On the Crescent

After a short break we're back! This week we episode we dive in to the Crime Thriller genre and way out of my comfort zone to talk about the fabulous Jess Kitching’s book ‘The Secret of Strangers.’ This was a very clever ‘small town’ thriller and I really enjoyed it. Although it was fast paced and gripping, there was also a very emotional side that was told with great sensitivity and insightfu...

This week we invite our very good friend Nicky/Plam onto the show and we talk about Chloes favourite book of the year so far. The incredible and emotional ‘Everything was Beautiful and Nothing Hurt’ by Ben Reeves. This book, which told from the perspective of Death Aka Travis, is a thing of beauty; with stunning prose and an emotional but uplifting plot. It was perfect! Bring your tissues and stay...

On this weeks podcast we talk about a book that is a great mix of folktales, memoir and essays on what it’s like to be a woman in her late 30s. No Fair Maidens by Kim Willis is a joy to read; filled with magic and realism. It felt balanced and beautiful. As per usual we discuss the book in its entirety so it is full of spoilers! Just a little reminder that if you do fancy reading (we always recomm...

On this weeks episode we talk about ‘The Name Game’ by Beth O’Leary. A twisty (only slightly confusing for Matthew) romantic fiction book. Charlie Jones and Charlie Jones turn up on a remote island for a job offered to one Charlie Jones. Also there’s only one bed! I even had to draw a diagram for this one! As per usual we discuss the book in its entirety so it is full of spoilers! Just a little re...

It's episode 35 and we talk about another book by the fabulous Sally Magnusson. Music in the dark is a stunning historical novel and love story based during and after the brutality of the Highland Clearances. Beautiful, tender and inspiring. As per usual we discuss the book in its entirety so it is full of spoilers! Just a little reminder that if you do fancy reading (we always recommend that you...

On this weeks episode we talk about Greenteeth by Molly O’Neill. A fast paced, fun, cosy adventure story about monsters from British folklore teaming up to defeat a the baddest of bad guys. Learn all about some great creatures from our folklore / including the Welsh ‘Afanc’, Scottish ‘unicorns’ and English ‘Twrch Trwyth’. It’s such a great read! As per usual we discuss the book in its entirety so...

Episode 33. We talk about Broken Country by Clare Leslie Hall. It’s a book heavy on the romance and drama; limited on the description. A story set around a murder trial in 1969 - it kept me guessing. As per usual we discuss the book in its entirety so it is full of spoilers! Just a little reminder that if you do fancy reading (we always recommend that you do) then please come back to us once you&#...

On this weeks episode we talk about Aborescence a mindblowing, thought provoking, funny and terrifying piece of speculative fiction by Rhett Davis A story about what would happen if ai takes over and people decide that they might quite like to turn into trees! As per usual we discuss the book in its entirety so it is full of spoilers! Just a little reminder that if you do fancy reading (we always...

On this weeks podcast we are talking about ‘Main Characters’ by one of my favourite authors Bobby Palmer. A love story very cleverly told by everyone but the two main characters. I loved it. Thoughtful, funny and sad with genius storytelling. Bobby Palmer never lets me down. As per usual we discuss the book in its entirety so it is full of spoilers! Just a little reminder that if you do fancy read...

We are back! Whoop! Talking about Chloe’s favourite book of the year - Land by Maggie O’Farrell. It is a surprising, magical and tender story about a family and an ancient spring in Ireland. It’s beautiful and perfect! As per usual we discuss the book in its entirety so it is full of spoilers! Just a little reminder that if you do fancy reading (we always recommend that you do) then please come ba...

Something a little different this week before we go on to review Land by Maggie O'Farrell next week! We just discuss what ever been enjoying lately and what books we're looking forward to! A little bite sized breather if you will! It give y'all a chance to catch up :D Keep reading! Get in touch with us on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@onthecrescentpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Email enq...

This week we are talking about ‘You & Me and You & Me and You & Me’ by Josie Lloyd and Emlyn Reese, a time travelling contemporary novel about a married couple in their 50’s who try to fix their relationship. Do they use the tried and tested techniques of communication, understanding and love? Or do they try using mixed tapes to travel back in time and fix each other? I bet you can’t g...

This is a heavy one! Get ready for a huge list of trigger warnings and some passionate feminism from Chloe as we discuss ‘The Power’ by Naomi Alderman. What would the world be like if one day women woke up with the power to inflict terrible pain with a click of their fingers? Let’s find out! As per usual we discuss the book in its entirety so it is full of spoilers! Just a little reminder that if...

Busting out the big guns this week as we talk about the excellent Matt Haig and his newest book - The Midnight Train. This is a poignant and sentimental story filled with appreciation for life, regret and love. As always so much to talk about. As per usual we discuss the book in its entirety so it is full of spoilers! Just a little reminder that if you do fancy reading (we always recommend that yo...

On this week’s episode we talk about ‘The wise witch of Orkney’ by Anna Caig. A book I devoured in 2 days and had one timeline but 3 POV. A sad and surprising novel about class, power, women and fear. Some great characters - but the men were the actual worst!! As per usual we discuss the book in its entirety so it is full of spoilers! Just a little reminder that if you do fancy reading (we always...

Heatwave episode! We're talk about the funny and slightly shocking contemporary novel - Dandelion is Dead by Rosie Storey. There’s this one lie - where Poppy pretends to be her dead sister when online dating. (Don’t worry that’s not a spoiler because it’s on the blurb) Then there’s more lies and even more lies. But then there’s the truth. It’s a wild ride. I hope this isn’t what online dating...

ORDER!! Allow us to talk about modern day witches and what happens when bullying goes too far. Told by a very unreliable narrator - Witch Trial by Harriet Tyce - was a surprising thriller set in a courtroom. Not something you’d usually find me reading but it’s nice to read outside my usual genres. As per usual we discuss the book in its entirety so it is full of spoilers! Just a little reminder th...

In this weeks episode we talk about Seascraper by Benjamin Wood, a beautiful, atmospheric novel about responsibilities, traditions and ambition. Set over a few weeks we follow Thomas as his perspectives and attitudes change when he meets the charismatic Edgar. We also talk about the seaside whilst we melt indoors during last weeks heatwave! As per usual we discuss the book in its entirety so it is...

Episode 22! Recorded on the Summer Solstice! How nice, in this weeks episode we discuss The Shapeshifter’s Daughter by Sally Magnusson. An emotional, captivating and very clever read that merges the mythical realm of Loki and Hel with the real world of Helen and Thornfinn. I loved how the mythical characters got to observe love, choices and acceptance in humans and learn not to feel worthless. Als...

We've cracked more than 20 episodes so lets celebrate with a trilogy, that’s right 3 books and we managed to keep it under 40 minutes! The three books are: Morgan is my Name, Le Fay and Storm over Camelot by the exceptionally talented Sophie Keetch. This retelling of Arthurian Legend is gritty and dark as well as being magical and full of heart. I love reading about powerful women and Morgan Le Fa...

EPISODE 20!! A big one this week as we talk about ‘Yesteryear’ by Caro Claire Burke. There was so much to say about this incredible novel (which is why it’s such a long episode). There is so much to think about and talk about and enjoy and loathe. It’s such a mind blowing novel. As per usual we discuss the book in its entirety so it is full of spoilers! Just a little reminder that if you do fancy...

In this weeks episode we have a guest - the wonderful Plam- who joins to talk all things Bridgerton and dives in to the book ‘To Sir Phillip with Love’ by Julia Quinn. Expecting humour, romance and tropes? Erm… from us maybe - we discuss mainly red flags and how completely different the books are to the Netflix show. As per usual we discuss the book in its entirety so it is full of spoilers! Just...

On this weeks episode we discuss one of my favourite books of the year… ‘The Correspondent’ by Virginia Evans. This book is a heartwarming, powerful, delight of a book told through the correspondence of a woman in her seventies. It is a story about grief, family and forgiveness. The writing is amazing and the characters are so real. Such a memorable and heart wrenching story. I always love a comin...

Once again, we are back on The Crescent and we are discussing ‘The Last Witch’ by C.J Cooke - a harrowing story about witch hunting and the torture of women but also about resilience and allies. A fantastically written and very powerful novel which takes a true part of history and retells these remarkable events. ‘Where there are women, there are witches.' As per usual we discuss the book in i...

On this weeks episode we are talking about ‘Convenience Store Woman’ by Sayaka Murata a book club read from March. Angela joins us as a guest on this episode to discuss if the book was really satire and about the expectations on gender, marriage and class in Japanese culture. If you want to check out Angela’s amazing mosaics you can find her at www.tesseraemosaics.co.uk or on instagram @tesseraemo...