Being Bookish

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...

It arrived on Disney Plus in the UK last week and if you had any idea how much of a fan of the show I was I you wouldn't even need to guess. This week I am going to be talking about the 1985-1992 series starring Betty White, Rue McLanahan, Bea Arthur and Estelle Getty, The Golden Girls . Join me as I talk through what I loved about the characters and what I think made it so special.

This week I am traversing back in time to 1980 and reviewing a book that I read in my childhood - however inappropriate that may now happen to be. Yes, I am going to be talking about Stephen King's novel Firestarter . This book is a bit of a minefield, or at least that's what I discovered when I picked it up for the first time in over 30 years and started to read it. So, take a listen and find out...

This week I am taking a look at Dollface which arrived on Disney Plus earlier this year. Starring Kat Dennings, Brenda Song and Shay Mitchell it's a study of female relationships and rebuilding ones that were abandoned. I also give you an update on my mental health and why last week was a no go as far as this episode was concerned. Also, if you wish to vote in the British Podcast Awards, don't wai...

This week I am reviewing a book that is only a few days old -in fact, it was released in the UK on 24th June 2021. I am revisiting a favourite author in the form of Paige Toon and her latest novel, Someone I used to know. This book has everything you could want for a sunny (or rainy) day with a cup of something and a comfy chair. So, join me as I take a look at this much-anticipated (by me and man...

This week I have moved away from the YA, the magical and the mystical and taken a trip to the world of old Hollywood glamour, courtesy of Taylor Jenkins Reid and her 2017 novel, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo . I have to admit, I had no idea what to expect when I picked this book up, but less than two days later it was done and I spent 7 days processing how I was going to talk about it. So, her...

This week I'm taking you to the Caribbean and the fictional island of St Marie, where having a secret can be murder! This British series has been a long-time favourite of mine; a procedural that offers up murder with a side of white sands and turquoise waters and I love every minute of it. So, if you want to find out more about a procedural that doesn't take itself too seriously (and airs in 236 c...

This week I am heading into mythological territory (yes, again), with the latest novel from American author, Alexandra Bracken. Lore , which was released earlier this year, is a tale of tragedy, discovery and vengeance with the added bonus of the fact it all takes place (pretty much) in modern-day New York. Want to find out more, give this episode a listen now. And no, it's nothing to do with the...

This week I am introducing you to Bernard Black and his amazing collection of books in a small shop near Bloomsbury. Yes, I am taking you on a trip to Black Books. I hope you enjoy the visit, just don't go near the shop owner, he'll bite your head off. Also, as I mentioned in the show, voting is open for the British Podcasting Awards . Get your votes in and, if you want, you can vote for Not Befor...

This week I am taking a look at a relatively recent release in the form of the first book in a new series by Canadian author, Kelley Armstrong. The book in question is Cursed Luck, which came out at the beginning of May 2021. It's the story of a cursed necklace, the curse weaver who can perhaps remove said curse and many deceptions that get the two together!

This week, I am revisiting Lucifer and looking at the most recent episodes released on Netflix as of the 28th of May 2021. This review is as spoiler-free as I can make it - in other words, I reveal pretty much nothing that will have you running away screaming I spoiled the show for you. In fact, this may well encourage you to watch it if you haven't already...

In this, the first-ever episode of The Bookshop I look at the first book in Leigh Bardugo's Six of Crows Duology, appropriately titled Six of Crows. I talk nothing but books in this spin-off of Not Before Coffee! So settle back and listen as I talk about this 2015 YA novel. Also, I mention an article on Polygon, which you can find here .