The Reading Cafe

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

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 thrilling episode features Benjamin Dean, author of YA survival horror novel, Bury Your Friends.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL DISCOVER:
How Ben maintains tension between characters to create atmosphere 
The influences from music and the movies that found their way into Bury Your Friends
Why the “terrible people” who populate the novel are Ben’s favourites of his characters!
To learn more:
Benjamin Dean - https://www.madeleinemilburn.co.uk/mm-authors/benjamin-dean/
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 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.

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!
Follow us on Instagram: @readingcafepod

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.