In this bonus episode of Best Book Forward I was delighted to be joined again by Alice Winn author of In Memoriam.   Alice talks about her journey to writing her bestselling debut and shares her experiences as dyslexic child learning to read as well as sharing a fabulous bookish secret with us.Other books mentioned:Barrington Stokes Moby Dick by Herman MelvilleWar & Peace by Leo TolstoyI hope you’ve enjoyed this episode as much as I have. I would be so grateful if you could take the time to like, subscribe and share with your friends. For more content from me you follow me on Instagram or visit my website www.bestbookforward.org. Best Book Forward is proudly produced by Decibelle Creative / @decibelle_creative

In this episode of Best Book Forward I was delighted to be joined by Alice Winn author of In Memoriam.  If you know me you will know how much I love this book, I’ve probably tried to force a copy on you, so having the opportunity to chat to Alice was incredible.The five books that Sophie picked as the books that have shaped her life are:Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen FieldingCatch 22 by Joseph HellerMeditations by Marcus AureliusPassing by Nella LarsenAll Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque   Other books mentioned:The Secret History by Donna TarttThe Song of Achilles by Madeleine MillerGoodbye To All That by Robert GravesJourney’s End by R. C. SherriffSense and Sensibility by Jane AustenThe Blind Spot & Other Stories by Saki HH MonroeThe Lord of the Rings by JRRTolkein Authors mentioned: Vera BrittainRudyard KiplingF. Scott FitzgeraldIf you would like to hear more from Alice Winn, please do keep an eye out as there a bonus episode coming where we discuss more about Alice’s life as a reader and a writer and she shares a bookish secret with us!For more content from me you follow me on Instagram or visit my website www.bestbookforward.org.

In this bonus episode I am joined again by Sophie Irwin; author of A Lady's Guide to Scandal In this episode Sophie, reads a passage from her new book and we went on to talk more about her life as a writer and a reader and shares a bookish secret with us.Other books mentioned in this episode are:A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor TowlesRules of Civility by Amor TowlesLincoln Highway by Amor TowlesFourth Wing by Rebecca YarrosGame of Thrones by George R R MartinAuthors mentionedTaylor Jenkins-ReidNiamh HarganLindsey KelkMhairi McFarlaneSarra ManningJanice HallettAmor TowelsI hope you have enjoyed this episode.  I would be so grateful if you would take the time to like, subscribe and most importantly tell your friends about it.  I’ll be back next month talking to another author and I really hope you’ll join me for that conversation.In the meantime, for more content from me you can follow me on Instagram or visit my website www.bestbookforward.org

In this episode of Best Book Forward I was delighted to be joined by Sophie Irwin author of A Lady's Guide to Fortune Hunting by Sophie Irwin and A Lady's Guide to Scandal by Sophie IrwinSophie talked about her love of the Regency period and why she feels we are so drawn to it, as well as sharing memories of reading her first chapter book that set her on her journey to be a reader for life.  The book that was pivotal in changing her life.The five books that Sophie picked as the books that have shaped her life are:Sophie's Snail by Dick King Smith Arabella by Georgette HeyerThe Time Traveller's Wife by Audrey NiffengerMidnight Chicken by Ella RisbergerThe Break Up Clause by Niamh HarganOther books mentioned:Frederica by Georgette HeyerMemoirs of a Geisha by Arthur GoldenCrying in H Mart by Michelle ZaunerDinner with Edward by Isabel VincentI Want to Die but I Want To Eat Tteokbokki by Baek SeheeHeartburn by Nora EphronRed, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuistonAuthors mentioned: Frances Burney Barbara Cartland Georgette HeyerLex CroucherAmita MurrayFelicity GeorgeJulia QuinnBeth Morrey (in the interview I said Morley, it is Morrey, sorry Beth)Kate SawyerRoald DahlLindsey KelkSarra ManningIf you would like to hear more from Sophie Irwin, please do keep an eye out as there a bonus episode coming where we discuss more about Sophie’s life as a reader and a writer and she shares a bookish secret with us!For more content from me you follow me on Instagram or visit my website www.bestbookforward.org.  You can you also find my favourite books here Shop my favourite booksBest Book Forward is produced by Decibelle Creative

For this episode of Best Book Forward I was delighted to be joined again by Matt Cain; author of One Love .  If you missed the main episode where Matt discusses her Desert Island Book.In this episode we talk about how Matt came back fighting after his first novel, The Madonna of Bolton was rejected; using his rage to crowdfund his way to get his book published in just a week! Matt also shares a bookish secret with us that left me feeling really excited !Books and authors mentioned in this episodeDavid NichollsLisa JewellDavid WalliamsAdele ParksJane AustenKate AtkinsonThe Song of Achilles of Madeleine MillerThe Secret Life of Albert Entwistle by Matt CainOne Day by David NichollsThe Unfinished Business fo Eadie Browne by Freya NorthThe Excitements by CJ WrayThat Bonesetter Woman by Frances QuinnShot Through the Heart by Matt CainNothing But Trouble by Matt CainStep Sisters by Matt CainI hope you enjoyed this bonus episode.  Please do take the time to like, subscribe, review and most importantly tell your friends about it.  I’ll be back next month talking to another author and I hope you’ll join me for that conversation.  In the meantime, for more content from me you can follow me on Instagram or visit my website www.bestbookforward.orgThis podcast is produced by Decibelle Creative / @decibelle_creative

In today’s episode my guest is the wonderful Matt Cain., I have been chatting to Matt on Instagram for such a long time so to get to speak to him about his books and the books that he loves was such a treat.  We talked about all of Matt’s books but especially about his latest novel One Love which comes out on 18 January and is an absolutely brilliant read.We talked about the five books that have shaped Matt’s life and three of them are also favourites of mine.Matt’s Desert Island Book choices are:The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe by CS LewisKiss of the Spiderwoman by Manuel PuigThomas Hardy: The Time-Torn Man by Claire TomalinThe Song of Achilles by Madeline MillerOne Day by David NichollsThroughout our discussion, we talked about lots of other books and these are all listed below.Other books mentioned in this episodeThe Madonna of Bolton by Matt CainThe Secret Life of Albert Entwistle by Matt Cain The Becoming Ted by Matt CainHeartstopper by Alice OsemanThe Neverending Story by Michael Ende A Stitch in Time by Kathryn ColtrinThe Stranding by Kate SawyerThis Family by Kate SawyerI hope you have enjoyed this episode as much as I did, I loved chatting to Matt.  I would be so grateful if you would take the time to like, subscribe and most importantly tell your friends about it.  Do keep an eye out as there is a bonus episode with Matt coming soon.In the meantime, for more content from me you can follow me on Instagram or visit my website www.bestbookforward.org Best Book Forward is produced by Buckers at Decibelle Creative

In this bonus episode I am joined again by Nina Stibbe; author of Went to London, Took the Dog.In this episode Nina, reads a passage from her new book and we went on to talk more about her life as a writer and a reader.Other books mentioned in this episode are:Started Early Took the Dog by Kate AtkinsonShrines of Gaiety by Kate AtkinsonThe Best Exotic Marigold Hotel by Deborah MoggachThe Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13¾ by Sue TownsendDucks Newbury Port by Lucy EllmannThe Fortnight in September by R.C. SHerriff Remains of the Day by Kazuo IshiguroVera by Elizabeth Von ArnimRebecca by Daphne Du MaurierFrancis Plug - How To Be A Public Author by Paul EwenFrancis Plug: Writer In Residence by Paul EwenAuthors mentionedCathy RentzenbrinkLionel ShriverNick HornbyAlan BennettJonathan MillerHeather MorrisThomas HardyGeoffrey ChaucerElizabeth StroutAnne TylerDavid SedarisLydia DavisHilary MantelMargaret AtwoodI hope you have enjoyed this episode.  I would be so grateful if you would take the time to like, subscribe and most importantly tell your friends about it.  I’ll be back next month talking to another author and I really hope you’ll join me for that conversation.In the meantime, for more content from me you can follow me on Instagram or visit my website www.bestbookforward.org Best Book Forward is produced by Decibelle Creative

In this episode I was delighted to be joined by Nina Stibbe; who’s latest book Went to London, Took the Dog is out 2 November and is such a brilliant read.I loved talking to Nina, and hearing her talk so patiently about her love of diaries has inspired me to try and keep my own diary.  Nina’s Desert Island Book choices are:Black Beauty by Anna SewellMy Side of the Mountain by Jean George (currently out of print)Secret Diary of Adrian Mole by Sue TownsendDiary of a Nobody by G&W GrossmithThroughout the discussion, various other books and authors were mentioned and these are all listed below.Other Books MentionedOne Day I Shall Astonish the World by Nina StibbeLove, Nina by Nina StibbeWar Horse by Michael MorpurgoJill’s Gymkhana by Ruby FergusonThe Snow & Works on the Northern Line by Ruth ThomasThe Adventures of Miss Barbara Pym by Paula BurnA Very Private Eye by Julie CooperAuthors mentionedDavid SedarisDeborah McGogachAlan BennettClaire TomlynMichael FrayneJonathan Miller Germaine Greer If you enjoyed this episode and would like to hear more from Nina, do keep an eye out as we have recorded a bonus episode which will be coming soon.For more content from me you can follow me on Instagram or visit my website www.bestbookforward.org Best Book Forward is produced by Decibelle Creative

In this bonus episode, Beth O'Leary joins Helen to discuss her meteoric rise to fame after publishing her debut novel The Flatshare. Beth talks candidly about her journey to publication, the pressures of writing a second novel after a hugely successful debut, her writing process and daily rituals (or lack thereof!), her reading habits and favourite authors. Beth also reveals her "bookish secret"...

Today’s episode of Best Book Forward was a dream come true for me.  Beth O’Leary was the first author I meet when I started off as a bookstagrammer and I have loved all of her books from her debut The Flatshare to her latest novel The Wake Up Call In this episode Beth talks about her life as a writer, writing sexy swimming pool scenes as well as how books helped her as a child to find her love of storytelling and writing.Beth’s Desert Island Book choices are:The Autumn Story by Jill BarklemThe Northern Lights by Philip PullmanPride and Prejudice by Jane AustenThe Faerie Queen by Edmund SpenserRachel's Holiday by Marian KeyesOther books mentioned in this episode:The Road Trip by Beth O’LearyThe Switch by Beth O’LearyThe No Show by Beth O’LearyThe Four Winds by Kristin HannahParadise Lost by John MiltonSherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan DoyleThe Book of Dust by Philip PullmanTwilight by Stephanie MeyerAgain, Rachel by Marian KeyesAuthors mentioned:Kristin HannahCharles DickensSophie KinsellaIf you like to hear more from Beth O’Leary please do keep an eye out as there is a bonus episode coming soon where we’ll hear more about Beth’s life as a writer and a reader and she also shares a bookish secret with us.  For me content please do follow me on Instagram or visit my website www.bestbookforward.orgThis podcast is produced by Decibelle Creative: @decibelle_creative / www.decibellecreative.com

In this bonus episode of Best Book Forward I was delighted to be joined again by Helen Paris; author of Lost Property and The Invisible Women's Club.  If you missed the main episode where Helen discusses her Desert Island Books with me do have a listen (you'll find it in the same place you found this one!)In this episode Helen read a passage from her new book The Invisible Women’s Club and we went on to talk more about her life as a reader and a writer.The books that are mentioned in this episode are:None of This is True by Lisa JewellThe Gruffalo by Julia DonaldsonDemon Copperhead by Barbara KingsolverGo As A River by Shelley ReadWolf Hall by Hilary MantelBreathing Lessons by Anne TylerThe authors that Helen talked about areKate AtkinsonRachel JoyceTana French Agatha ChristieToni MorrisonI hope you enjoyed this bonus episode.  Please do take the time to like, subscribe, review and most importantly tell your friends about it.  I’ll be back next month talking to another author and I hope you’ll join me for that conversation.  In the meantime, for more content from me you can follow me on Instagram or visit my website www.bestbookforward.orgBest Book Forward is produced by Buckers at Decibelle Creative @decibelle_creative / www.decibellecreative.com

In this first episode of Best Book Forward I was delighted to be joined by Helen Paris; author of Lost Property and The Invisible Women's Club.Helen shared wonderful memories of buying her childhood favourites with her dad at WHSmiths at weekends, a wonderful teacher who introduced her to a book she loves and the books that inspired her love of reading and writing.Helen’s Desert Island Books choices are:Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls WilderThe Great Gatsby by F Scott FitzgeraldMiss Benson's Beetle by Rachel JoyceTo Kill A Mockingbird by Harper LeeBreathing Lessons by Anne TylerOf course, when you’re talking to somebody who is as passionate about books as Helen is, lots of other books get mentioned so here are the other books we talked about in this episode.Second Spring by Kate CodringtonAnother Life by Jodie ChapmanAnne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud MontgomeryThe Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe by C.S. LewisDemon Copperhead by Barbara KingsolverThe Handmaid's Tale by Margaret AtwoodLadder of Years by Anne TylerThe Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel JoyceIf you would like to hear more from Helen Paris, please do keep an eye out as there is a bonus episode coming where we discuss more about Helen’s life as a reader and a writer and she shares a bookish secret with us!For more content from me you can follow me on Instagram or visit my website www.bestbookforward.orgBest Book Forward is produced by Buckers at Decibelle Creative @decibelle_creative / www.decibellecreative.com

Join Helen Gambarota, better known online as 'Best Book Forward' for friendly conversations with authors. After discussing her guest's five favourite books, Helen will ask them the impossible question: if you could only pick one to read again, which book would you choose?!Listen out for bonus episodes treating you to readings from the authors' own books. Find out about how to join Helen's book club, and more about her book-ish journey online at https://www.bestbookforward.org/ and on Instagram @bestbookforwardBest Book Forward is produced by Decibelle Creative