Best Book Forward

For this final episode of our special bonus season, I’m taking things right back to the beginning by welcoming my very first podcast guest, the wonderful Helen Paris, author of The Invisible Women’s Club.In this episode Helen chats about the incredible reader response to The Invisible Women’s Club, the importance of female friendship, navigating menopause, and even gives us a little glimpse into her next book. She also shares details of her inspiring new project, The Next Chapter, a bespoke creative course, in the South of France, drawing on her 30 years of experience as a professor and creative facilitator. The course is designed to give women the space and support to nurture their creativity, whether they’re returning to something they once loved or exploring it for the first time.For dates and details, visit: https://www.creativebody.org/nextchapter.And of course, no episode of Best Book Forward would be complete without some irresistible book recommendations to add to your festive reading list. Here’s everything we discussed:📚 Books by Helen ParisThe Invisible Women's Club Lost Property✨ Books MentionedOn All Fours by Miranda JulyThe Heart is a Lonely Hunter by Carson McCullersHeart the Lover by Lily KingClear by Carys DaviesWest by Carys DaviesA Memoir of Sorts by Margaret AtwoodSo that’s it for this special Christmas season. I really hope that you have enjoyed it. I would like to say a huge thank you to my wonderful guests:Catherine Newman, Matt Cain, Clare Leslie-Hall, Frances Quinn, Alice Winn, Virginia Evans, Lucy Steeds and of course Helen Paris.I will be back with a brand new season start on 8 January and I really hope you’ll join for that season too. In the meantime, if you’ve enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review Best Book Forward, and don’t forget to tell your friends... it really helps new listeners discover the show.I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year. Listen & Subscribe Now:https://best-book-forward.captivate.fm/listenTo stay in touch with Best Book Forward news please follow me on Instagram @bestbookforward or visit my website: https://bestbookforward.org/

In this Christmas bonus episode of Best Book Forward, I’m delighted to welcome back Lucy Steeds, author of The Artist If you missed the previous episode with Claire you can catch up with it here... listen nowWe take a look back at The Artist and some of the special moments that Lucy has enjoyed.Of course, no episode of Best Book Forward would be complete without some irresistible book recommendations to add to your festive reading list. Here’s everything we discussed:📚 Books by Lucy StedsThe Artist✨ Books MentionedThe Signs by Dr Tara SwartEndling by Maria RevaBoutique Book Breaks Boutique Book Breaks - UK Retreat for Book Lovers. Hosting small groups, with author events at luxury hotels. Use code: 'BestBook' for £50 off the next weekend, 6-8 March 2026 in the New Forest.For more details visit... https://www.boutiquebookbreaks.com/I really hope you enjoy listening to this episode as much as I loved recording it.Tomorrow, I’ll be sharing the last episode in our Christmas Chapter series; I hope you’ll join me again.In the meantime, if you’ve enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review Best Book Forward, and don’t forget to tell your friends... it really helps new listeners discover the show.See you tomorrow, and happy listening. 🎄Listen & Subscribe Now:https://best-book-forward.captivate.fm/listenTo stay in touch with Best Book Forward news please follow me on Instagram @bestbookforward or visit my website: https://bestbookforward.org/

In this Christmas bonus episode of Best Book Forward, I’m delighted to welcome back Gillian McAllister. If you missed the previous episode you can catch up with it here…listen now We take a look back at Famous Last Words and also at what is next for Gillian, I have to say it is all very exciting. Of course, no episode of Best Book Forward would be complete without some irresistible book recommendations to add to your festive reading list. Here’s everything we discussed:📚 Books by Gillian McAllisterFamous Last WordsWrong Place, Wrong TimeCaller UnknownThat Night✨ Books MentionedNightwatching by Tracy SierraYou Are Here by David NichollsThe Secret History by Donna TarttI really hope you enjoy listening to this episode as much as I loved recording it.Tomorrow, I’ll be sharing another festive conversation in The Christmas Chapter series, catching up with another wonderful past guest.In the meantime, if you’ve enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review Best Book Forward, and don’t forget to tell your friends, it really helps new listeners discover the show.See you tomorrow, and happy listening. 🎄Listen & Subscribe Now:https://best-book-forward.captivate.fm/listenTo stay in touch with Best Book Forward news please follow me on Instagram @bestbookforward or visit my website: https://bestbookforward.org/

In this Christmas bonus episode of Best Book Forward, I’m delighted to welcome back Virginia Evans author of The Correspondent.Virginia reveals how the incredible success of The Correspondent has felt after so many years of rejection, she shares the moments that will stay with her forever, a little insight into what she’s currently working on as well as giving a glimpse into her family life at Christmas.Of course, no episode of Best Book Forward would be complete without some irresistible book recommendations to add to your festive reading list. Here’s everything we discussed:📚 Books by Virginia EvansThe Correspondent✨ Books MentionedHeart the Lover by Lily KingThe Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel JoyceWhistler by Ann PatchettLand by Maggie O'FarrellThe Offing by Benjamin MyersNow We Shall Be Entirely Free by Andrew MillerThe Land In Winter by Andrew MillerCook Like A Pro by Ina GartenBoutique Book Breaks Boutique Book Breaks - UK Retreat for Book Lovers. Hosting small groups, with author events at luxury hotels. Use code: 'BestBook' for £50 off the next weekend, 6-8 March 2026 in the New Forest.For more details visit... https://www.boutiquebookbreaks.com/I really hope you enjoy listening to this episode as much as I loved recording it.Tomorrow, I’ll be sharing the last episode in our Christmas Chapter series; I hope you’ll join me again.In the meantime, if you’ve enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review Best Book Forward, and don’t forget to tell your friends... it really helps new listeners discover the show.See you tomorrow, and happy listening. 🎄Listen & Subscribe Now:https://best-book-forward.captivate.fm/listenTo stay in touch with Best Book Forward news please follow me on Instagram @bestbookforward or visit my website: https://bestbookforward.org/

Joining me on today’s Christmas Chapter is the wonderful Alice Winn. I was so excited to welcome Alice back to reflect on the success of In Memoriam, chat about her next projects and get some really interesting book recommendations. If you missed our previous chat you can catch up with it here listen nowOf course, no episode of Best Book Forward would be complete without some irresistible book recommendations to add to your festive reading list. Here’s everything we discussed:📚 By Alice WinnIn Memoriam✨ Books MentionedInkheart by Cornelia FunkePride & Prejudice by Jane AustenPersuasion by Jane AustenTheir Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neil HurstonThe Colour Purple by Alice WalkerThe Holy BibleThe Quran Beheld by Nuh Ha Mi Keller (not available on bookshop.org)The Collected Essays of George OrwellI really hope you enjoy listening to this episode as much as I loved recording it.Tomorrow, I’ll be sharing another festive conversation in The Christmas Chapter series, catching up with another wonderful past guest.In the meantime, if you’ve enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review Best Book Forward, and don’t forget to tell your friends, it really helps new listeners discover the show.See you tomorrow, and happy listening. 🎄Listen & Subscribe Now:https://best-book-forward.captivate.fm/listenTo stay in touch with Best Book Forward news please follow me on Instagram @bestbookforward or visit my website: https://bestbookforward.org/