Being Bookish

It's the penultimate episode of Jennifer Aniston Season and I am taking a look at one of her more recent romantic comedies, the first of her two roles with Adam Sandler, 2011's Just Go With It. This film is based loosely on the 1969 film Cactus Flower and could be considered something of a farce, if the story is analysed too closely, at least. Is this one of Aniston's better romantic comedies? Was...

It had to be on the list somewhere, and what better time than now to talk about one of Aniston's most successful romcoms (at least when it comes to the box office). So here I am, talking about Along Came Polly, her 2004 romcom with Ben Stiller. It feels somewhat appropriate after one of the reviews I talked about last week mentioned that Jennifer Aniston was better in films starring Stiller and Sa...

Set in a future not too far from ours, this dystopian New Adult fantasy from Laura Thalassa. This is the first in a series of four books, with the fourth due to be released on 9th November. I wasn't sure what to expect of this as I haven't read any other books by this author, so this was a learning experience. The Changeover Good Omens

It's 1997 and Sarah Huttinger is returning home to Pasadena for her younger sister's wedding. While there she discovers the scandal that she believes could uncover the reason why she's never felt like a true part of her family. Is she clutching at straws or is she on to something? Well, Rumour Has It that The Graduate was based on her family's best-kept secret...This week I am taking a look at the...

There is another book with this same title, but I am not looking at a psychology text in this episode. In fact, I am going to be looking at the sequel to a book I reviewed about 6 weeks ago. All the Feels, by Olivia Dade, is the sequel to Spoiler Alert, which I really enjoyed, and I hope that I encouraged you to give a try. It follows in the same vein, while Spoiler Alert gave an insight into fat-...

If you're a fan of The Wedding Singer, or maybe 50 First Dates, then chances are that you've also seen the film I am taking a look at for this episode, 2014's Blended. This is the third film that Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler worked on together. So, did I like it better than Sandler's more recent projects, or does it fall to the same stereotypes that many romantic comedies are full of? As well a...

In my last Bookshop episode, I took a trip to the Cotswolds and introduced you to Agatha Raisin. So I figured that now would be a great opportunity to introduce you to Agatha's inspiration in the form of the character I believe to be Agatha Christie's greatest creation (though everyone has their favourite), Miss Jane Marple. The Murder at the Vicarage was published in 1930 and serves as the offici...

This week I am taking a look at the war of the sexes, and no, I am not referring to the tennis match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs. Katherine Heigl and Gerard Butler are at odds as he tells her that her idea of romance doesn't exist and she tries to prove to him that he's very wrong. So, who will win? Will either of them? Who knows? Well, I do...listen to find out what I have to say abo...

Whether you love Miss Marple or Murder, She Wrote, you'll be familiar with the genre of cosy mysteries. And if you, like me, love them, then you'll probably enjoy Agatha Raisin's inaugural adventure as she adjusts to country living in the Carsely, a small village in the middle of the Cotswolds. Picturesque and full of old-country charm, there is a bit of darkness in the centre. Think PG-rated Hot...

This week I am going to be talking about the 2014 romCom The Other Woman starring Cameron Diaz, Leslie Mann and Kate Upton. The last thing you expect when you discover your husband is cheating is that you'll bond with his mistresses, but that's exactly what happens to Kate King on discovering that her husband Mark is a liar and a cheat! Did I like it? Do I think it's worth a watch? Did you know it...

In my latest episode, I am taking a look at a brand new author's debut novel, one that digs into childhood memories and turns a favourite on its head. I am looking at 2021's novel by A C Wise, Wendy, Darling. So, what did I think of this new take on the stories of Peter Pan, Wendy and the Lost Boys? Was it everything the blurb promised it would be? Did it dig in its heels and focus on a single the...

Join me as I navigate the single life in New York through the eyes of recent singleton and grad Alice. So, what did I think? Was it a good film? Was it bad? Did I enjoy it? Would I recommend it? The film was released in 2016 and is based on the book of the same name (very loosely based I have to add). I also touch on He's Just Not That Into You and the book Asking for Trouble (you get bonus Chris...

This week I'm talking about one of my favourite books with someone who also loves it, Chance from the fantastic Strive Seek Find . We're talking about the fantastic Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett. We talk about the book, the brilliantly done TV show that was a very surprisingly accurate adaptation and all the things we loved about the book and what we feel it was inspired by. So mak...

This is unlike the other Disney films I have reviewed as it's not a Disney Channel Original. This time I am looking at a massive cinema release that made over $375mil at the box office, 2004's Nicolas Cage film, National Treasure. Part adventure, part conspiracy theory, all fun. This is a film I have watched many many times since it was released and though I know the plot off by heart, and definit...

This week I am taking a look at the 2008 novel by Matthew Quick that inspired the 2012 Oscar-Nominated movie of the same name. Was this book the first that didn't fare as well as the film, which you can hear me talk about with my friend Debi here )? Is the book better than the film, or was the film a vast improvement? The only way to find out is to give this week's episode a listen.

It's finally happened. The last ever season of Lucifer, Season 6, has been released and I spent a few evenings over the last week watching it and trying to put all my thoughts together. That's what this episode is. A review of the final 10 episodes, as spoiler-free as possible (though, if you want to avoid ANYTHING spoiler until you've watched it all, head here instead ). My thoughts and opinions....

This week I'm taking a look at a contemporary romance by American author Olivia Dade. In Spoiler Alert we meet actor Marcus Caster-Rupp and geologist and fanfiction author April Whittier. Will their true love story have a happy ending? Listen to find out more (but I will maintain, this is a spoiler-free review). Link to me talking fanfiction: Mr Right and my life in fanfic

I am back with my first Thursday episode of Season 3 and it's all about the 2008 Disney Channel Original Movie, Camp Rock. So get dancing and singing and head to a camp, complete with dining cabin and rock star guest appearances. Did I like it? Did I hate it? Was it an experience I want to repeat? I also touch upon the issues that had me calling a quick end to Season 2.

Until about a year ago I didn't even know that this was a book, I just assumed it was a film and that was it. However, now I am aware I am pleased that I have had the chance to read Andy Weir's bestselling (originally indie published) novel, The Martian. So, what did I think? Did I enjoy it? Is it better than the film? Find out by listening to the first episode of Season 3 of Not Before Coffee!

I've been joined by a very special guest, Lorraine from Once Upon a Nightmare and we're talking about a show that was based during our formative years but very definitely not filmed then (no sirree, if it had been the special effects would have been much much much worse). Yes, we're travelling back to 1983 and visiting the town of Hawkins, Indiana. We're talking Stranger Things Season 1. So, buckl...

This 1908 classic is one of my favourite novels. Set in beautiful Florence at the turn of the 20th Century and following the slow but emotional story of Lucy Honeychurch and George Emerson as they somehow find each other. In an unusual move for me, I watched the film before I read the book, but since the first time I read it, it's been at the top of my ever-growing re-read pile. So, why do I enjoy...

For this, my 50th episode, I am going to be going back to the origins of the podcast and looking at a film. Yes, it's about cars. No, Chris Evans isn't in it. No, I don't have a driving licence. For all that this film is not an Oscar winner, and nor does it star an actor whose films I collect, I still have a soft spot in my heart for 2001's The Fast and the Furious . The film that spawned a billio...

This week I had planned to talk about a book by the ever-wonderful Terry Pratchett, unfortunately, time somehow escaped me (the Masterchef Australia grand finale was worth it) and I ended up digging through my notes and found a book I enjoyed and wanted to share with you, my listeners. So, this week I'm talking about the hit of 2012, Me Before You by Jojo Moyes. So, whether you've read it, or not,...

This week I am travelling to 2012 via the Florida Keys with a review of the sadly short-lived Bones spin-off, The Finder. I have to be honest I was really sad when this series was cancelled and feel that it deserved a lot more than just the 13 episodes (plus backdoor pilot) that we got. If you'd like to find out what I think makes this show so great, give this one a listen. This week I have a prom...

Welcome to another episode in my cosy little bookshop. In this episode, I am going to talk about a debut. book by a new author, Jennifer Saint's Ariadne. Yes, I am returning to my comfort zone and talking about Greek mythology. This book was a journey that I took in less than a day and it was interesting to see the tale of Ariadne through the eyes of someone who loves mythology as much as I do. So...