A Pair of Bookends

A Pair of Bookends

By Hannah MacDonaldArtsBooksFiction
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A Pair of Bookends episodes

  • Feb Book Club with Lizzie Damilola Blackburn: Love Island, Black Masculinity & Dealing with Rejection
    Welcome to our Feb Book Club episode, for this ep Hannah chatted to author of the much-loved novel Yinka, Where is Your Huzband? about her latest book The Re-Write. They discuss the impact of reality TV shows like Love Island, the important role of carers, Black Masculinity, how Lizzie learned to push through the struggles when writing her second book and more. 
    If you enjoy this episode, please do rate, review & subscribe. For more exclusive content you can find us over on Patreon. You can also follow us via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok. 
    You can follow Lizzie via Instagram & Twitter/X.


    Books & other mentions in this episode: 
    Main Character: Lessons from a Real-life Romcom by Lizzie Frainier
    The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
    Help (Channel 4)
    Chaotic Energy by Stephanie Yeboah

    Thanks so much for listening! Until next time, happy reading!
    28 min
  • S5 Debut Spotlight- 3. Rachel Bower (Northern Characters, Gytrash & Coercive Control)
    On today's episode Hannah chats to Rachel Bower about her debut novel It Comes From The River. They discuss how Rachel found a writing community up north, the importance of erasing stereotypes, Northern myths & lots more! If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe. 
    If you want to follow Rachel & her work you can do so via Instagram. 
    For more exclusive content you can find us over on Patreon. You can also follow us via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok. 

    Books & other mentions in this episode: 
    Briefly Very Beautiful by Roz Dineen
    Misjustice: How British Law is Failing Women by Helena Kennedy
    Minnie Questions podcast (Lisa Taddo Episode)
    Three Women by Lisa Taddeo
    The Mill on the Floss by George Elliot
    Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
    Everything Under by Daisy Johnson
    Rest and Be Thankful by Emma Glass
    Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf
    Selected Short Stories by Virginia Woolf
    Fen by Daisy Johnson
    Elmet by Fiona Mozley

    Thanks so much for listening! Until next time, happy reading!
    31 min
  • S5 Debut Spotlight- 2. Lucy Steeds (Art Monsters, Food Writing & War Objectors)
    For today's Debut Spotlight episode Hannah was joined by author Lucy Steeds to discuss her debut novel The Artist. They discuss Art Monsters, 1920s Provence, how food became a funny editing process and lots more. If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe. 
    For exclusive content you can find us via Patreon.
    You can also follow us via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok.
    You can follow Lucy via Instagram.

    Books & other mentions in this episode: 
    The Rabbit Hutch by Tess Gunty
    Regeneration by Pat Barker
    https://www.lostwomenart.de/en/chapter/in-the-shadow-of-men/
    Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead

    Thanks so much for listening! Until next time, happy reading!
    47 min
  • A Pair of Bookends Live @ Social Refuge/Queer Lit with Kate Fagan, author of The Three Lives of Cate Kay
    Welcome to our FIRST EVER live recording! This event took place at Social Refuge, home of Queer Lit, in Manchester. Hannah interviewed Kate Fagan, author of Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick: The Three Lives of Cate Kay.
    Please note that the audio was slightly glitchy but we've done our very best with trying to make it sound as good as it can, some parts may sound slightly different to others but we hope you enjoy regardless! For this conversation Hannah and Kate discuss ambition, fame, success, writing process, mother/daughter dynamics and lots more. If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, it supports the pod and helps make events like this possible!
    You can support us further via Patreon & you can follow us via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok
    You can support Kate by buying her book via the link above or following her via Instagram

    Books & other mentions in this episode:
    The Favourites by Layne Fargo
    The Reappearing Act: Coming Out as Gay on a College Basketball Team Led by Born-Again Christians by Kate Fagan
    Bel Canto by Ann Patchett
    Tom Lake by Ann Patchett
    The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
    Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
    Plain Bad Heroines by Emily M. Danforth

    Thanks so much for listening! Until next time, happy reading!
    1 hr 1 min
  • Jan Book Club with Nicola Dinan: Turning 30, Finding Success & The Importance of Humour
    Welcome to our January Book Club episode! For today's episode Hannah was joined by author Nicola Dinan to discuss her latest novel Disappoint Me. They discuss the pressures of turning 30, what success means, the vulnerability in writing sex scenes & lots more. There is also of course some chat on Nicola's debut novel, the wonderful Bellies. 
    If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe and for more content you can find us via Patreon.
    You can find Nicola via Instagram. 
    You can follow us via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok.

    Books & other mentions in this episode: 
    Intermezzo by Sally Rooney
    Sally Rooney: 'The Daily' Interview
    'The Back of Beyond' from Collected Short Stories Vol 4 by W. Somerset Maugham
    How to Write an Autobiographical Novel by Alexander Chee
    The Dune Novels by Frank Herbert
    Edinburgh by Alexander Chee
    Palm Meridian by Grace Flahive

    Thanks so much for listening! Until next time, happy reading!
    47 min
  • S5 Debut Spotlight- 1. Catherine Airey (9/11, Irish History & Jonathan Franzen)
    Welcome back Bookends to Season 5 in our Debut Spotlight series, for this episode Hannah was joined by author of Confessions( out tomorrow!) Catherine Airey. They discuss her journey as a debut author, the impact of 9/11, researching via Reddit & lots more. If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe. 
    You can follow Catherine via Instagram & Twitter/X 
    For more content from us you can find us via Patreon
    You can also follow us via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok

    Books & other mentions in this episode: 
    Fast By The Horns by Moses McKenzie
    An Olive Grove in Ends by Moses McKenzie
    We Don't Know Ourselves: A Personal History of Ireland Since 1958 by Fintan O'Toole
    The Country Girls Trilogy by Edna O'Brien
    The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
    Crossroads by Jonathan Franzen
    Girl in the Making by Anna Fitzgerald
    The Lamb by Lucy Rose
    The Artist by Lucy Steeds

    Thanks so much for listening! Until next time, happy reading!
    44 min
  • Bonus Books- Witchcraft for Wayward Girls with Grady Hendrix: Horror, Maternity Homes & Witchcraft
    Welcome back Bookends, we're kicking off the New Year with the brilliant Grady Hendrix here to chat about his latest book Witchcraft for Wayward Girls.
    We discuss the familial connection that inspired this book, the history of maternity homes and witchcraft, horror as a genre and loads more. If you enjoy this episode, please do rate, review & subscribe. For extra content you can find us via Patreon.
    For tickets to our first ever APOB Live recording click here.

    To follow Grady & his work you can find him via his website, Twitter/X, Facebook & Instagram. 
    You can find us via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok

    Books & other mentions in this episode:
    Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
    The Tulip Touch by Anne Fine
    The Beguiled by Thomas Cullinan
    Bellies by Nicola Dinan
    The Girls Who Went Away: The Hidden History of Women Who Surrendered Children for Adoption in the Decades Before Roe V. Wade by Ann Fessler
    How to Become a Sensuous Witch by Abragail and Valaria
    The Anarchist Cookbook by William Powell
    The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix
    Lolly Willowes by Sylvia Townsend Warner
    I Await the Devil's Coming by Mary Maclane
    I Saw The TV Glow (TV series)

    Thanks so much for listening, until next time- happy reading!
    40 min
  • Christmas special 2024 with Claire Daverley: Top 5 Reads of 2024, Most Anticipated 2025 releases & What we're watching at Xmas
    Welcome to our final episode of the year, the Christmas special! For today's episode Hannah was joined by author of Talking at Night, the wonderful Claire Daverley. They discuss their favourite reads of 2024, the 2025 releases they're excited for and all of the Christmas TV, Films & Music they love the most. 
    For tickets to our first APOB Live recording in January click here.
    To follow Claire & her work you can find her via Instagram & Twitter/X
    To pre-order Claire's second novel click here.
    You can follow us via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok

    Books, Films, TV & other mentions in this episode:
    The Diamond Girls by Jacqueline Wilson
    Love Lessons by Jacqueline Wilson
    The Holiday (2006)
    Love Actually (2003)
    Home Alone (1990)
    Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992)
    Miracle on 34th Street (1994)
    Klaus (2019)
    Elf (2003)
    Little Women (2019)
    Sentimental Garbage - Nora Ephron Christmas Special
    Merry Christmas by Mariah Carey
    Love Actually soundtrack
    Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano
    What You Are Looking for is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama
    Adelaide by Genevieve Wheeler
    The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
    Blue Sisters by Coco Mellors
    Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors
    Gavin & Stacey
    Rivals (Disney +)
    Green Dot by Madeleine Gray
    Intermezzo by Sally Rooney
    Girls by Kirsty Capes
    The Wedding People by Alison Espach
    I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning by Keiran Goddard
    True Love by Paddy Crewe
    Breakdown by Cathy Sweeney
    Soldier Sailor by Claire Kilroy
    Same As It Ever Was by Claire Lombardo
    The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo
    Sandwich by Catherine Newman
    We All Want Impossible Things by Catherine Newman
    Deep Cuts by Holly Brickley
    What A Time To Be Alive by Jenny Mustard
    The Names by Florence Knapp
    Gunk by Saba Sams
    Send Nudes by Saba Sams
    Confessions by Catherine Airey
    Bring The House Down by Charlotte Runcie

    If you enjoyed this episode please do rate, review & subscribe and for more exclusive content with an upcoming episode on the adaptation of Nightbitch, head on over to our Patreon.
    Thank you so much for your love & support this year, I appreciate you so much! Have a wonderful Christmas, happy reading & see you next year x
    1 hr 21 min
  • Bonus Books: The Ghosts of Paris with Tara Moss- Raymond Chandler, LGBTQ+ history & Becoming a Private Investigator
    For this month's Bonus Books episode Hannah was joined by bestselling author, chronic pain & disability advocate & UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Tara Moss to discuss the latest in her Billie Walker mystery novels The Ghosts of Paris. They discuss her unusual research process, creating an iconic protagonist like Billie Walker, the treatment of women throughout history & lots more. If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe as it helps to boost us in the charts, for more exclusive content you can find us via Patreon.
    To follow Tara & her work you can find her via https://www.tararaemoss.com/, Instagram, Twitter/X & Facebook.
    You can follow us via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok

    Books & other mentions in this episode: 
    Stephen King
    To Track a Traitor: A Lane Winslow Mystery by Iona Whishaw
    Raymond Chandler
    Miss Phryne Fisher mystery series by Kerry Greenwood
    Cocaine Blues by Kerry Greenwood

    Thanks so much for listening! Until next time, happy reading! x

    P.S tickets for our first ever A Pair of Bookends live recording are now available. I'll be interviewing New York Times bestselling author Kate Fagan about her new book The Three Lives of Cate Kay and you can find them here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/an-evening-with-kate-fagan-tickets-1083077396649
    43 min
  • December Book Club with Hux (Lizzie Huxley-Jones): Christmas Books, Trans & Disability Representation & Community
    For our final Book Club episode of the year (can you believe it!) Hannah was joined by the brilliant Hux (Lizzie Huxley-Jones) to discuss their latest book Under The Mistletoe with You. 
    They discuss Christmas (of course), Gilmore Girls, the importance of community & loads more, if you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe so we can reach more of you! 
    To follow Hux & their work you can find them via https://lizziehuxleyjones.com/, Instagram &Tik Tok 
    For more exclusive content you can find us via Patreon, you can also follow us via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok

    Books & other mentions in this episode: 
    Make You Mine This Christmas by Lizzie Huxley-Jones
    Hits Different by Tasha Ghouri & Lizzie Huxley-Jones
    Bad Sisters (Apple TV)
    Happiest Season (Hulu)
    Girl, Goddess, Queen by Bea Fitzgerald
    Gilmore Guys Podcast
    https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/nov/29/assisted-dying-bill-debate-uk
    The Pairing by Casey McQuiston
    https://caseymcquiston.substack.com/
    Pageboy: A Memoir by Elliot Page
    Icebreaker by Hannah Grace
    The Dragon's Bride - A Deal with a Demon 1 by Katee Robert
    It's A Wonderful Life
    While You Were Sleeping
    Some Like It Cold by Elle McNicoll
    Look Up, Handsome by Jack Strange
    Snowed In by Catherine Walsh
    Holiday Romance by Catherine Walsh
    The Third Gilmore Girl by Kelly Bishop
    Single All The Way - Netflix

    Thanks so much for listening! Happy Christmas & Happy reading!
    1 hr 2 min

About A Pair of Bookends

From the publisher's feed

A weekly bookish podcast hosted by Hannah MacDonald. Join us for monthly Book Club episodes - read the book at your own pace and then listen to us deep dive with the author! Our Debut Spotlight series…

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