Shows / Bookies' Favourite
Bookies' Favourite
Bookies’ Favourite book club podcast reads literary shortlists and award winning novels. Broadcast journalist Aaron Rice & writer Colin Rice, who has a publishing background, are joined by bookworms Lucy & Hannah. Regularly joined by book club members, authors, publishers, judges, audiobook narrators, book cover designers and bookfluencers. Series 1: International Booker Prize 2025 Series 2: Booker Prize 2025 Series 3: Queen Mary Small Press Fiction Prize 2026 Series 4: International Booker…
Episodes
Bookies' FavouriteBlack Bag by Luke Kennard | Review | Booker Prize 2026
Hannah, Lucy & Aaron discuss the comical monologue that is Black Bag by Luke Kennard, published by John Murray. This novel follows a struggling actor as he…
Bookies' FavouriteThe Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout | Review | Booker Prize 2026
Lucy & Aaron are joined by bookie guest Eleni (@books.andcaffeine.matter) to discuss the divisive literary read The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout…
Bookies' FavouriteJohn of John by Douglas Stuart | Review | Booker Prize 2026
The crew discuss the Scottish Island queer fiction novel which is one of the most popular books of the year, John of John by Douglas Stuart, published by…
Bookies' FavouriteThe End of Everything by M. John Harrison | Review | Booker Prize 2026
Lucy, Colin & Aaron discuss otherworldly sci-fi novel The End of Everything by M. John Harrison, published by Serpent's Tail.. And we hear the thoughts of some…
Bookies' FavouriteBooker Prize 2026 | Shortlist Reaction
The Booker prize 2026 Shortlist has been announced! Aaron, Lucy & Colin share their reactions to the books & decide on a reading schedule. The End of…
Bookies' FavouriteJudging a Literary Prize | Queen Mary Small Press Fiction Prize 2027
Bookies' Favourite are co-judging the Queen Mary Small Press Fiction Prize 2027, alongside writers Saraid de Silva & Ben Pester. Acting as one judge on the…
Bookies' FavouriteBooker Prize 2026 | Long List Reaction
We've share our thoughts on this year's long listed books. Aaron keeps his streaky having predicted a book which made it onto the list - everyone else has…
Bookies' FavouriteBooker Prize 2026 | Long List Predictions
Welcome back to our 5th series, we're jumping into the Booker Prize 2026. In this episode we predict the Bookers dozen ahead of the announcement. Aaron…
Bookies' FavouriteInternational Booker Prize 2026 | Winner Predictions
The book club looks back on all 6 books from the International Booker Prize 2026 shortlist, share their rankings, predict a winner & discuss the bookies' odds…
Bookies' FavouriteThe Director by Daniel Kehlmann, translated by Ross Benjamin | Review | International Booker Prize 2026
The book club dives into their final read from the International Booker Prize 2026 shortlist. The Director by Daniel Kehlmann, translated from the German by…
Bookies' FavouriteThe Nights are Quiet in Tehran by Shida Bazyar, translated by Ruth Martin | Review | International BookerPrize 2026
The book club dives into their fifth read from the International Booker Prize 2026 shortlist. The Nights are Quiet in Tehran by Shida Bazyar, translated from…
Bookies' FavouriteThe Witch by Marie NDiaye, translated by Jordan Stump | Review | International Booker Prize 2026
The book club dives into their fourth read from the International Booker Prize 2026 shortlist. The Witch by Marie NDiaye, translated from the French by Jordan…
Bookies' FavouriteTaiwan Travelogue by Yáng Shuāng-zǐ, translated by Lin King | Review | International Booker Prize 2026
The book club dives into their third read from the International Booker Prize 2026 shortlist. Taiwan Travelogue by Yáng Shuāng-zǐ, translated from the Mandarin…
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Women's Prize for Fiction 2026 | Shortlist Predictions | Gloria Don't Speak by Lucy Apps | Review & Author Interview
Aaron & Lucy dive into the Women's Prize for Fiction longlist ahead of the shortlist announcement later today. We were gifted a copy of Gloria Don't Speak by…
Bookies' FavouriteShe Who Remains by Rene Karabash, translated by Izidora Angel | Review | International Booker Prize 2026
The book club dives into their second read from the International Booker Prize 2026 shortlist. She Who Remains by Rene Karabash, translated from the Bulgarian…
Bookies' FavouriteOn Earth as it is Beneath by Ana Paula Maia, translated by Padma Viswanathan | Review | International Booker Prize 2026
The book club dives into their first read from the International Booker Prize 2026 shortlist. On Earth as it is Beneath by Ana Paula Maia, translated from the…
Bookies' FavouriteInternational Booker Prize 2026 | Shortlist Reaction
Lucy & Aaron star their thoughts n what did & didn't make it to the shortlist. We'll be reading one book a week until the winner is announced. Our current…
Bookies' FavouriteInternational Booker Prize 2026 | Shortlist Predictions
Lucy & Aaron discuss this year's International Booker Prize long-list and share their picks for the shortlist. After tomorrow's announcement we'll be sharing…
Bookies' FavouriteQueen Mary Small Press Fiction Prize 2026 | Director Neil Griffiths & Judge Susanna Crossman
Ahead of the winner announcement Aaron & Lucy spoke with the director of the award and one of this year's judges. The insight helps us understand the prize and…
Bookies' FavouriteGhost Driver by Nell Osborne, published by Moist Books | Review | Queen Mary Small Press Fiction Prize 2026
In this episode, Aaron & Lucy discuss Ghost Driver by Nell Osborne, published by Moist Books. This is the final book we’re covering from the Queen Mary Small…
Bookies' FavouriteFigures Crossing the Field Towards the Group by Rebecca Gransden, published by Tangerine Press | Review | Queen Mary Small Press Fiction Prize 2026
In this episode, Colin, Lucy & Aaron discuss Figures Crossing the Field Towards the Group by Rebecca Gransden, published by Tangerine Press. This is the first…
Bookies' FavouriteOn the Greenwich Line by Shady Lewis, translated by Katharine Halls, published by Peirene Press | Review | Queen Mary Small Press Fiction Prize 2026
All four of us are back together for this episode as we discuss On the Greenwich Line by Shady Lewis, translated by Katharine Halls, and published by Peirene…
Bookies' FavouriteThe Weasel and The Whore by Martha Luisa Hernández Cadenas, translated by Jennifer Shyue & Julia Sanches, published by Heloise Press | Review | Queen Mary Small Press Fiction Prize 2026
In this episode, Lucy, Hannah & Colin discuss The Weasel and the Whore by Martha Luisa Hernández Cadenas, translated by Julia Sanches and Jennifer Shyue…
Bookies' FavouriteThere's a Monster Behind the Door by Gaëlle Bélem, translated by Karen Fleetwood & Laëtitia Saint-Loubert, published by Bullaun Press | Republic of Consciousness Prize for Small Press 2025
In this bonus episode, Aaron, Colin & Hannah revisit There’s a Monster Behind the Door by Gaëlle Bélem, translated by Karen Fleetwood and Laëtitia…
Bookies' FavouriteSmall Boat by Vincent Delecroix, translated by Helen Stevenson, published by Small Axes / HopeRoad | Review | Queen Mary Small Press Fiction Prize 2026
We begin our Queen Mary Small Press Fiction Prize 2026 longlist series with Small Boat by Vincent Delecroix, translated by Helen Stevenson. Published by Small…
Bookies' FavouriteQueen Mary Small Press Fiction Prize 2026 | Long List Reaction
We’re kicking off a brand new reading series focused on selected titles from the Queen Mary Small Press Fiction Prize 2026 Longlist — formerly known as the…
Bookies' FavouriteWorld | Eden's Shore by Oisín Fagan | Review
We reach the end of Eden’s Shore by Oisín Fagan with Part III, Chapter 5: World — the final chapter of our read-along series. Aaron & Lucy discuss the closing…
Bookies' FavouritePlay | Eden's Shore by Oisín Fagan | Review
Aaron & Lucy return to Eden’s Shore by Oisín Fagan for Part II, Chapter 4: Play — the chapter where everything comes to a head. In this episode, we dig into…
Bookies' FavouriteBooker Prize 2025 | Winner Reaction
It’s official — Flesh by David Szalay (Jonathan Cape) has won the Booker Prize 2025, and the Bookies are here to react! Aaron, Colin, Lucy & Hannah unpack the…
Bookies' FavouriteBooker Prize 2025 | Winner Predictions
It’s time for our Booker Prize 2025 finale predictions! The Bookies sit down to rank all six shortlisted books, share their personal winner picks, and look at…
Bookies' FavouriteThe Loneliness of Sonia & Sunny by Kiran Desai | Review | Booker Prize 2025
We’ve reached the final book on the Booker Prize 2025 shortlist! This week, Aaron, Hannah, and Lucy discuss The Loneliness of Sonia & Sunny by Kiran Desai — a…
Bookies' FavouriteFlesh by David Szalay | Review | Booker Prize 2025
**This episode was recorded before Flesh was announced as the Booker Prize 2025 winner*** We’re onto book five of the Booker Prize 2025 shortlist with Flesh by…
Bookies' FavouriteThe Rest of Our Lives by Ben Markovits | Review | Booker Prize 2025
This week, the team hit the road with The Rest of Our Lives by Ben Markovits — a story of midlife crisis, family tensions, and health struggles, all unfolding…
Bookies' FavouriteFlashlight by Susan Choi | Review | Booker Prize 2025
This week, Lucy, Hannah, and Colin discuss Flashlight by Susan Choi — a sharp, layered story that shines a beam on identity, family, and the fragments that…
Bookies' FavouriteThe Land in Winter by Andrew Miller | Review | Booker Prize 2025
This week, Colin, Lucy, and Hannah brave the chill as they discuss The Land in Winter by Andrew Miller — a historical novel set against a fierce blizzard and…
Bookies' FavouriteAudition by Katie Kitamura | Review | Booker Prize 2025
This week we dive into the first book on the Booker Prize 2025 shortlist: Audition by Katie Kitamura (Fern Press). The novel is split into two distinct parts…
Bookies' FavouriteBooker Prize 2025 | Shortlist Reaction
The official Booker Prize 2025 shortlist is here—and honestly? We’re a little disappointed by the choices. Still, there’s plenty to dig into, and we’re excited…
Bookies' FavouriteBooker Prize 2025 | Shortlist Predictions
With the official Booker Prize 2025 shortlist announcement just one day away, we’re making our calls! Lucy and Hannah—who’ve managed to read some of the…
Bookies' FavouriteColony | Eden's Shore by Oisín Fagan | Review
Our chapter-by-chapter journey through Eden’s Shore by Oisín Fagan continues! In this episode, we tackle Part II, Chapter 3: Colony, where the story shifts…
Bookies' FavouriteLand | Eden's Shore by Oisín Fagan | Review
We’re back with our chapter-by-chapter read-along of Eden’s Shore by Oisín Fagan! In this episode, we explore Part I, Chapter 2: Land, diving into its…
Bookies' FavouriteSea | Eden's Shore by Oisín Fagan | Review
Welcome to our weekly chapter-by-chapter read-along of Eden’s Shore by Oisín Fagan! In this first episode, Aaron & Lucy dive into Part I, Chapter 1: Sea…
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Glorious Exploits by Ferdia Lennon | Review | Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize 2024
In this episode, we dig into Glorious Exploits—the witty, inventive, and widely celebrated debut that won your vote in our book club poll. Expect laughs…
Bookies' FavouriteBooker Prize 2025 | Long List Reaction
The longlist is here—and Aaron and Hannah are diving straight in! In this episode, they run through all 13 longlisted titles, sharing quick synopses of each…
Bookies' FavouriteBooker Prize 2025 | Long List Predictions
With the official Booker Prize 2025 longlist announcement just around the corner, Aaron, Lucy, and Colin sit down to pitch their top 12 books they’d love to…
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The Benefactors by Wendy Erskine | Review | Waterstones Irish Book of the Year 2025
In this special bonus episode, Lucy is joined by Stacey from @whatstaceyreadnext to discuss The Benefactors by Wendy Erskine—a sharp, moving, and freshly…
Bookies' FavouriteEden's Shore by Oisín Fagan | Review
In this episode, we dive into Eden’s Shore—a dense, experimental, and rewarding read that left us wanting more. With Hannah away traveling, we’re joined by our…
Bookies' FavouriteInternational Booker Prize 2025 | Winner Reaction
We’re back! In this season premiere, we react to Heart Lamp’s big win at the 2025 International Booker Prize, reveal our next book club read—Eden’s Shore by…
Bookies' FavouriteInternational Booker Prize 2025 | Winner Predictions
The shortlist has been read, the opinions have been aired, and now it’s time... to rank them. In this special bonus episode of Bookies’ Favourite, we each…
Bookies' FavouriteHeart Lamp by Banu Mushtaq, translated by Deepa Bhasthi | Review | International Booker Prize 2025
In this final instalment of our International Booker Prize 2025 shortlist read-through, we’re diving into Heart Lamp by Banu Mushtaq, translated from Kannada…
Bookies' FavouriteSmall Boat by Vincent Delecroix, translated by Helen Stevenson | Review | International Booker Prize 2025
This week on Bookies’ Favourite, we’re setting sail with Small Boat by Vincent Delecroix, translated from French by Helen Stevenson and published by Small…
Bookies' FavouriteOn the Calculation of Volume I by Solvej Balle, translated byBarbara J. Haveland | Review | International Booker Prize 2025
This week on Bookies’ Favourite, we’re tackling the ambitious and reality-bending On the Calculation of Volume I by Solvej Balle, translated from Danish by…
Bookies' FavouriteA Leopard-Skin Hat by Anne Serre, translated by Mark Hutchinson | Review | International Booker Prize 2025
This week on Bookies’ Favourite, we’re diving into A Leopard-Skin Hat by Anne Serre, translated from French by Mark Hutchinson and published by Lolli Editions…
Bookies' FavouriteUnder the Eye of the Big Bird by Hiromi Kawakami, translated by Asa Yoneda | Review | International Booker Prize 2025
This week on Bookies’ Favourite, we’re diving into the second book on the 2025 International Booker Prize shortlist: Under the Eye of the Big Bird by Hiromi…
Bookies' FavouritePerfection by Vincenzo Latronico, translated by Sophie Hughes | Review | International Booker Prize 2025
This week on Bookies’ Favourite, we dive into the first book on the 2025 International Booker Prize shortlist: Perfectionby Vincenzo Latronico, translated from…
Bookies' FavouriteInternational Booker Prize 2025 | Shortlist Reaction
The International Booker Prize 2025 shortlist has officially landed—and we’ve got thoughts. In this episode of Bookies’ Favourite, we react to the shortlist…
Bookies' FavouriteInternational Booker Prize 2025 | Shortlist Predictions
Welcome to the very first episode of Bookies’ Favourite, the book club podcast where four friends with very different reading habits come together to talk…