BookShook

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 ideas so far in the novel (be aware - there may be spoilers.) And then on the last Friday of the month, I'll discuss the second half of the book. We’ll see together how the novel concludes and decide whether it’s a book we’d recommend to a friend - or not. Of course, you don’t have to read the book, you can listen to it, or just follow along without doing either since I’ll be summarising what happens (but be aware! - there will be spoilers). You can leave a comment or start a conversation at youtube.com/@BookShook or send an email to [email protected]. The book we’ll be reading for March is The House of Spirits by Isabel Allende trans. by Magda Bogin — we’ll be reading up to Chapter 7 The Brothers (so get that ready if you’re going to read alongside me). The first episode will be on 10th March. Thanks for listening to BookShook! Roger

Content Warning: There are scenes of severe hunger, cold, and harsh prison life in sub zero degree temperatures. I have removed any swear words. 

Future Reads:

March: The House of Spirits by Isabel Allende trans. by Magda Bogin 

April: Treacle Walker by Alan Garner (152 pages)

May: Light by M.John Harrison (320 pages)

I'm delighted that this podcast has been voted in the Top 30 UK Books Podcasts at https://blog.feedspot.com/uk_book_podcasts/

The idea about 'augit' was mentioned in the following article:

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/dec/10/lessons-from-my-dying-therapist-care-less-have-fun-accept-the-inevitable

Lessons from my dying therapist: care less, have fun – and accept the inevitable

In watching my beloved counsellor die, I finally learned how to live

Phoebe Greenwood

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 episode (published on the last Friday of the month - 24th February), we’ll look at the second half of the book (in this case from page 72 "The shop was quiet"). We’ll see together how the novel concludes and decide whether it’s a book we’d recommend to a friend - or not. Of course, you don’t have to read the book, you can listen to it, or just follow along without doing either since I’ll be summarising what happens (but be aware! - there will be spoilers). You can leave a comment or start a conversation at youtube.com/@BookShook or send an email to [email protected]. The book we’ll be reading for March is The House of Spirits by Isabel Allende trans. by Magda Bogin (so get that ready if you’re going to read alongside). Thanks for listening to BookShook! Roger

Content Warning: There are scenes of severe hunger, cold, and harsh prison life in sub zero degree temperatures. I have removed any swear words.  

Future Reads:

March: The House of Spirits by Isabel Allende trans. by Magda Bogin 

April: Treacle Walker by Alan Garner (152 pages)

May: Light by M.John Harrison (320 pages)

I'm delighted that this podcast has been voted in the Top 30 UK Books Podcasts at https://blog.feedspot.com/uk_book_podcasts/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 so far in the novel (be aware - there may be spoilers.) And then on the last Friday of the month, I'll discuss the second half of the book. We’ll see together how the novel concludes and decide whether it’s a book we’d recommend to a friend - or not. Of course, you don’t have to read the book, you can listen to it, or just follow along without doing either since I’ll be summarising what happens (but be aware! - there will be spoilers). You can leave a comment or start a conversation at youtube.com/@BookShook or send an email to [email protected]. The book we’ll be reading for February is Alexandr Solzhenitsyn's One Day in the Life fo Ivan Denisovich (143 pages) — we’ll be reading up to Page 72 "The shop was quiet." (so get that ready if you’re going to read alongside me). The first episode will be on 10th February. Thanks for listening to BookShook! Roger

Content Warning: I have removed any swear words. Their are adult themes of sexuality, abuse of power and death/dying throughout the novel.

Future Reads:

February: Alexandr Solzhenitsyn's One Day in the Life fo Ivan Denisovich (143 pages) 

March: The House of Spirits by Isabel Allende trans. Magda Bogin (491 pages)

April: Treacle Walker by Alan Garner (152 pages)

I'm delighted that this podcast has been voted in the Top 30 UK Books Podcasts at https://blog.feedspot.com/uk_book_podcasts/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 (published on the last Friday of the month - 27th January), we’ll look at the second half of the book (in this case from page 71 "The weather must be changing up there."). We’ll see together how the novel concludes and decide whether it’s a book we’d recommend to a friend - or not. Of course, you don’t have to read the book, you can listen to it, or just follow along without doing either since I’ll be summarising what happens (but be aware! - there will be spoilers). You can leave a comment or start a conversation at youtube.com/@BookShook or send an email to [email protected]. The book we’ll be reading for February is Alexandr Solzhenitsyn's One Day in the Life fo Ivan Denisovich (143 pages) (so get that ready if you’re going to read alongside). Thanks for listening to BookShook! Roger

Content Warning: There will be spoilers up to 50%. It is quite spooky and there are adult themes throughout the novel

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 spoilers.) And then on the last Friday of the month, I'll discuss the second half of the book. We’ll see together how the novel concludes and decide whether it’s a book we’d recommend to a friend - or not. Of course, you don’t have to read the book, you can listen to it, or just follow along without doing either since I’ll be summarising what happens (but be aware! - there will be spoilers). You can leave a comment or start a conversation at the youtube.com/@BookShook (link below) or send an email to [email protected]. The book we’ll be reading for January is Pedro Páramo by Juan Rulfo (trans. Margaret Sayers Peden) (139 pages) — we’ll be reading up to page 72 (so get that ready if you’re going to read alongside me). The first episode will be on 13th January. Thanks for listening to BookShook! Roger

All episodes can be listened and discussed at youtube.com/@BookShook

Future Reads:

January: Pedro Páramo by Juan Rulfo (trans. Margaret Sayers Peden) (139 pages) 

February:One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn trans. Ralph Parker(143 pages)

I'm delighted that this podcast has been voted in the Top 30 UK Books Podcasts at https://blog.feedspot.com/uk_book_podcasts/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 December), we’ll look at the second half of the book (in this case from 'Medal' on page 332). We’ll see together how the novel concludes and decide whether it’s a book we’d recommend to a friend - or not. Of course, you don’t have to read the book, you can listen to it, or just follow along without doing either since I’ll be summarising what happens (but be aware! - there will be spoilers). You can leave a comment or start a conversation at youtube.com/@BookShook or send an email to [email protected]. The book we’ll be reading for January is Pedro Páramo by Juan Rulfo (trans. Margaret Sayers Peden) (139 pages) (so get that ready if you’re going to read alongside). Thanks for listening to BookShook! Roger

Future Reads:

January: Pedro Páramo by Juan Rulfo (trans. Margaret Sayers Peden) (139 pages) 

February: One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn trans. Ralph Parker(143 pages)

I'm delighted that this podcast has been voted in the Top 30 UK Books Podcasts at https://blog.feedspot.com/uk_book_podcasts/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 novel (be aware - there may be spoilers.) And then on the last Friday of the month, I'll discuss the second half of the book. We’ll see together how the novel concludes and decide whether it’s a book we’d recommend to a friend - or not. Of course, you don’t have to read the book, you can listen to it, or just follow along without doing either since I’ll be summarising what happens (but be aware! - there will be spoilers). You can leave a comment or start a conversation at youtube.com/@BookShook or send an email to [email protected]. The book we’ll be reading for December is Hao Jingfang's Vagabonds trans. Ken Liu(594pages) — we’ll be reading up to Page 332, the chapter entitled 'Medal' (so get that ready if you’re going to read alongside me). The first episode will be on 9th December. Thanks for listening to BookShook! Roger

Content Warning: There will be spoilers. 

Future Reads:

December: Hao Jingfang's Vagabonds trans. Ken Liu (594pages) 

January: Pedro Páramo by Juan Rulfo (139 pages) 

I'm delighted that this podcast has been voted in the Top 30 UK Books Podcasts at https://blog.feedspot.com/uk_book_podcasts/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 the month - 25th November), we’ll look at the second half of the book (in this case from page 146 - chapter 14 'Frieda's Reproach'). We’ll see together how the novel concludes and decide whether it’s a book we’d recommend to a friend - or not. Of course, you don’t have to read the book, you can listen to it, or just follow along without doing either since I’ll be summarising what happens (but be aware! - there will be spoilers). You can leave a comment or start a conversation at the BookShook YouTube channel (link below) or send an email to [email protected]. The book we’ll be reading for December is Hao Jingfang's Vagabonds trans. Ken Liu(594pages) (so get that ready if you’re going to read alongside). Thanks for listening to BookShook! Roger

Content Warning: There will be spoilers. 

This episode will be available until $ThisMonth+3$ but all episodes can be listened and discussed at the BookShook YouTube channel 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-UchFXG7hqzGyGQ7l1YIpg

Future Reads:

December: Hao Jingfang's Vagabonds trans. Ken Liu(594pages) 

January: Pedro Páramo by Juan Rulfo (139 pages) 

Links:

Guardian Article on Wide Sargasso Sea: https://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2014/jul/15/book-beach-wide-sargasso-sea-jean-rhys

I'm delighted that this podcast has been voted in the Top 30 UK Books Podcasts at https://blog.feedspot.com/uk_book_podcasts/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 the last Friday of the month, I'll discuss the second half of the book. We’ll see together how the novel concludes and decide whether it’s a book we’d recommend to a friend - or not. Of course, you don’t have to read the book, you can listen to it, or just follow along without doing either since I’ll be summarising what happens (but be aware! - there will be spoilers). You can leave a comment or start a conversation at the BookShook YouTube channel (link below) or send an email to [email protected]. The book we’ll be reading for November is The Castle by Franz Kafka (280 pages) — we’ll be reading up to Chapter 14 'Frieda's Reproach' (so get that ready if you’re going to read alongside me). The first episode will be on 11th November. Thanks for listening to BookShook! Roger

Content Warning: It is assumed that you have read the first half of the novel so their may be spoilers up to 50%. I also read Jane Eyre in preparation for this podcast, and although I’ve tried to alert to any possible spoilers where possible, if you hate spoilers, my advice would be to read that book before listening. There are references to the following topics in the book: arson, mental illness, racism. I don’t use any swear words in this podcast. The n-word is used widely throughout the novel and any quotations from the novel that contain this word have been replaced with the phrase “n-word”. Also, apologies for not pronouncing Jean correctly. If there is anything I have missed, do let me know. This podcast as always, is a learning process for me. I’m learning from the novels , and also learning how to communicate effectively the ideas in the novels. Thanks. 

All episodes can be listened and discussed at the BookShook YouTube channel 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-UchFXG7hqzGyGQ7l1YIpg

Future Reads:

November: The Castle by Franz Kafka (280 pages) 

December: Vagabonds by Hao Jingfang (trans. by Ken Liu) 642 pages

I'm delighted that this podcast has been voted in the Top 30 UK Books Podcasts at https://blog.feedspot.com/uk_book_podcasts/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 of the month - $Part2EpisodeDate$ October), we’ll look at the second half of the book (in this case from page 77). We’ll see together how the novel concludes and decide whether it’s a book we’d recommend to a friend - or not. Of course, you don’t have to read the book, you can listen to it, or just follow along without doing either since I’ll be summarising what happens (but be aware! - there will be spoilers). You can leave a comment or start a conversation at the BookShook YouTube channel (link below) or send an email to [email protected]. The book we’ll be reading for November is The Castle by Franz Kafka (280 pages) (so get that ready if you’re going to read alongside). Thanks for listening to BookShook! Roger

Content Warning: It is assumed that you have read the first half of the novel so their may be spoilers up to 50%. I also read Jane Eyre in preparation for this podcast, and although I’ve tried to alert to any possible spoilers where possible, if you hate spoilers, my advice would be to read that book before listening.  There are references to the following topics in the book: arson, mental illness, racism.  I don’t use any swear words in this podcast. The n-word is used widely throughout the novel and any quotations from the novel that contain this word have been replaced with the phrase “n-word”.  If there is anything I have missed, do let me know. This podcast as always, is a learning process for me. I’m learning from the novels , and also learning how to communicate effectively the ideas in the novels. Thanks. 

All episodes can be listened and discussed at the BookShook YouTube channel 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-UchFXG7hqzGyGQ7l1YIpg

Future Reads:

November: The Castle by Franz Kafka (280 pages) 

December: Vagabonds by Hao Jingfang (trans. by Ken Liu) 642 pages

January: $ThisMonth+3Book+Author+PageCount$

I'm delighted that this podcast has been voted in the Top 30 UK Books Podcasts at https://blog.feedspot.com/uk_book_podcasts/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.