A Pair of Bookends
A weekly bookish podcast hosted by Hannah MacDonald. Join us for monthly Book Club episodes - read the book at your own pace and then listen to us deep dive with the author! Our Debut Spotlight series is to put the freshest authors and their work firmly on your radar and in our new series we bring you a monthly culture round up of all the recommendations we've collected over the previous month of consuming. Follow us @apairofbookendspod on Instagram and @apairofbookends on Twitter and TIk Tok.
Episodes
April 22, 2025 • 37 mins
On today's episode Hannah was joined by Jo Harkin to chat about her latest novel The Pretender.
They discuss how Jo ended up switching from Sci-Fi to Historical Fiction, her research process, the writers and books that influenced this book and lots more.
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe and for extra content from us you can find us via Patreon.
If you want to give us a follow you can do so via Instag...
They discuss how Jo ended up switching from Sci-Fi to Historical Fiction, her research process, the writers and books that influenced this book and lots more.
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe and for extra content from us you can find us via Patreon.
If you want to give us a follow you can do so via Instag...
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On today's episde Hannah was joined by the wonderful Elif Shafak to discuss her latest novel There Are Rivers in the Sky which is out now in paperback. They discuss the importance of storytelling, not letting fear hold her back, why she wanted to write about the Yazidi people and so much more.
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe and for more content you can find us via Patreon.
You can find Elif via Ins...
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe and for more content you can find us via Patreon.
You can find Elif via Ins...
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On today's episode Hannah was joined by Sarah Harman to discuss her debut novel All The Other Mothers Hate Me. They discuss how the failures in Sarah's previous career helped pave the way to writing her debut novel, winning the Lucy Cavendish Fiction Prize, motherhood, messy female protagonists & lots more. If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe, for more content you can find us over on Patreon.
You can...
You can...
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For today's episode Hannah was joined by the wonderful debut author Holly Brickley to discuss her incredible novel Deep Cuts. They discuss what inspired Holly's love for music, our loss of 00's communication and how that affects romance, the exciting upcoming adaptation of her novel & loads more. If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe and for extra content you can find us via Patreon.
You can follow Ho...
You can follow Ho...
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On today's episode Hannah was joined by American author Ben Markovits to discuss his latest novel The Rest of Our Lives. They discuss writing about his own illness through his protagonist, long-term marriage, basketball and more.
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe. For more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can also follow us via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok.
Books & other mentions ...
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe. For more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can also follow us via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok.
Books & other mentions ...
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March 19, 2025 • 40 mins
On today's episode Hannah is joined by Susan Barker, author of Old Soul.
Aswell as discussing the novel (spoiler free!), they chat about immortality and the anxiety around death and ageing, building tension in your writing and Susan brings with her a ton of recommendations from films to books!
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe and for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can also follow us ...
Aswell as discussing the novel (spoiler free!), they chat about immortality and the anxiety around death and ageing, building tension in your writing and Susan brings with her a ton of recommendations from films to books!
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe and for more content you can find us over on Patreon. You can also follow us ...
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For our March Book Club episode Hannah was joined by Booker Prize shortlisted author David Szalay to discuss his latest book Flesh. Whilst they deep dive into the book, this chat is spoiler free. They chat about choosing to write a sad ending, featuring Covid in his book, the Immigrant experience and lots more. If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe. For more exclusive content you can find us over on Patre...
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March 4, 2025 • 39 mins
Welcome to another episode in our Debut Spotlight series, on today's episode Hannah chats to author Dani Heywood-Lonsdale about her debut novel The Portrait Artist.
They also discuss Art/Art History, writing diverse representation in historical fiction, grief & more. If you enjoy this episode, please do rate, review & subscribe and for more exclusive content find us over on Patreon.
You can also follow us via Instagram, X &a...
They also discuss Art/Art History, writing diverse representation in historical fiction, grief & more. If you enjoy this episode, please do rate, review & subscribe and for more exclusive content find us over on Patreon.
You can also follow us via Instagram, X &a...
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February 25, 2025 • 27 mins
Welcome to our Feb Book Club episode, for this ep Hannah chatted to author of the much-loved novel Yinka, Where is Your Huzband? about her latest book The Re-Write. They discuss the impact of reality TV shows like Love Island, the important role of carers, Black Masculinity, how Lizzie learned to push through the struggles when writing her second book and more.
If you enjoy this episode, please do rate, review & subscribe. For ...
If you enjoy this episode, please do rate, review & subscribe. For ...
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February 18, 2025 • 30 mins
On today's episode Hannah chats to Rachel Bower about her debut novel It Comes From The River. They discuss how Rachel found a writing community up north, the importance of erasing stereotypes, Northern myths & lots more! If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe.
If you want to follow Rachel & her work you can do so via Instagram.
For more exclusive content you can find us over on Patreon. You can al...
If you want to follow Rachel & her work you can do so via Instagram.
For more exclusive content you can find us over on Patreon. You can al...
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February 11, 2025 • 46 mins
For today's Debut Spotlight episode Hannah was joined by author Lucy Steeds to discuss her debut novel The Artist. They discuss Art Monsters, 1920s Provence, how food became a funny editing process and lots more. If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe.
For exclusive content you can find us via Patreon.
You can also follow us via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok.
You can follow Lucy via Instagram.
Books &...
For exclusive content you can find us via Patreon.
You can also follow us via Instagram, Twitter/X & Tik Tok.
You can follow Lucy via Instagram.
Books &...
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February 4, 2025 • 60 mins
Welcome to our FIRST EVER live recording! This event took place at Social Refuge, home of Queer Lit, in Manchester. Hannah interviewed Kate Fagan, author of Reese Witherspoon Book Club pick: The Three Lives of Cate Kay.
Please note that the audio was slightly glitchy but we've done our very best with trying to make it sound as good as it can, some parts may sound slightly different to others but we hope you enjoy regardless! For thi...
Please note that the audio was slightly glitchy but we've done our very best with trying to make it sound as good as it can, some parts may sound slightly different to others but we hope you enjoy regardless! For thi...
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January 28, 2025 • 46 mins
Welcome to our January Book Club episode! For today's episode Hannah was joined by author Nicola Dinan to discuss her latest novel Disappoint Me. They discuss the pressures of turning 30, what success means, the vulnerability in writing sex scenes & lots more. There is also of course some chat on Nicola's debut novel, the wonderful Bellies.
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe and for more content yo...
If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe and for more content yo...
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January 21, 2025 • 43 mins
Welcome back Bookends to Season 5 in our Debut Spotlight series, for this episode Hannah was joined by author of Confessions( out tomorrow!) Catherine Airey. They discuss her journey as a debut author, the impact of 9/11, researching via Reddit & lots more. If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe.
You can follow Catherine via Instagram & Twitter/X
For more content from us you can find us via Patreon
...
You can follow Catherine via Instagram & Twitter/X
For more content from us you can find us via Patreon
...
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January 14, 2025 • 39 mins
Welcome back Bookends, we're kicking off the New Year with the brilliant Grady Hendrix here to chat about his latest book Witchcraft for Wayward Girls.
We discuss the familial connection that inspired this book, the history of maternity homes and witchcraft, horror as a genre and loads more. If you enjoy this episode, please do rate, review & subscribe. For extra content you can find us via Patreon.
For tickets to our first ever...
We discuss the familial connection that inspired this book, the history of maternity homes and witchcraft, horror as a genre and loads more. If you enjoy this episode, please do rate, review & subscribe. For extra content you can find us via Patreon.
For tickets to our first ever...
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Welcome to our final episode of the year, the Christmas special! For today's episode Hannah was joined by author of Talking at Night, the wonderful Claire Daverley. They discuss their favourite reads of 2024, the 2025 releases they're excited for and all of the Christmas TV, Films & Music they love the most.
For tickets to our first APOB Live recording in January click here.
To follow Claire & her work you can find her via I...
For tickets to our first APOB Live recording in January click here.
To follow Claire & her work you can find her via I...
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For this month's Bonus Books episode Hannah was joined by bestselling author, chronic pain & disability advocate & UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Tara Moss to discuss the latest in her Billie Walker mystery novels The Ghosts of Paris. They discuss her unusual research process, creating an iconic protagonist like Billie Walker, the treatment of women throughout history & lots more. If you enjoy this episode please do rate, r...
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For our final Book Club episode of the year (can you believe it!) Hannah was joined by the brilliant Hux (Lizzie Huxley-Jones) to discuss their latest book Under The Mistletoe with You.
They discuss Christmas (of course), Gilmore Girls, the importance of community & loads more, if you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe so we can reach more of you!
To follow Hux & their work you can find them via https...
They discuss Christmas (of course), Gilmore Girls, the importance of community & loads more, if you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe so we can reach more of you!
To follow Hux & their work you can find them via https...
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November 26, 2024 • 38 mins
On today's episode Hannah was joined by author & journalist Marina Gerner to discuss her groundbreaking book The Vagina Business. They delve into the innovative breakthroughs happening in women's health, the lengthy research process for this book, period apps & much more! If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe as it's a free way to support the pod and means the world. For extra exclusive content yo...
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November 19, 2024 • 44 mins
For today's episode Hannah was joined by author Louise Swanson (Beech) to discuss her latest book Lights Out. They discuss Northern representation, the unsung heroes of the NHS, advice for writers facing lots of rejections, complicated families & lots more! If you enjoy this episode please do rate, review & subscribe as it's a free way to support the pod! For less than £3 a month you can access extra exclusive content via o...
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