Being Bookish

Raye
  • 5.0 (20)
  • BOOKS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Avid reader, big book lover. I love recommending books, speaking with authors, and I always ensure I don't spoil the ending. Episodes released every other Tuesday.

  1. 5D AGO

    Dire Bound by Sable Sorenson

    In this episode of Being Bookish, I’m digging into the layers of Dire Bound, the atmospheric 2025 debut by Sable Sorensen. While there is plenty of talk online about the relationships in this book (and I have my thoughts on its categorisation), I’m much more interested in the high fantasy intrigue and the genuine mystery at the heart of the story. I’ll be exploring the complexities of the magic system and the shadowy politics of Nocturna that kept me hooked. As this is a longer episode, I’ve taken the time to really analyse the power dynamics and the visceral world-building without getting distracted by the "spice". Instead, we’re looking at the dark fantasy elements, the Bonding Trials, and the looming threat of the Siphons. Whether you're a fan of intricate world-building or you're looking for a character-driven mystery that doesn't follow the usual tropes, I’ve got plenty of thoughts to share on why you should add this book to your 2026 fantasy reading list (if it's not there already!). It’s a deep dive into a very dark world, so grab yourself a cuppa (I know I will) and let’s get into the shadow-wielding secrets together. I'm really looking forward to sharing my thoughts with you.

    55 min

  2. APR 27

    The Ending Writes Itself by Evelyn Clarke

    In this episode, I’m looking at a locked-room mystery with subtle digs at the publishing world in the debut by an author who remained a mystery for 6 months following the well-marketed announcement, The Ending Writes Itself by Evelyn Clarke. If you haven’t heard about it yet, this book is a collaboration between V.E. Schwab and Cat Clarke. The story follows six struggling, midlist authors who are invited to a private Scottish island, only to discover that a world-famous novelist has died, leaving his final manuscript unfinished. They’re given seventy-two hours to write the perfect ending, with a life-changing amount of money and a much-desired 3-book publishing deal as the prize. As always, I’ll be sharing my personal thoughts on the story, characters and events, and how I felt about the mystery - does it live up to the hype? As ever, it will be completely spoiler-free, I will not be revealing the means, motive or murderer, you need to find that out for yourselves! So, pop the kettle on, get comfy with a coffee, and let’s talk books. Featured Episodes Cosy Mystery Playlist

    34 min

  3. APR 13

    This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me by Ilona Andrews

    This week, I've been reading a lot of fantasy, and my episode is going to lean into that as I'm reviewing a story that takes a really clever approach to the fantasy genre. I’m talking about This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me by Ilona Andrews, a novel with an Isekai (or portal fantasy) premise that could be an absolute disaster, or a joy! The novel follows a protagonist, Maggie, who wakes up inside the world of her favourite unfinished book series. It’s a place where she isn't a powerful warrior, but she does have two very specific advantages: she can’t stay dead, and she has an encyclopaedic knowledge of how everyone’s story is supposed to end. Whether you’re a fan of epic fantasy or you just enjoy a story that keeps you guessing, it's a title that's been getting a lot of attention. As always, I’ll be sharing my personal thoughts on the book, the world, the characters, and what I thought about the story overall. As always, the review will be completely spoiler-free, so you can go into This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me completely fresh if you decide to give it a go for yourselves. To round things off, my second, shorter review is for the 2024 mystery novel How To Solve Your Own Murder by Kristen Perrin. Offering a really interesting contrast to the dark fantasy that comes before it! So pop the kettle on, get comfy with your drink of choice, and let’s talk books.

    51 min

  4. MAR 30

    Overgrowth by Mira Grant

    Described as The Day of the Triffids crossed with Little Shop of Horrors, this week, I’m looking at a story that certainly presents an unusual scenario. I’m talking about Overgrowth by Mira Grant, a book with a botanical horror premise that's hard to ignore once you've heard it. If you haven't come across this sci-fi horror novel yet, this episode’s a good place to start. It’s a bit of a genre-shifter that’s quite difficult to categorise, following a woman who’s spent thirty years trying to warn everyone about an alien invasion they simply refuse to see. Whether you’re a fan of science fiction or you just enjoy a story that keeps you guessing, this is an interesting novel that came out in early 2025. As always, I’ll be sharing my personal take on the story and looking at some other book reviews to give a balanced view, because we can't all like everything. I’ll also be keeping it completely spoiler-free, so you can go into it fresh if you decide to give it a go for yourselves. So, grab yourself something to drink, settle back, and dive into this episode of Being Bookish.

    35 min

  5. MAR 25 ·  BONUS

    The Stephen King Thing - The Dead Zone

    In this brand new spin-off to my podcast, Being Bookish, I am reading my way through Stephen King's novels, specifically those where characters reside, or experience something, in Castle Rock. These episodes will be every 6 weeks, as there is a lot to cover, and I am reading them with my friend, and fellow podcaster, Lorraine. In this episode, we're looking at the novel, The Dead Zone. Released in 1979, the story of Johnny Smith, a man with extraordinary powers, is the first novel where Castle Rock makes an appearance. Join us both as we take a tour through Stephen King's universe, and experience some of these books for the first time in decades! If you prefer, you can watch this on

    57 min

  6. MAR 16

    Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman

    This week, I'm venturing into the chaotic and sometimes hilarious world of the LitRPG phenomenon that's taken the book world by storm. I'm talking about Dungeon Crawler Carl by Matt Dinniman, the first book in a (currently) 7-book series that's grown from a self-published cult favourite into a global bestseller. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, then this episode is a great place to start (as until a few months ago I didn't have a clue either). Dungeon Crawler Carl is genre-bending fiction that refuses to be pinned down. It moves from the fast-paced action of a role-playing game into a pitch-black satire of reality TV and corporate greed, all whilst balancing comedy with moments of genuine cosmic horror. It follows Carl and his ex-girlfriend’s prize-winning cat, Princess Donut, as they're forced to compete in a deadly, televised crawl for an alien audience. Whether you're a fan of gaming or just enjoy satirical sci-fi, this is a series you need on your radar. As always, I'll be sharing my personal thoughts as well as looking to other reviews to provide a balanced perspective because we can't all like everything. I'll also be keeping it completely spoiler-free because you may want to dive into the dungeon for yourselves at some point. So, get your refreshments ready and dive into this episode of Being Bookish.

    46 min

  7. MAR 2

    An Interview with Author Venetia Constantine

    Join me this week for the third in my 2026 author interviews. This time I'm talking with Venetia Constantine about her captivating debut fantasy novel, The Last Starborn Seer. Released by Aria on the 5th of March, it is a sweeping, high-stakes journey through a world of ancient prophecies and celestial magic. It follows Leilani, a young woman whose volatile magic grants her visions of the future while slowly taking a toll on her mind. It is a brilliant read for anyone who loves epic world-building and high-stakes quests. We talked about everything from her inspiration, an incredibly fascinating (and terrifying) story about how she came to write the book when she did (honestly, it is incredible), and her journey to traditional publication. As always, we both did our best to avoid revealing any spoilers, because the book should be enjoyed without spoilers! So, get yourself a cup of something hot and warming or cool and refreshing and settle down to enjoy the latest episode of Being Bookish. Venetia's Links Instagram Website Buy the Book

    1h 8m

  8. FEB 23

    An Interview with Author Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett

    This week, I had the pleasure of talking with author and Guardian Columnist Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett about her latest brilliant novel, Female, Nude. Released on the 12th of February by Tinder Press, it is an exploration of the female gaze, set against a stunning Grecian backdrop. Sophie, an artist, is contemplating her life when she spends time with university friends in the run-up to a wedding. In relation to a study of female self-portraits, she analyses her life, the choices she must make, and what it means to be a woman of a certain age under the pressures of societal expectations. We talked about everything from her inspiration and the research that went into the book to the writing process and her ideas behind the narrative. So, boil your kettle, make a cup of something hot and settle down with the latest episode of Being Bookish. Rhiannon's Links Guardian Column Instagram Buy the book

    51 min
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5
out of 5
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About

Avid reader, big book lover. I love recommending books, speaking with authors, and I always ensure I don't spoil the ending. Episodes released every other Tuesday.

Information

  • Creator
    Raye
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    230
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Raye
  • Show Website
    Being Bookish

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