A bookchat podcast from Ramsgate, England hosted by bookshop owner Sapphire Bates and archivist Joseph Dance.
This is the podcast for the big readers and the book lovers. Once a month we deep dive on one particular book - maybe an old favourite, or something new and exciting - and we will read and discuss it.
The rest of the time we are spoiler free covering everything from new releases, old gems you might have missed, long lists, short lists, author spotlights as well as the occasional interview. We’ll also chat about what culture we’ve consumed each week, and take questions from you, our lovely listeners.
If you love to read, come hang out with Novel Thoughts!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
A bookchat podcast from Ramsgate, England hosted by bookshop owner Sapphire Bates and archivist Joseph Dance.
This is the podcast for the big readers and the book lovers. Once a month we deep dive on one particular book - maybe an old favourite, or something new and exciting - and we will read and discuss it.
The rest of the time we are spoiler free covering everything from new releases, old gems you might have missed, long lists, short lists, author spotlights as well as the occasional interview. We’ll also chat about what culture we’ve consumed each week, and take questions from you, our lovely listeners.
If you love to read, come hang out with Novel Thoughts!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sapphire, Joseph, and Michelle chat about what they’ve been reading, watching, and listening to this week including Paul Lynch’s Booker Prize-winning novel Prophet Song, Alison Rumfitt’s gutchurning new release Brainwyrms, and Down The Drain, the hotly anticipated memoir from model and actress Julia Fox.
This week’s deep dive book is the million copy bestseller A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara.
For this episode, listener recommendation request comes from Dan who is looking to branch out into the fantasy genre after enjoying The Earthsea books by Ursula K. LeGuin. Joseph recommends The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by N.K. Jemisin, the first book in Jemsin’s ‘Inheritance Trilogy’. Sapphire recommends The Poppy Wars by R.F. Kuang, and Roadside Picnic by Arkady Strugatsky and Boris Strugatsky. Michelle recommends The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin, A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas, the first book in Maas’ four book ‘A Court of Thorns and Roses’ series, and Temeraire (aka His Majesty’s Dragon) by Naomi Novik, the first book in Novik’s nine book ‘Temeraire’ series.
Also mentioned in this episode:
Tell Me I’m Worthless by Alison Rumfitt
The Bee Sting by Paul Murray
Western Lane by Chetna Maroo
Study for Obedience by Sarah Bernstein
‘Hanya’s Boys’ - an essay by Andrea LongChu about A Little Life and Hanya Yanagihara’s other novels
SFGateway website - browse all the titles in the SF Masterworks series
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.