Reading Between Deadlines Podcast

Hi DeadlinersWe hope you enjoy this latest edition of Reading Between Deadlines. Our whole purpose here is to read HYPED books and unpack whether we a) agree with the hype and b) can understand WHY this book has reached such heights. Today, we’re going back in time and reading one of THE most popular books of all time…This episode’s pick: Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier, a classic “gothic” novel about a young bride who marries a dashing older man after a very quick courting (can we even call it that?) and then returns to his to his grand English estate, Manderley, where she discovers that the shadow of his beautiful, glamorous (and very dead) first wife, Rebecca, is everywhere.We hope you enjoy and lets us know what you think in the comments.Happy Listening and Love lots,Rach and AntheaPS. If you want to watch rather than listen, scroll down.Subscribe nowIn this episode, we cover:Immersive reading and multiple copies of the same book.Film and TV adaptationsOther amazing old novels. The definition of a gothic novelAnd LOADS more.💋 And, of course, we rate it: Kiss, Kill, or MarryLoading...⏰ Timestamps1.0 Intro – Anthea claims older sister status – no-one believes her, including Rebecca – the mysterious wife of Maxim DeWinter.2.07 Rachael introduces Rebecca. Anthea read Rebecca in the 80’s, and she remembers it better than her Google password. (is that even a thing?)8.35 Anthea randomly does a ‘show and tell’ of gothic style novels she’s loved – Rach considers re-casting. She wishes she didn’t spend high school talking boys.12.03 Anthea reads Daphne Du Maurier’s bio – Daphne is posh and once had a male alter ego.14.44 Daphne shows off with over 700 000 ratings. And it turns out her book is quite long..17.06 Kiss, Kill, Marry… Rachael and Anthea rate Rebecca… and Anthea expands on her verdict over tea and crumpets in the conservatory.20.17 The beauty of a great last line, and the fight for a well seated climax!20.47 Anthea offers Daphne Du Maurier a co-writing spot – and Rachael is struck by a wonderful idea..22.27 Rachael feels Rebecca isn’t gothic enough (Mrs Danvers disagrees..)25.50 Jane Eyre – gothic-core through the ages – young ladies, old guys and flammable houses.27.18 Danvers – not the sort of person you’d invite over for tea (and keep her away from matches.)28.05 Also – the new Mrs DeWinter needs to grow a pair. Seriously.30.08 Tally ho! Murder is ok - if you’re posh.31.37 Rebecca – gloomy and morally grey – but in a good way!36.27 Rach wants more Daphne…!37.59 Our next reads – The Giver of Stars40.16 Rach and Anthea hint at GREAT THINGS in the New Year..!40.53 Should Rach’s mum have called her Rebecca…?42.52 Rach and Anthea discuss co-writing… and say goodbye!👉 Watch the episode above and let us know your feelings about REBECCA.Leave a comment📖 Coming up next: 👉Next Ep we’re chatting to Tricia Stringer about The Giver of Stars by JoJo Moyes📅 In October, we’re diving into Booktok sensation, The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower and chatting to Victoria Purman about Sandwich by Catherine Newman.For what we’re up to after that, click here. 🛍️ Do you read between deadlines too? Grab the merch🙌 Get the t-shirt Thanks for following. We love ya! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit readingbetweendeadlines.substack.com/subscribe

Listen above or on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, or if you want to SEE us in all our glory… watch at the bottom of this post. And if you LOVE the pod, please consider leaving us a review. This episode's book: Junkyard Cats by Faith Hunter is a post-apocalyptic science-fiction novella and the first in the Junkyard Cats series. Set in a world recovering from the war and the arrival of mysterious alien Bugs, it follows Shining Smith, who runs the junkyard left to her by her father. But Shining has secrets of her own, and when danger arrives at the junkyard, the life she’s built comes under threat.This episode’s guest is our delightful friend, mum of five, talented author AND midwife, bestselling author Fiona McArthur. Her latest book The Featherwood Beekeeper is out September 15th.Visit Fiona's WebsiteIn this episode, we cover: Reading outside our comfort zoneBios - northern hemisphere vs southern hemisphere. Audible originals Bugs, monsters and tough heroinesSprayed Edges - we’re not jealous at ALL!Hey Readers, we’d love to know you’re opinion: Loading...💋 And, of course, we rate JUNKYARD CATS: Kiss, Kill, or Marry.Loading...📚 Books Mentioned in this EpGreen Darkness by Anya SetonShogun and Noble House by James ClavellModesty Blaise by Peter O’DonnellDick Francis’s booksMary Stuart’s booksJames A Michener’s booksMe Before You by Jojo MoyesAfter You by Jojo MoyesStill Me by Jojo MoyesThe Shampoo Effect by Jenny JacksonLola in the Mirror by Trent Dalton The Takeover by TL Swan Where the Wattle Blooms by Amy AndrewsThe Soulwood series by Faith HunterThis Kingdom Will Not Kill Me by Ilona AndrewsRebecca Yarros’s dragon books.⏰ Timestamps 1.0 – Intro Episode 16 Season 2 – What a line up!2.10 – Ruby winners Rachael Johns and Fiona McArthur5.48 Anthea considers having another baby #ababyineverybook6.39 Junkyard Cats! (V popular with the midwife community)8.07 Space-blurb. Nano, AI, marauding beetles…weird cats.9.12 Faith Hunter bio. Under. Stated.14.19 Time to Kiss, Kill, Marry – Anthea and Rach hit the hyperdrive button18.59 Anthea blames technology. Again. (her Tesla rolls it’s AI’s)23.34 Rachael admits she has a thing for monsters from Mars. (huh?)25.12 The importance of reading outside of your genre.. from babies to vampires..27.43 Fiona’s reading habits as a sweet young girl31.47 What does Fiona McArthur know about having babies, anyway?!33.50 In praise of Ambulance guys. (and girls) But also the hot one who came to Anthea’s mum’s house that time.. He was v professional. And much appreciated.34.34 DNFing. Life is too short – and Fiona’s formidable reading regime38.58 Fiona and writing long and short..42.58 AA - Not what you think – a tip on a great read!43.12 Fiona’s impressive male readership! (She breed’s ‘em – they read ‘em!)45.04 Re-reads and must buys – and Dragons46.47 Rebecca – Last night Anthea dreamt she went to Manderley again..48.00 Bye!👉 Watch now and tell us - did you love Junkyard Cats?👉Next Ep, we’re diving into Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier and our September guest is Tricia Stringer who is making us read The Giver of Stars by JoJo MoyesOctober Books: 14th July - The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower28th July - Sandwich by Catherine Newman with guest author Victoria PurmanPLEASE NOTE we’ve made a few changes for the rest of the year. You can view the list here! 🎽 Do you read between deadlines too? Grab the merch This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit readingbetweendeadlines.substack.com/subscribe

Hi DeadlinersWe hope you enjoy this latest edition of Reading Between Deadlines. Our whole purpose here is to read HYPED books and unpack whether we a) agree with the hype and b) can understand WHY this book has reached such heights. Well, today we are chatting about a book that got a LOT of hype when it was announced last year and the BIG mystery was WHO were the two author behind the pseudonym Evelyn Clarke. This episode’s pick: THE ENDING WRITES ITSELF by Evelyn Clarke is a locked room mystery set in the publishing world, written by best-selling authors V.E. Schwab and Cat Clarke under a shared pseudonym. The story begins when six authors are invited to a remote island to complete the unfinished manuscript of a legendary novelist but when one of them dies, they all start to wonder who they can trust and whether there’s more at stake than their careers. We hope you enjoy and lets us know what you think in the comments.Happy Listening and Love lots,Rach and AntheaPS. If you want to watch rather than listen, scroll down.In this episode, we cover:Rach’s love affair with a real Scottish Island.Was the crime or publishing stuff stronger in this book?Midlist authors! Literary snobbery.Convention or cliche?Ponder which famous authors we’d like to collaborate.Who would YOU like to collaborate? Let us know in the comments. 💋 And, of course, we rate it: Kiss, Kill, or MarryLoading...⏰ Timestamps1.0 Welcome to Rachael’s private tropical island (you may be wondering why she invited you here today…)3.14 The blurb. (Would you risk life and limb for a weekend in a creepy house on a windswept Scottish island?) (Yes. Yes you would.)4.39 When two authors become one. The hype surrounding two best selling authors who love each other very much and have a book baby. (Anthea wonders if she’ll ever be loved that much..) (PS look out for The Insta Detectives in January!!)6.15 Victoria Schwab and Kat Clarke co-bio - more of a story, but hey, we’re not judging! 7.49 - Rach and Anthea do a weird switcheroo and keep almost giving away their feelings before the official rating. 10.10 - Rach tries to get factual but it’s such a new book there isn’t much to say. Although the pre-buzz guessing who the authors were was FUN!!12.52 Kiss, Kill, Marry.. We rate The Ending Writes Itself14.05 Anthea invokes the name of Agatha (also, funnily enough, her nickname when she was at primary school)14.05 Rachael recalls her own trip to a (non-murdery) Scottish Island16.26 The cast of characters. Victims, murderers… and not nearly enough heelund coos!17.42 Rach has a (mid-list) identity crisis.21.34 The crimey bit. Is it enough?24.58 Anthea loves the classics, like Duran Duran, obviously – but also 1930’s murder mysteries..26.43 What’s next for Evelyn Clarke – romance? Horror? Rural?31.10 Who invited all these characters, anyway, and how much do we care?36.38 The cost of living crisis comes to the Pod. (Anthea does the numbers and realises she’s essentially unemployed.)40.22 Rach ‘ships’ her fave authors into writing collabs.41.26 What are we reading next (interrupted by a long and boring story about Anthea forgetting the name of her local café. Spoiler alert. She had to look it up.)43.48 Anthea and Rach sign off. Anthea is off on a cruise to Budapest, with Rachael’s Kobo.👉 Watch the episode above and let us know your feelings about THE ENDING WRITES ITSELF!📖 Coming up next: 👉Next Ep we’re chatting to to Fiona McArthur about Junkyard Cats by Faith Hunter 📅 In September, we’re diving into Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier and we’re chatting to Tricia Stringer about The Giver of Stars by JoJo Moyes.For what we’re up to after that, click here. 🛍️ Do you read between deadlines too? Grab the merch Thanks for following. We love ya! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit readingbetweendeadlines.substack.com/subscribe

This episode's book: Daddy Long Legs by Jean Webster is a delightful epistolary novel, first published in 1912 as a serialisation for Ladies Home Journal. At the time it was classified as a “college girl book” and is the story of hard-on-her luck Jerusha, who comes into a bit of luck with Mr Smith (who she nicknames Daddy Long Legs) decides to pay for her education.This episode’s guest is fellow sandgroper Tamara Moss and New York Times Bestselling author of The Escape Game (co-written with Marissa Meyer) and also the Lintang series. Check out Tamara's websiteIn this episode, we cover: Favourite protagonistsIs this a problematic romance or a reflection of the time?Dear Enemy - the sequel. Third-act break-ups/black momentsWe love epistolary novels but they can cause plot probs.Writing letters - let us know in the comments whether you’re a letter writerLeave a comment💋 And, of course, we rate DADDY LONG LEGS: Kiss, Kill, or Marry.Loading...📚 Books Mentioned in this EpThe Gentleman of Moscow by Amor TowlesIlluminae by Amy Kauffman and Jay KristoffThe Killer Question by Janice Hallett The Near Daphne Experience by Alison ReynoldsThe Correspondent by Virginia Evans84 Charring Cross Road by Helene HanffTeen Power Inc series by Emily RoddaTwilight seriesHarry Potter seriesFive Voices by Tamara Moss⏰ Timestamps 1.0 Welcome to Daddy Land.. and to Tamara Moss!2.10 Tamara’s bio – teaching, Asian Studies, New York Times Bestselling Author…4.37 Rach probes Tamara’s origin story5.15 In a win for Arachnophiles, we introduce today’s novel – Daddy Longlegs from 1912.. but is it… ok??7.27 The blurb – an orphan and her mysterious eight legged sponsor.. (or something like that…)8.00 Adaptations. Just how tall is Fred Astaire, anyway?8.43 Jean Webster, a nice lady who wrote about nice ladies and their…daddies?12.08 How did we read it? Ears? Eyes? Vibes?13.38 Rach goes deep with Daddy facts15.51 Kiss, Kill, Marry. It’s time!18.51 Judy is Tamara’s favourite protagonist – and we can see why!20.05 Writing romance in a series of one-sided letters to an older man23.33 Addressing the Daddy in the room. (eww?)27.55 Age gap love – like Anthea (Daddy) and Rach (Judy)..29.43 Rach ponders the third act break up (the black moment..)33.20 Remember that letter you sent to someone telling them about that time you were both in the same room together having a conversation you both already know about? Me neither.36.19 We name some excellent epistolic novels…39.21 Are Tamara and Rachael letter writers? Letter keepers?47.42 The Gentleman of Moscow. Way more exciting than it sounds. Unless you think it sounds exciting, in which case, exactly as exciting as it sounds.48.18 Marissa Meyer, Live Journal, co-writing and Daddy Longlegs!Whoops we forgot to mention what’s coming next. It’s THE ENDING WRITES ITSELF and JUNKYARD CATS. Happy reading and listening. 👉 Watch now and tell us - did you love Daddy Long Legs?👉Next Ep, we’re diving into The Ending Writes Itself by Evelyn Clark and our Augut guest is Fiona McArthur who is making us read Junkyard Cats by Faith Hunter September Books: 14th July - Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier28th July - The Giver of Stars by JoJo Moyes with guest author Tricia StringerPLEASE NOTE we’ve made a few changes for the rest of the year. You can view the list here! 🎽 Do you read between deadlines too? Grab the merch This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit readingbetweendeadlines.substack.com/subscribe

Listen above or on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, or if you want to SEE us in all our glory… watch at the bottom of this post. And if you LOVE the pod, please consider leaving us a review.This episode's book: The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde is a bonkers alternate-history mystery where literary detective, Thursday Next, has to save Jane Eyre from a villain who is rewriting literature. A very bookish book!This week’s guest is the delightful Kate Solly, who writes warm and feel-good cosy mystery. Her latest novel is The Paradise Heights Miniature Railway Bust-Up, and when Kate’s not writing, she’s wrangling six kids and doing crochet.In this episode, we cover:Audio books vs Print - some narratives suit one more than the otherMain characters - do we need to connect with them to love a story?Rereading, DNFing and reading multiple books at onceJasper’s literary influences (we speculate)💋 And, of course, we rate THE EYRE AFFAIR: Kiss, Kill, or Marry.📚 Books Mentioned in this EpAnne of Green Gables by LM MontgomeryPride and Prejudice by Jane AustenEmma by Jane AustenA Disappearance in Fiji by Nilima RaoMiss Caroline Bingley, Private Detective by Kelli Gardiner and Sharmini KumarThe Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies by Alison GoodmanThe Tea Ladies by Amanda HampsonThe Bookshop Detectives by Gareth and Louise WardLessons in Chemistry by Bonnie GarmusTenderfoot by Toni JordanTiny, Useless Hearts by Toni JordanThose Faraday Girls by Monica McInerneyThe Other Bridget by Rachael JohnsEnid BlytonNancy DrewBabysitters Club⏰ Timestamps0:00 – Anthea opens the show. Rach contributes by almost forgetting her own name.1.31 - Anthea intros the charming, well-behaved and alarmingly fertile Kate Solly.2.43 - Kate has chosen The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde – one of her all-time favourites. She does suspect, however, that Jasper has never heard of Coco Chanel.3.40 - Rach and Anthea judges Kate's bio, become wildly jealous of her book-wraooubg skills, and marvel at the fact she once crocheted Rach a Diet Coke can. Frankly, she's showing off.4.48 - What’s that smell? We all share the disgusting things we’ve found in our cars way too late. Perhaps this podcast should come with a biohazard warning.6.57 - Kates reads the blurb of her chosen book - a novel on Rach and Anthea’s radar for YEARS. Thank god Kate finally made us read it.8.43 - Time to judge Jaspers bio - there are three to choose from. Rach thinks that is two bios too many!10.40 - Today's pick is over twenty years old. Anthea was convinced it was from the '80s. Close enough.12.05 - Rach shares the book stats and fun facts, including Jasper's 76 rejections... then completely forgets the most interesting fact. Luckily Kate came prepared.14.44 - Anthea explains our ratings system and, in a shocking turn of events, tries to get Rach cancelled. Again.15.07 - Anthea explains her rating. She suspects Jasper occasionally ignores his editors, wanted more "lore" (she's down with the kids), and craved a little more heart and a few higher stakes.17.11 - Kate promises Jasper really hits his stride in the later books, and suddenly we're considering adding several more novels to the TBR.19.45 - Rach feels it makes sense this was his debut as it reads like a first novel. But hey, everyone has to start somewhere and this is a pretty good start.22.58 - Kate reveals her family are thoroughly obsessed with Mr Fforde and his affairs. We also discuss the politics of sharing Kindles and Kobos.25.01 - Rach didn't quite click with Thursday Next and suspects she may be the least interesting person in her own book.28.24 - Plot takes centre stage, character takes the back seat, and Douglas Adams is very much in the passenger seat.29.16 - Magic is afoot - the one-star Goodreads review Rach wanted to read aloud has mysteriously disappeared.30.43 - Time to interrogate Kate about her reading habits: rereading, DNFing, and other controversial behaviour.34.20 - Book formats do matter and Kate gets sweaty over our auto buy author question.36.58 - Cozy mysteries have officially gone mainstream, and Kate shares some of her favourites.38.45 - The loneliness of being the only person who didn't fall head over heels for a wildly hyped book.39.59 - Reading reviews is like picking scabs. Gross? Yes. But this might just be our fave bookish analogy ever.42.21 - An ode to Toni Jordan. (As she deserves.)43.18 - Which book reignited Kate's love of reading?45 - We all adore The Faraway Tree. We absolutely do not want to meet Dame Slap.46.03 - What we're reading next, including the book that seems to be in absolutely everyone's hands right now.👉Next Ep, we’re diving into Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke and our July guest is Tamara Moss who is making us read Daddy Long Legs by Jean Webster.July Books: 14th July - The Ending Writes Itself by Evelyn Clark28th July - Junkyard Cats by Faith Hunter with guest author Fiona McArthur This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit readingbetweendeadlines.substack.com/subscribe