Episode Notes

We review the BBC's adaptation of The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper.

The Dark Is Rising is a 12-part dramatisation for radio of Susan Cooper‘s classic 1970s novel for families Simon McBurney and Robert MacFarlane.

With a full cast including Simon McBurney, Toby Jones, Noah Alexander, Amanda Hadingue, Paul Rhys and Harriet Walter.

You can find it on BBC Sounds and Apple podcasts.

About the story:

The night will be bad and tomorrow will be beyond imagining

The story opens on Midwinter’s Eve. In the landscape around Will Stanton’s quiet English village, something is very wrong. Birds are behaving strangely, a blizzard is building, ‘the Walker’ is abroad –– and the power of the Dark is surging. Together with his fellow Old Ones, Merriman and The Lady, Will must untangle the riddle of the Walker, protect his family from the terrifying Rider, collect the Signs of Light –– and defeat the Dark. It is an immense burden on young shoulders.

When the dark comes rising, who will hold it back…?

The episode is brought to you by Alexandra Park BJJ. At Alexandra Park BJJ, we aim to be inclusive, everyone can benefit from this incredible art form, not just the athletic or ultra-competitive. So, if you want to develop core strength, build endurance and gain confidence, contact enquiries at alexandraparkbjj.co.uk or sign up to their beginner's course https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/martials-arts-course-for-beginners-bjj-brazilian-jiu-jitsu-tickets-738109313827

If you have thought about podcasting before and realized that you need a lot of different tools and services, those days are over. With Zencastr's all-in-one podcasting platform, you can create your podcast all in one place and distribute to Spotify, Apple, and other major destinations. Use my special link https://zen.ai/8-eGgE8Oov567U6ejorYZg to save 30% off your first month of any Zencastr paid plan.

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Episode Notes

We review the ecological fable/fantasy epic The Night Field by Donna Glee Williams as narrated by Debra Michaels. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

About the book:

Welcome to The Real, where Pyn-Poi's people live in harmony with nature - until a killing stink threatens their whole world.

Pyn-Poi's mother Marak wants her to grow up to be the matriarch of the tribe, learning how to cook, to make medicines, how to care for everyone, but Pyn-Poi would rather be out among the trees like her father Sook-Sook, learning how persuade tree roots into bridges, to feel when shoots are too crowded, when drooping leaves need attention.

Then something starts going wrong in The Real: when the rains come, instead of nourishment, they bring a noxious stench that's poisoning people and plants alike. Pyn-Poi is the treewoman now: it's her job. Their only chance is for her to climb to the land beyond the Wall, where the Ancestors live, to plead for their intercession

Pyn-Poi never expected to find a whole new world up there, with people who are very different from her own family and friends - a land where they are killing nature, and that's killing The Real.

The trees have a job for Pyn-Poi, and to succeed, she is going to have to be brave and strong and true - no matter what.

The episode is brought to you by Alexandra Park BJJ. At Alexandra Park BJJ, we aim to be inclusive, everyone can benefit from this incredible art form, not just the athletic or ultra-competitive. So, if you want to develop core strength, build endurance and gain confidence, contact enquiries at alexandraparkbjj.co.uk or visit our website to attend a free class. http://www.alexandraparkbjj.co.uk/

If you have thought about podcasting before and realized that you need a lot of different tools and services, those days are over. With Zencastr's all-in-one podcasting platform, you can create your podcast all in one place and distribute to Spotify, Apple, and other major destinations. Use my special link https://zen.ai/8-eGgE8Oov567U6ejorYZg to save 30% off your first month of any Zencastr paid plan.

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This podcast is powered by Pinecast. Try Pinecast for free, forever, no credit card required. If you decide to upgrade, use coupon code r-8a93af for 40% off for 4 months, and support Audiobookish.

Episode Notes

Notes go here

We chat to Imogen Church and Alba Proko about all things audiobook and the upcoming #AudioFestival on the 22nd of November (head over to Bookouture's socials to participate).

Imogen is an award-winning actor and scriptwriter, ex-Burlesque dancer, adoptive parent and lover of satire. Her debut novel Death and the Burlesque Maiden was published by Audible Originals in 2021 and her one-woman-full-cast-horror-comedy-audio-drama Boop! has just been released on XigXag. She narrates audiobooks like an absolute boss and she acts the pants off audio dramas in an array of roles, ranging from meglomaniac evil lizard queen to psychopathic steampunk engineer. She scriptwrites satire and horror comedy.

https://www.imogenchurch.com

Instagram: @imogenchurchgobshite

https://twitter.com/ImogenChurch

Alba is the head of audio publishing at Bookouture having joined in 2020 from Bonnier Books UK. She has worked on a variety of audiobooks over the past eight years, from bestselling celebrity memoirs to romantic fantasy with a bit of spice, some of which have been shortlisted and won audiobook awards. A big part of her job is casting narrators and overseeing production.

https://bookouture.com/

The episode is brought to you by Alexandra Park BJJ. At Alexandra Park BJJ, we aim to be inclusive, everyone can benefit from this incredible art form, not just the athletic or ultra-competitive. So, if you want to develop core strength, build endurance and gain confidence, contact enquiries at alexandraparkbjj.co.uk or visit our website to attend a free class. http://www.alexandraparkbjj.co.uk/ 

If you have thought about podcasting before and realized that you need a lot of different tools and services, those days are over. With Zencastr's all-in-one podcasting platform, you can create your podcast all in one place and distribute to Spotify, Apple, and other major destinations. Use my special link https://zen.ai/8-eGgE8Oov567U6ejorYZg to save 30% off your first month of any Zencastr paid plan.

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This podcast is powered by Pinecast. Try Pinecast for free, forever, no credit card required. If you decide to upgrade, use coupon code r-8a93af for 40% off for 4 months, and support Audiobookish.

Episode Notes

We review The Doctor's Wife by Daniel Hurst, the first in a trilogy of thrillers about a village doctor and his wife. Thanks to Jess from Bookouture for the ARC.

About the book:

He thinks his secret is safe. But she knows the truth....

My husband is a doctor. He’s smart and charming, and everybody trusts him. Except me.

On the surface, it looks like I have it all–the perfect marriage, the perfect husband, the perfect life. But it’s far from the truth.

Doctor Drew Devlin is not the respectable figure he makes out to be. The reason we moved to this beautiful, old property with a gorgeous view of the sea was because we needed to put our past behind us. It should’ve been a fresh start for us both.

Except I’ve discovered my husband has been lying to me again. He’s using the power he has in his job to mess with people’s lives and to get exactly what he wants–no matter who it hurts.

But he’s underestimated me. I’ve had plenty of time, in this big, isolated house, to think about all of his mistakes.

And my husband has no idea what’s about to happen next....

The episode is brought to you by Alexandra Park BJJ. At Alexandra Park BJJ, we aim to be inclusive, everyone can benefit from this incredible art form, not just the athletic or ultra-competitive. So, if you want to develop core strength, build endurance and gain confidence, contact enquiries at alexandraparkbjj.co.uk or visit our website to attend a free class. http://www.alexandraparkbjj.co.uk/ 

If you have thought about podcasting before and realized that you need a lot of different tools and services, those days are over. With Zencastr's all-in-one podcasting platform, you can create your podcast all in one place and distribute to Spotify, Apple, and other major destinations. Use my special link https://zen.ai/8-eGgE8Oov567U6ejorYZg to save 30% off your first month of any Zencastr paid plan.

https://www.patreon.com/Audiobookish

https://ko-fi.com/audiobookish

Support Audiobookish by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/audiobookish

Find out more at https://audiobookish.pinecast.co

This podcast is powered by Pinecast. Try Pinecast for free, forever, no credit card required. If you decide to upgrade, use coupon code r-8a93af for 40% off for 4 months, and support Audiobookish.

Episode Notes

No new episode this week. Instead, we're re-releasing an old episode.

We review the lyrically written coming-of-age story Somebody Loves You by Mona Arshi. It's about Ruby's struggles to fit in against the backdrop of racism, and, her mother's bouts with mental illness.

Thank you all for listening. We will be back in the new year. If you want to get in touch, email [email protected] or DM us on social media. Send us your recommendations or requests!

Buy the book here and we'll be kicked some money.

About the author: Mona Arshi was born in West London, where she still lives. She worked as a human rights lawyer with Liberty for a decade before receiving a master’s in creative writing from the University of East Anglia. Her debut poetry collection Small Hands was published in 2015, winning the Forward Prize for Best First Collection. Mona Arshi regularly appears on BBC Radio 4. Her poems have been published in The Sunday Times, The Guardian and the Times of India and most recently the London Underground.

About the book :

A teacher asked me a question, and I opened my mouth as a sort of formality but closed it softly, knowing with perfect certainty that nothing would ever come out again. Ruby gives up talking at a young age. Her mother isn’t always there to notice; she comes and goes and goes and comes, until, one day, she doesn’t. Silence becomes Ruby’s refuge, sheltering her from the weather of her mother’s mental illness and a pressurized suburban atmosphere. Plangent, deft, and sparkling with wry humour, Somebody Loves You is a moving exploration of how we choose or refuse to tell the stories that shape us.

The episode is brought to you by Alexandra Park BJJ. At Alexandra Park BJJ, we aim to be inclusive, everyone can benefit from this incredible art form, not just the athletic or ultra-competitive. So, if you want to develop core strength, build endurance and gain confidence, contact enquiries at alexandraparkbjj.co.uk or visit our website to attend a free class. http://www.alexandraparkbjj.co.uk/ 

If you have thought about podcasting before and realized that you need a lot of different tools and services, those days are over. With Zencastr's all-in-one podcasting platform, you can create your podcast all in one place and distribute to Spotify, Apple, and other major destinations. Use my special link https://zen.ai/8-eGgE8Oov567U6ejorYZg to save 30% off your first month of any Zencastr paid plan.

Support Audiobookish by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/audiobookish

Find out more at https://audiobookish.pinecast.co

This podcast is powered by Pinecast. Try Pinecast for free, forever, no credit card required. If you decide to upgrade, use coupon code r-8a93af for 40% off for 4 months, and support Audiobookish.

Episode Notes

This is the last in our specials reviewing the books on The Week Junior Book Awards shortlist for Audiobook of the Year 2023.

Spaceboy by David Walliams as narrated by Akiya Henry, Reginald D. Hunter, Eric Meyers, Penelope Rawlins, Liza Ross, David Walliams

America. The 1960s.

Stuck on a remote farm with her awful aunt, twelve-year-old orphan Ruth spends every night gazing at the stars, dreaming of adventure.

One night she spots a flying saucer blazing across the sky…before crash-landing in a field. When the spaceship opens and reveals a mysterious alien, all Ruth’s dreams come true.

But does this visitor from another planet have a giant secret?

We also discuss Real Pigeons: Audio Books 1 to 3 by Andrew McDonald and Ben Alexander, as narrated by Tom Alexander.

Ever wonder why pigeons always act so weird? It’s because they’re out there chasing the bad guys and saving your butts!

Did you know your city is protected by a secret squad of crime-fighting pigeons? It's true! With master of disguise Rock Pigeon, bendy Tumbler, strong Frillback and super-finder Homey, the REAL PIGEONS will solve any mystery and fight any bad guy to keep the city safe!

So what do Real Pigeons do? They EAT DANGER, of course! This squad of crime-fighting feathered friends is nonstop action and nonstop laughs. In their second silly adventure watch as they infiltrate a secret warehouse full of bottled birds and take down a truly criminal ostrich. The DANGER is REAL. And so are the PIGEONS.

Thank you to The Week Junior for sending us the reviewing copies. You can find out more about the awards by visiting their website: https://www.theweekjuniorbookawards.co.uk/

The episode is brought to you by Alexandra Park BJJ. At Alexandra Park BJJ, we aim to be inclusive, everyone can benefit from this incredible art form, not just the athletic or ultra-competitive. So, if you want to develop core strength, build endurance and gain confidence, contact enquiries at alexandraparkbjj.co.uk or visit our website to attend a free class. http://www.alexandraparkbjj.co.uk/ If you have thought about podcasting before and realized that you need a lot of different tools and services, those days are over. With Zencastr's all-in-one podcasting platform, you can create your podcast all in one place and distribute to Spotify, Apple, and other major destinations. Use my special link https://zen.ai/8-eGgE8Oov567U6ejorYZg to save 30% off your first month of any Zencastr paid plan.

Support Audiobookish by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/audiobookish

Find out more at https://audiobookish.pinecast.co

This podcast is powered by Pinecast. Try Pinecast for free, forever, no credit card required. If you decide to upgrade, use coupon code r-8a93af for 40% off for 4 months, and support Audiobookish.

Episode Notes

This is the third in our specials reviewing the books on The Week Junior Book Awards shortlist for Audiobook of the Year 2023.

Running Out of Time by Simon Fox as narrated by Michael Golab.

Alex can steal time. The most he can take at the moment is fifteen seconds, but his grandmother took almost three minutes once - although he never saw it. But when he and his father are separated while fleeing their home country, Alex finds himself completely alone on the shores of Britain, with only his extraordinary gift to keep him safe. . .

We also discuss Natural Wonders of the World from Ladybird by Sidra Ansari as narrated by Ben Bailey Smith (a.k.a. Doc Brown) and Sophie Aldred.

Thank you to The Week Junior for sending us the reviewing copies. You can find out more about the awards by visiting their website: https://www.theweekjuniorbookawards.co.uk/

The episode is brought to you by Alexandra Park BJJ. At Alexandra Park BJJ, we aim to be inclusive, everyone can benefit from this incredible art form, not just the athletic or ultra-competitive. So, if you want to develop core strength, build endurance and gain confidence, contact enquiries at alexandraparkbjj.co.uk or visit our website to attend a free class. http://www.alexandraparkbjj.co.uk/ 

If you have thought about podcasting before and realized that you need a lot of different tools and services, those days are over. With Zencastr's all-in-one podcasting platform, you can create your podcast all in one place and distribute to Spotify, Apple, and other major destinations.

Use my special link https://zen.ai/8-eGgE8Oov567U6ejorYZg to save 30% off your first month of any Zencastr paid plan.

Support Audiobookish by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/audiobookish

Find out more at https://audiobookish.pinecast.co

This podcast is powered by Pinecast. Try Pinecast for free, forever, no credit card required. If you decide to upgrade, use coupon code r-8a93af for 40% off for 4 months, and support Audiobookish.

Episode Notes

This is the second in our specials reviewing the books on The Week Junior Book Awards shortlist for Audiobook of the Year 2023.

We chat about Wolfbane by Michelle Paver as narrated by Ian McKellen:

The grand finale to the prize-winning adventure series that has changed the lives of millions. Breathtaking world-building on an epic scale. Pure escapism at its best. It is early spring, a turbulent, perilous time of sudden storms, frozen river fractures and drifting ice. Fleeing from a demon intent on devouring his souls, Wolf is swept out to sea far from the forest and his pack. The ocean, too, teems with danger: sea wolves, sharks and hunters of the deep, and the demon is gaining ground. Torak and Renn must race to save their pack-brother, battling the harsh icy waves and merciless torrents. If they can't find Wolf in time, the bond between them will be severed forever.... Run wild with Wolf Brother for the last time in a Stone Age world we all want to be part of.

We also discuss Ellie and the Cat by  Malorie Blackman (Illustrated by Matt Robertson) as narrated by Esme Sears:

Ellie’s bad behaviour is driving Grandma mad! It’s time to teach her a lesson she’ll never forget … by swapping Ellie’s body with Jolly the cat.

There’s only one way for Ellie to break Grandma’s curse, and time is running out. Can she change her ways and find some friends to lend a hand? Or will Ellie be trapped as a cat for ever?

A cautionary tale of brats, cats and a little bit of magic

Thank you to The Week Junior for sending us the reviewing copies. You can find out more about the awards by visiting their website: https://www.theweekjuniorbookawards.co.uk/

Support Audiobookish by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/audiobookish

Find out more at https://audiobookish.pinecast.co

This podcast is powered by Pinecast. Try Pinecast for free, forever, no credit card required. If you decide to upgrade, use coupon code r-8a93af for 40% off for 4 months, and support Audiobookish.

Episode Notes

The first in our specials reviewing the books on The Week Junior Book Awards shortlist for Audiobook of the Year 2023.

First up is The Ice Children by M.G. Leonard, as narrated by Helen Keeley and a full cast.

At the stroke of midnight on the dawn of December, five-year-old Finn Albedo is found frozen in the city park on a pedestal of ice. The doctor says his heart is beating, but no one can wake him. Finn’s big sister, Bianca, suspects the beautiful sparkling book Finn got from the library has something to do with it all but the mysterious book has vanished and no one will listen. As more children are frozen, Bianca realises she’s running out of time. Is there a connection between the peculiar stranger wearing a top hat and the disappearing books? The search for truth hurls Bianca into a fantastical winter wonderland where all is not as it seems… Can Bianca remember her mission and find a way to save her brother and the other Ice Children before all their hearts are lost forever?

Secondly, we have The Book That No One Wanted to Read by Richard Ayoade as narrated by Richard Ayoade, Jarvis Cocker, and Lydia Fox.

What is it that makes YOU want to read a book? Richard Ayoade’s children’s debut gives you all the answers in a way that’s silly, funny, and thoroughly beguiling. Have you ever thought about how it feels to be a book? To be left under a whiffy pant pile or shelved, forever collecting dust? To have your pages bent backwards or your spine BROKEN? What if you don’t have a sparkly unicorn or dragon adorning your cover–who will pick you out of the bookshop then? This is the story of the sadly neglected Book That No One Wanted To Read–can its destiny change when it finally meets the right reader? Spoiler alert: yes.

Thank you to The Week Junior for sending us the reviewing copies. You can find out more about the awards by visiting their website: https://www.theweekjuniorbookawards.co.uk/

Support Audiobookish by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/audiobookish

Find out more at https://audiobookish.pinecast.co

This podcast is powered by Pinecast. Try Pinecast for free, forever, no credit card required. If you decide to upgrade, use coupon code r-8a93af for 40% off for 4 months, and support Audiobookish.

Episode Notes

Here's a minisode with the winner's speech from the British Book Awards a few weeks ago.

One of my local bookshops All Good Books in Turnpike Lane, has set up a Patreon. Please support them if you can (we know times are hard).

https://www.patreon.com/TheAllGoodBookshop

We'll be back in a few weeks!

Support Audiobookish by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/audiobookish

Find out more at https://audiobookish.pinecast.co

This podcast is powered by Pinecast. Try Pinecast for free, forever, no credit card required. If you decide to upgrade, use coupon code r-8a93af for 40% off for 4 months, and support Audiobookish.