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 specific book to talk about (sadly). This week I'm opening up and going into my own personal experience of the dreaded reading slump. I am not sure what triggers them, but there are multiple options on the very long list! I am also going to look into what I see as the many benefits of reading, why it's important to me and a few recommendations for finally switching the slump into something positive (a drive to read again). Of course, I know that not every method will work for every person, but they're always worth a try... Whether you’re feeling unmotivated, distracted, or just can’t seem to find the right book, this episode is all about helping you turn the page and fall back in love with reading. Tune in and let’s break out of this slump together!
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32:49
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 sudden death of the headmistress, Claudia Stitchwell, with the official reason given being an allergic reaction to nuts in a chocolate cake... But some of the parents aren’t buying it, so they turn to their school WhatsApp group to start putting the pieces together and figure out what really happened, uncovering a lot of secrets that would have been better staying buried along the way.The book is told in a really fun way, using WhatsApp chats, chat boards, school newsletters, and police reports, all of which give it a unique twist. Want to know if this book is for you? Give this week's episode a listen to hear my full take on it, without any spoilers, and find out if this darkly comic whodunit should be your next read!Featured Episodes Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers My Socials X/Twitter - @being_bookish Instagram - @beingbookishpod TikTok - @beingbookishreviews YouTube - @beingbookishpod
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32:27
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 inspiration behind the writing of the book, the shocking views some people seem to have of step-parents, and also the relationships in the book that make it oh-so relatable and realistic for some people. It's every parent's worst nightmare. But there's no waking up from this... On board a cruise ship in the Mediterranean, Kimberley wakes to discover that her two-year-old son Robert has vanished from the cabin overnight. She and her husband Jason vow to do whatever it takes to bring Robert home. But he is never found. Forty years later, their therapist daughter Lily welcomes a new client into her home. Zach has a shocking theory about what happened to her brother years before. If Zach is to be believed, someone out there knows what happened on that ship. And they would do anything to stop the truth getting out. But secrets always find a way to reveal themselves. Carmel's links Instagram Facebook Buy The Stolen Child Waterstones | Amazon UK | Amazon US | Bookshop.org | B&N
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59:36
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 & Stoughton for their Fantasy imprint, Hodderscape, and was released on the 3rd December 2024. As with all fantasy novels, there are as many detractors as there are those praising it. So what did I think of this latest addition to the romantasy and fantasy world? Did it light my mental fire, or did it extinguish as quickly as a match on a windy day? The story of Kingfisher and Saeris (pronounced Sare-iss) is a bit of a mixed bag, but at over 600 pages, it was a journey to get from the beginning to the end.
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37:26
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 soldier and what they experience while there haunts everyone involved. Upon returning to England they try to get on with their lives. Sarah's fiancee Danny served with Carl and he's been irrevocably changed by what he saw. When circumstance throws Carl and Sarah back together, it's obvious that what they went through has left them broken, but the question is how will they continue? Will they allow the situation to ruin their lives forever? The book asks a lot of important questions about the support available for those who have served and witnessed incredible and terrifying things while doing so - is it enough? Should there be more? Find out what Lisa has to say about the inspiration behind the novel and what she hopes will happen to help those in need. Head-up: The Mental Health Charity for the Armed Forces Community Combat Stress Help for Heroes: Hidden Wounds Buy the Book: Waterstones | Amazon UK | Amazon US | Indie Bookshops
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