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

This week, we discuss Out Of The Silent Planet, the first of C.S. Lewis’ Space Trilogy. We talk about Gnosticism, the absolutely atrocious aerodynamics of a spherical spaceship, and the time-honoured literary tradition of writing caricatures of your best friends into your fiction.

Content Warnings
na

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In this episode we’re discussing what makes a good adaptation! We discuss adaptations of books we have read before such as Pride and Prejudice, to books we haven’t read on the podcast such as The Lord of The Rings! Join us as we wander through the forest of adaptations, what we like, what we don’t like, and picking out those we think our cat would read. 

Content Warnings
NA

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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 Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson! Join us as we discuss magic systems, talking swords, and the power of character growth. 

Warbreaker is a stand-alone novel set in the Cosmere Universe, set on Nathlis, the shard world of Endowment. The magic is called Awakening, and is similar to the magic system which we discussed in The Emperor's Soul, and is based on the magic of Invested “Breaths”. In the book, Siri is sent to her sister Vivenna’s place for the marriage to the God King of Hallandren. Vivenna goes to try to rescue her, and ends up becoming a mercenary. Shenanigans ensue, and we also meet everyone’s favourite talking sword, Nightblood (we love Nightblood in this house). 

We have a spoilers of key plot moments and  characters plot twists in this book+ some other cosmere , because we couldn’t help ourselves. So please please check below if you’re reading or planning this book because it will spoiler the book! 

Warbreaker: to how they become a returned, and Lightsong’s backstory, and the main twist to Lightsong’s returned status. Vashers backstory, and end of book spoilers for him.

The Final Empire: what allomancy/feremocy is, and Sazeds' backstory

The Emperor's soul:  what forging/ awakening is.

Way of Kings: a reference to a subtle cosmere Easter Egg which is in Way of Kings, and a world hopper. Way of kings/Stormlight : The magic systems Hoid uses (I think scattered throughout the book in the background but thought a heads up incase you’re reading the book atm! -L)

Content Warnings
Animal death, fantasy violence

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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This week, we gush about Becky Chambers’ first novel, The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet. Join us as we talk about humanism when not all the characters are human, why we actually wouldn’t punch any of the characters, and how much this book is just a big warm hug in word form. This episode also includes an excellent recommendation of British desserts if you ever are travelling in the future

Warning! Green tea does, despite what is implied in this episode, contain a reasonable amount of caffeine and is not Doctor Chef approved to be labelled as "boring tea".

Content Warnings
NA

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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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Website: https://teachingmycattoread.wordpress.com/
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This week, we’re talking about Northanger Abbey, Jane Austen’s commentary and parody on the Gothic novel genre. Join us for a discussion of dramatic fainting, odious love interests, and leaping to false conclusions.

Content Warnings
NA

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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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Welcome to this week’s episode, where we take a rolllicking tour through Horace Walpole’s ‘The Castle of Otranto’, widely considered the first ever Gothic Horror novel. We discuss unmitigated chaos, the incredible diversity of character motivations, and - of course - whether the cat would approve.

Content Warnings
na

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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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This week, we discuss Uprooted by Naomi Novik. Join as we talk about magical metaphors, the power of human connection, and - of course - what the cat’s opinions might be. 

Content Warnings
Discussion of attempted sexual assault, murder, fantasy violence.

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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In this episode, we discuss Sense & Sensibility by the master herself, Jane Austen. Join us as we chat about unsettling age differences, where this book stands in conversation with the Gothic literature genre, and the frankly extraordinary blandness of almost every male character in this book.

Content Warnings
Discussion of large age gap relationship, in the context of 18th century England. 

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 bonus episode of Teaching my Cat to Read, Lotti is joined by two friends of the podcast to discuss episodes 6,7 and 8 of THE WHEEL OF TIME on Amazon prime. In the episode we discuss all the events of the show, plus our favourite book reader nods and subtle references which we picked up on re-watches!

Spoiler warning
Spoilers for episodes 6,7,8 of The Wheel of Time. 
Spoilers for the books THE EYE OF THE WORLD, NEW SPRING. 
Specific spoiler for latter books by topic:
14:30 - Oathrod 
15:45 - Amarylin Seat 
38:22 -  “the sword which is not a sword”
42:15 -  who the guy at the end of ep 8 with rand is
45:10 - book spoilers for books 4/5 
47:30 - why was Moraine looking at the rock at the end of ep 8

Content Warnings
Discussion of fantasy violence, death of characters. 

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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Join us for a festive chat about Hogfather by Terry Pratchett, another installation in his incredible Discworld series. We talk about belief, the horror of childrens’ imaginations, and - of course - what the cat would think of everything. Happy Hogswatch, all!

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).

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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