Stories Behind the Story with Better Reading

He left home for work. He never came home.Patrizia Cassaniti joins Cheryl Akle to tell the story of her son Christopher, who was killed in a workplace accident at just 18. She shares the unimaginable impact of losing a child, how her family learned to live with a new normal, and the mission she began in Christopher’s honour: advocating for workplace safety and making sure other families don’t experience the same loss.

Heather Morris joins Cheryl Akle to discuss her latest novel, The Piano Teacher of Montparnasse, and the remarkable true story that inspired it. She shares how a chance conversation with composer Hans Zimmer led her to this story of courage, survival and the power of music, along with her writing process and journey to becoming a bestselling author. The Piano Teacher of Montparnasse is out now.

What happens when a bestselling crime writer returns to the novel he first wrote in his twenties? Michael Robotham joins Cheryl to reveal the story behind Tell Me Something True, his deeply personal first novel set in Australia, and discusses lost manuscripts, small-town secrets, family, love, loss and why this is a crime story unlike anything he’s written before...

What happens when a lifelong book lover becomes a writer? Nina Kenwood joins Cheryl Akle to talk about her new novel People Skills, a slow-burn romance set around a literary festival, and the winding path that led her there. From obsessing over The Baby-Sitters Club and John Marsden as a teenager to abandoned manuscripts, a 10-year writing group and writing a rom-com while parenting a newborn, Nina shares the highs, challenges and unexpected moments behind becoming a published author. People Skills is out now...

What happens when an Australian comedian heads to Hollywood with big dreams and no idea what’s coming? Ash Williams shares the wild, hilarious and unexpected stories behind Almost Killing It in Hollywood, from chasing big opportunities to the moments that didn’t quite go to plan. His latest work, Almost Killing It in Hollywood, is out now.

Three sisters disappear from a bridal shop at the foot of the pyramids. That’s where Tess Woods’ new novel, The Cairo Bridal Shop, begins. Tess joins Cheryl to talk about the very personal story behind the book, her Egyptian heritage, her beloved grandmother and the unexpected journey that took her from physiotherapy to bestselling author. The Cairo Bridal Shop is out now.