Tea & Tattle

Thank you to everyone who has supported Tea & Tattle Podcast over the years. Although I am hanging up my podcasting cap, I hope you will join me for the Tea & Tattle Book Club, Tea Reads and bookish chats on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/mirandamills

This week, I’m in conversation with the writer Jini Reddy about Jini’s latest book, Wanderland, which is a beautiful blend of nature writing and memoir. In Wanderland, Jini chronicles the year she spent exploring Britain’s countryside and her search for what she terms the ‘magical other’ in nature, as well as her connection to the spiritual, unseen dimension to the landscape.

I thought Wanderland was a fascinating, heart-felt book that celebrates curiosity and kinship with the natural world, and I so enjoyed talking to Jini about her travels through Britain and what she learnt about herself, as well as the land, during her quest.

Read the show notes: teaandtattlepodcast.com/home/144

Get in touch!

Email: teaandtattlepodcast@gmail.com

Instagram: @teaandtattlepodcast

If you enjoy Tea & Tattle, please do rate and leave a review of the show on Apple Podcasts, as good reviews help other people to find and enjoy the show. Thank you!

This week on Tea & Tattle, I’m joined by the award winning writer, Evie Wyld, to discuss Evie’s latest novel, The Bass Rock, which is a darkly gripping story about three women separated by time but connected by place, trauma and female rage. Sarah is a young woman accused of witchcraft in the 1700s; Ruth marries a widower after World War Two and moves to a large, isolated house that looks out on the Bass Rock in North Berwick, and in the modern day Viv visits Ruth’s house after her death and sorts through family memorabilia as she tries to come to terms with the loss of her father.

I so enjoyed chatting to Evie about her writing process and how some of her own family history inspired The Bass Rock. I was also interested to learn about how the #MeToo movement influenced Evie’s writing and the true events that inspired the fictional stories of violence against women that are woven throughout the novel, making The Bass Rock such a moving and unforgettable read.

Read the show notes: teaandtattlepodcast.com/home/143

Get in touch!

Email: teaandtattlepodcast@gmail.com

Instagram: @teaandtattlepodcast

If you enjoy Tea & Tattle, please do rate and leave a review of the show on Apple Podcasts, as good reviews help other people to find and enjoy the show. Thank you!

This week on Tea & Tattle, I’m joined by the award-winning novelist, poet and playwright, Kiran Millwood Hargrave. Kiran has written many bestselling novels for children and young adults, including The Girl of Ink and Stars and The Deathless Girls. I was so excited when Kiran’s debut adult novel, The Mercies, was published at the start of this year.

The Mercies is a gripping historical fiction story inspired by the true events of the 1621 witch trials that took place on a remote Norwegian island called Vardø. The novel begins with a real storm that occurred on Christmas Eve in 1617 and which caused almost all the men of Vardø to be drowned as they were out fishing. Through her book,  Kiran imagines the lives of the women of the island in the days following the storm and the events that led to the witch trials a few years later. The Mercies is told through the eyes of two women: Maren, whose father, brother and fiancé, are killed in the storm, and Ursa, a young woman recently married to a man who is summoned to Vardø to discover whether witchcraft operates on the island. As Ursa adjusts to her strange new life, she and Maren become increasingly drawn to each other, but the close knit Vardø community is fracturing around them, with families and alliances torn apart, and suspicions and accusations lead to deadly consequences for many of the island dwellers.

I had a wonderful time chatting to Kiran about how she first stumbled on the idea for The Mercies and the painstaking research she did for the novel

. 

Read the show notes: teaandtattlepodcast.com/home/142

Get in touch!

Email: teaandtattlepodcast@gmail.com

Instagram: @teaandtattlepodcast

If you enjoy Tea & Tattle, please do rate and leave a review of the show on Apple Podcasts, as good reviews help other people to find and enjoy the show. Thank you!

This Friday on Tea & Tattle, I’m joined by the author Ingrid Persaud to discuss Ingrid’s debut novel, Love After Love, which is set in Trinidad and New York City and tells the story of an unconventional family: Betty, her son Solo and their lodger Mr Chetan. When a revelation about the past shatters the bonds between Betty and Solo, all three characters must learn how to embrace themselves for who they truly are and to live a life on their own terms, guided by self-compassion and love. Love After Love reads like a love letter to Trinidad and is heart-breaking tale of motherhood, friendship and family. 

I so enjoyed chatting to Ingrid about how winning a short story prize began her career as a novelist, as well as the inspiration behind her book and why she loves writing about food in fiction. 

Read the show notes: teaandtattlepodcast.com/home/141

Get in touch!

Email: teaandtattlepodcast@gmail.com

Instagram: @teaandtattlepodcast

If you enjoy Tea & Tattle, please do rate and leave a review of the show on Apple Podcasts, as good reviews help other people to find and enjoy the show. Thank you!

This Tuesday on Tea & Tattle, I’m joined by the bestselling author, Kate Eberlen, to discuss Kate’s new book, Only You, which is a joyous love story set in Rome, Blackpool and London. 

In Only You, Alf and Letty meet at an Italian language class in Rome, and they gradually fall in love over pasta, gelato, poetry and dance. Both Letty and Alf have secrets they’ve left behind in Britain, however, and when the past catches up with the present, Alf must prove to Letty that she is still the only person for him.

Only You transported me to glorious, sun-soaked Italy as I read, and it’s the perfect escapist read for right now. I had such a fun time chatting to Kate about our mutual love for ballet and ballroom dancing, as well as how she started her career as a writer and why Italy inspires so much of her work. 

Read the show notes: teaandtattlepodcast.com/home/140

Get in touch!

Email: teaandtattlepodcast@gmail.com

Instagram: @teaandtattlepodcast

If you enjoy Tea & Tattle, please do rate and leave a review of the show on Apple Podcasts, as good reviews help other people to find and enjoy the show. Thank you!

For this Tea & Tattle April Special, my Mum has joined me on the podcast to share books we’ve been reading recently, as well as recommended books for parents and children to read together, from picture books, to YA fiction, to adult books.

Read the show notes: teaandtattlepodcast.com/home/bookchat1

Get in touch!

Email: teaandtattlepodcast@gmail.com

Instagram: @teaandtattlepodcast

If you enjoy Tea & Tattle, please do rate and leave a review of the show on Apple Podcasts, as good reviews help other people to find and enjoy the show. Thank you!

This Tuesday on Tea & Tattle, I’m joined by the author and editor Marina Kemp, to discuss Marina’s debut novel, Nightingale, which was also published under the title ‘Marguerite’ in America. I thought Nightingale was one of the best first novels I’ve read, with its beautiful, evocative prose and haunting story. Drawing on her own experience of the dynamics between patient and carer, Marina wrote the story of a young nurse, Marguerite, who leaves Paris to care for an elderly man, Jerome, who is coming near the end of his life at a large, remote house in the French countryside. Dealing with her own secrets and grief, Marguerite welcomes the solitude of her new position, but she gradually becomes acquainted with other members of the village: Suki, a muslim woman who feels ostracised within the small community, Henri, a farmer who is desperately trying to hide a secret of his own, and his increasingly suspicious wife, Brigitte. 

Nightingale is an exquisite story of love and loss, and I so enjoyed talking to Marina about the inspiration behind her book, as well as the realities of caregiving and why language, choice and dignity are such important themes in her book. 

Read the show notes: teaandtattlepodcast.com/home/139

Get in touch!

Email: teaandtattlepodcast@gmail.com

Instagram: @teaandtattlepodcast

If you enjoy Tea & Tattle, please do rate and leave a review of the show on Apple Podcasts, as good reviews help other people to find and enjoy the show. Thank you!

This Friday on Tea & Tattle, I’m joined by the internationally renowned speaker, author and podcaster, Layla Saad to discuss Layla’s bestselling book ‘Me and White Supremacy,’ which is a manual that guides people who hold white privilege to dismantle that privilege, educate themselves on how to combat racism, establish a life-long practice of anti-racism and engage in respectful conversations on race and white privilege. 

Layla is a respected authority on the topics of race, identity, leadership, personal transformation and social change. Driven by her desire to become a good ancestor, Layla started the #MeAndWhiteSupremacy hashtag on Instagram, which was a 28 day challenge that encouraged people holding white privilege to examine ways in which racism still operates and to examine their own (often unconscious) complicity within a society that allows white supremacy to exist. A hundred thousand people downloaded Layla’s free workbook that accompanied the challenge, and its enormous success led to her book, which dives even deeper into the topic and has many guided journaling prompts and questions.

This Tea & Tattle episode is structured a little differently and is longer than normal, because I really wanted to give as much space as possible to this extremely important topic, and I so appreciated how generous Layla was with her time. Reading Layla’s book was an eye-opening, humbling experience for me, and I hope our conversation today will encourage anyone who holds white privilege to read Layla’s book, as well as to investigate the many free resources, as well as courses, that she shares through her instagram, website and podcast.

Read the show notes: teaandtattlepodcast.com/home/138

Get in touch!

Email: teaandtattlepodcast@gmail.com

Instagram: @teaandtattlepodcast

If you enjoy Tea & Tattle, please do rate and leave a review of the show on Apple Podcasts, as good reviews help other people to find and enjoy the show. Thank you!

This Tuesday on Tea & Tattle Podcast, I’m joined by the Belgian food writer and photographer, Regula Ysewijn, to discuss Regula’s latest cookbook, Oats in the North Wheat From the South, which provides recipes for classic British bakes and the history behind them.

Regula was one of the first guests I had on Tea & Tattle in the early days of the podcast, when we chatted about her book, Pride & Pudding, which was packed full of recipes for traditional British puddings. It was a real delight to have Regula back on Tea & Tattle today, learning about more delicious sweet treats and the history of afternoon tea. 

This episode is perfect for anyone who feels in need of a bit of comfort baking inspiration at the moment.

Read the show notes: teaandtattlepodcast.com/home/137

Get in touch!

Email: teaandtattlepodcast@gmail.com

Instagram: @teaandtattlepodcast

If you enjoy Tea & Tattle, please do rate and leave a review of the show on Apple Podcasts, as good reviews help other people to find and enjoy the show. Thank you!

This Friday on Tea & Tattle Podcast, I’m joined by the art critic and author, Laura Cumming, to discuss Laura’s brilliant book, On Chapel Sands, which is a fascinating investigation into family history and family secrets. In her book, Laura recounts her mother’s kidnapping one autumn afternoon in 1929 from a beach near Chapel St Leonards in Lincolnshire. Laura’s mother, Betty (as she was called as a child), was missing for five days before being found, but she lost all memory of the incident and only found out about the kidnapping when she was in her sixties. 

Laura, intrigued by this mystery, as well as other curious circumstances surrounding her mother’s childhood, began looking for clues in old family photographs. On Chapel Sands is an account of Laura’s investigations and her remarkable revelations. The book is a beautiful portrait of a particular time, family and place, and it’s also a moving tribute to Laura’s mother. The story is told through Laura’s poetic prose, as well as through photographs and artworks of particular significance, and it’s Laura’s discerning eye and microscopic analysis of images that bring so many surprising truths to light.

On Chapel Sands is a marvellous read for anyone interested in family history, and I had a wonderful time chatting to Laura about how she came to write this account of her mother’s  early life.

Read the show notes: teaandtattlepodcast.com/home/136

Get in touch!

Email: teaandtattlepodcast@gmail.com

Instagram: @teaandtattlepodcast

If you enjoy Tea & Tattle, please do rate and leave a review of the show on Apple Podcasts, as good reviews help other people to find and enjoy the show. Thank you!

This Tuesday on Tea & Tattle Podcast, I’m joined by the fabulous Lucy Worsley to discuss Lucy’s latest novel for young adults, The Austen Girls. Lucy Worsley is an historian, writer, television presenter and the Chief Curator of the Historic Royal Palaces, with her office situated at Hampton Court Palace. 

Lucy is the author of several bestselling books, including the captivating biography of Jane Austen, Jane Austen at Home. Her historical stories for children aged 11-14 are also hugely popular, and I loved The Austen Girls, which tells the story of Jane Austen’s favourite nieces, Anna and Fanny, and the difficult decisions they must make as they approach womanhood and look ahead to the prospect of balls and marriage proposals. Tasked by their Aunt Jane to be the heroines of their own lives, both Fanny and Anna must decide the kind of women they wish to become.

I highly recommend The Austen Girls for anyone who is homeschooling during lockdown, as  - as well as being a fun, gripping story that both children and adults can enjoy - The Austen Girls also gives a fascinating perspective on the domestic sphere of women in Georgian England. The novel, of course, also provides some excellent background to Jane Austen’s world, and it’s a lovely read for any Janeite. I had a fabulous time chatting to Lucy about her love for Jane Austen and how she came to write this novel about the Austen nieces.

Read the show notes: teaandtattlepodcast.com/home/135

Get in touch!

Email: teaandtattlepodcast@gmail.com

Instagram: @teaandtattlepodcast

If you enjoy Tea & Tattle, please do rate and leave a review of the show on Apple Podcasts, as good reviews help other people to find and enjoy the show. Thank you!

For this Tea & Tattle Easter Special, my Mum has joined me on the podcast to chat about our favourite Easter books and springtime traditions. We’re sharing some of the picture books that filled my Easter book basket as a child, as well as our favourite films and extracts from much loved poems and stories.

I hope you’re able to enjoy this long weekend as much as possible, and I wish you all health and happiness in the weeks ahead.

Read the show notes: teaandtattlepodcast.com/home/easterspecial

Get in touch!

Email: teaandtattlepodcast@gmail.com

Instagram: @teaandtattlepodcast

Episode Links

• The Country Bunny and the Little Gold Shoes by Du Bose Hayward (ebook only).
  
• Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey.
  
• Hare and the Easter Eggs by Alison Uttley.
  
• Two Are Better Than One by Carol Ryrie Brink (out of print).
  
• Betsy in Spite of Herself by Maud Hart Lovelace (ebook only).
  
• Extract from A Shropshire Lad by A. E. Housman.
  
• Shiny Pennies and Grubby Pinafores by Winifred Foley.
  
• Caldicott Place by Noel Streatfeild.
  
• A Vicarage Family by Noel Streatfeild.
  
• Easter Parade film.
  
• Easter Bonnet song.
  
• Harvey film.
  
• Find Tea & Tattle on instagram: @teaandtattlepodcast
  

If you enjoy Tea & Tattle, please do rate and leave a review of the show on Apple Podcasts, as good reviews help other people to find and enjoy the show. Thank you!

This Friday on Tea & Tattle Podcast, I’m joined by the writer, Alice Vincent, to discuss Alice’s memoir, Rootbound, which is a beautiful exploration of the restorative qualities of nature. Reeling from an unexpected breakup, Alice found herself increasingly drawn to planting up pots on her urban balcony and to exploring the wider world of horticulture, engaging in community gardening projects near her home in London, researching the history of women and plants and plotting travel abroad around botanic gardens to visit.

As Alice gained greater knowledge in nurturing and growing plants, she also began to question what a life well-lived meant to her, beyond the many trappings of the millennial generation. Rootbound takes the reader month by month through a year in which Alice gardened herself out of heartbreak, found new love and embraced independence.

Rootbound is a wonderful read for anyone who finds solace from the natural world, and I had such a fun time chatting to Alice about her growing love for horticulture and the research that went into her book.

Episode Links

• Rootbound by Alice Vincent (ebook and audiobook versions).
  
• Modern Nature by Derek Jarman.
  
• Find Alice Vincent on Instagram and Twitter.
  
• Find Tea & Tattle on Instagram at @teaandtattlepodcast.
  
• Read my blog, Miranda’s Notebook.
  

Happy Listening!

This Tuesday on Tea & Tattle Podcast, I’m joined by the ceramicist and author, Elizabeth Macneal, to chat about her Sunday Times bestselling book, The Doll Factory, which is a brilliant novel about love, obsession, art and freedom in Victorian London. The Doll Factory met with tremendous success when it was first published last year, and the paperback edition has just been published, so I was delighted when Elizabeth agreed to come on Tea & Tattle to celebrate the paperback release.

The Doll Factory tells the story of Iris, a young woman who paints china doll heads hour after hour in a shop in London, but yearns to escape her life of drudgery and become an artist. A twist of fate introduces Iris to Louis Frost, a fictional member of the pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, and Iris agrees to model for Louis on the condition that he teaches her how to paint. 

Catapulted into a new life filled with creativity, romance and a chance at independence, Iris is oblivious to a threatening figure who hovers in the background, observing her actions. Silas Reed is a taxidermist who wavers dangerously between reality and delusion. After a brief encounter with Iris, he develops an all-consuming passion for her, and as his mind gradually unravels, aspects of his past life are revealed that show that Silas has the power to put an end to all of Iris’s hopes and ambitions. In order to escape his carefully laid trap, Iris must use the utmost of her strength and courage to break free.

The Doll Factory is a captivating read with brilliantly drawn characters, and I had a wonderful time chatting to Elizabeth about truth and delusion, the male gaze in art and Victorian society, female ambition and so much more.

Read the show notes: teaandtattlepodcast.com/home/teareads32

Get in touch!

Email: teaandtattlepodcast@gmail.com

Instagram: @teaandtattlepodcast

If you enjoy Tea & Tattle, please do rate and leave a review of the show on Apple Podcasts, as good reviews help other people to find and enjoy the show. Thank you!

Episode Summary

For this Tea Reads March Special, I've invited my Mum to join me on the podcast for a Mother-Daughter Book Chat. As I we can’t go outside and enjoy a lot of cultural pursuits at the moment, I thought it would be fun to dedicate Tea Reads episodes during this difficult time to plenty of bookish chat. Do put the kettle on and join my Mum and me for a cosy discussion, featuring lots of ‘happy books.’

Episode Links

• Meet Mr Mulliner by P. G. Wodehouse.
  
• Internet Archive.
  
• Francine Raymond website. Her books are available here.
  
• Ten Poems About Baking by Helena Nelson.
  
• The Austen Girls by Lucy Worsley.
  
• Jane Austen at Home by Lucy Worsley.
  
• Dress in the Age of Jane Austen by Hilary Davidson.
  
• A Place Called Home by Cath Kidston.
  
• The Children of Green Knowe by Lucy M. Boston.
  
• Letters from Longstock by Geoffrey Snagge (out of print).
  
• Geraldene Holt’s Cake Stall by Geraldene Holt (out of print).
  
• Diary of a French Herb Garden by Geraldene Holt (out of print).
  
• Geraldene Holt’s website.
  
• Marram by Leonie Charlton.
  
• On Chapel Sands by Laura Cumming.
  
• Find Tea & Tattle on instagram: @teaandtattlepodcast
  

Read the show notes: teaandtattlepodcast.com/home/teareads32

Get in touch!

Email: teaandtattlepodcast@gmail.com

Instagram: @teaandtattlepodcast

If you enjoy Tea & Tattle, please do rate and leave a review of the show on Apple Podcasts, as good reviews help other people to find and enjoy the show. Thank you!

Happy Listening!

This week on Tea & Tattle Podcast, I’m joined by Abi Daré, to discuss Abi’s extraordinary debut novel, The Girl with the Louding Voice, which won the Bath Novel Award and soared straight into the New York Times bestseller list on its publication earlier this year.

I was mesmerised by The Girl with the Louding Voice. Its protagonist is a fourteen year old Nigerian girl, Adunni, who fights for the right to decide her own destiny. After the death of her Mother, Adunni is forced to give up her chance at education and becomes the third wife of a wealthy man in her village. After a tragic incident, Adunni is secretly sold as a housemaid to a family in Lagos. Even in the hardest of circumstances, however, Adunni never gives up on her dream to go to school and become a teacher so that she can educate other girls like her, and in doing so, give them a future.

The Girl with the Louding Voice draws attention to the horrors of child labour and domestic slavery that continue to operate, both in Nigeria and around the world, but it is also a story full of hope, courage and female solidarity, and Adunni’s voice carries an unforgettable tale. I had such a wonderful time talking to Abi about the inspiration behind her book and how she wrote Adunni’s distinctive first person narrative.

Links:

• The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Daré (ebook and audiobook versions).
  
• A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini.
  
• Find Abi Daré on Instagram and Twitter.
  
• Find Tea & Tattle on Instagram at @teaandtattlepodcast.
  
• Read my blog, Miranda’s Notebook.
  

Read the full show notes: teaandtattlepodcast.com/home/132

Get in touch!

Email: teaandtattlepodcast@gmail.com

Instagram: @teaandtattlepodcast

If you enjoy Tea & Tattle, please do rate and leave a review of the show on Apple Podcasts, as good reviews help other people to find and enjoy the show. Thank you!

This week on Tea & Tattle Podcast, I’m joined by Jane Healey, to discuss Jane’s debut novel, The Animals at Lockwood Manor, which is a brilliant Gothic story set during World War Two.

I was swept along by Jane’s suspenseful prose and the story of Hetty Cartwright who, at the outbreak of war, is given the responsibility of overseeing the evacuation of the mammal collection of the Natural History Museum to Lockwood Manor, an enormous house in the English countryside that is owned by the imperious Lord Lockwood. Strange events start to occur almost as soon as Hetty arrives at the manor; her precious stuffed charges are moved and even taken, and she senses a malign presence within the house.

It is only her blossoming friendship with Lord Lockwood’s daughter, Lucy, that provides solace for Hetty, and when the two women realise their friendship has grown into love, Hetty becomes even more anxious about how to keep herself, the museum collection and Lucy safe against the encroaching darkness that lies buried at the heart of Lockwood Manor.

This is a brilliant listen for anyone who enjoys Gothic fiction and is looking for the next page-turning read.

Episode Links

• The Animals at Lockwood Manor by Jane Healey.
  
• The Dublin Murders.
  
• Find Jane Healey on Instagram and Twitter.
  
• Find Tea & Tattle on Instagram at @teaandtattlepodcast.
  
• Read my blog, Miranda’s Notebook.
  

Happy Listening!

Today on Tea & Tattle Podcast, I’m joined by the writer, Francesca Wade, to discuss Francesca’s group biography, Square Haunting, which documents the lives of five extraordinary women who all lived in Mecklenburgh Square in Bloomsbury, London at a pivotal point in all of their lives. 

The poet Hilda Doolittle (H.D.), the writer Dorothy L Sayers - famed for her Lord Peter Wimsey mystery books - the classicist and translator Jane Ellen Harrison, the historian and broadcaster Eileen Power and, finally, one of the most famous members of the Bloomsbury group, Virginia Woolf, were all occupants of this single square in Bloomsbury. Francesca Wades writes engagingly and convincingly of how these women found ‘a room of their own’ in Bloomsbury and how they were trailblazers ahead of their times, forging exceptional careers and seeking to live, work and love on their own terms. 

I sat down with Francesca on a rainy afternoon in Bloomsbury and had a wonderful time chatting about her research into the lives of these remarkable women. This is a brilliant listen for anyone interested in London’s history, particularly in the inter-war years, and in women’s struggle for equality and intellectual freedom.

Read the show notes: teaandtattlepodcast.com/home/130

Get in touch!

Email: teaandtattlepodcast@gmail.com

Instagram: @teaandtattlepodcast

If you enjoy Tea & Tattle, please do rate and leave a review of the show on Apple Podcasts, as good reviews help other people to find and enjoy the show. Thank you!

Today on Tea & Tattle Podcast, I’m joined by the author, Katherine May, to discuss Katherine’s latest book, Wintering, which is a fascinating blend of memoir, self-help guide and glorious nature writing. In Wintering, Katherine describes the frozen, desolate state that can occur in the mind and body after a period of stress, trauma or illness.

By drawing parallels to the natural world and the incredible transformations that nature undergoes to survive the cold, Katherine shows how to both accept and withstand your own periods of wintering. In her book, Katherine interviews a range of people who have weathered extreme cold as well as times of extreme hardship. Katherine draws lessons from their experiences and blends these shared tales with her own poetic prose as she describes her adventures in swimming in the sea in freezing temperatures, travelling to witness the Northern Lights and battling her own demons of insomnia and anxiety.

I found Wintering a deeply comforting, hopeful and beautiful book that I’m sure will become an annual read for me. But much as Wintering is a fabulous choice for a winter read, it’s also an excellent book to curl up with as the thaws of March expose and sustain the first signs of spring and new life, which have been gathering strength and waiting for their moment of renewal and growth all through the darker months of winter.

Episode Links

• Wintering by Katherine May.
  
• The Electricity of Every Living Thing by Katherine May.
  
• The Best Most Awful Job edited by Katherine May.
  
• Inferno by Catherine Cho.
  
• The Hungover Games by Sophie Heawood.
  
• Katherine May’s website.
  
• Find Katherine May on Instagram and Twitter.
  
• Find Tea & Tattle on Instagram at @teaandtattlepodcast.
  
• Read my blog, Miranda’s Notebook.
  

Read the show notes: teaandtattlepodcast.com/home/129

Get in touch! Email: teaandtattlepodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @teaandtattlepodcast

If you enjoy Tea & Tattle, please do rate and leave a review of the show on Apple Podcasts, as good reviews help other people to find and enjoy the show. Thank you!

Today on Tea & Tattle Podcast, I’m joined by the editor and Chair of Virago Press, Lennie Goodings, to discuss Lennie’s debut book, A Bite of the Apple, which celebrates the joys of reading, writing and publishing and offers a unique look behind the scenes at an iconic feminist press. Lennie first joined the Virago team in the late ‘70s when she was newly arrived in London from Canada, and she writes about her extraordinary career with Virago, working with authors such as Maya Angelou, Margaret Atwood, Sarah Waters and so many other extraordinary women. Lennie shares openly about the challenges Virago faced in needing to turn a profit, but at heart being a deeply ideological company. Virago was integral in bringing feminist ideas and literature to the mainstream audience, and I was fascinated to read about the rise of feminism and also how post-feminism affected publishers like Virago.  I found A Bite of the Apple a deeply inspirational read, and it was such a privilege to talk to Lennie about her incredible career. This is the perfect episode for anyone interested in excellent literature and the world of publishing. Read the show notes: teaandtattlepodcast.com/home/128 Get in touch! Email: teaandtattlepodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @teaandtattlepodcast If you enjoy Tea & Tattle, please do rate and leave a review of the show on Apple Podcasts, as good reviews help other people to find and enjoy the show. Thank you!

For this Tea Reads February Special, I'm sharing a fantastic poetry collection and talking about why Maya Angelou’s poem ‘Still I Rise’ has been on my mind so much this month. I also chat about other cultural recommendations and the big and small happenings that have made me 'jump for joy' lately. Read the show notes: teaandtattlepodcast.com/home/teareads31 Get in touch! Email: teaandtattlepodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @teaandtattlepodcast If you enjoy Tea & Tattle, please do rate and leave a review of the show on Apple Podcasts, as good reviews help other people to find and enjoy the show. Thank you!

Today on Tea & Tattle Podcast, I’m joined by the writer and photographer, Georgianna Lane, to discuss Georgianna’s latest book, London in Bloom, which is out on March 17th. I’ve previewed the book, and I can say that London in Bloom is the most beautiful guide to the city’s parks, gardens, florists and hotels and should be on any London-lover’s shelf! Georgianna is a wonderful friend of mine who was a fantastic guest on Tea & Tattle last year, when we spoke about her book, New York in Bloom. I got to know Georgianna better when she came to London for a few months in the spring whilst she was researching London in Bloom, and I so admire Georgianna’s phenomenal talent, passion and drive. In today’s conversation, Georgianna fills me in on her own history with London and what she loved most about putting together London in Bloom. As a former marketing director for a literary agency and the writer of many bestselling books, Georgianna also offered some fascinating insights as to why authors should develop the skills to be their own PR, why pre-orders matter so much in today’s publishing industry and how to gain momentum around your book.  This is the perfect episode to celebrate the transition into spring, when the magnolia blossoms are just starting to pop in London and the city will be in bloom once again. Read the show notes: teaandtattlepodcast.com/home/127 Get in touch! Email: teaandtattlepodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @teaandtattlepodcast If you enjoy Tea & Tattle, please do rate and leave a review of the show on Apple Podcasts, as good reviews help other people to find and enjoy the show. Thank you!

Today on Tea & Tattle Podcast, today I’m joined by the Pennsylvania based writer, Kiley Reid, to discuss Kiley’s dazzling debut novel, Such a Fun Age, which is already a New York Times and Sunday Times bestseller.  Such a Fun Age explores the relationship between Emira, a babysitter in her 20’s and her employer, Alix, a blogger and social media entrepreneur. Every week, Emira looks after Alix’s daughter Briar, and sometimes her baby sister Catherine. When Emira is accused of ‘kidnapping’ three year old Briar on a late night trip to the grocery store, and her confrontation with the security guard is filmed, a chain of events are set in motion that cause Alix to become increasingly obsessed with her babysitter and that eventually force Emira to decide who she is and what she wants out of life. I think Such a Fun Age is an extraordinary book, and it explores themes of motherhood, female friendship, race and class in such a fresh, original style. It’s a book that is bound to stay with you - I still find myself thinking about Emira and Alix weeks after finishing the book, and it also made me reflect on my own white privilege and the damaging consequences of unconscious, as well as conscious, racism. I had a wonderful time chatting to Kiley about her brilliant book and unforgettable characters, and I hope you enjoy our conversation too! Read the show notes: teaandtattlepodcast.com/home/126 Get in touch! Email: teaandtattlepodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @teaandtattlepodcast If you enjoy Tea & Tattle, please do rate and leave a review of the show on Apple Podcasts, as good reviews help other people to find and enjoy the show. Thank you!

Today on Tea & Tattle Podcast, I’m joined by the New York based journalist and author, Isabel Vincent, to discuss Isabel’s life-affirming memoir, Dinner with Edward. Isabel’s book is a tribute to the extraordinary friendship she had with Edward, the elderly father of her best friend. As Edward grieved over the loss of his wife and Isabel mourned the end of her marriage, they both found comfort and companionship over the dinners Edward cooked in his New York apartment. As Isabel adapted to her hectic life as a journalist for the New York post, Edward’s delicious meals and thoughtful conversation offered her precious moments of sanctuary and calm. She learnt to slow down and appreciate the good things in life that Edward celebrated: hand-written letters, in-person conversation, the perfect martini, red lipstick and roast chicken. Dinner with Edward is a touching testament to the delights of friendship and the art of appreciating everyday joys. Read the show notes: teaandtattlepodcast.com/home/125 Get in touch! Email: teaandtattlepodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @teaandtattlepodcast If you enjoy Tea & Tattle, please do rate and leave a review of the show on Apple Podcasts, as good reviews help other people to find and enjoy the show. Thank you!

Today on Tea & Tattle, I’m joined by the Canadian journalist and illustrator, Emma Jacobs, to discuss Emma’s book The Little(r) Museums of Paris. As February is such a romantic month, with Valentine’s Day celebrated on the 14th, and as Paris is a famously romantic city, I thought it would be fun to take a virtual trip to the City of Light in this week’s episode, with Emma acting as our guide to the hidden gems of Paris. Emma’s book lists many of Paris’s smaller museums, historical houses and art galleries that are often left off the list of more conventional guide books. Illustrated with Emma’s colourful sketches, The Little(r) Museums of Paris is a charming companion to those who wish to explore more off the beaten track. In today’s episode, Emma tells me about how she wound up in Paris, what inspired her to write her book, tips for keeping an illustrated travel journal and a few of her favourite relatively undiscovered museums. Read the show notes: teaandtattlepodcast.com/home/124 Get in touch! Email: teaandtattlepodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @teaandtattlepodcast If you enjoy Tea & Tattle, please do rate and leave a review of the show on Apple Podcasts, as good reviews help other people to find and enjoy the show. Thank you!

For this Tea Reads January Special, I'm sharing an essay collection that I’ve been reading and enjoying this month: Surfacing by Kathleen Jamie. I also chat about other cultural recommendations and the small happenings that have made me 'jump for joy' lately. Read the show notes: teaandtattlepodcast.com/home/teareads30 Get in touch! Email: teaandtattlepodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @teaandtattlepodcast If you enjoy Tea & Tattle, please do rate and leave a review of the show on Apple Podcasts, as good reviews help other people to find and enjoy the show. Thank you!

Today on Tea & Tattle, I’m joined by the prize-winning author, Irenosen Okojie, to discuss Irenosen’s fabulous short story collection, Nudibranch. Born in Nigeria, but having lived in London since she was a young girl, Irenosen Okojie’s stories illustrate her love for different cultures and languages, with tales set all around the world, from Japan to Wales to Mozambique. With poetically lyrical prose, Irenosen explores themes of gender, personal transformation, rebirth and womanhood in her writing, taking her readers on a vivid journey of the imagination as her stories delve into magic realism and fantasy. I loved chatting to Irenosen about her fascination for surrealism and poetry and why she finds short stories such a rewarding writing form. Read the show notes: teaandtattlepodcast.com/home/123 Get in touch! Email: teaandtattlepodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @teaandtattlepodcast If you enjoy Tea & Tattle, please do rate and leave a review of the show on Apple Podcasts, as good reviews help other people to find and enjoy the show. Thank you!

Happy New Year everyone! After starting 2020 with a nasty bug, I’m happily feeling myself again and am so pleased to be back with a brand new Tea & Tattle episode, which I’ve been dying to share for ages. This week on the podcast, I’m joined by the author, Janice Hadlow, to discuss Janice’s debut novel, The Other Bennet Sister, which tells the story of the most overlooked of Jane Austen’s famous Bennet sisters - Mary Bennet. Janice Hadlow worked as a television producer for the BBC for many years. During her time in television, Janice received a number of awards and commissioned hit shows such as the Great British Bake Off, Wolf Hall and Line of Duty. Now focused on writing, The Other Bennet Sister is Janice’s first novel, and it was just published last week on the 9th of January. I read a proof copy of The Other Bennet Sister last autumn, and I absolutely adored it! In fact, it was my favourite read of 2019, so I was absolutely thrilled to get to chat to Janice about her marvellous book. The Other Bennet Sister is a must read for anyone who loves Pride & Prejudice. It throws the plain, dull Mary Bennet into an entirely new light: shown to be an introvert in a family of extroverts, Mary Bennet grapples with her fate as the expected spinster of her family, forced to manage her domineering mother and yearning for an outlet for her intellectual ambitions. Set partially within the world of Pride & Prejudice and then continuing beyond the timeframe of Jane Austen’s novel, The Other Bennet sister examines what happens to Mary as she refuses to accept her fate and bravely sets out to discover her own happiness. I loved Mary’s story, but I also thoroughly enjoyed Janice Hadlow’s portrayal of other well-known characters from Pride & Prejudice: Mr & Mrs Collins, Lady Catherine de Bourgh, Miss Bingley and the Gardiner family all make wonderful reappearances, alongside a host of charming new characters that could just as easily have been the products of Austen’s pen. I had such a fun conversation with Janice, chatting about her mutual love for Jane Austen and the inspiration behind her book, and I guarantee that The Other Bennet Sister is sure to chase away any January blues! Read the show notes: teaandtattlepodcast.com/home/122 Get in touch! Email: teaandtattlepodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @teaandtattlepodcast If you enjoy Tea & Tattle, please do rate and leave a review of the show on Apple Podcasts, as good reviews help other people to find and enjoy the show. Thank you!

For this Tea & Tattle Christmas Special, I'm sharing one of my favourite Christmas Short Story collections, as well as more cultural recommendations and the festive cheer that has made me 'jump for joy' lately.

Today I’m joined by the author Laura Purcell, to discuss Laura’s latest book, Bone China. Laura is the queen of Gothic fiction writing, and I raced through her two previous books, The Silent Companions and The Corset. Bone China is just as compelling a read: set in Georgian Britain, it follows the story of Esther Stevens, who flees to Cornwall from London after an incident with her previous employer. Changing her name to Hester Why, she takes a position as a lady’s maid at a grand, isolated house situated on the edge of the cliffs, caring for the elderly Miss Louise Pinecroft, who seems terrified by an unknown force and sits, relentlessly gazing at her vast blue-and-white china collection. Using alcohol and laudanum to dull her uneasy conscience, Esther struggles to face her new life in Cornwall, especially when events take a very sinister turn... I had a wonderful time chatting to Laura about the inspiration behind Bone China and her love of Gothic fiction. I think Bone China is the perfect book to enjoy by a snug fire over the Christmas holidays, and if you haven’t read any of Laura’s books yet, then definitely add them to your Christmas list, as I can’t recommend them highly enough! I am such a fan of her work, and this episode is a brilliant listen for anyone who enjoys great story-telling and historical fiction. Read the show notes: teaandtattlepodcast.com/home/121 Get in touch! Email: teaandtattlepodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @teaandtattlepodcast If you enjoy Tea & Tattle, please do rate and leave a review of the show on Apple Podcasts, as good reviews help other people to find and enjoy the show. Thank you!

Hello and welcome to Tea & Tattle, a podcast that celebrates female creativity and storytelling. I’m your host, Miranda Mills, and today I’m joined by the author and photographer, Melanie Barnes, to discuss Melanie’s new book, Seeking Slow, which is a guide to reclaiming moments of calm in your day. I’m a big proponent of the Slow Living movement, and I so enjoyed chatting to Melanie about her philosophy of simple living, the importance of the mind-body connection, and how knowing the purpose and intention behind your actions helps you to be happier and work more efficiently. This is a lovely listen to encourage everyone to remember to slow down, breathe deeply and practice self-care and compassion even at the busiest times of year. Read the show notes: teaandtattlepodcast.com/home/120 Get in touch! Email: teaandtattlepodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @teaandtattlepodcast If you enjoy Tea & Tattle, please do rate and leave a review of the show on Apple Podcasts, as good reviews help other people to find and enjoy the show. Thank you!

Welcome to the new season of Tea & Tattle! This week on the podcast, I’m joined by the writer and knitter, Esther Rutter, to talk about Esther’s first book: This Golden Fleece: A Journey Through Britain’s Knitted History, which saw Esther travelling across Britain from Shetland to the Channel Islands, in search of the stories behind Britain’s long history of wool and knitting. To complete her book, Esther took a year off work to travel, knit and research, and in ‘This Golden Fleece,’ she spins a fascinating tale of her own personal journey as a knitter, as she takes on a fresh knitting project each month, as well as the stories she unearths of knitting traditions that have been passed down throughout the centuries. Today on the podcast, Esther tells me about what inspired her project, how knitting your own clothes can be a powerful political act, how women have plied their needles to aid change in the world, and what are some of her favourite British yarn companies. This is a brilliant episode for anyone interested in knitting and is a perfect, cosy listen for the colder months ahead. Read the show notes: teaandtattlepodcast.com/home/119 Get in touch! Email: teaandtattlepodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @teaandtattlepodcast If you enjoy Tea & Tattle, please do rate and leave a review of the show on Apple Podcasts, as good reviews help other people to find and enjoy the show. Thank you!

This week, for the final Tea & Tattle episode of the season, I’m joined by the London-based chef, Jane Alty. Originally from New Zealand, Jane moved to London to pursue her career in food. Developing a passion for Thai food whilst working with the legendary Thai chef, David Thompson at the Michelin-starred Thai restaurant Nahm in London, Jane went on to set up her own Thai restaurant, The Begging Bowl, in Peckham, South London. Jane’s restaurant is reason alone to visit this part of London, with the delicious menu she cooks up daily. I had a brilliant time chatting to her about what it’s like to run her own kitchen as head chef, her experience working in a male-dominated industry, why fostering a sense of community is so important for small businesses today, and what makes Thai food so special. It’s an episode that’s bound to get your mouth watering! Read the show notes: teaandtattlepodcast.com/home/118 Get in touch! Email: teaandtattlepodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @teaandtattlepodcast If you enjoy Tea & Tattle, please do rate and leave a review of the show on Apple Podcasts, as good reviews help other people to find and enjoy the show. Thank you!

This week on Tea & Tattle, I’m joined by the food writer and chef Maunika Gowardhan to discuss Maunika’s wonderful cookbook, Indian Kitchen, and her passion for Indian home cooking. Growing up in Mumbai, Maunika absorbed the rich variety of her mother’s Indian home-cooking, and when Maunika moved to the UK as a young woman, she started cooking family recipes to ease her cravings for proper Indian meals. Word of Maunika’s fantastic dishes quickly spread, kickstarting her career as a private chef. Over the years, Maunika has become an established authority on Indian cuisine. She is a contributing editor for Vogue India, where she shares the latest stories and tips from the international Indian food scene. Maunika also hosts regular cooking workshops, teaching classes at Jamie’s Cook School in London and River Cottage in Dorset. Maunika shares her delicious recipes through her hugely popular website, social media channels and recipe app, Maunika’s Indian Recipes, which has remained in the top 10 recommended apps since its launch. Her cookbook, Indian Kitchen, is a real favourite of mine and brings together many of her family favourite recipes, several of which are inspired by the dishes her Grandmother created. I had a wonderful time chatting to Maunika about how her childhood influenced her love for food, the incredible regional variety in Indian cuisine, the exciting changes that have taken place within the Indian restaurant scene in London over the past decade, and so much more. Read the show notes: teaandtattlepodcast.com/home/116 Get in touch! Email: teaandtattlepodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @teaandtattlepodcast If you enjoy Tea & Tattle, please do rate and leave a review of the show on Apple Podcasts, as good reviews help other people to find and enjoy the show. Thank you!

This week on Tea & Tattle, I’m joined by the founder of the Rare Tea Company, Henrietta Lovell, to discuss Henrietta’s just-published book, Infused: Adventures in Tea, which is a captivating memoir of Henrietta’s love affair with tea and the impact this delicious beverage has had upon her life. In ‘Infused,’ Henrietta describes the journeys she takes around the globe, sourcing the most delicious teas and working directly with the farmers and artisans that supply her tea. On a mission to convert everyone to the pleasures of excellent quality loose leaf tea, Henrietta is known throughout the food industry as ‘The Tea Lady,’ and her passion and knowledge rings through every page of Infused. Henrietta’s book opened my eyes, not only to how tea should be prepared to draw out maximum flavour, but also to the importance of knowing exactly where your tea comes from and how it’s produced. As soon as I finished reading Infused, I ordered some of Henrietta’s tea from the Rare Tea Company, and I can truly say that she’s opened a whole new world to me - her teas are the most delicious I’ve ever tasted! I was so excited to get to chat to Henrietta about her passion for tea, why the art of tea preparation and ritual virtually died out in the UK after the second world war, and how we can all help to bring back the enjoyment of a beautifully brewed pot and promote fairer trade around the world. Read the show notes: teaandtattlepodcast.com/home/115 Get in touch! Email: teaandtattlepodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @teaandtattlepodcast If you enjoy Tea & Tattle, please do rate and leave a review of the show on Apple Podcasts, as good reviews help other people to find and enjoy the show. Thank you!

This week on Tea & Tattle, I’m joined by the author and journalist Naoko Abe, to discuss Naoko’s book, ‘Cherry’ Ingram: The Englishman Who Saved Japan’s Blossoms. Originally from Japan, although now living in London, cherry blossoms have always played a significant role in Naoko’s life, but it wasn’t until she moved to the UK that Naoko saw such a wide variety of ornamental cherry trees blossoming throughout the springtime. Intrigued to find out more about these beautiful blossoms, Naoko stumbled on the story of Collingwood Ingram, an Englishman who was born in 1880 and was nicknamed ‘Cherry’ Ingram for his passion for Japan’s cherry trees and the extensive collection of trees he grew at his home in Kent. Ingram lived until he was 100 years old, witnessing both world wars, and leading a fascinating life marked by his love for nature, particularly cherry trees. On a visit to Japan in the 1920s, Cherry Ingram was alarmed by the lack of cherry tree diversity throughout the country. Only one type of cloned cherry tree variety, that bloomed and faded very quickly, was being planted throughout Japan, with other varieties in danger of dying out. Cherry Ingram particularly noticed the absence of one of his favourites: the Taihaku cherry tree - a beautiful tree with large white blossoms. He made it his mission to return this tree to its native land, and painstakingly sent back cuttings from his own Taihaku tree that grew in his garden. Every spring in the UK, and indeed around the world, we witness Collingwood Ingram’s incredible legacy in the beautiful cherry trees that bloom all around us. I was completely absorbed by Naoko’s biography of Ingram, which appropriately I read in the spring, and I had a fabulous time chatting to her about Ingram’s role in preserving the diversity of cherry trees, as well as how the symbolic nature of cherry blossoms shifted in Japan in the lead up to the second world war, playing a significant role in the country’s political propaganda and ideology. Read the show notes: teaandtattlepodcast.com/home/114 Get in touch! Email: teaandtattlepodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @teaandtattlepodcast If you enjoy Tea & Tattle, please do rate and leave a review of the show on Apple Podcasts, as good reviews help other people to find and enjoy the show. Thank you!

This week on Tea & Tattle, I’m joined by the author Mary Watson, to discuss Mary’s latest novel, The Wickerlight. Mary was born in Cape Town, but now lives on the West Coast of Ireland with her husband and children. Her struggle to adapt to a new place inspired Mary to write a story that drew on the beautiful landscape of Ireland, as well as the fascinating tales of Irish mythology. The result was Mary’s first YA novel, The Wren Hunt, a captivating tale that reflects Mary’s own love for fantasy blended with the everyday world we all recognise. In The Wren Hunt, Mary created a magical world that exists in the shadows of the real world, run by two warring factions: the judges and the augurs, members of which are both able to draw on the power of the natural world to create their own kinds of magic. The Wren Hunt was shortlisted for the Irish Book Awards, and Mary’s sequel, The Wickerlight, which is published this Thursday, May 30th, has been eagerly anticipated by her many fans. The Wickerlight introduces a new character, Zara, who has recently moved with her family to the small village in Ireland in which The Wren Hunt was also set. Shortly after their arrival, Zara’s teenage sister, Laila, is found dead on the village green, with no obvious cause of injury. In a quest to solve her sister’s death and understand why Laila had become so involved in the local stories of magic and folklore, Zara is drawn deeper and deeper into the mysterious and dangerous world of Judges and Augurs. As Zara hunts for answers to her questions, she meets David, a young Judge man who is struggling to find his place within his family, as well as his role in an ancient magical feud. I particularly enjoy Mary’s stories for their brilliant plots and intrepid heroines, and I would recommend both The Wren Hunt and The Wickerlight as gifts for any teenagers in your life, but they’re also brilliantly entertaining reads for adults. I had a wonderful time chatting to Mary about her books and was intrigued to learn how she first started writing YA fiction and how her own reading and life experiences shaped her work. Read the show notes: teaandtattlepodcast.com/home/113 Get in touch! Email: teaandtattlepodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @teaandtattlepodcast If you enjoy Tea & Tattle, please do rate and leave a review of the show on Apple Podcasts, as good reviews help other people to find and enjoy the show. Thank you!

This week on Tea & Tattle, I’m joined by the author Yvonne Battle-Felton, to discuss Yvonne’s debut novel, Remembered. Yvonne was born in Pennsylvania, but moved to the UK when she started her PhD in creative writing at Lancaster University, where she is now an associate lecturer. Long fascinated by stories, Yvonne created an award-winning, on-campus radio show, The Writing Life, to interview writers about how they made a living with their words. Yvonne also launched Stories at the Storey, a monthly true-story open mic night that Yvonne hosts with her friend and fellow writer, Naomi Krüger. Yvonne’s first novel, Remembered, is a haunting story of hope, identity, motherhood and the power of storytelling. It examines the brutal history of slavery and its enduring legacy through the eyes of its main protagonist, an emancipated slave named Spring. The story begins in Philadelphia in 1910, when Spring sits beside the hospital bed of her son, Edward, who was seriously injured after reportedly driving a streetcar into a department store that refuses black customers, causing riots to erupt as racial tensions reach boiling point. In an effort to recall Edward home, Spring breaks her long-held silence and tells him the story of her birth, her years as a slave on a southern plantation, the cost of her eventual freedom and the story of her sister, Tempe, whose fiery presence haunts Spring still. Yvonne received a Northern Writers’ Award for Remembered in 2017, and it was long listed for the Women’s Prize for Fiction, 2019. I so enjoyed talking to Yvonne about her incredible novel, and her fantastic sense of humour, as well as her deep perception and love for writing, made this interview a real joy for me. Read the show notes: teaandtattlepodcast.com/home/112 Get in touch! Email: teaandtattlepodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @teaandtattlepodcast If you enjoy Tea & Tattle, please do rate and leave a review of the show on Apple Podcasts, as good reviews help other people to find and enjoy the show. Thank you!

This week on Tea & Tattle, I’m joined by the London-based author, Sara Collins, to discuss Sara’s debut novel, The Confessions of Frannie Langton. Set in Jamaica and London in the early 19th Century, The Confessions of Frannie Langton begins with a trial at London’s Old Bailey: the eponymous Frannie, maid to Mr and Mrs Benham, is charged with murdering her master and mistress. Suffering from shock, Frannie is unable to remember the immediate events that led up to the deaths, but is certain she couldn’t have killed Mrs Benham, whom she loved. Intent on telling her story, Frannie begins to write down her testimony, begging her defending barrister to read and share it. Beginning with her live as a slave on a Jamaican plantation, Frannie goes on to explain how she first arrived in London, became a maid to Mrs Benham, and - finally - the dreadful events that culminated in her arrest and trial. The Confessions of Frannie Langton is an extraordinary page-turner of a novel that reignites Gothic literature and adds a vital voice to the canon of literary heroines. The book has been praised widely since its release in the UK and has already been featured in Oprah Magazine, in anticipation of its American publication on the 21st of May. The Confessions of Frannie Langton is also currently being adapted for a television series, which I’m very excited about and can’t wait to see, as I know this novel will be absolutely brilliant dramatised. I had such a fascinating chat with Sara about her book and why she felt compelled to write it, and I know that Tea & Tattle listeners will really enjoy this conversation too. Read the show notes: teaandtattlepodcast.com/home/111 Get in touch! Email: teaandtattlepodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @teaandtattlepodcast If you enjoy Tea & Tattle, please do rate and leave a review of the show on Apple Podcasts, as good reviews help other people to find and enjoy the show. Thank you!

This week on Tea & Tattle, I’m joined by the London-based food writer, stylist and broadcaster, Rosie Birkett, to discuss Rosie’s latest cookbook, The Joyful Home Cook. Rosie grew up in Kent and discovered a passion for simple, seasonal cooking as she helped her father grow vegetables in the garden, which her mother would then transform into delicious family suppers. Rosie has worked as a food journalist for many years, is a contributor to BBC Good Food Magazine and makes regular appearances on weekend morning food television. Rosie is the author of East London Food, A Lot on Her Plate, and her latest cookbook, The Joyful Home Cook. I had so much fun chatting with Rosie about how she developed her career and the inspiration behind her latest book. Rosie’s love for food is infectious, and I’m sure this episode will inspire you to approach the kitchen with a greater sense of joy and adventure. Read the show notes: teaandtattlepodcast.com/home/110 Get in touch! Email: teaandtattlepodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @teaandtattlepodcast If you enjoy Tea & Tattle, please do rate and leave a review of the show on Apple Podcasts, as good reviews help other people to find and enjoy the show. Thank you!

Welcome to the new season of Tea & Tattle! I’m so excited to be starting a fresh series of episodes. This week, I’m joined by the writer Isabella Hammad, to discuss Isabella’s debut novel, The Parisian. Isabella splits her time between New York and London, and although only in her twenties, she writes with extraordinary maturity and confidence. In 2018, Isabella won the Plimpton Prize for Fiction for her story Mr. Can’aan, and her first novel has been hotly anticipated. In The Parisian, a young Palestinian man, Midhat, arrives in France in October 1914 to study medicine. Midhat falls in love, witnesses the tragedy of war and begins a journey of self discovery as he becomes immersed in French society. Later, on returning to Nablus, Midhat is nicknamed ‘the Parisian’ by his friends, who are amused by his elegant dress and stories of his time in France. As Midhat struggles to find his place in the world, the shifting political scene in Palestine becomes increasingly dangerous. The Parisian was published in mid-April and has already received glowing recommendations. Zadie Smith described the novel as ‘a sublime reading experience,’ and it is indeed an extraordinary read. I very much enjoyed my conversation with Isabella and was so interested to learn about how stories about her great-grandfather first inspired Isabella to start writing The Parisian, as well as how an admiration for Virginia Woolf and Henry James novels influenced her love for language and writing style. We also spoke about how a sense of ‘otherness’ is often an experience of any creative, Isabella’s time in Nablus researching her novel, and much more. Read the show notes: teaandtattlepodcast.com/home/109 Get in touch! Email: teaandtattlepodcast@gmail.com Instagram: Miranda ~ @mirandasnotebook and @mirandasbookcase If you enjoy Tea & Tattle, please do rate and leave a review of the show on Apple Podcasts, as good reviews help other people to find and enjoy the show. Thank you!

This week on Tea & Tattle, I’m joined by the writer Kassia St Clair, to discuss Kassia’s latest book, The Golden Thread. I’m such a fan of Kassia’s work, having loved her first bestselling book, The Secret Lives of Colour, which is a fascinating exploration of the history and meaning of 75 shades of the rainbow. In her most recent book, The Golden Thread, Kassia explores how fabric has shaped history, bringing the reader on an incredible journey through time and around the world as she examines linens spun in Ancient Egypt, to the glorious silks of China and the famous wools of Great Britain. I was so interested to learn what first sparked Kassia’s interest in the history of textiles and colour, as well as more about the surprising discoveries she made during her research. This is last Tea & Tattle episode of the current season, but I’ll return with further conversations with inspiring and creative women in May for the Spring/Summer season. Read the show notes: teaandtattlepodcast.com/home/108 Get in touch! Email: teaandtattlepodcast@gmail.com Instagram: Miranda ~ @mirandasnotebook and @mirandasbookcase If you enjoy Tea & Tattle, please do rate and leave a review of the show on Apple Podcasts, as good reviews help other people to find and enjoy the show. Thank you!

This week on Tea & Tattle, I’m joined by the food writer and cookbook author, Anja Dunk, to discuss Anja’s fabulous cookbook, Strudel, Noodles and Dumplings. Although born in Wales, many of Anja’s earliest recollections revolve around her family table, where her mother served up her native German cuisine. In her cookbook, Anja shows how food is an important link that ties our past, present and future, and she features many delicious recipes that offer a modern, family-friendly twist on traditional German cooking. I had so much fun talking to Anja about her passion for food, travel and art, and this is a brilliant episode to listen to if you’re in need of a little inspiration in the kitchen. Read the show notes: teaandtattlepodcast.com/home/107 Get in touch! Email: teaandtattlepodcast@gmail.com Instagram: Miranda ~ @mirandasnotebook and @mirandasbookcase If you enjoy Tea & Tattle, please do rate and leave a review of the show on Apple Podcasts, as good reviews help other people to find and enjoy the show. Thank you!

This week on Tea & Tattle, I’m joined by the author, Sonia Velton, to discuss Sonia’s debut novel, Blackberry & Wild Rose. Set in Spitalfields in the 18th Century, Blackberry & Wild Rose is told from the perspective of two very different female protagonists, whose lives intersect and who come to know each other’s secrets. Sara Kemp is rescued from a brothel by Esther Thorel, the wife of a Spitalfields silk weaver. Sara becomes Esther’s maid, and both women’s lives become more and more involved in the beautiful silks being spun and the men who create them. I so enjoyed reading Blackberry & Wild Rose, and I found it fascinating to learn more about the history of the Huguenot silk weavers who settled in Spitalfields. Sonia’s book brought this area of London alive for me, and partly inspired my new newsletter, London by the Book, in which I explore an area of London through a work of fiction each month. Later this week, I’ll be sending out the first newsletter, which is on Blackberry & Wild Rose and the parts of Spitalfields the book describes. Do subscribe if you’d like to receive it. Read the show notes: teaandtattlepodcast.com/home/106 Get in touch! Email: teaandtattlepodcast@gmail.com Instagram: Miranda ~ @mirandasnotebook and @mirandasbookcase If you enjoy Tea & Tattle, please do rate and leave a review of the show on Apple Podcasts, as good reviews help other people to find and enjoy the show. Thank you!

This week on Tea & Tattle, I’m joined by the wine educator and writer, Wendy Narby, to talk all about wine and wellness. I recently read Wendy’s book, The Drinking Woman’s Diet, which offers tips and suggestions for women who want to enjoy wine as part of a balanced, healthy lifestyle. I really enjoyed Wendy’s engaging writing and was so pleased when she agreed to come on Tea & Tattle for a chat. Although originally from the UK, Wendy has lived and worked in Bordeaux for many years, and it was fascinating to hear about the circumstances that led her to France and to pursue a career in the wine industry. Wendy told me about how she uses ‘the rule of two’ in her approach to enjoying wine within moderation, as well as why yoga is so important to her, and what she loves about giving wine tours in Bordeaux. Our chat had me dreaming of summer and beautiful vineyards, and I hope you find Wendy’s words as inspirational and helpful as I did. Read the show notes: teaandtattlepodcast.com/home/105 Get in touch! Email: teaandtattlepodcast@gmail.com Instagram: Miranda ~ @mirandasnotebook and @mirandasbookcase If you enjoy Tea & Tattle, please do rate and leave a review of the show on Apple Podcasts, as good reviews help other people to find and enjoy the show. Thank you!

This week on Tea & Tattle, I’m joined by the author and photographer, Georgianna Lane, to discuss Georgianna’s latest book, New York in Bloom. Although based in Seattle, Georgianna spends much of her time travelling between Paris, London and New York, and her work brilliantly showcases her love for these cities, as well as her delight in beautiful flowers. New York in Bloom is the latest instalment in Georgianna’s ‘City in Bloom’ book series, following on from Paris in Bloom. The book is a work of art, and features Georgianna’s signature shots of the romantic florals and elegant buildings that can be found in New York. I was lucky enough to get an early copy of the book, and it’s truly stunning! I’ve been using it to plan places I want to visit when I got to New York in the summer, and now I’m even more excited for my trip. I found my conversation with Georgianna so inspiring, as she talked about how becoming really good at one thing helped her to create the life of her dreams and become a highly sought after expert in her field, as well as building a successful stock photography business with her husband. Georgianna also suggested some great places to go in New York for those who love florals and she shared little bit about her upcoming book, London in Bloom (which I’m excited about already). Today’s episode is the perfect listen to get you in the mood for spring! Read the show notes: teaandtattlepodcast.com/home/104 Get in touch! Email: teaandtattlepodcast@gmail.com Instagram: Miranda ~ @mirandasnotebook and @mirandasbookcase If you enjoy Tea & Tattle, please do rate and leave a review of the show on Apple Podcasts, as good reviews help other people to find and enjoy the show. Thank you!

This week on Tea & Tattle, I’m joined by the author Laura Shepherd-Robinson, to discuss Laura’s debut novel, Blood & Sugar. Set in Deptford in 1781, Blood & Sugar is a murder mystery that explores the horrific history of Britain’s involvement in the slave trade. The protagonist, Captain Harry Corsham, is a war hero with an ambitious wife who is eager he pursue a career within politics. Harry’s plans go awry, however, when he discovers the tortured corpse of his university friend, Tad Archer, in Deptford. A passionate abolitionist, Tad has been campaigning for the end of slavery, and his murder forces Harry to set himself against some of the country’s most powerful politicians in his efforts to uncover the truth behind Tad’s death and expose the terrible crimes against humanity committed by Britain’s slave traders. In today’s episode, Laura tells me about how she went from a career in politics to writing a novel, the research behind Blood & Sugar and her plans for the next book. Read the show notes: teaandtattlepodcast.com/home/103 Get in touch! Email: teaandtattlepodcast@gmail.com Instagram: Miranda ~ @mirandasnotebook and @mirandasbookcase If you enjoy Tea & Tattle, please do rate and leave a review of the show on Apple Podcasts, as good reviews help other people to find and enjoy the show. Thank you!

This week on Tea & Tattle, I’m joined by the nutritional food therapist, Amelia Freer. Amelia is the bestselling author of Eat. Nourish. Glow, Cook. Nourish. Glow and Nourish & Glow: The 10 Day Plan. Amelia’s books provide practical, informed guidelines on how to create healthy eating habits and make better lifestyle choices. Amelia believes in practicing positive nutrition, which focuses on eating better, rather than eating less. She’s a true believer in helping each individual to achieve their health goals and has helped thousands of clients throughout her career. I love the way Amelia’s approach puts the individual at the centre: there’s no ‘one size fits all’ or ‘quick fix’ to her work; instead, Amelia empowers each individual to make more informed choices about their health and to tune into their own bodies. In today’s episode, Amelia tells me about how her adolescent struggles with acne first led her on the path of nutritional therapy, as well as steps people can take to start eating more healthily, why emotional eating is such a common stumbling block and how best to overcome it, and so much more. This is a brilliant listen for anyone wishing to make positive changes to their relationship with food. Read the show notes: teaandtattlepodcast.com/home/102 Get in touch! Email: teaandtattlepodcast@gmail.com Instagram: Miranda ~ @mirandasnotebook and @mirandasbookcase If you enjoy Tea & Tattle, please do rate and leave a review of the show on Apple Podcasts, as good reviews help other people to find and enjoy the show. Thank you!

This week on Tea & Tattle, I’m joined by the journalist and author Gabriella Bennett, to chat about Gabriella’s first book, The Art of Coorie: How to Live Happy the Scottish Way. Gabriella is based in Glasgow, and her interest in ‘coorie’ first sparked when she started hearing Scottish creatives using the word in relation to their work. ‘Coorie’ is defined as ‘the Scottish art of deriving comfort, wellbeing and energy from wild landscapes and convivial interiors.’ Fascinated by the idea of ‘coorie’ and how the word was being used in contemporary Scotland, Gabriella toured the length and breadth of Scotland, speaking with many young makers, chefs and writers along the way. Her book beautifully captures the spirit of Scotland and its breathtaking landscapes, whilst also encouraging the reader to seek out more comfort and adventure from their everyday lives. ‘Coorie’ has some similarities with the Scandinavian philosophies of ‘hygge’ and ‘lagom,’ but in our conversation, Gabriella explains what makes ‘coorie’ so uniquely Scottish, and what lessons we can learn from this way of living to apply to all aspects of our lives, wherever we happen to live. If you’re struggling with the cold, grey days of late winter, then this is the perfect episode to listen to to help you feel a little happier and cosier - or, as Gabriella would have it, a little more coorie! Read the show notes: teaandtattlepodcast.com/home/100 Get in touch! Email: teaandtattlepodcast@gmail.com Instagram: Miranda ~ @mirandasnotebook and @mirandasbookcase If you enjoy Tea & Tattle, please do rate and leave a review of the show on iTunes, as good reviews help other people to find and enjoy the show. Thank you!

This week on Tea & Tattle, I’m joined by the food writer Alexandra Dudley, to chat about her passion for sustainable eating, hosting dinner parties and fast, fresh, easy dishes. I love Alexandra’s cookbook, Land & Sea, which brings together a fantastic assortment of tasty recipes that are generally easy to prepare, but still pack a wonderfully flavourful punch. Alexandra regularly contributes recipes to Town and Country magazine and hosts supper clubs, as well as workshops on how to host a dinner party, which sound a lot of fun! In today’s conversation, Alexandra tells me about how she started a business from her kitchen table creating a healthy, on the go snack, that ended up being stocked in supermarkets around the UK. After a few years, though, Alexandra realised that her real passion was for creating recipes, learning more about the provenance of her ingredients and hosting dinner parties. This is a fun conversation for anyone who’s interested in learning more about the food industry, eating more sustainably and writing a cookbook. Read the show notes: teaandtattlepodcast.com/home/98 Get in touch! Email: teaandtattlepodcast@gmail.com Instagram: Miranda ~ @mirandasnotebook and @mirandasbookcase If you enjoy Tea & Tattle, please do rate and leave a review of the show on iTunes, as good reviews help other people to find and enjoy the show. Thank you!

This week on Tea & Tattle, I’m joined by the artist, writer and photographer, Philippa Stanton to discuss her new book, Conscious Creativity. Philippa is based in Brighton and has had a career in the creative arts for many years, first training and working as an actor before developing her painting and photography skills. Philippa’s gorgeous, colourful and creative photographs provide daily inspiration for her huge fan base of over 430k followers on her instagram account, @5ftinf. In her book, Conscious Creativity, which is due for release this Thursday 15th November, Philippa guides you towards unlocking your own creative potential and developing a daily practice of creativity. I am so excited to get a copy of Philippa’s book myself, and I’ll be attending her book launch in Brighton on the 15th which I’m so looking forward to - I’m sure it will be wonderful! In today’s interview, Philippa read aloud a sneak peek of her book, and we had a fabulous chat about her career to date and what it really means to be a creative. This is an excellent listen for anyone who would like to add a little more creativity into their everyday. Read the show notes: teaandtattlepodcast.com/home/94 Get in touch! Email: teaandtattlepodcast@gmail.com Instagram: Miranda ~ @mirandasnotebook and @mirandasbookcase If you enjoy Tea & Tattle, please do rate and leave a review of the show on iTunes, as good reviews help other people to find and enjoy the show. Thank you!

This week on Tea & Tattle, I’m joined by the journalist and author, Ann Mah, to discuss Ann’s bestselling book, The Lost Vintage. Having grown up in America, Ann developed a love for France from a young age, and she now splits her time between Washington DC and Paris. Her memoir, Mastering the Art of French Eating, describes the year Ann spent travelling through France and sampling different regional dishes of the country. I read Ann’s latest novel, The Lost Vintage, before my trip to Burgundy earlier in October. It was the perfect book for the occasion, as it’s set in Burgundy and tells the story of Kate, a wine expert who is studying for the Master of Wine exam. Kate travels from California to Burgundy to stay with her French relatives who own a vineyard, so she can brush up on her knowledge of Burgundian wines. Whilst there, Kate discovers a hidden room within the family’s cellar, full of priceless bottles of wine that were hidden from the Nazis during WW2. But Kate also uncovers some disturbing information about her family - could one of her ancestors have collaborated with the Nazis? The Lost Vintage is a gripping book full of beautiful descriptions of the Burgundian countryside, as well as fascinating information about French food, wine and history. In today’s discussion, Ann tells about the inspiration behind the book and why she become so fascinated by France’s history during WW2. It’s a brilliant discussion that’s sure to please any Francophile. Read the show notes: teaandtattlepodcast.com/home/91 Get in touch! Email: teaandtattlepodcast@gmail.com Instagram: Miranda ~ @mirandasnotebook and @mirandasbookcase If you enjoy Tea & Tattle, please do rate and leave a review of the show on iTunes, as good reviews help other people to find and enjoy the show. Thank you!

This week on Tea & Tattle, I’m joined by Samantha Clarke, a happiness consultant and founder of the Growth and Happiness School. Samantha helps companies, as well as individuals, by advising them on small steps that can be taken to make a big difference to their happiness. Over the years, Samantha has built an impressive portfolio career as a speaker, trainer and coach, and she also hosts the podcast, Conversations with Samantha&, in which she invites guests to speak about the impact of technology on our everyday happiness in work and in life. In today’s discussion, Samantha shares some brilliant tips on how to effectively manage stress levels to lead a happier working life, as well as how to be resilient to change and difficult times. We also chat about how technology can both help and hinder our happiness, as well as the pillars of happiness that companies need to consider for the benefit of their employees. This is a great episode for anyone who’s interested in practical, simple steps that will boost their happiness levels, both at work and at home. Read the show notes: teaandtattlepodcast.com/home/88 Get in touch! Email: teaandtattlepodcast@gmail.com Instagram: Miranda ~ @mirandasnotebook and @mirandasbookcase If you enjoy Tea & Tattle, please do rate and leave a review of the show on iTunes, as good reviews help other people to find and enjoy the show. Thank you!

This Tuesday on Tea & Tattle, I’m joined by I’m joined by the author and illustrator Emma Block, to discuss Emma’s fantastic new book, The Joy of Watercolour. Emma started getting work as a freelance illustrator when she was only 17, and she’s gone on to develop a fantastic business and works full-time as a freelance illustrator in London. Emma regularly teaches sold out water-colouring workshops in the city; I’ve been to a few of them and had such a fun time learning the basics of water-colouring and brush lettering.  Over the years, Emma has collaborated with many notable brands and fashion influencers, who love her highly recognisable, soft and feminine illustration style. In August, Emma published her first book, The Joy of Watercolour, which shares tips and painting projects to help people get started with water-colouring, or to take their illustration practice to the next level. It’s a beautiful book, and I’ve been having a lot of fun working through Emma’s guides for beginners. In today’s discussion, Emma tells me about the inspiration behind her book, what she’s learnt from teaching water-colouring classes to 100s of people, how to find your own unique illustration style, and how she’s developed different strands to her work as a freelance illustrator over time. This is a brilliant listen for anyone who loves water-colouring, or who are keen to give it a go for the first time and develop their own creativity. Get all the links and read the show notes here: teaandtattlepodcast.com/home/87 Find me on Instagram: @mirandasnotebook and @mirandasbookcase

Today on Tea & Tattle, I’m so delighted to be joined by one of my favourite authors, Kate Morton, to discuss Kate’s new book, The Clockmaker’s Daughter. Originally from Australia, Kate now lives in London with her family, and her books have been number one bestsellers all over the world. The Clockmaker’s Daughter is due out in the UK on the 20th of September, but I read an advance copy of it a few months ago, and it was definitely the highlight of my summer reads. I know Tea & Tattle listeners will love it too! The Clockmaker’s Daughter is an incredible story that spans the Victorian era to the present day. A mystery lies at the heart of the tale: one summer in 1862, a young woman called Birdie Bell is invited to a gathering of artists at Birchwood Manor, a beautiful house in the English countryside. Everything seems idyllic, until one terrible day changes Birdie’s life forever. What are the true events of what happened that summer? The Clockmaker’s Daughter weaves several narratives and time periods together to uncover the secret hidden at Birchwood Manor for so many years. In today’s discussion, Kate tells me about some of the inspiration behind her book, why, as a writer, she’s so fascinated by time, details about her writing process and so much more. Get all the links and read the show notes here: teaandtattlepodcast.com/home/85 Find me on Instagram: @mirandasnotebook and mirandasbookcase

Today on Tea & Tattle, I'm in conversation with the American writer Amy Thomas, to discuss Amy's fabulous memoirs, Paris My Sweet and Brooklyn in Love. In her books, Amy describes her foodie adventures in NYC, Paris and Brooklyn, as she tracks down the best sweet treats on offer. From the tastiest chocolate chip cookies in town, to award-winning macarons and decadent pies, Amy shows just how fun giving in to your sweet tooth can be.  I filled a notebook with Amy's recommendations, but I also loved reading about Amy's life, as she shares anecdotes about her glamorous single lifestyle in Manhattan and Paris, before getting married and starting a family in Brooklyn.  I absolutely adored both Amy’s books, and I’ve been pressing them on all my girlfriends to read too - they are perfect for summer reading! On the podcast, Amy tells me about how she first started pursuing her writing career alongside her full-time work in an ad agency, the culture shock she experienced moving back from Paris to New York, and how she overcame her nerves about sharing personal stories from her life. This is a brilliant episode for anyone who loves food and travel, and it’s bound to inspire a little wanderlust! Listen to learn more about Amy's books, Paris My Sweet and Brooklyn in Love. Read the show notes: teaandtattlepodcast.com/home/82/ Get in touch! Email: teaandtattlepodcast@gmail.com Instagram: Miranda ~ @mirandasnotebook and @mirandasbookcase If you enjoy Tea & Tattle, please do rate and leave a review of the show on iTunes, as good reviews help other people to find and enjoy the show. Thank you!

Today on Tea & Tattle, I'm chatting with the writer and photographer Marte Marie Forsberg about her cookbook, The Cottage Kitchen. From my earliest days on instagram, I've been a fan of Marie's gorgeous account, where she shares photos of her daily life in the English countryside and the delicious dishes she cooks up in her charming home. I was so pleased to get my hands on Marie's first cookbook, The Cottage Kitchen, when it was first published in the Winter, and I've been so enjoying using the book ever since. The Cottage Kitchen is a collection of recipes inspired by the four seasons, and many of the dishes are influenced by those that Marie enjoyed as a child in Norway. In today's conversation, Marie tells me about how going back to her roots and rediscovering what she loved to do as a young girl - cooking with her Mum in the kitchen - helped her to decide in her early 30s what she really wanted to do with her life. After years spent travelling throughout her 20s, Marie moved back to Norway, where she started cooking and photographing the meals she made at her parent's island cottage. Discovering a passion for telling stories through photography, as well as words, led Marie to move to a small cottage in the British countryside, where she began writing The Cottage Kitchen. I found it incredibly inspiring to hear how Marie discovered her passion in life, as well as how she made such a success of moving to a strange place where she didn't know anybody, but where she found joy from embracing simple pleasures and creative pursuits. Listen to learn more about Marie's path to becoming a writer and photographer. Read the show notes: teaandtattlepodcast.com/home/80 Get in touch! Email: teaandtattlepodcast@gmail.com Instagram: Miranda ~ @mirandasnotebook and @mirandasbookcase If you enjoy Tea & Tattle, please do rate and leave a review of the show on iTunes, as good reviews help other people to find and enjoy the show. Thank you!

This Tuesday, I'm in conversation with the writer Alicia Drake about her debut novel, I Love You Too Much, which tells the story of Paul, a young French teenager living in Paris, whose lonely world splinters after his parents' separation. I so enjoyed reading Alicia's novel, which shows a different, darker side to life in Paris, and Paul's haunting story has stayed with me across the months since I first read the book. I was fascinated to learn how Alicia drew on her experience of living in France for 18 years and raising her own children when she wrote I Love You Too Much. I was also so impressed to learn that Alicia wrote a full draft of her novel in French, just so she could perfect the voice of her characters. It’s this kind of attention to detail that makes Alicia’s writing truly memorable and her characters feel incredibly real. In today's conversation, we also have a fascinating chat about the difference between French and British parenting styles, and also how Alicia discovered a love for fiction writing whilst battling with depression. This episode is a brilliant listen for anyone who’s keen to learn more about the real Paris, beyond the pretty cafes and delicious cheese, and it’s also wonderfully inspiring for anyone who is interested in writing themselves. Listen to learn more about Alicia Drake's novel I Love You Too Much. Read the show notes: teaandtattlepodcast.com/home/79 Get in touch! Email: teaandtattlepodcast@gmail.com Instagram: Miranda ~ @mirandasnotebook and @mirandasbookcase If you enjoy Tea & Tattle, please do rate and leave a review of the show on iTunes, as good reviews help other people to find and enjoy the show. Thank you!

This week on Tea & Tattle, I’m in conversation with the food writer and cook, Kate Young about her fabulous book, The Little Library Cookbook. Originally from Australia, Kate now lives in London and works as a private cook, as well as hosting supper clubs, catering weddings and writing about food for various publications. Kate has a regular column in the Guardian where she shares recipes for dishes mentioned in her favourite books. In today’s episode, Kate tells me about how she first started blogging about food in books through her blog, The Little Library Cafe, when she was picked up by the Guardian. Her book, The Little Library Cookbook, is an extension of her blog and column, and offers some seriously delicious recipes based on famous fictional meals. This is a brilliant episode for anyone who loves to cook as well as to read. Listen to learn more about Kate Young's fantastic book, The Little Library Cookbook. Read the show notes: teaandtattlepodcast.com/home/77 Get in touch! Email: teaandtattlepodcast@gmail.com Instagram: Miranda ~ @mirandasnotebook and @mirandasbookcase If you enjoy Tea & Tattle, please do rate and leave a review of the show on iTunes, as good reviews help other people to find and enjoy the show. Thank you!

Today on Tea & Tattle, I’m chatting with the social media photographer and author, Siobhan Ferguson.  Siobhan is the founder and curator of three incredibly successful city-themed instagram accounts: @prettycitylondon, @theprettycities and her own personal account, @siobhaise.  I first discovered Siobhan's @prettycitylondon account several years ago and completely fell for her feed featuring London's prettiest destinations. This spring, Siobhan has published her book, Pretty City London: Discovering London's Beautiful Places, which features guided walks around some of London's most attractive areas, as well as photography tips and plenty of cafe recommendations.  For those of you who have ever wondered where the best places are to get that perfect #wisteriahysteria shot, or simply want to discover London's hidden gems, Siobhan's book feels like the answer to a prayer. I had so much fun chatting to Siobhan and was fascinated to learn about how she first got started on her #prettycitylondon journey, as well as how she selects photos to feature on her account, which part of her book she enjoyed writing the most and why she thinks the iPhone is an instagrammer's best friend. This is a brilliant episode for anyone who loves London and appreciates beautiful cityscapes. I can't recommend Siobhan's book enough, both for the diehard Londoner and the casual visitor. I've been on some of the book's suggested walks already, and I was completely overjoyed to discover many gorgeous London houses and streets that I'd never previously tracked down. Listen to learn more about Siobhan's instagram career and her wonderful book, Pretty City London. Get the show notes: https://www.teaandtattlepodcast.com/home/75 Connect with me on instagram (@mirandasnotebook and @mirandasbookcase) or email me at teaandtattlepodcast@gmail.com If you enjoy Tea & Tattle podcast, please do rate and review the show in iTunes to help other people find it too. Thank you!

Today on Tea & Tattle, I’m in conversation with the food writer, Skye McAlpine, who recently published her first cookbook, A Table in Venice. Although originally from Britain, Skye's parents moved to Venice when she was a young girl, and she now splits her time between London and Venice. For years, Skye wrote about her love for Venetian home cooking and simple, fresh ingredients on her blog and instagram account, building a large audience of followers who appreciate her delicious recipes and exquisite photography. I've been a fan of Skye's blog for many years, and I was so excited to get my copy of her cookbook. It doesn't disappoint! A Table in Venice is a thing of beauty, with marbled end papers, pale pink pages and full-page photographs featuring the very best food and scenery Venice has to offer. In our chat together, Skye tells me why she thinks Venetian cuisine is Italy's best kept secret, how to avoid the common tourist traps of Venice, her favourite morning ritual and so much more. This is the perfect episode to get you in the mood for long summer evenings spent lingering over dinner tables in the garden, and it’ll definitely make you want to hop on a plane to sample some of those special brioche buns yourself! Listen to learn more about Skye's cookbook, A Table in Venice. Read the show notes and get all the links: teaandtattlepodcast.com/home/73 Get in touch! Email: teaandtattlepodcast@gmail.com Instagram: Find Miranda at @mirandasnotebook and @mirandasbookcase If you enjoy the show, please do leave a rating and review in iTunes, as good ratings really help other people to find the podcast. Thank you!

Today on Tea & Tattle, I’m in conversation with the author and art critic, Laura Freeman, who recently published the incredible bibliomemoir, The Reading Cure: How Books Restored My Appetite. In her book, Laura describes her diagnosis of anorexia as a teenager, and how her insatiable hunger for books gradually helped restore her to health and happiness. In today's interview, Laura explains how Dickens's novels awakened her to the pleasures of eating and the associative powers of food. Emboldened by a A Christmas Carol, one December she tasted her first spoonful of Christmas pudding since her diagnosis.  It was the travel memoirs of Patrick Leigh Fermor and Laurie Lee that encouraged Laura to be braver when traveling and opened her up to the excitements of tasting local cuisines.  Some of my favourite passages from the book were Laura's descriptions of discovering the food writer M.F.K. Fisher, who wrote so memorably about her adventures as an American woman in France, and I was delighted when Laura chose a section about Fisher to read aloud during our interview.  I'm sure Laura's book will be one of my top 5 favourites from 2018, not only because it speaks so eloquently and honestly on a subject that affects so many women, but also because it whetted my own appetite for so many of the novels that Laura credits on her road to recovery. I nodded along in agreement over her appreciation for Little Women and Cider With Rosie, but Laura's pages on Memoirs of a Fox-Hunting Man, A Month in the Country, and so many others, had me rushing to Daunt Books to purchase my own copies. I so enjoyed my conversation with Laura, and I know this episode will be a brilliant listen for anyone who has ever experienced the restorative power of great literature. Listen to learn more about Laura's book, The Reading Cure. Read the show notes and get all the links: teaandtattlepodcast.com/home/71 Get in touch! Email: teaandtattlepodcast@gmail.com Instagram: Find Miranda at @mirandasnotebook and @mirandasbookcase If you enjoy the show, please do leave a rating and review in iTunes, as good ratings really help other people to find the podcast. Thank you!

This week, I’m joined by Coralie Bickford-Smith, who works in house at Penguin Books as a book cover designer and has also written and illustrated the beautiful children’s picture books, The Fox and the Star and The Worm and the Bird. Coralie has an impeccable eye for colour and pattern, and she’s responsible for the gorgeous covers of so many of my most-loved Penguin series, including their Clothbound Classics, the Penguin English Library paperbacks and the pocket-sized Great Food series. In today’s interview, I ask Coralie about how she got started at Penguin, the creative process behind her designs, where she goes when she’s seeking inspiration and so much more. It was lots of fun to chat to Coralie, and I know this episode will be fascinating for anyone interested in beautiful books and superb design. Listen to learn more about what it takes to design memorable book covers. Read the show notes and get all the links: teaandtattlepodcast.com/home/69 Get in touch! Email: teaandtattlepodcast@gmail.com Instagram: Find Miranda at @mirandasnotebook and @mirandasbookcase If you enjoy the show, please do leave a rating and review in iTunes, as good ratings really help other people to find the podcast. Thank you!

This week, I'm joined by Gail Pirkis and Hazel Wood, the founders and editors of the literary journal and publishing company, Slightly Foxed. I’m such a huge fan of both the books and the magazine, and longtime listeners of Tea & Tattle may remember my interview with Ysenda Maxtone Graham, whose fantastic book, Terms & Conditions, was published by Slightly Foxed. In today’s interview, Gail and Hazel share how they first came up with the idea of starting Slightly Foxed, and they give fascinating insights into the nitty-gritty of running a small, but very successful business. Highly rated by authors such as Hilary Mantel, Gretchen Rubin and Penelope Lively, the Slightly Foxed quarterly is described as ‘the literary magazine for nonconformists, for people who don’t want to read only what the big publishers are hyping and the newspapers are reviewing.’ I always come away with brilliant book suggestions whenever I read the latest issue, and the carefully selected memoirs published by Slightly Foxed are also unfailingly fantastic. It was such an honour to get to chat with Hazel and Gail from their London office, and I know this episode will be a real joy for book lovers. Listen to learn more about the story behind Slightly Foxed. Read the show notes and get all the links: teaandtattlepodcast.com/home/67 Get in touch! Email: teaandtattlepodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @mirandasnotebook If you enjoy the show, please do leave a rating and review in iTunes, as good ratings really help other people to find the podcast. Thank you!

This week, I'm joined by the author and entrepreneur, Tara Button, to discuss Tara's new book A Life Less Throwaway. Tara started her business, Buy Me Once, when she felt frustrated by how hard it was to find quality products that were guaranteed to last. Clearly, many others felt the same, as her website instantly attracted a huge number of hits and attention from national and international press. Realising she was on to something big, Tara quit her day job and made Buy Me Once her full time career. A Life Less Throwaway is a brilliant guide to living and shopping more mindfully. Drawing on her previous experience working in advertising, Tara unveils the tricks of the trade in how companies tempt people into buying more than they need, and lays down guidelines on how to curate a home filled with only products that reflect your values and are made to last. In our conversation, Tara explains more about how she went from spendthrift habits to appreciating the value in buying once and buying for life. She also gives helpful tips on how to give your house a thorough declutter and what you should do if you think you're bored with your domestic environment. Tara also shares her all time favourite buys, from a pen with limitless ink, to a hot pink umbrella that saves her £100s in the long-run. This is a fantastic episode for anyone needing a little spring cleaning inspiration, or who wishes to shop more carefully. Listen to learn more about Tara's story and how to live mindfully in a throwaway culture. Read the show notes and get all the links: teaandtattlepodcast.com/home/65 Get in touch! Email: teaandtattlepodcast@gmail.com Instagram: Find Miranda at @mirandasnotebook and @mirandasbookcase If you enjoy the show, please do leave a rating and review in iTunes, as good ratings really help other people to find the podcast. Thank you!

This week, I'm joined by the author Imogen Hermes Gowar, to discuss her spectacular debut novel, The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock. One of the most anticipated releases for this year, Imogen's book has already garnered a huge amount of interest and glowing reviews. I loved the novel and was delighted to get to chat to Imogen about how she came to write it. The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock is set in Georgian London and tells the spell-binding story of how a strange curiosity connects the lives of a widowed merchant (Mr Hancock) and a beautiful London courtesan (Angelica Neal). Having studied Archaeology, Anthropology and Art History at UEA, Imogen clearly has a passion for historical authenticity, as well as a terrific yarn. In today's interview, Imogen tells me about how her research led her to recreate some of the recipes and clothes popular in 18th Century London, and the memoirs and pamphlets she read that helped flesh out her characters and their surroundings. We also discuss what learning more about the lives of women from the past teaches us about being a woman in the present. I had such a fascinating conversation with Imogen, and now I can't wait to visit the British Museum to see her 'mermaid' for myself! Listen to learn more about The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock and writing historical fiction. Read the show notes and get all the links: teaandtattlepodcast.com/home/63 Get in touch! Email: teaandtattlepodcast@gmail.com Instagram: Find Miranda at @mirandasnotebook and @mirandasbookcase If you enjoy the show, please do leave a rating and review in iTunes, as good ratings really help other people to find the podcast. Thank you!

Today on Tea & Tattle podcast, I'm joined by the award winning poet and writer, Fiona Sampson. Fiona’s works have been published in over thirty languages, and she received an MBE for services to literature. As well as being a huge admirer of Fiona's beautiful poetry, I recently read her new biography, In Search of Mary Shelley. 2018 marks 200 years since Mary Shelley's famous novel, Frankenstein, was first published, and Fiona's fascinating biography particularly examines Mary's early years, drawing a picture of how such a young girl could produce such an extraordinary novel (Mary was only 19 when she wrote Frankenstein). In our conversation today, Fiona tells the story of how an evening spent swapping ghost stories with Byron kindled the idea for Frankenstein, and we also discuss the impact Mary's relationship with the poet Percy Shelley had on her life and writing. Listen to learn more about the life of Mary Shelley and the lasting legacy of Frankenstein. Read the show notes and get all the links: teaandtattlepodcast.com/home/61 Get in touch! Email: teaandtattlepodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @mirandasnotebook and @mirandasbookcase If you enjoy the show, please do leave a rating and review in iTunes, as good ratings really help other people to find the podcast. Thank you!