Bookwandering with Anna James

Bestselling author of books for children and teenagers (and my best friend) Katherine Webber joins me to talk about the Alanna books by Tamora Pierce, officially known as the Song of the Lioness Quartet. We talk about age gap romances, why maps are brilliant as a read and tricky as a writer, and mermaids. 

Captain of Fates, a standalone spin-off from the Twin Crowns series, is out now. You can find that and the Alanna books, along with my books at: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/acaseforbooks

The podcast is produced by Adam Collier with artwork by Hester Kitchen. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Climate justice activist, speaker and writer Mikaela Loach joins me this week to talk about The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, the YA dystopian phenomenon. We talk about how the series radicalised Mikaela, reluctant heroes and different ways of resisting justice. (There are spoilers for the original trilogy, but none for The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes or Sunrise on the Reaping.) 

Mikaela's book for young people about the climate crisis and what we can do, Climate Is Just the Start is out now. You can find that and The Hunger Games along with my own books at: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/acaseforbooks

The podcast is produced by Adam Collier with artwork by Hester Kitchen. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Actor, comedian and writer Harry Trevaldwyn joins me to talk about Twilight, Stephenie Meyer's iconic 2005 YA vampire novel. We talk about Harry's obsession with the book as a teenager, the spirit of Georgia Nicholson, hoa hoa season and why it's so vital to have queer YA love stories. 

Harry's debut YA romcom, The Romantic Tragedies of a Drama King is out now. 

You can find The Romantic Tragedies of a Drama King, Twilight and my own books here:  https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/acaseforbooks 

The podcast is produced by Adam Collier with artwork by Hester Kitchen. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Award-winning author Rachel Khong joins me to talk about Half Magic, Edward Eager's 1954 fantasy classic about a family who find a coin that grants them half wishes. Rachel is the author of Goodbye, Vitamin and most recently Real Americans, which is out now in paperback. We talk about Eager's love of E. Nesbit, why Rachel went back to Half Magic when writing Real Americans and how to write magic in literary fiction. 

You can find Real Americans and my own books on my Bookshop page, although Half Magic is out of print in the UK currently:  https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/bookwandering-the-podcast

The podcast is produced by Adam Collier with artwork by Hester Kitchen. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bestselling author Jessie Burton joins me to talk about A Traveller in Time, Alison Uttley's 1939 time slip novel about a girl who falls back to Tudor times. Jessie is the author of many books including The Miniaturist, The House of Fortune, and Medusa. Her debut children's novel, Hidden Treasure, is out now. 

We talk about both being deeply weird about history as kids, the books refusal to do anything but be its own thing, and some of the gorgeous coincidences that happened as Jessie was writing Hidden Treasure and researching her own family history. 

You can find Hidden Treasure, A Traveller in Time and my own books here:  https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/acaseforbooks 

The podcast is produced by Adam Collier with artwork by Hester Kitchen. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Comedian, writer and podcaster Cariad Lloyd joins me to talk about Jane Austen. Cariad is the co-creator of Austentatious, the improvised Jane Austen play, the host of Griefcast, and Sara & Cariad’s Weirdos Book Club with Sara Pascoe. She’s also the author of The Christmas Wish-Tastrophe, amagical middle grade Regency story.

We started with Pride and Prejudice but cover a bit of everything Austen. We talk about our favourite and least favourite Austen novels, the BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, and why writing and reading the Regency period is such fun. 

You can find The Christmas Wish-Tastrophe, my favourite Austen editions and my books at my Bookshop page: https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/bookwandering-the-podcast? and find our more about Brian's work at https://cariadlloyd.com/

The podcast is produced by Adam Collier with artwork by Hester Kitchen.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Theatre producer and friend of the pod Brian Hook joins me to talk about the first three books in Ursula K Le Guin's Earthsea series. Brian is the co-owner of Hartshorn Hook which has produced shows including Immersive Gatsby, Choir of Man, Amelie the Musical and Immersive Peaky Blinders. Brian and I are both huge fans of Earthsea and we chatted about why it means so much to us, bookish tattoos, and why the natural pause point in the series is after book three, not the traditional book four break.

You can find Earthsea and my books at my Bookshop page: https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/bookwandering-the-podcast? and find our more about Brian's work at https://hartshornhook.com/ 

The podcast is produced by Adam Collier with artwork by Hester Kitchen.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Laura Wood joins me to talk about Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine. Laura is the bestselling author of several books for children, teens and adults including newly released Under Your Spell, Laura's debut adult romcom. Laura's choice was Gail Carson Levine's 1997 classic Ella Enchanted and we chatted about retellings, library book limits and the Anne Hathaway film adaptation. 

You can find Laura's and my books at my Bookshop page: https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/bookwandering-the-podcast?

The podcast is produced by Adam Collier with artwork by Hester Kitchen.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In episode ten, Jay McGuiness joins me to talk about Pawn of Prophecy by David Eddings. 

Jay is a member of boyband The Wanted and previous winner of Strictly Come Dancing but also the author of Blood Flowers, his debut YA novel, which is out in February and available to pre-order now. Jay’s choice was David Eddings’ 1982 fantasy book Pawn of Prophecy, the first book in the Belgariad series. We chatted about what makes a book YA, how fantasy can be used to explore almost any idea or issue and the similarities and differences between the publishing and music industry.  

You can find Blood Flowers, Pages & Co, and Pawn of Prophecy at my Bookshop page: https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/bookwandering-the-podcast-s2

This is the last episode of series two but Bookwandering will be back in the New Year for series three. The podcast is produced by Adam Collier with artwork by Hester Kitchen.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In episode nine, C Pam Zhang joins me to talk about American classic A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle. 

Pam is the author of Booker Prize-longlisted How Much of These Hills is Gold and this year's Land of Milk and Honey, one of my favourite books of the year. Pam's pick was A Wrinkle in Time, Madeleine L'Engle's beloved 1962 award-winning novel which kicked off the Time Quintet. We chatted about world hopping and climate change, the religious elements of the book and its refusal to sit neatly in a genre. 

You can find Pam's books, Pages & Co, and A Wrinkle in Time at my Bookshop page: https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/bookwandering-the-podcast-s2

Next week's episode features Jay McGuiness on Pawn of Prophecy by David Eddings. 

The podcast is produced by Adam Collier with artwork by Hester Kitchen.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In episode eight, Sophie Dahl joins me to talk about a mutual favourite, The Wolves of Willoughby Chase by Joan Aiken.

Sophie has written books across ages and genres - novels for adults, non-fiction food writing and most recently children's fiction including her two Madame Badobedah picture books illustrated by Lauren O'Hara. Sophie's pick was The Wolves of Willoughby Chase by Joan Aiken, set in an alternate version of 19th century England and written in 1962. We chatted about the book's massive heart, glorious food writing and truly excellent villains.

You can find Sophie's books, Pages & Co, and The Wolves of Willoughby Chase at my Bookshop page: https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/bookwandering-the-podcast-s2

Next week features C Pam Zhang on A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle.

The podcast is produced by Adam Collier with artwork by Hester Kitchen.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In episode seven, Nikita Gill joins me to talk about JM Barrie's beloved children's novel Peter Pan. 

Nikita is a poet and has published several books of poetry including These Are the Words, Great Goddesses and Fierce Fairytales. She's also one of the most popular poets on Instagram, with over 750k followers at @nikita_gill. We chat about some of the more tricky and Oedipal elements of Peter Pan, its sometimes unsettling tone but also its whimsy and wonder. 

You can find Nikita's books, Pages & Co, and Peter Pan at my Bookshop page: https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/bookwandering-the-podcast-s2

Next week features Sophie Dahl on The Wolves of Willoughby Chase by Joan Aiken.

The podcast is produced by Adam Collier with artwork by Hester Kitchen.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kate DiCamillo joins me to talk about Mary Norton's 1952 children's classic, The Borrowers. 

Kate is the beloved and multi-million bestseller of many books for young readers and one of only a few authors who have won the Newbery Medal twice. Her most recent book is the immediate New York Times bestseller, The Puppets of Spelhorst. We chat about the borrowers decorating habits, stories within stories and how Kate comes to truly understand her own books through conversations with her readers.

You can find The Puppets of Spelhorst and The Borrowers on my Bookshop.org page, where you can get free shipping with the code BOOKWANDERER: https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/bookwandering-the-podcast-s2

This is our last episode before a short break, and we'll be back later in the year for more bookwandering. The podcast is produced by Adam Collier with artwork by Hester Kitchen.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In episode five, Kiran Millwood Hargrave joins me to talk about Garth Nix's 1995 fantasy classic, Sabriel. 

Kiran is the award-winning and bestselling writer of several books for adults and young people including The Girl of Ink and Stars, The Mercies and most recently the start of brand new fantasy series, In the Shadow of the Wolf Queen. We chat about magical bells, how Kiran uses books of power for each of her projects, and why it’s so important not to patronise young readers.

You can find Sabriel and In the Shadow of the Wolf Queen on my Bookshop.org page, where you can get free shipping with the code BOOKWANDERER: https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/bookwandering-the-podcast-s2

Next week's episode is the last before we take a small break and features Kate Di Camillo on The Borrowers by Mary Norton. 

The podcast is produced by Adam Collier with artwork by Hester Kitchen.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In episode four, Jeffrey Boakye joins me to talk about Louis Sachar's beloved 1998 novel Holes. 

Alongside his broadcast and education work, Jeffrey is the author of several works of non-fiction about teaching, race and music. He’s also the author of Kofi and the Rap Battle Summer, his debut children’s novel which came out earlier this year. We chat about Jeffrey teaching the novel to young people, how sitcoms have influenced him and why setting a book in the 90s is basically magical realism.

You can find Holes and Kofi at the Rap Battle Summer on my Bookshop.org page, where you can get free shipping with the code BOOKWANDERER: https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/bookwandering-the-podcast-s2

Next week's episode features Kiran Millwood Hargrave on Sabriel by Garth Nix. The podcast is produced by Adam Collier with artwork by Hester Kitchen.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In episode three, Eliza Clark joins me to talk about Terry Pratchett's 1989-1990 Nome trilogy which kicks off with Truckers. Eliza is the author of cult classic and BookTok sensation Boy Parts, soon to be on stage at the Soho Theatre. Her newest novel, Penance is a brilliant meta true crime novel set in a Yorkshire seaside town. We chat about the enduring appeal of tiny people and big food, pretending to be an elf on the Internet, and both horrible and wholesome teenage obsessions.

You can find Penance and Truckers on my Bookshop.org page, where you can get free shipping with the code BOOKWANDERER: https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/bookwandering-the-podcast-s2

Next week's episode features Jeffrey Boakye on Holes by Louis Sachar. The podcast is produced by Adam Collier with artwork by Hester Kitchen.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In episode two, Angie Thomas joins me to talk about Mildred D. Taylor's 1977 children's classic, Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. Angie is the author of publishing sensation The Hate U Give, her debut YA novel inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement which was later adapted into a film starring Amandla Stenberg. As well as other YA books she's the author of new children's fantasy series, Nic Blake and the Remarkables. We chat about how Roll of Thunder helped her find her voice, book bans and what to do about them, as well as the importance of magical transportation systems when writing fantasy. 

You can find the books we discussed here where you can get free shipping with the code BOOKWANDERER: https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/bookwandering-the-podcast-s2

Next week's episode features Eliza Clark on Truckers by Terry Pratchett. The podcast is produced by Adam Collier with artwork by Hester Kitchen.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Max Porter joins me to talk about the work of the late author and illustrator John Burningham who created Avocado Baby, Mr Gumpy's Day Out and Borka among many, many other beloved picture books. Max is the award-winning author of several books including Grief is the Thing with Feathers, which was adapted into a play starring Cillian Murphy, and most recently Shy. We chat about the alchemy of words and pictures together, frameworks of good and bad for art and beauty and the idea of childhood imagination as vengeance on the banality of the adult world - as well as playing a Burningham-inspired game of Would You Rather?

You can find the books we discussed here where you can get free shipping with the code BOOKWANDERER: https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/bookwandering-the-podcast-s2

Next week's episode features Angie Thomas on Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry. The podcast is produced by Adam Collier with artwork by Hester Kitchen.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cressida Cowell joins me to talk about The Ogre Downstairs by Diana Wynne Jones, the 1974 fantasy standalone. Cressida is the author of the multi-million selling How To Train Your Dragon series as well as brand new series Which Way to Anywhere. She was also the Children's Laureate from 2019 - 2022. We talk about coming back to the ideas your found intoxicating as a child, the importance of school libraries and why Diana Wynnes Jones made both of us the writers we are. 

You can find the books we discussed here: https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/bookwandering-the-podcast

And you can find out more about Cressida's Life-Changing Libraries campaign here: https://www.booktrust.org.uk/what-we-do/childrens-laureate/lifechanginglibraries/

This is the final episode of series one of Bookwandering, but we'll be back later in the year with series two. The podcast is produced by Adam Collier with artwork by Hester Kitchen.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Laura Dockrill joins me to talk about the iconic Tracy Beaker. Laura is the author of books for all ages from picture books to poetry including her memoir What Have I Done?, the Darcy Burdock series for young readers and her new non-fiction book about creativity, You Are a Story. We talk about why Jacqueline Wilson is as good as the Spice Girls, how we find essences of our littler selves when we revisit childhood books as well as sharing some embarrassing tween memories. 

You can find out more about Laura's books, and the books we discuss in the episode here: https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/bookwandering-the-podcast

The last episode of series one of Bookwandering will be out next Wednesday, and we'll be back for series two later in the summer. The podcast is produced by Adam Collier with artwork by Hester Kitchen. 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.