The Book Club Review
Books & Literature
About
Discussion, debate, even a little dispute – expect it all on The Book Club Review. Join host Kate and her guests as they explore contemporary and classic titles. From hyped new releases to word-of-mouth backlist tips, books are put to the book club test – do they live up to our expectations? Listen in for thoughtful insights, lively opinions and inspiration for your next great read.
Episodes
- The Art of the Everyday: Miranda Keeling, The Anthropologists and the books that slow us down
Miranda Keeling, author of "The Place I'm In," joins Kate and Laura to discuss her new book and the concept of "noticings" in everyday life. They also review Ayşegül Savas's novel, "The Anthropologists," and offer further reading recommend…
- Liberating Women's Voices: Austen, Wollstonecraft and after, with Bee Rowlatt
In this episode of The Book Club Review, author and broadcaster Bee Rowlatt discusses Jane Austen, Mary Wollstonecraft, and her own books, including "Talking About Jane Austen in Baghdad" and "In Search of Mary." She also shares insights f…
- The Book of Love vs The Dud Avocado: Fantasy, Paris & Book Club Verdicts
This episode of The Book Club Review compares "The Book of Love" by Kelly Link and "The Dud Avocado" by Elaine Dundy. The discussion covers "The Book of Love," a supernatural story, and "The Dud Avocado," a novel about an American woman in…
- Nearly Departed: Love, Loss and Literary Romance, with Lucas Oakeley
Lucas Oakeley joins The Book Club Review to discuss his book "Nearly Departed," which explores love, loss, and second chances in literary fiction. The episode also covers the Boys Book Club and various recommended love stories.
- The Bestseller Test • Are bestsellers worth the hype? • Episode #186
This episode of The Book Club Review features Kate, Laura Potter, and Phil Chaffee discussing the merits of six bestsellers, including "The Secret of Secrets" and "Project Hail Mary." They share their honest opinions on what worked and did…
- The New Year Reading Reset: Finding fresh inspiration with bibliotherapist Ella Berthoud • #185
Bibliotherapist Ella Berthoud joins host Kate to discuss overcoming reading slumps and finding fresh literary inspiration for the new year. They share strategies for reading more deeply and provide numerous book recommendations.
- Favourite and Best: Our Books of 2025 • #184
In this year-end episode, hosts Phil Chaffee and Sarah Oliver discuss their favorite books from 2025, covering a wide range of genres. They also share ideas for a new type of book club and discuss the benefits of stopping books that are no…
- Between the Lines: The Art of the Diary • Episode #183
Kate, Lucy Scholes, and Phil Chaffee discuss the art of the diary, exploring how reading personal journals offers insight into daily life. They cover works by Samuel Pepys, Sheila Heti, Helen Garner, and Tina Brown, alongside a wide-rangin…
- The 2025 Booker Prize: From Shortlist to Spotlight • #182
Hosts Kate and Laura, along with guests Phil Chaffee and Martin Vovk, discuss the Booker Prize shortlist in this episode. The team shares their predictions and reacts to the live ceremony winner announcement.
- Beyond the Shortlist: The 2025 Booker Longlist titles worth your time • #181
Kate is joined by Phil Chaffee and Professor Elizabeth Eva Leach to discuss Booker Prize longlisted titles that failed to make the final shortlist. The panel reviews select books from the 2025 longlist and reflects on past instances of ove…
- Autumn bookshelf, with Kate & Laura • Episode #180
Hosts Kate and Laura discuss their current reading list, including You Are Here by David Nicholls, A Waiter in Paris by Edward Chisholm, Mouthing by Orla Mackey, and The Pretender by Jo Harkin. The episode also features discussions on shor…
- Book Club: Universality and Sparks of Bright Matter • Episode #179
In this episode of The Book Club Review, hosts Kate and Laura discuss Natasha Brown's Universality and Leeanne O'Donnell’s Sparks of Bright Matter. The episode also features an interview with Kristina Ambrosia about her "Graffiti Book Club…
- Shelf-reflective: Books about Books, with Joseph Dance • #178
In this episode of The Book Club Review, host Joseph Dance of the Curious Readers podcast joins to discuss books about books. They explore various titles, including meta-fictional narratives and books about the literary world, to reflect o…
- Bookish in Seattle • Episode #177
In this episode, the hosts discuss their recent reads and share bookish cocktail recipes with author Margaret C. Beeler. They also highlight upcoming book club selections and books purchased at Seattle's Elliot Bay Bookshop.
- Friendship and Fiction in New York • Episode #176
Kate visits New York to hold a book-themed discussion on friendship with podcast hosts Christopher Hermelin and Drew Broussard. The episode includes many book recommendations related to the theme of friendship.
- Explicitly Literary: sex writing in books • Episode #175
In this episode, host Kate is joined by critic Elizabeth Morris and author Alex Allison to discuss the portrayal of sex in various literary genres, ranging from mainstream fantasy and romance to literary fiction. The conversation explores…
- Books, film, TV and Murderbot
In this episode, the hosts discuss successful and unsuccessful book-to-screen adaptations, inspired by the recent adaptation of Martha Wells's Murderbot Diaries. Literary scout Philippa Donovan also joins to provide insight into the film a…
- Nonfiction That Changed Us, featuring Carmageddon by Daniel Knowles
Kate and Phil Chaffee discuss compelling nonfiction books that offer fresh perspectives, featuring a conversation with Daniel Knowles about his book, Carmageddon: How Cars Make Life Worse and What To Do About It. The episode also highlight…
- Glorious Exploits by Ferdia Lennon • #172
In this episode of The Book Club Review, the team discusses Ferdia Lennon's debut novel, Glorious Exploits. The panel explores the story of two potters in ancient Syracuse, the role of art in times of conflict, and the appeal of the book's…
- How to Read Yourself Happy, with Daisy Buchanan • Episode #171
Author and podcaster Daisy Buchanan joins Kate to discuss her book, Read Yourself Happy, and explores how reading can provide comfort, inspiration, and personal growth. The episode also covers managing a reading list, insights from Jilly C…
- Book Club: The Empusium by Olga Tokarczuk • #170
The Book Club Review discusses Olga Tokarczuk's novel The Empusium and shares additional book recommendations. The episode also features recent reading updates from the host and guests.
- Meditations for Mortals, with Oliver Burkeman • Episode #169
Author Oliver Burkeman joins Kate to discuss his book, Meditations for Mortals. They explore practical strategies for embracing life's imperfections, followed by a discussion with Emily Bohill about applying these lessons to daily life.
- Page-Turning Plans: Looking ahead to 2025 • Episode #168
Kate and Laura discuss their reading intentions and goals for 2025, while also highlighting upcoming potential book club reads. Phil also shares a personal reading goal for the year.
- Unputdownable: the best books we loved in 2024 • Episode #167
The hosts of The Book Club Review discuss their top book recommendations from 2024, covering various genres including fiction, non-fiction, and comfort reads. The episode also includes contributions from podcast members and concludes with…
- The Booker Prize 2024 • Episode #166
Kate, Laura, Phil, Sarah, and Martin discuss the 2024 Booker Prize shortlist, sharing their honest opinions on the novels and predicting the winner. The episode also includes mentions of various other books and information about the podcas…
- Summer Reading Report 2024: Hits, misses and anticipations
Kate and Laura reflect on their summer reading, discussing a wide range of titles including contemporary novels, memoirs, and classics. The episode features reviews of recent books, insights into their personal reading habits, and a look a…
- Notebook Nirvana: Stationery and the Joys of Notetaking, with David Frostick
Kate and enthusiast David Frostick discuss the appeal of notebooks and stationery. The episode also explores notetaking techniques with journalists and critics, alongside advice from bibliotherapist Ella Berthoud.
- Unpacking the best: The NYT's best books of the 21st century • #163
In this episode, Kate, Sarah, Phil, and Laura discuss the New York Times list of the 100 best books of the 21st century. The hosts share their own top 20 list of books, featuring titles they felt were overlooked or are personally recommend…
- Summer Bookshelf • Episode #162
The hosts discuss recent reading picks including The Ministry of Time, Cahokia Jazz, and All That Glitters. The episode also features an interview with Alex Pratt, founder of Serious Readers, about reading lamps.
- Books that Make us Laugh • Episode 161
Kate, Phil, and Laura discuss humorous novels, inspired by a New York Times list of funny books published since Catch-22. They review several suggested titles and share their own recommendations for books that make them laugh.
- Talking Non-Fiction, with Tom Rowley of Backstory • Episode #160
In this episode, host Kate visits Tom Rowley at his South London bookstore, Backstory. They discuss Rowley's transition from journalism to independent bookselling, the launch of his magazine, and recommend various non-fiction titles.
- Browsing the So Many Damn Books bookshelf, with Christopher Hermelin • #159
Christopher Hermelin, host of the So Many Damn Books podcast, joins Kate to exchange book recommendations and discuss book club experiences, recent reads, and personal pet peeves. The conversation includes a variety of titles from authors…
- Book club: The New Life by Tom Crewe • Episode #158
The Book Club Review discusses Tom Crewe's debut novel, The New Life, set in 19th-century London. The episode also features reviews of Fake Accounts by Lauren Oyler and North Woods by Daniel Mason, along with various reading recommendation…
- Mild Vertigo and Japan lit • Episode 157
In this episode, the Book Club Review discusses Mieko Kanai's 1997 novel Mild Vertigo, translated by Polly Barton. Guests Yuki Tejima and Shawn Mooney join the host to share their thoughts on the book, their current reading lists, and reco…
- Early Spring Bookshelf • Episode #156
In this episode of The Book Club Review, hosts Kate and Laura discuss their recent reading selections, including works by Martha Wells, Jan Struther, Anita Brookner, Zadie Smith, C. Pam Zhang, Heather Fawcett, and Rebecca Yarros.
- Future Reads 2024, with Chrissy Ryan • Episode #155
In this episode, guest Chrissy Ryan from Bookbar joins the show to discuss anticipated book releases for 2024 and share strategies for managing a reading list. The discussion highlights various fiction and non-fiction titles, ranging from…
- Best Books of 2023 • Episode #154
In this episode of The Book Club Review, hosts Kate, Laura, and Phil share their favorite books of 2023. They discuss a wide range of titles including new releases, backlist gems, non-fiction, and comfort reads.
- The Booker Prize 2023 • Episode 153
The hosts and guests discuss the six books shortlisted for the 2023 Booker Prize, evaluating the titles and predicting the winner. The episode covers The Bee Sting, Prophet Song, If I Survive You, Western Lane, This Other Eden, and Study f…
- Lonesome Dove, and other reads • Episode #152
In this episode, the book club discusses the Pulitzer Prize-winning Western novel Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry, sharing their varied reactions to the book. They also offer a list of recommended follow-up titles and current reading favor…
- So Late in the Day and other reads • Episode #151
In this episode, the podcast hosts discuss Claire Keegan's short story 'So Late in the Day' and share additional book recommendations from their recent reading lists. Featured titles include works by J. L. Carr, V.E. Schwab, Ann Patchett,…
- Fiction and Philosophy, with Jonny Thomson • Episode #150
In this episode, host Kate is joined by Jonny Thomson, author of 'Mini Big Ideas', to discuss the philosophical themes behind 'The Death of Ivan Illyich', 'Death and the Penguin', and 'Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine'. The episode also…
- Late-Summer Reading, with Bookbar • Episode #149
Chrissy Ryan from Bookbar joins The Book Club Review to share a curated list of book recommendations for late-summer reading. The episode covers a wide range of titles, including fiction and non-fiction selections suitable for different re…
- The Years by Annie Ernaux, Super-Infinite by Katherine Rundell, and a whole lot more • Episode #148
This episode of The Book Club Review features discussions on Annie Ernaux's The Years and Katherine Rundell's Super-Infinite. The hosts also explore a range of other titles from their recent reading, identifying various hits and misses.
- Bookshopaholics • Books on the Hill • #147
Kate visits the independent bookshop Books on the Hill in St. Albans to speak with the mother and daughter duo who own it. They discuss their background, book club recommendations, and select six book choices from the store's shelves.
- Fiction Prescriptions with Ella Berthoud • #146
Professional book-recommender Ella Berthoud joins The Book Club Review to discuss bibliotherapy, overcoming reading ruts, and her new project, Fiction Prescriptions. She also addresses common reader dilemmas, such as whether to finish book…
- The Women's Prize 2023 • Episode #145
Kate, Laura, Sarah Oliver, and Nina Davies discuss the six books shortlisted for the 2023 Women's Prize. The episode includes their reactions to the final winner announcement without spoiling the plots of the featured novels.
- Bookshelf: Summer vibes • Episode #144
In this episode of The Book Club Review, hosts Kate and Laura share a selection of feel-good summer books, including titles by Curtis Sittenfeld, Monica Heisey, Jenny Jackson, Miriam Margolyes, Barbara Kingsolver, and Natalie Haynes. They…
- So Many Damn Books • Episode #143
Christopher Hermelin of the So Many Damn Books podcast joins The Book Club Review to discuss the reading life, literary culture, and various book recommendations. The conversation covers titles such as Skippy Dies, The Boy Detective Fails,…
- Book Club: Victory City • #142
In this episode of The Book Club Review, Philip Chaffee and Charlie Chichester join the host to discuss Salman Rushdie’s novel Victory City. The participants share their book club's thoughts on the book and provide several follow-on readin…
- Bookshelf: Easter reads • Episode #141
In this episode of The Book Club Review, hosts Laura and Kate discuss their current personal reading lists for Easter. They cover a variety of fiction and non-fiction titles, mention future reading plans, and discuss challenges with Salman…