In The Good Books with Luke Bateman
Luke Bateman shares the books that have shaped his world, from timeless classics to buzzy bestsellers. A community for those who believe in the power of a good story.
9Podcasts · TAPT Podcasts
Show overview
In The Good Books with Luke Bateman launched in 2025 and has put out 30 episodes, alongside 1 trailer or bonus episode in the time since. That works out to roughly 10 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a weekly cadence.
Episodes typically run twenty to thirty-five minutes — most land between 19 min and 25 min — and the run-time is fairly consistent across the catalogue. None of the episodes are flagged explicit by the publisher. It is catalogued as a EN-AU-language Society & Culture show.
The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed 4 days ago, with 19 episodes already out so far this year. Published by TAPT Podcasts.
From the publisher
What’s your story? Everyone has one — the ones we read and the ones we live. In The Good Books is a new weekly podcast that serves as a community for those who believe in the power of a good story. Each week, host Luke Bateman shares the books that have shaped his world, from timeless classics to buzzy bestsellers. He’ll also sit down with the most fascinating voices in the literary world — from bestselling authors to emerging new talent — as they reveal the inspirations behind their work. This is more than a book club; it's a space to explore how the stories we consume influence the lives we lead. We want to hear from you! Send us your audio by emailing us at [email protected]. Follow all the action on our socials: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/inthegoodbooks_podcast/TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@inthegoodbooks_podcast
Latest Episodes
View all 30 episodesCrafting the Chaos of Dungeon Crawler Carl - with author Matt Dinniman and audiobook narrator/producer Jeff Hays
The Incredible Science-Backed Benefits of Reading
Luke Hears From YOU!
BOOK CLUB: The Midnight Library by Matthew Haig
How books help Nath Valvo 'Do the Work'
The Role Models I Found in Fiction (and What They Showed Me)
The characters we find in novels may not exist outside of our imaginations - but the values, lessons and examples they provide are real. From someone that mirrored Luke's own experience, to the kind of parent he hopes he can be in the future, here are some of his favourite literary role models. Who are the characters that have inspired, challenged or changed you? Let Luke know by sending your voice notes to [email protected]. Stay connected on our socials:Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/inthegoodbooks_podcast/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@inthegoodbooks_podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
How Men Can (and Must) Heal Their Pain, with Matt Brown (She is Not Your Rehab)
True strength and responsibility as a man doesn't come in any pre-conceived definition of masculinity, but in the courage to confront your own unprocessed pain That's according to Matt Brown—author, barber, and founder of the global movement She Is Not Your Rehab. Drawing from his own experience of leaving a childhood home at just 15 years old, Matt has become a leading voice in the movement to end generational trauma. In this conversation, Luke and Matt dive deep into why men must take radical responsibility for their own healing, why places like barbershops can be key to unlocking male vulnerability, how to ensure the next generation doesn't carry burdens that aren't theirs to bear, along with practical steps for men to begin their own healing journey today - including how reading and writing can be the most powerful tools. Connect with Matt Brown: Website: She Is Not Your Rehab Instagram: @SheIsNotYourRehab Send your voice memo to [email protected]. Stay connected on our socials: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/inthegoodbooks_podcast/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@inthegoodbooks_podcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Luke's perfect FIRST FANTASY reads
Did Luke ever mention he's pretty into fantasy novels? But what about you? If you're yet to discover the magic of the genre, here are some titles Luke reckons are the perfect places to start. They dispel common myths, answer common criticisms, they might reassure you that fantasy isn't too different from what you're reading already - and above all, they're just good books! Do you agree with these picks? What have you recommended as a first fantasy for your friends? What got you into fantasy? Send your voice memo to [email protected]. Stay connected on our socials: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/inthegoodbooks_podcast/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@inthegoodbooks_podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Writer's Room: Kristin Hannah
Does Kristin Hannah deliberately try to devastate us emotionally with her writing? The legendary best-selling author of The Women, the Great Alone, the Nightingale and Between Sisters sits down with Luke to discuss her process, her research, her emotionally devastating reputation and more. Is there an author you’d love to hear Luke interview next? Or a book he NEEDS to read? Or anything else you want to share? Send your voice memo to [email protected]. Stay connected on our socials: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/inthegoodbooks_podcast/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@inthegoodbooks_podcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
BOOK CLUB: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by VE Schwab
Complete immortality. Total freedom. But the world will never know you. Would you take the deal? Today Luke dives into the magic, heartbreak and sensuality of our most recent Good Books Club read. What would YOU like to be part of our book club next? Send your voice memo to [email protected]. Stay connected on our socials:Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/inthegoodbooks_podcast/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@inthegoodbooks_podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
4 MUST READS If You Loved the Movie
There are some things the screen just can’t capture. From all time classics to those in cinemas now, from tear-jerking romances to sci-fi epics, here are Luke’s top picks for books that are worth the read even when you’ve already seen the film. What are your top picks on this topic? Got a book recommendation for Luke? Or anything else you want him to hear? Send us your voice note by emailing us at [email protected]. Stay connected on our socials: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/inthegoodbooks_podcast/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@inthegoodbooks_podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Love Stories That Last the Ages (Part 2)
The love goes on! Luke continues to unpack the literary relationships that give us all the feels. We want to hear from you! Send us your audio by emailing us at [email protected]. Follow all the action on our socials: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/inthegoodbooks_podcast/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@inthegoodbooks_podcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Love Stories That Last the Ages (Part 1)
Hopeless romantics, meet Luke. These are the books that make your heart ACHE — from the secret locker room romance of Heated Rivalry to the emotional wrecking ball that is The Song of Achilles and more… We want to hear from you! Send us your audio by emailing us at [email protected]. Follow all the action on our socials: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/inthegoodbooks_podcast/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@inthegoodbooks_podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
BOOK CLUB: Moon Blooded Breeding Clinic by C.M. Nascosta
Join The Good Books Club as Luke reviews C.M. Nascosta's spicy read, 'Moon Blooded Breeding Clinic'. We want to hear from you! Send us your audio by emailing us at [email protected]. Follow all the action on our socials: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/inthegoodbooks_podcast/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@inthegoodbooks_podcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Writer's Room: Paullina Simons
Paullina Simons talks how her life shaped her writing, The Bronze Horseman, her new book The Bell and the Blade, and why she writes 'love in loveless times' [00:43] - Paullina on finding Luke [02:21] - Paullina’s early life [05:34] - How Paullina’s love of stories began [07:35] - Paullina’s earliest literary loves: The Three Musketeers, Les Miserables, the Count of Monte Cristo [12:22] - Paullina’s first story [15:15] - Why Paullina is drawn to writing about hardship and resilience [17:13] - Victor Frankl’s ‘Man’s Search for Meaning’ [18:48] - The Bronze Horseman [25:00] - The Bell and the Blade [33:22] - What is Paullina’s favourite out of everything she’s written? [35:38] - what Advice would Paullina give to an aspiring writer? [36:21] - East of Eden by John Steinbeck [39:35] - Paullina’s Good Book [40:45] - Ordinary People by Judith Guest [41:06] - Shopgirl by Steve Martin [41:50] - Paullina’s relationship to fantasy [42:49] - The Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien [43:07] - The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien [44:38] - What’s next? We want to hear from you! Send us your audio by emailing us at [email protected]. Follow all the action on our socials: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/inthegoodbooks_podcast/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@inthegoodbooks_podcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Want To Be A Better Reader? Here's How!
Struggling to start a habit or stay motivated? Hear all the practical, no-pressure advice and proven hacks to help anyone discover the joy of reading and make it a daily practice. (00:00) Intro (00:31) Listener Audio (02:20)Why Reading is Important (05:11) Mindset Tip #1: Drop the Shoulds (07:33) Mindset Tip #2: The 50 Page Rule (08:33) Mindset Tip #3: Develop a Reading Identity (09:52) Medium Tip #1: Audiobooks are Not Cheating (12:22) Medium Tip #2: Invest in a Portable Reader (14:12) Habit Tip #1: Habit Stacking (15:16) Habit Tip #2: Replace Your Scrolling (16:14) Habit Tip #3: Make it Social (18:20) Consistency Beats Intensity (20:35) Share Your Reading Tips and Tricks We want to hear from you! Send us your audio by emailing us at [email protected]. Follow all the action on our socials: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/inthegoodbooks_podcast/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@inthegoodbooks_podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Luke's Favourite Fictional Friendships
From ride-or-die besties to deep, complex bonds, Luke explores the most memorable friendships which anchor the greatest fantasy novels and fictional worlds. (00:00) Intro (00:34) Listener Audio (04:47) Friendships in Fiction (07:12) Friendship #1: Locke and Jean from The Gentleman Bastard series (11:57)Friendship #2: Jude and Willem from A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara (17:53)Friendship #3: Aman Jair and Arlen Bales from The Demon Cycle series (22:27) The Importance of Friendship (24:06) Share Your Friendship Stories and Favorite Fictional Friendships We want to hear from you! Send us your audio by emailing us at [email protected]. Follow all the action on our socials: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/inthegoodbooks_podcast/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@inthegoodbooks_podcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
BOOK CLUB: The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons
Join The Good Books Club as Luke reviews Paullina Simons’ sweeping historical romance, The Bronze Horseman. (00:00) Intro (00:34) Listener Audio (03:23) The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons (04:15) First Impressions (06:18) The Setting: Leningrad, the Siege, and the War Hardship (09:11) Tension in the Metanova Apartment (10:26) The Love Story (11:38) The Sexual/Romantic Writing (13:40) Alexander's Character (16:45) SPOILER: Alexander's Sacrifice and The Ending (19:20) Final Takeaway (21:05) The Next Book Club Pick: Moon Blooded Breeding Clinic by CM Ncosta We want to hear from you! Send us your audio by emailing us at [email protected]. Follow all the action on our socials: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/inthegoodbooks_podcast/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@inthegoodbooks_podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Celebrating Unsung Heroes
Move over, Chosen Ones. We're shining a spotlight on the fantastic but often overlooked side characters of fantasy who well and truly make the story. (00:00) Intro (00:34) Listener Audio: A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara (04:33) Unsung Heroes in Fiction (06:03) #1: Samwise Gamgee from The Lord of the Rings (09:28) #2: Szeth-son-son-Vallano from Stormlight Archive (12:49) #3: Night Eyes from Realm of the Elderlings (16:41) The Importance of Unsung Heroes and Why We Relate to Them (18:19) Share Your Favorite Unsung Heroes We want to hear from you! Send us your audio by emailing us at [email protected]. Follow all the action on our socials: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/inthegoodbooks_podcast/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@inthegoodbooks_podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Read These To THRIVE in 2026
New year, new me... Right? Luke shares the four most impactful non-fiction books to help you achieve personal growth, cultivate success, and change your mindset for a better 2026. (00:00) Intro (00:34) Listener Audio (01:19) Book Recommendation: The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne (02:29) How to Become the Best Version of Yourself (04:47) The Science of Stuck by Britt Frank (08:21) Atomic Habits by James Clear (11:24) The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins (15:40) The Second Mountain by David Brooks (20:01) The 4-Book Wrap Up (21:00) Make Reading Books A 2026 Goal We want to hear from you! Send us your audio by emailing us at [email protected]. Follow all the action on our socials: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/inthegoodbooks_podcast/ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@inthegoodbooks_podcast See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.