We’ve been taking a bit of a break from the podcast but we’re happy to say that not only will it be back next but we’ve also decided to return to its original weekly format!
We’re both looking forward to sharing what we’ve been reading, the latest book news and what we’re looking forward to reading with you all once more!
– Rob and Kate
In Frogkisser! Garth Nix returns with his very own modern fairy tale, starring Princess Anya, who, with her loyal dog, must embark on a terribly important (capital Q) Quest to acquire the ingredients for a reversal lip balm, the vital item needed to change a frog back to a prince . . . oh, and save her kingdom from her villainous step(step)father. Continue reading “Review: Frogkisser! by Garth Nix”
Sebastien de Castell make his YA debut with Spellslinger, published in the UK by Hot Key Books. Spellslinger, as de Castell mentions on the book’s Goodreads page, is the first in a planned six-part series. Existing fans will be pleased to hear it takes place in the same universe as his Greatcoats series, but in another part of that world, in a place that felt – to me – a bit like a combination of the very masculine Wild West and Classical or Middle Eastern magical mythology. Kellen, our main character, seems destined not to succeed as a powerful mage like his father, while his friends gain their magic and pass trials around him. However, he discovers something more sinister is afoot, and eventually uncovers a conspiracy that could destroy his family and homeland. Continue reading “Review: Spellslinger by Sebastien de Castell”
As the UK has a Bank Holiday weekend for May Day, Kate and Rob have been using the time to sort out their bookshelves, and they’re also looking forward to hearing the winners at the British Book Awards (or ‘Nibbles’) on Monday 8 May. Continue reading “Podcast: Sorting the Bookshelves and the British Book Awards”
This week, Kate chats to author Ayisha Malik, author of Sofia Khan Is Not Obliged and The Other Half of Happiness, about her novels, characters, inspirations, and what she’s writing next.
Continue reading “Podcast: Ayisha Malik talks about Sofia Khan and The Other Half of Happiness”
Occasionally there are books that garner an extraordinary level of hype in the book community and then deliver on that hype, one hundred percent. The Hate U Give, Angie Thomas’ debut novel, inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement in the US, is one of those rare cases. The book was published a little while ago in the US and has just hit the shelves of bookshops all over the UK. I was very lucky to be given an early proof copy and I gasped, laughed and cried through this brilliantly-written story of discrimination, family, determination and personal resilience. Continue reading “Review: The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas”
This week, Rob and Kate discuss the new film adaptation of Julian Barnes’ Man Booker winning novel The Sense of an Ending, as well as talking about what they thought of the book itself.
Continue reading “Podcast: The Sense of an Ending”
Rob and Kate are back from their podcast break. For their first episode back, they’re updating on what they’ve been up to while they’ve been away. Continue reading “Podcast: We’re back! Bookpost, blogger showcases and more”
On Monday 20 February, Kate and Rob went along to the William Heinemann Hutchinson Windmill 2017 Fiction Showcase to hear from some great authors about their new books… Continue reading “Heinemann Hutchinson Windmill 2017 Fiction Showcase”
On Saturday 18 February, Kate joined lots of lovely bloggers, the Stripes YA team and some fantastic guests for a YA showcase, to hear about some of their wonderful upcoming books for 2017… Continue reading “Stripes YA Showcase”
Happy publication day to The Scarecrow Queen, the final installment in Melinda Salisbury’s fantastic trilogy which began with The Sin Eater’s Daughter. I loved – devoured? – that book and the follow-up, The Sleeping Prince, in a few days and I’ve been waiting to read The Scarecrow Queen ever since. It doesn’t disappoint; you’re in for as many twists, turns and moments of sorcery, and as much blood and lust as you could possibly wish for. As part of the blog tour, Mel and bloggers are creating vision boards illustrating various characters from the series, including their appearance, characteristics, personality and their important themes, and writing about the other’s presentation. I’m thrilled to present to you… Twylla. Continue reading “The Scarecrow Queen by Melinda Salisbury – blog tour!”
A lot of people have been searching for a book to make sense of the world in the last week, and 1984 by George Orwell has soared up the charts. What people looking for tips may not realise is that things don’t work out so well for the main character, despite the fact that it’s one of the best-known dystopian novels of recent times. I wanted to recommend some alternative choices from women and writers of colour whose stories will strike a chord and who deserve to be read more widely. Continue reading “When the real world is a dystopia, here’s what to read”
This week, Rob and Kate are reviewing – pretty much spoiler-free – the first two award-contender films they’ve seen, La La Land and Manchester By The Sea. They also chat through the book post they’ve been lucky enough to receive lately, which they’ll be sharing their thoughts on as they read it. Continue reading “Podcast: La La Land, Manchester By The Sea and bookpost”
There are some fantastic books set to be published in 2017, Kate is looking forward to reading quite a few already. Here are a selection she’s adding to her TBR and hoping to share her thoughts on, over the coming year… Continue reading “Kate’s anticipated reads for 2017 so far”
Happy New Year from Rob and Kate, and welcome to 2017!
Recorded on December 31 2016, we look back over the strange twelve months that made up 2016 and pick our books of the year. Continue reading “Podcast: Books of the Year 2016”
