The Reading Cafe

APPROX AGE RATING: 14+
Welcome to Episode 3 of Season 6 of The Reading Cafe, winner of Emerging Talent at the 2026 Scottish Podcast Awards, and current Best Books FINALIST at the 2026 Independent Podcast Awards!
Our guest on this episode is Ann Sei Lin. author of the fantastic fantasy novel, Between Ghosts and Gods - a unique, deep and hilarious novel in which we meet Kasu, who works in a gambling [parlour in the underworld, and runaway prince, Arun, whose initial differences give way to love, despite the odds...
Emily and Saanvi spoke to Ann about reincarnation, sacrifice and the need for humour when delving into the darkness... 
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL DISCOVER:
Why the context of gambling allowed her to explore hope, regret and the desire for change
Which writer inspired her dark sense of humour
How fantasy allows her to explore ideas about the preciousness of life
To learn more:
Ann Sei Lin - https://annseilin.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!
Follow us on Instagram: @readingcafepod

APPROX AGE RATING: 14+
Welcome to Episode 2 of Season 6 of The Reading Cafe, winner of Emerging Talent at the 2026 Scottish Podcast Awards, 2026 Interview and Specialist British Podcast Awards FINALIST, and current Books FINALIST at the 2026 Independent Podcast Awards!
This is SpotLit, our arts and culture strand where we speak to creative people about their relationship with literature and its influence on their own work. In this episode, Amy and Lola were joined by Clari Freeman-Taylor of the spellbindingly unique London art-rock band, Mary in the Junkyard.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL DISCOVER:
Clari’s favourite conflicts in literature,
The Murakami character who made her way into a Mary in the Junkyard song
How a Jacqueline Wilson character inspired her to do her own thing!
To learn more:
Mary in the Junkyard
https://linktr.ee/maryinthejunkyard
https://chuffmedia.com/artists/westside-cowboy
Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and join us for future SpotLit episodes and as always… keep reading.

APPROX AGE RATING: 15+
Welcome to Episode 1 of Season 6 of The Reading Cafe, winner of Emerging Talent at the 2026 Scottish Podcast Awards, and current Interview and Specialist FINALIST at the 2026 British Podcast Awards, as well as Books FINALIST at the 2026 Independent Podcast Awards!
This special Reading Cafe LIVE audience episode was recorded at the Edinburgh International Book Festival where we were joined by multi-award winning novelist, screenwriter and journalist, Patrick Ness - author of the Chaos Walking series.
Our fabulous presenters, Molly and Daisy, had a remarkable conversation with Patrick about his amazing career and the new chapter in the Chaos Walking story, Piper at the Gates of Dusk.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL DISCOVER:
How Patrick approached his return to New World, following the massive success of his original Chaos Walking series
The themes that find their way into his writing, and how he balances them with his characters’ journeys
Why he isn’t threatened by AI in the creation of literature
PLUS: Noah presents an Ed Book Fest featurette including mini-interviews with YA Book Prize shortlisted writers, Harry Trevaldwyn, Elgan Rhys, Mared Roberts, Anika Hussain and overall winner, Josh Silver who picked up the trophy for Traumaland.
To learn more:
Patrick Ness - https://patrickness.com/
Josh Silver - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8e4k4zxwwlo
YA Book Prize - https://www.thebookseller.com/the-ya-book-prize/the-ya-book-prize-2026
Don’t miss a single episode of The Reading Cafe! Subscribe, leave a rating or review wherever you listen, and most importantly… keep reading!
Follow us on Instagram: @readingcafepod

APPROX AGE RATING: 14+
Welcome back to The Reading Cafe, the award-winning podcast from Holy Cross High School that aims to get people talking about reading!
This superb season finale episode features Radiya Hafiza, author of The Silver Kingdom.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL DISCOVER:
Why the enemies-to-lovers plot continues to grip romantasy readers
How Radiya approaches planning her stories, especially when writing a dual-narrative
The opportunities fantasy offers to address difficult real-world topics
To learn more:
Radiya Hafiza - https://www.simonandschuster.co.uk/authors/Radiya-Hafiza/232707659
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!
Follow us on Instagram: @readingcafepod

APPROX AGE RATING: 12+
Welcome back to The Reading Cafe, the award-winning podcast from Holy Cross High School that aims to get people talking about reading!
This special episode is the first ever Reading Cafe LIVE Jr, which features award-winning fantasy writer, Ross MacKenzie, who speaks with Nora and Orla about his latest thrilling novel, The Uninvited.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL DISCOVER:
How (or even if...) Ross plans his stories, and how he visualises the exciting events of his books
Ross's approach to addressing real world issues through junior fiction
The influence of Scotland on his unique brand of fantasy writing
This episode was recorded in the Banqueting Hall at South Lanarkshire Council HQ before an audience of South Lanarkshire P7 pupils on the cusp of beginning in S1 at Holy Cross High School. Thank to the following schools for coming along to enjoy the show: St Bride's, St Elizabeth's, St John's (Blackwood), St John the Baptist, Our Lady and St Anne's, St Mary's (Hamilton), St Mary's (Larkhall) and St Paul's.
To learn more:
Ross MacKenzie - https://www.andersenpress.co.uk/contributors/ross-mackenzie/
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!
Follow us on Instagram: @readingcafepod

APPROX AGE RATING: 14+
Welcome to a new chapter of The Reading Cafe. This is SpotLit, our brand-new strand where we speak to interesting people from arts and culture about their relationship with literature.
In this SpotLit episode, Gemma and Victoria were joined by Aoife Anson-O'Connell of the thrilling 'Britainicana' band, Westside Cowboy.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL DISCOVER:
The soundtrack Aoife would choose to accompany her favourite book
Which character would sing in her fantasy literary supergroup!
Why she loves escaping into magical realism
…AND SO MUCH MORE!
To learn more:Westside Cowboy
https://www.westsidecowboy.com/
https://chuffmedia.com/artists/westside-cowboyDon’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and join us for future SpotLit episodes and as always… keep reading.

APPROX AGE RATING: 14+
Welcome back to The Reading Cafe, the award-winning podcast from Holy Cross High School that aims to get people talking about reading!
This special Reading Cafe LIVE episode features singer, song-writer, novelist and film-maker Stuart Murdoch of the legendary Scottish band, Belle and Sebastian.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL DISCOVER:
How Stuart approaches imagining things into reality, whether in song, for the page or on the screen.
The links Stuart finds between creativity and spirituality
How punk influenced his writing, alongside his favourite book...
This episode features three exclusive solo performances of classic Belle and Sebastian songs: Fox in the Snow, Dog on Wheels and very excitingly, The Boy With The Arab Strap, which Stuart has never previously played without the band.
To learn more:
Belle and Sebastian - https://www.belleandsebastian.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!
Follow us on Instagram: @readingcafepod

APPROX AGE RATING: 14+
Welcome back to The Reading Cafe, the award-winning podcast from Holy Cross High School that aims to get people talking about reading!
We’re making history with this episode featuring Alice Loxton, author of recent #3 Times Book Chart bestseller, Eleanor.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL DISCOVER:
The emotional connection Alice builds with figures from the past and how she is engaging modern readers with history
How she compensates for gaps in historical records to bring stories to life with authenticity and vitality 
The inspiration for her unique blend of historical research, personal reflection and travel journalism 
To learn more:
Alice Loxton - https://aliceloxton.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!
Follow us on Instagram: @readingcafepod