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Virginia Seymour and Louise Jones

Diving In

A Books and Arts podcast

#168 in Books · 🇳🇴
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About the show

Diving In is a conversation you will want to be part of - Louise and Virginia have been best friends since university - they share a passion for story telling and read loads of good books. Make yourself a cup of tea and listen in as they share the books they’ve been loving, and also the films, TV series, podcasts and articles they’ve enjoyed.

Newest episodes

85: Bram Stoker’s merry band of men set off to save England from the threat of vampires with A LOT of help from a woman!

54 min

Louise and Virginia dive into the famous gothic novel Dracula by Bram Stoker, set against the backdrop of Victorian England and the Carpathian Mountains in Transylvania. They discuss the fascinating themes of religion, sexuality and gender. Virginia takes us to the history of the principality of Wallachia ruled by the notorious Vlad the Impaler and Louise talks about the fascinating life of Bram Stoker’s wife, Florence.   Books Dracula – by Bram Stoker The Extraordinary Florence Stoker by Karen Brooks   https://the-artifice.com/dracula-victorian-woman/ https://research.library.kutztown.edu/dracula-studies/vol11/iss1/3/   Other things   Television  Treasure & Dirt ABC iView  Ted Lasso – Series 4 Apple TV+   Film CinefestOZ Film Festival https://cinefestoz.com/ Sweet Milk Lake, a movie directed by Harvey Zielenski     Email hello@divinginpodcast.com Instagram @diving_in_podcast Song ‘Diving In’ – Original music and lyrics written and performed by Laura Adeline – https://linktr.ee/llauraadeline Podcast sound production and editing by Andy Maher Graphics by Orla Larkin – create@werkshop.com.au 

83: All Around the World: Translated Books

52 min

Louise and Virginia travel by book to Brazil, Japan, Skiathos and India in this conversation about four very different books translated into English.  How wonderful it is to be absorbed in a book that was originally written in Japanese, Katharevousan Greek, Kannadan or Portuguese, and to absorb the culture and social mores of the people of a foreign country.  All four of these books are excellent. Louise and Virginia also chat about two very different television shows they’ve been watching. Books The Murderess by Alex Papadiamantis, translated by Peter Levi On Earth as it is Beneath by Ana Paula Maia, translated by Padma Viswanathan The Keeper of the Camphor Tree by Keigo Higashimo, translated by Jordan Taylor Heart Lamp by Banu Mushtag, translated by Deepa Bhasthi TV Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Rivals Instagram @diving_in_podcast Song ‘Diving In’ – Original music and lyrics written and performed by Laura Adeline – https://linktr.ee/llauraadeline Podcast sound production and editing by Andy Maher Graphics by Orla Larkin – create@werkshop.com.au

82: Burnt at the Stake: Witch Trials, Ignorance, Fear, and Superstition

1 hr 3 min

Louise and Virginia dive deep into historical witch trials, told through four fictional stories, based on real events from the 17th and 18th centuries. They discuss the fact that much of the ignorance and prejudice against women in particular,  sadly remains in the 21st century. On a lighter note they have also been diving into two great TV shows.   Books   The Witching Tide by Margaret Meyer The Wax Child by Olga Ravn The Names of a Hare by Bernice Barry The Last Witch of Scotland by Philip Paris   TV   The Dry   The Other Bennett Sister   Instagram @diving_in_podcast Song ‘Diving In’ – Original music and lyrics written and performed by Laura Adeline – https://linktr.ee/llauraadeline Podcast sound production and editing by Andy Maher Graphics by Orla Larkin – create@werkshop.com.au

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All episodes

85: Bram Stoker’s merry band of men set off to save England from the threat of vampires with A LOT of help from a woman!

54 min

Louise and Virginia dive into the famous gothic novel Dracula by Bram Stoker, set against the backdrop of Victorian England and the Carpathian Mountains in Transylvania. They discuss the fascinating themes of religion, sexuality and gender. Virginia takes us to the history of the principality of Wallachia ruled by the notorious Vlad the Impaler and Louise talks about the fascinating life of Bram Stoker’s wife, Florence.   Books Dracula – by Bram Stoker The Extraordinary Florence Stoker by Karen Brooks   https://the-artifice.com/dracula-victorian-woman/ https://research.library.kutztown.edu/dracula-studies/vol11/iss1/3/   Other things   Television  Treasure & Dirt ABC iView  Ted Lasso – Series 4 Apple TV+   Film CinefestOZ Film Festival https://cinefestoz.com/ Sweet Milk Lake, a movie directed by Harvey Zielenski     Email hello@divinginpodcast.com Instagram @diving_in_podcast Song ‘Diving In’ – Original music and lyrics written and performed by Laura Adeline – https://linktr.ee/llauraadeline Podcast sound production and editing by Andy Maher Graphics by Orla Larkin – create@werkshop.com.au 

83: All Around the World: Translated Books

52 min

Louise and Virginia travel by book to Brazil, Japan, Skiathos and India in this conversation about four very different books translated into English.  How wonderful it is to be absorbed in a book that was originally written in Japanese, Katharevousan Greek, Kannadan or Portuguese, and to absorb the culture and social mores of the people of a foreign country.  All four of these books are excellent. Louise and Virginia also chat about two very different television shows they’ve been watching. Books The Murderess by Alex Papadiamantis, translated by Peter Levi On Earth as it is Beneath by Ana Paula Maia, translated by Padma Viswanathan The Keeper of the Camphor Tree by Keigo Higashimo, translated by Jordan Taylor Heart Lamp by Banu Mushtag, translated by Deepa Bhasthi TV Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Rivals Instagram @diving_in_podcast Song ‘Diving In’ – Original music and lyrics written and performed by Laura Adeline – https://linktr.ee/llauraadeline Podcast sound production and editing by Andy Maher Graphics by Orla Larkin – create@werkshop.com.au

82: Burnt at the Stake: Witch Trials, Ignorance, Fear, and Superstition

1 hr 3 min

Louise and Virginia dive deep into historical witch trials, told through four fictional stories, based on real events from the 17th and 18th centuries. They discuss the fact that much of the ignorance and prejudice against women in particular,  sadly remains in the 21st century. On a lighter note they have also been diving into two great TV shows.   Books   The Witching Tide by Margaret Meyer The Wax Child by Olga Ravn The Names of a Hare by Bernice Barry The Last Witch of Scotland by Philip Paris   TV   The Dry   The Other Bennett Sister   Instagram @diving_in_podcast Song ‘Diving In’ – Original music and lyrics written and performed by Laura Adeline – https://linktr.ee/llauraadeline Podcast sound production and editing by Andy Maher Graphics by Orla Larkin – create@werkshop.com.au

81: A Mélange of Books

45 min

Louise and Virginia discuss five very different books. Two very character-driven, interior novels, two set on a dream island, and one classic set during the first French Revolution. They also discuss two great shows currently streaming. Books The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout Welcome to Glorious Tuga by Francesca Segal Island Calling by Francesca Segal The Palm House by Gwendolyn Riley The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy Other things Legends Bergerac Instagram @diving_in_podcast Song ‘Diving In’ – Original music and lyrics written and performed by Laura Adeline – https://linktr.ee/llauraadeline Podcast sound production and editing by Andy Maher Graphics by Orla Larkin – create@werkshop.com.au

80: Five Mothers – impactful, present and absent

1 hr 2 min

Louise and Virginia discuss five completely different books this time, some recent releases, and one old. They randomly chose to read books without any planned theme this time, but interestingly all five books feature mothers who impact their children in very different ways. Books Time of the Child by Niall Williams Infidelity and Other Affairs by Kate Legge Rachel Ray by Anthony Trollope Mother Mary Comes to Me by Arundhati Roy Ordinary Human Failings by Megan Nolan Other things O Now by Niall Williams – BBC Sounds app Patience, Series two – ABC iView Film – I Swear Instagram @diving_in_podcast Song ‘Diving In’ – Original music and lyrics written and performed by Laura Adeline – https://linktr.ee/llauraadeline Podcast sound production and editing by Andy Maher Graphics by Orla Larkin – create@werkshop.com.au

79: The Changing Preoccupations of a local Treasure, Tim Winton

52 min

Louise and Virginia discuss two big novels by Western Australian Living Treasure, Tim Winton, which reflect his, and our, changing concerns over a 35 year period. There’s much to think about here. On a lighter note Virginia has a new member of her family who is causing chaos!  Lou and Virginia also discuss a few TV shows and a podcast they’ve been diving into. Books Cloudstreet Juice TV Runaway How to Get to Heaven from Belfast Scarpetta The House of Dynamite Podcast Not Stupid   Instagram @diving_in_podcast Song ‘Diving In’ – Original music and lyrics written and performed by Laura Adeline – https://linktr.ee/llauraadeline Podcast sound production and editing by Andy Maher Graphics by Orla Larkin – create@werkshop.com.au

78: A Useful Idiot (and we’re not talking about a British Royal here)

42 min

Louise and Virginia had a lot of fun and laughs discussing the first two novels in William Boyd’s trilogy. Gabriel’s Moon and The Predicament are both great stories about an accidental spy set against the background of actual events in the 1960s, and there was much to discuss. They also talk about a couple of other things they’ve been watching and enjoying. Books Gabriel’s Moon The Predicament   Film The Rivals of Amziah King Streaming Scoop - Netflix A Prince No More - Stan Email hello@divinginpodcast.com Instagram @diving_in_podcast Song ‘Diving In’ – Original music and lyrics written and performed by Laura Adeline – https://linktr.ee/llauraadeline Podcast sound production and editing by Andy Maher Graphics by Orla Larkin – create@werkshop.com.au

77: American Greats

49 min

Louise and Virginia loved discussing two authors who are surely two of America's great literary treasures.  Books The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck Sula by Toni Morrison Other things Curtis Brown Creative writing courses, London Television Welsh television series The One that Got Away ( 2025) Keeping Faith ( 2017-2021) Hinterland (2013) Email hello@divinginpodcast.com Instagram @diving_in_podcast Song ‘Diving In’ – Original music and lyrics written and performed by Laura Adeline – https://linktr.ee/llauraadeline Podcast sound production and editing by Andy Maher Graphics by Orla Larkin – create@werkshop.com.au

76: Jonathon Coe, A master observer of the State of the Nation

43 min

Louise and Virginia discuss two Jonathon Coe books, both of which reflect life, politics, culture, and society in the United Kingdom, past and present, as Coe always does so brilliantly.   Books Middle England by Jonathon Coe Bourneville by Jonathon Coe   Other things ‘Personal Curriculum Tok’   Television  Human,  ABC iView Under Salt Marsh, Binge   Email hello@divinginpodcast.com Instagram @diving_in_podcast Song ‘Diving In’ – Original music and lyrics written and performed by Laura Adeline – https://linktr.ee/llauraadeline Podcast sound production and editing by Andy Maher Graphics by Orla Larkin – create@werkshop.com.au 

75: Teen Sleuths, Cringe Parents and Dysfunctional Families

55 min

Louise and Virginia dive deep into all thing’s books for Teen Readers, books categorised ‘Young Adult’ but marketed to teenagers.  They discuss the creation of the category, whether publishers should provide some sort of classification system, or content advice as well as four great books and one book that, whilst very gripping,  is surely mis-categorised - to Virginia’s dismay!  As always they finish the conversation with a few other things they’ve been diving into recently.   Books Return to Sender by Lauren Draper Five Survive by Holly Jackson Bear by Kiri Lightfoot What’s Murder Between Friends by Meg Gatland-Veness My Family and Other Suspects by Kate Emery   Other things JournalTok   Television  Three Families – ABC iView   Film Rental Family   Email hello@divinginpodcast.com Instagram @diving_in_podcast Song ‘Diving In’ – Original music and lyrics written and performed by Laura Adeline – https://linktr.ee/llauraadeline Podcast sound production and editing by Andy Maher Graphics by Orla Larkin – create@werkshop.com.au

74: We’re Back! With a Scoop and a Pile-on

35 min

Louise and Virginia have finally made it back to the Podcast Studio (Virginia’s dining room) after a gap of more than 18 months, and despite having forgotten how to do a podcast they somehow managed to review two new excellent Australian books that both have a journalist as the central character. They also chat about a few of the non-bookish things they’ve been diving into recently. Books The Worst Thing I’ve Ever Done by Clare Stephens Gravity Let Me Go by Trent Dalton Television Shows Victoria Beckham documentary – Netflix One Shot - Ed Sheeran documentary The Hack – Stan Theatre Bell Shakespeare Company Housekeeping Email hello@divinginpodcast.com Instagram @diving_in_podcast Song ‘Diving In’ – Original music and lyrics written and performed by Laura Adeline – https://linktr.ee/llauraadeline Podcast sound production and editing by Andy Maher Graphics by Orla Larkin – create@werkshop.com.au

73: The Ghost of Charles Dickens sitting on Barbara Kingsolver’s Shoulder

1 hr 0 min

Virginia and Louise do a deep dive into Barbara Kingsolver’s Pullitzer Prize winning and compelling novel Demon Copperhead and talk all things Charles Dickens as well as adding some shameful new entries to the infamous Ick Register. Books Oliver Twist, by Charles Dickens, 1838 Hard Times, by Charles Dickens, 1854 Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver, 2023  More Deep Dives Emma, by Jane Austen Television Emma, mini series,  2009  Slow Horses, series 1-3 Apple TV+ One Day, Netflix 2023

72: This Is A Bit Embarrassing… (books we’ve never read)

52 min

Louise and Virginia thought it might be fun to do an episode on books that they feel a bit embarrassed to have never read (until now). There were a lot of books to choose from, but they discuss four in this conversation.      During this chat they also create an Ick Register for authors who use words that give the ick, so that readers can be warned in advance (kind of like a trigger warning, but more basic).     Books   The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro   Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami, translated by Jay Rubin   Breakfast at Tiffany’s by Truman Capote   Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson       Television Shows   Scrublands - Stan   Boy Swallows Universe – Netflix     Podcasts   The Children of Rutherford County – Serial   The Queen’s Reading Room

71: The Next Diving In Book Club – Salt River Road by Molly Schmidt

45 min

Louise and Virginia have a great conversation about a lovely Western Australian novel. Salt River Road by the very talented debut author Molly Schmidt captures the large Tetley family at the worst time of their lives. Their wife and mother, Elena, has died after a long illness and left them all devastated. Although the book looks at grief through the eyes of several different characters, it has a forward-moving arc, plenty of heart, and a wonderful ending, with an authentic Western Australian, 1970s feel. Book Salt River Road by Molly Schmidt, 2023, published by Fremantle Press Binge TV Strife Netflix The Crown

70: A Spotlight on Early Australia

1 hr 12 min

Louise and Virginia have a conversation about two books with many overlaps, one fiction and one non-fiction, and reflect on the fact that none of this information was taught in the classroom when they were at school. Books Killing for Country by David Marr Edenglassie by Melissa Lukashenko TV Show The Crown – Netflix Podcasts The Rest is History – Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland The Rest is Entertainment – Richard Osman and Marina Hyde

69: It's the very best time of year! It’s new release time and there is a publishing frenzy.

51 min

Virginia and Louise dive into four new releases some of them from our favourite authors!   They also encourage everyone to get their hands on Salt River Road by Molly Schmidt for a bookclub deep dive episode coming up.   Books   The Fraud, Zadie Smyth, 2023, Hamish Hamilton Penguin   Normal Rules Don’t Apply, Kate Atkinson, 2023, Penguin Random House   Tom Lake, Ann Patchett, 2023, Harper Collins   Pearl, Sian Hughes, 2023 UQP   London’s Number One Dog-Walking Agency: A Memoir, Kate MacDougall, 2021 William Morrow   Salt River Road, Molly Schmidt, 2023 Fremantle Press   Streaming   Welcome to Wrexham, Disney   Podcasts   The Whistleblowers, ABC Background Briefing

68. Literary Scandals, Hoaxes and Controversies

1 hr 22 min

Louise and Virginia have finally had a conversation about six literary controversies/hoaxes/scandals and it’s a lot of fun! This is  a Topic they both find fascinating so it was great to select three stories each and dive in.    Authors    Norma Khouri  John Hughes  Carmen Mola  Antonio Mercero  Agustin Martinez  Jorge Diaz  Harold Stewart  James McAuley  Dawn Dorland  Sonya Larson  Helen Demidenko/ Darville    Books The Dogs by John Hughes Forbidden Love by Norma Khouri The Hand that Signed the Paper by Helen Demidenko/Helen Darville    Article   Who is the Bad Art Friend? by Robert Kolker – The New York Times Magazine 2021

67. It’s that Time of Year Again!

1 hr 10 min

Virginia and Louise have read a swag of newly released books both well-known authors and others new  - and only some with the hype they deserve. Books Yellowface  R F Kuang Harper Collins 2023 Crook Manifesto Colson Whitehead    2023 The Sitter Angela O’ Keefe Queensland University Press 2023 Old God’s Time Sebastian Barry 2023 Podcasts The Trial of Lucy Letby UK The Mail Metro Media Inside Design Jane Ledger Theatre ‘A Twelfth Night’ - Bell Shakespeare Company 

66. Notre-Dame de Paris by Victor Hugo

37 min

This time it’s Louise’s turn to talk about the massive French classic that she has been reading, The Hunchback of Notre-Dame by Victor Hugo. Louise tells Virginia about a very impertinent act by the original translator of the novel, and they discuss the aspects that Louise loved and some that she wasn’t so keen on. Hugo and Dumas were both born in 1802 and were literary confrères throughout their lives, so Notre-Dame and Monte Christo make a great pairing.      Book   The Hunchback of Notre-Dame by Victor Hugo      Related Blog:The Gothic Wanderer Wordpress

65. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

49 min

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas      Streaming   Au Coeur de Peloton/Tour de France: Unchained   Arnold      SBS on Demand   Rogue Heroes      ABC iView   Dangerous Remedy      Podcast    Strict Scrutiny  

64. Deep and Fragile Connections with a Natural World

1 hr 4 min

Virginia and Louise immerse themselves in the meadows, riverbanks, orchards, high tides and deep snow to explore the deep connection and chasms between community, environment and climate change, in the emerging genre and precious language of eco-fiction.  Books The Offing by Benjamin Myers, 2019 Stolen by Ann-Helene Laestadius, 2023 Also consider A Month in the Country by JL Carr Limberlost by Robbie Arnott, 2022. Cuddy by Benjamin Myers 2023 The Stella Prize 2023 winner Sarah Holland Batt for The Jaguar.  Podcast The Rest is History podcasts on the Coronations Wiser than Me with Julia Louis Dreyfuss  Streaming Unstable  The Diplomat  Queen Charlotte

63. Capturing the Zeitgeist with some Fantastic New Releases

47 min

Virginia and Louise are excited to share some must-read new releases including compelling stories about activist guerilla gardeners, true crime podcasters, writers rooms, surveillance and murder as well as the pitfalls and power dynamics of modern relationships, social media, dating apps and late night sketch TV. Books I Have Some Questions For You by Rebecca Makkah, 2023, Flint Publishing Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton, 2023, Granta Publishing Search History by Amy Taylor, 2023, Allen and Unwin Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld, 2023, Penguin Random House Streaming Succession HBO  Netflix The Diplomat Line of Duty Podcasts Mel’s Electric Adventures KicPod, Keep It Cleaner Podcast

62. If You’re Going to San Francisco...

51 min

Louise and Virginia jet off to San Francisco in the episode, where they discuss the origins of the City and County, and why it became the home and haven for people wanting to discard façades and identities they may have held in their home towns. They also discuss the original gold rush and the modern tech gold rush and the impact these have had on the city, as well as the serialisation of novels and they way this can shape the overall architecture of a novel. They also revisit the issue of Nazism and the presence of monsters living in plain sight among us.  Books   The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett, 1941 Tales of the City by Armistead Maupin, 1978 Daughter of Fortune by Isabelle Allende, 1998 Mr Penumbra’s 24 Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan, 2012 Days Without End by Sebastian Barry, 2016 Television   Clarkson’s Farm – Prime My Mother and Other Strangers, BBC, ABC iView Blog Literary Hub by Megan Abbott https://lithub.com/megan-abbott-on-the-difference-between-hardboiled-and-noir/ 

61. This Book is Cancelled!

1 hr 10 min

Louise and Virginia do a deep dive into the very contentious topic of Cancel Culture and the trend of cancelling books and authors. They also touch on the subject of banning books (and indeed burning books), which always have the opposite effect of that sought. Virginia and Lou both have very strong opinions on the subject and it’s such an interesting conversation. They also discuss a few great non-bookish things they’ve been diving into of late. Books The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne, 2006, Doubleday All the Bright Places by John Boyne, 2022, Doubleday Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut, 1969 Lady Chatterley’s Lover by D H Lawrence, 1928. The Trial of Lady Chatterley’s Lover, Edited by CH Rolphe TV Shows Vardy v Rooney-Binge Murder on the Homefront – Netflix Significant Others – ABC iView Nolly – Foxtel Podcast The Banned Books Podcast

60. Walking the Streets of Tokyo with the characters from great fiction set in that city

1 hr 6 min

Louise and Virginia have been immersed in some armchair travel to Tokyo, which has made them both very keen to travel there. These four books are great to read if you have a trip to Japan on your horizon or your bucket list. They also discuss some fabulous TV series to get streaming, a podcast, and they’ve both had very different recent experiences meeting Yotam Ottolenghi (although both evenings were great fun).    Books   Death in Tokyo by Keigo Higashino, translated by Giles Murray. Published by St Martin’s Publishing Group The Book of Tokyo – A City in Short Fiction, edited by Michael Emmerich, Jim Hinks and Masashi Matsuie.  Tokyo Redux by David Peace. Faber 2021 Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata and translated by Ginny Tapley Takemori Streaming TV series   Vardy v Rooney – Foxtel Happy Valley – Binge Bump – ABC Podcast   The Mel Robbins Podcast   Yotam Ottolenghi – Test Kitchen

59. Books for Younger Readers

52 min

From soccer teams, eerie forests, dysfunctional families and loyal companions, Louise and Virginia ventured back into the world of books for younger readers.   Books A Walk in the Dark by Jane Godwin – Lothian Hachette Football Fever by Kristin Darell - Penguin Take Me with You When You Go by David Levithan and Jennifer Niven – Penguin 2022 Runt by Craig Silvey – Allen and Unwin 2022, Illustrated by Sara Acton Take a Bow, Noah Mitchell by Tobias Madden – Penguin 2022 Podcasts Maintenance Phase – Debunking junk science behind health fads The Daily – George Santos Streaming Shows  Emily in Paris Yellowstone Colin from Accounts Slow Horses

58: Buster - The Best Boy

54 min

Louise lost her beautiful Lagotto dog Buster, two months ago, and so today Virginia and Louise want to dedicate this episode to him and to celebrate the wonder and loyalty that is a dog. In this conversation they discuss four lovely dog-related books as well as a few other things they’ve been diving into lately.   Books Dog Stories – Everyman’s Pocket Classics Ava’s Apartment by Jonathan Lethem The Emissary by Ray Bradbury Dog Days by Ericka Waller The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon Murder Most Royal by SJ Bennett Podcast The Crown : The Official Podcast with Edith Bowman TV Series  The Sandhamn Murders  (SBS Australia) Instagram accounts @jennybloomfield @catherine.rayner   Streaming Shetland Series 6 and 7 Julia - with Sarah Lancashire  

57: New Releases by New (to us) Authors

39 min

Louise and Virginia have been reading some books by debut writers as well as a charming re-release from the 1960s. These are all great books which they enjoyed enormously. They also discuss a few other non-bookish things they’ve been diving into.   Books A Helping Hand by Celia Dale Dirt Town by Hayley Scrivenor Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus The Whalebone Theatre by Joanna Quinn   TV Marriage with Nicola Walker and Sean Bean Annika with Nicola Walker   BBC Radio Annika Stranded   Podcast Off Air with Jane Garvey and Fi Glover

56: The Diving In podcast girls are back with some new releases!

49 min

After a long break Virginia and Louise are excited to be back in their makeshift cushion studios to discuss some new releases by authors they absolutely love……. as well as some other popular culture they have been diving in to.   Email hello@divinginpodcast.com  Instagram @diving_in_podcast  Virginia’s Instagram @virginia_reads Louise’s Instagram @louise_cooks_and_reads   Song ‘Diving In’ – original music and lyrics written and performed by Laura Adeline – https://linkt.ree/llauraadeline   Podcast sound production and editing by Andy Maher.  Graphics by Orla Larkin - create@werkshop.com.au   Books The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O' Farrell 2022, Hachette Shrines of Gaiety by Kate Atkinson, 2022, Penguin Books The Rising Tide by Ann Cleeves 2022, Pan Macmillan Exiles by Jane Harper, 2022, Pan Macmillan Television Louise recommends This England and DI Ray Virginia recommends Sherwood and Savage River Movies Virginia recommends See How They Run Podcast Louise recommends Empire with Anita Anand and William Dalrymple

55. The Revenge of Cervantes – Book Club Part 2

46 min

Louise and Virginia conclude their dive into Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes in this Book Club episode. They discuss Part 2 of Don Quixote, published over 10 years after Part 1, after an imposter had published a fake sequel. Virginia and Louise discuss several characters, the infamous cave scene and much more .

54. Tilting at Windmills – Book Club Part 1

48 min

Louise and Virginia dive into Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes in this Book Club episode. They discuss Part 1 of Don Quixote, first published in Spain in 1605 and regarded as the first modern novel. The conversation covers madness, quests, Shakespeare, naval battles, fools, heroes and the role of the sidekick.

53. Hola nuestras queridas amigas!

48 min

Hello dear friends! Virginia and Louise share some truly excellent Spanish writers and stories in preparation for our up-coming deep dive into Don Quixote. Books The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon As I walked out one Midsummer morning – Laurie Lee The Sun also Rises by Ernest Hemingway The Tales of the Alhambra by Washington Irving Television Television Peaky Blinders Season 6 A Call to Spy The White Queen Podcast The Teachers Trial – The Australian Newspaper

52. Books We've Been Wanting to Read for Ages

29 min

Louise and Virginia chat about two books that they’ve been eagerly looking forward to. Louise went down the Crime route with a gripping detective story that spans Tokyo and London. Virginia finally got her hands on Nina Stibbe’s new novel and as also with Nina Stibbe, the book is a complete delight. Books The Fine Art of Invisible Detection by Robert Goddard One Day I Shall Astonish the World by Nina Stibbe Netflix The Staircase (Docuseries and Dramatisation) Podcast This American Life – My Lying Eyes

51. Things That Go Bump in the Night

52 min

Louise and Virginia have been reading Ghost Stories, a new release and some classic collections. The Louise Erdrich novel is a must-read for book lovers, and the classic ghost stories are the perfect place to start if you love this genre. Louise and Virginia also announce the book they will reading for a Book Club ‘deep dive’ in June. Books The Turn of the Screw by Henry James Ghost Stories by M R James The Sentence by Louise Erdrich The Ghost Stories of Edith Wharton Podcast The Rest is History with Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland - Ghosts Susannah Fullerton – 10 Novels that Changed the World www.susannahfullerton.com.au

50: A Greek Chorus of Achilles and the Sisterhood

48 min

Virginia and Louise dive into the Greek Myths but barely scratch the surface. They also celebrate their 50th episode with a list of their 50 favourite authors Books The Theban Plays By Sophocles Antigone by Sophocles The Song of Achille by Madeline Miller The Penelopiad By Margaret Attwood Greek Myths By Charlotte Higgins Heroines of Olympus by Ellie Mackin Roberts Television Bridgerton by Chris van Dusen and Shonda Rhimes Podcasts Deeply Human by Dessa The Rest is History by Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook

49: Crime, Betrayal and Secrets in Colder Climes

27 min

Louise and Virginia are sweltering in the heat of a Perth summer so they are cooling down with books set in cold countries. This episode they head off to Iceland and Norway and there’s plenty of frosty chill. Books The Therapist by Helene Flood The Sorrow Stone by Kári Gíslason A Question of Guilt by Jorn Lier Horst The Valley of Lost Secrets by Lesley Parr Podcasts The Rest is History – Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook – Episodes 159 -162 Putin The Rest is Politics – Alistair Campbell and Rory Stewart The Daily – Will Sanctioning the Oligarchs Change the War? and Putin’s Endgame: A Conversation with Fiona Hill TV series The Chestnut Man – Netflix

48. Trojan Horses - Things Hiding in Plain Sight

46 min

Books Love Marriage by Monica Ali Brick Lane by Monica Ali The Purloined Letter by Edgar Allan Poe The Women of Troy by Pat Barker TV Series Hidden Assets – SBS Pieces of Her - Netflix Podcasts The Trojan Horse Affair with Hamza Syed and Brian Reed Soundtracking with Edith Bowman Movie Belfast

47: Reading Over A Long Hot Summer

55 min

Louise and Virginia record their first bookish conversation for 2022, after an extra long break over a very hot Western Australian summer. Given the state of the world it’s no surprise that they both reached for some cozy crime books, as well as some other great reads. Lou also recommends a fabulous movie, Virginia has been diving into Stoic philosophy, and there are plenty of laughs as per usual. Books A Three Dog Problem by S J Bennett The Windsor Knot by S J Bennett The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman The Man who Died Twice by Richard Osman The Islands by Emily Brugman The American Senator by Anthony Trollope TV Series The Long Call, SBS (based on the novel by Ann Cleeves) Podcasts The Daily Stoic by Ryan Holiday Desert Island Discs – Richard Osman Art Fraud – Alec Baldwin, Michael Shnayerson Movie How to Please a Woman

46: Redemption and Dingo Noir

49 min

Welcome to the second Diving In podcast for the FANZA Fringe – Virginia and Louise review six wonderful books including Miles Franklin winner Amanda Lohrey’s The Labyrinth and the much anticipated We Were Not Men by Campbell Mattinson Email hello@divinginpodcast.com Instagram @diving_in_podcast Virginia’s Instagram @virginia_reads Louise’s Instagram @louise_cooks_and_reads Song ‘Diving In’ – original music and lyrics written and performed by Laura Adeline – https://linkt.ree/llauraadeline Podcast sound production and editing by Andy Maher. Graphics by Orla Larkin - create@werkshop.com.au Books The Truth About Her by Jacqueline Malley, 2021 Fourth Estate The Labyrinth by Amanda Lohrey, 2020 text publishing After Story by Larissa Behrendt, 2021, UQ Press Love in Theory, Elodie Cheeseman, 2021, MacMillan The River Mouth, Karen Herbert, Fremantle Press, available 29 September 2021 We Were Not Men, Campbell Mattinson, 2021, Fourth Estate Podcast ABC Radio, Conversations Podcast by Richard Fidler. Interview with David McAllister Book: 'Soar – A Life Freed by Dance’ Thames & Hudson, December 2020

45: Sleuthing, Heartbreak and Hoarding- a chat about 6 great books.

50 min

Welcome to the FANZA Fringe – Virginia and Louise from the Diving In podcast in Australia are thrilled to be part of the fringe program for FANZA, the charitable Foundation for Australian and New Zealand Arts. The psychological consequences of hoarding and a murderous small town in New Zealand are just some of the surprising narratives in the books discussed for this episode. Email hello@divinginpodcast.com Instagram @diving_in_podcast Virginia’s Instagram @virginia_reads Louise’s Instagram @louise_cooks_and_reads Song ‘Diving In’ – original music and lyrics written and performed by Laura Adeline – https://linkt.ree/llauraadeline Podcast sound production and editing by Andy Maher. Graphics by Orla Larkin - create@werkshop.com.au Books Love Objects by Emily Maguire, 2021, Allen and Unwin, Australia Heartsick by Jessie Stephens, 2021, Pan Macmillan, Australia, The Nancys by RWR McDonald, 2019, Allen and Unwin, Australia Nancy Business by RWR McDonald, 2021, Allen and Unwin, Australia One Hundred Days by Alice Pung, 2021, Black Inc. Australia The Coconut Children by Vivian Pham, 2020, Penguin Books Other Australian Book Review https://www.australianbookreview.com.au/

43. Women Locked Up (In Prisons Real and Imagined)

45 min

By complete coincidence Louise and Virginia read five books which all feature women who are either locked away or are prisoners of their minds. In spite of the serious-sounding themes of the books they spent most of this conversation in puddles of laughter, providing plenty of bloopers material. Books The Mad Women’s Ball by Victoria Mas and translated by Frank Wynne, 2021, Doubleday History of the Rain by Niall Williams, 2014, Bloomsbury Mrs March by Virginia Feito, 2021, Harper Collins Tangerine by Christine Mangan, 2019, Little Brown The Night Village by Zoe Deleuil, 2021, Fremantle Press Television Annika Grantchester

42: New Releases and Literary Coincidences

1 hr 3 min

Louise and Virginia have been devouring more new releases which have revealed several small coincidences. They also chat about a few non bookish things they’ve been diving into recently. Books The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak, 2021, Penguin. Love and Virtue by Diana Reid, 2021 Ultimo Press Anything But Fine by Tobias Madden, 2021, Penguin Crossroads by Jonathon Franzen, 2021, 4th Estate. Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty, 2021 MacMillan Podcasts A Slight Change of Plans with Maya Shankar Because of Anita Television Ted Lasso, Apple TV+ Nine Perfect Strangers, Netflix

41: Hot Off The Press!

57 min

Louise and Virginia have been reading several new releases and loving all of them. They chat about seven very different books in the conversation and there are plenty of laughs. Books The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller, 2021, Penguin RandomHouse Beautiful World, Where Are You? by Sally Rooney, 2021, Faber The Book of Form and Emptiness by Ruth Ozeki, 2021, Text Publishing Treasure and Dirt by Chris Hammer, 2021, Allen and Unwin Wild Abandon by Emily Bitto, 2021, Allen and Unwin Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead, 2021, RandomHouse The Art of Patience by Sylvain Tesson, 2021, Bloomsbury

40: Reading Around the World - Books in Translation

52 min

Louise and Virginia have been reading some small but gripping books that have been translated into English; perhaps the ultimate type of ‘own voices’ reading. By complete coincidence they ended up in the same parts of the world. Books: Tomorrow They Won’t Dare to Murder Us by Joseph Andras and translated by Simon Lesser. 2021, Verso. People Like Them: A Novel by Samira Sedira and translated by Lara Vergnaud. 2020, Raven Books Madonna in a Fur Coat by Sabahattin Ali and translated by Maureen Freely and Alexander Dawe. 1943, Other Press. At Night All Blood is Black by David Diop and translated by Anna Moschovakis. 2018, Pushkin Press. Podcasts: ABC Nature Track The Dropout In Writing with Hattie Crisell Cinefest Oz Films: The Drover’s Wife: The Legend of Molly Johnson Nitram

39: Mad About Maggie O'Farrell

47 min

Virginia and Louise loved reading Hamnet for Episode 21 ‘Twin Tales’, so decided to do a deep dive into Maggie O’Farrell’s back catalogue. They discuss four of her earlier novels, all fantastic, as well as a few other things they’ve been diving into. Books After You’d Gone by Maggie O’Farrell, 2000, Tinder Press The Distance Between Us by Maggie O’Farrell, 2004, Tinder Press The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox by Maggie O’Farrell, 2006, Tinder Press Instructions For a Heatwave by Maggie O’ Farrell, 2013, Penguin The Kindness Revolution, Hugh Mackay, Allen & Unwin 2021 Podcasts How to Fail, with Maggie O’Farrell Desert Island Discs, with Maggie O’Farrell The House that Vanished, BBC Sounds TV series Hacks, on Stan

38: Legal Thrillers for Legal Eagles

55 min

Today’s books are all crime books set in the legal world. Some are brand new, one is an oldie, but all are great. Email hello@divinginpodcast.com Instagram @diving_in_podcast Virginia’s Instagram @virginia_reads Louise’s Instagram @louise_cooks_and_reads Song ‘Diving In’ – original music and lyrics written and performed by Laura Adeline – https://linkt.ree/llauraadeline Podcast sound production and editing by Andy Maher. Graphics by Orla Larkin - create@werkshop.com.au Books The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead, 2016, Little, Brown While Justice Sleeps by Stacey Abrams, 2021, HarperCollins Tragedy at Law by Cyril Hare, 1942, Faber and Faber The Last Trial by Scott Turow, 2021, Pan Macmillan Podcasts 99% Invisible – The Clinch The Party Room with Patricia Karvelas and Fran Kelly

37: The Book Swap

48 min

Louise and Virginia thought it might be fun if they each chose a book for the other, and in this episode they reveal what they thought of the books they were given. They also discuss some great podcast episodes, a couple of books they’ve each finished recently, and an excellent period costume drama series. Email hello@divinginpodcast.com Instagram @diving_in_podcast Virginia’s Instagram @virginia_reads Louise’s Instagram @louise_cooks_and_reads Song ‘Diving In’ – original music and lyrics written and performed by Laura Adeline – https://linkt.ree/llauraadeline Podcast sound production and editing by Andy Maher. Graphics by Orla Larkin - create@werkshop.com.au Books Midnight’s Children by Salman Rushdie, 1981, Vintage Love and Treasure by Ayelet Waldman, 2013, Penguin Random House A Children’s Bible by Lydia Millet, 2020, W. W Norton & Co. Whereabouts by Jhumpa Lahiri, 2021, Bloomsbury Podcasts This American Life, Episodes dated 739 Sisters and 741 The Power of Words Novel Pairings episodes on Pride and Prejudice TV series Netflix: Sophie: A Murder in West Cork Belgravia - Julian Fellowes

36: Wuthering Heights Book Club

58 min

Louise and Virginia dive into ‘pleasurable terror’ and explore Wuthering Heights for Book Club. They have some controversial views about Heathcliff and Cathy, take a deep dive into why we love all things gothic, and also discuss some new-release Gothic fiction. Email hello@divinginpodcast.com Instagram @diving_in_podcast Virginia’s Instagram @virginia_reads Louise’s Instagram @louise_cooks_and_reads Song ‘Diving In’ – original music and lyrics written and performed by Laura Adeline – https://linkt.ree/llauraadeline Podcast sound production and editing by Andy Maher. Graphics by Orla Larkin - create@werkshop.com.au Books Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë The Bass Rock by Evie Wyld, 2020, Penguin Random House The Shape of Darkness by Laura Purcell, 2021, Bloomsbury

Swandive 5 - Louise chats with Polly Phillips, author of 'My Best Friend's Murder'

26 min

Louise takes a Swandive with Polly Phillips, author of award winning novel ‘My Best Friend’s Murder’ published by Simon & Schuster. Email hello@divinginpodcast.com Instagram @diving_in_podcast Virginia’s Instagram @virginia_reads Louise’s Instagram @louise_cooks_and_reads Song ‘Diving In’ – original music and lyrics written and performed by Laura Adeline – https://linkt.ree/llauraadeline Podcast sound production and editing by Andy Maher. Graphics by Orla Larkin - create@werkshop.com.au

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