Kate and Laura on the books that get you talking. Every episode we sit down to chat about the books read most recently by our book clubs. What did we make of them? Did they spark debate? And whether we loved them or loathed them, we always try to answer the big question: were they great book club books?
From Murderbot to Sense and Sensiblity, what are our favourite adaptations from books that we love? Inspired by the recent Apple adaptation of Martha Wells sci-fi novels The Murderbot Diaries, this episode is a celebration of the world of books to film. From the joy of seeing a book that we love brought to the big screen, to the pitfalls when things don't match up to our expectations, we're considering the hits and misses, and passing on our recommendations. You'll be hearing from pod regulars Laura Potter and Phil Chaffee, plus we meet Philippa Donovan, a literary scout to the film and TV world. Philippa founded her consultancy Smart Quill to bridge the gap between agents, publishers and authors around the world. She's giving us the inside track on the world of book to film. All that, plus a peek into the future and the upcoming projects we've earmarked as ones to watch. Interview Listen to the full interview with literary scout Philippa Donovan here [TO COME] Patreon Come and listen to the episodes ad-free over on Patreon, plus The Book Club Review Weekend, join our chat threads where you'll be able to swap book recommendations with Kate and other Book Club Review listeners and if you want to come and talk books with Kate in person at the higher tier you can join the pod's monthly book club. Head to Patreon.com/thebookclubreview for all the benefits and how to sign up. Booklist All Systems Red by Martha Wells (Book 1) Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin Artificial Condition by Martha Wells (Book 2) Room by Emma Donoghue Normal People by Sally Rooney The Horse Whisperer by Nicholas Sparks The Bridges of Madison County by Robert James Waller The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks Exhalations by Ted Chiang (the film Arrival is based on Story of Your Life) Brokeback Mountain by Annie Proulx Friday Night Lights by H. G. Bissinger Rivals by Jilly Cooper The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins Call Me By Your Name by André Aciman Children of Men by P. D. James Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Hunting and Gathering by Anna Gavalda Barn Burning by Haruki Murakami Barn Burning by William Falkner Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norell by Susanna Clarke Fleishman is in Trouble by Taffy Brodesser-Akner Hot Milk by Deborah Levy The Friend by Sigrid Nunez People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry The Salt Path by Raynor Wynn Everything I Know About Love andGood Material by Dolly Alderton Universality by Natasha Brown Theory and Practice by Michelle de Kretser Transcript Head over to the episode page at thebookclubreview.co.uk for a full transcript
At a time in which digital information is increasingly uncertain it feels more essential than ever to engage with books that tell us about the world, diversify our perspectives and propose solutions for change. Yet these 'serious' books aren't always what we feel like reading. In this episode Kate is joined by regular contributor Phil Chaffee to talk about the books so good they powered through them like a good novel, and felt changed afterwards. The books they want to pass on to someone else. The books that make for great book club discussions. One such is Carmageddon: How Cars Make Life Worse and What To Do About It by Daniel Knowles, a persuasive book that advocates for a world in which we rely on cars far less than we do currently. Daniel joines Kate and Phil from Chicago to discuss it. Booklist Humanly Possible by Sarah Bakewall Putin's People by Catherine Belton Papyrus by Irene Vallejo Invisible Child by Andrea Elliot Not the End of the World by Hannah Ritchie Stranger in the Shogun's City by Amy Stanley Carmageddon by Daniel Knowles Notes Serious Readers lamps: visit seriousreaders.com/bcr and use the offer code BCR at checkout for £150 off any HD light and free UK delivery. You also get a 30-day trial period. Support the show Come join us on Patreon for extra episodes, our community chat group, and, at the book club level, come and talk books with Kate in person at the end of every month. We're currently reading Sparks of Bright Matter by Leeanne O'Donnell If you enjoyed the episode please take a moment to rate and review on your podcast app, which helps the pod's visiblity and helps other listeners find it. Your kindness is hugely appreciated.
Glorious Exploits by Ferdia Lennon is a novel that takes us back to ancient Syracuse, where war, art, and humanity collide. This gripping tale follows two down-on-their-luck potters who hatch an audacious plan to produce a performance of the works of Euripedes despite the fact that their actors are prisoners of war and their stage set a death camp in a marble pit. It's a story of resilience, friendship, and the power of art in the face of destruction, but did it make for a good book club book? Regular book-club reporter Phil Chaffee dials in from New York to join Kate alongside keen readers and returning pod guests Emily Bohill and Sarah Oliver in London. And find out Laura's thoughts at the end as we consider what makes Glorious Exploits such a standout debut, whether or not you need to know about Classical history to enjoy it, and why the audio version is such a particular joy. All this plus our recommendations for follow on reads inspired by Glorious Exploits. Booklist The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower The Years by Annie Ernaux Rejection by Tony Tulathimutte You Dreamed of Empires by Ávaro Enrigue Metamorphoses by Ovid Piranesi by Susanna Clarke Enter Ghost by Isabella Hammad The Netanyahus by Joshua Cohen Circe by Madeleine Miller Patreon Signing up for membership is a great way to support the show, and in return you'll have access to weeklyish bonus episodes, plus the archive of back episodes to enjoy. At the higher tier you can join the podcast book club, currently reading Hateship, Friendship, Loveship, Courtship, Marriage by Alice Munroe. I'd love to have you join us. Instagram & Threads @bookclubreviewpodcast Web Our full archive of episdoes with shownotes
Author, podcaster and reader Daisy Buchanan joins Kate to discuss Read Yourself Happy, her latest book that explores ‘shelf-help' and the healing power of books and reading to inspire, comfort and fortify. You might not think that someone who regularly interviews literary stars like Anne Patchett and Lauren Groff on her podcast 'You're Booked' might also be someone who has struggled throughout her life with anxiety. Find out how books helped Daisy overcome her fears and inspired her to be adventurous in the manner of her favourite literary heroines. We also discuss the practicalities of the reading life, how to manage a mountainous TBR, and insider stories from the Jilly Cooper book club. With Valentine's Day in mind, find out how to 'Read Yourself Romantic' with Daisy's favourite romance novels. Oh, and you'll get about a million other brilliant book recommendations along the way! Notes If you're interested to try a Serious Readers lamp use our special offer code BCR at checkout for £150 off any HD light. Looking for your perfect bookish match? Use our offer code BookClubReview for 10% off a subscription to Book Lovers Dating. Reading list The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary Strange Beach by Oliwaseun Olawiola The Pirahna Club: Power and Influence in Formula 1 by Timothy Collings (my husband's book, by the way, in case you were wondering. He's been dipping in for something he's working on.) Rachel's Holiday by Marian Keyes Love, Nina by Nina Stibbe Happy All the Time by Laurie Colwin The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Daré A Little Life by Hanya Yanigahara Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton Rivals by Jilly Cooper The Come Up by Jonathan Abrams I Want my MYV by Rob Tannenbaum Uncommon People by Miranda Sawyer Early Morning Riser by Katherine Heiny Us by David Nicholls Good Material by Dolly Alderton Fleishman is in Trouble by Taffy Brodesser Akner Peter Hujar's Day by Linda Rosenkrantz Deano: Life After Football by Dean Windass By Grand Central Station I Sat Down and Wept by Elizabeth Smart Camp by Paul Baker Notes from the Henhouse by Elspeth Barker O Caledonia by Elspeth Barker The Gemma Books by Noel Streatfield Love Junkie by Robert Plunket Again, Rachel by Marian Keyes Expiation by Elizabeth Von Arnim They Were Sisters and Greenbanks by Dorothy Whipple The Pursuit of Love by Nancy Mitford Mhairi McFarlane - various titles, try If I Never Met You
Olga Tokarczuk's haunting 'health resort horror story' may have wow-ed the critics, but how did it fare with Laura's book club? Phil, Sarah and Laura join Kate to discuss it. You'll also find out the books we've been reading lately, and our suggestions for follow-on reads if The Empusium leaves you hankering for more. Books mentioned The Sewing Girl's Tale by John Wood Sweet Two Step Devil by Jamie Quattro The Flatshare by Beth O'Leary Book Lovers by Emily Henry Strange Beach by Oluwaseum Olayiwola The Fizcarraldo poetry subscription The Magic Mountain by Thomas Mann The Books of Jacob by Olga Tokarczuk Sanatorium by W. Somerset Maugham The Wind Rises by Hayao Miyazaki The Extinction of Irena Rey by Jennifer Croft The Paper Hound bookshop The Plague and I by Betty Macdonald Backlisted episode #138 The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman Schwärmerai NOTES Support the show and get exclusive subscriber benefits On Patreon: weekly-ish minisodes, chat groups, special feature episodes, War & Peace readalong, and at the higher tier join the monthly book club Or via Substack: weekly-ish minsodes and special feature episodes
Step into a world of philosophical musings and practical wisdom with Oliver Burkeman. 'Meditations for Mortals' is his latest book designed as a four-week mental retreat, promising to help readers lead a 'saner, freer, and more enchantment-filled life'. Oliver joins Kate to talk about everything from the inspiration he took from Marcus Aurelius to how to invite people over without feeling like you have to spend three hours tidying the house. He also reveals his tips on making life-changes that stick, and the books he turns to when he's not reading for work. Keen to test out the methodology, Kate is then joined by City high-flyer and busy mother-of-three Emily Bohill to discover how Meditations for Mortals works in practice. From managing work-life balance to facing literal rats in the PTA shed, we explore whether the lessons of Meditations are ones that will stay. This episode is for everyone who is keen to turn knowledge into action and embrace life's imperfections. No less important is the fact that Meditations for Mortals is perfect for sparking deep conversations, and there's nothing we love more at The Book Club Review than that. Reading list 4,000 Weeks by Oliver Burkeman Meditations by Marcus Aurelius Finding Meaning in the Second Half of Life by James Hollis Find out more and sign up for The Imperfectionist (a free newsletter) at Oliver Burkeman's website Subscribe and support the show Want more from the pod? You can subscribe to The Book Club Review via Patreon. Click through for full details and to sign up with a 7-day free trial. You'll get a weekly-ish minisode, with access to the full archive, and extra bits and bobs like extended episodes or Patreon-only specials, plus access to book recommendations from Kate and fellow pod fans in the chat group. At the higher tier you can join the pod book club and come and talk books with me, Kate, in person. We meet on the last Sunday of the month via Zoom, with a recording posted to listen back to anytime. In February we're reading All The Beauty in the World by Patrick Bringley, and in March it's Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage by Alice Munroe. Upcoming books are decided by members vote, so join in and suggest one that you would love to read and discuss. If you're a Substacker you can also subscribe and support the pod there. (It's slightly cheaper as you don't get the chat or the book club options, but everything else is just the same.) Timecodes for the time-poor 00:00 Introduction 01:32 An overview of the book, and the degree to which Oliver Burkeman put himself in there 03:55 The relationship between Meditations for Mortals and Four Thousand Weeks 06:24 Imperfectionism 10:45 Practical Applications and personal reflections 13:01 Field-testing the book's methodology 29:37 Daily-ish and embracing imperfection 34:34 Scruffy hospitality and overcoming procrastination 45:34 Has it changed our lives?
It's a new year and a new episode. Join Kate and Laura as they consider reading intentions for the year ahead, and try to set some realistic goals. Will 2025 be the year Kate gets into poetry? Will it be the year Laura weans herself off romance novels? And as always, they're thinking of book club reads to come. Meanwhile Phil sets a goal for himself in 2025 that might surprise you. Books mentioned 4,000 Weeks and Meditations for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman Rejection by Tony Tulithamutte Bliss Montage by Ling Ma The George Smiley novels by John le Carre Karla's Choice by Nick Harkaway My Struggle, Karl Ove Knausgard The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan Assembly and Universality by Natasha Brown Also a Poet and Crush by Ada Calhoun Our Country Friends and Vera, or Faith by Gary Shteyngart Intimacies and Audition by Katie Kitamura Robert Caro's Fifth Lyndon Johnson book Polostan by Neal Stephenson Finance for the People by Paca Leon Essays of E. B. White The Ladies of Grace Adieu by Susanna Clarke The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna The Husbands by Holly Gramazio All That Glitters by Orlando Whitfield Glorious Exploits by Ferdia Lennon Ink Blood Sister Scribe by Emma Törzs Intermezzo by Sally Rooney The Empusium by Olga Tokarczuk My Friends by Hisham Matar The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros Deep Cuts by Holly Brickley The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett Eight Months on Ghazzah Street by Hilary Mantel The Gifts of Reading, Robert Macfarlane (ed) Untitled Memoir from Nicola Sturgeon Katabasis by R. F. Kuang Patrick Rothfuss (The Name of the Wind trilogy) Book Lovers by Emily Henry Living and Death and Intimations by Zadie Smith Notes If you're looking for inspiration in your reading life over the coming year why not subscribe to The Book Club Review Patreon. In addition to the various special episodes you'll find on there, you'll get The Book Club Review Weekend, my weeky-ish bonus episode just for Patrons, featuring Laura's reading updates and regular chats with friends of the pod. Laura and I have cooked up a new feature, called One Book Wonder, that allows us to talk about those books that slip through the cracks between regular episodes. Listen in for our thoughts on Good Material by Dolly Alderton. You get all that at the entry level, but at the higher tier you can also join the podcast book club and come and talk books with me in person at the end of every month over zoom, or listen back anytime if you can't make the live session. In January we're reading the novel that appeared on many a best-of-the-year list, Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar, In February we're we're reading All The Beauty in the World by Patrick Bringley, a museum guard's quest to find solace and meaning in art, and in March it's short stories with Hateship, Friendship, Loveship, Courtship, Marriage by Alice Munroe. But will they make for good book club reads? Join me and the book clubbers over on Patreon and find out. Join our bookish community, get brilliant book recommendations and get the warm glow from knowing that you're supporting me in making the show. Head to Patreon.com/thebookclubreview and sign up today. Otherwise come and find me anytime on Instagram @bookclubreviewpodcast or check out our website, thebookclubreview.co.uk. But for now, thanks for listening and happy book clubbing.
Wrap up your year with the Book Club Review podcast! Celebrate the joy of reading with us as we highlight the standout books we read in 2024, from page-turners to genre reads, to literary fiction and best book club books. We'll finish with our 'if we could only choose one' favourites for our overall book(s) of the year. This episode also features recommendations from our podcast book clubbers, fantastic readers all, who bring their choices into the mix. This is a bonus length episode as there was so much to go through, so take that dog for an extra long walk, get the children prepared for a long swing at the park or just curl up in a cozy spot with notepad in hand to jot down some of these books we think you shouldn't miss. Or, of course, use the handy list below. Books mentioned Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa What You Are Looking For is In The Library by Michiko Ayoyama Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree Most enjoyable read Loot by Tania James Greta and Valdin by Rebecca K. Reilly The Wedding People by Alison Espach Best page-turner The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley Going Infinite by Michael Lewis Best Non-fiction How to Say Babylon by Safiya Sinclair Grief is for People by Sloane Crossley The Garden Against Time by Olivia Laing The Burgundians: A Vanished Empire by Bart van Loo Maurice and Marilyn by Sophie Elmhurst The Story of a Heart by Rachel Clarke Best Book Club Book Enter Ghost by Isabelle Hamid The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden Cuddy by Benjamin Myers The Fraud by Zadie Smith August Blue by Deborah Levy Mild Vertigo by Mieko Kanai (Polly Barton trans.) Wifedom by Anna Funder Our Share of Night by Mariana Enriquez The Grey Wolf by Louise Penny (The Inspector Gamache series) Best Genre Novel or Comfort Read How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang Slow Dance by Rainbow Rowell The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells The Alex Verus series by Benedict Jacka Overall best book read in 2024 James by Percival Everett Kate: The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride Laura: Real Estate by Deborah Levy (vol. 3 in her 'living autobiography' series Join the Book Club Review club Head to Patreon.com/thebookclubreview to explore what's on offer with regular extra episodes packed with reading recommendations and at the higher tier membership of the pod bookclub: upcoming reads for January are Marty by Kaveh Akbar, February: All The Beauty in the World by Patrick Bringley and March: Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage by Alice Munro. Serious Readers For seriously good reading lamps with a Book Club Review special discount head to seriousreaders.co.uk/BCR and use the code BCR at checkout for £100 off any HD light. Shipping within the UK is free, and you get a 30-day trial period so you can see for yourself what a difference they make. Stay connected Find Kate on Instagram and Threads @bookclubreviewpodcast, or drop us a comment anytime at the episode page on our website. What were your favourite reads from 2024? We'd love to hear about them.
Curious about the 2024 Booker Prize? Wondering if the shortlisted novels live up to the hype? In this latest episode Kate and Laura are joined by returning guests Phil, Sarah and Martin to dive deep into this year's shortlist bringing you their usual frank, honest opinions in true book-club style. This isn't your typical review show — you get real, unfiltered thoughts from book lovers who tell it like it is. From literary brilliance to unexpected twists, find out which books wowed us, which ones left us wanting more, and whether this year's Booker picks truly deserve the spotlight. Plus of course our guesses as to which one might win. Notes Check out Martin's brilliant blog Eyes on the Prize for a fantastic look back through Booker Winners past, including his 'worst to best' ranking. Other books mentioned Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware We Solve Murders by Richard Osman The Trees by Percival Everett Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver My Friends by Hisham Matar Subscribe Want more from The Book Club Review? Want to help support it financially? Come and join Kate at Patreon.com/thebookclubreview where for a small monthly fee you'll receive benefits such as a weekly books minisode, occasional special episodes of the podcast made just for Patreons, and at the higher tier you can join our monthly book club for live discussions with Kate over Zoom. If you're a Substacker you'll also find extra content from The Book Club Review there – check thebookclubreview.co.uk/bookspodcast/subscribe for more details. For the love of a good lamp: Visit seriousreaders.com/BCR for our special offer on any HD light – use the code BCR at checkout and if you're in the UK you can also benefit from free shipping. You get a month to try out the lights to decide if they're for you, if not you can return them. We seriously love them, and think you will too.
Summer Reading Report: hits, misses, and anticipations We're back from the beach and reflecting on our summer reading in this bonus length bookshelf episode. On Kate's stack summer favourite GRETA AND VALDIN by Rebecca K. Reilly, Olivia Laing's memoir The Garden Against Time, the hotly tipped HEADSHOT by Rita Bullwinkel, TRUST by Hernan Diaz, Miranda July's new novel ALL FOURS and upcoming book club reads THE FRAUD by Zadie Smith and HUMANELY POSSIBLE by Sarah Bakewell. Meanwhile Laura talks about REAL AMERICANS by Rachel Kong, THE LAST UNICORN by Peter S. Beagle, THE LAST MURDER AT THE END OF THE WORLD by Stuart Turton, Kiley Reid's latest COME AND GET IT, Reese's Book Club pick SLOW DANCE by Rainbow Rowell and Austeriltz by W. G. Sebald. We also hear about the best bookish party Laura attended courtsey of the Vancouver Public Library, and the Kate's experience of reading just one book, and one book only, at a time – a strong departure from her usual habits of three on the go at once. But will she stick to it? Timecodes for the time poor 08:58 Real Americans by Rachel Kong: A Not-to-Read Recommendation 17:39 The Garden Against Time by Olivia Lange: A Deep Dive 25:27 The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle: A Disappointment 30:44 Headshot by Rita Bullwinkle: A Mixed Review 40:02 Stuart Turton's The Last Murder at the End of the World: A Fun Read 44:20 Exploring 'Trust' by Hernan Diaz 49:34 Campus Life and Money in 'Come and Get' It by Kiley Reid 59:57 Miranda July's 'All Fours': A Perimenopausal Journey 01:12:40 A Lighthearted Romance: 'Slow Dance' by Rainbow Rowell 01:15:13 Upcoming Reads and Final Thoughts Patreon Want more from your favourite podcast? Want to support the person who makes it? Come and join Kate at Patreon.com/thebookclubreview where for a small monthly fee you'll receive benefits such as a weekly books dispatch, which you can read or listen to as a pod, occasional special episodes, and at the higher tier you can join our monthly book club for live discussions with Kate over Zoom. For the love of a good lamp: Visit seriousreaders.com/BCR for our special offer on any HD light – use the code BCR at checkout and if you're in the UK you can also benefit from free shipping. You get a month to try out the lights to decide if they're for you, if not you can return them. We seriously love them, and think you will too.
In this special episode, originally released for our Patreon subscribers, Kate celebrates the joys of the perfect notebook with fellow enthusiast and stationery shop owner David Frostick (Lift, Southwold). From the importance of flat-lay paper to the perfect pen we've got it all covered just in time for back-to-school season. And then we turn to the art of notetaking. Kate and Laura discuss how they take notes on the books they're discussing on the show, and then we find out how the professionals do it, with friends of the pod, journalist Phil Chaffee and literary critic Emily Rhodes. We also hear from Bibliotherapist Ella Berthoud whose book, The Art of Mindful Reading, is full of great suggestions for how to get the most from your reading. If this whets your appetite come and join us at Patreon.com/thebookclubreview where for a small monthly fee (or you can sign up for annual membership if you prefer) you'll receive benefits such as Kate's weekly books email, occasional special episodes, and at the higher tier you can join our monthly book club for live discussions with Kate over Zoom. If you love the pod your support is helpng Kate make the shows, which means a lot, so thank you for considering it. Discover David's store LIFT here. For other things referenced in this episode here's an index to products with links. For the love of a good lamp: Visit seriousreaders.com/BCR for our special offer on any HD light – use the code BCR at checkout and if you're in the UK you can also benefit from free shipping. You get a month to try out the lights to decide if they're for you, if not you can return them. We seriously love them, and think you will too.
We love a list, and we love an excuse for a conversation about books, and so we couldn't have been more delighted when the New York Times released their list of the best books of the 21st century, so far. From 503 top tens submitted by authors and other literary world folk, and a bit of statistical magic, they boiled it down to their definitive top 100. And we had to hand it to them, it's a damn good list. Still, we might argue with a few of their choices, and of course have some thoughts of our own. And so in this episode you'll get our own Book Club Review top 20 books, some of which were on the NYT's list, most of which were not. They're the books we felt had been overlooked, books we loved and were desparate to talk about, books we want to share with you. And so join me (Kate) and Sarah in London, Phil in New York and Laura in Vancouver as we spend a delightful hour considering the best of the best. I guarantee you'll come away with at least one book for your TBR, and hopefully you'll love it as much as we did. No booklist, as I thought you might like to find out as you listen, but you'll find all the books discussed at the episode page on our website, thebookclubreview.co.uk Here's the link to the NYT's list Also do check out our episode sponsors Serious Readers, who are offering £100 off their brilliant HD reading lamps, use the code BCR at checkout. UK customers get free delivery, elsewhere you can still take advantage of the offer, but there will be a shipping charge.
Laura's on a flying visit to London, and so of course we took the opportunity to get together and swap notes on our recent reading. Regular guest Phil Chaffee dialled in from New York to add his picks to the mix. Find out what we thought of summer it-book The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley, we consider the auto fictional world of Deborah Levy, Kate reports back on Francis Spufford's new novel – and podcast book club read – Cahokia Jazz and we round it off with art-world memoir All That Glitters by Orlando Whitfield – unputdownable in Kate's opinion, find out why. It's also our first ever sponsored episode. Introducing Serious Readers, a company dedicated to creating the world's best reading lamps. Listen in for Kate's interview with founder Alex Pratt, and learn more about why your eyes might struggle under standard LED lighting. We know how much as readers you care about your eyes, so we were happy to tell you about a product that feels like just what they need. Listen in for all the details, and if you're interested to try them head to seriousreaders.com/BCR and use code BCR for £100 off any HD light. You have 30 days to decide if they're right for you. In the UK you'll also get free delivery. Outside of the UK the offer is still valid, but there would also be a shipping charge. BOOKS FEATURED IN THIS EPISODE The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley Cahokia Jazz by Francis Spufford The Dragon Waiting by John M. Ford Real Estate by Deborah Levy All That Glitters by Orlando Whitfield SERIOUS READERS Like the sound of Serious Readers? Head to seriousreaders.com/BCR and use code BCR for £100 off any HD light, you'll also get free delivery in the UK, and you have 30 days to try them out. PATREON Support the show, and get extras in return Head over to our Patreon to find out how to support the pod, and the things you'll get in return, from book recommendations to extra episodes. At the higher tier you can join our monthly book club – if you look at that membership level you'll find a link to the full list of books for 2024. This month we're reading Wifedom by Anna Funder. Or to hear about books between shows come find the pod on Instagram or Threads @bookclubreviewpodcast
Inspired by the folk at the New York Times article ‘22 of the funniest novels since Catch 22', join me (Kate), Phil and Laura as we consider the books that make us laugh. Listen in as we explore the NYT's suggestions and add in a few of our own. Find out the author we can't believe they missed, and the book that reliably makes Laura – a tough customer when it comes to funny books – laugh every time. Books mentioned The New York Times article ‘22 of the funniest novels since Catch 22' Slaughterhouse 5 by Kurt Vonnegut The Idiot and Either/Or by Elif Batuman The Possessed by Elif Batuman Uncle Napoleon by Iraj Pezeshkzad Martyr by Kaveh Akbar Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi Where d'You Go Bernadette by Maria Semple The Ascent of Rum Doodle by W.E. Bowman Three Men and a Boat by Jerome K. Jerome Scoop by Evelyn Waugh Vanity Fair by William MakepieceThackarey The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams The Bookshop by Penelope Fitzgerald The Blue Flower by Penelope Fitzgerald Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel Notes Here's the Patreon link If you'd like to get more involved and support the show, and you'll get lots of good things in return: Patreon.com/thebookclubreview Keep up to date between shows, follow The Book Club Review podcast on Instagram Next book club read: Wifedom by Anna Funder Do take a quick moment to rate and review us via your podcast app, your support is really appreciated. And hey, if you have bookish friends, tell them about the show, maybe they will like it too.
Exploring literary worlds beyond fiction: a dive into non-fiction Join Kate, as she ventures to South London to visit Backstory, a unique indie bookstore founded by former journalist Tom Rowley. Rowley shares his journey from journalism to opening a bookshop, the challenges and joys of running a bookstore, the importance of community engagement, and launching the second issue of the Backstory Magazine. We then turn our attention to non-fiction, pulling out some favourites, both backlist and new releases. As Tom says, 'I want good stories, I don't care whether they're fact or fiction.' 00:40 A visit to south London's indie bookshop Backstory, and why Kate's name is on the wall 01:53 From journalism to bookshop owner: Tom's lockdown dream comes true 04:25 Embracing the community: the transition from market stall to bookshop 09:26 Launching Backstory Magazine: a new chapter in storytelling 14:54 Exploring non-fiction: feel the fear and read it anyway 17:49 Just what is deep backlist? Tom's first recommendation is My War Gone By, I Miss it So by Anthony Lloyd (September Publishing) 20:18 Kate recommends Fall: The Mystery of Robert Maxwell by John Preston (Penguin) 22:46 Tom's next pick: Maurice and Marilyn: A Whale, A Shipwreck, A Love Story by Sophie Elmhurst (Penguin) 25:52 Kate pulls out The Wager by David Grann (Simon & Schuster) (and we also talk about Devil in the White City by Erik Larson [Penguin]) 29:08 Tom recommends The Trading Game by Gary Stevenson (Penguin) 31:15 Great minds think alike: Kate and Tom both recommend The Moth and the Mountain by Ed Caesar (Penguin), author and now DJ! 35:32 An aside from Kate about The Possessed by Elif Batuman (Granta) 37:17 Towards the end of the episode we reach 'peak Tom', with Little Englanders by Alwyn Turner (Profile) 41:17 Book club reads: Red Memory by Tania Branigan (Faber) and Close to Home by Michael Magee (Penguin) 42:25 Tom's book of the summer: The Safe Keep by Yael van der Wouden (Penguin) 44:18 List of books, how to get support the pod and get extras via our Patreon account and details of our upcoming episode in which Phil and Laura join Kate to talk about books that make us laugh Notes Visit Backstory online at www.backstory.london
So Many Damn Books podcast creator and host Christoper Hermelin joins Kate to swap book recommendations and discuss the magic of book club, recent book discoveries and bookish pet peeves. EPISODE BOOK LIST The Eyes & The Impossible by Dave Eggers A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by Dave Eggers McSweeney's magazine, including The Panorama issue How I Won A Nobel Prize by Julius Taranto Non-Fiction by Julie Myerson Butter by Asako Yuzuki (Polly Barton, trans.) Mild Vertigo by Mieko Kanai (Polly Barton, trans.) Fifty Sounds by Polly Barton The Extinction of Irena Ray by Jennifer Croft James by Percival Everett, and we also mentioned Erasure and The Trees Funny Things: A Comic Strip Biography of Charles M. Schultz by Luca Debus and Francesco Mateuzzi NOTES Join the club and support us on Patreon Follow The Book Club Review on Instagram and Threads @bookclubreviewpodcast
Two marriages, two forbidden love affairs, and the passionate search for social and sexual freedom in late 19th-century London. Publishers Penguin call The New Life by Tom Crewe ‘A brilliant and captivating debut, in the tradition of Alan Hollinghurst and Colm Tóibín' but what did our book club make of it? Kate is reporting back, with regular guest Philip Chaffee joining from New York. We'll be catching up on the discussion as well as bringing you our take on recent reads FAKE ACCOUNTS by Lauren Oyler and NORTH WOODS by Daniel Mason, as well as our recommendations for books inspired by Crewe's novel. Booklist Fake Accounts by Lauren Oyler The Smiley Novels by John Le Carre North Woods by Daniel Mason Maurice by E. M. Forster Alec by William di Canzio Young Bloomsbury by Nino Strachey Blackouts by Justin Torres Miss Marjoribanks by Margaret Oliphant The Ladies Lindores by Margaret Oliphant Tom Crewe's booklist on bookshop.org.uk Podcast episode on Young Bloomsbury The audiobook of The New Life is read by Freddie Fox and published by Penguin Audio, available wherever you get your audiobooks Keep up with us between shows. Follow us on Instagram or Threads @bookclubreviewpodcast, browse our website for our full archive, or drop us a line at thebookclubreview@gmail.com Want the deep dive? All the details of our Patreon extras and how to sign up here. Thanks for listening, happy reading, happy book clubbing
What did our podcast book club make of Mild Vertigo, Japanese author Mieko Kanai's 1997 novel, recently translated into English by Polly Barton. A 'modernist masterpiece' written in sentences that go on for pages with hardly any paragraph breaks might not seem like an obvious book club winner; listen in to find out if we were won over. To discuss it Kate is joined by Yuki Tejima, also known as @booknerdtokyo, and Shawn Mooney, aka Shawn the Book Maniac. Listen in for their thoughts on Mild Vertigo, their current reads and our book recommendations for anyone wanting the inside track on great Japanese fiction. Book list A Woman of Pleasure by Kiyoko Murata (trans. Juliet Winters Carpenter) Home Reading Service by Fabio Morábito (trans. Curtis Bauer) Woman Running in the Mountains by Yūko Tsushima (trans. Geraldine Harcourt) Also Territory of Light and Child of Fortune by Yoko Tsutshima Grass for my Pillow by Sayiichi Maruya (trans. Dennis Keene) The Little House by Kyoto Nakajima (trans. Ginny Tapley Takamori) There's No Such Thing as an Easy Job by Kikuo Tsumura (trans. Polly Barton) Fifty Sounds by Polly Barton Porn: An Oral History by Polly Barton Butter by Asako Yuzuki (trans. Polly Barton) Follow us on Instagram and threads @bookclubreviewpodcast Support the show and get Kate's weekly book-recommendations email, access to our book spreadsheets, connect with fellow readers and join our book club: find all the details on our Patreon page. If you enjoyed the episode, please share it, rate and review us on your podcast app, which helps other listeners find us. Find full shownotes and our episode archive at our website thebookclubreview.co.uk
Join me (Kate) and Laura as we go through our bookstacks and discuss our recent reads. Find out what why Laura can't put down The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells. Meanwhile I've discovered Mrs Miniver, a comfort read from the 1930s that still has a message for us today, Laura's made a discovery of her own – that there's more to Anita Brookner than Hotel du Lac, with her 1988 novel The Latecomers. We go from one good book club read to another with The Fraud by Zadie Smith, and Laura reports in from the recent backlist past with How Much of These Hills is Gold by C. Pam Zhang. I take a detour through a ring of enchanted toadstools with Emily Wilde's Encyclopedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett, and Laura confesses to having spent a weekend lost in the pages of Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros. She's only interested in the dragons, mind. Books mentioned The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells Mrs Miniver by Jan Struther The Latecomers by Anita Brookner The Fraud by Zadie Smith (UK paperback out in June) How Much of These Hills is Gold by C. Pam Zhang Emily Wilde's Encyclopedia of Faeries by Heather Fawcett Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros UK listeners can find all the books listed above at our Bookshop.org.uk bookshop, if you purchase them there you'll be supporting independent bookshops and your favourite indie podcasters. Find out all the details of what we're offering on our Patreon here, including a weekly book recmomendations newsletter from Kate, occasional extra bits and bobs plus access to our pod book spreadsheets, and at the higher tier you can join our bookclub and talk books with Kate in person once a month. And come and find Kate on Instagram or Threads, or drop us a line at thebookclubreview@gmail.com and let us know your thoughts on the books discussed here anytime.
We've put our 2023 reading lists behind us, and now it's time to look ahead to 2024. Who better to guide us through all the new titles coming our way than Chrissy Ryan, owner of North London's buzziest bookshop and social space, Bookbar. New books by favourite authors, a non-fiction page-turner that will have you hooked, a high-concept potential blockbuster and a follow-up novel from the author of a debut that got people talking, we've got something for everyone. Not to mention our tips and strategies for how to avoid feeling overwhelmed by that TBR. Listen via the media player above or your preferred podcast player with this podfollow link. Books mentioned You are Here by David Nicholls (April) All that Glitters by Orlando Whitfield (May) Some Trick by Helen DeWitt The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley Glass Houses (May), and Voyeur by Francesca Reece England is Mine by Nicholas Padamsee (April) The Bee Sting by Paul Murray (out in paperback May 2024) Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson Fire Weather by John Vaillant Not the End of the World by Dr Hannah Ritchie The Fraud by Zadie Smith If I Survive You by Jonathan Escoffery Help Wanted by Adelle Waldman (March) The Idiot by Elif Batuman Come and Get It by Kiley Reid (and we also mentioned Such a Fun Age) Notes Find out what we're up to and support the show on Patreon. The 10 Best New Novelists for 2024, The Observer Who is Still in the Metaverse by Paul Murray for New York Magazine
It's our 2023 review of the year. Join me (Kate), Laura and Phil as we look back over our favourites, from new releases to backlist gems. Find out our overall book of the year, plus the books we're looking forward to in 2024. If you're wondering what to read next, this is the show for you, with over fifty tried and tested recommendations. Support the show, get our weekly newsletter or join our monthly book club via Patreon. Follow us on Instagram or Threads Find full shownotes and a transcript on our website thebookclubreview.co.uk Book list Favourite New Release August Blue by Deborah Levy The Rainbow by Yasunari Kawabata, and we also discussed Snow Country Fire Rush by Jacqueline Crooks Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands by Kate Beaton Now is Not the Time to Panic by Kevin Wilson Kick the Latch by Kathryn Scanlan Favourite backlist title Austerlitz by W.G. Sebald The Woman Warrior by Maxine Hong Kingston Charlotte by David Foenkinos A Month in the Country by J.L. Carr A Place of Greater Safety by Hilary Mantel Black Narcissus by Rumer Godden The Ginger Tree by Oswald Wynd Favourite non-fiction This Much is True by Miriam Margolyes A House of Air (collected writing, ed. Hermione Lee) by Penelope Fitzgerald The Palace Papers by Tina Brown How to Talk About Books you Haven't Read by Piere Bayard Carmageddon by Daniel Knowles Free by Lea Ypi Favourite Book Club Read Super Infinite: The Transformations of John Donne by Katherine Rundell The Years by Annie Ernaux Favourite comfort reads Went to London, Took the Dog by Nina Stibbe The Grove: A Nature Odyssey in 191/2 Front Gardens by Ben Dark Once Upon a Tome by Oliver Darkshire Madensky Square by Iva Ibbotson Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld Instructions for a Heatwave by Maggie O'Farrell Going Zero by Anthony McCarten Most disappointed by The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton Woman of Light by Kali Fajardo-Anstine (but do read Sabrina and Corina) Patreon recommends Loot by Tania James Factory Girls by Michelle Gallen Cider House Rules by John Irving Cursed Bunny by Bora Chung The Axman's Carnival by Catherine Chidgey Not Now Not Ever by Julia Gillard All That's Left Unsaid by Tracey Lien River Sing Me Home by Eleanor Shearer The Boy and the Dog by Seishu Hase Cakes and Ale by Somerset Maugham The Mermaid of Black Conch by Monique Roffey Machines Like Me by Ian McKewan Death and the Penguin by Andrei Kurkov The Sixteen Trees of the Somme by Lars Mytting Overall Book(s) of 2023 Septology by Jon Fosse (and we mentioned Morning and Evening) Stay True by Hua Hsu How to Read Now by Elaine Castillo The Vaster Wilds by Lauren Groff Monsters by Claire Dederer Books we're looking forward to Arturo's Island by Elsa Moranti Rememberance of Things Past by Proust (vol. 3) Miss Benson's Beetle by Rachel Joyce Cahokia Jazz by Francis Spufford Tremor by Teju Cole The Maniac by Benjamin Labatut
We read all six Booker shortlisted books, now join us as we evaluate them and try to second-guess the Booker judges, before finding out the winner - don't miss our hot take. 'A novel is a mirror carried along a high road' says Chair of the Booker judges Esi Edyugan, quoting Stendhal. ‘Year after year', she continues, ‘the Booker Prize encourages us to take sight of ourselves in the lives of others, to slip for the length of a story into different skins, to grapple with unfamiliar worlds that allow us to see our own afresh.' Unsurprisingly, seeing the world as it is right now has led to the most downbeat shortlist in our collective memory, but that doesn't mean these books don't make for fantastic discussion. As ever, we won't spoil the plots we'll just give you a sense of what we thought of them. Join me, Kate, with Laura, our regular guest Phil Chaffee, and first-timer, book blogger Martin Voke, as we talk through The Bee Sting by Paul Murray (audiobook narrated by Heather O'Sullivan, Barry Fitzgerald, Beau Holland, Ciaran O'Brien, Lisa Caruccio Came and published by Penguin Audio) Prophet Song by Paul Lynch (audiobook narrated by Gerry O'Brien and published by Bolinda Audio @bolindaaudio @borrowbox) If I Survive You by Jonathan Escoffery (audiobook narrated by Torian Brackett and published by Fourth Estate) Western Lane by Chetna Maroo (audiobook narrated by Maya Saroya and published by Picador) This Other Eden by Paul Harding (audiobook narrated by Eduardo Ballerini, and published by Penguin Audio) and Study for Obedience by Sarah Bernstein (narrated by Sarah Bernstein and published by Granta) And for a deep dive into the winner and all fifty-seven previous winners of The Booker Prize don't miss Martin's website On the Prize
Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry has sold over 2 and a half million copies worldwide since publication in 1985, and won a Pulitzer Prize. With prose as ‘as smooth as worn saddle-leather', USA today writes 'If you read only one Western novel in your life, read this one . . . no other has ever approached the accomplishment of Lonesome Dove'. More interesting to us, Lonesome Dove is one of those 'if-you-know-you-know' books, passed from reader to reader, once read, never forgotten. And yet not everyone is a fan – listen in to see what Laura's book club made of it. As ever we're careful not to spoil the plot, so rest assured we won't give away any of the book's secrets. We're also recommending some follow-ons and some favourites from our recent reading piles. Book list Prairie Fires by Caroline Fraser Days Without End by Sebastian Barry The Vaster Wilds by Lauren Groff Austerlitz by W.G. Seabed Sharp by Michelle Dean How to Talk About Books you Haven't Read by Pierre Bayard Notes If you read one article on Lonesome Dove, let it be this brilliant oral history that Texas Monthly put together, which is full of fascinating detail about the TV series and the book. Links Website: https://www.thebookclubreview.co.uk Follow us on Instagram Find out about our Patreon, Kate's weekly book recommendations newsletter and how to join our book club and get extra episodes
Irish author Claire Keegan is generally considered to be one of the finest writers working today. ‘Every word is the right word in the right place, and the effect is resonant and deeply moving' said Hilary Mantel, of her work, while for Colm Toiíbín ‘Claire Keegan makes her moments real – and then she makes them matter.' Praise indeed, but what did our brand new podcast book club make of So Late in the Day, her most recently published short story? We'll be reporting back. And we're also rounding up a few stand-outs from our recent reading piles, from J. L. Carr's meditative classic A Month in the Country to V.E. Schwab's latest fantasy novel The Fragile Threads of Power. Book list So Late in the Day and Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan The English Understand Wool by Helen DeWitt, The Road to the City by Natalia Ginsberg in the Storybook ND series Tom Lake, Bel Canto and The Dutch House by Ann Patchett The Masqueraders by Georgette Heyer The Secrets of Sir Richard Kenworthy by Julia Quinn Miss Pym Disposes by Josephine Tey A Month in the Country, by J. L. Carr Soldier, Sailor by Claire Kilroy The Fragile Threads of Power by V.E. Schwab Join us on Patreon Here's the link for all the details, find out what extras you'll receive. Connect with us Find us on Instagram or Facebook @bookclubreviewpodcast On X at @bookclubrvwpod or email us at thebookclubreview@gmail.com, we love to hear from you
Is there any point in doing a nice thing if you can't flaunt it on social media? Can we ever know what it's like to be a bat? If we know Cinderella isn't real, why do we care about whether or not she marries the prince? In this episode Kate is joined by Jonny Thomson, the man behind the popular Instagram account @philosophyminis, and a bestselling book of the same name. With a new title out, Mini Big Ideas, it seemed the perfect time to catch up with him and consider the philosophical ideas that lie behind three works of fiction: The Death of Yvan Illyich by Leo Tolstoy, Death and the Penguin by Andrey Kurkov and Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman. Just what connects these three titles? Listen in to find out, plus a few more book recommendations. All that, plus discover 'the gap', and how knowing about it might change your life, and the benefits of scepticism. Book list On Fairy Stories by J.R.R. Tolkien The Road by Cormac McCarthy The Death of Ivan Illyich by Leo Tolstoy (and in particular the Peter Carson translation) Death and the Penguin by Andrei Kurkov Super-Infinite: The Transformations of John Donne by Katherine Rundell Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman Leonard & Hungry Paul by Ronan Hession Monsters: A Fan's Dilemma by Claire Dederer Metaphysical Animals by Rachel Wiseman and Claire MacCumhaill Philosopher Queens by Rebecca Buxton and Lisa Whiting Mini Philosophy and Mini Big Ideas by Jonny Thomson Notes Find Jonny on Instagram @philosophyminis Find us at: https://www.thebookclubreview.co.uk Instagram @bookclubreviewpodcast Kate's Threads reading log: @bookclubreviewpodcast@threads.net Newsletter sign-up: https://substack.com/@thebookclubreview Patreon and book club: We've made free episodes of The Book Club Review for 6 years now, and we'll continue to keep them free, and ad-free. But they take a lot in terms of time and resources so if you appreciate the shows and would like to support us we now have a Patreon where you can do that. In return you'll get weekly bookish recommendations from Kate, plus, at the higher tier, extra episodes and membership of our podcast book club, to be held over Zoom once a month on Sunday nights (UK time). We would love to see you there. https://patreon.com/thebookclubreview
Whether you're after fly-through-them page-turners or immersive long-reads, or perhaps you're after a challenge, or the perfect discussion book, we've got the list for you. Find out our expert picks from indie-bookshop Bookbar's Chrissy Ryan, a woman at the centre of a hub of reading recommendations from authors, customers and booksellers alike. Kate is swapping notes and sharing her own summer reading pile. Plus just to pack in even more book tips we've got a few extra recommendations from Chrissy's Bookbar team. And so sit back and let us give you books to inspire, inform, amuse and entertain as we see out the summer and anticipate our Autumn reads. Booklist The Guest by Emma Cline Yellowface by Rebecca F. Kuang The Centre, by Ayesha Manazir Siddiqui, Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin Small Worlds by Caleb Azumah Nelson, Time's Shelter by Gyorgi Gospodinov, Whale by Cheon Myeong-kwan How to Read Now and America is not the Heart by Elaine Castillo Cahokia Jazz by Francis Spufford The Maniac by Benjamin Labatut Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton The Secret History by Donna Tartt Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver Tom Lake, and These Precious Days by Ann Patchett Read This: Handpicked Favourites from America's Indie Bookstores, compiled by Hans Weyandt (Coffee House Press) Roman Stories and Whereabouts by Jhumpa Lahiri Good Material by Dolly Alderton Notes Visit Bookbar online The indie publishing mavericks shaking up the UK book world (The Guardian) The Book Club Review's Fitzcarraldo episode
If you've been wondering whether or not to tackle the work of Nobel-prizewinner Annie Ernaux, and in partiular The Years, generally considered to be definitive, listen in and find out what Laura's book club thought (you might be surprised). We're also generally delighted by how interesting the life of 17th-century poet John Donne is in the hands of Katherine Rundell, and her Baillie-Gifford prizewinner Super-Infinite. But were Kate's book club unanimous in their praise? Discover more great reads as we delve into our recent reading piles. Find out the hits and misses, plus the books we've got on the go right now. Booklist The Years by Annie Ernaux Super-Infinite by Katherine Rundell The Banished Immortal by Ha Jin Grey Bees by Andrei Kurkov Avid Reader by Robert Gottlieb (and we also mentioned the film Turn Every Page) Book Lovers by Emily Henry Watch us Dance by Leila Slimani (and we also mentioned her other books Lullaby or The Perfect Nanny, and The Country of Others) Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton (and we also mentioned her previous book The Luminaries) Monsters by Claire Dederer The Great Reclamation by Rachel Heng Drive Your Plow over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tocarczuk Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry The Late Americans by Brandon Taylor Leave us a rating If you enjoy our shows and want to do a nice thing in return please do leave us a quick star rating and review. Wondering how to do that? From apple podcasts click the '...' next to the episode title (under the square graphic) and choose 'go to show'. From there scroll down past the episodes till you find 'Ratings & Reviews'. Tap the stars to add a star rating, tap 'write a review' slightly further down to add a comment. Thank you! Notes Website: https://www.thebookclubreview.co.uk Instagram @bookclubreviewpodcast Kate's Threads reading log: @bookclubreviewpodcast@threads.net Newsletter sign-up: https://substack.com/@thebookclubreview Patreon and book club: We're cooking up a pod bookclub, launching September, as part of our Patreon account. You'll be supporting our show, and once a month on Sunday nights (UK time) you'll also be able to join Kate for an online book-club, to be held over zoom. We'll put all the details on our Patreon soon, and hope you'll sign up as we can't wait to talk books in person.
Join Kate in the historic market town of St. Albans, home to a cathedral, some impressive Roman ruins and one of Kate's favourite independent bookshops. Books on the Hill is owned and run by a mother and daughter duo who launched it just before the pandemic. Listen in and find out what makes it so special, their book club recommendations and discover Kate and Antonia's choices as they each pick three books from the shelves, from new releases to classic gems. Books mentioned: The Wild Places by Robert McFarlane The Bookshop by Penelope Fitzgerald The Sentence by Louise Erdrich Femina by Gina Ramirez The Scent of Flowers at Night by Leila Slïmani Ross Poldark by Winston Graham Queen Victoria by Lytton Strachey The Joy of Small Things by Hannah Jane Parkinson Why Women Grow by Alice Vincent Find Books on the Hill at https://www.books-on-the-hill.co.uk
Join us as professional book-recommender and Bibliotherapy queen Ella Berthoud helps us figure out how to overcome life's essential problems (if you're a reader, that is), namely how to cope with all the books there are in the world, what to do when you feel stuck in a reading rut, and the ultimate question, if you've started a book you're not enjoying, should you finish it? We're also diving into Ella's latest project, Fiction Prescriptions, a pack of cards with reading recommendations to soothe your soul and offer a cure for modern life, from Ageing through to Boredom via Hangovers and Procrastination. Booklist Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne The Last Passenger by Will Dean Therese Raquin by Emile Zola Miss Benson's Beetle by Rachel Joyce The Dream Job by Kiersten Modglin Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel The Overstory by Richard Powers And if you want more from the source do seek out The Novel Cure, co-written with Susan Elderkin, and Ella's own books The Art of Mindful Reading, and Fiction Prescriptions. If you want to find out more about Ella's bibliotherapy sessions or any other aspect of her work the link to her website, Ellaberthoud.com, is in the show notes. About us We hope you enjoyed this episode. For our full archive of nearly 150 shows, plus how to sign up to our bi-weekly-ish newsletter and how to support us on Patreon head over to our website, www.thebookclubreview.co.uk, where you'll also find full show notes for this episode and a transcript. Leave us a rating If you enjoy our shows and want to do a nice thing in return please do leave us a quick star rating and review. Wondering how to do that? From apple podcasts click the '...' next to the episode title (under the square graphic) and choose 'go to show'. From there scroll down past the episodes till you find 'Ratings & Reviews'. Tap the stars to add a star rating, tap 'write a review' slightly further down to add a comment. Thank you! Connect with us Instagram @bookclubreviewpodcast Newsletter sign-up: https://substack.com/@thebookclubreview Patreon: Details coming soon…
Six books, four readers and, as always, plenty of opinions. Join Kate, Laura and guests Sarah Oliver and Nina Davies as they dive into the 2023 Women's Prize shortlist. But will they be able to second-guess the judges? As ever, we talk about these books in some detail but we won't spoil the plots for you, so listen in if you want to hear more and find out all the reasons why these are six books you won't want to miss. Booklist Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver (Faber & Faber) Pod by Laline Paull (Corsair / Little Brown) Trespasses by Louise Kennedy (Bloomsbury) Black Butterflies by Priscilla Morris (Duckworth) Fire Rush by Jacqueline Crooks (Jonathan Cape / Penguin) The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'Farrell (Tinder Press / Hachette) The Women's Prize website The prize is announced on 14th June 2023 Leave us a rating If you enjoy our shows and want to do a nice thing in return please do leave us a quick star rating and review. Wondering how to do that? From apple podcasts click the '...' next to the episode title (under the square graphic) and choose 'go to show'. From there scroll down past the episodes till you find 'Ratings & Reviews'. Tap the stars to add a star rating, tap 'write a review' slightly further down to add a comment. Thank you! Notes Website: https://www.thebookclubreview.co.uk Instagram @bookclubreviewpodcast Newsletter sign-up: https://substack.com/@thebookclubreview Patreon: Details coming soon…
Our bookshelf shows are the ones where we get to cut loose and follow our own preferences, so listen in as Kate and Laura swap feel-good early summer reads. Much to their relief after Rodham, the sex in Curtis Sittenfeld's latest novel ROMANTIC COMEDY turns out to be as good as the rest of it. Meanwhile Kate is surprised and entertained by Monica Heisey's REALLY GOOD, ACTUALLY. Via the discerning edit of the books aisle in her upmarket grocery store, Laura discovers PINEAPPLE STREET, and enjoys it hugely. Kate is fascinated and entertained by British actress Miriam Margolyes and her autobiography THIS MUCH IS TRUE, enjoying the social commentary as much as if not more than the showbiz stories (though those are good, too). And finally in a preview of Laura's thoughts on Women's Prize shortlisted DEMON COPPERHEAD, she reports back on what she thought of it. And if you thought you were over re-tellings of Greek myths Kate urges you to think again with STONE BLIND by Natalie Haynes. Booklist Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld Really Good, Acutally by Monica Heisey Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson This Much is True by Miriam Margolyes Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes and in our current reads section we talked about GREY BEES by Andrey Kurkov, and POD by Laline Paull. https://www.faber.co.uk/journal/cover-design-demon-copperhead/If you were interested by our discussion of the cover design for Demon Copperhead and want to know more, there's a brilliant behind-the-scenes into the design process on Faber's website, here. Get in touch with us and tell us what you're reading or recommend us a book on Instagram or Facebook @BookClubReview podcast, on Twitter @bookclubrvwpod or email thebookclubreview@gmail.com. Find our full episode archive at thebookclubreview.co.uk and don't forget to like, subscribe, tell a friend, share on social media – it helps us reach new listeners and we really do appreciate it :)
So Many Damn Books is a show that aims to celebrate reading in all its forms, and to do so with a cocktail in hand. For over 200 episodes now Christoper Hermelin has been chatting to authors and crafting them bespoke drinks. From George Saunders and Ruth Ozeki to lesser-known but no less interesting authors, every episode in his archive is a delight. And it was no less of a delight to welcome him onto the Book Club Review podcast. So sit back and enjoy this very special episode, where you'll find out about a Stateside literary cult that's turns out to be an excellent resource should you need a new best friend, a book so good you'll end up dreaming about it, and how to cope when you've gone so deep into the reading world that you can no longer simply buy a book in a bookshop. Luckily, a problem shared is a problem halved, or at least a problem understood! Booklist Important Artifacts and Personal Property from the Collection of Lenore Doolan and Harold Morris by Leanne Shapton Skippy Dies by Paul Murray The Boy Detective Fails by Joe Meno Spangle by Gary Jennings Hestia Strikes a Match by Christine Grillo Notes Enjoyed this episode? In the mood for more? Head over to SMDB and listen to Christopher's episode here. Amongst other things we discuss the amazing KICK THE LATCH by Kathryn Scanlan, and lesser-known gem PARNASSUS ON WHEELS by Christoper Morely. Want to know more about the Tournament of Books? 2023 is here Or browse the ToB archive Keen to fall down a nostalgia rabbit hole? Try the Mac vs. PC commercials, but be aware it's half an hour of your life you won't get back. Admin If you'd like to see what we're up to between episodes do follow us on Instagram or Facebook @BookClubReview podcast, on Twitter @bookclubrvwpod or get in touch direct at thebookclubreview@gmail.com. Website: https://www.thebookclubreview.co.uk Instagram post: [link coming soon] Newsletter sign-up: https://substack.com/@thebookclubreview Patreon: Coming soon… And if you enjoy our shows and want to do a nice thing in return please do leave us a quick star rating and review. Wondering how to do that? From apple podcasts click the '...' next to the episode title (under the square graphic) and choose 'go to show'. From there scroll down past the episodes till you find 'Ratings & Reviews'. Tap the stars to add a star rating, tap 'write a review' slightly further down to add a comment. Thank you!
Salman Rushdie's most recent novel Victory City was published in February 2023 to much critical acclaim but, as ever here at the Book Club Review, we're interested in what Laura's book club made of it. Our friend and pod regular, journalist Philip Chaffee is here to report back, along with first-time guest, avid reader and keen book clubber Charlie Chichester. Listen in for our full and frank discussion, plus our recommendations for follow on reads, and the books we've currently got on the go. Book list Baudolino by Umberto Eco Gentlemen of the Road by Michael Chabon The Princess Bride by William Goldman How Westminster Works and Why it Doesn't by Ian Dunt Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel Revolutionary Spring by Christopher Clark Parnassus on Wheels by Christopher Morley Enjoyed the show? Want to express your thanks? Here's how: From apple podcasts click the '...' next to the episode title (under the square graphic) and choose 'go to show'. From there scroll down past the episodes till you find 'Ratings & Reviews'. Tap the stars to add a star rating, tap 'write a review' slightly further down to add a comment. Thank you!
Our Bookshelf episodes are the ones dedicated to the books we're each reading outside of book club, the ones we tend to love because we chose them for ourselves. Laura has been reading the latest from ANIMAL LIFE, the latest novel from podcast favourite, Icelandic author Audur Ava Olafsdottir. A short, quiet novel, but one that struck a chord. She's also been happily working through THE MIRROR VISITOR QUARTET by French author Christelle Dabos. What is it about this epic fantasy series that has her so happily hooked? Kate has been catching up with LESSONS IN CHEMISTRY by Bonnie Garmus, the smash hit that tells of scientist turned tv-cooking show presenter Elizabeth Zott. Also on her stack is I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS FOR YOU, by Rebecca Makkai, the New York Times bestseller that has been described as ‘A twisty, immersive whodunit perfect for fans of Donna Tartt's The Secret History.' And for a non-fiction palette cleanser she's been reading Saving Time: Discovering Life Beyond the Clock, by artist and writer Jenny Odell. To read it, fellow time-philosopher Oliver Burkeman comments, ‘'is to experience how freedom might feel'. Listen in for all this plus the current reads and books we can't wait to get to, including SUPER-INFINITE by Katherine Rundell, STONE BLIND by Natalie Haynes and MISS PETTIGREW LIVES FOR A DAY buy Winifred Watson. And just why are Laura's book club struggling with Salman Rushdie's latest, VICTORY CITY? NOTES Whenever you listen to this episode if you have thoughts on it we'd love to hear them. Comment anytime on the episode page on our website thebookclubreview.co.uk, where you'll also find full shownotes, book recommendations and a transcript. Comments there go straight to our inboxes so drop us a line, we always love to hear from you. You can also sign up for our bi-weekly-ish newsletter for extra reviews and recommendations, and find out about our Patreon stream, and how you can support us there. To see what we're up to between episodes follow us on Instagram @BookClubReview podcast, on Twitter @bookclubrvwpod or get in touch at thebookclubreview@gmail.com. And if you enjoy our shows one other way to support us, as ever, is to tell your bookish friends and help us find new listeners.
We're joined by friend and journalist Phil Chaffee to discuss FREE by Lea Ypi, a memoir of her Albanian childhood and of life amid the collapse of Communism. The book won the Royal Society of Literature's Ondaatje prize and was shortlisted for the Baillie Gifford non-fiction prize and was on many a best-book of 2022 list. Both our book clubs read this one, but what did they make of it? We'll be reporting back. We're also discussing THE SNOW BALL by Brigid Brophy, a swirling, sensual feast that takes place over one night at a New Year's Eve masquerade ball. The novel was published in 1964 and was something of a scandalous sensation at the time. It has recently been re-released to much acclaim, but what did Kate's book club think of it? We'll also have some trusty follow-on recommendations to help you find your next great read. Booklist BORDER by Kapka Kassabova SECONDHAND TIME by Svetlana Alexievich HOMELAND ELEGIES by Ayad Akhtar MISS PETTIGREW LIVES FOR A DAY by Winifred Watson 50 GREAT WORKS OF ENGLISH LITERATURE WE COULD DO WITHOUT by Brigid Brophy, Michael Levey and Charles Osborne. Let us know your thoughts, we love to hear from you. Find us on Instagram @bookclubreviewpodcast, on Twitter @bookclubrvwpod or email us at thebookclubrevew@gmail.com. You can also check out the episode page on our website, thebookclubreview.co.uk, where you'll also find full shownotes and a transcript. If you enjoy our shows please support us by telling your bookish friends – we love to reach new listeners.
When in Vancouver, run to the coolest bookstore you can find and interview the owner. Such is the busman's holiday I've recently been enjoying on a visit to Laura's hometown. It also fits nicely into a new series we've been cooking up where we get to indulge our love of independent bookshops. First up is The Paperhound, owned by Kim Koch and Rod Clarke, which offers a fine selection of used and rare, new and notable books. Join me as I chat to Kim and learn about the joys of book collecting and the time she found a signed first edition of Borges' Ficciones in a box of books left on the street. We'll be pulling out some treasures from her shelves and chatting about life in the strange and wonderful world of used-books. Book list A Little Book of Pussy Cats by Louis Wain Mary Shelly's Frankenstein Aphrodisiacs in your Garden by Charles Connell Minor Detail by Adania Shibli Orwell's Roses by Rebecca Solnit The Juniper Tree by Barbara Comyns Still Life with Woodpecker by Tom Robbins The Paperhound For full shownotes and episode transcript head to our website: The Book Club Review podcast If you'd like to see what we're up to between episodes follow us on Instagram or Facebook @BookClubReview podcast, on Twitter @bookclubrvwpod or get in touch at thebookclubreview@gmail.com. And if you enjoy our shows one other way to support us, as ever, is to tell your bookish friends and help us find new listeners.
Our bookshelf episodes are the ones where we kick back and talk about the books we've been choosing for ourselves outside of our book club reading. And so join us as we get swept away by the French Revolution and Hilary Mantel's spellbinding book A PLACE OF GREATER SAFETY, consider myth and storytelling with a surprisingly feminist slant thanks to Salman Rushdie's latest novel, VICTORY CITY, see another side to New York with our guest Phil Chaffee and Chang Rae Lee's book NATIVE SPEAKER, plan an architectural tour of Norwegian Stave churches thanks to THE BELL AND THE LAKE by Lars Mytting, which Laura reports is a tale of love and drama set among a remote community in 18th-century Norway. We also catch up with Barack Obama's summer reading pick THE SCHOOL FOR GOOD MOTHERS by Jessamine Chan – with a brief aside to celebrate Kate's new-found love for Richard and Judy's book club here in the UK. Phil reports back on the FT's business book of the year, CHIP WAR by Chris Miller, which turns out to be a thumping page-turner, plus we quick fire through a stack of other books we couldn't bear not to mention. Book list A PLACE OF GREATER SAFETY by Hilary Mantel (Fourth Estate) VICTORY CITY by Salman Rushdie (Penguin) NATIVE SPEAKER by Chang Rae Lee (Granta) THE BELL AND THE LAKE by Lars Mytting (Hachette) THE SCHOOL FOR GOOD MOTHERS by Jessamine Chan CHIP WAR by Chris Miller (Simon & Schuster) Plus THE PEARL by John Steinbeck SHADOW AND CLAW by Gene Wolff CHARLOTTE by David Foenkinos ROSES IN THE MOUTH OF A LION by Bushra Rehman (published in the UK in January 2023, from St. Martin's Press) Notes Browse the newsletter archive of Three Lives & Company booksellers, New York. Our Emily's Walking Book Club episode # 76 The article Phil mentioned is The 25 Most Significant New York City Novels from the Last 25 Years
It's always good to have things to look forward to in life, and the books we can see coming up on the horizon are no exception. In this episode we'll be finding out the books that Chrissy Ryan and her team at Bookbar are excited about. Whether it's new books from authors we here at the Book Club Review have loved in the past or exciting new debuts from authors we've never heard of, we're primed and ready to get reading as soon as they drop. Plus we have a nerdy dive into what it takes to run a small independent bookshop, and why it's so important to be reading ahead of the pack. Listen in and be prepared to add to your TBR. Book list Chrissy recommended Rosewater by Liv Little (Dialogue books / Hachette) Small Worlds by Caleb Azumah Nelson (Penguin) Wandering Souls by Cecile Pin (Harpercollins) Nothing Special by Nicole Flattery (Bloomsbury) The Happy Couple by Naoise Dolan (W&N) Mrs S by K Patrick (Europa Editions) Yellowface by R. F. Kuang (Harper Collins) The Guest, Emma Cline (Penguin) Fire Rush by Jacqueline Crooks (Penguin) Lucy recommended Death of a Bookseller by Alice Slater (Hachette) In Memoriam by Alice Wynn (Penguin) Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld Chandler and Frankie recommended One Small Voice by Santanu Bhattacharya (Penguin) Penance by Eliza Clark (Faber) Collected Works by Lydia Sandgren (Pushkin) Tomás Nevinson, Javier Marías (Penguin) The Late Americans by Brandon Taylor (Penguin) And Frankie also mentioned Nothing Special by Nicole Flattery (Bloomsbury) In addition to bookselling Frankie is also author Francesca Reece and so you might also be interested to try her book Voyeur: 'Devastatingly witty, compulsively readable . . . like Sally Rooney meeting Martin Amis in Paris' writes Francine Toon, author of Pine. To sign up to read and review proofs head to Netgalley UK or Netgalley.com Notes Check out the episode page on our website for full shownotes and a transcript, and do comment there anytime if you have thoughts on any of the books discussed in this show. You'll also find our archive of over one-hundred episodes to browse through, from our Booker Prize or Women's Prize specials to regular book club chats and interviews with authors and other book industry folk. You can also sign up to our free newsletter for more book recommendations between shows, and find out the details for our Patreon account and how to support us there. A quick free way to support us is to take a moment to rate and review the show wherever you get your podcasts, it really helps us reach new listeners. Tell your friends, share on social media, it means so much to us when you do. You can also find us on Instagram @BookClubReview podcast, on Twitter @bookclubrvwpod or email thebookclubreview@gmail.com.
It's Bookshelf time here at The Book Club Review podcast, when we talk about the books we're reading outside of book club, the ones we get to pick and choose for ourselves. And so listen in to find out what Laura thought of The Ginger Tree by Oswald Wynd, a lesser-known backlist gem, A Place of Greater Safety, Booker-winner Hilary Mantel's immersive doorstop about the French revolution, and The Goblin Emperor, Katherine Addison's blend of court intrigue, goblins and steampunk. Meanwhile I'm reporting back on Babel by R.F. Kuang, the bestselling fantasy epic set in 19th-century England, Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield, part bruisingly tender love story, part nerve-clanging submarine thriller, and Either / Or by Elif Batuman, the follow-on from her first novel The Idiot. It's the continuing adventures of her protagonist, Harvard student Selin, and has been described as ‘a second year of love, sex, and books'. Whenever you listen to this episode if you have thoughts on it we'd love to hear them. Comment anytime on the episode page on our website thebookclubreview.co.uk, where you'll also find full shownotes, book recommendations and a transcript. Comments there go straight to our inboxes so drop us a line, we'd love to hear from you. You can also sign up for our bi-weekly-ish newsletter for extra reviews and recommendations. If you'd like to see what we're up to between episodes follow us on Instagram or Facebook @BookClubReview podcast, on Twitter @bookclubrvwpod or get in touch at thebookclubreview@gmail.com. And if you're not already do subscribe to us and take a moment to rate and review the show in your podcatcher of choice – it helps other listeners to find us and is a great way to support us.
When a book sells upwards of five and a half million copies and film rights are snapped up by none other than Steven Spielberg it seems to us a special episode is in order. And so join us as we dive into, and attempt to make sense of, the publishing phenomenon that is The Thursday Murder Club, the cozy crime novel set in a retirement community by TV-producer and presenter-turned-author Richard Osman. Join us as Kate and two very special guests give The Thursday Murder Club the book club treatment. Our first guest is author and friend-of-the-pod Colleen Hubbard, whose debut novel Housebreaking was published by Hachette last year and is out in paperback April 2023. She joined Kate over Zoom and brought along her friend Sue, a pilates instructor and keen reader, to help give us more insight into how older readers are responding to this book. Then it's back to Kate and Laura for a stack of our favourite follow-on crime reads, cozy or otherwise. If you haven't yet read The Thursday Murder Club don't worry, we will not spoil the plot for you. What we will do is take a friendly but critical overview to see if we can fathom the secrets behind the book's appeal Book recommendations The Sanatorium by Sarah Pearse The Wych Elm by Tana French Death in the Stocks by Georgette Heyer The Red House Mystery by A.A. Milne Mouth to Mouth by Antoine Wilson Gaudy Night by Dorothy L. Sayers Strangers on a Train by Patricia Highsmith A Murder is Announced by Agatha Christie Leonard and Hungry Paul by Rónán Hession. Notes The Thursday Murder Club is published by Penguin. Find out more about Colleen and her novel Housebreaking (Hachette) at Colleenhubbard.com The Thursday Murder Club audiobook is produced by Penguin Audio Whenever you listen to this episode if you have thoughts on it we'd love to hear them. Comment anytime on the episode page on our website https://thebookclubreview.co.uk, where you'll also find full shownotes, book recommendations and a transcript. Comments there go straight to our inboxes so drop us a line, we'd love to hear from you. You can also sign up there for our bi-weekly-ish newsletter for extra reviews and recommendations. If you'd like to see what we're up to between episodes follow us on Instagram or Facebook @BookClubReviewpodcast, on Twitter @bookclubrvwpod or get in touch at thebookclubreview@gmail.com. And if you're not already, why not subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts. If you want to support us please do take a moment to rate and review the show, which helps other listeners find us.
It's our best books of 2022, one of our favourite episodes to record as by this point we've done all the hard work of reading, now it's time to sit back and consider which, of all the books we read in 2022, were our very favourites. That might be a new release or it might be a backlist gem. We've also got the books that got us through difficult moments, the books that made us laugh or cry, and the ones we recommended and gave to friends. As we're nothing if not critical we've got some books that didn't quite live up to our expectations before we finally crown our top three books of 2022. As snow falls gently around the shed, the fairy lights twinkle, the mulled wine is warm, and we discuss our favourite reads of 2022 with regular special guest, journalist Phil Chaffee. Books mentioned are listed below, but if you want to be surprised look away now. Book recommendations for Best Books of 2022 Favourite new release: Laura loved TRUST by Herman Diaz, Phil's favourite (with also-rans The Marriage Portraitby Maggie O'Farrell and Love Marriage by Monica Ali) was THE SECRET LIVES OF CHURCH LADIES by Deesha Philyaw, while Kate loved SEVEN STEEPLES by Sara Baume (with honorable mentions Housebreaking by Colleen Hubbard and Briefly: A Delicious Life by Nell Stevens) Favourite backlist title: Phil picked THE BETROTHED by Alessandro Manzoni (with also-rans The Blackwater Lightship by Colm Toíbín, and Beware of Pity by Stefan Zweig). Kate loved The Homemaker by Dorothy Canfield-Fisher but her favourite was O CALEDONIA by Elspeth Barker. Laura went for WIVES AND DAUGHTERS by Elizabeth Gaskell. Favourite non-fiction reads: For Kate it was THE PALACE PAPERS, Tina Brown's engaging examination of the British royal family and our collective fascination with (or indifference) to them. Kate's also-rans were Fall by John Preston (did Robert Maxwell fall or was he pushed?), 4,000 Weeks by Oliver Burkeman (if we did but have the time to discuss it) and Entangled Life by Merlin Sheldrake (book everyone says is great turns out to be great). Laura only reads non-fiction when her book club forces her too, but luckily she did end up reading CASTE by Isabel Wilkerson, a book that changed her view of the world within the first fifty pages. Phil loved Putin's People by Catherine Belton and Not One Inch by M.E. Sarotte, but his overall favourite was THE RED PRINCE by Timothy Snyder. Favourite Book Club reads. Top of the pile for Laura was MICHEL THE GIANT by Tété-Michel Kpomassie while Phil preferred EIGHT MONTHS ON GHAZZAH STREET by Hilary Mantel. Kate loved The Heart is a Lonely Hunterby Carson McCullers but her ultimate choice was LIGHT PERPETUAL by Francis Spufford Favourite comfort reads: For Phil it was EITHER/OR by Elif Batuman; he now only wants to read books narrated by her protagonist Selin. Laura escaped to a creepy Swiss hotel with THE SANATORIUM by Sarah Pearse while Kate sank into the arms of old friend E.M. Delafield with THE DIARY OF A PROVINCIAL LADY. A book that made us laugh or cry: For Kate it was A HEART THAT WORKS by Rob Delaney. Phil enjoyed THREE MEN IN A BOAT by Jerome K. Jerome (in audiobook form read by Hugh Laurie). Laura loved Small by Claire Lynch and The Sentence by Louise Erdrich, but her final choice was THE BREAD THE DEVIL KNEAD by Lisa Allen-Agostini A book we pressed on a friend: Runner-up for Phil was We Don't Know Ourselves by Fintan O'Toole but his favourite was THE FREE WORLD by Louis Menand. Laura's pick was THE SIXTEEN TREES OF THE SOMME by Lars Mytting Books we read that didn't quite live up to our expectations: THE ABSOLUTE BOOK by Elizabeth Knox promised much for Laura but ultimately didn't deliver. Phil really didn't get on with A LITTLE LIFE by Hanya Yanigahara (and has *really* thought about why) and for Kate LIBERATION DAY by George Saunders didn't quite meet the soaring heights of his other books. Overall Book of the Year: Laura's standout was THE TREES by Percival Everett. Kate loved After Sappho by Selby Wyn Schwartz and The Door by Magda Szabó but her overall favourite read was LONESOME DOVE by Larry McMurtry. Phil meanwhile loved the Elena Ferrante Neopolitan quartet, but his overall book of the year is, as mentioned earlier, THE FREE WORLD by Louis Menand. A few other books we mention in passing: Golden Hill by Francis Spufford The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon Babel by R. F. Kuang A Place of Greater Safety by Hilary Mantel Utopia Avenue by David Mitchell The English Understand Wool by Helen DeWitt The Little Library Parties and The Little Library Christmas by Kate Young Find full shownotes and links to related podcast episodes at our website thebookclubreview.co.uk, where you'll also find a transcript and our comments forum. No matter when you listen to this episode you can always drop us a line there and let us know what you thought of it. Tell us your favourite reads of 2022, we'd love to hear about them. You can also sign up for our bi-weekly-ish newsletter and find out details of our new Patreon channel. To keep up with us between episodes follow us on Instagram @bookclubreviewpodcast, on Twitter @bookclubrvwpod, or email us at thebookclubreview@gmail.com. If you enjoyed this episode please don't forget an easy way to give something back is to let people know about the show, whether through a quick rating on your podcast app, or letting people know via social media. We really appreciate it.
We catch up with 2022 Booker Prize winner The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida by Shehan Karunatilaka. Kate may have loved it, when she read it for our Booker Prize special episode, but what did the rest of her book club make of it? And we catch up with two recent reads for Laura's book group. The first is My Phantoms, the most recent novel from critics favourite Gwendoline Riley. What's all the fuss about? And did Laura's book club agree it was worth the read? Next we consider Eight Months on Ghazzah Street, a lesser-known work from Hilary Mantel. The real question, it seems, when reading Hilary Mantel is 'why would you ever read anyone else?' Listen in to find out just what it was Laura's group loved so much. We also have a range of recommendations for follow-ons to try, or to read with your book club. Book recommendations Women and Power by Mary Beard Very Cold People by Sarah Manguso The Ministry of Utmost Happiness by Arundhati Roy Cold Enough for Snow by Jessica Au A Passage North by Anuk Arudpragasam Notes The audiobook of The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida is published by Bolinda Digital (P) Bolinda Publishing 2022, My Phantoms is published by Granta Audio and Eight Months on Ghazzah Street is published by W.F. Howes and all three are available via your preferred audiobook retailer or library app. If you enjoyed this episode catch up with our original take on The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida when we discussed it as part of our Booker Prize special episode. For reviews and recommendations between episodes come and find us over on Instagram @bookclubreviewpodcast, on Twitter @bookclubrvwpod, or email us at thebookclubreview@gmail.com, we always love to hear from you. If you'd like to support us, please do take a moment to rate and review the show, which helps us reach new listeners. And tell your book-loving friends, who might not have heard of us.
Today's episode is a celebration of the joy we find in Fitzcarraldo Editions, an independent publishing house that makes no concessions towards mass appeal but instead offers up books that are consistently ambitious, imaginative and innovative. Their hallmark is their plain typographic covers that allow the words inside to speak for themselves. The editorial line maintained by publisher Jacques Testard since the beginning has reaped rewards and he now publishes four Nobel Prizewinning authors as well as Booker international and Pulitzer prize winners and shortlistees. Not bad for a small publishing house that was started in 2014 on a tiny budget with just one employee, Jacques himself. Listen in to hear the story of Fitzcarraldo - named after a film that celebrates a seemingly impossible endeavour - and how in only his second-ever Frankfurt book fair Jacques found himself negotiating a 12-way bidding war for the English-language rights to Secondhand Time by Nobel winner Sveltlana Alexievich. And, because it's us, you'll also get to hear about the books. What are our favourites? Which do we recommend? Why are so many of them sad? We're joined by Sam MacAuslan, keen Fitzcarraldo reader, to uncover some gems from the list. Like all good things, this episode has been a while in the making but with Fitzcarraldo recently celebrating publishing their 100th book it seemed the perfect time to release it out into the world, we hope you enjoy it, and feel inspired to try a Fitzcarraldo or two. Books mentioned Things I Don't Want to Know Deborah Levy Attention: A Short History by Joshua Cohen Limonov: The Outrageous Adventures by Emannuel Carrère Secondhand Time by Svetlana Alexievich (Bela Shayevich) Minor Detail by Adania Shibley (Elizabeth Jaquette) Fifty Sounds by Polly Barton Flights by Olga Tocarczuk (Jennifer Croft) Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga Tocarczuk (Jennifer Croft) The Books of Jacob by Olga Tocarczuk (Jennifer Croft) Primeval and Other Times by Olga Tocarczuk (Antonia Lloyd Jones) The Years by Annie Ernaux (Alison L. Strayer) Exteriors by Annie Ernaux (Tanya Leslie) Zone, Matthias Enard (Charlotte Mandell) Cold Enough for Snow by Jessica Au The Naked Don't Fear the Water by Matthieu Aikins Hurricane Season by Fernanda Melchor (Sophie Hughes) Paradise by Fernanda Melchor (Sophie Hughes) The Netanyahus, Joshua Cohen Septology, Jon Fosse (Damion Searls) Notes The film Fitzcarraldo by Werner Herzog Deborah Levy interview in The White Review New Directions in the US Giramondo in Australia As for us Follow us on Instagram @BookClubReviewpodcast, on Twitter @bookclubrvwpod or email thebookclubreview@gmail.com. Find shownotes, transcript and comments forum over on our website https://thebookclubreview.co.uk and drop us a line, let us know your thoughts on this episode, or tell us about a Fitzcarraldo book you love. And if you're not already do subscribe in your podcatcher of choice and never miss an episode. If you like what we do please help us out by rating and reviewing the show, which helps other listeners find us. Better yet please do share on your social channels, we're so happy to reach new ears and like with a good book recommendation, word-of-mouth is the best way.
A special episode this week as we're joined by comedian, actor and author Rob Delaney to talk about his book A Heart That Works. As so often with books that pack a powerful emotional punch this deals with a difficult subject as Rob tells the story of the death of his young son Henry, and considers his own journey through the grieving process. It's also a deeply moving, funny, thought-provoking and altogether wonderful read. Listen in as Rob and Kate share their stories, which to forewarn you, touch on the topics of death, still-birth and suicide, as well as joy and love and the importance of books as places of emotional refuge, sources of wisdom and pleasure. Booklist A Heart that Works by Rob Delaney The End of the Affair by Graham Greene Frankenstein by Mary Shelley Lucia Berlin, try A Manual for Cleaning Women One, Two, Three, Four by Craig Brown Also mentioned Thunder Road by Jim Cummings The Beatles: Get Back Notes The Rainbow Trust Noah's Ark Hospice Rob Delaney's website Have thoughts on this episode? Whenever you listen you can always leave us a comment over at the episode page on our website, where you'll also find a transcript and full show notes. You can also sign up to our bi-weekly-ish newsletter for book recommendations and what we're reading between episodes. You can also find us on Instagram @bookclubreviewpodcast and Twitter @bookclubrvwpod
A stack of books for Autumn nights: Laura dives in to the page-turning but ‘questionable' Run by Anne Patchett, and is riveted by Gwendolyn Riley's My Phantoms, while all Kate can think about is mushrooms thanks to Merlin Sheldrake's Entangled Life. She's also been dipping into Empire of Pain author Patrick Radden Keefe's essay collection, Rogues. Also discussed Amazon reviews vs. Goodreads, how ‘good but flawed' is often quite a good sign in a book-club read, the marketing history of quorn, how lucky we are not to be Carpenter ants, how surprised to we were to learn that the Dutch have mobsters, the emotional perils of reading too much fiction, and more… BOOKLIST Run by Anne Patchett Entangled Life by Merlin Sheldrake My Phantoms by Gwendolyn Riley Rogues by Patrick Radden-Keefe WHAT'S NEXT City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert My Name is Red by Orhan Pamuk The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'Farrell Keep up with us between episodes on Instagram @BookClubReview podcast, on Twitter @bookclubrvwpod or drop us a line at thebookclubreview@gmail.com. On the episode page on our website you'll find a transcript, full shownotes and a comments forum – let us know your thoughts on any of the books discussed in this episode, comments there go straight to our inboxes and we will reply. You can also browse our archive of past episodes, everything from Booker Prize specials to book club debates. And you can sign up to our bi-weekly ish newsletter for featured books, our tips for what to read next and our current reads.
Our most demanding, but possibly also our favourite episode of the year as we're joined by Chrissy Ryan of Bookbar and journalist Phil Chaffee to discuss and debate this year's six shortlisted books. Although we might rail at this much required reading all in one go, the truth is we love tackling the Booker shortlist, which expands our horizons and stretches us as readers like nothing else. So listen in to find out which books we loved, which ones we wished we could have avoided, and which one we think should win the 2022 Booker Prize. Booklist The Trees by Percival Everett audiobook read by Bill Andrew Quinn (Tantor Audio) Oh, William by Elizabeth Strout Audiobook read by by Kimberly Farr (Penguin Audio) The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida by Shehan Karunatilaka Glory by NoViolet Bulawayo Audiobook read by Chipo Chung (Penguin Audio) Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan Audiobook read by Aiden Kelly (Faber audio) Treacle Walker by Alan Garner Audiobook read by Robert Powell (Fourth Estate) –– Other books mentioned were Spoons Carpets: An Appreciation by Kit Caless Car Park Life by Gareth F. Rees Erasure by Percival Everett Percival Everett by Virgil Russell Open Water by Caleb Azumah-Nelson Piranesi by Susanna Clarke Lanny by Max Porter Follow us on instagram @bookclubreviewpodcast to keep up with us between episodes, or head to the episode page on our website thebookclubreview.co.uk for full show notes, transcript and comments forum - let us know your thoughts on the Booker shortlist and winner.
Since publication in 2019 The Hummingbird, by Italian Sandro Veronesi (translated into English by Elena Pala), has wowed readers and fellow-authors alike. 'A gripping masterpiece', 'a life-affirming triumph' 'unforgettable'... Just what is all the fuss about? We're joined by pod regular Phil Chaffee and first-timer Jo Norman, both members of Laura's book club, to find out. We've also got four unmissable novels by international authors we think you should know about. Booklist Marzahn, Mon Amour by Katja Oskamp (trans. Jo Heinrich) The Martin Beck novels by Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöo (Joan Tate) Periera Maintains by Antonio Tabucchi (Patrick Creagh) The Door by Magda Szabó (Len Rix) Family Lexicon by Natalia Ginsberg (Jenny McPhee) Have thoughts on this episode? Are you team Kate or team Laura? Whenever you listen to the show you can always let us know via the comments forum on our website. And don't forget to leave us a book recommendation, tell us one of your favourites. Follow us on Instagram or Facebook @BookClubReview podcast, on Twitter @bookclubrvwpod or email thebookclubreview@gmail.com. And if you're not already, why not subscribe to us on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts. If you like what we do please do take a moment to rate and review the show, and help other listeners find us.
Back together again after the summer, Kate and Laura are catching up on all the books they managed to get through. So listen in for their reactions to summer must-read Tomorrrow, Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin. They also covered three books from the Booker Longlist, Trust by Hernan Diaz, The Trees by Percival Everett and After Sappho by Selby Wynn Schwartz. And a couple of long reads: for Kate Lonesome Dove, Larry McMurtry's Pulitzer-winning novel about cowboys in the Old West, and a guilty pleasure fantasy read for Laura, Red Seas under Red Skies by Scott Lynch. Kate is also joined by author Colleen Hubbard to talk about her debut novel Housebreaking. An absorbing page-turner with some powerful themes, it's one we recommend for your TBR pile or book club. Plus we find out more about one of Colleen's all-time favourite reads, The Magician of Lublin. All that and some pod news: new theme music (composed specially for us), a Patreon account, and we share our projects and plans for where we want to take the show. Booklist Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin The Night Always Comes by Willy Vlautin Trust by Hernan Diaz After Sappho by Selby Wynn Schwartz The Trees by Percival Everett Red Seas under Red Skies by Scott Lynch Housebreaking by Colleen Hubbard The Magician of Lublin by Isaac Bashevis Singer Enjoyed the episode? Have thoughts? Whenever you listen to this show don't forget you can drop us a comment at the episode page on our website thebookclubreview.co.uk, where you'll also find full shownotes for all of the books we discussed in the ep. and a transcript. For book recommendations between episodes follow us on Instagram or Facebook @BookClubReview podcast, or on Twitter @bookclubrvwpod. We're working hard on our Patreon offer, and are looking forward to sharing it with in a future episode. Until then, thanks for listening and happy reading x
Step back in time with us as Kate visits Charleston home of Vanessa Bell and important gathering place for the members of the Bloomsbury Group, that collection of writers and artists including Virginia Woolf that coalesced around Gordon Square in London. Undaunted by the ghosts of her relatives Nino Strachey, author of a new book, Young Bloomsbury, joins us to discuss the up-and-coming younger generation, such as writer Julia Strachey, sculptor Stephen Tomlin and photographer Cecil Beaton, who followed in their footsteps. Nino considers the interplay of creative inspiration that flowed between the generations, but also the spirit of tolerance and acceptance of different gender identities and chosen families that allowed these young creatives to flourish. Leave us a comment on our The Book Club Review website, where you'll also find more information on all the books mentioned, a transcript and our comments forum. Let us know your thoughts on the episode, or a Bloomsbury Group book that you love. Follow us between episodes for regular reviews and book recommendations on Instagram @bookclubreviewpodcast, or on Twitter @bookclubrvwpod. Find Nino on Twitter or Instagram @NinoStrachey. Book recommendations Lytton Strachey by Michael Holroyd (Penguin) Eminent Victorians by Lytton Strachey Cheerful Weather for the Wedding by Julia Strachey Love Letters: Vita and Virginia (Penguin) Orlando by Virginia Woolf (Penguin) L.O.T.E. by Sheila von Reinhold (Jaracanda) All Passion Spent by Vita Sackville West (Penguin), which we talked about on episode 12. The Waves and To The Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf (Penguin) Sissinghurst: The Creation of a Garden by Sarah Raven A Boy at the Hogarth Press by Richard Kennedy (Slightly Foxed) Vile Bodies by Evelyn Waugh (Penguin) A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway (Penguin) Mrs Hemingway by Naomi Wood (Picador) The Paris Wife by Paula McLain (Virago)
We love a prize and we love a special episode, and so we're delighted to have an excuse to get together to discuss the 2022 Women's Prize shortlist and its winner, The Book of Form and Emptiness by Ruth Ozeki. The Women's Prize is the UK's annual book award that celebrates the best books written by women. Key criteria for the Prize are accessibility, originality and excellence in writing. Judges are asked to ignore the reviews, publicity spends, an author's previous reputation, and any sense of ‘who deserves it' to choose the novel that inspires them, moves them, makes them think – and that they admire and enjoy. And so listen in to hear our frank but friendly take on the shortlist, Ozeki's big win, and whether we agree with the judges. Maybe you don't have time to read them all and just want to read one? Leave it to us, we've got you covered. Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason The Hand the Devil Knead by Lisa-Allen Agostini The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak The Sentence by Louise Erdrich The Book of Form and Emptiness by Ruth Ozeki Have thoughts on this episode? Join us over on our website where you'll find the page for this episode, a transcript and our comments forum. Which of the shortlist was your favourite? Drop us a line and let us know. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @BookClubReview podcast, on Twitter @bookclubrvwpod or email thebookclubreview@gmail.com.
The Inseparables is a novel that was never published in Simone de Beauvoir's lifetime. The story goes she showed it to Jean-Paul Sartre and he held his nose. It tells of the intense childhood friendship between Sylvie and Andrée, who were Beauvoir's fictional models for herself and her real-life friend Zaza Lacoin. The translation is by Lauren Elkin, author of Flâneuse, and the book comes with an introduction by Deborah Levy, and an afterword by Sylvie le bon de Beauvoir, plus a captivating selection of letters and photographs from the Beauvoir archive. For this episode Kate was joined by Australian books podcaster Anna Baillie-Karas, in town taking short break from her own podcast Books on the Go. The perfect excuse, then, to read and discuss this powerful short book. But what did we make of it? Should you add it to your reading pile? And would it be a good one for book club? Listen in and find out. Unusually for us this episode does contain spoilers, so if you don't know anything about Simone de Beauvoir and want to read this without any foreknowledge bookmark this show for later and come back to it when you've read the book. We also have four book recommendations inspired by The Inseparables we think you will love. BOOKLIST Petronille by Amélie Northomb, translated by Amelia Anderson At the Existentialist Café by Sarah Bakewell Last Summer in the City by Gianfrarnco Calligarich, translated by Howard Curtis Parisian Lives by Deidre Bair NOTES Don't miss the episode page on our website for full shownotes, a transcript and comments forum where you can let us know your thoughts on the episode or recommend us a book. Comments there go straight to our inboxes and we will read and respond so do drop us a line, we love to hear from you. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @bookclubreviewpodcast, on Twitter @bookclubrvwpod, or email us at thebookclubreview@gmail.com Listen to Lauren Elkin and Deborah Levy discuss The Inseparables for the London Review of Books Listen to the Literary Friction podcast episode Kate mentioned, with Lauren Elkin
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