Laura McPhee Browne, Leïla Slimani, Kris Kneen & Bruce Pascoe's favourite Aus books

This week on The Bookshelf, Kate Evans and Cassie McCullagh discuss new novels including Laura McPhee-Browne's Worry Doll, a story of desire, obsession and uncertainty; Leïla Slimani's I'll Take the Fire, the acclaimed French-Moroccan writer's rich, politically charged exploration of family, memory and identity; and Kris Kneen's Rite of Spring, an eerie island novel where strange creatures lurk in the mist.

Joining the program are regular reviewers, bestselling crime writer Michael Robotham and novelist and academic Roanna Gonsalves.

Plus, as ABC Radio National's Top 100 Australian Books Countdown approaches, writer and historian Bruce Pascoe shares three Australian books he loves.

Books discussed

• Worry Doll, Laura McPhee-Browne
• I'll Take the Fire, Leïla Slimani (translated by Sam Taylor)
• Rite of Spring, Kris Kneen
• Benang: From The Heart, Kim Scott
• Every Secret Thing, Marie Munkara
• Mullumbimby, Melissa Lucashenko

Guest recommendations

• Whistler, Ann Patchett
• The Hunter, Tana French
• Tomb of Sand, Geetanjali Shree 

Credits

• Presenter: Kate Evans and Cassie McCullagh
• Producer: Kate Evans and Sarah Corbett
• Sound: Craig Tilmouth and Micky Grossman
• Arts editor: Sarah L'Estrange