Being Bookish

This week I am talking with author Julie Owen Moylan about her latest historical novel, Circus of Mirrors which is due for release on Thursday 12 September in the UK. A story full of complex characters, growth, love and heartbreak set across four decades in post-war Berlin.

Berlin, 1926. After the death of their parents, sisters Leni and Annette only have each other. Dreaming of better days, but desperate, Leni finds work at the notorious Babylon Circus. From the dancer’s barely-there costumes, to the glimmering mirrors that cover the walls, the Babylon Circus is a place where reality and fantasy merge. For Leni, it’s an overwhelming new world, and she’s happiest hiding in the shadows. Until she meets the cabaret’s resident pianist, Paul… Twenty years later, the Babylon Circus is in ruins. Leni and Annette have a new mouth to feed. And Paul is nowhere to be seen. Once again, Leni and Annette must depend on each other. But one of the sisters is hiding a secret. And, sooner or later, it must come to light.

We talk about the Weimar Republic, character complexity and the difficult relationship between sisters.

Julie's Links

Julie's Website

Julie's X/Twitter

Julie's Instagram

Buy the Book: Amazon | Indie | Waterstones

Released in 1948, Taken at the Flood is the 26th Poirot novel by Agatha Christie, and while it maintains his rather bombastic character, it's very different to any of the novels which came before it. Set in the years immediately following the Second World War, it centres around the behaviour of a family who has grown accustomed to depending upon a single wealthy relative...asking and answering the question 'What happens when the golden goose dies and leaves you nothing?'.

An interesting novel, my views about it are varied and perhaps a little bit confused, but let me know what you think of my review of Taken at the Flood by Agatha Christie.

Featured episodes

The Kingdom is a Golden Cage

Hickory, Dickory, Dock

Featured Links

Once Upon a Nightmare podcast

I think that this episode is going to be a surprise, if only because every once in a while a book comes along that isn't what you expected...

But if that's because it's good or not I am not going to reveal here...you'll have to listen to find out.

Following in the footsteps of authors like Sarah J Maas and Kalynn Baylon comes Lilly Inkwood, to provide us with an unusual reimagining of a lesser-known fairytale, that of Puss in Boots (did you know the story, because I didn't). In The Kingdom is a Golden Cage we are told the story of Princess Celine, the cat Hugo and the Duke who is not a duke, Philippe...but is this story about love, deception, or perhaps a little bit of both?

Join me to find out which side of the fence I stand on!

Do you love historical novels? Specifically, those based during the Regency period?

Do you love learning things that you may not have heard about in high school history? How about the first real celebrity (I'm talking Byron here, people!)?

If this sounds like something you'd be really into (and even if it doesn't, because minds can be changed!!!) join me for my interview with author Katy Moran as we talk about her new novel, My Lady's Secrets, which is based during the Napoleonic war, and follows our heroine Cressida through Spain, English society and the north of Scotland...as well as talk about events in history that may not be as well known as they probably should be!

Where to find Katy

Her website

Instagram

Twitter/X

My Lady's Secrets: Amazon UK | Amazon US | Waterstones | Bookshop.org

I'm back this week with a recent paperback release in the form of Kat Ailes' debut cosy mystery, The Expectant Detectives.

I don't think that this is what happens when a group of pregnant women get together after they witness a murder, but I could be very wrong (let me know).

The first in a new series called The Mothers' Murder Club, does this debut set the scene for the next book?

Find out what I thought of the book in this completely spoiler-free review...

Featured episodes

Babylonia

Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers

The Marlow Murder Club

Hickory Dickory Dock

If you love ancient history as much as I do then chances are this book is already on your radar. I tried to resist reading it as soon as it arrived, but, as you can tell, I failed...

But did this book fail? You can probably already guess what I thought, but give this episode a listen and if you haven't already picked it up, see if this encourages you to do so.

Links

Clytemnestra

Raye's Reading on YouTube

We're almost halfway through the year so I figured it was time for a bit of a check-in. I have read a pretty decent number of books and while some have been incredible, others have not been quite so impressive.

I am also taking a look at the upcoming releases that are on my 'most anticipated' list, between now and the end of September, and there are some really great books on that list (let me tell you).

Clytemnestra

Silver in the Bone

Ruthless Vows | Divine Rivals

Argylle

DONATE TO LIVESTREAM FOR THE CURE

Have you ever just read a truly hyped up book and wondered what you were missing?

Maybe it was Fourth Wing or Twilight, or Harry Potter?

The Ministry of Time was so hyped before it was released that the BBC in the UK purchased the rights to make it into a TV series...

As with every episode, I am not going to spoil the ending, but I am going to talk about my feelings as I read and finished this time-travelling debut by British-Cambodian author, Kaliane Bradley.

Did I like it? Did I rate it? Find out.

Don't forget, if you want to find out more about Livestream for the Cure, or donate to the event, check out the site now:

https://donate.tiltify.com/d788c5ca-1b84-42f1-a41a-ab715c2ce57e/details

The event starts on Wednesday 29th of May and I will be on livestream myself from 4pm EST/9pm BST on Thursday 30th May here: https://www.twitch.tv/livestreamforthecure

This week I am heading all over the country with Lorraine from Once Upon a Nightmare as we follow Hercule Poirot on one of his toughest early investigations, The ABC Murders.

Not only does he have to contend with a serial killer who seemingly has no discernable MO, but he is up against the clock as this murderer is putting a timer on it all.

Will he solve the case? Will he beat the killer at his own game? We will reveal some, but not all of this, this week in the usual Being Bookish spoiler-free fashion.