Reading Between Deadlines Podcast

Rachael Johns & Anthea Hodgson
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Reading Between Deadlines is a twice-monthly podcast with Aussie authors Anthea Hodgson and Rachael Johns. Each month, we unpack a trending book in one episode and interview the author of Rachael’s Book Club Pick in the other. readingbetweendeadlines.substack.com

  1. Aug 13

    We Read THE ENDING WRITES ITSELF by Evelyn Clarke

    Hi Deadliners We hope you enjoy this latest edition of Reading Between Deadlines. Our whole purpose here is to read HYPED books and unpack whether we a) agree with the hype and b) can understand WHY this book has reached such heights. Well, today we are chatting about a book that got a LOT of hype when it was announced last year and the BIG mystery was WHO were the two author behind the pseudonym Evelyn Clarke. This episode’s pick: THE ENDING WRITES ITSELF by Evelyn Clarke is a locked room mystery set in the publishing world, written by best-selling authors V.E. Schwab and Cat Clarke under a shared pseudonym. The story begins when six authors are invited to a remote island to complete the unfinished manuscript of a legendary novelist but when one of them dies, they all start to wonder who they can trust and whether there’s more at stake than their careers. We hope you enjoy and lets us know what you think in the comments. Happy Listening and Love lots,Rach and Anthea PS. If you want to watch rather than listen, scroll down. In this episode, we cover: Rach’s love affair with a real Scottish Island. Was the crime or publishing stuff stronger in this book? Midlist authors! Literary snobbery. Convention or cliche? Ponder which famous authors we’d like to collaborate. Who would YOU like to collaborate? Let us know in the comments. 💋 And, of course, we rate it: Kiss, Kill, or Marry Loading... ⏰ Timestamps 1.0 Welcome to Rachael’s private tropical island (you may be wondering why she invited you here today…) 3.14 The blurb. (Would you risk life and limb for a weekend in a creepy house on a windswept Scottish island?) (Yes. Yes you would.) 4.39 When two authors become one. The hype surrounding two best selling authors who love each other very much and have a book baby. (Anthea wonders if she’ll ever be loved that much..) (PS look out for The Insta Detectives in January!!) 6.15 Victoria Schwab and Kat Clarke co-bio - more of a story, but hey, we’re not judging! 7.49 - Rach and Anthea do a weird switcheroo and keep almost giving away their feelings before the official rating. 10.10 - Rach tries to get factual but it’s such a new book there isn’t much to say. Although the pre-buzz guessing who the authors were was FUN!! 12.52 Kiss, Kill, Marry.. We rate The Ending Writes Itself 14.05 Anthea invokes the name of Agatha (also, funnily enough, her nickname when she was at primary school) 14.05 Rachael recalls her own trip to a (non-murdery) Scottish Island 16.26 The cast of characters. Victims, murderers… and not nearly enough heelund coos! 17.42 Rach has a (mid-list) identity crisis. 21.34 The crimey bit. Is it enough? 24.58 Anthea loves the classics, like Duran Duran, obviously – but also 1930’s murder mysteries.. 26.43 What’s next for Evelyn Clarke – romance? Horror? Rural? 31.10 Who invited all these characters, anyway, and how much do we care? 36.38 The cost of living crisis comes to the Pod. (Anthea does the numbers and realises she’s essentially unemployed.) 40.22 Rach ‘ships’ her fave authors into writing collabs. 41.26 What are we reading next (interrupted by a long and boring story about Anthea forgetting the name of her local café. Spoiler alert. She had to look it up.) 43.48 Anthea and Rach sign off. Anthea is off on a cruise to Budapest, with Rachael’s Kobo. 👉 Watch the episode above and let us know your feelings about THE ENDING WRITES ITSELF! 📖 Coming up next: 👉Next Ep we’re chatting to to Fiona McArthur about Junkyard Cats by Faith Hunter 📅 In September, we’re diving into Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier and we’re chatting to Tricia Stringer about The Giver of Stars by JoJo Moyes. For what we’re up to after that, click here. 🛍️ Do you read between deadlines too? Grab the merch Thanks for following. We love ya! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit readingbetweendeadlines.substack.com/subscribe

  2. Jul 27

    Tamara Moss makes us read Daddy Long Legs

    This episode's book: Daddy Long Legs by Jean Webster is a delightful epistolary novel, first published in 1912 as a serialisation for Ladies Home Journal. At the time it was classified as a “college girl book” and is the story of hard-on-her luck Jerusha, who comes into a bit of luck with Mr Smith (who she nicknames Daddy Long Legs) decides to pay for her education. This episode’s guest is fellow sandgroper Tamara Moss and New York Times Bestselling author of The Escape Game (co-written with Marissa Meyer) and also the Lintang series. Check out Tamara's website In this episode, we cover: Favourite protagonists Is this a problematic romance or a reflection of the time? Dear Enemy - the sequel. Third-act break-ups/black moments We love epistolary novels but they can cause plot probs. Writing letters - let us know in the comments whether you’re a letter writer Leave a comment 💋 And, of course, we rate DADDY LONG LEGS: Kiss, Kill, or Marry. Loading... 📚 Books Mentioned in this Ep The Gentleman of Moscow by Amor Towles Illuminae by Amy Kauffman and Jay Kristoff The Killer Question by Janice Hallett The Near Daphne Experience by Alison Reynolds The Correspondent by Virginia Evans 84 Charring Cross Road by Helene Hanff Teen Power Inc series by Emily Rodda Twilight series Harry Potter series Five Voices by Tamara Moss ⏰ Timestamps 1.0 Welcome to Daddy Land.. and to Tamara Moss! 2.10 Tamara’s bio – teaching, Asian Studies, New York Times Bestselling Author… 4.37 Rach probes Tamara’s origin story 5.15 In a win for Arachnophiles, we introduce today’s novel – Daddy Longlegs from 1912.. but is it… ok?? 7.27 The blurb – an orphan and her mysterious eight legged sponsor.. (or something like that…) 8.00 Adaptations. Just how tall is Fred Astaire, anyway? 8.43 Jean Webster, a nice lady who wrote about nice ladies and their…daddies? 12.08 How did we read it? Ears? Eyes? Vibes? 13.38 Rach goes deep with Daddy facts 15.51 Kiss, Kill, Marry. It’s time! 18.51 Judy is Tamara’s favourite protagonist – and we can see why! 20.05 Writing romance in a series of one-sided letters to an older man 23.33 Addressing the Daddy in the room. (eww?) 27.55 Age gap love – like Anthea (Daddy) and Rach (Judy).. 29.43 Rach ponders the third act break up (the black moment..) 33.20 Remember that letter you sent to someone telling them about that time you were both in the same room together having a conversation you both already know about? Me neither. 36.19 We name some excellent epistolic novels… 39.21 Are Tamara and Rachael letter writers? Letter keepers? 47.42 The Gentleman of Moscow. Way more exciting than it sounds. Unless you think it sounds exciting, in which case, exactly as exciting as it sounds. 48.18 Marissa Meyer, Live Journal, co-writing and Daddy Longlegs! Whoops we forgot to mention what’s coming next. It’s THE ENDING WRITES ITSELF and JUNKYARD CATS. Happy reading and listening. 👉 Watch now and tell us - did you love Daddy Long Legs? 👉Next Ep, we’re diving into The Ending Writes Itself by Evelyn Clark and our Augut guest is Fiona McArthur who is making us read Junkyard Cats by Faith Hunter September Books: 14th July - Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier28th July - The Giver of Stars by JoJo Moyes with guest author Tricia Stringer PLEASE NOTE we’ve made a few changes for the rest of the year. You can view the list here! 🎽 Do you read between deadlines too? Grab the merch This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit readingbetweendeadlines.substack.com/subscribe

  3. Jul 13

    We Read YESTERYEAR by Caro Claire Burke

    Hi Deadliners We hope you enjoy this latest edition of Reading Between Deadlines. Our whole purpose here is to read HYPED books and unpack whether we a) agree with the hype and b) can understand WHY this book has reached such heights. Well, today we are chatting possible THE BIGGEST HYPED BOOK OF THE YEAR. This episode’s pick: YESTERYEAR by Caro Claire Burke is a very topical book about a “trad-wife” influencer who has many, many kids with her handsome farming husband, but surprise, surprise, her life is not as perfect as her posts would lead you to believe. This book has been called ‘satire’ and gave us a LOT to talk about. We hope you enjoy and lets us know what you think in the comments. Happy Listening and Love lots,Rach and Anthea PS. If you want to watch rather than listen, scroll down. Subscribe now In this episode, we cover: Whether blurbs affect how you enjoy/read a book. Literary vs Commercial Fiction What our writer friends thought of YESTERYEAR “Tradwives” we follow and don’t What we expect from twists 💋 And, of course, we rate it: Kiss, Kill, or Marry Loading... ⏰ Timestamps 1.0 Welcome to Rach, Anthea and Ghost Dog 1.51 Meet Yesteryear – the best time you can have darning your (probably organic) socks 3.36 We read the blurb for the first time and are kind of surprised #proffesional 6.16 How did we read the book? Rach listened and read – Anthea knitted hers then read it next to a kerosine lamp 7.56 Caro Claire Burke’s name is longer than her bio. (We get it. You’re totally legit.) 10.19 Book stats. Over 460 000 ratings on Goodreads, but most of them are probably Anne Hathaway 13.41 Kiss, Kill, Marry, Make sourdough 14.47 We discuss ratings – and Ghost Dog appears! (then disappears) (then appears..) 15.12 The ending. Shiz gets real. And weird 17.29 Low expectations – reading (and dating?) advice from Rach 18.19 Trad wives. Gluttons for punishment? Or attention? 21.59 Is Caleb a lazy dummy with a roving eye? Yes. 22.40 Natalie, kind of a dick, but also, NOT a time traveller 26.08 Shannon and Caleb, sitting in a tree… 27.14 Rach wants more from Yesteryear… cancellation, trad wives, kid’s privacy… 30.00 Twist discussion – time travel VS mental break 32.00 It’s not that we don’t like Natalie… but even NATALIE doesn’t like Natalie… 35.57 Clementine travels back from the future in a CAR! (remember those, Natalie?) 37.12 Natalie is still hard to please. And time travel actually seems more likely than this twist. 40.50 Natalie’s mum – a woman not afraid to pretend her husband is dead. 42.02 Is this literature because the ending sucked?? 48.06 Rach and Anthea agree it was still a kiss. (but Anthea secretly wanted time-travel) (for the end of the novel, and just in general) 48.28 What novels are next?! (Anthea takes note!) 👉 Watch the episode above and let us know your feelings about YESTERYEAR! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit readingbetweendeadlines.substack.com/subscribe

  4. Jun 28

    Kate Solly makes us read THE EYRE AFFAIR

    Listen above or on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, or if you want to SEE us in all our glory… watch at the bottom of this post. And if you LOVE the pod, please consider leaving us a review. This episode's book: The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde is a bonkers alternate-history mystery where literary detective, Thursday Next, has to save Jane Eyre from a villain who is rewriting literature. A very bookish book! This week’s guest is the delightful Kate Solly, who writes warm and feel-good cosy mystery. Her latest novel is The Paradise Heights Miniature Railway Bust-Up, and when Kate’s not writing, she’s wrangling six kids and doing crochet. In this episode, we cover: Audio books vs Print - some narratives suit one more than the other Main characters - do we need to connect with them to love a story? Rereading, DNFing and reading multiple books at once Jasper’s literary influences (we speculate) 💋 And, of course, we rate THE EYRE AFFAIR: Kiss, Kill, or Marry. 📚 Books Mentioned in this Ep Anne of Green Gables by LM Montgomery Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Emma by Jane Austen A Disappearance in Fiji by Nilima Rao Miss Caroline Bingley, Private Detective by Kelli Gardiner and Sharmini Kumar The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies by Alison Goodman The Tea Ladies by Amanda Hampson The Bookshop Detectives by Gareth and Louise Ward Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus Tenderfoot by Toni Jordan Tiny, Useless Hearts by Toni Jordan Those Faraday Girls by Monica McInerney The Other Bridget by Rachael Johns Enid Blyton Nancy Drew Babysitters Club ⏰ Timestamps 0:00 – Anthea opens the show. Rach contributes by almost forgetting her own name. 1.31 - Anthea intros the charming, well-behaved and alarmingly fertile Kate Solly. 2.43 - Kate has chosen The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde – one of her all-time favourites. She does suspect, however, that Jasper has never heard of Coco Chanel. 3.40 - Rach and Anthea judges Kate's bio, become wildly jealous of her book-wraooubg skills, and marvel at the fact she once crocheted Rach a Diet Coke can. Frankly, she's showing off. 4.48 - What’s that smell? We all share the disgusting things we’ve found in our cars way too late. Perhaps this podcast should come with a biohazard warning. 6.57 - Kates reads the blurb of her chosen book - a novel on Rach and Anthea’s radar for YEARS. Thank god Kate finally made us read it. 8.43 - Time to judge Jaspers bio - there are three to choose from. Rach thinks that is two bios too many! 10.40 - Today's pick is over twenty years old. Anthea was convinced it was from the '80s. Close enough. 12.05 - Rach shares the book stats and fun facts, including Jasper's 76 rejections... then completely forgets the most interesting fact. Luckily Kate came prepared. 14.44 - Anthea explains our ratings system and, in a shocking turn of events, tries to get Rach cancelled. Again. 15.07 - Anthea explains her rating. She suspects Jasper occasionally ignores his editors, wanted more "lore" (she's down with the kids), and craved a little more heart and a few higher stakes. 17.11 - Kate promises Jasper really hits his stride in the later books, and suddenly we're considering adding several more novels to the TBR. 19.45 - Rach feels it makes sense this was his debut as it reads like a first novel. But hey, everyone has to start somewhere and this is a pretty good start. 22.58 - Kate reveals her family are thoroughly obsessed with Mr Fforde and his affairs. We also discuss the politics of sharing Kindles and Kobos. 25.01 - Rach didn't quite click with Thursday Next and suspects she may be the least interesting person in her own book. 28.24 - Plot takes centre stage, character takes the back seat, and Douglas Adams is very much in the passenger seat. 29.16 - Magic is afoot - the one-star Goodreads review Rach wanted to read aloud has mysteriously disappeared. 30.43 - Time to interrogate Kate about her reading habits: rereading, DNFing, and other controversial behaviour. 34.20 - Book formats do matter and Kate gets sweaty over our auto buy author question. 36.58 - Cozy mysteries have officially gone mainstream, and Kate shares some of her favourites. 38.45 - The loneliness of being the only person who didn't fall head over heels for a wildly hyped book. 39.59 - Reading reviews is like picking scabs. Gross? Yes. But this might just be our fave bookish analogy ever. 42.21 - An ode to Toni Jordan. (As she deserves.) 43.18 - Which book reignited Kate's love of reading? 45 - We all adore The Faraway Tree. We absolutely do not want to meet Dame Slap. 46.03 - What we're reading next, including the book that seems to be in absolutely everyone's hands right now. 👉Next Ep, we’re diving into Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke and our July guest is Tamara Moss who is making us read Daddy Long Legs by Jean Webster. July Books: 14th July - The Ending Writes Itself by Evelyn Clark28th July - Junkyard Cats by Faith Hunter with guest author Fiona McArthur This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit readingbetweendeadlines.substack.com/subscribe

  5. Jun 14

    We Read THEO OF GOLDEN by Allen Levi

    Hi Deadliners We hope you enjoy this latest edition of Reading Between Deadlines. Honestly it might be our FAVOURITE episode yet. It’s a cracker, even if we DO say so ourselves. This episode’s pick: THEO OF GOLDEN by Allen Levi is a book that was self-published and then picked up by a major publisher after it basically went viral. It’s about an old dude who turns up mysteriously in the fiction town of Golden, then starts buying up portraits for half the town. We hope you enjoy our deep dive into this hyped book. Happy Listening and Love lots,Rach and Anthea PS. If you want to watch rather than listen, scroll down. In this episode, we cover: Why authors love the question “what if?” Word length and editing Plot vs character Religion in fiction And we rewrite the ending. 💋 And, of course, we rate it: Kiss, Kill, or Marry ⏰ Timestamps 000 – Intro – Rachael is a newsreader now.. and she’s been robbed.. 2.24 – Rachael introduces Theo of Golden and reads the blurb. Anthea is already bored. 4.35 – Why we read Theo – International hype is REAL 5.50 Alan – 70 year old song writer who’s not Willie Nelson 6.42 – Should you write about stuff you see in a coffee shop? We’re about to find out.. 7.19 – The bio you have when you don’t have a bio (is Alan a bit rock’n’ roll?) 9.40 – Rach goes Insta Detectives on Theo of Golden with interesting facts.. Anthea checks her watch.. 12.16 Anthea is all about the rules.. Kiss, Kill, Marry… 13.38 – Shiz gets REEL. Anthea and Rach give their verdict. 15.21 – Rachael has gone completely crackers. Anthea tries to understand 16.58 – Nope, it’s no good – Rachael is crazily trying to justify her rating. Anthea is having a minor breakdown. 17.25 – A dead Theo wins Rach’s heart. Anthea passes out. 18.02 – Info dumping – Rachael’s new favourite. Anthea casts about for a new bestie… 19.02 - Rachael relishes Theo’s dumb AND boring secret baby trope. Anthea astral travels out of her office, to somewhere nice without any Theos. 20.12 – Anthea puts on her SURPRISED face on, and refuses to remove it. 21.25 – Rach decides she wouldn’t have finished it if she didn’t have to. Anthea wonders if she UNDERSTANDS THE RATINGS SYSTEM??!!! 21.45 – Rach admits she was PLODDING along with Theo. PUCKER UP BABY! (STILL a kiss?????????????) 22.18 – Anthea feels the phrase ‘this is boring’ is underused. (Not by her, obviously.) 22.38 – Dramatic death letter. It’s never too soon. (and stay away from windows.) 23.24 – Anthea expresses her disappointment in Rachael’s rating. Again. Seriously. We get it! (also Anthea goes global and kills it for her friend in Colorado) 26.07 – Anthea gently rants about the many, many, many problems with this novel. (Put the pen down, Grandad.) 27.05 – To the Theo of Golden Community. Well played. Well played, indeed. 28.18 – Rachael admits Theo WAS LONG AND BORING. Anthea rests her case. (mentally, you won’t hear that bit.) 28.37 – Ellen (the most exciting character Anthea barely remembers) is getting her own novel. Kill me now. 29.02 – No ticking clock on Theo’s death (it still wouldn’t have saved this novel, but it would have been nice to see him make the attempt) 29.19 – Christian messages. Too much? (Amen!) 32.30 – Tension please!! Pleeaase! Anthea and Rach agree Theo is boring. High 5! 33.20 – Sorry, but this book needed a good edit 34.50 - Old men and books. AB Facey. Owed Anthea’s great granddad money. Scandal! 37.14 - The cover - Anthea approves! Rachael approves! (it’s boring) 39.05 - Anthea threatens to sack Rachael. Realises Rach is the boss!! Settles to sentencing her to reading the sequel, about the boring Ellen. 41.32 – Rachael threatens Anthea with a Theo of Golden keepsake. Anthea feels physically ill.. 42.29 – Readers Retreat! (Theo free zone!) 43.30 – We’re reading The Eyre Affair, Yesteryear and a bunch of other books which are possibly more exciting than Theo. (Sorry, Theo.) (Anthea is swiping LEFT) (But you still have a chance with Rach!) 45.00 BYE! (please don’t go around buying portraits and handing them out to people – it’s way less charming and life changing than you think.) Coming up next: 👉Next Ep we’re chatting to Kate Solly about The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde. 📅 In July, we’re diving into possibly the MOST HYPED book of the year - Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke and we’re chatting to Tamara Moss about Daddy Long Legs by Jean Webster This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit readingbetweendeadlines.substack.com/subscribe

  6. May 28

    Sara Foster Makes us read THE HAND THAT FIRST HELD MINE by Maggie O'Farrell

    Listen above or on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, or if you want to SEE us in all our glory… watch at the bottom of this post. And if you LOVE the pod, please consider leaving us a review. This episode's book: The Hand That First Held Mine by Maggie O’Farrell, is a story about two seemingly very unrelated women as they come to terms with new motherhood, love and hidden family secrets. This week’s guest is Sara Foster is an internationally bestselling author known for her gripping psychological thrillers and emotionally rich storytelling. Originally from the UK and now based in Western Australia, Sara is one of our best writing friends and we can’t wait to hang out with her again on retreat later in the year. Most importantly she knows how to party and we were recently luck enough to attend her 50th 70s themed bday on a boat! In this episode, we cover: Maggie O’Farrell’s long, fabulous career (no, we’re not jealous) Authors who write many different types of books Themes of motherhood in fiction. The tenses we like in fiction. Simple but poignant premises Sara’s reading tastes and recommendations 💋 And, of course, we rate THE HAND THAT FIRST HELD MINE: Kiss, Kill, or Marry. Loading... 📚 Books Mentioned in this Ep The Book of Unnamed Midwives by Meg Elison Story Genius by Lisa Cron Anything by Lisa Jewell, Taylor Jenkins Reid and Liane Moriarty Far From The Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy Prayer For Owen Meany by John Irving God of the Woods by Liz Moore The Hush by Sara Foster You Don’t Know Me by Sara Foster ⏰ Timestamps 0:00 – Intro to our fabulousness (even if we do say so ourselves) 0:41 – Rach’s disappearing act and all the many luncheons. 2:23 – Introducing our fabulous guest - Sara Foster. She’s been prepping hard but still feels nervous, making Rach feel ALL powerful. 2:56 – The Hand That First Held Mine by Maggie O’Farrell - Sara beautifully reads the blurb. 4:48 – Judging Sarah’s author bio. She has a PhD AND a very cute dog. We are officially in awe yet Anthea still gives her tips on how to improve it! Rach suggests Sarah write a memoir about the boozy, long-lunch era of publishing. 9:23 – Judging Maggie O’Farrell’s bio - Rach feels she’s a bit of a braggart, then boasts about her own thirty-something books. Sara talks about Maggie’s varied career (spoiler - she loves everything she’s written). 14:49 – Book facts, awards and Goodreads. Goodreads give it the tick of approval but now it’s our turn to Kiss, Kill or Marry. Every gets nervous and Rach no longer trusts her own opinion! 17:15 – Book discussion: Oh Lord, it’s another quiet novel. Lexi vs Elena timelines – which gal was the funnest? Anthea likens the book to eating All Bran. 22.00 - Rach needs a few things explained. She’s really pissed off about a baby with no-name, but aside from that she sounds rather obsessed. 25.12 - Oh Lord, Rach is waxing lyrical about quiet novels again, yet can’t explain what she loves so much about this book. 26.41 - Why on earth is Maggie so compelling? Rach admits she’s really nosey! 29.07 - Sara tells us why Maggie is a literary genius! Speculating on Maggie’s writing process. 33:14 – Whose story is this? (Lexi vs Elena vs Ted debate) Does Ted even HAVE a passport?? Anthea really gets nit-picky, but makes a good point. 39:46 – Time to ask Sarah all the hard questions. Eg. Who are her auto-buy authors?(Rach and Anthea offended not to feature) 40:49 – Sarah’s top book recommendation: The Book of the Unnamed Midwife – this is the fancy kind of shiz we’ve come to expect from Sara… We can’t believe neither of us have ever even heard of it. 42:50 – Trigger warnings debate – When do we need to know? 44:34 – Classic novel Sarah hasn’t read and overhyped books 49:33 – Sarah’s favourite of her own books and insight into the podcast adaptation of You Don’t Know Me. 52:10 – Reading reviews: do our authors look? 56:03 – What’s next?? 👉 Watch now and tell us - did you love The Hand That First Held Mine? 👉Next Ep, we’re diving into Theo of Golden by Allen Levi and our June guess is Kate Solly who is making us read The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde. July Books: 14th July - Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke28th July - Daddy Long Legs by Jean Webster with guest author Tamara Moss Exciting NEWS - we’ve pretty much locked in all our books for the rest of the year! You can see them here! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit readingbetweendeadlines.substack.com/subscribe

  7. May 14

    We Read HALF HIS AGE by Jennette McCurdy

    Hi Deadliners We hope you enjoy this latest edition of Reading Between Deadlines. This episode’s pick: HALF HIS AGE - a supposedly funny story about sex, power, and the stories we tell ourselves to survive. The story is about Waldo, a teenaged girl who becomes obsessed with her teacher. It’s the debut novel by Jennette McCurdy, child star, now writer, filmmaker and more. Although this is her first novel, her memoir, GLAD MY MOM DIED, was a massive hit! We hope you enjoy our deep dive into this hyped book. Happy Listening and Love lots,Rach and Anthea PS. If you want to watch rather than listen, scroll down. 💋 And, of course, we rate it: Kiss, Kill, or Marry. ⏰ Timestamps 0:05 — Welcome to the Pod! 1:18 — Rach entering witness protection to avoid socialising with Anthea (understandable!) 4:55 — We read Half His Age by Jeanette McCurdy…but why? 6:05 — Hype – has it tricked us again? 8:00 — Blurb – a tale as old as time (or if not time, as old as that creepy Russian book..) 9:38 — Author bio – Fancy enough for ya? 11:50 — Goodreads – Rach gets forensic… 13:01 — So – how did it sell? Rach runs the figures – Anthea is impressed! 13:20 — Kiss, Kill, Marry! The rules… 14:15 — Judging, but in a nice way.. 14:47 — Rach reports back on her time with Waldo and her creepy boyfriend 15:47 — Rach is over stories with older male love interests. (Ageist!) (and she says something about character growth..?) 16:11 — Is the older man plot too creepy to enjoy? (Anthea feels bad about Harrison Ford, but not THAT bad..) 18:02 — Does anything shock us anymore? Anthea can’t remember.. 18:17 — Anthea and Rach discuss period sex/bloody penis play – hot or not? (NOT!!!) 19:31 — Anthea on kissing Waldo.. (not just after the bloody penis bit, obvs..) 21:52 — What makes a good book? Anthea is still confused. 24:43 — What makes a book successful? (no, really??!) 26:03 — Is Waldo SUPER mature? Or just really into menopause? 30:57 — Waldo – lumbered with a middle-aged man. #goals 32:55 — Family dinner with a rando kid – weird? Or massively cosy and appropriate? 35:06 — Is Jeanette ok? A tough childhood on the page. 41:42 — What’s coming next on the podcast (Anthea writes things down..) And we add Yesteryear to the menu…(Anthea thinks it’s about her..) 44:15 — Bye! 📖 Coming up next: 👉Next Ep we’re chatting to Sara Foster about The Hand That First Held Mine by Maggie O’Farrell. In June, we’re diving into Theo of Golden by Allen Levi and chatting to Kate Solly about The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde. For what we’re up to after that, click here. 🛍️ Do you read between deadlines too? Grab the merch This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit readingbetweendeadlines.substack.com/subscribe

  8. Apr 28

    Mercedes Mercier Makes us read THE ONLY ONE LEFT by Riley Sager

    Listen above or on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, or if you want to SEE us in all our glory… watch at the bottom of this post. This episode's book: The Only One Left by Riley Sager, a gothic thriller packed with family secrets, dodgy characters, and a creepy old-mansion. The story follows a home health aide caring for a woman accused decades earlier of murdering her family. This week’s guest is Mercedes Mercier (otherwise known as Rach’s co-writers). Mercedes is a crime and thriller author known for her fast-paced, twist filled novels. When she’s not writing or looking after her twin daughters, she works in the criminal justice system - no wonder her crime novels are so realistic! Her latest book is The Couple’s Retreat. In this episode, we cover: Bios - men vs women. Creepy, gothic settings. Is Riley the male Frieda McFadden? Materialism and old houses. Co-writing and more! 💋 And, of course, we rate THE ONLY ONE LEFT: Kiss, Kill, or Marry. Loading... 📚 Books Mentioned in this Ep Anything by Robin Hobbs The Baby-Sitters’ Club series Goosebumps series IT by Stephen King Sophie Kinsella’s novels DOVE by Georgia Harper Harry Potter series The Lord of the Rings ⏰ Timestamps 1.0 – Welcome, and feel free to be intimidated 2.19 – Mercedes Mercier – pretty much James Bond but a lady 3.57 – The Only Once Left – Tik Tok hype at work 4.43 – Mansions, murder and cliff tops – the blurb is a total vibe 8.28 – The male bio – fewer dogs and kids than you’d think 9.51 – Mercedes shamelessly (and quite correctly) brags that she has kept Rach to a95 000 word count! Anthea passes out…! 11.09 Mercedes and Rach celebrate their (reading) promiscuity 12.31 – Kiss, Kill, Marry – it’s unanimous! 13.45 – Anthea says it’s crazy at the end. FIFTY YEARS CRAZY! 16.15 – Rach loves the crazy – but she doesn’t want to marry it 18.43 – Riley Sager – how to fit a whole lot of crazy into one book at a time 20.39 – Themes - Rach wonders what her books are about?? 21.43 – Anthea goes postal about 50 years of arse-wiping 23.40 – Why 1983? Does this novel really need to be set in Dark Ages?? 25.57 – We question Mercedes about her personal choices – and find out she’s a crier! (and a nerd) (both of which we wholeheartedly support!) 28.54 – DNF – is it our right? Or our DUTY? 31.22 – Fantasy novels and Sophie Kinsella – because dragons like Jimmy Choo’s, too? 33.18 – Reviews – the work of the Devil, and dummies with no taste…! 33.48 – Co-writing – a brief masterclass from Rach and Mercedes 37.46 – Book recommendations. 41.22 – Harry Potter – divisive? Or still magical? 43.11 – Rach tells Anthea what she’s reading next – Anthea writes it down. 44.57 – See you next time! 👉 Watch now and tell us - did you love The Only One Left? 👉Next Ep, we’re diving into Half His Age by Jeanette McCurdy and our May guest is Sara Foster who has chosen to make us read The Hand that First Held Mine by Maggie O’Farrell. June Books: 14th June - By Any Other Name by Jodi Picoult28th June - Daddy Long Legs by Jean Webster with guest author Tamara Moss Exciting NEWS - we’ve pretty much locked in all our books for the rest of the year! You can see them here! 🎽 Do you read between deadlines too? Grab the merch This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit readingbetweendeadlines.substack.com/subscribe

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Reading Between Deadlines is a twice-monthly podcast with Aussie authors Anthea Hodgson and Rachael Johns. Each month, we unpack a trending book in one episode and interview the author of Rachael’s Book Club Pick in the other. readingbetweendeadlines.substack.com

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