Explicitly Literary: sex writing in books • Episode #175
The Book Club Review
From lightening and dragons in Iron Flame to trembling mountains in A Court of Thorns and Roses, from Sally Rooney’s Connell and Marianne to Ice Planet Barbarians - sex in books has gone mainstream. From serious high-brow literature to warm and cozy rom-coms, what do we want or need from writers when it comes to including sex in their books? To consider the matter Kate is joined by critic Elizabeth Morris (Crib Notes), and author Alex Allison’ (The Art of the Body and Greatest of All Time) We'll be bringing you our recommendations for books we think push all the right buttons,once we’ve...
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Books, film, TV and Murderbot
The Book Club Review
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...
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Nonfiction That Changed Us, featuring Carmageddon by Daniel Knowles
The Book Club Review
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...
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Glorious Exploits by Ferdia Lennon • #172
The Book Club Review
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...
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How to Read Yourself Happy, with Daisy Buchanan • Episode #171
The Book Club Review
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...
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Book Club: The Empusium by Olga Tokarczuk • #170
The Book Club Review
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 by John Wood Sweet by Jamie Quattro by Beth O'Leary by Emily Henry by Oluwaseum Olayiwola subscription by Thomas Mann by Olga Tokarczuk Sanatorium by W. Somerset Maugham by Hayao Miyazaki by Jennifer Croft bookshop by Betty Macdonald by Charlotte...
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Meditations for Mortals, with Oliver Burkeman • Episode #169
The Book Club Review
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,...
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Page-Turning Plans: Looking ahead to 2025 • Episode #168
The Book Club Review
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 and by Oliver Burkeman by Tony Tulithamutte by Ling Ma by John le Carre by Nick Harkaway , Karl Ove Knausgard by Robert Jordan and by Natasha Brown and by Ada Calhoun and by Gary...
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Unputdownable: the best books we loved in 2024 • Episode #167
The Book Club Review
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...
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The Booker Prize 2024 • Episode #166
The Book Club Review
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....
info_outlineIt'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.
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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