44 - Valentine Romance Spesh

Bella and Holly bid farewell in their final podcast of Books Uncovered. They discuss what they're been reading this past week. The four titles are: London Falling' by Patrick Radden Keefe, 'Fruit Fly' by Josh Sliver and The Witch' by Marie Ndiaye. Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz

As part of the Stitching Solidarity project in 2024 - The Athenaeum & Mechanics' Institute held a poetry event- Reading Palestine. This episode features readings from Rushi Vyas, Hera Lindsay Bird and Lynley Edmeades. Stitching Solidarity brought together contributions from artists across Aotearoa in an offering of solidarity with the people of Palestine. The quilt captures an expression of outrage at the ongoing violence in Gaza and the West Bank, and hope for a future built on justice and self-determination. The Stitching Solidarity Project was conceived by Kirsty Baker and was facilitated in collaboration with Elle Loui August, Zoe Black, Abby Cunnane, Simon Gennard, Ioana Gordon-Smith, Milly Mitchell-Anyon, Israel Randell, DJCS and Matariki Williams. Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz

Holly shares some highlights from her trip to Melbourne for the Literary Programmers Roundtable. We talk about books 'Almost Life' by Kiran Millwood Hargave and 'Heart the Lover' by Lily King. Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz

In this episode of Books Uncovered, Bella takes the lead while Holly visits the Melbourne Writers Festival. She explores a variety of mystery and thriller novels that blend genres, starting with the Hugo Award-winning biopunk fantasy The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett. Bella discusses the unique detective dynamic in a world of biological horror and leviathans before moving into the atmospheric world of Irish noir. She reviews The Keeper by Tana French, the final book in the Cal Hooper trilogy, describing it as a slow-burn excavation of community secrets and rural decline in the Irish countryside. Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz

We discuss 'Mongrel' by Hanako Footman, ' Speak to me of Home' by Jeanine Cummins and 'Home seeking' by Karissa Chen. Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz

We chat about a couple of books from American writer Lauren Groff. Her 2022 novel Matrix and her 2026 short story collection Brawler. Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz

We discuss books 'The Wall' by Marlen Haushofer. 'One Aladdin Two Lamps' by Jeannette Winterson and ' Heap the Earth Upon it' by Chole Michelle Howarth. Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz

Holly and Bella and back in the studio chatting about 'Ordinary Saints' by Niamh Ni Mhaoileoin. "The House of Doors"by Tan Twan Eng. "House of Day, House of Night" by Olga Tokarczuk Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz

Holly gives a brief run down on some of the new books just landed at the Athenaeum. Including: Lost Lambs- Madeline Cash. Party Boy- Breton Dukes. Such a Perfect Family- Nalini Singh. The Art of a Lie- Laura Shepherd- Robinson. Colm Toibin - A long Winter. The Black Monk – Charlotte Grimshaw. Some Bright Nowhere- Ann Packer. Mr McGlue- Ottessa Moshfegh. Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz

We chat with Queer Romance enthusiast Jordan Dougherty about what she's reading. Join us as we discuss the in's and out's of Heated Rivalry by Rachael Reid. Broadcast on OAR 105.4FM Dunedin oar.org.nz