Rebekah Lattin-Rawstrone

The Hypothetical Bookshelf

Arts EN ↓ 3 episodes

The Hypothetical Bookshelf is a desert island discs for books. Inspired by Italo Calvino’s essay ‘Whom do we write for? Or The Hypothetical Bookshelf’ this is a podcast that asks writers what other works their writing is in conversation with, looking for the ways new work can make connections between different books on a writer’s and reader’s hypothetical shelf. Interviewing a different author each time, writers are asked to name five books of fiction or non-fiction that can be put beside their own on that imaginary bookshelf.

Author

Rebekah Lattin-Rawstrone

Episodes

Episode Three: Heidi James 10.07.2026 1:06:46

This episode we hear the five books on the hypothetical shelf of the prize-winning author, essayist, poet and podcaster, Heidi James. Her critically acclaimed novels include: The Mesmerist’s Daughter, Carbon, Wounding, So The Doves , and most recently, The Sound Mirror which has been described as ‘An exhilarating, heart-rending work’ by The Irish Times and as ‘An exceptional novel’ by The Guardian...

Episode Two: Hester Musson 26.06.2026 1:18:36

This episode we hear the five books on the hypothetical shelf of the bestselling author, Hester Musson. Hester's debut novel, The Beholders , was a Times bestseller, a Sunday Times historical book of the month and shortlisted for the HWA Debut Crown in 2024. Her second novel, The Night Hag , was published in February 2026. Send us Fan Mail Support the show Hosted by Rebekah Lattin-Rawstrone...

Episode One: Deepa Anappara 12.06.2026 1:17:42

The Hypothetical Bookshelf launches with the talented, award-winning Deepa Anappara. Deepa grew up in Kerala, southern India, and was an award-winning journalist in cities including Mumbai and Delhi. Her debut novel, Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line , was named as one of the best books of the year by the New York Times, The Washington Post, Time, Guardian, and NPR. It won the Edgar Award for Best N...