Today we hang up the microphone after a wonderful year of podcasting. We started this project in the middle of the COVID lockdown thinking maybe we'd get to 10 episodes. 34 episodes and over a year later, we were really flying by the seat of our pants most of the time, but what a ride! We have absolutely loved chatting books, reading and what's bringing us joy. But what we've loved most is hearing from and connecting with readers all over Australia, and a couple overseas (crazy!). So thankyou, thankyou, thankyou! We are still on Instagram @thebookplace.pod and you never know, we may pop back in your ears sometime in the future. But for now, happy listening :) Mercy's Current Reads  - The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth  - The Only Plane in the Sky by Garrett M. Graff  - Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand Salem's Current Reads  - Know My Name by Chanel Miller  - The Rose Code by Kate Quinn

We loved our first Unpopular Bookish Opinions back in episode 14 so much that we decided to make another one! And we're back with some spicy takes that you won't want to miss! We also have a very important announcement to share with you so make sure you tune in! Happy listening! Salem's Current Reads  - The Midnight Library by Matt Haig  - I Survived: A True Story by Victoria Cilliers Mercy's Current reads  - Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell  - Before the Fall by Noah Hawley What's Bringing Us Joy  - Iced Coffee  - Burt's Bees Vanilla Lip Balm  - Doterra Lavender Essential oil  - #206 'The Lazy Genius Guide to Giving Great Gifts' podcast episode

Hi there and welcome to episode 32 of The Book Place. This week we are talking about what books we keep, what ones we donate and what we might put in the bin. Bookshelf real estate is precious so what makes the cut? Is it cover vs content? Or something a little deeper? Listen to this week's episode to find out. Happy Listening! Salem's Current Reads  - A Year in the Life of the Yorkshire Shepherdess by Amanda Owen  - The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy Mercy's Current Reads  - The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes  - Wild by Kristin Hannah What's Bringing Us Joy  - The Undoing  - Flower 'Light Illusion Liquid Foundation'  - @ATFrenchies on Instagram  - Chocolate Covered Black Cats from Allen's

You've heard us touch on this topic before but in this episode we're doing a deep dive on the classic debate of fiction vs non-fiction: which we read more, what time of year we read one over the other and even what time of day you'll find us with our noses in each genre. Plus as usual we talk about our current reads and what's bringing us joy. Thanks so much for listening and happy reading! Mercy's Current Reads  - The Heart of the Crown by Hannah Currie  - Dream Big by Bob Goff Salem's Current Reads  - Home Economics by Kate Singh  - Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie What's Bringing Us Joy  - Howard Smith Wharves  - New Bookshelf from FB Marketplace  - Weekend away at Hervey Bay  - Firefly Lane on Netflix  - Wavertree & London 'Prosecco' Candle  - Kmart book shopping

There are literally millions of #bookstagram accounts out there, so how do you know which ones to follow and which to just look at? Well today's episode we go through some of our faves from those just talking about kids books, to friends bookstagrams; from light and simple to styled and prop-heavy, we talk about it all! This is a fun episode with lots of laughs and so much good bookish content. Happy listening! Salem's Current Reads  - Lovely War by Julie Berry  - Thirteen by Steve Cavanagh  - Your Creative Work Space by Desha Peacock Mercy's Current Reads  - That Sounds Fun by Annie F. Downs  - Fifty-Fifty by Steve Cavanagh Bookstgram accounts @childrensbooksdaily @littlebirdiebooks @kids.books.we.love @randomhouse @penguinbooksaus @dymocksbooks @whatshouldireadnext @thenester @hannah_currie_author @kayemreads @booksinsix @pieladybooks @theroamingreader @officialagathachristie @elleryadams @ladies.getting.lit @katieladyreads @everydayreading @tellmeastoryxx @meredith.reads @52weekswithbooks What's Bringing Us Joy  - Obela Hummus  - Steph Pase Signature Planner  - Instagram @arrows and bow  - Quiz website: www.sporcle.com 

After trying to record over Zoom for the last 2 episodes, today we're back in person because face-to-face is so much better! This episode we're talking about some of our favourite cookbooks and why Mercy owns over 20 of them! And like always we talk about some great current reads and of course, what's bringing us joy. Happy listening and happy reading! Salem’s Current Reads   - The Ickabog by JK Rowling  - Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz Mercy’s Current Reads   - When No One Is Watching by Alyssa Cole   - The Lions of Fifth Avenue by Fiona Davis  Cookbooks   - Magnolia Table by Joanna Gaines   - Celebrations by Danielle Walker   - Eat What You Love by Danielle Walker   - Salt Fat Acid Heat by Samin Nosrat   - The Happy Cookbook by Lola Berry  - From Freezer to Table by Rachel Tiemeyer and Polly Conner  - Half Baked Harvest: Super Simple by Tieghan Gerard  - Simple Cake by Odette Williams  - Hanna Family Cookbook  What's Bringing Us Joy Anna Sui - Romantica Exotica  Perfume Go-To Clay Mask - The Removalist  Broadchurch Seasons 1 & 2 Slow Cooker Pulled Beef Family Wedding

On today's episode we did a bit of research to find out which of our favourite authors (and some totally new and random authors) are bringing out new books this year and which ones we'll be waiting for with bated breath! From Kate Quinn to Brigid Kemmerer, we skim the surface of what are sure to be some of this year's favourites! Happy listening! Mercy's Current Reads  - Notes From a Blue Bike by Tsh Oxenreider  - The Betrothed by Keira Cass Salem's Current Reads  - Sam Bloom: Heartache & Birdsong by Bradley Trevor Greive, Cameron Bloom, Samantha Bloom  - We Are Wolves by Katrina Nannestad 2021 New Releases  - The Rose Code by Kate Quinn  - Win the Day by Mark Batterson  - The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah  - A Vow so Bold and Deadly by Brigid Kemmerer  - Lazy Genius Way book by Kendra Adachi  - Danielle Walker memoir  - Sunflower Sisters by Martha Hall Kelly  - The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth  - The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner  - Girl A by Abigail Dean What's Bringing Us Joy  - Maple Mustard Salmon Glaze  - Sandisk MP3 players & Headphones  - Ultra Violette 'Supreme Screen' sunscreen  - Among Us

Well, 2020 is over (finally) and after a summer break Salem and Mercy are back with our first episode of the year talking all about our summer reads, some reading goals for the year and of course, what's bringing us joy right now! Happy listening! Salem's Current Reads:  - The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman  - Agatha Christie: Inspiring Lives by Cathy Cook Mercy's Current Reads:  - The Defence by Steve Cavanagh   - The Survivors by Jane Harper What's Bringing Us Joy: 'The Dry' in cinemas right now Park workouts with friends Gingerbread House making, thanks Costco Let me Try Before You Buy - Instagram 'Minty' Slides - Famous Footwear 'Bridgerton' - Netflix

Salem shares a 5 star read for her from December. Rich language and great character development. Sale may have even shed a happy tear or two at the end a rarity for her! A fantastic read. Highly recommend.

It's the Final Countdown! For our last big episode of the year we're talking about our favourite fiction and non-fiction of the year (which was a real struggle)! Plus we get real nerdy and talk about our reading stats from Goodreads. Make sure you subscribe to Apple Podcasts for some sneaky bonus episodes over the summer and we'll be back in January! And please excuse some interruptions to this episode, Salem's son Judah was keen to get involved with the recording. Follow us on Instagram @thebookplace.pod Mercy's Top Fiction (in no particular order) Lovely War - Julie Berry American Royals - Katharine McGee The Silent Patient - Alex Michaelides Daisy Jones & the Six - Taylor Jenkins Reid Thirteen - Steve Kavanaugh Salem's Top Fiction (in no particular order) The Way That Saved My Life - Kimberley Brubaker Bradley A Curse So Dark and Lonely - Brigid Kimmerer The Beekeeper of Aleppo - Christy Lefteri The Defense - Steve Kavanaugh The Survivors - Jane Harper Fiction Honourable Mentions The Wife, the Maid & the Mistress - Ariel Lawhon Cilka's Journey - Heather Morris Mercy's Top Non-Fiction Fall & Rise: The Story of 9/11 - Mitchell Zuckoff Skincare - Caroline Hirons Columbine - David Cullen Unnatural Causes - Richard Shepherd The Lazy Genius Way - Kendra Adachi Salem's Top Non-Fiction Fall & Rise: The Story of 9/11 - Mitchell Zuckoff Skincare - Caroline Hirons Welcome Home - Myquillyn Smith The Crossroad - Mark Donaldson The Happiest Man on Earth - Eddie Jaku What's Bringing Us Joy Target Ayra Candle - Coconut and Elderflower Christmas Tree decoration & watching Christmas Movies Foxy Coffee T2 Giant Mug The Spanish Princess on Stan