The Radio 2 Book Club

Phoenix Cooper - of Kent Libraries fame - shares their Top Five Reads Of The Year so far (but mainly, of 2025)
They chat to Sara about their love of libraries, their role, being part of the Radio 2 Book Club panel - and give a shout out to their mum's book group too.
Phoenix's Top Five Reads:
Raven scholar by Antonia Hodgson
Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo
The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison
King Sorrow by Joe Hill
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

Our first Book Club pick of 2026 is 'The Poet Empress' by debut novelist, Shen Tao.
The book is an epic tale of female empowerment, love and the power of words. It might also win the award for best cover of the year!
Shen talks to Sara about world building, her inspirations for the protagonist and why she loves the Fantasy genre so much. She also mentions the eight unpublished novels which went before this one, confirming that you should never give up!
We also get a book recommendation from Shen - and - play a clip from the Audiobook of 'The Poet Empress'
(*please note this clip features the burying of a young child, which some listeners may find upsetting or triggering)
Here's the book blurb:
As the emperor lays dying, the once-great Azalea Dynasty plunges towards civil war. While its princes plot for power, a more hidden war - to become the next empress - occupies the imperial court.
Wei Yin - peasant girl turned concubine to the cruel Prince Terren - has already endured unimaginable suffering. Ripped from her family, she has no title, no allies, and no escape. But she does have a secret . . .
In the shadows of the palace, surrounded by enemies, she is learning a skill forbidden to women. Because when words are weapons and poetry holds an ancient magic, the fate of a girl - and a nation - can both be rewritten. All she has to do is compose the perfect poem - a tale so powerful, it can kill any man, even the next emperor.

Louisa Steel - one of our superstar librarians - joins Sara for a natter about books.
They chat about the Radio 2 Book Club panel, reading ruts and why book clubs are good for getting you out of your comfort zone.
Louisa also shares her Top Five Reads Of The Year (well, of 2025). They are:
The Offing by Benjamin Myers
James by Percival Everett
Story of a Murder: The Wives, the Mistress and Dr Crippen by Hallie Rubenhold
Death at the Sign of the Rook by Kate Atkinson
Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping (on a Dead Man) by Jessie Q. Sutanto

Our last book choice of 2025 is The White Octopus Hotel by Alexandra Bell.
Alex joins Sara for a chat about the novel, the inspiration behind it, the obstacles that come with writing a time travel narrative and working out a writing routine for busy working mums.
We also hear a clip from the audiobook - and - Alex gives us a great book recommendation too. (one that keeps cropping up!)
Here's a little more info on The White Octopus Hotel:
London, 2015
When reclusive art appraiser Eve Shaw shakes the hand of a silver-haired gentleman in her London office, the warmth of his palm sends a spark through her. His name is Max Everly – curiously, the same name as Eve’s favourite composer, born one hundred sixteen years prior. And she can’t shake the feeling that she’s held his hand before . . . but where, and when?
The White Octopus Hotel, 1935
Decades earlier, high in the snowy Swiss Alps, Eve and a young Max Everly wander the winding halls of the grand belle epoque White Octopus Hotel, lost in time. Each of them has been through the trenches – Eve in a family accident and Max on the battlefields of the Great War – but for an impossible moment, love and healing are just a room away . . . if only they have the courage to step through the door.

Sara welcomes Rachel Parris and Jessica Bull to the Radio 2 Book Club for a celebration of Jane Austen.
Jess writes the 'Miss Austen Investigates' series, whilst Rachel performs in the improvisational group Austentatious - and has just published her first novel, inspired by an Austen character.
They chat with Sara about when their love of Austen began, their favourite books and adaptations - and - how she has inspired them to write.
Our two guests also recommend us a book they have been reading and enjoying recently - and - we get to hear a snippet of a new audio abridgment of Pride & Prejudice - read by the legendary Julie Andrews.
Here's some more info on Jessica's book - 'The Austen Christmas Murders':
The festive season is fast approaching.
Jane Austen fears that without her lively siblings at home, there won’t be much Christmas cheer in the Austen household this year.
But when she uncovers a skeleton in the cellar of Deane Parsonage, Jane soon forgets her woes. For who needs merriment, when there’s a mystery to solve?
Jane quickly learns of a missing young bride, who after fleeing her wedding breakfast, was never seen again. Locals have long believed she haunts the woods nearby.
Could Jane have found her at last? Or does the truth of this mystery lie closer to home?
Over the twelve days of Christmas, Jane will embark upon festive delights, making merry, and solving murders…
And here's a little more info on Rachel's book - 'Introducing Mrs Collins':
Charlotte Lucas has never been a romantic. Practical to a fault, she accepted Mr Collins's proposal with clear eyes and a steady heart, trading passion for security. Life at Hunsford Parsonage may be quiet and predictable, but it is hers to manage - and she's determined to make the best of it, whatever Elizabeth Bennet may think.
That is, until an unexpected guest at Rosings Park turns Charlotte's careful world on its head. He sees her, challenges her - and a spark is lit. But true contentment is not only about who you choose to love, but who you choose to be. For the first time, she wonders: has playing by the rules kept her on the sidelines of her own life?