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

Join us for a discussion of the first book in Tamora Pierce’s The Song of the Lioness series, Alanna the First Adventure. We think about what this story has to say about gender, and how it took on topics like bullying, sexism and misogyny while not even being allowed to run more than a couple hundred pages, because “it’s for children”.

Content Warnings

Discussion of misogyny and school bullying. 

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Recommend us a Book!
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It’s time for us to review another medieval poem! In this episode, we discuss “Sir Gawain and the Green Knight”. 

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is a late 14th-century chivalric romance in Middle English, with an unknown author. The title of the poem was given centuries later after it was first written. It is one of the best-known Arthurian stories, with its plot combining two types of folk motifs: the beheading game, and the exchange of winnings. The poem draws on Welsh, Irish, and English stories, as well as the French chivalric tradition. Also, it is an important example of a chivalric romance, which typically involves a hero who goes on a quest which tests his prowess.

In the episode we discuss the following translations by different translators:

• J R R Tolkien 
• Simon Armitage

We had some technical issues with this episode and had to use our backup recording, apologies for the increase in background noises, cross talk ect. 

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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Join us for a special episode of Teaching My Cat To Read, where Eli brings some beloved guests on board to discuss Kim Newman's Anno Dracula. We talk about whether vampires are always sexy, how many fun literary cameos an author can include before it gets annoying, and exactly what on earth is going on in this book. Please mind the content notes; this episode is a little heavier than usual.

Content Notes
Discussion of extreme violence, homophobia, xenophobia, suicide, ableism, sexual content and harm to animals

Guest Links
Charlotte’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/charlie_isnt_a_guy
Tell it to the Bees by Emma K. Leadley: http://www.newconpress.co.uk/info/book.asp?id=225&referer=Catalogue

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
Website: https://teachingmycattoread.wordpress.com/
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teachmycat2read/
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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFXi9LNQv8SBQt8ilgTZXtQ

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In this mini episode, the team asks the questions they didn’t ask before in the full review of Temeraire (His Majesty’s Dragon) by Naomi Novik. 

"Temeraire" combines history and fantasy, transporting readers to an alternate Napoleonic era where dragons exist. Join Captain Will Laurence as he unexpectedly becomes the partner of a dragon hatchling named Temeraire. Novik weaves a captivating tale of adventure, danger, and the bond that forms between Captain Laurence and Temeraire.

In this episode, we'll touch on the thrilling premise, the well-developed characters, and Novik's seamless blending of history and fantasy. Prepare to be immersed in a world where dragons soar across the skies, leaving you breathless with each turn of the page.

If you love historical fiction, fantastical elements, and dragons, then this book and this episode is a must-listen.

(Note: For a comprehensive review of "Temeraire," check out our series 1 episodes 14 and 15, where we discuss the book in full.)

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
Website: https://teachingmycattoread.wordpress.com/
Email: [email protected]
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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFXi9LNQv8SBQt8ilgTZXtQ

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In this episode, we review Ann Leckie's captivating fantasy novel, "The Raven Tower." Published in 2019, it immerses readers in a world where gods and humans coexist. Leckie's masterful prose, rich mythology, and well-crafted characters make this a must-read. Discover why it earned critical acclaim and awards. Happy reading!

“A usurper has claimed the throne. Invaders amass at the borders. And they have made their alliances with enemy gods...

For centuries the kingdom of Iraden has been protected by a god known as the Raven. But in their hour of need, the Raven speaks nothing to its people. It is into this unrest that the warrior Eolo - aide to the true heir to the throne - arrives. In seeking to help his master reclaim his city, Eolo discovers that the Raven's Tower holds a secret. Its foundations conceal a dark history that has been waiting to reveal itself... and to set in motion a chain of events that could destroy Iraden forever.” - Book Blurb

Content Warnings

Death, suicide

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
Website: https://teachingmycattoread.wordpress.com/
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In this episode, we chat about the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare.

“The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark”, often shortened to “Hamlet” is one of Shakespeare’s most quoted plays. It was written between 1599-1601, and is his longest play. The play is set in Denmark, where Prince Hamlet’s uncle has taken over the throne by killing Hamlet’s father, and marrying Hamlet’s mother. 

This play features on many shortlists for literature for GCSE + A-level, but how will we find it (as first time readers of this play)? Listen to find out! 

In this episode we discuss several different stagings of the play, including the 1996 version with Kenneth Branagh, the 2009 version with David Tennant, the 2018 version with Andrew Scott, and the 2016 RSC staging with Paapa Essiedu, which are all available online, although we’re not sure we can recommend all of them **cough** Branagh **cough**. 

Content Warnings
Death, Suicide

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
Website: https://teachingmycattoread.wordpress.com/
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teachmycat2read/
Tumblr: https://teachingmycattoread.tumblr.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFXi9LNQv8SBQt8ilgTZXtQ

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In this mini episode, the team asks the questions they didn’t ask before in the full review of Small Gods by Terry Pratchett. 

For the full book review, see series 1 episode 10.

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
Website: https://teachingmycattoread.wordpress.com/
Email: [email protected]
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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFXi9LNQv8SBQt8ilgTZXtQ

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As we continue on our valiant quest to read more books in the Discworld series, we decided to discuss “Guards! Guards!” by Terry Pratchett. The first in the City Watch series of books within the Discworld universe, Guards! Guards! Follows the Night Watch as they try to recover a stolen magical book which can be used to summon dragons. Featuring many puns, humor, and brilliant writing, plus dragons, this book got a Cat rating of 8.75/10. Listen to the episode to find out why!

Content Warnings

N/A

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
Website: https://teachingmycattoread.wordpress.com/
Email: [email protected]
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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFXi9LNQv8SBQt8ilgTZXtQ

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In this episode, we discuss the Agatha Christie Novel “Death on the Nile”. Featuring everyone’s favourite Belgian detective Hercule Poirot, (brushing off our gcse French to understand his thoughts), the twists and turns of the plot, silly questions, and what our cat would think. 

Content Warnings

Fictional murder, alcoholism 

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
Website: https://teachingmycattoread.wordpress.com/
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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFXi9LNQv8SBQt8ilgTZXtQ

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In this episode Lotti is joined by friends of the podcast Liv and AJ to discuss Brandon Sanderson’s high fantasy book series The Stormlight Archive. What did we think of this series compared to Wheel of Time, or other Cosmere books? What’s our favourite cameo? Who’s our favourite character? Check out this episode to find out! 

We’ve read the books before, so we have spoilers for the series (with Easter eggs) from about 34 min in. We do note when we spoiled and keep it high level (if you know you know etc).

Key spoilers:
Dalinars curse + journey (book 3/ 4)
Who Thaidikar is (implied) (book 4)
Why the war started with Parensedi (book2/3)

Stormlight Archive books mentioned:
The Way of Kings
The Words of Radience
Oathbringer
Rhythm of War

Content Warnings
Some minor language. 

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
Website: https://teachingmycattoread.wordpress.com/
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teachmycat2read/
Tumblr: https://teachingmycattoread.tumblr.com
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFXi9LNQv8SBQt8ilgTZXtQ

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