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BookShook

A discussion of each half of a bookwww.youtube.com
BookShook is a first impressions literature podcast. I'll read the first half of a book together and I'll share my thoughts (and yours hopefully) on the first half - perhaps make a few predictions about what may happen. And in the following podcast, I'll release a discussion of the second half and we’ll decide whether it’s a book we’d recommend to a friend. You don’t have to read the book. you can listen to it, or just follow along since I’ll be summarising what happens - but be aware - there may be spoilers.

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Episodes

The Awakening

This episode is about the second half of The Awakening published in 1899 and written by the American author, Kate Chopin. I take a book, split it in two, and discuss each half in consecutive podcasts. I’ll briefly summarise the half alongside my thoughts and reactions and raise any ideas that resonated with me - be warned - there will be spoilers . I’d love to share your thoughts on the book so send an an email to bookshook @yahoo.com. Also, let me know if any book suggestions you may have. Welc...

Jan 12, 202422 min

The Awakening Review

A discussion of the first half of The Awakening published in 1899 and written by the American author, Kate Chopin. I take a book, split it in two, and discuss each half in consecutive podcasts. I’ll briefly summarise the half alongside my thoughts and reactions and raise any ideas that resonated with me. But be warned - there will be spoilers - but only up to half way. I’d love to share your thoughts on the book so send an an email to bookshook@yahoo.com. Also, let me know if any book suggestion...

Dec 08, 202318 min

The Death of Ivan Ilyich

This episode of BookShook is all about the second half of The Death of Ivan Ilyich published in 1886 written by the Russian author, Leo Tolstoy. I take a book, split it in two, and discuss each half in consecutive podcasts. I’ll briefly summarise the half alongside my thoughts and reactions and raise any ideas that resonated with me - be warned - there will be spoilers. I’d love to share your thoughts on the book so send an an email to bookshook @yahoo.com. My next read will be The Awakening by ...

Nov 24, 202320 min

The Death of Ivan Ilyich Review

This episode of BookShook is all about the first half of The Death of Ivan Ilyich (up to Chapter 6 on page 61) by the Russian author Leo Tolstoy (translated by Anthony Briggs), first published in 1886. In the podcast, I take a book, split it in two, and discuss each half in consecutive shows. I’ll briefly summarise the half alongside my thoughts and reactions and raise any ideas that resonated with me. But be warned - there will be spoilers - (but for this show only up to half way). I’d love to ...

Nov 10, 202316 min

The Machine Stops

This episode is all about the second half of The Machine Stops by E.M. Forster published in 1928 (from Part 2 The Mending Apparatus if you're reading alongside). The idea of the episode is that I take a book I’ve never read, split it in two and discuss each half in consecutive podcasts. I’ll do a first impressions summary alongside my thoughts and reactions and then raise any interesting ideas so far in the novel (be aware - there may be spoilers.) And then on the last Friday of the month, I'll ...

Oct 27, 202329 min

The Machine Stops Review

This episode of BookShook is all about the first half of The Machine Stops (up to Part 2 ‘the Mending Apparatus) by, EM Forster, first published in 1928. In the podcast, I take a book, split it in two, and discuss each half in consecutive shows. I’ll briefly summarise the half alongside my thoughts and reactions and raise any ideas that resonated with me. But be warned - there will be spoilers - but in this episode only up to halfway. I’d love to share your thoughts on the book so send an an ema...

Oct 13, 202315 min

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow

Welcome to BookShook! This episode is all about the second half of September’s book, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin published in 2022 (from Chapter 5 'Pivots' on page 211 if you're reading alongside). The idea of the episode is that I take a book I’ve never read, split it in two and discuss each half in consecutive podcasts. I’ll do a first impressions summary alongside my thoughts and reactions and then raise any interesting ideas so far in the novel (be aware - there m...

Sep 29, 202330 min

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow Review

Welcome to BookShook! This episode is all about the first half of September’s book, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin published in 2022 (up to Chapter 5 'Pivots' on page 211 if you're reading alongside). The idea is that I split a book into two equal halves — a book that I and perhaps you have never read. In the first episode, published on the second Friday of the month, we’ll discuss the first half. And then in the second episode (published on the last Friday of the month ...

Sep 08, 202337 min

Gargantua and Pantagruel

Welcome to BookShook! This episode is all about the second half of August’s book, Gargantua and Pantagruel by François Rabelais published in the 1530s (book 2 ‘Pantagruel’ if you're reading alongside). The idea of the episode is that I take a book I’ve never read, split it in two and discuss each half on the second and last Fridays of the month. I’ll do a first impressions summary alongside my thoughts and reactions and then raise any interesting ideas so far in the novel (be aware - there may b...

Aug 25, 202335 min

Gargantua and Pantagruel Review

Welcome to BookShook! This episode is all about the first half of August’s book, Gargantua and Pantagruel by François Rabelais published in the 1530s (book one ‘Gargantua' if you're reading alongside). The idea is that I split a book into two equal halves — a book that I and perhaps you have never read. In the first episode, published on the second Friday of the month, we’ll discuss the first half. And then in the second episode (published on the last Friday of the month - 25th August), we’ll lo...

Aug 11, 202338 min

All the Birds, Singing

Welcome to BookShook! This episode is all about the second half of July’s book, All the Birds, Singing by Evie Wyld published in 2013 (from Chapter 15 if you're reading alongside). The idea of the episode is that I take a book I’ve never read, split it in two and discuss each half on the second and last Fridays of the month. I’ll do a first impressions summary alongside my thoughts and reactions and then raise any interesting ideas so far in the novel (be aware - there may be spoilers.) And then...

Jul 28, 202325 min

All the Birds, Singing Review

Welcome to BookShook! This episode is all about the first half of July’s book, All the Birds, Singing by Evie Wyld published in 2013 (up to Chapter 15 if you're reading alongside). The idea of the episode is that we’ll split a book into two equal halves — a book that I and perhaps you have never read. In the first episode, published on the second Friday of the month, we’ll discuss the first half. And then in the second episode (published on the last Friday of the month - 28th July), we’ll look a...

Jul 14, 202323 min

Molloy, Malone Dies, The Unnamable

Welcome to BookShook! This episode is all about the second half of June’s book, The Trilogy: Molloy, Malone Dies, The Unnamable by Samuel Beckett (translated from the French by the author and Patrick Bowles) published in 1951 (from Page 209 "I fear I may have fallen asleep again" if you're reading alongside). The idea of the episode is that I take a book I’ve never read, split it in two and discuss each half on the second and last Fridays of the month. I’ll do a first impressions summary alongsi...

Jun 30, 202356 min

Molloy, Malone Dies, The Unnamable

Welcome to BookShook! This episode is all about the first half of June’s book, The Trilogy: Molloy, Malone Dies, The Unnamable by Samuel Beckett (translated from the French by the author and Patrick Bowles) published in 1951 (up to Page 209 "I fear I may have fallen asleep again" if you're reading alongside). The idea of the episode is that we’ll split a book into two equal halves — a book that I and perhaps you have never read. In the first episode, published on the second Friday of the month, ...

Jun 09, 202351 min

Light

Welcome to BookShook! This episode is all about the second half of May’s book, Light by M. John Harrison published in 2002 (from Chapter 18 on page 161 if you're reading alongside). The idea is that we’ll split a book into two equal halves — a book that I and perhaps you have never read. In the first episode, published on the second Friday of the month, we’ll discuss the first half. And then, in the second episode (published on the last Friday of the month - 26th May), we’ll look at the second h...

May 26, 202354 min

Light

Welcome to BookShook! This episode is all about the first half of May’s book, Light by M. John Harrison published in 2002 (up to Chapter 18 on page 161 if you're reading alongside). The idea of the episode is that we’ll split a book into two equal halves — a book that I and perhaps you have never read. In the first episode, published on the second Friday of the month, we’ll discuss the first half. And then in the second episode (published on the last Friday of the month - 26th May), we’ll look a...

May 12, 202340 min

Treacle Walker

Welcome to BookShook! This episode is all about the second half of April’s book, Treacle Walker by Alan Garner published in 2021 (from Chapter 10 (page 75) if you're reading alongside). The idea of the episode is that I take a book I’ve never read, split it in two and discuss each half on the second and last Fridays of the month. I’ll do a first impressions summary alongside my thoughts and reactions and then raise any interesting ideas so far in the novel (be aware - there may be spoilers.) And...

Apr 28, 202325 min

Treacle Walker

Welcome to BookShook! This episode is all about the first half of April’s book, Treacle Walker by Alan Garner published in2021 (up to Chapter 10 (page 75) if you're reading alongside). The idea of the episode is that we’ll split a book into two equal halves — a book that I and perhaps you have never read. In the first episode, published on the second Friday of the month, we’ll discuss the first half. And then in the second episode (published on the last Friday of the month - 28th April), we’ll l...

Apr 14, 202331 min

The House of Spirits

Welcome to BookShook! This episode is all about the second half of March’s book, The House of Spirits by Isabel Allende trans. Magda Bogin published in 1985 (from Chapter 7 "The Brothers" if you're reading alongside). The idea of the episode is that I take a book I’ve never read, split it in two and discuss each half on the second and last Fridays of the month. I’ll do a first impressions summary alongside my thoughts and reactions and then raise any interesting ideas so far in the novel (be awa...

Mar 31, 202344 min

The House of Spirits

Welcome to BookShook! This episode is all about the first half of March’s book, The House of Spirits by Isabel Allende trans. Magda Bogin published in 1985 (up to Chapter 7 "The Brothers" if you're reading alongside). The idea of the episode is that we’ll split a book into two equal halves — a book that I and perhaps you have never read. In the first episode, published on the second Friday of the month, we’ll discuss the first half. And then in the second episode (published on the last Friday of...

Mar 10, 202359 min

One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich

Welcome to BookShook! This episode is all about the second half of February’s book, One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn trans. Ralph Parker published in 1953 (from page 72 "The shop was quiet" if you're reading alongside). The idea of the episode is that I take a book I’ve never read, split it in two and discuss each half on the second and last Fridays of the month. I’ll do a first impressions summary alongside my thoughts and reactions and then raise any interesting...

Feb 24, 202336 min

One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich

Welcome to BookShook! This episode is all about the first half of February’s book, One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn trans. Ralph Parker published in 1953 (up to page 72 "The shop was quiet" if you're reading alongside). The idea of the episode is that we’ll split a book into two equal halves — a book that I and perhaps you have never read. In the first episode, published on the second Friday of the month, we’ll discuss the first half. And then in the second episod...

Feb 10, 202334 min

Pedro Páramo

Welcome to BookShook! This episode is all about the second half of January’s book, Pedro Páramo by Juan Rulfo (trans. Margaret Sayers Peden) published in 1955 (from page 71 "The weather must be changing up there." if you're reading alongside). The idea of the episode is that I take a book I’ve never read, split it in two and discuss each half on the second and last Fridays of the month. I’ll do a first impressions summary alongside my thoughts and reactions and then raise any interesting ideas s...

Jan 27, 202337 min

Pedro Páramo

Welcome to BookShook! This episode is all about the first half of January’s book, Pedro Páramo by Juan Rulfo (trans. Margaret Sayers Peden) published in 1955 (up to page 71 "The weather must be changing up there." if you're reading alongside). The idea of the episode is that we’ll split a book into two equal halves — a book that I and perhaps you have never read. In the first episode, published on the second Friday of the month, we’ll discuss the first half. And then in the second episode (publi...

Jan 13, 202335 min

Vagabonds

Welcome to BookShook! This episode is all about the second half of December’s book, Vagabonds by Hao Jingfang trans. Ken Liu published in 2020 (from 'Medal' on page 332 if you're reading alongside). The idea of the episode is that I take a book I’ve never read, split it in two and discuss each half on the second and last Fridays of the month. I’ll do a first impressions summary alongside my thoughts and reactions and then raise any interesting ideas so far in the novel (be aware - there may be s...

Dec 30, 202251 min

Vagabonds

Welcome to BookShook! This episode is all about the first half of December’s book, Vagabonds by Hao Jingfang trans. Ken Liu published in 2020 (up to page 332 'MEDAL' if you're reading alongside). The idea of the episode is that we’ll split a book into two equal halves — a book that I and perhaps you have never read. In the first episode, published on the second Friday of the month, we’ll discuss the first half. And then in the second episode (published on the last Friday of the month - 30th Dece...

Dec 09, 20221 hr 10 minEp. 45

The Castle

Welcome to BookShook! This episode is all about the second half of November’s book, The Castle by Franz Kafka trans. J.A.Underwood published in 1926 (from page 146 - chapter 14 'Frieda's Reproach' if you're reading alongside). The idea of the episode is that I take a book I’ve never read, split it in two and discuss each half on the second and last Fridays of the month. I’ll do a first impressions summary alongside my thoughts and reactions and then raise any interesting ideas so far in the nove...

Nov 25, 202255 minEp. 44

The Castle

Welcome to BookShook! This episode is all about the first half of November’s book, The Castle by Franz Kafka trans. J.A.Underwood published in 1926 (up to Chapter 14 ("Frieda's Reproach") if you're reading alongside). The idea of the episode is that we’ll split a book into two equal halves — a book that I and perhaps you have never read. In the first episode, published on the second Friday of the month, we’ll discuss the first half. And then in the second episode (published on the last Friday of...

Nov 11, 202230 minEp. 43

Wide Sargasso Sea

Welcome to BookShook! This episode is all about the second half of October’s book, Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys published in 1966 (from page 77 if you're reading alongside). The idea of the episode is that I take a book I’ve never read, split it in two and discuss each half on the second and last Fridays of the month. I’ll do a first impressions summary alongside my thoughts and reactions and then raise any interesting ideas so far in the novel (be aware - there may be spoilers.) And then on t...

Oct 28, 202239 minEp. 42

Wide Sargasso Sea

Welcome to BookShook! This episode is all about the first half of October’s book, Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys published in 1966 (up to page 77 beginning "After I had waited half an hour" if you're reading alongside). The idea of the episode is that we’ll split a book into two equal halves — a book that I and perhaps you have never read. In the first episode, published on the second Friday of the month, we’ll discuss the first half. And then in the second episode (published on the last Friday ...

Oct 14, 202251 minEp. 41
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