We were thrilled to sit down with Danielle Binks to talk all about her latest novel, Six Summers of Tash and Leopold: a big, hopeful, coming-of-age middle-grade book that features complicated families and life-changing summers. The novel follows the titular characters as they deal with difficult life transitions and school can't (a.k.a. school refusal). Danielle chats about the therapeutic nature of writing, and reflects on the different expectations we place on children and adults when it comes to facing anxieties.

Content notes for this episode: anxiety, depression, gambling addiction, agoraphobia, pet loss.

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Our podcast was recorded on Wurundjeri Land, which is home to both of us in Naarm/Melbourne. Always was, always will be Aboriginal Land.

In this interview, we welcome author Nina Kenwood back to the show, where we will be discussing her new book - and her first book for adults - The Wedding Forecast. Topics include starting over after a long-term relationship, anxieties around parenthood and aging, and stability versus taking a leap.

Content notes for the episode: anxiety and overthinking; situationships; grief over loss of a parent

Find Novel Feelings via:

• Our website
• Instagram
• Join our 2024 Reading Challenge on The Storygraph.

Has Novel Feelings entertained you, or taught you something? Show your support with a once-off donation by buying us a coffee. All proceeds go towards making the show stronger and more sustainable for the future.

Our podcast was recorded on Wurundjeri Land, which is home to both of us in Naarm/Melbourne. Always was, always will be Aboriginal Land.

Priscilla and Elise sit down with Emma Lord to discuss her debut novel, Anomaly. The novel follows teenager Piper Manning, who wakes up after an apocalyptic pandemic alone - and with an uncontrollable power. We talk about the depiction of grief and PTSD, Piper's isolating experience in the aftermath of a pandemic, Anomaly's cast of lovable characters, and monsters that get inside your head.

Content notes for the episode: Grief; death of family members; post-partum depression, anxiety and insomnia; COVID-19 lockdowns; re-living traumatic memories; bullying

Find Novel Feelings via:

• Our website
• Instagram
• Join our 2024 Reading Challenge on The Storygraph.

Has Novel Feelings entertained you, or taught you something? Show your support with a once-off donation by buying us a coffee. All proceeds go towards making the show stronger and more sustainable for the future.

Our podcast was recorded on Wurundjeri Land, which is home to both of us in Naarm/Melbourne. Always was, always will be Aboriginal Land.

Author Alice Robinson joins Elise and Priscilla for an insightful interview about her new release, If You Go. The novel follows protagonist Esther, who must piece together a timeline between her past and the highly confusing present. We chat about a non-linear experience of grief, the relationship between feminism and motherhood, and speculate about the future.

Find Novel Feelings via:

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Elise and Priscilla chat to author Ariane Beeston on her memoir, Because I'm Not Myself, You See, which traces her experience with motherhood and mental illness. Discussion topics include perinatal and postnatal depression and anxiety, postpartum psychosis, inpatient treatment, and stigma.

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• Goodreads.

Join our 2024 Reading Challenge on The Storygraph.

Detailed show notes available on our website.

In this episode, Priscilla interviews clinician-author Dr Sarah Sasson about the newly released Tidelines, a tender coming-of-age novel about growing up in the face of unimaginable loss. Tidelines examines the stories we subconsciously write for ourselves, and what remains later, when we have the courage to tear them apart. Discussion topics include substance use, ambiguous grief and loss, and burnout in the medical profession.

Find Novel Feelings via:

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Join our 2024 Reading Challenge on The Storygraph.

Detailed show notes available on our website.

Nobody said fifth grade was going to be easy, and Penny Lowry has a million questions going through her mind all the time. The Penny Draws series by Sara Shepard follows Penny as she navigates feelings, friendships, and all sorts of changes that life brings her way.

In turns sweet and hilarious, we adored the series, and we were delighted to chat to Sara about how she approaches writing themes of mental health and anxiety for a younger audience.

Find Novel Feelings via:

• Our website
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• Goodreads.

Join our 2023 Reading Challenge on The Storygraph.

Detailed show notes available on our website.

How do you pick up the pieces after life has served you enough trauma for a lifetime?

Charlotte, aged 17, is trying to recover in a world that owes her nothing, but has taken so much. In our season 3 finale, we dive into Girl in Pieces' representations of self-harm, hospitalisation, and unhealthy relationships, and ask the big question: does this book risk doing more harm than good?

Spoiler review starts at 31:34.

Find Novel Feelings via:

• Our website
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• Goodreads.

Join our 2023 Reading Challenge on The Storygraph.

Detailed show notes available on our website.

Note: We will going on hiatus in the first half of 2024, but hope to launch Season 4 later in the year!