Advertise on podcast: A Pair of Bookends

For our October Book Club episode Hannah was joined by Ríoghnach Robinson to discuss her debut novel, our October Book Club pick Bad Words which you can buy here (UK) & here (US) In this episode they discuss the novel (spoiler free!), they get into the art of critism, how social media impacts the way criticism now operates, writing Asian American protagonists, the authors they would lose their mind over meeting, the New York literary scene, the books she's been enjoying & much more! If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok.  You can follow Ríoghnach via Instagram & rioghnachrobinson.com Books & other mentions in this episode: In Every Future, It's Us by Katie Naymon Sally Rooney Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff Matrix by Lauren Groff Florida by Lauren Groff Sleep Has His House by Anna Kavan Asylum Piece by Anna Kavan Tim Brayton- Letterboxd https://www.alternateending.com/ A Good Person by Kirsten King Slow Horses- AppleTV The Babadook (2014) Let us know your thoughts by emailing us [email protected] or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!

Today's episode brings you a live recording of an event at Blackwell's Manchester, Hannah interviewed author Stacey Yu about her debut novel 'Kitten'. Thank you to Red Newsom for making this episode possible.  In this episode they discuss 'Kitten' (spoiler free!), what the pre-publication hype was like, how the novel evolved from first draft to final copy, they also talk about the intersections of race, class and regionality, vulnerability & care, our relationship to pets, Mamma Mia! & much more! If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok.  You can follow Stacey via Instagram & Tik Tok You can buy Kitten here (UK) & here (US) Books & other mentions in this episode: The Blindfold by Siri Hustvedt What I Loved by Siri Hustvedt The Idiot by Elif Batuman Either/Or by Elif Batuman Banana Yoshimoto Mamma Mia! (2008) Ottessa Moshfegh Halle Butler Hot Milk by Deborah Levy Hot Milk (2025) Jenny Zhang Normal People (BBC) Let us know your thoughts by emailing us [email protected] or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!

For the latest instalment in our Debut Spotlight series Hannah was joined by Danish poet and writer Ulrikka S.Gernes to discuss her debut novel, the Danish bestseller A Girl Left The Room which you can buy here.  In this episode they discuss the response to the novel in Denmark, the power of poetry, complicity and manipulation, the autobiographical nature of the novel, the writers that have influenced her style and much more.  If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok.  You can follow Ulrikka via Instagram  Books & other mentions in this episode: griffinpoetryprize.com Wislawa Szymborska The Hatred of Poetry by Ben Lerner Chekhov's Letters https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/poem-of-the-day The Lover by Marguerite Duras Consent by Vanessa Springora Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov Elizabeth Strout The Museum of Innocence - Netflix The Museum of Innocence by Orhan Pamuk https://www.masumiyetmuzesi.org/en Let us know your thoughts by emailing us [email protected] or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!

For our September Book Club episode, we are delighted to be bringing you this episode with the author of one of Hannah's all time favourite books Sorrow and Bliss, that author is of course Meg Mason and for this episode Meg joins Hannah to discuss her latest novel Sophie, Standing There which you can buy here: UK, US & AUS. In this episode they discuss the new novel (spoiler free!), how literary festivals became the backdrop for this book, what it was like featuring the familiar faces we meet throughout the novel, some of Meg's favourite bookshops & how they influenced the bookshop in this book, growing up in a sect and how that informed her protagonist's childhood plus much more! If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok.  You can follow Meg & her work via megmason.com Books & other mentions in this episode: Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason Brother of the More Famous Jack by Barbara Trapido M. John Harrison & Julia Armfield - In Conversation at the LRB What Matters in Jane Austen? by John Mullan Emma by Jane Austen Persuasion by Jane Austen The Pursuit of Love by Nancy Mitford Daunt Books - Marylebone John Sandoe Hill of Content Roaring Stories The House in Paris by Elizabeth Bowen The Country Girls Trilogy by Edna O'Brien Middlemarch by George Eliot Let us know your thoughts by emailing us [email protected] or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!

For today's episode Hannah was joined by award-winning author Laurie Petrou to discuss her new novel The Rayburn Affair which you can buy here: (CA), (US), (UK) & (AUS) In this episode they discuss the differences between Laurie's creative and academic life and how each of those worlds respond differently to generative AI, they talk about the messy women in this book, marriage imbalances, exploring the choice to be childfree, the price of fame, book cover designs, ambition, Simone de Beauvoir & much more! If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok.  You can follow Laurie via Instagram Buy Laurie's other books: Stargazer, Sister of Mine, The Rehearsal Club, Love, Heather by Laurie Petrou Books & other mentions in this episode: Cool Machine by Colson Whitehead Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead Crook Manifesto by Colson Whitehead The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead Verve Books Simone de Beauvoir Jean-Paul Sartre Søren Aabye Kierkegaard Writers in The Dark - Podcast Marissa Stapley The Godfather - Baptism Scene The Children by Melissa Albert Let us know your thoughts by emailing us [email protected] or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!

For the latest instalment in our Debut Spotlight series, Hannah was joined by Delphine Seddon to discuss her debut novel Darkening Song which you can buy here: US, Canada & UK Listen to the accompanying playlist here. In this episode they discuss Delphine's experience of working in the music business, she worked for Warner Brothers records and has worked with artists like Dua Lipa, Muse, Biffy Clyro etc. They also talk about her reasons for featuring parts of the novel in Manchester and Texas, they get into fame and celebrity culture, unexpected experiences of performers, creating a playlist for the book, what would be in the soundtrack of her own life and much, much more.  If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok.  You can follow Delphine via Instagram, Substack & delphineseddon.com Books & other mentions in this episode: Sophie, Standing There by Meg Mason Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason Ellie Mason (Music Producer) S. Michaud (Artist/Singer) A Year of Nothing by Emma Gannon Ctrl Alt Delete Podcast Olive by Emma Gannon Let us know your thoughts by emailing us [email protected] or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!

For the latest instalment in our Debut Spotlight series, Hannah was joined by debut author Lorna Elcock to discuss her debut novel The Windhover which you can buy here. In this episode they discuss Lorna's experience of being shortlisted for the Women's Prize discoveries award, sibling dynamics and how birth order affects them, ceilidhs & creating the build up to THAT scene (no spoilers!), two excellent novel recommendations & much more! If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok.  You can follow Lorna via Instagram Books & other mentions in this episode:  Women's Prize Discoveries A Sense of Occasion by Brodie Crellin The Windhover by Gerard Manley Hopkins Sunset Song by Lewis Grassic Gibbon Let us know your thoughts by emailing us [email protected] or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!

For today's episode Hannah was joined by NYT bestselling author Chloe Benjamin to discuss her lateest novel Under Story which you can buy here.  In this episode they discuss the ANITA experiment that inspired this book, her incredibly hands-on research process, how her chronic pain was worsened by the success of Chloe's previous novel, isolation & why we're drawn to those narratives in fiction, Wisconsin representation, finding a new appreciation for nature and of course a wonderful amount of recommendations for books & authors for you to turn to next! If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok.  You can follow Chloe via Instagram & chloebenjaminbooks.com Books & other mentions in this episode:  The Disappearers by Marlon James His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle Call Me By Your Name by André Aciman Exit West by Mohsin Hamid Piranesi by Susanna Clarke Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke Stories of Your Life and Others by Ted Chang Arrival (2016) A S Byatt Virginia Woolf The OA Let us know your thoughts by emailing us [email protected] or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!

For our August Book Club episode Hannah was joined by Australian author Amy Taylor to discuss her new novel Ruins which you can buy here. Let us know your thoughts here. In this episode they discuss Amy's recent foray into reading speculative fiction, why she chose Athens as the setting for this novel, her interest in Greek theatrical structures and the play Medea, we also get into ambition, desire and the choice to have or not have children. If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok.  You can follow Amy via Instagram Books & other mentions in this episode: Every Version of You by Grace Chan Permanence by Sophie Mackintosh Medea by Euripides The Loneliest Planet (2011) The Worst Person in the World (2021) Widow's Bay (2026) Let us know your thoughts by emailing us [email protected] or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!

For today's episode Hannah was joined by Claire Powell, author of 'All In' and 'At The Table' to discuss her latest novel which you can buy here. In this episode topics include writing a male dominated family dynamic, exploring wealth differences in families, setting a novel at an all inclusive resort, why Claire wanted to write about IVF and her own experiences surrounding that and much more. Claire also does not disappoint by bringing us both the high and the low in culture recs which we love! From Ayşegül Savaş' work and Emma Cline's Switzy to the juicy drama of Summer House, there's lots for you to sink your teeth into. If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok.  You can follow Claire via Instagram Books & other mentions in this episode:  Switzy by Emma Cline https://thebookerprizes.com/the-booker-library/prize-years/2026 The Girls by Emma Cline The Guest by Emma Cline https://www.newyorker.com/contributors/emma-cline Flesh by David Szalay Black Bag by Luke Kennard The Anthropologists by Aysegül Savaş Long Distance by Aysegül Savaş The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer Summer House (2017) At the Table by Claire Powell Let us know your thoughts by emailing us [email protected] or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!

For the latest instalment in our Books to Screen series, Hannah was joined by author & freelance writer Shahed Ezaydi to discuss the Amazon Prime adaptation of Carley Fortune's novel Every Summer After, Every Year After. In this episode they discuss the excellent soundtracks of Prime series, the changes the TV adaptation of Every Summer After made, what they loved about the novel, casting & more. They also discuss Off Campus, the upcoming adaptation of The Love Hypothesis, how down bad Tom Holland is for Zendaya and hopes for the future seasons of Every Year After!  If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok.  You can follow Shahed via Instagram or via shahedezaydi.co.uk You can buy Shahed's book here: The Othered Woman: How White Feminism Harms Muslim Women Link to Shahed's Stylist articles https://www.stylist.co.uk/author/shahed-ezaydi Books & other mentions in this episode:  Every Summer After by Carley Fortune Every Year After (2026) The Deal by Elle Kennedy Off Campus (2026) Margo's Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe Margo's Got Money Troubles (2026) Normal People by Sally Rooney Normal People (2020) One Day by David Nicholls One Day (2024) The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood The Love Hypothesis (2026) This Summer Will Be Different Adaptation Sense and Sensibility (2026) Pride and Prejudice (2026) The Project by Annie Lord Lost Lambs by Madeline Cash Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke Rosewater by Liv Little Bitter Melon by Liv Little People We Meet on Vacation (2026) People We Meet On Vacation by Emily Henry Beach Read by Emily Henry Carley Fortune Interview for Stylist by Shahed Ezaydi Heated Rivalry (2025) Yellowjackets One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune The Girl Next Door (2024) Off Campus - Official Playlist Every Summer After - Official Playlist The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han The Summer I Turned Pretty (2022) The Summer I Turned Pretty - Official Playlist The Summer I Turned Pretty - Cast Interview by Shahed Ezaydi Maxton Hall (2024) Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros Spider-Man: Brand New Day Let us know your thoughts by emailing us [email protected] or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!

For today's episode, Hannah was joined by author Ashley Hickson-Lovence to discuss his latest novel About To Fall Apart, which is out now and you can buy here.  In this episode they discuss the story that inspired this novel and what it was like navigating those difficult conversations with family when writing their history. They also chat about influences like Max Porter, Caleb Femi, Irish folk music and Gemma Dunleavy, creating a story within a story, Emiliano Sala plus much more.  If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok.  You can follow Ashley via Instagram & ashleyhicksonlovence.com Books & other mentions in this episode:  Jhalak Prize Why I Am Not A Bus Driver by Ashley Hickson-Lovence into the wreck by Susannah Dickey Big Man by Dean Atta Six Weeks by Matt Goodfellow Shy by Max Porter Ashley reading 'About To Fall Apart' Inua Ellams Poor by Caleb Femi The 392 by Ashley Hickson-Lovence Your Show by Ashley Hickson-Lovence Gemma Dunleavy 'Up De Flats' Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan Small Things Like These (2024) Christy (2025) Dead Ends by Ashley Hickson-Lovence Getdown Services- Dog Dribble Marty Supreme (2025) I, Jack Wright (2025) Let us know your thoughts by emailing us [email protected] or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!

For this year's Summer reading episode, 20 different authors have very kindly sent in recordings offering up the books they think you should be reading this summer and beyond, think of this episode as voicenotes from your bookish pals!  If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok.  Authors featured in order of appearance: Rebecca Perry, author of May We Feed The King Shahed Ezaydi, author of The Othered Woman: How White Feminism Harms Muslim Women Hannah Beer, author of I Make My Own Fun Bobby Palmer, author of Main Characters Lucy Rose, author of The Lamb Marcia Hutchinson, author of The Mercy Step Kiran Millwood Hargrave, author of Almost Life Seth Insua, author of Human, Animal Emma Hinds, author of Witchlore Emily Slapper, author of It Might Never Happen Nussaibah Younis, author of Fundamentally Madeleine Gray, author of Chosen Family Ashley Thorpe, author of Spirit Warriors Stephanie Yeboah, author of Doing It For The Plot Celia Silvani, author of Just Between Mothers Keiran Goddard, author of I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning Stacey Yu, author of Kitten Alice Slater, author of Let The Bad Times Roll Jodie Chapman, author of California Gold Eliza Clark, author of She's Always Hungry Books recommended: Florenzer by Phil Melanson The Project by Annie Lord The Wedding People by Alison Espach Less by Andrew Sean Greer Life Cycle of a Moth by Rowe Irvin Act Normal by Pete Kalu Villa Coco by Andrew Sean Greer The Summer Book by Tove Jansson Tender by Lauren Du Plessis Bonjour Tristesse by Françoise Sagan Mother Mary Comes To Me by Arundhati Roy Brother of the More Famous Jack by Barbara Trapido Smallie by Eden McKenzie-Goddard I Want You To Be Happy by Jem Calder The Shampoo Effect by Jenny Jackson Question 7 by Richard Flanagan Claudine in Paris by Colette Hello, Limerence by Momo Yamaguchi Slanting Towards the Sea by Lidija Hilje Permanence by Sophie Mackintosh Let us know your thoughts by emailing us [email protected] or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!

For the latest instalment in our Debut Spotlight series, Rebecca Bainbridge joined us to discuss her debut novel The Pool Party which you can buy here.  In this episode Hannah & Rebecca discuss how Rebecca's Mum got her into reading, the influences behind Rebecca's novel from Liane Moriarty's Big Little Lies to Christos Tsiolkas's The Slap, they also get into school gates politics, how Dads are frequently praised for basic parenting and how trauma affects her characters. Rebecca also gives great advice for pitching and events for debut authors plus much more.  If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok.  You can follow Rebecca via Instagram & Facebook Books & other mentions in this episode: Villa Coco by Andrew Sean Greer Less by Andrew Sean Greer Books + Bits - Substack Patricia Cornwell Maeve Binchy Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty The Slap by Christos Tsiolkas  Motherland (BBC) None of This is True by Lisa Jewell Lucy Foley Female, Nude by Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett A Sociopath's Guide to a Successful Marriage by M.K. Oliver Let us know your thoughts by emailing us [email protected] or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!

For today's episode Hannah was joined by returning guest of the podcast Louise Beech- who also writes as Louise Swanson- to discuss her latest novel Wonderful, a reimagining of a world in which Marilyn Monroe didn't die at 36 and instead went on to live a long and fulfilling life.  In this episode Hannah and Louise discuss where Louise's love for Marilyn began, some of her favourite books and documentaries that reflect the person she truly was, how fame and celebrity culture can disproportionately harm women, why Northern and Class representation matter to her and much more.  If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok.  You can follow Louise via louisebeech.co.uk & Instagram You can buy Wonderful here. Books & other mentions in this episode: How To Be Brave by Louise Beech Eighteen Seconds by Louise Beech The Lion Tamer Who Lost by Louise Beech End of Story by Louise Swanson Lights Out by Louise Swanson Marilyn And Her Books by Gail Crowther https://harrogateinternationalfestivals.com/festival/theakston-old-peculier-crime-writing-festival/ Notes on an Obsession by C.L Taylor In My Good Books- Podcast My Sister Marilyn by Bernice Baker Miracle Love, Marilyn (2012) Let us know your thoughts by emailing us [email protected] or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!