A Pair of Bookends

A Pair of Bookends

By Hannah MacDonaldArtsBooksFiction
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A Pair of Bookends episodes

  • Books to Screen: Every Summer After/ Every Year After with Shahed Ezaydi
    For the latest instalment in our Books to Screen series, Hannah was joined by author & freelance writer Shahed Ezaydi to discuss the Amazon Prime adaptation of Carley Fortune's novel Every Summer After, Every Year After. In this episode they discuss the excellent soundtracks of Prime series, the changes the TV adaptation of Every Summer After made, what they loved about the novel, casting & more. They also discuss Off Campus, the upcoming adaptation of The Love Hypothesis, how down bad Tom Holland is for Zendaya and hopes for the future seasons of Every Year After! 
    If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
    You can follow Shahed via Instagram or via shahedezaydi.co.uk
    You can buy Shahed's book here: The Othered Woman: How White Feminism Harms Muslim Women
    Link to Shahed's Stylist articles https://www.stylist.co.uk/author/shahed-ezaydi

    Books & other mentions in this episode: 
    Every Summer After by Carley Fortune
    Every Year After (2026)
    The Deal by Elle Kennedy
    Off Campus (2026)
    Margo's Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe
    Margo's Got Money Troubles (2026)
    Normal People by Sally Rooney
    Normal People (2020)
    One Day by David Nicholls
    One Day (2024)
    The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
    The Love Hypothesis (2026)
    This Summer Will Be Different Adaptation
    Sense and Sensibility (2026)
    Pride and Prejudice (2026)
    The Project by Annie Lord
    Lost Lambs by Madeline Cash
    Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke
    Rosewater by Liv Little
    Bitter Melon by Liv Little
    People We Meet on Vacation (2026)
    People We Meet On Vacation by Emily Henry
    Beach Read by Emily Henry
    Carley Fortune Interview for Stylist by Shahed Ezaydi
    Heated Rivalry (2025)
    Yellowjackets
    One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune
    The Girl Next Door (2024)
    Off Campus - Official Playlist
    Every Summer After - Official Playlist
    The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
    The Summer I Turned Pretty (2022)
    The Summer I Turned Pretty - Official Playlist
    The Summer I Turned Pretty - Cast Interview by Shahed Ezaydi
    Maxton Hall (2024)
    Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
    Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
    Spider-Man: Brand New Day

    Let us know your thoughts by emailing us [email protected] or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!
    1 hr 1 min
  • Ashley Hickson-Lovence, author of 'About To Fall Apart' on Fictionalising Family Secrets, Emiliano Sala & Writing Rhythm
    For today's episode, Hannah was joined by author Ashley Hickson-Lovence to discuss his latest novel About To Fall Apart, which is out now and you can buy here. 
    In this episode they discuss the story that inspired this novel and what it was like navigating those difficult conversations with family when writing their history. They also chat about influences like Max Porter, Caleb Femi, Irish folk music and Gemma Dunleavy, creating a story within a story, Emiliano Sala plus much more. 
    If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
    You can follow Ashley via Instagram & ashleyhicksonlovence.com

    Books & other mentions in this episode: 
    Jhalak Prize
    Why I Am Not A Bus Driver by Ashley Hickson-Lovence
    into the wreck by Susannah Dickey
    Big Man by Dean Atta
    Six Weeks by Matt Goodfellow
    Shy by Max Porter
    Ashley reading 'About To Fall Apart'
    Inua Ellams
    Poor by Caleb Femi
    The 392 by Ashley Hickson-Lovence
    Your Show by Ashley Hickson-Lovence
    Gemma Dunleavy 'Up De Flats'
    Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
    Small Things Like These (2024)
    Christy (2025)
    Dead Ends by Ashley Hickson-Lovence
    Getdown Services- Dog Dribble
    Marty Supreme (2025)
    I, Jack Wright (2025)

    Let us know your thoughts by emailing us [email protected] or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!
    50 min
  • Summer Reading Recs From Your Favourite Authors
    For this year's Summer reading episode, 20 different authors have very kindly sent in recordings offering up the books they think you should be reading this summer and beyond, think of this episode as voicenotes from your bookish pals! 
    If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 

    Authors featured in order of appearance:
    Rebecca Perry, author of May We Feed The King
    Shahed Ezaydi, author of The Othered Woman: How White Feminism Harms Muslim Women
    Hannah Beer, author of I Make My Own Fun
    Bobby Palmer, author of Main Characters
    Lucy Rose, author of The Lamb
    Marcia Hutchinson, author of The Mercy Step
    Kiran Millwood Hargrave, author of Almost Life
    Seth Insua, author of Human, Animal
    Emma Hinds, author of Witchlore
    Emily Slapper, author of It Might Never Happen
    Nussaibah Younis, author of Fundamentally
    Madeleine Gray, author of Chosen Family
    Ashley Thorpe, author of Spirit Warriors
    Stephanie Yeboah, author of Doing It For The Plot
    Celia Silvani, author of Just Between Mothers
    Keiran Goddard, author of I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning
    Stacey Yu, author of Kitten
    Alice Slater, author of Let The Bad Times Roll
    Jodie Chapman, author of California Gold
    Eliza Clark, author of She's Always Hungry

    Books recommended:
    Florenzer by Phil Melanson
    The Project by Annie Lord
    The Wedding People by Alison Espach
    Less by Andrew Sean Greer
    Life Cycle of a Moth by Rowe Irvin
    Act Normal by Pete Kalu
    Villa Coco by Andrew Sean Greer
    The Summer Book by Tove Jansson
    Tender by Lauren Du Plessis
    Bonjour Tristesse by Françoise Sagan
    Mother Mary Comes To Me by Arundhati Roy
    Brother of the More Famous Jack by Barbara Trapido
    Smallie by Eden McKenzie-Goddard
    I Want You To Be Happy by Jem Calder
    The Shampoo Effect by Jenny Jackson
    Question 7 by Richard Flanagan
    Claudine in Paris by Colette
    Hello, Limerence by Momo Yamaguchi
    Slanting Towards the Sea by Lidija Hilje
    Permanence by Sophie Mackintosh


    Let us know your thoughts by emailing us [email protected] or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!
    10 min
  • S8 Debut Spotlight- 3. Rebecca Bainbridge (Pitching Advice, School Gates Politics & Liane Moriarty)
    For the latest instalment in our Debut Spotlight series, Rebecca Bainbridge joined us to discuss her debut novel The Pool Party which you can buy here. 
    In this episode Hannah & Rebecca discuss how Rebecca's Mum got her into reading, the influences behind Rebecca's novel from Liane Moriarty's Big Little Lies to Christos Tsiolkas's The Slap, they also get into school gates politics, how Dads are frequently praised for basic parenting and how trauma affects her characters. Rebecca also gives great advice for pitching and events for debut authors plus much more. 
    If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
    You can follow Rebecca via Instagram & Facebook

    Books & other mentions in this episode:
    Villa Coco by Andrew Sean Greer
    Less by Andrew Sean Greer
    Books + Bits - Substack
    Patricia Cornwell
    Maeve Binchy
    Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
    The Slap by Christos Tsiolkas 
    Motherland (BBC)
    None of This is True by Lisa Jewell
    Lucy Foley
    Female, Nude by Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett
    A Sociopath's Guide to a Successful Marriage by M.K. Oliver

    Let us know your thoughts by emailing us [email protected] or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!

    40 min
  • Louise Beech/Swanson, author of 'Wonderful' on Marilyn Monroe, Fame & Shame
    For today's episode Hannah was joined by returning guest of the podcast Louise Beech- who also writes as Louise Swanson- to discuss her latest novel Wonderful, a reimagining of a world in which Marilyn Monroe didn't die at 36 and instead went on to live a long and fulfilling life. 
    In this episode Hannah and Louise discuss where Louise's love for Marilyn began, some of her favourite books and documentaries that reflect the person she truly was, how fame and celebrity culture can disproportionately harm women, why Northern and Class representation matter to her and much more. 
    If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
    You can follow Louise via louisebeech.co.uk & Instagram
    You can buy Wonderful here.

    Books & other mentions in this episode:
    How To Be Brave by Louise Beech
    Eighteen Seconds by Louise Beech
    The Lion Tamer Who Lost by Louise Beech
    End of Story by Louise Swanson
    Lights Out by Louise Swanson
    Marilyn And Her Books by Gail Crowther
    https://harrogateinternationalfestivals.com/festival/theakston-old-peculier-crime-writing-festival/
    Notes on an Obsession by C.L Taylor
    In My Good Books- Podcast
    My Sister Marilyn by Bernice Baker Miracle
    Love, Marilyn (2012)

    Let us know your thoughts by emailing us [email protected] or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!
    44 min
  • Chloë Ashby, author of 'Family Friends' on Messy Families, Power Dynamics & Tracey Emin
    For today's episode Hannah was joined by returning guest of the pod Chloë Ashby to discuss her latest novel Family Friends which you can buy here.
    In this episode they discuss writing about messy families and relationships, lust and desire & money and class- all the good stuff! Chloë also spoke about her feelings on the Tracey Emin exhibition, how much she loved Hamnet and told us what the cultural family tree for her book would be.
    If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
    You can follow Chloë via Instagram & via chloeashby.com
    Her previous novels include: Wet Paint and Second Self

    Books & other mentions in this episode:
    The Hero of This Book by Elizabeth McCracken
    A Long Game: How To Write Fiction
    Fleabag
    Atonement by Ian McEwan
    The Accidental by Ali Smith
    A Bigger Splash (2015)
    https://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-modern/tracey-emin
    Venus, Vanishing by Rebecca Birrell
    Land by Maggie O'Farrell
    Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell
    Hamnet (2025)
    Poor Things (2023)

    Let us know your thoughts by emailing us [email protected] or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!
    43 min
  • July Book Club with Claire Daverley: Weddings, 'Guiding Light' Books & The Bear
    For our July Book Club, we invited you to join us in reading People in Love, the much-anticipated second novel from Claire Daverley. In this episode, Hannah & Claire discuss the books that have been 'guiding lights' for Claire whilst working on this project, how useful running & wild swimming are for her as a writer, long-term relationships, weddings, tragedy, The Bear, dinner party scenes, AI & a very exciting food game...
    If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
    You can buy People in Love here.
    You can follow Claire via Instagram & Substack

    Books & other mentions in this episode:
    Talking at Night by Claire Daverley
    Life Out of Order by Audrey Niffenegger
    The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
    Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors
    Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason
    Cold New Climate by Isobel Wohl
    Brother of the More Famous Jack by Barbara Trapido
    Intermezzo by Sally Rooney
    Normal People by Sally Rooney
    Saltwater by Jessica Andrews
    Expectation by Anna Hope
    Gilmore Guys Podcast
    The Bear
    The Bear- "Fishes" Script
    Fleabag Season 2 Episode 1

    Let us know your thoughts by emailing us [email protected] or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!
    50 min
  • S8 Debut Spotlight- 2. Amman Brar (Post Office Scandal, Life in Punjab, Writing Stage vs Page)
    For today's instalment in our Debut Spotlight series, Hannah was joined by Amman Brar to discuss his debut novel 'Mr Sidhu's Post Office' which you can buy here. 
    In this episode they discuss the Horizon Scandal, how Amman's father influenced the character of Mr Sidhu, life in Punjab, writing for theatre vs writing novels plus much more!
    If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
    You can follow Amman via Instagram.

    Books & other mentions in this episode: 
    This is Where the Serpent Lives by Daniyal Mueenuddin
    Mr Bates vs The Post Office
    The Great Post Office Scandal by Nick Wallis
    Jamaica Road by Lisa Smith

    Let us know your thoughts by emailing us [email protected] or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!
    46 min
  • S8 Debut Spotlight- 1. Jessica Elisabeth (Empowering Women, Green Flag Men & Off Campus)
    Kicking off Season 8 in our Debut Spotlight series is Jessica Elisabeth, author of Bloodline of the Coven. In this episode Jessica talks about wanting to be 'that girl in the bathroom hyping everyone up', balancing writing with work and motherhood and learning the importance of community. There may also be mentions of Fourth Wing, ACOTAR, Off Campus and witches, you've been warned...
    If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
    You can follow Jessia via Instagram & you can order a copy of Bloodline of the Coven here. 

    Books & other mentions in this episode: 
    Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
    A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
    A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
    Off Campus
    The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins

    Let us know your thoughts by emailing us [email protected] or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!
    35 min
  • Angela Flournoy, author of 'The Wilderness' on Female Friendship, New York & Giving Back
    For today's episode Hannah was joined by Angela Flournoy to discuss her latest novel The Wilderness which you can buy here (UK) & here (US). UK listeners you can pre-order The Turner House here. 
    In this episode Hannah & Angela discuss the intimacies of female friendship, the differences between New York & L.A, the US' Class system, what Angela's DJ requests are + much more!
    If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
    You can follow Angela & her work via angelaflournoy.com & Instagram

    Books & other mentions in this episode:
    Freedom: Essays by Zinzi Clemmons
    What We Lose by Zinzi Clemmons
    Upcoming UK events:
    https://www.eventbrite.com/e/in-conversation-angela-flournoy-with-sarah-gwonyoma-tickets-1986424874272
    https://ma.to/event/angela-flournoy-round-table-books-18-aug-2026
    https://www.edbookfest.co.uk/events/angela-flournoy-agnes-lidbeck-love-and-politics
    Pool House by Mary H.K. Choi

    Let us know your thoughts by emailing us [email protected] or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!
    44 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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