Reading for Attention

In this week's super speshy New Year’s Eve eppy, Paul and Sarah haven't even read a book (and they are buzzing about it). Instead, they talk about their favourite 2021 moments, from Ukrainian bangers to Kim Kardashian serving Met Gala dementor chic. But most importantly, they reminisce about the moments that earned them their biggest dollop of that gorgeous gorgeous attention. 

See you in the New Year huns!

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

The Christmas Special episode of Reading for Attention is here! This week, Paul and Sarah snuggle up with a toasty mug of mulled wine and a hunky lumberjack-cum-Santa (pun absolutely intended). Keira Andrews leaves readers tingly in the nether regions and definitely on the naughty list with her tale of Hunter and Nick, an unlikely pair who find themselves snowed in and together on Nick's Christmas Tree farm. Now everyone knows the fastest way to warm up is to strip off, and Nick and Hunter waste no time in doing just that.

The pair then discuss their festive traditions, and come up with a plan for how Saz should spend her first Christmas alone now she’s been struck down by the Omicron. Anything for attention, eh?

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

In episode 8 of Reading for Attention, Paul and Sarah make their first foray into the world of non-fiction, chatting about Shon Faye's The Transgender Issue: An Argument for Justice. While most people spent their lockdowns making shit banana bread and crying, Shon Faye penned a Sunday Times bestseller which explores transgender liberation in the UK. The Transgender Issue is as urgent as it is accessible and Paul and Sazza bloody love it, getting so deep in convo they forget to drink their Filthy Dirty Martinis (for about five minutes).

Later, Sarah and Paul revel in the glory of their first fan mail before sharing their enormously advanced political views, like which politician they'd allow to clasp their buttock if they absolutely had to choose. Finally they get (too) excited about next week's naughty Christmas spesh. Enjoy huns!

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

In episode 7 of Reading for Attention, Paul and Sarah discuss Damon Galgut’s The Promise, winner of the 2021 Man Booker Prize. The novel follows the Swarts family through four decades, beginning in 1986, and maps the trickle-down effects of societal and cultural changes in South Africa. Galgut packs a helluva lot into this family saga including death, racism, dark humour and an unexpected line about a fart. Get ready for Sarah to gush over this one - hooray, she finally likes one of the books!

Later, Paul and Sarah play Mr and Mrs (who do they think they are, Vernon Kay and Tess Daly?) whilst glugging the world’s most alcoholic glass of milk. They debate who’s the best looking, who drinks the most and, the toughest question of all, who’s the funniest?

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

In episode 6 of Reading for Attention, Paul and Sarah discuss Zakiya Dalila Harris’s hotly anticipated debut novel, The Other Black Girl. 

Nella is the only black employee at the esteemed publishing house, Wagner Books. A young and ambitious assistant editor, she endures daily racist microaggressions from her white colleagues. When Hazel - another black woman - joins the company, Nella is thrilled. Hazel might just been the ally and confidante Nella needs to move up the ranks and move stuffy Wagner Books into the 21st century.

Then things take a chilling turn. 

Widely marketed as Get Out meets The Devil Wears Prada, Paul and Sarah decide to glug down a few Spicy 50s – a cocktail that lulls you in with sweet overtones, then delivers a powerful kick. And a spicy rim.

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

On this week’s episode of Reading for Attention, Paul and Sarah ramble on about Matt Haig’s 2020 smash hit, The Midnight Library, which captured the world’s collective heart, selling 2 million copies in less than a year. 

Join Nora Seed in The Midnight Library, a magical realm betwixt life and death where it is possible to undo all the regrets you want. This would be helpful for Paul and Sarah who have bloody loads of regrets. (Well, Paul does.)

Now, what drink pairs beautifully with a book about regret? That’s easy: Death in the Afternoon, a potent blend of champagne (prosecco, obv) and 70% absinthe. Ernest Hemingway invented it, so it’s got to be classy and delicious, right? 

When Sarah and Paul are suitably mortal, listen to them recall embarrassing stories from their respective youths, kept secret for decades. Until now.

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

In this week's episode of Reading for Attention, Paul and Sarah dive into the mobster-ruled world of Harlem in the late 1950s. Colson Whitehead's eighth novel, Harlem Shuffle, is a story divided into three parts, woven together through deliciously detailed settings, complex characters, and sociopolitical issues that still bear true almost seventy years later. 

Despite the heavy themes, Paul and Sarah decided to wash this one down with The Harlem, a delightfully fruity cocktail of gin, pineapple juice and maraschino liqueur. Well, that's what it's supposed to be...

The pair then go on to discuss all the things they did as children to get a taste of that sweet, sweet attention. The the exhaustive list comprises saxophone playing, skull breaking and winning BBC's Pointless. Y'know, the usual. 

Follow Reading For Attention on Instagram: @readingforattention 

Email your book/drink recommendations to [email protected] and tell us all of your attention-seeking stories.

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

Episode 3 of Reading for Attention is here!

Paul and Sarah chat about Bryan Washington’s debut novel, Memorial, which earned him critical acclaim AND the Stonewall Book Award 2021. Talk about attention-seeking. Memorial is partly set in Japan so the drink this week is a mega-classy Lychee Sake Martini. Delicious. (And dangerous, because there’s no mixer.) When the book chat and cocktails run dry, Paul looks forward to his upcoming 30th birthday and all the attention it will bring him.

Follow Reading For Attention on Instagram: @readingforattention 

Email your book/drink recommendations to [email protected] and tell us all of your attention-seeking stories.

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

Episode 2 of Reading for Attention is here! 

This week Paul and Sarah discuss Kazuo Ishiguro's newest novel Klara and the Sun. The eighth novel by the Nobel Prize-winning author is a dystopian sci-fi set in a sometimes horrifying close future but with a sunny outlook. So sunny, in fact, that Paul and Sarah decide to wash it down with a tequila sunrise and some questionable imaginings of the main character's physical appearance. If you're sentient - enjoy! 

Follow Reading For Attention on Instagram: @readingforattention 

Email your book/drink recommendations to [email protected] and tell us all of your attention-seeking stories.

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

The first episode of Reading for Attention is here! 

This week Paul and Sarah discuss Sally Rooney's latest release Beautiful World Where Are You. Widely considered as one of the first writers to really capture the 'millenial voice', Rooney skyrocketed to the top of national and international bestseller lists with her second novel Normal People. Released in September Beautiful World demonstrates once more Rooney's clean and cool style that her fans have come to know and love. Listen in as Paul and Sarah try and drown their jealousy in a mug of spiked tea.

Follow Reading For Attention on Instagram: @readingforattention 

Email your book/drink recommendations to [email protected] and tell us all of your attention-seeking stories.

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