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-post Annaliese 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.com Alaska 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