The Listening Books Podcast

Leeanne O'Donnell is the author of Sparks of Bright Matter, a novel set in Georgian London and West Cork that follows the pursuits of scientist and alchemist, Peter Woulfe. In her thoughtful conversation with host Jessica Stone, she talks about what made Peter a subject of fascination to her, how her own near-sightedness inspired a beloved character's way of navigating the world, and how learning about older traditions of spoken-word storytelling provoked a crisis of philosophy around the written word.

This is Leeanne's debut novel, but she's no stranger to telling stories—she's made a number of award-winning radio documentaries and presents her own podcast about Irish mythology with Pol O Colmain, Into the Mythic.

Books mentioned:

Sparks of Bright Matter, Leeanne O'Donnell, narrated by Gerry O'Brien

Louise Hare is the London-based author of This Lovely City and the Canary Club Mysteries. In this conversation with host Jessica Stone, she talks about the second in that series, Harlem After Midnight—how the musical styles of ragtime and jazz support the story, how she creates a safe space for her main character, and how the historical setting resonates with current times.

Books mentioned:

Harlem After Midnight, Louise Hare, narrated by Leonie Elliott

Miss Aldridge Regrets, Louise Hare, narrated by Georgina Campbell

This Lovely City, Louise Hare, narrated by Theo Solomon and Karise Yansen

Another Country, James Baldwin, narrated by Dion Graham

Links:

Becca Caddy is a writer and journalist who likes to explore the human side of technology, and her book Screen Time offers the information and guidance to help us take back a bit more control over our digital lives. In this conversation with host Jessica Stone, Becca talks about why our language around technology is so important and how we can be more deliberate in our use of the technological tools available to us.

Books mentioned

Screen Time: How to Make Peace with Your Devices and Find Your Techquilibrium, Becca Caddy, narrated by Julie Maisey

Hello World: How to Be Human in the Age of the Machine, Hannah Fry, narrated by the author

Irresistible: Why We Can't Stop Checking, Scrolling, Clicking and Watching, Adam Alter, narrated by the author

Apps Mentioned

Waking Up: Meditation and Wisdom

Headspace

Links

Sierra Godfrey is the well-travelled author of A Very Typical Family and The Second Chance Hotel. In this joyful conversation with Jessica Stone, she talks about her first novel, her love for anything written or recommended by Marian Keyes, the nature of friendship, and even her meticulous system for tracking all the books she reads.

Books mentioned:

A Very Typical Family, Sierra Godfrey, narrated by Gail Shalan

The Second Chance Hotel, Sierra Godfrey, narrated by Ri Paige

Watermelon, Marian Keyes, narrated by Gerri Halligan

The Unmaking of June Farrow, Adrienne Young, narrated by Brittany Pressley

Clover Hendry's Day Off, Beth Morrey, narrated by Imogen Church and the author

Links:

Amy, Claire and Jessica each bring one 'old' book and one 'new' one to the table before Amy and Claire square off in Jess's ridiculously challenging literary game.

Books mentioned:

Weirdo, Sara Pascoe, narrated by the author

And Then There Were None, Agatha Christie, narrated by Dan Stevens

The Canary Club Series, Louise Hare, narrated by Leonie Elliot and Georgina Campbell

Psyche and Eros, Luna McNamara, narrated by Rachel Petladwala and Joshua Riley

Persuasion, Jane Austen, narrated by Juliet Stevenson

The Grapes of Wrath, John Steinbeck, full cast LA Theatre Works production

Demon Copperhead, Barbara Kingsolver, narrated by Charlie Thurston

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