Tea or Books?

Rosamond Lehmann, Antonia White, and authors’ houses – welcome to episode 94! In the first half of this episode, we do a topic suggested by Gillian – do we care where authors live? That is, do we want to visit

Summer, Winter, names – welcome to episode 93. In the first half, we ask: ‘Do we care what characters are called?’, looking at the strange and ordinary names that characters are given. In the second half, we compare Tove Jansson’s

Bernadine Evaristo, Kate Atkinson, and clothes – welcome to episode 92. In the first half of the episode, Rachel and I discuss clothes in books – do we care what characters wear? I forgot to mention, but do check out

Elizabeth von Arnim and settings of novels – welcome to episode 91! In the first half of the novel, we look at the settings of novels, and ask whether we prefer familiar or unfamiliar settings. In the second half, we

Betty Smith, Dorothy Evelyn Smith, and a review of our reading years… In the first half, we look back over a very unusual year and ask – was it a good reading year or a bad reading year? We’ve not

Marilynne Robinson and gardens – welcome to episode 89! We are scraping the barrel a little in our first half, and arguably repeating ourselves, but please enjoy our musings on gardens. In the second half, after answering a question from

Blurbs and Kazuo Ishiguro – welcome to episode 88! In the first half of this episode, Rachel and I talk about whether we want blurbs – i.e. do we do research on what we’re reading before we pick it up.

Jane Austen, Jane and Mary Findlater, and – it’s episode 87!   We recorded this episode a little while ago and I have been lazy at editing – but here we are. Hope you like our lovely new logo, courtesy

Marilynne Robinson, Francis Spufford, empathy and sympathy! Welcome to episode 86, in which we talk about characters we feel empathetic towards and those we feel sympathetic towards. And if you aren’t sure of the distinction, don’t worry, we’ve got that

Houses, Miss Read, Beverley Nichols! In the first half of today’s episode, we look at whether we prefer novels that stay in one house or those that go all over the place. In the second half, we explore two novels

Dorothy Canfield [Fisher], Patrick Dennis, sea, and mountains – episode 84!   In the first half of this episode, we talk about novels set in the mountains vs those set by the sea. The classic dichotomy. In the second half,

Comfort zones, comfort novels, and two novels by Willa Cather – welcome to episode 83! In the first half of this episode, Rachel and I talk about whether or not we have comfort zones when it comes to reading –

Australia, New Zealand, and Adrian Bell – welcome to episode 82! In the first half, we do a topic suggested by Lindsay – books by Australians and books by people from New Zealand. And my GOODNESS we don’t know anywhere

Henry Green, style over substance, and some listener questions – here’s episode 81! In the first half of this episode, we discuss style vs substance – or, to put it another way, writing style vs the plot of the novel.

A couple of Queens of Crime and an important question about what writers should be allowed to write…   In the first half of episode 80, we ask if writers should only write what they know – whether that means

Shaun Bythell, George Orwell, and a whole host of politicians – it’s episode 79! We have a special guest for this episode – my very good friend Lorna, who was meeting Rachel for the first time. We recorded in person

Sanditon, The Watsons, and a whistle-stop tour of the centuries – we’re back!   In the first half of this episode, we take a suggestion from Elizabeth – do we prefer the nineteenth or twentieth century for literature? That’s an

World War Two fiction and the difference between fantasy and fantastic fiction – welcome to episode 77! In the first half of this episode, I dive back into the topic of my DPhil and we talk about fantastic and fantasy

Miss Hargreaves! Finally! But also illustrations and a novel by Rachel Malik. In the first half of this episode, we discuss whether or not we want illustrations in our books – taking a little venture to graphic novels on the

Tove Jansson, Ted Hughes, and fictional morality – welcome to episode 75!   We’re back after a bit of a break – and we’re doing poetry for the first time ever. In the first half of the episode, we discuss

Young Adult fiction – are we fans? And Richard Yates vs John Williams.   In the first half of this episode, we venture into potentially controversial territory as we discuss young adult (YA) fiction, and whether or not we think

How many chances will we give an author? And Margery Sharp!   In the first half of the episode, we ask whether we’re one-strike-you’re-out people or if we’re willing to give an author several chances – and which authors we’ve

Where do we like to read? And books inspired by Virginia Woolf. It’s a very ‘us’ episode.   In the first half of this episode, we’re adopting a question suggested by Teddy – reading at home vs reading elsewhere –

Lots of perspectives or a single narrative, and two 19th-century childhood memoirs – here we go! In the first half of this episode, we discuss multi-narrative novels and whether or not we prefer them to single narrative novels. In the

Simon visited Rachel – so naturally took a look around the shelves. Come for the tour! In a change from scheduled programming, we do a slightly different episode. I was staying with Rachel in her beautiful flat while I was

Dorothy Canfield Fisher, Rosemary Sutcliff, and the scope of the books we love. Happy February!   In the first half of this episode, we discuss small world vs wide world in novels – do we like small communities or novels

The books we hate (and should we tell you?) and Elizabeth Gaskell vs Jane Austen.     In the first half of this episode, we talk about the books we’ve hated – prepare for things to get contentious! – and

Edward Carey and books as gifts – happy new year; we’re back!   We had a bit of a longer break over Christmas, but we’re back and raring to go with a post-Christmas discussion about whether or not we like

  Elizabeth Bowen, Elizabeth Taylor, and venturing into the worldly…   In the first half of this episode, we look at… domestic books vs worldly books? Or something like that? We never quite worked out what we meant, but we

  We are finally back! Apologies for the lengthy break – all is explained in this episode. We’re not back as soon as intended, because we recorded an episode a few days ago that… didn’t record. The podcasters’ nightmare! Nothing

Paul Gallico and two World Wars – quite a mix!   In the first half of this episode, we look at the books of the World Wars – whether written at the time or later – and decide which we

Women opening bookshops, and how we feel about the physical book.   In the first half of this episode, we look at first edition vs worst edition – in a fairly sprawling discussion about whether we care about first editions,

Two novels by A.A. Milne and we get deep about Amazon.   In the first half, we talk buying books in bookshops vs buying books online – taking our cue from a suggestion by Karen – and then we wander

John Fowles, Tracy Chevalier, and eating in books – Lyme and limes, if you will!   Sorry for a bit of a delay (because I had to read two quite long books) – and advance apologies for the delay before

This episode is all about married and unmarried people – in general, and two ‘spinsters’ in particular. Buckle up!   (Apologies if the podcast in your app overlaps the intro music with the intro chat… this one doesn’t, but I

Shirley Jackson and holiday reading – welcome to episode 59!   In the first half of this episode, we look at holiday reading – chiefly whether we prefer easy or difficult books when we go off on holiday, but we

Rebecca West, Rosamond Lehmann, and book groups – welcome to episode 58!   I can hardly believe that we’ve not done an episode on book groups before – but here we are! In the first half, Rachel and I talk

Murder mysteries and binge-reading – enjoy episode 57!   In this episode, we compare an uncharacteristically modern novel – The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton, published in 2018 – with Agatha Christie’s classic Poirot novel The Murder of Roger

We’ve finally done the reviewers vs recommendations episode! Also: E Nesbit and Dorothy Whipple.   Every now and then, the critics vs bloggers debate rears its head. In the first half of the episode, we take a slightly different look

Dorothy Whipple, Winifred Peck, and authors who hop genres – welcome to episode 55!   In the first half of this episode, Rachel and I discuss a topic suggested by my friend Paul (thanks Paul!) – versatility vs dependability. Well,

A children’s books special today, featuring Frances Hodgson Burnett and Philippa Pearce. Not in person, you understand.   In the first half of the episode, we discuss whether it’s better to read children’s books as children or as adults (especially

It’s the battle of the Penelopes – and which books we’re most likely to read first (top or bottom of the pile?)   Rachel is back (hurray!) – many thanks to Karen for taking her seat last time. And in

Detective fiction, crime fiction, and Beverley Nichols – what fun!   Rachel has had to take a quick break from the podcast, but I was delighted to have a special guest in the form of Karen, from Kaggsy’s Bookish Ramblings,

Literary families, and the reveal on our recommendations for each other – we’re back after a seasonal break. We’ve missed you!   In the first half of our 51st episode, we look at families where more than one generation has

To celebrate episode 50, we are doing a question and answer episode!   I hope you’ve all had a wonderful Christmas – I’m editing this a few days before Christmas, but I’m going to assume that a wonderful time was

Wilkie Collins, A.S. Byatt, and the death of the author (sort of) – episode 49 is quite the mixed bag. nbsp; I found it quite hard to describe the first half of this episode – though hopefully it will become

Emily Eden and the openings of books – we muddle our way through episode 48!   First – do send any questions you have for episode 50 to simonthomasoxford[at]gmail.com. We’re quite excited about finding out what you’ll ask – about

Sybille Bedford and sequels by the original author vs sequels by a different author… we need to come up with snappier titles for these things.   In episode 47, we start with a topic suggested by Karen via email –

Elizabeth Strout is our author this episode – and we also dip a toe in the worlds of Canadian and Irish literature. Spoilers: we know a lot less than we should. Suggestions welcomed, please!   I’m off to Canada shortly,

A heated conversation about literary prizes AND Vita Sackville-West. Roll up, roll up for episode 45!   In the first half of this fortnight’s episode, we try to determine whether or not literary prizes affect our reading – which wanders

After a bit of a hiatus, we’re back with an episode about Marghanita Laski and whether we read one book at a time or many books at once. And because that’s a bit of a mouthful, I’m calling it monogamous

Scientists! Vicars! H.E. Bates! Helen Thomas!   We’re popping in between holidays to record an episode about clergymen and scientists in novels – doubtless missing plenty of them, but thank you for everyone who tweeted in with your suggestions. We’d

Trains! Boats! Anita Brookner! Ann Bridge! This episode has it all. Books set on trains vs books set on boats – Rachel didn’t want us to do it but it happened. And… it was a roaring success? Right? Well, I had

John Galsworthy! Elizabeth Jane Howard! Circadian novels! Find out what that means, and much more, in episode 41.   Guys, it was SUPER hot when we were recording this podcast. It’s rather cooler now that I’m editing, but I rather

Alphabetical or thematic shelving? Miss Mole vs Chatterton Square? Episode 40 of ‘Tea or Books?’ continues answering the important questions that others don’t dare to.   In the first half of this episode, Rachel and I address the pressing issue of how books

Special guest Jenny joins us for episode 39 – discussing children’s classics and spoilers!   I was SO excited that Jenny agreed to join me and Rachel on ‘Tea or Books?’ while she was visiting England – her podcast, Reading

Elizabeth Taylor, Paul Bailey, and a bit of a debate about male and female characters. Here’s episode 38 – which is unusually short, but hopefully fun nonetheless. I’ve left in an amusing moment of drama…   Many thanks to Kaisha

Arthur Miller, Edward Albee, and schooldays – we’ve got it all in episode 37 (depending on your definition of ‘all’).   In the first half of this episode, we meander around the topic of whether or not studying a book

Ursula Orange, Elizabeth Fair, and audiobooks – it’s fair to say that people probably won’t know that much about the authors today, but they are both among the Furrowed Middlebrow reprint series published by Dean Street Press. Any fan of

May Sarton and F.M. Mayor go up against each other, and we chat about whether or not we want to meet our favourite authors (living or dead!)   Our episodes are getting a little more sporadic as we’re doing more

E M Delafield, F Tennyson Jesse, and novels about real people – that’s what’s on the menu for episode 34.   It’s very nice to have Rachel back (hi Rachel!) and we’ve both been doing homework for this episode –

C.S. Lewis, Meryl Streep, and Alfred Hitchcock! What do they have in common? They all appear in this special crossover episode – where Tea or Books? meets my brother’s podcast The C of Z of Movies.   That’s right –

Ian McEwan helps us get dangerously modern in our latest ‘Tea or Books?’ episode, as we chat about Atonement and On Chesil Beach (along with a whole bunch of his other books) – while, in the first half, we discuss whether or

Happy new year! Rachel and I are back from a bit of a podcast break, and raring to go for the New Year.   In this episode, we look at two novels by R.C. Sherriff, both published by Persephone, and

Muriel Spark, artists, and musicians in our final episode of 2016 – it was a fun one to record.   We wish you all a very merry Christmas and a happy new year, and fingers crossed for a wonderful 2017

Two more Persephones in this episode – Bricks and Mortar by Helen Ashton and Princes in the Land by Joanna Cannan – along with a discussion of short stories: which writers we like and don’t like, and whether or not we’d race

Two Persephone titles will help solace us in these bizarre post-election days.   We’ve been away for a while because I lost my voice – sorry! – but Rachel (Book Snob) and I are back, talking about The Victorian Chaise-Longue by

Cats! Dogs! Noel Coward! A.A. Milne! I always start off these descriptions with exclamation marks, but seldom has it been more justified…   In this episode, we pit literary cats against literary dogs, and almost instantly regret it (while also

Roald Dahl, Michelle Magorian, and whether or not to give up on books – I’m back from holiday, and Rachel and I have a lovely new (…long) episode of Tea or Books?   In our first half, we discuss whether

Elizabeth Bowen and novels adapted into films – though not in conjunction…   In the first half of this podcast, we discuss novels adapted into films – and whether or not we would like our favourite novels to be adapted

  I have forced two topics on Rachel – firstly, are you careful with books, or do you manhandle them? (It will all make sense in context.) And then two books that were lynch pins of my doctoral thesis – The

  Two William Maxwell novels go up against each other in this episode – but not before we’ve got to the heart of the emotional issue of whether to keep books or cull books. (Obviously we don’t want to cull

  Historical fiction and books-about-books are the themes for episode 22 of Tea or Books? – and we have a LOT to say on these topics. And we hope you do too! Let us know your thoughts for each category. And

  Shakespeare! That’s right, we’re getting very classy and/or GCSE English in our discussion of his comedies and tragedies – following a fairly haphazard chat about child narrators vs adult narrators. This is what happens when Rachel only tells me

  Happy birthday us! We actually passed our birthday by a couple of weeks, but this is the first podcast after the big day. Can you believe it’s been a whole year? And it might be our longest episode yet.

  Sarah Waters and the seasons – how better to celebrate the sunny weather we’ve been having recently? In episode 19 we look at summer and winter in books (and get tangled in what that could mean) and then talk

  Agatha Christie and curious titles come together in perhaps my favourite episode of the podcast yet. And also the first one where we’re both in our 30s, guys. And also one of our most bizarre. In the first half, we look at

  Letters! Diaries! Oscar Wilde! We’ve got it all – well, those three things – in episode 17 of Tea or Books?, which has taken a bit of time to arrive, for which I apologise. But we are as rambling

  Winnie-the-Pooh vs Wind in the Willows is perhaps the most animal-strewn debate we’ve had so far, as well as being more or less inevitable that we’d get to this one eventually – especially given my tendencies to shoe-horn A.A.

  Plays or poetry? We go broad with the first half of our 15th episode, and (inevitably) barely scratch the surface. You wouldn’t have it any other way, right? In the second half, we pit two much-loved novels by Daphne

  Reprints or original editions? That’s the first question we ask ourselves, courtesy of Michelle of Book Musings, and have a lot of fun discussing it. In the second half of the episode we get uncharacteristically modern – pitting two

  Villains or virtuous folk? No, not describing your hosts Rachel (Book Snob) and me, but enquiring into our favourite types of characters. In the second half, we look at two books by Mollie Panter-Downes: One Fine Day and London War Notes,

  Happy endings? Sad endings? And a couple of Elizabeth von Arnim novels – we have a fun, albeit somewhat sickly episode. It makes me think of my favourite, my-missed sitcom Happy Endings, but we’re actually talking about whether we prefer

  Ebooks! Books! Nancy Mitford! Evelyn Waugh! We’ve got it all for you in episode 11, as we turn our attention to the well-worn path of ebooks vs paper books/tree books/real books (whatever you want to call them) and to

    ‘Tea or Books?’ is back for the new year – and it starts pretty shambolically, as we can’t remember the episode number. Once that is sorted out, we discuss whether or not we set New Year’s Reading Resolutions,

  Welcome to a festive edition of ‘Tea or Books?’ (and another one where I forgot to close my bedroom window when recording) – Rachel (Book Snob) and I discuss buying vs borrowing and whether or not we read specifically

  In this episode Dodie Smith’s much-loved I Capture the Castle goes up against Diana Tutton’s lesser-known Guard Your Daughters, and we debate the merits of biographies and autobiographies. Somewhat to my surprise, we didn’t actually end up talking about all that

  Rachel and I are pitting our favourite publishers against each other in this (belated!) episode – Persephone vs Virago Modern Classics. We definitely want to keep both of them, of course, but had fun talking about our faves and a

  Fictional mothers vs fictional fathers and Dickens on the page vs Dickens on screen in this episode of Tea or Books? – and I think Rachel and I are at our most rambling. What can I say, we had a lot

  It’s been an enormous delay, because of internet issues, but – we’re back! In this episode, Rachel (Book Snob) and I debate rural vs urban settings in novels, then have a Jane Austen battle between Pride and Prejudice against Sense and Sensibility. We

  In this week’s episode, Rachel (Book Snob) and I get waaay out of our depth talking about American classics and British classics, then back onto more secure ground in debating Enid Blyton vs. E. Nesbit. (I stupidly forgot to close my

  A little later than we planned (which is probably a good indication of how unreliable we’re going to be… but I hope not!) here is episode 3 of Tea or Books? with lovely Rachel of Book Snob. In this

Welcome to the second episode of our podcast! In this episode, Rachel and I are discussing long books vs. short books and The Catcher in the Rye vs. The Go-Between. Buckle up; it’s a long episode. We certainly loved having our chat.

The first episode of Tea or Books? looks at books in translation vs. books set in other countries, and Emily vs. Charlotte Brontë