Louise Cooney's Open Book

In the bonus episode of Open Book, Louise offers an insight to her week and shares a sneak peek at the main episode which comes out on Wednesday. As an extra treat to mark the launch of the second season, this bonus episode has two guests who each pick a random question from a deck of conversation cards! Rachel Gorry tells Louise what she still wants to do before she dies, while New York Times best selling author of the No F*cks Given Guides Sarah Knight reveals the best piece of advice she ever received.

For the first episode of the new season, Louise was joined by Rachel Gorry. When Rachel’s husband was diagnosed with cancer at just 29, she began sharing their journey online. She has continued to be open with her followers about the grief she experienced in the wake of his death.

She gave Louise an insight into how it feels to achieve success and see her daughters grow without her husband by her side as well as revealing why her visit to a medium was so shocking.

For the last episode of the season, Louise opens the book on Ireland's new star baker, Una Leonard. Una's business 2210 Patisserie took over Instagram during the pandemic with pink boxes of joy making their way the length and breadth of the country, but there's more to this Entrepreneurial Author than meets the eye. Una generously tells Louise of the mental health struggles that could have cut her incredible story short, and proves the well-known idiom, "you should never judge a book by its cover".

Tis the season for a good long chinwag! Louise and her producer, Sarah discuss the rising ruthlessness of Dublin City clampers, whether pottering is a legitimate form of cardio and why graphic sex scenes should be permanently banned from books.

Welcome back to Open Book, the podcast all about life and the stories that shape. This week Louise opens the book on Geraldine Lavelle an ordinary woman with an extraordinary story. Geraldine's life was blown off course when a car crashed into her bicycle, leaving her paralyzed from the chest down. Nine years on, Geraldine is living independently, has a new partner and advocates for those with disabilities in Ireland. She released a book about her recovery, Weathering the Storm, and she tells Louise how she did just that.

This week Louise is opening the book on Hazel Wallace, Medical Doctor, Founder of The Food Medic and Author of The Female Factor. Hazel talks about how her Father's death changed the course of her story, why female health is still a very much undiscovered country and how learning to love herself in lockdown led to the healthiest relationship of her life.

Book List:

The Female Factor, Hazel Wallace

Attached, Rachel S. F. Heller

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone

Welcome back to another episode of Louise Cooney’s Open Book – the book podcast you don’t need to be a reader to enjoy. This week Louise sits down with her Producer, Sarah for a good books / bad books catch up and an Open Book Club check in. Caterpillar cake is on the menu while The Crown and Unsolicited advice are up for debate and Gabrielle Zevin’s, Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow splits listeners and hosts alike. PLUS red flags for toxic relationships and why being single *ahem* longer may be the best thing for you. If you have any book recommendations, feedback or questions you'd like to ask, do email the podcast at [email protected]. Join the book club and read along with the latest selection at @louisesbookclub on Instagram and follow the girls while you're there at @louisecooney_ and @sarahmaddening. Happy Reading, Listeners!

Book List:

Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow, Gabrielle Zevin

Normal People, Sally Rooney

The craic is mighty on the pod this week as Louise opens the book on Emma Doran. Between ginger pubes and the benefits of self-hatred, Comedian Emma talks about the unplanned pregnancy that became her life's biggest plot twist, how being vulnerable is the only way to love and why stand-up comedy can't be learned in books.

Book List:

The Twits, Roald Dahl

The Diary of Tracy Beeker, Jaqueline Wilson

Watermelon, Marian Keyes

Rachel’s Holiday, Marian Keyes

An Away, Bob Mortimer

Halloween costumes, pints of the black stuff and the dreaded return of heels all make Louise and Sarah’s good and bad books this week. The book club check in takes a murderous turn while Letters from the Litterati sparks hot (water bottle) debates. If you have any book recommendations, feedback or questions you'd like to ask, do email the podcast at [email protected]. Join the book club and read along with the latest selection at @louisesbookclub on Instagram and follow the girls while you're there at @louisecooney_ and @sarahmaddening. Happy Reading, Listeners!

Book List:

Forever Home, Grahame Norton

The God of Small Things, Arundathi Roy

Magpie, Elizabeth Day

Trouble, Marise Gaughan

There’s been a little incident, Alice Ryan

Shoedog, Phil Knight

Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow, Gabrielle Zevin

This week Louise is joined by her close friend Terrie McEvoy – a hugely successful business woman, nurse and fellow book lover. They discuss a childhood spent reading and the books which influenced all that came later.

Book List:

Goosebumps, R. L. Stine

The Twits, Roald Dahl

The Secret, Rhonda Byrne

When All Is Said, Anne Griffin

What I Know for Sure, Oprah Winfrey

Home Stretch, Graham Norton

The Heart's Invisible Furies, John Boyne