The Reading Cafe

SpotLit: Alaska Reid (Witch Post)

APPROX AGE RATING: 14+
Welcome to a brand new chapter of The Reading Cafe. This is SpotLit, our brand-new strand where we speak to figures from music, sport, entertainment and culture about their relationship with literature.
In this SpotLit episode, Libby and Emma were joined by singer-songwriter and musician Alaska Reid, one half of the band Witch Post.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL DISCOVER:
The influence of literature on Alaska’s songwriting, both on her solo records and in Witch Post
How fantasy-interviewing friends and peers Charli XCX, Caroline Polachek and Ellie Rowsell (Wolf Alice) led to her writing her own fantasy novel
The story of the supernatural experience that led to the naming of Witch Post…
…AND SO MUCH MORE!
A ten-minute section of this conversation appeared on the last episode of The Reading Cafe with writer of The Wycherleys, Annaliese Avery. We enjoyed such a brilliant conversation with Alaska about her career and creative life, and you are certain to love hearing it in full in this SpotLit episode. 
To learn more:Alaska Reid
https://www.alaskareid.com/
https://partisanrecords.com/artists/witch-postAnnaliese Avery 
https://www.annalieseavery.com/home-1
Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and join us for future SpotLit episodes and as always… keep reading.

Annaliese Avery (The Wycherleys) and Alaska Reid (Witch Post)

APPROX AGE RATING: 14+
Welcome back to The Reading Cafe, the award-winning podcast named Best Children and Young Adults' Show by the Independent Podcast Awards, as well as Kids finalist in the 2025 British Podcast Awards and Books finalist in the 2025 Independent Podcast Awards!
This magical new Halloween episode features Annaliese Avery, author of The Wycherleys, in conversation with Cara and Molly.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL DISCOVER:
How Annaliese’s characters shape their own stories when she is writing
The importance of strong female relationships explored in The Wycherleys
Why we need fantasy and romantasy now more than ever
PLUS: Libby and Emma present a SpotLit featurette with Alaska Reid - acclaimed songwriter, musician, and member of Witch Post. This abridged version is brilliant but don’t miss the full Alaska Reid interview next week when it drops as a SpotLit episode - it’s a must-listen for anyone who’s ever found magic in music and words alike…
To learn more:
Annaliese Avery – https://annalieseavery.comAlaska Reid – https://www.alaskareid.com
Don’t miss a single episode of The Reading Cafe! Please do subscribe, leave a rating or review wherever you listen, and most importantly… keep reading!
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SpotLit: Safiyya Ingar (The Witcher/Brides/For She Is Wrath)

APPROX AGE RATING: 14+
Welcome to a brand new chapter of The Reading Cafe. This is SpotLit, our brand-new strand where we speak to figures from music, sport, entertainment and culture about their relationship with literature.
In this very first SpotLit episode, we’re joined by actor, voice artist and writer Safiyya Ingar, in conversation with Niamh and Isla.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL DISCOVER:
How Safiyya fell in love with voice acting through narrating audiobooks
Safiyya's unique approach to voting stories in a way that makes each character stand out
Why representation on the page, on screen and in audio matters more than ever
Safiyya’s multifaceted career spans stage, screen, video games and audio. From playing Keira Metz in The Witcher opposite Henry Cavill, to starring as Valarie Lockwood in Doctor Who: The Eleventh Doctor Chronicles. They recently starred in Brides, the 2025 Sundance hit described by Variety as “magnetic” and “savvy”, and they’ve voiced video game titles including Valkyrie Elysium, Dustborn and Diablo IV.
Safiyya is also the narrator of For She Is Wrath, the stunning debut novel by Emily Varga, featured in this month's episode of The Reading Cafe.
This honest and illuminating conversation explores literature as both a refuge and a force for change, and sets the tone for the SpotLit series to come.
To learn more:Safiyya Ingar – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safiyya_IngarEmily Varga – https://emilyvargabooks.com
Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and join us for future SpotLit episodes and as always… keep reading.

Emily Varga (For She Is Wrath) and Safiyya Ingar (The Witcher/Brides)

APPROX AGE RATING: 14+
Welcome back to The Reading Cafe, the award-winning podcast named Best Children and Young Adults' Show by the Independent Podcast Awards and current FINALIST in the 2025 British Podcast Awards and 2025 Independent Podcast Awards!
This brilliant episode features Emily Varga, writer of For She Is Wrath, in conversation with Rosie and Nicole.
 
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL DISCOVER:
How Emily balances her creative life a s writer with her professional role as a family lawyer
Her approach to writing without being stuck to a plan
Why fantasy is her favourite genre
PLUS: Isla and Niamh present the SpotLit featurette with a mini-interview with actor Safiyya Ingar, star of The Witcher and Brides, whose remarkable voice brings the audiobook of the novel to life. Emily’s enlightening, deep and thought-provoking interview appears in full in this episode, and Safiyya is our SpotLit guest, appearing in a 10 minute segment halfway through.  Be sure to listen to the full Safiyya Ingar interview next week when it is published as a bonus SpotLit episode - it is worth hearing all the way through, especially if you’ve ever dreamed of being an actor as Safiyya is proof that ambition is more than a dream! 
 
To learn more:
Emily Varga - https://emilyvargabooks.com
Safiyya Ingar - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safiyya_Ingar
 
Don’t miss a single episode of The Reading Cafe! Subscribe, leave a rating or review wherever you listen, and most importantly… keep reading!

The Reading Cafe LIVE at Ed Book Fest: Nathanael Lessore (What Happens Online)

APPROX AGE RATING: 14+
Welcome to Season 5 of The Reading Cafe, the award-winning podcast named Best Children and Young Adults' Show by the Independent Podcast Awards and current FINALIST in the 2025 British Podcast Awards!
This special Reading Cafe LIVE episode was recorded with an enthusiastic audience at the Edinburgh International Book Festival where we were joined by Waterstones Children's Book Prize winner, Nathanael Lessore.
Our tremendous presenters Sophia and Namatai had a fantastic chat with Nathanael and the audience were thoroughly entertained - laughing, applauding and no doubt making their way to pick up his excellent books (Steady For This, King of Nothing and What Happens Online) straight after the event...
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL DISCOVER:
Nathanael's approach to ensuring his use of language chimes with his audience
His process to addressing issues around toxic masculinity and the potential problems of online anonymity
How his life has changed since winning the Waterstones Children's Book Prize for Older Readers
PLUS: Alice and Daisy present an Ed Book Fest featurette including a mini-interview with Carnegie Medal winner, Margaret McDonald (Glasgow Boys) and excerpts from the YA Book Prize award ceremony, co-hosted by The Reading Cafe's Elsa and Grace alongside Laura Bates (Non-fiction: Everyday Sexism/YA Fiction: Sisters of Fire and Fury) 
To learn more:
Nathanael Lessore - https://www.darleyandersonchildrens.com/book/king-of-nothing/
Margaret McDonald - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8e4k4zxwwlo
Laura Bates - https://www.laurabates.co.uk/
Don’t miss a single episode of The Reading Cafe! Subscribe, leave a rating or review wherever you listen, and most importantly… keep reading!

Frank Cottrell Boyce and Steven Lenton Interview (The Blockbusters)

APPROX AGE RATING: 9–12
Welcome back to The Reading Cafe, the award-winning podcast named Best Children and Young Adults' Show by the Independent Podcast Awards!
This episode is a double delight! We’re joined by award-winning author and screenwriter Frank Cottrell Boyce, along with his long-time collaborator, the brilliant illustrator Steven Lenton, for an inspiring and laughter-filled conversation all about stories, screenplays, and storytelling magic.
Frank is the celebrated author of Millions, Cosmic, and The Wonder Brothers, and he’s also the screenwriter behind Kensuke’s Kingdom and the unforgettable 2012 Olympics opening ceremony. His latest novel, The Blockbusters, brings his love of cinema and literature together in an exciting new adventure that celebrates friendship, creativity, and the power of stories.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL DISCOVER:
🎬 How Hollywood and screenwriting inspired The Blockbusters🎙 Why hosting The Island of Brilliant podcast has changed how Frank thinks about children's books✨ How magical elements help tell real-life stories in The Wonder Brothers🎆 What it was like to help create the 2012 Olympic opening ceremony📚 Frank's thoughts on the "happiness recession" and why access to books matters now more than ever🎞 The challenges—and joys—of adapting Kensuke’s Kingdom for the big screen
PLUS: Illustrator Steven Lenton gives us a peek behind the scenes at how he brings Frank’s stories to life with colour, energy, and humour—and why pictures matter just as much as words.
To learn more:📘 Frank Cottrell Boyce – https://www.panmacmillan.com/authors/frank-cottrell-boyce🎨 Steven Lenton – https://www.stevenlenton.com
Don’t miss a single episode of The Reading Cafe!Subscribe, leave a rating or review wherever you listen, and most importantly… keep reading!

The Reading Cafe LIVE: Darren McGarvey (Poverty Safari)

APPROX AGE RATING: 15+ (NATIONAL 5/HIGHER MODERN STUDIES/POLITICS)
Welcome to The Reading Cafe - the podcast from Holy Cross High School that aims to get people talking about reading!
The Reading Cafe LIVE 2025 audience event featured an interview with Darren McGarvey, award-winning BBC documentarian and Orwell Prize-winning author of Poverty Safari and The Social Distance Between Us.
During this excellent interview, Darren was in conversation with outstanding S6 Reading Leaders, Elsa and Grace. Our audience of National 5/Higher Modern Studies and Politics students had the opportunity to hear the writer’s responses to questions about key topics (poverty, health, gender and the criminal justice system) in preparation for the exam in May. 
They also enjoyed live self-written scenes ('Tone Deaf' and 'The Glass Ceiling') performed by Advanced Higher Drama pupils focused on poverty and gender.
This is an invaluable resource for all pupils who are studying for the National 5 and Higher Modern Studies and Politics exams, so make sure you take lots of notes as you listen!
SUBSCRIBE: @ApplePodcasts @spotify @audible @podbeancom
FOLLOW: @ReadingCafePod on Instagram
 

Pari Thomson interview (Greenwild)

APPROX AGE RATING: 9-11
Welcome back to The Reading Cafe!
Pari Thomson is the author of the acclaimed eco-fantasy series Greenwild, which won the 2024 Waterstones Children's Book Prize for both the overall category and the Younger Readers prize. In addition to her own writing, Pari works as the Editorial Director at Bloomsbury Children's Books. Her Greenwild series has been praised for its imaginative storytelling and environmental themes.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL DISCOVER:
Why Pari chooses to write children's literature
How the magic of nature inspires her 
Plus, Pari reads from Greenwild: The World Behind The Door
This episode also features Holy Cross Geography teachers, Stephanie Murphy and Dawn Honnet, who will be talking about their connection to nature and literature.
To learn more about Pari Thomson, visit: https://us.macmillan.com/author/parithomson
You wouldn't want to miss any episodes of The Reading Cafe, so be sure to subscribe!
Please leave a rating, review wherever you listen to podcasts and... keep reading!