In this episode of the Quick Book Reviews podcast, Philippa chats with Victoria from the BookTube channel What Victoria Read about books, community, and the growing reading crisis in UK schools.

Victoria has been creating BookTube content for over seven years and is also an English teacher, giving her a unique perspective on how reading habits are changing — both online and in the classroom.

Together, Philippa and Victoria discuss:

• What BookTube is and why it matters
• Building an online bookish community
• Honesty and authenticity in book reviewing
• Charity fundraising through BookTube
• Teaching English in secondary schools
• The reality of falling reading levels in children
• Why reading for pleasure is so important
• How schools try to engage reluctant readers
• Why it doesn’t matter what you read — just that you read
• Audiobooks, rereading favourites, and TBR piles
• Book recommendations from the past year
• And, of course, a very important discussion about biscuits 🍪

Victoria also shares her three magic-wand wishes to help solve the reading crisis and offers thoughtful advice for anyone thinking of starting their own BookTube channel.

Books mentioned in this episode include:

• Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins
• Human Rights by Juno Dawson
• Wayward by Amelia Hart

🎥 Find Victoria on YouTube: What Victoria Read https://www.youtube.com/@WhatVictoriaRead

🎧 New episodes of Quick Book Reviews every Monday & Friday (and occasionally on Wednesdays)

Follow Quick Book Reviews for book recommendations, author interviews, and weekly podcast episodes.

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Secret Books You Need to Know + C.E. Hulse on Writing the Perfect Page-Turner

I interview C E Hulse about Vivian Dies Again and tell you about 5 books I don’t think you know about.

You can buy Vivian Dies Again here: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/16356/9781805226260

You can contact me (Philippa )at: 

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Philippa interviews Sarah Vaughan about her new book out in March called Based on a True Story.

You can pre-order Based On A True Story here: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/16356/9781398502086

You can contact Philippa at: 

Email [email protected]

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Kickstarting 2026: The New Year Book Tag + Alison Barrow on What We’ll Be Reading

I chat to Alison Barrow, PR Director for Transworld. You can find more information here: https://www.penguin.co.uk/about/publishing-houses/transworld

 Plus I do the New Year Book Tag:

• How many books are you planning to read in 2026? What are your plans?
• Name 5 books that you didn’t get to read in the past year but want to make a priority in 2026?
• What genre do you want to read more of?
• Name 3 not-related-to-book goals for 2026?
• What’s a book you have had forever and are determined to read?
• One word that you’re hoping 2026 will be?

You can contact me (Philippa) at: 

Email [email protected]

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In this special episode of Quick Book Reviews, we’re talking about one of the biggest questions in modern reading life: why use an eReader — and which one is best?

We explore the joys and quirks of reading digitally and compare Kindle vs Kobo, looking at how each device fits into a book lover’s world. From the feel of the reading experience to buying books, borrowing from libraries, discovering new authors, and settling in for long reading sessions, we weigh up what really matters to readers.

Whether you’re devoted to your Kindle, tempted by Kobo, or simply wondering if an eReader belongs alongside your physical books, this episode is a thoughtful, reader-led guide to choosing the eReader that suits your reading life best.

You can contact Philippa at: 

Email [email protected]

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The 2025 Book Awards (According to Me): My Top Reads of the Year

You can contact Philippa at: 

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In Conversation with Brad Fitt: Pantomime, Boxing Day & the Books He Loves. You can buy tickets for Brad Fitt's pantomime here:https://www.theatresevern.co.uk/whats-on/dick-whittington/

You can follow Brad Fitt on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bradfitt75

You can contact Philippa at: 

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I review The Odessa File by Frederick Forsyth, I talk to Alison Barrow (PR Director at Transworld) and I interview Marisa Kashino about Best Offer Wins, which is available now in the US and will be published on 15th January 2026 in the UK

You can pre-order Best Offer Wins here: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/16356/9781529963595

You can contact Philippa at: 

Email [email protected]

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It Should Have Been You by Andrea Mara, can be bought here: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/16356/9780857505873

All Her Fault by Andrea Mara, can be bought here: https://uk.bookshop.org/a/16356/9781804998427

You can contact Philippa at: 

Email [email protected]

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Philippa reviews eight thrilling reads out in 2026

You can contact Philippa at: 

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