With...Adam Buxton
The Listening Books Podcast
The Listening Books Podcast is back with an all-new sound! Joining Nicola and Megan for the first episode of series 7 is Adam Buxton – British comedian, writer, actor, broadcaster and podcaster. They discuss the audiobooks he's listening to at the moment, his latest book, I Love You, Byeee, and how he wrote it with an audio-first approach, as well as his latest project, Successpod. And, of course, there's a chat about his canine companion, Rosie. If you're enjoying this podcast, leaving a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen, can help others find us (and makes us...
info_outline
Author Leeanne O'Donnell
The Listening Books Podcast
Leeanne O’Donnell is the author of Sparks of Bright Matter, a novel set in Georgian London and West Cork that follows the pursuits of scientist and alchemist, Peter Woulfe. In her thoughtful conversation with host Jessica Stone, she talks about what made Peter a subject of fascination to her, how her own near-sightedness inspired a beloved character’s way of navigating the world, and how learning about older traditions of spoken-word storytelling provoked a crisis of philosophy around the written word. This is Leeanne’s debut novel, but she’s no stranger to telling...
info_outline
Author Louise Hare
The Listening Books Podcast
Louise Hare is the London-based author of This Lovely City and the Canary Club Mysteries. In this conversation with host Jessica Stone, she talks about the second in that series, Harlem After Midnight—how the musical styles of ragtime and jazz support the story, how she creates a safe space for her main character, and how the historical setting resonates with current times. Books mentioned: Harlem After Midnight, Louise Hare, narrated by Leonie Elliott Miss Aldridge Regrets, Louise Hare, narrated by Georgina Campbell This Lovely City, Louise Hare, narrated by Theo Solomon and Karise...
info_outline
Author Becca Caddy
The Listening Books Podcast
Becca Caddy is a writer and journalist who likes to explore the human side of technology, and her book Screen Time offers the information and guidance to help us take back a bit more control over our digital lives. In this conversation with host Jessica Stone, Becca talks about why our language around technology is so important and how we can be more deliberate in our use of the technological tools available to us. Books mentioned Screen Time: How to Make Peace with Your Devices and Find Your Techquilibrium, Becca Caddy, narrated by Julie Maisey Hello World: How to Be Human in the Age...
info_outline
Author Sierra Godfrey
The Listening Books Podcast
Sierra Godfrey is the well-travelled author of A Very Typical Family and The Second Chance Hotel. In this joyful conversation with Jessica Stone, she talks about her first novel, her love for anything written or recommended by Marian Keyes, the nature of friendship, and even her meticulous system for tracking all the books she reads. Books mentioned: A Very Typical Family, Sierra Godfrey, narrated by Gail Shalan The Second Chance Hotel, Sierra Godfrey, narrated by Ri Paige Watermelon, Marian Keyes, narrated by Gerri Halligan The Unmaking of June Farrow, Adrienne Young, narrated by...
info_outline
Reading Roundup: Oldies and Newbies
The Listening Books Podcast
Amy, Claire and Jessica each bring one ‘old’ book and one ‘new’ one to the table before Amy and Claire square off in Jess’s ridiculously challenging literary game. Books mentioned: Weirdo, Sara Pascoe, narrated by the author And Then There Were None, Agatha Christie, narrated by Dan Stevens The Canary Club Series, Louise Hare, narrated by Leonie Elliot and Georgina Campbell Psyche and Eros, Luna McNamara, narrated by Rachel Petladwala and Joshua Riley Persuasion, Jane Austen, narrated by Juliet Stevenson The Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck, full cast LA Theatre Works...
info_outline
Reading Roundup: Books that Centre Celebrations
The Listening Books Podcast
A special festive episode discussing books that feature celebrations. Amy and Edward return for a final a face-off as Jess attempts to foil them with her literary quiz. Books mentioned: Brideshead Revisited, by Evelyn Waugh The Heart is a Lonely Hunter, by Carson McCullers The Party, by Elizabeth Day Bridget Jones’s Diary, by Helen Fielding Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen Who Are We? The Listening Books Podcast is hosted by audio producer Jessica Stone and is a production of...
info_outline
Narrator Emily Woo Zeller
The Listening Books Podcast
Emily Woo Zeller is an American voice actress and audiobook narrator whose work has earned heaps of awards, including AudioFile’s prestigious Golden Voice Award. You may have heard her reading fantasy books like R.F. Kuang’s Poppy War series, romance novels like Helen Hoang’s The Bride Test, or perhaps a spy thriller like Chloe Gong’s Foul Lady Fortune. Today she tells us what she appreciates about those books, and a little of what she’s learned about creating a well-balanced life. Other books mentioned: Phoenix Extravagant, by Yoon Ha Lee The Stress Prescription: Seven Days...
info_outline
Narrator Stephanie Cannon
The Listening Books Podcast
Stephanie Cannon is an American voice actor, circus performer, and audiobook narrator living in England. In this conversation with host Jessica Stone, she tells us what that’s like, how walking on stilts complements reading in a box, which kinds of books she loves to narrate, and conversely which ones she'll take a pass on. We also discuss Kate Dylan’s cyberpunk dystopian novel Mindwalker and its sequel Mindbreaker, both narrated by Stephanie. Books and other recommendations: The Sharp Edge of Silence, by Cameron Kelly Rosenblum, narrated by Stephanie Cannon Mindwalker, by...
info_outline
Narrator Jane McDowell
The Listening Books Podcast
Jane McDowell is a talented actress and narrator with many credits to her name, including the Dr Ruth Galloway mystery series by Elly Griffiths. In this conversation with host Jessica Stone, Jane tells us what it was like to record the last book of the series The Locked Room during a Covid lockdown, how animals help her create character voices, and what book was so moving that she wrote the author to thank her. Books mentioned, all narrated by Jane: The Locked Room, by Elly Griffiths Delicious, by Nicki Pellegrino Snow Widows, by Katherine MacInnes Curlew Moon, by Mary Colwell The Hidden...
info_outlineDo you think we'll ever really belong anywhere?'I suppose not,' said Papa. 'Not the way people belong who have lived in one place all their lives. But we'll belong a little in lots of places, and I think that may be just as good.'
Actor Helen Barford talks with Jessica about Judith Kerr's classic children’s novel When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit, which she narrated for Listening Books' Sound Learning production. Helen also shares some good advice for anyone interested in taking up audiobook narration.
Books Helen and her children recommend for the Audiobook Listening Challenge
Beast Quest (series), Adam Blade
Harry Potter (series), JK Rowling
The Secret Seven (series) and The Famous Five (series), Enid Blyton
Julia Donaldson’s books, especially Tyrannosaurus Drip and What the Ladybird Heard
Roald Dahl’s books, especially Matilda, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The BFG
The Secret Garden, Frances Hodgson Burnett
The Railway Children, Edith Nesbit
We’d love to hear from you!
Here’s a good place to review the podcast.
You can also give us a shout on Twitter: @ListeningBooks,
Or Instagram: @ListeningBooks,
Or Facebook,
And we also have some content on YouTube.
For more information about Listening Books, whether you’re interested in our Sound Learning initiative or our collaboration with PressPreader, head to www.listening-books.org.uk.