Have you ever wondered which books shaped your favourite authors?
Best Book Forward is the bookish podcast for avid readers where we delve into the lives of yo...
Get ready for a heartwarming and hilarious send-off to Season 2! Today I’m delighted to be joined by the incredible Clare Pooley, author of the bestselling How to Age Disgracefully.Interview Highlights:Inspiration Behind the Novel: Discover what sparked Clare's idea for How to Age Disgracefully.Flawed Characters: Explore Clare's love for writing flawed characters.Real-Life Inspirations: Hear about Clare's connections to Bridget Jones and Thelma & Louise, and how these iconic characters influenced her.Five Books That Shaped Her Life: Discover the literary influences that have shaped Clare's writing journey, from classic Austen to contemporary favourites.Book List:Emma by Jane AustenBridget Jones's Diary by Helen FieldingRachel's Holiday by Marian KeyesOne Day by David NichollsTales of the City by Armistead MaupinThat's a wrap on Season 2 of Best Book Forward! We've had an incredible time exploring the literary world with our amazing guests. Thank you to Catherine Newman, Nikki May, Marianne Cronin, Susan Fletcher, Josie Fletcher, and Clare Pooley for sharing their insights and passion for books.Stay tuned for exciting news about Season 3! Follow me on Instagram @bestbookforward for updates and behind-the-scenes glimpses.See you soon, bookworms
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51:31
Beyond the Silence with Josie Ferguson
Welcome back to Best Book Forward! The podcast where we delve into the books that have shaped our favourite authors' lives. Think of it as your literary Desert Island Discs.Today, I'm thrilled to have the incredible Josie Ferguson join us. Josie is the author of the highly acclaimed debut novel, The Silence in Between, shortlisted for the Waterstones Debut Prize 2024.In this episode, we'll explore the world of Josie's poignant story, discussing themes of sexual violence, trauma, and the resilience of women in times of trouble.As always we’ll also look at the five books that have shaped Josie’s life which were.Pippi Longstocking by Astrid LindgrenSweet Valley High created by Francine PascalThe Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz ZsafonBetween Shades of Grey by Ruta SepetysThe Thirteenth Tale by Diane SetterfieldListeners are also treated to a short clip of one of the beautiful pieces of music that Josie’s brother Micke Bonde created for the characters of The Silence in Between. The clip is used is called Lisette. If you would like to hear more or find out more about Josie’s work please visit her website https://josieferguson.com/Caution: This episode discusses sensitive topics, including sexual violence and trauma. Listener discretion is advised.For my bookish chat follow me on Instagram @bestbookforward or visit my website at www.bestbookforward.org
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1:00:39
Mysteries and Life Lessons: Susan Fletcher on The Night in Question
Listeners are invited into a heartfelt conversation with Susan Fletcher as we discuss her brilliant new novel The Night in Question." Susan discusses the inspiration behind her protagonist Florrie, an 87-year-old woman who embarks on a quest to uncover the truth behind a mysterious incident in her care home. We also discuss Susan's creative process, particularly how her time during the lockdown influenced her writing and character development. Of course, we also discuss the five books that have shaped Susan’s life, she is so passionate about her choices that she inspired me to pick up one that I had always been intimidated by and I loved it as much as Susan did.Susan’s book choices are:Death of a Naturalist by Seamus HeaneyJamaica Inn by Daphne du MaurierThe English Patient by Michael Ondaatje Women Who Run With The Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estes State of Wonder by Ann Patchett Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode of Best Book Forward and be sure to tell your bookish friends all about it. See you next week for more bookish chats with another author.
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1:10:53
Reimagining Austen: Nikki May's This Motherless Land
Join us for a captivating conversation with Nikki May, author of Wahala which is currently being adapted into a major BBC series! Her latest literary masterpiece, This was inspired by Jane Austen's Mansfield Park and explores themes of motherhood, legacy, identity, and culture.Interview Highlights:Mothers and Daughters: Discover the profound impact of mothers on their daughters. Explore how Nikki's characters navigate life without a mother and with a less than ideal one, shaping their identities and relationships.Cultural Identity: Dive into the complexities of belonging to multiple cultures. Hear Nikki's personal experiences growing up between England and Lagos.Book Recommendations: Discover the five books that have shaped Nikki's life. From dystopian futures to gripping mysteries, this diverse selection offers something for every reader.Book List:Station Eleven by Emily St. John MandelA is for Alibi by Sue GraftonHalf a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Ngozi AdichieBig Little Lies by Liane MoriartyWe Were Liars by E. Lockhart Prepare to be captivated by Nikki May's insightful perspective and her ability to bring a classic story to life in a fresh and modern way. Don't miss this thought-provoking episode!PS: Once you’ve listened to this episode you may be wondering if I did pick up one of the books that we discussed and the answer is YES and it is as brilliant as Nikki said it is.
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51:27
The Power of Friendship: Marianne Cronin on Eddie Winston is Looking for Love
Get ready for a heartwarming hug of an episode with the brilliant Marianne Cronin, author of the novels that'll make you laugh, cry, and believe in the power of human connection: "The One Hundred Years of Lennie & Margot" and "Eddie Winston is Looking for Love".In this episode we talk about friendship that defies expectations, love that blossoms in the most unexpected places and times, loss that leaves its mark, and the unwavering spirit of self-discovery. You'll also hear Marianne's inspiring story of writing a bestselling novel whilst tackling a PhD – talk about multitasking like a boss!And of course, we'll chat about these five books and discover how they have shaped Marianne's lifeThis Lullaby by Sarah Design (not currently available on bookshop.org)The Unlikely Pilgrimage Of Harold Fry by Rachel JoyceThe Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out of the Window and Disappeared by Jonas JonassonHomegoing by GyasiExploring the Language of Poems, Plays and Prose by Mick ShortHeads up, squeaky chair alert! There might be some background noise during the episode, but we promise it won't distract from the heartwarming conversation.Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode of literary love! We put a lot of heart into these conversations, and we'd love for you to be a part of our bookish community. Rate the episode and share it with your friends who love a good story – the more the merrier!
Have you ever wondered which books shaped your favourite authors?
Best Book Forward is the bookish podcast for avid readers where we delve into the lives of your favourite authors and discover the books that have shaped their lives.
Prepare for surprising picks, heartwarming stories, and the ultimate literary dilemma: "If you could only read one again, which would it be?"
Warning: This podcast may lead to an uncontrollable urge to expand your TBR pile.
Ready to discover your next literary obsession? Tune in and join Helen's vibrant book community!
Find Helen online:
Instagram: @bestbookforward
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BestBookForward
Website: https://bestbookforward.org/
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