Best Bookcast Club Podcasts (2025)

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#3.10 women's prize shortlist 2025: part 2 49:08

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2M ago49:08

49:08

Sarah, Belle, and Jenny gather today to bring you the second of a two-part episode discussion the 2025 Women's Prize for Fiction Shortlist. Today, they discuss their thoughts on Fundamentally by Nassaibah Younis, The Persians by Sanam Mahloudji, and The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden. Are you reading the Women's Prize shortlist this year? Get in t…

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#3.9 women's prize shortlist 2025: part 1 40:56

2M ago40:56

40:56

Sarah, Belle, and Jenny gather today to bring you the first of a two-part episode disucssing the 2025 Women's Prize for Fiction Shortlist. Today, they discuss their thoughts on Good Girl by Aria Aber and All Fours by Amanda July, with a sort of half-discussion about Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout. Are you reading the Women's Prize shortlist…

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#3.8 the problems with jane eyre // discussing wide sargasso sea 43:50

3M ago43:50

43:50

We welcome back the delightful Shawn Mooney from the Youtube channel Shawn Breathes Books. He and Sarah discuss Jean Rhys' Wide Sargasso Sea, which was published in 1966 as a response to Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre. They chat about the book's origins, its role and relationship with the canon, and how they feel about it in isolation plus as a conve…

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#3.7 author spotlight // claire keegan 47:05

3M ago47:05

47:05

Belle and Sarah chat through the wonderful back catalogue of Irish writer Claire Keegan, a Bookcast Club fave. If you have any suggestions for future author spotlights please let us know by contacting us on Instagram or email. Books mentioned: Antarctica Foster Small Things Like These So Late in the Day Walk the Blue Fields Things mentioned: Claire…

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#3.6 a catchup with chris! 51:18

3M ago51:18

51:18

Sarah catches up with former cohost of the Bookcast Club, the fabulous Chris. They chat all things Women's Prize, grief memoirs, and other stuff they've been reading. Will Sarah ever read ACOTAR, or will she just continue to mention it? Also mentioned: Episode #87 - Books about Grief and Death Get in touch Instagram | TikTok | Voice message | Subst…

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#3.5 if you liked this one, try this one 57:29

3M ago57:29

57:29

Cannot think of a better title! Big thank you to Patreon supporter Millie for coming on the pod with Jenny to share some recommendations. Jenny's choice was Grady Hendrix's My Best Friend's Exorcism and Millie's choice was Briefly, A Delicious Life by Nell Stephens - but what were our bookish pairings? We also did some recommendations for listeners…

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#3.4 book vs film: the talented mr ripley 55:51

4M ago55:51

55:51

In this episode, Sarah welcomes Cobby back to the podcast! They dive into The Talented Mr. Ripley, comparing Patricia Highsmith’s chilling 1955 novel with Anthony Minghella’s 1999 film adaptation. How does the psychological tension of the book translate to the screen? What changes in character, tone, and setting shift our understanding of Tom Riple…

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#3.3 non fiction 55:49

4M ago55:49

55:49

It's a non-fiction special! Sarah and Jenny dive into non-fiction, we chat The Women's Prize for Non Fiction and share some of our recent fave reads. Books mentioned: Autocracy Inc: The Dictators Who Want to Run the World by Anne Applebaum Code Dependant: Living in the Shadow of AI by Madhumita Murgia The Wager by David Grann See What You Made Me D…

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#3.2 book vs film: wicked 1:00:55

4M ago1:00:55

1:00:55

Sarah and Jenny journey beyond the yellow brick road to compare Gregory Maguire’s novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West with its recent film adaptation. They discuss how the film reinterprets key characters, themes, and the moral grey areas of Oz. Have you seen the film/read the book? What did you think of the adaptation?…

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#3.1 welcome back to a new season 46:38

5M ago46:38

46:38

Welcome to a new season of The Bookcast Club. Jenny, Belle and Sarah battle time zones to bring you their recent and current reads, plans for the season ahead, YOUR recent 5 star bangers and just the general chaos we like to bless your ears with. Welcome back, we've missed you! Books mentioned: Raising Hare by Chloe Dalton The Party by Tessa Hadley…

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#2.10 best books of the year 49:16

8M ago49:16

49:16

Belle, Sarah, and Jenny get together to round out the year! They chat through their best books of the year and share their thoughts. This is the final episode of the season; we will be back early next year for Season 3! Let us know if you enjoy the episode, and what you thought of the books! Books mentioned: Motherthing by Ainslie Hogarth Vladimir …

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#2.9 sophie mackintosh: cursed bread, the water cure, & blue ticket 43:07

9M ago43:07

43:07

In the second last episode of the season, Sarah and Belle get together to discuss all three of Sophie Mackintosh's novels: The Water Cure, Blue Ticket, and Cursed Bread. Have you read any of her novels? What did you think? Get in touch Instagram | TikTok | Substack | Patreon | Ko-fi Support The Bookcast Club You can support the podcast on Patreon. …

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#2.8 book v movie: small things like these 53:05

9M ago53:05

53:05

Sarah and Jenny discuss Small Things Like These and how the book compares to the 2024 movie starring Cillian Murphy. Other things mentioned The Magdalene Sisters (2002) Get in touch Instagram | TikTok | Voice message | Substack | Patreon | Ko-fi Support The Bookcast Club You can support the podcast on Patreon. Our tiers start at £2 a month. Rewards…

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#2.7 2024 booker shortlist discussion 40:31

9M ago40:31

40:31

Sarah invites her friend Cobby onto the podcast this week! They chat through most of the books on the Booker shortlist, including the winner, Orbital by Samantha Harvey. They share their thoughts on the books they've read on the shortlist and talk about the best Ralph Fiennes film to lift your mood. Books mentioned: Booker shortlist The Weekend by …

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#2.6 memoirs 52:20

10M ago52:20

52:20

Sarah from Your True Shelf joins Jenny to share their pick of great memoirs. We cover some 'sensible' memoirs and also (our fave) celeb memoirs. Books mentioned Bread and Wine by Shauna Niequist Strong Female Character by Fern Brady Waterfall of Stars by Rosanne Alexander Unfamiliar by Kirsty Logan Do They Hear You When You Cry by Fauziya Kassindja…

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#2.5 book club: fourth wing by rebecca yarros 1:08:38

10M ago1:08:38

1:08:38

Author Abigail Mann joins Jenny to discuss the TikTok favourite Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros. Books mentioned Constanza by Rachael Blackmore Experienced by Kate Young All Fours by Miranda July So Thrilled For You by Holly Borne A Natural History of Dragons by Marie Brennan Get in touch Instagram | TikTok | Voice message | Substack | Patreon | Ko-f…

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#2.4 horror recs for halloween 1:10:53

10M ago1:10:53

1:10:53

Belle and Jenny chat all things spooooooky in this weeks episode. Belle is on a mission to read a really scary book (spoiler - we're struggling to find one!) We share our spookiest book recs along with some (not all that spooky) movie recommendations. We'd love to know the scariest book you've ever, drop us a comment over on Instagram. Books mentio…

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#2.3 cosy reads with millie 59:59

11M ago59:59

59:59

Millie from @saltonshine joins Jenny to chat all things cosy reading. We share some of our favourite cosy reads and movies and also chat recent and current reads. Jenny completely forgot to talk about Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree, even though her notes were right in front of her, so stick that on your TBR too. Books mentioned The Last Unicorn…

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#2.2 book club: the bee sting by paul murray 51:29

11M ago51:29

51:29

It's the first book club of the season! Belle and Sarah chat about the Booker shortlisted book The Bee Sting by Paul Murray. Join in the conversation over on our Instagram. Get in touch Instagram | TikTok | Voice message | Substack | Patreon | Ko-fi Support The Bookcast Club You can support the podcast on Patreon. Our tiers start at £2 a month. Rew…

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#2.1 welcome back and welcome belle 46:57

11M ago46:57

46:57

We're back! It's season 2 and we're excited! In this episode we welcome Belle to the podcast as an official co-host. We chat about our plans for the season ahead, what we're reading, new releases we're excited for and loads more. Let us know what you think and come say hi over on Instagram. Books mentioned Woo Woo by Ella Baxter New Animal by Ella …

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#1.9 Stella Prize 2024 Shortlist, Part 2 38:08

1y ago38:08

38:08

Send us a Text Message. Hello friends! Sarah is joined by delightful friend-of-the-podcast Belle today for a discussion about the second half of the Stella Prize 2024 shortlist. They discuss their feelings about Abandon Every Hope, Praiseworthy, and Feast, as well as some recent reads. Stella prize Why did Belle do an Acknowledgement of Country? Re…

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#1.8 Women's Prize 2024 1:01:34

1y ago1:01:34

1:01:34

Send us a Text Message. Sarah from Your True Shelf is back to chat Women's Prize with Jenny. We discuss each of the shortlisted books and predict our winner, but did we get it right? Get in touch Instagram | TikTok | Voice message | Substack | Patreon | Ko-fi Where to find Sarah YouTube Support The Bookcast Club You can support the podcast on Patre…

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#1.7 Stella Prize 2024 Shortlist, Part 1 36:11

1y ago36:11

36:11

Send us a Text Message. Hello friends! Sarah is joined by delightful friend-of-the-podcast Belle today. They discuss the Stella shortlist and review the first half of the six-book list, which they both think is stellar (I'll see myself out). Stella prize Books covered Hospital by Sanya Rushdi (translated by Arunava Sinha) Body Friend by Katherine B…

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#1.6 Recent 5 Star Reads and the Influence of Social Media on Reading 58:22

1+ y ago58:22

58:22

Send us a Text Message. Just to confuse you all we have another Sarah on the pod this week! Sarah from the BookTube channel Your True Shelf joins Jenny to chat recent 5 star reads. We also discuss the influence of social media on our reading. We couldn't sound more millenial if we tried. From our memoir choices to our references to dial up, you can…

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#1.5 Three Short Stories: The Paper Menagerie by Ken Liu, Recitatif by Toni Morrison and A Temporary Matter by Jhumpa Lahiri 36:09

1+ y ago36:09

36:09

Send us a Text Message. You've got Jenny, Chris and Sarah chatting three short stories today. We'd love you to join in the conversation and can read all these stories online. The Paper Menagerie by Ken Liu Recitatif by Toni Morrison A Temporary Matter by Jhumpa Lahiri Get in touch Instagram | TikTok | Voice message | Substack | Patreon | Ko-fi Book…

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#1.4 Hannah Kent: Burial Rites, The Good People, and Devotion 35:06

1+ y ago35:06

35:06

Send us a Text Message. This week Sarah and Chris discuss the novels of one of their favourite authors, Hannah Kent. Hannah Kent is an Australian writer who has published three novels to date: Burial Rites, The Good People, and Devotion. Is there an author you'd like to hear us review? Let us know! Get in touch Instagram | TikTok | Voice message | …

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#1.3 Unlikeable Female Characters 58:59

1+ y ago58:59

58:59

Send us a Text Message. This week we welcome back author and friend of the pod Abigail Mann. Jenny and Abi chat 'unlikeable female characters' as well as sharing their current reads. Who is your favourite unlikeable female character in literature? Get in touch Instagram | TikTok | Voice message | Substack | Patreon | Ko-fi Books mentioned The Bee S…

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#1.2 Book Club: The North Woods 40:30

1+ y ago40:30

40:30

Send us a Text Message. Chris and Jenny chat about Daniel Mason's The North Woods. A book that proves hard to summarise but we both loved. A short story collection of sorts that spans decades and shares the history of a little house, its strange and wonderful inhabitants, in woodland in New England. If you've read it, join in with our discussion in…

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#1.1 Welcome Back! 29:41

1+ y ago29:41

29:41

Send us a Text Message. We're finally back! It's been a long 4 months, but here it is, episode 1 season 1! Jenny, Chris and Sarah dust off their mics and discuss how their reading is going, goals for the year ahead and what's coming up in the coming season. We've missed you! Get in touch Instagram | TikTok | Voice message | Substack | Patreon | Ko-…

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#104 some books, some chat and BIG NEWS! 46:39

1+ y ago46:39

46:39

Send us a Text Message. It's a chatty one today. Sarah and Jenny chat recent reads, reading plans and some 'big news'. We're excited about the changes we've got planned and hope you will be too. We'll share some more info and insights in our Substack soon. But for now, have a good one and we'll see you in 2024. Get in touch Instagram | TikTok | Voi…

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#103 Spooky reads! The Yellow Wallpaper and The Monkey's Paw 47:17

2y ago47:17

47:17

Send us a Text Message. This is Halloween! Jenny, Chris, and Sarah get together to discuss The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman and The Monkey's Paw by W. W. Jacobs. Get in touch Instagram | TikTok | Voice message | Substack | Patreon | Ko-fi Other stuff mentioned Grief episode (#87 Books about Grief and Death) Support The Bookcast Club…

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#102 The Rory Gilmore Reading Challenge and The Virgin Suicides Book Club 56:22

2y ago56:22

56:22

Send us a Text Message. 'I smell snow!' It's the perfect time of year to hunker down and chat Gilmore Girls. Chris and Jenny welcome Kristine from the Gilmore Book Club to the pod to tell us all about the Rory Gilmore Reading Challenge, chat Gilmore Girls and have a book club. We chose The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides off Rory's list. We ho…

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#101 Haunted Houses 51:54

2y ago51:54

51:54

Send us a Text Message. It's officially spooky season so Jenny is joined by Holly from the That's What We Read podcast to chat all things haunted houses. If you would like the uncut spooky ghost story version, sign up for a free trial of our Patreon today. Get in touch Instagram | TikTok | Voice message | Substack | Patreon | Ko-fi Books mentioned …

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#100! Book Club: Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi 45:22

2y ago45:22

45:22

Send us a Text Message. It's our 100th episode! Chris, Sarah, and Jen get together to chat about what they've recently been reading, and discuss Yaa Gyasi's debut novel, Homegoing. They have also all read her second novel, Transcendent Kingdom, so they also discuss how those two books compare. No spoilers for either book! Get in touch Instagram | T…

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#99 Upcoming Book to Movie Adaptations 2023/24 53:32

2y ago53:32

53:32

Send us a Text Message. Chris and Jenny chat upcoming book to movie/tv adaptations in today's episode as well as the usual current and recent reads. Join our Patreon for an extended version of the episode (all Oppenheimer chat). Get in touch Instagram | TikTok | Voice message | Substack | Patreon | Ko-fi Books mentioned Western Lane by Chetna Maroo…

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#98 Booker Prize Longlist & Our Past Year in Fantasy 59:27

2y ago59:27

59:27

Send us a Text Message. Sarah and Chris discuss this year's Booker Longlist and their progress with it at this early stage. They also discuss what they've been reading recently and what they've read in the past year fantasy-wise. PS: Unbelievably, what Sarah was saying was true - in 1977, the chair of judges, Philip Larkin, threatened to jump out o…

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#97 Three Short Stories with Shawn the Book Maniac 57:55

2y ago57:55

57:55

Send us a Text Message. Shawn is back on the pod today to chat short stories with Sarah and Jenny. We each chose a short story and chat through them through. Like three mini book clubs. All available to read online for free. We also share our recent and current reads. Pilgrims by Julie Orringer The Swim Team by Miranda July The Ones Who Walk Away F…

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#96 Reading Chris' Favourite Books: Wicked by Gregory Maguire and Self-Portrait With Boy by Rachel Lyon 1:04:23

2y ago1:04:23

1:04:23

Send us a Text Message. We are rounding off this series of episodes today with a bang: Jenny and Sarah read Chris' favourite books! They discuss Wicked by Gregory Maguire and Self-Portrait with Boy by Rachel Lyon. Get in touch Twitter | Instagram | TikTok | Website | Voice message Books mentioned Unwell Women by Elinor Cleghorn Birds of America by …

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#95 Our 2023 Mid-Year Favourite Books 1:06:11

2y ago1:06:11

1:06:11

Send us a Text Message. Always our most popular episode of the year, our mid-year favourite books! Jenny, Chris and Sarah get together to share their top reads of the year so far. Books mentioned Surviving Autocracy by Masha Gessen Briefly, A Delicious Life by Nell Stevens The Perfect Golden Circle by Ben Myers Black Butterflies by Priscilla Morris…

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#94 'Palette Cleansers' and a Catch Up With Alice 1:02:28

2y ago1:02:28

1:02:28

Send us a Text Message. Alice is back, so we're going classic Bookcast Club with a chatty catch up episode. Alice and Jenny chat marathons, engagements, 'A Little Life' play, what we've been reading, TBRs, and books for cleansing the palette. Enjoy! Books mentioned The No Show by Beth O'Leary The Man Who Died Twice by Richard Osman The Flat Share b…

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#93 Women's Prize for Fiction 2023 1:07:52

2y ago1:07:52

1:07:52

Send us a Text Message. It's Women's Prize for Fiction day! But who was our winner? Chris and Jenny discuss the six shortlised books, share their predictions and their own personal winner. Get in touch Twitter | Instagram | TikTok | Website | Voice message Support The Bookcast Club You can support the podcast on Patreon. Our tiers start at £2 a mon…

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#92 Stella Prize Winner and Shortlist Discussion 1:04:18

2+ y ago1:04:18

1:04:18

Send us a Text Message. We welcome back Belle to the podcast today! She and Sarah get together to discuss the Stella shortlist in all of its glory. Contact The Bookcast Club Twitter | Instagram | TikTok | Website | Voice message Stuff mentioned Bookcast Club episode on the Stella Prize [#88 All the Longlists: Stella Prize, Women's Prize, and the Ca…

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#91 Vegetarian Cookbook Recommendations with Lauren and the Books 53:10

2+ y ago53:10

53:10

Send us a Text Message. We welcome the delightful Lauren from Lauren and the Books to the podcast today. She and Sarah chat about what they're currently reading, and chat about a different type of book: cookbooks! High-quality, vegetarian-friendly cookbooks can be hard to find, so they talk through some of the ones that they have returned to again …

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#90 Book Club: Pod by Laline Paull 46:28

2+ y ago46:28

46:28

Send us a Text Message. It's a book club episode! Sarah and Chris are discussing their thoughts on Pod by Laline Paull, one of the books longlisted for the 2023 Women's Prize for Fiction. Have you read Pod, or is there a book you'd like us to read and discuss? Let us know! Get in touch Twitter | Instagram | TikTok | Website | Voice message Support …

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#89 Memoir Recommendations (with Belle!) 48:01

2+ y ago48:01

48:01

Send us a Text Message. We are in your ears today recommending memoirs! Chris and Sarah welcome Belle to the podcast, a friend of Sarah's and a patreon of the pod. They chat what they think a memoir is, why they like to read them, and make some recommendations. Chris also reveals his real and controversial opinions about UK currency. Hope you enjoy…

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#88 All the Longlists: Stella Prize, Women's Prize, and the Carol Shields Prize with Shawn the Book Maniac 1:07:39

2+ y ago1:07:39

1:07:39

Send us a Text Message. It is well and truly prize season, with three literary prizes for women and non-binary writers dropping their longlists this week. We welcome back Shawn Mooney (aka Shawn the Book Maniac) to talk with Sarah and Jenny about the longlists for the Stella Prize (Aus), the Women's Prize (UK), and the new North American prize for …

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#87 Books About Grief & Death 55:18

2+ y ago55:18

55:18

Send us a Text Message. This episode was a special request from a listener. Sarah and Jenny discuss their experiences with grief and recommend some reads, we promise it's not completely depressing! That being said we do discuss cancer, miscarriage, suicide, sudden death and more, so if you find these topics upsetting then please do give this episod…

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#86 Historical Fiction Recommendations with Russell of Ink and Paper Blog 54:05

2+ y ago54:05

54:05

Send us a Text Message. We are delighted to welcome Russell from Ink and Paper Blog to the podcast today! He chats to Chris about his love for historical fiction, and they make some recommendations of some of their favourites. Enjoy the episode! Want more Russell? Russell's YouTube channel [@inkandpaperblog] Instagram: @inkandpaperblog Twitter: @in…

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#85 Most Anticipated New Releases 2023 52:25

2+ y ago52:25

52:25

Send us a Text Message. Jenny and Chris share which books they're eagerly awaiting in 2023. Get in touch Twitter | Instagram | Website | Voice message Books mentioned Her Majesty's Royal Coven By Juno Dawson Legends and lattes by Travis Baldry The Devil House by John Darniell The North Water by Ian Maguire Now She is Witch by Kirsty Logan Birnam Wo…

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#84 Favourite Books of 2022 45:11

2+ y ago45:11

45:11

Send us a Text Message. We're back! Chris, Jenny, and Sarah are coming at you today to discuss their favourite reads of 2022. Get in touch Twitter | Instagram | Website | Voice message Books mentioned The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller Into the Woods by Tana French All the Acorns on the Forest Floor by Kim Hooper The Ocean at the End of the …