Books and Mortar

In this episode, we explore a fragmented, emotionally dense portrait of a complicated mother, a wounded childhood, and the making of one of literature's most fearless voices. We dig into inheritance, language, love that arrives in the wrong shape, and what it means to turn damage into meaning. A book that doesn't let you go easily — and an episode that tries to do it justice.

SPOILERS In this episode, I dive into The Raven Scholar by Antonia Hodgson, a fantasy filled with murder, political intrigue, sacred animal monasteries, and ancient prophecy. We follow Neema Kraa as she investigates the murder of a tournament contender while the empire of Orrun edges closer to catastrophe. Along the way, I talk about the tragedy of Ruko Valit, why Cain completely stole my heart, a...

SPOILERS: What happens when a criminal mastermind meets the world of fairies? In this episode, I unpack Artemis Fowl and why it’s an exciting, accessible read for younger audiences. With adventure, wit, and a touch of magic, it’s a brilliant introduction to fantasy. Especially for kids just discovering the joy of books.

Justice fractures, monsters return, and the cost of protection becomes unbearable in A Heart Full of Hatred. As Valkyrie faces Gestalt and the consequences of her past choices, Winter edges closer to a power she was never meant to hold. Family, fairness, and fury collide on the island of Insadoom. And when the dust settles, Valkyrie pays the ultimate price for love.

This episode is about an older fantasy book I picked up because someone recommended it in real life, for a change. It follows Ged, a boy wizard whose hunger for power unleashes a shadow that chases him across islands and into his own worst instincts. There’s rivalry, dragons, creepy shadow-things, and one very patient mentor trying to teach balance to a kid who refuses to slow down. Mostly, it’s a...

A story of faith, humour, and survival, of a mother’s love and a son’s becoming. Born a Crime isn’t just Trevor Noah’s story—it’s the story of South Africa itself. Some mild language warnings go with this one. Domestic violence, substance abuse triggers

Reading this book feels like watching rain streak across your window – quiet, melancholic, and strangely comforting. It’s a gothic tale that weaves together themes of love, loss, memory, and haunting presences both real and imagined. At its heart is Sana, a lonely girl navigating grief, family secrets, and the eerie legacy of Akbar Manzil. Through her, we uncover Meena’s tragic love story, one tha...

“Book People” by Paige Nick is a sharp, satirical novel about an ordinary woman thrown into extraordinary chaos. Norma Jacobs becomes the accidental admin of a wildly popular online book club—just as a bestselling author starts to unravel after a bad review. As cancel culture, literary feuds, and digital drama explode, the lines between readers, writers, and reputations blur. Norma’s life—and the...

In this episode, I sit down with Chené Tuck, author of Finding My Supergrrl, a raw and powerful travel memoir. We talk about identity, healing, and the courage it takes to rebuild yourself—one country and one moment at a time. Chené shares how eight years of writing and soul-searching shaped her journey through grief, growth, and grace. From navigating loss to finding strength in vulnerability, th...

The balance of power teeters as darkness descends on Red London. In A Conjuring of Light, V.E. Schwab delivers a heart-racing finale to the Shades of Magic trilogy. Allies become enemies, secrets unravel, and magic takes center stage. It’s a story of sacrifice, survival, and the light we fight for. Because some powers fade — but legacy endures long after the final spell.

She thought rock bottom was behind her — but life had other plans. In More Confessions of a Forty-Something F**k Up, Alexandra Potter returns with a powerful sequel. Friendships are tested, love gets complicated, and the search for meaning grows louder. It's raw, real, and a reminder that reinvention doesn't come with an expiry date. Midlife isn't a crisis — it's a reckoning. This is an independen...

In A Gathering of Shadows, the stakes are higher than ever as Kell, a powerful Antari, is thrust into the deadly Essen Tasch, a high-stakes magical tournament that pits sorcerers from across parallel Londons against one another. Meanwhile, Lila Bard, a daring thief with her own mysterious powers, plunges headfirst into a world of magic, intrigue, and danger. As dark forces rise and loyalties are t...

In V.E. Schwab’s A Darker Shade of Magic, four parallel Londons exist—some thriving with magic, others nearly barren. Kell, a rare Antari - or Traveler - between them, smuggles forbidden artifacts until he stumbles upon something truly dangerous. When thief Delilah Bard gets involved, the two are pulled into a deadly fight for survival. With dark magic spreading and enemies closing in, they’ll hav...

Lost legends, a mysterious sea creature, and a town full of secrets… When Violet Parma arrives in Eerie-on-Sea searching for her parents, she meets Herbert Lemon, a young lost-and-founder. Together, they uncover the chilling truth about the legendary Malamander—a creature that may not be just a myth… Dive into the latest episode and let's explore this thrilling adventure full of mystery, danger, a...

Following the dynamic duo of daughter-in-law and father-in-law team, Amy and Steve Wheeler race around the world to investigate a series of murders against a ticking clock before Amy is falsely convicted of all three. Of course, world famous author Rosie D'Antonio is along for the ride and what an exciting addition she makes! Richard Osman has crafted the perfect blend of murder mystery, humor and...

Kiela has spent most of her life in the Great Library of Alyssium with a sentient spider plant named Caz as her only company. When the revolutionaries cause trouble and burn the library, Kiela and Caz grab as many spell books as they can and escape to Kiela's home island of Caltrey. Kiela hopes that she won't have to talk to anyone in the village and heaven forbid she have to make any friends, but...

From the author of Crazy Rich Asians comes Lies and Weddings. Countess Arabella Leung Gresham just wants what's best for her children. So imagine her chagrin when she finds out what they want, is not quite what she wants. Augusta doesn't want to wear the wedding gown she's painstakingly picked out for her, Rufus doesn't want to marry the girl she's picked out for him and oh my goodness someone is...

This book follows the story of Penelope, aka Nell Stevens who, a forty-something year old, moves back home to London after a break up and failed business to start over. But what do you do when life hasn't gone the way you thought it would? Slight language warning for this one. It's not my fault, it's in the title. This is an independent podcast and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

Temi's annoucement that she wants to have a Brazilian butt lift causes shock and outrage amongst the women in her family. Why does she want to do this? Damilare Kuku sensitively, expertly and at times hilariously explores how the shape of a woman's body can shape their lives and other events that bring us together or pull us apart. This is an independent podcast and all views and opinions expresse...

The sequel to the epic fantasy, Empire of the Vampire, Empire of the Damned is another wild ride by the incomparable Jay Kristoff. The continuation of Gabriel de Leon's tale of his journey with the Holy Grail to finally end Daysdeath and put an end to the reign of the vampires for good. This is an independent podcast and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

The conclusion of the epic fantasy novel Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke. Yes there are spoilers, you have been warned. This is an independent podcast. All views and opinions expressed are my own.

This is part 1 of a review of a massive book called Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell. A book about two magicians who bring magic back to England after centuries of it being lost, involving themselves with faeries results in a feud between the two magicians that end up creating havoc. This is an independent review and all views and opinions expressed are my own. Warning: spoilers

My review of the 16th book in the Skulduggery Pleasant series. Derek Landy continues to outdo himself with this awesome series following the exploits of the skeleton detective Skulduggery Pleasant and his partner Valkyrie Cain as they solve the latest murder mystery. This is an independent podcast and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

Introducing a favourite comfort read, the incomparable duo of Bertie Wooster and his valet Reginald Jeeves. These books are rays of sunshine to brighten up the dullest of moods. Also, what do you think of censorship in books? This is an independent podcast and all views and opinions expressed are my own.

Shubnum Khan's heart warming novel follows three generations of Indian women living in Johannesburg as they navigate to overcome their unique trauma and finally come together as a family. Minor spoiler warning. Trigger warnings for this book include mental illness and suicide. This is an independent podcast and all views and opinions expressed are my own.