https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/a-pair-of-bookends--5502951@apairofbookendspod on Instagram and @apairofbookends on Twitter and TIk Tok.]]>enBooksHannah MacDonaldhttps://d3wo5wojvuv7l.cloudfront.net/t_rss_itunes_square_1400/images.spreaker.com/original/742bdbf32690e02618772b070512dfe2.jpghttps://www.spreaker.com/podcast/a-pair-of-bookends--5502951Thu, 16 Jul 2026 18:53:50 +0000Hannah MacDonaldHannah MacDonaldapairofbookendspod@gmail.comA weekly bookish podcast hosted by Hannah MacDonald. Join us for monthly Book Club episodes - read the book at your own pace and then listen to us deep dive with the author! Our Debut Spotlight series is to put the freshest authors and their work...@apairofbookendspod on Instagram and @apairofbookends on Twitter and TIk Tok.]]>trueepisodichttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/angela-flournoy-author-of-the-wilderness-on-female-friendship-new-york-giving-back--73017679here (UK) & here (US). UK listeners you can pre-order The Turner House here. 
In this episode Hannah & Angela discuss the intimacies of female friendship, the differences between New York & L.A, the US' Class system, what Angela's DJ requests are + much more!
f you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Angela & her work via angelaflournoy.com & Instagram

Books & other mentions in this episode:
Freedom: Essays by Zinzi Clemmons
What We Lose by Zinzi Clemmons
Upcoming UK events:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/in-conversation-angela-flournoy-with-sarah-gwonyoma-tickets-1986424874272
https://ma.to/event/angela-flournoy-round-table-books-18-aug-2026
https://www.edbookfest.co.uk/events/angela-flournoy-agnes-lidbeck-love-and-politics
Pool House by Mary H.K. Choi

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/73017679Thu, 16 Jul 2026 23:55:02 +0000Hannah MacDonaldFor today's episode Hannah was joined by Angela Flournoy to discuss her latest novel The Wilderness which you can buy https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9780857309525 &...here (UK) & here (US). UK listeners you can pre-order The Turner House here. 
In this episode Hannah & Angela discuss the intimacies of female friendship, the differences between New York & L.A, the US' Class system, what Angela's DJ requests are + much more!
f you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Angela & her work via angelaflournoy.com & Instagram

Books & other mentions in this episode:
Freedom: Essays by Zinzi Clemmons
What We Lose by Zinzi Clemmons
Upcoming UK events:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/in-conversation-angela-flournoy-with-sarah-gwonyoma-tickets-1986424874272
https://ma.to/event/angela-flournoy-round-table-books-18-aug-2026
https://www.edbookfest.co.uk/events/angela-flournoy-agnes-lidbeck-love-and-politics
Pool House by Mary H.K. Choi

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>2635americanauthor,angelaflournoy,assisteddying,blackwriters,bookrecommendations,femalefriendship,fiction,grief,knicks,memoir,music,newyork,siblingdynamics,theturnerhouse,thewilderness,writingfalse115fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/rosie-walsh-author-of-the-one-day-you-were-my-husband-on-thailand-writing-twists-a-great-grief-memoir--72869475here (UK) & here (US).
In this episode Rosie discusses the places she's travelled to for writing including Thailand & Stockholm for this novel, they talk about complex families, a couple of brilliant books about grief & loss, writing big twists, research into the medical world and much more!
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Rosie via Instagram

Books & other mentions in this episode:
An Ocean and A Day by Hannah Richell
This Wasn't Meant To Happen by Ali Harris
Grey's Anatomy
The Pitt
Finding Grace by Loretta Rothschild
The Things You'll Never Know by Ashley Audrain
The Push by Ashley Audrain
The Man Who Didn't Call by Rosie Walsh
The Love of My Life by Rosie Walsh

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72869475Wed, 08 Jul 2026 14:39:13 +0000Hannah MacDonaldFor today's episode Hannah was joined by bestselling author Rosie Walsh to discuss her latest novel The One Day You Were My Husband which you can buy https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9781035076741 &...here (UK) & here (US).
In this episode Rosie discusses the places she's travelled to for writing including Thailand & Stockholm for this novel, they talk about complex families, a couple of brilliant books about grief & loss, writing big twists, research into the medical world and much more!
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Rosie via Instagram

Books & other mentions in this episode:
An Ocean and A Day by Hannah Richell
This Wasn't Meant To Happen by Ali Harris
Grey's Anatomy
The Pitt
Finding Grace by Loretta Rothschild
The Things You'll Never Know by Ashley Audrain
The Push by Ashley Audrain
The Man Who Didn't Call by Rosie Walsh
The Love of My Life by Rosie Walsh

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>2273aliharris,ashleyaudrain,bigtwist,bookrecommendations,books,crime,findinggrace,greysanatomy,grief,hannahrichell,lorettarothschild,medical,nicu,reading,rosiewalsh,stockholm,thailand,theonedayyouweremyhusband,thrillers,whirlwindromancefalse114fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/june-book-club-with-anna-goldreich-queer-utopia-baby-loss-the-healing-power-of-nature--72757596here, 
In this episode they discuss exploring baby loss through the lens of a Queer relationship, the healing power of animals and nature, mental health, what a Queer Utopia would look like to Anna and much more. 
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Anna via Instagram.
Follow Queer Birders Norfolk.

Books & other mentions in this episode:
A Pizza Hut, a Pizza Hut, Kentucky Fried Chicken and a Pizza Hut by Hannah Levene
Folklore, Myths & Legends of Britain by Reader's Digest
Mary and The Rabbit Dream by Noemi Kiss-Deaki
Fen by Daisy Johnson
A Girl is a Half-formed Thing by Eimear McBride
Beloved by Toni Morrison
Ducks, Newburyport by Lucy Ellmann
The Book Review - Podcast by New York Times
Angel Down by Daniel Kraus
Curious Readers - Podcast
The Book of Birds: A Field Guide to Wonder and Loss by Jackie Morris & Robert Macfarlane
The Lost Words by Robert Macfarlane & Jackie Morris
Small Hours by Bobby Palmer

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72757596Wed, 01 Jul 2026 00:00:02 +0000Hannah MacDonaldFor our June Book Club episode Hannah was joined by Anna Goldreich to discuss her debut novel The Leveret which is out now and you can find your copy https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9780241782040,  In this episode they discuss exploring baby loss...here, 
In this episode they discuss exploring baby loss through the lens of a Queer relationship, the healing power of animals and nature, mental health, what a Queer Utopia would look like to Anna and much more. 
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Anna via Instagram.
Follow Queer Birders Norfolk.

Books & other mentions in this episode:
A Pizza Hut, a Pizza Hut, Kentucky Fried Chicken and a Pizza Hut by Hannah Levene
Folklore, Myths & Legends of Britain by Reader's Digest
Mary and The Rabbit Dream by Noemi Kiss-Deaki
Fen by Daisy Johnson
A Girl is a Half-formed Thing by Eimear McBride
Beloved by Toni Morrison
Ducks, Newburyport by Lucy Ellmann
The Book Review - Podcast by New York Times
Angel Down by Daniel Kraus
Curious Readers - Podcast
The Book of Birds: A Field Guide to Wonder and Loss by Jackie Morris & Robert Macfarlane
The Lost Words by Robert Macfarlane & Jackie Morris
Small Hours by Bobby Palmer

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>3016animals,annagoldreich,babyloss,books,cats,debutauthor,debutnovel,familydynamics,grief,lgbtqia,nature,queerfamilies,queerparenting,theleveret,writingfalse113fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/kathleen-macmahon-author-of-other-people-s-lives-on-lily-king-marriage-grief--72656053If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Kathleen via Instagram & you can order Other People's Lives here.

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
The Left and The Lucky by Willy Vlautin
Don't Skip Out On Me by Willy Vlautin
Heart The Lover by Lily King
Five Tuesdays in Winter by Lily King
Euphoria by Lily King
My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante
Once (2007)
Sing Street (2016)
Power Ballad (2026)
A Star is Born (2018)
Also by Kathleen: Nothing But Blue Sky, The Home Scar,This Is How It Ends & The Long, Hot Summer

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72656053Wed, 24 Jun 2026 00:00:03 +0000Hannah MacDonaldFor today's episode Hannah spoke to Kathleen MacMahon about her latest novel Other People's Lives. In this episode they discuss their love for the work of Lily King, how Irish people 'go at things sideways', generational differences and much more.  If...If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Kathleen via Instagram & you can order Other People's Lives here.

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
The Left and The Lucky by Willy Vlautin
Don't Skip Out On Me by Willy Vlautin
Heart The Lover by Lily King
Five Tuesdays in Winter by Lily King
Euphoria by Lily King
My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante
Once (2007)
Sing Street (2016)
Power Ballad (2026)
A Star is Born (2018)
Also by Kathleen: Nothing But Blue Sky, The Home Scar,This Is How It Ends & The Long, Hot Summer

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>3023adultchildren,astarisborn,bookrecommendations,books,fiction,grief,irishauthor,irishnovel,kathleenmacmahon,lilyking,marriage,music,once,powerballad,singstreet,willyvlautin,writingfalse112fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/books-to-screen-margo-s-got-money-troubles-with-amanda-moulson-curious-readers--72560983If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can listen to Curious Readers here.
Follow Amanda via Instagram
Follow Curious Readers via Instagram 

Mentions in this episode: 
Margo's Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe
Margo's Got Money Troubles (2026)
Pride & Prejudice (2005)
Emma (1996)
Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton
Rivals
Rivals by Jilly Cooper
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
Rejection by Tony Tulathimutte
A Prayer For Owen Meany by John Irving
Simon Birch (1998)
Conversations with Friends (2022)
Normal People (2020)
Euphoria
Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed (2026)
https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/euphoria-margo-webcam-sex-work-tv-newest-career-fixation-1236767353/
Bad Sisters (2022)
Lost Lambs by Madeline Cash

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!

]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72560983Fri, 19 Jun 2026 00:00:02 +0000Hannah MacDonaldFor the latest instalment in our Books to Screen series, Hannah was joined by Amanda Moulson, co-host of the wonderful Curious Readers podcast to discuss the brilliant adaptation of Margo's Got Money Troubles. In this episode they discuss the recent...If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can listen to Curious Readers here.
Follow Amanda via Instagram
Follow Curious Readers via Instagram 

Mentions in this episode: 
Margo's Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe
Margo's Got Money Troubles (2026)
Pride & Prejudice (2005)
Emma (1996)
Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton
Rivals
Rivals by Jilly Cooper
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
Rejection by Tony Tulathimutte
A Prayer For Owen Meany by John Irving
Simon Birch (1998)
Conversations with Friends (2022)
Normal People (2020)
Euphoria
Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed (2026)3750adaptation,amandamoulson,america,badsisters,bookstoscreen,curiousreaderspodcast,demoncopperhead,ellefanning,euphoria,lostlambs,margosgotmoneytroubles,michellepfeiffer,motherhood,nickofferman,onlyfans,prideandprejudice,rivals,rufithorpe,sexwork,tvfalse111fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/imogen-crimp-author-of-give-me-everything-you-ve-got-on-second-novel-syndrome-dorris-lessing-gothic-settings--72550395PSA: There were some technical difficulties in this episode but we have tried to edit those out where possible. 
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
Buy Imogen's books: 
A Very Nice Girl & Give Me Everything You've Got

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
A Quiet Place by Seicho Matsumoto
In Gratitude by Jenny Diski
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
The Turn of The Screw by Henry James
Romería (2025)


Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72550395Wed, 17 Jun 2026 00:00:03 +0000Hannah MacDonaldFor this week's episode we have returning guest of the podcast, Imogen Crimp! In this episode Hannah and Imogen discuss second novel syndrome, exploring the world of filmmaking, writing gothic settings, the influence of Dorris Lessing on this story,...PSA: There were some technical difficulties in this episode but we have tried to edit those out where possible. 
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
Buy Imogen's books: 
A Very Nice Girl & Give Me Everything You've Got

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
A Quiet Place by Seicho Matsumoto
In Gratitude by Jenny Diski
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
The Turn of The Screw by Henry James
Romería (2025)


Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>2693author,bookrecommendations,books,contemporaryfiction,debutnovel,dorrislessing,filmmaking,imogencrimp,janeeyre,japanesefiction,powerdynamics,romeria,secondnovelsyndrome,turnofthescrew,writingfalse1030fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s7-debut-spotlight-10-natalie-adler-the-aids-crisis-queer-community-ghosts--72443311here (US) and here (UK).
In this episode they discuss the AIDS crisis, the research that helped Natalie to explore this subject, how relevant it still is and how dangerous medical misinformation can be. They also dive into the beautiful friendships of this book and the importance of Community, especially for Queer people. Aswell as this they talk about the work its taken to get to publication, how she immersed herself in 80s New York and of course, a ton of book recommendations for you. 
Apologies for the change in audio quality halfway through (for Hannah), laptop/mic/port issues, very boring but apologies all the same!
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Natalie via Instagram & natalie-adler.com

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
New Skin by Sarah Wang
Let The Record Show by Sarah Schulman
The Undying by Anne Boyer
https://lithub.com/why-does-sickness-feel-so-isolating-when-everyone-is-sick/
Russian Doll (2019)
Natalie Adler- Waiting On A Friend Research
People in Trouble by Sarah Schulman
Rat Bohemia by Sarah Schulman
Life and Death on the New York Dance Floor, 1980–1983 by Tim Lawrence
Fear City: New York's Fiscal Crisis and the Rise of Austerity Politics by Kim Phillips-Fein
Waiting on a Friend: The Playlist
YouTube- 5ninthavenueproject
Voyagers by Meg Charlton
The Red Sacrament by Sara Hinkley

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72443311Wed, 10 Jun 2026 00:00:02 +0000Hannah MacDonaldFor the final episode in season 7 of our Debut Spotlight series, Hannah was joined by author & editor Natalie Adler to discuss her debut novel Waiting On A Friend, which you can buy...here (US) and here (UK).
In this episode they discuss the AIDS crisis, the research that helped Natalie to explore this subject, how relevant it still is and how dangerous medical misinformation can be. They also dive into the beautiful friendships of this book and the importance of Community, especially for Queer people. Aswell as this they talk about the work its taken to get to publication, how she immersed herself in 80s New York and of course, a ton of book recommendations for you. 
Apologies for the change in audio quality halfway through (for Hannah), laptop/mic/port issues, very boring but apologies all the same!
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Natalie via Instagram & natalie-adler.com

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
New Skin by Sarah Wang
Let The Record Show by Sarah Schulman
The Undying by Anne Boyer
https://lithub.com/why-does-sickness-feel-so-isolating-when-everyone-is-sick/
Russian Doll (2019)
Natalie Adler- Waiting On A Friend Research
People in Trouble by Sarah Schulman
Rat Bohemia by Sarah Schulman
Life and Death on the New York Dance Floor, 1980–1983 by Tim Lawrence
Fear City: New York's Fiscal Crisis and the Rise of Austerity Politics by Kim Phillips-Fein
Waiting on a Friend: The Playlist
YouTube-...]]>347880s,aidscrisis,americanwriter,bookrecommendations,debutauthor,debutnovel,lgbtqia,music,natalieadler,newyork,queercommunity,queerfriendship,russiandoll,waitingforafriend,writingfalse1029fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/sarah-gilmartin-author-of-little-vanities-on-betrayal-actors-explosive-scenes--72302054here.
In this episode they discuss how Harold Pinter's Betrayal influenced this novel, why betrayal and desire are such great themes for writers to explore, long covid and illness, some great books by Irish authors & much more!
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Sarah via LinkedIn or via her books: 
Dinner Party by Sarah Gilmartin
Service by Sarah Gilmartin

Other mentions in this episode:
The Woman in the Water by Henrietta McKervey
Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier
Home Economics: A Memoir by Caitríona Lally
Eggshells by Caitríona Lally 
Wunderland by Caitríona Lally
Betrayal by Harold Pinter
Old Times by Harold Pinter
The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton
The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
Smile by Roddy Doyle
The Sopranos (1999)
Rituals by Danielle McLaughlin

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72302054Wed, 03 Jun 2026 00:00:03 +0000Hannah MacDonaldFor today's episode Hannah was joined by returning guest of the pod Sarah Gilmartin to discuss her latest novel Little Vanities which you can buy https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9781805338031. In this episode they discuss how Harold Pinter's Betrayal...here.
In this episode they discuss how Harold Pinter's Betrayal influenced this novel, why betrayal and desire are such great themes for writers to explore, long covid and illness, some great books by Irish authors & much more!
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Sarah via LinkedIn or via her books: 
Dinner Party by Sarah Gilmartin
Service by Sarah Gilmartin

Other mentions in this episode:
The Woman in the Water by Henrietta McKervey
Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier
Home Economics: A Memoir by Caitríona Lally
Eggshells by Caitríona Lally 
Wunderland by Caitríona Lally
Betrayal by Harold Pinter
Old Times by Harold Pinter
The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton
The Marriage Plot by Jeffrey Eugenides
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
Smile by Roddy Doyle
The Sopranos (1999)
Rituals by Danielle McLaughlin

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>2503actors,affairs,annakarenina,betrayal,bookrecommendations,caitrionalally,daniellemclaughlin,haroldpinter,henriettamckervey,irishauthor,irishnovel,jeffreyeugenides,littlevanities,longcovid,roddydoyle,sarahgilmartin,theageofinnocence,thesopranos,writingfalse1028fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/may-book-club-with-cecile-pin-space-ambition-sacrifice--72174375here (UK) and here (US).
In this episode they discuss Space and the amount of research that went into this novel, Ambition & Sacrifice, picking sides with your characters plus lots of recs including new books, classics, documentaries & more!
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Cecile via Instagram 
You can buy her previous novel Wandering Souls here.

Books & other mentions in this episode:
The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov
Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates
Revolutionary Road (2008)
Free Solo (2018)
The Fabelmans (2022)
The Odyssey (Emily Wilson translation)
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
The Future of Humanity by Michio Kaku
Past Lives (2023)
Middlemarch by George Eliot
Les Miserables by Victor Hugo
The Devoted by Catherine Cho
Lost in the Jungle (2025)
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro
The Employees by Olga Ravn
The Memory Police by Yoko Ogawa
Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel
To The Moon and Back by Eliana Ramage

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72174375Wed, 27 May 2026 00:00:02 +0000Hannah MacDonaldFor our May Book Club episode, Hannah was joined by author Cecile Pin to discuss her latest novel Celestial Lights which is out now and you can buy https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9780008706395 and...here (UK) and here (US).
In this episode they discuss Space and the amount of research that went into this novel, Ambition & Sacrifice, picking sides with your characters plus lots of recs including new books, classics, documentaries & more!
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Cecile via Instagram 
You can buy her previous novel Wandering Souls here.

Books & other mentions in this episode:
The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov
Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates
Revolutionary Road (2008)
Free Solo (2018)
The Fabelmans (2022)
The Odyssey (Emily Wilson translation)
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
The Future of Humanity by Michio Kaku
Past Lives (2023)
Middlemarch by George Eliot
Les Miserables by Victor Hugo
The Devoted by Catherine Cho
Lost in the Jungle (2025)
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro
The Employees by Olga...]]>2365ambition,artemismission,books,cecilepin,celestiallights,elianaramage,emilystjohnmandel,freesolo,lostinthejungle,masterandmargarita,projecthailmary,researchprocess,revolutionaryroad,space,thememorypolice,theodyssey,wanderingsouls,womensprize,writer,writingfalse1027fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s7-debut-spotlight-9-brooke-averick-anxiety-crushes-turning-thirty--72060049here (UK) and here (US).
In this episode they discuss anxiety, therapy, platonic love, niche crushes, romance & romantasy novels and more. 
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Brooke via Instagram, Tik Tok & you can listen to Brooke and Connor Make A Podcast here.

Books & other mentions in this episode:
Heated Rivalry
House of Sky and Breath (Crescent City #2) by Sarah J.Maas
House of Flame and Shadow (Crescent City #3) by Sarah J.Maas
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J.Maas
Throne of Glass by Sarah J.Maas
Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren
The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
Book Lovers by Emily Henry
The Office: Superfan Episodes

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/72060049Wed, 20 May 2026 00:00:03 +0000Hannah MacDonaldFor the latest instalment in our Debut Spotlight series, Hannah was joined by author, podcaster & comedy and lifestyle creator Brooke Averick to discuss her debut novel Phoebe Berman's Gonna Lose It which you can buy...here (UK) and here (US).
In this episode they discuss anxiety, therapy, platonic love, niche crushes, romance & romantasy novels and more. 
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Brooke via Instagram, Tik Tok & you can listen to Brooke and Connor Make A Podcast here.

Books & other mentions in this episode:
Heated Rivalry
House of Sky and Breath (Crescent City #2) by Sarah J.Maas
House of Flame and Shadow (Crescent City #3) by Sarah J.Maas
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J.Maas
Throne of Glass by Sarah J.Maas
Love and Other Words by Christina Lauren
The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
Book Lovers by Emily Henry
The Office: Superfan Episodes

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>1706acotar,anxiety,books,brookeandconnormakeapodcast,brookeaverick,christinalauren,crescentcity,crushes,debutauthor,johntravolta,ladyefron,lovehypothesis,obsessedwithbrookeaverick,phoebebermansgonnaloseit,podcaster,romance,romantasy,theoffice,turningthirty,twilightfalse1026fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s7-debut-spotlight-8-charlotte-paradise-chronic-illness-sex-hierarchies-film-recs--71977849If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Charlotte via Instagram or Tik Tok.
You can buy Overspill here
You can watch Chronic here

Books & other mentions in this episode:
Strange Girls by Sarvat Hasin
bookbaruk.com
Dying For Sex (2025)
Before Sunrise (1995)
The Outrun (2024)
Sorry, Baby (2025)
How to Have Sex (2023)
If I Had Legs I'd Kick You (2025)

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/71977849Wed, 13 May 2026 00:00:02 +0000Hannah MacDonaldFor the latest instalment in our Debut Spotlight series Hannah was joined by author Charlotte Paradise to discuss her novel Overspill (spoiler free!) In this episode they discuss why chronic illness/chronic pain will always appear in Charlotte's work,...If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Charlotte via Instagram or Tik Tok.
You can buy Overspill here
You can watch Chronic here

Books & other mentions in this episode:
Strange Girls by Sarvat Hasin
bookbaruk.com
Dying For Sex (2025)
Before Sunrise (1995)
The Outrun (2024)
Sorry, Baby (2025)
How to Have Sex (2023)
If I Had Legs I'd Kick You (2025)

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>2517beforesunrise,bookbar,books,charlotteparadise,chronicillness,chronicpain,debutauthor,debutnovel,disability,dyingforsex,filmrecommendations,howtohavesex,ifihadlegsidkickyou,overspill,sarvathasin,sex,sorrybaby,theoutrun,trauma,writingfalse1025fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s7-debut-spotlight-7-eden-mckenzie-goddard-windrush-scandal-music-bajan-culture--71877366If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Eden via Instagram or via emgoddard.net
Buy Smallie here.
Sign the Windrush legal aid petition here.

Books & other mentions in this episode:
Don't Alert The Stans podcast
Minor Black Figures by Brandon Taylor
Wild Seed by Octavia E. Butler
Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler
Afrori Books
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin
rum.gold
Elmiene
Kindred by Octavia E. Butler
The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy
Small Island by Andrea Levy
Every Light in the House Burnin' by Andrea Levy

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/71877366Wed, 06 May 2026 00:00:02 +0000Hannah MacDonaldFor the latest instalment in our Debut Spotlight series, Hannah was joined by author Eden McKenzie-Goddard to discuss his debut novel Smallie. In this episode they delve into the Windrush scandal, how the Windrush generation were mistreated, the...If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Eden via Instagram or via emgoddard.net
Buy Smallie here.
Sign the Windrush legal aid petition here.

Books & other mentions in this episode:
Don't Alert The Stans podcast
Minor Black Figures by Brandon Taylor
Wild Seed by Octavia E. Butler
Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler
Afrori Books
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin
rum.gold
Elmiene
Kindred by Octavia E. Butler
The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy
Small Island by Andrea Levy
Every Light in the House Burnin' by Andrea Levy

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>3300afroribooks,bajan,barbados,books,brandontaylor,dontalertthestans,edenmckenziegoddard,elmiene,immigrants,immigration,jamaica,music,octaviaebutler,oliviadean,rumgold,smallie,smallisland,tonimorrison,windrush,windrushscandalfalse1024fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/books-to-screen-heated-rivalry-with-hannah-beer--71841920In this episode we discuss all things from the incredible sex scenes to the parent/child relationships & their impact on each character, Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie as the perfect castings, how the book and TV adaptation are in conversation plus so much more. 
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Hannah via Instagram, read her Substack here.
Buy I Make My Own Fun here (UK) and here (US)

Books & other mentions in this episode:
The Talented Mr.Ripley (1999)
Little Women (1994)
The Other Bennet Sister (BBC Iplayer)
Romeo & Juliet (1996)
The Wedding People by Alison Espach
Enough Said (2013)
Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
Boy Parts- Play
Wuthering Heights (2026)
Tell Me Lies (Disney +/Hulu)
Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid
Game Changer by Rachel Reid
Heated Rivalry (Crave/HBO Max/Sky)
Spare Parts Podcast- Jacob Tierney Episode
Tonsil Hockey Podcast
https://www.elle.com/culture/movies-tv/a69638125/heated-rivalry-sex-scenes-intimacy-coordinator-interview/
Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019)
It's A Sin (Channel4)
Yellowjackets
The Long Game by Rachel Reid
I'll Believe in Anything- The Making of Heated Rivalry by Jacob Tierney

See you back at the cottage for season 2!
Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/71841920Mon, 04 May 2026 03:50:02 +0000Hannah MacDonaldHappy Bank Hol! For a bonus bank holiday treat, I'm giving you this week's Books to Screen episode early. For this instalment, I was joined by the iconic author Hannah Beer to discuss and dissect all things Heated Rivalry and boy are we obsessed... ...In this episode we discuss all things from the incredible sex scenes to the parent/child relationships & their impact on each character, Hudson Williams and Connor Storrie as the perfect castings, how the book and TV adaptation are in conversation plus so much more. 
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Hannah via Instagram, read her Substack here.
Buy I Make My Own Fun here (UK) and here (US)

Books & other mentions in this episode:
The Talented Mr.Ripley (1999)
Little Women (1994)
The Other Bennet Sister (BBC Iplayer)
Romeo & Juliet (1996)
The Wedding People by Alison Espach
Enough Said (2013)
Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
Boy Parts- Play
Wuthering Heights (2026)
Tell Me Lies (Disney +/Hulu)
Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid
5139allthethingsshesaid,booktok,connorstorrie,crave,françoisarnaud,gamechangers,gayromance,hannahbeer,heatedrivalry,hockeyromance,hudsonwilliams,ilyarozanov,jacobtierney,kipgrady,rachelreid,roselandry,scotthunter,shanehollander,sparepartspodcast,thecottagefalse1023fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/children-s-booker-prize-2027-afrori-books-support-indie-bookshops--71755822Listen in full here.

Full details on Children's Booker Prize 2027: thebookerprizes.com/the-childrens-booker-prize
Support Afrori Books: afroribooks.co.uk

You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Emma Hinds via Instagram

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/71755822Thu, 30 Apr 2026 04:00:03 +0000Hannah MacDonaldThis is a free preview of a paid episode: https://www.patreon.com/posts/april-patreon-by-156921075?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link Full details on Children's Booker Prize...Listen in full here.

Full details on Children's Booker Prize 2027: thebookerprizes.com/the-childrens-booker-prize
Support Afrori Books: afroribooks.co.uk

You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Emma Hinds via Instagram

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>1020afroribooks,bookerprize,books,emmahinds,natreeve,supportindiebookshops,writingfalse1022fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s7-debut-spotlight-6-rosie-storey-dating-apps-messy-characters-loss--71717504If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Rosie via Instagram
You can buy Dandelion is Dead here (UK) & here (US)

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
Heart the Lover by Lily King
Writers & Lovers by Lily King
Black Bag by Luke Kennard
Motherfaker by Anna Brook-Mitchell
No One Belongs Here More Than You: Stories by Miranda July
All Fours by Miranda July
"Roy Spivey" by Miranda July
https://www.newyorker.com/podcast/the-writers-voice/david-sedaris-reads-roy-spivey-by-miranda-july
The Book of Other People- Edited by Zadie Smith

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/71717504Wed, 29 Apr 2026 00:00:03 +0000Hannah MacDonaldFor the latest episode in our Debut Spotlight series, Hannah was joined by author Rosie Storey to discuss her debut novel Dandelion is Dead (spoiler free!). In this episode they discuss loss, the sister dynamic, continuing to write in the face of...If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Rosie via Instagram
You can buy Dandelion is Dead here (UK) & here (US)

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
Heart the Lover by Lily King
Writers & Lovers by Lily King
Black Bag by Luke Kennard
Motherfaker by Anna Brook-Mitchell
No One Belongs Here More Than You: Stories by Miranda July
All Fours by Miranda July
"Roy Spivey" by Miranda July
https://www.newyorker.com/podcast/the-writers-voice/david-sedaris-reads-roy-spivey-by-miranda-july
The Book of Other People- Edited by Zadie Smith

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>2659annabrookmitchell,books,dandelionisdead,dating,davidsedaris,debutauthor,debutnovel,grief,hinge,lilyking,literaryfiction,loss,mirandajuly,newyorker,rosiestorey,shortstories,sisters,writers,writing,zadiesmithfalse1021fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/books-to-screen-shy-by-max-porter-steve-netflix-with-katherine-brabon--71594566If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Katherine via Instagram or via katherinebrabon.com
You can buy her novel Body Friend here (UK)
You can buy her latest novel Cure here (UK) or here (AUS)

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
Shy by Max Porter
Steve (2025)
Burning (2018)
Barn Burning by Haruki Murakami
Romeo & Juliet (1996)
My Brilliant Friend (2018)
My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante
The New Boy (2023)
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
Our Secret History Episode
Hot Milk by Deborah Levy
Hot Milk (2025)
The Quiet Girl (2022)
Foster by Claire Keegan
Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
Small Things Like These (2024)
Ripley (2024)
The Talented Mr Ripley by Patricia Highsmith
Love & Virtue by Diana Reid
Sense and Sensibility (2026)
The Odyssey (2026)
Frankenstein (2025)
Mary Shelley (2017)
Simple Passion by Annie Ernaux
Simple Passion (2020)
The Death of Francis Bacon by Max Porter
All of This Unreal Time (2021)
All of This Unreal Time by Max Porter
My Husband by Maud Ventura

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/71594566Fri, 24 Apr 2026 00:00:02 +0000Hannah MacDonaldFor the latest instalment in our Books to Screen series, Hannah was joined by Australian author Katherine Brabon to discuss Shy by Max Porter and it's Netflix film adaptation Steve. In this episode they discuss perspective and the use of it in...If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Katherine via Instagram or via katherinebrabon.com
You can buy her novel Body Friend here (UK)
You can buy her latest novel Cure here (UK) or here (AUS)

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
Shy by Max Porter
Steve (2025)
Burning (2018)
Barn Burning by Haruki Murakami
Romeo & Juliet (1996)
My Brilliant Friend (2018)
My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante
The New Boy (2023)
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
Our Secret History Episode
Hot Milk by Deborah Levy
3546australianauthor,books,bookstoscreen,cillianmurphy,clairekeegan,dianareid,emilywatson,filmadaptation,jaylycurgo,katherinebrabon,littlesimz,maryshelley,maxporter,murakami,mybrilliantfriend,netflix,shy,smallthingslikethese,steve,timmielantsfalse1020fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/april-book-club-with-beth-o-leary-community-fave-romance-writers-name-twins--71525601If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Beth via Instagram & TikTok. 
You can buy The Name Game here (UK) & here (US)

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
In Love with Love by Ella Risbridger
The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary
The Flatshare (2022)
Dolly All The Time by Annabel Monaghan
Lia Louis

Sweet Heat by Bolu Babalola
Honey & Spice by Bolu Babalola
Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune
Taffy Brodesser-Akner
One & Only by Maurene Goo
Swept Away by Beth O'Leary
The Switch by Beth O'Leary


Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/71525601Wed, 22 Apr 2026 00:00:04 +0000Hannah MacDonaldFor our April Book Club episode Hannah was joined by multi-million copy bestselling author Beth O'Leary to discuss her latest novel The Name Game. In this episode, Hannah and Beth discuss the importance of community, exploring addiction & anxiety...If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Beth via Instagram & TikTok. 
You can buy The Name Game here (UK) & here (US)

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
In Love with Love by Ella Risbridger
The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary
The Flatshare (2022)
Dolly All The Time by Annabel Monaghan
Lia Louis

Sweet Heat by Bolu Babalola
Honey & Spice by Bolu Babalola
Our Perfect Storm by Carley Fortune
Taffy Brodesser-Akner
One & Only by Maurene Goo
Swept Away by Beth O'Leary
The Switch by Beth O'Leary


Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!
]]>2638addiction,annabelmonaghan,anxiety,betholeary,bolubabalola,bookpodcast,bookrecommendations,books,carleyfortune,community,hope,nametwins,romance,romancebooks,theflatshare,thenamegame,thenoshow,twist,writer,writingfalse1019fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/books-to-screen-project-hail-mary-with-susie-green-in-my-good-books--71375839You can follow Susie via Instagram: susiesbookreviews, Instagram: inmygoodbookspod
You can listen to In My Good Books via Apple Podcasts or Spotify (or via your preferred platform!)

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
Project Hail Mary (2026)
Misery (1990)
The Lamb by Lucy Rose
The Witches (1990)
Twilight (2008)
The Book of Guilt by Catherine Chidgey
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
Margo's Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe
Rivals S2
Dissection of a Murder by Jo Murray
Presumed Innocent (2024)
True Detective (2014)
All The Colours of The Dark by Chris Whitaker
We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker
The Handmaid's Tale (2017)
The Martian by Andy Weir
The Martian (2015)
Artemis by Andy Weir
Anatomy of a Fall (2023)
Bait (2026)

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/71375839Fri, 17 Apr 2026 00:00:02 +0000Hannah MacDonaldFor our latest instalment in our Books to Screen series, Hannah was joined by host of In My Good Books podcast, Susie Green to discuss one of the hottest films of 2026 and what can now be considered one of the most successful Books to Screen...You can follow Susie via Instagram: susiesbookreviews, Instagram: inmygoodbookspod
You can listen to In My Good Books via Apple Podcasts or Spotify (or via your preferred platform!)

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
Project Hail Mary (2026)
Misery (1990)
The Lamb by Lucy Rose
The Witches (1990)
Twilight (2008)
The Book of Guilt by Catherine Chidgey
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
Margo's Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe
Rivals S2
Dissection of a Murder by Jo Murray
Presumed Innocent (2024)
True Detective (2014)
All The Colours of The Dark by Chris Whitaker
We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker
The Handmaid's Tale (2017)
The Martian by Andy Weir
The Martian (2015)
3699andyweir,bookrecommendations,bookstoscreen,chriswhittaker,edwardcullen,film,filmadaptation,lionelboyce,misery,projecthailmary,rivals,rocky,ryangosling,sandrahuller,scifi,thehandmaidstale,thelamb,themartian,thewitches,twilightfalse1018fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/sian-hughes-author-of-no-such-thing-as-monday-on-shame-memory-gender-inequality--71324650If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Siân via her books! Buy Pearl here. Buy No Such Thing As Monday here. 

Books & other mentions: 
The Missing by Siân Hughes
Books On The Walls Bookshop
My Antonia by Willa Cather
Boy with a Black Rooster by Stefanie vor Schulte

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/71324650Wed, 15 Apr 2026 00:00:03 +0000Hannah MacDonaldFor today's episode Hannah was joined by Booker Prize long-listed author of Pearl, Siân Hughes to discuss her latest novel No Such Thing As Monday. In this episode they discuss memory and how trauma affects it, the writing exercise that led to the...If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Siân via her books! Buy Pearl here. Buy No Such Thing As Monday here. 

Books & other mentions: 
The Missing by Siân Hughes
Books On The Walls Bookshop
My Antonia by Willa Cather
Boy with a Black Rooster by Stefanie vor Schulte

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>2590bookerprize,bookrecommendations,books,demoncopperhead,genderinequality,literaryfiction,memory,nosuchthingasmonday,pearl,poverty,shame,shuggiebain,sianhughes,trauma,writer,writingexercisefalse1017fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/lizzy-stewart-author-illustrator-of-the-wreck-on-becoming-a-graphic-novelist-exploring-class-the-joy-of-photos--71162750If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Lizzy via  Instagram & Substack.
You can buy The Wreck here.
You can buy Alison here.
You can buy Walking Distance here. 

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
Heartstopper by Alice Oseman
Alison by Lizzy Stewart
Practice by Rosalind Brown
Sally Rooney
Meg Mason
The Years by Annie Ernaux
This is the Place to Be by Lara Pawson

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/71162750Wed, 08 Apr 2026 00:00:03 +0000Hannah MacDonaldFor today's episode Hannah was joined by Author & Illustrator Lizzy Stewart to discuss her latest novel The Wreck. They also discuss her journey to becoming a graphic novelist, writing characters in their 40s, why she's drawn to exploring Class in...If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Lizzy via  Instagram & Substack.
You can buy The Wreck here.
You can buy Alison here.
You can buy Walking Distance here. 

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
Heartstopper by Alice Oseman
Alison by Lizzy Stewart
Practice by Rosalind Brown
Sally Rooney
Meg Mason
The Years by Annie Ernaux
This is the Place to Be by Lara Pawson

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!
]]>309440s,annieernaux,bookrecommendations,books,characters,class,communalliving,drawing,graphicnovels,illustration,larapawson,literaryfiction,lizzystewart,london,sallyrooney,writing,writinginspirationfalse1016fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/march-book-club-with-ela-lee-censorship-han-han-and-south-korea-s-deregulated-adoption-industry--71020660Minbak. In this episode they discuss the parts of South Korean history Ela wanted to explore for this novel, the research process, how 150,000 words were deleted prior to writing this book, mothers and daughters and so much more. For further reading and sources, head to the Afterword of Minbak where Ela has kindly provided the books and sources she used to write this novel. 
You can buy Minbak here. 
You can buy Jaded here. 
You can follow Ela via Instagram or Substack. 
You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok.

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
The Boy from the Sea by Garrett Carr
Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 by Cho Nam-Joo
Human Acts by Han Kang
Painkiller (Netflix)
Dopesick (BBC Iplayer)
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/71020660Wed, 01 Apr 2026 02:00:03 +0000Hannah MacDonaldFor our March Book Club episode Hannah spoke to Ela Lee about her second novel https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9781787303683. In this episode they discuss the parts of South Korean history Ela wanted to explore for this novel, the research process,...Minbak. In this episode they discuss the parts of South Korean history Ela wanted to explore for this novel, the research process, how 150,000 words were deleted prior to writing this book, mothers and daughters and so much more. For further reading and sources, head to the Afterword of Minbak where Ela has kindly provided the books and sources she used to write this novel. 
You can buy Minbak here. 
You can buy Jaded here. 
You can follow Ela via Instagram or Substack. 
You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok.

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
The Boy from the Sea by Garrett Carr
Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 by Cho Nam-Joo
Human Acts by Han Kang
Painkiller (Netflix)
Dopesick (BBC Iplayer)
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>2559adoption,barbarakingsolver,bookrecommendation,books,censorship,dopesick,elalee,familydynamics,generationaltrauma,grief,han,hankang,jaded,koreanhistory,minbak,mothersanddaughters,painkiller,southkorea,writing,writinginspirationfalse1015fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s7-debut-spotlight-5-bar-fridman-tell-blodeuwedd-body-horror-epigraphs--70854250Honeysuckle. In this episode they discuss autonomy, ecological body horror, the welsh myth that inspired this story, lots of book recommendations and more!
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Bar via Instagram & www.barfridmantell.com

Books & other mentions in this episode:
The Red Winter by Cameron Sullivan
White Cat, Black Dog by Kelly Link
The Dungeon Anarchist's Cookbook by Matt Dinniman
Sinners (2025)
Summer Sons by Lee Mandelo
Our Wives Under The Sea by Julia Armfield
Sylvia Plath- Poetry
The Brides by Charlotte Cross
The Geomagician by Jennifer Mandula
Homebound by Portia Elan
Monk and Robot by Becky Chambers
Deathbringer by Sonia Tagliareni

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70854250Wed, 25 Mar 2026 01:00:02 +0000Hannah MacDonaldFor the next instalment in our Debut Spotlight series, Hannah was joined by author Bar Fridman-Tell to discuss her debut novel https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9781035067909. In this episode they discuss autonomy, ecological body horror, the welsh myth...Honeysuckle. In this episode they discuss autonomy, ecological body horror, the welsh myth that inspired this story, lots of book recommendations and more!
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Bar via Instagram & www.barfridmantell.com

Books & other mentions in this episode:
The Red Winter by Cameron Sullivan
White Cat, Black Dog by Kelly Link
The Dungeon Anarchist's Cookbook by Matt Dinniman
Sinners (2025)
Summer Sons by Lee Mandelo
Our Wives Under The Sea by Julia Armfield
Sylvia Plath- Poetry
The Brides by Charlotte Cross
The Geomagician by Jennifer Mandula
Homebound by Portia Elan
Monk and Robot by Becky Chambers
Deathbringer by Sonia Tagliareni

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>2465autonomy,barfridmantell,blodeuwedd,bodyhorror,bookrecommendations,books,debutauthor,debutnovel,dungeoncrawlercarl,epigraphs,horror,juliaarmfield,kellylink,leemandelo,mamiogian,portiaelan,sinners,sylviaplath,welshmythology,writingfalse1014fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s7-debut-spotlight-4-jess-shannon-unnamed-narrators-stylistic-imitation-the-obsession-with-cleaning--70685334Cleaner, Jess Shannon. In this episode they discuss the book that directly influenced this novel, unnamed narrators and stream-of-consciousness, George Saunders' writing advice & Ru Paul's Drag Race... lots to unpack!
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Jess via Instagram & jessshannonauthor.com

Books & other mentions in this episode:
You Are Here by David Nicholls
Tess of the D'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy
A Swim in a Pond in the Rain by George Saunders
Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier
Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding
The Secret Diary & Growing Pains of Adrian Mole Aged 13 ¾ by Sue Townsend
Petite Fleur by Iosi Havilio
Trick Mirror by Jia Tolentino
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
Miranda (BBC)
RuPaul's Drag Race (UK)

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70685334Wed, 18 Mar 2026 01:00:02 +0000Hannah MacDonaldFor our next instalment in our Debut Spotlight series, Hannah was joined by author of https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9781835012666, Jess Shannon. In this episode they discuss the book that directly influenced this novel, unnamed narrators and...Cleaner, Jess Shannon. In this episode they discuss the book that directly influenced this novel, unnamed narrators and stream-of-consciousness, George Saunders' writing advice & Ru Paul's Drag Race... lots to unpack!
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Jess via Instagram & jessshannonauthor.com

Books & other mentions in this episode:
You Are Here by David Nicholls
Tess of the D'Urbervilles by Thomas Hardy
A Swim in a Pond in the Rain by George Saunders
Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier
Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding
The Secret Diary & Growing Pains of Adrian Mole Aged 13 ¾ by Sue Townsend
Petite Fleur by Iosi Havilio
Trick Mirror by Jia Tolentino
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
Miranda (BBC)
RuPaul's Drag Race (UK)

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>3111adrianmole,bookrecommendations,books,bridgetjones,class,cleaner,cleaning,davidnicholls,genderreveal,georgesaunders,influencer,iosihavilio,jessshannon,jiatolentino,miranda,petitefleure,queercharacters,rupaulsdragrace,socialmedia,writingadvicefalse1013fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s7-debut-spotlight-3-charlotte-cross-the-brides-of-dracula-psychics-sapphic-relationships-in-historical-fiction--70557551The Brides.
In this episode they discuss the spark of inspiration that led to this novel, building the backstory of the Brides of Dracula, writing historical fiction for the modern reader, book recommendations plus lots more!
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Charlotte via Instagram. 
Buy The Brides here.

Books & other mentions in this episode:
Dracula by Bram Stoker
Alfred King of the English by Carola Oman
Who Is Dracula's Father? by John Sutherland
Longbourn by Jo Baker
The Vampire Diaries
Carmilla by Sheridan Le Fanu
The Vampyre by John Polidori
Honeysuckle by Bar Fridman-Tell

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70557551Wed, 11 Mar 2026 01:00:02 +0000Hannah MacDonaldFor the latest instalment in our Debut Spotlight series, Hannah was joined by author Charlotte Cross to discuss her debut novel https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9781035059263. In this episode they discuss the spark of inspiration that led to this...The Brides.
In this episode they discuss the spark of inspiration that led to this novel, building the backstory of the Brides of Dracula, writing historical fiction for the modern reader, book recommendations plus lots more!
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Charlotte via Instagram. 
Buy The Brides here.

Books & other mentions in this episode:
Dracula by Bram Stoker
Alfred King of the English by Carola Oman
Who Is Dracula's Father? by John Sutherland
Longbourn by Jo Baker
The Vampire Diaries
Carmilla by Sheridan Le Fanu
The Vampyre by John Polidori
Honeysuckle by Bar Fridman-Tell

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!
]]>2565barfridmantell,books,bridesofdracula,charlottecross,class,classanxiety,debutauthor,dracula,drjohnseward,gothicfiction,historicalfiction,johnseward,littlemore,longbourn,mentalillness,oxford,psychic,sapphic,writing,writinginspirationfalse1012fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/anna-brook-mitchell-live-serenity-booksellers-child-free-by-choice-screenwriting-guernsey--70391455In this episode they discuss the difference between screenwriting & novel writing, representing life in Guernsey, the discussion around being childfree by choice plus lots more!
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Anna via Instagram.
Buy Anna's book here.
Watch Anna's short film Man Eater here.

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
A Sociopath's Guide To A Successful Marriage by M.K Oliver
Goodnight Mister Tom by Michelle Magorian
Matilda by Roald Dahl
Dandelion is Dead by Rosie Storey
The One Day You Were My Husband by Rosie Walsh

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70391455Wed, 04 Mar 2026 01:00:02 +0000Hannah MacDonaldFor today's episode Hannah was joined by Anna Brook-Mitchell to discuss her amazing debut novel Motherfaker, this episode was recorded live at Serenity Booksellers as part of Anna's UK book tour.  In this episode they discuss the difference between...In this episode they discuss the difference between screenwriting & novel writing, representing life in Guernsey, the discussion around being childfree by choice plus lots more!
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Anna via Instagram.
Buy Anna's book here.
Watch Anna's short film Man Eater here.

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
A Sociopath's Guide To A Successful Marriage by M.K Oliver
Goodnight Mister Tom by Michelle Magorian
Matilda by Roald Dahl
Dandelion is Dead by Rosie Storey
The One Day You Were My Husband by Rosie Walsh

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>2909annabrookmitchell,bbc,books,childfree,comedywriter,grief,guernsey,novelwriting,rosiestorey,screenwriting,teachers,writinginspiration,writingprocessfalse1011fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/february-book-club-with-michelle-steinbeck-femicide-family-estrangement-the-writer-translator-relationship--70217728here. Favorita was translated by writer/translator Jen Calleja, you can follow her work here. 
In this episode, Hannah and Michelle discuss the writer/translator relationship, how Shame shows up in this novel, the misogyny experienced by the female characters in this book plus so much more. 
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 

Books & other mentions in this episode:
My Father was a Man on Land and a Whale in the Water by Michelle Steinbeck, translated by Jen Calleja
Territory of Light by Yuko Tsushima, translated by Geraldine Harcourt
Love, Loosha: The Letters of Lucia Berlin & Kenward Elmslie, edited by Chip Livingston
A Manual for Cleaning Women by Lucia Berlin
Franz Kafka
Daniil Kharms
Elena Ferrante
Dacia Maraini
Goliarda Sapienza
Maggie Nelson
Guestbook: Ghost Stories by Leanne Shapton
My Work by Olga Ravn

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70217728Wed, 25 Feb 2026 01:00:02 +0000Hannah MacDonaldFor our February Book Club episode Hannah was joined by author Michelle Steinbeck to discuss her latest novel Favorita, which you can buy https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9780571391578. Favorita was translated by writer/translator Jen Calleja, you can...here. Favorita was translated by writer/translator Jen Calleja, you can follow her work here. 
In this episode, Hannah and Michelle discuss the writer/translator relationship, how Shame shows up in this novel, the misogyny experienced by the female characters in this book plus so much more. 
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 

Books & other mentions in this episode:
My Father was a Man on Land and a Whale in the Water by Michelle Steinbeck, translated by Jen Calleja
Territory of Light by Yuko Tsushima, translated by Geraldine Harcourt
Love, Loosha: The Letters of Lucia Berlin & Kenward Elmslie, edited by Chip Livingston
A Manual for Cleaning Women by Lucia Berlin
Franz Kafka
Daniil Kharms
Elena Ferrante
Dacia Maraini
Goliarda Sapienza
Maggie Nelson
Guestbook: Ghost Stories by Leanne Shapton
My Work by Olga Ravn

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>2743books,daciamaraini,daniilkharms,elenaferrante,faber,familydynamics,familyestrangement,femicide,goliardasapienza,jencalleja,kafka,luciaberlin,maggienelson,michellesteinbeck,misogyny,olgaravn,swisswriter,translatedfiction,translator,writerfalse1010fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/books-to-screen-wuthering-heights-with-catherine-airey--70184488If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can buy Catherine's novel here or you can pre-order the paperback here. 
You can follow Catherine via Instagram. 
Buy tickets for Catherine's upcoming event with Roxy Dunn here. 

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
Twilight
I Capture The Castle (2003)
I Capture The Castle by Dodie Smith
The Idiot by Elif Batuman
As Young As This by Roxy Dunn
The Odyssey (2026)
Vladimir (2026)
Margo's Got Money Troubles (2026)
The Rachel Incident (Upcoming)
Anna Karenina (2012)
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
Wuthering Heights (2011)
Wuthering Heights (1939)
Promising Young Woman (2020)
Saltburn (2023)
Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett- Wuthering Heights / Class article

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70184488Sat, 21 Feb 2026 12:00:02 +0000Hannah MacDonaldFor our fourth instalment in the Books to Screen series, Hannah was joined by author and friend of the pod Catherine Airey to discuss the adaptation of the moment - Wuthering Heights! This film has attracted so much attention and has been at the...If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can buy Catherine's novel here or you can pre-order the paperback here. 
You can follow Catherine via Instagram. 
Buy tickets for Catherine's upcoming event with Roxy Dunn here. 

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
Twilight
I Capture The Castle (2003)
I Capture The Castle by Dodie Smith
The Idiot by Elif Batuman
As Young As This by Roxy Dunn
The Odyssey (2026)
Vladimir (2026)
Margo's Got Money Troubles (2026)
The Rachel Incident (Upcoming)
3987alisonoliver,bookstoscreen,booktok,casting,cathyandheathcliff,class,emeraldfennell,emilybronte,filmadaptation,hongchau,hungergamescatchingfire,jacobelordi,margotrobbie,owencooper,race,romance,setdesign,sex,wutheringheights,wutheringheightsmoviefalse109fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/rhiannon-lucy-coslett-author-of-female-nude-on-art-motherhood-wealth-divides-in-friendships--70101844Female, Nude. In this episode they discuss the choice to become a mother, Rhiannon's research into various female & non-binary artists whose art was impacted by motherhood, wealth divides in friendships, the beauty of Greece plus lots more!
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Rhiannon via Instagram.

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
Artists & works referenced in Female, Nude
The Year of the Cat by Rhiannon Lucy Coslett
The Republic of Parenthood by Rhiannon Lucy Coslett
The Tyranny of Lost Things by Rhiannon Lucy Coslett
The Original by Nell Stevens
Sarah Waters
Bad Sex in Fiction Awards
Bad Behaviour by Mary Gaitskill
Elena Ferrante
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (BBC)

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/70101844Wed, 18 Feb 2026 01:41:30 +0000Hannah MacDonaldFor today's episode Hannah was joined by author Rhiannon Lucy Coslett to discuss her latest novel https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9781035413812. In this episode they discuss the choice to become a mother, Rhiannon's research into various female &...Female, Nude. In this episode they discuss the choice to become a mother, Rhiannon's research into various female & non-binary artists whose art was impacted by motherhood, wealth divides in friendships, the beauty of Greece plus lots more!
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Rhiannon via Instagram.

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
Artists & works referenced in Female, Nude
The Year of the Cat by Rhiannon Lucy Coslett
The Republic of Parenthood by Rhiannon Lucy Coslett
The Tyranny of Lost Things by Rhiannon Lucy Coslett
The Original by Nell Stevens
Sarah Waters
Bad Sex in Fiction Awards
Bad Behaviour by Mary Gaitskill
Elena Ferrante
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall (BBC)

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!
]]>2687aliceneel,annebronte,art,badsexawards,bookrecommendations,books,elenaferrante,femaleartists,femaledesire,femalenude,foodwriting,greece,gwenjohn,motherhood,nellstevens,rhiannonlucycoslett,sarahwaters,writingfalse108fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/books-to-screen-the-taming-of-the-shrew-10-things-i-hate-about-you-with-sophie-crawford--69986136If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can buy Sophie's debut novel here.
You can follow Sophie via sophiecrawford.co.uk & Instagram.

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
Faust - Jan Švankmajer (1994)
Call Me By Your Name by André Aciman
Call Me By Your Name (2017)
Clueless (1995)
Dykes To Watch Out For by Alison Bechdel
Fun Home by Alison Bechdel
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
Wuthering Heights (2026)
Hamnet (2025)
Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell
Tales of The City by Armistead Maupin
Tales of The City (2019)
Michelle Tea
Peter Panic by James Baldwin
Watership Down by Richard Adams
Watership Down (1978)

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/69986136Fri, 13 Feb 2026 01:00:02 +0000Hannah MacDonaldFor our third instalment in the Books to Screen series, author/musician Sophie Crawford joins us to discuss a very unique adaptation, Shakespeare's The Taming of The Shrew to Ten Things I Hate About You (1999). In this episode Hannah and Sophie...If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can buy Sophie's debut novel here.
You can follow Sophie via sophiecrawford.co.uk & Instagram.

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
Faust - Jan Švankmajer (1994)
Call Me By Your Name by André Aciman
Call Me By Your Name (2017)
Clueless (1995)
Dykes To Watch Out For by Alison Bechdel
Fun Home by Alison Bechdel
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
Wuthering Heights (2026)
Hamnet (2025)
Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell
Tales of The City by Armistead Maupin
Tales of The City (2019)
Michelle Tea
Peter Panic by James Baldwin
Watership Down by Richard Adams
Watership Down (1978)

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!
]]>321190s,adaptation,bookpodcast,bookrecommendations,bookstoscreen,filmadaptation,heathledger,juliastiles,play,shakespeare,sophiecrawford,tenthingsihateaboutyou,theatre,thetamingoftheshrew,writingfalse107fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s7-debut-spotlight-2-elspeth-wilson-journaling-dark-academia-secret-societies--69876499These Mortal Bodies. In this episode they discuss how beneficial journaling is to the creative process, the messiness of grief, setting the novel at an elite university and the secret societies that can be found there plus some excellent book recs.
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Elspeth via Substack & Instagram.

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
How It Works Out by Myriam Lacroix
She's Always Hungry by Eliza Clark
https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/article/girls-only-drinking-societies-dark-academia
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
Venus Fly Trap by Emma Medrano
https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/elspeth-wilson-shares-her-favourite-dark-academia-reads?&new-list-page=true

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/69876499Wed, 11 Feb 2026 01:00:02 +0000Hannah MacDonaldIn today's instalment of our Debut Spotlight series Hannah chats to author Elspeth Wilson about her debut novel https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9781398535138. In this episode they discuss how beneficial journaling is to the creative process, the...These Mortal Bodies. In this episode they discuss how beneficial journaling is to the creative process, the messiness of grief, setting the novel at an elite university and the secret societies that can be found there plus some excellent book recs.
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Elspeth via Substack & Instagram.

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
How It Works Out by Myriam Lacroix
She's Always Hungry by Eliza Clark
https://www.glamourmagazine.co.uk/article/girls-only-drinking-societies-dark-academia
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
Venus Fly Trap by Emma Medrano
https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/elspeth-wilson-shares-her-favourite-dark-academia-reads?&new-list-page=true

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!
]]>3148books,booktok,classdivide,darkacademia,debutauthor,debutnovel,eliteuniversity,elizaclark,elspethwilson,femalefriendship,glamourmagazine,grief,journaling,neurodivergentauthors,obsession,secretsocieties,thesecrethistory,thesemortalbodies,venusflytrap,writingfalse106fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s7-debut-spotlight-1-rebecca-ferrier-cornish-folklore-eldest-daughters-dnd-inspo--69748506The Salt Bind. They discuss her writing journey, how a D&D actor inspired one of her characters, Cornish folklore plus lots more.
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Rebecca via Instagram & TikTok

Books & other mentions in this episode:
Solace House by Will Maclean
The Folklore of Cornwall by Ronald. M James
Practical Magic (1998)
Dimension 20- Podcast
BBC- The Reith Lectures - Hilary Mantel

 
Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/69748506Wed, 04 Feb 2026 01:00:08 +0000Hannah MacDonaldFor the first episode in Season 7 of our Debut Spotlight series Hannah spoke to Rebecca Ferrier about her debut novel https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9781408748688. They discuss her writing journey, how a D&D actor inspired one of her characters,...The Salt Bind. They discuss her writing journey, how a D&D actor inspired one of her characters, Cornish folklore plus lots more.
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Rebecca via Instagram & TikTok

Books & other mentions in this episode:
Solace House by Will Maclean
The Folklore of Cornwall by Ronald. M James
Practical Magic (1998)
Dimension 20- Podcast
BBC- The Reith Lectures - Hilary Mantel

 
Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>3214books,chronicillness,cornishfolklore,cornwall,debutauthor,debutnovel,dimension20,dnd,eldestdaughter,fantasy,hilarymantel,historicalfiction,practicalmagic,rebeccaferrier,sisters,writersonwriting,writinginspirationfalse105fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/books-to-screen-the-secret-history-with-emily-goulding--69666557If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Emily via Instagram 
Read her reviews here: Times Literary Supplement, Irish Times

Books & other mentions in this ep:
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
My Brilliant Friend- NowTV
A Series of Unfortunate Events - Netflix
Bridget Jones's Diary (2001)
Chlorine by Jade Song
Our Wives Under The Sea by Julia Armfield
Shark Heart by Emily Habeck
Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney
Normal People by Sally Rooney
Normal People (BBC)
Shirley Jackson
The Haunting of Hill House
Hamnet (2025)
The Goldfinch (2019)
The Pitt (2025)
The Girlfriend (2025)
Weapons (2025)
BBC Radio 4 Book Club Podcast- Donna Tartt (2014)
Zero to Well-Read Podcast- The Secret History
Once Upon a Time... at Bennington College Podcast
Frida Slattery As Herself by Ana Kinsella
The Tower by Thea Lenarduzzi
Swimming Studies by Leanne Shapton
Heart the Lover by Lily King
Finding Grace by Loretta Rothschild
The Age of Calamities by Senaa Ahmad
The Book of Mysteries by Rebecca Tamás

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/69666557Fri, 30 Jan 2026 01:00:07 +0000Hannah MacDonaldFor our second instalment of Books to Screen, Emily Goulding joins us to discuss the adaptation that got away... The Secret History. In this episode Hannah & Emily discuss the failed attempts to adapt this hugely popular novel, what they loved...If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Emily via Instagram 
Read her reviews here: Times Literary Supplement, Irish Times

Books & other mentions in this ep:
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
My Brilliant Friend- NowTV
A Series of Unfortunate Events - Netflix
Bridget Jones's Diary (2001)
Chlorine by Jade Song
Our Wives Under The Sea by Julia Armfield
Shark Heart by Emily Habeck
Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney
Normal People by Sally Rooney
Normal People (BBC)
2892adaptation,andrewscott,bbcradio4,benningtoncollege,bookrecommendation,books,bookstagram,darkacademia,donnatartt,emilygoulding,filmrecommendation,films,ianmckellen,normalpeople,thegoldfinch,thehauntingofhillhouse,thepitt,thesecrethistory,timotheechalamet,zerotowellreadfalse104fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/roxy-dunn-author-of-wants-and-needs-on-rejection-ethical-non-monogamy-mothers-and-daughters--69582049As Young As This and she's back now to talk about her second novel Wants and Needs (spoiler free ofc!)
They discuss what drew Roxy to exploring modern dating through the lens of ethical non-monogamy (in her writing), what she's learnt from rejection, the mother/daughter relationship + lots more!
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Roxy via Instagram.

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
Wants and Needs by Roxy Dunn
As Young As This by Roxy Dunn
Alison by Lizzy Stewart
The Wreck by Lizzy Stewart
People in Love by Claire Daverley
Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason
Everyone I know is Dying by Emily Slapper
New York Times' The Book Review: 'The Correspondent' Author Virginia Evans On Her Breakout Year
The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/69582049Wed, 28 Jan 2026 01:00:08 +0000Hannah MacDonaldJoining Hannah for today's episode is returning guest, Roxy Dunn. Roxy appeared on the podcast back in 2024 to dicuss her incredible debut novel https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9780241632734 and she's back now to talk about her second novel...As Young As This and she's back now to talk about her second novel Wants and Needs (spoiler free ofc!)
They discuss what drew Roxy to exploring modern dating through the lens of ethical non-monogamy (in her writing), what she's learnt from rejection, the mother/daughter relationship + lots more!
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Roxy via Instagram.

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
Wants and Needs by Roxy Dunn
As Young As This by Roxy Dunn
Alison by Lizzy Stewart
The Wreck by Lizzy Stewart
People in Love by Claire Daverley
Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason
Everyone I know is Dying by Emily Slapper
New York Times' The Book Review: 'The Correspondent' Author Virginia Evans On Her Breakout Year
The Correspondent by Virginia Evans

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>2051bookrecommendations,bookreviewpodcast,books,clairedaverley,ethicalnonmonogamy,familydynamics,lizzystewart,moderndating,mothersanddaughters,newyorktimes,rejection,relationships,roxydunn,secondnovel,wantsvsneeds,writer,writingadvicefalse103fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/books-to-screen-hamnet-with-emma-hinds--69540115In this episode Hannah and Emma discuss the differences between the book and the film, the scenes they loved, the scenes they missed and Emma puts their historical fiction writer cap on and talks about some historical inaccuracies in the film. Aswell as this, Emma reveals some of their own favourite adaptations and castings, we hope you enjoy! 
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Emma via Instagram, Tumblr & Patreon
Buy Emma's books: The Knowing, The Quick and The Dead & Witchlore

Books & other mentions in this ep: 
Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell
Hamnet (2025)
War & Peace (BBC)
Wolf Hall (BBC)
Pride and Prejudice (BBC)
All of Us Strangers (2023)
Strangers by Taichi Yamada
Little Women (2019)
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
Enola Holmes (Netflix)
Earlyfate by Nat Reeve
Nettleblack by Nat Reeve
Serenity Booksellers
H is For Hawk (2025)
H is For Hawk by Helen Macdonald
The Odyssey (2026)
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
Persuasion (2022)
Julia Armfield
Lucy Rose
The Betrayal of Thomas True by A J West
The Manningtree Witches by A.K. Blakemore
The Essex Serpent (2022)
The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox by Maggie O'Farrell
Pre-order Nightcurse by Emma Hinds (US)
Pre-order Nightcurse by Emma Hinds (UK)
One Day (2011)
One Day (Netflix)

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/69540115Fri, 23 Jan 2026 01:00:08 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome to our first episode of Books to Screen, to kick us off author and friend of the pod Emma Hinds has joined us to deep dive into one of the most anticipated adaptations, Hamnet.  In this episode Hannah and Emma discuss the differences between...In this episode Hannah and Emma discuss the differences between the book and the film, the scenes they loved, the scenes they missed and Emma puts their historical fiction writer cap on and talks about some historical inaccuracies in the film. Aswell as this, Emma reveals some of their own favourite adaptations and castings, we hope you enjoy! 
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Emma via Instagram, Tumblr & Patreon
Buy Emma's books: The Knowing, The Quick and The Dead & Witchlore

Books & other mentions in this ep: 
Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell
Hamnet (2025)
War & Peace (BBC)
Wolf Hall (BBC)
Pride and Prejudice (BBC)
All of Us Strangers (2023)
Strangers by Taichi Yamada
Little Women (2019)
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
Enola Holmes (Netflix)
Earlyfate by Nat Reeve
Nettleblack by Nat Reeve
Serenity Booksellers
H is For Hawk (2025)
H is For Hawk by Helen Macdonald
The Odyssey (2026)
102fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/january-book-club-with-grace-murray-campus-novels-deception-penguin-s-writenow-scheme--69517556Blank Canvas. They discuss how Grace balanced work, studies & writing this novel, writing advice for budding writers & her experience of being on Penguin's WriteNow scheme. They also discuss chat through campus novels, writers that inspire Grace, lies and deception and so much more. 
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Grace via Instagram. 

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
The Difficult Ghost: Searching For Truman Capote by Leila Guerriero
Minor Black Figures by Brandon Taylor
Real Life by Brandon Taylor
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
Eileen by Ottessa Moshfegh
The Late Americans by Brandon Taylor
Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney
Mrs. S by K. Patrick
Small Rain by Garth Greenwell
Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid
Heated Rivalry (NowTV)

Let us know thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/69517556Wed, 21 Jan 2026 01:00:08 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome back to our first Book Club episode of 2026, this month Hannah spoke to debut author Grace Murray about her novel https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9780241767306. They discuss how Grace balanced work, studies & writing this novel, writing...Blank Canvas. They discuss how Grace balanced work, studies & writing this novel, writing advice for budding writers & her experience of being on Penguin's WriteNow scheme. They also discuss chat through campus novels, writers that inspire Grace, lies and deception and so much more. 
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Grace via Instagram. 

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
The Difficult Ghost: Searching For Truman Capote by Leila Guerriero
Minor Black Figures by Brandon Taylor
Real Life by Brandon Taylor
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
Eileen by Ottessa Moshfegh
The Late Americans by Brandon Taylor
Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney
Mrs. S by K. Patrick
Small Rain by Garth Greenwell
Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid
Heated Rivalry (NowTV)

Let us know thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>2738blankcanvas,bookrecommendation,books,brandontaylor,campusnovel,debutauthor,debutnovel,deception,donnatartt,gracemurray,heatedrivalry,kpatrick,lgbtq,penguinbooks,penguinwritenow,queerauthor,thesecrethistory,writers,writing,writingadvicefalse101fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/xmas-special-top-5-reads-of-2025-ft-emma-hinds--69172211If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Emma via A03, Instagram & Tumblr.
You can buy Emma's books here: Witchlore, The Quick and the Dead & The Knowing

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
Neon Roses by Rachel Dawson
The Artist by Lucy Steeds
Flashlight by Susan Choi
The South by Tash Aw
Death of an Ordinary Man by Sarah Perry
Everyone I Know is Dying by Emily Slapper
It Might Never Happen by Emily Slapper
Fundamentally by Nussaibah Younis
Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors
The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
The Night Hag by Hester Musson
Wellcome Collection
Die, My Love by Ariana Harwicz
On the Calculation of Volume by Solvej Balle
Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
Old Soul by Susan Barker
Heart the Lover by Lily King
Writers & Lovers by Lily King
The Pretender by Jo Harkin
Finding Grace by Loretta Rothschild
And He Shall Appear by Kate van der Borgh
Engleby by Sebastian Faulks
There are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak
10 Minutes and 38 Seconds in this Strange World by Elif Shafak
Intermezzo by Sally Rooney
Mother Mary Comes To Me by Arundhati Roy
The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden
The Paying Guests by Sarah Waters
Call Me By Your Name by André Aciman
Girlbeast by Cecilie Lind
Slags by Emma Jane Unsworth
Animals by Emma Jane Unsworth
Adults by Emma Jane Unsworth
Days of Light by Megan Hunter
The Lamb by Lucy Rose
North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell
Bitter Sweet by Hattie Williams
Boudicca's Daughter by Elodie Harper
The Show Woman by Emma Cowing
Since the World is Ending by Indyana Schneider
Sunburn by Chloe Michelle Howarth
Penelope Lively
Anne Enright

Let us know your faves of the year by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/69172211Tue, 23 Dec 2025 06:00:10 +0000Hannah MacDonaldMerry Christmas Eve Eve! For the final episode of the year, Hannah brought in friend of the pod Emma Hinds, each bringing their 5 favourite reads of 2025. They also discuss what their year has been like in reading, what books they didn't get to, what...If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Emma via A03, Instagram & Tumblr.
You can buy Emma's books here: Witchlore, The Quick and the Dead & The Knowing

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
Neon Roses by Rachel Dawson
The Artist by Lucy Steeds
Flashlight by Susan Choi
The South by Tash Aw
Death of an Ordinary Man by Sarah Perry
Everyone I Know is Dying by Emily Slapper
It Might Never Happen by Emily Slapper
Fundamentally by Nussaibah Younis
Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors
The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
The Night Hag by Hester Musson
Wellcome Collection
Die, My Love by Ariana Harwicz
On the Calculation of Volume by Solvej Balle
Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell
Wuthering Heights by Emily...]]>4312andheshallappear,arundhatiroy,bookrecommendations,debutnovel,elifshafak,elodieharper,emmahinds,emmajaneunsworth,favereads,findinggrace,hamnet,heartthelover,historicalfiction,lilyking,literaryfiction,oldsoul,sunburn,thepretender,thesafekeep,topbooksfalse923fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/emma-hinds-author-of-witchlore-on-manchester-magic-queer-shapeshifters--69123567Witchlore.
In this episode they have a discussion about money and how difficult it is as creatives to get to a point of making a liveable income, they then dive into how Emma has found moving between writing historical fiction and YA fantasy, setting the novel in Manchester, growing up Queer, the world of magic & more.
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Emma via A03, Instagram & Tumblr

Books & other mentions in this episode:
The Hole by Hiroko Oyamada
The Colour Purple by Alice Walker
Philip Pullman
Holly Black
The Illustrated Mum by Jacqueline Wilson
aloveunlaced.com/ Instagram: a.loveunlaced
Her Majesty's Royal Coven by Juno Dawson
You can pre-order Nightcurse in the US here (UK not yet available)
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery
Spirit Warriors by Ashley Thorpe
Queer Lit
Serenity Booksellers
Wave of Nostalgia

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/69123567Fri, 19 Dec 2025 01:00:07 +0000Hannah MacDonaldFor today's episode Hannah was joined by friend of the pod, author Emma Hinds to discuss their latest book https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9781835409589. In this episode they have a discussion about money and how difficult it is as creatives to get to...Witchlore.
In this episode they have a discussion about money and how difficult it is as creatives to get to a point of making a liveable income, they then dive into how Emma has found moving between writing historical fiction and YA fantasy, setting the novel in Manchester, growing up Queer, the world of magic & more.
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Emma via A03, Instagram & Tumblr

Books & other mentions in this episode:
The Hole by Hiroko Oyamada
The Colour Purple by Alice Walker
Philip Pullman
Holly Black
The Illustrated Mum by Jacqueline Wilson
aloveunlaced.com/ Instagram: a.loveunlaced
Her Majesty's Royal Coven by Juno Dawson
You can pre-order Nightcurse in the US here (UK not yet available)
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery
Spirit Warriors by Ashley Thorpe
Queer Lit
Serenity Booksellers
Wave of Nostalgia

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>4087bookrecommendations,emmahinds,fantasybooks,jacquelinewilson,junodawson,knivesout,lgbtqia,magic,manchester,nonbinary,queerauthor,shapeshifter,thecolourpurple,theillustratedmum,yabooks,yafantasyfalse922fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/december-book-club-with-hayley-dunlop-christmas-films-unconventional-female-protagonists-best-book-of-2025--69014903here.
Also available for 99p on Kindle until 23/12/25 here.
In this episode they discuss the Christmas film watchalong Hayley hosts each year, how Covid/lockdown changed Hayley's writing journey, complicated families and lots more! 
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Hayley & join her watchalongs via Instagram
You can follow her work & find the content warnings for her book via hayleyjdunlop.com

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
In Love with Love by Ella Risbridger
Midnight Chicken by Ella Risbridger
In The Kitchen: Essays on Food and Life
Merry & Gay (2022)
Ghosting: The Spirit of Christmas (2019)
Jingle Bell Heist (2025)
Your Christmas or Mine? (2022)
Your Christmas or Mine 2 (2023)
Love Actually (2003)
Last Christmas (2019)
Single All The Way (2021)
Send Flowers by Emily Buchanan

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/69014903Wed, 17 Dec 2025 01:00:08 +0000Hannah MacDonaldOn today's very Christmassy December Book Club episode Hannah was joined by author Hayley Dunlop to discuss her debut novel It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas which you can buy https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9781835981535 Also available for...here.
Also available for 99p on Kindle until 23/12/25 here.
In this episode they discuss the Christmas film watchalong Hayley hosts each year, how Covid/lockdown changed Hayley's writing journey, complicated families and lots more! 
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Hayley & join her watchalongs via Instagram
You can follow her work & find the content warnings for her book via hayleyjdunlop.com

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
In Love with Love by Ella Risbridger
Midnight Chicken by Ella Risbridger
In The Kitchen: Essays on Food and Life
Merry & Gay (2022)
Ghosting: The Spirit of Christmas (2019)
Jingle Bell Heist (2025)
Your Christmas or Mine? (2022)
Your Christmas or Mine 2 (2023)
Love Actually (2003)
Last Christmas (2019)
Single All The Way (2021)
Send Flowers by Emily Buchanan

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>3197bookrecommendations,christmas,christmasbook,christmasfilms,debutauthor,ellarisbridger,emmathompson,film,filmrecommendations,jinglebellheist,lastchristmas,loveactually,merryandgay,netflix,romance,sendflowers,singlealltheway,writingfalse921fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/iman-hariri-kia-author-of-female-fantasy-on-romance-faves-buffy-fan-fiction-heated-rivalry--68963989If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Iman via Instagram, Substack & imanharirikia.com
You can buy Female Fantasy here (UK) &  here (US)

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
Quicksilver by Callie Hart
Brimstone by Callie Hart
Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood
Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood
You, Again by Kate Goldbeck
When Harry Met Sally (1989)
Exit Lane by Erika Veurink
Ready or Not by Cara Bastone
Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid
Heated Rivalry (2025)
Deep End by Ali Hazelwood
Mate by Ali Hazelwood
Kiss Of The Basilisk by Lindsay Straube
The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot
Bank Square Books, Mystic
Good Spirits by B.K. Borison
It's Different This Time by Joss Richard
If It Makes You Happy by Julie Olivia
Maxton Hall
The Love Hypothesis Adaptation
Every Summer After Adaptation
Lily Allen- West End Girl
Audrey Hobert- Who's The Clown?

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68963989Wed, 10 Dec 2025 01:00:08 +0000Hannah MacDonaldFor today's episode Hannah was joined by author Iman Hariri-Kia to discuss her latest novel Female Fantasy. They discuss how this book became a love letter to the romance community, why romance is an important genre, her excitement for upcoming...If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Iman via Instagram, Substack & imanharirikia.com
You can buy Female Fantasy here (UK) &  here (US)

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
Quicksilver by Callie Hart
Brimstone by Callie Hart
Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood
Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood
You, Again by Kate Goldbeck
When Harry Met Sally (1989)
Exit Lane by Erika Veurink
Ready or Not by Cara Bastone
Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid
Heated Rivalry (2025)
Deep End by Ali Hazelwood
Mate by Ali Hazelwood
Kiss Of The Basilisk by Lindsay Straube
The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot
Bank Square Books, Mystic
Good Spirits by B.K. Borison
It's Different This Time by Joss Richard
If It Makes You Happy by Julie Olivia
3448alihazelwood,bkborison,bookrecommendations,booktok,calliehart,fanfiction,femalefantasy,heatedrivalry,imanharirikia,lilyallen,merromance,misogyny,romancebooks,romantasyfalse920fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s6-debut-spotlight-12-uttama-kirit-patel-parenthood-domestic-workers-mother-in-laws--68833784Shape of an Apostrophe.
They discuss the choice to be a mother, Indian family culture, claustrophobic settings & the books Uttama has been enjoying + lots more! 
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Uttama via Instagram & uttamapatel.com


Buy Shape of an Apostrophe here.

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny by Kiran Desai
Now You See Us by Balli Kaur Jaswal
Things in Nature Merely Grow by Yiyun Li


Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68833784Wed, 03 Dec 2025 01:00:07 +0000Hannah MacDonaldIn today's episode Hannah spoke to Uttama Kirit Patel about her debut novel https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9781800819900. They discuss the choice to be a mother, Indian family culture, claustrophobic settings & the books Uttama has been enjoying...Shape of an Apostrophe.
They discuss the choice to be a mother, Indian family culture, claustrophobic settings & the books Uttama has been enjoying + lots more! 
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Uttama via Instagram & uttamapatel.com


Buy Shape of an Apostrophe here.

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny by Kiran Desai
Now You See Us by Balli Kaur Jaswal
Things in Nature Merely Grow by Yiyun Li


Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>2935ballikaurjaswal,bookrecommendations,choice,debutnovel,domesticworkers,dubai,families,grief,indianculture,loss,motherhood,motherinlaws,parenthood,pregnancy,shapeofanapostrophe,writing,yiyunlifalse919fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/november-book-club-with-chloe-michelle-howarth-live-queer-lit-obsession-queerness-in-60s-rural-ireland-toxic-siblings--68757916Queer Lit/ Social Refuge. For more of their upcoming events click here. The sound in this episode isn't perfect throughout, apologies for this! 
For today's episode Hannah interviewed Chloe Michelle Howarth for the launch event of her new novel Heap Earth Upon It. They discuss Chloe's creative process from ideas on a hangover to creating colour palettes for her novels, sibling dynamics, yearning, the lack of firsthand accounts of Queer people from 60's rural Ireland, writing influences & so much more. 
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Chloe via Instagram, Twitter/X& Tik Tok

Buy Heap Earth Upon It here. 
Buy Sunburn here. 

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
The Princess of 72nd Street by Elaine Kraf
Shy by Max Porter
Jeffrey Eugenides
So Late in the Day by Claire Keegan
Colm Tóibín
Mouthing by Orla Mackey
This Immaculate Body by Emma Van Straaten

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68757916Thu, 27 Nov 2025 01:00:07 +0000Hannah MacDonaldThis episode was recorded live at the brilliant https://www.queerlit.co.uk/?srsltid=AfmBOopvP6Sl9FNkR3JKwUYLc4Z1LQadKvjXxNUJ5BzThjwVCIgnDwlF/ https://www.socialrefuge.com/. For more of their upcoming events click...Queer Lit/ Social Refuge. For more of their upcoming events click here. The sound in this episode isn't perfect throughout, apologies for this! 
For today's episode Hannah interviewed Chloe Michelle Howarth for the launch event of her new novel Heap Earth Upon It. They discuss Chloe's creative process from ideas on a hangover to creating colour palettes for her novels, sibling dynamics, yearning, the lack of firsthand accounts of Queer people from 60's rural Ireland, writing influences & so much more. 
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Chloe via Instagram, Twitter/X& Tik Tok

Buy Heap Earth Upon It here. 
Buy Sunburn here. 

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
The Princess of 72nd Street by Elaine Kraf
Shy by Max Porter
Jeffrey Eugenides
So Late in the Day by Claire Keegan
Colm Tóibín
Mouthing by Orla Mackey
This Immaculate Body by Emma Van Straaten

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>3621bookrecommendations,booktok,chappellroan,chloemichellehowarth,clairekeegan,colmtoibin,contemporaryfiction,elainekraf,heapearthuponit,jeffreyeugenides,livepodcast,queerauthor,queercharacters,queerlit,queerness,ruralireland,sunburn,tvadaptation,writinginfluences,yearningfalse918fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/october-book-club-with-author-the-witcher-actor-joey-batey-meeting-characters-internet-culture-pluribus--68711601here. They discuss how Joey 'meets' his characters before writing about them, how he stays motivated to write throughout his other projects, his experience of his first book tour, new music & the show that made him tear up a book he was working on. 
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Joey via Instagram, follow The Amazing Devil here: https://theamazingdevil.com/ & you can listen to their music here. 

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
The Lamb by Lucy Rose
Vanishing World by Sayaka Murata
Earthlings by Sayaka Murata
Pluribus (Apple TV)

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68711601Mon, 24 Nov 2025 01:00:07 +0000Hannah MacDonaldSorry for the delay on this one but it's worth the wait we promise! For our October Book Club episode Hannah chats to author, actor & musician Joey Batey about his debut novel It's Not A Cult which you can buy...here. They discuss how Joey 'meets' his characters before writing about them, how he stays motivated to write throughout his other projects, his experience of his first book tour, new music & the show that made him tear up a book he was working on. 
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Joey via Instagram, follow The Amazing Devil here: https://theamazingdevil.com/ & you can listen to their music here. 

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
The Lamb by Lucy Rose
Vanishing World by Sayaka Murata
Earthlings by Sayaka Murata
Pluribus (Apple TV)

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!
]]>1861creativeprocess,cult,debutauthor,debutnovel,fanculture,folkband,horror,internetculture,joeybatey,lucyrose,music,northumbria,pluribus,sayakamurata,socialmedia,theamazingdevil,thewitcher,writingfalse917fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s6-debut-spotlight-11-lucas-oakeley-men-reading-fiction-yearning-food--68623578here.
They discuss Lucas's social media campaign to get men reading fiction, love stories, food and lots more. 
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Lucas via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok. 

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
Flesh by David Szalay
All That Man Is by David Szalay
The Trees by Percival Everett
Any Human Heart by William Boyd
Imogen by Jilly Cooper
Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney
https://www.service95.com/why-more-men-need-to-read-about-love
David Nicholls
Bobby Palmer
Mike Gayle
Wuthering Heights (2026)
Frankenstein (2025)
Saltburn (2023)
The Narrow Road To The Deep North (2025)
The Narrow Road to the Deep North by Richard Flanagan
Nora Ephron
Mad Men (2007)
Game of Thrones
Breaking Bad (2008)
Succession (2018)

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68623578Wed, 19 Nov 2025 01:00:08 +0000Hannah MacDonald(PSA: Sound on this ep improves 5/10 mins in, apologies!) For today's episode Hannah was joined by author Lucas Oakeley to discuss his debut novel Nearly Departed which you can buy https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9781835012949 They discuss Lucas's...here.
They discuss Lucas's social media campaign to get men reading fiction, love stories, food and lots more. 
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Lucas via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok. 

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
Flesh by David Szalay
All That Man Is by David Szalay
The Trees by Percival Everett
Any Human Heart by William Boyd
Imogen by Jilly Cooper
Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney
https://www.service95.com/why-more-men-need-to-read-about-love
David Nicholls
Bobby Palmer
Mike Gayle
Wuthering Heights (2026)
Frankenstein (2025)
Saltburn (2023)
The Narrow Road To The Deep North (2025)
The Narrow Road to the Deep North by Richard Flanagan
Nora Ephron
Mad Men (2007)
2374bookrecommendations,booktok,davidszalay,debutauthor,debutnovel,fiction,fivebooksforboys,foodie,foodwriter,grief,lucasoakeley,madmen,maleauthor,mob,noraephron,romcom,thenarrowroadtothedeepnorth,writer,writing,yearningfalse916fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s6-debut-spotlight-10-viola-van-de-sandt-dinner-parties-miranda-july-writing-trauma--68502114The Dinner Party, they discuss their favourite dinner party scenes, writing about trauma, how Viola's debut was actually her 4th novel & much more. 
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can buy The Dinner Party here (UK) & here (US)
You can follow Viola via Instagram

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
All Fours by Miranda July
The First Bad Man by Miranda July
Virginia Woolf: Biography by Hermione Lee
The Party (2017)
The Bear: Fishes
Fleabag: S2 E1
The Dry Heart by Natalia Ginzburg
Happiness, As Such by Natalia Ginzburg

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68502114Wed, 12 Nov 2025 01:00:08 +0000Hannah MacDonaldFor today's Debut Spotlight episode Hannah chats to author Viola van de Sandt about her debut novel https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9781035429844, they discuss their favourite dinner party scenes, writing about trauma, how Viola's debut was actually...The Dinner Party, they discuss their favourite dinner party scenes, writing about trauma, how Viola's debut was actually her 4th novel & much more. 
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can buy The Dinner Party here (UK) & here (US)
You can follow Viola via Instagram

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
All Fours by Miranda July
The First Bad Man by Miranda July
Virginia Woolf: Biography by Hermione Lee
The Party (2017)
The Bear: Fishes
Fleabag: S2 E1
The Dry Heart by Natalia Ginzburg
Happiness, As Such by Natalia Ginzburg

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>2214allfours,bookrecommendations,books,debutauthor,debutnovel,dinnerparties,fleabag,hermionelees,kristenscottthomas,mirandajuly,nataliaginzburg,thebear,thebodykeepsthescore,theparty,violavandesandt,writers,writingfalse915fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s6-debut-spotlight-9-b-a-pepper-smut-welsh-mythology-all-the-romantasy-recs--68416686Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can buy Daughter of Stone here.
You can also follow B & her work via Instagram, Tik Tok and www.bapepperauthor.com
Listen to A Pod of Smut and Wingspan here.

Books & other mentions in this episode:
Bonded by Thorns by Elizabeth Helen
The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle L. Jensen
The Tempest Blade by Danielle L. Jensen
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J.Maas
A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J.Maas
Daughter of No Worlds by Carissa Broadbent
The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare
The Mabinogi
One Piece
Blood and Ash series by Jennifer L. Armentrout
The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent
Spark of the Everflame by Penn Cole
The Plated Prisoner series by Raven Kennedy
The Sacred Stones series by Kate Golden
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68416686Wed, 05 Nov 2025 01:00:08 +0000Hannah MacDonaldOn today's episode Hannah chats to writer & co-host of the A Pod of Smut and Wingspan podcast B.A Pepper about her debut novel Daughter of Stone. They discuss what drew B into the world of Romantasy, how her friend and co-host Sam encouraged her...Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can buy Daughter of Stone here.
You can also follow B & her work via Instagram, Tik Tok and www.bapepperauthor.com
Listen to A Pod of Smut and Wingspan here.

Books & other mentions in this episode:
Bonded by Thorns by Elizabeth Helen
The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle L. Jensen
The Tempest Blade by Danielle L. Jensen
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J.Maas
A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J.Maas
Daughter of No Worlds by Carissa Broadbent
The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare
The Mabinogi
One Piece
Blood and Ash series by Jennifer L. Armentrout
The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Carissa Broadbent
Spark of the Everflame by Penn Cole
The Plated Prisoner series by Raven Kennedy
The Sacred Stones series by Kate Golden
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black
Six of Crows by Leigh...]]>3342acotar,apodofsmutandwingspan,bapepper,bookrecommendations,booktok,carissabroadbent,daniellejensen,debutauthor,debutnovel,enemiestolovers,fantasy,hollyblack,ravenkennedy,reading,romantasy,smut,welshmythology,welshwriter,writers,writingfalse914fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s6-debut-spotlight-8-chloe-de-lullington-student-life-bisexuality-david-bowie--68315752Cacoethes. 
They discuss the 11 year writing process of this book, celebrity deaths, being an 'old soul', Class & lots more. 
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Chloe via Instagram & Bluesky. 

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors
Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors
I Was Monty's Double by M. E. Clifton James
Tarot Interviews Podcast - Chloe's Episode
The Old Man and Me by Elaine Dundy

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68315752Wed, 29 Oct 2025 01:00:07 +0000Hannah MacDonaldOn today's episode in our Debut Spotlight series, Hannah was joined by writer Chloe de Lullington to discuss her debut novel https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9781915179630.  They discuss the 11 year writing process of this book, celebrity deaths, being...Cacoethes. 
They discuss the 11 year writing process of this book, celebrity deaths, being an 'old soul', Class & lots more. 
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Chloe via Instagram & Bluesky. 

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors
Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors
I Was Monty's Double by M. E. Clifton James
Tarot Interviews Podcast - Chloe's Episode
The Old Man and Me by Elaine Dundy

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>2979bdsm,bisexuality,bookrecommendations,books,chloedelullington,davidbowie,debutauthor,debutnovel,lgbtqia,powerdynamics,relationships,studentlife,university,writersonwriting,writinginspirationtrue913fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s6-debut-spotlight-7-hattie-williams-publishing-big-feelings-our-comfort-writers--68228387Hattie Williams to discuss her debut novel Bitter Sweet. They discuss grief, power dynamics in relationships, those friends that get you through the worst of times and the writers we seek solace in + lots more!
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Hattie via Instagram, Substack & https://www.hattiewilliams.com/

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
Ordinary Saints by Niamh Ni Mhaoileoin
BBC Radio 2 Book Club podcast - Niamh Ni Mhaoileoin
The List of Suspicious Things by Jennie Godfrey
https://www.writelikeagrrrl.org/category/courses
https://www.amiemcnee.com/
Women's Prize: Where I Write: Hattie Williams
https://www.theparisreview.org/
https://www.thetimes.com/life-style/parenting/article/grief-motherhood-experience-hattie-williams-llm9jn8cn
Rachel's Holiday by Marian Keyes
Grown Ups by Marian Keyes
Max Porter
Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney
Judy Blume
Philip Larkin
Ted Hughes
Seamus Heaney
Emma Hinds
https://interalia.ntlive.com/
The Leftovers (HBO)
The Split (BBC)
Such Brave Girls

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68228387Wed, 22 Oct 2025 00:00:08 +0000Hannah MacDonaldOn today's episode Hannah was joined by author https://www.hattiewilliams.com/ to discuss her debut novel https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9781398722804. They discuss grief, power dynamics in relationships, those friends that get you through the worst...Hattie Williams to discuss her debut novel Bitter Sweet. They discuss grief, power dynamics in relationships, those friends that get you through the worst of times and the writers we seek solace in + lots more!
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Hattie via Instagram, Substack & https://www.hattiewilliams.com/

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
Ordinary Saints by Niamh Ni Mhaoileoin
BBC Radio 2 Book Club podcast - Niamh Ni Mhaoileoin
The List of Suspicious Things by Jennie Godfrey
https://www.writelikeagrrrl.org/category/courses
https://www.amiemcnee.com/
Women's Prize: Where I Write: Hattie Williams
https://www.theparisreview.org/
https://www.thetimes.com/life-style/parenting/article/grief-motherhood-experience-hattie-williams-llm9jn8cn
Rachel's Holiday by Marian Keyes
Grown Ups by Marian Keyes
Max Porter
Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney
Judy Blume
Philip Larkin
Ted Hughes
Seamus Heaney
3586affairs,bigfeelings,bittersweet,books,debutauthor,debutnovel,grief,hattiewilliams,interalia,mariankeyes,maxporter,poetry,publishing,publishingindustry,sallyrooney,suchbravegirls,theleftovers,tvrecommendations,writingfalse912fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/lily-king-author-of-heart-the-lover-on-love-grief-the-ultimate-reading-list--68123050Heart the Lover. Aswell as a spoiler free book chat, they discuss love as a form of hope, navigating a creative career whilst working in hospitality, grief & Lily gives you her ultimate list of writers to read! 
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Lily via Instagram, Facebook & https://lilykingbooks.com/
To book tickets for Lily's upcoming events: https://lilykingbooks.com/events

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
Our Evenings by Alan Hollinghurst
Writers & Lovers by Lily King
Euphoria by Lily King
Virginia Woolf
Toni Morrison
The Evening Of The Holiday by Shirley Hazzard
Tessa Hadley
Doris Lessing
Jane Austen
Marilynne Robinson
Loved and Missed by Susie Boyt
Elizabeth Strout
Jenny Erpenbeck
Sigrid Nunez
It's Not the End of the World by Judy Blume
Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume
J.D Salinger
Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. (2023)
https://www.booksbeachandbeyond.com/2182618/episodes/17677255-lily-king
My Friends by Hisham Matar

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68123050Wed, 15 Oct 2025 00:00:09 +0000Hannah MacDonaldOn today's episode Hannah was joined by the inimitable Lily King to talk about her latest novel https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9781837265497. Aswell as a spoiler free book chat, they discuss love as a form of hope, navigating a creative career whilst...Heart the Lover. Aswell as a spoiler free book chat, they discuss love as a form of hope, navigating a creative career whilst working in hospitality, grief & Lily gives you her ultimate list of writers to read! 
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Lily via Instagram, Facebook & https://lilykingbooks.com/
To book tickets for Lily's upcoming events: https://lilykingbooks.com/events

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
Our Evenings by Alan Hollinghurst
Writers & Lovers by Lily King
Euphoria by Lily King
Virginia Woolf
Toni Morrison
The Evening Of The Holiday by Shirley Hazzard
Tessa Hadley
Doris Lessing
Jane Austen
Marilynne Robinson
Loved and Missed by Susie Boyt
Elizabeth Strout
Jenny Erpenbeck
Sigrid Nunez
It's Not the End of the World by Judy Blume
Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume
J.D Salinger
Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. (2023)
2674bookrecommendations,books,booksbeachandbeyond,grief,heartthelover,hope,hospitality,judyblume,lilyking,love,myfriends,susieboyt,uspolitics,virginiawoolf,waitressing,writersandlovers,writersonwriting,writingadvice,writinginspirationfalse911fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s6-debut-spotlight-6-malika-nekhla-self-publishing-bookshops-perfect-castings--68048863Hold on to Your Heart. They discuss her journey to self-publishing, bittersweet love stories & her love for Andrew Garfield & Emma Stone. 
A list of links to buy your copy is available here.
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Malika & her work via https://www.malikanekhla.com/, Instagram & Substack.

Books & other mentions in this episode:
Cover Story by Mhairi McFarlane
The Split (BBC)
https://www.hodgesfiggis.ie/
https://www.dezondvloed.be/
Waterstones Piccadilly
Foyles
https://www.bookbaruk.com/
Talking at Night by Claire Daverley
One Day by David Nicholls
Normal People by Sally Rooney
La La Land (2016)
Fleabag (BBC)
Rivals
Bugonia (2025)
Kinds of Kindness (2024)
Poor Things (2023)
The Favourite (2018)
Heart the Lover by Lily King
Writers & Lovers by Lily King

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/68048863Wed, 08 Oct 2025 00:00:08 +0000Hannah MacDonaldOn today's episode Hannah was joined by author Malika Nekhla to discuss her debut novel https://www.waterstones.com/book/hold-on-to-your-heart/malika-nekhla/9789090400365. They discuss her journey to self-publishing, bittersweet love stories & her...Hold on to Your Heart. They discuss her journey to self-publishing, bittersweet love stories & her love for Andrew Garfield & Emma Stone. 
A list of links to buy your copy is available here.
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Malika & her work via https://www.malikanekhla.com/, Instagram & Substack.

Books & other mentions in this episode:
Cover Story by Mhairi McFarlane
The Split (BBC)
https://www.hodgesfiggis.ie/
https://www.dezondvloed.be/
Waterstones Piccadilly
Foyles
https://www.bookbaruk.com/
Talking at Night by Claire Daverley
One Day by David Nicholls
Normal People by Sally Rooney
La La Land (2016)
Fleabag (BBC)
Rivals
Bugonia (2025)
Kinds of Kindness (2024)
Poor Things (2023)
2442adaptations,andrewgarfield,bookrecommendations,books,bookshops,casting,debutauthor,debutnovel,emmastone,reading,romancenovel,selfpublishing,societalpressures,writinginspirationfalse910fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/september-book-club-with-booker-prize-shortlisted-author-susan-choi-japanese-korean-history-language-otherness--67953050Flashlight. Aswell as discussing her book (spoiler free), they chat about language, writing process, inspiration, the books she's been enjoying recently & lots more!
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Susan & her work via her website or Instagram.

Books & other mentions in this episode:
My Education by Susan Choi
Endling by Maria Reva
When The Emperor Was Divine by Julie Otsuka
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2020/09/07/flashlight
Trust Exercise by Susan Choi
Daughters Of The Bamboo Grove by Barbara Demick

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67953050Wed, 01 Oct 2025 00:00:08 +0000Hannah MacDonaldOn today's episode Hannah was joined by Susan Choi, author of Booker Prize shortlisted novel https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9781787335127. Aswell as discussing her book (spoiler free), they chat about language, writing process, inspiration, the books...Flashlight. Aswell as discussing her book (spoiler free), they chat about language, writing process, inspiration, the books she's been enjoying recently & lots more!
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Susan & her work via her website or Instagram.

Books & other mentions in this episode:
My Education by Susan Choi
Endling by Maria Reva
When The Emperor Was Divine by Julie Otsuka
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2020/09/07/flashlight
Trust Exercise by Susan Choi
Daughters Of The Bamboo Grove by Barbara Demick

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>2956america,bookerprize,bookrecommendations,books,flashlight,japan,japanesehistory,koreanhistory,language,mariareva,newyorker,southkorea,susanchoi,writers,writingfalse99fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/laurie-gilmore-author-of-the-gingerbread-bakery-on-slow-burn-romance-spicy-scenes-the-dream-harbor-series--67855501The Pumpkin Spice Café, Laurie Gilmore to discuss the latest in her Dream Harbor series The Gingerbread Bakery. 
They discuss why this book might resonate with so many readers, what it's like living a double author life, all things romance & lots more! 
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Laurie via Instagram, Tik Tok and her website.

Books & other mentions in this episode:
Dream Girl Drama by Tessa Bailey
It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey
Melissa McTernan
https://www.idlehandscoffee.com/
10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
Carley Fortune
The Daisy Chain Flower Shop (Pre-order)
Chestnut Springs series by Elsie Silver

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67855501Wed, 24 Sep 2025 00:00:08 +0000Hannah MacDonaldFor today's episode Hannah was joined by author of Booktok sensation https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9780008610678, Laurie Gilmore to discuss the latest in her Dream Harbor series https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9780008728090.  They discuss why this...The Pumpkin Spice Café, Laurie Gilmore to discuss the latest in her Dream Harbor series The Gingerbread Bakery. 
They discuss why this book might resonate with so many readers, what it's like living a double author life, all things romance & lots more! 
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Laurie via Instagram, Tik Tok and her website.

Books & other mentions in this episode:
Dream Girl Drama by Tessa Bailey
It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey
Melissa McTernan
https://www.idlehandscoffee.com/
10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
Carley Fortune
The Daisy Chain Flower Shop (Pre-order)
Chestnut Springs series by Elsie Silver

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!
]]>227210thingsihateaboutyou,americanauthor,authors,booktok,chestnutsprings,cosyromance,dreamharbor,elsiesilver,lauriegilmore,pumpkinspicecafe,romance,romanceauthor,romancebooks,slowburn,smalltown,spicybooks,tessabailey,thegingerbreadbakery,writers,writingfalse98fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s6-debut-spotlight-5-jo-morey-belize-hearing-loss-publishing-bts--67781705The Night Lagoon (UK)/ Lime Juice Money (US).
In this chat they discuss the publishing BTS including the conversations around different titles for different territories, all of the amazing books Jo has been reading recently, writing a character that is living with tinnitus/hearing loss, the amazing trips she gets to do for research and loads more. 
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Jo via Instagram, X/Twitter & https://jomorey.com/

Books & other mentions in this episode:
Wellness by Nathan Hill
Sharp Glass by Sarah Hilary
Penance by Eliza Clark
Boy Parts by Eliza Clark
She's Always Hungry by Eliza Clark
The Death Bed by Chris Bridges
Sick to Death by Chris Bridges
Liane Moriarty
Where The Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
Serialously with Annie Elise Podcast - Scientology Episode
The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox (Disney +)
Tell Me Lies (Disney +)
Straight Up Podcast

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67781705Wed, 17 Sep 2025 00:00:08 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome to our 150th episode! Today Hannah was joined by the wonderful Jo Morey to discuss her debut novel https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9780008713898)/ https://www.harpercollins.com/products/lime-juice-money-jo-morey?variant=43567068610594. In this...The Night Lagoon (UK)/ Lime Juice Money (US).
In this chat they discuss the publishing BTS including the conversations around different titles for different territories, all of the amazing books Jo has been reading recently, writing a character that is living with tinnitus/hearing loss, the amazing trips she gets to do for research and loads more. 
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Jo via Instagram, X/Twitter & https://jomorey.com/

Books & other mentions in this episode:
Wellness by Nathan Hill
Sharp Glass by Sarah Hilary
Penance by Eliza Clark
Boy Parts by Eliza Clark
She's Always Hungry by Eliza Clark
The Death Bed by Chris Bridges
Sick to Death by Chris Bridges
Liane Moriarty
Where The Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
Serialously with Annie Elise Podcast - Scientology Episode
The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox (Disney +)
Tell Me Lies (Disney +)
Straight Up Podcast

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you...]]>2653amandaknox,belize,bookrecommendations,books,chrisbridges,crimeauthor,debutauthor,debutnovel,elizaclark,hearingloss,jomorey,limejuicemoney,literarythriller,reading,scientology,serialously,suspense,thenightlagoon,tinnitus,writinginspirationfalse97fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/elodie-harper-author-of-boudicca-s-daughter-on-roman-history-complex-families-enemies-to-lovers--67599642Boudicca's Daughter. Aswell as a spoiler-free chat about the book they discuss the Iceni rebellion, the characters' connection to the Gods, the research & writing process for the book and lots more! 
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Elodie via Instagram, Substack or via her website.

Books & other mentions in this episode:
The Wolf Den by Elodie Harper
The House With The Golden Door by Elodie Harper
The Temple of Fortuna by Elodie Harper
Weyward by Emilia Hart
A Novel Evening podcast
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J.Maas
Claire Douglas
The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
Hekate by Nikita Gill

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67599642Wed, 03 Sep 2025 00:00:08 +0000Hannah MacDonaldOn today's episode Hannah was joined by bestselling author Elodie Harper to discuss her latest novel https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9781804544631. Aswell as a spoiler-free chat about the book they discuss the Iceni rebellion, the characters'...Boudicca's Daughter. Aswell as a spoiler-free chat about the book they discuss the Iceni rebellion, the characters' connection to the Gods, the research & writing process for the book and lots more! 
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Elodie via Instagram, Substack or via her website.

Books & other mentions in this episode:
The Wolf Den by Elodie Harper
The House With The Golden Door by Elodie Harper
The Temple of Fortuna by Elodie Harper
Weyward by Emilia Hart
A Novel Evening podcast
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J.Maas
Claire Douglas
The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
Hekate by Nikita Gill

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>2491acotar,books,boudicca,elodieharper,emiliahart,enemiestolovers,historicalfiction,icenirebellion,icenitribe,lordoftherings,paulinus,pliny,research,romanempire,romanhistory,wolfden,writers,writingfalse96fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s6-debut-spotlight-4-emma-cowing-scotland-powerful-women-life-at-the-circus--67510922The Show Woman. (You don't need to have read the book to enjoy the ep but do grab yourselves a copy!) On this ep they discuss the family history that inspired this book, what life would have been like for women & Queer communities during the Edwardian Era, the beauty of Scotland & loads more! 
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon.
If you love our podcast please also consider voting for us https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/voting!
You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Emma via Instagram & https://emmacowing.com/

Books & other mentions in this episode:
The Art of a Lie by Laura Shepherd-Robinson
Pre-order Emma's second novel The Pleasure Palace (out 2026)
https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
1984 by George Orwell
Tipping The Velvet by Sarah Waters
The Mourning Necklace by Kate Foster
Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story (BBC Iplayer)

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67510922Wed, 27 Aug 2025 00:00:08 +0000Hannah MacDonaldFor today's episode Hannah was joined by journalist & debut author Emma Cowing to discuss her dazzling novel https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9781399737395. (You don't need to have read the book to enjoy the ep but do grab yourselves a copy!) On...The Show Woman. (You don't need to have read the book to enjoy the ep but do grab yourselves a copy!) On this ep they discuss the family history that inspired this book, what life would have been like for women & Queer communities during the Edwardian Era, the beauty of Scotland & loads more! 
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon.
If you love our podcast please also consider voting for us https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/voting!
You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Emma via Instagram & https://emmacowing.com/

Books & other mentions in this episode:
The Art of a Lie by Laura Shepherd-Robinson
Pre-order Emma's second novel The Pleasure Palace (out 2026)
https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
1984 by George Orwell
Tipping The Velvet by Sarah Waters
The Mourning Necklace by Kate Foster
Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story (BBC Iplayer)

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>2641author,bookrecommendations,books,circus,edwardianera,emmacowing,familyhistory,grief,historicalfiction,journalist,sarahwaters,scotland,scottishauthor,showwomen,strongfemalecharacters,tippingthevelvet,writer,writingfalse95fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/thomas-mcmullan-author-of-groundwater-on-acting-classes-money-privilege-horror-settings--67490767Groundwater (spoiler free!)
They discuss the infamous second novel, how acting classes helped him better understand human behaviour, the authors & books that have influenced him and lots more!
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon.
If you love our podcast please also consider voting for us https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/voting!
You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Thomas via Instagram.

Books & other mentions in this episode:
Thomas debut novel: The Last Good Man
Vaim by Jon Fosse
To The Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf
The Lodgers by Holly Pester
Middlemarch by George Elliot
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/performing-arts/acting-and-theatre/acting
Krapps Last Tape by Samuel Beckett
Our Ep with Saba Sams
Festival Recc- https://deptfordx.org/
Art Recc- https://www.richarddeanhughes.com/
Art Gallery recc- https://xxijrahii.net/

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67490767Mon, 25 Aug 2025 00:00:08 +0000Hannah MacDonaldOn today's episode Hannah was joined by author Thomas McMullan to discuss his latest novel https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9781526678027 (spoiler free!) They discuss the infamous second novel, how acting classes helped him better understand human...Groundwater (spoiler free!)
They discuss the infamous second novel, how acting classes helped him better understand human behaviour, the authors & books that have influenced him and lots more!
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon.
If you love our podcast please also consider voting for us https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/voting!
You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Thomas via Instagram.

Books & other mentions in this episode:
Thomas debut novel: The Last Good Man
Vaim by Jon Fosse
To The Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf
The Lodgers by Holly Pester
Middlemarch by George Elliot
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/performing-arts/acting-and-theatre/acting
Krapps Last Tape by Samuel Beckett
Our Ep with Saba Sams
Festival Recc- https://deptfordx.org/
Art Recc- https://www.richarddeanhughes.com/
Art Gallery recc- https://xxijrahii.net/

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>2649actingclasses,beckett,bookrecommendations,books,groundwater,jonfosse,margaretatwood,meisner,money,novel,privilege,secondnovel,stanislavski,thomasmcmullan,wealth,writers,writingfalse94fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s6-debut-spotlight-3-aisling-rawle-love-island-toxic-masculinity-george-orwell--67441717The Compound, Aisling Rawle. They discuss the appeal of shows like Love Island, what Aisling's own relationship with reality TV is like, her writing influences & lots more! If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon.
If you love our podcast please also consider voting for us https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/voting!
You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 

Books & other mentions in this episode:
Moderation by Elaine Castillo
We Had To Remove This Post by Hanna Bervoets
Sky Daddy by Kate Folk
Hard Copy by Fien Veldman
Love Island
Total Wipeout
Big Brother
Animal Farm by George Orwell
Isola by Allegra Goodman

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67441717Wed, 20 Aug 2025 00:00:09 +0000Hannah MacDonaldFor today's episode Hannah was joined by author of the book of the summer https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9780008710088, Aisling Rawle. They discuss the appeal of shows like Love Island, what Aisling's own relationship with reality TV is like, her...The Compound, Aisling Rawle. They discuss the appeal of shows like Love Island, what Aisling's own relationship with reality TV is like, her writing influences & lots more! If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon.
If you love our podcast please also consider voting for us https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/voting!
You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 

Books & other mentions in this episode:
Moderation by Elaine Castillo
We Had To Remove This Post by Hanna Bervoets
Sky Daddy by Kate Folk
Hard Copy by Fien Veldman
Love Island
Total Wipeout
Big Brother
Animal Farm by George Orwell
Isola by Allegra Goodman

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>2429aislingrawle,animalfarm,bigbrother,bookchat,bookrecommendations,books,debutauthor,debutnovel,influencers,isola,loveisland,orwell,realitytv,thecompound,thriller,torreypeters,toxicmasculinity,writer,writersonwriting,writinginspirationfalse93fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s6-debut-spotlight-2-elaine-hastings-doomed-love-tortured-rock-stars-the-price-of-fame--67344849When We Were Young. (You don't have to have read the book to listen!) Aswell as discussing her writing process, they discuss mothers & daughters, how music connects us to memories, researching the life of a music star and much more. If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon.
If you love our podcast please also consider voting for us https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/voting!
You can follow Elaine via Instagram & here.
You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 

Books & other mentions in this episode:
Mary Jane by Jessica Anya Blau
The Smoke Jumper by Nicholas Evans
The Horse Whisperer by Nicholas Evans
David Bowie: Cracked Actor (1975)
Over The Rainbow: Tales from an Unexpected Year by Alex James
It Takes Blood and Guts: Biography by SKIN & Lucy O'Brien
The Storyteller: Tales of Life and Music by Dave Grohl
https://www.musicvenuetrust.com/

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67344849Wed, 13 Aug 2025 00:00:08 +0000Hannah MacDonaldFor today's episode Hannah was joined by author Elaine Hastings to discuss her debut novel https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9780008763329. (You don't have to have read the book to listen!) Aswell as discussing her writing process, they discuss mothers...When We Were Young. (You don't have to have read the book to listen!) Aswell as discussing her writing process, they discuss mothers & daughters, how music connects us to memories, researching the life of a music star and much more. If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon.
If you love our podcast please also consider voting for us https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/voting!
You can follow Elaine via Instagram & here.
You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 

Books & other mentions in this episode:
Mary Jane by Jessica Anya Blau
The Smoke Jumper by Nicholas Evans
The Horse Whisperer by Nicholas Evans
David Bowie: Cracked Actor (1975)
Over The Rainbow: Tales from an Unexpected Year by Alex James
It Takes Blood and Guts: Biography by SKIN & Lucy O'Brien
The Storyteller: Tales of Life and Music by Dave Grohl
https://www.musicvenuetrust.com/

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!
]]>2247alexjames,blur,bookrecommendations,books,crackedactor,davegrohl,davidbowie,debutauthor,debutnovel,doomedlove,fame,localmusic,localmusicvenues,music,skunkanansie,writersonwriting,writingfalse92fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/heather-darwent-author-of-a-sharp-scratch-on-unreliable-narrators-atmospheric-settings-the-books-she-s-been-loving--67261333A Sharp Scratch (spoiler free!), they discuss how books like Gone Girl and My Year of Rest and Relaxation were influences on her work, how she writes atmospheric settings & why she was drawn to writing a 'bad wedding' scene. All of this & more on today's ep so if you enjoy please do rate, review & subscribe! For more content from us you can find us over on Patreon. If you love our podcast please also consider voting for us https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/voting!
You can follow Heather via her website or Instagram. 
You can follow us via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
The Things We Do To Our Friends by Heather Darwent
The Compound by Aisling Rawle
Tender Is The Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica
The Unworthy by Agustina Bazterrica
Finding Grace by Loretta Rothschild
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
The Guest List by Lucy Foley
My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh
Tana French
The White Lotus (HBO)
The Ring (2002)
Cam (2018)
Blink Twice (2024)
Nicci French
The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
The Winner by Teddy Wayne
Loner by Teddy Wayne
Our Wives Under The Sea by Julia Armfield
We Love You, Bunny by Mona Awad
Bunny by Mona Awad

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!


]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67261333Wed, 06 Aug 2025 02:00:08 +0000Hannah MacDonaldOn today's episode Hannah is joined by author Heather Darwent to discuss her latest novel https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9780241740453 (spoiler free!), they discuss how books like Gone Girl and My Year of Rest and Relaxation were influences on her...A Sharp Scratch (spoiler free!), they discuss how books like Gone Girl and My Year of Rest and Relaxation were influences on her work, how she writes atmospheric settings & why she was drawn to writing a 'bad wedding' scene. All of this & more on today's ep so if you enjoy please do rate, review & subscribe! For more content from us you can find us over on Patreon. If you love our podcast please also consider voting for us https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/voting!
You can follow Heather via her website or Instagram. 
You can follow us via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
The Things We Do To Our Friends by Heather Darwent
The Compound by Aisling Rawle
Tender Is The Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica
The Unworthy by Agustina Bazterrica
Finding Grace by Loretta Rothschild
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
The Guest List by Lucy Foley
My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh
Tana French
The White Lotus (HBO)
The Ring (2002)
Cam (2018)
Blink Twice (2024)
Nicci French
The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
The Winner by Teddy Wayne
Loner by Teddy Wayne
Our Wives Under The Sea by Julia Armfield
We Love You, Bunny by Mona Awad
Bunny by Mona Awad

Let us know your thoughts by emailing...]]>2199asharpscratch,author,blinktwice,bookrecommendations,books,gonegirl,heatherdarwent,horrorfilms,mystery,myyearofrestandrelaxation,thering,thriller,writing,writinginspirationfalse91fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/summer-reading-guide-ft-emma-hinds-road-trip-reads-sexy-books-weird-lit--67246698Patreon. 

For our bonus summer reading guide, I dragged Emma over to the main platform again to share everything we'd recommend to you for the rest of your summer holidays- from beach reads to big books to short books that pack a punch to all the sexy books, we've got you covered!

Books & other mentions in this episode:
Disappoint Me by Nicola Dinan
The Hypocrite by Jo Hamya
The Odyssey by Lara Williams
The Pisces by Melissa Broder
Caledonian Road by Andrew O'Hagan
Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson
Morgan Is My Name by Sophie Keetch
Le Fay by Sophie Keetch
Girls by Kirsty Capes
Slags by Emma Jane Unsworth
All Fours by Miranda July
The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead
Circe by Madeline Miller
Beach Read by Emily Henry
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
Boy Parts by Eliza Clark
The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller
Call Me By Your Name by André Aciman
Tipping The Velvet by Sarah Waters
David Nicholls
Nick Hornby
Mhairi McFarlane
Marian Keyes
Talking at Night by Claire Daverley
The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden
The Artist by Lucy Steeds
Magpie by Elizabeth Day

You can buy Emma's latest book here.
You can follow Emma via Instagram
You can follow us via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok
Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67246698Tue, 05 Aug 2025 00:00:08 +0000Hannah MacDonaldFor exclusive monthly episodes with Emma & I, find us over on https://patreon.com/APairofBookends?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink.  For our bonus summer reading guide, I...Patreon. 

For our bonus summer reading guide, I dragged Emma over to the main platform again to share everything we'd recommend to you for the rest of your summer holidays- from beach reads to big books to short books that pack a punch to all the sexy books, we've got you covered!

Books & other mentions in this episode:
Disappoint Me by Nicola Dinan
The Hypocrite by Jo Hamya
The Odyssey by Lara Williams
The Pisces by Melissa Broder
Caledonian Road by Andrew O'Hagan
Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson
Morgan Is My Name by Sophie Keetch
Le Fay by Sophie Keetch
Girls by Kirsty Capes
Slags by Emma Jane Unsworth
All Fours by Miranda July
The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead
Circe by Madeline Miller
Beach Read by Emily Henry
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
Boy Parts by Eliza Clark
The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller
Call Me By Your Name by André Aciman
Tipping The Velvet by Sarah Waters
David Nicholls
Nick Hornby
Mhairi McFarlane
Marian Keyes
Talking at Night by Claire Daverley
The Safekeep by Yael van der...]]>1448beachreads,bookrecommendations,books,booktok,clairedaverley,colsonwhitehead,emilyhenry,emmahinds,emmajaneunsworth,kirstycapes,larawilliams,nytimes,reading,roadtrips,sarahwaters,smut,summer,summerreadsfalse830bonushttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/july-book-club-with-emma-hinds-alchemy-found-family-pain-vs-pleasure--67179031The Quick and The Dead. Contrary to Emma wanting to have a spoiler filled conversation, this actually contains no spoilers! Emma gives us insights into her writing & research process, they discuss what drew Emma to exploring the world of alchemy, what the cultural family tree was for this book & lots more. If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscibe and for extra content from Hannah & Emma you can find them over on Patreon.
You can find Emma via Instagram, Patreon & her website
You can find us via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
The Quick and The Dead by Emma Hinds
The Knowing by Emma Hinds
Pre-order Witchlore by Emma Hinds (UK)
Pre-order Witchlore by Emma Hinds (US)
Kink: Stories edited by Garth Greenwell & R.O Kwon
What Belongs To You by Garth Greenwell
Exhibit by R.O Kwon
Dr Faustus by Christopher Marlowe
https://mapoflondon.uvic.ca/map.htm
https://folgerpedia.folger.edu/The_Elizabethan_Court_Day_by_Day
https://library.chethams.com/
https://www.independentlibraries.co.uk/gladstones-library
Philip Pullman
Chaucer
The Tempest by Shakespeare
Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel
Dissolution by C.J Sansom
Dark Fire by C.J Sansom
Mercurius by Patrick Harpur
Stage Beauty (2004)
Thomas Tallis (composer)
Biffy Clyro

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67179031Wed, 30 Jul 2025 03:00:07 +0000Hannah MacDonaldFor today's episode friend of the pod and author Emma Hinds joins Hannah to chat about her second novel & our July Book Club pick https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9781915798916. Contrary to Emma wanting to have a spoiler filled conversation, this...The Quick and The Dead. Contrary to Emma wanting to have a spoiler filled conversation, this actually contains no spoilers! Emma gives us insights into her writing & research process, they discuss what drew Emma to exploring the world of alchemy, what the cultural family tree was for this book & lots more. If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscibe and for extra content from Hannah & Emma you can find them over on Patreon.
You can find Emma via Instagram, Patreon & her website
You can find us via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
The Quick and The Dead by Emma Hinds
The Knowing by Emma Hinds
Pre-order Witchlore by Emma Hinds (UK)
Pre-order Witchlore by Emma Hinds (US)
Kink: Stories edited by Garth Greenwell & R.O Kwon
What Belongs To You by Garth Greenwell
Exhibit by R.O Kwon
Dr Faustus by Christopher Marlowe
https://mapoflondon.uvic.ca/map.htm
https://folgerpedia.folger.edu/The_Elizabethan_Court_Day_by_Day
https://library.chethams.com/
https://www.independentlibraries.co.uk/gladstones-library
Philip Pullman
Chaucer
The Tempest by Shakespeare
829fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/indyana-schneider-author-of-since-the-world-is-ending-on-classical-music-great-sex-scenes-mistreatment-in-creative-industries--67074864here. They also chat about what the differences are between Indyana's writing experience of this book and her debut 28 Questions, we also chat about the great books she's read recently, how she navigates moving between her work as an opera singer and her work as a writer & loads more!
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe to help more people find us. For extra content you can find us over on Patreon & Substack
You can follow Indyana via Instagram & https://www.indyanaschneider.com/
You can follow us via Instagram & Tik Tok

Books & other mentions in this episode:
28 Questions by Indyana Schneider
Fundamentally by Nussaibah Younis
Consider Yourself Kissed by Jessica Stanley
The Last Five Years (musical)
Ben Lerner, "Since the world is ending..."
Mother Tongue by Naima Brown
All fours by Miranda July

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/67074864Wed, 23 Jul 2025 02:00:07 +0000Hannah MacDonaldOn today's episode Hannah was joined by the multi-talented Indyana Schneider to discuss her latest novel Since The World is Ending which you can buy https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9781398501133. They also chat about what the differences are between...here. They also chat about what the differences are between Indyana's writing experience of this book and her debut 28 Questions, we also chat about the great books she's read recently, how she navigates moving between her work as an opera singer and her work as a writer & loads more!
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe to help more people find us. For extra content you can find us over on Patreon & Substack
You can follow Indyana via Instagram & https://www.indyanaschneider.com/
You can follow us via Instagram & Tik Tok

Books & other mentions in this episode:
28 Questions by Indyana Schneider
Fundamentally by Nussaibah Younis
Consider Yourself Kissed by Jessica Stanley
The Last Five Years (musical)
Ben Lerner, "Since the world is ending..."
Mother Tongue by Naima Brown
All fours by Miranda July

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>2670allfours,author,books,classicalmusic,fundamentally,harassment,indyanaschneider,jessicastanley,mirandajuly,misogyny,mothertongue,music,operasinger,thelastfiveyears,writer,writing,writinginspirationfalse828fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s6-debut-spotlight-1-emily-buchanan-climate-activism-grief-gilmore-girls--66986453Send Flowers (spoiler free as always!). We discuss Emily's experience working for Greenpeace, how Emily was involved in the UK fracking ban, the cynicism surrounding creating change, what comfort shows she's enjoying & lots more!
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe to help more people find us. For extra content you can find us over on Patreon & Substack. 
You can buy Emily's book here (UK) & here (US)
You can follow Emily via Instagram & Tik Tok
You can follow us via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok

Books & other mentions in this episode:
The Great Orchid Heist by Eleanor Vendrell
The Origins of Totalitarianism by Hannah Arendt
Writing The Other by Nisi Shawl and Cynthia Ward
Gilmore Girls
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997)


Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/66986453Wed, 16 Jul 2025 01:00:07 +0000Hannah MacDonaldKicking off season 6 in our Debut Spotlight series is the wonderful Emily Buchanan to chat about her debut novel https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9780857308931 (spoiler free as always!). We discuss Emily's experience working for Greenpeace, how Emily...Send Flowers (spoiler free as always!). We discuss Emily's experience working for Greenpeace, how Emily was involved in the UK fracking ban, the cynicism surrounding creating change, what comfort shows she's enjoying & lots more!
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe to help more people find us. For extra content you can find us over on Patreon & Substack. 
You can buy Emily's book here (UK) & here (US)
You can follow Emily via Instagram & Tik Tok
You can follow us via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok

Books & other mentions in this episode:
The Great Orchid Heist by Eleanor Vendrell
The Origins of Totalitarianism by Hannah Arendt
Writing The Other by Nisi Shawl and Cynthia Ward
Gilmore Girls
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997)


Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>2239activism,books,buffy,climateactivists,climatechange,debutauthor,debutnovel,emilybuchanan,environment,fracking,gilmoregirls,greenpeace,grief,reading,vervebooks,writing,writinginspirationfalse827fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s5-debut-spotlight-10-loretta-rothschild-great-openings-reading-widely-tangled-love-stories--66886267Finding Grace which is one of Hannah's fave reads of the year!
We discuss the importance of reading widely, what makes a great opening, support systems & lots more. If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe as it helps to boost us in the charts! You can follow Loretta via https://www.lorettarothschild.com/ & Instagram
You can follow us via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok
You can buy Finding Grace here (US) & here (UK)

Books & other mentions in this episode:
Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy
The Sirens by Emilia Hart
How to End a Story: Collected Diaries by Helen Garner
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Charlotte Brontë
Grief Is the Thing with Feathers by Max Porter
The Intouchables (2011)

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/66886267Wed, 09 Jul 2025 03:00:08 +0000Hannah MacDonaldRounding off Season 5 in our Debut Spotlight series with the wonderful Loretta Rothschild to discuss her debut novel https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9781399825788 which is one of Hannah's fave reads of the year! We discuss the importance of reading...Finding Grace which is one of Hannah's fave reads of the year!
We discuss the importance of reading widely, what makes a great opening, support systems & lots more. If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe as it helps to boost us in the charts! You can follow Loretta via https://www.lorettarothschild.com/ & Instagram
You can follow us via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok
You can buy Finding Grace here (US) & here (UK)

Books & other mentions in this episode:
Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy
The Sirens by Emilia Hart
How to End a Story: Collected Diaries by Helen Garner
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Charlotte Brontë
Grief Is the Thing with Feathers by Max Porter
The Intouchables (2011)

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>2243bookrecommendations,books,charlottebronte,debutauthor,debutnovel,fertility,filmandtv,findinggrace,greatopenings,helengarner,janeausten,lorettarothschild,lovestories,maxporter,reading,relationships,rothschild,theintouchables,writingadvice,writinginspirationfalse826fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/juhea-kim-author-of-city-of-night-birds-on-ballet-the-russian-greats-perseverance--66823859Beasts of a Little Land to discuss her latest novel City of Night Birds. 
They discuss how Juhea has navigated the success of her books, what it was like to win the Yasnaya Polyana Literary Award, her passion for ballet, the importance of combining her work as an author with humanitarian work and so much more. 
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe as it helps more of you to find us! For extra content you can find us over on Patreon and Substack. 
You can buy Juhea's new book from here (UK) and here (US)
You can find Juhea via https://juheakim.com/ & Instagram
You can follow us via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok

Books, authors & other mentions in this episode: 
 Oxford Soju Club by Jinwoo Park 
The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen
Sinners (2025)
Out of Africa (1985)
The Karamazov Brothers by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
Nikolay Gogol
Alexander Pushkin
Guy de Maupassant
Franz Kafka
TOJI: Park Kyung-Ri Epic Novel 21Volume Set
Park Wan-Suh

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/66823859Wed, 02 Jul 2025 03:00:08 +0000Hannah MacDonaldOn today's episode Hannah was joined by Juhea Kim, author of https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9780861543229 to discuss her latest novel https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9780861549948.  They discuss how Juhea has navigated the success of her books, what...Beasts of a Little Land to discuss her latest novel City of Night Birds. 
They discuss how Juhea has navigated the success of her books, what it was like to win the Yasnaya Polyana Literary Award, her passion for ballet, the importance of combining her work as an author with humanitarian work and so much more. 
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe as it helps more of you to find us! For extra content you can find us over on Patreon and Substack. 
You can buy Juhea's new book from here (UK) and here (US)
You can find Juhea via https://juheakim.com/ & Instagram
You can follow us via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok

Books, authors & other mentions in this episode: 
 Oxford Soju Club by Jinwoo Park 
The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen
Sinners (2025)
Out of Africa (1985)
The Karamazov Brothers by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
Nikolay Gogol
Alexander Pushkin
Guy de Maupassant
Franz Kafka
TOJI: Park Kyung-Ri Epic Novel 21Volume Set
Park Wan-Suh

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>2827ballet,beastsofalittleland,bookrecommendation,bookrecommendations,books,cityofnightbirds,humanitarian,juheakim,koreanauthors,reesesbookclub,reesesbookclubpick,russiangreats,ukraine,writing,writinginspiration,yasnayapolyanafalse825fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s5-debut-spotlight-9-jennifer-trevelyan-re-reading-mother-s-guilt-children-as-narrators--66729615A Beautiful Family. They discuss how Jennifer finally carved out writing time for herself & the guilt that came with that, the extensive list of writers that have influenced her and what the pros and cons were of having a child as narrator in this book. If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe as it helps more of you to find us! For extra content you can find us over on Patreon and Substack. 
You can buy Jennifer's book here (UK),here (Australia) & here (U.S)
You can find Jennifer via instagram or Twitter/X
You can find us over on Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok

Books, authors & other mentions in this ep:
Bel Canto by Ann Patchett
Picnic at Hanging Rock by Joan Lindsay
Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney
You Are Here by David Nicholls
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier
Stephen King
Anne Tyler
Elizabeth Strout
Carol Shields
Joyce Carol Oates
Donna Tartt
Shirley Jackson Short Stories
Claire Keegan


Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/66729615Wed, 25 Jun 2025 03:00:08 +0000Hannah MacDonaldIn today's episode Hannah chats to debut author Jennifer Trevelyan about her novel https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9781035055739. They discuss how Jennifer finally carved out writing time for herself & the guilt that came with that, the extensive...A Beautiful Family. They discuss how Jennifer finally carved out writing time for herself & the guilt that came with that, the extensive list of writers that have influenced her and what the pros and cons were of having a child as narrator in this book. If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe as it helps more of you to find us! For extra content you can find us over on Patreon and Substack. 
You can buy Jennifer's book here (UK),here (Australia) & here (U.S)
You can find Jennifer via instagram or Twitter/X
You can find us over on Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok

Books, authors & other mentions in this ep:
Bel Canto by Ann Patchett
Picnic at Hanging Rock by Joan Lindsay
Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney
You Are Here by David Nicholls
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier
Stephen King
Anne Tyler
Elizabeth Strout
Carol Shields
Joyce Carol Oates
Donna Tartt
Shirley Jackson Short Stories
Claire Keegan


Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>1884abeautifulfamily,annpatchett,author,bookrecommendations,books,clairekeegan,crime,debutauthor,friendship,holiday,jennifertrevelyan,joanlindsay,newzealand,newzealandauthor,shirleyjackson,stephenking,writers,writing,writinginspiration,wutheringheightsfalse824fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s5-debut-spotlight-8-silvia-park-adaptations-robots-scrapping-ideas--66581518Luminous. They discussed how they went from working on a different novel for seven years to working on a children's book which became this novel for adults. They also chat about adaptations, fascinating research on robots, whether they could invite a robot into their own home and lots more. If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us via Patreon or Substack. 
You can find Silvia via Instagram
You can buy Luminous in the UK here or the US here
You can find us via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok

Books & other mentions in this episode:
Trust Exercise by Susan Choi
Flashlight by Susan Choi
My Education by Susan Choi
Never Let Me Go: Twentieth Anniversary Edition by Kazuo Ishiguro
Never Let Me Go (2010)
Professor Minoru Asada
Astro Boy
Foundation (2021)
Murderbot
Severance (2022)
Burning (2018)
The Elephant Vanishes by Haruki Murakami (includes mentioned story Barn Burning)
Snowy Day and Other Stories by Lee Chang-Dong
Poetry (2010)


Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!



]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/66581518Wed, 18 Jun 2025 03:00:07 +0000Hannah MacDonaldFor today's episode Hannah was joined by debut novelist Silvia Park to discuss their sci-fi novel https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9780861546411. They discussed how they went from working on a different novel for seven years to working on a children's...Luminous. They discussed how they went from working on a different novel for seven years to working on a children's book which became this novel for adults. They also chat about adaptations, fascinating research on robots, whether they could invite a robot into their own home and lots more. If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us via Patreon or Substack. 
You can find Silvia via Instagram
You can buy Luminous in the UK here or the US here
You can find us via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok

Books & other mentions in this episode:
Trust Exercise by Susan Choi
Flashlight by Susan Choi
My Education by Susan Choi
Never Let Me Go: Twentieth Anniversary Edition by Kazuo Ishiguro
Never Let Me Go (2010)
Professor Minoru Asada
Astro Boy
Foundation (2021)
Murderbot
Severance (2022)
Burning (2018)
The Elephant Vanishes by Haruki Murakami (includes mentioned story Barn Burning)
Snowy Day and Other Stories by Lee Chang-Dong
2742adaptations,books,debutauthor,debutnovel,grief,koreanamericanauthor,luminous,neverletmego,robotboyfriend,roboticist,robots,scifi,silviapark,writing,writinginspirationfalse823fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/june-book-club-with-jenni-daiches-women-s-prize-for-fiction-writing-tragedy-learning-from-history--66494814You can buy Somewhere Else here.
You can follow us via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok
For more content you can find us on Patreon & Substack. 

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
https://womensprize.com/prizes/womens-prize-for-fiction/
Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout
My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout
Joyce Carol Oates
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/66494814Wed, 11 Jun 2025 02:00:07 +0000Hannah MacDonaldFor our June Book Club episode we are discussing Somewhere Else with author of the novel Jenni Daiches who was longlisted for this year's Women's Prize for Fiction. We discuss how we can and should be learning from history, how she writes tragedy...You can buy Somewhere Else here.
You can follow us via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok
For more content you can find us on Patreon & Substack. 

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
https://womensprize.com/prizes/womens-prize-for-fiction/
Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout
My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout
Joyce Carol Oates
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>1660barbarakingsolver,bookrecommendation,books,edinburgh,elizabethstrout,jennidaiches,joycecaroloates,miriammargoyles,palestine,scottishauthor,tragedy,womensprize,womensprize2025,womensprizeforfiction,writinginspirationfalse822fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/hazel-barkworth-author-of-the-drownings-on-witch-trials-campus-novels-female-rage--66369850The Drownings. (spoiler free) 
Aswell as writing and book chat, they discuss competitive swimming, body image, influencers & loads more. If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe- it's a free way to support the pod & means the world! For exclusive content you can find us via Patreon & Substack. 
You can follow Hazel via Instagram & you can buy her previous book Heatstroke here.
You can follow us via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok

Books & other mentions in this episode:
Kingfisher by Rozie Kelly
https://serenitybooksellers.com/ / instagram.com/serenitybooksellers/
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
Uncomfortable Oxford Tours
The End of Everything by Megan Abbott
High Season by Katie Bishop

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/66369850Wed, 04 Jun 2025 02:00:07 +0000Hannah MacDonaldOn today's episode Hannah was joined by writer Hazel Barkworth to discuss her latest novel https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9781035409549. (spoiler free)  Aswell as writing and book chat, they discuss competitive swimming, body image, influencers &...The Drownings. (spoiler free) 
Aswell as writing and book chat, they discuss competitive swimming, body image, influencers & loads more. If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe- it's a free way to support the pod & means the world! For exclusive content you can find us via Patreon & Substack. 
You can follow Hazel via Instagram & you can buy her previous book Heatstroke here.
You can follow us via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok

Books & other mentions in this episode:
Kingfisher by Rozie Kelly
https://serenitybooksellers.com/ / instagram.com/serenitybooksellers/
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
Uncomfortable Oxford Tours
The End of Everything by Megan Abbott
High Season by Katie Bishop

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>2173bodypositivity,bookrecommendations,books,campusnovels,femalerage,fire,hazelbarkworth,influencers,instagram,reading,thedrownings,thesecrethistory,uncomfortableoxford,water,witchtrials,writers,writing,writinginspirationfalse821fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s5-debut-spotlight-7-daria-lavelle-love-stories-grief-speculative-fiction--66299729Aftertaste.
Aswell as discussing the book (spoiler free), Daria tells us her most romantic food memory, why we should all be going on food tours, her love of speculative fiction and lots more. If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe and for further content you can find us via Patreon and Substack.
You can follow Daria via Instagram, her website & Twitter
You can buy Aftertaste in the UK here & in the US here.
You can follow us via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
Deep Cuts by Holly Brickley
The Antidote by Karen Russell
Vampires in the Lemon Grove by Karen Russell

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/66299729Wed, 28 May 2025 03:00:07 +0000Hannah MacDonaldOn today's episode Hannah was joined by debut author Daria Lavelle to discuss her novel https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9781526683946. Aswell as discussing the book (spoiler free), Daria tells us her most romantic food memory, why we should all be...Aftertaste.
Aswell as discussing the book (spoiler free), Daria tells us her most romantic food memory, why we should all be going on food tours, her love of speculative fiction and lots more. If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe and for further content you can find us via Patreon and Substack.
You can follow Daria via Instagram, her website & Twitter
You can buy Aftertaste in the UK here & in the US here.
You can follow us via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
Deep Cuts by Holly Brickley
The Antidote by Karen Russell
Vampires in the Lemon Grove by Karen Russell

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>2367aftertaste,america,bookclub,bookrecommendations,books,chef,darialavelle,debutauthor,debutnovel,food,kyiv,newyork,paris,romance,speculativefiction,thebear,writing,writinginspirationfalse820fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/lotte-jeffs-author-of-this-love-on-queer-parenting-ivf-friendship--66173766This Love. We also discuss her experience of collaborating with poet Thomas Stewart to create the poetry of her character Ari, chosen family, why the gays do partying better & lots more! If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe and for more content you can find us via Patreon & Substack. 
You can follow Lotte via Instagram or via https://lottejeffs.com/
You can listen to her podcast with Stu Oakley here. 

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
The Queer Parent: Everything You Need to Know From Gay to Ze by Lotte Jeffs & Stu Oakley
My Magic Family by Lotte Jeffs, Illustrated by Sharon Davey
How to be a Gentlewoman: The Art of Soft Power in Hard Times by Lotte Jeffs
https://www.thetimes.com/life-style/article/cynthia-nixon-interview-miranda-sex-city-just-like-that-2023-zfspcdfwv
https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/dan-levy-theres-always-laughter-in-dark-times-dxnscbq86
Good Grief (Netflix)
Waist Deep by Linea Maja Ernst (translated by Sherilyn Nicolette Hellberg)
What A Shame by Abigail Bergstrom
Selfish Girls by Abigail Bergstrom
The Well of Loneliness by Radclyffe Hall
Texas
Natalie Imbruglia
Romeo & Juliet (1996)
Sarah Waters
Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit by Jeanette Winterson
The Ellen Show
fourteen poems: a queer poetry anthology edited by Ben Townley-Canning
Do Ask, Do Tell: Queer Life, Love and Culture Laid Bare by Lotte Jeffs & Stu Oakley

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/66173766Wed, 21 May 2025 03:00:07 +0000Hannah MacDonaldFor today's episode Hannah was joined by writer & podcaster Lotte Jeffs to discuss (spoiler free!) her debut novel https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9780349703176. We also discuss her experience of collaborating with poet Thomas Stewart to create...This Love. We also discuss her experience of collaborating with poet Thomas Stewart to create the poetry of her character Ari, chosen family, why the gays do partying better & lots more! If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe and for more content you can find us via Patreon & Substack. 
You can follow Lotte via Instagram or via https://lottejeffs.com/
You can listen to her podcast with Stu Oakley here. 

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
The Queer Parent: Everything You Need to Know From Gay to Ze by Lotte Jeffs & Stu Oakley
My Magic Family by Lotte Jeffs, Illustrated by Sharon Davey
How to be a Gentlewoman: The Art of Soft Power in Hard Times by Lotte Jeffs
https://www.thetimes.com/life-style/article/cynthia-nixon-interview-miranda-sex-city-just-like-that-2023-zfspcdfwv
https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/dan-levy-theres-always-laughter-in-dark-times-dxnscbq86
Good Grief (Netflix)
Waist Deep by Linea Maja Ernst (translated by Sherilyn Nicolette Hellberg)
What A Shame by Abigail Bergstrom
Selfish Girls by Abigail Bergstrom
The Well of Loneliness by Radclyffe Hall
Texas
Natalie Imbruglia
Romeo & Juliet (1996)
Sarah Waters
Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit by Jeanette Winterson
The Ellen Show2374abigailbergstrom,book,bookrecommendations,cynthianixon,danlevy,friendship,jeanettewinterson,lgbtqbooks,lgbtqcommunity,lgbtqfamily,lottejeffs,love,poetry,queerauthor,queerculture,queerparenting,romance,thewellofloneliness,thislove,thomasstewartfalse819fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/saba-sams-author-of-gunk-on-motherhood-birth-scenes-brighton--66069246Gunk, listeners may remember Saba from our podcast back in 2023 when she joined us to discuss her award-winning short story collection Send Nudes
They discuss Motherhood, the fear of infertility, living in the age of capitalism, short books & lots more. If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe and if you'd like to support us further you can subscribe via Patreon or Substack
You can follow Saba via Instagram 

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
Fun and Games by John Patrick McHugh
Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin
Janet Planet (2023)

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/66069246Wed, 14 May 2025 03:00:07 +0000Hannah MacDonaldOn today's episode Hannah was joined by Saba Sams to discuss her debut novel https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9781526621801, listeners may remember Saba from our podcast back in 2023 when she joined us to discuss her award-winning short story...Gunk, listeners may remember Saba from our podcast back in 2023 when she joined us to discuss her award-winning short story collection Send Nudes
They discuss Motherhood, the fear of infertility, living in the age of capitalism, short books & lots more. If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe and if you'd like to support us further you can subscribe via Patreon or Substack
You can follow Saba via Instagram 

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
Fun and Games by John Patrick McHugh
Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin
Janet Planet (2023)

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!
]]>2396bookrecommendation,books,brighton,capitalism,clubbing,debutauthor,manchester,motherhood,novel,reading,sabasams,shortbooks,writinginspirationfalse818fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/may-book-club-with-agustina-bazterrica-tender-is-the-flesh-adaptation-writing-horror-climate-change--65941792Tender Is the Flesh, Agustina Bazterrica to discuss her latest novel The Unworthy. They discuss why writing graphic horror scenes doesn't affect Agustina, the writers that have influenced her work & the books, TV & films she's been enjoying recently. If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe and for more content you can find us via Patreon. 
You can follow Agustina via Instagram, Twitter/X & Facebook. 
You can follow us via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
Sarandí by Pamela Terlizzi Prina
Even If Everything Ends by Jens Liljestrand
Answered Prayers: The Unfinished Novel by Truman Capote
Feud: Capote vs. The Swans (FX/Disney +)
The Vegetarian by Han Kang
Greek Lessons by Han Kang
The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
Before Night Falls by Reinaldo Arenas
Funes the Memorious (Short Story) by Jorge Luis Borges
Caliban and the Witch: Women, the Body and Primitive Accumulation by Silvia Federici
Witches, Witch-Hunting, and Women by Silvia Federici
The Matrix (1999)
Angeles Salvador
Sinners (2025)
Oddity (2024)
BRAT: A Ghost Story by Gabriel Smith
Blackwater I: The Flood by Michael McDowell

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/65941792Wed, 07 May 2025 03:00:07 +0000Hannah MacDonaldFor our May Book Club episode Hannah was joined by author of the viral https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9781782276203, Agustina Bazterrica to discuss her latest novel https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9781805331858. They discuss why writing graphic...Tender Is the Flesh, Agustina Bazterrica to discuss her latest novel The Unworthy. They discuss why writing graphic horror scenes doesn't affect Agustina, the writers that have influenced her work & the books, TV & films she's been enjoying recently. If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe and for more content you can find us via Patreon. 
You can follow Agustina via Instagram, Twitter/X & Facebook. 
You can follow us via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
Sarandí by Pamela Terlizzi Prina
Even If Everything Ends by Jens Liljestrand
Answered Prayers: The Unfinished Novel by Truman Capote
Feud: Capote vs. The Swans (FX/Disney +)
The Vegetarian by Han Kang
Greek Lessons by Han Kang
The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank
Before Night Falls by Reinaldo Arenas
Funes the Memorious (Short Story) by Jorge Luis Borges
Caliban and the Witch: Women, the Body and Primitive Accumulation by Silvia Federici
Witches, Witch-Hunting, and Women by Silvia Federici
The Matrix (1999)
Angeles Salvador
Sinners (2025)
Oddity (2024)
817fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/top-of-your-tbr-with-nat-reeve--65796125Nettleblack and Earlyfate, his writing influences and the 5 books he thinks should be at the top of your reading piles. 
WRITING AGENTS - bafflingly, Nat Reeve has two amazing historical novels that are published by Cipher Press but does not have a writing agent, if you'd like to get in touch with Nat regarding representation you can find him via https://natreeve.com/

If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe as it helps to boost us in the charts! You can also find us via Patreon for exclusive content. 
You can follow us via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok. 

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
Nettleblack by Nat Reeve
Earlyfate by Nat Reeve
Mansfield Park by Jane Austen
A Little Trickerie by Rosanna Pike
Charles Dickens
Wilkie Collins
Gilbert and Sullivan - Librettos
Hot Fuzz (2007)
Victorian Psycho by Virginia Feito
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
Mrs March by Virginia Feito
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Fayne by Ann-Marie MacDonald
We That Are Young by Preti Taneja
King Lear
The Quick and The Dead by Emma Hinds
The Knowing by Emma Hinds
Mother Naked by Glen James Brown
Mischief Acts by Zoe Gilbert

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/65796125Wed, 30 Apr 2025 02:00:07 +0000Hannah MacDonaldOn today's episode we are throwing it back to pod roots (OG listeners will remember this from 2022) by bringing back a Top of Your TBR episode where Hannah interviews an author about their book and the books they think should be at the top of YOUR TBR...Nettleblack and Earlyfate, his writing influences and the 5 books he thinks should be at the top of your reading piles. 
WRITING AGENTS - bafflingly, Nat Reeve has two amazing historical novels that are published by Cipher Press but does not have a writing agent, if you'd like to get in touch with Nat regarding representation you can find him via https://natreeve.com/

If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe as it helps to boost us in the charts! You can also find us via Patreon for exclusive content. 
You can follow us via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok. 

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
Nettleblack by Nat Reeve
Earlyfate by Nat Reeve
Mansfield Park by Jane Austen
A Little Trickerie by Rosanna Pike
Charles Dickens
Wilkie Collins
Gilbert and Sullivan - Librettos
Hot Fuzz (2007)
Victorian Psycho by Virginia Feito
Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
Mrs March by Virginia Feito
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Fayne by Ann-Marie MacDonald
We That Are Young by Preti Taneja
3481annmariemacdonald,author,bookrecommendations,dickens,earlyfate,emmahinds,fiction,glenjamesbrown,historicalfiction,hotfuzz,kinglear,mothernaked,natreeve,nettleblack,pretitaneja,reading,tbr,virginiafeito,writer,writingfalse816fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/jo-harkin-author-of-the-pretender-on-switching-genres-lambert-simnel-writing-influences--65643293The Pretender. 
They discuss how Jo ended up switching from Sci-Fi to Historical Fiction, her research process, the writers and books that influenced this book and lots more. 
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe and for extra content from us you can find us via Patreon. 
If you want to give us a follow you can do so via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok. 
You can buy Jo's previous novel Tell Me An Ending which was a New York Times Sci-Fi Book of the Year here.

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
Blue Ruin by Hari Kunzru
Red Pill by Hari Kunzru
White Tears by Hari Kunzru
The Portrait Artist by Dani Heywood-Lonsdale
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
Hilary Mantel
The Cauliflower® by Nicola Barker
Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders
Margaret Atwood
Kazuo Ishiguro

Thanks so much for listening, until next time-happy reading! ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/65643293Wed, 23 Apr 2025 03:00:08 +0000Hannah MacDonaldOn today's episode Hannah was joined by Jo Harkin to chat about her latest novel https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9781526678348.  They discuss how Jo ended up switching from Sci-Fi to Historical Fiction, her research process, the writers and books that...The Pretender. 
They discuss how Jo ended up switching from Sci-Fi to Historical Fiction, her research process, the writers and books that influenced this book and lots more. 
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe and for extra content from us you can find us via Patreon. 
If you want to give us a follow you can do so via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok. 
You can buy Jo's previous novel Tell Me An Ending which was a New York Times Sci-Fi Book of the Year here.

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
Blue Ruin by Hari Kunzru
Red Pill by Hari Kunzru
White Tears by Hari Kunzru
The Portrait Artist by Dani Heywood-Lonsdale
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
Hilary Mantel
The Cauliflower® by Nicola Barker
Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders
Margaret Atwood
Kazuo Ishiguro

Thanks so much for listening, until next time-happy reading! ]]>2269author,bloomsburybooks,bookrecommendations,books,fiction,historicalfiction,history,joharkin,lambertsimnel,lgbtq,reading,researchprocess,scifiwriter,thewhitelotus,writing,writinginspirationfalse815fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/april-book-club-with-elif-shafak-inequality-in-the-arts-representing-marginalised-communities-water-scarcity--65583068There Are Rivers in the Sky which is out now in paperback. They discuss the importance of storytelling, not letting fear hold her back, why she wanted to write about the Yazidi people and so much more. 
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe and for more content you can find us via Patreon. 
You can find Elif via Instagram and via her Substack: Unmapped Storylands.
You can find us via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok

Books & other mentions in this episode:
The Poems of Hannah Arendt
Theft by Abdulrazak Gurnah
The Bastard of Istanbul by Elif Shafak
10 Minutes 38 Seconds in this Strange World by Elif Shafak
How To Say Babylon: A Jamaican Memoir by Safiya Sinclair

Thanks so much for listening, until next time- happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/65583068Wed, 16 Apr 2025 04:00:08 +0000Hannah MacDonaldOn today's episde Hannah was joined by the wonderful Elif Shafak to discuss her latest novel https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9780241988749 which is out now in paperback. They discuss the importance of storytelling, not letting fear hold her back, why...There Are Rivers in the Sky which is out now in paperback. They discuss the importance of storytelling, not letting fear hold her back, why she wanted to write about the Yazidi people and so much more. 
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe and for more content you can find us via Patreon. 
You can find Elif via Instagram and via her Substack: Unmapped Storylands.
You can find us via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok

Books & other mentions in this episode:
The Poems of Hannah Arendt
Theft by Abdulrazak Gurnah
The Bastard of Istanbul by Elif Shafak
10 Minutes 38 Seconds in this Strange World by Elif Shafak
How To Say Babylon: A Jamaican Memoir by Safiya Sinclair

Thanks so much for listening, until next time- happy reading!]]>2895arts,author,bookerprize,bookrecommendations,books,climatechange,elifshafak,globalpolitics,inequality,thereareriversinthesky,turkishauthor,waterscarcity,womensprize,writers,writing,yazidifalse814fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s5-debut-spotlight-6-sarah-harman-working-with-the-producers-of-the-bear-sorrow-and-bliss-failure-to-success--65444985All The Other Mothers Hate Me. They discuss how the failures in Sarah's previous career helped pave the way to writing her debut novel, winning the Lucy Cavendish Fiction Prize, motherhood, messy female protagonists & lots more. If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon.
You can follow Sarah via Instagram or sign up to her upcoming newsletter here.
You can follow us via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok.

Books & other mentions in this episode:
The Favourite by Fran Littlewood
Amazing Grace Adams by Fran Littlewood
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
American Murder: Gabby Petito
Fleabag (BBC)
Soldier Sailor by Claire Kilroy
Scam Inc (Podcast by The Economist)

Thanks so much for listening, until next time- happy reading!
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/65444985Wed, 09 Apr 2025 03:00:07 +0000Hannah MacDonaldOn today's episode Hannah was joined by Sarah Harman to discuss her debut novel https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9780008697990. They discuss how the failures in Sarah's previous career helped pave the way to writing her debut novel, winning the Lucy...All The Other Mothers Hate Me. They discuss how the failures in Sarah's previous career helped pave the way to writing her debut novel, winning the Lucy Cavendish Fiction Prize, motherhood, messy female protagonists & lots more. If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon.
You can follow Sarah via Instagram or sign up to her upcoming newsletter here.
You can follow us via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok.

Books & other mentions in this episode:
The Favourite by Fran Littlewood
Amazing Grace Adams by Fran Littlewood
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
American Murder: Gabby Petito
Fleabag (BBC)
Soldier Sailor by Claire Kilroy
Scam Inc (Podcast by The Economist)

Thanks so much for listening, until next time- happy reading!
]]>2447alltheothermothershateme,bookrecommendations,contemporaryfiction,debutauthor,debutnovel,franlittlewood,gabbypetito,gillianflynn,sarahharman,scaminc,sorrowandbliss,success,thebear,thrillerbooks,writingadvice,writinginspirationfalse813fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s5-debut-spotlight-5-holly-brickley-saoirse-ronan-austin-butler-adaptation-music-00-s-nostalgia--65288125Deep Cuts. They discuss what inspired Holly's love for music, our loss of 00's communication and how that affects romance, the exciting upcoming adaptation of her novel & loads more. If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe and for extra content you can find us via Patreon. 
You can follow Holly via Instagram
You can follow us via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok

Books & other mentions in this episode:
Deep Cuts playlist
Fundamentally by Nussaibah Younis
High Fidelity by Nick Hornby
The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden

Thanks so much for listening, until next time, happy reading! ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/65288125Wed, 02 Apr 2025 04:00:08 +0000Hannah MacDonaldFor today's episode Hannah was joined by the wonderful debut author Holly Brickley to discuss her incredible novel https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9780008695828. They discuss what inspired Holly's love for music, our loss of 00's communication and how...Deep Cuts. They discuss what inspired Holly's love for music, our loss of 00's communication and how that affects romance, the exciting upcoming adaptation of her novel & loads more. If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe and for extra content you can find us via Patreon. 
You can follow Holly via Instagram
You can follow us via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok

Books & other mentions in this episode:
Deep Cuts playlist
Fundamentally by Nussaibah Younis
High Fidelity by Nick Hornby
The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden

Thanks so much for listening, until next time, happy reading! ]]>2257a24,austinbutler,bookrecommendations,books,debutauthor,debutnovel,deepcuts,fiction,hollybrickley,movieadaptation,music,saoirseronan,writing,writinginspirationfalse812fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/ben-markovits-author-of-the-rest-of-our-lives-on-american-roadtrips-basketball-friday-night-lights--65013626The Rest of Our Lives. They discuss writing about his own illness through his protagonist, long-term marriage, basketball and more. 
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe. For more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can also follow us via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok.

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
Pnin by Vladimir Nabokov
Beppo: A Venetian Story by George Gordon Byron
Independence Day by Richard Ford
Friday Night Lights (TV)
Friends
Seinfeld

If you'd like to get in touch please email us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com, for the full list of books discussed on episodes check us out via uk.bookshop.org/shop/apairofbookendspod
Thanks so much for listening! Until next time, happy reading! ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/65013626Wed, 26 Mar 2025 04:00:07 +0000Hannah MacDonaldOn today's episode Hannah was joined by American author Ben Markovits to discuss his latest novel https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9780571388547. They discuss writing about his own illness through his protagonist, long-term marriage, basketball and...The Rest of Our Lives. They discuss writing about his own illness through his protagonist, long-term marriage, basketball and more. 
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe. For more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can also follow us via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok.

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
Pnin by Vladimir Nabokov
Beppo: A Venetian Story by George Gordon Byron
Independence Day by Richard Ford
Friday Night Lights (TV)
Friends
Seinfeld

If you'd like to get in touch please email us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com, for the full list of books discussed on episodes check us out via uk.bookshop.org/shop/apairofbookendspod
Thanks so much for listening! Until next time, happy reading! ]]>1543americanauthor,basketball,benmarkovits,bookrecommendations,books,byron,covid,faber,fiction,fridaynightlights,greatamericannovels,lymphoma,novel,therestofourlives,writing,writinginspirationfalse811fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/susan-barker-author-of-old-soul-on-female-monsters-stephen-king-it-follows--64938807Old Soul.
Aswell as discussing the novel (spoiler free!), they chat about immortality and the anxiety around death and ageing, building tension in your writing and Susan brings with her a ton of recommendations from films to books!
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe and for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can also follow us via Instagram, Twitter/X& Tik Tok.
You can follow Susan via Instagram.

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
The Incarnations by Susan Barker
And He Shall Appear by Kate van der Borgh
The Knowing by Emma Hinds
Number9Dream by David Mitchell
Ghostwritten by David Mitchell
The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami
Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami
A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
It Follows (2014)
Dracula by Bram Stoker
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
Danse Macabre by Stephen King
Salem's Lot by Stephen King
Night Shift by Stephen King
Skeleton Crew by Stephen King
House of Leaves by Mark Z.Danielewski
Carrie by Stephen King
Alien: Romulus (2024)
https://crimereads.com/susan-barker-why-we-need-monstrous-women/
X (2022)
Misery (1990)
Under The Skin by Michel Faber
I'm Still Here (2025)

If you'd like to get in touch please email us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can find us on Instagram @apairofbookendspod
Thanks so much for listening, until next time- happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/64938807Wed, 19 Mar 2025 05:00:07 +0000Hannah MacDonaldOn today's episode Hannah is joined by Susan Barker, author of https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9780241682388 Aswell as discussing the novel (spoiler free!), they chat about immortality and the anxiety around death and ageing, building tension in your...Old Soul.
Aswell as discussing the novel (spoiler free!), they chat about immortality and the anxiety around death and ageing, building tension in your writing and Susan brings with her a ton of recommendations from films to books!
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe and for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can also follow us via Instagram, Twitter/X& Tik Tok.
You can follow Susan via Instagram.

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
The Incarnations by Susan Barker
And He Shall Appear by Kate van der Borgh
The Knowing by Emma Hinds
Number9Dream by David Mitchell
Ghostwritten by David Mitchell
The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle by Haruki Murakami
Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami
A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984)
It Follows (2014)
Dracula by Bram Stoker
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
Danse Macabre by Stephen King
Salem's Lot by Stephen King
Night Shift by Stephen King
Skeleton Crew by Stephen King
House of Leaves by Mark Z.Danielewski
Carrie by Stephen King
Alien: Romulus (2024)
2433davidmitchell,fiction,horror,horrorbooks,horrorfilms,houseofleaves,imstillhere,itfollows,murakami,novel,oldsoul,reading,stephenking,susanbarker,writing,writinginspiration,writingtipsfalse810fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/march-book-club-with-david-szalay-great-opening-chapters-mental-health-the-uk-s-treatment-of-immigrants--64818190Flesh. Whilst they deep dive into the book, this chat is spoiler free. They chat about choosing to write a sad ending, featuring Covid in his book, the Immigrant experience and lots more. If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe. For more exclusive content you can find us over on Patreon. 
You can also follow us via Instagram, Twitter/X and Tik Tok. 
You can find David via Facebook. 

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
Flesh by David Szalay
All That Man Is by David Szalay
The Usual Desire to Kill by Camilla Barnes
Alan Hollinghurst
The Party by Tessa Hadley

Thank you so much for listening! Until next time, happy reading! ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/64818190Wed, 12 Mar 2025 05:00:07 +0000Hannah MacDonaldFor our March Book Club episode Hannah was joined by Booker Prize shortlisted author David Szalay to discuss his latest book https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9780224099783Whilst they deep dive into the book, this chat is spoiler free. They chat about...Flesh. Whilst they deep dive into the book, this chat is spoiler free. They chat about choosing to write a sad ending, featuring Covid in his book, the Immigrant experience and lots more. If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe. For more exclusive content you can find us over on Patreon. 
You can also follow us via Instagram, Twitter/X and Tik Tok. 
You can find David via Facebook. 

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
Flesh by David Szalay
All That Man Is by David Szalay
The Usual Desire to Kill by Camilla Barnes
Alan Hollinghurst
The Party by Tessa Hadley

Thank you so much for listening! Until next time, happy reading! ]]>2271author,bookerprize,books,british,class,davidszalay,fiction,flesh,hungarianwriter,immigrantexperience,masculinity,mentalhealth,tessahadley,wealth,writer,writingfalse89fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s5-debut-spotlight-4-dani-heywood-lonsdale-art-grief-peter-pan--64700449The Portrait Artist. 
They also discuss Art/Art History, writing diverse representation in historical fiction, grief & more. If you enjoy this episode, please do rate, review & subscribe and for more exclusive content find us over on Patreon.
You can also follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can find Dani via Instagram & X

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
The Pretender by Jo Harkin
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
Peter Pan: The Original 1911 Peter and Wendy Edition by J.M Barrie
https://www.emilyponsonby.com/
Emily Ponsonby Instagram

Thank you so much for listening. Until next time, happy reading! ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/64700449Wed, 05 Mar 2025 04:00:09 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome to another episode in our Debut Spotlight series, on today's episode Hannah chats to author Dani Heywood-Lonsdale about her debut novel https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9781526669957.  They also discuss Art/Art History, writing diverse...The Portrait Artist. 
They also discuss Art/Art History, writing diverse representation in historical fiction, grief & more. If you enjoy this episode, please do rate, review & subscribe and for more exclusive content find us over on Patreon.
You can also follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can find Dani via Instagram & X

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
The Pretender by Jo Harkin
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
Peter Pan: The Original 1911 Peter and Wendy Edition by J.M Barrie
https://www.emilyponsonby.com/
Emily Ponsonby Instagram

Thank you so much for listening. Until next time, happy reading! ]]>2357art,arthistory,bloomsbury,bookrecommendations,books,daniheywoodlonsdale,fiction,grief,historicalfiction,jmbarry,joharkin,peterpan,reading,victorianfalse88fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/feb-book-club-with-lizzie-damilola-blackburn-love-island-black-masculinity-dealing-with-rejection--64513859Yinka, Where is Your Huzband? about her latest book The Re-Write. They discuss the impact of reality TV shows like Love Island, the important role of carers, Black Masculinity, how Lizzie learned to push through the struggles when writing her second book and more. 
If you enjoy this episode, please do rate, review & subscribe. For more exclusive content you can find us over on Patreon. You can also follow us via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Lizzie via Instagram & Twitter/X.


Books & other mentions in this episode: 
Main Character: Lessons from a Real-life Romcom by Lizzie Frainier
The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
Help (Channel 4)
Chaotic Energy by Stephanie Yeboah

Thanks so much for listening! Until next time, happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/64513859Wed, 26 Feb 2025 04:00:07 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome to our Feb Book Club episode, for this ep Hannah chatted to author of the much-loved novel https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9780241991947 about her latest book https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9780241991923. They discuss the impact of reality TV...Yinka, Where is Your Huzband? about her latest book The Re-Write. They discuss the impact of reality TV shows like Love Island, the important role of carers, Black Masculinity, how Lizzie learned to push through the struggles when writing her second book and more. 
If you enjoy this episode, please do rate, review & subscribe. For more exclusive content you can find us over on Patreon. You can also follow us via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Lizzie via Instagram & Twitter/X.


Books & other mentions in this episode: 
Main Character: Lessons from a Real-life Romcom by Lizzie Frainier
The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
Help (Channel 4)
Chaotic Energy by Stephanie Yeboah

Thanks so much for listening! Until next time, happy reading!]]>1637blacklove,blackmasculinity,books,carers,fiction,lizziedamilolablackburn,loveisland,nigerianauthor,novel,realitytv,romance,romancenovel,therewrite,writinginspiration,yinkawhereisyourhuzbandfalse87fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s5-debut-spotlight-3-rachel-bower-northern-characters-gytrash-coercive-control--64409356It Comes From The River. They discuss how Rachel found a writing community up north, the importance of erasing stereotypes, Northern myths & lots more! If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe. 
If you want to follow Rachel & her work you can do so via Instagram. 
For more exclusive content you can find us over on Patreon. You can also follow us via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok. 

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
Briefly Very Beautiful by Roz Dineen
Misjustice: How British Law is Failing Women by Helena Kennedy
Minnie Questions podcast (Lisa Taddo Episode)
Three Women by Lisa Taddeo
The Mill on the Floss by George Elliot
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Everything Under by Daisy Johnson
Rest and Be Thankful by Emma Glass
Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf
Selected Short Stories by Virginia Woolf
Fen by Daisy Johnson
Elmet by Fiona Mozley

Thanks so much for listening! Until next time, happy reading! ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/64409356Wed, 19 Feb 2025 04:45:07 +0000Hannah MacDonaldOn today's episode Hannah chats to Rachel Bower about her debut novel https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9781526672667. They discuss how Rachel found a writing community up north, the importance of erasing stereotypes, Northern myths & lots more! If...It Comes From The River. They discuss how Rachel found a writing community up north, the importance of erasing stereotypes, Northern myths & lots more! If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe. 
If you want to follow Rachel & her work you can do so via Instagram. 
For more exclusive content you can find us over on Patreon. You can also follow us via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok. 

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
Briefly Very Beautiful by Roz Dineen
Misjustice: How British Law is Failing Women by Helena Kennedy
Minnie Questions podcast (Lisa Taddo Episode)
Three Women by Lisa Taddeo
The Mill on the Floss by George Elliot
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Everything Under by Daisy Johnson
Rest and Be Thankful by Emma Glass
Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf
Selected Short Stories by Virginia Woolf
Fen by Daisy Johnson
Elmet by Fiona Mozley

Thanks so much for listening! Until next time, happy reading! ]]>1859bookrecommendations,books,class,daisyjohnson,debutauthor,debutnovel,gytrash,northernwriter,rachelbower,writingcommunity,writinginspirationfalse86fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s5-debut-spotlight-2-lucy-steeds-art-monsters-food-writing-war-objectors--64307196The Artist. They discuss Art Monsters, 1920s Provence, how food became a funny editing process and lots more. If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe. 
For exclusive content you can find us via Patreon.
You can also follow us via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok.
You can follow Lucy via Instagram.

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
The Rabbit Hutch by Tess Gunty
Regeneration by Pat Barker
https://www.lostwomenart.de/en/chapter/in-the-shadow-of-men/
Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead

Thanks so much for listening! Until next time, happy reading! ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/64307196Wed, 12 Feb 2025 04:00:07 +0000Hannah MacDonaldFor today's Debut Spotlight episode Hannah was joined by author Lucy Steeds to discuss her debut novel https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9781399819565. They discuss Art Monsters, 1920s Provence, how food became a funny editing process and lots more. If...The Artist. They discuss Art Monsters, 1920s Provence, how food became a funny editing process and lots more. If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe. 
For exclusive content you can find us via Patreon.
You can also follow us via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok.
You can follow Lucy via Instagram.

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
The Rabbit Hutch by Tess Gunty
Regeneration by Pat Barker
https://www.lostwomenart.de/en/chapter/in-the-shadow-of-men/
Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead

Thanks so much for listening! Until next time, happy reading! ]]>28031920s,art,artmonsters,author,books,debutauthor,food,foodwriting,lucysteeds,nabokov,provence,theartist,warobjectors,worldwarone,writinginspirationfalse85fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-pair-of-bookends-live-social-refuge-queer-lit-with-kate-fagan-author-of-the-three-lives-of-cate-kay--64189363Queer Lit, in Manchester. Hannah interviewed Kate Fagan, author of Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick: The Three Lives of Cate Kay.
Please note that the audio was slightly glitchy but we've done our very best with trying to make it sound as good as it can, some parts may sound slightly different to others but we hope you enjoy regardless! For this conversation Hannah and Kate discuss ambition, fame, success, writing process, mother/daughter dynamics and lots more. If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, it supports the pod and helps make events like this possible!
You can support us further via Patreon & you can follow us via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok
You can support Kate by buying her book via the link above or following her via Instagram

Books & other mentions in this episode:
The Favourites by Layne Fargo
The Reappearing Act: Coming Out as Gay on a College Basketball Team Led by Born-Again Christians by Kate Fagan
Bel Canto by Ann Patchett
Tom Lake by Ann Patchett
The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
Plain Bad Heroines by Emily M. Danforth

Thanks so much for listening! Until next time, happy reading! ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/64189363Wed, 05 Feb 2025 04:00:07 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome to our FIRST EVER live recording! This event took place at Social Refuge, home of https://www.queerlit.co.uk/. Hannah interviewed Kate Fagan, author of Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9781526682024 Please note...Queer Lit, in Manchester. Hannah interviewed Kate Fagan, author of Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick: The Three Lives of Cate Kay.
Please note that the audio was slightly glitchy but we've done our very best with trying to make it sound as good as it can, some parts may sound slightly different to others but we hope you enjoy regardless! For this conversation Hannah and Kate discuss ambition, fame, success, writing process, mother/daughter dynamics and lots more. If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, it supports the pod and helps make events like this possible!
You can support us further via Patreon & you can follow us via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok
You can support Kate by buying her book via the link above or following her via Instagram

Books & other mentions in this episode:
The Favourites by Layne Fargo
The Reappearing Act: Coming Out as Gay on a College Basketball Team Led by Born-Again Christians by Kate Fagan
Bel Canto by Ann Patchett
Tom Lake by Ann Patchett
The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
Plain Bad Heroines by Emily M. Danforth

Thanks so much for listening! Until next time, happy reading! ]]>3630author,bloomsbury,bookclub,books,fame,femalefriendship,hollywood,katefagan,lgbtqauthor,queerlit,reesewitherspoon,sexuality,socialrefuge,success,thethreelivesofcatekay,writing,writingprocessfalse84fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/jan-book-club-with-nicola-dinan-turning-30-finding-success-the-importance-of-humour--63941784Disappoint Me. They discuss the pressures of turning 30, what success means, the vulnerability in writing sex scenes & lots more. There is also of course some chat on Nicola's debut novel, the wonderful Bellies. 
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe and for more content you can find us via Patreon.
You can find Nicola via Instagram. 
You can follow us via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok.

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
Intermezzo by Sally Rooney
Sally Rooney: 'The Daily' Interview
'The Back of Beyond' from Collected Short Stories Vol 4 by W. Somerset Maugham
How to Write an Autobiographical Novel by Alexander Chee
The Dune Novels by Frank Herbert
Edinburgh by Alexander Chee
Palm Meridian by Grace Flahive

Thanks so much for listening! Until next time, happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/63941784Wed, 29 Jan 2025 04:00:07 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome to our January Book Club episode! For today's episode Hannah was joined by author Nicola Dinan to discuss her latest novel https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9781529930627. They discuss the pressures of turning 30, what success means, the...Disappoint Me. They discuss the pressures of turning 30, what success means, the vulnerability in writing sex scenes & lots more. There is also of course some chat on Nicola's debut novel, the wonderful Bellies. 
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe and for more content you can find us via Patreon.
You can find Nicola via Instagram. 
You can follow us via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok.

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
Intermezzo by Sally Rooney
Sally Rooney: 'The Daily' Interview
'The Back of Beyond' from Collected Short Stories Vol 4 by W. Somerset Maugham
How to Write an Autobiographical Novel by Alexander Chee
The Dune Novels by Frank Herbert
Edinburgh by Alexander Chee
Palm Meridian by Grace Flahive

Thanks so much for listening! Until next time, happy reading!]]>2790author,bellies,books,disappointme,dune,femaleauthor,humour,lgbtq,nicoladinan,novel,success,transauthor,transrepresentation,turning30,writer,writinginspirationfalse83fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s5-debut-spotlight-1-catherine-airey-9-11-irish-history-jonathan-franzen--63771048Confessions( out tomorrow!) Catherine Airey. They discuss her journey as a debut author, the impact of 9/11, researching via Reddit & lots more. If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe. 
You can follow Catherine via Instagram & Twitter/X 
For more content from us you can find us via Patreon
You can also follow us via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
Fast By The Horns by Moses McKenzie
An Olive Grove in Ends by Moses McKenzie
We Don't Know Ourselves: A Personal History of Ireland Since 1958 by Fintan O'Toole
The Country Girls Trilogy by Edna O'Brien
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
Crossroads by Jonathan Franzen
Girl in the Making by Anna Fitzgerald
The Lamb by Lucy Rose
The Artist by Lucy Steeds

Thanks so much for listening! Until next time, happy reading! ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/63771048Wed, 22 Jan 2025 04:00:07 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome back Bookends to Season 5 in our Debut Spotlight series, for this episode Hannah was joined by author of https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9780241675182 Catherine Airey. They discuss her journey as a debut author, the impact of 9/11, researching...Confessions( out tomorrow!) Catherine Airey. They discuss her journey as a debut author, the impact of 9/11, researching via Reddit & lots more. If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe. 
You can follow Catherine via Instagram & Twitter/X 
For more content from us you can find us via Patreon
You can also follow us via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
Fast By The Horns by Moses McKenzie
An Olive Grove in Ends by Moses McKenzie
We Don't Know Ourselves: A Personal History of Ireland Since 1958 by Fintan O'Toole
The Country Girls Trilogy by Edna O'Brien
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
Crossroads by Jonathan Franzen
Girl in the Making by Anna Fitzgerald
The Lamb by Lucy Rose
The Artist by Lucy Steeds

Thanks so much for listening! Until next time, happy reading! ]]>2586911,america,annafitzgerald,author,books,catherineairey,catholicism,ednaobrien,familysaga,fiction,ireland,irishhistory,jonathanfranzen,literature,mosesmckenzie,september11,sylviaplath,writing,writingprocessfalse82fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/bonus-books-witchcraft-for-wayward-girls-with-grady-hendrix-horror-maternity-homes-witchcraft--63678849Witchcraft for Wayward Girls.
We discuss the familial connection that inspired this book, the history of maternity homes and witchcraft, horror as a genre and loads more. If you enjoy this episode, please do rate, review & subscribe. For extra content you can find us via Patreon.
For tickets to our first ever APOB Live recording click here.

To follow Grady & his work you can find him via his website, Twitter/X, Facebook & Instagram. 
You can find us via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok

Books & other mentions in this episode:
Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
The Tulip Touch by Anne Fine
The Beguiled by Thomas Cullinan
Bellies by Nicola Dinan
The Girls Who Went Away: The Hidden History of Women Who Surrendered Children for Adoption in the Decades Before Roe V. Wade by Ann Fessler
How to Become a Sensuous Witch by Abragail and Valaria
The Anarchist Cookbook by William Powell
The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix
Lolly Willowes by Sylvia Townsend Warner
I Await the Devil's Coming by Mary Maclane
I Saw The TV Glow (TV series)

Thanks so much for listening, until next time- happy reading! ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/63678849Wed, 15 Jan 2025 04:00:06 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome back Bookends, we're kicking off the New Year with the brilliant Grady Hendrix here to chat about his latest book https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9781035030873 We discuss the familial connection that inspired this book, the history of...Witchcraft for Wayward Girls.
We discuss the familial connection that inspired this book, the history of maternity homes and witchcraft, horror as a genre and loads more. If you enjoy this episode, please do rate, review & subscribe. For extra content you can find us via Patreon.
For tickets to our first ever APOB Live recording click here.

To follow Grady & his work you can find him via his website, Twitter/X, Facebook & Instagram. 
You can find us via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok

Books & other mentions in this episode:
Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
The Tulip Touch by Anne Fine
The Beguiled by Thomas Cullinan
Bellies by Nicola Dinan
The Girls Who Went Away: The Hidden History of Women Who Surrendered Children for Adoption in the Decades Before Roe V. Wade by Ann Fessler
How to Become a Sensuous Witch by Abragail and Valaria
The Anarchist Cookbook by William Powell
The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix
Lolly Willowes by Sylvia Townsend Warner
I Await the Devil's Coming by Mary Maclane
I Saw The TV Glow (TV series)

Thanks so much for listening, until next time- happy reading! ]]>2388americanauthor,americanpolitics,americanwriter,book,bookrecommendations,books,gradyhendrix,horrorauthor,horrorwriter,maternityhomes,reading,roevwade,witchcraft,writingfalse81fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/christmas-special-2024-with-claire-daverley-top-5-reads-of-2024-most-anticipated-2025-releases-what-we-re-watching-at-xmas--63362673Talking at Night, the wonderful Claire Daverley. They discuss their favourite reads of 2024, the 2025 releases they're excited for and all of the Christmas TV, Films & Music they love the most. 
For tickets to our first APOB Live recording in January click here.
To follow Claire & her work you can find her via Instagram & Twitter/X
To pre-order Claire's second novel click here.
You can follow us via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok

Books, Films, TV & other mentions in this episode:
The Diamond Girls by Jacqueline Wilson
Love Lessons by Jacqueline Wilson
The Holiday (2006)
Love Actually (2003)
Home Alone (1990)
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)
Miracle on 34th Street (1994)
Klaus (2019)
Elf (2003)
Little Women (2019)
Sentimental Garbage - Nora Ephron Christmas Special
Merry Christmas by Mariah Carey
Love Actually soundtrack
Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano
What You Are Looking for is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama
Adelaide by Genevieve Wheeler
The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors
Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors
Gavin & Stacey
Rivals (Disney +)
Green Dot by Madeleine Gray
Intermezzo by Sally Rooney
Girls by Kirsty Capes
The Wedding People by Alison Espach
I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning by Keiran Goddard
True Love by Paddy Crewe
Breakdown by Cathy Sweeney
Soldier Sailor by Claire Kilroy
Same As It Ever Was by Claire Lombardo
The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo
Sandwich by Catherine Newman
We All Want Impossible Things by Catherine Newman
Deep Cuts by Holly Brickley
What A Time To Be Alive by Jenny Mustard
The Names by Florence Knapp
Gunk by Saba Sams
Send Nudes by Saba Sams
Confessions by Catherine Airey
Bring The House Down by Charlotte Runcie

If you enjoyed this episode please do rate, review & subscribe and for more exclusive content with an upcoming episode on the adaptation of Nightbitch, head on over to our Patreon.
Thank you so much for your love & support this year, I appreciate you so much! Have a wonderful Christmas, happy reading & see you next year x]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/63362673Wed, 18 Dec 2024 04:00:07 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome to our final episode of the year, the Christmas special! For today's episode Hannah was joined by author of https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9781405953849, the wonderful Claire Daverley. They discuss their favourite reads of 2024, the 2025...Talking at Night, the wonderful Claire Daverley. They discuss their favourite reads of 2024, the 2025 releases they're excited for and all of the Christmas TV, Films & Music they love the most. 
For tickets to our first APOB Live recording in January click here.
To follow Claire & her work you can find her via Instagram & Twitter/X
To pre-order Claire's second novel click here.
You can follow us via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok

Books, Films, TV & other mentions in this episode:
The Diamond Girls by Jacqueline Wilson
Love Lessons by Jacqueline Wilson
The Holiday (2006)
Love Actually (2003)
Home Alone (1990)
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)
Miracle on 34th Street (1994)
Klaus (2019)
Elf (2003)
Little Women (2019)
Sentimental Garbage - Nora Ephron Christmas Special
Merry Christmas by Mariah Carey
Love Actually soundtrack
Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano
What You Are Looking for is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama
Adelaide by Genevieve Wheeler
4818books,christmas,christmasbooks,christmasfilms,christmasspecial,christmastv,clairedaverley,favereads,favouritebooks,fiction,penguinbooks,reading,talkingatnightfalse717fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/bonus-books-the-ghosts-of-paris-with-tara-moss-raymond-chandler-lgbtq-history-becoming-a-private-investigator--63257250The Ghosts of Paris. They discuss her unusual research process, creating an iconic protagonist like Billie Walker, the treatment of women throughout history & lots more. If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe as it helps to boost us in the charts, for more exclusive content you can find us via Patreon.
To follow Tara & her work you can find her via https://www.tararaemoss.com/, Instagram, Twitter/X & Facebook.
You can follow us via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
Stephen King
To Track a Traitor: A Lane Winslow Mystery by Iona Whishaw
Raymond Chandler
Miss Phryne Fisher mystery series by Kerry Greenwood
Cocaine Blues by Kerry Greenwood

Thanks so much for listening! Until next time, happy reading! x

P.S tickets for our first ever A Pair of Bookends live recording are now available. I'll be interviewing New York Times bestselling author Kate Fagan about her new book The Three Lives of Cate Kay and you can find them here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/an-evening-with-kate-fagan-tickets-1083077396649]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/63257250Wed, 11 Dec 2024 04:40:06 +0000Hannah MacDonaldFor this month's Bonus Books episode Hannah was joined by bestselling author, chronic pain & disability advocate & UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Tara Moss to discuss the latest in her Billie Walker mystery novels...The Ghosts of Paris. They discuss her unusual research process, creating an iconic protagonist like Billie Walker, the treatment of women throughout history & lots more. If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe as it helps to boost us in the charts, for more exclusive content you can find us via Patreon.
To follow Tara & her work you can find her via https://www.tararaemoss.com/, Instagram, Twitter/X & Facebook.
You can follow us via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
Stephen King
To Track a Traitor: A Lane Winslow Mystery by Iona Whishaw
Raymond Chandler
Miss Phryne Fisher mystery series by Kerry Greenwood
Cocaine Blues by Kerry Greenwood

Thanks so much for listening! Until next time, happy reading! x

P.S tickets for our first ever A Pair of Bookends live recording are now available. I'll be interviewing New York Times bestselling author Kate Fagan about her new book The Three Lives of Cate Kay and you can find them here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/an-evening-with-kate-fagan-tickets-1083077396649]]>2544books,canadianauthor,crime,crimeauthor,crimenovel,femaleauthor,kerrygreenwood,paris,privateinvestigator,raymondchandler,researchprocess,stephenking,taramoss,writersinspiration,writingfalse716fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/december-book-club-with-hux-lizzie-huxley-jones-christmas-books-trans-disability-representation-community--63131282Under The Mistletoe with You. 
They discuss Christmas (of course), Gilmore Girls, the importance of community & loads more, if you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe so we can reach more of you! 
To follow Hux & their work you can find them via https://lizziehuxleyjones.com/, Instagram &Tik Tok 
For more exclusive content you can find us via Patreon, you can also follow us via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
Make You Mine This Christmas by Lizzie Huxley-Jones
Hits Different by Tasha Ghouri & Lizzie Huxley-Jones
Bad Sisters (Apple TV)
Happiest Season (Hulu)
Girl, Goddess, Queen by Bea Fitzgerald
Gilmore Guys Podcast
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/nov/29/assisted-dying-bill-debate-uk
The Pairing by Casey McQuiston
https://caseymcquiston.substack.com/
Pageboy: A Memoir by Elliot Page
Icebreaker by Hannah Grace
The Dragon's Bride - A Deal with a Demon 1 by Katee Robert
It's A Wonderful Life
While You Were Sleeping
Some Like It Cold by Elle McNicoll
Look Up, Handsome by Jack Strange
Snowed In by Catherine Walsh
Holiday Romance by Catherine Walsh
The Third Gilmore Girl by Kelly Bishop
Single All The Way - Netflix

Thanks so much for listening! Happy Christmas & Happy reading! ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/63131282Wed, 04 Dec 2024 04:00:07 +0000Hannah MacDonaldFor our final Book Club episode of the year (can you believe it!) Hannah was joined by the brilliant Hux (Lizzie Huxley-Jones) to discuss their latest book https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9781399700832.  They discuss Christmas (of course), Gilmore...Under The Mistletoe with You. 
They discuss Christmas (of course), Gilmore Girls, the importance of community & loads more, if you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe so we can reach more of you! 
To follow Hux & their work you can find them via https://lizziehuxleyjones.com/, Instagram &Tik Tok 
For more exclusive content you can find us via Patreon, you can also follow us via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
Make You Mine This Christmas by Lizzie Huxley-Jones
Hits Different by Tasha Ghouri & Lizzie Huxley-Jones
Bad Sisters (Apple TV)
Happiest Season (Hulu)
Girl, Goddess, Queen by Bea Fitzgerald
Gilmore Guys Podcast
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/nov/29/assisted-dying-bill-debate-uk
The Pairing by Casey McQuiston
https://caseymcquiston.substack.com/
Pageboy: A Memoir by Elliot Page
Icebreaker by Hannah Grace
The Dragon's Bride - A Deal with a Demon 1 by Katee Robert
It's A Wonderful Life
While You Were Sleeping
Some Like It Cold by Elle McNicoll
Look Up, Handsome by Jack Strange
Snowed In by Catherine Walsh
Holiday Romance by Catherine Walsh
The Third Gilmore Girl by...]]>3717books,booktok,christmas,christmasbooks,disabilityrepresentation,gayromance,gilmoregirls,holidayromance,lgbtq,lizziehuxleyjones,romance,tashaghouri,transrepresentation,whileyouweresleepingfalse715fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-vagina-business-with-marina-gerner-femtech-pink-tax-fertility--63016949The Vagina Business. They delve into the innovative breakthroughs happening in women's health, the lengthy research process for this book, period apps & much more! If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe as it's a free way to support the pod and means the world. For extra exclusive content you can find us over on Patreon.
For more from Marina you can follow her Substack, via LinkedIn,her website & Instagram
You can follow us via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok

Books & other mentions on this episode: 
Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors
The Vagina Business (UK)
The Vagina Business (US)
The Vagina Business (German Edition)
The Vagina Monologues by Eve Ensler
Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Perez
https://www.wired.com/story/vagina-pitches-vcs-sexism/

Thanks so much for listening, until next time- happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/63016949Wed, 27 Nov 2024 04:00:09 +0000Hannah MacDonaldOn today's episode Hannah was joined by author & journalist Marina Gerner to discuss her groundbreaking book https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9781785789847. They delve into the innovative breakthroughs happening in women's health, the lengthy...The Vagina Business. They delve into the innovative breakthroughs happening in women's health, the lengthy research process for this book, period apps & much more! If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe as it's a free way to support the pod and means the world. For extra exclusive content you can find us over on Patreon.
For more from Marina you can follow her Substack, via LinkedIn,her website & Instagram
You can follow us via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok

Books & other mentions on this episode: 
Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors
The Vagina Business (UK)
The Vagina Business (US)
The Vagina Business (German Edition)
The Vagina Monologues by Eve Ensler
Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Perez
https://www.wired.com/story/vagina-pitches-vcs-sexism/

Thanks so much for listening, until next time- happy reading!]]>2332books,clue,femtech,fertility,healthcare,infertility,investment,journalist,marinagerner,nonfiction,period,periodapps,research,technology,wired,womenshealth,writer,writingfalse714fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/lights-out-with-louise-swanson-northern-representation-a-little-life-writing-advice--62817699Lights Out. They discuss Northern representation, the unsung heroes of the NHS, advice for writers facing lots of rejections, complicated families & lots more! If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe as it's a free way to support the pod! For less than £3 a month you can access extra exclusive content via our Patreon. 
You can follow Louise & her work via her blog/website, Instagram, & Twitter/X
You can follow us via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok

Books mentioned in this episode: 
Beautiful People by Amanda Jennings
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
Eighteen Seconds by Louise Beech
Call Me Star Girl by Louise Beech
How To Be Brave by Louise Beech

Thanks so much for listening! Until next time, happy reading! ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/62817699Wed, 20 Nov 2024 04:00:06 +0000Hannah MacDonaldFor today's episode Hannah was joined by author Louise Swanson (Beech) to discuss her latest book https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9781529396140. They discuss Northern representation, the unsung heroes of the NHS, advice for writers facing lots of...Lights Out. They discuss Northern representation, the unsung heroes of the NHS, advice for writers facing lots of rejections, complicated families & lots more! If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe as it's a free way to support the pod! For less than £3 a month you can access extra exclusive content via our Patreon. 
You can follow Louise & her work via her blog/website, Instagram, & Twitter/X
You can follow us via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok

Books mentioned in this episode: 
Beautiful People by Amanda Jennings
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
Eighteen Seconds by Louise Beech
Call Me Star Girl by Louise Beech
How To Be Brave by Louise Beech

Thanks so much for listening! Until next time, happy reading! ]]>2675alittlelife,books,femaleauthor,fiction,hanyayanagihara,hodderbooks,hull,louisebeech,louiseswanson,nhs,northernrepresentation,northernwriter,thriller,writingadvice,writinginspirationfalse713fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/bonus-books-the-book-of-witching-with-c-j-cooke-witch-trials-misogyny-cults--62707885The Book of Witching. They dive into the historic Witch Trial of Allison Balfour, chat about writing for different timelines and the evolution of language and loads more, if you enjoy please do rate, review & subscribe so we can reach more of you! 
To follow Carolyn & her work you can find her via https://carolynjesscooke.com/, Instagram & Facebook 
For exclusive content from us & a recent episode on Intermezzo you can find us over on Patreon
You can also follow us via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok

Books mentioned in this episode: 
Meet Me at the Surface by Jodie Matthews
The Nesting by C.J. Cooke
Audible: Starling House by Alix E.Harrow
Audible: Normal Women by Philippa Gregory
Audible: Poet, Mystic, Widow, Wife by Hetta Howes

Thanks so much for listening, until next time- happy reading! x
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/62707885Wed, 13 Nov 2024 04:00:07 +0000Hannah MacDonaldOn today's Bonus Books episode Hannah is joined by the brilliant poet, novelist & academic C.J. Cooke to discuss her latest book https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9780008656218. They dive into the historic Witch Trial of Allison Balfour, chat about...The Book of Witching. They dive into the historic Witch Trial of Allison Balfour, chat about writing for different timelines and the evolution of language and loads more, if you enjoy please do rate, review & subscribe so we can reach more of you! 
To follow Carolyn & her work you can find her via https://carolynjesscooke.com/, Instagram & Facebook 
For exclusive content from us & a recent episode on Intermezzo you can find us over on Patreon
You can also follow us via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok

Books mentioned in this episode: 
Meet Me at the Surface by Jodie Matthews
The Nesting by C.J. Cooke
Audible: Starling House by Alix E.Harrow
Audible: Normal Women by Philippa Gregory
Audible: Poet, Mystic, Widow, Wife by Hetta Howes

Thanks so much for listening, until next time- happy reading! x
]]>2158allisonbalfour,books,cjcooke,cults,feminist,glasgow,irishauthor,literary,misogyny,motherhood,orkney,thebookofwitching,witchtrials,writingfalse712fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/november-book-club-with-eliza-clark-author-of-she-s-always-hungry-body-horror-climate-anxiety-writing-influences--62622518She's Always Hungry. They discuss Body horror, her writing influences, weird takeaway mishaps & more, if you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe as it's a free way to support the pod and means the world! You can also find us over on Patreon. 
You can find Eliza over on Instagram and Twitter/X
You can find us on Instagram, Twitter/X& Tik Tok
For all books mentioned in this episode click here

Recs for writers: 
https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/
https://mslexia.co.uk/
https://newwritingnorth.com/

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
Boy Parts by Eliza Clark
Boy Parts (Play) adapted by Gillian Greer
Penance by Eliza Clark
The Time of The Hero by Mario Vargas Llosa
Friday Black by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
George Saunders
Edgar Allen Poe
Shirley Jackson
Killing for Company by Brian Masters
Guinea Pig 5: Mermaid in the Manhole
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/p0gd295l/interview-with-the-vampire

Thanks so much for listening! Until next time, happy reading!
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/62622518Wed, 06 Nov 2024 05:00:02 +0000Hannah MacDonaldFor our November Book Club episode Hannah was joined by the one & only Eliza Clark to discuss her new short story collection https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9780571371815. They discuss Body horror, her writing influences, weird takeaway mishaps...She's Always Hungry. They discuss Body horror, her writing influences, weird takeaway mishaps & more, if you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe as it's a free way to support the pod and means the world! You can also find us over on Patreon. 
You can find Eliza over on Instagram and Twitter/X
You can find us on Instagram, Twitter/X& Tik Tok
For all books mentioned in this episode click here

Recs for writers: 
https://nationalcentreforwriting.org.uk/
https://mslexia.co.uk/
https://newwritingnorth.com/

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
Boy Parts by Eliza Clark
Boy Parts (Play) adapted by Gillian Greer
Penance by Eliza Clark
The Time of The Hero by Mario Vargas Llosa
Friday Black by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
George Saunders
Edgar Allen Poe
Shirley Jackson
Killing for Company by Brian Masters
Guinea Pig 5: Mermaid in the Manhole
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/p0gd295l/interview-with-the-vampire

Thanks so much for listening! Until next time, happy reading!
]]>1983bookrecommendations,books,booktok,boyparts,elizaclark,faber,horrorauthor,northernwriter,penance,shesalwayshungry,shortstories,writer,writingadvice,writinginspofalse711fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/october-book-club-with-marieke-bigg-author-of-a-scarab-where-the-heart-should-be-unlikeable-female-characters-cancel-culture-beetles--62535026A Scarab Where the Heart Should Be. They discuss Marieke's career so far and how she always knew she wanted to write fiction, they also talk about cancel culture, complex female characters, book recs and lots more. 
For more of Marieke's work you can find her website here. You can follow her on Instagram & Twitter/X

If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe and for more exclusive content you can find us over on Patreon.
You can also follow us via Instagram, Twitter/x & Tik Tok

Books mentioned in this episode: 
Waiting for Ted by Marieke Bigg
One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Gestalt Therapy

Thank you so much for listening! Until next time, happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/62535026Wed, 30 Oct 2024 04:00:02 +0000Hannah MacDonaldFor our October Book Club episode Hannah was joined by author Marieke Bigg to discuss her latest novel https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9781915368614. They discuss Marieke's career so far and how she always knew she wanted to write fiction, they also...A Scarab Where the Heart Should Be. They discuss Marieke's career so far and how she always knew she wanted to write fiction, they also talk about cancel culture, complex female characters, book recs and lots more. 
For more of Marieke's work you can find her website here. You can follow her on Instagram & Twitter/X

If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe and for more exclusive content you can find us over on Patreon.
You can also follow us via Instagram, Twitter/x & Tik Tok

Books mentioned in this episode: 
Waiting for Ted by Marieke Bigg
One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Gestalt Therapy

Thank you so much for listening! Until next time, happy reading!]]>1555architecture,ascarabwheretheheartshouldbe,beetles,books,cancelculture,darkbooks,deadinkbooks,femaleauthor,mariekebigg,oneflewoverthecuckoosnest,psychotherapist,waitingforted,writingfalse710fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s4-debut-spotlight-finale-moira-buffini-on-her-songlight-trilogy-gender-roles-the-chrysalids--62467037If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, tell a bookish pal etc, it all helps in reaching more of you! You can follow us via Instagram, X/Twitter & Tik Tok
You can buy 'Songlight' here.

Books & other recs mentioned in this episode: 
Powerless by Lauren Roberts
You Could Be So Pretty by Holly Bourne
wonder.land by Moira Buffini (play)
The Chrysalids by John Wyndham
The Outrun (in cinemas right now)

Thanks so much for listening, if you want to get in touch you can contact us via apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or for more content find us on Patreon!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/62467037Wed, 23 Oct 2024 04:00:02 +0000Hannah MacDonaldIt's the FINALE of Season 4 in our Debut Spotlight series and going out with a bang, Hannah was joined by BAFTA nominated screenwriter Moira Buffini to chat about her debut novel, the first in the YA 'Songlight' trilogy. They discuss the differences...If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, tell a bookish pal etc, it all helps in reaching more of you! You can follow us via Instagram, X/Twitter & Tik Tok
You can buy 'Songlight' here.

Books & other recs mentioned in this episode: 
Powerless by Lauren Roberts
You Could Be So Pretty by Holly Bourne
wonder.land by Moira Buffini (play)
The Chrysalids by John Wyndham
The Outrun (in cinemas right now)

Thanks so much for listening, if you want to get in touch you can contact us via apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or for more content find us on Patreon!]]>2122baftanominee,books,debutauthor,fantasy,johnwyndham,laurenroberts,moirabuffini,romantasy,screenwriter,songlight,theoutrun,yafalse79fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/laura-kay-author-of-making-it-on-creating-art-depression-writing-sex--62377435If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe as it's a free way to support the pod and means the world! For more exclusive content you can support us here: https://www.patreon.com/APairofBookends and you can follow us via Twitter/X, Instagram  & Tik Tok

You can buy Making It here. You can also support Laura via subscribing to her on https://lauraekay.substack.com/
You can also follow her and her work via https://www.laurakayauthor.co.uk/, or on Instagram & Twitter/X

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
Evenings and Weekends by Oisín McKenna
Marian Keyes
David Nicholls
Sarah Waters
Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison
Bethany Rutter
Slow Horses (Apple TV)

For all books mentioned in all our epiodes head here!
Thanks so much for listening, until next time- happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/62377435Wed, 16 Oct 2024 04:00:02 +0000Hannah MacDonaldOn today's episode Hannah was joined by the author Laura Kay to chat about her latest novel 'Making It' (spoiler free!) They discuss everything from chinchillas to writing sex scenes to the power of creating art, this chat also contains discussion...If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe as it's a free way to support the pod and means the world! For more exclusive content you can support us here: https://www.patreon.com/APairofBookends and you can follow us via Twitter/X, Instagram  & Tik Tok

You can buy Making It here. You can also support Laura via subscribing to her on https://lauraekay.substack.com/
You can also follow her and her work via https://www.laurakayauthor.co.uk/, or on Instagram & Twitter/X

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
Evenings and Weekends by Oisín McKenna
Marian Keyes
David Nicholls
Sarah Waters
Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison
Bethany Rutter
Slow Horses (Apple TV)

For all books mentioned in all our epiodes head here!
Thanks so much for listening, until next time- happy reading!]]>1902art,author,depression,lgbtq,mentalillness,queerauthor,queerbooks,sex,writingtrue78fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/bonus-in-conversation-with-kate-mosse-cbe-founder-of-the-women-s-prize-author-of-the-map-of-bones--62290669The Map of Bones by Kate Mosse is published tomorrow by Mantle (Pan Macmillan) and is available as a hardback, ebook and audio recording. Kate’s live one-woman stage show, Labyrinth, will be on tour in 2025. Dates and info can be found here: www.labyrinthlive2025.com
You can follow Kate via Instagram, Facebook & Threads or visit her website: https://www.katemosse.co.uk/
You can follow us via Instagram, Twitter & Tik Tok

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
Women's Prize
Moederland: Nine Daughters of South Africa by Cato Pedder
Labyrinth by Kate Mosse
The Ghost Ship by Kate Mosse
Hercule Poirot
Miss Marple
Madame Bovary
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
Grey's Anatomy
Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes

Thanks so much for listening, until next time-happy reading! ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/62290669Wed, 09 Oct 2024 04:00:03 +0000Hannah MacDonaldFor today's Bonus episode Hannah is in conversation with Kate Mosse, Novelist and Founder Director of our favourite literary prize, Women's Prize for Fiction and Non-Fiction. We discuss the fourth and final instalment in The Joubert Family Chronicles...The Map of Bones by Kate Mosse is published tomorrow by Mantle (Pan Macmillan) and is available as a hardback, ebook and audio recording. Kate’s live one-woman stage show, Labyrinth, will be on tour in 2025. Dates and info can be found here: www.labyrinthlive2025.com
You can follow Kate via Instagram, Facebook & Threads or visit her website: https://www.katemosse.co.uk/
You can follow us via Instagram, Twitter & Tik Tok

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
Women's Prize
Moederland: Nine Daughters of South Africa by Cato Pedder
Labyrinth by Kate Mosse
The Ghost Ship by Kate Mosse
Hercule Poirot
Miss Marple
Madame Bovary
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
Grey's Anatomy
Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes

Thanks so much for listening, until next time-happy reading! ]]>2185author,books,cbe,historicalfiction,historicalnovel,huguenot,katemosse,labryinth,literature,southafrica,thejoubertfamilychronicles,themapofbones,womensprize,writerfalse77fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s4-debut-spotlight-9-lucy-jane-wood-90s-nostalgia-magic-female-friendship--61843678Rewitched.
They discuss the positive side of being online & how it led to Lucy's unconventional publishing journey, magic, nostalgia and female friendship. You can subscribe to Lucy on Youtube here.
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe. You can follow Lucy via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok
You can also follow us via Instagram, Twitter & Tik Tok
For extra exclusive content, subscribe to our Patreon

Books mentioned in this episode: 
Intermezzo by Sally Rooney
Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber
  
You can buy the books mentioned in this episode and in our back catalogue via our bookshop.org page

Thanks so much for listening, until next time- happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/61843678Wed, 02 Oct 2024 04:00:02 +0000Hannah MacDonaldFor today's episode Hannah was joined by author & content creator Lucy Jane Wood, to discuss her new novel https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9781035045457 They discuss the positive side of being online & how it led to Lucy's unconventional...Rewitched.
They discuss the positive side of being online & how it led to Lucy's unconventional publishing journey, magic, nostalgia and female friendship. You can subscribe to Lucy on Youtube here.
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe. You can follow Lucy via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok
You can also follow us via Instagram, Twitter & Tik Tok
For extra exclusive content, subscribe to our Patreon

Books mentioned in this episode: 
Intermezzo by Sally Rooney
Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber
  
You can buy the books mentioned in this episode and in our back catalogue via our bookshop.org page

Thanks so much for listening, until next time- happy reading!]]>2308bodyimage,bookpodcast,books,contentcreator,debutauthor,debutnovel,femalefriendship,lucyjanewood,magic,rewitched,witches,youtuberfalse76fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s4-debut-spotlight-8-james-roseman-jewish-identity-mental-health-all-the-book-recs--62070206Placeholders. They discuss his unusual tale of being discovered as a writer, the writers that have inspired him, writing about Israel & Palestine, mental health and more. If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe as it's a free way to support the pod & means the world.
You can follow James via X/Twitter and Instagram
You can follow us via Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok

Books & authors mentioned in this episode: 
Jesus' Son by Denis Johnson
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
Normal People by Sally Rooney
Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors
One Day by David Nicholls
The Netanyahus by Joshua Cohen
Ben Lerner
Raymond Carver
The History of Love by Nicole Krauss
Great House by Nicole Krauss
The Wren, The Wren by Anne Enright
Falling Animals by Sheila Armstrong
The Coast Road by Alan Murrin
I'd Like to Say Sorry, but There's No One to Say Sorry To: Stories by Mikoaj Grynberg

For the full list of books mentioned in this episode or any of our episodes, head here.Thanks so much for listening, until next time- happy reading! ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/62070206Wed, 25 Sep 2024 04:00:02 +0000Hannah MacDonaldFor today's episode Hannah was joined by James Roseman, to chat about his debut novel https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9780857308573. They discuss his unusual tale of being discovered as a writer, the writers that have inspired him, writing about...Placeholders. They discuss his unusual tale of being discovered as a writer, the writers that have inspired him, writing about Israel & Palestine, mental health and more. If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe as it's a free way to support the pod & means the world.
You can follow James via X/Twitter and Instagram
You can follow us via Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok

Books & authors mentioned in this episode: 
Jesus' Son by Denis Johnson
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
Normal People by Sally Rooney
Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors
One Day by David Nicholls
The Netanyahus by Joshua Cohen
Ben Lerner
Raymond Carver
The History of Love by Nicole Krauss
Great House by Nicole Krauss
The Wren, The Wren by Anne Enright
Falling Animals by Sheila Armstrong
The Coast Road by Alan Murrin
I'd Like to Say Sorry, but There's No One to Say Sorry To: Stories by Mikoaj Grynberg

For the full list of books mentioned in this episode or any of our episodes, head here.Thanks so much for listening, until next time- happy reading! ]]>2226americanjewish,books,debutauthor,debutnovel,identity,jamesroseman,literature,mentalhealth,placeholders,sallyrooney,vervebooks,writers,writingfalse75fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/bonus-patreon-sneak-peek-the-booker-prize-2024-with-emma-hinds--61862442
For more exclusive content head to https://www.patreon.com/APairofBookends where for less than £3 a month you can hear the rest of this episode, gain an extra episode a month, early access to all episodes & have the opportunity to submit Qs to authors. We also now have a pay what you can option with all the same perks, no questions asked. 

Books mentioned in this episode: 
Drive your Plow over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuk
Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel
Bring Up The Bodies by Hilary Mantel
Wandering Stars by Tommy Orange
Wild Houses by Colin Barrett
Held by Anne Michaels
Creation Lake by Rachel Kushner
The Mars Room by Rachel Kushner
This Strange Eventful History by Claire Messud
Playground by Richard Powers
Enlightenment by Sarah Perry
Orbital by Samantha Harvey
James by Percival Everett
The Safe Keep by Yael van der Wouden
My Friends by Hisham Matar
In the Country of Men by Hisham Matar
Stone Yard Devotional by Charlotte Wood
The Weekend by Charlotte Wood
Headshot by Rita Bullwinkel

If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe as it's a free way to support the pod and makes a huge difference. Thank you so much for listening, until next time- happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/61862442Wed, 18 Sep 2024 04:00:02 +0000Hannah MacDonaldAs there's no recorded episode this week and this is also the week of the 2024 Booker Prize shortlist announcement, I thought I'd take the chance to share a sneak peek of a recent Patreon episode where Emma and I chat about The Booker Prize longlist,...
For more exclusive content head to https://www.patreon.com/APairofBookends where for less than £3 a month you can hear the rest of this episode, gain an extra episode a month, early access to all episodes & have the opportunity to submit Qs to authors. We also now have a pay what you can option with all the same perks, no questions asked. 

Books mentioned in this episode: 
Drive your Plow over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tokarczuk
Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel
Bring Up The Bodies by Hilary Mantel
Wandering Stars by Tommy Orange
Wild Houses by Colin Barrett
Held by Anne Michaels
Creation Lake by Rachel Kushner
The Mars Room by Rachel Kushner
This Strange Eventful History by Claire Messud
Playground by Richard Powers
Enlightenment by Sarah Perry
Orbital by Samantha Harvey
James by Percival Everett
The Safe Keep by Yael van der Wouden
My Friends by Hisham Matar
In the Country of Men by Hisham Matar
Stone Yard Devotional by Charlotte Wood
The Weekend by Charlotte Wood
Headshot by Rita Bullwinkel

If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe as it's a free way to support the pod and makes a huge difference. Thank you so much for listening, until next time- happy reading!]]>2294authors,bookerprize,bookerprize2024,books,headshot,hilarymantel,literaryfiction,literaryprize,percivaleverett,publishing,rachelkushner,richardpowers,sarahperry,writingfalse74bonushttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s4-debut-spotlight-7-rachel-blackmore-costanza-baroque-art-coercive-control--61326920
For today's Debut Spotlight episode Hannah was joined by debut author Rachel Blackmore to chat about her new novel Costanza
They discuss the importance of representation of women's stories in history, the writing & research process of this book, the London Writer's Salon community & much more. If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, it's a free way to support the pod and means the world. To gain exclusive content for less than £3 a month sign up to us on Patreon
You can follow us via Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok 
You can follow Rachel & her work via Instagram Twitter & Threads

Books & authors mentioned in this episode:
 The Artist by Lucy Steeds
Jean Plaidy
Philippa Gregory
Hilary Mantel
Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell
In Control: Dangerous Relationships and How They End in Murder by Jane Monckton Smith
Still Life by Sarah Winman

You can buy the books mentioned in this episode and from our back catalogue via our Bookshop.org page
Thanks so much for listening, until next time- happy reading! x]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/61326920Wed, 11 Sep 2024 04:00:02 +0000Hannah MacDonaldTW: This episode contains discussion around coercive control & male violence against women which some listeners may find distressing For today's Debut Spotlight episode Hannah was joined by debut author Rachel Blackmore to chat about her new...
For today's Debut Spotlight episode Hannah was joined by debut author Rachel Blackmore to chat about her new novel Costanza
They discuss the importance of representation of women's stories in history, the writing & research process of this book, the London Writer's Salon community & much more. If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, it's a free way to support the pod and means the world. To gain exclusive content for less than £3 a month sign up to us on Patreon
You can follow us via Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok 
You can follow Rachel & her work via Instagram Twitter & Threads

Books & authors mentioned in this episode:
 The Artist by Lucy Steeds
Jean Plaidy
Philippa Gregory
Hilary Mantel
Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell
In Control: Dangerous Relationships and How They End in Murder by Jane Monckton Smith
Still Life by Sarah Winman

You can buy the books mentioned in this episode and from our back catalogue via our Bookshop.org page
Thanks so much for listening, until next time- happy reading! x]]>2612arthistory,author,baroqueart,bernini,books,coercivecontrol,costanza,debutauthor,debutnovel,historicalfiction,maggieofarrell,rachelblackmore,rome,writersfalse73fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/september-book-club-shy-creatures-with-clare-chambers--61254298'Small Pleasures', Clare Chambers, to discuss her latest novel Shy Creatures. 
They discuss the true stories that inspired her books, her research into psychiatry, why the suburbs is such a great setting to write about and lots more. If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe as it's a free way to support the pod and means the world.
For less than £3 a month and for extra exclusive content you can support us via Patreon.
You can follow Clare here and to buy her books or any books mentioned in this episode visit our bookshop.org page.
You can follow us via Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
Missing Person: Alice by Simon Mason
The Muslim Cowboy by Bruce Omar Yates
The Examined Life: How We Lose and Find Ourselves by Stephen Grosz
Sanity, Madness and the Family by R.D Laing and Aaron Esterson
Asylums: Essays on the Social Situation of Mental Patients and Other Inmates by Erving Goffman
Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry
This House of Grief by Helen Garner
The Good Life (Now TV)
The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin (Amazon Prime)
Keeping Up Appearances (BBC Iplayer)
One Foot in the Grave (U)

Thanks so much for listening, until next time- happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/61254298Wed, 04 Sep 2024 04:00:02 +0000Hannah MacDonaldFor this month's Book Club episode, Hannah was joined by Women's Prize long listed author of https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9781474613903, Clare Chambers, to discuss her latest novel https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9781399602556.  They discuss the...'Small Pleasures', Clare Chambers, to discuss her latest novel Shy Creatures. 
They discuss the true stories that inspired her books, her research into psychiatry, why the suburbs is such a great setting to write about and lots more. If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe as it's a free way to support the pod and means the world.
For less than £3 a month and for extra exclusive content you can support us via Patreon.
You can follow Clare here and to buy her books or any books mentioned in this episode visit our bookshop.org page.
You can follow us via Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
Missing Person: Alice by Simon Mason
The Muslim Cowboy by Bruce Omar Yates
The Examined Life: How We Lose and Find Ourselves by Stephen Grosz
Sanity, Madness and the Family by R.D Laing and Aaron Esterson
Asylums: Essays on the Social Situation of Mental Patients and Other Inmates by Erving Goffman
Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry
This House of Grief by Helen Garner
The Good Life (Now TV)
The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin (Amazon Prime)
Keeping Up Appearances (BBC Iplayer)
One Foot in the Grave (U)

Thanks so much for listening, until next time- happy reading!]]>2151author,bookrecommendations,books,british,clarechambers,novel,psychiatry,rdlaing,shycreatures,smallpleasures,womensprizefalse72fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s4-debut-spotlight-6-bruce-omar-yates-westerns-camels-identity-crises--61177193The Muslim Cowboy (Dead Ink Books) 
(This discussion is spoiler free!)
We discuss the various tropes of Westerns, the journey from song-writing to novel writing, the iconic camel character in Bruce's book & loads more!
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, it's a free way to support the pod and it means the world. You can also support & gain exclusive content via Patreon.
You can follow Bruce via Instagram or Twitter, & to buy The Muslim Cowboy or any books mentioned in this episode click here.
You can also follow us via Instagram, Twitter & Tik Tok

Books & other mentions in today's episode:
The Story of the Jews by Simon Schama
Great Short Stories of the Masters edited by Charles Neider
Shane (1953)
The Mandalorian
The Last of Us
The Road by Cormac McCarthy
The Harder They Fall (Netflix)
Patrick Melrose by Edward St Aubyn

Thanks so much for listening, until next week-happy reading!
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/61177193Wed, 28 Aug 2024 04:00:02 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome back Bookends! On today's Debut Spotlight episode, Hannah chatted to debut author Bruce Omar Yates about his new novel https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9781915368386 (This discussion is spoiler free!) We discuss the various tropes of Westerns,...The Muslim Cowboy (Dead Ink Books) 
(This discussion is spoiler free!)
We discuss the various tropes of Westerns, the journey from song-writing to novel writing, the iconic camel character in Bruce's book & loads more!
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, it's a free way to support the pod and it means the world. You can also support & gain exclusive content via Patreon.
You can follow Bruce via Instagram or Twitter, & to buy The Muslim Cowboy or any books mentioned in this episode click here.
You can also follow us via Instagram, Twitter & Tik Tok

Books & other mentions in today's episode:
The Story of the Jews by Simon Schama
Great Short Stories of the Masters edited by Charles Neider
Shane (1953)
The Mandalorian
The Last of Us
The Road by Cormac McCarthy
The Harder They Fall (Netflix)
Patrick Melrose by Edward St Aubyn

Thanks so much for listening, until next week-happy reading!
]]>1765bookpodcast,books,bookspodcast,cowboys,deadinkbooks,debutauthor,novel,shane,themuslimcowboy,western,westernmovies,writingfalse71fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-finale-claire-daverley-on-summer-reading-creating-relatable-characters-success--60930797Talking at Night. 
They discuss Summer reading plans, success after rejection, writing about OCD, the books Claire has loved this year & lots more, thank you also to those of you who submitted questions for Claire! 
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe as it's a free way to support the pod and it means the world! For more exclusive content you can also support via https://www.patreon.com/APairofBookends
You can follow Claire via Instagram & Twitter/ X
and you can follow us via Instagram, Twitter & Tik Tok

For the full list of books mentioned in today's episode, visit our bookshop.org page

Books mentioned on this episode: 
Breakdown by Cathy Sweeney
Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason
The Offing by Benjamin Myers
All The Colours of the Dark by Chris Whitaker
Butter by Asako Yuzuki
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors
Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors
Sandwich by Catherine Newman
We All Want Impossible Things by Catherine Newman
True Love by Paddy Crewe
As Young As This by Roxy Dunn
Green Dot by Madeleine Gray

If you want to get in touch you can email via apairofbookendspod@gmail.com
Thanks so much for listening. Have a great summer!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/60930797Wed, 07 Aug 2024 03:00:02 +0000Hannah MacDonaldFor today's Bonus episode before a little Summer break, Hannah was joined by the wonderful Claire Daverley, author of https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9781405953849.  They discuss Summer reading plans, success after rejection, writing about OCD, the...Talking at Night. 
They discuss Summer reading plans, success after rejection, writing about OCD, the books Claire has loved this year & lots more, thank you also to those of you who submitted questions for Claire! 
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe as it's a free way to support the pod and it means the world! For more exclusive content you can also support via https://www.patreon.com/APairofBookends
You can follow Claire via Instagram & Twitter/ X
and you can follow us via Instagram, Twitter & Tik Tok

For the full list of books mentioned in today's episode, visit our bookshop.org page

Books mentioned on this episode: 
Breakdown by Cathy Sweeney
Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason
The Offing by Benjamin Myers
All The Colours of the Dark by Chris Whitaker
Butter by Asako Yuzuki
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors
Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors
Sandwich by Catherine Newman
We All Want Impossible Things by Catherine Newman
True Love by Paddy Crewe
As Young As This by Roxy Dunn
Green Dot by Madeleine Gray

If you want to get in touch you can email via apairofbookendspod@gmail.com
Thanks so much for listening. Have a great summer!]]>3419books,clairedaverley,debutauthor,debutnovel,fiction,literature,penguinbooks,reading,success,summerreads,talkingatnight,writers,writinginspirationfalse618fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s4-debut-spotlight-5-cameron-capello--60863260@thechamberofsecretbooks on Instagram & @chamberofsecretbooks on Tik Tok to chat all about her debut novel 'I'll Look For You, Everywhere' which can be bought here.
We discuss how her followers helped her throughout the writing process, what it was like to write those spicy scenes, her dream casting and so much more! 
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe as it helps to boost us in the charts and means the world. If you want to give us a follow you can do so via Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok
If you wish to support us further & gain exclusive content, for less than £3 a month you can sign up to our Patreon

Books & other recs mentioned in this episode: 
The Guest by Emma Cline
Not In Love by Ali Hazelwood
Normal People by Sally Rooney
Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney
Normal People - BBC Iplayer
Baby- Netflix
Fleabag - BBC Iplayer
Medici- Netflix
Talking at Night by Claire Daverley
My Lady Jane - Amazon Prime

Thanks so much for listening! Until next time, happy reading! ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/60863260Wed, 31 Jul 2024 03:00:04 +0000Hannah MacDonaldFor today's Debut Spotlight episode Hannah was joined by author and content creator behind https://www.instagram.com/thechamberofsecretbooks/?hl=en on Instagram & https://www.tiktok.com/@chamberofsecretbooks?lang=en on Tik Tok to chat all about...@thechamberofsecretbooks on Instagram & @chamberofsecretbooks on Tik Tok to chat all about her debut novel 'I'll Look For You, Everywhere' which can be bought here.
We discuss how her followers helped her throughout the writing process, what it was like to write those spicy scenes, her dream casting and so much more! 
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe as it helps to boost us in the charts and means the world. If you want to give us a follow you can do so via Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok
If you wish to support us further & gain exclusive content, for less than £3 a month you can sign up to our Patreon

Books & other recs mentioned in this episode: 
The Guest by Emma Cline
Not In Love by Ali Hazelwood
Normal People by Sally Rooney
Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney
Normal People - BBC Iplayer
Baby- Netflix
Fleabag - BBC Iplayer
Medici- Netflix
Talking at Night by Claire Daverley
My Lady Jane - Amazon Prime

Thanks so much for listening! Until next time, happy reading! ]]>2456books,cameroncapello,contentcreator,debutauthor,debutnovel,illlookforyoueverywhere,italy,panmacmillan,reading,romance,romancenovel,sallyrooney,spicyreads,writer,writingfalse617fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/july-book-club-i-will-crash-with-rebecca-watson--60768806We discuss what and who inspires her unique writing style, family estrangement and how pertinent that feels now following the story of Alice Munro, how it felt having her work adapted to stage and lots more! If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe as it helps to boost us in the charts and means the world! 
If you want to give Rebecca a follow you can do so via Instagram & Twitter
You can also follow her work via https://rebeccawatson.substack.com/
You can follow us via Instagram, Twitter & Tik Tok& for extra exclusive content for less than £3 a month, subscribe to us on Patreon

Books & other mentions on this episode: 
Little Scratch by Rebecca Watson
I Will Crash by Rebecca Watson
Intermezzo by Sally Rooney
https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/my-stepfather-sexually-abused-me-when-i-was-a-child-my-mother-alice-munro-chose/article_8415ba7c-3ae0-11ef-83f5-2369a808ea37.html
Virginia Woolf
Crave by Sarah Kane
The Lasting Harm: Witnessing the Trial of Ghislaine Maxwell by Lucia Osborne-Crowley

Thank you so much for listening & if you want to let us know your thoughts you can do so via apairofbookendspod@gmail.com, until next time happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/60768806Wed, 24 Jul 2024 04:00:03 +0000Hannah MacDonaldFor this month's Book Club episode Hannah was joined by 'Little Scratch' author Rebecca Watson to chat about her latest novel 'I Will Crash' (out now & published by Faber). We discuss what and who inspires her unique writing style, family...We discuss what and who inspires her unique writing style, family estrangement and how pertinent that feels now following the story of Alice Munro, how it felt having her work adapted to stage and lots more! If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe as it helps to boost us in the charts and means the world! 
If you want to give Rebecca a follow you can do so via Instagram & Twitter
You can also follow her work via https://rebeccawatson.substack.com/
You can follow us via Instagram, Twitter & Tik Tok& for extra exclusive content for less than £3 a month, subscribe to us on Patreon

Books & other mentions on this episode: 
Little Scratch by Rebecca Watson
I Will Crash by Rebecca Watson
Intermezzo by Sally Rooney
https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/my-stepfather-sexually-abused-me-when-i-was-a-child-my-mother-alice-munro-chose/article_8415ba7c-3ae0-11ef-83f5-2369a808ea37.html
Virginia Woolf
Crave by Sarah Kane
The Lasting Harm: Witnessing the Trial of Ghislaine Maxwell by Lucia Osborne-Crowley

Thank you so much for listening & if you want to let us know your thoughts you can do so via apairofbookendspod@gmail.com, until next time happy reading!]]>2243alicemunro,author,bookrecommendations,books,faberandfaber,fiction,novel,reading,rebeccawatson,writingfalse616fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s4-debut-spotlight-4-ania-card--60709772 'Above Us The Sea', Ania Card. Aswell as talking about her journey as a debut author, we chat about immigrant representation (specifically Polish immigrants), how music and dancing were central to the novel, writing safe spaces for Queer characters and lots more.
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, it's a free way to help support us, you can also for less than £3 a month support us via Patreon
Or check out our Bookshop.org page here.

You can follow Ania via Instagram or via Twitter/X
Or buy her book here

If you want to give us a follow you can do so via Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok

Books mentioned in this episode: 
Determination by Tawseef Khan
The Wren, The Wren by Anne Enright
Drive Your Plow Over The Bones Of The Dead by Olga Tokarczuk
White Nights by Urszula Honek

If you want to get in touch you can email via apairofbookendspod@gmail.com
Thank you so much for listening, until next time- happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/60709772Wed, 17 Jul 2024 04:00:03 +0000Hannah MacDonaldFor today's episode Hannah was joined by author ofhttps://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9781915368515', Ania Card. Aswell as talking about her journey as a debut author, we chat about immigrant representation (specifically Polish immigrants), how music and... 'Above Us The Sea', Ania Card. Aswell as talking about her journey as a debut author, we chat about immigrant representation (specifically Polish immigrants), how music and dancing were central to the novel, writing safe spaces for Queer characters and lots more.
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, it's a free way to help support us, you can also for less than £3 a month support us via Patreon
Or check out our Bookshop.org page here.

You can follow Ania via Instagram or via Twitter/X
Or buy her book here

If you want to give us a follow you can do so via Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok

Books mentioned in this episode: 
Determination by Tawseef Khan
The Wren, The Wren by Anne Enright
Drive Your Plow Over The Bones Of The Dead by Olga Tokarczuk
White Nights by Urszula Honek

If you want to get in touch you can email via apairofbookendspod@gmail.com
Thank you so much for listening, until next time- happy reading!]]>2377aboveusthesea,aniacard,books,deadinkbooks,debutauthor,debutnovel,lgbtq,lgbtqauthor,poland,polishauthor,queerauthor,walesfalse615fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s4-debut-spotlight-3-nikkitha-bakshani--60667671Ghost Chilli, an incredible debut novel with a protagonist as memorable as the likes of Fleabag and Queenie. 

In this episode we discuss creating characters through the lens of astrology, cultural and generational differences in parenting approaches and therapy, modern dating and lots more. If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe so we can reach more of you! 
You can support Nikkitha via https://substack.com/@nikkitha or follow her on Instagram

If you want to give us a follow you can do so via Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok, for extra monthly episodes and early access you can support us via Patreon

Books & other mentions in this episode:
Erasure by Percival Everett
American Fiction - Amazon Prime
The Observable Universe by Heather McCalden
Burley Fisher Bookshop
Spoilt Creatures by Amy Twigg
Milk Fed by Melissa Broder
The Pisces by Melissa Broder

Keep an eye out on our Instagram for a giveaway of a hardback copy of Ghost Chilli! Until next time, happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/60667671Fri, 12 Jul 2024 03:01:09 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome back Bookends to another episode in our Debut Spotlight series, today I was joined by the wonderful Nikkitha Bakshani, author of https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9780349727509, an incredible debut novel with a protagonist as memorable as the...Ghost Chilli, an incredible debut novel with a protagonist as memorable as the likes of Fleabag and Queenie. 

In this episode we discuss creating characters through the lens of astrology, cultural and generational differences in parenting approaches and therapy, modern dating and lots more. If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe so we can reach more of you! 
You can support Nikkitha via https://substack.com/@nikkitha or follow her on Instagram

If you want to give us a follow you can do so via Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok, for extra monthly episodes and early access you can support us via Patreon

Books & other mentions in this episode:
Erasure by Percival Everett
American Fiction - Amazon Prime
The Observable Universe by Heather McCalden
Burley Fisher Bookshop
Spoilt Creatures by Amy Twigg
Milk Fed by Melissa Broder
The Pisces by Melissa Broder

Keep an eye out on our Instagram for a giveaway of a hardback copy of Ghost Chilli! Until next time, happy reading!]]>2883astrology,author,book,books,dating,fiction,food,ghostchilli,newyork,nikkithabakshani,writerfalse614fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/in-conversation-with-louise-candlish-author-of-our-holiday--60580929Hannah and Louise deep dive into Louise's latest book 'Our Holiday' (spoiler free!), we also speak about the real second home crisis that inspired the book, how the TV adaptation process is going, her literary influences and lots more! 
Follow Louise via Instagram, Twitter and Facebook
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe as it helps to put us on other people's radar, you can also support the pod by subscribing via Patreon for less than £3 a month
Follow us via: Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok

Books, authors & other mentions on this episode:
The Orange House by Isabelle Broom
First Wife's Shadow by Adele Parks
The White Lotus- Now TV
Agatha Christie
The Bonfire of the Vanities by Tom Wolfe
A Man in Full by Tom Wolfe
A Man in Full - Netflix
Patricia Highsmith
Barbara Vine
Ruth Rendell
Lisa Jewell
Erin Kelly
Harriet Tyce
Inside No.9 - BBC Iplayer
Tales of the Unexpected - Now TV
The Sweeney- ITVX

]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/60580929Wed, 03 Jul 2024 03:00:03 +0000Hannah MacDonaldFor today's episode Hannah was joined by Louise Candlish, a household name in the crime/thriller genre.  Hannah and Louise deep dive into Louise's latest bookhttps://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9780008614652 (spoiler free!), we also speak about the real...Hannah and Louise deep dive into Louise's latest book 'Our Holiday' (spoiler free!), we also speak about the real second home crisis that inspired the book, how the TV adaptation process is going, her literary influences and lots more! 
Follow Louise via Instagram, Twitter and Facebook
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe as it helps to put us on other people's radar, you can also support the pod by subscribing via Patreon for less than £3 a month
Follow us via: Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok

Books, authors & other mentions on this episode:
The Orange House by Isabelle Broom
First Wife's Shadow by Adele Parks
The White Lotus- Now TV
Agatha Christie
The Bonfire of the Vanities by Tom Wolfe
A Man in Full by Tom Wolfe
A Man in Full - Netflix
Patricia Highsmith
Barbara Vine
Ruth Rendell
Lisa Jewell
Erin Kelly
Harriet Tyce
Inside No.9 - BBC Iplayer
Tales of the Unexpected - Now TV
The Sweeney- ITVX

]]>2858author,bookchat,books,crime,femaleauthor,fiction,holiday,inspiration,louisecandlish,reader,screenwriter,secondhomecrisis,thriller,tv,writingfalse613fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/in-conversation-with-ilaria-bernardini-author-of-faremo-foresta-we-will-be-forest--60494331 'We Will Be Forest' (Known in Italy as: 'Faremo Foresta')
Ilaria was incredibly generous in sharing her experiences in this episode, most of which were huge inspirations for this book. We also discussed the differences between her work as a screenwriter and as a novelist, father/daughter dynamics, adapting this novel into a film and lots more. If you enjoy this episode, please do rate, review & subscribe as it helps to reach more of you!
You can follow Ilaria via Instagram or via Twitter
You can follow us via Instagram, Twitter & Tik Tok

Books & other recs mentioned in this episode: 
The Dreamers by Gilbert Adair
https://player.bfi.org.uk/subscription/film/watch-the-dreamers-2004-online (movie adaptation by Bernardo Bertolucci)
Yellowface by Rebecca F.Kuang
Kramer vs. Kramer (movie)
The Princess Diarist by Carrie Fisher
Dolore Non Esiste by Ilaria Bernardini
C'mon C'mon (movie)

For episode requests or interview pitches please contact us via apairofbookendspod@gmail.com]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/60494331Wed, 26 Jun 2024 04:00:03 +0000Hannah MacDonaldFor today's episode Hannah was joined by the prolific Italian author & screenwriter, Ilaria Bernardini to chat about her novelhttps://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9781916797147 (Known in Italy as: 'Faremo Foresta') Ilaria was incredibly generous in... 'We Will Be Forest' (Known in Italy as: 'Faremo Foresta')
Ilaria was incredibly generous in sharing her experiences in this episode, most of which were huge inspirations for this book. We also discussed the differences between her work as a screenwriter and as a novelist, father/daughter dynamics, adapting this novel into a film and lots more. If you enjoy this episode, please do rate, review & subscribe as it helps to reach more of you!
You can follow Ilaria via Instagram or via Twitter
You can follow us via Instagram, Twitter & Tik Tok

Books & other recs mentioned in this episode: 
The Dreamers by Gilbert Adair
https://player.bfi.org.uk/subscription/film/watch-the-dreamers-2004-online (movie adaptation by Bernardo Bertolucci)
Yellowface by Rebecca F.Kuang
Kramer vs. Kramer (movie)
The Princess Diarist by Carrie Fisher
Dolore Non Esiste by Ilaria Bernardini
C'mon C'mon (movie)

For episode requests or interview pitches please contact us via apairofbookendspod@gmail.com]]>1985books,faremoforesta,fiction,ilariabernardini,inspiration,italianauthor,italy,nature,novel,screenwriter,writer,writingfalse612fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/in-conversation-with-sam-taylor-author-of-the-two-loves-of-sophie-strom--60484261The Two Loves of Sophie Strom, which is out now and published by Faber!
We discuss how the book went from being a Sci-fi novel when he first started writing 14 years ago to becoming a historical novel about Nazi Berlin, the differences between working as a translator and a novelist, how falling in love influenced his novel and loads more. If you enjoy this episode, please do rate, review & subscribe so we can reach more of you!
You can follow us via Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok

Book, authors & other recs mentioned on this episode:
Prague Fatale by Phillip Kerr
Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell
A Place of Greater Safety by Hilary Mantel
HHhH by Laurent Binet
https://www.theguardian.com/books/article/2024/may/18/sam-taylor-the-two-loves-of-sophie-strom-novel-translating-a-book-is-like-x-raying-it-you-get-a-deep-tissue-read
George R.R. Martin
Life After Life by Kate Atkinson
The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton
The Guest by Emma Cline
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

If you'd like to get in touch please email via apairofbookendspod@gmail.com
Thanks so much for listening! Until next time, happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/60484261Mon, 24 Jun 2024 03:00:04 +0000Hannah MacDonaldOn today's episode Hannah was joined by author and literary translator Sam Taylor to discuss his latest novel https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9780571380107, which is out now and published by Faber! We discuss how the book went from being a Sci-fi...The Two Loves of Sophie Strom, which is out now and published by Faber!
We discuss how the book went from being a Sci-fi novel when he first started writing 14 years ago to becoming a historical novel about Nazi Berlin, the differences between working as a translator and a novelist, how falling in love influenced his novel and loads more. If you enjoy this episode, please do rate, review & subscribe so we can reach more of you!
You can follow us via Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok

Book, authors & other recs mentioned on this episode:
Prague Fatale by Phillip Kerr
Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell
A Place of Greater Safety by Hilary Mantel
HHhH by Laurent Binet
https://www.theguardian.com/books/article/2024/may/18/sam-taylor-the-two-loves-of-sophie-strom-novel-translating-a-book-is-like-x-raying-it-you-get-a-deep-tissue-read
George R.R. Martin
Life After Life by Kate Atkinson
The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton
The Guest by Emma Cline
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

If you'd like to get in touch please email via apairofbookendspod@gmail.com
Thanks so much for listening! Until next time, happy reading!]]>2369author,berlin,books,faber,fiction,historical,history,inspiration,literarytranslator,novelist,samtaylor,vienna,worldwartwo,writingfalse611fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/bonus-in-conversation-with-claire-lombardo-author-of-same-as-it-ever-was--60426930The Most Fun We Ever Had' Claire Lombardo to chat all about her new novel 'Same As It Ever Was' (out now in the US, published by Doubleday! UK folk you can pre-order!)
We chat about her favourite family saga novels, writing 'nice' men & complicated women, her debut novel's upcoming adaptation and so much more! If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe to boost us in the charts!
You can follow Claire via Instagram or Twitter
For more exclusive content & for less than £3 a month, join us on Patreon, you can also follow us via Instagram, Twitter & Tik Tok

Books mentioned in today's episode: 
Soldier Sailor by Claire Kilroy
Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
The Amateur Marriage by Anne Tyler
Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout
My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout
Brother Of The More Famous Jack by Barbara Trapido

Thanks so much for listening! If you want to get in touch you can do so via apairofbookendspod@gmail.com
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/60426930Wed, 19 Jun 2024 04:00:04 +0000Hannah MacDonaldFor today's very exciting bonus episode Hannah was joined by the Women's Prize longlisted author of 'https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9781474611886 Claire Lombardo to chat all about her new novel https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9781399608213 We chat...The Most Fun We Ever Had' Claire Lombardo to chat all about her new novel 'Same As It Ever Was' (out now in the US, published by Doubleday! UK folk you can pre-order!)
We chat about her favourite family saga novels, writing 'nice' men & complicated women, her debut novel's upcoming adaptation and so much more! If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe to boost us in the charts!
You can follow Claire via Instagram or Twitter
For more exclusive content & for less than £3 a month, join us on Patreon, you can also follow us via Instagram, Twitter & Tik Tok

Books mentioned in today's episode: 
Soldier Sailor by Claire Kilroy
Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
The Amateur Marriage by Anne Tyler
Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout
My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout
Brother Of The More Famous Jack by Barbara Trapido

Thanks so much for listening! If you want to get in touch you can do so via apairofbookendspod@gmail.com
]]>2754americanauthor,author,clairelombardo,familydynamics,familysaga,novel,reesewitherspoonbookclub,sameasiteverwas,themostfunweeverhad,womensprize,writer,writingfalse610fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/independent-bookshop-week-2024-with-serenity-booksellers--60403974If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe so we can reach more of you. 
You can find Serenity Booksellers via their website (subscribe to their mailing list to be in with a chance of winning a £100 voucher for their store) or via Instagram or Facebook.
If you're unable to make it in store and wish to support them, the below book recs are linked to Serenity Booksellers bookshop.org page.
For more on Independent Bookshop Week visit https://www.booksaremybag.com/

Books, indie bookshops & other mentions in this episode: 
The Coast Road by Alan Murrin
Want by Gillian Anderson
The Seven Sisters by Lucinda Riley
A Terrible Kindness by Jo Browning Wroe
October, October by Katya Balen
Ghostlines by Katya Balen
James by Percival Everett
Hard By A Great Forest by Leo Vardiashvili
Three Burials by Anders Lustgarten
The Many by Wyl Menmuir
The Draw of The Sea by Wyl Menmuir
The Heart of The Woods by Wyl Menmuir
Small Hours by Bobby Palmer
The Castle (1997 movie, on Amazon Prime)
Simply Books, Bramhall
Dark Peak Books & Gifts, Glossop
Booka Bookshop, Oswestry
Truman Books, Leeds
Wife by Charlotte Mendelson
The Exhibitionist by Charlotte Mendelson
Still Life by Sarah Winman
Homecoming by Kate Morton
The House at Riverton by Kate Morton
Breakdown by Cathy Sweeney
Glorious Exploits by Ferdia Lennon
Anxious People by Fredrik Backman
Green Dot by Madeleine Gray
Cloudstreet by Tim Winton
Dirt Music by Tim Winton
Breath by Tim Winton
Gould's Book of Fish by Richard Flanagan
Wanting by Richard Flanagan
For Thy Great Pain Have Mercy on My Little Pain by Victoria Mackenzie
You Are Here by David Nicholls
Rare Singles by Benjamin Myers
The Unfinished Business of Eadie Browne by Freya North
Other Women by Emma Flint
Whale Fall by Elizabeth O'Connor
Stand Up Guy by Nina Kaye
Baby Reindeer- Netflix 
Sparrow by James Hynes

Thanks so much for listening, until next time happy reading! ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/60403974Mon, 17 Jun 2024 04:00:05 +0000Hannah MacDonaldTo celebrate Independent Bookshop Week 2024, Hannah interviewed one of her local indie bookshops Serenity Booksellers. We chat about how Kelly and her partner Chris turned their bookshop dreams into a reality, what exciting things they have coming up,...If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe so we can reach more of you. 
You can find Serenity Booksellers via their website (subscribe to their mailing list to be in with a chance of winning a £100 voucher for their store) or via Instagram or Facebook.
If you're unable to make it in store and wish to support them, the below book recs are linked to Serenity Booksellers bookshop.org page.
For more on Independent Bookshop Week visit https://www.booksaremybag.com/

Books, indie bookshops & other mentions in this episode: 
The Coast Road by Alan Murrin
Want by Gillian Anderson
The Seven Sisters by Lucinda Riley
A Terrible Kindness by Jo Browning Wroe
October, October by Katya Balen
Ghostlines by Katya Balen
James by Percival Everett
Hard By A Great Forest by Leo Vardiashvili
Three Burials by Anders Lustgarten
The Many by Wyl Menmuir
The Draw of The Sea by Wyl Menmuir
The Heart of The Woods by Wyl Menmuir
Small Hours by Bobby Palmer
The Castle (1997 movie, on Amazon Prime)
Simply Books, Bramhall
Dark Peak Books & Gifts, Glossop
2822bookrecommendations,books,booksaremybag,booksellers,bookshop,fiction,independentbookshop,indiebookshop,indiebookshopweek,localbusiness,romiley,serenitybooksellersfalse69bonushttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/in-conversation-with-sarah-gilmartin-author-of-service--60350594Service (Pushkin Press, out now in paperback)
Please be aware this episode contains reference to SA & statistics of SA cases
We chat about what it was like to write from the perspective of a man accused of sexual assault, her experience of working in restaurants, how the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre helped shape the writing of the case in the book and more. It was such an insightful conversation and the book is in Hannah's top reads of the year! 
If you enjoyed this episode please do rate, review & subscribe so we can reach more of you!
You can follow Sarah via https://twitter.com/sarahgilmartin_
You can email us via apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or follow us Instagram, Twitter  & Tik Tok
For more exclusive content with Hannah and friend of the pod Emma Hinds, head to https://www.patreon.com/APairofBookends

Books & other mentions on the pod:
Dinner Party by Sarah Gilmartin
Old Romantics by Maggie Armstrong
Multitudes by Lucy Caldwell
Intimacies by Lucy Caldwell
Openings by Lucy Caldwell
Blue Lights- BBC Iplayer

Thanks so much for listening! Until next time, happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/60350594Wed, 12 Jun 2024 04:00:04 +0000Hannah MacDonaldFor today's episode Hannah was joined by Irish author Sarah Gilmartin, to chat all about her latest novel https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9781911590828 Please be aware this episode contains reference to SA & statistics of SA cases We chat about...Service (Pushkin Press, out now in paperback)
Please be aware this episode contains reference to SA & statistics of SA cases
We chat about what it was like to write from the perspective of a man accused of sexual assault, her experience of working in restaurants, how the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre helped shape the writing of the case in the book and more. It was such an insightful conversation and the book is in Hannah's top reads of the year! 
If you enjoyed this episode please do rate, review & subscribe so we can reach more of you!
You can follow Sarah via https://twitter.com/sarahgilmartin_
You can email us via apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or follow us Instagram, Twitter  & Tik Tok
For more exclusive content with Hannah and friend of the pod Emma Hinds, head to https://www.patreon.com/APairofBookends

Books & other mentions on the pod:
Dinner Party by Sarah Gilmartin
Old Romantics by Maggie Armstrong
Multitudes by Lucy Caldwell
Intimacies by Lucy Caldwell
Openings by Lucy Caldwell
Blue Lights- BBC Iplayer

Thanks so much for listening! Until next time, happy reading!]]>2349author,books,chef,dublin,fiction,hospitality,irishauthor,novel,restaurant,sarahgilmartin,serviceindustry,writerfalse68fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-serpent-and-the-wings-of-night-with-carissa-broadbent--60272083
The Serpent and the Wings of Night and it's sequel The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King are available now everywhere (UK folk, the sequel is out tomorrow so go pre-order!)

You can follow Carissa via Instagram, Tik Tok and Twitter
You can also follow us via Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok

Books & other recs mentioned: 
The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo
Castlevania - Netflix
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J.Maas
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason

For books discussed on each episode, head to: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/apairofbookendspod

Thanks so much for listening & until next time, happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/60272083Wed, 05 Jun 2024 04:00:05 +0000Hannah MacDonaldFor today's episode I deep dived into the world of Romantasy with social media sensation Carissa Broadbent. We chat about why this genre is so successful, her writing process, what readers have to look forward to with the rest of the series and lots...
The Serpent and the Wings of Night and it's sequel The Ashes and the Star-Cursed King are available now everywhere (UK folk, the sequel is out tomorrow so go pre-order!)

You can follow Carissa via Instagram, Tik Tok and Twitter
You can also follow us via Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok

Books & other recs mentioned: 
The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo
Castlevania - Netflix
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J.Maas
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason

For books discussed on each episode, head to: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/apairofbookendspod

Thanks so much for listening & until next time, happy reading!]]>2644author,bookpodcast,books,booktok,carissabroadbent,crownsofnyaxia,romantasy,theserpentandthewingsofnight,writingfalse67fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/bonus-small-hours-with-bobby-palmer-bobby-s-back--60202133Isaac and the Egg and had an absolute blast so it was only right to bring him back to chat about his second book Small Hours (out now)
We chat about how his relationship with nature has evolved, writing about a memory loss condition, masculinity, writing his third book and all the book reccs your heart could desire! 
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe so we can reach more of you. 
Follow on Instagram @apairofbookendspod, Twitter @apairofbookends and Tik Tok  @apairofbookends
Follow on Patreon for more content: https://www.patreon.com/APairofBookends

Follow Bobby via Instagram
Bobby's Small Hours Spotify playlist
For new episodes of Book Chat with Bobby and Pandora, head to Pandora's Substack https://pandorasykes.substack.com/
Charity mentioned: https://foxproject.org.uk/

Books, authors & other reccs mentioned in this episode:
Rare Singles by Benjamin Myers
Cuddy by Benjamin Myers
The Perfect Golden Circle by Benjamin Myers
Wandering Souls by Cecile Pin
The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse by Charlie Mackesy
You are Here by David Nicholls
Where the wild things are by Maurice Sendak
Max Porter
George Saunders
A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan
His Bloody Project by Graeme Macrae Burnet
Case Study by Graeme Macrae Burnet
Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf
One Day by David Nicholls
Oh, The Places You'll Go! by Dr.Seuss
West by Carys Davies
The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
High Fidelity by Nick Hornby
Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/8-bridget-joness-diary-and-high-fidelity/id1657017360?i=1000622998970
Tales of the City by Armistead Maupin
Erasure by Percival Everett
James by Percival Everett
The Trees by Percival Everett
Exit West by Mohsin Hamid
The Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid
The Last White Man by Mohsin Hamid
The Terror (Amazon Prime)
The Bear (Disney +)
Another Round (Amazon Prime)

Thanks so much for listening! Until next time, happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/60202133Wed, 29 May 2024 04:00:04 +0000Hannah MacDonaldBobby Palmer is back on the pod! Back in November 2022, we chatted to Bobby about his debut novel https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9781472285515 and had an absolute blast so it was only right to bring him back to chat about his second book...Isaac and the Egg and had an absolute blast so it was only right to bring him back to chat about his second book Small Hours (out now)
We chat about how his relationship with nature has evolved, writing about a memory loss condition, masculinity, writing his third book and all the book reccs your heart could desire! 
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe so we can reach more of you. 
Follow on Instagram @apairofbookendspod, Twitter @apairofbookends and Tik Tok  @apairofbookends
Follow on Patreon for more content: https://www.patreon.com/APairofBookends

Follow Bobby via Instagram
Bobby's Small Hours Spotify playlist
For new episodes of Book Chat with Bobby and Pandora, head to Pandora's Substack https://pandorasykes.substack.com/
Charity mentioned: https://foxproject.org.uk/

Books, authors & other reccs mentioned in this episode:
Rare Singles by Benjamin Myers
Cuddy by Benjamin Myers
The Perfect Golden Circle by Benjamin Myers
Wandering Souls by Cecile Pin
The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse by Charlie Mackesy
You are Here by David Nicholls
Where the wild things are by Maurice Sendak
Max Porter
George Saunders
A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan
His Bloody Project by Graeme Macrae Burnet
Case Study by...]]>3258bobbypalmer,bookchat,books,childrensbooks,dementia,fiction,foxes,isaacandtheegg,literature,masculinity,nature,reading,smallhoursfalse66bonushttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/in-conversation-with-ericka-waller-author-of-goodbye-birdie-greenwing--60111837We chat about mothers and daughters, autism, death and grief and so much more, we hope you enjoy! Please do rate, review & subscribe as it helps us to reach more of you. You can follow us via Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok
For extra content head on over to Patreon

Buy yourselves a copy of Goodbye Birdie Greenwing and Dog Days and once you have send either myself or Ericka a DM and Ericka will be sending out hand-crocheted ghosts to 'haunt your TBR' 
You can follow Ericka via Instagram & Twitter 
For more of her books and dog chat head to her website

Books & other mentions in today's episode:
The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
Essential Help for your nerves by Dr. Claire Weekes
Joined up writing podcast with Ericka Waller
https://www.writing.ie/interviews/the-difficult-second-novel-goodbye-birdie-greenwing-by-ericka-waller/
The Name of The Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
One Day - Netflix
The Last Murder at The End of the World by Stuart Turton
The Devil and The Dark Water by Stuart Turton
Hold Back The Night by Jessica Moor
Young Women by Jessica Moor
How we named the stars by Andres N. Ordorica
Leave no trace by Jo Callaghan
In the blink of an eye by Jo Callaghan

For all books mentioned in episodes and to support indie bookshops, head here
Thanks so much for listening! See you next week for a bonus episode! ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/60111837Wed, 22 May 2024 04:00:04 +0000Hannah MacDonaldFor today's episode Hannah and Ericka had a completely feral two hours of laughing and talking rubbish and somehow Hannah has managed to edit together an episode!  We chat about mothers and daughters, autism, death and grief and so much more, we hope...We chat about mothers and daughters, autism, death and grief and so much more, we hope you enjoy! Please do rate, review & subscribe as it helps us to reach more of you. You can follow us via Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok
For extra content head on over to Patreon

Buy yourselves a copy of Goodbye Birdie Greenwing and Dog Days and once you have send either myself or Ericka a DM and Ericka will be sending out hand-crocheted ghosts to 'haunt your TBR' 
You can follow Ericka via Instagram & Twitter 
For more of her books and dog chat head to her website

Books & other mentions in today's episode:
The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
Essential Help for your nerves by Dr. Claire Weekes
Joined up writing podcast with Ericka Waller
https://www.writing.ie/interviews/the-difficult-second-novel-goodbye-birdie-greenwing-by-ericka-waller/
The Name of The Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
One Day - Netflix
The Last Murder at The End of the World by Stuart Turton
The Devil and The Dark Water by Stuart Turton
Hold Back The Night by Jessica Moor
Young Women by Jessica Moor
How we named the stars by Andres N. Ordorica
Leave no trace by Jo Callaghan
In the blink of an eye by Jo Callaghan

For all books mentioned in episodes and to support indie bookshops, head here
Thanks so much for listening! See you next week for a bonus...]]>3484author,autism,books,daughters,dogdays,erickawaller,family,fantasy,fiction,goodbyebirdiegreenwing,mothers,reading,writerfalse65fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/may-book-club-girls-with-kirsty-capes--60010495Girls, out tomorrow! 
We chat about sisterhood, art, mental health, grief and so much more and 'Girls' is a devastating and remarkable book that we couldn't recommend enough. 
You can follow Kirsty via Instagram or Twitter
If you enjoyed this episode please do rate, review & subscribe so we can reach more of you! Follow us via Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok



This is Lydia's final episode on the pod, we couldn't have ever predicted the podcast to take off in the way it has & we've worked on so many incredible interviews together like this one and if you want to keep up with Lydia's book chat you can find her via https://www.youtube.com/@LydiaLostthePlot


Books & other recs mentioned in this episode: 
Careless by Kirsty Capes
My Sister, the serial killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite
Little Miss Sunshine- Disney +
Taylor Jenkins Reid
Lady Bird - Netflix
The Florida Project
A Complicated Kindness by Miriam Toews
All My Puny Sorrows by Miriam Toews
Women Talking - Prime
Green Dot by Madeleine Gray
Penance by Eliza Clark


Thanks so much for listening & for your support! See you next week, Hannah x]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/60010495Wed, 15 May 2024 04:00:04 +0000Hannah MacDonaldFor our May Book Club episode we were joined by Women's Prize long-listed author Kirsty Capes, to chat about her new novel https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9781398713048, out tomorrow!  We chat about sisterhood, art, mental health, grief and so much...Girls, out tomorrow! 
We chat about sisterhood, art, mental health, grief and so much more and 'Girls' is a devastating and remarkable book that we couldn't recommend enough. 
You can follow Kirsty via Instagram or Twitter
If you enjoyed this episode please do rate, review & subscribe so we can reach more of you! Follow us via Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok



This is Lydia's final episode on the pod, we couldn't have ever predicted the podcast to take off in the way it has & we've worked on so many incredible interviews together like this one and if you want to keep up with Lydia's book chat you can find her via https://www.youtube.com/@LydiaLostthePlot


Books & other recs mentioned in this episode: 
Careless by Kirsty Capes
My Sister, the serial killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite
Little Miss Sunshine- Disney +
Taylor Jenkins Reid
Lady Bird - Netflix
The Florida Project
A Complicated Kindness by Miriam Toews
All My Puny Sorrows by Miriam Toews
Women Talking - Prime
Green Dot by Madeleine Gray
Penance by Eliza Clark


Thanks so much for listening & for your support! See you next week, Hannah x]]>3333art,books,celebrity,culture,family,fiction,kirstycapes,mentalhealth,motherhood,sisters,womensprizefalse64fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/some-news--59983286Go follow over on Patreon to support us, it's been a v weird time and I hope you'll stay with me on this journey. Big love x]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/59983286Mon, 13 May 2024 05:00:04 +0000Hannah MacDonaldSome podcast updates & an exciting announcement!  Go follow over on https://www.patreon.com/APairofBookends to support us, it's been a v weird time and I hope you'll stay with me on this journey. Big love xGo follow over on Patreon to support us, it's been a v weird time and I hope you'll stay with me on this journey. Big love x]]>231announcement,books,chat,news,patreon,updatefalse63fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s4-debut-spotlight-2-alan-murrin--59903965You can order your copy of The Coast Road here.
We chat about our favourite Irish phrases, writing complicated women, that Gillian Anderson endorsement and much more. If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe so I can reach more of you! You can also follow me @apairofbookendspod on Instagram and @apairofbookends on Twitter and Tik Tok. 

Book tix for Alan's upcoming event: https://allevents.in/london/alan-murrin-lucy-caldwell-and-sarah-crossan-at-waterstones-tcr/10000884067929977

Books & other mentions on this episode: 
A Case of Knives by Candia McWilliam
What to look for in Winter by Candia McWilliam
William Trevor
Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout
Nora Webster by Colm Tóibín
The Green Road by Anne Enright
The Wren, The Wren by Anne Enright
Landscapers - Now TV
Critics at Large- The New Yorker podcast

To buy any of the books mentioned today click here

Thanks so much for listening, until next time- happy reading! ]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/59903965Wed, 08 May 2024 04:00:04 +0000Hannah MacDonaldFor today's episode in the Debut Spotlight series, I was joined by author Alan Murrin to chat all about his upcoming novel 'The Coast Road' which is out in the UK tomorrow (Bloomsbury). You can order your copy of The Coast Road...You can order your copy of The Coast Road here.
We chat about our favourite Irish phrases, writing complicated women, that Gillian Anderson endorsement and much more. If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe so I can reach more of you! You can also follow me @apairofbookendspod on Instagram and @apairofbookends on Twitter and Tik Tok. 

Book tix for Alan's upcoming event: https://allevents.in/london/alan-murrin-lucy-caldwell-and-sarah-crossan-at-waterstones-tcr/10000884067929977

Books & other mentions on this episode: 
A Case of Knives by Candia McWilliam
What to look for in Winter by Candia McWilliam
William Trevor
Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout
Nora Webster by Colm Tóibín
The Green Road by Anne Enright
The Wren, The Wren by Anne Enright
Landscapers - Now TV
Critics at Large- The New Yorker podcast

To buy any of the books mentioned today click here

Thanks so much for listening, until next time- happy reading! ]]>2476alanmurrin,bloomsbury,books,debutauthor,debutnovel,donegal,femalecharacters,fiction,gilliananderson,irishauthor,literature,motherhood,reading,thecoastroadfalse62fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s4-debut-spotlight-1-nathan-newman--59739956
Buy How To Leave The House here (out tomorrow)
Follow Nathan on Instagram
You can follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok

Books & other recs mentioned on this ep: 
White Teeth by Zadie Smith
The Autograph Man by Zadie Smith
Grand Union by Zadie Smith
Sons and Lovers by D.H Lawrence
Lady Chatterley's Lover by D.H Lawrence
Baby Reindeer- Netflix 

For the full list of recs mentioned in all episodes click here
Thanks so much for listening, until next time- happy reading! x]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/59739956Wed, 01 May 2024 04:00:04 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome back Bookends to the first in the 4th season of our Debut Spotlight series, for today's episode Hannah was in conversation with author Nathan Newman! Aswell as deep diving into their debut novel 'How to leave the house', we chat about their...
Buy How To Leave The House here (out tomorrow)
Follow Nathan on Instagram
You can follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok

Books & other recs mentioned on this ep: 
White Teeth by Zadie Smith
The Autograph Man by Zadie Smith
Grand Union by Zadie Smith
Sons and Lovers by D.H Lawrence
Lady Chatterley's Lover by D.H Lawrence
Baby Reindeer- Netflix 

For the full list of recs mentioned in all episodes click here
Thanks so much for listening, until next time- happy reading! x]]>1845author,books,debutauthor,debutnovel,nathannewman,online,tvadaptation,writer,writing,zadiesmithfalse61fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/bonus-darling-girls-with-sally-hepworth--59686263We talk about her research into foster care, her infamous plot twists, how she writes a book every year and more! If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe so we can reach more of you. 

To buy Sally's book 'Darling Girls', click here.
You can also follow Sally on  Instagram  and to find out more about her work you can head to her website.
You can follow us via Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok.

Books, authors & other recs mentioned in this episode: 
Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout
Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery
Liane Moriarty
Jane Harper
Emily Giffin
Dr Death - Amazon Prime 

Thanks so much for listening! Until next time, happy reading! 
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/59686263Mon, 29 Apr 2024 04:00:05 +0000Hannah MacDonaldFor today's episode we were joined by New York Times bestselling author Sally Hepworth to chat all about her latest novel Darling Girls (as always, spoiler free!) We talk about her research into foster care, her infamous plot twists, how she writes a...We talk about her research into foster care, her infamous plot twists, how she writes a book every year and more! If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe so we can reach more of you. 

To buy Sally's book 'Darling Girls', click here.
You can also follow Sally on  Instagram  and to find out more about her work you can head to her website.
You can follow us via Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok.

Books, authors & other recs mentioned in this episode: 
Olive Kitteridge by Elizabeth Strout
Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery
Liane Moriarty
Jane Harper
Emily Giffin
Dr Death - Amazon Prime 

Thanks so much for listening! Until next time, happy reading! 
]]>3109australianauthor,authorchat,books,fostercare,plottwist,research,sallyhepworth,thrillerbooks,writers,writingfalse521fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/april-book-club-a-lesson-in-cruelty-with-harriet-tyce--59598675
To buy A Lesson in Cruelty and for the full list of books & authors mentioned in today's episode click here.
You can follow Harriet via Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok
If you'd like to follow us you can do so via Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok

Thanks so much for listening! Until next time, happy reading x]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/59598675Wed, 24 Apr 2024 04:00:05 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome to our April Book Club episode where Hannah spoke to bestselling thriller author Harriet Tyce about her latest novel, our book pick for April 'A Lesson in Cruelty'. We spoke about her journey from barrister to author, representation of...
To buy A Lesson in Cruelty and for the full list of books & authors mentioned in today's episode click here.
You can follow Harriet via Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok
If you'd like to follow us you can do so via Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok

Thanks so much for listening! Until next time, happy reading x]]>3444alcoholism,author,barrister,books,crime,fiction,harriettyce,thriller,writer,writingfalse520fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s3-debut-spotlight-finale-with-georgina-moore--59568336Please note: this episode contains discussion around alcoholism. 

Buy your copy of The Garnett Girls here.
You can follow Georgina on Twitter, Instagram and Tik Tok
If you want to give us a follow you can do so via Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok or you can email us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com

Books mentioned in this episode: 
The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo
Same As It Ever Was by Claire Lombardo
Long Island Compromise by Taffy Brodesser-Akner
Careless by Kirsty Capes
Girls by Kirsty Capes
Behind the scenes at the museum by Kate Atkinson
The Shell Seekers by Rosamunde Pilcher
The Camomile Lawn by Mary Wesley
The Cazalet Chronicles by Elizabeth Jane Howard
Goodbye Birdie Greenwing by Ericka Waller

Thanks so much for listening and until next time, happy reading! Han & Lyd x]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/59568336Mon, 22 Apr 2024 04:00:04 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome back Bookends to the FINALE of Season 3 in our Debut Spotlight series, can you believe it?! For this episode we thought who better than Georgina Moore, her debut novel The Garnett Girls is a Sunday Times bestseller and not only that but...Please note: this episode contains discussion around alcoholism. 

Buy your copy of The Garnett Girls here.
You can follow Georgina on Twitter, Instagram and Tik Tok
If you want to give us a follow you can do so via Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok or you can email us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com

Books mentioned in this episode: 
The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo
Same As It Ever Was by Claire Lombardo
Long Island Compromise by Taffy Brodesser-Akner
Careless by Kirsty Capes
Girls by Kirsty Capes
Behind the scenes at the museum by Kate Atkinson
The Shell Seekers by Rosamunde Pilcher
The Camomile Lawn by Mary Wesley
The Cazalet Chronicles by Elizabeth Jane Howard
Goodbye Birdie Greenwing by Ericka Waller

Thanks so much for listening and until next time, happy reading! Han & Lyd x]]>3417alcoholism,books,debutauthor,debutnovel,fiction,georginamoore,isleofwight,publicity,sisterhood,thegarnettgirls,womenfalse519fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s3-debut-spotlight-9-paul-carlucci--59478741We spoke to Paul about the real people that inspired his novel, why he thinks it's important to write bodily functions, not shying away from brutality and violence in his writing and more. If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe so we can reach more of you! 
For more exclusive content please head to our Patreon and if you'd like to follow us you can do so here: https://www.instagram.com/apairofbookendspod/ https://twitter.com/apairofbookends & https://www.tiktok.com/@apairofbookends

To buy Paul's book: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9781800753150
You can also follow Paul on Goodreads


Books & other recs mentioned: 
For our full online shop click here
The Name of The Rose by Umberto Eco
Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy
McGlue by Ottessa Moshfegh
By Gaslight by Steven Price
Pet Sematary by Stephen King
Salem's Lot by Stephen King
The Book Review podcast: Looking Back at 50 Years of Stephen King
Tennis Lessons by Susannah Dickey
Common Decency by Susannah Dickey
Sparrow by James Hynes
The Guest by Emma Cline
The Girls by Emma Cline

Thanks so much for listening! Until next time, happy reading. Han & Lyd x]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/59478741Wed, 17 Apr 2024 04:00:04 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome back Bookends to another episode in our Debut Spotlight series, for this episode we were joined by author of The Voyageur which is out tomorrow & published by Swift Press.  We spoke to Paul about the real people that inspired his novel,...We spoke to Paul about the real people that inspired his novel, why he thinks it's important to write bodily functions, not shying away from brutality and violence in his writing and more. If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe so we can reach more of you! 
For more exclusive content please head to our Patreon and if you'd like to follow us you can do so here: https://www.instagram.com/apairofbookendspod/ https://twitter.com/apairofbookends & https://www.tiktok.com/@apairofbookends

To buy Paul's book: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9781800753150
You can also follow Paul on Goodreads


Books & other recs mentioned: 
For our full online shop click here
The Name of The Rose by Umberto Eco
Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy
McGlue by Ottessa Moshfegh
By Gaslight by Steven Price
Pet Sematary by Stephen King
Salem's Lot by Stephen King
The Book Review podcast: Looking Back at 50 Years of Stephen King
Tennis Lessons by Susannah Dickey
Common Decency by Susannah Dickey
Sparrow by James Hynes
The Guest by Emma Cline
The Girls by Emma Cline

Thanks so much for listening! Until next time, happy reading. Han & Lyd x]]>2761books,canadianauthor,debutauthor,debutnovel,fiction,historicalfiction,literature,paulcarluccifalse518fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s3-debut-spotlight-8-leeanne-o-donnell--59352080
To buy the book: Sparks of Bright Matter (11th April)
To follow Leeanne: Instagram
To listen to Leeanne's podcast: Into The Mythic - Ancient Irish Stories for Modern Times

Books mentioned: 
The Hours by Michael Cunningham
Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf
Waiting For Godot by Samuel Beckett
1984 by George Orwell
The Waves by Virginia Woolf
Matrescence by Lucy Jones
Colours of London: A History by Peter Ackroyd
Midnight's Children by Salman Rushdie
A Home at the End of the World by Michael Cunningham
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver
Pigs in Heaven by Barbara Kingsolver
Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver
The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
Missing Persons, Or My Grandmother's Secrets by Clair Wills
Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan

For more exclusive content follow us on Patreon for less than £3 a month
You can also follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok
Thanks so much for listening, until next time- happy reading! Han & Lyd x]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/59352080Wed, 10 Apr 2024 04:00:03 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome back Bookends to another episode in our Debut Spotlight series, for today's episode we were joined by author of 'Sparks of Bright Matter' which is published by Eriu in the UK & Ireland tomorrow! We chat to Leeanne about her literary...
To buy the book: Sparks of Bright Matter (11th April)
To follow Leeanne: Instagram
To listen to Leeanne's podcast: Into The Mythic - Ancient Irish Stories for Modern Times

Books mentioned: 
The Hours by Michael Cunningham
Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf
Waiting For Godot by Samuel Beckett
1984 by George Orwell
The Waves by Virginia Woolf
Matrescence by Lucy Jones
Colours of London: A History by Peter Ackroyd
Midnight's Children by Salman Rushdie
A Home at the End of the World by Michael Cunningham
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver
Pigs in Heaven by Barbara Kingsolver
Prodigal Summer by Barbara Kingsolver
The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver
Missing Persons, Or My Grandmother's Secrets by Clair Wills
Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan

For more exclusive content follow us on Patreon for less than £3 a month
You can also follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok
Thanks so much for listening, until next time- happy reading! Han & Lyd x]]>2943alchemy,author,bookrecommendations,books,debutauthor,debutnovel,fiction,historicalfiction,history,irishauthor,irishmythology,leeanneodonnell,literature,peterwoulfe,westcork,writer,writinginspirationfalse517fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/monthly-culture-round-up-with-emma-hinds-cowboy-carter-american-fiction-annie-bot--59325634The Knowing, Emma Hinds. Aswell as our recommendations for March we discuss the Women's Prize for Fiction longlist, those Emily Henry casting theories and the iconic Cowboy Carter album. 

Currently reading: 
Emma- Meet Me at the Surface by Jodie Matthews
Hannah- The Voyageur by Paul Carlucci

Emma's Recs
Hozier- Unheard EP
American Fiction - Amazon Prime
Private Rites by Julia Armfield
Eleanor Among The Saints by Rachel Mann
@aljazeeraenglish

Hannah's Recs
Jamie Dornan on Desert Island Discs
Poor Things- Disney + 
Annie Bot by Sierra Greer
Mr Bates vs The Post Office - ITVX
Matrescence by Lucy Jones

Link to Emma's upcoming event: Coming Out of the Cage: A Queer Genre Panel at Waterstones Piccadilly
Follow Emma: https://www.instagram.com/elphreads/

Other mentions: 
Headshot by Rita Bullwinkel
Beach Read by Emily Henry
Book Lovers by Emily Henry
The Bear - Disney +
Shameless Podcast
Ian Wright on Desert Island Discs
Kinds of Kindness Trailer - New Yorgos Lanthimos & Emma Stone movie
The End We Start From by Megan Hunter

If you enjoyed this episode please do rate, review & subscribe so we can reach more of you! Link to our bookshop page to buy the books mentioned today, support us and local bookshops. Follow us on Patreon for more exclusive content. You can also follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok.
Thanks so much for listening & happy reading! Han & Lyd x]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/59325634Mon, 08 Apr 2024 04:00:03 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome back Bookends to a bumper monthly culture round-up to make up for the delay, unfortunately Lydia was unable to record so Hannah was joined by friend of the pod and author of https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9781915798138, Emma Hinds. Aswell as...The Knowing, Emma Hinds. Aswell as our recommendations for March we discuss the Women's Prize for Fiction longlist, those Emily Henry casting theories and the iconic Cowboy Carter album. 

Currently reading: 
Emma- Meet Me at the Surface by Jodie Matthews
Hannah- The Voyageur by Paul Carlucci

Emma's Recs
Hozier- Unheard EP
American Fiction - Amazon Prime
Private Rites by Julia Armfield
Eleanor Among The Saints by Rachel Mann
@aljazeeraenglish

Hannah's Recs
Jamie Dornan on Desert Island Discs
Poor Things- Disney + 
Annie Bot by Sierra Greer
Mr Bates vs The Post Office - ITVX
Matrescence by Lucy Jones

Link to Emma's upcoming event: Coming Out of the Cage: A Queer Genre Panel at Waterstones Piccadilly
Follow Emma: https://www.instagram.com/elphreads/

Other mentions: 
Headshot by Rita Bullwinkel
Beach Read by Emily Henry
Book Lovers by Emily Henry
The Bear - Disney +
Shameless Podcast
Ian Wright on Desert Island Discs
Kinds of Kindness Trailer - New Yorgos Lanthimos & Emma Stone movie
The End We Start From by Megan Hunter

If you enjoyed this episode please do rate, review & subscribe so we can reach more of you! Link to our bookshop page to buy the books mentioned today,...]]>4399aljazeera,americanfiction,anniebot,beyonce,books,cowboycarter,culture,emmahinds,fiction,film,gaza,hozier,juliaarmfield,mrbatesvsthepostoffice,oscars,poorthings,privaterites,theknowing,tv,womensprizeforfictionfalse516fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s3-debut-spotlight-7-roxy-dunn--59250378
For this episode we discuss the life of a creative, rejection, fertility and so much more. If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe so we can reach more of you!
For exclusive content from us sign up to our Patreon for less than £3 a month!
Follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok.

To buy 'As Young As This': https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9780241632697
You can follow Roxy on Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok

Books & other recs mentioned: 
As Young As This by Roxy Dunn
Big Sexy Lunch by Roxy Dunn
Clowning by Roxy Dunn
The Vulnerables by Sigrid Nunez
What Are You Going Through by Sigrid Nunez
The Panic Years by Nell Frizzell
The Panic Years podcast
My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout
Lucy By The Sea by Elizabeth Strout
Intermezzo by Sally Rooney 
Margaret Drabble
American Fiction (Film)- adapted from Erasure by Percival Everett
One Day - Netflix
Poor Things- Disney +

Thanks so much for listening! Until next time, happy reading! Han & Lyd x
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/59250378Wed, 03 Apr 2024 03:00:01 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome back Bookends! With lots going on in the background we were unable to record our episode for last week so we hope you'll forgive us for missing a week. The new installment in our Debut Spotlight series is with the incredible writer/performer...
For this episode we discuss the life of a creative, rejection, fertility and so much more. If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe so we can reach more of you!
For exclusive content from us sign up to our Patreon for less than £3 a month!
Follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok.

To buy 'As Young As This': https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9780241632697
You can follow Roxy on Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok

Books & other recs mentioned: 
As Young As This by Roxy Dunn
Big Sexy Lunch by Roxy Dunn
Clowning by Roxy Dunn
The Vulnerables by Sigrid Nunez
What Are You Going Through by Sigrid Nunez
The Panic Years by Nell Frizzell
The Panic Years podcast
My Name is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout
Lucy By The Sea by Elizabeth Strout
Intermezzo by Sally Rooney 
Margaret Drabble
American Fiction (Film)- adapted from Erasure by Percival Everett
One Day - Netflix
Poor Things- Disney +

Thanks so much for listening! Until next time, happy reading! Han & Lyd x
]]>2699actor,books,debutauthor,debutnovel,fertility,fiction,literary,performer,rejection,relationships,roxydunn,writerfalse515fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s3-debut-spotlight-6-ursula-villarreal-moura--59092499Like Happiness and the flash fiction collection Math for the self-crippling.

We chat about how she kept the faith in her novel after it went out on submission 3 times before being picked up, writing power dynamics in relationships, why she rereads books and so much more. As Ursula is a professor aswell as a writer, her recommendations were truly top tier in this! 

We hope you enjoy & please do rate, review & subscribe to the pod to show your support, it means the world. To get extra exclusive content you can sign up to our Patreon for less than £3! 
You can follow us on Instagram,Twitter and Tik Tok
To contact Ursula and keep updated on her work you can find her here.

Books & Authors mentioned in this episode: 
Confessions by Kanae Minato
When The Reckoning Comes by LaTanya McQueen
What Remains at the End by Alexandra Ford
Roberto Bolaño
The Driver's Seat by Muriel Spark
Robinson by Muriel Spark
Sigrid Nunez
Hijab Butch Blues: A Memoir by Lamya H
There There by Tommy Orange
Wandering Stars by Tommy Orange
Ordinary Human Failings by Megan Nolan
Acts of Desperation by Megan Nolan

Thanks so much for listening, until next time- happy reading! Han & Lyd x]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/59092499Wed, 20 Mar 2024 04:00:02 +0000Hannah MacDonaldHey Bookends! Apologies for the lack of episode last week, it's been a hectic month so we had a week off but are back with the latest instalment in our Debut Spotlight series! For this episode we chatted to the brilliant Ursula Villarreal-Moura,...Like Happiness and the flash fiction collection Math for the self-crippling.

We chat about how she kept the faith in her novel after it went out on submission 3 times before being picked up, writing power dynamics in relationships, why she rereads books and so much more. As Ursula is a professor aswell as a writer, her recommendations were truly top tier in this! 

We hope you enjoy & please do rate, review & subscribe to the pod to show your support, it means the world. To get extra exclusive content you can sign up to our Patreon for less than £3! 
You can follow us on Instagram,Twitter and Tik Tok
To contact Ursula and keep updated on her work you can find her here.

Books & Authors mentioned in this episode: 
Confessions by Kanae Minato
When The Reckoning Comes by LaTanya McQueen
What Remains at the End by Alexandra Ford
Roberto Bolaño
The Driver's Seat by Muriel Spark
Robinson by Muriel Spark
Sigrid Nunez
Hijab Butch Blues: A Memoir by Lamya H
There There by Tommy Orange
Wandering Stars by Tommy Orange
Ordinary Human Failings by Megan Nolan
Acts of Desperation by Megan Nolan

Thanks so much for listening, until next time- happy reading! Han & Lyd x]]>2629america,books,debutauthor,debutnovel,fiction,latinaauthor,novel,pushkinpress,ursulavillarrealmoura,writerinspiration,writers,writingtipsfalse514fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/march-book-club-unearthing-with-kyo-maclear--58925494To gain extra exclusive content from us, follow our Patreon
You can also give us a follow via Instagram, Twitter or Tik Tok or email us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com

To grab your own copy of Unearthing, you can buy it here: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9781911590958
To follow Kyo: via Instagram

Books & authors mentioned on the episode:
Wrong Norma by Anne Carson
Maurice Sendak
John Berger
My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante

Kyo's recommendation:
My Brilliant Friend (TV adaptation) - Now TV

Thanks so much for listening. Until next time, happy reading! Han & Lyd x]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/58925494Wed, 06 Mar 2024 04:00:01 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome to our March Book Club episode where today our episode coincides with the release of the breathtaking memoir Unearthing by Kyo Maclear. We were so thrilled to be joined by Kyo to chat all about her book, we discuss the DNA test that changed...To gain extra exclusive content from us, follow our Patreon
You can also give us a follow via Instagram, Twitter or Tik Tok or email us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com

To grab your own copy of Unearthing, you can buy it here: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9781911590958
To follow Kyo: via Instagram

Books & authors mentioned on the episode:
Wrong Norma by Anne Carson
Maurice Sendak
John Berger
My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante

Kyo's recommendation:
My Brilliant Friend (TV adaptation) - Now TV

Thanks so much for listening. Until next time, happy reading! Han & Lyd x]]>2581ancestry,arts,books,canada,canadianauthor,culture,dnatest,genealogy,grief,kyomaclear,literature,memoir,nature,unearthing,writerfalse513fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/feb-book-club-hard-by-a-great-forest-with-leo-vardiashvili--58901944Here is our Feb Book Club episode with the astounding debut author Leo Vardiashvili, his book Hard by a Great Forest has been endorsed by the likes of literary legend Khaled Hosseini and was swept up by Bloomsbury in an overnight pre-empt and we cannot emphasise enough how much we loved it.
On this episode we discuss Leo's experiences as a refugee and how that informed his novel, Georgian hospitality, the hysterical true story of Zoo animals storming the streets of his home town and so much more. Please do rate, review & subscribe if you enjoy this episode, it helps us hugely!

If you wish to buy Leo's book (you should!): https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9781526659828
To follow Leo: Goodreads & Twitter
For more exclusive content from us please head on over to our Patreon
You can also follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok

Leo's upcoming events:
https://oxfordliteraryfestival.org/literature-events/2024/march-21/memories-of-flight-fictionalising-georgias-2008-war-with-russia
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/an-evening-with-leo-vardiashvili-tickets-779317618977

Books discussed on this episode:
Wandering Souls by Cecile Pin
Spoilt Creatures by Amy Twigg
One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey
The Road by Cormac McCarthy
No Country For Old Men by Cormac McCarthy
The Lord of The Rings by J.R.R.Tolkien
The Instrumentalist by Harriet Constable

Thanks so much for listening. Until next time, happy reading! Han & Lyd x]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/58901944Mon, 04 Mar 2024 04:00:02 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome back Bookends, we apologise for the delay on this one but after some difficult news last week we needed to postpone editing. Here is our Feb Book Club episode with the astounding debut author Leo Vardiashvili, his book Hard by a Great Forest...Here is our Feb Book Club episode with the astounding debut author Leo Vardiashvili, his book Hard by a Great Forest has been endorsed by the likes of literary legend Khaled Hosseini and was swept up by Bloomsbury in an overnight pre-empt and we cannot emphasise enough how much we loved it.
On this episode we discuss Leo's experiences as a refugee and how that informed his novel, Georgian hospitality, the hysterical true story of Zoo animals storming the streets of his home town and so much more. Please do rate, review & subscribe if you enjoy this episode, it helps us hugely!

If you wish to buy Leo's book (you should!): https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9781526659828
To follow Leo: Goodreads & Twitter
For more exclusive content from us please head on over to our Patreon
You can also follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok

Leo's upcoming events:
https://oxfordliteraryfestival.org/literature-events/2024/march-21/memories-of-flight-fictionalising-georgias-2008-war-with-russia
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/an-evening-with-leo-vardiashvili-tickets-779317618977

Books discussed on this episode:
Wandering Souls by Cecile Pin
Spoilt Creatures by Amy Twigg
One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey
The Road by Cormac McCarthy
No Country For Old Men by Cormac McCarthy
The Lord of The Rings by J.R.R.Tolkien
The Instrumentalist by Harriet Constable

Thanks so much for listening. Until next time, happy reading! Han & Lyd x]]>2464books,civilwar,debutauthor,debutnovel,fiction,georgia,hardbyagreatforest,khaledhosseini,leovardiashvili,literature,refugee,tbilisi,writingfalse512fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/monthly-culture-round-up-women-s-prize-for-non-fiction-one-day-baftas-beyonce--58811930
Apologies for Hannah's echo-ey sound on this one, we've done our best to rectify on the edit!

If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe so we can reach more of you! You can also follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok or you can email us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com
For extra exclusive content head on over to our Patreon!

Currently reading:
Unearthing by Kyo Maclear

Lydia's picks:
One Day (Netflix)
Texas Hold'Em - Beyoncé
In Ascension by Martin MacInnes
https://www.youtube.com/@SavidgeReads
Nyad (Netflix)

Hannah's picks:
One Day (Netflix)
Texas Hold'Em - Beyoncé
Booker Prize podcast on Sally Rooney's Normal People: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/why-sally-rooneys-normal-people-is-more-than-just-a/id720041386?i=1000643759310
All of Us Strangers

Other mentions:
For the full list of books mentioned in today's episode visit: https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/february-monthly-culture-round-up
https://www.instagram.com/archivist_reader
Da'vine Joy Randolph BAFTA acceptance speech-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXR5i6Tq3tE
Samantha Morton BAFTA acceptance speech-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRWsuuZTRLM
The High Low Podcast on Unconscious Bias: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-unconscious-bias-towards-other-women-kim-kardashians/id1211338187?i=1000401176120
Marriage Story (Netflix)
Sky Arts Book Club

What we're excited for in March:
Oscars
Alice & Jack (Channel 4)
Prima Facie by Suzie Miller
Annie Bot by Sierra Greer
Paper Names by Susie Luo
Small Hours by Bobby Palmer

Thanks so much for listening, Han & Lyd x
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/58811930Mon, 26 Feb 2024 04:00:02 +0000Hannah MacDonaldIt's monthly culture round-up time, yay! On today's episode aswell as giving our recommendations for the month, we chat all about the inaugural Women's Prize for Non-Fiction longlist, the BAFTAs and what we're excited for in the coming month!...
Apologies for Hannah's echo-ey sound on this one, we've done our best to rectify on the edit!

If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe so we can reach more of you! You can also follow us on Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok or you can email us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com
For extra exclusive content head on over to our Patreon!

Currently reading:
Unearthing by Kyo Maclear

Lydia's picks:
One Day (Netflix)
Texas Hold'Em - Beyoncé
In Ascension by Martin MacInnes
https://www.youtube.com/@SavidgeReads
Nyad (Netflix)

Hannah's picks:
One Day (Netflix)
Texas Hold'Em - Beyoncé
Booker Prize podcast on Sally Rooney's Normal People: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/why-sally-rooneys-normal-people-is-more-than-just-a/id720041386?i=1000643759310
All of Us Strangers

Other mentions:
For the full list of books mentioned in today's episode visit: https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/february-monthly-culture-round-up
https://www.instagram.com/archivist_reader
Da'vine Joy Randolph BAFTA acceptance speech-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXR5i6Tq3tE
Samantha Morton BAFTA acceptance speech-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CRWsuuZTRLM
The High Low Podcast on Unconscious Bias: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/womens-unconscious-bias-towards-other-women-kim-kardashians/id1211338187?i=1000401176120
Marriage Story (Netflix)
Sky Arts Book Club

What we're excited for in March:
Oscars
Alice & Jack (Channel 4)
Prima Facie by Suzie Miller
Annie Bot by Sierra Greer
Paper Names by Susie Luo
Small Hours by Bobby Palmer

Thanks so much for listening, Han & Lyd x
]]>2865allofusstrangers,arts,baftas,beyonce,bookerprize,books,culture,davidnicholls,fiction,martinmacinnes,nonfiction,nyad,oneday,sallyrooney,simonsavidge,womensprizefalse511fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s3-debut-spotlight-5-miranda-pountney--58744659We chat about the impact Tessa Hadley had on her road to publication, what living in New York is really like, affairs (obviously!) and so much more, we hope you enjoy this as much as we did!

If you have time please do rate, review & subscribe so we can reach more of you!
Follow us on Patreon, Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok

To buy 'How to be somebody else': https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/how-to-be-somebody-else-miranda-pountney/7496635?aid=13480&ean=9781787332102

To follow Miranda: https://www.instagram.com/mirandapountney

Books & other recommendations disccused on this episode:
In the cut by Susanna Moore
The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
Argonauts by Maggie Nelson
Here is New York by E.B White
Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf
Between the Acts by Virginia Woolf
Motherhood by Sheila Heti
Alphabetical Diaries by Sheila Heti

Miranda's Recommendation:
https://www.instagram.com/heyemmet/?hl=en

Thanks so much for listening! Until next time, happy reading x]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/58744659Wed, 21 Feb 2024 04:00:02 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome back to the latest episode in our Debut Spotlight series, for this episode we were joined by the wonderful Miranda Pountney, author of 'How to be somebody else'. We chat about the impact Tessa Hadley had on her road to publication, what...We chat about the impact Tessa Hadley had on her road to publication, what living in New York is really like, affairs (obviously!) and so much more, we hope you enjoy this as much as we did!

If you have time please do rate, review & subscribe so we can reach more of you!
Follow us on Patreon, Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok

To buy 'How to be somebody else': https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/how-to-be-somebody-else-miranda-pountney/7496635?aid=13480&ean=9781787332102

To follow Miranda: https://www.instagram.com/mirandapountney

Books & other recommendations disccused on this episode:
In the cut by Susanna Moore
The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
Argonauts by Maggie Nelson
Here is New York by E.B White
Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf
Between the Acts by Virginia Woolf
Motherhood by Sheila Heti
Alphabetical Diaries by Sheila Heti

Miranda's Recommendation:
https://www.instagram.com/heyemmet/?hl=en

Thanks so much for listening! Until next time, happy reading x]]>3242affairs,books,contemporary,debutauthor,debutnovel,fiction,literature,london,mirandapountney,newyork,novel,tessahadleytrue510fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/bonus-books-body-friend-with-katherine-brabon--58665393We chat about her experiences of living with chronic pain, what it was like to transfer that onto the page, creating characters that personified the inner struggle of choosing to rest and so much more, this was such a great conversation and we hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

If you like what we do and want to support our work & gain exclusive content for less than £3 a month, follow us on Patreon.
Please do rate, review & subscribe on your preferred podcast platform, it means the world!
To follow us: Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok.

To buy Body Friend (UK): https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9781761152597
To follow Katherine: https://www.instagram.com/katherinebrabon/

Books, authors & other recs mentioned on today's episode:
The Long Form by Kate Briggs
A Shining by Jon Fosse
Natalia Ginzburg
Helen Garner
Gerald Murnane
Alexis Wright
In Plaster poem by Sylvia Plath
Sally Rooney
Rachel Cusk
W.G. Sebald
Septology by Jon Fosse
Aliss At The Fire by Jon Fosse
Killers of the flower moon (Movie)

Thank you so much for listening. Until next time, happy reading! Han & Lyd x]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/58665393Wed, 14 Feb 2024 04:00:02 +0000Hannah MacDonaldFor today's Bonus Books we were joined by Australian Author Katherine Brabon, whose latest novel Body Friend completely blew us away. We chat about her experiences of living with chronic pain, what it was like to transfer that onto the page, creating...We chat about her experiences of living with chronic pain, what it was like to transfer that onto the page, creating characters that personified the inner struggle of choosing to rest and so much more, this was such a great conversation and we hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

If you like what we do and want to support our work & gain exclusive content for less than £3 a month, follow us on Patreon.
Please do rate, review & subscribe on your preferred podcast platform, it means the world!
To follow us: Instagram, Twitter and Tik Tok.

To buy Body Friend (UK): https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9781761152597
To follow Katherine: https://www.instagram.com/katherinebrabon/

Books, authors & other recs mentioned on today's episode:
The Long Form by Kate Briggs
A Shining by Jon Fosse
Natalia Ginzburg
Helen Garner
Gerald Murnane
Alexis Wright
In Plaster poem by Sylvia Plath
Sally Rooney
Rachel Cusk
W.G. Sebald
Septology by Jon Fosse
Aliss At The Fire by Jon Fosse
Killers of the flower moon (Movie)

Thank you so much for listening. Until next time, happy reading! Han & Lyd x]]>3470australia,australianauthor,author,body,bodyfriend,books,chronicillness,chronicpain,health,killersoftheflowermoon,novel,writerfalse59fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s3-debut-spotlight-4-sarah-marsh--58578965We chat about the importance of community for Deaf people, Sarah's research process (including bringing Alexander Graham Bell back to life!), the writers that have inspired her and so much more!

If you enjoy this episode, please do rate review & subscribe as it helps us more than you can imagine! You can now also gain an exclusive extra monthly episode amongst other benefits for less than the price of a cup of coffee by supporting us on Patreon. If you want to follow us you can do so @apairofbookendspod on Instagram and @apairofbookends on Twitter or Tik Tok or email us with your book recs and feedback at apairofbookendspod@gmail.com

Podcast Transcript: https://freepodcasttranscription.com/transcription/e808b8c3edd2d7f1a7b651aec5cd1010567dadec.srt

To buy 'A Sign of Her Own': https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9781035401611
To follow Sarah: https://twitter.com/SarahCMarsh
Book tix for Sarah's upcoming event: https://www.favershamliteraryfestival.org/index.php/purls/2024-events-url/2024-main-events-table/sarah-marsh-and-lesley-mcdowell

Books & authors discussed:
Pod by Laline Paull
Sebastian Barry
Marilynne Robinson
True Biz by Sara Novic
The Perseverance by Raymond Antrobus
Chattering: Stories by Louise Stern
Ismael and His Sisters by Louise Stern

Until next time, happy reading! Han & Lyd x

]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/58578965Wed, 07 Feb 2024 05:00:02 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome back Bookends to another episode in our Debut Spotlight series, where we shine the light on the freshest authors and their work. Today we bring you an episode with the wonderful Sarah Marsh, author of 'A Sign of Her Own' which is out now and...We chat about the importance of community for Deaf people, Sarah's research process (including bringing Alexander Graham Bell back to life!), the writers that have inspired her and so much more!

If you enjoy this episode, please do rate review & subscribe as it helps us more than you can imagine! You can now also gain an exclusive extra monthly episode amongst other benefits for less than the price of a cup of coffee by supporting us on Patreon. If you want to follow us you can do so @apairofbookendspod on Instagram and @apairofbookends on Twitter or Tik Tok or email us with your book recs and feedback at apairofbookendspod@gmail.com

Podcast Transcript: https://freepodcasttranscription.com/transcription/e808b8c3edd2d7f1a7b651aec5cd1010567dadec.srt

To buy 'A Sign of Her Own': https://uk.bookshop.org/a/13480/9781035401611
To follow Sarah: https://twitter.com/SarahCMarsh
Book tix for Sarah's upcoming event: https://www.favershamliteraryfestival.org/index.php/purls/2024-events-url/2024-main-events-table/sarah-marsh-and-lesley-mcdowell

Books & authors discussed:
Pod by Laline Paull
Sebastian Barry
Marilynne Robinson
True Biz by Sara Novic
The Perseverance by Raymond Antrobus
Chattering: Stories by Louise Stern
Ismael and His Sisters by Louise Stern

Until next time, happy reading! Han & Lyd x

]]>977alexandergrahambell,arts,books,culture,deafauthor,deafcommunity,debutauthor,debutnovel,fiction,historicalfiction,history,sarahmarsh,tinderpressfalse58fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/monthly-culture-round-up-saltburn-dolly-alderton-s-good-material-paul-mescal--58537290
As always if you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe as it helps us massively and if you have any recommendations you want to get in touch with please do send them us via DM on Instagram, Twitter or Tik Tok. You can also email us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com

Currently Reading:
Good Material by Dolly Alderton
Piglet by Lottie Hazell

Lydia's Picks:
Saltburn (Amazon Prime)
The New York Times Book Review Podcast
Godkiller by Hannah Kaner
Society of the snow (Netflix)
Extraordinary Attorney Woo (Netflix)

Hannah's Picks:
Good Grief (Netflix)
Paul Mescal on Chicken Shop Date
My Husband by Maud Ventura
Sentimental Garbage Podcast - Robbie Williams with Dolly Alderton
Blue Lights (BBC)

Other mentions:
Dan Levy on How to Fail
Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton
Hot Ones
Amelia Dimoldenberg on The Louis Theroux podcast
Paul Mescal on The Louis Theroux podcast
Money Heist (Netflix)
Yellowjackets (Paramount +/ Amazon Prime)
Robbie Williams Docuseries (Netflix)
Everything is Content podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/ep-7-mob-wife-winter-reboot-fatigue-and-poor-things/id1719284496?i=1000642162941
Strangers by Taichi Yamada
Poor Things by Alasdair Gray
I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning by Keiran Goddard
Hourglass by Keiran Goddard
Nuclear Family by Kate Davies
In at the deep end by Kate Davies
In Ascension by Martin MacInnes


Thanks so much for listening! Han & Lyd x]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/58537290Fri, 02 Feb 2024 04:00:02 +0000Hannah MacDonaldHey Bookends! Welcome to the FIRST in our brand new series: the monthly culture round-up where we chat about all of the recommendations we've been enjoying over the last month and boy are you in for a treat today! As always if you enjoy this episode...
As always if you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe as it helps us massively and if you have any recommendations you want to get in touch with please do send them us via DM on Instagram, Twitter or Tik Tok. You can also email us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com

Currently Reading:
Good Material by Dolly Alderton
Piglet by Lottie Hazell

Lydia's Picks:
Saltburn (Amazon Prime)
The New York Times Book Review Podcast
Godkiller by Hannah Kaner
Society of the snow (Netflix)
Extraordinary Attorney Woo (Netflix)

Hannah's Picks:
Good Grief (Netflix)
Paul Mescal on Chicken Shop Date
My Husband by Maud Ventura
Sentimental Garbage Podcast - Robbie Williams with Dolly Alderton
Blue Lights (BBC)

Other mentions:
Dan Levy on How to Fail
Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton
Hot Ones
Amelia Dimoldenberg on The Louis Theroux podcast
Paul Mescal on The Louis Theroux podcast
Money Heist (Netflix)
Yellowjackets (Paramount +/ Amazon Prime)
Robbie Williams Docuseries (Netflix)
Everything is Content podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/ep-7-mob-wife-winter-reboot-fatigue-and-poor-things/id1719284496?i=1000642162941
Strangers by Taichi Yamada
Poor Things by Alasdair Gray
I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning by Keiran Goddard
Hourglass by Keiran Goddard
2974bluelights,books,culture,dollyalderton,film,netflix,newyorktimes,paulmescal,podcast,poorthings,recommendations,saltburn,tvfalse57fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s3-debut-spotlight-3-madeleine-gray--58504763
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe as it helps us to reach more listeners and means the absolute world.
You can follow us on all social platforms: https://linktr.ee/apairofbookendspod or get in touch with us via email apairofbookendspod@gmail.com


You can also follow Madeleine: here

Book tix for upcoming events with Madeleine: https://www.waterstones.com/events/in-conversation-with-madeleine-gray/manchester-deansgate
https://www.waterstones.com/events/madeleine-gray-in-conversation-with-pandora-sykes-at-waterstones-piccadilly/london-piccadilly
https://www.book-ish.co.uk/event/an-evening-with-madeleine-gray/

To buy the books discussed on today's episode including Green Dot (published by Weidenfeld & Nicolson and out in the UK tomorrow!) : https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/madeleine-gray-episode?
Other recommendations mentioned:

My Education by Susan Choi
A Lonely Girl is a Dangerous Thing by Jessie Tu
Dress Rehearsals by Madison Godfrey
https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/life-and-relationships/the-evil-mistress-trope-is-tired-i-empathise-with-the-other-woman-20230921-p5e6i2.html
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/jan/21/madeleine-gray-a-shop-can-be-your-castle-adventures-in-the-retail-train
Deadloch (Prime)

Thanks so much for listening, until next time- happy reading! Han & Lyd x]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/58504763Wed, 31 Jan 2024 05:00:03 +0000Hannah MacDonaldThe woman of the hour, the book of the moment! On today's show we bring you the incredible Madeleine Gray, author of GREEN DOT- whose publishing journey is unlike anything we've heard before. We chat about why we love an affair narrative, why she...
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe as it helps us to reach more listeners and means the absolute world.
You can follow us on all social platforms: https://linktr.ee/apairofbookendspod or get in touch with us via email apairofbookendspod@gmail.com


You can also follow Madeleine: here

Book tix for upcoming events with Madeleine: https://www.waterstones.com/events/in-conversation-with-madeleine-gray/manchester-deansgate
https://www.waterstones.com/events/madeleine-gray-in-conversation-with-pandora-sykes-at-waterstones-piccadilly/london-piccadilly
https://www.book-ish.co.uk/event/an-evening-with-madeleine-gray/

To buy the books discussed on today's episode including Green Dot (published by Weidenfeld & Nicolson and out in the UK tomorrow!) : https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/madeleine-gray-episode?
Other recommendations mentioned:

My Education by Susan Choi
A Lonely Girl is a Dangerous Thing by Jessie Tu
Dress Rehearsals by Madison Godfrey
https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/life-and-relationships/the-evil-mistress-trope-is-tired-i-empathise-with-the-other-woman-20230921-p5e6i2.html
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/jan/21/madeleine-gray-a-shop-can-be-your-castle-adventures-in-the-retail-train
Deadloch (Prime)

Thanks so much for listening, until next time- happy reading! Han & Lyd x]]>3107australia,australianauthor,author,books,debutnovel,fiction,lgbtq,literature,publishing,readers,tv,women,writerfalse56fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/minisode-my-beautiful-psychosis-with-emma-goude--58408081here.

To check out Emma's book and other books/authors we discussed on today's episode: https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/emma-goude-episode?
Other recommendations mentioned:
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/if-i-ruled-the-world-by-gillian-burke/id1715887715

If you enjoyed this episode, please do rate, review & subscribe as it helps us to reach more of you! If you wish to follow us you can do so here.

Thanks so much for listening and until next time, happy reading! Han & Lyd x]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/58408081Wed, 24 Jan 2024 05:00:02 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome back Bookends to an exciting January minisode where we were joined by the brilliant, award-winning documentary filmmaker Emma Goude. We discuss how she turned her experiences with psychosis into her memoir My Beautiful Psychosis, the...here.

To check out Emma's book and other books/authors we discussed on today's episode: https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/emma-goude-episode?
Other recommendations mentioned:
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/if-i-ruled-the-world-by-gillian-burke/id1715887715

If you enjoyed this episode, please do rate, review & subscribe as it helps us to reach more of you! If you wish to follow us you can do so here.

Thanks so much for listening and until next time, happy reading! Han & Lyd x]]>2585bbc,books,community,documentary,emmagoude,filmmaker,memoir,mentalhealth,psychology,psychosis,publishingfalse53fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s3-debut-spotlight-2-kate-brody--58336670Aswell as hearing about the journey in having her debut novel published, we chat about sister dynamics, grief and so much more... Hannah of course also asked how a debut novelist ended up with an endorsement from actor Mila Kunis?!
We hope you enjoy this episode as much as we did, as always please do rate, review & subscribe as it helps to boost us in the charts!
If you want to follow us you can do so via this link: https://linktr.ee/apairofbookendspod
To follow Kate: Instagram & Twitter/ X

To buy 'Rabbit Hole' and to see all other recommendations discussed today: https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/kate-brody-episode?

Other recs discussed:
Book of Ayn by Lexi Freiman
Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors
Yours For The Taking by Gabrielle Korn

If you wish to get in touch with recommendations, feedback or for interview requests please email us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com, we love to hear from you! Thanks so much for listening & until next time, happy reading! Han & Lyd x]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/58336670Thu, 18 Jan 2024 05:00:02 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome back Bookends to a new Debut Spotlight episode, this time we were joined by the incredible Kate Brody, author of 'Rabbit Hole' which is out in the UK TODAY! (Our lucky U.S listeners have had it a couple of weeks already!) Aswell as hearing...Aswell as hearing about the journey in having her debut novel published, we chat about sister dynamics, grief and so much more... Hannah of course also asked how a debut novelist ended up with an endorsement from actor Mila Kunis?!
We hope you enjoy this episode as much as we did, as always please do rate, review & subscribe as it helps to boost us in the charts!
If you want to follow us you can do so via this link: https://linktr.ee/apairofbookendspod
To follow Kate: Instagram & Twitter/ X

To buy 'Rabbit Hole' and to see all other recommendations discussed today: https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/kate-brody-episode?

Other recs discussed:
Book of Ayn by Lexi Freiman
Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors
Yours For The Taking by Gabrielle Korn

If you wish to get in touch with recommendations, feedback or for interview requests please email us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com, we love to hear from you! Thanks so much for listening & until next time, happy reading! Han & Lyd x]]>3046america,author,books,debutauthor,debutnovel,grief,katebrody,sisters,thriller,truecrime,writersfalse52fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/jan-book-club-the-knowing-with-emma-hinds--58291481If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe so we can reach more of you and if you'd like to give us a follow on socials or contact us, you can do so here: Get in touch!

Buy Tickets for 'The Knowing' Book Launch @ Queer Lit, Manchester
To buy 'The Knowing': https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-knowing-emma-hinds/7565411?ean=9781915798138
To follow Emma: Instagram & Twitter
To follow Mya (Illustrator of The Knowing): Instagram

Books & Authors discussed on this episode:
Boy Parts by Eliza Clark
The Wager by David Grann
Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI by David Grann
Good Material by Dolly Alderton
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë


The Bloody Chamber by Angela Carter
Beloved by Toni Morrison
Sarah Waters
Pat Barker
Kirsty Logan
Julia Armfield
The Matrix by Lauren Groff
Small Worlds by Caleb Azumah Nelson
Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson
Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke by Eric LaRocca


Strange Weather in Tokyo by Hiromi Kawakami/ Translation by Allison Markin Powell


Morgan is my name by Sophie Keetch
Circe by Madeline Miller
Hex by Rebecca Dinerstein Knight


A Memoir of My Former Self: A Life in Writing by Hilary Mantel

Thank you so much for listening! Until next time, happy reading! Han & Lyd x]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/58291481Mon, 15 Jan 2024 05:00:03 +0000Hannah MacDonaldHappy new year Bookends! Our first Book Club episode of the year is dedicated to The Knowing by friend of the pod Emma Hinds, it was only right that we brought Emma back to chat all about her debut novel, how she kept going in the face of rejections,...If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe so we can reach more of you and if you'd like to give us a follow on socials or contact us, you can do so here: Get in touch!

Buy Tickets for 'The Knowing' Book Launch @ Queer Lit, Manchester
To buy 'The Knowing': https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-knowing-emma-hinds/7565411?ean=9781915798138
To follow Emma: Instagram & Twitter
To follow Mya (Illustrator of The Knowing): Instagram

Books & Authors discussed on this episode:
Boy Parts by Eliza Clark
The Wager by David Grann
Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI by David Grann
Good Material by Dolly Alderton
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë


The Bloody Chamber by Angela Carter
Beloved by Toni Morrison
Sarah Waters
Pat Barker
Kirsty Logan
Julia Armfield
The Matrix by Lauren Groff
Small Worlds by Caleb Azumah Nelson
Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson
Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke by Eric LaRocca


Strange Weather in Tokyo by Hiromi Kawakami/ Translation by Allison Markin Powell


Morgan is my name by Sophie Keetch
Circe by Madeline Miller
Hex by Rebecca Dinerstein Knight


A Memoir of My Former Self: A Life in Writing by Hilary Mantel

Thank you so much for listening! Until next time, happy reading! Han & Lyd x]]>3199arts,bedfordsquare,books,culture,debutauthor,disabledrepresentation,emmahinds,fiction,magicalrealism,queerauthor,queerlit,tarot,theknowingfalse51fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/christmas-special-with-book-bodega-top-books-of-2023-2024-ones-to-watch-a-new-bookish-podcast--58091613Merry Christmas Bookends! What a gorgeous way to end 2023 with our finale - the Christmas special of dreams with the brilliant Saphire from Book Bodega! As always if you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe as it massively helps us to reach more of you.

We chat through our top books of the year, what 2024 books should be on your pre-order lists and the bookish ghosts of our past, present and future, all of this and more in today's episode...

To get the full list of the books spoken about in today's episode please visit: https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/a-pair-of-bookends-guest-episode

Follow Book Bodega: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/bookbodega, https://www.instagram.com/bookbodega/?hl=en

Listen to Novel Thoughts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/novel-thoughts/id1721722638

To follow us: https://linktr.ee/apairofbookendspod

Thanks so much for listening, for reasons beyond our control Lydia was unable to record the Christmas special but we both wish you a wonderful Christmas and a happy new year, we'll see you for more in 2024 but until then, happy reading! Han & Lyd x]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/58091613Fri, 22 Dec 2023 04:45:02 +0000Hannah MacDonaldMerry Christmas Bookends! What a gorgeous way to end 2023 with our finale - the Christmas special of dreams with the brilliant Saphire from Book Bodega! As always if you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe as it massively helps...Merry Christmas Bookends! What a gorgeous way to end 2023 with our finale - the Christmas special of dreams with the brilliant Saphire from Book Bodega! As always if you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe as it massively helps us to reach more of you.

We chat through our top books of the year, what 2024 books should be on your pre-order lists and the bookish ghosts of our past, present and future, all of this and more in today's episode...

To get the full list of the books spoken about in today's episode please visit: https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/a-pair-of-bookends-guest-episode

Follow Book Bodega: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/bookbodega, https://www.instagram.com/bookbodega/?hl=en

Listen to Novel Thoughts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/novel-thoughts/id1721722638

To follow us: https://linktr.ee/apairofbookendspod

Thanks so much for listening, for reasons beyond our control Lydia was unable to record the Christmas special but we both wish you a wonderful Christmas and a happy new year, we'll see you for more in 2024 but until then, happy reading! Han & Lyd x]]>4900bookbodega,books,bookshop,christmas,culture,fiction,indiebookshop,literary,literature,margate,readingfalse413fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/polari-prize-2023-special-with-winner-julia-armfield--57967067
Aswell as discussing her Polari prize win, we chat about the ways in which Julia has been inspired by Stephen King, the parallels she has found between horror and romance and how a place in her novel represents the horror of bureaucracy!
In today's episode we also feature some questions from some of our wonderful listeners who you can follow below:
Emma Hinds (author of The Knowing, out Jan 2024) - https://www.instagram.com/elphreads
Meg (Book Blogger- https://www.instagram.com/meg.in.a.book/?hl=en-gb)
Georgia (Book Blogger- https://www.instagram.com/georgiadoesbooks/)
Alice (Book Blogger- https://www.instagram.com/mostardentlyalice/?hl=en)

To buy Our Wives Under The Sea: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/our-wives-under-the-sea-julia-armfield/6454886?ean=9781529017250
To pre-order Private Rites: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/private-rites-julia-armfield/7593552?ean=9780008608033
To follow Julia: https://www.instagram.com/juliakarmfield/

Books/ Authors/ Other media discussed:
K2: Triumph and Tragedy by Jim Curran
Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov
The Stand by Stephen King
It by Stephen King
'Salem's Lot by Stephen King
Misery by Stephen King
Danse Macabre by Stephen King
Sarah Waters
Portrait of a lady on fire - Netflix
My Summer of Love by Helen Cross
Sugar Rush - Channel 4
Private Rites by Julia Armfield
Blue Nights by Joan Didion
Geek Love by Katherine Dunn
The Secret History by Donna Tartt

If you enjoy this episode, please do rate, review & subscribe as it helps to boost us in the charts! You can follow us @apairofbookendspod on instagram and @apairofbookends on Twitter and Tik Tok. Thanks so much for listening, until next time, happy reading! x]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/57967067Mon, 11 Dec 2023 05:00:03 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome back Bookends to a very exciting episode in collaboration with the 2023 Polari Prize. For today's episode Hannah was joined by writer Julia Armfield to discuss her award-winning debut novel 'Our Wives Under The Sea' which our OG Bookends will...
Aswell as discussing her Polari prize win, we chat about the ways in which Julia has been inspired by Stephen King, the parallels she has found between horror and romance and how a place in her novel represents the horror of bureaucracy!
In today's episode we also feature some questions from some of our wonderful listeners who you can follow below:
Emma Hinds (author of The Knowing, out Jan 2024) - https://www.instagram.com/elphreads
Meg (Book Blogger- https://www.instagram.com/meg.in.a.book/?hl=en-gb)
Georgia (Book Blogger- https://www.instagram.com/georgiadoesbooks/)
Alice (Book Blogger- https://www.instagram.com/mostardentlyalice/?hl=en)

To buy Our Wives Under The Sea: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/our-wives-under-the-sea-julia-armfield/6454886?ean=9781529017250
To pre-order Private Rites: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/private-rites-julia-armfield/7593552?ean=9780008608033
To follow Julia: https://www.instagram.com/juliakarmfield/

Books/ Authors/ Other media discussed:
K2: Triumph and Tragedy by Jim Curran
Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov
The Stand by Stephen King
It by Stephen King
'Salem's Lot by Stephen King
Misery by Stephen King
Danse Macabre by Stephen King
Sarah Waters
Portrait of a lady on fire - Netflix
My Summer of Love by Helen Cross
Sugar Rush - Channel 4
Private Rites by Julia Armfield
Blue Nights by Joan Didion
Geek Love by Katherine Dunn
The Secret History by Donna Tartt

If you enjoy this episode, please do rate, review & subscribe as it helps to boost us in the charts! You can follow us @apairofbookendspod on instagram and @apairofbookends on Twitter and Tik Tok. Thanks so much for listening, until next time, happy reading! x]]>2542author,books,culture,juliaarmfield,lgbtq,literature,polariprize,queerauthorfalse412fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-very-festive-bonus-books-with-sarra-manning--57866813
To buy The Man of Her Dreams: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-man-of-her-dreams-the-brilliant-new-rom-com-from-the-author-of-london-with-love-sarra-manning/7438105?ean=9781399707831

To follow Sarra: https://www.instagram.com/sarra_manning/?hl=en

To follow us or drop us an email: https://linktr.ee/apairofbookendspod

As always, if you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe so we can reach more of you!

Books & Other mentions:

The Painter's Daughters by Emily Howes
Green Dot by Madeleine Gray
Under Your Spell by Laura Wood
I Capture The Castle by Dodie Smith
Ballet Shoes by Noel Streatfeild
Love Actually - Now TV
The Holiday - Netflix
Pride and Prejudice (1995) - BBC Iplayer

Thanks so much for listening, until next time, happy reading! Han & Lyd x]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/57866813Fri, 01 Dec 2023 05:15:02 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome Bookends to our December Bonus Books Special with the brilliant author & journalist Sarra Manning. Here to chat about her latest novel 'The Man Of Her Dreams', we deep-dive into all things rom-com, what makes them good, what makes them bad...
To buy The Man of Her Dreams: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-man-of-her-dreams-the-brilliant-new-rom-com-from-the-author-of-london-with-love-sarra-manning/7438105?ean=9781399707831

To follow Sarra: https://www.instagram.com/sarra_manning/?hl=en

To follow us or drop us an email: https://linktr.ee/apairofbookendspod

As always, if you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe so we can reach more of you!

Books & Other mentions:

The Painter's Daughters by Emily Howes
Green Dot by Madeleine Gray
Under Your Spell by Laura Wood
I Capture The Castle by Dodie Smith
Ballet Shoes by Noel Streatfeild
Love Actually - Now TV
The Holiday - Netflix
Pride and Prejudice (1995) - BBC Iplayer

Thanks so much for listening, until next time, happy reading! Han & Lyd x]]>3224author,booktok,british,journalist,romanceauthor,romancebooks,romcom,sarramanning,spicybooks,writerfalse411fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/a-festive-bonus-books-special-with-b-k-borison--57784003In line with the release of this episode, Pan Macmillan have very kindly offered to send one of our lucky listeners the full series, head to our socials to find out how you can win! https://linktr.ee/apairofbookendspod

It was a joy to be joined by B.K Borison- we discuss why her book is compared to Gilmore Girls, how social media has enhanced her author experience, those steamy sex scenes and so much more, we really hope you enjoy this as much as we did!

To buy 'Lovelight Farms': https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/lovelight-farms-the-feel-good-friends-to-lovers-romcom-sensation-b-k-borison/7413673?ean=9781035028856

To follow B.K Borison: https://www.instagram.com/authorbkborison/?hl=en

Books & Authors mentioned:
Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
A Risk Worth Taking by Jessica Joyce
The Hating Game by Sally Thorne
Kennedy Ryan
Emily Henry
Ali Hazelwood
The Mistletoe Motive by Chloe Liese
Wreck The Halls by Tessa Bailey
A Merry Little Meet Cute by Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone

Please do rate, review & subscribe if you enjoyed this episode so we can reach more of you! Thank you so much for listening, happy reading x]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/57784003Fri, 24 Nov 2023 05:00:03 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome Bookends, it's been a while! We've got a fabulous November Bonus Books special for you today and as Hannah is already feeling festive, we've got something festive up our sleeves (yes that includes gifts)! Hannah was joined by author B.K...In line with the release of this episode, Pan Macmillan have very kindly offered to send one of our lucky listeners the full series, head to our socials to find out how you can win! https://linktr.ee/apairofbookendspod

It was a joy to be joined by B.K Borison- we discuss why her book is compared to Gilmore Girls, how social media has enhanced her author experience, those steamy sex scenes and so much more, we really hope you enjoy this as much as we did!

To buy 'Lovelight Farms': https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/lovelight-farms-the-feel-good-friends-to-lovers-romcom-sensation-b-k-borison/7413673?ean=9781035028856

To follow B.K Borison: https://www.instagram.com/authorbkborison/?hl=en

Books & Authors mentioned:
Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
A Risk Worth Taking by Jessica Joyce
The Hating Game by Sally Thorne
Kennedy Ryan
Emily Henry
Ali Hazelwood
The Mistletoe Motive by Chloe Liese
Wreck The Halls by Tessa Bailey
A Merry Little Meet Cute by Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone

Please do rate, review & subscribe if you enjoyed this episode so we can reach more of you! Thank you so much for listening, happy reading x]]>2502american,author,bkborison,books,booktok,christmas,festive,gilmoregirls,lovelightfarms,romance,romcom,spicyreadsfalse410fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/forward-prizes-for-poetry-2023-special-with-winner-jason-allen-paisant--57489271
We talk about his experience of winning the prize, the inspiration behind his award-winning collection, how he felt connected to Shakespeare's Othello and so much more. It was a really interesting and thought-provoking conversation and such an honour to hear Jason read his work aloud, we hope you enjoy!

To buy Jason's collection 'Self-Portrait as Othello': https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/self-portrait-as-othello-jason-allen-paisant/7398755?ean=9781800173101

To buy his previous collection 'Thinking with Trees': https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/thinking-with-trees-jason-allen-paisant/5070456?ean=9781800171138

To pre-order his upcoming book 'Engagements with Aimé Césaire': https://global.oup.com/academic/product/engagements-with-aim-csaire-9780192867223?cc=gb&lang=en&

To follow Jason & his work: https://www.instagram.com/jallenpaisant/, https://www.jasonallenpaisant.com/

Books discussed:
Bad Diaspora Poems by Momtaza Mehri
A Change in the Air by Jane Clarke
Never Was by H. Gareth Gavin

If you enjoyed this episode please do rate, review & subscribe so we can reach more of you! You can follow us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram and @apairofbookends on Twitter & Tik Tok, or get in touch with us via email apairofbookendspod@gmail.com
Thanks so much for listening, until next time, happy reading! x]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/57489271Fri, 03 Nov 2023 05:00:03 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome Bookends to an incredibly special episode in collaboration with the 2023 Forward Prizes for Poetry. For this episode, Hannah was joined by winner of Best Collection, Jason Allen-Paisant. We talk about his experience of winning the prize, the...
We talk about his experience of winning the prize, the inspiration behind his award-winning collection, how he felt connected to Shakespeare's Othello and so much more. It was a really interesting and thought-provoking conversation and such an honour to hear Jason read his work aloud, we hope you enjoy!

To buy Jason's collection 'Self-Portrait as Othello': https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/self-portrait-as-othello-jason-allen-paisant/7398755?ean=9781800173101

To buy his previous collection 'Thinking with Trees': https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/thinking-with-trees-jason-allen-paisant/5070456?ean=9781800171138

To pre-order his upcoming book 'Engagements with Aimé Césaire': https://global.oup.com/academic/product/engagements-with-aim-csaire-9780192867223?cc=gb&lang=en&

To follow Jason & his work: https://www.instagram.com/jallenpaisant/, https://www.jasonallenpaisant.com/

Books discussed:
Bad Diaspora Poems by Momtaza Mehri
A Change in the Air by Jane Clarke
Never Was by H. Gareth Gavin

If you enjoyed this episode please do rate, review & subscribe so we can reach more of you! You can follow us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram and @apairofbookends on Twitter & Tik Tok, or get in touch with us via email apairofbookendspod@gmail.com
Thanks so much for listening, until next time, happy reading! x]]>2806art,author,bernadineevaristo,books,culture,forwardprizeforpoetry,jamaicanpoet,jasonallenpaisant,leeds,othello,poet,poetry,shakespeare,writerfalse49fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s3-debut-spotlight-1-celina-baljeet-basra--57436157For this episode we were joined by author and curator Celina Baljeet Basra, to discuss her upcoming novel 'Happy'.
We talk about the inspiration for her young, ambitious protagonist, the importance of sharing stories of migrant workers & their working conditions, the unusual structure of her novel and the space she curates for herself to write in, amongst much more!
We hope you enjoy this episode, please do rate, review & subscribe so we can reach more of you.

To pre-order 'Happy' (UK listeners): https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/happy-celina-baljeet-basra/7357029?ean=9781035405886

To follow Celina: https://www.instagram.com/celinabasra/?hl=en

If you wish to follow us, you can do so @apairofbookendspod on Instagram and @apairofbookends on Twitter and Tik Tok.

Books & other recommendations discussed:
Flights by Olga Tokarczuk


Do You Remember Being Born?: A Novel by Sean Michaels
Delhi-6 (Movie)
Masakali by Mohit Chauhan (song from Delhi-6)
Uski Roti (Movie)
https://www.guggenheim.org/artwork/17312 - Dough by Video Artist Mika Rottenberg

Do get in touch with us with any of your own recommendations, we love hearing them! apairofbookendspod@gmail.com]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/57436157Mon, 30 Oct 2023 05:00:03 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome back Bookends! We are back with the first episode in our THIRD season of Debut Spotlight - where we bring you the freshest debut authors and their work. For this episode we were joined by author and curator Celina Baljeet Basra, to discuss her...For this episode we were joined by author and curator Celina Baljeet Basra, to discuss her upcoming novel 'Happy'.
We talk about the inspiration for her young, ambitious protagonist, the importance of sharing stories of migrant workers & their working conditions, the unusual structure of her novel and the space she curates for herself to write in, amongst much more!
We hope you enjoy this episode, please do rate, review & subscribe so we can reach more of you.

To pre-order 'Happy' (UK listeners): https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/happy-celina-baljeet-basra/7357029?ean=9781035405886

To follow Celina: https://www.instagram.com/celinabasra/?hl=en

If you wish to follow us, you can do so @apairofbookendspod on Instagram and @apairofbookends on Twitter and Tik Tok.

Books & other recommendations discussed:
Flights by Olga Tokarczuk


Do You Remember Being Born?: A Novel by Sean Michaels
Delhi-6 (Movie)
Masakali by Mohit Chauhan (song from Delhi-6)
Uski Roti (Movie)
https://www.guggenheim.org/artwork/17312 - Dough by Video Artist Mika Rottenberg

Do get in touch with us with any of your own recommendations, we love hearing them! apairofbookendspod@gmail.com]]>2949arts,berlinauthor,books,celinabaljeetbasra,culture,curator,debutauthor,debutnovel,femaleauthor,fiction,happy,novel,punjab,readers,writerfalse48fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/october-book-club-land-of-milk-and-honey-with-c-pam-zhang--57302536As always, please do rate, review & subscribe so we can reach more of you.

To get in touch please do email us at apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can follow us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram and @apairofbookends on Twitter and Tik Tok!

Books & other recommendations discussed:
I'm a fan by Sheena Patel
Pilgrim Bell: Poems by Kaveh Akbar
Home Body by Rupi Kaur
C.Pam Zhang for Esquire on grief & her Grandmother's cooking: https://www.esquire.com/food-drink/a45123237/c-pam-zhang-taste-of-her-care/
Women Talking - Amazon Prime
Mobility: A Novel by Lydia Kiesling
Smoking Goat (Restaurant, Shoreditch)
Ahsoka (Disney +)

To buy Land of Milk and Honey: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/land-of-milk-and-honey-c-pam-zhang/7419911?ean=9781529153668
To follow Pam: https://www.instagram.com/cpamzhang/?hl=en-gb

Thank you so much for listening! Until next time, happy reading! Han & Lyd x
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/57302536Fri, 20 Oct 2023 04:00:04 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome back Bookends to another Book Club episode, for October we chose Land of Milk and Honey, the second novel from Booker Prize long-listed author C.Pam Zhang. For this episode we were thrilled to be joined by the author herself to chat all about...As always, please do rate, review & subscribe so we can reach more of you.

To get in touch please do email us at apairofbookendspod@gmail.com or you can follow us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram and @apairofbookends on Twitter and Tik Tok!

Books & other recommendations discussed:
I'm a fan by Sheena Patel
Pilgrim Bell: Poems by Kaveh Akbar
Home Body by Rupi Kaur
C.Pam Zhang for Esquire on grief & her Grandmother's cooking: https://www.esquire.com/food-drink/a45123237/c-pam-zhang-taste-of-her-care/
Women Talking - Amazon Prime
Mobility: A Novel by Lydia Kiesling
Smoking Goat (Restaurant, Shoreditch)
Ahsoka (Disney +)

To buy Land of Milk and Honey: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/land-of-milk-and-honey-c-pam-zhang/7419911?ean=9781529153668
To follow Pam: https://www.instagram.com/cpamzhang/?hl=en-gb

Thank you so much for listening! Until next time, happy reading! Han & Lyd x
]]>2588author,books,class,climatechange,cooking,cpamzhang,culture,fiction,food,literature,reading,wealthfalse47fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/bonus-books-the-figurine-with-victoria-hislop--57059925
Unfortunately Lydia was ill for this episode but Hannah had a wonderful conversation with Victoria about her passion for Greek culture, her immersive research process, the ways in which Emily Brontë influences her writing and so much more. As always if you enjoyed this episode, please do rate, review & subscribe so we can reach more of you!

To buy Victoria's book: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-figurine-the-brand-new-novel-from-the-no-1-sunday-times-bestselling-author-of-the-island-victoria-hislop/7498481?ean=9781472263933

To follow Victoria and her work: https://www.victoriahislop.com/
https://www.instagram.com/vichislop/?hl=en-gb

To follow/contact us:
https://linktr.ee/apairofbookendspod

Books & other recs discussed:
Fifteen Wild Decembers by Karen Powell
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
Oppenheimer
Boiling Point - BBC Iplayer

Thanks so much for listening, until next time- happy reading! Han & Lyd x
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/57059925Fri, 06 Oct 2023 04:00:03 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome Bookends to our October Bonus episode where Hannah was joined by the international best-selling author Victoria Hislop to chat all about her latest novel 'The Figurine' Unfortunately Lydia was ill for this episode but Hannah had a wonderful...
Unfortunately Lydia was ill for this episode but Hannah had a wonderful conversation with Victoria about her passion for Greek culture, her immersive research process, the ways in which Emily Brontë influences her writing and so much more. As always if you enjoyed this episode, please do rate, review & subscribe so we can reach more of you!

To buy Victoria's book: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-figurine-the-brand-new-novel-from-the-no-1-sunday-times-bestselling-author-of-the-island-victoria-hislop/7498481?ean=9781472263933

To follow Victoria and her work: https://www.victoriahislop.com/
https://www.instagram.com/vichislop/?hl=en-gb

To follow/contact us:
https://linktr.ee/apairofbookendspod

Books & other recs discussed:
Fifteen Wild Decembers by Karen Powell
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
Oppenheimer
Boiling Point - BBC Iplayer

Thanks so much for listening, until next time- happy reading! Han & Lyd x
]]>2956archaeology,author,books,culture,emilybronte,femaleauthor,fiction,greece,literature,travel,victoriahislop,writerfalse46fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s2-debut-spotlight-10-pip-finkemeyer--57017249
To follow us:
https://linktr.ee/apairofbookendspod

To buy Pip's book: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/sad-girl-novel-pip-finkemeyer/7438218?ean=9781399723534

To follow Pip and her work:
https://www.instagram.com/pipfink/

Books & other recs discussed in this ep:
Body Friend by Katherine Brabon
Shameless Podcast
My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh
Breaking Bad - Netflix
Girls - Now TV
Only Murders In The Building - Disney +
The Modern by Anna Kate Blair









The diaries of Helen Garner

Thanks so much for listening. Until next time, happy reading! Han & Lyd x]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/57017249Mon, 02 Oct 2023 04:00:03 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome back Bookends to the finale of Season 2 of our Debut Spotlight series, where we shine the spotlight on the freshest authors and their work! For this episode we were joined by the brilliant Australian author of 'Sad Girl Novel', Pip Finkemeyer....
To follow us:
https://linktr.ee/apairofbookendspod

To buy Pip's book: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/sad-girl-novel-pip-finkemeyer/7438218?ean=9781399723534

To follow Pip and her work:
https://www.instagram.com/pipfink/

Books & other recs discussed in this ep:
Body Friend by Katherine Brabon
Shameless Podcast
My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh
Breaking Bad - Netflix
Girls - Now TV
Only Murders In The Building - Disney +
The Modern by Anna Kate Blair









The diaries of Helen Garner

Thanks so much for listening. Until next time, happy reading! Han & Lyd x]]>3049arts,australian,australianauthor,author,books,culture,debutauthor,fiction,literature,pipfinkemeyer,writerfalse45fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/bonus-you-could-be-so-pretty-with-holly-bourne--56979236As always, if you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe so we can reach more of you.
You can follow us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram and @apairofbookends on Twitter and Tik Tok.

To buy Holly's books:
You Could Be So Pretty
The Places I've Cried In Public

To follow Holly and her work:
Instagram
Holly's website

Books & other recs discussed:
I'm a fan by Sheena Patel
Weirdos Book Club Podcast- I'm a fan Ft Nish Kumar: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/im-a-fan-by-sheena-patel-with-nish-kumar/id1699406650?i=1000625500266
The Beauty Myth by Naomi Wolf
You Could Be So Pretty by Holly Bourne
The Places I've Cried In Public by Holly Bourne
Girls & Sex: Navigating the Complicated New Landscape by Peggy Orenstein
Only Ever Yours by Louise O'Neill

For future episodes or book recs you can reach us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com
Until next time, happy reading! Han & Lyd x]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/56979236Fri, 29 Sep 2023 04:00:03 +0000Hannah MacDonaldHey Bookends! We're back with our BONUS episode of September, this time joined by the much-loved YA and Contemporary fiction author Holly Bourne to chat about her latest YA book 'You Could Be So Pretty'! We discuss beauty standards, modern society,...As always, if you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe so we can reach more of you.
You can follow us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram and @apairofbookends on Twitter and Tik Tok.

To buy Holly's books:
You Could Be So Pretty
The Places I've Cried In Public

To follow Holly and her work:
Instagram
Holly's website

Books & other recs discussed:
I'm a fan by Sheena Patel
Weirdos Book Club Podcast- I'm a fan Ft Nish Kumar: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/im-a-fan-by-sheena-patel-with-nish-kumar/id1699406650?i=1000625500266
The Beauty Myth by Naomi Wolf
You Could Be So Pretty by Holly Bourne
The Places I've Cried In Public by Holly Bourne
Girls & Sex: Navigating the Complicated New Landscape by Peggy Orenstein
Only Ever Yours by Louise O'Neill

For future episodes or book recs you can reach us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com
Until next time, happy reading! Han & Lyd x]]>2907arts,authors,beauty,books,culture,fiction,hollybourne,readers,writers,ya,youngadultfalse44bonushttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/bonus-books-all-the-little-liars-with-victoria-selman--56890669
To buy Victoria's books:
https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/all-the-little-liars-victoria-selman/7333997?ean=9781529430349
https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/truly-darkly-deeply-an-unsettling-thriller-with-a-shocking-twist-victoria-selman/6399508?ean=9781529420685

To follow Victoria & her work:
Twitter - @VictoriaSelman
Instagram- @Victoriaselmanauthor
http://www.victoriaselmanauthor.com/
Listen to her podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/crime-time-fm/id1556906895
https://open.spotify.com/show/3nRtWe8ZnnbwKETkJQgXGj

You can get in contact with us at apairofbookendspod@gmail.com, @apairofbookendspod on Instagram or @apairofbookends on Twitter/X and Tik Tok.
https://linktr.ee/apairofbookendspod

Books & Other Recs mentioned:
The Catcher In The Rye by J.D. Salinger
The Girls by Emma Cline
Snapped - Now TV
Ordinary Human Failings by Megan Nolan
Notes On An Execution by Danya Kukafka
To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Catastrophe - Netflix

Please do rate, review & subscribe as it helps us to reach more of you. Thank you so much for listening, Han & Lyd x]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/56890669Fri, 22 Sep 2023 00:12:33 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome back Bookends to another Bonus Books episode, for this episode we were joined by crime and thriller author Victoria Selman. Aswell as deep diving into Victoria's latest book 'All The Little Liars', we discuss how true crime has become such a...
To buy Victoria's books:
https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/all-the-little-liars-victoria-selman/7333997?ean=9781529430349
https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/truly-darkly-deeply-an-unsettling-thriller-with-a-shocking-twist-victoria-selman/6399508?ean=9781529420685

To follow Victoria & her work:
Twitter - @VictoriaSelman
Instagram- @Victoriaselmanauthor
http://www.victoriaselmanauthor.com/
Listen to her podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/crime-time-fm/id1556906895
https://open.spotify.com/show/3nRtWe8ZnnbwKETkJQgXGj

You can get in contact with us at apairofbookendspod@gmail.com, @apairofbookendspod on Instagram or @apairofbookends on Twitter/X and Tik Tok.
https://linktr.ee/apairofbookendspod

Books & Other Recs mentioned:
The Catcher In The Rye by J.D. Salinger
The Girls by Emma Cline
Snapped - Now TV
Ordinary Human Failings by Megan Nolan
Notes On An Execution by Danya Kukafka
To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Catastrophe - Netflix

Please do rate, review & subscribe as it helps us to reach more of you. Thank you so much for listening, Han & Lyd x]]>2828author,books,crime,culture,fiction,popculture,r,recommendations,thriller,truecrime,writersfalse43fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s2-debut-spotlight-9-gabriella-braun--56831634
To buy 'All That We Are': https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/all-that-we-are-uncovering-the-hidden-truths-behind-our-behaviour-at-work-gabriella-braun/4957828?ean=9780349427300

To connect with Gabriella:
Website- https://www.gabriellabraun.co.uk/
Twitter- https://twitter.com/BraunGabriella
LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabriellabraun/?originalSubdomain=uk
https://www.workingwell.cc/

If you enjoyed this episode, please do rate, review & subscribe so we can reach more listeners! If you want to reach out to us you can do so apairofbookendspod@gmail.com, @apairofbookendspod on Instagram and @apairofbookends on Twitter and Tik Tok.

Books recommended:
Mornings in Jenin by Susan Abulhawa


The Queen of Dirt Island by Donal Ryan
Old God's Time by Sebastian Barry

Thanks so much for listening, happy reading! Han & Lyd xr]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/56831634Mon, 18 Sep 2023 04:15:01 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome back Bookends to another episode in our Debut Spotlight series! For this episode we were joined by Gabriella Braun, the Director of Working Well to chat about her debut non-fiction book 'All That We Are'. We speak about toxic work cultures,...
To buy 'All That We Are': https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/all-that-we-are-uncovering-the-hidden-truths-behind-our-behaviour-at-work-gabriella-braun/4957828?ean=9780349427300

To connect with Gabriella:
Website- https://www.gabriellabraun.co.uk/
Twitter- https://twitter.com/BraunGabriella
LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/gabriellabraun/?originalSubdomain=uk
https://www.workingwell.cc/

If you enjoyed this episode, please do rate, review & subscribe so we can reach more listeners! If you want to reach out to us you can do so apairofbookendspod@gmail.com, @apairofbookendspod on Instagram and @apairofbookends on Twitter and Tik Tok.

Books recommended:
Mornings in Jenin by Susan Abulhawa


The Queen of Dirt Island by Donal Ryan
Old God's Time by Sebastian Barry

Thanks so much for listening, happy reading! Han & Lyd xr]]>3041author,books,careers,debutauthor,mentalhealth,nonfiction,readers,workinglife,workingwell,writerfalse42fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/september-book-club-the-wren-the-wren-with-anne-enright--56805811Aswell as deep diving into her latest novel, we chat about sibling dynamics, mothers and daughters, social media and so much more, it was an absolute JOY to chat to the Irish powerhouse herself and we hope you love this conversation as much as we did.
If you enjoyed this episode, please do rate, review & subscribe as it helps us to reach more of you!

To buy The Wren, The Wren: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-wren-the-wren-anne-enright/7376786?ean=9781787334601

Books discussed:
The Wren, The Wren by Anne Enright
Wild Houses by Colin Barrett
Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys
Actress by Anne Enright

Irish Poets, as recommended by Anne:
Michael Longley
Seamus Heaney
Jessica Traynor
Jane Clarke
Leontia Flynn
Sinéad Morrissey
Victoria Kennefick
Leanne O'Sullivan

Follow us for more: https://linktr.ee/apairofbookendspod
Thanks so much for listening! Until next time, happy reading! Han & Lyd x

]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/56805811Fri, 15 Sep 2023 00:06:06 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWE'RE BACK BOOKENDS! For the first episode in our new season, we were joined by none other than Anne Enright, a Booker Prize-winning author, no less! Aswell as deep diving into her latest novel, we chat about sibling dynamics, mothers and daughters,...Aswell as deep diving into her latest novel, we chat about sibling dynamics, mothers and daughters, social media and so much more, it was an absolute JOY to chat to the Irish powerhouse herself and we hope you love this conversation as much as we did.
If you enjoyed this episode, please do rate, review & subscribe as it helps us to reach more of you!

To buy The Wren, The Wren: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-wren-the-wren-anne-enright/7376786?ean=9781787334601

Books discussed:
The Wren, The Wren by Anne Enright
Wild Houses by Colin Barrett
Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys
Actress by Anne Enright

Irish Poets, as recommended by Anne:
Michael Longley
Seamus Heaney
Jessica Traynor
Jane Clarke
Leontia Flynn
Sinéad Morrissey
Victoria Kennefick
Leanne O'Sullivan

Follow us for more: https://linktr.ee/apairofbookendspod
Thanks so much for listening! Until next time, happy reading! Han & Lyd x

]]>3319anneenright,author,books,fiction,irish,irishauthor,irishpoet,literary,writerfalse41fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/season-finale-salt-and-skin-with-eliza-henry-jones--56505736
Aswell as deep diving into her beautiful genre-bending novel, we discuss how her professional experience of trauma and grief counselling influenced her writing of these topics, climate change, morally ambiguous characters and so much more, it was such a treat to gain insight into her writing process and to have such a thought-provoking conversation, we really hope you enjoy this one! As always please do rate, review & subscribe as it helps us to reach more of you!

We are now officially on break and will resume uploading on the 15th of September.

To buy Salt and Skin (UK):
https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/salt-and-skin-eliza-henry-jones/7422492?ean=9781914613364

(US): https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/salt-and-skin-eliza-henry-jones/1143139560?ean=9781914613364

(AUS & NZ): https://www.booktopia.com.au/salt-and-skin-eliza-henry-jones/book/9781761152955.html

To follow Eliza: https://www.instagram.com/elizahenryjones/?hl=en

Books discussed:
Surfacing by Kathleen Jamie
Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney
The Situation and the Story: The Art of Personal Narrative by Vivian Gornick
Peter Darling by Austin Chant

Thanks so much for listening and for all your support this year, we're so so grateful.
To follow us:
https://linktr.ee/apairofbookendspod

Until next time, happy reading! Han & Lyd x





]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/56505736Fri, 18 Aug 2023 03:40:02 +0000Hannah MacDonaldHey Bookends! Welcome to our Season finale episode where we chatted to Australian novelist Eliza Henry-Jones about her latest novel Salt & Skin, which was released in Australia and New Zealand last year and was recently released in the UK &...
Aswell as deep diving into her beautiful genre-bending novel, we discuss how her professional experience of trauma and grief counselling influenced her writing of these topics, climate change, morally ambiguous characters and so much more, it was such a treat to gain insight into her writing process and to have such a thought-provoking conversation, we really hope you enjoy this one! As always please do rate, review & subscribe as it helps us to reach more of you!

We are now officially on break and will resume uploading on the 15th of September.

To buy Salt and Skin (UK):
https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/salt-and-skin-eliza-henry-jones/7422492?ean=9781914613364

(US): https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/salt-and-skin-eliza-henry-jones/1143139560?ean=9781914613364

(AUS & NZ): https://www.booktopia.com.au/salt-and-skin-eliza-henry-jones/book/9781761152955.html

To follow Eliza: https://www.instagram.com/elizahenryjones/?hl=en

Books discussed:
Surfacing by Kathleen Jamie
Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney
The Situation and the Story: The Art of Personal Narrative by Vivian Gornick
Peter Darling by Austin Chant

Thanks so much for listening and for all your support this year, we're so so grateful.
To follow us:
https://linktr.ee/apairofbookendspod

Until next time, happy reading! Han & Lyd x





]]>2503australianauthor,author,books,climatechange,counselling,culture,elizahenryjones,fiction,grief,historical,saltandskin,traumafalse318fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s2-debut-spotlight-8-khashayar-j-khabushani--56458608We discuss his highly contested debut, how he can read multiple books at once, why basketball means so much to him, why his mother is such a huge inspiration and so much more, we hope you enjoy this conversation and we hope it encourages you to read his beautiful book so you can fall in love like we did. As always, if you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe so we can reach more of you!

To buy 'I Will Greet The Sun Again': https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/i-will-greet-the-sun-again-khashayar-j-khabushani/7310803?ean=9780241514733

To follow us: https://linktr.ee/apairofbookendspod

Books mentioned:
Small Worlds by Caleb Azumah Nelson
Then the War and Selected Poems, 2007–2020 by Carl Phillips
Savage Tongues by Azareen Van der Vliet Oloomi
Chain Gang All Stars: A Novel by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah


Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
The Golden Notebook by Doris Lessing
Middlemarch by George Eliot
Slam! by Walter Dean Myers
Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse



Thank you so much for listening & until next time, happy reading! Han & Lyd x]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/56458608Mon, 14 Aug 2023 00:36:28 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome back Bookends to another episode in our Debut Spotlight series where we shine the light on the freshest authors and their work! For today's episode we were joined by debut novelist of 'I Will Greet The Sun Again', the incredible Khashayar J....We discuss his highly contested debut, how he can read multiple books at once, why basketball means so much to him, why his mother is such a huge inspiration and so much more, we hope you enjoy this conversation and we hope it encourages you to read his beautiful book so you can fall in love like we did. As always, if you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe so we can reach more of you!

To buy 'I Will Greet The Sun Again': https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/i-will-greet-the-sun-again-khashayar-j-khabushani/7310803?ean=9780241514733

To follow us: https://linktr.ee/apairofbookendspod

Books mentioned:
Small Worlds by Caleb Azumah Nelson
Then the War and Selected Poems, 2007–2020 by Carl Phillips
Savage Tongues by Azareen Van der Vliet Oloomi
Chain Gang All Stars: A Novel by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah


Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
The Golden Notebook by Doris Lessing
Middlemarch by George Eliot
Slam! by Walter Dean Myers
Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse



Thank you so much for listening & until next time, happy reading! Han & Lyd x]]>2714americanauthor,bookchat,bookrecs,books,debutauthor,fiction,iranianauthor,khashayarjkhabushani,lgbtq,literary,literature,novel,queerauthorfalse317fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/bonus-books-limelight-with-daisy-buchanan--56431388
TW: This conversation includes mention of difficult topics such as sexual assault and cancer which may be triggering for some, listen with care.

Aswell as deep diving into her brilliant new novel, we discuss online/offline identities, bodies and autonomy, sisterhood and so much more, we hope you love this episode as much as we do!

To buy Daisy's latest book 'Limelight' from House of Books and Friends:
https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/limelight-daisy-buchanan/6403461?aid=9407&ean=9781408725597

To buy 'Insatiable':
https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/insatiable-a-frank-funny-account-of-21st-century-lust-independent-daisy-buchanan/4938039?ean=9780751580198

To buy 'Careering':
https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/careering-daisy-buchanan/4958437?ean=9780751580235

To follow Daisy:
https://www.instagram.com/thedaisybee/

Listen to You're Booked:
https://play.acast.com/s/booked

To follow us:
https://linktr.ee/apairofbookendspod

Books, Authors & Other Recs mentioned:
Yellowface by R.F Kuang
The 52 Seductions by Betty Herbert
I Could Not Believe It: The 1979 Teenage Diaries of Sean DeLear by Sean DeLear
Push Off from Here: Nine Essential Truths to Get You Through Sobriety (and Everything Else) by Laura McKowen
We Are the Luckiest: The Surprising Magic of a Sober Life by Laura McKowen
Barbara Pym
Nora Ephron
The Other Side Of The Story by Marian Keyes
Marian Keyes & Nina Stibbe on 'Book Off!': https://play.acast.com/s/bookoff/marian-keyes-and-nina-stibbe-id-like-to-live-in-a-cave-cover
Between Us by Mhairi McFarlane
Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld
American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld
Wild Geese by Mary Oliver
Rachel's Holiday by Marian Keyes
Thank You For Listening by Julia Whelan
Brother of the More Famous Jack by Barbara Trapido
Polo by Jilly Cooper
Luster by Raven Leilani
Insatiable by Daisy Buchanan
Idol by Louise O'Neill
The Luckiest Girl Alive by Jessica Knoll
Succession (TV- HBO)
Strong Female Character by Fern Brady
The Electricity of Every Living Thing: A Woman’s Walk in the Wild to Find Her Way Home by Katherine May
Joanna Scanlan on Bryony Gordon's Mad World Podcast : https://open.spotify.com/episode/4KbSp5A3DowlW5EVYCqhan
Katherine May & Pico Iyer on The Half Known Life: https://soundcloud.com/5x15/pico-iyer-and-katherine-may-on-the-half-known-life-finding-paradise-in-a-divided-world
The Watermelon Woman (Movie- currently showing on Prime)
The List by Yomi Adegoke

Thanks so much for listening! Until next time, happy reading! Han & Lyd x
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/56431388Fri, 11 Aug 2023 00:05:01 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome back Bookends to another Bonus books episode where we were joined by the powerhouse that is Daisy Buchanan! A journalist, novelist and host of a number of brilliant podcast series including the fan favourite 'You're Booked', we were delighted...
TW: This conversation includes mention of difficult topics such as sexual assault and cancer which may be triggering for some, listen with care.

Aswell as deep diving into her brilliant new novel, we discuss online/offline identities, bodies and autonomy, sisterhood and so much more, we hope you love this episode as much as we do!

To buy Daisy's latest book 'Limelight' from House of Books and Friends:
https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/limelight-daisy-buchanan/6403461?aid=9407&ean=9781408725597

To buy 'Insatiable':
https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/insatiable-a-frank-funny-account-of-21st-century-lust-independent-daisy-buchanan/4938039?ean=9780751580198

To buy 'Careering':
https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/careering-daisy-buchanan/4958437?ean=9780751580235

To follow Daisy:
https://www.instagram.com/thedaisybee/

Listen to You're Booked:
https://play.acast.com/s/booked

To follow us:
https://linktr.ee/apairofbookendspod

Books, Authors & Other Recs mentioned:
Yellowface by R.F Kuang
The 52 Seductions by Betty Herbert
I Could Not Believe It: The 1979 Teenage Diaries of Sean DeLear by Sean DeLear
Push Off from Here: Nine Essential Truths to Get You Through Sobriety (and Everything Else) by Laura McKowen
We Are the Luckiest: The Surprising Magic of a Sober Life by Laura McKowen
Barbara Pym
Nora Ephron
The Other Side Of The Story by Marian Keyes
Marian Keyes & Nina Stibbe on 'Book Off!': https://play.acast.com/s/bookoff/marian-keyes-and-nina-stibbe-id-like-to-live-in-a-cave-cover
Between Us by Mhairi McFarlane
Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld
American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld
Wild Geese by Mary Oliver
Rachel's Holiday by Marian Keyes
Thank You For Listening by Julia Whelan
Brother of the More Famous Jack by Barbara Trapido
Polo by Jilly Cooper
Luster by Raven Leilani
Insatiable by Daisy Buchanan
Idol by Louise O'Neill
The Luckiest Girl Alive by Jessica Knoll
Succession (TV- HBO)
Strong Female Character by Fern Brady
The Electricity of Every Living Thing: A Woman’s Walk in the Wild to Find Her Way Home by Katherine May
Joanna Scanlan on Bryony Gordon's Mad World Podcast : https://open.spotify.com/episode/4KbSp5A3DowlW5EVYCqhan
Katherine May & Pico Iyer on The Half Known Life: https://soundcloud.com/5x15/pico-iyer-and-katherine-may-on-the-half-known-life-finding-paradise-in-a-divided-world
The Watermelon Woman (Movie- currently showing on Prime)
The List by Yomi Adegoke

Thanks so much for listening! Until next time, happy reading! Han & Lyd x
]]>4382author,book,books,careering,culture,daisybuchanan,fiction,insatiable,limelight,recommendations,sex,sexuality,women,yourebookedtrue316bonushttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s2-debut-spotlight-7-emily-habeck--56386876
You can also follow us: https://linktr.ee/apairofbookendspod

To buy Shark Heart, published by Quercus: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/shark-heart-a-love-story-emily-habeck/7422751?ean=9781529432213

To follow Emily & her work: https://www.instagram.com/emily.habeck/
https://www.emilyhabeck.com/

Books & Other Recs mentioned:
You Can Make This Place Beautiful: A Memoir by Maggie Smith
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Chasing-Shadows-Tracking-Great-White/dp/006309083X
Out There: Stories by Kate Folk
The Sopranos - TV
The Bear - TV

Thank you so much for listening! Until next time, happy reading! Han & Lyd x]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/56386876Mon, 07 Aug 2023 04:00:04 +0000Hannah MacDonaldHey Bookends! Welcome back to another episode in our Debut Spotlight series, for this episode we were joined by the incredible Emily Habeck to discuss our firm favourite read of the year 'Shark Heart'. We talk about her journey from the world of...
You can also follow us: https://linktr.ee/apairofbookendspod

To buy Shark Heart, published by Quercus: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/shark-heart-a-love-story-emily-habeck/7422751?ean=9781529432213

To follow Emily & her work: https://www.instagram.com/emily.habeck/
https://www.emilyhabeck.com/

Books & Other Recs mentioned:
You Can Make This Place Beautiful: A Memoir by Maggie Smith
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Chasing-Shadows-Tracking-Great-White/dp/006309083X
Out There: Stories by Kate Folk
The Sopranos - TV
The Bear - TV

Thank you so much for listening! Until next time, happy reading! Han & Lyd x]]>3378author,books,culture,debutauthor,emilyhabeck,fiction,literature,novel,quercus,reading,sharkheart,womenfalse315fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/july-book-club-ordinary-human-failings-with-megan-nolan--56349546TW: Our conversation contains mention of abortion, death and violence.

Books & Other Recs discussed:
Malady of the Mind: Schizophrenia and the Path to Prevention by Jeffrey a Lieberman
Acts of Desperation by Megan Nolan
Ordinary Human Failings by Megan Nolan
Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson
Somebody's Husband, Somebody's Son by Gordon Burn
The Stranger Beside Me by Ann Rule
We All Go Into The Dark by Francisco Garcia

Boy A - Channel 4
Killed Podcast - https://killedstories.com/
Dekalog - TV

To buy Megan's book: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/ordinary-human-failings-megan-nolan/7299107?ean=9781787332508
To follow Megan: https://www.instagram.com/mmegannolan/?hl=en

To follow us: https://linktr.ee/apairofbookendspod

Until next time, happy reading! Han & Lyd x]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/56349546Fri, 04 Aug 2023 04:00:04 +0000Hannah MacDonaldHey Bookends! For our July Book Club episode we were joined by the brilliant Megan Nolan, all the way from NYC! We of course deep dived into her latest novel Ordinary Human Failings, chatted about her experience with the publication of her debut novel...TW: Our conversation contains mention of abortion, death and violence.

Books & Other Recs discussed:
Malady of the Mind: Schizophrenia and the Path to Prevention by Jeffrey a Lieberman
Acts of Desperation by Megan Nolan
Ordinary Human Failings by Megan Nolan
Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson
Somebody's Husband, Somebody's Son by Gordon Burn
The Stranger Beside Me by Ann Rule
We All Go Into The Dark by Francisco Garcia

Boy A - Channel 4
Killed Podcast - https://killedstories.com/
Dekalog - TV

To buy Megan's book: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/ordinary-human-failings-megan-nolan/7299107?ean=9781787332508
To follow Megan: https://www.instagram.com/mmegannolan/?hl=en

To follow us: https://linktr.ee/apairofbookendspod

Until next time, happy reading! Han & Lyd x]]>2024books,class,crime,fiction,ireland,irishauthor,literature,megannolan,novel,writerfalse314fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s2-debut-spotlight-6-mikki-brammer--56311415We discuss why it's important to have more open conversations about death and grief, why New York was the perfect setting for her novel, the gorgeous characters we fell in love with and as always, lots of excellent recommendations.
To buy 'The Collected Regrets of Clover':
UK: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-collected-regrets-of-clover-an-uplifting-story-about-living-a-full-beautiful-life-mikki-brammer/7369892?ean=9780241588420
US: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-collected-regrets-of-clover-mikki-brammer/1141976587

If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe as it helps us to reach more listeners. You can give us a follow @apairofbookendspod on Instagram and Threads and @apairofbookends on Twitter & Tik Tok.

To follow Mikki - https://www.instagram.com/mikkibrammer/

Books & other recs discussed:
Real Life by Brandon Taylor
The Late Americans by Brandon Taylor
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
Vladimir by Julia May Jonas
Past Lives (Film- A24)

Until next time, happy reading! Han & Lyd x]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/56311415Mon, 31 Jul 2023 04:00:02 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome back Bookends to another episode in our Debut Spotlight series! For today's episode we were joined by debut novelist Mikki Brammer to chat about her beautiful novel 'The Collected Regrets of Clover' which is out now & published by Viking...We discuss why it's important to have more open conversations about death and grief, why New York was the perfect setting for her novel, the gorgeous characters we fell in love with and as always, lots of excellent recommendations.
To buy 'The Collected Regrets of Clover':
UK: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-collected-regrets-of-clover-an-uplifting-story-about-living-a-full-beautiful-life-mikki-brammer/7369892?ean=9780241588420
US: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-collected-regrets-of-clover-mikki-brammer/1141976587

If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe as it helps us to reach more listeners. You can give us a follow @apairofbookendspod on Instagram and Threads and @apairofbookends on Twitter & Tik Tok.

To follow Mikki - https://www.instagram.com/mikkibrammer/

Books & other recs discussed:
Real Life by Brandon Taylor
The Late Americans by Brandon Taylor
The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
Vladimir by Julia May Jonas
Past Lives (Film- A24)

Until next time, happy reading! Han & Lyd x]]>2989author,books,culture,debutauthor,fiction,grief,literary,literature,mikkibrammer,newyork,writer,writingfalse313fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/minisode-spicy-reads-a-love-affair-with-hozier-the-barbenheimer-debate-recs-galore--56251647We talk about Lydia's little secret, the men she's making herself available for cough Hozier, Jeremy Allen White cough, the all important Barbenheimer debate & lots more. Let us know for future minisodes if there's anything you want us to cover, you can email us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com

To follow us:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/apairofbookendspod/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/apairofbookends
Tik Tok - https://www.tiktok.com/@apairofbookends
We are also on Threads @apairofbookendspod

Books discussed:
The Rachel Papers by Martin Amis
Priest by Sierra Simone
Icebreaker by Hannah Grace
Daisy Jones and The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin
The Fraud by Zadie Smith
I'm A Fan by Sheena Patel
Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld
Really Good Actually by Monica Heisey
My Husband by Maud Ventura
The Half Moon by Mary Beth Keane
Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
Beyond the Story: 10-Year Record Of BTS by BTS and Myeongseok Kang

Other recs:
Kierra Lewis on Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kierralewis75?lang=en
Forza Horizon 5 (Game)
Unknown/Nth by Hozier (Song)
Daisy Jones & The Six (Amazon Prime)
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/56251647Fri, 28 Jul 2023 04:00:03 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome back Bookends to an impromptu minisode! We had an interview fall through last minute and thought what a wonderful time to bring you back an OG episode which we know lots of you have been missing! We talk about Lydia's little secret, the men...We talk about Lydia's little secret, the men she's making herself available for cough Hozier, Jeremy Allen White cough, the all important Barbenheimer debate & lots more. Let us know for future minisodes if there's anything you want us to cover, you can email us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com

To follow us:
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/apairofbookendspod/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/apairofbookends
Tik Tok - https://www.tiktok.com/@apairofbookends
We are also on Threads @apairofbookendspod

Books discussed:
The Rachel Papers by Martin Amis
Priest by Sierra Simone
Icebreaker by Hannah Grace
Daisy Jones and The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin
The Fraud by Zadie Smith
I'm A Fan by Sheena Patel
Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld
Really Good Actually by Monica Heisey
My Husband by Maud Ventura
The Half Moon by Mary Beth Keane
Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
Beyond the Story: 10-Year Record Of BTS by BTS and Myeongseok Kang

Other recs:
Kierra Lewis on Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kierralewis75?lang=en
Forza Horizon 5 (Game)
Unknown/Nth by Hozier (Song)
Daisy Jones & The Six (Amazon Prime)
]]>1448bookends,books,chat,culture,fiction,hozier,literature,popculture,spicybooks,tiktok,womentrue312fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/bonus-books-the-rachel-incident-with-caroline-o-donoghue--56171387Aswell as doing a deep dive into what can only be classed as one of the best books of the year, we chat about 'And just like that', how Caroline personally made Mumford and Sons happen(...), representation in books and so much more, it was such a joy to have Caroline on the pod and we hope you all enjoy it as much as we do.
If you do enjoy, please do rate, review & subscribe as it helps our little pod massively!

Books & Authors discussed:
Fleishman Is In Trouble by Taffy Brodesser-Akner
The Female Persuasion by Meg Wolitzer
Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld
Promising Young Women by Caroline O'Donoghue
Scenes Of A Graphic Nature by Caroline O'Donoghue

To buy The Rachel Incident: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-rachel-incident-caroline-o-donoghue/4920877?ean=9780349013558

To follow Caroline: https://www.instagram.com/czaronline/?hl=en

Listen to Sentimental Garbage Pod! Here's some of Hannah's FAVE episodes:

https://shows.acast.com/sentimentalgarbage/episodes/the-nora-ephron-christmas-spectacular-with-ella-risbridger
https://play.acast.com/s/sentimentalgarbage/sentimentalinthecity1-sex-thecity-seasonone
https://play.acast.com/s/sentimentalgarbage/reality-tv-with-pandora-sykes
https://shows.acast.com/sentimentalgarbage/episodes/girlbossing-with-otegha-uwagba
https://shows.acast.com/sentimentalgarbage/episodes/the-rachel-incident-with-dolly-alderto
https://shows.acast.com/sentimentalgarbage/episodes/luckybyjackiecollinswithjessieburton

You can follow us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram and @apairofbookends on Twitter, Tik Tok & Threads.
Until next time, happy reading! Han & Lyd x]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/56171387Fri, 21 Jul 2023 04:00:03 +0000Hannah MacDonaldIt's a BONUS bonus episode because we have the incredible Caroline O'Donoghue with us for today's episode chatting all about her wonderful new novel The Rachel Incident! Aswell as doing a deep dive into what can only be classed as one of the best...Aswell as doing a deep dive into what can only be classed as one of the best books of the year, we chat about 'And just like that', how Caroline personally made Mumford and Sons happen(...), representation in books and so much more, it was such a joy to have Caroline on the pod and we hope you all enjoy it as much as we do.
If you do enjoy, please do rate, review & subscribe as it helps our little pod massively!

Books & Authors discussed:
Fleishman Is In Trouble by Taffy Brodesser-Akner
The Female Persuasion by Meg Wolitzer
Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld
Promising Young Women by Caroline O'Donoghue
Scenes Of A Graphic Nature by Caroline O'Donoghue

To buy The Rachel Incident: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-rachel-incident-caroline-o-donoghue/4920877?ean=9780349013558

To follow Caroline: https://www.instagram.com/czaronline/?hl=en

Listen to Sentimental Garbage Pod! Here's some of Hannah's FAVE episodes:

https://shows.acast.com/sentimentalgarbage/episodes/the-nora-ephron-christmas-spectacular-with-ella-risbridger
https://play.acast.com/s/sentimentalgarbage/sentimentalinthecity1-sex-thecity-seasonone
https://play.acast.com/s/sentimentalgarbage/reality-tv-with-pandora-sykes
https://shows.acast.com/sentimentalgarbage/episodes/girlbossing-with-otegha-uwagba
https://shows.acast.com/sentimentalgarbage/episodes/the-rachel-incident-with-dolly-alderto
https://shows.acast.com/sentimentalgarbage/episodes/luckybyjackiecollinswithjessieburton

You can follow us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram and @apairofbookends on Twitter, Tik Tok & Threads.
Until next time, happy reading! Han & Lyd x]]>2909andjustlikethat,author,books,carolineodonoghue,irishauthor,literary,literature,sentimentalgarbage,sentimentalinthecity,therachelincidentfalse311bonushttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/bonus-books-second-self-with-chloe-ashby--56007214
To buy 'Second Self': https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/second-self-chloe-ashby/7351706?ean=9781398703032
To buy 'Wet Paint': https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/wet-paint-a-blistering-story-stylist-chloe-ashby/7277891?ean=9781398703001
To follow Chloë & her work: https://www.chloeashby.com/, https://www.instagram.com/chloelashby/?hl=en & https://twitter.com/chloelashby

Upcoming events with Chloë :
11th July- https://www.waterstones.com/events/chloe-ashby-in-conversation-with-rhiannon-lucy-cosslett/london-crouch-end

12th July - https://www.waterstones.com/events/gower-st-presents-jenny-mustard-and-chlo-ashby-in-conversation-with-bethany-rutter/london-gower-street

13th July - https://dauntbooks.co.uk/shop/events/chloe-ashby-and-stephanie-bishop-in-conversation-with-tess-little/

Books discussed:
Art Monsters by Lauren Elkin
Thunderclap: A memoir of art and life & sudden death by Laura Cumming
The Anniversary by Stephanie Bishop
Okay Days by Jenny Mustard

Thanks so much for listening! If you want to get in touch with us with book recs, author interviews or anything else, you can do so at apairofbookendspod@gmail.com, Han & Lyd x
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/56007214Fri, 07 Jul 2023 04:00:02 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome back Bookends to a Bonus Books episode where we chat to author and award-winning arts critic Chloë Ashby about her latest novel 'Second Self', we chat about Art, her writing style, the choice to have or to not have children, positive...
To buy 'Second Self': https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/second-self-chloe-ashby/7351706?ean=9781398703032
To buy 'Wet Paint': https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/wet-paint-a-blistering-story-stylist-chloe-ashby/7277891?ean=9781398703001
To follow Chloë & her work: https://www.chloeashby.com/, https://www.instagram.com/chloelashby/?hl=en & https://twitter.com/chloelashby

Upcoming events with Chloë :
11th July- https://www.waterstones.com/events/chloe-ashby-in-conversation-with-rhiannon-lucy-cosslett/london-crouch-end

12th July - https://www.waterstones.com/events/gower-st-presents-jenny-mustard-and-chlo-ashby-in-conversation-with-bethany-rutter/london-gower-street

13th July - https://dauntbooks.co.uk/shop/events/chloe-ashby-and-stephanie-bishop-in-conversation-with-tess-little/

Books discussed:
Art Monsters by Lauren Elkin
Thunderclap: A memoir of art and life & sudden death by Laura Cumming
The Anniversary by Stephanie Bishop
Okay Days by Jenny Mustard

Thanks so much for listening! If you want to get in touch with us with book recs, author interviews or anything else, you can do so at apairofbookendspod@gmail.com, Han & Lyd x
]]>2812art,artcritic,author,children,chloeashby,choice,fiction,literature,motherhood,novel,women,writer,writingfalse310bonushttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/june-book-club-the-late-americans-with-brandon-taylor--55483419We loved this novel so so much and cannot rave about it enough, if you haven't read it yet, links are below to order your copy, please do join us in reading it!
In this episode we discuss the body & autonomy, Class and the complexities that brings up for working class artists and Brandon gives us yet another reason to love Curtis Sittenfeld!
If you enjoy this episode please don't forget to rate, review & subscribe and if you want to give us a follow you can do so @apairofbookendspod on Instagram and @apairofbookends on Twitter and Tik Tok.

To buy Brandon's book: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-late-americans-brandon-taylor/7301654?ean=9781787334434

To follow Brandon: https://www.instagram.com/brandonlgtaylor/?hl=en
https://twitter.com/blgtylr?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

Books & Recs mentioned in the episode:
The Guest by Emma Cline
When We Were Nearly Young by Mavis Gallant: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1960/10/15/when-we-were-nearly-young
Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld

Thanks so much for listening, please share with your bookish pals, your support means the world. Han & Lyd x]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/55483419Fri, 30 Jun 2023 04:00:03 +0000Hannah MacDonaldThis is BIG guys! We had the incredible Booker-shortlisted author, literary icon Brandon Taylor on the pod to chat about his latest novel 'The Late Americans', which was our June Book Club pick. We loved this novel so so much and cannot rave about it...We loved this novel so so much and cannot rave about it enough, if you haven't read it yet, links are below to order your copy, please do join us in reading it!
In this episode we discuss the body & autonomy, Class and the complexities that brings up for working class artists and Brandon gives us yet another reason to love Curtis Sittenfeld!
If you enjoy this episode please don't forget to rate, review & subscribe and if you want to give us a follow you can do so @apairofbookendspod on Instagram and @apairofbookends on Twitter and Tik Tok.

To buy Brandon's book: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-late-americans-brandon-taylor/7301654?ean=9781787334434

To follow Brandon: https://www.instagram.com/brandonlgtaylor/?hl=en
https://twitter.com/blgtylr?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

Books & Recs mentioned in the episode:
The Guest by Emma Cline
When We Were Nearly Young by Mavis Gallant: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1960/10/15/when-we-were-nearly-young
Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld

Thanks so much for listening, please share with your bookish pals, your support means the world. Han & Lyd x]]>3277american,author,bookerprize,books,brandontaylor,literary,literature,novel,shortstory,writerfalse39fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s2-debut-spotlight-5-ruth-kelly--55025049We chatted about Ruth's own experiences working on a reality show, the kinds of thrillers she enjoys reading & watching, mental health and why it still feels such a relevant topic and so much more, we hope you enjoy this episode.
If you do please don't forget to rate, review & subscribe to help us reach more listeners! You can also follow us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram and @apairofbookends on Twitter and Tik Tok.

To buy 'The Villa': https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-villa-ruth-kelly/7334577?ean=9781035001286
To follow Ruth: https://www.instagram.com/ruthywriter/?hl=en-gb

Books, Authors & other recs mentioned on this episode:
The Hike by Lucy Clarke
Harlan Coben
Unreal: A Criticial History of Reality TV (podcast) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0c5w0zm
Upstaged (BBC Three)
Verity by Colleen Hoover
The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley

]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/55025049Mon, 26 Jun 2023 04:00:03 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome back Bookends to our latest offering in our Debut Spotlight series where today we have a thriller! We were joined by the lovely Ruth Kelly, journalist and author of 'The Villa', a gripping and unsettling thriller set on a reality TV show. We...We chatted about Ruth's own experiences working on a reality show, the kinds of thrillers she enjoys reading & watching, mental health and why it still feels such a relevant topic and so much more, we hope you enjoy this episode.
If you do please don't forget to rate, review & subscribe to help us reach more listeners! You can also follow us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram and @apairofbookends on Twitter and Tik Tok.

To buy 'The Villa': https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-villa-ruth-kelly/7334577?ean=9781035001286
To follow Ruth: https://www.instagram.com/ruthywriter/?hl=en-gb

Books, Authors & other recs mentioned on this episode:
The Hike by Lucy Clarke
Harlan Coben
Unreal: A Criticial History of Reality TV (podcast) https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0c5w0zm
Upstaged (BBC Three)
Verity by Colleen Hoover
The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley

]]>2565author,books,debutnovel,femaleauthor,literature,readers,realitytv,thriller,thrillerwriter,writerfalse38fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s2-debut-spotlight-4-sarah-jost--54479652TW: This conversation includes discussion around cancer and loss.
Aswell as chatting about her experiences in writing her debut, we also chatted to Sarah about her experience working in schools and how that feeds into her character study, what it's like to write in her second language, time travel and so much more, it was a real pleasure to have Sarah on and we hope you love this conversation and her book as much as we did!

As always, if you enjoyed this episode we'd love it if you could rate, review & subscribe so we can reach more listeners. If you'd like to give us a follow you can do so @apairofbookendspod on Instagram and @apairofbookends on Twitter and Tik Tok.

To buy Sarah's book (UK): https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/one-last-chance-sarah-jost/6174685?ean=9780349431536

To buy Sarah's book (US): https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/five-first-chances-sarah-jost/1141663365

To follow Sarah: https://www.instagram.com/sarahjost_writes/
https://twitter.com/swissSarahUK?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

Books & other recs in this episode:
The Night She Disappeared by Lisa Jewell
Between Us by Mhairi McFarlane
Respire Encore (song) by Clara Luciani
Friendaholic by Elizabeth Day
How To Fail (Podcast)
Best Friend Therapy (Podcast)

If you wish to email us with suggestions for future episodes, you can do so at apairofbookendspod@gmail.com. Thanks so much for listening, Han & Lyd x]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/54479652Mon, 19 Jun 2023 04:00:02 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome back Bookends to another episode in our Debut Spotlight series, for this episode we were joined by debut author Sarah Jost to chat about 'One Last Chance', the unconventional, life-affirming love story you'll be staying up all night to finish....TW: This conversation includes discussion around cancer and loss.
Aswell as chatting about her experiences in writing her debut, we also chatted to Sarah about her experience working in schools and how that feeds into her character study, what it's like to write in her second language, time travel and so much more, it was a real pleasure to have Sarah on and we hope you love this conversation and her book as much as we did!

As always, if you enjoyed this episode we'd love it if you could rate, review & subscribe so we can reach more listeners. If you'd like to give us a follow you can do so @apairofbookendspod on Instagram and @apairofbookends on Twitter and Tik Tok.

To buy Sarah's book (UK): https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/one-last-chance-sarah-jost/6174685?ean=9780349431536

To buy Sarah's book (US): https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/five-first-chances-sarah-jost/1141663365

To follow Sarah: https://www.instagram.com/sarahjost_writes/
https://twitter.com/swissSarahUK?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

Books & other recs in this episode:
The Night She Disappeared by Lisa Jewell
Between Us by Mhairi McFarlane
Respire Encore (song) by Clara Luciani
Friendaholic by Elizabeth Day
How To Fail (Podcast)
Best Friend Therapy (Podcast)

If you wish to email us with suggestions for future episodes, you can do so at apairofbookendspod@gmail.com. Thanks so much for listening, Han & Lyd x]]>2763authors,books,cancer,debutauthor,femaleauthor,firstbook,literature,readers,romance,sarahjost,sisters,swissauthor,writersfalse37fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s2-debut-spotlight-3-senta-rich--54103730
We chatted about the differences between her experiences writing a TV show and her experience writing a novel, the inspiration for her characters, mother/daughter dynamics and so much more. It was such a great conversation and we hope you enjoy it too! If you do enjoy please rate, review & subscribe as it helps to boost us in the charts. You can also follow us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram and @apairofbookends on Twitter and Tik Tok!

Hotel 21 is published by Bloomsbury and available to buy now in all bookshops.

To buy Hotel 21: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/hotel-21-senta-rich/7241567?ean=9781526650498

To keep up with Senta and her work:
https://sentarich.com/

Books discussed:
I'm A Fan by Sheena Patel


Thanks so much for listening! Han & Lyd x]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/54103730Mon, 05 Jun 2023 18:31:45 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome back Bookends to the second season in our Debut Spotlight series, for this episode Hannah was joined by screenwriter and novelist Senta Rich to chat about her debut novel 'Hotel 21'- a story of a kleptomaniac hotel cleaner who moves from hotel...
We chatted about the differences between her experiences writing a TV show and her experience writing a novel, the inspiration for her characters, mother/daughter dynamics and so much more. It was such a great conversation and we hope you enjoy it too! If you do enjoy please rate, review & subscribe as it helps to boost us in the charts. You can also follow us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram and @apairofbookends on Twitter and Tik Tok!

Hotel 21 is published by Bloomsbury and available to buy now in all bookshops.

To buy Hotel 21: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/hotel-21-senta-rich/7241567?ean=9781526650498

To keep up with Senta and her work:
https://sentarich.com/

Books discussed:
I'm A Fan by Sheena Patel


Thanks so much for listening! Han & Lyd x]]>3250authors,bloomsbury,books,debutauthor,fiction,hotel21,literary,novel,readers,screenwriter,sentarich,writingfalse36fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/bonus-books-now-you-see-us-with-balli-kaur-jaswal--54070524We chatted about the disturbing realities of domestic workers in Singapore, privilege, the power of social media and so much more, we hope you enjoy this conversation as much as we did!

Buy Now You See Us (UK listeners): https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/now-you-see-us-balli-kaur-jaswal/7139575?ean=9780008433741

Buy Now You See Us (US listeners): https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/now-you-see-us-balli-kaur-jaswal/1141619783?ean=9780063161603

Follow Balli: https://www.instagram.com/ballijaswal/?hl=en

Books discussed:
Big Swiss by Jen Beagin

If you enjoyed this episode, please do rate, review & subscribe as it helps us to reach more listeners. You can follow us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram and @apairofbookends on Twitter and Tik Tok. Thank you so much for listening! x]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/54070524Fri, 02 Jun 2023 04:00:03 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome back Bookends to our BONUS episode where Hannah chats to the brilliant Balli Kaur Jaswal about her latest novel 'Now You See Us', a moving, funny and insightful book about the lives of three Fillipina domestic workers who group together after...We chatted about the disturbing realities of domestic workers in Singapore, privilege, the power of social media and so much more, we hope you enjoy this conversation as much as we did!

Buy Now You See Us (UK listeners): https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/now-you-see-us-balli-kaur-jaswal/7139575?ean=9780008433741

Buy Now You See Us (US listeners): https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/now-you-see-us-balli-kaur-jaswal/1141619783?ean=9780063161603

Follow Balli: https://www.instagram.com/ballijaswal/?hl=en

Books discussed:
Big Swiss by Jen Beagin

If you enjoyed this episode, please do rate, review & subscribe as it helps us to reach more listeners. You can follow us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram and @apairofbookends on Twitter and Tik Tok. Thank you so much for listening! x]]>2323author,ballikaurjaswal,bookrecommendations,booktok,domesticworkers,fiction,literature,reading,socialmedia,writingfalse35bonushttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/may-book-club-scorched-grace-with-margot-douaihy--54000352Unfortunately for this episode, Lydia was in the midst of an illness so was unable to record so Hannah was a singular bookend but was joined by Margot to chat all about her fantastic, compelling debut, the inspiration behind it, her upbringing as a Maronite Catholic and how that informed her writing, Queerness, complex characters and can we get information on the TV/Film adaptation?! Find out more by giving this episode a listen and if you enjoy please do rate, review & subscribe so we can reach more listeners!

To buy Scorched Grace: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/scorched-grace-margot-douaihy/7406432?ean=9781805335085
To follow Margot: https://www.instagram.com/neonmargot/?hl=en
To follow us: https://www.instagram.com/apairofbookendspod/

Books & authors recommended during the episode:
My Sister, the serial killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite
Marcie R. Rendon
Kelly J. Ford
Razorblade Tears by S.A. Crosby

Until next time, happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/54000352Fri, 26 May 2023 04:00:03 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome back Bookends to our May Book Club episode! Today we chat about the first in an exciting new Queer crime series 'Scorched Grace' by the incredible Margot Douaihy. Unfortunately for this episode, Lydia was in the midst of an illness so was...Unfortunately for this episode, Lydia was in the midst of an illness so was unable to record so Hannah was a singular bookend but was joined by Margot to chat all about her fantastic, compelling debut, the inspiration behind it, her upbringing as a Maronite Catholic and how that informed her writing, Queerness, complex characters and can we get information on the TV/Film adaptation?! Find out more by giving this episode a listen and if you enjoy please do rate, review & subscribe so we can reach more listeners!

To buy Scorched Grace: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/scorched-grace-margot-douaihy/7406432?ean=9781805335085
To follow Margot: https://www.instagram.com/neonmargot/?hl=en
To follow us: https://www.instagram.com/apairofbookendspod/

Books & authors recommended during the episode:
My Sister, the serial killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite
Marcie R. Rendon
Kelly J. Ford
Razorblade Tears by S.A. Crosby

Until next time, happy reading!]]>3333author,books,crime,crimenovel,crimeseries,debuauthor,fiction,inspiration,lgbtqia,literary,queer,readers,writers,writingfalse34fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/minisode-turning-pain-into-poetry-with-tiannah-malika--53924202
Welcome back Bookends! Today we have a powerful & important minisode for you, we were joined by American poet, artist and filmmaker Tiannah Malika (also known as Spike Tee) to chat about her debut collection 'Gray Skies Turned To Sonshine', a book of art and poetry exploring her experiences of stillbirth and grief.
Aswell as listening to some extracts of Tiannah's work we chat about why these topics are still taboo, the importance of community in grief, creating art for change and the experience of turning her pain into her beautiful poetry. We absolutely loved chatting with Tiannah and we hope you enjoy sharing in her wonderful energy as much as we did.

To buy Tiannah's collection: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Skies-Turned-Sonshine-Tiannah-Malika/dp/B0BV49GCTC/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2LBAFIEVOKY1O&keywords=gray+skies+turned+to+sonshine&qid=1684449154&sprefix=gray+skies+turned+to+sonshi%2Caps%2C442&sr=8-1

To follow Tiannah: https://www.instagram.com/lovetiannah/

As always please do rate, review & subscribe so we can reach more listeners and if you'd like to give us a follow you can do so @apairofbookendspod on Instagram and @apairofbookends on Twitter and Tik Tok. Until next time, happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/53924202Fri, 19 May 2023 04:00:03 +0000Hannah MacDonaldTW: This episode contains discussion around themes of infant & pregnancy loss/ stillbirth and grief. Welcome back Bookends! Today we have a powerful & important minisode for you, we were joined by American poet, artist and filmmaker Tiannah...
Welcome back Bookends! Today we have a powerful & important minisode for you, we were joined by American poet, artist and filmmaker Tiannah Malika (also known as Spike Tee) to chat about her debut collection 'Gray Skies Turned To Sonshine', a book of art and poetry exploring her experiences of stillbirth and grief.
Aswell as listening to some extracts of Tiannah's work we chat about why these topics are still taboo, the importance of community in grief, creating art for change and the experience of turning her pain into her beautiful poetry. We absolutely loved chatting with Tiannah and we hope you enjoy sharing in her wonderful energy as much as we did.

To buy Tiannah's collection: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Skies-Turned-Sonshine-Tiannah-Malika/dp/B0BV49GCTC/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2LBAFIEVOKY1O&keywords=gray+skies+turned+to+sonshine&qid=1684449154&sprefix=gray+skies+turned+to+sonshi%2Caps%2C442&sr=8-1

To follow Tiannah: https://www.instagram.com/lovetiannah/

As always please do rate, review & subscribe so we can reach more listeners and if you'd like to give us a follow you can do so @apairofbookendspod on Instagram and @apairofbookends on Twitter and Tik Tok. Until next time, happy reading!]]>1527america,creative,debutauthor,female,grief,infantloss,poet,poetry,pregnancyloss,selfpublishing,spiketee,stillbirth,tiannahmalikafalse33fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s2-debut-spotlight-2-natasha-calder--53825064
To buy 'Whether Violent or Natural': https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/whether-violent-or-natural-natasha-calder/7251105?ean=9781526653680
To buy 'The Offset': https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-offset-calder-szewczak/6048924?ean=9780857669186

You can follow Natasha's upcoming work here: https://natashacalder.com/

Books discussed during the episode:
Alone on the wall by Alex Honnold and David Roberts
Building Stories by Chris WareTouching the void by Joe Simpson





Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer
Falling Animals by Sheila Armstrong
How To Gut A Fish by Sheila Armstrong
Temper by Phoebe Walker
Dryland by Sara Jaffe
Other cultural recs mentioned:
Finding Michael (Disney +)
Free Solo (Disney +)
Boiling Point (Netflix)
The Sparks Brothers (Doc)

Thank you so much for listening! If you enjoyed this episode please do rate, review & subscribe so we can reach more listeners. You can follow us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram or @apairofbookends on Twitter and Tik Tok. Until next time, happy reading! Han & Lyd x







































]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/53825064Fri, 12 May 2023 04:00:02 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome back Bookends to Season 2 in our Debut Spotlight series, for today's episode we were joined by Natasha Calder, author of the brilliant and eerie 'Whether Violent or Natural' which was published by Bloomsbury in the UK yesterday! We chatted to...
To buy 'Whether Violent or Natural': https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/whether-violent-or-natural-natasha-calder/7251105?ean=9781526653680
To buy 'The Offset': https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-offset-calder-szewczak/6048924?ean=9780857669186

You can follow Natasha's upcoming work here: https://natashacalder.com/

Books discussed during the episode:
Alone on the wall by Alex Honnold and David Roberts
Building Stories by Chris WareTouching the void by Joe Simpson





Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer
Falling Animals by Sheila Armstrong
How To Gut A Fish by Sheila Armstrong
Temper by Phoebe Walker
Dryland by Sara Jaffe
Other cultural recs mentioned:
Finding Michael (Disney +)
Free Solo (Disney +)
Boiling Point (Netflix)
The Sparks Brothers (Doc)

Thank you so much for listening! If you enjoyed this episode please do rate, review & subscribe so we can reach more listeners. You can follow us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram or @apairofbookends on Twitter and Tik Tok. Until next time, happy reading! Han & Lyd x







































]]>3211arts,author,bloomsbury,books,culture,debutauthor,dystopian,female,fiction,literature,natashacalder,readingfalse32fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/s2-debut-spotlight-1-lydia-sandgren--53743644
Aswell as deep diving into this wonderful tome of a novel, we chat about the characters that feel like friends, parenting and gender disparities, how being a psychologist informs her writing and so much more, we hope you enjoy this as much as we did!

To buy Collected Works: A Novel - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/collected-works-a-novel-lydia-sandgren/7433747?ean=9781782277989

To follow Lydia - https://www.instagram.com/lydiasandgren/?hl=en-gb

Please do rate, review & subscribe as it helps us to reach other Bookends! If you'd like to give us a follow you can do so @apairofbookendspod on Instagram and @apairofbookends on Twitter and Tik Tok. Thanks so much for listening, Han & Lyd x

Books mentioned during episode:
My Struggle (series of six autobiographical novels) by Karl Ove Knausgård
Diaries 1918-1939 by Thomas Mann
The Magic Mountain by Thomas Mann
Buddenbrooks by Thomas Mann]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/53743644Fri, 05 May 2023 04:00:02 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome back Bookends to Season 2 of our Debut Spotlight series where we shine the light on the freshest new authors and their work, we recorded this back at the start of April and are thrilled to bring you this conversation with the incredible...
Aswell as deep diving into this wonderful tome of a novel, we chat about the characters that feel like friends, parenting and gender disparities, how being a psychologist informs her writing and so much more, we hope you enjoy this as much as we did!

To buy Collected Works: A Novel - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/collected-works-a-novel-lydia-sandgren/7433747?ean=9781782277989

To follow Lydia - https://www.instagram.com/lydiasandgren/?hl=en-gb

Please do rate, review & subscribe as it helps us to reach other Bookends! If you'd like to give us a follow you can do so @apairofbookendspod on Instagram and @apairofbookends on Twitter and Tik Tok. Thanks so much for listening, Han & Lyd x

Books mentioned during episode:
My Struggle (series of six autobiographical novels) by Karl Ove Knausgård
Diaries 1918-1939 by Thomas Mann
The Magic Mountain by Thomas Mann
Buddenbrooks by Thomas Mann]]>2741author,bestseller,bookchat,books,debutauthor,fiction,literature,novel,swedishauthorfalse31fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-rathbones-folio-prize-2023-special-with-margo-jefferson-michelle-de-kretser-victoria-adukwei-bulley--53599536
Buy Constructing A Nervous System: A Memoir by Margo Jefferson: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/constructing-a-nervous-system-a-memoir-margo-jefferson/6745611?ean=9781783785568

Buy Scary Monsters by Michelle de Kretser: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/scary-monsters-michelle-de-kretser/6320985?ean=9781838953973

Buy Quiet by Victoria Adukwei Bulley: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/quiet-victoria-adukwei-bulley/6754129?ean=9780571370337
To follow Victoria: https://www.instagram.com/victoriaadukweibulley/?hl=en

If you enjoyed this episode please do rate, review & subscribe as it helps us to reach more listeners! You can follow us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram or @apairofbookends on Twitter and Tik Tok!

Books & other recommendations mentioned throughout:
Michaela Coel in conversation with Louis Theroux - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/11-michaela-coel/id1508985962?i=1000500762509
The Good Immigrant (edited) by Nikesh Shukla
The Second Sex by Simone de Beauvoir
Memoirs of a Dutiful Daughter by Simone de Beauvoir
The Sovereignty of Quiet by Kevin Quashie
Sula by Toni Morrison]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/53599536Fri, 21 Apr 2023 05:00:03 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome Bookends to a very exciting bonus episode in collaboration with The Rathbones Folio Prize 2023, we were joined by all three of this year's winners of the prize: Margo Jefferson, Michelle de Kretser and Victoria Adukwei Bulley. It was truly an...
Buy Constructing A Nervous System: A Memoir by Margo Jefferson: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/constructing-a-nervous-system-a-memoir-margo-jefferson/6745611?ean=9781783785568

Buy Scary Monsters by Michelle de Kretser: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/scary-monsters-michelle-de-kretser/6320985?ean=9781838953973

Buy Quiet by Victoria Adukwei Bulley: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/quiet-victoria-adukwei-bulley/6754129?ean=9780571370337
To follow Victoria: https://www.instagram.com/victoriaadukweibulley/?hl=en

If you enjoyed this episode please do rate, review & subscribe as it helps us to reach more listeners! You can follow us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram or @apairofbookends on Twitter and Tik Tok!

Books & other recommendations mentioned throughout:
Michaela Coel in conversation with Louis Theroux - https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/11-michaela-coel/id1508985962?i=1000500762509
The Good Immigrant (edited) by Nikesh Shukla
The Second Sex by Simone de Beauvoir
Memoirs of a Dutiful Daughter by Simone de Beauvoir
The Sovereignty of Quiet by Kevin Quashie
Sula by Toni Morrison]]>4780authors,books,fiction,inspiration,literary,margojefferson,memoir,michelledekretser,poetry,rathbonesfolioprize,victoriaadukweibulley,writersfalse219bonushttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/april-book-club-the-five-sorrowful-mysteries-of-andy-africa-with-stephen-buoro--53527640
For this episode, we chatted to Stephen Buoro, the brilliant mind behind this powerful debut. We talk about how Stephen wrote half of his novel on his Blackberry and how that formed the pacing of the book, what it means to feel betrayed in relationships when it comes to race and class, friendship, sexual awakenings and the tragedy of his fantastic 'avocado toast' scene.
Stephen's book is out in the UK on the 13th of April and the US on the 18th.

If you enjoyed this episode please do rate, review & subscribe so we can reach more listeners!

To buy Stephen's book (UK):
https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-five-sorrowful-mysteries-of-andy-africa-stephen-buoro/7198691?ean=9781526637994

Books & Authors discussed in the episode:
Brutes by Dizz Tate
Mister, Mister by Guy Gunaratne
Black Sunday by Tola Rotimi Abraham

If you'd like to follow us you can do so @apairofbookendspod on Instagram or @apairofbookends on Twitter and Tik Tok.
Thank you so much for listening! Han & Lyd x]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/53527640Fri, 14 Apr 2023 04:00:03 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome Bookends to our April Book Club episode! This month we're inviting you to delve into 'The Five Sorrowful Mysteries of Andy Africa', a tragicomic coming-of-age tale of Andy Africa, a Nigerian teenager who amidst debating theories of anifuturism...
For this episode, we chatted to Stephen Buoro, the brilliant mind behind this powerful debut. We talk about how Stephen wrote half of his novel on his Blackberry and how that formed the pacing of the book, what it means to feel betrayed in relationships when it comes to race and class, friendship, sexual awakenings and the tragedy of his fantastic 'avocado toast' scene.
Stephen's book is out in the UK on the 13th of April and the US on the 18th.

If you enjoyed this episode please do rate, review & subscribe so we can reach more listeners!

To buy Stephen's book (UK):
https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-five-sorrowful-mysteries-of-andy-africa-stephen-buoro/7198691?ean=9781526637994

Books & Authors discussed in the episode:
Brutes by Dizz Tate
Mister, Mister by Guy Gunaratne
Black Sunday by Tola Rotimi Abraham

If you'd like to follow us you can do so @apairofbookendspod on Instagram or @apairofbookends on Twitter and Tik Tok.
Thank you so much for listening! Han & Lyd x]]>3106africa,author,bloomsbury,books,debutauthor,fiction,literature,nigeria,nigerianauthor,stephenbuorofalse218fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/10-debut-spotlight-julia-boggio--53420637
As Julia was a professional photographer herself for 15 years, there's little she doesn't know about the biz and she was unafraid to share the gossip on the world of wedding photography and how that helped form her fantastic new novel, we also found out her experiences with self-publishing, her experience of ageism in the publishing industry and how she single-handedly created the coolest marketing campaign for her book (which you can find via her Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliaboggio/?hl=en)

TW: Whilst this is mostly a light-hearted episode, there is discussion of mental health and mention of infertility, if you find these themes triggering we understand if you want to give this episode a miss. However, please support Julia in other ways you can.

To buy Shooters: https://www.amazon.co.uk/SHOOTERS-sizzling-romantic-photographers-Photographers/dp/1739215117/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1680471827&sr=8-1

To listen to Julia's podcast, we were particular fans of the Bonnie Garmus episode: https://www.twolitchicks.org/episodes/a-conversation-with-bonnie-garmus

To support more of Julia's work: https://juliaboggio.com/

If you enjoyed this episode, please do rate, review & subscribe as it helps us to reach more listeners! If you'd like to give us a follow, we love hearing from you!
Instagram: @apairofbookendspod
Twitter & Tik Tok: @apairofbookends

Books & Authors mentioned in the episode:
The Shell Seekers by Rosamunde Pilcher
Tales of the City by Armistead Maupin
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
Benidorm, actually by Jo Lyons
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E Schwab

Other recs:
Dolly Parton's America Podcast: https://www.globalplayer.com/podcasts/42KqcT/

Thanks so much for listening, until next time - happy reading! Han & Lyd x]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/53420637Mon, 03 Apr 2023 05:00:03 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome back Bookends to another episode in our Debut Spotlight series where we shine the light on the freshest new authors and their work. For this episode we were joined by Julia Boggio who is the author of the sizzling romance of the season...
As Julia was a professional photographer herself for 15 years, there's little she doesn't know about the biz and she was unafraid to share the gossip on the world of wedding photography and how that helped form her fantastic new novel, we also found out her experiences with self-publishing, her experience of ageism in the publishing industry and how she single-handedly created the coolest marketing campaign for her book (which you can find via her Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliaboggio/?hl=en)

TW: Whilst this is mostly a light-hearted episode, there is discussion of mental health and mention of infertility, if you find these themes triggering we understand if you want to give this episode a miss. However, please support Julia in other ways you can.

To buy Shooters: https://www.amazon.co.uk/SHOOTERS-sizzling-romantic-photographers-Photographers/dp/1739215117/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1680471827&sr=8-1

To listen to Julia's podcast, we were particular fans of the Bonnie Garmus episode: https://www.twolitchicks.org/episodes/a-conversation-with-bonnie-garmus

To support more of Julia's work: https://juliaboggio.com/

If you enjoyed this episode, please do rate, review & subscribe as it helps us to reach more listeners! If you'd like to give us a follow, we love hearing from you!
Instagram: @apairofbookendspod
Twitter & Tik Tok: @apairofbookends

Books & Authors mentioned in the episode:
The Shell Seekers by Rosamunde Pilcher
Tales of the City by Armistead Maupin
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand
Benidorm, actually by Jo Lyons
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E Schwab

Other recs:
Dolly Parton's America Podcast: https://www.globalplayer.com/podcasts/42KqcT/

Thanks so much for listening, until next time - happy reading! Han & Lyd x]]>2373author,books,debutauthor,dollyparton,fiction,jillycooper,juliaboggio,love,photographer,publishing,reading,romance,romcom,selfpublishing,shooters,weddingphotographerfalse217fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/bonus-books-the-book-of-eve-with-meg-clothier--53396436Aswell as chatting about the book, we discuss the overlap between self and fiction, how Meg's constant desire to smell things around her evokes a sensory experience for her readers, patriarchal systems within the church and so much more, it's a riveting conversation and we hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

To buy The Book of Eve: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-book-of-eve-a-spellbinding-tale-of-magic-and-mystery-meg-clothier/6871031?ean=9781472276087
To follow Meg: https://twitter.com/meg_clothier
To pre-order Meg and her father Jonny Clothier's joint book: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/THE-COUNTRYMANS-HANDBOOK-by-MEG-CLOTHIER-JONNY/9781788168694

Listen to 'Relatively' podcast episode with Meg and Chris Clothier: https://www.relativelypodcast.com/episodes/22

You can also follow us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram and @apairofbookends on Twitter and Tik Tok, as always please do get in touch with any of your book reccs via any of our socials or you can email us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com

Books & Authors mentioned in this ep:
The Road by Cormac McCarthy
Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy
The Mirror and The Light by Hilary Mantel
Nuns and Nunneries in Renaissance Florence by Sharon T. Strocchia


Marina Warner
Jilly Cooper
My Wild and Sleepless Nights by Clover Stroud

Until next time, happy reading! Han & Lyd x]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/53396436Fri, 31 Mar 2023 05:00:02 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome back Bookends! Today's episode is a joyous one, we had Meg Clothier on to chat to us about her brilliant new book 'The Book of Eve', an exciting and magical exploration of women and power and the forces of religion and beyond. We loved it and...Aswell as chatting about the book, we discuss the overlap between self and fiction, how Meg's constant desire to smell things around her evokes a sensory experience for her readers, patriarchal systems within the church and so much more, it's a riveting conversation and we hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

To buy The Book of Eve: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-book-of-eve-a-spellbinding-tale-of-magic-and-mystery-meg-clothier/6871031?ean=9781472276087
To follow Meg: https://twitter.com/meg_clothier
To pre-order Meg and her father Jonny Clothier's joint book: https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/THE-COUNTRYMANS-HANDBOOK-by-MEG-CLOTHIER-JONNY/9781788168694

Listen to 'Relatively' podcast episode with Meg and Chris Clothier: https://www.relativelypodcast.com/episodes/22

You can also follow us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram and @apairofbookends on Twitter and Tik Tok, as always please do get in touch with any of your book reccs via any of our socials or you can email us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com

Books & Authors mentioned in this ep:
The Road by Cormac McCarthy
Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy
The Mirror and The Light by Hilary Mantel
Nuns and Nunneries in Renaissance Florence by Sharon T. Strocchia


Marina Warner
Jilly Cooper
My Wild and Sleepless Nights by Clover Stroud

Until next time, happy reading! Han & Lyd x]]>2830author,church,convent,fiction,headlinebooks,historicalfiction,literary,megclothier,readers,religion,thebookofeve,wildfirepublishing,womenfalse216fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/9-debut-spotlight-costanza-casati--53345196We discuss the importance of keeping these stories alive for future generations, why it was important to Costanza to represent female rage and desire through Clytemnestra and were spoiled by her extensive list of book reccs, which are always welcome here!
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe as it helps us to reach other listeners. You can follow us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram and @apairofbookends on Twitter and Tik Tok.

To buy Clytemnestra (what are you waiting for?!) : https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/clytemnestra-the-spellbinding-retelling-of-greek-mythology-s-greatest-heroine-costanza-casati/7153728?ean=9780241554746

You can follow Costanza: https://www.instagram.com/costanzacasati/?hl=en and https://twitter.com/costanzacasati?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

Books & Authors mentioned:
Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors
Atalanta by Jennifer Saint
Fleabag- The Scriptures by Phoebe Waller-Bridge
Elif Shafak
Sarah Moss
Madeline Miller
Best of Friends by Kamila Shamsie
My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante
The Wolf Den by Elodie Harper
Animal by Lisa Taddeo
Gillian Flynn
River Sing Me Home by Eleanor Shearer
Talking At Night by Claire Daverley
Sally Rooney
One Day by David Nicholls
Dazzling by Chịkọdịlị Emelumadu
Lady MacBethad by Isabelle Schuler

Other mentions (plays):
The Odyssey
Agamemnon by Aeschylus
The Trojan Women by Euripedes

See you next time! Han & Lyd x]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/53345196Mon, 27 Mar 2023 05:00:02 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome back Bookends to another episode in our Debut Spotlight series, where we shine the light on the freshest new authors and their work. For this episode, we were joined by the wonderful Costanza Casati, author of one of our favourite reads this...We discuss the importance of keeping these stories alive for future generations, why it was important to Costanza to represent female rage and desire through Clytemnestra and were spoiled by her extensive list of book reccs, which are always welcome here!
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe as it helps us to reach other listeners. You can follow us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram and @apairofbookends on Twitter and Tik Tok.

To buy Clytemnestra (what are you waiting for?!) : https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/clytemnestra-the-spellbinding-retelling-of-greek-mythology-s-greatest-heroine-costanza-casati/7153728?ean=9780241554746

You can follow Costanza: https://www.instagram.com/costanzacasati/?hl=en and https://twitter.com/costanzacasati?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

Books & Authors mentioned:
Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors
Atalanta by Jennifer Saint
Fleabag- The Scriptures by Phoebe Waller-Bridge
Elif Shafak
Sarah Moss
Madeline Miller
Best of Friends by Kamila Shamsie
My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante
The Wolf Den by Elodie Harper
Animal by Lisa Taddeo
Gillian Flynn
River Sing Me Home by Eleanor Shearer
Talking At Night by Claire Daverley
Sally Rooney
One Day by David Nicholls
Dazzling by Chịkọdịlị Emelumadu
Lady MacBethad by Isabelle Schuler

Other mentions (plays):
The Odyssey
Agamemnon by Aeschylus
The Trojan Women by Euripedes

See you next time! Han & Lyd x]]>3366author,bookrecommendations,books,clytemnestra,costanzacasati,debutauthor,fiction,literary,michaeljoseph,mythretelling,penguinbooksfalse215fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/march-book-club-dazzling-with-chikodili-emelumadu--53316146 We discuss her inspiration for Dazzling, why Wildfire was the obvious choice of publisher for her, the state of the economy and how that impacts the art that we create, Igbo culture and so much more, it was a truly illuminating conversation and potentially the most we've laughed whilst recording! If you enjoy this episode please don't forget to rate, review & subscribe as it helps us to reach other listeners.
TW: Whilst this episode is mostly fun and light-hearted, we must give our listeners the heads up that this conversation includes mention of rape & miscarriage, if these things affect you we understand that you may want to give this episode a miss, but please pick up Chikodili's book all the same which doesn't explore these topics.

Buy Dazzling: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/dazzling-the-bewitching-nigerian-debut-unlike-anything-you-ve-read-before-chikodili-emelumadu/6776601?ean=9781472289643

Follow Chikodili:
Twitter- https://twitter.com/chemelumadu?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

If you'd like to follow us, please do so @apairofbookendspod on Instagram and @apairofbookends on Twitter and Tik Tok, if you have any book recs or authors you wish to connect us with, you can email us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com

Books & Authors mentioned:
The Red Bird Sings by Aiofe Fitzpatrick
God's Children Are Little Broken Things by Arinze Ifeakandu
The Bottled Leopard by Chukwuemeka Ike
The Funeral Cryer by Wenyan Lu
Maame by Jessica George
What It Means When A Man Falls From The Sky by Lesley Nneka Arimah
For Thy Great Pain Have Mercy On My Little Pain by Victoria MacKenzie
Weyward by Emilia Hart
The Things We Do To Our Friends by Heather Darwent

Thank you so much for listening, until next time, happy reading! x
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/53316146Fri, 24 Mar 2023 06:00:02 +0000Hannah MacDonaldHey bookends! We're so delighted to bring you our March Book Club episode, in conversation with the force of nature that is Chịkọdịlị Emelụmadụ, author of the magical, breathtaking new novel 'Dazzling' which we hope you can join us in reading! We... We discuss her inspiration for Dazzling, why Wildfire was the obvious choice of publisher for her, the state of the economy and how that impacts the art that we create, Igbo culture and so much more, it was a truly illuminating conversation and potentially the most we've laughed whilst recording! If you enjoy this episode please don't forget to rate, review & subscribe as it helps us to reach other listeners.
TW: Whilst this episode is mostly fun and light-hearted, we must give our listeners the heads up that this conversation includes mention of rape & miscarriage, if these things affect you we understand that you may want to give this episode a miss, but please pick up Chikodili's book all the same which doesn't explore these topics.

Buy Dazzling: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/dazzling-the-bewitching-nigerian-debut-unlike-anything-you-ve-read-before-chikodili-emelumadu/6776601?ean=9781472289643

Follow Chikodili:
Twitter- https://twitter.com/chemelumadu?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

If you'd like to follow us, please do so @apairofbookendspod on Instagram and @apairofbookends on Twitter and Tik Tok, if you have any book recs or authors you wish to connect us with, you can email us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com

Books & Authors mentioned:
The Red Bird Sings by Aiofe Fitzpatrick
God's Children Are Little Broken Things by Arinze Ifeakandu
The Bottled Leopard by Chukwuemeka Ike
The Funeral Cryer by Wenyan Lu
Maame by Jessica George
What It Means When A Man Falls From The Sky by Lesley Nneka Arimah
For Thy Great Pain Have Mercy On My Little Pain by Victoria MacKenzie
Weyward by Emilia Hart
The Things We Do To Our Friends by Heather Darwent

Thank you so much for listening, until next time, happy reading! x
]]>3867authors,bookrecommendations,chikodiliemelumadu,dazzling,debutauthor,fiction,igbo,literary,nigerian,novel,publishing,wildfirefalse214fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/minisode-women-s-prize-2023-special--53229980
Thank you as always for your support, if you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe as it helps us to reach other bookends! If you'd like to follow us you can do so @apairofbookendspod on Instagram and @apairofbookends on Twitter and Tik Tok.

Women's Prize 2023 Longlist
Black Butterflies by Priscilla Morris
Children of Paradise by Camilla Grudova
Cursed Bread by Sophie Mackintosh
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
Fire Rush by Jacqueline Crooks
Glory by NoViolet Bulawayo
Homesick by Jennifer Croft
I’m a Fan by Sheena Patel
Memphis by Tara M. Stringfellow
Pod by Laline Paull
Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes
The Bandit Queens by Parini Shroff
The Dog of the North by Elizabeth McKenzie
The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell
Trespasses by Louise Kennedy
Wandering Souls by Cecile Pin

Other books & bits discussed:
Clytemnestra by Costanza Casati
Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
Our Wives Under The Sea by Julia Armfield
They're Going To Love You by Meg Howrey
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
Hungry Ghosts by Kevin Jared Hossein
@bookbodega
Really Good, Actually by Monica Heisey
Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors
My Sister, The Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite

Thanks so much for listening. Until next time, happy reading! x
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/53229980Fri, 17 Mar 2023 06:00:02 +0000Hannah MacDonaldHey Bookends! It's our favourite time of year and we are here to bring you a 'minisode' of all of our thoughts on this year's Women's Prize For Fiction Longlist, we are always so excited for the release of this list and this year was no different!...
Thank you as always for your support, if you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe as it helps us to reach other bookends! If you'd like to follow us you can do so @apairofbookendspod on Instagram and @apairofbookends on Twitter and Tik Tok.

Women's Prize 2023 Longlist
Black Butterflies by Priscilla Morris
Children of Paradise by Camilla Grudova
Cursed Bread by Sophie Mackintosh
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
Fire Rush by Jacqueline Crooks
Glory by NoViolet Bulawayo
Homesick by Jennifer Croft
I’m a Fan by Sheena Patel
Memphis by Tara M. Stringfellow
Pod by Laline Paull
Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes
The Bandit Queens by Parini Shroff
The Dog of the North by Elizabeth McKenzie
The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell
Trespasses by Louise Kennedy
Wandering Souls by Cecile Pin

Other books & bits discussed:
Clytemnestra by Costanza Casati
Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
Our Wives Under The Sea by Julia Armfield
They're Going To Love You by Meg Howrey
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
Hungry Ghosts by Kevin Jared Hossein2812barbarakingsolver,books,camillagrudova,cecilepin,elizabethmckenzie,fiction,jacquelinecrooks,jennifercroft,lalinepaull,louisekennedy,maggieofarrell,nataliehaynes,novioletbulawayo,parinishroff,priscillamorris,sheenapatel,sophiemackintosh,taramstringfellow,womensprize,womensprizeforfictiontrue213bonushttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/8-debut-spotlight-viktoria-lloyd-barlow--53177150
To buy Viktoria's book: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/all-the-little-bird-hearts-viktoria-lloyd-barlow/6927344?ean=9781472288004
To read Viktoria's Granta essay: https://granta.com/these-stolen-twins/

You can follow us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram or @apairofbookends on Twitter and Tik Tok. If you'd like us to feature any authors or you have book reccs/ ideas for future episodes, we would love to hear them, you can email us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com!

Books & Authors discussed:
The Pumpkin Eater by Penelope Mortimer
Patricia Highsmith
Edith Wharton
The Lottery by Shirley Jackson
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
The Road Through The Wall by Shirley Jackson
The House Next Door by Anne Rivers Siddons
Mrs March by Virginia Feito
The School For Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan
The Secret History by Donna Tartt]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/53177150Mon, 13 Mar 2023 06:00:03 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome back Bookends to the latest instalment in our Debut Spotlight series, where we shine the spotlight on some of the freshest, most exciting new authors to put on your radar. Back in January we recorded an episode with the wonderful Viktoria...
To buy Viktoria's book: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/all-the-little-bird-hearts-viktoria-lloyd-barlow/6927344?ean=9781472288004
To read Viktoria's Granta essay: https://granta.com/these-stolen-twins/

You can follow us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram or @apairofbookends on Twitter and Tik Tok. If you'd like us to feature any authors or you have book reccs/ ideas for future episodes, we would love to hear them, you can email us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com!

Books & Authors discussed:
The Pumpkin Eater by Penelope Mortimer
Patricia Highsmith
Edith Wharton
The Lottery by Shirley Jackson
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
The Road Through The Wall by Shirley Jackson
The House Next Door by Anne Rivers Siddons
Mrs March by Virginia Feito
The School For Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan
The Secret History by Donna Tartt]]>2921allthelittlebirdhearts,autism,books,fiction,literary,mothers,neurodiverse,reading,tinderpress,viktorialloydbarlowfalse212fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/bonus-book-club-cursed-bread-with-sophie-mackintosh--53115326
To buy Cursed Bread: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/cursed-bread-sophie-mackintosh/7079548?ean=9780241539613

Give Sophie a follow: https://www.instagram.com/sophmackintosh/?hl=en / https://twitter.com/fairfairisles?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

Books & Authors discussed:

My Husband by Maud Ventura
Barbara Cummings
The Water Cure by Sophie Mackintosh
Blue Ticket by Sophie Mackintosh
Owlish by Dorothy Tse
End of Nightwork by Aidan Cottrell- Boyce

Other cultural bits discussed:
The Banshees of Inisherin
Dogville
Listen to Sunday Salon podcast ep with Sophie Mackintosh: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/sophie-mackintosh/id1449117087?i=1000437232007

Follow us on Instagram @apairofbookendspod or on Twitter and Tik Tok @apairofbookends. Thank you so much for listening, until next time- happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/53115326Wed, 08 Mar 2023 06:00:03 +0000Hannah MacDonaldHello to all you fabulous Bookends! We are so delighted to be bringing you a Bonus Book Club episode this month, where we are in conversation with the incredible Man Booker Prize longlisted author Sophie Mackintosh with her latest novel, the Women's...
To buy Cursed Bread: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/cursed-bread-sophie-mackintosh/7079548?ean=9780241539613

Give Sophie a follow: https://www.instagram.com/sophmackintosh/?hl=en / https://twitter.com/fairfairisles?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

Books & Authors discussed:

My Husband by Maud Ventura
Barbara Cummings
The Water Cure by Sophie Mackintosh
Blue Ticket by Sophie Mackintosh
Owlish by Dorothy Tse
End of Nightwork by Aidan Cottrell- Boyce

Other cultural bits discussed:
The Banshees of Inisherin
Dogville
Listen to Sunday Salon podcast ep with Sophie Mackintosh: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/sophie-mackintosh/id1449117087?i=1000437232007

Follow us on Instagram @apairofbookendspod or on Twitter and Tik Tok @apairofbookends. Thank you so much for listening, until next time- happy reading!]]>2498arts,authors,books,creative,culture,cursedbread,fiction,literature,london,rejection,sophiemackintosh,welsh,writersfalse211bonushttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/7-debut-spotlight-ann-helen-laestadius--52843113
TW: This conversation includes discussion of animal abuse and mental illness which some listeners may find distressing.

Aswell as discussing the novel, we talked about Sami communities, culture and identity, men's mental health, the brutality and violence inflicted on reindeer herders, climate change and adapting this epic novel for Netflix (which will be released in 2024!). We so loved chatting to Ann-Helen and her book is beyond beautiful and powerful and it's so important that this book reaches a huge readership so the communities affected have their voices heard.
To buy the book: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/stolen-ann-helen-laestadius/7290732?ean=9781526659989

To follow Ann-Helen: https://www.instagram.com/annhelenlaestadius/?hl=en
https://twitter.com/AHLaestadius

Books & Authors discussed on the episode:
Lycka Till by Malin Stehn
Girl, Woman, Other by Bernadine Evaristo
Silvia Avallone

Please do rate, review & subscribe as it helps us to reach other bookends! You can follow us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram and @apairofbookends on Twitter and Tik Tok. Until next time, happy reading! x]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/52843113Mon, 27 Feb 2023 06:00:03 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome back Bookends to our latest episode in our Debut Spotlight series, this episode is with Swedish Sami journalist and author Ann-Helen Laestadius to discuss her best-selling debut adult novel 'Stolen', published in the UK in January after a huge...
TW: This conversation includes discussion of animal abuse and mental illness which some listeners may find distressing.

Aswell as discussing the novel, we talked about Sami communities, culture and identity, men's mental health, the brutality and violence inflicted on reindeer herders, climate change and adapting this epic novel for Netflix (which will be released in 2024!). We so loved chatting to Ann-Helen and her book is beyond beautiful and powerful and it's so important that this book reaches a huge readership so the communities affected have their voices heard.
To buy the book: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/stolen-ann-helen-laestadius/7290732?ean=9781526659989

To follow Ann-Helen: https://www.instagram.com/annhelenlaestadius/?hl=en
https://twitter.com/AHLaestadius

Books & Authors discussed on the episode:
Lycka Till by Malin Stehn
Girl, Woman, Other by Bernadine Evaristo
Silvia Avallone

Please do rate, review & subscribe as it helps us to reach other bookends! You can follow us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram and @apairofbookends on Twitter and Tik Tok. Until next time, happy reading! x]]>2740annhelenlaestadius,books,climatechange,culture,female,fiction,literature,netflix,readers,reindeerherders,sami,stolen,swedenfalse210fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/6-debut-spotlight-nicole-flattery--52783117
If you do, please do rate, review & subscribe as it helps us massively and allows us to grow as a podcast. You can follow us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram or @apairofbookends on Twitter and Tik Tok.

To buy Nicole's book: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/nothing-special-nicole-flattery/7111402?ean=9781526612120

Follow Nicole: https://www.instagram.com/flattern16/?hl=en

Books & Authors discussed in the episode:
Lynne Tillman
All the lovers in the night by Mieko Kawakami
Breasts and Eggs by Mieko Kawakami
Empire of Pain by Patrick Radden Keefe
The Lonely City by Olivia Laing
The Copenhagen trilogy by Tove Ditlevsen
Fierce Attachments by Vivian Gornick
Gwendoline Riley
The Lost Daughter by Elena Ferrante
Close to home by Michael Magee
I am homeless if this is not my home: A novel by Lorrie Moore
Who will run the frog hospital? by Lorrie Moore
Veronica by Mary Gaitskill
Send Nudes by Saba Sams

Other culture recs:
Dopesick (Disney +)
The Lost Daughter (Netflix)
Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons by Sam Steiner (play)
Bad Gays Podcast, Andy Warhol episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/special-episode-andy-warhol-with-sholem-krishtalka/id1455620224?i=1000442525395
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0wG9NjCC8Mr6NNzslgpQyO]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/52783117Mon, 20 Feb 2023 06:00:02 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome back Bookends to our latest instalment in our Debut Spotlight series! This week we were joined by writer Nicole Flattery to chat about her upcoming novel 'Nothing Special', we loved chatting to Nicole about how she didn't fully kick off her...
If you do, please do rate, review & subscribe as it helps us massively and allows us to grow as a podcast. You can follow us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram or @apairofbookends on Twitter and Tik Tok.

To buy Nicole's book: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/nothing-special-nicole-flattery/7111402?ean=9781526612120

Follow Nicole: https://www.instagram.com/flattern16/?hl=en

Books & Authors discussed in the episode:
Lynne Tillman
All the lovers in the night by Mieko Kawakami
Breasts and Eggs by Mieko Kawakami
Empire of Pain by Patrick Radden Keefe
The Lonely City by Olivia Laing
The Copenhagen trilogy by Tove Ditlevsen
Fierce Attachments by Vivian Gornick
Gwendoline Riley
The Lost Daughter by Elena Ferrante
Close to home by Michael Magee
I am homeless if this is not my home: A novel by Lorrie Moore
Who will run the frog hospital? by Lorrie Moore
Veronica by Mary Gaitskill
Send Nudes by Saba Sams

Other culture recs:
Dopesick (Disney +)
The Lost Daughter (Netflix)
Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons Lemons by Sam Steiner (play)
Bad Gays Podcast, Andy Warhol episode: https://podcasts.apple.com/ie/podcast/special-episode-andy-warhol-with-sholem-krishtalka/id1455620224?i=1000442525395
https://open.spotify.com/episode/0wG9NjCC8Mr6NNzslgpQyO]]>2992andywarhol,art,bloomsbury,books,culture,debutauthor,fiction,literature,nicoleflattery,nothingspecial,success,womenfalse29fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/feb-book-club-are-you-happy-now-with-hanna-jameson--52759950
If you enjoy this episode please don't forget to rate, review & subscribe as it helps to boost us in the charts and you can give us a follow @apairofbookendspod on Instagram and @apairofbookends on Twitter and Tik Tok.

Buy Hanna's book: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/are-you-happy-now-the-newest-novel-from-the-author-of-the-last-for-fans-of-emily-john-st-mandel-sally-rooney-and-patricia-lo-hanna-jameson/7007775?ean=9780241515075

Follow Hanna on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannajamesonwrites/?hl=en

Books & Authors discussed on this episode:
A Restless Truth by Freya Marske
A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske
Karen Thompson Walker
The Glass Hotel by Emily St. John Mandel
Ocean Vuong
Mo Xiang Tong Xiu

Other recs:
The Leftovers (HBO/ Now TV)

Until next time, happy reading! x]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/52759950Fri, 17 Feb 2023 06:00:02 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome back Bookends to another Book Club episode! Our Feb book choice is the brilliantly unsettling Are You Happy Now, a book that will give you whiplash for all its twists and turns! An incredible dystopia about the mental health crisis and...
If you enjoy this episode please don't forget to rate, review & subscribe as it helps to boost us in the charts and you can give us a follow @apairofbookendspod on Instagram and @apairofbookends on Twitter and Tik Tok.

Buy Hanna's book: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/are-you-happy-now-the-newest-novel-from-the-author-of-the-last-for-fans-of-emily-john-st-mandel-sally-rooney-and-patricia-lo-hanna-jameson/7007775?ean=9780241515075

Follow Hanna on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hannajamesonwrites/?hl=en

Books & Authors discussed on this episode:
A Restless Truth by Freya Marske
A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske
Karen Thompson Walker
The Glass Hotel by Emily St. John Mandel
Ocean Vuong
Mo Xiang Tong Xiu

Other recs:
The Leftovers (HBO/ Now TV)

Until next time, happy reading! x]]>3407americanhealthcare,bookclub,books,capitalism,culture,grief,hannajameson,koreanamerican,literature,mentalhealth,music,reading,recommendations,sexfalse28fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/5-debut-spotlight-kevin-jared-hosein--52709745It was such a delight to chat to Kevin about his incredible novel which explores class, grief, loss, religion, morality and so much more, we cannot recommend it enough!
Aswell as deep diving into his book we talk about Kevin's experience of breaking into international publishing, the historical issues of class, culture and religion in Trinidad and Tobago, how being a Biology teacher inspires his writing style and more, we hope you enjoy!

To buy Kevin's book:
https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/hungry-ghosts-kevin-jared-hosein/7073687?ean=9781526644480

You can follow Kevin on Instagram @kjaredhosein

Tix for Kevin Jared Hosein and Ayanna Lloyd Banwo in conversation in Brixton - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/author-kevin-jared-hosein-discusses-hungry-ghosts-with-ayanna-lloyd-banwo-tickets-511543529467

Please don't forget to rate/review/subscribe as it helps us to reach other bookends and you can follow us on Instagram @apairofbookendspod and @apairofbookends on Twitter and Tik Tok.

Books discussed:
Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
The Passenger by Cormac McCarthy
When We Were Birds by Ayanna Lloyd Banwo
The Sound of the Mountain by Yasunari Kawabata
The Sailor Who Fell From Grace With The Sea by Yukio Mishima
Sisters by Daisy Johnson
The Road by Cormac McCarthy

Until next time, happy reading!
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/52709745Mon, 13 Feb 2023 06:00:02 +0000Hannah MacDonaldHappy Monday Bookends! Welcome back to the latest episode in our Debut Spotlight series, this time we are in conversation with the Carribean Author and Poet Kevin Jared Hosein, author of upcoming debut international novel 'Hungry Ghosts' (publishing...It was such a delight to chat to Kevin about his incredible novel which explores class, grief, loss, religion, morality and so much more, we cannot recommend it enough!
Aswell as deep diving into his book we talk about Kevin's experience of breaking into international publishing, the historical issues of class, culture and religion in Trinidad and Tobago, how being a Biology teacher inspires his writing style and more, we hope you enjoy!

To buy Kevin's book:
https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/hungry-ghosts-kevin-jared-hosein/7073687?ean=9781526644480

You can follow Kevin on Instagram @kjaredhosein

Tix for Kevin Jared Hosein and Ayanna Lloyd Banwo in conversation in Brixton - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/author-kevin-jared-hosein-discusses-hungry-ghosts-with-ayanna-lloyd-banwo-tickets-511543529467

Please don't forget to rate/review/subscribe as it helps us to reach other bookends and you can follow us on Instagram @apairofbookendspod and @apairofbookends on Twitter and Tik Tok.

Books discussed:
Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
The Passenger by Cormac McCarthy
When We Were Birds by Ayanna Lloyd Banwo
The Sound of the Mountain by Yasunari Kawabata
The Sailor Who Fell From Grace With The Sea by Yukio Mishima
Sisters by Daisy Johnson
The Road by Cormac McCarthy

Until next time, happy reading!
]]>3349author,bloomsbury,bookrecommendation,books,carribean,carribeanauthor,debutauthor,femalepodcast,historicalfiction,hungryghosts,kevinjaredhosein,literary,literature,trinidadandtobago,writersfalse27fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/4-debut-spotlight-imogen-crimp--52637423
We find out why Imogen made the leap from training to be an opera singer to publishing her debut novel, deep dive into power, money, desire and self-worth and how powerful her writing is of an actor inhabiting their character's mind. We highly recommend any performers out there give this one a listen as I'm sure a lot of what we discuss will really resonate and I hope up-and-coming debut authors also find solace in hearing how natural the ebbs and flows of a creative career are.

To buy Imogen's book (out in paperback Feb 9th):
https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/a-very-nice-girl-imogen-crimp/7041517?ean=9781526628916

Imogen isn't on social media but you can follow us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram and @apairofbookends on Twitter and Tik Tok. You can also email us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com, book recs are always welcome! If you enjoy the episode, please don't forget to rate/review & subscribe as it helps to reach other bookends.


Books mentioned:
The Blackwater Lightship by Colm Toibin
Voyage in the dark by Jean Rhys
Nothing Special by Nicole Flattery

Thanks so much for listening, happy reading x
]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/52637423Mon, 06 Feb 2023 06:00:02 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome back bookends to another episode in our Debut Spotlight series where we are in conversation with the wonderful Imogen Crimp, author of the incredible debut 'A Very Nice Girl' which we both loved! We find out why Imogen made the leap from...
We find out why Imogen made the leap from training to be an opera singer to publishing her debut novel, deep dive into power, money, desire and self-worth and how powerful her writing is of an actor inhabiting their character's mind. We highly recommend any performers out there give this one a listen as I'm sure a lot of what we discuss will really resonate and I hope up-and-coming debut authors also find solace in hearing how natural the ebbs and flows of a creative career are.

To buy Imogen's book (out in paperback Feb 9th):
https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/a-very-nice-girl-imogen-crimp/7041517?ean=9781526628916

Imogen isn't on social media but you can follow us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram and @apairofbookends on Twitter and Tik Tok. You can also email us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com, book recs are always welcome! If you enjoy the episode, please don't forget to rate/review & subscribe as it helps to reach other bookends.


Books mentioned:
The Blackwater Lightship by Colm Toibin
Voyage in the dark by Jean Rhys
Nothing Special by Nicole Flattery

Thanks so much for listening, happy reading x
]]>2943author,bloomsburybooks,bookrecommendation,books,contemporaryfiction,debutauthor,fiction,imogencrimp,literaturefalse26fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/3-debut-spotlight-eleanor-shearer--52577365
Aswell as finding out about Eleanor's debut journey, we chat about the incredible places and people she visited during her research for the novel, how she wanted to move away from the more traumatic narratives around slavery, why song and music were so integral to this novel and much more. This was such an insightful conversation and we were so thrilled to have the opportunity to chat with Eleanor, please do go buy her book as we promise it's a memorable and moving story that will undoubtedly receive much deserved hype.

To buy River Sing Me Home: https://uk.bookshop.org/books/river-sing-me-home-a-powerful-luminous-and-redemptive-novel-of-a-mother-s-search-for-her-children/9781472291363

To keep up to date with Eleanor's work, follow her @eleanorbshearer on Instagram and Twitter.

Please do rate, review & subscribe as it helps to boost us in the charts and give us a follow @apairofbookendspod on Instagram and @apairofbookends on Twitter and Tik Tok.

Books spoken about during the episode:

Beyond Black by Hilary Mantel
Fruit of the Lemon by Andrea Levy
Small Island by Andrea Levy
The Shipping News by Annie Proulx
Brokeback Mountain by Annie Proulx
Bird Cloud: A Memoir by Annie Proulx
A Place of Greater Safety by Hilary Mantel
To Shoot Hard Labour: The Life and Times of Samuel Smith by Fernando Carol Smith
Barkskins by Annie Proulx
Lady MacBethad by Isabelle Schuler
Clytemnestra by Constanta Casati
The Human Origins of Beatrice Porter and Other Essential Ghosts by Soraya Palmer
The Revels by Stacey Thomas
28 Questions by Indyana Schneider

Thanks for listening and see you next time!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/52577365Mon, 30 Jan 2023 06:00:02 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome back Bookends to our next instalment in our Debut Spotlight series, this time with author Eleanor Shearer who we are sure her debut 'River Sing Me Home' will be a future classic. Drawing on some of her own family history and a huge amount of...
Aswell as finding out about Eleanor's debut journey, we chat about the incredible places and people she visited during her research for the novel, how she wanted to move away from the more traumatic narratives around slavery, why song and music were so integral to this novel and much more. This was such an insightful conversation and we were so thrilled to have the opportunity to chat with Eleanor, please do go buy her book as we promise it's a memorable and moving story that will undoubtedly receive much deserved hype.

To buy River Sing Me Home: https://uk.bookshop.org/books/river-sing-me-home-a-powerful-luminous-and-redemptive-novel-of-a-mother-s-search-for-her-children/9781472291363

To keep up to date with Eleanor's work, follow her @eleanorbshearer on Instagram and Twitter.

Please do rate, review & subscribe as it helps to boost us in the charts and give us a follow @apairofbookendspod on Instagram and @apairofbookends on Twitter and Tik Tok.

Books spoken about during the episode:

Beyond Black by Hilary Mantel
Fruit of the Lemon by Andrea Levy
Small Island by Andrea Levy
The Shipping News by Annie Proulx
Brokeback Mountain by Annie Proulx
Bird Cloud: A Memoir by Annie Proulx
A Place of Greater Safety by Hilary Mantel
To Shoot Hard Labour: The Life and Times of Samuel Smith by Fernando Carol Smith
Barkskins by Annie Proulx
Lady MacBethad by Isabelle Schuler
Clytemnestra by Constanta Casati
The Human Origins of Beatrice Porter and Other Essential Ghosts by Soraya Palmer
The Revels by Stacey Thomas
28 Questions by Indyana Schneider

Thanks for listening and see you next time!]]>3026author,bookrecommendations,books,carribean,debutauthor,debutnovel,fiction,headlinebooks,historicalfiction,literature,novel,slaveryfalse25fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/2-debut-spotlight-victoria-mackenzie--52511262Trigger warning: Mention of child/infant loss, talk of death/grief.
We speak about Victoria's experience of not getting her first book published, how she started out as a poet and how the stories of Julian of Norwich and Margery Kempe came to be the heroines of her debut novel. This was such a fascinating conversation and for two gals that haven't been so eager to read much historical fiction, we absolutely gobbled up this book and loved hearing all about Victoria's writing process and research.

To order Victoria's book:
https://uk.bookshop.org/books/for-thy-great-pain-have-mercy-on-my-little-pain-9781526647887/9781526647887
To follow Victoria:
https://twitter.com/forthygreatpain?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

As always, we have recommendations for you from the episode:

Books-
The Pharmacist by Rachelle Atalla
Revelations of Divine Love by Julian of Norwich
The book of Margery Kempe
The Red Bird Sings by Aiofe Fitzpatrick
Orpheus Builds A Girl by Heather Parry
Music-
Pompeii by Cate Le Bon
TV-
The Wire

If you enjoy the podcast please do rate/review/subscribe as it helps us to reach other bookends! Follow us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram or @apairofbookends on Twitter and Tik Tok. If you want to get in contact with us you can email us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com
Until next time, happy reading! x]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/52511262Mon, 23 Jan 2023 06:00:02 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome back bookends to our second episode in our Debut Spotlight series with author Victoria MacKenzie and her debut novel 'For Thy Great Pain Have Mercy On My Little Pain' which was published on the 19th of January by Bloomsbury. Trigger warning:...Trigger warning: Mention of child/infant loss, talk of death/grief.
We speak about Victoria's experience of not getting her first book published, how she started out as a poet and how the stories of Julian of Norwich and Margery Kempe came to be the heroines of her debut novel. This was such a fascinating conversation and for two gals that haven't been so eager to read much historical fiction, we absolutely gobbled up this book and loved hearing all about Victoria's writing process and research.

To order Victoria's book:
https://uk.bookshop.org/books/for-thy-great-pain-have-mercy-on-my-little-pain-9781526647887/9781526647887
To follow Victoria:
https://twitter.com/forthygreatpain?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor

As always, we have recommendations for you from the episode:

Books-
The Pharmacist by Rachelle Atalla
Revelations of Divine Love by Julian of Norwich
The book of Margery Kempe
The Red Bird Sings by Aiofe Fitzpatrick
Orpheus Builds A Girl by Heather Parry
Music-
Pompeii by Cate Le Bon
TV-
The Wire

If you enjoy the podcast please do rate/review/subscribe as it helps us to reach other bookends! Follow us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram or @apairofbookends on Twitter and Tik Tok. If you want to get in contact with us you can email us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com
Until next time, happy reading! x]]>3793bloomsbury,bookrecommendations,books,culture,female,historicalfiction,history,julianofnorwich,literary,literature,margerykempe,reading,victoriamackenzie,womenfalse24fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/jan-book-club-send-nudes-with-saba-sams--52488710We loved this conversation and we hope you do too, as always it's full of recommendations, please do check those about below! Rate, review & subscribe if you enjoy the podcast as it helps us to reach new bookends. Follow us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram and @apairofbookends on Tik Tok and Twitter.

To buy Send Nudes, out now in paperback: https://uk.bookshop.org/books/send-nudes-by-the-winner-of-the-bbc-national-short-story-award-2022-9781526621795/9781526621795
To follow Saba & her work: https://www.instagram.com/saba_sams/?hl=en

Books & Authors mentioned:
Summer of my amazing luck by Miriam Toews
Eileen by Ottessa Moshfegh
Veronica by Mary Gaitskill
Jhumpa Lahiri
Salvage the bones by Jesmyn Ward
Young Skins by Colin Barrett
Porn: An Oral History by Polly Barton

Other Recs:
I May Destroy You - BBC Iplayer
Fish Tank (2009 Movie)
Wasp (2003 Short Film)
The White Lotus (HBO / Now TV)
The Bear (Disney +)]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/52488710Fri, 20 Jan 2023 06:00:02 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome back bookends to our first book club episode of 2023! Our January book club pick is the powerhouse short story collection 'Send Nudes', for this episode we were joined by the author of the book, the insanely talented Saba Sams. We talk about...We loved this conversation and we hope you do too, as always it's full of recommendations, please do check those about below! Rate, review & subscribe if you enjoy the podcast as it helps us to reach new bookends. Follow us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram and @apairofbookends on Tik Tok and Twitter.

To buy Send Nudes, out now in paperback: https://uk.bookshop.org/books/send-nudes-by-the-winner-of-the-bbc-national-short-story-award-2022-9781526621795/9781526621795
To follow Saba & her work: https://www.instagram.com/saba_sams/?hl=en

Books & Authors mentioned:
Summer of my amazing luck by Miriam Toews
Eileen by Ottessa Moshfegh
Veronica by Mary Gaitskill
Jhumpa Lahiri
Salvage the bones by Jesmyn Ward
Young Skins by Colin Barrett
Porn: An Oral History by Polly Barton

Other Recs:
I May Destroy You - BBC Iplayer
Fish Tank (2009 Movie)
Wasp (2003 Short Film)
The White Lotus (HBO / Now TV)
The Bear (Disney +)]]>3755authorchat,authors,bookrecommendations,books,culture,fiction,literary,literature,readers,reading,sabasams,sendnudes,shortstories,tvfalse23fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/minisode-top-5-books-of-2022-2023-releases-would-you-leave-me-to-die--52441800We talk through our Top 5 books of last year, the 2023 releases we're excited about, the adaptations we're looking forward to, why we should have an adaptation series (all in favour say aye!) and much, much more.
We will be bringing lots more of these minisodes to you this year alongside lots more author interviews and debut author highlights! Email us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com if you have any recs or authors you'd like us to have on.
Follow us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram and @apairofbookends on Twitter and Tik Tok!
Please do rate, review, subscribe & share so we can reach more of you lovely bookends xxx

Books spoken about:
Touching the void by Joe Simpson
Love and Virtue by Diana Reid
The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'Farrell
Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
To Paradise by Hanya Yanagihara
Our Wives under the sea by Julia Armfield
Salt Slow by Julia Armfield
Three Women by Lisa Taddeo
Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner
I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
A Heart That Works by Rob Delaney
Making A Scene by Constance Wu
Misfits by Michaela Coel
Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead
You've Got A Friend In 10A by Maggie Shipstead
The School For Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan
Dreamland by Rosa Rankin-Gee
The Doloriad by Missouri Williams
Leave the world behind by Rumaan Alam
Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason
Salt Lick by Lulu Allison
The Memory Of Animals by Claire Fuller (out April 2023)
Big Swiss by Jen Beagin (out Feb 2023)
Yellowface by R.F Kuang (out May 2023)
Babel by R.F Kuang
Small Worlds by Caleb Azumah Nelson (out May 2023)
Ordinary Human Failings by Megan Nolan (out June 2023)
Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson
Acts of Desperation by Megan Nolan
Fourteen Days: An Unauthorised Gathering (out May 2023)
Weyward by Emilia Hart (out Feb 2023)
Really Good, Actually by Monica Heisey (out 17th of Jan)

Other recs:
Touching The Void (documentary) - Netflix
Michaela Coel - MacTaggart Lecture - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odusP8gmqsg
I May Destroy You - BBC Iplayer
Schitt's Creek - Netflix
House of Books and Friends - Manchester bookshop

Episodes referred to:
To Paradise- https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1-to-paradise-by-hanya-yanagihara/id1616736675?i=1000555641262
Our Wives under the sea - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/2-our-wives-under-the-sea-by-julia-armfield/id1616736675?i=1000559068779
Interview with Maggie Shipstead - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/top-of-your-tbr-with-maggie-shipstead/id1616736675?i=1000574613704]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/52441800Mon, 16 Jan 2023 05:00:02 +0000Hannah MacDonaldHappy belated new year bookends! We're back with a minisode, a real recommendation extravaganza. We talk through our Top 5 books of last year, the 2023 releases we're excited about, the adaptations we're looking forward to, why we should have an...We talk through our Top 5 books of last year, the 2023 releases we're excited about, the adaptations we're looking forward to, why we should have an adaptation series (all in favour say aye!) and much, much more.
We will be bringing lots more of these minisodes to you this year alongside lots more author interviews and debut author highlights! Email us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com if you have any recs or authors you'd like us to have on.
Follow us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram and @apairofbookends on Twitter and Tik Tok!
Please do rate, review, subscribe & share so we can reach more of you lovely bookends xxx

Books spoken about:
Touching the void by Joe Simpson
Love and Virtue by Diana Reid
The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'Farrell
Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
To Paradise by Hanya Yanagihara
Our Wives under the sea by Julia Armfield
Salt Slow by Julia Armfield
Three Women by Lisa Taddeo
Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner
I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
A Heart That Works by Rob Delaney
Making A Scene by Constance Wu
Misfits by Michaela Coel
Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead
You've Got A Friend In 10A by Maggie Shipstead
The School For Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan
Dreamland by Rosa Rankin-Gee
The Doloriad by Missouri Williams
Leave the world behind by Rumaan Alam
Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason
Salt Lick by Lulu Allison
The Memory Of Animals by Claire Fuller (out April 2023)
Big Swiss by Jen Beagin (out Feb 2023)
Yellowface by R.F Kuang (out May 2023)
Babel by R.F Kuang
Small Worlds by Caleb Azumah Nelson (out May 2023)
Ordinary Human Failings by Megan Nolan (out June 2023)
Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson
Acts of Desperation by Megan Nolan
Fourteen Days: An Unauthorised Gathering (out May 2023)
Weyward by Emilia Hart (out Feb 2023)
Really Good, Actually by Monica Heisey (out 17th of Jan)

Other recs:
Touching The Void (documentary) - Netflix
Michaela Coel - MacTaggart Lecture - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odusP8gmqsg
I May Destroy You - BBC Iplayer
Schitt's Creek - Netflix
House of Books and Friends - Manchester bookshop

Episodes referred to:
To Paradise- https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1-to-paradise-by-hanya-yanagihara/id1616736675?i=1000555641262
Our Wives under the sea - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/2-our-wives-under-the-sea-by-julia-armfield/id1616736675?i=1000559068779
Interview with Maggie Shipstead - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/top-of-your-tbr-with-maggie-shipstead/id1616736675?i=1000574613704]]>2213false22fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/1-debut-spotlight-rosie-andrews--52365448We are so excited to be bringing you the first in our new 'Debut Spotlight' series, each episode we will be in conversation with a debut author, chatting about their debut journey, putting their book on your radar and as always getting their recommendations.
This episode is with Rosie Andrews, author of The Leviathan which is out in paperback now, you can order here: https://uk.bookshop.org/books/the-leviathan-a-beguiling-tale-of-superstition-myth-and-murder-from-a-major-new-voice-in-historical-fiction-9781526637369/9781526637369

We chat about not getting your first book published, sibling relationships, what makes a terrifying story and much more. To follow Rosie for updates on her and her work: https://twitter.com/rosieandrews22

If you enjoy our conversation, please share with a bookish pal and rate, review & subscribe!

You can follow us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram and @apairofbookends on Twitter and Tik Tok for all upcoming pod news!

Books & Authors discussed:
The North Shore by Ben Tufnell
Dissolution by CJ Sansom
Tolkien
Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel
Paradise Lost by John Milton
"Oh, whistle, and i'll come to you, my lad" by M.R. James
Edgar Allan Poe
The Hollow Sea by Annie Kirby
Weyward by Emilia Hart
Fyneshade by Kate Griffin

Other recommendations:
Happy Valley - BBC Iplayer
Susan Cooper- The dark is rising: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xtvp7

Until next time bookends, happy reading!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/52365448Fri, 06 Jan 2023 05:30:01 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWE'RE BACK BOOKENDS! Happy new year! We are so excited to be bringing you the first in our new 'Debut Spotlight' series, each episode we will be in conversation with a debut author, chatting about their debut journey, putting their book on your radar...We are so excited to be bringing you the first in our new 'Debut Spotlight' series, each episode we will be in conversation with a debut author, chatting about their debut journey, putting their book on your radar and as always getting their recommendations.
This episode is with Rosie Andrews, author of The Leviathan which is out in paperback now, you can order here: https://uk.bookshop.org/books/the-leviathan-a-beguiling-tale-of-superstition-myth-and-murder-from-a-major-new-voice-in-historical-fiction-9781526637369/9781526637369

We chat about not getting your first book published, sibling relationships, what makes a terrifying story and much more. To follow Rosie for updates on her and her work: https://twitter.com/rosieandrews22

If you enjoy our conversation, please share with a bookish pal and rate, review & subscribe!

You can follow us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram and @apairofbookends on Twitter and Tik Tok for all upcoming pod news!

Books & Authors discussed:
The North Shore by Ben Tufnell
Dissolution by CJ Sansom
Tolkien
Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel
Paradise Lost by John Milton
"Oh, whistle, and i'll come to you, my lad" by M.R. James
Edgar Allan Poe
The Hollow Sea by Annie Kirby
Weyward by Emilia Hart
Fyneshade by Kate Griffin

Other recommendations:
Happy Valley - BBC Iplayer
Susan Cooper- The dark is rising: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/w13xtvp7

Until next time bookends, happy reading!]]>2799books,culture,debut,debutauthor,debutnovel,fiction,historicalfiction,literature,mythology,rosieandrews,theleviathanfalse21fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/christmas-special-2022--52260121
Christmas Films mentioned:
Single All The Way - Netflix
Love Actually
Home Alone 2
Elf
Die Hard (debatable)

Other recommendations:
The Shining by Stephen King
One Day In December by Josie Silver
Sliding Doors
Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
The Night Before Christmas - Poem by Clement Clarke Moore

Please do rate, review & subscribe as it helps other bookends to reach us. Follow us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram and @apairofbookends on Twitter and Tik Tok.
Merry Christmas Bookends, thank you for joining us on this wild ride that has been our first year in podcasting, without you this wouldn't be possible. x]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/52260121Fri, 23 Dec 2022 07:00:02 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome to our FINAL episode of the year - the Christmas Special! We stripped this one right back to our OG episodes, just the two of us, rambling about our fave festive books, food, TV & more, it's pure festive fun and we hope you love it!...
Christmas Films mentioned:
Single All The Way - Netflix
Love Actually
Home Alone 2
Elf
Die Hard (debatable)

Other recommendations:
The Shining by Stephen King
One Day In December by Josie Silver
Sliding Doors
Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
The Night Before Christmas - Poem by Clement Clarke Moore

Please do rate, review & subscribe as it helps other bookends to reach us. Follow us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram and @apairofbookends on Twitter and Tik Tok.
Merry Christmas Bookends, thank you for joining us on this wild ride that has been our first year in podcasting, without you this wouldn't be possible. x]]>2200authors,bookrecommendations,books,christmas,christmasfood,christmasspecial,elf,films,food,homealone,loveactually,reading,stephenking,womenfalse1bonushttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/they-re-going-to-love-you-with-meg-howrey--52072364
To buy Meg's book: https://uk.bookshop.org/books/they-re-going-to-love-you/9781526655820
To follow Meg on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meghowrey/?hl=en-gb
To follow Meg on Twitter: https://twitter.com/meghowrey/
Vogue Essay: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/57afb3d3ff7c50648d9808f5/t/57b36c4de4fcb59cf487d53f/1471376463545/Vogue+Essay.pdf

Books & Authors mentioned:
Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead
Red Clocks by Leni Zumas
Mandy Kahn - Poet
Sybille Bedford
Iris Murdoch
Virginia Woolf
E.M Forster
Ford Madox Ford
William Somerset Maugham
Zadie Smith
Yiyun Li
Ruth Ozeki
Miriam Toews
All My Puny Sorrows by Miriam Toews

Other recommendations:
It's A Sin- Netflix
Tar - Movie
The Walk-In - ITV Hub
This Is Us- Amazon Prime

We hope you enjoy the episode! Please do rate, review & subscribe as it helps us to reach more bookends, you can also follow us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram and @apairofbookends on Twitter and Tik Tok. For publicity enquiries, please email us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com. Han and Lyd x]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/52072364Fri, 02 Dec 2022 06:45:02 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome back bookends to our FINAL Book Club episode of the year! We were joined by the beautiful person & author that is, Meg Howrey, to chat about her novel, They're Going To Love You. We couldn't wait to dive in and chat about this book, it's set...
To buy Meg's book: https://uk.bookshop.org/books/they-re-going-to-love-you/9781526655820
To follow Meg on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meghowrey/?hl=en-gb
To follow Meg on Twitter: https://twitter.com/meghowrey/
Vogue Essay: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/57afb3d3ff7c50648d9808f5/t/57b36c4de4fcb59cf487d53f/1471376463545/Vogue+Essay.pdf

Books & Authors mentioned:
Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead
Red Clocks by Leni Zumas
Mandy Kahn - Poet
Sybille Bedford
Iris Murdoch
Virginia Woolf
E.M Forster
Ford Madox Ford
William Somerset Maugham
Zadie Smith
Yiyun Li
Ruth Ozeki
Miriam Toews
All My Puny Sorrows by Miriam Toews

Other recommendations:
It's A Sin- Netflix
Tar - Movie
The Walk-In - ITV Hub
This Is Us- Amazon Prime

We hope you enjoy the episode! Please do rate, review & subscribe as it helps us to reach more bookends, you can also follow us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram and @apairofbookends on Twitter and Tik Tok. For publicity enquiries, please email us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com. Han and Lyd x]]>3252americanauthor,arts,ballet,bloomsbury,books,culture,dance,literature,meghowrey,readingfalse1fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/top-of-your-tbr-with-cherie-jones--52005601In this episode, we chat through her four chosen book titles to add to your TBR piles, her experiences as a debut author, the impact of Carribean folklore, who she draws inspiration from and so much more, you are in for a treat!

Cherie's Top of your TBR picks:
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
When We Were Birds by Ayanna Lloyd-Banwo
Important Artifacts and Personal Property from the Collection of Lenore Doolan and Harold Morris: Including Books, Street Fashion and Jewelry by Leanne Shapton
What Storm, What Thunder by Myriam J.A.Chancy

Other books & authors mentioned:
Happening by Annie Ernaux
The Hills Were Joyful Together by Roger Mais
Miguel Street by V.S. Naipaul
Girl, Woman, Other by Bernadine Evaristo
The Girl With The Louding Voice by Abi Dare
The Wine of Astonishment by Earl Lovelace
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison
The Colour Purple by Alice Walker
Summer Lightening and other stories by Olive Senior
Annie John by Jamaica Kincaid
Banana Bottom by Claude McKay
The Chrysalids by John Wyndham
Incidents in the life of a slave girl by Harriet Jacobs

To buy Cherie's book: https://uk.bookshop.org/books/how-the-one-armed-sister-sweeps-her-house/9781472268792

Follow Cherie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheriejoneswrites/?hl=en

Please do rate, review & subscribe as it helps us to reach more bookends! Follow us on Instagram @apairofbookendspod and on Twitter and Tik Tok @apairofbookends, we love hearing from you. Until next time, Han & Lyd x]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/52005601Fri, 25 Nov 2022 06:45:02 +0000Hannah MacDonaldHey Bookends! We are back this week with another instalment in our 'Top of your TBR' series and this time we are joined by the warm, funny and generous Cherie Jones- who is the phenomenal writer of the Women's Prize shortlisted novel 'How The...In this episode, we chat through her four chosen book titles to add to your TBR piles, her experiences as a debut author, the impact of Carribean folklore, who she draws inspiration from and so much more, you are in for a treat!

Cherie's Top of your TBR picks:
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
When We Were Birds by Ayanna Lloyd-Banwo
Important Artifacts and Personal Property from the Collection of Lenore Doolan and Harold Morris: Including Books, Street Fashion and Jewelry by Leanne Shapton
What Storm, What Thunder by Myriam J.A.Chancy

Other books & authors mentioned:
Happening by Annie Ernaux
The Hills Were Joyful Together by Roger Mais
Miguel Street by V.S. Naipaul
Girl, Woman, Other by Bernadine Evaristo
The Girl With The Louding Voice by Abi Dare
The Wine of Astonishment by Earl Lovelace
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison
The Colour Purple by Alice Walker
Summer Lightening and other stories by Olive Senior
Annie John by Jamaica Kincaid
Banana Bottom by Claude McKay
The Chrysalids by John Wyndham
Incidents in the life of a slave girl by Harriet Jacobs

To buy Cherie's book: https://uk.bookshop.org/books/how-the-one-armed-sister-sweeps-her-house/9781472268792

Follow Cherie on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cheriejoneswrites/?hl=en

Please do rate, review & subscribe as it helps us to reach more bookends! Follow us on Instagram @apairofbookendspod and on Twitter and Tik Tok @apairofbookends, we love hearing from you. Until next time, Han & Lyd x]]>4663authors,barbados,bookrecommendations,books,carribeanauthor,cheriejones,debutauthor,literature,readers,women,womensprize,writingfalse1fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/isaac-and-the-egg-with-bobby-palmer--51858110
To buy Isaac and the Egg: https://uk.bookshop.org/books/isaac-and-the-egg-an-original-story-of-love-loss-and-finding-hope-in-the-unexpected/9781472285508

To listen to the audiobook: https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/Isaac-and-the-Egg-Audiobook/B09KHBWKNW?source_code=M2M14DFT1BkSH082015011R&&ipRedirectOverride=true&overrideBaseCountry=true&gclid=Cj0KCQiA37KbBhDgARIsAIzce14l68Xf44szN2IhKbWwu6uf92uJP_GpCVh3VVFeRDpJlFnogTrPYhIaArEeEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

To follow Bobby Palmer: https://www.instagram.com/thebobpalmer/?hl=en

Books & authors mentioned:
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer
George Saunders
The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion
Max Porter
Patrick Ness
A Grief Observed by C.S. Lewis
Say Her Name by Francisco Goldman
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf
Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders
Earthlings by Sayaka Murata
A Swim in a Pond in the Rain by George Saunders

Cultural recommendations:
The Bear - Disney Plus
Boiling Point- Netflix

Don't forget to rate, review & subscribe, please do share us with all your bookish pals too! Follow us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram and @apairofbookends on Twitter and Tik Tok, we'd love to hear from you! Thanks so much for listening x]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/51858110Fri, 11 Nov 2022 06:45:02 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome back bookends! Our November book club pick is the incredible, weird and wonderful debut novel Isaac and the Egg. We were so pleased to have Bobby Palmer (Freelance Journalist and author of Isaac and the Egg) on to chat about his work, 80's pop...
To buy Isaac and the Egg: https://uk.bookshop.org/books/isaac-and-the-egg-an-original-story-of-love-loss-and-finding-hope-in-the-unexpected/9781472285508

To listen to the audiobook: https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/Isaac-and-the-Egg-Audiobook/B09KHBWKNW?source_code=M2M14DFT1BkSH082015011R&&ipRedirectOverride=true&overrideBaseCountry=true&gclid=Cj0KCQiA37KbBhDgARIsAIzce14l68Xf44szN2IhKbWwu6uf92uJP_GpCVh3VVFeRDpJlFnogTrPYhIaArEeEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

To follow Bobby Palmer: https://www.instagram.com/thebobpalmer/?hl=en

Books & authors mentioned:
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer
George Saunders
The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion
Max Porter
Patrick Ness
A Grief Observed by C.S. Lewis
Say Her Name by Francisco Goldman
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf
Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders
Earthlings by Sayaka Murata
A Swim in a Pond in the Rain by George Saunders

Cultural recommendations:
The Bear - Disney Plus
Boiling Point- Netflix

Don't forget to rate, review & subscribe, please do share us with all your bookish pals too! Follow us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram and @apairofbookends on Twitter and Tik Tok, we'd love to hear from you! Thanks so much for listening x]]>3114bobbypalmer,books,booktok,contemporaryfiction,headline,isaacandtheegg,literature,readingrecommendationsfalse1fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/best-of-friends-with-kamila-shamsie--51727042
Books mentioned:
Best Of Friends by Kamila Shamsie
Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
Assembly by Natasha Brown
The Neapolitan Novels by Elena Ferrante
How To Read Now by Elaine Castillo

TV recommendations:
A League Of Their Own - Amazon Prime
Good Girls - Netflix

Buy 'Best of Friends': https://uk.bookshop.org/books/best-of-friends-from-the-winner-of-the-women-s-prize-for-fiction/9781526647702
Buy Kamila's previous novel 'Home Fire': https://uk.bookshop.org/books/home-fire-winner-of-the-women-s-prize-for-fiction-2018/9781408886793

Tickets for Kamila's event in Cambridge: https://www.cambridgeliteraryfestival.com/events/kamila-shamsie-best-of-friends/
Tickets to see Kamila at Hay Festival: https://www.hayfestival.com/p-19718-kamila-shamsie-extra-event.aspx
Book How To Academy event with Kamila: https://howtoacademy.com/events/an-evening-with-kamila-shamsie/

Please do rate, review & subscribe, or share with a bookish pal so we can reach more listeners. Give us a follow @apairofbookendspod on Instagram and @apairofbookends on Twitter and Tik Tok. Stay tuned for more amazing guests! Han & Lyd x]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/51727042Mon, 31 Oct 2022 06:45:02 +0000Hannah MacDonaldHey Bookends! We are thrilled to be bringing you our October book club episode where we chat to the absolute powerhouse that is Kamila Shamsie, about her latest novel 'Best Of Friends', which we cannot recommend enough. We spoke about childhood...
Books mentioned:
Best Of Friends by Kamila Shamsie
Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
Assembly by Natasha Brown
The Neapolitan Novels by Elena Ferrante
How To Read Now by Elaine Castillo

TV recommendations:
A League Of Their Own - Amazon Prime
Good Girls - Netflix

Buy 'Best of Friends': https://uk.bookshop.org/books/best-of-friends-from-the-winner-of-the-women-s-prize-for-fiction/9781526647702
Buy Kamila's previous novel 'Home Fire': https://uk.bookshop.org/books/home-fire-winner-of-the-women-s-prize-for-fiction-2018/9781408886793

Tickets for Kamila's event in Cambridge: https://www.cambridgeliteraryfestival.com/events/kamila-shamsie-best-of-friends/
Tickets to see Kamila at Hay Festival: https://www.hayfestival.com/p-19718-kamila-shamsie-extra-event.aspx
Book How To Academy event with Kamila: https://howtoacademy.com/events/an-evening-with-kamila-shamsie/

Please do rate, review & subscribe, or share with a bookish pal so we can reach more listeners. Give us a follow @apairofbookendspod on Instagram and @apairofbookends on Twitter and Tik Tok. Stay tuned for more amazing guests! Han & Lyd x]]>2427books,booktok,culture,female,kamilashamsie,literary,literature,london,novel,pakistan,readingfalse1fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/top-of-your-tbr-with-rosa-rankin-gee--51558979
Books & Authors mentioned:
On Chesil Beach by Ian McEwan
Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
How High We Go In The Dark by Sequoia Nagamatsu
Z For Zachariah by Robert C.O'Brien
How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff
Garth Greenwell
The Jane Austen Book Club & Booth by Karen Joy Fowler
Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood
Howard's End by E.M Forster
Sally Rooney
Bonjour Tristesse & A Certain Smile by Françoise Sagan
World War Z by Max Brooks
The Dog Stars by Peter Heller
Doris Lessing
The Ice People by Maggie Gee

Top Of Your TBR recommendations:
We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves by Karen Joy Fowler
Flight Behaviour by Barbara Kingsolver
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
I Capture The Castle by Dodie Smith

Other recommendations:
Book bodega - @bookbodega (Based in Ramsgate, can order online)
The Bear- Disney +
Euphoria- HBO
Feel Good - Netflix
In My Skin - BBC Iplayer

You can follow Rosa @rosarankingee on Instagram and Twitter, and you can follow us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram, @apairofbookends on Twitter and Tik Tok.

Order Dreamland: https://uk.bookshop.org/books/dreamland-an-evening-standard-best-new-book-of-2021-9781471193842/9781471193842

We hope you enjoy getting stuck into this juicy list of recommendations and if you haven't already read Rosa's novel, please do order via the link above- you won't regret it! Please do rate/review/subscribe as it helps us to reach new listeners. See you next time, Han and Lyd x]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/51558979Fri, 14 Oct 2022 06:00:02 +0000Hannah MacDonaldHey bookends! We are thrilled to introduce our latest guest in our 'Top Of Your TBR' series, the author of the incredible dystopian novel 'Dreamland'. This is the longest conversation we've done so far but Rosa was truly the most warm and generous...
Books & Authors mentioned:
On Chesil Beach by Ian McEwan
Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
How High We Go In The Dark by Sequoia Nagamatsu
Z For Zachariah by Robert C.O'Brien
How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff
Garth Greenwell
The Jane Austen Book Club & Booth by Karen Joy Fowler
Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood
Howard's End by E.M Forster
Sally Rooney
Bonjour Tristesse & A Certain Smile by Françoise Sagan
World War Z by Max Brooks
The Dog Stars by Peter Heller
Doris Lessing
The Ice People by Maggie Gee

Top Of Your TBR recommendations:
We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves by Karen Joy Fowler
Flight Behaviour by Barbara Kingsolver
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
I Capture The Castle by Dodie Smith

Other recommendations:
Book bodega - @bookbodega (Based in Ramsgate, can order online)
The Bear- Disney +
Euphoria- HBO
Feel Good - Netflix
In My Skin - BBC Iplayer

You can follow Rosa @rosarankingee on Instagram and Twitter, and you can follow us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram, @apairofbookends on Twitter and Tik Tok.

Order Dreamland: https://uk.bookshop.org/books/dreamland-an-evening-standard-best-new-book-of-2021-9781471193842/9781471193842

We hope you enjoy getting stuck into this juicy list of recommendations and if you haven't already read Rosa's novel, please do order via the link above- you won't regret it! Please do rate/review/subscribe as it helps us to reach new listeners. See you next time, Han and Lyd x]]>3954bookrecommendations,books,booktok,culture,dreamland,fiction,literary,literature,publishers,rosarankingee,scribener,scribenerukfalse1fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/top-of-your-tbr-with-claire-fuller--51504343
Books mentioned:
New Animal by Ella Baxter
Dreamland by Rosa Rankin-Gee
I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jeanette McCurdy

Top Of Your TBR recommendations:
Snegurochka by Judith Heneghan
The Weekend by Charlotte Wood
How The One-Armed Sister Sweeps Her House by Cherie Jones
Jesus' Son by Denis Johnson

You can follow Claire on Instagram @writerclairefuller and follow her amazing bookish hashtag #clairesbooksatbreakfast for even more of her wonderful recommendations!

Buy Unsettled Ground by Claire Fuller: https://uk.bookshop.org/books/unsettled-ground-winner-of-the-costa-novel-award-2021/9780241457443
Pre-Order The Memory Of Animals: https://uk.bookshop.org/books/the-memory-of-animals-from-the-costa-novel-winning-author-of-unsettled-ground/9780241614822

Please do rate & review the podcast if you have time as we would LOVE to reach more listeners. Give us a follow on Instagram @apairofbookendspod, Tik Tok 'A Pair Of Bookends' and Twitter @apairofbookends. Thank you so much for listening, Han & Lyd x]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/51504343Sun, 09 Oct 2022 06:00:02 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome back bookends! Our third episode in our Top Of Your TBR series features the wonderful Claire Fuller and my goodness, does she have some excellent book recs for you! We absolutely loved reading her four choices and we hope you do too. Books...
Books mentioned:
New Animal by Ella Baxter
Dreamland by Rosa Rankin-Gee
I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jeanette McCurdy

Top Of Your TBR recommendations:
Snegurochka by Judith Heneghan
The Weekend by Charlotte Wood
How The One-Armed Sister Sweeps Her House by Cherie Jones
Jesus' Son by Denis Johnson

You can follow Claire on Instagram @writerclairefuller and follow her amazing bookish hashtag #clairesbooksatbreakfast for even more of her wonderful recommendations!

Buy Unsettled Ground by Claire Fuller: https://uk.bookshop.org/books/unsettled-ground-winner-of-the-costa-novel-award-2021/9780241457443
Pre-Order The Memory Of Animals: https://uk.bookshop.org/books/the-memory-of-animals-from-the-costa-novel-winning-author-of-unsettled-ground/9780241614822

Please do rate & review the podcast if you have time as we would LOVE to reach more listeners. Give us a follow on Instagram @apairofbookendspod, Tik Tok 'A Pair Of Bookends' and Twitter @apairofbookends. Thank you so much for listening, Han & Lyd x]]>2950apairofbookends,arts,bookpodcast,bookrecommendations,books,clairefuller,culture,literarypodcast,literature,penguinbooks,reading,unsettledgroundfalse1fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-life-of-the-mind-with-christine-smallwood--51312444Welcome back to another book club episode, this month's book club pick is The Life Of The Mind by Christine Smallwood, an incredible debut novel that explores miscarriage, female friendship, loss and faith and how these things interlink. We are thrilled to have Christine on the podcast and we hope you enjoy this conversation as much as we did- please note the conversation does include talk of miscarriage which may be triggering for some listeners.

Thank you to Europa Editions for our gifted copies and for making this conversation possible.
To follow Christine & her work: https://twitter.com/xtinesmallwood, https://christinesmallwood.space/

To buy the book: https://uk.bookshop.org/books/the-life-of-the-mind-sharp-and-funny-daily-mail/9781787704268

Books & Authors mentioned:
Shirley Hazzard
Dorthe Nors
Deborah Levy- Things I Don't Want To Know, The Cost of Living, Real Estate
Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier
The Rime of the Ancient Mariner
Shyness and dignity by Dag Solstad

Other cultural recommendations:
The Worst Person In The World (Film) - Amazon Prime
You Must Remember This (Podcast) - http://www.youmustrememberthispodcast.com/


Please do rate/review/subcribe as it means other book lovers can find us! Follow us on Instagram @apairofbookendspod, on Twitter @apairofbookends and Tik Tok 'A Pair Of Bookends'

See you next time!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/51312444Tue, 20 Sep 2022 06:15:02 +0000Hannah MacDonaldHey bookends! Welcome back to another book club episode, this month's book club pick is The Life Of The Mind by Christine Smallwood, an incredible debut novel that explores miscarriage, female friendship, loss and faith and how these things...Welcome back to another book club episode, this month's book club pick is The Life Of The Mind by Christine Smallwood, an incredible debut novel that explores miscarriage, female friendship, loss and faith and how these things interlink. We are thrilled to have Christine on the podcast and we hope you enjoy this conversation as much as we did- please note the conversation does include talk of miscarriage which may be triggering for some listeners.

Thank you to Europa Editions for our gifted copies and for making this conversation possible.
To follow Christine & her work: https://twitter.com/xtinesmallwood, https://christinesmallwood.space/

To buy the book: https://uk.bookshop.org/books/the-life-of-the-mind-sharp-and-funny-daily-mail/9781787704268

Books & Authors mentioned:
Shirley Hazzard
Dorthe Nors
Deborah Levy- Things I Don't Want To Know, The Cost of Living, Real Estate
Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier
The Rime of the Ancient Mariner
Shyness and dignity by Dag Solstad

Other cultural recommendations:
The Worst Person In The World (Film) - Amazon Prime
You Must Remember This (Podcast) - http://www.youmustrememberthispodcast.com/


Please do rate/review/subcribe as it means other book lovers can find us! Follow us on Instagram @apairofbookendspod, on Twitter @apairofbookends and Tik Tok 'A Pair Of Bookends'

See you next time!]]>2721american,bookrecommendations,books,christinesmallwood,culture,debutnovel,europaeditions,femaleauthors,friendship,literary,literature,miscarriage,thelifeofthemindfalse1fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/common-decency-with-susannah-dickey--51093360Trigger Warning: conversations on grief.
Aswell as a deep dive into the mind of Susannah and the worlds of her books we chatted about unhinged novels, chaotic females, the mother/daughter relationship, grief, affairs and killing fish... IYKYK.

To stay up to date with Susannah and what she's up to next you can follow her here: https://twitter.com/susannahdickey?lang=en

To buy 'Common Decency': https://uk.bookshop.org/books/common-decency-a-dark-intimate-novel-of-love-grief-and-obsession/9780857526885
To buy 'Tennis Lessons': https://uk.bookshop.org/books/tennis-lessons/9781784165055

Books & Authors mentioned:
The wings of the dove by Henry James
Long Live The Post Horn! by Vigdis Hjorth
NW by Zadie Smith
How to be both by Ali Smith
Rachel Cusk
Lorrie Moore
Mieko Kawakami
Sayaka Murata

Cultural Recs from Susannah:
Love & Anarchy - Netflix
Hold me closer by Britney Spears and Elton John -https://open.spotify.com/track/72yP0DUlWPyH8P7IoxskwN?autoplay=true

Please do rate, review & subscribe to the podcast and do give us a follow on Instagram @apairofbookendspod and Tik Tok @apairofbookends

Stay tuned for two upcoming author features! x]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/51093360Wed, 31 Aug 2022 15:54:16 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome back bookends to another book club episode! This month's book club pick is Common Decency- the second novel by the immensely talented author and poet Susannah Dickey who we were thrilled to spend an hour chatting to! We recorded via zoom with...Trigger Warning: conversations on grief.
Aswell as a deep dive into the mind of Susannah and the worlds of her books we chatted about unhinged novels, chaotic females, the mother/daughter relationship, grief, affairs and killing fish... IYKYK.

To stay up to date with Susannah and what she's up to next you can follow her here: https://twitter.com/susannahdickey?lang=en

To buy 'Common Decency': https://uk.bookshop.org/books/common-decency-a-dark-intimate-novel-of-love-grief-and-obsession/9780857526885
To buy 'Tennis Lessons': https://uk.bookshop.org/books/tennis-lessons/9781784165055

Books & Authors mentioned:
The wings of the dove by Henry James
Long Live The Post Horn! by Vigdis Hjorth
NW by Zadie Smith
How to be both by Ali Smith
Rachel Cusk
Lorrie Moore
Mieko Kawakami
Sayaka Murata

Cultural Recs from Susannah:
Love & Anarchy - Netflix
Hold me closer by Britney Spears and Elton John -https://open.spotify.com/track/72yP0DUlWPyH8P7IoxskwN?autoplay=true

Please do rate, review & subscribe to the podcast and do give us a follow on Instagram @apairofbookendspod and Tik Tok @apairofbookends

Stay tuned for two upcoming author features! x]]>4287affairs,author,books,commondecency,contemporaryfiction,femaleauthor,grief,irishauthor,literature,susannahdickey,tennislessonsfalse1fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/top-of-your-tbr-with-maggie-shipstead--50767926On this episode we discuss her epic novel 'Great Circle' and our love for her latest short story collection 'You Have A Friend in 10A', we talk through her recommendations for your TBR, why writers love to read about writers as characters, where we draw the line with unlikeable characters and whether Great Circle is going to be adapted (yes Hannah always asks the important Q's)...

You can find Maggie and her work at: https://www.maggieshipstead.com/ or you can follow her on Instagram @shipstead.
Link to buy Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead - https://uk.bookshop.org/books/great-circle-the-soaring-and-emotional-novel-shortlisted-for-the-booker-prize-2021-and-longlisted-for-the-women-s-prize-2022/9780857526809
Link to buy You Have A Friend in 10A - https://uk.bookshop.org/books/you-have-a-friend-in-10a-by-the-2022-women-s-fiction-prize-and-2021-booker-prize-shortlisted-author-of-great-circle/9780857526823

Books mentioned:
Hotel Paradise by Martha Grimes
Monogamy by Sue Miller
Less by Andrew Sean Greer
One Day by David Nicholls
Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason

Top of your TBR recommendations:
The Idiot by Elif Batuman
Writers and Lovers by Lily King
Veronica by Mary Gaitskill
The Love Affairs of Nathaniel P by Adele Waldman

Cultural Recommendations:
Literary Friction Podcast // Elif Batuman Ep- https://soundcloud.com/literaryfriction/literary-friction-special-elif-batuman
Hulu- Victoria's Secret: Angels and Demons
Top Gun: Maverick
Apple TV- The Staircase
Netflix- Death on the staircase
Disney + - The Dropout
Apple TV- WeCrashed

We hope all these recommendations keep you going until our next ep! Please do rate & review us as this helps to boost us in the charts and if you're not already following please head over to our Instagram @apairofbookendspod for more of our recommendations and rambles. Until next time, Hannah & Lyd x]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/50767926Mon, 01 Aug 2022 06:55:02 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome back bookends! Our second episode in our 'Top of your TBR' series is with the wonderful and incredibly charming Maggie Shipstead. On this episode we discuss her epic novel 'Great Circle' and our love for her latest short story collection...On this episode we discuss her epic novel 'Great Circle' and our love for her latest short story collection 'You Have A Friend in 10A', we talk through her recommendations for your TBR, why writers love to read about writers as characters, where we draw the line with unlikeable characters and whether Great Circle is going to be adapted (yes Hannah always asks the important Q's)...

You can find Maggie and her work at: https://www.maggieshipstead.com/ or you can follow her on Instagram @shipstead.
Link to buy Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead - https://uk.bookshop.org/books/great-circle-the-soaring-and-emotional-novel-shortlisted-for-the-booker-prize-2021-and-longlisted-for-the-women-s-prize-2022/9780857526809
Link to buy You Have A Friend in 10A - https://uk.bookshop.org/books/you-have-a-friend-in-10a-by-the-2022-women-s-fiction-prize-and-2021-booker-prize-shortlisted-author-of-great-circle/9780857526823

Books mentioned:
Hotel Paradise by Martha Grimes
Monogamy by Sue Miller
Less by Andrew Sean Greer
One Day by David Nicholls
Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason

Top of your TBR recommendations:
The Idiot by Elif Batuman
Writers and Lovers by Lily King
Veronica by Mary Gaitskill
The Love Affairs of Nathaniel P by Adele Waldman

Cultural Recommendations:
Literary Friction Podcast // Elif Batuman Ep- https://soundcloud.com/literaryfriction/literary-friction-special-elif-batuman
Hulu- Victoria's Secret: Angels and Demons
Top Gun: Maverick
Apple TV- The Staircase
Netflix- Death on the staircase
Disney + - The Dropout
Apple TV- WeCrashed

We hope all these recommendations keep you going until our next ep! Please do rate & review us as this helps to boost us in the charts and if you're not already following please head over to our Instagram @apairofbookendspod for more of our recommendations and rambles. Until next time, Hannah & Lyd x]]>3600authors,bookerprize,bookrecommendations,books,contemporaryfiction,femaleauthors,greatcircle,literature,maggieshipstead,womensprizefalse1fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/5-acts-of-service-by-lillian-fishman--50696992We've been away on our jollies but are back to bring you our July book club episode with the thrilling new debut Acts of Service by Lillian Fishman- thank you to Europa Editions for our gifted copies, you can buy the book here: https://www.europaeditions.co.uk/book/9781787703858/acts-of-service.

Books & cultural recommendations mentioned:
Writers and lovers by Lily King
Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead
Leave the world behind by Rumaan Alam
The Stand by Stephen King
Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason
The book of form and emptiness by Ruth Ozeki
Creatures of passage by Morowa Yejide
The sentence by Louise Erdrich
The love affairs of Nathaniel P by Adele Waldman
In at the deep end by Kate Davies
Insatiable by Daisy Buchanan
Dreamland by Rosa Rankin-Gee
The Grace Year by Kim Liggett
Fargo - Netflix
The Dropout - Hulu / Disney +
Misfits by Michaela Coel

Guardian Article mentioned: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2022/jul/22/acts-of-service-by-lillian-fishman-review-a-sex-masterpiece

We hope you love this episode as much as we loved recording it. Stay tuned for an exciting upcoming guest! Follow us @apairofbookendspod or feel free to email any recommendations over on apairofbookendspod@gmail.com]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/50696992Mon, 25 Jul 2022 07:00:03 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome back bookends! We've been away on our jollies but are back to bring you our July book club episode with the thrilling new debut Acts of Service by Lillian Fishman- thank you to Europa Editions for our gifted copies, you can buy the book...We've been away on our jollies but are back to bring you our July book club episode with the thrilling new debut Acts of Service by Lillian Fishman- thank you to Europa Editions for our gifted copies, you can buy the book here: https://www.europaeditions.co.uk/book/9781787703858/acts-of-service.

Books & cultural recommendations mentioned:
Writers and lovers by Lily King
Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead
Leave the world behind by Rumaan Alam
The Stand by Stephen King
Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason
The book of form and emptiness by Ruth Ozeki
Creatures of passage by Morowa Yejide
The sentence by Louise Erdrich
The love affairs of Nathaniel P by Adele Waldman
In at the deep end by Kate Davies
Insatiable by Daisy Buchanan
Dreamland by Rosa Rankin-Gee
The Grace Year by Kim Liggett
Fargo - Netflix
The Dropout - Hulu / Disney +
Misfits by Michaela Coel

Guardian Article mentioned: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2022/jul/22/acts-of-service-by-lillian-fishman-review-a-sex-masterpiece

We hope you love this episode as much as we loved recording it. Stay tuned for an exciting upcoming guest! Follow us @apairofbookendspod or feel free to email any recommendations over on apairofbookendspod@gmail.com]]>4219actsofservice,apairofbookends,bookclub,books,contemporaryfiction,culture,europaeditions,fargo,lillianfishman,lilyking,literaryfiction,michaelacoel,queerfiction,sex,thedropoutfalse1fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/4-pride-book-club-special-heartstopper-with-emma-hinds--50270012
We have a treat in store for you this episode. Not only are we chatting about the outstanding Heartstopper books by Alice Oseman and its’ gorgeous Netflix adaptation but we also have a very special guest! Joining us this month is the incomparable author and playwright Emma Hinds. So enjoy our chat this month, in which we talk about the importance of LGBTQIA+ representation in literature past and present, our fave Pride TV and Film recommendations and shout about our favourite LGBTQIA+ authors and books.

Sponsored by @deargreenreads , the perfect place for all your bookish needs.

Authors and Books:

Alice Oseman:
Heartstopper 1-4
Solitaire
Winter
Nick and Charlie
Loveless
Radio Silence

Weird Fucks by Lynne Tillman
The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta
Veronica by Mary Gaitskill
Tipping the Velvet by Sarah Waters
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz
Red White and Royal Blue by Casey Mcquiston
One Last Stop by Casey Mcquiston
The Colour Purple- Alice Walker
Oranges are Not the Only Fruit- Jeanette Winterson
Call Me by Your Name - Andre Aciman
The Song of Achilles - Madeline Miller
You Exist Too Much- Zaina Arafat
Kirsty Logan
Daisy Johnson
Bridget Collins
Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield
Rainbow Milk by Paul Mendez

TV and Media Mentions:
Looking- HBO
Netflix:
It’s a Sin
Sex Education
Atypical
AJ and the Queen
American Horror story
Brooklyn Nine Nine
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina
The Haunting of Bly Manor
Queer Eye
Sex Education
Shadow Hunters
Pose

Everything I Know about Love- BBC

Alice’s Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/aliceoseman

Support Emma’s work:

https://www.patreon.com/EmmaLouiseWrites

https://instagram.com/elphreads?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Additional People & Places:
@humphreads
Queer Lit bookshop - https://www.queerlit.co.uk/

Follow us on Instagram @apairofbookendspod and let us know what you'd like us to read next! Please do rate and review us as it helps to boost us in the charts.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/50270012Fri, 24 Jun 2022 07:00:02 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome Back Bookends and Happy Pride Month! We have a treat in store for you this episode. Not only are we chatting about the outstanding Heartstopper books by Alice Oseman and its’ gorgeous Netflix adaptation but we also have a very special...
We have a treat in store for you this episode. Not only are we chatting about the outstanding Heartstopper books by Alice Oseman and its’ gorgeous Netflix adaptation but we also have a very special guest! Joining us this month is the incomparable author and playwright Emma Hinds. So enjoy our chat this month, in which we talk about the importance of LGBTQIA+ representation in literature past and present, our fave Pride TV and Film recommendations and shout about our favourite LGBTQIA+ authors and books.

Sponsored by @deargreenreads , the perfect place for all your bookish needs.

Authors and Books:

Alice Oseman:
Heartstopper 1-4
Solitaire
Winter
Nick and Charlie
Loveless
Radio Silence

Weird Fucks by Lynne Tillman
The Black Flamingo by Dean Atta
Veronica by Mary Gaitskill
Tipping the Velvet by Sarah Waters
Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz
Red White and Royal Blue by Casey Mcquiston
One Last Stop by Casey Mcquiston
The Colour Purple- Alice Walker
Oranges are Not the Only Fruit- Jeanette Winterson
Call Me by Your Name - Andre Aciman
The Song of Achilles - Madeline Miller
You Exist Too Much- Zaina Arafat
Kirsty Logan
Daisy Johnson
Bridget Collins
Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield
Rainbow Milk by Paul Mendez

TV and Media Mentions:
Looking- HBO
Netflix:
It’s a Sin
Sex Education
Atypical
AJ and the Queen
American Horror story
Brooklyn Nine Nine
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina
The Haunting of Bly Manor
Queer Eye
Sex Education
Shadow Hunters
Pose

Everything I Know about Love- BBC

Alice’s Patreon:

https://www.patreon.com/aliceoseman

Support Emma’s work:

https://www.patreon.com/EmmaLouiseWrites

https://instagram.com/elphreads?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

Additional People & Places:
@humphreads
Queer Lit bookshop - https://www.queerlit.co.uk/

Follow us on Instagram @apairofbookendspod and let us know what you'd like us to read next! Please do rate and review us as it helps to boost us in the charts.]]>4002aliceoseman,bookrecommendations,books,emmahinds,heartstopper,itsasin,lgbtqia,literature,netflix,pridemonth,queerlitfalse1fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/top-of-your-tbr-with-pandora-sykes--50148409Hope you're excited for the FIRST in our brand new series 'Top Of Your TBR' where we invite the people we admire to give four of their stand-out book recommendations for us to read and discuss! Our first ever feature on the podcast is none other than the Writer and Broadcaster, the one & only - Pandora Sykes.
Pandora is the author of 'How do we know we're doing it right?' an essay collection about the anxieties of modern life, her journalism has been published by Elle, Vogue, GQ and the Sunday Times and she was the co-creator and co-host of the chart-topping pop culture podcast 'The High Low' alongside her pod-wife Dolly Alderton. As we have mentioned them so much already on the podcast, it was only right that she was our go-to guest. We hope you enjoy!

To buy Pandora's debut essay collection:
https://uk.bookshop.org/books/how-do-we-know-we-re-doing-it-right-and-other-thoughts-on-modern-life/9781786091000

To subscribe to Pandora's Books subscription:
https://www.pandorasbooks.co.uk/

Books & Authors mentioned:

One Day by David Nicholls
The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read (And Your Children Will Be Glad That You Did) by Philippa Perry
Strong Female Lead by Arwa Mahdawi
Hot Little Hands by Abigail Ulman

Salt Slow by Julia Armfield
Brown Girls by Daphne Palasi Andreades
Ella Risbridger
Nora Ephron
Dolly Alderton
The School For Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan
Meg Mason
Why I No Longer Write Poems by Diana Anphimiadi

Other mentions:
Sycorax Collective- https://sycoraxcollective.weebly.com/
Somewhere to Belong Archive- https://www.somewheretobelong.co.uk/

Follow us @apairofbookendspod to see updates on our Book Club episodes & future guest updates!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/50148409Fri, 10 Jun 2022 07:00:03 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome back Bookends! Hope you're excited for the FIRST in our brand new series 'Top Of Your TBR' where we invite the people we admire to give four of their stand-out book recommendations for us to read and discuss! Our first ever feature on the...Hope you're excited for the FIRST in our brand new series 'Top Of Your TBR' where we invite the people we admire to give four of their stand-out book recommendations for us to read and discuss! Our first ever feature on the podcast is none other than the Writer and Broadcaster, the one & only - Pandora Sykes.
Pandora is the author of 'How do we know we're doing it right?' an essay collection about the anxieties of modern life, her journalism has been published by Elle, Vogue, GQ and the Sunday Times and she was the co-creator and co-host of the chart-topping pop culture podcast 'The High Low' alongside her pod-wife Dolly Alderton. As we have mentioned them so much already on the podcast, it was only right that she was our go-to guest. We hope you enjoy!

To buy Pandora's debut essay collection:
https://uk.bookshop.org/books/how-do-we-know-we-re-doing-it-right-and-other-thoughts-on-modern-life/9781786091000

To subscribe to Pandora's Books subscription:
https://www.pandorasbooks.co.uk/

Books & Authors mentioned:

One Day by David Nicholls
The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read (And Your Children Will Be Glad That You Did) by Philippa Perry
Strong Female Lead by Arwa Mahdawi
Hot Little Hands by Abigail Ulman

Salt Slow by Julia Armfield
Brown Girls by Daphne Palasi Andreades
Ella Risbridger
Nora Ephron
Dolly Alderton
The School For Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan
Meg Mason
Why I No Longer Write Poems by Diana Anphimiadi

Other mentions:
Sycorax Collective- https://sycoraxcollective.weebly.com/
Somewhere to Belong Archive- https://www.somewheretobelong.co.uk/

Follow us @apairofbookendspod to see updates on our Book Club episodes & future guest updates!]]>2630abigailulman,arwaadhawi,bookclub,bookrecommendations,books,davidnicholls,femalepodcasts,fiction,journalist,literature,pandorasykes,philippaperry,popculture,theatrefalse1bonushttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/3-vladimir-by-julia-may-jonas--49945620
Books & Authors mentioned:
The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak
10 Minutes 38 Seconds by Elif Shafak
Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney
Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
The Exhibitionist by Charlotte Mendelson
My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell

@meg.in.a.book- Meg Picks
The Reader on the 6.27 by Jean-Paul Didierlaurent
Life as a Unicorn: A journey from shame to pride and everything inbetween by Amrou Al-Kadhi

Cultural Recommendations:
Bridgerton Season 2- Netflix
Vigil- BBC Iplayer
Pop Fiction Women Podcast- Conversations with friends (novel) - https://open.spotify.com/episode/5W1KPabWPs3YwQ3ed1hj49
This is Us - Amazon Prime

We hope you love these book club episodes as much as we love making them. Please do rate, review and subscribe as it helps to boost us in the charts! Give us a follow on Instagram @apairofbookendspod or email us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com if you'd like to suggest future reads.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/49945620Fri, 27 May 2022 07:00:02 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome back Bookends! This month's book club episode features Vladimir, the exciting new debut novel from Julia May Jonas. Our deep dive includes chat on complex female protagonists, sexual fantasies, power dynamics and dark academia. As usual, we...
Books & Authors mentioned:
The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak
10 Minutes 38 Seconds by Elif Shafak
Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney
Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
The Exhibitionist by Charlotte Mendelson
My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell

@meg.in.a.book- Meg Picks
The Reader on the 6.27 by Jean-Paul Didierlaurent
Life as a Unicorn: A journey from shame to pride and everything inbetween by Amrou Al-Kadhi

Cultural Recommendations:
Bridgerton Season 2- Netflix
Vigil- BBC Iplayer
Pop Fiction Women Podcast- Conversations with friends (novel) - https://open.spotify.com/episode/5W1KPabWPs3YwQ3ed1hj49
This is Us - Amazon Prime

We hope you love these book club episodes as much as we love making them. Please do rate, review and subscribe as it helps to boost us in the charts! Give us a follow on Instagram @apairofbookendspod or email us apairofbookendspod@gmail.com if you'd like to suggest future reads.]]>3790bookclub,bookish,bookrecommendations,books,contemporaryfiction,femaleauthors,femaleledpodcast,juliamayjonas,literature,picador,podcast,reads,vladimirfalse1fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/minisode-two-the-books-that-shaped-us--49779184
Sponsor: @deargreenreads.gifts https://deargreenreads.co.uk/

Books and Authors Mentioned:

This One Sky Day by Leone Ross
The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan
Harry Potter Series
The Love Songs of W.E.B Dubois by Honoree Fenonne Jeffers
The Magic Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton
Narnia Series by C.S Lewis
Elmer by David McKee
Each Peach Pear Plum by Janet and Alun Ahlburg
Baby Love, Love, Frankie ,Girls in love series, Midnight, Clean Break, Lola Rose by Jaqueline Wilson
We Need to Talk about Kevin by Lionel Shriver
19 Minutes by Jodi Picoult
My Life on the Road by Gloria Steinem
Happy Fat by Sofie Hagan
Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes
The Stand by Stephen King
Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell
The Handmaids Tale by Margaret Atwood
Our Wives under the Sea and Salt Slow by Julia Armfield
On Beauty and White Teeth by Zadie Smith
Queenie by Candice Carty Williams
The places I’ve cried in public by Holly Bourne
Normal People by Sally Rooney
Standard Deviation by Katherine Heiny

Author Shoutouts:
Meg Mason, Katherine Heiny, Bernadine Evaristo, Kate Elizabeth Russell, Meg Nolan, Douglas Stuart, Tayari Jones, Elif Shafak, Sally Rooney, Nora Ephron

Media Mentions:
Everything is Copy documentary - Nora Ephron
When Harry Met Sally
I May Destroy You
It’s a Sin
Boiling Point
Literary Friction podcast
The High Low Podcast
Pandoras Books Box Subscription
@meg.in.a.book

Follow us on Instagram @apairofbookendspod and let us know what you'd like us to read next! Please do rate and review us as it helps to boost us in the charts.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/49779184Fri, 13 May 2022 06:00:04 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome back Bookends! Join us for our not so mini-minisode and explore the books that shaped us. We delve into our childhood faves, those angsty teenage picks and our ultimate recommendations. Sponsor: @deargreenreads.gifts...
Sponsor: @deargreenreads.gifts https://deargreenreads.co.uk/

Books and Authors Mentioned:

This One Sky Day by Leone Ross
The School for Good Mothers by Jessamine Chan
Harry Potter Series
The Love Songs of W.E.B Dubois by Honoree Fenonne Jeffers
The Magic Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton
Narnia Series by C.S Lewis
Elmer by David McKee
Each Peach Pear Plum by Janet and Alun Ahlburg
Baby Love, Love, Frankie ,Girls in love series, Midnight, Clean Break, Lola Rose by Jaqueline Wilson
We Need to Talk about Kevin by Lionel Shriver
19 Minutes by Jodi Picoult
My Life on the Road by Gloria Steinem
Happy Fat by Sofie Hagan
Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes
The Stand by Stephen King
Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell
The Handmaids Tale by Margaret Atwood
Our Wives under the Sea and Salt Slow by Julia Armfield
On Beauty and White Teeth by Zadie Smith
Queenie by Candice Carty Williams
The places I’ve cried in public by Holly Bourne
Normal People by Sally Rooney
Standard Deviation by Katherine Heiny

Author Shoutouts:
Meg Mason, Katherine Heiny, Bernadine Evaristo, Kate Elizabeth Russell, Meg Nolan, Douglas Stuart, Tayari Jones, Elif Shafak, Sally Rooney, Nora Ephron

Media Mentions:
Everything is Copy documentary - Nora Ephron
When Harry Met Sally
I May Destroy You
It’s a Sin
Boiling Point
Literary Friction podcast
The High Low Podcast
Pandoras Books Box Subscription
@meg.in.a.book

Follow us on Instagram @apairofbookendspod and let us know what you'd like us to read next! Please do rate and review us as it helps to boost us in the charts.]]>4914authors,books,culture,femalepodcast,popculture,readers,writersfalse1fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/2-our-wives-under-the-sea-by-julia-armfield--49586570
Books & Authors mentioned:
The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley-Heller
Milkman by Anna Burns
The Promise by Damon Galgut
Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart
The Exhibitionist by Charlotte Mendelson
To Paradise by Hanya Yanagihara
The Doloriad by Missouri Williams
Thinner by Stephen King
Dolores Claiborne by Stephen King
The Stand by Stephen King
Pet Semetary by Stephen King
The Colorado Kid by Stephen King
Love After Love by Ingrid Persaud
Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters
Life of Pi by Yan Martel
Magma by Thora Hjorlefsdottir
Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson
The Missing Word by Concita De Gregorio
Sally Rooney

Boyf Picks: Girl in Pieces by Kathleen Crawford

TV, Music and Film:
Succession- HBO
The Fly- David Cronenberg
Fleabag- Phoebe Waller-Bridge
The Babadook- Jennifer Kent
The Shape Of Water- Guillermo Del Toro
The Center Will Not Hold- Netflix
This Is Us- Amazon
The Sinner- Netflix

People & Publishers Mentioned:
@savidgereads
@meg.in.a.book
@supposedlyfun
@montanabookco
@tandemcollectiveuk
@bettyandthebooks

Follow us on Instagram @apairofbookendspod and let us know what you'd like us to read next! Please do rate and review us as it helps to boost us in the charts.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/49586570Fri, 29 Apr 2022 06:00:02 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome back Bookends! This month's book club episode features the captivating debut novel from Julia Armfield. We discuss this literary horror about love, loss and grief. We also answer your questions, dive into our current reads and recommend some...
Books & Authors mentioned:
The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley-Heller
Milkman by Anna Burns
The Promise by Damon Galgut
Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart
The Exhibitionist by Charlotte Mendelson
To Paradise by Hanya Yanagihara
The Doloriad by Missouri Williams
Thinner by Stephen King
Dolores Claiborne by Stephen King
The Stand by Stephen King
Pet Semetary by Stephen King
The Colorado Kid by Stephen King
Love After Love by Ingrid Persaud
Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters
Life of Pi by Yan Martel
Magma by Thora Hjorlefsdottir
Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson
The Missing Word by Concita De Gregorio
Sally Rooney

Boyf Picks: Girl in Pieces by Kathleen Crawford

TV, Music and Film:
Succession- HBO
The Fly- David Cronenberg
Fleabag- Phoebe Waller-Bridge
The Babadook- Jennifer Kent
The Shape Of Water- Guillermo Del Toro
The Center Will Not Hold- Netflix
This Is Us- Amazon
The Sinner- Netflix

People & Publishers Mentioned:
@savidgereads
@meg.in.a.book
@supposedlyfun
@montanabookco
@tandemcollectiveuk
@bettyandthebooks

Follow us on Instagram @apairofbookendspod and let us know what you'd like us to read next! Please do rate and review us as it helps to boost us in the charts.]]>4332bookclub,books,femaleledpodcast,horror,juliaarmfield,literature,ourwivesunderthesea,picador,picadorbooks,podcastfalse1fullhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/minisode-one-women-s-prize-special--49438285
Books mentioned:
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
Unsettled Ground by Clare Fuller
No One is Talking About This by Patricia Lockwood
Detransition Baby by Torrey Peters
Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi
Grown Ups by Marian Keyes
This is Going to Hurt by Adam Kay
A Door Behind a Door by Yelena Moskovich
What a Shame by Abigail Bergstrom
Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason
The Exhibitionist by Charlotte Mendelson
The Bread the Devil Knead by Lisa Allen-Agostini
Salt Lick by Lulu Allison
The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller
Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead
The Final Revival of Opal and Nev by Dawnie Walton
The Sentence by Louise Erdrich
Flamingo by Rachel Elliot
Creatures of Passage by Morowa Yejide
Remote Sympathy by Catherine Chidgey
The Book of Form and Emptiness by Ruth Ozeki
Careless by Kirsty Capes
This One Sky Day by Leone Ross
Build Your House Around My Body by Violet Kupersmith
The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak

Podcasts Mentioned:
Book Off!
Literary Friction

People and Publishers mentioned:
@savidgereads
@meg.in.a.book
@supposedlyfun
@skyartsbookclub
@serenbooks
@influxpress
@tandemcollectiveuk

Follow us on Instagram @apairofbookendspod and let us know what you'd like us to read next. Please do subscribe to us to be sure you never miss an episode and we would love it if you could rate and review the podcast to ensure other bookends can find us. Thanks for listening!]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/49438285Thu, 14 Apr 2022 19:38:49 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome back Bookends! In this minisode of A Pair of Bookends we will be discussing all things Women's Prize. From our thoughts on the longlist, the books we are most excited for to our own shortlist picks. Come join us for a natter about our...
Books mentioned:
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
Unsettled Ground by Clare Fuller
No One is Talking About This by Patricia Lockwood
Detransition Baby by Torrey Peters
Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi
Grown Ups by Marian Keyes
This is Going to Hurt by Adam Kay
A Door Behind a Door by Yelena Moskovich
What a Shame by Abigail Bergstrom
Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason
The Exhibitionist by Charlotte Mendelson
The Bread the Devil Knead by Lisa Allen-Agostini
Salt Lick by Lulu Allison
The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller
Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead
The Final Revival of Opal and Nev by Dawnie Walton
The Sentence by Louise Erdrich
Flamingo by Rachel Elliot
Creatures of Passage by Morowa Yejide
Remote Sympathy by Catherine Chidgey
The Book of Form and Emptiness by Ruth Ozeki
Careless by Kirsty Capes
This One Sky Day by Leone Ross
Build Your House Around My Body by Violet Kupersmith
The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak

Podcasts Mentioned:
Book Off!
Literary Friction

People and Publishers mentioned:
@savidgereads
@meg.in.a.book
@supposedlyfun
@skyartsbookclub
@serenbooks
@influxpress
@tandemcollectiveuk

Follow us on Instagram @apairofbookendspod and let us know what you'd like us to read next. Please do subscribe to us to be sure you never miss an episode and we would love it if you could rate and review the podcast to ensure other bookends can find us. Thanks for listening!]]>2754authors,bookpodcast,bookprize,bookrecommendations,books,elifshafak,fiction,louiseerdrich,maggieshipstead,megmason,mirandacowleyheller,readers,reading,ruthozeki,womensprize,womensprizeforfiction,writersfalse1bonushttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/1-to-paradise-by-hanya-yanagihara--49245119This month, we have chosen to wax lyrical about the incredible new novel To Paradise by Hanya Yanagihara. In this episode we talk about our thoughts on the book, meeting Hanya and a whole host of bookish things.

Books mentioned:
To Paradise
A Little Life
The People in the trees, All by Hanya Yanagihara
Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason
The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley-Heller
1984 by George Orwell
Vox by Christina Dalcher
The Power by Naomi Alderman
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
Girl, Woman, Other by Bernadine Evaristo
Seven Days in June by Tia Williams
It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover
Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead
The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak
Still Life by Sarah Winman
Tin Man by Sarah Winman

Other recommendations:
The High Low Podcast
This is going to hurt- BBC Iplayer
The Lost Daughter- Netflix

Boyf Pick-
The Book of Trespass by Nick Hayes

Follow us on Instagram @apairofbookendspod and let us know what you'd like us to read next.

Please do subscribe to us to be sure you never miss an episode and we would love it if you could rate and review the podcast to ensure other bookends can find us.]]>https://api.spreaker.com/episode/49245119Tue, 29 Mar 2022 21:37:08 +0000Hannah MacDonaldWelcome to our FIRST episode of A pair of bookends! This month, we have chosen to wax lyrical about the incredible new novel To Paradise by Hanya Yanagihara. In this episode we talk about our thoughts on the book, meeting Hanya and a whole host of...This month, we have chosen to wax lyrical about the incredible new novel To Paradise by Hanya Yanagihara. In this episode we talk about our thoughts on the book, meeting Hanya and a whole host of bookish things.

Books mentioned:
To Paradise
A Little Life
The People in the trees, All by Hanya Yanagihara
Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason
The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley-Heller
1984 by George Orwell
Vox by Christina Dalcher
The Power by Naomi Alderman
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
Girl, Woman, Other by Bernadine Evaristo
Seven Days in June by Tia Williams
It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover
Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead
The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak
Still Life by Sarah Winman
Tin Man by Sarah Winman

Other recommendations:
The High Low Podcast
This is going to hurt- BBC Iplayer
The Lost Daughter- Netflix

Boyf Pick-
The Book of Trespass by Nick Hayes

Follow us on Instagram @apairofbookendspod and let us know what you'd like us to read next.

Please do subscribe to us to be sure you never miss an episode and we would love it if you could rate and review the podcast to ensure other bookends can find us.]]>4094books,fiction,hanyayanagihara,newrelease,novel,picadorbooks,podcastfalse1full