Eowyn Ivey, the million copy-selling author of The Snow Child, has been wanting to tell the story of her childhood her whole adult life. In her new novel, Black Woods, Blue Sky, she draws upon her experiences of violence growing up, as well as classic fairy tales, such as Beauty And The Beast to do just that. Jen chats to Eowyn about the book, the duality of humans, becoming the literary toast of the town, and Alaska’s main character energy.

Black Woods, Blue Sky is available now and you can watch an online event with Eowyn and Rachel Joyce online here.

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‘Seasoned feminist hag’ Victoria Smith is sick to the back teeth of women being told to ‘just be kind’. This was catnip to our Mickey, who you’ll already have heard wanging on about Victoria’s 2023 book, Hags: The Demonisation of Middle-Aged Women, which asks why middle-aged women are treated with such active disdain and traces the hatred and fear of them back through history.

To be clear, Victoria's latest book, Unkind: How ‘Be Kind’ Entrenches Sexism, has no beef with actual kindness – in fact, she’s a big fan – but instead looks at how three little words – “just be kind” – can cost women way too much. And how a baked potato brought perspective.

Both of Victoria’s books are available now, and you’ll find her on X and Bluesky @glosswitch.

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Comedian, podcaster, novelist and mum-of-three, Sophie

McCartney initially found fame with her hilarious online content, which she

started posting when the Covid lockdown put her fledgling stand-up career on

hold. Since then, she hasn’t looked back, publishing her Sunday Times-bestselling

debut Mother Hens in 2023. And now she's about to embark on

her biggest tour to date, One Foot in the Rave. Jen catches up with

Sophie to talk about the ageing process, “having it all”, and why becoming a

mum doesn’t have to mean the end of your ambitions.

Tickets for One Foot in the Rave are on sale now.

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Mickey doesn't like jazz, Jen doesn't like long films and Hannah doesn't like Jude Law's face. So how is The Talented Mr Ripley going to go down in this week's Rated or Dated? Only one way to find out...

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Don’t Make Me Laugh is telly writer and broadcaster Julia Raeside’s debut novel. Set in the world of UK standup, Julia’s using pure fiction (honest guv!) and dark humour to look at the men lurking in the big, murky, grey area between ‘bad, wrong and damaging’ behaviour and the kind of actual crimes punishable by law. She chats to our Mick about the many blokes hiding in those shadows, the women working to out them, and the importance of shining a light on these pricks via conversation. 

Don’t Make Me Laugh is published by Bedford Square and out now.

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Ever got drunk and started a punk band? Playwright Laura Horton has and, in today's podcast, she's chatting to Hannah about Lynn Faces, her play about the impact of coercive control and starting a punk band, all inspired by her own experiences. They also talk about the arts in the South West and the many other interesting women in Laura's family.

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Mercy, it's cold out. So if your plan is to spend the weekend inside, under a blanket, here's this month's telly round-up to help you make some smart viewing choices. We're talking about Severance, Am I Being Unreasonable?, Apple Cider Vinegar, Boyzone: No Matter What, Brian and Maggie, Unforgotten and Minx.

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Still reeling from the prospect of being dissed by a man in bootcut jeans, it's Hannah and Jen on Bush Telegraph duties. They’re looking at how Chelsea forward and Australia captain Sam Kerr found herself on the right side of the law and wondering why it was ever in question. Meanwhile, scrutiny of Kim Leadbeater’s Assisted Dying Bill has revealed it's starting to look like it isn't what MPs signed up for. Also featuring: Terminator roads, exceptional mumming and unexceptional headline-writing, and a spot of tennis.

You can watch Sophy Ridge’s piece on changes to the Assisted Dying Bill here, and find out more about Not Dead Yet here.

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Harrison Ford, Kelly McGillis and a very young Lukas Haas star in Peter Weir’s understated action movie, in which a young Amish boy witnesses the murder of a police officer and only one man can solve the crime. Ford, it’s Harrison Ford. 

But what do Jen and Mick make of a less swaggering hero? Should Kelly McGillis have got her tits out? What does the film (maybe) say about gun control? And why can’t Jen recognise people in films?

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Currently taking telly by (gentle) storm, Miss Austen is screenwriter Andrea Gibb’s beautiful four-part adaptation of Gill Hornby’s historical fiction for the BBC. Mick caught up with Andrea to talk sisterly love, having one of our most revered writers in your hands, the question of legacy, the bitter joy of Mary Bunbury, and, actually, having a soft spot for Brontë.

Miss Austen is available on the iPlayer

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