I read so much that I figured I would add in a bonus episode every month to talk about the books that I haven't previously mentioned. So let me give you a recap as well as a rundown of some new book releases coming in the next week. Episodes mentioned: The Thursday Murder Club , Bombshell , The House in the Cerulean Sea , Skyward ....
This week I am joined by Chance Whitmore from Strive, Seek, Find and his daughter, Erika as we talk about the first in Brandon Sanderson's science fiction/fantasy series, Skyward. I have to admit that I was a bit like a fish out of water with this one as I haven't read science fiction in more years than I care to think about. But what did I think about it? And was it just the thing to drag Erika from her fantasy-focused reading cycle? Podcast Promo: The Marvelous Madames...
After a few weeks of books that weren't quite what I was anticipating, this was very different. A novel about acceptance, with a number of themes that can be interpreted in multiple ways, The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune is a surprise. A book with LGBTQ characters in a fantasy world based inside our own, the dilemmas of all the characters are easily related to. So, what did I think? Podcast Promo: Once Upon a Nightmare Episodes mentioned: Reviews of Good Omens , and The Management Style...
An episode in which I make something smutty VERY PG! Believe it or not, all romances are not created equal. At least, that is what I am discovering. Of course, a lot of it has to do with personal opinion and that's why, this week, I am taking a look at a historical romance based during the Victorian era written by contemporary author, Sarah MacLean, Bombshell. So, what did I think about this 2021 release? How did it stack up against the hundreds of romance novels that have come before it in my r...
I am going back to cosy crime again this week with the best-selling debut from TV presenter, Richard Osman, The Thursday Murder Club. A group of elderly residents of retirement village Coopers Chase gather every Thursday in the Jigsaw Room to solve cold cases. But are they going to be up to the challenge when someone close to their community is found bludgeoned to death? Find out what I thought of this 2020 novel in the latest episode. Promo: Lords of Swine Talked about: Murder at the Vicarage a...
The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas was a surprise hit when it was independently published last year. In fact, this romantic comedy was picked up by a big name in publishing, Simon and Schuster. So, what did I think of my second completed read of 2022? Did I fall in love with the charming Aaron Blackford? Did Lina Martin enchant me? Listen to the latest episode to find out in my newest spoiler-free and honest review. Featured Podcast: The Crime Diner (formerly Wine, Dine and Storytime)...
This duology had a massive impact on my reading in my tweens and early teens. The series has since become something of a cult hit, especially with girls who grew up in the 1980s. So, what makes this rockstar romance controversial (because it was not without controversy)? Find out why the Cathy Duology of Easy Connections and Easy Freedom still has a loyal following almost 40 years after its release. Is Paul Devlin really the perfect hero? And what made these Liz Berry books so different from oth...
This is a recent read and a brand new author to me. Lindsey Kelk's 17th contemporary romance, On a Night Like This, released in November 2021. In this spoiler-free review, I talk about the characters, elements of the story that were well-written (of which there were many) and what I did and didn't like. I also talk about my mental health over the last week.
Taking a look back at the last 12 months, all the books, all the films, all the TV shows. And giving you a glimpse into the future, an idea of what's coming up in 2022.
This film was the first project launched specifically for Disney+ in the US, released on November 12, 2019. A Christmas film with Enchanted vibes starring Anna Kendrick and Bill Hader. It's Christmas, so this is the perfect time of year to review it. So, here it is, Disney's Noelle. Surprisingly, no real big musical numbers, but there is a cute little reindeer, lots of hot chocolate and candy canes.
We're definitely getting closer to Christmas, so, this week I have a guest, Griff from The Paul and Griff Show . We start off by talking about one of Netflix's 2019 Festive offerings, Holiday in the Wild, starring Kristen Davis and 1980s heartthrob, Rob Lowe. We then get a little waylaid on the subject of avoiding spoilers, what makes a Christmas film and our current plans for the next few weeks.
This episode was recorded a few weeks ago and in it, I have introduced Lorraine from Once Upon a Nightmare to a film that is probably more horrific to her than anything she has reviewed before...yes, I made her watch Disney's High School Musical! To find out exactly what she thought, you'll have to listen, and I hope you laugh at her reactions as much as I did!
In the final episode of Jennifer Aniston season, I am looking at a film that is definitely not all sweetness and light. Witness the breakdown of a relationship as Brooke and Gary do everything they can to make the break-up as painful as possible in 2006's The Break-up. Watch the alternate ending here .
Today is an extra special Bookshop episode as not only do I discuss the first in the Percy Jackson the Olympians series, but I managed to persuade Kelsey and Kailin from the fantastic book podcast Touch Your Shelf to put a pause on their hiatus to talk about it with me. In the episode we talk about guilty pleasures, mythology, why bookshelves should (or shouldn't) be carefully organised and so much more. Give the episode a listen to find out what we really enjoyed about the book and the things t...
It's the penultimate episode of Jennifer Aniston Season and I am taking a look at one of her more recent romantic comedies, the first of her two roles with Adam Sandler, 2011's Just Go With It. This film is based loosely on the 1969 film Cactus Flower and could be considered something of a farce, if the story is analysed too closely, at least. Is this one of Aniston's better romantic comedies? Was it received better by the critics and the audience? How did it do at the box office? Give this epis...
It had to be on the list somewhere, and what better time than now to talk about one of Aniston's most successful romcoms (at least when it comes to the box office). So here I am, talking about Along Came Polly, her 2004 romcom with Ben Stiller. It feels somewhat appropriate after one of the reviews I talked about last week mentioned that Jennifer Aniston was better in films starring Stiller and Sandler. I also talk about anxiety and how I have been feeling this week.
Set in a future not too far from ours, this dystopian New Adult fantasy from Laura Thalassa. This is the first in a series of four books, with the fourth due to be released on 9th November. I wasn't sure what to expect of this as I haven't read any other books by this author, so this was a learning experience. The Changeover Good Omens...
It's 1997 and Sarah Huttinger is returning home to Pasadena for her younger sister's wedding. While there she discovers the scandal that she believes could uncover the reason why she's never felt like a true part of her family. Is she clutching at straws or is she on to something? Well, Rumour Has It that The Graduate was based on her family's best-kept secret...This week I am taking a look at the 2005 Rob Reiner film starring Jennifer Aniston, Mark Ruffalo and Kevin Costner. Stick It! Wimbledon...
There is another book with this same title, but I am not looking at a psychology text in this episode. In fact, I am going to be looking at the sequel to a book I reviewed about 6 weeks ago. All the Feels, by Olivia Dade, is the sequel to Spoiler Alert, which I really enjoyed, and I hope that I encouraged you to give a try. It follows in the same vein, while Spoiler Alert gave an insight into fat-shaming and judging a book by its cover, this one looks at the damage poor self-esteem and lack of s...
If you're a fan of The Wedding Singer, or maybe 50 First Dates, then chances are that you've also seen the film I am taking a look at for this episode, 2014's Blended. This is the third film that Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler worked on together. So, did I like it better than Sandler's more recent projects, or does it fall to the same stereotypes that many romantic comedies are full of? As well as taking a look at this 2014 romcom, I also spend a few moments sharing something about my mental he...
In my last Bookshop episode, I took a trip to the Cotswolds and introduced you to Agatha Raisin. So I figured that now would be a great opportunity to introduce you to Agatha's inspiration in the form of the character I believe to be Agatha Christie's greatest creation (though everyone has their favourite), Miss Jane Marple. The Murder at the Vicarage was published in 1930 and serves as the official introduction to St Mary Mead and the village's most observant resident, Jane Marple, who, until t...
This week I am taking a look at the war of the sexes, and no, I am not referring to the tennis match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs. Katherine Heigl and Gerard Butler are at odds as he tells her that her idea of romance doesn't exist and she tries to prove to him that he's very wrong. So, who will win? Will either of them? Who knows? Well, I do...listen to find out what I have to say about this 2009 romantic comedy. I also talk about how I managed to cope with my anxiety while travelli...
Whether you love Miss Marple or Murder, She Wrote, you'll be familiar with the genre of cosy mysteries. And if you, like me, love them, then you'll probably enjoy Agatha Raisin's inaugural adventure as she adjusts to country living in the Carsely, a small village in the middle of the Cotswolds. Picturesque and full of old-country charm, there is a bit of darkness in the centre. Think PG-rated Hot Fuzz (no don't!). If you're anything like me, then this is the perfect Sunday afternoon read. It may...
This week I am going to be talking about the 2014 romCom The Other Woman starring Cameron Diaz, Leslie Mann and Kate Upton. The last thing you expect when you discover your husband is cheating is that you'll bond with his mistresses, but that's exactly what happens to Kate King on discovering that her husband Mark is a liar and a cheat! Did I like it? Do I think it's worth a watch? Did you know it's inspired by an amazing 1996 film? Find out more by giving this episode a listen. Also, don't miss...
In my latest episode, I am taking a look at a brand new author's debut novel, one that digs into childhood memories and turns a favourite on its head. I am looking at 2021's novel by A C Wise, Wendy, Darling. So, what did I think of this new take on the stories of Peter Pan, Wendy and the Lost Boys? Was it everything the blurb promised it would be? Did it dig in its heels and focus on a single theme, or was there something special about it? Find out by tuning in to the latest episode and let me ...
Join me as I navigate the single life in New York through the eyes of recent singleton and grad Alice. So, what did I think? Was it a good film? Was it bad? Did I enjoy it? Would I recommend it? The film was released in 2016 and is based on the book of the same name (very loosely based I have to add). I also touch on He's Just Not That Into You and the book Asking for Trouble (you get bonus Chris Evans in that episode), both of which I have covered in previous episodes. As well as all of that, I...
This week I'm talking about one of my favourite books with someone who also loves it, Chance from the fantastic Strive Seek Find . We're talking about the fantastic Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett. We talk about the book, the brilliantly done TV show that was a very surprisingly accurate adaptation and all the things we loved about the book and what we feel it was inspired by. So make a coffee, settle back in your car, on the bus, at your desk, or wherever you listen to your podcas...
This is unlike the other Disney films I have reviewed as it's not a Disney Channel Original. This time I am looking at a massive cinema release that made over $375mil at the box office, 2004's Nicolas Cage film, National Treasure. Part adventure, part conspiracy theory, all fun. This is a film I have watched many many times since it was released and though I know the plot off by heart, and definitely know what happens at the end, I still enjoy it every time. So, now that I have given away what I...
This week I am taking a look at the 2008 novel by Matthew Quick that inspired the 2012 Oscar-Nominated movie of the same name. Was this book the first that didn't fare as well as the film, which you can hear me talk about with my friend Debi here )? Is the book better than the film, or was the film a vast improvement? The only way to find out is to give this week's episode a listen.
It's finally happened. The last ever season of Lucifer, Season 6, has been released and I spent a few evenings over the last week watching it and trying to put all my thoughts together. That's what this episode is. A review of the final 10 episodes, as spoiler-free as possible (though, if you want to avoid ANYTHING spoiler until you've watched it all, head here instead ). My thoughts and opinions. I also talk a little about why my social anxiety kicks in at the worst moments and there are a few ...
