Back to the Books

Isabelle and Kieran read the same book! Stop the presses! In this episode we have an unplanned and unscripted "coffee shop chat" about Really Good, Actually, the bright orange non-rom-com that's taking readers by storm. We also talk about a couple of other books we recommend, Kieran makes himself hungry, and Isabelle calls something 'A kinky Heartstopper'.

-- Books Mentioned -- Really Good, Actually by Monica Heisey -- An Everlasting Meal by Tamar Adler -- 100 Boyfriends + Since I Laid My Burden Now by Brontez Purnell 

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Kieran and Isabelle reunite to discuss their 2022 reading and bookish plans for 2023, including the top three titles on their TBRs

Happy New Year!

Back to the Books is kicking off 2023 in style in this very special episode of Back to the Books, featuring the incredibly talented author Oliver Mol. Oliver was a successful, healthy twenty-five year old writer when he developed a migraine that would last for ten months. He couldn't read, write or look at a screen for more than a few moments. Navigating a dark and difficult journey with chronic pain, Oliver eventually applied to be a train guard and slowly, he began to emerge again. He details this journey and more in his brilliant memoir TRAIN LORD, and talks with Kieran about the process of healing, why we need storytellers more than ever and what he really thinks of the London overground. 

You can follow Oliver on Instagram at @train_lord and be sure to follow Back to the Books @backtothebookspodcast, like and subscribe for new episodes coming soon!

It's a crossover episode! Join Kieran for a special solo outing as he meets with his good friend Aidan to discuss his brand new podcast 'I Remember My First Podcast', where they discuss fond memories of school (and required reading), rediscovery of the self and whether there is a limit to how many pints of Guinness one can have. 

'I Remember My First Podcast' is available on all good streaming platforms and you can follow Aidan on Instagram at @argwriting - you can also follow 'Back to the Books at @backtothebookspodcast 

Kieran and Isabelle don their fanciest frocks to chat about their own Oscars, the Women's Prize for Fiction 2022.

No slaps here, just a few laughs at that time publishing thought Drake had turned to bookstagramming, and Isabelle complains about the lack of small independent publishers on the longlist (and has since looked more closely are realised that are a couple on there, including Myriad and Jacaranda who are both amazing. Her bad!) We also discuss a couple of recent reads including Elena Ferrante's The Lost Daughter and Gay Bar: Why We Went Out by Jeremy Atherton Lin.

Kieran and Isabelle have a cosy chat about reading resolutions for 2022, some books they intend to get to this year, and also which book they're each most excited to work on as publishing professionals!

Books mentioned: Motherhood / LOTE / M Train / Dune / Good Intentions / Ruth & Pen / The Swimmers / Maps of Our Spectacular Bodies

Thanks always for listening, rate or review if you enjoyed!

Kieran and Isabelle return from the void to talk about their recommendations for your wintery-weather reading lists. Whether you want to lean into the season and snuggle up with Gothic classics and chunky fantasies, or escape into a summery settings, beautiful memoirs and brand new releases, we've got something you'll enjoy!

Books mentioned: Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen, Still Life by Sarah Winman, The Magic Toyshop by Angela Carter, Tell Me I'm Worthless by Alison Rumfitt, Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner, Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb.

After reviewing their three favourite books on the longlist Kieran and Isabelle are back for a bumper round up of everything else they read on the Women's Prize Longlist for 2021. Some we loved (Susanna Clarke), some we didn't (Dawn French... sorry) and a few we're still dithering about even on the podcast (Patricia Lockwood).

Books mentioned: The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennet, Consent by Annabel Lyon, Unsettled Ground by Claire Fuller, Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi, No One is Talking About This by Patricia Lockwood, Because of You by Dawn French, Piranesi by Susanna Clarke. 

For the first time in what feels like a millennia, Kieran and Isabelle have a (COVID-friendly) face to face catch up to discuss their picks so far from the Women's Prize longlist, and pose the question...could this be the strongest longlist yet?

Books mentioned: Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters - How the One-Armed Sister Sweeps Her House by Cherie Jones - Luster by Raven Leilani

Remember to rate and leave us a review if you enjoy the podcast! 

Just in time for Easter half term, we welcome bestselling author, playwright and digital producer Sam Sedgman to Back to the Books! In this episode, Kieran has a good natter with Sam about his bestselling 'Adventures on Trains' series with M.G Leonard, what it was like to write and launch a book in a pandemic and why we should all listen to the inner child within us. Plus, we discover the real reason why Kieran isn't allowed on trampolines anymore...

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It's that time of year again! Kieran and Isabelle discuss the Women's Prize for Fiction and pledge to read the longlist between them. Join us for a chat about our choices, what we want to read, what we don't, and what the heck Dawn French is doing on the list!

CW: We briefly discuss transphobia relating to one of the longlisted authors. 

Happy Valentines Day! To get into the romantic spirit, Kieran and Isabelle discuss their first buddy read of 2021, E.M. Forster's beautifully written 'Maurice'. In this episode, they look at themes of class, masculinity, sexuality and everyone's favourite gothic trope, the uncanny.

*There are some slight audio issues in the last half of the episode, apologies!*

TW: we make a very short, indirect reference to the Armie Hammer situation in a light-hearted manner during the first few minutes. 

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After one of the most shocking eliminations ever on Drag Race UK, Kieran welcomes international cabaret sensation Joe Black to Back to the Books. They talk about *that* sashay away moment, Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events, what it's like to feel inspired during a pandemic and what books Joe liked to read in a Starbucks in Portsmouth. 

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Recorded just before Christmas,  Kieran catches up with singer-songwriter Lucy Rose to talk all things lockdown, the joy of playing tennis and of course, some of our favourite reads of 2020.

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Kieran and Isabelle discuss how their reading was affected by the dumpster fire of 2020, and their hopes and plans for all things bookish in 2021.

Books mentioned: The Inheritance by Matthew Lopez - The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman - The Other Black Girl by Zakiya Dalila Harris - Words of Radiance Book ii by Brandon Sanderson - Strange Weather in Tokyo by Hiromi Kawakami tr. Allison Markin Powell - Sistersong by Lucy Holland - Unquiet Women by Max Adams. 

Back in November while Isabelle was making the most of browsing bookshops before they closed again, I managed to bag an interview with RuPaul's Drag Race UK star Divina De Campo! In this episode, we talk everything from touring while ill, the impact of the pandemic on the industry and, of course, the books we read to get through these crazy times.  - Kieran 

Remember to rate and leave us a review if you enjoy the podcast!