Bookies' Favourite
Bookies’ Favourite is a book club podcast that reads literary shortlists and award-winning novels. Hosted by broadcast journalist Aaron Rice, writer Colin Rice, and bookworms Lucy and Hannah, the show regularly features guests such as authors, publishers, and bookfluencers. The podcast covers series like the International Booker Prize and Booker Prize shortlists.
Episodes
The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout | Review | Booker Prize 2026
Lucy & Aaron are joined by bookie guest Eleni (@books.andcaffeine.matter) to discuss the divisive literary read The Things We Never Say by ElizabethStrout, published by Viking.Many listeners from the bookclub also share their thoughts... opinions are very split! What are your thoughts on this shortlistee?We're reading the Booker Prize 2026 shortlist ahead of the winner announcement.💬 Share
John of John by Douglas Stuart | Review | Booker Prize 2026
The crew discuss the Scottish Island queer fiction novel which is one of the most popular books of the year, John of John by Douglas Stuart, published by Picador.Some listeners from the bookclub share their thoughts on the book too, everyone seems to love it!Were expectations too high for this book?We're reading the Booker Prize 2026 shortlist ahead of the winner announcement.💬 Share your thou
The End of Everything by M. John Harrison | Review | Booker Prize 2026
Lucy, Colin & Aaron discuss otherworldly sci-fi novel The End of Everything by M. John Harrison, published by Serpent's Tail..And we hear the thoughts of some members of the bookclub.The crew is pretty divided over this one, what did you think of the book?We’re reading the Booker Prize 2026 shortlist ahead of the winner announcement.💬 Share your thoughts with the book clubInstagram @booki
Booker Prize 2026 | Shortlist Reaction
The Booker prize 2026 Shortlist has been announced!Aaron, Lucy & Colin share their reactions to the books & decide on a reading schedule.The End of Everything by M. John HarrisonJohn of John by Douglas StuartThe Things We Never Say by Elizabeth StroutBlack Bag by Luke KennardMay We Feed the King by Rebecca PerryThe Disapperers by Marlon JamesWe aim to upload a new episode every Friday, or
Judging a Literary Prize | Queen Mary Small Press Fiction Prize 2027
Bookies' Favourite are co-judging the Queen Mary Small Press Fiction Prize 2027, alongside writers Saraid de Silva & Ben Pester.Acting as one judge on the literary prize's panel of three judges we'll work together to longlist, shortlist and find a winner from all nominated books from small presses across the UK &Ireland. We previously covered some of the books selected for the 2026 prize,
Booker Prize 2026 | Long List Reaction
We've share our thoughts on this year's long listed books. Aaron keeps his streaky having predicted a book which made it onto the list - everyone else has failed yet again to live up to his standard, but the group choice of John of John did make it onto the list.The bookies describe each of the novels to each other and end with a Covergirl segment in which they judge the book covers. We'll be cove
Booker Prize 2026 | Long List Predictions
Welcome back to our 5th series, we're jumping into the Booker Prize 2026. In this episode we predict the Bookers dozen ahead of the announcement.Aaron, Hannah, Lucy & Colin pick 3 books eligible for the award, and combine them with the most popular choice, John of John by Douglas Stewart. They also share what other eligible books they've read.The bookies catch up with each other following the
International Booker Prize 2026 | Winner Predictions
The book club looks back on all 6 books from the International Booker Prize 2026 shortlist, share their rankings, predict a winner & discuss the bookies' odds.💬 Share your thoughts with the book clubInstagram @bookiesfavouritebookclubGoodreads @The Bookies' Favourite BookclubEmail bookiesfavouritebookclub@gmail.comAaron @AaronRiceMediaLucy @bookz2026Hannah @certifiedbookyapperhannahColin @c_f_
The Director by Daniel Kehlmann, translated by Ross Benjamin | Review | International Booker Prize 2026
The book club dives into their final read from the International Booker Prize 2026 shortlist.The Director by Daniel Kehlmann, translated from the German by Ross Benjamin and published by Riverrun.💬 Share your thoughts with the book clubInstagram @bookiesfavouritebookclubGoodreads @The Bookies' Favourite BookclubEmail bookiesfavouritebookclub@gmail.comAaron @AaronRiceMediaLucy @bookz2026Hannah @cer
The Nights are Quiet in Tehran by Shida Bazyar, translated by Ruth Martin | Review | International BookerPrize 2026
The book club dives into their fifth read from the International Booker Prize 2026 shortlist.The Nights are Quiet in Tehran by Shida Bazyar, translated from the German by Ruth Martin, published by Scribe.🍰Read it & Eat itAaron rustles up some Persian saffron & raisin cookies severed to the characters when they visit Iran.If you enjoyed this book you might also enjoy our many discussions on
The Witch by Marie NDiaye, translated by Jordan Stump | Review | International Booker Prize 2026
The book club dives into their fourth read from the International Booker Prize 2026 shortlist.The Witch by Marie NDiaye, translated from the French by Jordan Stump, published by MacLehose Press.🍰Read it & Eat itCheck out the club’s socials to see journalist & home baker Aaron’s baked cookies from this book.If you’d like to see Aaron bake some of his recipes inspired by the books get in tou
Taiwan Travelogue by Yáng Shuāng-zǐ, translated by Lin King | Review | International Booker Prize 2026
The book club dives into their third read from the International Booker Prize 2026 shortlist.Taiwan Travelogue by Yáng Shuāng-zǐ, translated from the Mandarin Chinese by Lin King, published by And Other Stories.This novel was previously awarded:The National Book Award for Translated Literature (2024)The Golden Tripod Award (2021)Baifang Schell Book Prize (2025)ALTA First Translation Prize (2025)Be
Women's Prize for Fiction 2026 | Shortlist Predictions | Gloria Don't Speak by Lucy Apps | Review & Author Interview
Aaron & Lucy dive into the Women's Prize for Fiction longlist ahead of the shortlist announcement later today.We were gifted a copy of Gloria Don't Speak by Lucy Apps, published by Weatherglass Books, for review. Lucy shares her thoughts on the book & speaks with the writer about the novel.We've covered 3 other books on the longlist, check out our previous episodes:- The Benefactors by Wen
She Who Remains by Rene Karabash, translated by Izidora Angel | Review | International Booker Prize 2026
The book club dives into their second read from the International Booker Prize 2026 shortlist.She Who Remains by Rene Karabash, translated from the Bulgarian by Izidora Angel, published by Peirene Press.This novel was previously awarded the Bulgarian Elias Canetti Prize in 2019 and the English version won the Gulf Coast Translation Prize 2023. It was awarded the PEN/Heim Translation Fund Grant in
On Earth as it is Beneath by Ana Paula Maia, translated by Padma Viswanathan | Review | International Booker Prize 2026
The book club dives into their first read from the International Booker Prize 2026 shortlist.On Earth as it is Beneath by Ana Paula Maia, translated from the Portuguese by Padma Viswanathan, published by Charco Press.This book was also longlisted for the Republic of Consciousness Prize US & Canada 2026.The original Brazilian Portuguese novel, titled Assim na Terra como embaixo da Terra, won Pr
International Booker Prize 2026 | Shortlist Reaction
Lucy & Aaron star their thoughts n what did & didn't make it to the shortlist.We'll be reading one book a week until the winner is announced.Our current reading schedule:On Earth As It Is Beneath by Ana Paula Maia, translated from the Portuguese by Padma Viswanathan, published by Charco PressShe Who Remains by Rene Karabash, translated from the Bulgarian by Izidora Angel, published by Peir
International Booker Prize 2026 | Shortlist Predictions
Lucy & Aaron discuss this year's International Booker Prize long-list and share their picks for the shortlist.After tomorrow's announcement we'll be sharing our reactions to the books that have made it onto the shortlist and we'll be setting out our reading schedule for the next 6 weeks before the winner is announced.The book club has covered this award in 2025, the Booker Prize 2025 & the
Queen Mary Small Press Fiction Prize 2026 | Director Neil Griffiths & Judge Susanna Crossman
Ahead of the winner announcement Aaron & Lucy spoke with the director of the award and one of this year's judges.The insight helps us understand the prize and what is considered when deciding between the books.We'll be jumping into another shortlist next week; the International Booker Prize 2026.Before then we've got our interviews with the team who brought you Eden's Shore.Che
Ghost Driver by Nell Osborne, published by Moist Books | Review | Queen Mary Small Press Fiction Prize 2026
In this episode, Aaron & Lucy discuss Ghost Driver by Nell Osborne, published by Moist Books.This is the final book we’re covering from the Queen Mary Small Press Fiction Prize 2026 shortlist before the winner is announced — and we break down its themes, style, and where it sits among this year’s contenders.🏆 The Winner Is Next📅 The winner is announced tomorrow (Wednesday)🎧 We’ll be back with
Figures Crossing the Field Towards the Group by Rebecca Gransden, published by Tangerine Press | Review | Queen Mary Small Press Fiction Prize 2026
In this episode, Colin, Lucy & Aaron discuss Figures Crossing the Field Towards the Group by Rebecca Gransden, published by Tangerine Press.This is the first book we’re covering from the Queen Mary Small Press Fiction Prize 2026 shortlist, and we unpack the novel’s structure, atmosphere, themes, and how it stands out within this year’s field.📖 What’s Coming NextWe’ll be continuing our shortlis
On the Greenwich Line by Shady Lewis, translated by Katharine Halls, published by Peirene Press | Review | Queen Mary Small Press Fiction Prize 2026
All four of us are back together for this episode as we discuss On the Greenwich Line by Shady Lewis, translated by Katharine Halls, and published by Peirene Press.This is our third longlist pick from the Queen Mary Small Press Fiction Prize 2026, and we talk through its structure, themes, translation, and how it’s stacking up against the other contenders we’ve read so far.📖 What’s NextNext read:
The Weasel and The Whore by Martha Luisa Hernández Cadenas, translated by Jennifer Shyue & Julia Sanches, published by Heloise Press | Review | Queen Mary Small Press Fiction Prize 2026
In this episode, Lucy, Hannah & Colin discuss The Weasel and the Whore by Martha Luisa Hernández Cadenas, translated by Julia Sanches and Jennifer Shyue, published by Héloïse Press.This is the second book we’ve selected from the Queen Mary Small Press Fiction Prize 2026 longlist, and we dig into its themes, structure, voice, and why it feels like such a bold and challenging contender in this y
There's a Monster Behind the Door by Gaëlle Bélem, translated by Karen Fleetwood & Laëtitia Saint-Loubert, published by Bullaun Press | Republic of Consciousness Prize for Small Press 2025
In this bonus episode, Aaron, Colin & Hannah revisit There’s a Monster Behind the Door by Gaëlle Bélem, translated by Karen Fleetwood and Laëtitia Saint-Loubert, published by Bullaun Press.The novel was the 2025 winner of the Republic of Consciousness Prize for Small Press (now the Queen Mary Small Press Fiction Prize), and we take this opportunity to examine why it won.We discuss the book’s s
Small Boat by Vincent Delecroix, translated by Helen Stevenson, published by Small Axes / HopeRoad | Review | Queen Mary Small Press Fiction Prize 2026
We begin our Queen Mary Small Press Fiction Prize 2026 longlist series with Small Boat by Vincent Delecroix, translated by Helen Stevenson. Published by Small Axes / HopeRoad.Our bookie this week is Jean-François Bodart @nathanael_archerThis is our second time discussing Small Boat, having previously covered it during our International Booker Prize 2025 episodes. Returning to the novel a year on,
Queen Mary Small Press Fiction Prize 2026 | Long List Reaction
We’re kicking off a brand new reading series focused on selected titles from the Queen Mary Small Press Fiction Prize 2026 Longlist — formerly known as the Republic of Consciousness Prize.We’ll be reading five longlisted books, before choosing a final sixth title from the shortlist once it’s announced. From there, we’ll follow the prize all the way to the winner.📅 New episodes every Monday🏆 Prize
World | Eden's Shore by Oisín Fagan | Review
We reach the end of Eden’s Shore by Oisín Fagan with Part III, Chapter 5: World — the final chapter of our read-along series.Aaron & Lucy discuss the closing moments of the novel, the meaning and placement of the letters threaded between each chapter, and share their overall reflections on the book as a whole now that the journey is complete.📚 What’s NextOur next episode will be a special fina
Play | Eden's Shore by Oisín Fagan | Review
Aaron & Lucy return to Eden’s Shore by Oisín Fagan for Part II, Chapter 4: Play — the chapter where everything comes to a head.In this episode, we dig into the climax of the novel: the play itself, the unfolding revolution, and how the many threads of the story are tied together. We also talk through the return of familiar faces, with cameo appearances from characters we last encountered much
Booker Prize 2025 | Winner Reaction
It’s official — Flesh by David Szalay (Jonathan Cape) has won the Booker Prize 2025, and the Bookies are here to react!Aaron, Colin, Lucy & Hannah unpack the result — with Aaron diving deeper into the novel after his re-read and celebrating becoming the first host to successfully predict the Booker winner (from the two shortlists we’ve covered so far!).We also hear from Bob the Bookerer, who s
Booker Prize 2025 | Winner Predictions
It’s time for our Booker Prize 2025 finale predictions! The Bookies sit down to rank all six shortlisted books, share their personal winner picks, and look at the bookies’ odds to see who the experts think will take home this year’s prize.We’re also joined (in spirit!) by some returning friends of the podcast:📚 @bobthebookerer📖 @dymphnaflynn📘 @afewofchifavoritethings💡 Plus, Maddi from @bookswithma
The Loneliness of Sonia & Sunny by Kiran Desai | Review | Booker Prize 2025
We’ve reached the final book on the Booker Prize 2025 shortlist! This week, Aaron, Hannah, and Lucy discuss The Loneliness of Sonia & Sunny by Kiran Desai — a tender, multi-layered story exploring how the two titular characters navigate love, family, and belonging, both in India and beyond.The team dive into Desai’s luminous prose, the emotional depth of her characters, and how this novel fits
Flesh by David Szalay | Review | Booker Prize 2025
**This episode was recorded before Flesh was announced as the Booker Prize 2025 winner***We’re onto book five of the Booker Prize 2025 shortlist with Flesh by David Szalay — a look at how others can influence our lives and define the relationships we form.📅 Coming Up NextNext week: our final shortlisted title, The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny by Kiran Desai (Hamish Hamilton). 🌙💬 Get Involved📸 Ins
The Rest of Our Lives by Ben Markovits | Review | Booker Prize 2025
This week, the team hit the road with The Rest of Our Lives by Ben Markovits — a story of midlife crisis, family tensions, and health struggles, all unfolding across a cross-country road trip through the US. Opinions are divided on this one, but there’s plenty to discuss!Our Bookie of the Week is @dymphnaflynn — book reviewer, Costa Book Awards Judge 2021, and former BBC Arts producer — sharing he
Flashlight by Susan Choi | Review | Booker Prize 2025
This week, Lucy, Hannah, and Colin discuss Flashlight by Susan Choi — a sharp, layered story that shines a beam on identity, family, and the fragments that make up a life. The three of them unpack Choi’s lengthy tale.📅 Coming Up NextNext week: The Rest of Our Lives by Ben Markovits (Faber) 📘💬 Get Involved📸 Instagram (@bookiesfavouritebookclub)📩 bookiesfavouritebookclub@gmail.com📖 Read our written
The Land in Winter by Andrew Miller | Review | Booker Prize 2025
This week, Colin, Lucy, and Hannah brave the chill as they discuss The Land in Winter by Andrew Miller — a historical novel set against a fierce blizzard and the frozen backdrop of political and personal turmoil.Do they have a frosty opinion on this Booker-shortlisted story, or does it warm their hearts? Hannah also dives into another of her trademark “odd chapters”—you’ll have to listen to find o
Audition by Katie Kitamura | Review | Booker Prize 2025
This week we dive into the first book on the Booker Prize 2025 shortlist: Audition by Katie Kitamura (Fern Press). The novel is split into two distinct parts, exploring the life of an aging Broadway actress and her shifting relationships with those around her.Our Bookie of the Week is @bobthebookerer on Instagram—make sure to also check out his YouTube channel for more bookish content!📚 In This Ep
Booker Prize 2025 | Shortlist Reaction
The official Booker Prize 2025 shortlist is here—and honestly? We’re a little disappointed by the choices. Still, there’s plenty to dig into, and we’re excited to read and discuss each of the six books in the lead-up to the winner’s announcement.Here’s the order we’ll be reading them in:1️⃣ Audition by Katie Kitamura (Fern Press)2️⃣ The Land in Winter by Andrew Miller (Sceptre)3️⃣ Flashlight by Su
Booker Prize 2025 | Shortlist Predictions
With the official Booker Prize 2025 shortlist announcement just one day away, we’re making our calls!Lucy and Hannah—who’ve managed to read some of the longlisted titles—face off against Aaron and Colin (who haven’t read any) as we each put forward our six predicted books for the shortlist. Then, together, we try to settle on a final six we’d love to see announced.📅 What’s Next📖 Tomorrow – the off
Colony | Eden's Shore by Oisín Fagan | Review
Our chapter-by-chapter journey through Eden’s Shore by Oisín Fagan continues! In this episode, we tackle Part II, Chapter 3: Colony, where the story shifts with a time jump of several years. We dig into the ensemble cast of characters, the rising rebellion, and explore some striking similarities with Les Misérables.🍗 Aaron’s Kitchen ChroniclesFood continues to play a role in the read-along! This w
Land | Eden's Shore by Oisín Fagan | Review
We’re back with our chapter-by-chapter read-along of Eden’s Shore by Oisín Fagan! In this episode, we explore Part I, Chapter 2: Land, diving into its characters, themes, and hidden layers.We’re once again joined by Emma from Real Life Ghost Stories, this time sharing some fascinating folklore about the Irish Púca. You can watch the original video we pulled audio from here: Emma on the Púca (TikTo
Sea | Eden's Shore by Oisín Fagan | Review
Welcome to our weekly chapter-by-chapter read-along of Eden’s Shore by Oisín Fagan!In this first episode, Aaron & Lucy dive into Part I, Chapter 1: Sea, exploring its plots, characters, themes, references, and hidden easter eggs.He hear from Emma of Real Life Ghost Stories, who lends her insight as we pull in some fascinating clips from their episode on Hy-Brasil—a mysterious phantom island of
Glorious Exploits by Ferdia Lennon | Review | Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize 2024
In this episode, we dig into Glorious Exploits—the witty, inventive, and widely celebrated debut that won your vote in our book club poll. Expect laughs, analysis, and plenty of admiration for Lennon’s bold storytelling.We’re also joined by this week’s special guest Bookie, Mᴀɪʀᴇ́ᴀᴅ Hᴇᴀʀɴᴇ (@mairead.hearne), who shares her thoughts on why this book has captured so much attention.📅 Coming Up Next📖
Booker Prize 2025 | Long List Reaction
The longlist is here—and Aaron and Hannah are diving straight in!In this episode, they run through all 13 longlisted titles, sharing quick synopses of each book and discussing whether they hope to see them on the final shortlist.📚 While we’re not reading the full longlist, Lucy will be making her way through as many titles as she can in her own time.And don’t worry—we will be reading the full shor
Booker Prize 2025 | Long List Predictions
With the official Booker Prize 2025 longlist announcement just around the corner, Aaron, Lucy, and Colin sit down to pitch their top 12 books they’d love to see make the list.⚡ Plus, Lucy takes us through a speed round of eligible books she’s already read and whether she thinks they’ll appear on the list.📚 Previous Booker-Eligible EpisodesWant to catch up on some eligible books we’ve already cover
The Benefactors by Wendy Erskine | Review | Waterstones Irish Book of the Year 2025
In this special bonus episode, Lucy is joined by Stacey from @whatstaceyreadnext to discuss The Benefactors by Wendy Erskine—a sharp, moving, and freshly released novel set in Belfast.⚠️ Content Warning: This episode includes discussion of sexual assault as it relates to the themes in the book.‼️ As we discuss the full book there are spoilersBoth Lucy and Stacey bring local insight to the conversa
Eden's Shore by Oisín Fagan | Review
In this episode, we dive into Eden’s Shore—a dense, experimental, and rewarding read that left us wanting more. With Hannah away traveling, we’re joined by our Bookie of the Week, Graeme (@graeme_c on Instagram), who shares his take on this powerful and unusual novel.📚 Eden’s Shore is divided into four main chapters—Sea, Land, Colony, Play—plus a final chapter titled World. We all agreed: we’ve ba
International Booker Prize 2025 | Winner Reaction
We’re back! In this season premiere, we react to Heart Lamp’s big win at the 2025 International Booker Prize, reveal our next book club read—Eden’s Shore by Oisín Fagan—and launch our Book Club Vote to decide what we’ll read after that.🎧 We also catch you up on what we’ve been reading and planning behind the scenes. Come join the conversation!📊 Book Club Poll – Vote Now!You can vote in four places
International Booker Prize 2025 | Winner Predictions
The shortlist has been read, the opinions have been aired, and now it’s time... to rank them.In this special bonus episode of Bookies’ Favourite, we each reveal our final rankings of the six International Booker Prize 2025 shortlisted books—complete with laughs, debates, and a little chaos, especially as Lucy goes head-to-head with the Bookies' Favourite hivemind 👀📚We also:Discuss our aggregate po
Heart Lamp by Banu Mushtaq, translated by Deepa Bhasthi | Review | International Booker Prize 2025
In this final instalment of our International Booker Prize 2025 shortlist read-through, we’re diving into Heart Lamp by Banu Mushtaq, translated from Kannada by Deepa Bhasthi and published by And Other Stories.A powerful collection of short stories that explore gender, class, and quiet resistance, Heart Lamp left us with a lot to reflect on—and no shortage of opinions. We also hear the thoughtful
Small Boat by Vincent Delecroix, translated by Helen Stevenson | Review | International Booker Prize 2025
This week on Bookies’ Favourite, we’re setting sail with Small Boat by Vincent Delecroix, translated from French by Helen Stevenson and published by Small Axes. A poignant dive into the conflicted conscience of a woman haunted by guilt after a migrant boat sinks in the English Channel under her watch, Small Boat has us asking: how much of grief can truly be put into words?We’re joined by special g
On the Calculation of Volume I by Solvej Balle, translated byBarbara J. Haveland | Review | International Booker Prize 2025
This week on Bookies’ Favourite, we’re tackling the ambitious and reality-bending On the Calculation of Volume I by Solvej Balle, translated from Danish by Barbara J. Haveland and published by Faber.It’s the first book in a septology, and we’re diving deep into its looping timelines, philosophical undercurrents, and quiet emotional resonance. What’s it like to relive the same day again and again—e
A Leopard-Skin Hat by Anne Serre, translated by Mark Hutchinson | Review | International Booker Prize 2025
This week on Bookies’ Favourite, we’re diving into A Leopard-Skin Hat by Anne Serre, translated from French by Mark Hutchinson and published by Lolli Editions.⚠️ Content Warning:This episode includes discussions of mental illness and suicide, major themes within the novel. If you’d prefer to skip, feel free to rejoin us next week.We unpack the book’s exploration of grief, loneliness, and fragile m
Under the Eye of the Big Bird by Hiromi Kawakami, translated by Asa Yoneda | Review | International Booker Prize 2025
This week on Bookies’ Favourite, we’re diving into the second book on the 2025 International Booker Prize shortlist: Under the Eye of the Big Bird by Hiromi Kawakami, translated from Japanese by Asa Yoneda and published by Granta Books.In this episode, we share our thoughts on Kawakami’s surreal, poetic, and quietly haunting novel. From its strange dream logic to its tender moments of grief and co
Perfection by Vincenzo Latronico, translated by Sophie Hughes | Review | International Booker Prize 2025
This week on Bookies’ Favourite, we dive into the first book on the 2025 International Booker Prize shortlist: Perfectionby Vincenzo Latronico, translated from Italian by Sophie Hughes and published by Fitzcarraldo Editions.We break down our reactions to this cool, clinical novella about art, lifestyle, and the pursuit of aesthetic control—was it minimalist mastery or just emotionally cold? The gr
International Booker Prize 2025 | Shortlist Reaction
The International Booker Prize 2025 shortlist has officially landed—and we’ve got thoughts.In this episode of Bookies’ Favourite, we react to the shortlist reveal and dish out our gut feelings, wild hopes, and bold predictions. Which books are we thrilled made the cut? Which ones broke Lucy’s heart by missing out? And who do we think should take home the prize?We’re also laying out our official re
International Booker Prize 2025 | Shortlist Predictions
Welcome to the very first episode of Bookies’ Favourite, the book club podcast where four friends with very different reading habits come together to talk about big prize lists, bold opinions, and maybe even read a few books along the way.Meet your hosts:📻 Aaron Rice – radio journalist, pop culture guy, and proud non-reader (he’s working on it).📚 Colin Rice – Aaron’s twin, book-a-week reader, crea
