The Book Club Review
Discussion, debate, even a little dispute – expect it all on The Book Club Review. Every month hosts Kate and Laura bring you a new episode. That could be Book Club where we chat about the book read most recently by one of our book clubs. It could be Bookshelf, an episode dedicated to the books we’re reading outside of book club – the ones we get to pick and choose. Or it could be an interview with a book club, bookshop or book lover. Whatever the topic, every episode features lively and frank reviews and recommendations.
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The Booker Prize 2024 • Episode #166
11/09/2024
The Booker Prize 2024 • Episode #166
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 for a fantastic look back through Booker Winners past, including his 'worst to best' ranking. Other books mentioned by Tamsyn Muir by Ruth Ware by Richard Osman by Percival Everett by Barbara Kingsolver by Hisham Matar Subscribe Want more from The Book Club Review? Want to help support it financially? Come and join Kate at 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 for more details. For the love of a good lamp: Visit 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.
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Summer Reading Report 2024: Hits, misses and anticipations
09/07/2024
Summer Reading Report 2024: Hits, misses and anticipations
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 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 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.
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Notebook Nirvana: Stationery and the Joys of Notetaking, with David Frostick
08/25/2024
Notebook Nirvana: Stationery and the Joys of Notetaking, with David Frostick
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, , is full of great suggestions for how to get the most from your reading. If this whets your appetite come and join us at 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 . For other things referenced in this episode here's an . For the love of a good lamp: Visit 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.
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Unpacking the best: The NYT's best books of the 21st century • #163
07/30/2024
Unpacking the best: The NYT's best books of the 21st century • #163
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, Here's the Also do check out our episode sponsors , 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.
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Summer Bookshelf • Episode #162
06/21/2024
Summer Bookshelf • Episode #162
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 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 by Kaliane Bradley by Francis Spufford by John M. Ford by Deborah Levy by Orlando Whitfield SERIOUS READERS Like the sound of Serious Readers? Head to 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
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Books that Make us Laugh • Episode 161
06/06/2024
Books that Make us Laugh • Episode 161
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 by Kurt Vonnegut and by Elif Batuman by Elif Batuman by Iraj Pezeshkzad by Kaveh Akbar by Azar Nafisi by Maria Semple by W.E. Bowman by Jerome K. Jerome by Evelyn Waugh by William MakepieceThackarey y by Douglas Adams by Penelope Fitzgerald by Penelope Fitzgerald by George Saunders 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: Keep up to date between shows, follow The Book Club Review podcast on Instagram Next book club read: 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.
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Talking Non-Fiction, with Tom Rowley of Backstory • Episode #160
05/05/2024
Talking Non-Fiction, with Tom Rowley of Backstory • Episode #160
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 just read. I want good stories, I don't care whether they're true or not' 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 by Anthony Lloyd (September Publishing) 20:18 Kate recommends by John Preston (Penguin) 22:46 Tom's next pick: by Sophie Elmhurst (Penguin) 25:52 Kate pulls out by David Grann (Simon & Schuster) (and we also talk about by Erik Larson [Penguin]) 29:08 Tom recommends by Gary Stevenson (Penguin) 31:15 Great minds think alike: Kate and Tom both recommend by Ed Caesar (Penguin), author and now DJ! 35:32 An aside from Kate about by Elif Batuman (Granta) 37:17 Towards the end of the episode we reach 'peak Tom', with by Alwyn Turner (Profile) 41:17 Book club reads: by Tania Branigan (Faber) and by Michael Magee (Penguin) 42:25 Tom's book of the summer: by Yael van der Wouden (Penguin) 44:18 List of books, how to get support the pod and get extras via our 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
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Browsing the So Many Damn Books bookshelf, with Christopher Hermelin • #159
04/29/2024
Browsing the So Many Damn Books bookshelf, with Christopher Hermelin • #159
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 by Dave Eggers by Dave Eggers , including The by Julius Taranto by Julie Myerson by Asako Yuzuki (Polly Barton, trans.) by Mieko Kanai (Polly Barton, trans.) by Polly Barton by Jennifer Croft by Percival Everett, and we also mentioned and by Luca Debus and Francesco Mateuzzi NOTES Join the club and support us on Follow The Book Club Review on and Threads @bookclubreviewpodcast
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Book club: The New Life by Tom Crewe • Episode #158
04/10/2024
Book club: The New Life by Tom Crewe • Episode #158
Two marriages, two forbidden love affairs, and the passionate search for social and sexual freedom in late 19th-century London. Publishers Penguin call 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 by Lauren Oyler by John Le Carre by Daniel Mason by E. M. Forster by William di Canzio by Nino Strachey by Justin Torres by Margaret Oliphant by Margaret Oliphant 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 Want the deep dive? All the details of our . Thanks for listening, happy reading, happy book clubbing
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Mild Vertigo and Japan lit • Episode 157
03/13/2024
Mild Vertigo and Japan lit • Episode 157
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 by Kiyoko Murata (trans. Juliet Winters Carpenter) by Fabio Morábito (trans. Curtis Bauer) by Yūko Tsushima (trans. Geraldine Harcourt) Also Territory of Light and Child of Fortune by Yoko Tsutshima by Sayiichi Maruya (trans. Dennis Keene) by Kyoto Nakajima (trans. Ginny Tapley Takamori) by Kikuo Tsumura (trans. Polly Barton) by Polly Barton by Polly Barton 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 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
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Early Spring Bookshelf • Episode #156
02/06/2024
Early Spring Bookshelf • Episode #156
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 by Martha Wells by Jan Struther by Anita Brookner by Zadie Smith (UK paperback out in June) by C. Pam Zhang by Heather Fawcett by Rebecca Yarros UK listeners can find all the books listed above at our , 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 , 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 or , or drop us a line at and let us know your thoughts on the books discussed here anytime.
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Future Reads 2024, with Chrissy Ryan • Episode #155
01/23/2024
Future Reads 2024, with Chrissy Ryan • Episode #155
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, . 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 by David Nicholls (April) by Orlando Whitfield (May) by Helen DeWitt by Kaliane Bradley (May), and by Francesca Reece by Nicholas Padamsee (April) by Paul Murray (out in paperback May 2024) by Jenny Jackson by John Vaillant by Dr Hannah Ritchie by Zadie Smith by Jonathan Escoffery by Adelle Waldman (March) by Elif Batuman by Kiley Reid (and we also mentioned ) Notes Find out what we're up to and support the show . , The Observer by Paul Murray for New York Magazine
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Best Books of 2023 • Episode #154
12/29/2023
Best Books of 2023 • Episode #154
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. Follow us on or Find full shownotes and a transcript on our website Book list Favourite New Release by Deborah Levy by Yasunari Kawabata, and we also discussed Snow Country by Jacqueline Crooks by Kate Beaton by Kevin Wilson by Kathryn Scanlan Favourite backlist title by W.G. Sebald by Maxine Hong Kingston by David Foenkinos by J.L. Carr by Hilary Mantel by Rumer Godden by Oswald Wynd Favourite non-fiction by Miriam Margolyes (collected writing, ed. Hermione Lee) by Penelope Fitzgerald by Tina Brown by Piere Bayard by Daniel Knowles by Lea Ypi Favourite Book Club Read by Katherine Rundell by Annie Ernaux Favourite comfort reads by Nina Stibbe by Ben Dark by Oliver Darkshire by Iva Ibbotson by Curtis Sittenfeld by Maggie O’Farrell by Anthony McCarten Most disappointed by by Richard Osman by Eleanor Catton by Kali Fajardo-Anstine (but do read ) Patreon recommends by Tania James by Michelle Gallen by John Irving by Bora Chung by Catherine Chidgey by Julia Gillard by Tracey Lien by Eleanor Shearer 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 by Jon Fosse (and we mentioned Morning and Evening) by Hua Hsu by Elaine Castillo by Lauren Groff by Claire Dederer Books we’re looking forward to by Elsa Moranti by Proust (vol. 3) by Rachel Joyce by Francis Spufford by Teju Cole by Benjamin Labatut
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The Booker Prize 2023 • Episode 153
12/11/2023
The Booker Prize 2023 • Episode 153
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
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Lonesome Dove, and other reads • Episode #152
10/29/2023
Lonesome Dove, and other reads • Episode #152
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 by Caroline Fraser by Sebastian Barry by Lauren Groff by W.G. Seabed by Michelle Dean by Pierre Bayard Notes If you read one article on Lonesome Dove, let it be t put together, which is full of fascinating detail about the TV series and the book. The audiobook of Lonesome Dove is published by Phoenix Books and read by Lee Horsley. Links Website: , Kate's weekly book recommendations newsletter and how to join our book club and get extra episodes
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So Late in the Day and other reads • Episode #151
10/14/2023
So Late in the Day and other reads • Episode #151
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 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 , we love to hear from you
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Fiction and Philosophy, with Jonny Thomson • Episode #150
09/09/2023
Fiction and Philosophy, with Jonny Thomson • Episode #150
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: Instagram @bookclubreviewpodcast Kate's Threads reading log: @[email protected] 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
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Late-Summer Reading, with Bookbar • Episode #149
08/21/2023
Late-Summer Reading, with Bookbar • Episode #149
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 online (The Guardian) The Book Club Review's
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The Years by Annie Ernaux, Super-Infinite by Katherine Rundell, and a whole lot more • Episode #148
08/09/2023
The Years by Annie Ernaux, Super-Infinite by Katherine Rundell, and a whole lot more • Episode #148
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: Instagram @bookclubreviewpodcast Kate's Threads reading log: @[email protected] 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.
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Bookshopaholics • Books on the Hill • #147
08/01/2023
Bookshopaholics • Books on the Hill • #147
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
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Fiction Prescriptions with Ella Berthoud • #146
07/08/2023
Fiction Prescriptions with Ella Berthoud • #146
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 by Jules Verne by Will Dean by Emile Zola by Rachel Joyce by Kiersten Modglin by Emily St. John Mandel by Richard Powers And if you want more from the source do seek out , co-written with Susan Elderkin, and Ella’s own books , and . If you want to find out more about Ella’s bibliotherapy sessions or any other aspect of her work the link to her website, , 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, , 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…
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The Women's Prize 2023 • Episode #145
06/11/2023
The Women's Prize 2023 • Episode #145
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. UPDATE: Keep listening at the end for our reaction after hearing the winner's announcement. Booklist by Barbara Kingsolver (Faber & Faber) by Laline Paull (Corsair / Little Brown) by Louise Kennedy (Bloomsbury) by Priscilla Morris (Duckworth) by Jacqueline Crooks (Jonathan Cape / Penguin) by Maggie O'Farrell (Tinder Press / Hachette) 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: Instagram @bookclubreviewpodcast Newsletter sign-up: https://substack.com/@thebookclubreview Patreon: Details coming soon…
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Bookshelf: Summer vibes • Episode #144
06/08/2023
Bookshelf: Summer vibes • Episode #144
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 by Curtis Sittenfeld by Monica Heisey by Jenny Jackson by Miriam Margolyes by Barbara Kingsolver by Natalie Haynes and in our current reads section we talked about by Andrey Kurkov, and by Laline Paull. 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, . Get in touch with us and tell us what you’re reading or recommend us a book on Instagram or Facebook , on Twitter @bookclubrvwpod or email . Find our full episode archive at 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 :)
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So Many Damn Books • Episode #143
05/31/2023
So Many Damn Books • Episode #143
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 by Leanne Shapton by Paul Murray by Joe Meno by Gary Jennings by Christine Grillo Notes Enjoyed this episode? In the mood for more? Head over to SMDB and listen to Christopher's episode . 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 Keen to fall down a nostalgia rabbit hole? Try 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 . Website: 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!
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Book Club: Victory City • #142
05/21/2023
Book Club: Victory City • #142
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 by Umberto Eco by Michael Chabon by William Goldman by Ian Dunt by Hilary Mantel by Christopher Clark 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!
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Bookshelf: Easter reads • Episode #141
04/15/2023
Bookshelf: Easter reads • Episode #141
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 . 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.
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Free and The Snow Ball • Book Club, episode #140
04/05/2023
Free and The Snow Ball • Book Club, episode #140
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 . 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.
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Bookshopaholics: The Paperhound, Vancouver
03/19/2023
Bookshopaholics: The Paperhound, Vancouver
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 For full shownotes and episode transcript head to our website: 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 . 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.
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Bookshelf: Spring Reads • Episode #138
03/07/2023
Bookshelf: Spring Reads • Episode #138
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 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 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 by Hilary Mantel (Fourth Estate) by Salman Rushdie (Penguin) by Chang Rae Lee (Granta) by Lars Mytting (Hachette) by Jessamine Chan by Chris Miller (Simon & Schuster) Plus by John Steinbeck by Gene Wolff by David Foenkinos by Bushra Rehman (published in the UK in January 2023, from St. Martin’s Press) Notes Browse the booksellers, New York. Our The article Phil mentioned is
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Future reads 2023 • Episode #137
02/20/2023
Future reads 2023 • Episode #137
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 by Liv Little (Dialogue books / Hachette) by Caleb Azumah Nelson (Penguin) by Cecile Pin (Harpercollins) by Nicole Flattery (Bloomsbury) by Naoise Dolan (W&N) by K Patrick (Europa Editions) by R. F. Kuang (Harper Collins) , Emma Cline (Penguin) by Jacqueline Crooks (Penguin) Lucy recommended by Alice Slater (Hachette) by Alice Wynn (Penguin) by Curtis Sittenfeld Chandler and Frankie recommended by Santanu Bhattacharya (Penguin) by Eliza Clark (Faber) by Lydia Sandgren (Pushkin) , Javier Marías (Penguin) by Brandon Taylor (Penguin) And Frankie also mentioned 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 or Notes Check out the episode page on our 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 [email protected].
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