Being Bookish

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...

Weyward is a story of women, witches, power, and internal strength. A novel about three women from one family line who go against the grain, fighting against their personal situations to improve their lives and find their inner power. A recent release and a debut from author Emilia Hart, it's a tale as old as time, poignant and powerful. To find out what I thought of this book, released on the 2nd...

It's another new book this week, Really Good, Actually by ex-Schitt's Creek writer, Monica Heisey. A study (filled with pathos and humour) of divorce and moving on in the modern age. Maggie is 29, in a dead-end job and after just 608 days of marriage, she is getting divorced. What follows is a journey of self-discovery and learning in this January 2023 release. Featured episodes Delicacy by Katy W...

This week we are visiting the world of Middren, where the worship of gods is forbidden and a battle with the old gods all but destroyed a royal dynasty. Her family devastated by sacrifice to the god of fire, Kissen rejoices in the fact that her search for vengeance is sanctioned by a king who wants to move his people on from the old ways. But when Kissen meets young Inara, the daughter of a noble...

In the 1980s, there was nothing like a good old-fashioned bonkbuster to brighten up your bookcases. With their somewhat stylised but garish covers that declared them to be the sort of book you would probably blush when telling your granny about. As well as the handsome but rakish main characters, they sold in their hundreds of thousands. Jilly Cooper was the Queen of Bonkbusters, famous for the he...

This year has been a big one. 130 books, 56 new authors, and only 22 re-reads. I have been introduced to new authors, new genres and some incredible new books. So what made it into the countdown? Are there books you're expecting? Is there anything you want me to mention? Go on, it's the final countdown for the year, give it a listen! Featured episodes The Spirit Engineer The House in the Cerulean...

Bet you never thought you'd see the day when I read a book in the Warhammer series! Well, today you are going to be surprised. This week I am talking Warhammer, specifically Xenos, the first in the Eisenhorn Omnibus by Dan Abnett with Dev - who really knows his stuff. So, settle back and welcome to Warhammer... Useful links Warhammer Wiki Warhammer beginners guide Warhammer Space Marines Trailer T...

It’s 1960, in the fictional town of Castle Rock, Maine. Ray Brower, a boy from a nearby town, has disappeared, and twelve-year-old Gordie Lachance and his three friends set out on a quest to find his body along the railroad tracks. During the course of their journey, Gordie, Chris Chambers, Teddy Duchamp, and Vern Tessio come to terms with death and the harsh truths of growing up in a small factor...

Agatha Raisin and the Busy Body feels like the perfect start to December. When Health and Safety busy body John Sunday starts to tell people that there will be no Christmas trees on the church roof, that Christmas lights are a health and safety hazard and there can be no candles during evening services, you just know his days are numbered. But who in the village is the one that stabs him repeatedl...

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is the first book in her bestselling trilogy (though it has since been added to with a prequel). First released in 2008, it was made into a Hollywood Blockbuster in 2012 (which made Jennifer Lawrence a household name). It is a story of political intrigue and mass murder made to look like entertainment. So, what did I think? Was it a book I liked more or less on...

Shiver is the first in a YA series by Maggie Stiefvater, originally released in 2009. The book has been on my bookcase since that point and until this year I hadn't done more than move it twice (when I moved house). So, what makes this werewolf novel the perfect spooky read for Booktober? Check out my spoiler-free review to find out. It was the ideal palate cleanser after my previous Booktober rea...

Flowers in the Attic is the gothic novel that has it all, some of this all you probably don't want, but over the 43 years since its release it's sold over 40 million copies worldwide and while you'd think that its popularity would fade as more books were released to market, it's spawned a franchise of films and a mini-series. So, what is it about this novel that makes it perfect for Booktober? Tun...