Being Bookish

Please note this is a HORROR novel and though we don't go into graphic detail it's likely not one to listen to with anyone of a sensitive disposition. Misery is probably best known for the hobbling scene; gifs have been made of it, but just how accurate is that movie scene? Today, I am joined by Lorraine to talk about the 1987 book that spawned a film about stalkers and obsessed fans. What did we...

This week I am talking about the first George Smiley novel by John Le Carré, Call for the Dead with a special guest, Shane from What's Shakin' with Shaner. Though the topic is the first novel by this incredibly talented thriller writer, we also right the world as we talk about everything from Sherlock Holmes to the MCU. Featured episodes Chris Evans Season The Thursday Murder Club Links What's Sha...

Elektra, not the best known of the victims of the Trojan War, but she is the title character in the latest novel by author Jennifer Saint. Find out how she fares in this mythological tale told from a female perspective. And then find out what I thought of it. As always, 100% spoiler-free so you can go from this to the novel without any fear that I am going to tell you the twists and turns that get...

Belle Nash and the Bath Soufflé is the first novel in The Gay Street Chronicles by new author William Keeling. Based in Regency Bath, it's a gentle cosy mystery that combines a sunken souffle into a tale of death, kidnapping and corruption at the heart of Bath politics. I was sent this book by the publisher in exchange for an honest review, and that's exactly what you're going to find when you cli...

Eight Perfect Hours is a contemporary romance written by Hertfordshire based author Lia Louis. It was released in June 2021 and uses one of my favourite tropes ever, soulmates. Join me this week with my friend Debi, as we talk about this novel, as someone who isn't a fan of the genre, will I sway her to my way of thinking? Featured episodes: Cursed Luck by Kelley Armstrong Hook, Line, and Sinker b...

Paradise was released in 1994, it made the Booker Shortlist and then for some reason my county library had just one copy available county-wide. Since then, Gurnah has written 6 more books and in 2021 won the Nobel Prize for Literature. So, did I like this work that is said to define his talent? Paradise follows the story of Yusuf from boy to man, in a country on the brink of political and cultural...

There Goes the Bride is the 20th book in the Agatha Raisin series by author MC Beaton. What do you get when a determined private detective attends her ex-husband's wedding to a younger, prettier and wealthier woman? Well, in Agatha Raisin's case, you get murder! In this review, I take a look at the book released in 2009 and the subsequent TV episodes produced in 2021. Which did I prefer? Which han...

It Happened One Summer and Hook, Line, and Sinker by Tessa Bailey are collectively known as The Bellinger Sisters series. Today I am going to be giving you my spoiler-free rundown of this romantic comedy/contemporary romance series. Enemies to lovers, friends to lovers and a few things in between, this series could have everything a contemporary romance reader thrives on, but does it? Find out wha...

Knives Out, a surprise 2019 hit from director Rian Johnson had a massive and incredibly A-List cast including Daniel Craig, Jamie Lee Curtis, Don Johnson, the late Christopher Plummer, Ana de Armas and of course Chris Evans (it couldn't be included in Chris Evans season without him). So join me and my guest, Lorraine from Once Upon a Nightmare (who had never seen the film before) as we talk about...

Snowpiercer had a limited release in the US in 2013, yet it received critical acclaim, earning 94% on Rotten Tomatoes and is the second film in 2022's Chris Evans Season. So, what did I think of this dystopian film that features a role so different from everything else Evans is so well known for. He's no boy scout in this one, that's for certain!

Scott Pilgrim vs the World was released in 2010 and stars a pre-Captain America Chris Evans in a role that many won't associate him with, the bad guy. For Chris Evans Season 2022 I am going to be looking at films where he isn't the nice guy, or the totally black and white morality man. You'll find no Steve Rogers here! So, what did I think? Episodes mentioned: Spaced

I read so much that I figured I would add in a bonus episode every month to talk about the books that I haven't previously mentioned. So let me give you a recap as well as a rundown of some new book releases coming in the next week. Episodes mentioned: The Thursday Murder Club , Bombshell , The House in the Cerulean Sea , Skyward .

This week I am joined by Chance Whitmore from Strive, Seek, Find and his daughter, Erika as we talk about the first in Brandon Sanderson's science fiction/fantasy series, Skyward. I have to admit that I was a bit like a fish out of water with this one as I haven't read science fiction in more years than I care to think about. But what did I think about it? And was it just the thing to drag Erika f...

After a few weeks of books that weren't quite what I was anticipating, this was very different. A novel about acceptance, with a number of themes that can be interpreted in multiple ways, The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune is a surprise. A book with LGBTQ characters in a fantasy world based inside our own, the dilemmas of all the characters are easily related to. So, what did I think? Podca...

An episode in which I make something smutty VERY PG! Believe it or not, all romances are not created equal. At least, that is what I am discovering. Of course, a lot of it has to do with personal opinion and that's why, this week, I am taking a look at a historical romance based during the Victorian era written by contemporary author, Sarah MacLean, Bombshell. So, what did I think about this 2021...

I am going back to cosy crime again this week with the best-selling debut from TV presenter, Richard Osman, The Thursday Murder Club. A group of elderly residents of retirement village Coopers Chase gather every Thursday in the Jigsaw Room to solve cold cases. But are they going to be up to the challenge when someone close to their community is found bludgeoned to death? Find out what I thought of...

The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas was a surprise hit when it was independently published last year. In fact, this romantic comedy was picked up by a big name in publishing, Simon and Schuster. So, what did I think of my second completed read of 2022? Did I fall in love with the charming Aaron Blackford? Did Lina Martin enchant me? Listen to the latest episode to find out in my newest spoil...

This duology had a massive impact on my reading in my tweens and early teens. The series has since become something of a cult hit, especially with girls who grew up in the 1980s. So, what makes this rockstar romance controversial (because it was not without controversy)? Find out why the Cathy Duology of Easy Connections and Easy Freedom still has a loyal following almost 40 years after its releas...

This is a recent read and a brand new author to me. Lindsey Kelk's 17th contemporary romance, On a Night Like This, released in November 2021. In this spoiler-free review, I talk about the characters, elements of the story that were well-written (of which there were many) and what I did and didn't like. I also talk about my mental health over the last week.

Taking a look back at the last 12 months, all the books, all the films, all the TV shows. And giving you a glimpse into the future, an idea of what's coming up in 2022.

This film was the first project launched specifically for Disney+ in the US, released on November 12, 2019. A Christmas film with Enchanted vibes starring Anna Kendrick and Bill Hader. It's Christmas, so this is the perfect time of year to review it. So, here it is, Disney's Noelle. Surprisingly, no real big musical numbers, but there is a cute little reindeer, lots of hot chocolate and candy cane...

We're definitely getting closer to Christmas, so, this week I have a guest, Griff from The Paul and Griff Show . We start off by talking about one of Netflix's 2019 Festive offerings, Holiday in the Wild, starring Kristen Davis and 1980s heartthrob, Rob Lowe. We then get a little waylaid on the subject of avoiding spoilers, what makes a Christmas film and our current plans for the next few weeks.

This episode was recorded a few weeks ago and in it, I have introduced Lorraine from Once Upon a Nightmare to a film that is probably more horrific to her than anything she has reviewed before...yes, I made her watch Disney's High School Musical! To find out exactly what she thought, you'll have to listen, and I hope you laugh at her reactions as much as I did!

In the final episode of Jennifer Aniston season, I am looking at a film that is definitely not all sweetness and light. Witness the breakdown of a relationship as Brooke and Gary do everything they can to make the break-up as painful as possible in 2006's The Break-up. Watch the alternate ending here .

Today is an extra special Bookshop episode as not only do I discuss the first in the Percy Jackson the Olympians series, but I managed to persuade Kelsey and Kailin from the fantastic book podcast Touch Your Shelf to put a pause on their hiatus to talk about it with me. In the episode we talk about guilty pleasures, mythology, why bookshelves should (or shouldn't) be carefully organised and so muc...