THE BOOK CLUB PODCAST
Do you love books, education and wildly off topic conversations? Join your librarian, Dr Rick Clarke, in conversation with your teachers about the books they love and the personal stories they inspire.
Episode One
Episode 1. The Hobbit – Mr Rigby on the Book Club Podcast
Do you love fantasy novels and small hobbits with hairy feet? Mr Rigby talks J.R.R.Tolkien, mythology, and the structure of storytelling. Press play now and immerse yourself in another world.
Episode Two
Episode 2. The Weight of Water - Miss Sojka On The Book Club Podcast
Sarah Crossan's Weight Of Water throws us into the world of Kasienka, who is looking for her lost father and struggling to navigate her strange new life in England. Miss Sojka, our resident expert on all things Polish, talks about the ancient architecture of the port city of Gdańsk, life in Poland, and her own experiences in discovering these mysterious isles. Press play now and discover England all over again.
Episode Three
Episode 3. Dracula – Sonia Ceanca On The Book Club Podcast
Love Dracula. Want to explore the places, the characters and the gothic writing that makes Victorian Horror so unique. Then don’t miss our first student interview with Sonia Ceanca. If you like things that give you goose bumps, press play now!
Episode Four
Episode 4. Writing Your First Novel – Nsrin Saleh On The Book Club Podcast
Do you aspire to write your own novel? Listen to Nsrin Saleh, who at just thirteen, is writing her first novel and fiction series. Nsrin discusses her plotting, her writing habits and her unique experience of writing as a young author. If you are a writer, or want to be one, then press play now!
Episode Five
Episode 5. Enid Blyton – Chloe Hughes On The Book Club Podcast
Did you know that Enid Blyton went to school in Beckenham? Did you know that she is was an expert zoologist, or that she is the fourth most translated author in the world? Listen to head librarian, Chloe Hughes, discuss the writing, the books, and the life of Enid Blyton. If you love children’s adventure stories, or the nostalgia of the ‘40s, then press play now!
Episode Six
Episode 6. Iran and the Celebration of Migration – Dela Javadi on The Book Club Podcast
Love Persian storytelling and culture? Do you long to lose yourself in the beauty of Farsi? Then listen to Dela Javadi as she shares her stories, and her experiences of arriving in England. Press play now, and discover what it is to be lost in a new land and then find your way home.
Episode Seven
Episode 7. India & Brazil – Dua Maleeha and Julia Takeuchi Ribeiro on The Book Club Podcast
Do you want to discover the food, culture and spoken languages of India and Brazil? Listen to Dua Maleeha & Julia Takeuchi Ribeiro talk about growing up in these two beautiful and amazing countries. If you have ever dreamed of living among coconut trees and banana groves, or wished for the heat of Brazil, press play now.
Episode Eight
Episode 8. Artemis Fowl – Daniella Addo on The Book Club Podcast
Do you love villains who could outsmart Sherlock Holmes? Do you admire fairies with attitude? Do secretly dream of stealing gold & stopping time? Then, Eoin Colfer’s Artemis Fowl series is for you. Listen to Daniella Addo and Dr Rick Clarke discuss this prize winning, jaw-dropping YA series. Press play now and be pulled into a world of criminal adventure.
Episode Nine
Episode 9. Taiwo Jokogbola On The Book Club Podcast
Historian and book addict, Taiwo Jokogbola, has taken the challenge to read a book a week for a year. Today we are talking about the books she has fallen in love with, the pull of Book Tok, and just how far magical realism has taken hold in Nigerian novels. If you are addicted to books, press play now!
Episode Ten
Episode 10. Frankenstein - Miriam Bahari On The Book Club Podcast
Plunge into the moral maze of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Join Miriam Bahari and Dr. Rick Clarke explore the dark and complex characters of the world’s first science fiction novel. With themes of violence, sexuality, godlessness, and the dangers of science without moral limits, press play now and re-discover this compelling classic of gothic fiction.
Episode Eleven
Episode 11. The Red Queen - Hania Sourrour Benabbas On The Book Club Podcast
Victoria Aveyard’s young adult fantasy series, The Red Queen, is a dystopian masterpiece. Hania Sourrour Benabbas discusses the construction of the Red Queen’s world, its complex heroes, and why it’s in her top three books of all time. Press play now and join Hania & Dr. Rick Clarke in their exploration of the best contemporary YA fiction books.
Episode Twelve
Episode 12. Percy Jackson - Aminat Adekanmi On The Book Club Podcast
Percy Jackson is a young adult mythological fantasy series by the prolific writer, Rick Riordan, and a hit Disney TV production. Aminat Adekanmi discusses her love of the books, and how characters from Percy Jackson migrate into other stories by Riordan. Press play now and discover more about this mythological masterpiece with Aminat and Dr. Rick Clarke.
Episode Thirteen
Episode 13. History Antics – Taiwo Jokogbola On The Book Club Podcast
The Book Club podcast’s favourite book worm & historian, Taiwo Jokogbola, is back to discuss history and historians. This time it gets personal when Taiwo and Dr. Rick Clarke dig deep into how they became historians and why historians can be so weird. Press play now for a foray on everything from the French Revolution to ‘80s Hip Hop.
Episode Fourteen
Episode 14. Greek Myths & Legends – Tana Scarpa On The Book Club Podcast
Myths & legends geeks wanted! Join Tana Scarpa & Dr. Rick Clarke in conversation about classic mythology. Question the heroism of Hercules and ask if the Midas touch is so bad after all. Press play now, and dive into the world of Gods & Goddesses.
Episode Fifteen
Episode 15. Poetry & Picture Books – Angela Jelf On The Book Club Podcast
Let’s celebrate National Poetry Day with published children’s poet, Angela Jelf. Do you love poetry and have you ever wanted to publish an illustrated children’s book, then join Dr. Rick Clarke and Angela in conversation. If you have ever wondered how to write in rhyme, or alluded to alliteration, then press play now.
Episode Sixteen
Episode 16. – Lucas Griffith-Wilkin On The Book Club Podcast
Love Latin and can’t get enough of Ancient Rome? Then press play now and join our resident Classics expert, Lucas Griffith-Wilkin, in a discussion with Dr. Rick Clarke.
Episode Seventeen
E17. The Blackheath Bookshop & Rebecca Yarros – Marianne On The Book Club Podcast
Are you biting your nails waiting for the next Forth Wing novel by Rebecca Yarros? Then Join Marianne from The Blackheath Bookshop & Dr. Rick Clarke in conversation about their favourite fantasy and romantasy books. From dragons to multi-dimensional villains, press play now and discover the best that The Blackheath Bookshop has to offer.
Episode Eighteen
Episode 18. Going Supercurricular With Your Exam Choices – Rameen Ismail On The Book Club Podcast
Join year 10 Student Rameen Ismail & Dr. Rick Clarke in conversation about the importance of supercurricular activities, and why you should trust your heart when picking your exam options. Press play now.
Episode Nineteen
E19. Lunar New Year – Ying He on The Book Club Podcast
If you love Lunar New Year traditions, then listen to our amazing Mandarin teacher, Ying He, and Dr. Rick Clarke in conversation. Press play now and discover a world of paper lanterns, wood snakes and fire dragons.
Episode Twenty
Episode 20. The Medusa & Natalie Haynes’ Stone Blind – Tana Scarpa On The Book Club Podcast
Natalie Haynes is a top BBC 4 Journalist, Cambridge University Classicist, Edinburgh Fringe sell-out comedian and bestselling mythological YA fiction writer. Tana Scarpa and Dr. Rick delve into her epic work on the Medusa, ‘Stone Blind’, discussing the classics and the fiction. Unless you want to anger the gods, press play now!!!
Episode Twenty-one
Episode 21. Detective Fiction - Kelis Tully-Sinclair On The Book Club Podcast
From hard-boiled LA detectives, to the superpower intellect of Sherlock and Poirot, Kelis Tully-Sinclair is in discussion with Dr. Rick Clarke on the topic of the Detective Novel. If you love the works of dark criminal worlds of Raymond Chandler & Dashiell Hammett, or if you want to explore the cross-genre crime stories of P.D. James and Daphne du Maurier, then press play now.
Episode Twenty-two
Episode 22. Crystal Palace Chronicles – Graham Whitlock On The Book Club Podcast
Best-selling author, Graham Whitlock, talks everything from time travel to real-life historical rogues. Graham shares some rare insights onto the creation of his super successful The Crystal Palace Chronicles, as well as talking about his writing process and his love for local London history. If you want to delve into the mind of a real lifetime traveller, then press play now.
Episode Twenty-Three
Episode 23. Parakeet Books Publishing House – Judy Skidmore & Sheju John On The Book Club Podcast
Parakeet Books are a powerhouse in the world of micro-publishing. Based in South London, Judy Skidmore & Sheju John work with writers and illustrators from across the globe. Parakeet books specialize in richly illustrated children’s books, all of which find extraordinary beauty in ordinary lives. Press play now and join dive deep into the world of micro-publishing.
Episode Twenty-Four
Episode 24. Home Cooking Persian Style - Zhasmin Salehvand On The Book Club Podcast
Discover the delicacies of Iranian home cooking. Fresh breads, spices and Khoresh Gheimeh are just some of the mouthwatering Persian flavours discussed in conversation between Zhasmin Salehvand, Ania Sojka and Dr. Rick Clarke. Press play now and fall onto a world of childhood memories and exotic flavours.
Episode Twenty-Five
Episode 25. Japanese Literature - Klaudija Goja On The Book Club Podcast
Mieko Kawakami's Heaven caused a ripples throughout the Japanese literary world when it was published in 2010. Now available in English after more than a decade, Heaven, is a hard hitting existential novel which looks at teenage life, bullying and friendship. Press play now and join Dr Clarke and Klaudija Goja as they dive into this modern Japanese classic.
Episode Twenty-Six
Episode 26. The Phantom of the Opera – Rebekah Hall On The Book Club Podcast
Embrace your inner gothic whilst rediscovering the classic novel, Phantom of the Opera. Originally published in 1909, Gaston Leroux’s tale was a smash hit across Europe and America. But with Leroux’s writing inspired by the great Sherlock Holmes stories, is the tale of the Phantom a Gothic Horror or is it a Detective Mystery? Press play now and join Dr. Rick Clarke and Rebekah Hall and be pulled into the world of a Phantom.
Episode Twenty-Seven
Episode 27. Dostoevsky – Latifah Kabore On The Book Club Podcast
Fyodor Dostoevsky’s epic novel, Crime and Punishment, is famous across the globe. However, his lesser-known short stories are just as rich in terms of their depictions of the of human psyche. Latifah Kabore joins Dr. Rick Clarke to discuss the complexities and contradictions of Dostoevsky’s characters. Press play now and find out how Dostoevsky’s tortured 19 C. souls are still recognisable in today’s 21 C. society.
