Our host, Fiona Taylor, had the absolute pleasure of chatting with author Alli Parker about her brilliant new novel, Until the Red Leaves Fall, our September Historical Fiction Book Box pick

Set in the velvet seats and backstage shadows of 1950s Melbourne theatre, it’s a story of secrets, betrayal, and resilience — with unforgettable characters like Emmy Darling, dancer Isadora Westlake, and the formidable actress and theatre owner Virginia van Belle.

Alli and I discussed the spark that inspired the book, the way her Japanese–Australian heritage influences her storytelling, the delicate balance between weaving history and character, and what it takes to build a voice that’s both lyrical and deeply moving. It was a rich and generous conversation, and I’m so excited to share it with you.

You can listen now on the Reading By Candlelight podcast or watch the full interview on YouTube🎙️📺

Have you read Until the Red Leaves Fall yet? We’d love to know what you thought on socials or in the Reading By Candlelight Book Club on Facebook!

'Reading by Candlelight' is a book subscription that celebrates up-and-coming Australian authors, delicious beverages, and incredible creations. Each month features a different novel paired with a handmade scented candle, a seed paper bookmark, a beverage (choice of alcoholic/nonalcoholic), a surprise, and an invitation to join the RBC Facebook Community.

I had the absolute pleasure of chatting with Mark Muptosa-Russell, author of The Wolf Who Called Boy, for the @readingby.candlelight Book Club.

Mark’s debut is a powerful, lyrical story that blends myth, memory, and the search for belonging. In our conversation, he shared the inspiration behind the book, how his own personal experience shaped the story, and what it means to write about identity, courage, and the ties that bind us.

It was such a thoughtful and moving discussion — one that reminded me why we love shining a light on fresh voices in fiction 🌟

A huge thank you to Mark for joining us, and to all of you who tuned in live. If you missed it, don’t worry — the replay is available now on YouTube and wherever you love to listen.

Have you read The Wolf Who Called Boy yet? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the Reading By Candlelight Facebook group or on Instagram.

'Reading by Candlelight' is a book subscription that celebrates up-and-coming Australian authors, delicious beverages, and incredible creations. Each month features a different novel paired with a handmade scented candle, a seed paper bookmark, a beverage (choice of alcoholic/nonalcoholic), a surprise, and an invitation to join the RBC Facebook Community.

What happens when a king tide washes up more than just seaweed? 🌊

Luke Johnson’s debut novel King Tide reveals the long-buried secrets of a small community…

This epiosde on the Reading By Candlelight Book Club, we dive into Luke’s writing journey, his inspirations, and what it feels like to finally see your debut novel on shelves.

🎧 Listen now or watch on YouTube.

📖 Have you read King Tide yet? Come chat with us in the RBC Facebook group!

'Reading by Candlelight' is a book subscription that celebrates up-and-coming Australian authors, delicious beverages, and incredible creations. Each month features a different novel paired with a handmade scented candle, a seed paper bookmark, a beverage (choice of alcoholic/nonalcoholic), a surprise, and an invitation to join the RBC Facebook Community.

📚 August Book Club – General Fiction

This month, I chat with author Jessica Seaborn (@seabornj) about her brilliantly titled second novel, Isn't It Nice We Both Hate The Same Things — a powerful, funny, and insightful look at adult friendships, fractured ties, and starting over in your thirties. As always, there are no spoilers as Jess talks about where the idea for the book began, her writing process (it is fascinating!), and which characters she loved writing the most.

📖 Have you read it yet? Join the conversation in the Reading By Candlelight Book Club on Facebook!

✨ Links in bio & stories
📦 RBC Book Boxes available now from @readingby.candlelight

#readingbycandlelight #bookclubaus #bookboxaustralia #writingcommunity #bookstagram

'Reading by Candlelight' is a book subscription that celebrates up-and-coming Australian authors, delicious beverages, and incredible creations. Each month features a different novel paired with a handmade scented candle, a seed paper bookmark, a beverage (choice of alcoholic/nonalcoholic), a surprise, and an invitation to join the RBC Facebook Community.

Our host Fiona Taylor chats with debut author Emma Babbington about her twisty thriller "The Neighbours" in this SPOILER-FREE episode.

𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗡𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀 is a sharp, fresh spin on the domestic thriller. 𝘠𝘰𝘶’𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘮𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘤𝘦𝘳𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘥𝘢𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯’𝘵 𝘬𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘳… 𝘣𝘶𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘧 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘥?

That’s the unsettling dilemma facing Liv Elliot when her odious neighbour, Dr Richard Wellington — morning TV regular and surgeon to the rich and famous — is found dead in the park at the exact time her daughter was there. Neighbourly tensions make for perfect suspense, and this one delivers with unexpected twists and turns that will keep you guessing until the end.

📖 Have you read it yet? Join the conversation in the 𝑅𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝐵𝑦 𝐶𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑙𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 Book Club on Facebook!

'Reading by Candlelight' is a book subscription that celebrates up-and-coming Australian authors, delicious beverages, and incredible creations. Each month features a different novel paired with a handmade scented candle, a seed paper bookmark, a beverage (choice of alcoholic/nonalcoholic), a surprise, and an invitation to join the RBC Facebook Community.

You won’t want to miss this! Our host Fiona Taylor chats with debut author Holly Brunnbauer (@holly) about her delightful rom-com #WhatDidIMiss in this SPOILER-FREE episode.

𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘋𝘪𝘥 𝘐 𝘔𝘪𝘴𝘴? is a fresh and feisty rom-com about Makayla - newly divorced, nearly 30, and on a mission to make up for everything she missed in her twenties. The book starts with a bang (literally wink) and takes us on a wild ride as Makayla figures out what she really wants from life, love, and a certain very handsome relief teacher.

📖 Have you read it yet? Join the conversation in the 𝑅𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝐵𝑦 𝐶𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑙𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 Book Club on Facebook!

'Reading by Candlelight' is a book subscription that celebrates up-and-coming Australian authors, delicious beverages, and incredible creations. Each month features a different novel paired with a handmade scented candle, a seed paper bookmark, a beverage (choice of alcoholic/nonalcoholic), a surprise, and an invitation to join the RBC Facebook Community.

Join our host Fiona Taylor as she chats with author Madeleine Cleary about her debut historical novel The Butterfly Women in this SPOILER-FREE episode.

The Butterfly Women is Madeleine’s first novel and was published in April 2025 with Affirm Press. Rich in story, dark in tone and meticulously researched, this is a story that is at its heart about women’s friendships as much as being a historical murder thriller. I loved the descriptions of Melbourne in 1863, especially Little Lon, and the hunt for the killer, but most of all I loved the women themselves, fighting to survive and thrive in what was essentially a man’s world.

📖 Have you read it yet? Join the conversation in the 𝑅𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝐵𝑦 𝐶𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑙𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 Book Club on Facebook!

'Reading by Candlelight' is a book subscription that celebrates up-and-coming Australian authors, delicious beverages, and incredible creations. Each month features a different novel paired with a handmade scented candle, a seed paper bookmark, a beverage (choice of alcoholic/nonalcoholic), a surprise, and an invitation to join the RBC Facebook Community.

Our host Fiona Taylor is chatting with author Angie Faye Martin about her stunning debut crime novel Melaleuca, in this SPOILER-FREE episode.

𝘔𝘌𝘓𝘈𝘓𝘌𝘜𝘊𝘈 - Police Detective Renee Taylor returns to her small town roots only to be thrust into a murder investigation that uncovers more than she expects when it links to a past case. As Renee delves deeper into the past, the mystery grows, spotlighting intergenerational cruelty, corruption, and racism as the dark truth of the town and the past are uncovered.

📖 Have you read it yet? Join the conversation in the 𝑅𝑒𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝐵𝑦 𝐶𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑙𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 Book Club on Facebook!

📦 RBC Book Boxes are available now from @readingby.candlelight

'Reading by Candlelight' is a book subscription that celebrates up-and-coming Australian authors, delicious beverages, and incredible creations. Each month features a different novel paired with a handmade scented candle, a seed paper bookmark, a beverage (choice of alcoholic/nonalcoholic), a surprise, and an invitation to join the RBC Facebook Community.