On the Crescent

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...

We have once again returned to The Crescent and this week we talk about ‘The Artist’ by Lucy Steeds. An intense and remarkable story about art, egocentrism, forgery and sexism inside and outside the world of art; all set in southern France just after the 1st world war. It was such a beautiful story. As per usual we discuss the book in its entirety so it is full of spoilers! Just a little reminder...

On this weeks episode we talk about the phenomenal book: The Barbecue at No. 9 by Jennie Godfrey. A book that blindsided me with it’s heart (I shouldn’t have been blindsided as I read her first book and that was equally beautiful) and dealt with such difficult situations and topics on such a simple stage. Get ready to blasted back to 1985 and the excitement of Live Aid - it’s nostalgia at its best...

On this weeks episode Matthew does more talking than ever before as we review a book he has also read - Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman. We really try to explain this incredible book in a coherent way - so we don’t sound like drunk toddlers - let us know if we succeed! Chloe feels the need to get more people reading this book so give the podcast a listen and see what you think. As per usual...

Episode 12 We are back (once again!) on the crescent where we talk about one of Chloe’s favourite books - The Offing by the incomparable Benjamin Myers. This book is a powerful, profound and moving story about friendship and healing. A book quite without fault (in my opinion). Chloe’s good friend and fellow bookclubber Angela joins us in person to talk about this fabulous book. As per usual we dis...

Episode 11! This week Chloe talks about Maybe, perhaps, possibly by Joanna Glen - A surprisingly gentle story exploring ideas of love, isolation and how our families effect the choices we make and the lives we choose. It is also set (partly) on an island off the coast of Northumberland, one of our favourite places to visit! Everyone loves a Puffin! As per usual we discuss the book in its entirety...

Episode 10! (not episode 9 as Matthew said at the start!) Todays book is 'This Book Made Me Think of You' by Libby Page. This week we have our first ever guest on the podcast to talk about this lovely heart warming story. A love letter to books, reading and independent bookshops - this book is definitely on topic for the readers out there. Plus Matthew is a wizard and managed to get the po...

Episode 9! We are talking about Fredrik Backman’s newest book - My Friends - a moving and sensitive tale of 4 teenagers whose friendship gives them safety and refuge from their troubled lives and not only impact each other but the life of a young woman 25 years later. It is something rather special (those friendships you have at 14 years old and the book - the books is pretty special too)! As per...

Episode 8 of On the Crescent (insert music notes here) Today we get into the very important business of dealing with those pesky witches with 'HOW TO KILL A WITCH: A guide for the patriarchy' written by Claire Mitchell and Zoe Venditozzi A wonderful mix of fact and fiction! 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 readi...

Episode 7 of On the Crescent! ( a little late because Matthew forgot to upload it) Chloe discusses 'As Many Souls as Stars' written by Natasha Siegel. Was this another hit or a miss for Chloe? 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've finis...

Time for episode 6 of On the Crescent! Fresh of our holidays, Chloe is excited to discusses 'Under the Rock, Poetry of a Place' a book written by one of her favourite authors of all time, Benjamin Myers. Mixing it up a bit this week as it's our first non-fiction book. 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...

Blooming heck we've managed five episodes of On the Crescent! Thank you so much for sticking with us as we bumble through this adventure. This week, Chloe discusses interior decoration by going through and discussing 'The Yellow Wallpaper'. It's actually some late 19th century horror by Charlotte Perkins Gilman and it's fantastic! As per usual we discuss the book in its entiret...

In this weeks (slightly late) episode of On the Crescent, we talk about Chloe's best read of January! It is of course, The Life Experiment by Jess Kitching and we ask ourselves and you listeners 'Would you find out what day you're going to die? 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 reco...

This week we get a little bit gory and while Chloe tells Matthew about 'The Lamb' by Lucy Rose. This was one of Chloes book club reads and this brought some divided opinions to the group, so I hope you're ready! We then introduce Chloes best read of january 'The life experiment' by Jess Kitchen Thanks as always for listening and keep reading! Get in touch with us on Instagram ⁠...

In this episode of On the Crescent, Chloe talks about the three short stories in the book 'Maiden, Mother, Crone.' Delve further into Joanna Harris' tales of travelling folk, silkies and the Kingdom of the Fae and find out how the stories compare to the original Child's Ballads. After that, we will be introducing the next book - The Lamb by Lucy Rose. Keep Reading! Get in touch wit...

On the Crescent Episode 1 Hello there lovely people! Welcome to the first ever episode of a brand new podcast by Matthew and Chloe, a husband and wife who just like to talk! In the first episode we discuss how the show will work and how each episode will be structured from here on out. Todays introduced book : Maiden, Mother, Crone by Joanne Harris Please bear with us while we work out any technic...