Shows / Being Bookish
Being Bookish
UK-based avid reader and big book lover. I talk about books and reading. In addition to recommending books across genres, including science fiction, fantasy, romantasy, cosy mystery, and speculative fiction, I never spoil the ending. I also have the incredible opportunity to speak with authors at different stages of their writing careers, from their debut to their 20th book! Episodes are released every other Tuesday, with bonus author interviews and episodes about Stephen King novels.
Episodes
- Being Bookish
King of Ravens by Clare Sager
Welcome back to another episode of Being Bookish. This week, I'm taking a step back into the world of Dark Fantasy with a tale of dark Fae, withered gods, and…
- Being Bookish
The Stephen King Thing - Dreamcatcher
In this latest episode of the Being Bookish spin-off, The Stephen King Thing, I am joined by Lorraine to take on Stephen King's Dreamcatcher, one of his most…
- Being Bookish
Mrs Sidhu's Dead and Scone by Suk Pannu
Welcome back to another episode of Being Bookish. I felt like I wanted to balance out all the incredible fantasy I've been reviewing with another cosy mystery…
- Being Bookish
An Interview with Author Sloane Brooks
In another bonus episode, I am joined by author Sloane Brooks to talk about what happens when sci-fi, fantasy, and romance collide in her latest novel, Written…
- Being Bookish
An Interview with Author Charlotte B. Plumb
In this week's bonus episode, I'm joined by author Charlotte B. Plumb to talk about her debut, Reap and Sow, a gothic fantasy duology about Eda, a young girl…
- Being Bookish
An Interview with Author Martha Waters
In the second episode of this week, I am joined by author Martha Waters to talk about her brand-new novel, Spellstruck. The story is set in a magical 1920s…
- Being Bookish
An Interview with Author JR Ward
This week, in the first of two episodes (a rarity since my early Not Before Coffee Days), I am joined by bestselling author J.R. Ward to talk about the latest…
- Being Bookish
Agatha Raisin: Sugar and Spite by MC Beaton and RW Green
Welcome to my sixth anniversary episode. I thought long and hard about what I should talk about, and when I looked at my bookcase and realised I had yet to…
- Being Bookish
An Interview with Author Simon Wroe
In this week’s episode of Being Bookish, I am joined by novelist Simon Wroe to discuss his new novel, Ghost Month (released in hardback on the 27th of August)…
- Being Bookish
An Interview with Author Rachel Peterson
YA Thrillers are living their best moment right now, and if you ever wanted to attend a barn party, or wondered what it would be like to be questioned by the…
- Being Bookish
An Interview with Author Grace Viall
If you ever long for the days when Syfy was making and airing their monster-of-the-week shows, or miss the early seasons of The X-Files, then the book I have…
- Being Bookish
An Announcement
I interrupt your regular programming to make this announcement. For reasons beyond my control, my next episode will be released on Thursday... but give this…
- Being Bookish
An Interview with Author Kristina Thornton
Join me this week as I have a special guest, author Kristina Thornton. Her second novel is due to be released on the 28th July, published by Harpeth Road…
- Being Bookish
The Stephen King Thing - The Shining
Welcome to the latest episode of The Stephen King Thing, a special spin-off series from the Being Bookish podcast. In this part of the show, Lorraine and I are…
- Being Bookish
Starside by Alex Aster
In this episode of Being Bookish, I'm digging into the layers of Starside, the 2026 fantasy novel by Alex Aster. This book marks her first step into more adult…
- Being Bookish
2026 Mid-Year Reading Wrap-Up
Welcome back to another episode of Being Bookish. I'm not quite sure how it happened, but we're almost halfway through 2026, so it's time for a bit of an…
- Being Bookish
The Ever King by LJ Andrews
In this week's episode of Being Bookish, I'm digging into the layers of The Ever King, the 2023 fantasy novel by LJ Andrews that made the transition from indie…
- Being Bookish
The Stephen King Thing - Cujo
In the second episode of the Being Bookish spin-off where I am reading my way through Stephen King’s novels, joined by my friend and fellow podcaster…
- Being Bookish
Blood of Hercules by Jasmine Mas
In this episode of Being Bookish, I am digging into the layers of Blood of Hercules, the 2024 urban fantasy novel with hints of dark romance written by author…
- Being Bookish
Dire Bound by Sable Sorenson
In this episode of Being Bookish, I’m digging into the layers of Dire Bound, the atmospheric 2025 debut by Sable Sorensen. While there is plenty of talk online…
- Being Bookish
The Ending Writes Itself by Evelyn Clarke
In this episode, I’m looking at a locked-room mystery with subtle digs at the publishing world in the debut by an author who remained a mystery for 6 months…
- Being Bookish
This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me by Ilona Andrews
This week, I've been reading a lot of fantasy, and my episode is going to lean into that as I'm reviewing a story that takes a really clever approach to the…
- Being Bookish
Overgrowth by Mira Grant
Described as The Day of the Triffids crossed with Little Shop of Horrors, this week, I’m looking at a story that certainly presents an unusual scenario. I’m…
- Being Bookish
The Stephen King Thing - The Dead Zone
In this brand new spin-off to my podcast, Being Bookish, I am reading my way through Stephen King's novels, specifically those where characters reside, or…
- Being Bookish
Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman
This week, I'm venturing into the chaotic and sometimes hilarious world of the LitRPG phenomenon that's taken the book world by storm. I'm talking about…
- Being Bookish
An Interview with Author Venetia Constantine
Join me this week for the third in my 2026 author interviews. This time I'm talking with Venetia Constantine about her captivating debut fantasy novel, The…
- Being Bookish
An Interview with Author Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett
This week, I had the pleasure of talking with author and Guardian Columnist Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett about her latest brilliant novel, Female, Nude. Released on…
- Being Bookish
An Interview with Author Hannah Brohm
This week is the first of my author interviews for 2026, and I am chatting with Hannah Brohm about her debut STEM romance, Love and Other Brain Experiments…
- Being Bookish
The Mysterious Affair of Judith Potts by Robert Thorogood
In this episode of Being Bookish, I am heading to the tranquil banks of the Thames to visit with Judith, Becks and Suzie as they investigate two unfortunate…
- Being Bookish
The Stars are Dying by Chloe C Peñaranda
In the first episode of 2026, I'm visiting the dark romantasy world of Solanis, where the stars have been pulled from the sky, and humans battle for survival…
- Being Bookish
2025: A Reading Year in Review
In the final episode of the year, I'm reflecting on my reading (in general), sharing my top 10 favourite reads of 2025, as well as five books that didn't quite…
- Being Bookish
The Wolf King by Lauren Palphreyman
In my last book review of 2025, I'm taking a look at one of the newer Romantasy releases of the year, The Wolf King by Lauren Palphreyman. It's an exciting…
- Being Bookish
An Interview with Author Victoria Prince
This week, I’m joined by author Victoria Prince to talk about her gloriously escapist debut novel, The Chalet Girl, which is released on 4th December 2025 by…
- Being Bookish
The Mist by Stephen King
This week, I am joined by regular visitor Lorraine, and we tend to do, we're talking horror. This time it's the tension and fear induced by Stephen King’s 1980…
- Being Bookish
Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan
This week I’m diving into Daughter of the Moon Goddess, a 2022 fantasy tale inspired by Chinese mythology, rich with celestial intrigue, forbidden love, and…
- Being Bookish
If Tomorrow Comes by Sidney Sheldon
This week I’m diving into If Tomorrow Comes by Sidney Sheldon, a sweeping tale of betrayal, reinvention, and 1980s glamour. It follows Tracy Whitney, a young…
- Being Bookish
Metal Slinger by Rachel Schneider
This week I’m diving into Metal Slinger by Rachel Schneider, a relatively recent romantasy release set in a world divided by sea and shore, where magic…
- Being Bookish
Life changes and comfort reads
What do you do as a reader when things change in your life that you have no control over? You pick yourself up, of course, and head to the bookshelf for…
- Being Bookish
An Interview with Author Heidi Swain
This week I am really happy to have had the opportunity to chat with author Heidi Swain who is the Queen of Seasonal Romances. Her latest novel, All Wrapped…
- Being Bookish
Warrior Princess Assassin by Brigid Kemmerer
This week I’m diving into the brand new romantasy Warrior Princess Assassin by Brigid Kemmerer, a sweeping fantasy full of danger, betrayal, and uneasy…
- Being Bookish
A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna
This week I’m travelling to Lancashire to join a witch and her found family in the cosy fantasy A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna. This…
- Being Bookish
The Halfway Mark (just a little late)
Somehow it happened, we've passed the halfway mark for 2025 (where did the time go)! That means it's time to take a look at my reading journey so far (yes, I…
- Being Bookish
Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry
This week I’m taking a deep look at the brand new romantasy Shield of Sparrows by Devney Perry. This is a rich, emotionally layered fantasy looking at a blend…
- Being Bookish
Brat An 80s Story by Andrew McCarthy
Now, for those of you who don't know, I'm an 80s kid. By that, I mean I turned 16 at the end of that decade. I grew up with posters of Ralph Macchio and…
- Being Bookish
The Games Gods Play by Abigail Owen
This week, I’m diving into The Games Gods Play by Abigail Owen, a mythology-inspired fantasy romance filled with deadly challenges, divine politics, and a…
- Being Bookish
Silver Elite by Dani Francis
This week, I’m diving into Silver Elite, a dystopian romance that’s been making waves in the book community. A debut novel by author Dani Francis, it is set in…
- Being Bookish
An Interview with Author Niloufar Lamakan
When you reach a certain age, you can feel as though you're forgotten, whether that's because you've suddenly reached the age of grandmothers in books who sit…
- Being Bookish
An Interview with Author Mandy Robotham
This week, I’m joined by bestselling author Mandy Robotham to talk about her latest novel, Mrs Spy, a gripping and atmospheric story of secrets, betrayal, and…
- Being Bookish
An Interview with Author Christina Fonthes
Where You Go, I Will Go by Christina Fonthes is a gripping and poetic exploration of identity, migration, and finding where you feel you belong. Told across…
- Being Bookish
Vera Wong's Guide to Snooping by Jesse Sutanto
This week, I’m heading back to San Francisco’s Chinatown for another delightfully chaotic mystery with our favourite sixty-something sleuth, Vera Wong. In…
- Being Bookish
Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor
This week I am taking a look at a book so different than most that I tend to review I honestly am not sure how to define it. Part science fiction, part…
- Being Bookish
The Dreaded Slump
Have you ever found yourself staring at your bookshelf, wanting to read but just… not feeling it? I’ve been there too, in fact, I am there right now...hence no…
- Being Bookish
That'll Teach Her by Maz Evans
In today’s episode, I’m talking about the darkly comedic That’ll Teach Her by Maz Evans, a murder mystery set in a primary school. The story kicks off with the…
- Being Bookish
An Interview with Author Carmel Harrington
The Stolen Child is a brand new release from author Carmel Harrington. An emotional thriller, it looks at every parent's worst nightmare. We talk about the…
- Being Bookish
Quicksilver by Callie Hart
Quicksilver by Callie Hart was the quiet BookTok hit of 2024. Initially released by the author via independent publisher, it was won, in a 10-way bid by Hodder…
- Being Bookish
An Interview with Author Lisa Carter
Six Poppies is released on the 30th of January and is the heartbreaking tale of Sarah and Carl who meet at Camp Bastian in Afghanistan. She's a nurse, he's a…
- Being Bookish
An Interview with Author Elba Luz
In the first episode of a brand new season AND a brand new year, I bring you the first of two interviews with an author. This week I am talking with author…
- Being Bookish
Farewell to 2024
In this, the final episode of 2024 I am taking a look at all the episodes from this year and picking out not only the favourite books I reviewed but also the…
- Being Bookish
The Book That Wouldn't Burn by Mark Lawrence
In this penultimate episode of Season 5 and 2024, I thought I would go all out and talk about a book that surprised me. As part of my 24 reads for 2024 I kept…
- Being Bookish
From Ash and Blood by Jennifer L Armentrout
This week we head back to the fantasy realm for the first in Jennifer L Armentrout's Blood and Ash series, From Blood and Ash. The story of Poppy Balfour and…