Hosted by Beth and Freya. Guest appearances from local poet, Joy, and Callum from Libraries Unlimited in Devon and Torbay.

In this episode we’re discussing books with a connection to Essex for our book bingo challenge, Freya spoke to Joy, a local Essex poet, about her poetry and work on a local project called Essexism, and Beth spoke to our friend Callum from Libraries Unlimited down in Devon and Torbay about their lockdown podcast. And since this is our last episode of this series, we will be looking back on the book bingo challenge and how it’s changed us as readers.

0:49 Book Bingo Discussion – Connection with Essex

Beth reviews ‘Strange Magic’ by Syd Moore. It follows Rosie Strange, a realist and sceptic who inherits her grandfather’s run-down witchcraft museum in Essex. On her first visit to the museum she meets a professor who requests the help of her and the museum curator to uncover the remains of a well-known witch.

· Reserve a copy from Essex Libraries

· Borrow the e-book from BorrowBox

Freya speaks about ‘Rivers of London’ by Ben Aaronovitch.The novel follows police officer Peter Grant, a young copper in the Metropolitan police who had a very unexpected encounter with a ghost and then was recruited into a small branch of the met that deals with magic and all things supernatural.

· Reserve a copy from Essex Libraries

5:50 Joyful Connection

Joy M. Louisa is a local performance poet and blogger. Joy tells us about the Essexism project by Mark Massey. We hear about the inspiration behind her poetry and Joy gives her tips for budding creatives about poetry and blogging

· Find out more about Joy on her blog, Joyful Connection, and Vimeo

Libraries Unlimited

Callum from Libraries Unlimited tells us about their lockdown podcast. Libraries Unlimited is a charity organisation that runs the library service in Devon and Torbay. Callum speaks about the ups and downs of starting a new podcast

· Listen to Libraries Unlimited Podcast

Challenge complete

Freya and Beth chat about how their reading habits have changed since taking part in the book bingo challenge.

We’d love to get your thoughts and recommendations for further episodes so please comment or message us on Twitter or Facebook @EssexLibraries. Feel free to give us a rating or review or send comments and suggestions of things you’d love to hear to reading@essex.gov.uk.

Thanks for listening!