Curious Readers

Join Amanda and Joseph for their annual (slightly unhinged) Booker Prize shortlist review, along with their latest book news and an update on what they plan to read next. Bookish News East of Eden by John Steinbeck East of Eden adaptation (Netflix) by Zoe Kazan @zoe.kazan The Nobel Prize for Literature Autobiography of Red by Anne Carson Eros the Bittersweet by Anne Carson The Kirkus Prize Kin by...

This week is a bit of a departure for the Curious Readers, as Joseph and Amanda discuss all things related to pen and paper. Join them for a whole episode dedicated to stationery (with an ‘e’) in which they cover their favourite reading-adjacent supplies and where to get them - but not without a review of the Booker and National Book Award shortlists first. Bookish News The Booker Prize shortlist...

As the nights draw in, Joseph and Amanda look forward to all the autumn releases they hope to get through before December. Along the way, they meander through prize news, current reads and discover circular themes about the Epic of Gilgamesh, pianos and Dickens – and that’s all before they get to the mimmoths. Bookish News A Tale of Two Cities, a Marlowe Theatre Production The Hugo Awards The Ever...

Joseph and Amanda are back from summer break with a bumper episode deep diving into Ann Patchett’s latest novel, Whistler. They also take some time to cogitate over the Booker Prize long list, as well as catch up on what they've been reading recently and the titles they hope to pick up next. Bookish News The Imagination Library @imaginationlibraryuk Booker Prize Longlist and Predictions The Shadow...

As we bid farewell to Summer Break, we take questions from our listeners in a special post bag episode - and of course, we can’t help but make some recommendations along the way. And don’t worry, normal service will be resumed on 11 September when return to the mics for a deep dive into Ann Patchett's latest novel, Whistler. Recent Reads The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockton Post Bag Questions Cla...

How many times have Amanda and Joseph joined the ‘Just One Book’ Deception Society? Too many to count. This week they are talking about the joy of browsing and the bookshops they love visiting across the UK. Plus, as always they’ll be chatting about what they’ve been reading recently and the titles they're hoping to pick up next.   Recent Reads I Want You To Be Happy by Jem Calder Servic...

Join Amanda and Joseph as they set out to excavate Land , Maggie O’Farrell’s latest historical novel and family drama which is set in 1860s Ireland, a decade after the Great Famine. Plus, as always they chat about what they've been reading recently and what they hope to pick up next.  Bookish News Children’s Booker Prize Frank Cottrell-Boyce @frank_cottrellboyce Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys...

Join Amanda and Joseph as they go through the looking glass into the fascinating (and anxiety inducing) world of artificial intelligence - and recommending some fiction and non-fiction picks about Large Language Models, bots, and the machines learning to live like us. Plus, as always they'll be chatting about what they've been reading recently and what they hope to pick up next.  Bookish News...

In the height of Prize Season, Amanda and Joseph are back with a bumper episode asking what all the hullabaloo is about - how are prizes judged and awarded, and are the winners worth our time? Plus, they talk about Amanda’s recent trip to the Women’s Prize ceremony, and as always, what they’ve been reading recently and what they hope to pick up next.  Bookish News Hay Festiva l Careless Peopl...

Where have the last six months gone? Join Amanda and Joseph as they check in on the reading goals they set themselves in January. Find out if they’ve stuck to their promises, or if they’ve bombed out on their reading resolutions. Plus, they talk about more prize news, and as always, what they’ve been reading recently and what they hope to pick up next.  Bookish News Hay Festiva l Taiwan Trave...

It seems everyone is talking about Yesteryear , and now Joseph and Amanda are too. Join them for their latest deep dive into the most hotly anticipated debut of the year, and hear about what they've been reading recently and which books they hope to pick up next. Bookish News The Hay Festival Hayplayer Recent Reads Cannon by Lee Lai @_leelai The Correspondent by Virginia Evans @virginia.l.evans Do...

Join Amanda and Joseph for this week’s episode as they delve into the best that nature writing has to offer. Plus, as always, they talk about their current reads and what they're looking forward to picking up next, as well as the latest from the Women's Prize for Fiction shortlist. Bookish News Women’s Prize shortlist Recent Reads Pearl Oyster by Sophie Robinson @sophiepoetry  London Falling,...

Join Amanda and Joseph for this week’s episode as they delve into the Golden Age of Detective Fiction, remember Agatha Christie and talk about their favourite mysteries. This time, they really try to be spoiler free!   Bookish News International Booker Prize shortlist short flims  Helen DeWitt and Windham Campbell Literary Award Recent Reads There Is No Antimemetics Division by qntm...

Join Joseph and Amanda as they discuss the reads they are most looking forward to this Spring, plus a few more updates from prize season. We also introduce a new segment – DNF corner, where we talk about the books we couldn’t wait to put down.  Bookish News Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction shortlist International Booker Prize shortlist Recent Reads The Director by Daniel Kehlmann, translated by...

Join Amanda and Joseph for their next deep dive into Wendy Erskine’s debut novel, The Benefactors, a polyphonic story about a sexual assault and the lengths that three mothers will go to to keep their sons from being held accountable. Along the way, they discuss the latest prize news, with the Carol Shields Prize longlist topping the episode. Bookish News Carol Shields Prize for Fiction longlist R...

This week, join Amanda and Joseph for one of their most personally revealing episodes yet, as they discuss the books that made them: the teenage obsessions, the gateway reads, and the unforgettable titles, passages and writers that made us the readers they are today. (1:20) Bookish News   (1:40) The Women’s Prize for Fiction Longlist (2:49) Gloria Don't Speak by Lucy Apps @lucy.emma13 (3:10)...

This week, Joseph and Amanda tackle romance. But this is romance with a twist, no tropes or formulas, just good writing that even the most hard-hearted cynic can enjoy. And before that, as Prize season is upon us, they dish the latest on prestigious longlists, and top and tail the episode with current and future reads.  (0:52) Bookish news (1:03) The Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction (2:52) Indig...

This week, Joseph and Amanda talk about some of their favourite short story collections - ranging from canonical gems to new voices - plus, as always, they talk about what they’ve been reading recently and discuss what they’re excited to read next.  (1:24) Bookish news (2:20) Birchbark Books (2:27) Inkwell Books (2:40) Red Balloon Books (2:56) Excelsior Bay Books / Milkweed Books / Black Garn...

This week, Amanda and Joseph go into the trenches with Daniel Kraus’s repulsively propulsive Angel Down. They also discuss what they’ve been reading recently, including the new Ian McEwan novel and a slew of non-fiction, as well as what they’re looking forward to picking up next.  (2:40) Bookish news (2:44) Storygraph (@josephjdance and @itsmoleyreads) (3:47) Faversham Literary Festival , 20...

Happy New Year! Start the year with Amanda and Joseph as they talk about their reading intentions for 2026.  (2:09) Bookish News   (2:36) Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte (directed by Emerald Fennell) (2:46) Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell (directed by Chloe Zhao) (2:59) Die My Love by Ariana Harwicz (directed by Lynne Ramsey) (3:34) Train Dreams by Dennis Johnson (directed by Clint Bentley)...

Join Amanda and Joseph for an end-of-year bibliofest as they talk about their top 10 books of the year, plus they dish the dirt on the titles that sadly didn’t live up to their expectations over the last twelve months.  (1:20) Bookish News   (1:24) The Warwick Prize For Women In Translation   (1:44) And The Walls Became The World All Around by Johanna Ekström and Sigrid Rausing, tra...

Join Amanda and Joseph as they get graphic – about the best graphic novels they’ve read and the ones they are keen to add to their TBRs. Along the way, they talk about their recent reads and discuss the books they hope will close out their reading year.  (0:47) Bookish News   (5:41) National Book Award   (6:00) The True True Story of Raja the Gullible (and His Mother) by Rabih Alame...

Join Amanda and Joseph for another deep dive, this time into Heart the Lover, Lily King’s tale of first loves and lost opportunities. Plus, as always, they talk about their recent reads and discuss the titles they’re keen to pick up next.  (1:23) Book News (1:23) The Booker Prize 2025 (1:34) Flesh by David Szalay   (2:09) The Baillie Gifford Prize for Nonfiction (2:12) How to End a Story...

Join Amanda and Joseph on this week’s episode as they discuss the Booker Prize 2025 shortlist and talk in depth about what worked and what didn’t work for them with each of the six nominated books. They also chat book news and have a look at some of the upcoming titles they’re looking forward to reading next.  (0:32) Book News (1:12)  Lone Wolf by Adam Weymouth (4:50) Gresham College Lec...

Creeps, chills, and carefully crafted dread - join Joseph and Amanda for this week’s episode as they recommend a stack of mood-heavy reads for spooky season. Plus, Team CR talks László Krasznahorkai - this year’s winner of the Nobel Prize in Literature - and as always they discuss what they’ve been reading lately and what they’re looking forward to picking up next.  (0:44) Book News (0:51) No...