The Book Club Review

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens is a publishing phenomenon: a debut novel that has sold more print copies in 2019 than any other adult title, fiction or non-fiction. Appropriately, given our current Corona lockdown situation, it's a book about a girl who lives isolated in the wilderness, wrestling with loneliness. The plot draws together romance, crime and a courtroom drama building to a suspenseful conclusion. A page-turner, then, but what did Kate's book club make of it? Listen in to find out. • Books mentioned on this episode: Don't Lets Go to the Dogs Tonight by Alexandra Fuller, The Five by Hallie Rubenhold, Furious Hours by Casey Cep, In Cold Blood by Truman Capote, H is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald and The Outrun by Amy Liptrot. • For more book reviews and recommendations between episodes follow us on Instagram or Facebook @BookClubReview podcast, on Twitter @bookclubrvwpod or email thebookclubreview@gmail.com. Do subscribe to us on iTunes or wherever you get your podcasts and if you like what we do please help other listeners to find us by taking a moment to rate and review us on iTunes, we always appreciate it.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

We love our book clubs, but what do we read when we get to choose for ourselves? In this episode we have an eclectic mix, encompassing everything from hot new releases to out-of-print old childhood favourites, with some musing on just what it is we're looking for in a good Lockdown read. • Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid Exciting Times by Naoise Dolan Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell Weather by Jenny Offill The Hottest Dishes of the Tartar Cuisine by Alina Bronsky Early Riser by Jasper Fforde Home by Abu Bakr Al Rabeeah • Keep up with us on Instagram or Facebook @BookClubReview podcast, on Twitter @bookclubrvwpod or email thebookclubreview@gmail.com, and if you enjoyed this episode please rate us on iTunes and subscribe, we hugely appreciate it.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The London Metropolitan Archives was established to collect, preserve, celebrate and share the stories of London and Londoners. They also have a book club. We sit down with Claire Titley and Charlie Turpie to learn more about it in an episode chock-full of great reading suggestions. If you're interested in joining the London Metropolitan Archives book club you can stay up to date with all their events by following them on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter @ldnmetarchives. And you can find Claire on Instagram @clairelouisetitley and Charlie @charliebooksandcoffee Books mentioned in this episode were: Penelope Lively's City of the Mind This is London by Ben Judah, and do check out our episode 9 for my book club's spirited discussion of that book Margery Allingham's Campion Novels, including The Tiger in the Smoke Mrs Dalloway and The Years by Virginia Woolf, Mr Loverman and Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo James Boswell's London Journal, Hangover Square by Patrick Hamilton Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman Ben Aaronovitch's Rivers of London series Next episode: Bookshelf, in which we discuss Exciting Times by Naoise Doolan, Early Riser by Jasper Fforde, Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid, The Hottest Dishes of the Tatar Cuisine by Alina Bronsky, Weather by Jenny Offill and Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell. That episode is coming soon. Next up for book club is Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens, a haunting tale of love and murder set in the marshland of South Carolina that has found millions of readers, topping bestseller lists around the world, but what did my book club think? Were they as ravished as Reese Witherspoon, who didn't read the last ten pages because she didn't want the book to end. Coming soon. If you'd like to see what we're up to between episodes follow us on Instagram or Facebook @BookClubReview podcast, on Twitter @bookclubrvwpod or email thebookclubreview@gmail.com. If you like what we do please take a moment to rate and review us on iTunes, we really appreciate it.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Part novel, part poem, Lanny evokes a typical English village whose residents are observed by an ancient spirit of nature – with a particular interest in one child. The Guardian called it '...a fable, a collage, a dramatic chorus, a joyously stirred cauldron of words', but what did Kate's book club make of it? We discuss, and share some recommendations for your next book club read, including Ghost Wall by Sarah Moss and The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry. • Books mentioned on this episode: Grief is the Thing With Feathers by Max Porter Ghost Wall by Sarah Moss Gwelio, Memories of a Hong Kong Childhood by Martin Booth The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry • If you'd like to see what we're up to between episodes follow us on Instagram or Facebook @BookClubReview podcast, on Twitter @bookclubrvwpod or email thebookclubreview@gmail.com. If you like what we do please do take a moment to rate, review and subscribe to us, it helps other listeners find us and means you'll never miss an episode. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Comfort reads to curl up with? Or books that provoke, stimulate and challenge? In this episode, we share our latest lockdown reads. We stay close to home with period drama Belgravia by Julian Fellowes, and London-based fantasy Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman. We escape to Provence with unreconstructed male-wish-fulfillment novel Hotel Pastis by Peter Mayle, and escape altogether with the Farseer Trilogy by Robin Cobb. We're delighted by heartwarming romance Hunting and Gathering by Anna Gavalda, and intrigued by Lost at Sea by Jon Ronson. We walk in the footsteps of Raynor Winn on The Salt Path and finally consider the practicalities of sheep farming with The Shepherd's Life by James Rebanks. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

For many parents home-schooling their children over the coming weeks, the idea of reading in snatches of borrowed time will strike a strong chord. After the birth of her son, Elizabeth Morris decided to put her career in the book world to good use and set up Crib Notes, a book club in newsletter form. Every month, she curates the perfect book recommendations for new and busy mothers. 'Sometimes you just need a little spark of mental stimulation to remind you of who you are beyond being a mother', Elizabeth explains. Listen in for some fantastic book recommendations – for all readers, not just mums! – and some great practical tips for how to fit in reading when all you have are stolen moments. • Sign up for Crib Notes at tinyletter.com/CribNotes Find Elizabeth on Twitter @elizabethmoya and on Instagram @cribnotesbookclub • Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid Girl, Woman, Other by Bernadine Evaristo My Wild and Furious Nights by Clover Stroud Constellations, Sinead Gleeson I Am, I Am, I Am by Maggie O'Farrell Weather by Jenny Offill The Panic Years, Nell Frizzell Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman • Keep up with what we're doing between episodes on Instagram and facebook @bookclubreviewpodcast, on Twitter @bookclubrvwpod, and email us anytime at thebookclubreview@gmail.com, we'd love to hear from you. If you like what we do please do take a moment to rate, review and subscribe to us, it helps other listeners find us and means you'll never miss an episode.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this discussion, Christy, the general manager at a London space startup, dives into Ted Chiang's acclaimed collection, exploring its intricate narratives. She highlights Chiang's scientific precision and emotional depth, particularly in 'Story of Your Life,' contrasting it with Ursula Le Guin. The conversation touches on the book’s philosophical themes and how its complex structure reflects heptapod perception. Christy also shares insights on how sci-fi can challenge human assumptions, making it a rich topic for book clubs. Tune in for great reading recommendations!

Laura reports in on The Wych Elm by Tana French, The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne and The Secret Commonwealth by Philip Pullman. Kate's stack consists of Love by Hanne Ostavik, The Anna Karenina Effect by Viv Groskop and Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons. Join us as we review them and figure out if there are any book club gems in there. • Drop us a line at thebookclubreview@gmail.com, follow us on facebook or instagram @bookclubreviewpodcast or on twitter @bookclubrvwpod. And if you enjoy the show do take a moment to rate and review us on iTunes, it helps other listeners find us and brings us joy.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Fleishman is in Trouble tells the story of Toby, a successful NYC doctor whose almost ex-wife Rachel has vanished, leaving him alone with their two children. But is she the selfish, self-absorbed, neglectful mother he portrays? It's been described as a Trojan Horse of a novel, a sharp, dry portrait of the blind spots that come with male privilege and entitlement. But what did Laura's book club make of it? Listen in to find out. • This Tom Hanks Story Will Help You Feel Less Bad (New York Times) How Taffy Brodesser-Akner Thrives on Stress (Real Simple magazine) See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Reading the right books is key to making your book club a success. But how to choose? Listen in to hear the top 10 books we think make for perfect book club reads. They vary from fiction to non-fiction, and cut across every genre and subject. But they're all highly readable, packed full of ideas and will divide opinion – always good for a sparky debate. Want more? See below for links to the episodes where we've discussed these books in more detail. • 1. Educated by Tara Westover. Episode 22 2. Putney by Sofka Zinovieff 3. Bad Blood by John Carreyrou. Episode 55 4. Supper Club by Lara Williams 5. The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson. Episode 33 6. Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari. 7. East West Street by Philippe Sands. Episode 18 8. The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead 9. Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders. Episode 8 10. This is London by Ben Judah. Episode 9 See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.