The Reading Cafe

By Peter Kelly

WINNER of Scotland’s Emerging Talent at the 2026 Scottish Podcast Awards.

WINNER of Best Children and Young Adults’ podcast in the 2024 Independent Podcast Awards.

CURRENTLY SHORTLIST

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FAQs about The Reading Cafe:

How many episodes does The Reading Cafe have?

The podcast currently has 27 episodes available.

The Reading Cafe episodes:

July 10, 2026Radiya Hafiza interview (The Silver Kingdom)
APPROX AGE RATING: 14+
Welcome back to The Reading Cafe, the award-winning podcast from Holy Cross High School that aims to get people talking about reading!
This superb season finale episode features Radiya Hafiza, author of The Silver Kingdom.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL DISCOVER:
Why the enemies-to-lovers plot continues to grip romantasy readers
How Radiya approaches planning her stories, especially when writing a dual-narrative
The opportunities fantasy offers to address difficult real-world topics
To learn more:
Radiya Hafiza - https://www.simonandschuster.co.uk/authors/Radiya-Hafiza/232707659
Don’t miss a single episode of The Reading Cafe! Please do subscribe, leave a rating or review wherever you listen, and most importantly… keep reading!
Follow us on Instagram: @readingcafepod
...more
48min
June 22, 2026The Reading Cafe LIVE Jr: Ross MacKenzie (The Uninvited)
APPROX AGE RATING: 12+
Welcome back to The Reading Cafe, the award-winning podcast from Holy Cross High School that aims to get people talking about reading!
This special episode is the first ever Reading Cafe LIVE Jr, which features award-winning fantasy writer, Ross MacKenzie, who speaks with Nora and Orla about his latest thrilling novel, The Uninvited.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL DISCOVER:
How (or even if...) Ross plans his stories, and how he visualises the exciting events of his books
Ross's approach to addressing real world issues through junior fiction
The influence of Scotland on his unique brand of fantasy writing
This episode was recorded in the Banqueting Hall at South Lanarkshire Council HQ before an audience of South Lanarkshire P7 pupils on the cusp of beginning in S1 at Holy Cross High School. Thank to the following schools for coming along to enjoy the show: St Bride's, St Elizabeth's, St John's (Blackwood), St John the Baptist, Our Lady and St Anne's, St Mary's (Hamilton), St Mary's (Larkhall) and St Paul's.
To learn more:
Ross MacKenzie - https://www.andersenpress.co.uk/contributors/ross-mackenzie/
Don’t miss a single episode of The Reading Cafe! Please do subscribe, leave a rating or review wherever you listen, and most importantly… keep reading!
Follow us on Instagram: @readingcafepod
...more
40min
March 19, 2026SpotLit: Aoife Anson-O'Connell (Westside Cowboy)
APPROX AGE RATING: 14+
Welcome to a new chapter of The Reading Cafe. This is SpotLit, our brand-new strand where we speak to interesting people from arts and culture about their relationship with literature.
In this SpotLit episode, Gemma and Victoria were joined by Aoife Anson-O'Connell of the thrilling 'Britainicana' band, Westside Cowboy.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL DISCOVER:
The soundtrack Aoife would choose to accompany her favourite book
Which character would sing in her fantasy literary supergroup!
Why she loves escaping into magical realism
…AND SO MUCH MORE!
To learn more:
Westside Cowboy
https://www.westsidecowboy.com/
https://chuffmedia.com/artists/westside-cowboy

Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and join us for future SpotLit episodes and as always… keep reading.
...more
24min
February 18, 2026The Reading Cafe LIVE: Stuart Murdoch (Belle and Sebastian)
APPROX AGE RATING: 14+
Welcome back to The Reading Cafe, the award-winning podcast from Holy Cross High School that aims to get people talking about reading!
This special Reading Cafe LIVE episode features singer, song-writer, novelist and film-maker Stuart Murdoch of the legendary Scottish band, Belle and Sebastian.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL DISCOVER:
How Stuart approaches imagining things into reality, whether in song, for the page or on the screen.
The links Stuart finds between creativity and spirituality
How punk influenced his writing, alongside his favourite book...
This episode features three exclusive solo performances of classic Belle and Sebastian songs: Fox in the Snow, Dog on Wheels and very excitingly, The Boy With The Arab Strap, which Stuart has never previously played without the band.
To learn more:
Belle and Sebastian - https://www.belleandsebastian.com/
Don’t miss a single episode of The Reading Cafe! Please do subscribe, leave a rating or review wherever you listen, and most importantly… keep reading!
Follow us on Instagram: @readingcafepod
...more
51min
January 05, 2026Alice Loxton interview (Eleanor)
APPROX AGE RATING: 14+
Welcome back to The Reading Cafe, the award-winning podcast from Holy Cross High School that aims to get people talking about reading!
We’re making history with this episode featuring Alice Loxton, author of recent #3 Times Book Chart bestseller, Eleanor.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL DISCOVER:
The emotional connection Alice builds with figures from the past and how she is engaging modern readers with history
How she compensates for gaps in historical records to bring stories to life with authenticity and vitality
The inspiration for her unique blend of historical research, personal reflection and travel journalism
To learn more:
Alice Loxton - https://aliceloxton.com/
Don’t miss a single episode of The Reading Cafe! Please do subscribe, leave a rating or review wherever you listen, and most importantly… keep reading!
Follow us on Instagram: @readingcafepod
...more
36min
December 18, 2025Benjamin Dean interview (Bury Your Friends)
APPROX AGE RATING: 14+
Welcome back to The Reading Cafe, the award-winning podcast from Holy Cross High School that aims to get people talking about reading!
This thrilling episode features Benjamin Dean, author of YA survival horror novel, Bury Your Friends.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL DISCOVER:
How Ben maintains tension between characters to create atmosphere
The influences from music and the movies that found their way into Bury Your Friends
Why the “terrible people” who populate the novel are Ben’s favourites of his characters!
To learn more:
Benjamin Dean - https://www.madeleinemilburn.co.uk/mm-authors/benjamin-dean/
Don’t miss a single episode of The Reading Cafe! Please do subscribe, leave a rating or review wherever you listen, and most importantly… keep reading!
Follow us on Instagram: @readingcafepod
...more
34min
November 07, 2025SpotLit: Alaska Reid (Witch Post)
APPROX AGE RATING: 14+
Welcome to a brand new chapter of The Reading Cafe. This is SpotLit, our brand-new strand where we speak to figures from music, sport, entertainment and culture about their relationship with literature.
In this SpotLit episode, Libby and Emma were joined by singer-songwriter and musician Alaska Reid, one half of the band Witch Post.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL DISCOVER:
The influence of literature on Alaska’s songwriting, both on her solo records and in Witch Post
How fantasy-interviewing friends and peers Charli XCX, Caroline Polachek and Ellie Rowsell (Wolf Alice) led to her writing her own fantasy novel
The story of the supernatural experience that led to the naming of Witch Post…
…AND SO MUCH MORE!
A ten-minute section of this conversation appeared on the last episode of The Reading Cafe with writer of The Wycherleys, Annaliese Avery. We enjoyed such a brilliant conversation with Alaska about her career and creative life, and you are certain to love hearing it in full in this SpotLit episode.
To learn more:
Alaska Reid
https://www.alaskareid.com/
https://partisanrecords.com/artists/witch-post

Annaliese Avery
https://www.annalieseavery.com/home-1
Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and join us for future SpotLit episodes and as always… keep reading.
...more
35min
October 31, 2025Annaliese Avery (The Wycherleys) and Alaska Reid (Witch Post)
APPROX AGE RATING: 14+
Welcome back to The Reading Cafe, the award-winning podcast named Best Children and Young Adults' Show by the Independent Podcast Awards, as well as Kids finalist in the 2025 British Podcast Awards and Books finalist in the 2025 Independent Podcast Awards!
This magical new Halloween episode features Annaliese Avery, author of The Wycherleys, in conversation with Cara and Molly.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL DISCOVER:
How Annaliese’s characters shape their own stories when she is writing
The importance of strong female relationships explored in The Wycherleys
Why we need fantasy and romantasy now more than ever
PLUS: Libby and Emma present a SpotLit featurette with Alaska Reid - acclaimed songwriter, musician, and member of Witch Post. This abridged version is brilliant but don’t miss the full Alaska Reid interview next week when it drops as a SpotLit episode - it’s a must-listen for anyone who’s ever found magic in music and words alike…
To learn more:
Annaliese Avery – https://annalieseavery.com
Alaska Reid – https://www.alaskareid.com
Don’t miss a single episode of The Reading Cafe! Please do subscribe, leave a rating or review wherever you listen, and most importantly… keep reading!
Follow us on Instagram: @readingcafepod
...more
47min
October 19, 2025SpotLit: Safiyya Ingar (The Witcher/Brides/For She Is Wrath)
APPROX AGE RATING: 14+
Welcome to a brand new chapter of The Reading Cafe. This is SpotLit, our brand-new strand where we speak to figures from music, sport, entertainment and culture about their relationship with literature.
In this very first SpotLit episode, we’re joined by actor, voice artist and writer Safiyya Ingar, in conversation with Niamh and Isla.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL DISCOVER:
How Safiyya fell in love with voice acting through narrating audiobooks
Safiyya's unique approach to voting stories in a way that makes each character stand out
Why representation on the page, on screen and in audio matters more than ever
Safiyya’s multifaceted career spans stage, screen, video games and audio. From playing Keira Metz in The Witcher opposite Henry Cavill, to starring as Valarie Lockwood in Doctor Who: The Eleventh Doctor Chronicles. They recently starred in Brides, the 2025 Sundance hit described by Variety as “magnetic” and “savvy”, and they’ve voiced video game titles including Valkyrie Elysium, Dustborn and Diablo IV.
Safiyya is also the narrator of For She Is Wrath, the stunning debut novel by Emily Varga, featured in this month's episode of The Reading Cafe.
This honest and illuminating conversation explores literature as both a refuge and a force for change, and sets the tone for the SpotLit series to come.
To learn more:
Safiyya Ingar – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safiyya_Ingar
Emily Varga – https://emilyvargabooks.com
Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and join us for future SpotLit episodes and as always… keep reading.
...more
28min
October 13, 2025Emily Varga (For She Is Wrath) and Safiyya Ingar (The Witcher/Brides)
APPROX AGE RATING: 14+
Welcome back to The Reading Cafe, the award-winning podcast named Best Children and Young Adults' Show by the Independent Podcast Awards and current FINALIST in the 2025 British Podcast Awards and 2025 Independent Podcast Awards!
This brilliant episode features Emily Varga, writer of For She Is Wrath, in conversation with Rosie and Nicole.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL DISCOVER:
How Emily balances her creative life a s writer with her professional role as a family lawyer
Her approach to writing without being stuck to a plan
Why fantasy is her favourite genre

PLUS: Isla and Niamh present the SpotLit featurette with a mini-interview with actor Safiyya Ingar, star of The Witcher and Brides, whose remarkable voice brings the audiobook of the novel to life. Emily’s enlightening, deep and thought-provoking interview appears in full in this episode, and Safiyya is our SpotLit guest, appearing in a 10 minute segment halfway through. Be sure to listen to the full Safiyya Ingar interview next week when it is published as a bonus SpotLit episode - it is worth hearing all the way through, especially if you’ve ever dreamed of being an actor as Safiyya is proof that ambition is more than a dream!

To learn more:
Emily Varga - https://emilyvargabooks.com
Safiyya Ingar - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safiyya_Ingar

Don’t miss a single episode of The Reading Cafe! Subscribe, leave a rating or review wherever you listen, and most importantly… keep reading!
...more
49min

FAQs about The Reading Cafe:

How many episodes does The Reading Cafe have?

The podcast currently has 27 episodes available.