Teaching My Cat To Read: The “very serious” Book Review Podcast

We asked you to send in your burning questions - about books, cats, podcasting, and everything in between - and you delivered. From favourite reads and guilty pleasure genres to behind-the-scenes podcast stories (and a few chaotic tangents), we’re answering them all.

Whether you’ve been here since episode one or you’re brand new to the show, this is a perfect chance to get to know us better and hear more about the books we love, the characters we can’t stop talking about, and what really happens when the mics are off.

So grab a cup of tea, settle in with your favourite furry friend, and join us for a cosy, chatty episode full of book recommendations, reader confessions, and a whole lot of laughter.

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Recommend us a Book!
If there’s a book you want to recommend to us to read, just send us a message/email and we’ll pop it on our long list (but please read our review policy on our website first for the books we accept).

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This week, we’re diving into Carry On, Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse, a collection of short stories that perfectly captures the hilariously lopsided dynamic between the clueless Bertie Wooster and his unflappable valet, Jeeves. If you’ve never read Wodehouse before, this is the perfect entry point-sharp, charming, and laugh-out-loud funny.

In this episode, we talk about what makes the Jeeves and Wooster stories so enduring, from Wodehouse’s pitch-perfect dialogue to the delightful absurdity of upper-crust London life. We’ll share our favorite stories from the collection, highlight some of the best one-liners, and celebrate Jeeves as the quiet mastermind behind every narrowly-avoided disaster.

Whether you're revisiting these stories or meeting Bertie and Jeeves for the first time, join us for a joyful, breezy conversation about one of comedy literature’s most iconic duos.

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Recommend us a Book!
If there’s a book you want to recommend to us to read, just send us a message/email and we’ll pop it on our long list (but please read our review policy on our website first for the books we accept).

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This week, we’re talking about All Systems Red by Martha Wells, the first novella in the Murderbot Diaries series-and it’s safe to say we’re officially obsessed. With a title like Murderbot, you’d expect chaos (and there’s plenty), but what really caught us is the dry humor, the unexpected heart, and one of the most relatable AI narrators we’ve ever met.

In this episode, we dive into Murderbot’s struggle with autonomy, its complicated relationship with humans, and how this quick-paced sci-fi story manages to balance action, existential questions, and awkward social interactions, all in under 150 pages.

Whether you’re new to the series or already binge-reading the sequels, come hang out as we break down what makes All Systems Red such a smart, funny, and surprisingly emotional ride through the galaxy.

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Recommend us a Book!
If there’s a book you want to recommend to us to read, just send us a message/email and we’ll pop it on our long list (but please read our review policy on our website first for the books we accept).

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This week, we’re stepping into the quiet village of St. Mary Mead—where, naturally, a murder has just taken place. We're talking about Murder at the Vicarage, Agatha Christie’s first full length novel to feature the sharp-eyed, quietly brilliant Miss Marple.

In this episode, we dig into what makes this book such a good introductory read to one of Christie’s most beloved detectives. We’ll talk red herrings, small-town secrets, and why this seemingly peaceful village is the perfect setting for a whodunnit. Plus, we’ll share our favorite suspects, biggest surprises, and what we love about Christie’s clever plotting and dry wit.

Whether you’re new to Miss Marple or revisiting her first case, join us as we unravel the mystery at the vicarage—one suspicious clue at a time.

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Recommend us a Book!
If there’s a book you want to recommend to us to read, just send us a message/email and we’ll pop it on our long list (but please read our review policy on our website first for the books we accept).

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In this mini episode we re-cap the Agatha Christie Novel “Death on the Nile”. Note, we will spoil the plot of this book in this mini episode. 

The Back of the book:

“The tranquility of a cruise along the Nile is shattered by the discovery that Linnet Ridgeway has been shot through the head. She was young, stylish and beautiful, a girl who had everything – until she lost her life.

Hercule Poirot recalls an earlier outburst by a fellow passenger: ‘I’d like to put my dear little pistol against her head and just press the trigger.’ Yet in this exotic setting’ nothing is ever quite what it seems…”

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Recommend us a Book!
If there’s a book you want to recommend to us to read, just send us a message/email and we’ll pop it on our long list (but please read our review policy on our website first for the books we accept).

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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFXi9LNQv8SBQt8ilgTZXtQ

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We’re back for part two of our deep dive into Harrow the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir—because let’s be honest, one episode wasn’t nearly enough. In this follow-up discussion, we’re untangling all the parts we didn't get to discuss in the first half - where things get even more mind-bending, the emotional stakes rise, and the mysteries lurking behind the Locked Tomb start to come into sharper (and stranger) focus.

We’ll talk about the reveals that had us flipping back through chapters, the shifting identities, and what it all might mean for Harrow, Gideon, and the rest of the Emperor’s chosen. Expect a mix of wild theories, quiet heartbreak, and plenty of awe at how Muir manages to keep us both lost and totally hooked.

If you’ve finished Harrow the Ninth and need a space to process everything—or you’re just here to scream about THAT ending—you’re in the right place.

Support the show

Recommend us a Book!
If there’s a book you want to recommend to us to read, just send us a message/email and we’ll pop it on our long list (but please read our review policy on our website first for the books we accept).

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We’re back in the world of necromancers and space palaces with *Harrow the Ninth* by Tamsyn Muir—and things are even weirder (and more brilliant) than before. If you caught our episode on *Gideon the Ninth*, you know we’re already obsessed with this series. Now, we’re diving headfirst into Harrow’s fractured mind, impossible timelines, and a story that refuses to play by the rules.  

In the next two episodes, we unpack the chaos, the heartbreak, and the genius of Muir’s writing. We’ll talk about what makes Harrow such a complex and fascinating character, how this book messes with memory and reality, and why—despite the confusion—it all somehow works.  

So if you’ve read *Harrow the Ninth* and need someone to yell about it with, or you’re just curious what all the buzz is about, this one’s for you. Just be warned: nothing in the Locked Tomb series is ever straightforward—but that’s part of the fun.

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Recommend us a Book!
If there’s a book you want to recommend to us to read, just send us a message/email and we’ll pop it on our long list (but please read our review policy on our website first for the books we accept).

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Before we read and discuss the second book in “The Locked Tomb” series, we thought we would revisit the first book, “Gideon the Ninth”, and ask questions we hadn’t asked before. Note, this episode features spoilers for the book. 

The Back of the Book:

“The Emperor needs necromancers.

The Ninth Necromancer needs a swordswoman.

Gideon has a sword, some dirty magazines, and no more time for undead nonsense.

Brought up by unfriendly, ossifying nuns, ancient retainers, and countless skeletons, Gideon is ready to abandon a life of servitude and an afterlife as a reanimated corpse. She packs up her sword, her shoes, and her dirty magazines, and prepares to launch her daring escape. But her childhood nemesis won’t set her free without a service.

Harrowhark Nonagesimus, Reverend Daughter of the Ninth House and bone witch extraordinaire, has been summoned into action. The Emperor has invited the heirs to each of his loyal Houses to a deadly trial of wits and skill. If Harrowhark succeeds she will be become an immortal, all-powerful servant of the Resurrection, but no necromancer can ascend without their cavalier. Without Gideon’s sword, Harrow will fail, and the Ninth House will die.

Of course, some things are better left dead.”

Support the show

Recommend us a Book!
If there’s a book you want to recommend to us to read, just send us a message/email and we’ll pop it on our long list (but please read our review policy on our website first for the books we accept).

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In this episode, we’re digging into *The Red-Headed League*, one of the most clever and entertaining short stories from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes collection. Join us as we follow Holmes and Watson through a bizarre case involving a mysterious job posting, a suspicious employer, and a scheme that’s far more serious than it first appears.  

We’ll talk about the charm of Holmes’s deductive genius, the humor woven into the story, and why this particular case has remained a fan favorite for generations. It’s a quick read, but packed with twists, quirky characters, and that classic Holmes flair.  

Whether you’re new to Sherlock Holmes or a lifelong fan, this episode is a fun dive into one of his most memorable mysteries.

Content Warnings
NA

Support the show

Recommend us a Book!
If there’s a book you want to recommend to us to read, just send us a message/email and we’ll pop it on our long list (but please read our review policy on our website first for the books we accept).

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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFXi9LNQv8SBQt8ilgTZXtQ

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In this episode, we’re talking all things The Hunger Games—the book that took the world by storm and redefined YA dystopian fiction. We’ll dive into what makes this story so gripping, from the intense survival stakes to the sharp social commentary woven into Panem’s brutal world.

We’ll break down Katniss Everdeen as a protagonist, the tension of the Games, and the deeper themes of power, control, and rebellion that still feel just as relevant today. Plus, we’ll share our favorite moments, biggest shocks, and how this book set the stage for a whole new era of storytelling.

Whether you’ve read it a dozen times or are picking it up for the first time, join us for a fun, thoughtful conversation about why The Hunger Games still hits just as hard as it did when it first came out.

Content Warnings
Child death

Support the show

Recommend us a Book!
If there’s a book you want to recommend to us to read, just send us a message/email and we’ll pop it on our long list (but please read our review policy on our website first for the books we accept).

Social Media
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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFXi9LNQv8SBQt8ilgTZXtQ

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