Stories Behind the Story with Better Reading

In the first episode of Everyone Has a Story , Sivine Tabbouche tells Cheryl the extraordinary story of her mother, Amina, who raised 15 children. Amina’s life was shaped by family, love, loss and extraordinary strength. As she grew older and her health declined, Sivine became her carer and found new ways to communicate with her mother. But the story takes an unexpected turn after Amina’s death, when two baby girls who weren’t her own came to be buried beside her. Listen to find out how... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From the archives: Karen Brooks talks to Cheryl about her family-run brewery in Hobart, the influence of feminism on her writing, how she approaches research for her historical fiction, her connection to fantasy stories and what lies ahead in her writing journey. If you haven’t read The Whisky Widow yet, add it to your TBR on the What Are You Reading app. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this replay of Stories Behind The Story , we remember acclaimed Australian author Blanche d’Alpuget, who joined Cheryl Akle in 2019 to talk about her extraordinary life, her writing career and her relationship with former Prime Minister Bob Hawke. Blanche shares the story of how she first met Bob, what drew her to write his biography, and what it was like to spend 25 years together. She also reflects on his remarkable political career, his love of Australia and the people he served, and the final years of his life. A fascinating conversation with a much-loved Australian author, revisited in her memory. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nadine Browne talks to Cheryl Akle about her debut novel Gone Guru , a funny and chaotic literary mystery inspired by her own experiences as a writer in New York. She discusses imposter syndrome, class and cultural differences between Australia and America, and how her experiences of leaving religion, finding her voice and trying to belong in the literary world ultimately shaped Gone Guru , which is out now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sisters Kabora and Razia Ali talk to Cheryl Akle, sharing their family’s journey from Afghanistan to Australia. Exploring identity, belonging and resilience, Kabora reflects on becoming the first woman of Afghan descent to join the Australian Army at 18. The sisters also share how their family’s history and Kabora’s personal experiences came together to create the book. Their memoir, First of Her Kind , is out now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hannah Richell joins Cheryl Akle to talk about grief, love, writing and the unexpected ways life can transform after loss. Hannah shares how writing her memoir after the death of her husband Matt became an act of release, remembrance and connection, and reflects on rebuilding a life that holds both profound grief and new joy. A moving conversation about the love we carry, the stories that shape us, and finding the courage to keep living. Hannah’s latest memoir, An Ocean and a Day , is out now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hannah Richell (The Search Party, The River Home) and Michelle Prak (The Rush) have a laugh and talk about their books One Dark Night and The Rush. Learn more about the two authors, how Prak's sons have helped her edit her books, Richell's favourite phase when writing, and as always, the publishing industry in this new episode of "Authors on Authors". Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Holden Sheppard (Invisible Boys, The Brink) and Peter Polites (Down The Hume, God Forgets About the Poor) chat about the adaptation of Holden's book Invisible Boys, the LGBT+ community in Perth and Sydney and their unique, diverse backgrounds. Learn more about the two authors, their cultural influences, their writing processes, and as always, the book industry in this new episode of "Authors on Authors". Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Libby Trainor Parker talks to Cheryl about endometriosis, chronic pain, infertility, pregnancy loss, grief, and finding healing through advocacy, storytelling, and foster care. Her book, A Common Misconception , is out now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sarah Trad talks to Cheryl Akle about Lebanon and the culture’s deep connection to hospitality, her travels around the world, renovating and creating her dream house, and the influence of her mother. Her cookbook, Beit Trad, is out now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joan Sauers talks to Cheryl Akle about her love of mystery series, the writing skills she learned from her father, Hollywood, and the differences between writing novels and screenplays. Her latest book, Murder at Thornwood Park, is out now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Victoria Purman talks to Cheryl Akle about her former career in journalism, her path into publishing, her writing routines, and her love of both vintage and contemporary books. Her latest novel, The Marriage Trap, is out now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cheryl talks to Caroline about Better Reading’s new project, What Are You Reading? The App , an Australian, community-focused book tracker that lets readers log and follow their reading directly from their phone. Think of it as Goodreads and StoryGraph had a baby - but this one grew up Australian. Best of all, it's FREE. Download the app today! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Francesca Albanese talks to Cheryl about the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, the impact of technology on modern warfare, and her career in academia and the United Nations. Her book, When the World Sleeps , is out now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dervla McTiernan talks to Cheryl about her brain tumour diagnosis, her writing routine, the brutality of editing, and how living in Australia has reshaped her connection to her Irish heritage. Her new book, Three Reasons for Revenge, is out now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Antoinette Lattouf talks to Cheryl about her childhood, her love of reading and writing, her legal dispute with the ABC, and the lessons she’s drawn from the inspiring women featured in her new book Women Who Win , which is out now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cheryl talks to Ann Mossop, Artistic Director of the 2026 Sydney Writers’ Festival, for a special episode of Stories Behind the Story . Together, they explore this year’s festival theme, highlight standout events, and discuss the exciting lineup of attending authors. The 2026 Sydney Writers’ Festival runs from 17–24 May, with tickets now available via the official festival website. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cheryl talks to Mali Cornish about her relationship with her own mother, her career in law, and how becoming a parent reshaped her perspective on life. They also explore the inspiration behind her new book, The Missing Mother , which is out now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kate Mildenhall (The Hummingbird Effect, The Mother Fault) and Kate Forsyth (Psykhe, Dragonclaw) have a laugh and talk about the complexities of writing. Learn more about the two authors, Forsyth's impressive and long writing career, Mildenhall's new kids book, and as always, the publishing industry in this new episode of Authors on Authors. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rosalie Ham talks to Cheryl about the beauty of ageing, the impact of her novel The Dressmaker, and her earlier career in aged care. She also reflects on the importance of staying mobile and how social connection supports overall wellbeing. Her new book, Look After Your Feet, is out now. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.