The podcast that asks women with lives as inspiring as any fiction, to share the five books by women that have shaped them. Join Vick Hope, multi-award winning TV and BBC Radio 1 presenter, author and journalist, and her inspirational guests as they celebrate the best books written by women, sharing their creativity, voices, and perspectives. The Women’s Prize for Fiction is the biggest celebration of women’s creativity in the world and has been running for over 30 years. Sit back and enjoy.
Bookshelfie: Caroline Lucas MP
Jan 19, 2023
Show notes
Green MP Caroline Lucas and Vick Hope discuss feminism and Green Party principles and reveal which book from the list would benefit the Prime Minister. Caroline Lucas is the UK’s first Green MP, first elected as Member of Parliament for Brighton Pavilion in 2010. She served as leader of the Green Party of England and Wales from 2008 to 2012, and co-leader from 2016 to 2018. She is a passionate campaigner involved in a wide range of organisations including animal charities, theatres, environmental networks, women’s groups and children’s charities to name a few. She’s also written a book, Honourable Friends, which details her first parliamentary term as a fresh, green voice to the House of Commons. Caroline’s book choices are: ** Fighting for Hope by Petra Kelly ** Flight Behaviour by Barbara Kingsolver ** Doughnut Economics by Kate Raworth ** With the End in Mind by Kathryn Mannix ** Devotions: The selected Poems of Mary Oliver Vick Hope, multi-award winning TV and BBC Radio 1 presenter, author and journalist, is the host of season five of the Women’s Prize for Fiction Podcast. Every week, Vick will be joined by another inspirational woman to discuss the work of incredible female authors. The Women’s Prize is one of the most prestigious literary awards in the world, and they continue to champion the very best books written by women. Don’t want to miss the rest of Season Five? Listen and subscribe now! This podcast is sponsored by Baileys and produced by Bird Lime Media.
Bookshelfie: Lucy Worsley
Nov 09, 2022
Show notes
Historian Lucy Worsley sits down with Vick to talk about forgotten women, fan fiction from the 1930s and the misunderstandings around beloved crime writer Agatha Christie. Lucy Worsley OBE is a British historian, author, television presenter and chief curator of Historic Royal Palaces. Lucy has written numerous history books including: Queen Victoria: Daughter, Wife, Mother, Widow; Jane Austen at Home: A Biography; and The Courtiers: Splendor and Intrigue in the Georgian Court. She has presented and contributed - often in exquisite costumes - to various TV programmes and in 2019 Suffragettes With Lucy Worsley won a BAFTA. In her new podcast Lady Killers, Lucy investigates the crimes of Victorian women from a contemporary, feminist perspective. Her latest book, Agatha Christie: An Elusive Woman is out now. Lucy’s book choices are: ** The Far-Distant Oxus by Katharine Hull and Pamela Whitelock ** The Young Elizabeth by Jean Plaidy ** Moominvalley in November by Tove Jansson ** Mrs Woolf at the Servants - Alison Light ** An Autobiography - Agatha Christie Vick Hope, multi-award winning TV and BBC Radio 1 presenter, author and journalist, is the host of season five of the Women’s Prize for Fiction Podcast. Every week, Vick will be joined by another inspirational woman to discuss the work of incredible female authors. The Women’s Prize is one of the most prestigious literary awards in the world, and they continue to champion the very best books written by women. Don’t want to miss the rest of Season Five? Listen and subscribe now! This podcast is sponsored by Baileys and produced by Bird Lime Media.
Bookshelfie: Candice Brathwaite
Nov 03, 2022
Show notes
Sunday Times bestselling author Candice Brathwaite reveals how she found her voice, why the UK was long overdue an inclusive book on motherhood and how - if you let it - social media can stifle your best work. Candice’s debut book I’m Not Your Baby Mother was described by the Observer as ‘an essential exploration of the realities of black motherhood in the UK’. She is also the founder of Make Motherhood Diverse - an online initiative that lets more mothers see themselves reflected online. When she’s not writing, you can find her on TV encouraging women to be bolder in their fashion choices on Lorraine. She is also the author of a book of essays on Black British womanhood Sista Sister and her first young adult novel, Cuts Both Ways is out now. Madeline’s book choices are: ** To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee ** Coldest Winter Ever by Sister Souljah ** I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou ** What I Know for Sure by Oprah Winfrey ** Just Sayin’ - Malorie Blackman Vick Hope, multi-award winning TV and BBC Radio 1 presenter, author and journalist, is the host of season five of the Women’s Prize for Fiction Podcast. Every week, Vick will be joined by another inspirational woman to discuss the work of incredible female authors. The Women’s Prize is one of the most prestigious literary awards in the world, and they continue to champion the very best books written by women. Don’t want to miss the rest of Season Five? Listen and subscribe now! This podcast is sponsored by Baileys and produced by Bird Lime Media.
Bookshelfie: Dawn O’Porter
Oct 27, 2022
Show notes
Author and journalist, Dawn O’Porter joins Vick Hope to discuss everything from old Hollywood to Spice Girl Mania and reveals why she’s no longer hungry for fame. Dawn is a renowned broadcaster, novelist and journalist. She has made documentaries about everything from free love to childbirth, is the co-founder and director of refugee charity Choose Love and designs dresses for Joanie Clothing. Dawn is the bestselling author of eight books, including The Cows, So Lucky and her newest novel Cat Lady - which is out now. Madeline’s book choices are: ** Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit by Jeanette Winterson ** Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus ** Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid ** Who I Am by Mel C ** We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson Vick Hope, multi-award winning TV and BBC Radio 1 presenter, author and journalist, is the host of season five of the Women’s Prize for Fiction Podcast. Every week, Vick will be joined by another inspirational woman to discuss the work of incredible female authors. The Women’s Prize is one of the most prestigious literary awards in the world, and they continue to champion the very best books written by women. Don’t want to miss the rest of Season Five? Listen and subscribe now! This podcast is sponsored by Baileys and produced by Bird Lime Media.
Bookshelfie: Madeline Miller
Oct 19, 2022
Show notes
2012 Women’s Prize winner Madeline Miller joins Vick Hope and explains why as a writer, you have to be your own biggest cheerleader. Madeline is a New York Times bestselling author and Women’s Prize for Fiction winner. Her debut novel The Song of Achilles came out in 2011 after a whopping 10 years of blood, sweat and tears, which all became worth it with its phenomenal success. Her next novel, Circe, came out in 2018 and is currently being adapted for television. Her latest book Galatea is a short story which became an instant Sunday Times bestseller on its publication earlier this year. Madeline’s book choices are: ** The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan ** Sense and Sensibility screenplay by Emma Thompson ** Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto ** Heartburn by Nora Ephron ** The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende Vick Hope, multi-award winning TV and BBC Radio 1 presenter, author and journalist, is the host of season five of the Women’s Prize for Fiction Podcast. Every week, Vick will be joined by another inspirational woman to discuss the work of incredible female authors. The Women’s Prize is one of the most prestigious literary awards in the world, and they continue to champion the very best books written by women. Don’t want to miss the rest of Season Five? Listen and subscribe now! This podcast is sponsored by Baileys and produced by Bird Lime Media.
Bookshelfie: Mother Pukka aka Anna Whitehouse
Oct 13, 2022
Show notes
Activist, broadcaster, author and founder of Mother Pukka, Anna Whitehouse delves into the underbelly of the internet and the fight for flexible working. Anna’s campaign, Flex Appeal has been quoted in parliament, featured on national TV and seen her lead lycra-clad flash mobs around UK town centres. Anna is also a columnist for Grazia, is co-presenter of the Dirty Mother Pukka Podcast, hosts her own Sunday night radio show on Heart FM and - with her husband - has co-authored two Sunday times bestselling books: Parenting the Shit Out of Life and Where's My Happy Ending? Anna’s debut novel, Underbelly, is out now. Anna’s book choices are: ** The Adventurous Four: Shipwrecked by Enid Blyton ** Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason ** My Thoughts Exactly by Lily Allen ** Three Women by Lisa Taddeo ** My Sister the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite Vick Hope, multi-award winning TV and BBC Radio 1 presenter, author and journalist, is the host of season five of the Women’s Prize for Fiction Podcast. Every week, Vick will be joined by another inspirational woman to discuss the work of incredible female authors. The Women’s Prize is one of the most prestigious literary awards in the world, and they continue to champion the very best books written by women. Don’t want to miss the rest of Season Five? Listen and subscribe now! This podcast is sponsored by Baileys and produced by Bird Lime Media.
Bookshelfie: Noor Murad - live from Wilderness Festival
Oct 06, 2022
Show notes
For another very special bookshelfie episode, Noor Murad chats to Vick live from Wilderness Festival. The unbelievably talented Bahraini-British chef discusses the contradictions between private and public life in a Muslim country. After gaining work experience in Germany and New York, plus studying at the Culinary Institute of America for three years, Noor Murad eventually met Israeli chef Yottam Ottolenghi while working at the Spitalfields deli. She’s now the Head of the Ottolenghi Test Kitchen, and has co-written two books with Yottam and the Test Kitchen team – Shelf Love and the upcoming Extra Good Things. Noors book choices are: ** Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi ** Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood ** The Outsiders by S E Hinton ** The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak ** Three Women by Lisa Taddeo Vick Hope, multi-award winning TV and BBC Radio 1 presenter, author and journalist, is the host of season five of the Women’s Prize for Fiction Podcast. Every week, Vick will be joined by another inspirational woman to discuss the work of incredible female authors. The Women’s Prize is one of the most prestigious literary awards in the world, and they continue to champion the very best books written by women. Don’t want to miss the rest of Season Five? Listen and subscribe now! This podcast is sponsored by Baileys and produced by Bird Lime Media.
Bookshelfie: Maggie O'Farrell
Sep 28, 2022
Show notes
2020 Women’s Prize winner Maggie O’Farrell joins Vick Hope and reveals what it was like to win the prize over a zoom call and what level of research is really required to write a masterpiece like Hamnet. Maggie O’Farrell won the Women’s Prize for Fiction for her novel Hamnet - a moving exploration of death and grief in Elizabethan England told through the story of William Shakespeare’s real life son Hamnet. Maggie is the author of nine novels, the memoir I Am I Am I Am, and two children’s books, including The Boy Who Lost His Spark, out this October. Her latest novel The Marriage Portrait, set in Renaissance Italy is out now. Maggie’s book choices are: ** Where the God of Love Hangs Out by Amy Bloom ** Flesh and Blood by Michele Roberts ** The Green Road by Anne Enright ** The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman ** Gawain and the Green Knight by Anonymous Vick Hope, multi-award winning TV and BBC Radio 1 presenter, author and journalist, is the host of season five of the Women’s Prize for Fiction Podcast. Every week, Vick will be joined by another inspirational woman to discuss the work of incredible female authors. The Women’s Prize is one of the most prestigious literary awards in the world, and they continue to champion the very best books written by women. Don’t want to miss the rest of Season Five? Listen and subscribe now! This podcast is sponsored by Baileys and produced by Bird Lime Media.
Bookshelfie: Aisling Bea - Live at Latitude
Sep 21, 2022
Show notes
In a special episode in front of a live audience at Latitude Festival, Vick Hope talks to the hilarious, multi-award winning comedian, writer and actor Aisling Bea about her early career, writing and starring in her much loved Channel 4 show This Way Up, and becoming the face of loneliness. Armed with the stage name ‘Bea’, a tribute to her late father, Aisling broke away from the family tradition of working with horses to pursue a career in performing. After winning awards at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2012 and the Edinburgh Comedy Awards in 2013, she gained exposure as a comedian and began making regular appearances on panel shows such as QI and 8 Out of 10 Cats. She has since gained international acclaim as the creator and star of hit comedy-drama This Way Up. Aisling’s book choices are: ** Animal by Sara Pascoe ** Why I’m No Longer Talking To White People About Race by Reni Eddo-Lodge ** The Green Road by Anne Enright ** The Audacity by Katharine Ryan ** Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason Vick Hope, multi-award winning TV and BBC Radio 1 presenter, author and journalist, is the host of season five of the Women’s Prize for Fiction Podcast. Every week, Vick will be joined by an inspirational woman to discuss the work of incredible female authors. The Women’s Prize is one of the most prestigious literary awards in the world, and they continue to champion the very best books written by women. Don’t want to miss the rest of Season Five? Listen and subscribe now! This podcast is sponsored by Baileys and produced by Bird Lime Media.
Bookshelfie: Minnie Driver
Jun 23, 2022
Show notes
For this very special episode, Minnie Driver talks to Vick in front of a live audience in Bedford Square Gardens, London. The actor, author and singer opens up about her yearning for freedom and the pieces of herself that were sacrificed for fame.
Minnie became known for her lead roles in Good Will Hunting and Circle of Friends. She broke into Hollywood where she performed in some incredible films, like The Governess and Hard Rain, alongside some equally incredible actors. She now has three studio albums, hosts her own podcast (Minnie Questions with Minnie Driver) and has her own production company. You may have also seen her star in Amazon’s adaptation of Cinderella and seen her new and evocative memoir, Managing Expectations, in shops which she has recently published.
Minnie’s book choices are:
** The House Of The Spirits by Isabel Allende
** Wise Children by Angela Carter
** The Cost Of Living by Deborah Levy
** Pride And Prejudice by Jane Austen
** The Wallcreeper by Nell Zink
Vick Hope, multi-award winning TV and BBC Radio 1 presenter, author and journalist, is the host of season five of the Women’s Prize for Fiction Podcast. Every week, Vick will be joined by another inspirational woman to discuss the work of incredible female authors. The Women’s Prize is one of the most prestigious literary awards in the world, and they continue to champion the very best books written by women.
Don’t want to miss the rest of Season Five? Listen and subscribe now!
This podcast is sponsored by Baileys and produced by Bird Lime Media.
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