Julie-Ann McLoughlin and I talk on what is often cited as the greatest work of Charles Dickens. MASSIVE spoiler alert for this episode - don't listen unless you want to know ALL THE THINGS! Bleak House is such a complex, engaging and lengthy story, it was impossible to cover everything we loved. As an educator for children who struggle with literacy, Julie-Ann also had some great encouragement for parents of reluctant readers. She brought out her prettiest tea set for this episode, delightfully coupled with slices of home grown orange. Such fun! Note - Julie-Ann and I both listened to the LibriVox recording by Mil Nicholson for this episode. Julie-Ann also recommended Bruce Pirie as a reader of Russian literature on LibriVox. We agreed that Bleak House would be a fantastic read for anyone of any age who is old enough to appreciate Dickens!

This little gem is an Aussie book with a big heart. Hannah Doolan was really fun to talk with on this episode as we dived into the themes of truth, justice, forgiveness and friendship. Not to be missed: the character who wins best fictional husband award!

Wherein Audrey and I discuss: - Lady Teresa Marchmain and why is she so hard to love? (though we do love her!) - The grave yet hilarious Bridey - Julia, her relationship with Charles and their breakup - The death of Lord Marchmain - Recommendations

Audrey and I delve more into the characters of Sebastian Flyte and Teresa Marchmain and explore the theme of freedom. Johann Hari TED talk - Everything you think you know about addiction is wrong - https://youtu.be/PY9DcIMGxMs

Audrey and I discuss what we love about the novel and why, a synopsis of the story and a look at the character of Charles Ryder and his relationship with Sebastian Flyte.

A short intro to the following three eps on this beautiful, compelling novel by Evelyn Waugh. A warning - these episodes contain massive spoilers!  Bishop Barron on evangelising through beauty and Brideshead Revisited: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBMOwZFpZX0

I chat with my sister Eloise about this hilarious memoir of a young British boy living on Corfu with his eccentric family. Such fun!

I chat with Caitlin West about the curmudgeonly but loveable Ove. Student of drama, lover of Shakespeare and general all round top chick, it was so fun to talk with Caitlin. Check out her awesome new podcast "Crash Course Catholicism" where she infuses her humour and real life experience into clear and concise explanations of the Catholic faith. https://open.spotify.com/show/7AyMBnqHxidtGjTTWSQXXW?si=LXRbMM-UQ26zGdhXUnNbCA&utm_source=copy-link Love, friendship, fatherhood, euthanasia, suicide, poetry and War and Peace; this episode had it all. Despite its serious themes, this book was funny and uplifting and life affirming and never grisly or macabre.

Our first Sci-Fi on the Unseen Hook! I talk to Dom McLoughlin about the complex and compelling Dune. If you, like me, haven't really ventured into this genre yet, Dune is a great place to start! '“Once men turned their thinking over to machines in the hope that this would set them free. But that only permitted other men with machines to enslave them.” “Thou shalt not make a machine in the likeness of a man’s mind,” quoted Paul.'

A conversation with Marina Haines. Marina has 40 years of experience in education in various roles including as the principal of a school in Western Sydney. She's an avid reader, great mentor to students, parents and teachers and always fun to chat with- especially about books!