Once We Were Wildlife: Inga Simpson + Hooked: Asako Yuzuki + Helen Bain: The Daffodil Days + a whole bunch more (REVIEWERS: Tony Birch and Beejay Silcox)

This week The Bookshelf leans into the wild as Kate Evans and guests are circled by stories of wolves, wild boar and witches, along with the final year of celebrated poet Sylvia Plath and a sensual story of food and obsession from Japan. Kate is joined by regular guests, the novelist, poet and Professor of Australian literature Tony Birch; and critic Beejay Silcox, who arrives fresh from the U.K. ready to talk literary pilgrimages and bookish souvenirs. Plus, a bonus discussion on this year's Stella Prize shortlist.

~ BOOKS

• Inga Simpson, Once We Were Wildlife: Stories, Hachette
• Sarah Walker, The Water Takes, Summit Books
• Asako Yuzuki, Hooked, translated from the Japanese by Polly Barton, Fourth Estate
• Helen Bain, The Daffodil Days, Bloomsbury
• Sally O’Reilly, Hagtale, Scribe

~ 2026 Stella Prize shortlist

• Evelyn Araluen, The Rot, UQP
• Geraldine Brooks, Memorial Days, Hachette
• Miranda Darling, Fireweather, Scribe
• Lee Lai, Cannon, Giramondo
• Marika Sosnowski, 58 Facets: On violence and the Law, Melbourne University Press  
• Tasma Walton, I am Nannertgarrook, Simon & Schuster

NOTE: the winner will be announced on 13 May 

~ OTHER BOOKS MENTIONED

• Ian McEwan, What We Can Know
• Cormac McCarthy, The Road
• Kim Williams, Dead Man Dance
• John Higgs, Lynchian: The Spell of David Lynch
• Asako Yuzuki, Butter
• Mieko Kawakami, Breasts and Eggs
• Sayaka Murata, Convenience Store Woman; Earthlings
• Emi Yagi, Diary of a Void
• Colum McCann, works
• Fiona McFarlane, Highway 13
• Guillaume Lecasble, Lobster 
• Lucie Rico, Fowl Eulogies
• Robin Robertson, The Long Take
• Jenni Fagan, The Delusions
• James Alistair Henry, Pagans
• Laurie Colwin, Shine On Bright and Dangerous Object
• Tracy Chevalier, Burning Bright 

~ CREDITS

• Presenter, Kate Evans
• Producer, Kate Evans and Sarah Corbett
• Sound, Roi Huberman and Tegan Nicholls
• Arts Editor, Rhiannon Brown