Join us when we welcome Rod Halsted to The Book Cow to talk about his memoir, Take My Advice, I’m Not Using It!, the laugh out loud story of a rollercoaster life from penthouse to the slammer, and how Rod finally found his way back to sanity. Rod will be joined in conversation by his long term friend Geoff Romero.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Rod Halsted has lived a life most wouldn't dare to imagine. In his memoir Take My Advice, I’m Not Using It! he takes you on a wild ride through addiction, crime, and redemption - all wrapped in the irreverent humour of a true Aussie larrikin. Compelling and unfiltered, Rod lays it all bare. From crashing cars (seventeen to be exact), dealing drugs and doing time, arrest records in four states and sharing a drink with Bob Hawke, trouble was never far from Rod.

Told with trademark Aussie no-nonsense honesty, Take My Advice, I’m Not Using It! is as much a confession as it is a celebration of resilience. Rod’s storytelling crackles with life - cheeky, gritty, and deeply human. Whether he’s outrunning the law or facing his demons, he never loses the spark that defines an Aussie battler.

With Australia's long-standing fascination for real stories of rebellion and atonement, Rod’s candid memoir is poised to strike a chord with readers hungry for truth and a fair bit of mischief. You’ll be holding your breath one moment and laughing out loud the next.

PRAISE FOR THE BOOK:

'Phew, I feel like I've been physically assaulted reading that book. But in a good way. It's a red hot read.' - Barrie Cassidy

'A wild country kid who hit the road to find himself and found crime instead ... He took crazy risks with deadly crooks and lived to see the funny side of a reckless life.' - Andrew Rule

ABOUT THE AUTHOR AND HIS GUEST:

Rod Halsted has lived a knockabout life. He's dealt in drugs, done time, worked in pubs, fossicked for nickel, managed a patisserie franchise and built a pressure washing business from scratch into a million dollar concern after getting sober 25 years ago. He lives in Albury NSW.

Geoff Romero and Rod Halsted grew up together in Albury, NSW. Geoff was a solicitor for the Crown prosecuting drug importers at the same time Rod was building his drug trafficking business. At one point Geoff represented Rod when he was busted for dealing in cannabis. They are now firm, life-long friends.