The Talking Bookshelf Podcast

Tasha and Rachel look back on their favourite reads of 2020 and chat about the importance that reading has had for them in this most peculiar of years. They also discuss which books may not have lived up to their expectations and share the books they are most looking forward to in 2021. So grab a cup of tea and get ready to add some books to your TBR list!

They’re back and this time they’re talking about the greatly anticipated sequel to ‘Serpent & Dove.’ Get settled with a couple of tea and get stuck in with Tasha and Rachel as they discuss the highs and lows of ‘Blood & Honey’ and their predictions for the final instalment...

So... it's been a while! But Tash and Rachel are back and ready to dive into the Godsgrave with Mia Corvere. In this episode they talk ships (Tric or Ashlinn anyone?) they talk murder schools and questionable morals, and debate what does and does not make an 'adult book.' So grab a cuppa and let's talk about Jay Kristoff's 'Nevernight.'

In this week's episode, Natasha and Rachel deviate from reviewing and instead briefly dive into the world of NaNoWriMo. Together they talk Plotting vs Pantsing, choosing genres and how best to get stuck into your first draft. So pick up a pen, and let's give NaNoWriMo 2020 a shot!

Join Tasha and Rachel's caffeine fuelled musings as they talk about the Hunger Games at a mile a minute. Here they compare the movies to the films, discuss the impact the series had on the Dystopian Genre and speculate what the love trial really meant to Katniss. So, do you volunteer as tribute?DISCLAIMER: This episode contains Gilmore Girls level rapid-fire talking.

Sit back and listen as Tasha deals with a full on geek out from Rachel as they discuss 'The Raven Boys' and by extension, 'The Raven Cycle,' by Maggie Stiefvater. Grab a cup of tea, some chocolate and settle down as we dive into the magic of Cabeswater, the magnetic personalities of our favourite Aglionby boys, and what makes the Raven Cycle so darn compelling for readers of all ages. 'Is this thing safe?' SAFE AS LIFE.

In Natasha's first mini episode, she discusses the intoxicating world of Renee Ahdieh's 'The Beautiful.' In a whispered review that will no doubt please some ASMR fans, Tash talks about her favourite characters and why the setting of New Orleans was so damn interesting. So buckle up for a vampire fix, pour yourself a hot beverage and let's get stuck in!

Things get emotional in the latest episode of The Talking Bookshelf as Tasha and Rachel review 'Before the Coffee Gets Cold' by Toshikazu Kawaguchi (translated by Geoffrey Trousselot.) Tasha and Rachel get stuck in as they discuss the whacky time-travelling rules of a peculiar coffee shop in Tokyo, and get misty eyed talking about the lives of the characters. So grab a cuppa (and maybe a box of tissues) and lets get started!

In this mini episode Rachel talks about her thoughts on the highs and lows of one of YA's most controversial and influencies series - The Twilight Saga. This ten minute review has Rachel all in a twist as she struggles to pinpoint exactly what makes the Twilight books so loved and hated. So pour out a cuppa and let's talk Twilight!

In this month's episode, Natasha and Rachel delve into the magical world of 'Children of Blood and Bone.' They discuss the relationships both platonic and romantic. They talk about the book's McGuffins, the descriptive writing of the setting and so much more! (They also go on a tangent about upcoming releases for this year!) So settle in book nerds and let's talk books!

Natasha and Rachel are going a little crazy in quarantine. Join them as they review Sarah J Maas' new adult book 'House of Earth and Blood - The Crescent City'. Listen as they go on wild tangents and theorise over which characters will and will not survive the series. Grab a cup of tea (or a glass of wine!) and let's gush over everything Danika. LIGHT IT UP!

Natasha and Rachel are back for series two of The Talking Bookshelf podcast! For the first episode of the new series they are talking about the insanely popular trilogy 'Shades of Magic' by V.E.Schwab. So sit back and grab a cuppa as Natasha and Rachel debate the merits and flaws of the world-hopping thief Lila Bard, get into the nitty-gritty of Red London, and swoon over Alucard's dramatic self. Anoshe!

Natasha and Rachel look back on their favourite reads of 2019, discuss which books may not have lived up to their expectations and share the books they are most looking forward to in 2020. Book resolutions and giggles galore in the tenth and final episode of the series!

Natasha and Rachel are back with their tea and biscuits and ready to gush over Shelby Mahurin's debut novel 'Serpent & Dove.' It's got witches, romance and plot twists galore and the girls talk about it all! This episode contains a giggling fit and some mildly explicit content. Enjoy!

In this week's episode Natasha and Rachel talk about the much awaited finale to the Folk of the Air series - 'The Queen of Nothing' by Holly Black. Sit back and relax as Tasha and Rachel get into the nitty gritty politics of Elfhame and go over Jude's many complex family relationships. Beware! This episode also includes excessive fangirling over Cardan and Jude's relationship and contains mildly explicit content.

Natasha and Rachel are back! And today they're talking about Alice Hoffman's cult classic 'Practical Magic.' In this week's episode they talk about the format of the book, the style of writing and make a few (inevitable) comparisons to the film. So pour yourself some caffeine, and let's get started!

Natasha and Rachel delve into the dark and disturbing secrets of 'Ninth House' by Leigh Bardugo. They explore the magic of the world and get excited by how many of the societies are yet to be explored! This episode also features a heated discussion about the YA genre as a whole, and whether or not 'Ninth House' could still have a place in the genre. And of course, there is mention of everyone's favourite gentleman of Lethe, Darlington. So sit back, have a cup of tea and enter Yale!

Beware - excessive fangirling ahead! In this week's episode Natasha and Rachel talk about Rainbow Rowell's popular and magical Simon Snow series. They discuss and compare the 'Carry On' and 'Wayward Son' novels, squeal over SnowBaz and theorise on what might happen in the final, upcoming instalment. So grab a cuppa, sit back, and let's talk books!

Natasha and Rachel delve once more into the realm of Faerie in this weeks episode, where they review Neil Gaiman's 'Stardust.' They discuss everything that lies beyond the town of Wall and gush over Gaiman's power of imagination. All while having a giggle about chasing unicorns and drinking tea!

Natasha and Rachel are back to review 'Daughter of Smoke and Bone' by Laini Taylor. Rachel talks about her undying love for Laini Taylor's work and Natasha debates whether or not she loves Akiva. Fangirling and giggling galore in the latest episode of The Talking Bookshelf!

In this episode Natasha and Rachel review 'The Cruel Prince' by Holly Black. They fangirl over Jude and Carden's relationship, gush over the many twist and turns that occur in the novel and speculate whether or not Holly Black is indeed a Queen of Fairie. All while drinking copious amounts of tea and breaking into the occasional laughing fit!

In this first episode of the Talking Bookshelf, Natasha and Rachel review 'Six of Crows.' Here they discuss the characters and story in depth and touch upon all things Grishaverse. Covering their undying love for Kaz Brekker, the upcoming Netflix adaptation and some more of Leigh Bardugo's upcoming projects... All while drinking tea and having a giggle!