A Pair of Bookends

For the latest instalment in our Debut Spotlight series, Hannah was joined by debut author Lorna Elcock to discuss her debut novel The Windhover which you can buy here.
In this episode they discuss Lorna's experience of being shortlisted for the Women's Prize discoveries award, sibling dynamics and how birth order affects them, ceilidhs & creating the build up to THAT scene (no spoilers!), two excellent novel recommendations & much more!
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Lorna via Instagram

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
Women's Prize Discoveries
A Sense of Occasion by Brodie Crellin
The Windhover by Gerard Manley Hopkins
Sunset Song by Lewis Grassic Gibbon

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us [email protected] or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!

For today's episode Hannah was joined by NYT bestselling author Chloe Benjamin to discuss her lateest novel Under Story which you can buy here. 
In this episode they discuss the ANITA experiment that inspired this book, her incredibly hands-on research process, how her chronic pain was worsened by the success of Chloe's previous novel, isolation & why we're drawn to those narratives in fiction, Wisconsin representation, finding a new appreciation for nature and of course a wonderful amount of recommendations for books & authors for you to turn to next!
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Chloe via Instagram & chloebenjaminbooks.com

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
The Disappearers by Marlon James
His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman
A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
Call Me By Your Name by André Aciman
Exit West by Mohsin Hamid
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke
Stories of Your Life and Others by Ted Chang
Arrival (2016)
A S Byatt
Virginia Woolf
The OA

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us [email protected] or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!

For our August Book Club episode Hannah was joined by Australian author Amy Taylor to discuss her new novel Ruins which you can buy here. Let us know your thoughts here.
In this episode they discuss Amy's recent foray into reading speculative fiction, why she chose Athens as the setting for this novel, her interest in Greek theatrical structures and the play Medea, we also get into ambition, desire and the choice to have or not have children.
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Amy via Instagram

Books & other mentions in this episode:
Every Version of You by Grace Chan
Permanence by Sophie Mackintosh
Medea by Euripides
The Loneliest Planet (2011)
The Worst Person in the World (2021)
Widow's Bay (2026)

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us [email protected] or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!

For today's episode Hannah was joined by Claire Powell, author of 'All In' and 'At The Table' to discuss her latest novel which you can buy here.
In this episode topics include writing a male dominated family dynamic, exploring wealth differences in families, setting a novel at an all inclusive resort, why Claire wanted to write about IVF and her own experiences surrounding that and much more. Claire also does not disappoint by bringing us both the high and the low in culture recs which we love! From Ayşegül Savaş' work and Emma Cline's Switzy to the juicy drama of Summer House, there's lots for you to sink your teeth into.
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Claire via Instagram

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
Switzy by Emma Cline
https://thebookerprizes.com/the-booker-library/prize-years/2026
The Girls by Emma Cline
The Guest by Emma Cline
https://www.newyorker.com/contributors/emma-cline
Flesh by David Szalay
Black Bag by Luke Kennard
The Anthropologists by Aysegül Savaş
Long Distance by Aysegül Savaş
The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer
Summer House (2017)
At the Table by Claire Powell

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us [email protected] or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!

For the latest instalment in our Books to Screen series, Hannah was joined by author & freelance writer Shahed Ezaydi to discuss the Amazon Prime adaptation of Carley Fortune's novel Every Summer After, Every Year After. In this episode they discuss the excellent soundtracks of Prime series, the changes the TV adaptation of Every Summer After made, what they loved about the novel, casting & more. They also discuss Off Campus, the upcoming adaptation of The Love Hypothesis, how down bad Tom Holland is for Zendaya and hopes for the future seasons of Every Year After! 
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can follow us via Instagram, X & Tik Tok. 
You can follow Shahed via Instagram or via shahedezaydi.co.uk
You can buy Shahed's book here: The Othered Woman: How White Feminism Harms Muslim Women
Link to Shahed's Stylist articles https://www.stylist.co.uk/author/shahed-ezaydi

Books & other mentions in this episode: 
Every Summer After by Carley Fortune
Every Year After (2026)
The Deal by Elle Kennedy
Off Campus (2026)
Margo's Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe
Margo's Got Money Troubles (2026)
Normal People by Sally Rooney
Normal People (2020)
One Day by David Nicholls
One Day (2024)
The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
The Love Hypothesis (2026)
This Summer Will Be Different Adaptation
Sense and Sensibility (2026)
Pride and Prejudice (2026)
The Project by Annie Lord
Lost Lambs by Madeline Cash
Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke
Rosewater by Liv Little
Bitter Melon by Liv Little
People We Meet on Vacation (2026)
People We Meet On Vacation by Emily Henry
Beach Read by Emily Henry
Carley Fortune Interview for Stylist by Shahed Ezaydi
Heated Rivalry (2025)
Yellowjackets
One Golden Summer by Carley Fortune
The Girl Next Door (2024)
Off Campus - Official Playlist
Every Summer After - Official Playlist
The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
The Summer I Turned Pretty (2022)
The Summer I Turned Pretty - Official Playlist
The Summer I Turned Pretty - Cast Interview by Shahed Ezaydi
Maxton Hall (2024)
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
Spider-Man: Brand New Day

Let us know your thoughts by emailing us [email protected] or you can DM us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram. Until next time, happy reading!