Shows
Shelf LifeAuthor Walt Hickey - You Are What You WatchRaise your hand if you are a data nerd just like me. If you are, then you will love this episode of Shelf Life. I had the privilege of chatting with Pulitzer Prize winning author and data expert Walt Hickey about his amazing book ‘You Are What You Watch’ which came out last October.
Warning: you will be mesmerized by this book and it won't take you long to appreciate Walt's perfect mix of research, deep reporting and 100 - yes 100 - data visualizations created by the equally talented and amazing Heather Jones. Anyone who loves films and TV shows and appr...
2024-11-051h 02
Shelf LifeAuthor Attica Locke - The Highway 59 SeriesAttica Locke knows Texas although she hasn't lived in the Lone Star State for almost three decades. She also wears many hats: New York Times best-selling author, screenwriter, TV producer for shows like Empire and Little Fires Everywhere, mother, wife, daughter and sister.
I’ve been a huge fan of Attica’s for many years and it all started with a book: Bluebird, Bluebird, the award-winning 2017 thriller that will captivate you from the first line and stay with you after the last one. The characters are beautifully flawed, the settings transport you and evoke every sense, and the twists and turn...
2024-09-1129 min
Shelf LifeAuthor Monica West - Revival SeasonIf you are looking for a stunning debut, look no further than 'Revival Season' by Monica West. This book is truly magical and I'm not the only one who thinks so:
'Spellbinding debut' - The Washington Post
'Invigorating novel' - The New York Times
'Must-ready for May' - Barnes and Noble
‘Revival Season’ is all of those things and more. When you pick up this book and join 15-year-old Miriam Horton on her physical and spiritual journeys, you’ll quickly understand why so many people, including me, love this book.
Miriam and her family pack up every summer and travel throug...
2021-05-2841 min
Shelf LifeAuthor Saskia Vogel - PermissionIf I had to pick one word to summarise ‘Permission' by Saskia Vogel, it would be dreamy. In fact, it's the same word that Oprah Magazine used. And who’s going to disagree with Oprah Magazine?
In March 2019, one of my favourite imprints, Dialogue Books, published Saskia's gorgeous debut novel, 'Permission' and it honestly took my breath away. It's a fantastic story that explores so many important and interesting topics: desire, grief, sex, love, dominance and pleasure.
'Permission’ follows Echo, a young actress in Los Angeles, who is devastated after losing her father in a horrible accident. With an emotionally distan...
2020-10-1541 min
Shelf LifeAuthor Nicole Dennis-Benn - Here Comes the Sun and PatsyI'm still on Cloud Nine after chatting with THE Nicole Dennis-Benn. This episode was one of the greatest milestones of my life and if you love 'Here Comes the Sun' and 'Patsy' as much as I do, you'll totally understand why. Nicole and her books are beloved by readers and aspiring and established writers around the world. And I love connecting with other readers who feel as passionately about these books as I do.
Both books have received multiple awards, been on thousands of 'best books of 2016 and 2019' lists, and appear across social media literally every single day. It's...
2020-09-1055 min
Shelf LifeAuthor Erin Carlson - I'll Have What She's Having and Queen MerylThree reasons why I'm so excited to have celebrated author, Erin Carlson, back on Shelf Life: she's written another brilliant book, she never tires of talking about Nora Ephron and she makes me laugh until my sides hurt. There are also dozens of other reasons but we'll stick with these three for today.
Last September, my dear friend published her second book, Queen Meryl, and it's no surprise that people, including myself, fell in love with it. I was lucky enough to receive an advanced copy so I've been shouting about this book since June 2019. And it's been my absolute...
2020-08-3027 min
Shelf LifeAuthor Michael Areceneaux - I Can't Date Jesus and I Don't Want to Die PoorYou know those people who add so much joy, wisdom and humour to the world? Well, Michael Arceneaux is one of those people. And for anyone who follows Michael on social media, has read and loved his books or knows him personally, you know why he is so loved.
Michael is such a talented and beautiful observer of life that it’s no surprise at all that his first book, ‘I Can’t Date Jesus’ which was published in July 2018, became an instant New York Times Bestseller.
This essential and important collection of essays - which is equal parts hilarious and hear...
2020-07-1438 min
Shelf LifeAuthor Paul Mendez - Rainbow MilkMy name is Nicole and I'm a very proud member of the 'Rainbow Milk' fan club. Everyone is welcome and there is only one rule: you must love this stunning debut novel with your whole heart, soul and mind.
In this episode, I have the incredible privilege of chatting with Paul Mendez, the author of 'Rainbow Milk.' Published in April by the amazing team at Dialogue Books, this book - an Observer 2020 Top 10 Debut - is one of the most beautiful books ever written and my favourite of 2020.
Oh, and it's just been longlisted for the 2020 Gordon Burn Prize.
...
2020-07-051h 10
Shelf LifeAuthor Anna James - Tilly and the Bookwanderers and Tilly and the Lost Fairy TalesImagine you are 11-years-old and live in a bookshop with your grandparents. Then one day, Anne Shirley is sitting on a bench on the top floor. If this sounds like a dream come true, then this episode is definitely for you.
I'm super lucky to chat with fellow book lover and super talented author, Anna James. For the past two years, Anna's Pages & Co books have been flying off the shelves. Beloved by readers of all ages, this series (the third one is out later this year)is magical, whimsical and such a treat to read.
In the first book...
2020-05-2742 min
Shelf LifeAuthor Julia Phillips - Disappearing EarthIf you love magical stories as much as I do, then you HAVE to read 'Disappearing Earth' by Julia Phillips.
Published in May 2019, 'Disappearing Earth' was on dozens of must-read lists for 2019. It’s no surprise that ‘Disappearing Earth’ was a National Book Award finalist and is considered a ‘nearly flawless novel’ by the NY Times.
The book, set on Kamchatka, a Siberian peninsula in far East Russia, begins with the abduction of two sisters. Weeks go by and the police are unable to find the young girls and their disappearance is greatly felt by the community on the peninsula, particular...
2020-04-2936 min
Shelf LifeAuthor Andrea Bartz - The Lost Night and The HerdWhat do you get when you combine female empowerment and exciting twists and turns? A delicious novel from author Andrea Bartz! Available from 24 March, it's no surprise that 'The Herd' is on dozens of ‘must read’ and ‘best books of 2020' lists.
It’s clear after only a few pages why Andrea is a master of mystery and surprise. The story follows four characters - Eleanor, Hana, Katie and Mikki - who all play important but different roles at The Herd, a female co-working space in Manhattan. At first glance, The Herd seems to be the perfect community for women in need...
2020-03-2347 min
Shelf LifeAuthor De'Shawn Charles Winslow - In West MillsIf you love beautiful stories as much as I do, then you will absolutely love 'In West Mills' by De'Shawn Charles Winslow, which was published in June 2019.
In less than a year, this stunning debut novel has not only received praise from dozens of other incredible authors but 'In West Mills' was recently nominated for an L.A. Times Book Prize. For anyone else who read and loved this book as much as I did, you’ll definitely understand why 'In West Mills' is so special and worthy of all the praise and nominations.
Set in West Mills, North Carolina, th...
2020-03-0857 min
Shelf LifeAuthor Grant Ginder - Honestly, We Meant WellFancy going to Greece without getting on a plane? Do you love a tragedy that will break your heart and makes you laugh? Then you'll love Honestly, We Meant Well, the latest book from Grant Ginder.
This story follows The Wrights: Sue Ellen, Dean and Will who appear to be the perfect family. One the surface, everything seems great, particularly when Sue Ellen receives an invite to lecture to a tour group on the Greek island of Aegina.
But then disaster strikes and everything changes.
From Berkley, California to the famous ruins of Greece, this book takes readers on a...
2020-02-0141 min
Shelf LifeAuthor Okechukwu Nzelu - The Private Joys of Nnenna MaloneyI could have definitely used 'The Private Joys of Nnenna Maloney' when I was a teenager. If, like me, you love books full of humour, tenderness and beautiful relationships, then you'll adore this fantastic debut novel by Okechukwu Nzelu.
Nnenna is a 16-year-old growing up in Manchester and has so much grit as she navigates the ups and downs of womanhood alongside her mum, Joanie. Their relationship is certainly very special but Nnenna’s curiosity to learn more about her father, Maurice, who Joanie refuses to discuss, is tested, particularly as Nnenna learns more about her father and his Nigerian cu...
2019-10-071h 02
Shelf LifeActress, advocate and author Tembi Locke - From ScratchIf you are looking for a book that feeds your heart, soul and mind, then 'From Scratch' by the incredible Tembi Locke is for you.
This stunning memoir features love, food, family and loss. Whether you believe in love at first sight, you will definitely fall in love with 'From Scratch'. The book transports readers to the streets of Florence, where Tembi met professional chef, Saro. What began as young love soon blossomed into a truly beautiful relationship, even when Saro’s family initially disapproves. Tembi and Saro forge on to build a happy life in California, complete with successful ca...
2019-09-0736 min
Shelf LifeAuthor Season Butler - CygnetIf you love original, beautiful and extremely enjoyable stories, then you will love Cygnet by Season Butler. Published by Dialogue Books in April, Cygnet is a brilliant debut novel and one of my favourite books of 2019.
It’s set on Swan Island - a very unique place to live, particularly for The Kid, a seventeen-year-old, who is stranded with the island’s community of old age separatists. With no guarantee of when she'll see her parents again, The Kid experiences ups and downs of being unwanted by the elderly residents and much to her disappointment, her family.
I absolutely loved this...
2019-08-0737 min
Shelf LifeLiterary director of Texas Book Festival Julie WernersbachIt's official: only four months to go until the Texas Book Festival rolls out the red carpet for almost 300 beloved authors and thousands of avid readers from around the world. The festival has been going for almost 25 years and is one of the largest and most prestigious literary festivals in America.
In this episode, I chat with literary superstar and director of the festival, Julie Wernersbach. It was such a treat to chat with Julie about why the festival continues to be a favourite for authors, readers and visitors to Austin, the fantastic work that the non-profit does each year...
2019-06-2741 min
Shelf LifeAuthor Lauren Mechling - How Could SheAre you a Geraldine, Rachel or Sunny? How about a lovely combination of all three? If, like me, you are looking for a funny and extremely relatable book to help you navigate your 30s, How Could She is exactly what you need.
In this episode, I had the privilege of chatting with Lauren Mechling about her brilliant debut novel, friendships, new and old, careers and what it means to be a women in 2019.
Whether you are considering a full career change like Geraldine, exploring what it truly means to go it alone like Sunny or hoping to refresh your image...
2019-06-2437 min
Shelf LifeAward-winning LGBT journalist and author Samantha Allen''If the dominant LGBT narrative of the 20th century was a gay boy in the country buying a one-way bus ticket to the Big Apple, the untold story of the twenty-first is the queer girl in Tennessee who stays put.''
Just one of my favourite lines from Samantha Allen's fantastic travel memoir, Real Queer America: LGBT Stories from Red States. This book, which was published in March, takes readers on an incredible journey through Red State America.
Whether Samantha is in Provo, Utah, where she began her own journey as a Mormon college student, or with Jess Herbst, the...
2019-06-0953 min
Shelf LifeAward-winning author Yvonne Battle-Felton - RememberedDo you love characters that make you laugh, cry and ache all at the same time? Do you love historical fiction that transports you so you can hear from important voices of the past? Do you love beautiful storytelling?
If you answered yes to one or all of the above, then you must read Yvonne Battle-Felton's debut novel, Remembered. Longlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction, this incredible novel, published by Dialogue Books in February, is all these things and more.
I was so honoured to chat with Yvonne about Remembered, the important themes throughout the book and why these...
2019-04-301h 02
Shelf LifeDialogue Books Publisher Sharmaine LovegroveIn this episode, I had the immense privilege of chatting with Sharmaine Lovegrove. Sharmaine is the incredibly talented publisher of Dialogue Books, an imprint of Little, Brown UK that publishes stories for, about and by underrepresented voices, including BAME, LGBTQI+, disabled and working class writers.
It's no coincidence that two of my favourite books in the last two years -The Leavers by Lisa Ko and Remembered by Yvonne Battle-Felton - have been published by Sharmaine and her team. These beautiful stories, and the authors who wrote them, deserve to be celebrated. I'm certainly not alone in this belief as these...
2019-04-0854 min
Shelf LifeAuthor and award-winning journalist Daisy Buchanan - How to Be a Grown-Up and The SisterhoodIf you Google 'Daisy Buchanan', you'd probably expect to see references to the well-known F. Scott Fitzgerald character. However, it's the award-winning journalist and author by the same name that I'm celebrating in this episode.
Daisy Buchanan doesn't really need an introduction. She's loved and admired by thousands, and if you've read any of her books or feature articles, you'll quickly understand why. I've been a fan for years which is why this chat was a special treat.
In this episode, we talked about how she feels about sharing a name with a famous character, why body confidence remains a...
2019-03-0631 min
Shelf LifeAward-winning author Nafissa Thompson-Spires - Heads of the Colored PeopleHave you ever been mesmerised by a book cover? If you own a copy of Heads of the Colored People, you'll know exactly what I'm talking about.
In this episode, I chat with award-winning author, Nafissa Thompson-Spires. Her beautiful collection of short stories has received so much recognition from both sides of the pond and you only have to read the first story to understand why. Nafissa is a truly gifted writer who creates quirky and unforgettable characters who will stay with you long after you turn the page.
It's no wonder that Nafissa just won the PEN Open Book...
2019-03-0429 min
Shelf LifeAuthor Robin Sloan - Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore and SourdoughWho is Mr. Penumbra and why does he have a 24-hour bookstore? Is it possible for the average human to bake a perfect loaf of sourdough?
These questions came to my mind when I read and loved Robin Sloan's two novels, Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore and Sourdough. The characters who feature in Robin's books are fascinating and mysterious, not unlike the author himself.
After chatting with Robin, it's obvious why Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore, which came out in 2012, was a New York Times bestseller that was translated into more than 20 languages. His second novel, Sourdough, was published in 2017 and is...
2019-02-1741 min
Shelf LifeAuthor Camille Perri - The Assistants and When Katie Met CassidyIf you love clever plots that draw you in and surprise you, as well as characters that are relatable and easy to fall in love with, then Camille Perri's books are definitely for you.
As a former librarian and books editor for both Cosmopolitan and Esquire, Camille truly knows a thing or two about books. While she was the assistant to the editor-in-chief at Esquire, she wrote her first novel, The Assistants. If you know first-hand what it's like to be overworked and underpaid, then you'll definitely relate to Tina and Emily's journey.
And equally, if you love Nora Ephron...
2019-01-2346 min
Shelf LifeHead of Publishing for Gleam Titles Abigail BergstromAbigail Bergstrom knows a thing or two about publishing. After many successful years at Simon & Schuster (the first book she published was Everyday Sexism by Laura Bates), Abigail became Head of Gleam Titles in July 2017. For almost two years, the team has published bestsellers from some of the biggest names in digital and social media.
In this episode, Abigail and I chat about our mutual love of books, the unique voices that are getting our attention as well as all the exciting things that Gleam Titles has planned for 2019.
https://www.gleamtitles.com/
2019-01-0128 min
Shelf LifeAward-winning online content creator, YouTube star and author Anna Newton - An Edited LifeDo you crave organisation in your life? Fancy learning how to declutter everything from your wardrobe to your bookshelf?
Award-winning online content creator, YouTube superstar and author Anna Newton has the answers. Her first book, An Edited Life, comes out in January and is a fantastic guide to organising your home, mind and life. With the help of Anna's brilliant tips and advice, you'll soon learn how to edit out the mess and noise to make room for what makes you happy.
Pre-order Anna's book here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/an-edited-life/anna-newton/9781787132429
2018-12-1037 min
Shelf LifeEntertainment journalist and author Erin Carlson - I'll Have What She's HavingNora Ephron was an inspiring woman who built an incredibly successful career as a screenwriter, producer, author, director and journalist. Her three iconic films - When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle and You've Got Mail - literally saved the romantic comedy.
In this episode, author Erin Carlson and I discuss her book, I'll Have What She's Having, which perfectly encapsulates the brilliant mind of Nora Ephron and explains why these three films will continue to be favourites for many years to come.
Erin's book: https://www.waterstones.com/book/ill-have-what-shes-having/erin-carlson/9780316353892
2018-12-0247 min
Shelf LifeJournalist and author Kate Leaver - The Friendship CureOur friendships, whether they begin IRL or via social media, define us. From your childhood best friend to your work spouse, our lives are filled with wonderful people who keep us on our toes and make us laugh.
In this episode of Shelf Life, journalist and author Kate Leaver explains how we are currently facing a loneliness epidemic and how the special relationships with our friends can be just the right cure.
Buy Kate's book here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-friendship-cure/kate-leaver/9780715652527
Kate's website: https://kateleaver.com/
2018-11-1444 min
Shelf LifeFashion historian and author Amber Butchart - The Fashion ChroniclesWho would you consider the best-dressed people in history? Could you narrow it down to just 100 figures?
Thankfully, fashion historian and author Amber Butchart has done just that in her new book, The Fashion Chronicles. In this special episode, recorded at Jane Austen's House in Chawton, we discuss fashion during the Regency period as well as the people who influenced these styles.
Buy Amber's new book here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-fashion-chronicles/amber-butchart/9781784723811v
Amber's website: https://www.amberbutchart.com/
2018-10-2923 min
Shelf LifeAuthor Jennifer Keishin Armstrong - Sex and the City and UsIt's been 20 years and we are still watching, loving and talking about the television phenomenon that is Sex and the City. In this episode of Shelf Life, author Jennifer Keishin Armstrong talks about her new book, Sex and the City and Us, as well as the impact that the show continues to have on friendships, relationships and society.
Jennifer's website: https://jenniferkarmstrong.com/
Buy Jennifer's book: https://www.waterstones.com/book/sex-and-the-city-and-us/jennifer-keishin-armstrong/9781501164828
Every Episode of SATC, Ranked: http://www.vulture.com/2018/06/every-episode-of-sex-and-the-city-ranked.html
2018-10-0942 min