Our wise bookseller Agatha answers all your tricky questions. If you have a question for Agatha please email [email protected].

I’m obsessed with the podcast Serial and am so disappointed they’re taking a break this week. But (sigh) I’ve decided to turn this event into a positive and use the time to read something that will complement my listening of it. What would you suggest?

Buzzfeed recently published an article about why Janet Malcolm’s The Journalist and the Murderer is essential reading for Serial listeners and I must say, I agree. Malcolm’s book is a classic of true crime and takes a fascinating look at the ethics of journalism in these situations. It will surely have you questioning some of Sarah’s motives on Serial. You can read the full article here

If you’re more of a fiction reader, Patricia Highsmith’s classic tale, The Talented Mr.Ripley is a great pick. Tom Ripley is a slippery, ambiguous character and while, unlike Adnan or Jay, you know Ripley is guilty, the real trick of this book is that you remain sympathetic regardless. It’s a lot of fun and fast-paced so should served as a good distraction from your disappointment.

I really want a cat but one of my housemates is opposed to me buying one for the house. Luckily, the third housemate is still undecided. What is a book I can leave lying around the house to help bring him round to my side?

If your housemate loves beautiful objects around the house, then Beautiful Cats is your best option. As the title suggests, this is a book full of stunning feline specimens such as the Kurilian Bobtail, the Maine Coon and the Ragdoll. It’s also a gift book so won’t look suspicious sitting open on your coffee table. Parisian Cats is another gorgeous option and will convey to your housemate that not only are cats beautiful, but also sophisticated and cosmopolitan.

However, if your housemate is more likely to be swayed by a good story than a pretty picture have a look at Takashi Hiraide’s novel, The Guest Cat – a charming novel about a cat who brings joy to a couple’s life.

I want to try out an audiobook but don’t know where to start. Any recommendations?

Without knowing your particular reading taste it’s hard to know where to start… So here are some recommendations for different kinds of books.

For historical fiction try Eleanor Catton’s The Luminaries (an astrological mystery set in the goldfields of 1866 Hokitika) or Jessie Burton’s The Miniaturist (a debut release which will appeal to fans of Donna Tartt and Sarah Waters).

For contemporary fiction try Ian McEwan’s The Children Act (a High Court judge struggles to ‘do the right thing’, in her private and public lives) or Liane Moriarty’s Big Little Lies (the annual School Trivia Night ends in full-blown riot but why?).

For Australian fiction try Richard Flanagan’s The Narrow Road To The Deep North or Evie Wyld’s All the Birds, Singing – both of which won major prizes this year.

For biography try Stephen Fry’s More Fool Me (which looks at the comedian’s battle with addiction) or Tara Moss’s The Fictional Woman (Moss blends memoir and social analysis to examine the common fictions about women).

We’ll be publishing Agatha’s next column on Tuesday 9 December. All questions answered on our blog will be kept anonymous and questions will be chosen at Agatha’s discretion.