A bookchat podcast from Ramsgate, England hosted by bookshop owner Sapphire Bates and archivist Joseph Dance.
This is the podcast for the big readers and the book lovers. Once a month we deep dive on one particular book - maybe an old favourite, or something new and exciting - and we will read and discuss it.
The rest of the time we are spoiler free covering everything from new releases, old gems you might have missed, long lists, short lists, author spotlights as well as the occasional interview. We’ll also chat about what culture we’ve consumed each week, and take questions from you, our lovely listeners.
If you love to read, come hang out with Novel Thoughts!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
A bookchat podcast from Ramsgate, England hosted by bookshop owner Sapphire Bates and archivist Joseph Dance.
This is the podcast for the big readers and the book lovers. Once a month we deep dive on one particular book - maybe an old favourite, or something new and exciting - and we will read and discuss it.
The rest of the time we are spoiler free covering everything from new releases, old gems you might have missed, long lists, short lists, author spotlights as well as the occasional interview. We’ll also chat about what culture we’ve consumed each week, and take questions from you, our lovely listeners.
If you love to read, come hang out with Novel Thoughts!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sapphire, Michelle and Joseph chat about what they’ve been reading, watching, and listening to this week including the thought-provoking The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog by Bruce D. Perry, the international bestseller Caste: The Origins of Our Discontent from Pulitzer prize-winning journalist Isabel Wilkerson, the atmospheric novella Eastbound by Maylis de Kerangal (translated by Jessica Moore), and Blue Sisters, the highly anticipated second novel by Coco Mellors.
This week’s deep dive book is the critically-acclaimed grim dark epic Babel by R. F. Kuang.
This week’s listener recommendation request comes from Cathy who is looking for engaging detective fiction similar to her favourite, Agatha Christie. Sapphire recommends The Maid and The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose, An Expert In Murder by Nicola Upson, The Franchise Affair by Josephine Tey, Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers, The Appeal by Janice Hallett, and The Twyford Code by Janice Hallett. Michelle recommends Whose Body? By Dorothy L Sayers, Footsteps In The Dark by Georgette Heyer, Eight Detectives by Alex Pavesi, and Curtain Call by Anthony Quinn. Joseph recommends The Honjin Murders by Seishi Yokomizo.
Also mentioned in this episode:
The Life and Rhymes of Benjamin Zephaniah by Benjamin Zephaniah
The Bee Sting by Paul Murray
The Year of Living Danishly by Helen Russell
How to Raise a Viking by Helen Russell
The Novel Thoughts team also pay tribute to poet and activist Benjamin Zephaniah. Rest in power.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.