiment episode still isn't quite ready, so we've had to push it to April. In the meantime, Ben gets nerdy about some recent Discworld and Pratchett news about books and roleplaying games. A few brief notes: “50 Years of Terry Pratchett” was actually announced in November 2021, marking fifty years since the publication of The Carpet People in 1971. (In Ben's defence, those early pandemic years all blur into one.) It kicked off with a new print and audiobook edition of that book; the new audio version was read by David Tennant! The new Discworld audiobooks and paperbacks from Penguin were published between 2022 and 2023, though the audiobook of Hogfather was released early for Christmas 2021, using the same artwork as the 25th anniversary paperback edition. For more on the books released as part of 50th anniversary celebrations, see the L-Space wiki “50 Years of Terry” article. You can check out the cover design for the new edition of The Last Hero on the Gollancz website. The new paperback edition of Eric was published on 23 February 2023. The new audiobook, read by Colin Morgan, had been previously released with the other Wizards books on 7 July 2022. The Collector's Library edition of Dodger can be seen in the terrypratchett.com announcement. You can see the “Forty Years of Discworld” logo at terrypratchett.com. The “Year of Discworld” was announced on the day of the fortieth anniversary, promising “more on that soon”. Both the terrypratchett.com announcement and Modiphius announcement for Terry Pratchett's Discworld: Adventure in Ankh-Morpork include links to Modiphius' fan survey (it's a Google form). Modiphius also has a mailing list you can sign up to for more news. Ben forgot to mention this, but Modiphius' license is for Discworld “tabletop games”, including board games. No news on those yet, though! We'll be back with #Pratchat76, our proper Monstrous Regiment episode on 8 April. Then in May we'll be reading “Hollywood Chickens” (which you can find in A Blink of the Screen) and “From the Horse's Mouth” (from A Stroke of the Pen, or in earlier form as “Johnno, The Talking Horse” in The Time Traveling Caveman and Other Stories) with guest Laura Jean McKay. Send in your questions about those stories via email, or using the hashtag #Pratchat77 on social media.
Our Monstrous Regiment episode won't be ready until later in the month, but we didn't want to let International Women's Day pass without some kind of comment. So here's a mini episode in your feed recommending some other Pratchett and Discworld podcasts hosted by women and non-binary folks. Here's a list of the Discworld podcasts Ben mentioned: The Truth Shall Make Ye Fret, hosted by Francine Carrel and Joanna Hagan. They covered Monstrous Regiment over three episodes in April 2023: “[REDACTED]”, “The Implication of Hippo” and “Gender is a Fake Drug”. You can support them on Patreon. Disc Coverers, hosted by Iris Jay, Grace Lovelace, Balina Mahigan, and Juniper Theory. Nanny Ogg's Book Club, hosted by Tessa Swelha and Nigel. Their Monstrous Regiment episode was in September 2023. Teaching My Cat to Read, hosted by Eli, M, Ro and Lotti. You can support them on Ko-Fi. Fiction Fans, hosted by Sara and Lily. You can support them on Patreon. Other links from this episode: Our wiki indexing Discworld podcasts is the Guild of Recappers and Podcasters. There's a page for Monstrous Regiment listing all the episodes discussing it. The Melbourne-based charity is independent feminist organisation the Victorian Women's Trust. They've produced their own podcasts, including Money Power Freedom, which was co-hosted by Cal Wilson. We won't link to it, but don't go to internationalwomensday.com; instead you want the official UN Women site, unwomen.org. Our April episode, #Pratchat77, will be with guest Laura Jean McKay, author of The Animals in That Country. We'll be discussing the short stories “Hollywood Chickens” from A Blink of the Screen, and “From the Horse's Mouth” from A Stroke of the Pen. An earlier version of “From the Horse's Mouth” is “Johnno, the Talking Horse”, which was collected in The Time-Travelling Caveman and Other Stories, and in deluxe editions of The Witch's Vacuum Cleaner and Other Stories.
Melissa Lucashenko writes about big ideas and brutal experiences, but she does so with grace, with generosity and – maybe above all else – a rich sense of humour. In this episode, from Schwartz Media's podcast Read This, Michael sits down with Melissa for a conversation about her new book, Edenglassie, and they discuss history, eccentric characters, and why writing a love story is a revolutionary act. Reading list: Hard Yards, Melissa Lucashenko, 1999 Too Flash, Melissa Lucashenko, 2002 Mullumbimby, Melissa Lucashenko, 2013 Too Much Lip, Melissa Lucashenko, 2018 Edenglassie, Melissa Lucashenko, 2023 The Fortunes of Richard Mahony, Henry Handel Richardson, 1925 For the Term of His Natural Life, Marcus Clarke, 1874 The Secret Hours, Mick Herron, 2023 Gunflower, Laura Jean McKay, 2023 You can find these books and all the others we mentioned at your favourite independent book store. Or if you want to listen to them as audiobooks, you can head to the Read This reading room on Apple Books. Socials: Stay in touch with Read This on Instagram and Twitter Guest: Melissa Lucashenko
Short stories are like a bag of mixed lollies there's going to be something that sparks interest. Laura Jean McKay has given us just that with ‘Gunflower', especially as they are grouped into Birth, Life and Death. Darren Mort takes us into the challenging world of child custody when parents separate in his novel, ‘Isla's Song'.
Laura Jean McKay is a fiction writer, and her latest work is the short story collection Gunflower. Her previous novel, The Animals in That Country, was awarded the international Arthur C. Clarke Award, as well as the Victorian Prize for Literature and the ABIA Small Publishers Adult Book of the Year. Laura was awarded the NZSA Waitangi Day Literary Honours in 2022. You can read the transcript for this interview here. About The Garret: Writers and the publishing industry Follow The Garret on Instagram, and perhaps follow our host Astrid Edwards there too.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Melissa Lucashenko writes about big ideas and brutal experiences, but she does so with grace, with generosity and – maybe above all else – a rich sense of humour. This week, Michael sits down with Melissa for a conversation about her new book, Edenglassie, and they discuss history, eccentric characters, and why writing a love story is a revolutionary act.Reading list:Hard Yards, Melissa Lucashenko, 1999Too Flash, Melissa Lucashenko, 2002Mullumbimby, Melissa Lucashenko, 2013Too Much Lip, Melissa Lucashenko, 2018Edenglassie, Melissa Lucashenko, 2023The Fortunes of Richard Mahony, Henry Handel Richardson, 1925For the Term of His Natural Life, Marcus Clarke, 1874The Secret Hours, Mick Herron, 2023Gunflower, Laura Jean McKay, 2023You can find these books and all the others we mentioned at your favourite independent book store. Or if you want to listen to them as audiobooks, you can head to the Read This reading room on Apple Books.Socials: Stay in touch with Read This on Instagram and TwitterGuest: Melissa LucashenkoSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Melissa Lucashenko writes about big ideas and brutal experiences, but she does so with grace, with generosity and – maybe above all else – a rich sense of humour. This week, Michael sits down with Melissa for a conversation about her new book, Edenglassie, and they discuss history, eccentric characters, and why writing a love story is a revolutionary act. Reading list: Hard Yards, Melissa Lucashenko, 1999 Too Flash, Melissa Lucashenko, 2002 Mullumbimby, Melissa Lucashenko, 2013 Too Much Lip, Melissa Lucashenko, 2018 Edenglassie, Melissa Lucashenko, 2023 The Fortunes of Richard Mahony, Henry Handel Richardson, 1925 For the Term of His Natural Life, Marcus Clarke, 1874 The Secret Hours, Mick Herron, 2023 Gunflower, Laura Jean McKay, 2023 You can find these books and all the others we mentioned at your favourite independent book store. Or if you want to listen to them as audiobooks, you can head to the Read This reading room on Apple Books. Socials: Stay in touch with Read This on Instagram and Twitter Guest: Melissa Lucashenko
Speculative fiction immerses us in a vision of the world that could become true from a plethora of latent possibilities. Speculative fiction uses storytelling as a tool to educate and influence people's perspectives by creating a world that expands on contemporary society. Renowned authors Laura Jean McKay, Norman Erikson Pasaribu and Sequoia Nagamatsu will speak to the power of speculative fiction to pose the question: what if?Tune in to the latest episode of #UWRF22Highlights here:YouTube: bit.ly/YouTubeSpeculativeFictionSpotify: bit.ly/SpotifySpeculativeFictionApple Podcasts: bit.ly/ApplePodcastsSpeculativeFictionWeb: bit.ly/UWRF22FestivalHighlights -- Fiksi spekulatif mencelupkan diri kita sebagai pembaca ke dalam dunia yang tampak nyata dan berdasarkan kemungkinan-kemungkinan yang terpendam. Fiksi spekulatif menggunakan kemampuan bercerita sebagai alat untuk mengedukasi dan mempengaruhi perspektif manusia dengan membangun dunia yang berkembang dengan masyarakat yang kontemporer. Penulis ternama Laura Jean McKay, bersama Norman Erikson Pasaribu dan Sequoia Nagamatsu memperbincangkan kekuatan dari fiksi spekulatif yang memunculkan sebuah pertanyaan tunggal: bagaimana jika?Dengarkan dan tonton episode terbaru dari #UWRF22Highlights di:YouTube: bit.ly/YouTubeSpeculativeFictionSpotify: bit.ly/SpotifySpeculativeFictionApple Podcasts: bit.ly/ApplePodcastsSpeculativeFictionWeb: bit.ly/UWRF22FestivalHighlights
Laura Jean McKay is the author of the award winning novel Animals in that Country, which explores what happens when a pandemic takes interspecies communication to a whole new level. She joins pattrice to talk about how real cows, dingoes, and even mosquitos inspired the work, as well as the realities of the creative process.
In this episode, I talk to Dr. Laura Jean McKay about her award-winning novel The Animals in that Country (Scribe, 2020). Hard-drinking, foul-mouthed, and allergic to bullshit, Jean is not your usual grandma. She's never been good at getting on with other humans, apart from her beloved granddaughter, Kimberly. Instead, she surrounds herself with animals, working as a guide in an outback wildlife park. And although Jean talks to all her charges, she has a particular soft spot for a young dingo called Sue. As disturbing news arrives of a pandemic sweeping the country, Jean realises this is no ordinary flu: its chief symptom is that its victims begin to understand the language of animals — first mammals, then birds and insects, too. As the flu progresses, the unstoppable voices become overwhelming, and many people begin to lose their minds, including Jean's infected son, Lee. When he takes off with Kimberly, heading south, Jean feels the pull to follow her kin. Setting off on their trail, with Sue the dingo riding shotgun, they find themselves in a stark, strange world in which the animal apocalypse has only further isolated people from other species. Bold, exhilarating, and wholly original, The Animals in That Country asks what would happen, for better or worse, if we finally understood what animals were saying. Kyle Johannsen is an academic philosopher who does research in animal and environmental ethics, and in political philosophy. His most recent book is Wild Animal Ethics: The Moral and Political Problem of Wild Animal Suffering (Routledge, 2021). You can follow him on Twitter @KyleJohannsen2. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network
In this episode, I talk to Dr. Laura Jean McKay about her award-winning novel The Animals in that Country (Scribe, 2020). Hard-drinking, foul-mouthed, and allergic to bullshit, Jean is not your usual grandma. She's never been good at getting on with other humans, apart from her beloved granddaughter, Kimberly. Instead, she surrounds herself with animals, working as a guide in an outback wildlife park. And although Jean talks to all her charges, she has a particular soft spot for a young dingo called Sue. As disturbing news arrives of a pandemic sweeping the country, Jean realises this is no ordinary flu: its chief symptom is that its victims begin to understand the language of animals — first mammals, then birds and insects, too. As the flu progresses, the unstoppable voices become overwhelming, and many people begin to lose their minds, including Jean's infected son, Lee. When he takes off with Kimberly, heading south, Jean feels the pull to follow her kin. Setting off on their trail, with Sue the dingo riding shotgun, they find themselves in a stark, strange world in which the animal apocalypse has only further isolated people from other species. Bold, exhilarating, and wholly original, The Animals in That Country asks what would happen, for better or worse, if we finally understood what animals were saying. Kyle Johannsen is an academic philosopher who does research in animal and environmental ethics, and in political philosophy. His most recent book is Wild Animal Ethics: The Moral and Political Problem of Wild Animal Suffering (Routledge, 2021). You can follow him on Twitter @KyleJohannsen2. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/literature
In this episode, I talk to Dr. Laura Jean McKay about her award-winning novel The Animals in that Country (Scribe US, 2020). Hard-drinking, foul-mouthed, and allergic to bullshit, Jean is not your usual grandma. She's never been good at getting on with other humans, apart from her beloved granddaughter, Kimberly. Instead, she surrounds herself with animals, working as a guide in an outback wildlife park. And although Jean talks to all her charges, she has a particular soft spot for a young dingo called Sue. As disturbing news arrives of a pandemic sweeping the country, Jean realises this is no ordinary flu: its chief symptom is that its victims begin to understand the language of animals — first mammals, then birds and insects, too. As the flu progresses, the unstoppable voices become overwhelming, and many people begin to lose their minds, including Jean's infected son, Lee. When he takes off with Kimberly, heading south, Jean feels the pull to follow her kin. Setting off on their trail, with Sue the dingo riding shotgun, they find themselves in a stark, strange world in which the animal apocalypse has only further isolated people from other species. Bold, exhilarating, and wholly original, The Animals in That Country asks what would happen, for better or worse, if we finally understood what animals were saying. Kyle Johannsen is an academic philosopher who does research in animal and environmental ethics, and in political philosophy. His most recent book is Wild Animal Ethics: The Moral and Political Problem of Wild Animal Suffering (Routledge, 2021). You can follow him on Twitter @KyleJohannsen2. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/animal-studies
Welcome to BookShook! This episode is all about the second half of May's book, The Animals in that Country by Laura Jean McKay published in 2020 (from page 140 if you're reading alongside). The idea of the podcast is that we'll read the first half of a book together (that I and perhaps you have never read) and then I'll share my thoughts in part 1 of the podcast published on the second Friday of the month. And then in part 2 (published on the last Friday of the month), I'll discuss the second half of the book. We'll see together how the novel concludes and decide whether it's a book we'd recommend to a friend - or not. Of course, you don't have to read the book, you can listen to it, or just follow along without doing either since I'll be summarising what happens (but be aware! - there will be spoilers). You can leave a comment or start a conversation below or send an email to bookshook@yahoo.com. You can check out the podcast at bookshook.buzzsprout.com. The book we'll be reading for June is Howard's End by E.M. Forster (382pp) - we'll be reading up to Chapter 22 (so get that ready if you're going to read alongside me). The first podcast will be on 10th June. Thanks for listening to BookShook! RogerContent Warning: There are adult themes in the novel (and some swearing). I have removed any swear words from dialogue. Please check the content of the novel before listening to the podcast.Future Reads:June: Howard's End by E.M. Forster (382pp) July: Gravity's Rainbow by Thomas Pynchon (902 pages)August: Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuk (trans. Antonia Lloyd-Jones) - 266 pages Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome to BookShook! This podcast is all about the second half of May's book, The Animals in that Country by Laura Jean McKay published in 2020 (from page 140 if you're reading alongside). The idea of the podcast is that we'll read the first half of a book together — one that I and perhaps you have never read) and then I'll share my thoughts in part 1 of the podcast published on the second Friday of the month. And then in part 2 (published on the last Friday of the month), I'll discuss the second half of the book. We'll see together how the novel concludes and decide whether it's a book we'd recommend to a friend - or not. Of course, you don't have to read the book, you can listen to it, or just follow along without doing either since I'll be summarising what happens (but be aware! - there will be spoilers). You can leave a comment or start a conversation at the BookShook YouTube channel (link below) or send an email to bookshook@yahoo.com. The book we'll be reading for June is Howard's End by E.M. Forster (382pp) — we'll be reading up to Chapter 22 (so get that ready if you're going to read alongside me). The first podcast will be on 10th June. Thanks for listening to BookShook! RogerContent Warning: There are adult themes in the novel (and some swearing). I have removed any swear words from dialogue. Please check the content of the novel before listening to the podcast.This episode will be available until August but all episodes can be listened to and discussed at the BookShook YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-UchFXG7hqzGyGQ7l1YIpgFuture Reads:June: Howard's End by E.M. Forster (382pp) July: Gravity's Rainbow by Thomas Pynchon (902 pages)August: Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuk (trans. Antonia Lloyd-Jones) - 266 pages
Welcome to BookShook! This podcast is all about the first half of May's book, The Animals in that Country by Laura Jean McKay published in 2020 (up to page 140 “I need a rinse under the tap and a lie-down” if you're reading alongside). The idea of the podcast is that we'll split a book into two equal halves — a book that I and perhaps you have never read. In the first podcast, published on the second Friday of the month, we'll discuss the first half. And then in the second podcast (published on the last Friday of the month - 27th May), we'll look at the second half of the book (in this case from page 140). We'll see together how the novel concludes and decide whether it's a book we'd recommend to a friend - or not. Of course, you don't have to read the book, you can listen to it, or just follow along without doing either since I'll be summarising what happens (but be aware! - there will be spoilers). You can leave a comment or start a conversation at the BookShook YouTube channel (link below) or send an email to bookshook@yahoo.com. The book we'll be reading for June is Howard's End by E.M. Forster (382pp) (so get that ready if you're going to read alongside). Thanks for listening to BookShook! RogerContent Warning: There are adult themes in the novel (and some swearing). I have removed any swear words from dialogue. Please check the content of the novel before listening to the podcast.This episode will be available until August but all episodes can be listened and discussed at the BookShook YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-UchFXG7hqzGyGQ7l1YIpgFuture Reads:June: Howard's End by E.M. Forster (382 pages) July: Gravity's Rainbow by Thomas Pynchon (902 pages)August: Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuk (trans. Antonia Lloyd-Jones - 266 pages) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome to BookShook! This podcast is all about the first half of May's book, The Animals in that Country by Laura Jean McKay published in 2020 (up to page 140 “I need a rinse under the tap and a lie-down” if you're reading alongside). The idea of the podcast is that we'll split a book into two equal halves — a book that I and perhaps you have never read. In the first podcast, published on the second Friday of the month, we'll discuss the first half. And then in the second podcast (published on the last Friday of the month - 27th May), we'll look at the second half of the book (in this case from page 140). We'll see together how the novel concludes and decide whether it's a book we'd recommend to a friend - or not. Of course, you don't have to read the book, you can listen to it, or just follow along without doing either since I'll be summarising what happens (but be aware! - there will be spoilers). You can leave a comment or start a conversation at the BookShook YouTube channel (link below) or send an email to bookshook@yahoo.com. The book we'll be reading for June is Howard's End by E.M. Forster (382pp) (so get that ready if you're going to read alongside). Thanks for listening to BookShook! RogerContent Warning: There are adult themes in the novel (and some swearing). I have removed any swear words from dialogue. Please check the content of the novel before listening to the podcast.This episode will be available until August but all episodes can be listened and discussed at the BookShook YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-UchFXG7hqzGyGQ7l1YIpgFuture Reads:June: Howard's End by E.M. Forster (382 pages) July: Gravity's Rainbow by Thomas Pynchon (902 pages)August: Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuk (trans. Antonia Lloyd-Jones - 266 pages)
Welcome to BookShook! This podcast is all about the second half of April's book, For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway published in 1940 (from chapter 19 on Page 266. if you're reading alongside). The idea of the podcast is that we'll read the first half of a book together — one that I and perhaps you have never read) and then I'll share my thoughts in part 1 of the podcast published on the second Friday of the month. And then in part 2 (published on the last Friday of the month), I'll discuss the second half of the book. We'll see together how the novel concludes and decide whether it's a book we'd recommend to a friend - or not. Of course, you don't have to read the book, you can listen to it, or just follow along without doing either since I'll be summarising what happens (but be aware! - there will be spoilers). You can leave a comment or start a conversation at the BookShook YouTube channel (link below) or send an email to bookshook@yahoo.com. The book we'll be reading for May is The Animals In That Country by Laura Jean McKay (277 pages) — we'll be reading up to page 140 "I need a rinse under the tap..." (so get that ready if you're going to read alongside me). The first podcast will be on 13th May. Thanks for listening to BookShook! RogerContent Warning: The novel covers the difficult themes of war, rape, and murder. There are no swear words in the podcast.This episode will be available for 3 months but all episodes can be listened and discussed at the BookShook YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-UchFXG7hqzGyGQ7l1YIpgFuture Reads:May: The Animals In That Country by Laura Jean McKay (277 pages) June: Howards End by EM Forster (382 pages)July: Gravity's Rainbow by Thomas Pynchon (902 pages)I'm delighted that this podcast has been voted in the Top 90 UK Books Podcasts at https://blog.feedspot.com/uk_book_podcasts/
Welcome to BookShook! This podcast is all about the second half of April's book, For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway published in 1940 (from chapter 19 on Page 266. if you're reading alongside). The idea of the podcast is that we'll read the first half of a book together — one that I and perhaps you have never read) and then I'll share my thoughts in part 1 of the podcast published on the second Friday of the month. And then in part 2 (published on the last Friday of the month), I'll discuss the second half of the book. We'll see together how the novel concludes and decide whether it's a book we'd recommend to a friend - or not. Of course, you don't have to read the book, you can listen to it, or just follow along without doing either since I'll be summarising what happens (but be aware! - there will be spoilers). You can leave a comment or start a conversation at the BookShook YouTube channel (link below) or send an email to bookshook@yahoo.com. The book we'll be reading for May is The Animals In That Country by Laura Jean McKay (277 pages) — we'll be reading up to page 140 "I need a rinse under the tap..." (so get that ready if you're going to read alongside me). The first podcast will be on 13th May. Thanks for listening to BookShook! RogerContent Warning: The novel covers the difficult themes of war, rape, murder. There are no swear words in the podcast.This episode will be available for 3 months but all episodes can be listened and discussed at the BookShook YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-UchFXG7hqzGyGQ7l1YIpgFuture Reads:May: The Animals In That Country by Laura Jean McKay (277 pages) June: Howards End by EM Forster (382 pages)July: Gravity's Rainbow by Thomas Pynchon (902 pages) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome to BookShook! This podcast is all about the first half of April's book, For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway published in 1940 (up to Ch.19 (page 266) if you're reading alongside). The idea of the podcast is that we'll split a book into two equal halves — a book that I and perhaps you have never read. In the first podcast, published on the second Friday of the month, we'll discuss the first half. And then in the second podcast (published on the last Friday of the month - $Part2PodcastDate$ April), we'll look at the second half of the book (in this case from chapter 19 on Page 266.). We'll see together how the novel concludes and decide whether it's a book we'd recommend to a friend - or not. Of course, you don't have to read the book, you can listen to it, or just follow along without doing either since I'll be summarising what happens (but be aware! - there will be spoilers). You can leave a comment or start a conversation at the BookShook YouTube channel (link below) or send an email to bookshook@yahoo.com. The book we'll be reading for May is The Animals In That Country by Laura Jean McKay (277 pages) (so get that ready if you're going to read alongside). Thanks for listening to BookShook! RogerContent Warning: The novel covers the difficult themes of war, rape, murder. There are no swear words in the podcast.This episode will be available until July but all episodes can be listened and discussed at the BookShook YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-UchFXG7hqzGyGQ7l1YIpgFuture Reads:May: The Animals In That Country by Laura Jean McKay (277 pages) June: Howards End by EM Forster (382pages)July: Gravity's Rainbow by Thomas Pynchon (902 pages)
Welcome to BookShook! This podcast is all about the first half of April's book, For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway published in 1940 (up to Ch.19 (page 266) if you're reading alongside). The idea of the podcast is that we'll split a book into two equal halves — a book that I and perhaps you have never read. In the first podcast, published on the second Friday of the month, we'll discuss the first half. And then in the second podcast (published on the last Friday of the month - 29th April), we'll look at the second half of the book (in this case from chapter 19 on Page 266.). We'll see together how the novel concludes and decide whether it's a book we'd recommend to a friend - or not. Of course, you don't have to read the book, you can listen to it, or just follow along without doing either since I'll be summarising what happens (but be aware! - there will be spoilers). You can leave a comment or start a conversation at the BookShook YouTube channel (link below) or send an email to bookshook@yahoo.com. The book we'll be reading for May is The Animals In That Country by Laura Jean McKay (277 pages) (so get that ready if you're going to read alongside). Thanks for listening to BookShook! RogerContent Warning: The novel covers the difficult themes of war, rape, murder. There are no swear words in the podcast.This episode will be available until July but all episodes can be listened and discussed at the BookShook YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-UchFXG7hqzGyGQ7l1YIpgFuture Reads:May: The Animals In That Country by Laura Jean McKay (277 pages) June: Howards End by EM Forster (382pages)July: Gravity's Rainbow by Thomas Pynchon (902 pages) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome to BookShook! This podcast is all about the second half of March's book, Bewilderment by Richard Powers published in 2021 (p147 "ROBBIE EVEN ENJOYED INFLATING THE BOAT" to the end if you're reading alongside). The idea of the podcast is that we'll read the first half of a book together — one that I and perhaps you have never read) and then I'll share my thoughts in part 1 of the podcast published on the second Friday of the month. And then in part 2 (published on the last Friday of the month), I'll discuss the second half of the book. We'll see together how the novel concludes and decide whether it's a book we'd recommend to a friend - or not. Of course, you don't have to read the book, you can listen to it, or just follow along without doing either since I'll be summarising what happens (but be aware! - there will be spoilers). You can leave a comment or start a conversation at the BookShook YouTube channel (link below) or send an email to bookshook@yahoo.com. The book we'll be reading for April is For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway (504pp) — we'll be reading up to Ch. 19 (that's halfway) (so get that ready if you're going to read alongside me). The first podcast will be on 8th April. Thanks for listening to BookShook! RogerContent Warning: There are adult themes in the novel. I have removed any swear words. Please check the book content before listening.This episode will be available until June but all episodes can be listened to and discussed at the BookShook YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-UchFXG7hqzGyGQ7l1YIpgFuture Reads:April: For Whom the Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway (504pp) May: The Animals in that Country by Laura Jean McKay (277pp)June: Howards End by EM Forster, (382pp)
Welcome to BookShook! This podcast is all about the second half of March's book, Bewilderment by Richard Powers published in 2021 (p147 "ROBBIE EVEN ENJOYED INFLATING THE BOAT" to the end if you're reading alongside). The idea of the podcast is that we'll read the first half of a book together — one that I and perhaps you have never read) and then I'll share my thoughts in part 1 of the podcast published on the second Friday of the month. And then in part 2 (published on the last Friday of the month), I'll discuss the second half of the book. We'll see together how the novel concludes and decide whether it's a book we'd recommend to a friend - or not. Of course, you don't have to read the book, you can listen to it, or just follow along without doing either since I'll be summarising what happens (but be aware! - there will be spoilers). You can leave a comment or start a conversation at the BookShook YouTube channel (link below) or send an email to bookshook@yahoo.com. The book we'll be reading for April is For Whom the Bell Tolls by Earnest Hemingway (504pp) — we'll be reading up to Ch. 19 (that's half way) (so get that ready if you're going to read alongside me). The first podcast will be on 8th April. Thanks for listening to BookShook! RogerContent Warning: There are adult themes in the novel. I have removed any swear words. Please check the book content before listening.This episode will be available until June but all episodes can be listened and discussed at the BookShook YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-UchFXG7hqzGyGQ7l1YIpgFuture Reads:April: For Whom the Bell Tolls by Earnest Hemingway (504pp) May: The Animals in that Country by Laura Jean McKay (277pp)June: Howards End by EM Forster, (382pp) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome to BookShook! This podcast is all about the first half of March's book, Bewilderment by Richard Powers published in 2021 (up to page 447 “ ROBBIE EVEN ENJOYED INFLATING THE BOAT” if you're reading alongside). The idea of the podcast is that we'll split a book into two equal halves — a book that I and perhaps you have never read. In the first podcast, published on the second Friday of the month, we'll discuss the first half. And then in the second podcast (published on the last Friday of the month - 25th March), we'll look at the second half of the book (in this case p147 "ROBBIE EVEN ENJOYED INFLATING THE BOAT" to the end ). We'll see together how the novel concludes and decide whether it's a book we'd recommend to a friend - or not. Of course, you don't have to read the book, you can listen to it, or just follow along without doing either since I'll be summarising what happens (but be aware! - there will be spoilers). You can leave a comment or start a conversation at the BookShook YouTube channel (link below) or send an email to bookshook@yahoo.com. The book we'll be reading for April is For Whom the Bell Tolls by Earnest Hemingway (504pp) (so get that ready if you're going to read alongside). Thanks for listening to BookShook! RogerContent Warning: There are adult themes in the novel. I have removed any swear words. Please check the book content before listening.This episode will be available until June but all episodes can be listened and discussed at the BookShook YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-UchFXG7hqzGyGQ7l1YIpgFuture Reads:April: For Whom the Bell Tolls by Earnest Hemingway (504pp) May: The Animals in that Country by Laura Jean McKay (277pp)June: Howards End by EM Forster, (382pp)
Welcome to BookShook! This podcast is all about the first half of March's book, Bewilderment by Richard Powers published in 2021 (up to page 447 “ ROBBIE EVEN ENJOYED INFLATING THE BOAT” if you're reading alongside). The idea of the podcast is that we'll split a book into two equal halves — a book that I and perhaps you have never read. In the first podcast, published on the second Friday of the month, we'll discuss the first half. And then in the second podcast (published on the last Friday of the month - 25th March), we'll look at the second half of the book (in this case p147 "ROBBIE EVEN ENJOYED INFLATING THE BOAT" to the end ). We'll see together how the novel concludes and decide whether it's a book we'd recommend to a friend - or not. Of course, you don't have to read the book, you can listen to it, or just follow along without doing either since I'll be summarising what happens (but be aware! - there will be spoilers). You can leave a comment or start a conversation at the BookShook YouTube channel (link below) or send an email to bookshook@yahoo.com. The book we'll be reading for April is For Whom the Bell Tolls by Earnest Hemingway (504pp) (so get that ready if you're going to read alongside). Thanks for listening to BookShook! RogerContent Warning: There are adult themes in the novel. I have removed any swear words. Please check the book content before listening.This episode will be available until June but all episodes can be listened and discussed at the BookShook YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-UchFXG7hqzGyGQ7l1YIpgFuture Reads:April: For Whom the Bell Tolls by Earnest Hemingway (504pp) May: The Animals in that Country by Laura Jean McKay (277pp)June: Howards End by EM Forster, (382pp) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome to BookShook! This podcast is all about the second half of February's book, The Quiet American by Graham Greene published in 1955 (from Part 2 chapter IV on page 99 or 50% if you're kindling if you're reading alongside). The idea of the podcast is that we'll read the first half of a book together — one that I and perhaps you have never read) and then I'll share my thoughts in part 1 of the podcast published on the second Friday of the month. And then in part 2 (published on the last Friday of the month), I'll discuss the second half of the book. We'll see together how the novel concludes and decide whether it's a book we'd recommend to a friend - or not. Of course, you don't have to read the book, you can listen to it, or just follow along without doing either since I'll be summarising what happens (but be aware! - there will be spoilers). You can leave a comment or start a conversation at the BookShook YouTube channel (link below) or send an email to bookshook@yahoo.com. The book we'll be reading for March is Bewilderment by Richard Powers (288 pp.) — we'll be reading up to 50% (page 144) (so get that ready if you're going to read alongside me). The first podcast will be on 11th March. Thanks for listening to BookShook! RogerContent Warning: There are some violent scenes in the book. Please check the content before proceeding.This episode will be available until May but all episodes can be listened and discussed at the BookShook YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-UchFXG7hqzGyGQ7l1YIpgFuture Reads:March: Bewilderment by Richard Powers (288 pp.) April: For Whom The Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway (504 pages)May: The Animals in that Country by Laura Jean McKay (277 pages) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome to BookShook! This podcast is all about the second half of February's book, The Quiet American by Graham Greene published in 1955 (from Part 2 chapter IV on page 99 or 50% if you're kindling). The idea of the podcast is that we'll read the first half of a book together — one that I and perhaps you have never read) and then I'll share my thoughts in part 1 of the podcast published on the second Friday of the month. And then in part 2 (published on the last Friday of the month), I'll discuss the second half of the book. We'll see together how the novel concludes and decide whether it's a book we'd recommend to a friend - or not. Of course, you don't have to read the book, you can listen to it, or just follow along without doing either since I'll be summarising what happens (but be aware! - there will be spoilers). You can leave a comment or start a conversation at the BookShook YouTube channel (link below) or send an email to bookshook@yahoo.com. The book we'll be reading for March is Bewilderment by Richard Powers (288 pp.) — we'll be reading up to 50% (page 144) (so get that ready if you're going to read alongside me). The first podcast will be on 11th March. Thanks for listening to BookShook! RogerContent Warning: There are some violent scenes in the book. Please check the content before proceeding.This episode will be available until May but all episodes can be listened and discussed at the BookShook YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-UchFXG7hqzGyGQ7l1YIpgFuture Reads:March: Bewilderment by Richard Powers (288 pp.) April: For Whom The Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway (504 pages)May: The Animals in that Country by Laura Jean McKay (277 pages)
Welcome to BookShook! This podcast is all about the first half of February's book, The Quiet American by Graham Greene published in 1955 (up to Pt2 Chapter IV on Page 99 if you're reading alongside). The idea of the podcast is that we'll split a book into two equal halves — a book that I and perhaps you have never read. In the first podcast, published on the second Friday of the month, we'll discuss the first half. And then in the second podcast (published on the last Friday of the month - 25th February), we'll look at the second half of the book (in this case from Part 2 chapter IV on page 99 or 50% if you're kindling). We'll see together how the novel concludes and decide whether it's a book we'd recommend to a friend - or not. Of course, you don't have to read the book, you can listen to it, or just follow along without doing either since I'll be summarising what happens (but be aware! - there will be spoilers). You can leave a comment or start a conversation at the BookShook YouTube channel (link below) or send an email to bookshook@yahoo.com. The book we'll be reading for March is Bewilderment by Richard Powers (288 pp.) (so get that ready if you're going to read alongside). Thanks for listening to BookShook! RogerContent Warning: There are some violent scenes in the book. Please check the content before proceeding.This episode will be available until May but all episodes can be listened and discussed at the BookShook YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-UchFXG7hqzGyGQ7l1YIpgFuture Reads:March: Bewilderment by Richard Powers (288 pp.) April: For Whom The Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway (504 pages)May: The Animals in that Country by Laura Jean McKay (277 pages) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Welcome to BookShook! This podcast is all about the first half of February's book, The Quiet American by Graham Greene published in 1955 (up to Pt2 Chapter IV on Page 99 if you're reading alongside). The idea of the podcast is that we'll split a book into two equal halves — a book that I and perhaps you have never read. In the first podcast, published on the second Friday of the month, we'll discuss the first half. And then in the second podcast (published on the last Friday of the month - 25th February), we'll look at the second half of the book (in this case from Part 2 chapter IV on page 99 or 50% if you're kindling). We'll see together how the novel concludes and decide whether it's a book we'd recommend to a friend - or not. Of course, you don't have to read the book, you can listen to it, or just follow along without doing either since I'll be summarising what happens (but be aware! - there will be spoilers). You can leave a comment or start a conversation at the BookShook YouTube channel (link below) or send an email to bookshook@yahoo.com. The book we'll be reading for March is Bewilderment by Richard Powers (288 pp.) (so get that ready if you're going to read alongside). Thanks for listening to BookShook! RogerContent Warning: There are some violent scenes in the book. Please check the content before proceeding.This episode will be available until May but all episodes can be listened and discussed at the BookShook YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-UchFXG7hqzGyGQ7l1YIpgFuture Reads:March: Bewilderment by Richard Powers (288 pp.) April: For Whom The Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway (504 pages)May: The Animals in that Country by Laura Jean McKay (277 pages)
Hannah August reviews her favourite books from last year: No One is Talking About This by Patricia Lockwood published by Penguin Random House, Oh William! by Elizabeth Strout published by Penguin and The Animals in That Country by Laura Jean McKay.
James and Ashley interview Amy and Laura, multitalented writers, social entrepreneurs, and radio hosts/podcasters from Newcastle, NSW. In it, they discuss the story behind Secret Book Stuff, transformative writing, and, of course, why reading makes you better in bed. You can learn more about Secret Book Stuff on their website, follow them on Instagram and Facebook, or explore their various radio shows/podcast appearances. Books and authors discussed in this episode - Hold Your Own by Kae Tempest; - In Cold Blood by Truman Capote; - High Fidelity by Nick Hornby; - White Oleander by Janet Fitch; - Insomniac City by Bill Hayes; - Animal People by Charlotte Wood; - Hot Little Hands by Abigail Ulman; - Tonight I'm Someone Else by Chelsea Hodson; - Felicity by Mary Oliver; - I'll Tell You in Person by Chloe Caldwell; - Women by Chloe Caldwell; - Joan Didion; - Samantha Irby; - The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien; - The Neverending Story by Michael Ende; - Fun Home by Alison Bechdel; - Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid; - Daisy Jones and The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid; - Betty by Tiffany McDaniel; - The Animals in that Country by Laura Jean McKay; - Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Perez; - A Children's Bible by Lydia Millet; - Ghost Species by James Bradley (read James's review here) Get in touch! Ashley's Website: ashleykalagianblunt.com Ashley's Twitter: @AKalagianBlunt Ashley's Instagram: @akalagianblunt James' Website: jamesmckenziewatson.com James' Twitter: @JamesMcWatson James' Instagram: @jamesmcwatson
On this episode of The Writer and the Critic your hosts, Kirstyn McDermott and Ian Mond waste no time in diving straight into their discussion of The Animals in That Country by Laura Jean McKay [3:20] and Sorrowland by Rivers Solomon [47:50]. Also recommended is the novella The Deep by Rivers Solomon, Daveed Diggs, William Hutson & Jonathan Snipes, which Ian reviewed for Locus. If you've skipped ahead to avoid spoilers, please come back at 1:23:10 for final remarks. Next month, the two books up on the slab will be: All the Fabulous Beasts by Priya Sharma You Know You Want This: Cat Person and other stories by Kristen Roupenian Read ahead and join in the spoilerific fun!
A triumphant return to the Aotea stage for this most loved Festival event, which signifies the start of three full days of public programming. Surprise and delight will ensue as eight terrific writers take the stage to tell a true, no script- no- prop, personal story using ‘stranger than fiction' as a prompt. This year's champions include: poet and comms queen Kate Camp, French style photographer and influencer Garance Doré, current Poet Laureate David Eggleton, Iranian-NZ filmmaker and essayist Ghazaleh Golbakhsh, literary legend Witi Ihimaera, Australian prize-winner Laura Jean McKay, comedian and author Tom Sainsbury and poet Aigagalefili Fepulea'i Tapua'i. Supported by Craigs Investment Partners. AUCKLAND WRITERS FESTIVAL WAITUHI O TĀMAKI 2021
This week, Tim and Lisa dive into a pair of Stella Prize nominees: Ellena Savage's personal anthology Blueberries, and Laura Jean McKay's groundbreaking The Animals in that Country.
Laura Jean McKay joins us on the podcast this week for a riveting, literary conversation. Author of the award-winning novel The Animals in that Country, Laura discusses the challenge of writing dialogue for animals, why she rewrote her novel more […]
Meet all six of the Stella Prize shortlisted writers whose books speak to Australia right in this moment.
Meet all six of the Stella Prize shortlisted writers whose books speak to Australia right in this moment.
In the first episode in the Plot season of Elements, I talk to Ingrid Horrocks about plot and narrative and what it is to write it. Some of the things we talk about are: Ingrid's new book is Where We Swim published by VUP https://vup.victoria.ac.nz/where-we-swim/ Ingrid wrote a great piece for The SpinOff about reading during a pandemic and you can read that here https://thespinoff.co.nz/books/28-03-2021/the-climate-crisis-is-seeping-into-books-and-making-them-really-really-weird/ You can read an excerpt from Where We Swim here https://www.newsroom.co.nz/readingroom/on-the-amazon Toward the end of the conversation we talk about a paper Ingrid and Dr Laura Jean McKay are teaching at Massey called 'Eco-fictions and Non-Fictions'. You can read about that course here: https://www.massey.ac.nz/massey/learning/programme-course/course.cfm?course_code=139309
As the Lockdowns of 2020 began, Laura Jean McKay's story of a world collapsing in the midst of a viral epidemic, The Animals in That Country, seized the popular imagination: a hallucinogenic tale of Zoo Flu with wild symptoms that enable inter-species communication. Emily St. John Mandel's break-out novel Station Eleven is a gripping, eerie story of civilisation's collapse in the wake of a flu that wipes out 99% of the world's population. It sold nearly two million copies worldwide. Both are prescient, terrifying and ultimately hopeful. Chaired by Sophie Cunningham
“When I get an idea, it comes to me as a still image,” says Dr Laura Jean McKay, winner of the 2021 Victorian Premier's Literary Award for her debut novel ‘The Animals In That Country.' Dr McKay is now a lecturer in creative writing at Massey University in New Zealand, after completing her PhD at the University of Melbourne focusing on literary animal studies. “This novel took seven years to write, but that image is very, very clear and stays very, very true the whole way and it really keeps me going through the whole writing process,” she says. Dr McKay says her initial inspiration was, what would happen if we could finally understand what other animals were saying? “Not with their mouths but really saying with their bodies and the way they are in the world, what are they saying to us and what are they saying to each other?” she adds. Her novel is an eerily-timed tale about a world in the throes of a pandemic, exploring other consciousnesses, and the limits of language. “It's been a very, very strange time to launch this book into that world. On the one hand, it's been really interesting to see what aspects of the novel are similar, but on the other hand, it's really heartbreaking to see people suffering throughout the world.” On the process of writing, Dr McKay says it can be a very lonely activity. “When you're doing it, you need to be alone. There can be a sense of isolation in creating a new work and something you really believe in but that nobody else really cares about until you publish it and hopefully it's read,” she says. “I think the really surprising thing is the incredible connection that you can have with other people who read your work or who write work that really inspires you.” The Animals In That Country by Laura Jean McKay is published by Scribe. Episode recorded: February 16, 2021. Interviewer: Dr Andi Horvath. Producer, audio engineer and editor: Chris Hatzis. Co-producers: Silvi Vann-Wall and Dr Andi Horvath. Banner: Getty Images.
On Laura Jean McKay, The Animals in that Country, Curtis Sittenfeld, Rodham and Mieko Kawakami, Breasts and Eggs - and putting Jane Harper's The Dry on screen
Prehistoric animals, a pandemic and climate catastrophe are at the pointy ends of a three-way conversation between the latest novels of Chris Flynn, Laura Jean McKay and James Bradley. Jane Rawson explores an uncanny confluence of science, imagination and world events with our panellists. Animal Magnetism was part of the Write Around the Murray program for 2020. Recorded 13/09/2020
Perry and David talk about novels which blur the boundaries between genres: literary novels with strong elements of fantasy or science fiction. We can call them "genre adjacent" fiction. Children of Men by P. D. James (00:23) Never Let Me Go and The Buried Giant by Kazuo Ishiguro (00:52) Machines Like Me by Ian McEwan (04:34) A Superior Spectre by Angela Meyer (08:28) 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami (07:36) The Animals in that Country by Laura Jean McKay (08:27) The Second Cure by Margaret Morgan (00:57) Human Croquet by Kate Atkinson (10:19) The Rain Heron by Robbie Arnott (08:43) What the Wind Brings by Matthew Hughes (12:43) Interview with Matthew Hughes (21:09) What the Wind Brings (11:29) Vance Space novel (07:58) A God in Chains (01:12) Windup (01:44) Photo by Emma Bauso from Pexels
Take Home Reading is a new short-form audio series for readers and writers – shining a spotlight on Australian writers with recently released books. In each instalment, you'll be introduced to a writer, learn a little about what they've been reading lately, and hear a short reading from their latest work. In this episode we're talking to Laura Jean McKay about her novel The Animals in That Country, a bold, exhilarating and original novel that asks what would happen, for better or worse, if we finally understood what animals were saying. ‘And of course, the animals don't say the things that humans wish that they were saying. They're not saying "I ruff you!" or anything like that. They're quite brutal, their relationship with humans is really fraught, because that's the way that human relationships are with animals. As they get to know each other they are trying to navigate this new space together.' The Animals in That Country is out now through Scribe Publications. Transcript Download a PDF transcript of this episode here.Support the Wheeler Centre: https://www.wheelercentre.com/support-us/donateSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Laura Jean McKay is the author of Holiday in Cambodia (Black Inc. 2013), shortlisted for three national book awards in Australia. Her work appears in Meanjin, Overland, Best Australian Stories, The Saturday Paper, and The North American Review. Laura is a lecturer in creative writing at Massey University, with a PhD from the University of Melbourne focusing on literary animal studies. She is the 'animal expert' presenter on ABC Listen's Animal Sound Safari. Ahead of the release of her book, 'The Animals In That Country' Ben and Nick sat down with Laura to discuss the book, the research into animal communication, the long road to its creation and more. Books mentioned in this podcast: 'The Animals in That Country' by Laura Jean McKay--> bit.ly/2UHVBFS Hosts: Ben Hunter & Nick Wasiliev Guest: Laura Jean McKay Producer: Nick Wasiliev
James Bradley's Ghost Species, Laura Jean McKay's The Animals in that Country, Jessica Moor's Keeper, Kirsten Krauth's Almost a Mirror
Hard-drinking, foul-mouthed, and allergic to bullshit, Jean is not your usual grandma. She's never been good at getting on with other humans, apart from her beloved granddaughter, Kimberly. Instead, she surrounds herself with animals, working as a guide in an outback wildlife park. And although Jean talks to all her charges, she has a particular soft spot for a young dingo called Sue.As disturbing news arrives of a pandemic sweeping the country, Jean realises this is no ordinary flu: its chief symptom is that its victims begin to understand the language of animals — first mammals, then birds and insects, too. As the flu progresses, the unstoppable voices become overwhelming, and many people begin to lose their minds, including Jean's infected son, Lee. When he takes off with Kimberly, heading south, Jean feels the pull to follow her kin.In this episode, Laura Jean McKay joins Max Lewis to chat about the process behind her apocalyptic/speculative fiction debut, and what animal she'd most like to talk to. Grab a copy: https://bit.ly/2QX1Pzb
Feel like you've just stepped out of a dystopian novel? We ask writers around the world how they're faring and can reading contagion lit help in times like these?