Being Bookish

In the first episode of a brand new season AND a brand new year, I bring you the first of two interviews with an author. This week I am talking with author Elba Luz about her debut novel with Simon and Schuster, Build a Girlfriend. Everything from the book's stunning cover, to the story within is an enjoyable ride and I heartily recommend you get yourself a copy if you love coming-of-age and self-discovery tales.

Watch the Video of this interview on my YouTube channel.

A teen deep-dives into her dating history to uncover her mistakes, become the perfect girlfriend, and get revenge on the wrong guy so she can ride into the sunset with the right one in this debut rom-com.

To the surprise of no one, Amelia Hernandez is once again single. It’s her family curse at work; whether it’s by heartbreak, scandal, or even accidental death, every romantic relationship that a Hernandez woman has will meet its demise eventually. And that may be fine with Amelia’s sisters, mom, and aunts, but definitely not with Amelia.

So, convinced that she is the problem, Amelia decides to embark on an “Ex Retrospective:” tracking down her exes, finding out where she went wrong, and using that information to finally become un-break-up-able for whenever her next relationship comes along. Because Amelia is determined to be free of the family curse…and her family.

However, when Amelia is unwillingly reunited with Leon, the ex to end all exes, she can’t resist having a little revenge on the side, too. After all, what better way to test out her new persona of perfect girlfriend traits than on the boy who broke her heart?

But old loves die hard, and as Amelia’s feelings grow more complicated, she suspects that she may be in for more than she bargained for. 

Elba's socials

Website

Instagram

X (Twitter)

Buy Build a Girlfriend US | UK

In this, the final episode of 2024 I am taking a look at all the episodes from this year and picking out not only the favourite books I reviewed but also the episodes I truly enjoyed above all others. It's tough picking a favourite when you've created them all, but sometimes a single piece of work shines brighter than the others, and that's what I tried to look for.

Did you enjoy any of my episodes more than others you listened to? Do you have a favourite book of 2024? Did any of my recommendations really speak to you? Let me know, I'd love to find out what you want to hear more about in 2025.

Content mentioned

Best of 2024

Best and Worst Reads of 2024 (YouTube)

In this penultimate episode of Season 5 and 2024, I thought I would go all out and talk about a book that surprised me. As part of my 24 reads for 2024 I kept on skipping over it as it appeared to be rather intimidating. However, once I sank into the world Lawrence created I was presented with a lot of thoughts.

So, did this 2023 novel live up to the hype I was bombarded with last year? Was it worth the admiration? Was the stunning exterior (provided by a special edition courtesy of Locked Library) appropriate for the story within? In a tale about books, a timeless library that seems to constantly grow and learn, it's important to know limits.

This book is about power, but it's also about life, growth and learning. But whether they worked well together in the story is for you to find out by listening to this latest episode!

This week we head back to the fantasy realm for the first in Jennifer L Armentrout's Blood and Ash series, From Blood and Ash. The story of Poppy Balfour and Hawke Flynn - no, it's not a grown-up spin-off of Tangled (though you could be forgiven for thinking so with those names).

Poppy, is bound to her close-knit but secretive community by her role as the Maiden, a sacred figure who is forbidden from experiencing anything that others around her can; including freedom. However, she has been training for years, guided by her personal guard, who has been preparing her to defend herself, though she has no idea why and what from. When the mysterious Hawke enters her life she discovers that everything she has known is not the truth she believed it to be.

Humorous reviews

Sophia's review

Marta the Bookslayer's review

Ale's review

My socials

Instagram

Blue Sky

YouTube

You've seen the TV show, now listen to me talk about the book that is about a character mentioned for no more than 10 seconds as it burns on a sheet of paper in Declan O'Hara's fire!

This week I am talking about Polo, the third book in the Rutshire Chronicles by Jilly Cooper, and probably the one which introduces my favourite characters of the entire series. I know, I know, I keep on saying how much I adore Rupert Campbell-Black (and I do) but for some reason, Perdita MacLeod takes the prize and I feel that after she appears in this book she isn't used enough (or at all).

So, find out what I thought about this 1991 novel, does it bring all the glamour, heartache, anguish and devastatingly handsome men to the yard? Or is it just a damp squib that should be lost to the vestiges of time? I think you already know some of what I think. But give it a listen anyway.

Previous episodes

Rivals (Book)

Rivals Trailer (TV)

This week I was lucky enough to have some time with author Alex Pavesi to talk about his second novel, Ink Ribbon Red, which is released by Penguin Michael Joseph on the 7th of November.

Six friends gather at a country house for a birthday weekend. They decide to play a game.

All six names go in a hat. Choose two, and imagine one murdering the other.

Write it down. Type it up. Read it out.

Points are given for making the murders sound convincing.

Of course, when given such a task, it’s only natural to use what you know.

Secrets. Grudges. Affairs.

But once you’ve put it in a story, that secret is out.

So with each fictional murder, someone gets a motive for a real one.

Which leads to the most important question:

When a real murder comes, will you be able to spot it in time?

If you love a mystery with a dark edge then this is definitely one you should be adding to your TBR for the chilly winter nights.

We talk books, writing methods and how the plot line is not as linear as you may expect.

Alex's web presence

Alex's Website

Alex's X (Twitter) account

Buy Ink Ribbon Red

Waterstones | Amazon | Indie Bookstores

No, your eyes do not deceive you. This episode has been missing for a while, languishing in the archives after someone or other at Spotify decided that my content belonged to someone else...so today I am going to be gifting you with my January 2023 episode all about one of the greatest detectives ever created, Hercule Poirot, in Agatha Christie's 1941 novel, Evil Under the Sun.

The 1981 film version of this book is a regular rewatch for me, so revisiting the episode seemed natural, especially as we quickly move into the chilly and dark winter evenings. So, enjoy Hercule on his holidays, on a remote Cornish island, as he solves an unusual but clearly well-planned and glamorous murder! And find out what I thought of this intriguing mystery.

In this episode, I explore The Other Bennet Sister by Janice Hadlow. It starts as a reimagining of Pride and Prejudice through the eyes of the overlooked middle sister, Mary. The story continues after the death of Mr Bennet, with Mary discovering that being the only unmarried sister leaves you in a vulnerable position.

Throughout the book, Mary emerges from the shadows of her more outgoing sisters to find her own path in a world that values beauty and charm. I’ll discuss her journey toward self-discovery, love, and independence, offering insight into how Hadlow deepens Mary’s character and reshapes her narrative.

To find out what I thought of this rather chunky historical sequel, give this more lengthy episode a listen.

Episode links

My Vinted

Raye Loves Reading (YouTube)

Being Bookish (the Website)

My Storygraph (join me!)

The Queen of Poisons is the third book in Robert Thorogood's Marlow Murder Club series, but does it hit the same spot as the previous two instalments?

This week I take a look at the latest addition (released in January 2024) and figure out whether I actually liked it, or not. As with every episode, while I will talk about the suspects and the murder, I never reveal whodunnit, because to do that would ruin the enjoyment for you if you pick the book up for yourself (which is what I always try and encourage).

Featured episodes

Cosy Mysteries

YouTube - Agatha Raisin and the Quiche of Death Analysis

This week I am talking with author Julie Owen Moylan about her latest historical novel, Circus of Mirrors which is due for release on Thursday 12 September in the UK. A story full of complex characters, growth, love and heartbreak set across four decades in post-war Berlin.

Berlin, 1926. After the death of their parents, sisters Leni and Annette only have each other. Dreaming of better days, but desperate, Leni finds work at the notorious Babylon Circus. From the dancer’s barely-there costumes, to the glimmering mirrors that cover the walls, the Babylon Circus is a place where reality and fantasy merge. For Leni, it’s an overwhelming new world, and she’s happiest hiding in the shadows. Until she meets the cabaret’s resident pianist, Paul… Twenty years later, the Babylon Circus is in ruins. Leni and Annette have a new mouth to feed. And Paul is nowhere to be seen. Once again, Leni and Annette must depend on each other. But one of the sisters is hiding a secret. And, sooner or later, it must come to light.

We talk about the Weimar Republic, character complexity and the difficult relationship between sisters.

Julie's Links

Julie's Website

Julie's X/Twitter

Julie's Instagram

Buy the Book: Amazon | Indie | Waterstones