Seeking Tumnus

Keith's contemporary selection takes some of the Seeking Tumnus crew outside of their comfort zones, but fear not as this one is not by Christopher Pike. Instead it's Karen M. McManus's 2019 thriller Two Can Keep A Secret. Join us as we do our very best to not reveal the killer, or killers or was there even any death at all? You'll need to listen in to find out, or you know, read the book and then when you do listen in you'll already know and this episode will be so much better. You'll also find out just what a Marshmallow is, and who amongst the crew confesses to being one... ahh sweet sweet mystery, where have you been?

Holy smokes, it's been a little while, hasn't it? This episode sees a triumphant return to all things weird and wizardish, as we throw back to Alan Garner's 1960 classic, The Weirdstone of Brisingamen. We do our best argue about the pronunciation of the title for less than half of the episode, and, at least by that metric, we consider our 51st outing to be a qualified success. Put on your robe and wizard hat and join us on this happy occasion.

In this our 50th episode we go back to the well, the well trodden, well read, well written and much loved Harry Potter series. It's book two, The Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling. As well as giving you our thoughts on the officially lowest rated (on Good Reads) book in the original series we also briefly discuss the movie and have some potentially fun Potterverse games up our wizardly sleeves; Wand based trivia and a return of Laurie's divisive 'Would You Rather' segment.

To make up for the longer than usual time between episodes this Pat hosted special brings with it not one but two book reviews. First off the rank is the second book in Australian author James Bradley's Change Trilogy; The Buried Ark. We spoke to James in an earlier episode about the first in the series, The Silent Invasion. Next up is A.J. Betts visionary science fiction title, Hive. In the midst of all this dystopian exploration Pat launches a stunning new game, Dystopi-yeah. Listen in to find out who wins the coveted prize.

In this emotionally charged and erotic interlude, Pat has an intimate chat with Australian comedy duo Hamish and Andy about the podcast, writing erotica, reading erotica, storing erotica and YA and children's fiction.

In case there weren’t already enough reasons to hate him, he’s now stealing beloved soft toys and using your Snakes & Ladders set without permission. This episode, we examine Judith Kerr’s semi-autobiographical delight, When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit. For some of us this was a heartfelt glimpse into the life of a WWII-era family of refugees; for another, a rare chance to complain that the book wasn’t set wholly in Castle Wolfenstein. Join us as we try to come to some kind of vague, bitter consensus, and get distracted by one Tumnite's recent forays into artistic territory.

You've seen it everywhere! Laurie got it as a Christmas present! Recommended to us by nobody! It sounds like the perfect opportunity for Laurie to out-Brog himself. This episode we review book one of the best-selling Throne of Glass series by Sarah J Maas. Join us for a laugh and another exciting game from Keith!

It has been far too long coming, but finally we address Ursula K Le Guin's influential classic A Wizard of Earthsea. What's in a name? Find out as we forge ahead into the meditative reflective waters of Earthsea, a mere 50 years after the words found their way to paper. We never said we were punctual!

This episode we’re delighted to be joined by the wonderful Steph Bowe, author of the 2018 CBCA notable contemporary YA title, Night Swimming. This is her third book, her first published at the remarkable age of 16. Listen in to find out who acts the goat, shoe-horning in a supposedly popular anthropomorphic series. Bri grinds Pat’s gears with an alleged geo-brag before we dip into Steph’s favourite children’s and YA titles. Doe be shore to join us, this episode can’t be bleat!

This episode we wrinkle our brows and dive in to Madeleine L'Engle's science fiction/fantasy (depending on who you ask) classic A Wrinkle In Time. Will we escape IT and Camazotz or will it leave us comatose? With a big screen, big budget release it's a hot , hot topic but Seeking Tumnus wonder Whatsit really all about, Who is going to see it and Which age group it's intended for? Listen in now!

Seasonal greetings to all in this completely un-Christmassy episode of Seeking Tumnus, where instead of looking at a work of Young Adult fiction we dissect a big screen adaptation of one; Marcus Zusak's The Book Thief, directed by Brian Percival. Discover which Tumnite couldn't stomach the 2013 film and hear who has a bee in their bonnet regarding books vs movies. You'll also learn who has complete and utter disdain for the Grammys. Tune in for the final episode of Seeking Tumnus in 2017.

It was in the spring of 2017 that Seeking Tumnus foolishly decided to read The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. Little did the unsuspecting populace know that their dams, levees and waterways were simply inadequate for the deluge that would follow. Can the stone eggs in Patrick's heart be cracked open? Will Keith's run of average ratings come to an end? Is Bri still dirty about Laurie's book thievery? To what degree can Laurie mangle his favourite non-English language? Find out here meine Damen und Herren!

Fantasy for the fantasy sceptic in this episode as Bri, no wait Laurie, takes us Over Sea, Under Stone with Susan Cooper's first book in The Dark is Rising Sequence. Life imitates art with the 1960s Cornwall treachery bleeding through to modern day suburban Melbourne, in a whodunnit for the ages (Clue: it was Laurie in the spreadsheet with die schnellen finger). You'd be barking mad to miss this one, because in the end we're still fools for the holy grail.

Warm on the heels of the acclaimed and controversial television series, we go back to the source with Jay Asher's 2007 best seller Thirteen Reasons Why. Watched and/or read? Join us on a merry dance through the trigger minefield as we tiptoe around sensitive topics including sexual assault, mental health, bullying, suicide and Brog the Stoop. Sounds like a riot eh? Listen in here!

Listen in as Bri lights the corners our minds with the 1993 dystopian sci-fi The Giver by Lois Lowry. Questions are answered that maybe shouldn't have been asked as we delve right into not only the book but also the 2014 film adaptation. The Dude abides.

Waking from our wintry slumber we trudge through snow and Dust as we explore the first book of Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials series; Northern Lights (also published as The Golden Compass). In this episode we reveal our inner Daemons, slander a missing co-host and attempt all the while not to disappoint a beloved fan. The 2007 film also gets a spin, adjusted for inflation it's one of the fifty most expensive films of all time!

On this slightly out of date episode of Seeking Tumnus the crew dissect the slightly out of print Master of Murder by prolific young adult fiction author Christopher Pike. Pop on your tencel jeans and flannel and settle in for the long haul ride as this unexpected 90s horror blockbuster episode takes us to darker depths than Keith could ever have imagined. How naive he was when he re-discovered this book and anticipated fun and frivolity ahead. Turns out some history is better left buried.

Our first interview! We sit down with author James Bradley to discuss his first foray into YA fiction - The Silent Invasion. We talk diversity, influential science fiction, climate change, impending disaster and stinky teddy bears before some clown keeps Seeking Tumnus bingo alive with Stephen King. We're so engaged by our guest that Laurie forgets to swear all episode and Keith neglects the most powerful man in the universe. Bri gets a little giggly and Pat seeks some writing advice to help kickstart his stalled erotic romance novel!

Ever wondered what it's like to have your own family island? According to E. Lockhart in her 2014 book We Were Liars it's not all it's cracked up to be. She takes us behind the scenes in the lives of the mega-rich social elite, but is it accurate? If you can confirm let us know, and invite us to your island already. We also examine the proliferation of mental health issues in the Seeking Tumnus library before Bri sparks a spirited conversation that quickly takes a detour via a distant galaxy. Pat diagnoses a case of metaphoric haemophilia and Laurie and Keith both agree and disagree. All this and more Whoopi Goldberg than ever before!

We discover The Perks of Being a Wallflower this episode, and not just because we've been keeping abreast of Emma Watson in the news; it's a stunning coincidence we assure you! For Stephen Chbosky's 1999 coming-of-age novel we dig deep into the tome, discuss the film and take a sentimental trip down memory lane. So jump in, turn up the music, leave your anxieties at home and we'll take a ride into the infinite together!