Inside The Lost Passenger: Frances Quinn on Titanic, a Mother’s Love, and Survival

Hello book friends! In today’s episode, I am absolutely delighted to be chatting with the brilliant Frances Quinn about her fabulous new novel, The Lost Passenger.

We had such a wonderful chat about the inspiration behind this compelling story, and Frances also speaks really openly about the challenges along the way and how she buffers herself against feedback from her team! We dive into her incredible protagonist, Elinor, exploring what drives her to make the life-altering decision to steal another woman's identity to escape her own past. We also chat about the research Frances carried out particularly looking at those who survived the Titanic. 

Of course, as always on Best Book Forward, we delved into the five books that have shaped Frances throughout her life and writing journey! 

Five Go Adventuring Again by Enid Blyton

Adventures of the Little Wooden Horse by Ursula Moray Williams

The Bomber by Liza Marklund (Currently not available)

The Vizard Mask by Diana Norman (Also currently not available)

Bird by Bird by Anne Lemott

Unfortunately, two of these titles seem to be a little tricky to get hold of but if you're intrigued, I'd absolutely recommend keeping an eye out in charity shops, you never know what treasures you might unearth!

Also mentioned in this episode:

This Miseducation of Evie Epworth by Matson Taylor

Swimming For Beginners by Nicola Gill - turns out I don’t have this one but I am waiting for my copy to arrive and cannot wait to read it.

A massive thank you goes out to my brilliant sister, Lottie, for today's question, and, of course for introducing me to Frances and her wonderful books in the first place!

I really hope that you enjoyed this episode as much as I did. Honestly, I could have spent hours chatting with Frances! If you're enjoying Best Book Forward, it would mean the absolute world to me if you could take a few moments to rate, review, and subscribe wherever you listen to your podcasts. And the very best thing you could do? Tell all your bookish friends about us!

I’ll be back with another brilliant episode next week, and I really hope you’ll join me again for more bookish fun!

Welcome back to another episode and today’s we’re lucky enough to get to chat to Claire Douglas about her latest thriller, The New Neighbours.  This was my first of read of Claire’s and I loved it so much I went straight back to the beginning and read her debut which was another winner for me. I can’t wait to read more.

In this episode we chat about the inspiration behind The New Neighbours and we managed to keep it completely spoiler free!  We discover the inspiration behind the story and find out whether Claire is as brave as her characters (I know I’m not). Of course as always we chat about the five books that have shaped Claire’s life (let’s gloss over the fact she picked the entire Famous Five series).  

Here are Claire’s choices.

The Famous Five by Enid Bylton

Rachel's Holiday by Marian Keyes

The Moving Finger by Agatha Christie

The Secret History by Donna Tartt

The Magpies by Mark Edwards

Also mentioned in this episode:

We Are Completely Beside Ourselves

Sandwich by Catherine Newman

I Let You Go by Clare MacIntosh

Gentleman & Players by Joanne Harris

Since recording I have now read and loved Rachel’s Holiday I only needed three bestselling authors to convince me! 

If you've enjoyed this episode as much as I enjoyed recording it, please, please do me a little favour! Take a moment to rate, review, and subscribe to Best Book Forward – it makes the world of difference in helping more book lovers find our little corner of the podcast world. And the absolute best thing you could do? Tell a friend who you think would love Claire’s books or our chats! Until next time, happy reading!

Get ready for another absolute cracker of an episode this week, because I had the total pleasure of chatting with the incredible Lucy Steeds! Now, if you've been anywhere near me in the last six months, I will have no doubt absolutely insisted that you must read Lucy's stunning novel, The Artist. I’m so in love with this book, its one of my top reads of the year and I really want you to pick it up too.

It was such a joy to chat to Lucy about The Artist, her inspiration and get some fascinating insight into her writing process as well as hearing about her Women’s Prize experience.

Of course as always, we also discussed the five books that have shaped Lucy’s life and what an interesting list it was. I was absolutely convinced she wouldn’t be able to tempt me on the poetry of John Donne but I’m weirdly quite tempted.

A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket

A Room With A View by E.M. Forster

The Poems of John Donne

In The Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado

Also mentioned in this episode:

Fates & Furies by Lauren Groff

Ways of Seeing by John Berger

Self-Portrait by Celia Paul

If you've enjoyed this episode as much as I enjoyed recording it, please, please do me a little favour! Take a moment to rate, review, and subscribe to Best Book Forward – it makes the world of difference in helping more book lovers find our little corner of the podcast world. And the absolute best thing you could do? Tell a friend who you think would love Lucy's book or our chats! Until next time, happy reading!

Oh my goodness, chatting with the wonderful Fran Littlewood in this episode of Best Book Forward was an absolute joy from start to finish!

Fran joined me to natter all about her absolutely fabulous new novel, The Favourite – which is just a brilliant, rollercoaster family saga about the Fishers. Their seemingly normal family holiday gets completely turned upside down when Dad accidentally lets slip... wait for it... that he has a favourite daughter! Talk about awkward!

In our chat, we dive into how Fran's own life as one of three sisters helped spark the story, how our relationships with our siblings really do shape who we are, the rollercoaster ride of parenting and ageing, and how our memories of the very same family moments can be hilariously (or sometimes frustratingly!) different from everyone else’s!

This episode was recorded in March (Season 3 took a little longer to bring to life than I'd hoped), the good news is there is no need to preorder you can rush to your local bookshop and grab your copy today!

And of course, as always, we uncovered the five incredible books that have played a huge role in shaping Fran's life. Get ready to add these to your list (or maybe revisit some old friends!):

Malory Towers by Enid Blyton

The Pursuit of Love by Nancy Mitford

The Secret History by Donna Tartt

Back When We Were Grownups by Anne Tyler

Hey Yeah Right Get A Life by Helen Simpson

Also mentioned in this episode:

The Bee Sting by Paul Murray

A huge thank you to the lovely @MrsMarr and @NicTheBookWorm! I really hope you enjoyed hearing your brilliant questions answered on the show.

If you enjoyed this episode (and I really hope you did!), it would mean the absolute world to me if you could take a few moments to rate, review, and subscribe – and even better, tell all your bookish buddies about Best Book Forward!

Have a fantastic week, and I'll see you back here next Thursday for more bookish fun!

Hello my lovely book friends! Welcome back to a brand spanking new season of Best Book Forward, and we are kicking things off with a bang!

In our Season 3 opener, I had the pleasure of chatting to the one and only Gillian McAllister about her gripping new novel, Famous Last Words. Now, is it just me, or does Gillian just keep knocking it out of the park with every single book? She's just getting better and better! And get this – during our chat (and even more excitingly, when the mics were off!), Gillian let me in on some of the incredible ideas she's brewing for future books. I've been sworn to secrecy, mind you, but honestly, you are going to want to snap up every single thing Gillian puts out because, trust me, her ideas are mind-blowing! I absolutely cannot wait to read them myself.

In this episode, we dive deep into Camilla's world, a literary agent whose seemingly normal life completely implodes when her husband turns out to be the gunman in a hostage situation. Gillian also gives us the inside scoop on the inspiration behind Famous Last Words and how she loves to flip the script on traditional thrillers by telling them through a female lens. And get this – she's not messing around with her research! She's now a qualified Level 1 Hostage Negotiator! How impressive is that?!  We also discuss Gillian’s journey to becoming a bestselling author and I found her story so inspiring; I’m sure you will too.

Of course, as with every episode, we delve into the five books that have shaped Gillian’s life, and you can find them all listed below with handy links if you fancy treating yourself:

The Pact by Jodi Picoult

The Time Traveller's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

Apple Tree Yard by Louise Doughty

You Don't Know Me by Imran Mahmood

Missing, Presumed by Susie Steiner

Also mentioned in this episode:

Gillian’s fabulous podcast The Honest Authors' Podcast

Night Watching by Tracy Sierra - the book Gillian raved about! I plucked up all my courage and read it, and honestly, it's every bit as brilliant (and yes, a little bit terrifying!) as Gillian said. Just maybe don't read it right before bed if you're a bit of a scaredy-cat like me! 😉

A huge thank you to the lovely @WendyReadsBooks and @BookReviewsWithBecky! I really hope you enjoyed hearing your brilliant questions answered on the show.

If you enjoyed this episode (and I really hope you did!), it would mean the absolute world to me if you could take a few moments to rate, review, and subscribe – and even better, tell all your bookish buddies about Best Book Forward!

Have a fantastic week, and I'll see you back here next Thursday for more bookish fun!

Best Book Forward Season 3 is Here!

Welcome back to Best Book Forward! Get ready because we are launching a brand new season of eight episodes, packed with authors so incredible I honestly had to pinch myself that it was all really happening! I absolutely cannot wait for you to tune in!

New to Best Book Forward?

Hi, I'm Helen (@bestbookforward), your friendly neighbourhood book pusher! Think of this podcast as your ultimate bookish version of Desert Island Discs, where I get to chat with some truly amazing authors about the five books that have shaped their lives and writing journeys. It's always such a joy, and I learn something new every single time (and I also add a lot of books to my TBR, I have no shelf-control)!

Who's Joining Us This Season?!

Over the next few weeks, I'll be bringing you brilliant conversations with literary superstars Liane Moriarty, Gillian McAllister, Claire Douglas, Frances Quinn, Virginia Evans, Lucy Steeds, Fran Littlewood, and Clare Leslie Hall. Excited? You absolutely should be! I know I am!

When Can You Dive In?

The very first episode of Season 3 drops this Thursday, 5th June! And for a little extra pre-launch fun, head over to my Instagram on Wednesday where you'll get the exclusive sneak peek of which of my fabulous guests is first up on the show!

Ready to join the bookish adventure?

• Subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen to podcasts - that way you'll never miss an episode!
• Follow me on Instagram @bestbookforward for behind-the-scenes peeks and bookish fun.
• Check out the Best Book Forward website: www.bestbookforward.org 
• Catch up on previous episodes Catch up now

Get ready for a heartwarming and hilarious send-off to Season 2! Today I’m delighted to be joined by the incredible Clare Pooley, author of the bestselling How to Age Disgracefully.

Interview Highlights:

• Inspiration Behind the Novel: Discover what sparked Clare's idea for How to Age Disgracefully.
• Flawed Characters: Explore Clare's love for writing flawed characters.
• Real-Life Inspirations: Hear about Clare's connections to Bridget Jones and Thelma & Louise, and how these iconic characters influenced her.
• Five Books That Shaped Her Life: Discover the literary influences that have shaped Clare's writing journey, from classic Austen to contemporary favourites.

Book List:

Emma by Jane Austen

Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding

Rachel's Holiday by Marian Keyes

One Day by David Nicholls

Tales of the City by Armistead Maupin

That's a wrap on Season 2 of Best Book Forward! We've had an incredible time exploring the literary world with our amazing guests. Thank you to Catherine Newman, Nikki May, Marianne Cronin, Susan Fletcher, Josie Fletcher, and Clare Pooley for sharing their insights and passion for books.

Stay tuned for exciting news about Season 3! Follow me on Instagram @bestbookforward for updates and behind-the-scenes glimpses.

See you soon, bookworms 

Welcome back to Best Book Forward! The podcast where we delve into the books that have shaped our favourite authors' lives. Think of it as your literary Desert Island Discs.

Today, I'm thrilled to have the incredible Josie Ferguson join us. Josie is the author of the highly acclaimed debut novel, The Silence in Between, shortlisted for the Waterstones Debut Prize 2024.

In this episode, we'll explore the world of Josie's poignant story, discussing themes of sexual violence, trauma, and the resilience of women in times of trouble.

As always we’ll also look at the five books that have shaped Josie’s life which were.

Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren

Sweet Valley High created by Francine Pascal

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zsafon

Between Shades of Grey by Ruta Sepetys

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

Listeners are also treated to a short clip of one of the beautiful pieces of music that Josie’s brother Micke Bonde created for the characters of The Silence in Between. The clip is used is called Lisette. If you would like to hear more or find out more about Josie’s work please visit her website https://josieferguson.com/

Caution: This episode discusses sensitive topics, including sexual violence and trauma. Listener discretion is advised.

For my bookish chat follow me on Instagram @bestbookforward 

 or visit my website at www.bestbookforward.org

Listeners are invited into a heartfelt conversation with Susan Fletcher as we discuss her brilliant new novel The Night in Question." 

Susan discusses the inspiration behind her protagonist Florrie, an 87-year-old woman who embarks on a quest to uncover the truth behind a mysterious incident in her care home. We also discuss Susan's creative process, particularly how her time during the lockdown influenced her writing and character development. 

Of course, we also discuss the five books that have shaped Susan’s life, she is so passionate about her choices that she inspired me to pick up one that I had always been intimidated by and I loved it as much as Susan did.

Susan’s book choices are:

Death of a Naturalist by Seamus Heaney

Jamaica Inn by Daphne du Maurier

The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje 

 Women Who Run With The Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estes 

State of Wonder by Ann Patchett 

Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode of Best Book Forward and be sure to tell your bookish friends all about it. See you next week for more bookish chats with another author.

Join us for a captivating conversation with Nikki May, author of Wahala which is currently being adapted into a major BBC series! Her latest literary masterpiece, This was inspired by Jane Austen's Mansfield Park and explores themes of motherhood, legacy, identity, and culture.

Interview Highlights:

• Mothers and Daughters: Discover the profound impact of mothers on their daughters. Explore how Nikki's characters navigate life without a mother and with a less than ideal one, shaping their identities and relationships.
• Cultural Identity: Dive into the complexities of belonging to multiple cultures. Hear Nikki's personal experiences growing up between England and Lagos.
• Book Recommendations: Discover the five books that have shaped Nikki's life. From dystopian futures to gripping mysteries, this diverse selection offers something for every reader.

Book List:

• Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
• A is for Alibi by Sue Grafton
• Half a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
• Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
• We Were Liars by E. Lockhart 

Prepare to be captivated by Nikki May's insightful perspective and her ability to bring a classic story to life in a fresh and modern way. Don't miss this thought-provoking episode!

PS: Once you’ve listened to this episode you may be wondering if I did pick up one of the books that we discussed and the answer is YES and it is as brilliant as Nikki said it is.