Dorothy Canfield Fisher, Rosemary Sutcliff, and the scope of the books we love. Happy February!

In the first half of this episode, we discuss small world vs wide world in novels – do we like small communities or novels where characters move around a lot? In the second half, we find out what the other thought of our recommendations. I thought Rachel would love Blue Remembered Hills by Rosemary Sutcliff; she thought I’d love Seasoned Timber by Dorothy Canfield Fisher. Did we get it right?

You can support the podcast on Patreon, find us on iTunes, and rate/review us in your podcast app. We love it when people do – many thanks, sloutro, for your recent review! Do let us know any topic ideas you’d like us to discuss. And here is my LibraryThing catalogue, as mentioned!

The books and authors we mention in this episode are:

The Crimson and the White by Michel Faber

The books we hate (and should we tell you?) and Elizabeth Gaskell vs Jane Austen.

In the first half of this episode, we talk about the books we’ve hated – prepare for things to get contentious! – and then, perhaps belatedly, debate whether or not we should keep those opinions to ourselves. In the second half (thanks to a recommendation by Rebekah), we compare two nineteenth-century classics: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen and North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell.

You can support the podcast at Patreon (with a bunch of reward levels, including getting a book sent to you each month), visit our iTunes page, rate and review wherever you get podcasts, or just listen to the episode. Let us know which books you hate, and any suggestions you have for the podcast.

Apologies for some Skype issues we had while recording this, but hopefully you can work out what’s going on! We had to stop and start a few times in places.

The books and authors we mention in this episode are:

Crossing to Safety by Wallace Stegner

Edward Carey and books as gifts – happy new year; we’re back!

We had a bit of a longer break over Christmas, but we’re back and raring to go with a post-Christmas discussion about whether or not we like giving books as gifts and receiving books as gifts. Which transforms into giving vs receiving at some point. We’re nothing if not flexible.

In the second half, we’re uncharacteristically modern – with two novels from the 21st century! Edward Carey’s Alva & Irva and Little go head to head.

You can support the podcast on Patreon, view our iTunes page, and subscribe to the podcast via your usual podcast provider. We’re always keen to hear ideas from people, so do get in touch.

The books and authors we mention in this episode are:

Stoner by John Williams

Elizabeth Bowen, Elizabeth Taylor, and venturing into the worldly…

In the first half of this episode, we look at… domestic books vs worldly books? Or something like that? We never quite worked out what we meant, but we still had things to say. In the second half, we look at two collections of short stories by Elizabeths – Elizabeth Taylor’s The Devastating Boys and a collection of Elizabeth Bowen’s stories called The Demon Lover (UK edition) and Ivy Gripped The Steps (US edition). I wasn’t sure we’d manage to disentangle them, but I think we got there.

Do let us know what you think, or any suggestions for future episodes (and thanks for those that have been sent recently!) You can support the podcast on Patreon, view our iTunes page, or find us in your podcast app of choice.

The books and authors we mention in this episode are:

Pigs in Heaven by Barbara Kingsolver

https://www.stuckinabook.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Tea-or-Books-episode-65.mp3

In the first half, we look at cars in books and bicycles in books, as I have long threatened to do. Rachel gave in, and it turned into a fun discussion. In the second half, we look at two books that are very different but both a lot about politics – Jessica Mitford’s memoir/autobiography Hons and Rebels and Marghanita Laski’s novel Tory Heaven.

You can find us on iTunes, and now on Spotify too! (Have a search for us there.) You can also support the podcast on Patreon, and there are various rewards available there.

Oh, and the bookshop Rachel raves about has a website too.

Books and authors we mention in this episode are:

Little by Edward Carey

Paul Gallico and two World Wars – quite a mix!

In the first half of this episode, we look at the books of the World Wars – whether written at the time or later – and decide which we are more drawn to. Thanks to Faith for the suggestion!

In the second half, we compare two novels by Paul Gallico – Coronation and Love of Seven Dolls. I deleted the bit where we talked about books we’d do next time – we’d talked about The Demon Lover by Elizabeth Bowen vs The Devastating Boys by Elizabeth Taylor, but we might have to postpone that. Watch this space!

You can visit our iTunes page or our Patreon, should you so wish!

The books and authors we mention in this episode are:

The Millstone by Margaret Drabble

Women opening bookshops, and how we feel about the physical book.

In the first half of this episode, we look at first edition vs worst edition – in a fairly sprawling discussion about whether we care about first editions, how the physical condition and appearance of the book affects us, and all that sort of thing. In the second half, we look at two novels about women starting selling books – from opposite ends of the 20th century. Parnassus on Wheels by Christopher Morley was published in the 1910s and The Education of Harriet Hatfield was published in the 1980s – but which would we prefer?

You can support the podcast at Patreon and you can visit the iTunes page. Do let us know if you have any suggestions for books or topics for future episodes – we always love to hear from you!

The books and authors we mention in this episode are:

Two Lives by Janet Malcolm

Two novels by A.A. Milne and we get deep about Amazon.

https://www.stuckinabook.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Tea-or-Books-episode-62.mp3

You can see our iTunes page, and you can support the podcast at Patreon. Or you can just listen via the sound file above or through any podcast app. The blog I mention is Indie Lit Fic.

The books and authors we mention – including a mass of Hardy! – are:

Heat Wave by Penelope Lively

John Fowles, Tracy Chevalier, and eating in books – Lyme and limes, if you will!

https://www.stuckinabook.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Tea-or-Books-episode-61.mp3

You can support the podcast and get various rewards at Patreon, or visit our iTunes page. Rate and review if you can work out how and would like to!

The books and authors we mention in this episode are:

The Brontes by Juliet Barker

This episode is all about married and unmarried people – in general, and two ‘spinsters’ in particular. Buckle up!

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In the first half, we look at books with married or unmarried characters. Yes, I’m aware that that is all books. We do narrow down a little! And in the second half we narrow down to two particular unmarried women – in Winifred Watson’s Miss Pettigrew Lives For a Day and Herbert Jenkins’ Patricia Brent, Spinster. Very many thanks to Karen for suggesting the topic. It is perhaps our most controversial one ever!

The episode with me on my brother’s podcast, C to Z of Movies, is now live! Listen to us discuss films beginning with S – either on Soundcloud or via your podcast app of choice. Other links – you can support the podcast on Patreon, or visit our iTunes page, or rate and review through various apps.

The books and authors we mention in this episode are:

A Lost Lady by Willa Cather