Emile Zola, Noel Streatfeild, and romantic books – welcome to Tea or Books? episode 130! https://www.stuckinabook.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/tea-or-books-130.mp3 In the first half of this episode, we do a topic suggested by Lindsey – do books need a romantic storyline? In the second half, we compare two novels set in department stores – The Lad…

Virginia Woolf, Jane Cholmeley, and authors who wrote too much or not enough – welcome to episode 129! https://www.stuckinabook.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/tea-or-books-129.mp3 In the first half, we use a great topic suggestion by David – do we prefer authors who wrote too many books or those who didn’t write enough? And what do we mean by that?…

Polly Barton, Yoko Ogawa, and plays – welcome to episode 128! https://www.stuckinabook.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/tea-or-books-128.mp3 In the first half of today’s ‘Tea or Books?’ episode, Rachel and I revisit a topic from years ago – plays! Specifically, do we think that plays should be read on the page, as well as seen on the stage. In the se…

George Orwell, E.H. Young, guilty pleasures – welcome to episode 127! https://www.stuckinabook.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/tea-or-books-127.mp3 In the first half of the episode, we ask: what is our guiltiest reading pleasure? Has that changed over time? Do we feel guilty about anything connected with reading? In the second half, we compare two s…

Banned books, Bonnie Garmus and A.J. Pearce – welcome to episode 126! https://www.stuckinabook.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/tea-or-books-126.mp3 In the first half of the episode, we discuss banned books – should books ever be banned? Does a book being banned make us want to read it more? In the second half, we pit two recent novels set in the mid…

Celeb memoirs, Michael Cunningham, Elizabeth Fair – welcome to episode 125! https://www.stuckinabook.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/tea-or-books-125.mp3 In the first half, Rachel and I discuss celebrity memoirs – do we read them? What do we count as a celebrity memoir? In the second half, we each chose one of the other’s favourite 2023 reads – Day …

Our favourite books from 2023 – or reads, because of course we mostly read ‘backlisted’ titles. Always a fun one to record – this time with the added bonus that we were each going to choose one from the other’s list to read for the next episode. https://www.stuckinabook.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/tea-or-books-124.mp3 Some of our Patreon patrons…

Beryl Bainbridge, Celia Dale, critical and charitable reading – welcome to episode 123! https://www.stuckinabook.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/tea-or-books-123.mp3 In the first half of the episode we use a suggestion from Susannah – do we read charitably or critically? In the second half we compare too rather dark novels – Sheep’s Clothing by Celi…

Mary Lawson joins us to talk about all her novels – welcome to episode 122! https://www.stuckinabook.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/tea-or-books-122-mary-lawson.mp3 I can’t quite believe I’m writing this, but THE Mary Lawson – Canadian author of Crow Lake, The Other Side of the Bridge, Road Ends, and A Town Called Solace – joins us in this episode …

Jane Gardam and messages in books – welcome to episode 121! https://www.stuckinabook.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/tea-or-books-121.mp3 In the first half of the episode, Rachel and I discuss whether or not we think books should have a message. In the second half we pit two Jane Gardam novels against each other: Old Filth and the same story from an…

D.E. Stevenson, Eva Ibbotson, travel inspo – welcome to episode 120! https://www.stuckinabook.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/tea-or-books-120.mp3 We have our first returning guest – the wonderful Claire, who blogs at The Captive Reader. In the first half of this episode, we talk about inspiration from travel – do we get it from our fiction reading …

Miriam Toews, Olga Tokarczuk and detective fiction – welcome to episode 119! https://www.stuckinabook.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/tea-or-books-119.mp3 In the first half of this episode, we discuss detective fiction – do we prefer the mystery-solver to be a professional or an amateur? And in the second half we compare two fairly recent novels – D…

Julie Otsuka, Jamaica Kincard, adults’ and children’s books – welcome to episode 118! https://www.stuckinabook.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/tea-or-books-118.mp3 In the first half – a topic suggested by Aileen, where we discuss authors who wrote both children’s and adult’s books and whether we read both. In the second half, we compare two novellas…

Ursula Parrott, Winifred Boggs, unnamed characters – welcome to episode 117! https://www.stuckinabook.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/tea-or-books-117.mp3 We are so delighted to welcome Lucy Scholes as a guest for this episode. She’s is a reprint/old books superstar – you might know her Re-Covered column for the Paris Review, her work as Senior Edit…

John Dickson Carr, Alan Melville, sports – welcome to episode 116! https://www.stuckinabook.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/tea-or-books-116.mp3 In the first half, we talk about sports in books – do we like them? Will we be able to think of any? Thank you to Lindsey for suggesting the topic! In the second half we compare two murder mysteries: It Wal…

Barbara Pym, May Sarton, and bookshops – welcome to episode 115! https://www.stuckinabook.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/tea-or-books-115.mp3 In the first half of the episode, we take up Sally’s suggestion of topic – and discuss whether or not we like books set in bookshops and libraries. More suggestions for books in this category, please! In the …

Sylvia Townsend Warner, Elizabeth Bowen, linear narratives – welcome to episode 114! https://www.stuckinabook.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/tea-or-books-114.mp3 In the first half of this episode, we use a suggestion from listener Sarah – do we prefer linear or non-linear narratives? In the second half we look at two books from Rachel’s tbr pile th…

Elizabeth Gaskell, Winifred Holtby, and more – welcome to episode 113! https://www.stuckinabook.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/tea-or-books-113.mp3 In the first half of this episode, we look at literary retellings – by which we mean authors using fairy tales or Greek mythology or basically whatever we fancy including in this very loose definition. …

Dorothy Whipple, May Sinclair, and favourite books of 2022 – welcome to episode 112! https://www.stuckinabook.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/tea-or-books-112.mp3 Happy new year! Welcome to the first episode of Tea or Books? for 2023 – recorded on two different days, so hopefully it’s not too awkward. In the first half, we cover our favourite reads …

Molly Keane, M.J. Farrell, and characters’ appearances – welcome to episode 111! https://www.stuckinabook.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/tea-or-books-111.mp3 In the first half, Rachel and I discuss what characters look like – do we care, do we notice if it’s mentioned, etc. In the second half, we look at two novels by Molly Keane – one under her ps…

Tove Jansson, Celia Dale, jobs in books! Welcome to episode 110 https://www.stuckinabook.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/tea-or-books-110.mp3 A bit of a longer break than usual because I lost my voice. But we’re back, asking – in the first half of the episode – whether we care where characters work? Are we drawn to books about workplaces? In the sec…

Penelope Lively, Helen Hull, boarding houses and isolation – welcome to episode 109! https://www.stuckinabook.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/tea-or-books-109.mp3 In the first half of this episode, Rachel and I compare boarding houses novels and novels where people live alone – up to and including complete isolation. The blog post by Jacqui that I m…

Bite, E.M. Delafield, Elizabeth Taylor – welcome to episode 108! https://www.stuckinabook.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/tea-or-books-108.mp3 In the first half of this episode, we discuss a topic suggested by Gina – do we prefer books with bite or without bite? All will be explained in due course… In the second half we pit two books with similar pl…

Obvi we’re talking about Renaissance (0:00) Issa Hive (9:30). Foot still on Ms. Marvel’s neck (12:30). Thor dropping it low. Like very low. (14:45). Do y’all go to science?! (22:00). The Rock is working working (28:30). Nature is scary (55:30). Nope with spoilers sorry (1:00:40). FYC (01:39:10): Christine - Nope - In Theaters Now Rob - Predator or …

Books in books and Stella Gibbons – welcome to episode 107! https://www.stuckinabook.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/tea-or-books-107.mp3 In the first half, we continue our ‘do we care…’ series with ‘do we care what characters read?’ By which we mean we’re looking at the books that characters read, and what that tells us about them. In the second ha…

Margaret Kennedy, Vita Sackville-West, and film adaptations – welcome to episode 106! https://www.stuckinabook.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/tea-or-books-106.mp3 In the first half of this episode, Rachel and I discuss whether you should read the book before you watch the film. In the second half, we pit two novels about hotels against each other: …

BET Recap (0:00). Westworld (19:30). Netflix Original Movies (24:45). What Black Movies Would You Put On You Black Movie Hall of Fame (33:14). Is Jordan Peele Top 5 in the Game (39:50). Mind Over Murder (1:05:30). Summer I turned Pretty (1:05:41). FYC (1:10:22) Christine - Mind Over Murder - HBO MAX Rob - Loot - Apple TV Sankara - Cha Cha Real Smoo…

The Hockey Podcast (0:00). I’m a hustler baby (12:30). Theater movies (20:00). Ms. Marvel & Obi Wan (34:25). The hierarchy of power is about to change (40:40). Chris Pratt can’t lead a movie (45:50). Highway to the danger zone (50:35). An everything bagel all at once (01:14:00). FYC (01:29:23): Christine - Keep Sweet Pray and Obey - Netflix Rob - O…

George Orwell and families – welcome to episode 105! https://www.stuckinabook.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/tea-or-books-105.mp3 Rachel is busy this month, so I put a shout-out on our Patreon page to see if anybody would be willing to step in and take her place. I was delighted that Arwen said yes, and I think you’ll enjoy the chat we had. In the …

Sankara’s pickle extravaganza (0:00). So what did y’all watch + Sonic (17:30). Waiting outside the club to see Top Gun (20:00). Vin Diesel is a tyrant (27:00). Gossip hour (31:00). Stranger Things discourse — spoilers (34:00). I’m not interested in watching this show any longer (01:09:30). FYC (01:25:30): Christine - The Deep End - Hulu Rob - Hustl…

The crew shares their thoughts on watch shows and upcoming movies.

Olivia Manning, Cicely Hamilton and dreams – welcome to episode 104 of ‘Tea or Books?’! https://www.stuckinabook.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/tea-or-books-104.mp3 In the first half of this episode, Rachel and I discuss whether or not we like dreams in books, and how different authors use them. In the second half, we compare two novels about coupl…

We can back with a lot to talk about (but didn't watch much apparently).

Penelope Lively, Margaret Laurence, thinking and feeling – welcome to episode 103! https://www.stuckinabook.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/tea-or-books-103-1.mp3 Apologies for the unexpected delay in recording. Blame Rachel! But we are here and raring to go. In the first half, we follow a topic suggested by Mairad (topic ideas to teaorbooks@gmail.c…

Sankara tries to get Christine fired (0:00). The Oscars happened (02:47). Oh we’re going MTV movie awards (20:00). Shoutout to Questlove (35:00). The definition of performative (52:56). The cult with all those bangers (01:02:02). Fell asleep 3 times during the premiere (01:15:45). Defiant Jazz (01:25:30). FYC (1:34:44): Christine - Tyler Henry: Lif…

Robs theater debut (00:20). Sipder-Man something, something home (03:00). Turning Red (11:35). Sank is anti-musical, still (20:05). Are we Severed from the inside work, or from the outside world (26:00)? Best show intro songs (45:20). Tech Bro Shows (55:15). FYC: Sankara - Adam Project (Netflix) Rob - Our Flag Means Death (HBOMAX) Christine - Thing…

Shop Talk (2:00). Bell in the Air (15:40). Men's basketball chatter (29:15). Women's basketball chatter (43:00).

This is a tech pod now, sorry (1:20). Taking down big oil (20:10). Super Bowl talk (36:00). Bel-Air dropped and initial thoughts(40:00). I wanna get married, like the Currys, Steph and Ayesha ish (1:09:11). Trailers on trailers (1:15:25). Plans for this week (1:06:21). A zombie coming-of-age moment (1:12:00). FYC (1:22:10): Christine - Inventing An…

Giving very much GOT (0:00). Delayed Station Eleven talks (5:51). Oscar’s so white campaign… cancelled? (22:30). Olympic talk (38:00). Euphoria drags Sankara (45:11). Fat Tuesday (58:04). Plans for this week (1:06:21). FYC (1:15:20): Christine: Celebrity Big Brother - CBS Rob: Injustice - hbomax Sankara: The Righteous Gemstones - hbomax & Tinder Sw…

Euphoria gets us high, Yellowjackets lets us down. Sankara renews his cape for Atlanta. Christine lies about watching a Bond movie, and Rob calls her out. Christine - I’m thinking of ending things - Netflix Rob - Piper - Disney+ Sankara - Peacemaker - HBOMax

D.E. Stevenson, Margery Sharp – and a special guest! https://www.stuckinabook.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/tea-or-books-102.mp3 In this episode, we have a special guest in the form of Claire – you’ll know her blog The Captive Reader. We were delighted to have her as a guest, especially as she also came up with our topics. In the first half, we di…

Throwing Bones has Sankara throwin’ bows (0:00). Rob talks about The Matrix: Resurrection (07:00). Just Look Up (12:30). Station Eleven is beating all the girlies (41:00). Euphoric things (59:00). Abbott Elementary is the stuff of legends (1:10:00). Arguing about YellowJackets (1:14:00). Rob’s Pilot Program (1:26:40). FYC (1:31:15): Christine - Eup…

We bid our farewells to Insecure (2:10). Atlanta better be heat or else (13:40). Encanto can't go to the top of the Disney rankings (24:10). Beanie Mania (29:10). We get off at Station Eleven and chill for a while (45:50). FYC: Christine - Euphoria (HBO) Rob - BoJack Horseman (Netflix) Sankara - C'mon C'mon (theatres); Station Eleven (HBO)…

Rachel takes a look at Simon’s bookshelves – will she take any books away with her?? https://www.stuckinabook.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/tea-books-101.mp3 Way back in episode 70, I was in Rachel’s flat in London and took a look around her bookcases. We planned a return visit… and then the pandemic happened. But now travel and visiting is easier…

Go watch the first 10 minutes of “Boogie” on HBO Max (0:00). An analysis of Samuel L. Jackson’s career (04:30). The Michael B. Jordan agenda (11:00). Marvel moments & Sankara reviews Spiderman (15:30). The Witcher (36:15). Penultimate Insecure thoughts (40:30). 2 Snobs & A Critic, Wrapped (52:00). Rob’s ultimate sitcom top 12 list (1:15:00). FYC (1…

Looking for a home west of Orlando? Selling Tampa is the show for you. (00:59) Feige in his flop era? (6:50) Insecure ending the way Issa dreamed. (27:10) Women characters don't have to be drawn the same, and they can also like blockbuster movies. (43:36) Kevin James? (53:30) For Your Consideration: Christine - Selling Tampa (Netflix) Rob - Voir (N…

His name is Christmas (00:00). Sankara’s Hogwarts Extravaganza (03:30). Selling Sunset hot takes (13:20). but… is this actually a true story tho!? (19:05). Spiderman fans are eating (25:00). All these shows are[n’t] Issa’s sons — especially not ‘Harlem’ (28:20). It’s a wrap for y’all, Quinta is in the building (01:09:30). Rob’s vendetta against Dav…

https://www.stuckinabook.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/Tea-or-Books-episode-100.mp3 For our special hundredth episode, Rachel and I are doing a question and answer. Thanks so much to everybody who sent in questions – we didn’t get to all of them, but hopefully we answered at least one of yours. Do get in touch at teaorbooks@gmail.com if you’d like…

Our pre-show patreon (00:00:00). Sankara’s first theater (00:01:49). Keep Dopesick on the low (00:06:40). A perfect international film (00:34:45). Army of Thieves (00:41:40). Shrink Next Door scam ideas (00:47:45). King Richard discourse (00:54:50). Rob loves Aqwafina (01:25:00). FYC (01:40:00) Ghostbusters - (In theaters) - Sankara The curse of vo…

We chat about Insecure, The Harder They Fall, Sankara's love for the Eternals, and how industries don't have your interest in mind.