Hannah’s back from a cruise around Spain and France, where she got to practise her languages…and somehow managed to completely destroy her cabin in the process.

Nikki’s just returned from Florida after visiting Disneyworld and Universal Studios. Ride photos were taken, dignity was lost, and yes, they’re going on our socials. We also discovered Nikki had no idea How to Train Your Dragon was originally a book (!)

This episode dives into recurring themes across our recent reads and TBRs: fate, missed opportunities, sliding doors moments, class, privilege, and the appeal of a little bit of grime.

Our next buddy read is the sci-fi novel The Measure by Nikki Erlick.

The Book Blurb “It seems like just another morning. Around the world, people wake up, check the news, open the front door. On every doorstep is a box. Inside that box is the exact number of years that person has left to live. Whether they open it or hide it under their bed, each person must learn to live in this new world…”

Holiday Reading

Nikki's reads

Ninth House – Leigh Bardugo: Galaxy 'Alex' Stern is the most unlikely member of Yale's freshman class. A dropout and the sole survivor of a horrific, unsolved crime, Alex was hoping for a fresh start. But a free ride to one of the world's most prestigious universities was bound to come with a catch.

Alex has been tasked with monitoring the mysterious activities of Yale's secret societies - well-known haunts of the rich and powerful. Now there's a dead girl on campus and Alex seems to be the only person who won't accept the neat answer the police and campus administration have come up with for her murder.

We also chat about The Secret History, The Goldfinch, Tell Me Lies, and themes of privilege and class.

The Great When – Alan Moore

The year 1949, the city London.

Hapless second-hand bookseller Dennis stumbles through a city still shaking off the war. While out procuring inventory, Dennis's life changes forever when he chances upon a novel that shouldn't exist; an entirely fictional book from inside another novel.

A layered, mind-bending read with multiple versions of London. Nikki loved Moore’s rich, playful writing style and discusses the twists, including one she saw coming. The next book in the series, I Hear a New World, is out now.

How to Lose a Goblin in Seven Days – Jess Silver Lovely but slightly overlong romantasy following halfling Pansy and goblin Wren. Nikki enjoyed it overall but felt the plot was a little thin.

Nikki’s TBR

• The Names – Florence Knapp

• Our Infinite Fates – Laura Steven

• Impossible Monsters – Michael Taylor

• Queen James – Gareth Russell

Hannah's reads

The Art of a Lie – Laura Shepherd-Robinson A twist-filled mystery set in 1749 around St James’s and Piccadilly involving murder, confectionery, ice cream and plenty more besides. This somehow leads us into a discussion about tea and biscuits from Fortnum & Mason.

The Impossible Thing – Belinda Bauer 1926. On the towering cliffs of Yorkshire, men are lowered on ropes to steal the eggs of the sea birds who nest there. The most beautiful are sold for large sums. But when small and hungry Celie Sheppard finds an 'impossible' red egg, it will forever alter the course of her life - and the lives of others.

100 years later in a remote cottage in Wales, Patrick Fort discovers his friend, Nick, and his mother tied up and robbed. The only thing missing: a carved case containing an incredible scarlet egg. Doggedly attempting to retrieve it, Patrick and Nick discover the cruel world of egg trafficking, and soon find themselves on the trail of a priceless collection of eggs lost to history. Until now.

Hannah’s loving the natural history elements and the bird facts, which sparks a side conversation about ospreys.

Hannah’s TBR

• All Fours – Miranda July

• Hooked – Asako Yuzuki