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

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_Ingar Emily Varga – https://emilyvargabooks.com

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 and current FINALIST in the 2025 British Podcast Awards and 2025 Independent Podcast Awards!

This brilliant episode features Emily Varga, writer of For She Is Wrath, in conversation with Rosie and Nicole.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL DISCOVER:

• How Emily balances her creative life a s writer with her professional role as a family lawyer
• Her approach to writing without being stuck to a plan
• Why fantasy is her favourite genre

PLUS: Isla and Niamh present the SpotLit featurette with a mini-interview with actor Safiyya Ingar, star of The Witcher and Brides, whose remarkable voice brings the audiobook of the novel to life. Emily’s enlightening, deep and thought-provoking interview appears in full in this episode, and Safiyya is our SpotLit guest, appearing in a 10 minute segment halfway through. Be sure to listen to the full Safiyya Ingar interview next week when it is published as a bonus SpotLit episode - it is worth hearing all the way through, especially if you’ve ever dreamed of being an actor as Safiyya is proof that ambition is more than a dream!

To learn more:

Emily Varga - https://emilyvargabooks.com

Safiyya Ingar - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safiyya_Ingar

Don’t miss a single episode of The Reading Cafe! Subscribe, leave a rating or review wherever you listen, and most importantly… keep reading!