Age Bookclub

The Rebus books have now been translated into 22 languages. Author Ian Rankin talks to Jason Steger about his latest crime novel, Exit Music.

Two-time winner of the Miles Franklin award, author Christopher Koch talks to Jason Steger about his spy novel, The Memory Room.

Leigh Hobbs is a Melbourne artist who illustrates and writes books for children. In addition to Old Tom, he has created Horrible Harriet, the Freaks of 4F, and Fiona the Pig.

Jason Steger talks with Leigh Hobbs about his new book, Old Tom's Big Book of Beauty.

To view the video interview, click here.

You are welcome to respond to the following discussion points and where possible we will publish your comments.

1. How important is the humour in Leigh Hobbs' Old Tom books?

2. Do you think Hobbs has a message underpinning the stories of Old Tom?

3. Do you respond more to the pictures or the storyline in Old Tom's adventures? Why?

4. What do you think of the relationship between Angela Throgmorton and Old Tom?

5. Tom appears to be a cat of some sort but do you think Hobbs wants the reader to identify with him?

Jason Steger interviews British novelist John Lanchester about his new memoir, Family Romance.

To view the video interview, click here.

You are welcome to respond to the following discussion points and where possible we will publish your comments.

1. Sometimes life can be so strange that it can only be told as non-fiction. Do you think the story of John Lanchester's family is one of those occasions?
2. How well do you think Lanchester balances telling the story of his parents and protecting their privacy?
3. Lanchester is quite candid about his own state of mind. Did you feel his story warranted such a role in the book?
4. By reading Family Romance did you learn more about Lanchester's novels, The Debt to Pleasure, Mr Phillips, and The Fragrant Harbour? Did you see similar themes between the books?
5. Do you trust a novelist who turns to memoir to be completely honest?

Jason Steger talks with Frances Atkinson about the new Harry Potter book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

To view the video interview, click here.

You are welcome to respond to the following discussion points and where possible we will publish your comments.

1. How satisfactory did you find Harry Potter and the Deathly
Hallows?
2. How did you feel about the ending? Do you think J.K.
Rowling handled it well? What surprised you most about
events in Deathly Hallows.
3. Did you notice a change in style in this final book of the
series? Did you feel that the pace of the story was different
from the others?
4. It's been 10 years since we first met Harry. Do you think
that J.K. Rowling has dealt with his growth from child to
young man in a convincing fashion? And what about his
friends, Hermione and Ron?
5. What are the elements of the Potter series that you will
most treasure.