Curious Readers

Ep 42: Whistler by Ann Patchett (Deep Dive) & Our Views On The Booker Prize Longlist

Joseph and Amanda are back from summer break with a bumper episode deep diving into Ann Patchett’s latest novel, Whistler. They also take some time to cogitate over the B

Ep 41: Dear Curious Readers - Summer Postbag Special

As we bid farewell to Summer Break, we take questions from our listeners in a special post bag episode - and of course, we can’t help but make some recommendations along

Ep 40: We Only Went In For One Book - Our Love of Browsing and Bookshops (London/South East Edition)

How many times have Amanda and Joseph joined the ‘Just One Book’ Deception Society? Too many to count. This week they are talking about the joy of browsing and the booksh

Ep 39: Land by Maggie O'Farrell (Deep Dive)

Join Amanda and Joseph as they set out to excavate Land, Maggie O’Farrell’s latest historical novel and family drama which is set in 1860s Ireland, a decade after the Gre

Ep 38: The Ghost In The Manuscript - Reading, Writing and Living After AI

Join Amanda and Joseph as they go through the looking glass into the fascinating (and anxiety inducing) world of artificial intelligence - and recommending some fiction a

Ep 37: Are Literary Prizes A Reading List? Inside the Nobel, Pulitzer, Booker & National Book Award

In the height of Prize Season, Amanda and Joseph are back with a bumper episode asking what all the hullabaloo is about - how are prizes judged and awarded, and are the w

Ep 36: We Have Opinions - Our 2026 Mid-Year Reading Check-In

Where have the last six months gone? Join Amanda and Joseph as they check in on the reading goals they set themselves in January. Find out if they’ve stuck to their promi

Ep 35: Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke (Deep Dive)

It seems everyone is talking about Yesteryear, and now Joseph and Amanda are too. Join them for their latest deep dive into the most hotly anticipated debut of the year,

Ep 34: Beyond the Countryside - How Nature Writing Asks Us to Pay Attention

Join Amanda and Joseph for this week’s episode as they delve into the best that nature writing has to offer. Plus, as always, they talk about their current reads and what

Ep 33: Crime Fiction After Agatha - Whodunit Got A Whole Lot Weirder

Join Amanda and Joseph for this week’s episode as they delve into the Golden Age of Detective Fiction, remember Agatha Christie and talk about their favourite mysteries.

Ep 32: Spring Preview - 10 Upcoming Books We Want To Read Next

Join Joseph and Amanda as they discuss the reads they are most looking forward to this Spring, plus a few more updates from prize season. We also introduce a new segment

Ep 31: The Benefactors by Wendy Erskine (Deep Dive) & the Carol Shields Prize Longlist

Join Amanda and Joseph for their next deep dive into Wendy Erskine’s debut novel, The Benefactors, a polyphonic story about a sexual assault and the lengths that three mo

Ep 30: The Books That Made Us & International Booker Prize Longlist

This week, join Amanda and Joseph for one of their most personally revealing episodes yet, as they discuss the books that made them: the teenage obsessions, the gateway r

Ep 29: Romance For Cynics & Women's Prize For Non-Fiction Longlist

This week, Joseph and Amanda tackle romance. But this is romance with a twist, no tropes or formulas, just good writing that even the most hard-hearted cynic can enjoy. A

Ep 28: Short Stories To Start The Year - Debuts to Classics

This week, Joseph and Amanda talk about some of their favourite short story collections - ranging from canonical gems to new voices - plus, as always, they talk about wha

Ep 27: Angel Down by Daniel Kraus (Deep Dive)

This week, Amanda and Joseph go into the trenches with Daniel Kraus’s repulsively propulsive Angel Down. They also discuss what they’ve been reading recently, including t

Ep 26: Our Reading Plans for 2026

Happy New Year! Start the year with Amanda and Joseph as they talk about their reading intentions for 2026.  (2:09) Bookish News   (2:36) Wuthering Heights by Emily Br

Ep 25: Top 10 Books of 2025 (& Our Biggest Disappointments)

Join Amanda and Joseph for an end-of-year bibliofest as they talk about their top 10 books of the year, plus they dish the dirt on the titles that sadly didn’t live up to

Ep 24: Graphic Novels That Break The Mould & National Book Award Winners

Join Amanda and Joseph as they get graphic – about the best graphic novels they’ve read and the ones they are keen to add to their TBRs. Along the way, they talk about th

Ep 23: Heart The Lover by Lily King (Deep Dive)

Join Amanda and Joseph for another deep dive, this time into Heart the Lover, Lily King’s tale of first loves and lost opportunities. Plus, as always, they talk about the