Tony Birch & Beejay Silcox review: Inga Simpson/Asako Yuzuki/Helen Bain

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 REVIEWEDInga Simpson, Once We Were Wildlife: Stories, HachetteSarah Walker, The Water Takes, Summit BooksAsako Yuzuki, Hooked, translated from the Japanese by Polly Barton, Fourth EstateHelen Bain, The Daffodil Days, BloomsburySally O’Reilly, Hagtale, Scribe~ 2026 Stella Prize shortlistEvelyn Araluen, The Rot, UQPGeraldine Brooks, Memorial Days, HachetteMiranda Darling, Fireweather, ScribeLee Lai, Cannon, GiramondoMarika Sosnowski, 58 Facets: On violence and the Law, Melbourne University Press  Tasma Walton, I am Nannertgarrook, Simon & SchusterNOTE: the winner will be announced on 13 May ~ OTHER BOOKS MENTIONEDIan McEwan, What We Can KnowCormac McCarthy, The RoadKim Scott, Dead Man DanceJohn Higgs, Lynchian: The Spell of David LynchAsako Yuzuki, ButterMieko Kawakami, Breasts and EggsSayaka Murata, Convenience Store Woman; EarthlingsEmi Yagi, Diary of a VoidColum McCann, worksFiona McFarlane, Highway 13Guillaume Lecasble, Lobster Lucie Rico, Fowl EulogiesRobin Robertson, The Long TakeJenni Fagan, The DelusionsJames Alistair Henry, PagansLaurie Colwin, Shine On Bright and Dangerous ObjectTracy Chevalier, Burning Bright ~ CREDITSPresenter, Kate EvansProducer, Kate Evans and Sarah CorbettSound, Roi Huberman and Tegan NichollsArts Editor, Rhiannon Brown