The Dabblers' Book Club

Join us for our overdue fourth episode where we talk about the utterly charming Japanese bestseller, 'Before the Coffee Gets Cold'. This is a short and sweet time-travel novel set in a Tokyo cafe, and while it didn't leave us with a huge amount to delve into, it did spark conversation about who we'd travel back in time for, and our position on spoilers. Haj describes this novel as an 'ice cream sundae' of books, so if you want a little light relief, it'll take you two hours to get through before you join us for this latest episode. Enjoy! 

Swear-warning - the C- and F-bombs come out quite quickly in this episode, so plug those earphones in if little ones are around, and don't offend yourself!

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The wonderful, warm and wise Douglas Stuart joined Hajar for a very special guest episode and she's still buzzing from the chat! You don't have to have read the Booker Prize winner Shuggie Bain to soak up Douglas's fascinating insights into class, identity and familial love, but we definitely recommend you get yourself the paperback - it's out now! You can thank us later.

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When Haj's first introduction to Kafka was through the Bridget Jones movie where Bridget introduces 'Kafka's Motorbike' as one of the 'top thirty books of our time... at least', it's no surprise that she doesn't quite get on with The Trial. Curtis did a little better and seemed to have paid more attention to Kafka's words about Joseph K., the protagonist who's on trial for what, no one seems to know. Philosophical, absurdist, dystopian, whatever you call it this book is not an easy holiday read, but the one-star reviews were absolutely topnotch and well worth tuning in for!

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Hajar's mother joins us for this episode! A former teacher with a degree in English and American Literature, we remembered why Trudi Miles is 'quite good to talk about books with'.

We discuss what we all agreed was the stunning 2003 debut from Khaled Hosseini and gave a little airtime to a few Amazon reviews. Expect Trudi and Hajar's memories of Iran, deep dives into morality and parenting, and Curtis barely saying two words without getting interrupted. If you haven't read this book yet, we definitely recommend you do. 

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We're really racking up the guest specials now and our fifth one is with Tawseef Khan. He's an immigration lawyer and human rights activist and has just released his book “The Muslim Problem: Why we’re wrong about Islam and why it matters”.

We talk about female authors, planning your holidays around reading and why shouldn't be apologetic about wanting change. Also, check out his brilliant podcast "Muslim, Actually" for open, honest and surprising chat about the Muslim experience.

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Well this book really affected us! Douglas Stuart's Booker-winning debut about a young Shuggie Bain growing up in working-class Glasgow with an alcoholic mother is not the most uplifting of reads but it had a huge impact on us. We talk parents, council estates and Curtis's 55-day drinking bender. Expect more swearing than usual and some cracking one-star reviews from angry people. 

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If you only listen to one DBC episode, make it this one! You'll get serious wisdom and insight into life, society and thoughts on writing. Hashi Mohamed came to the UK age 9 as a Kenyan-born Somali refugee. He grappled with poor housing, schooling and prospects to find his way to a career as barrister - one of the UK's most elite professions. He talks to Hajar about his memoir People Like Us: What it Takes to Make it in Modern Britain and two of his favourite novels: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert Pirsig and Disgrace by JM Coetzee. For more on Hashi, head to his website hashimohamed.com

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We caught up with founder and editor of Strong Words magazine, Ed Needham, to find out all about his literary loves and why, in a digital age, he started a paper magazine all about books. Strong Words "takes the guesswork out of your next purchase, introduces you to books, authors and genres that were previously off your radar..." 

To find out more and to subscribe, head to strong-words.co.uk

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Before we kick off Series 3, we're treating you to another super special guest episode! We spoke to Jess Impiazzi about the books that changed her life and how writing her memoir Silver Linings helped her to heal after trauma. From dropping out of stage school to care for her blind mother to the mirky world of reality TV, her book's an honest reflection on her life and its lessons. Recording this episode was a BRILLIANT reminder of why we should always seek out stories from unfamiliar worlds.  We found Silver Linings - and our interview with Jess - both uplifting and heartwarming.  Enjoy!

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We're saying goodbye to a miserable year and welcoming in what will probably be an even shitter one, but who cares? At least we still have books! At the end of our second series, we have a little chat about our reading highlights both on and off our book list, and make our New Year's Book Resolutions for 2021.

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