Being Bookish

You know how much I love cosy crime, so I thought that after almost 3 months I would take a trip down memory lane and remind you why this is a genre I think you may enjoy. This week I am taking a look at the first cosy crime novel by author Jesse Sutanto, Dial A for Aunties. It's a fun jaunt with a sort of 1980s Weekend at Bernie's twist. There are jewel heists, a dead body in a cooler, 4 incredib...

I am reviewing Science Fiction. Alert...you are not seeing things, for the first time in 18 months I am reading sci-fi! It's been a while since we were here, but this week I am taking you on a journey into space in the year 2380 as I talk about and review the first in the Aurora Cycle series, Aurora Rising by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff. I wasn't sure what to think when I first saw this book (an...

It's a tale as old as time and could be seen in many ways to be the origin tale for Beauty and the Beast (see what I did there?), but in this very modern YA retelling of the story of Hades and Persephone, Bea Fitzgerald has given us definite girl power. Girl, Goddess, Queen is a retelling of this dark Greek myth with a difference. Persephone didn't get dragged down to hell by an obsessive uncle, s...

I hadn't planned on posting this treat quite so soon, but work schedules (you know how it is). I was lucky enough to get the chance to chat with the author Kate Eberlen about her latest novel, Ever After, which is a fascinating and moving book following on from her 2016 release, Miss You. It follows Tess and Gus for 7 years of their lives after they meet and fall in love in Florence; their familie...

This week I had the chance to speak with author Veronica Henry about her latest release, Thirty Days in Paris. It's a story of second chances, of new experiences and follows our main character, Juliet, as she travels to Paris to learn about herself after an amicable divorce. We talk about everything from au pairs to first and second loves, to redemption arcs and travel. And of course, the book, wh...

Divine Rivals was released at the beginning of March and, since that point, has enjoyed a lot of success, it's proved incredibly popular on socials such as BookTok and Bookstagram. The enemies-to-lovers element of this fantasy has really gripped people, almost as much as Fourth Wing (as an aside can you believe there are over 215,000 ratings for that on Goodreads now?). Any, this week I am talking...

Psycho is not my normal fare, in fact it's been decades since I viewed the 1960 Hitchcock film starring Janet Leigh and Anthony Perkins, but there is no denying that the shower scene is one that forever remains in your memory once viewed. So, when Lorraine suggested that we talk about this book, the 1959 novel by American author, Robert Bloch...I figured what could it hurt? So...how does the novel...

This week, as we're halfway through the year, I thought I'd take a look at a few of the books I would recommend to any reader who loves, or is looking to dip their toes into, the world of Greek mythology retellings. There are now so many to choose from that it can get just a little bit overwhelming. So take a journey down memory lane with me and find out, not only how I got into the genre in the f...

If you're a fan of the crime genre then Mari Hannah is for you. Her first novel came out in 2012, about detective Kate Daniels, and since then she has released 12 more novels. Her 14th, the 4th book in her newer Stone and Oliver series, is released this coming Thursday, the 22nd of June, and it's a doozy. This week I am speaking with Mari about her books, her creations and how she came up with the...

This week I am joined by Jordanne from the fun bookish podcast Books to Last, where guests talk about the 5 books they'd take with them to a deserted island. And we're talking about a book that has been on both of our TBRs for quite a while, Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid. As always the talk is spoiler-free, but we're not shy when it comes to our opinions. So what did we think of t...

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros is a hit. With a massively positive score on sites like Goodreads, Amazon and Waterstones, if you're a fan of fantasy then it's likely you'll have heard of it. It's been hugely hyped up everywhere, but if you're not sure whether it's your thing but you don't want to read all the spoiler-filled reviews across the platforms, you've come to the right place. You will not...

You know I am always a fan of reading new cosy mysteries, so when I saw this one and then it just kept on popping up on all my social feeds I knew I had to give it a go. What we have here is a murder most gruesome that takes place in a church...Canon Daniel Clement has already got a lot to contend with, what with the resistance to having a toilet fitted, so the last thing he needs is for a body to...

If there is one genre I will admit to loving more than any other it's mythology. This week you will truly get to hear me geek out as I talk with author Luna McNamara about her debut novel, a retelling of the myth of Psyche and Eros. A fantastic tale and it was wonderful to have the opportunity to talk with someone as passionate about the subject as she is. If you love Greek myths and love stories...

I love mythology, pretty much any culture has a wealth of colourful stories whether about creation or existence and in the UK we have tales of King Arthur and his round table, of Magic and Merlin, the Lady of the Lake and the legend that Arthur is a once and future King of England who will rise when he is needed. This latest book by author Alexandra Bracken tells a tale of Avalon in the modern day...

Cathy Bramley is the Sunday Times Top Ten best-selling author of The Lemon Tree Cafe and Ivy Lane, to name but two. On the 11th of May her 16th novel, The Sunrise Sisterhood, is due for release and this week I had the chance to talk with her about the book. It's a story of friendship, family and the strong bonds of sisterhood between three women, Liz, Skye and Clare. Give this episode a listen and...

Mel was first released in the UK in 1988, the story of a 17-year-old girl who hasn't had life easy and just wants to make a future for herself. Of course, nothing is ever straight forward, and when she meets rockstar Mitch Hamilton, who is on a break between gigs and hanging out at his grandfather's junk shop, she has no idea what upheaval his arrival is going to have. This book is one that I read...

If you've been listening to this show for any length of time you'll know that I love contemporary romance, especially the books by Paige Toon. This week I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to talk with her about her new book, Only Love Can Hurt Like This, which is released on the 25th of April in the US, Australia and Canada, on the 26th of April in Germany, and on the 27th of April in the U...

Isaac and the Egg is the 2022 debut from author Bobby Palmer. A story of grief, pain and acceptance it has fantasy elements that can pull you in. This is what I would refer to as a cry-book. The novel makes you question a lot, is the Egg real? What is Isaac hiding from? Why has he shut himself off from the world. But ultimately, whether it's a cry-book or not, what did I truly think of it? Find ou...

Yes, we're back here again, with another cosy mystery, but I had to admit I couldn't stay away from the genre for too long because this sort of book has a lot to offer, whether you're into crime or character-driven plots. Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murders is the latest offering from Jesse Q Sutanto, the creator of The Four Aunties series, a YA cosy crime and matchmaker duology (so far). I...

Johanna Lindsey started writing historical romance in 1977 and by the time she passed away in 2019, she had released 50 novels. In this episode, I take a look at her books, specifically her Malory-Anderson series and what made them great, what has changed and what I loved about them. Her books were the epitome of what made a bodice ripper, especially when you look at the earlier covers, and there...

This week Being Bookish has gone to the movies with my guest, Lorraine from Once Upon a Nightmare. I've hit a bit of a reading slump, but this is still book talk as The Devil Wears Prada (2006) is itself based on a book by Lauren Weisberger which was originally released in 2003. So join us as we talk about what we liked and didn't in this film, how we would both probably fare in the fashion indust...

Fantasy is not a genre that I read all that often. However, having recently been reintroduced to it, I decided to delve in feet first with this novel by New Zealand-based author AK Mulford. The High Mountain Court was released in 2021. In a world ruled by the Fae, witches live in fear, hiding their true abilities terrified that the witch hunters will find them. Remy has been in hiding for 13 years...

If you've been here for a while you'll know how much I love a good Greek Myth retelling, and here we have another one. The story of Helen of Troy's older sister, Clytemnestra. All but ignored in traditional myth, her story is a long, sad and colourful one that makes up the central tale in Casati's debut novel. Find out what I thought in a 100% spoiler-free review. Featured episodes Elektra Circe T...

Practical Magic - you may know the film, but did you know it's a 1995 book? This week I am talking with a guest, Lorraine from Once Upon a Nightmare about this book and how it compares to the film - does it come out on top? So join me and Lorraine as we find out more about Gillian and Sally Owens and the lives they've built for themselves. Featured episodes The Body Misery (1987) Warhammer 40k (Th...

If you know me you'll know that I love cosy crime, and also have a huge amount of affection for the TV series Death in Paradise. When I saw The Marlow Murder Club on the shelves in my local book shop - just as I was feeling I needed to buy a new book (nothing new there), I had to pick it up. So, what did I think of this book by the creator of Death in Paradise? Did it fail to impress? Was it too m...