The Radio 2 Book Club

• The Favourites by Layne Fargo

  This week on the pod we're recommending 'The Favourites' by Layne Fargo. Dubbed as "Wuthering Heights on ice", the book is a rip-roaring page-turner, set against the glitzy backdrop of competitive ice skating. Layne joins Sara down the line from Chicago to discuss the book, where the Wuthering Heights inspiration came from and why she gave it this unique twist. They also discuss the world of ice skating, female friendships in sport and get a book recommendation (or two) as well! Here's a little more about The Favourites: Everyone thinks Heath Rocha was my first love. He wasn’t. My first love was figure skating.She might not have a famous name, funding, or her family’s support, but Katarina Shaw has always known that she was destined to become an Olympic skater. When she meets Heath Rocha, a lonely kid stuck in the foster care system, their instant connection makes them a formidable duo on the ice. Clinging to skating – and each other – to escape their turbulent lives, Kat and Heath go from childhood sweethearts to champion ice dancers, captivating the world with their scorching chemistry, rebellious style, and rollercoaster relationship.Until a shocking incident at the Olympic Games brings their partnership to a sudden end.As the ten-year anniversary of their final skate approaches, an unauthorised documentary reignites the public obsession with Shaw and Rocha, claiming to uncover the ‘real story’ through interviews with their closest friends and fiercest rivals. Kat wants nothing to do with the documentary. But she can't stand the thought of someone else defining her legacy either. So, after a decade of silence, she's telling her story: from the childhood tragedies that created her all-consuming bond with Heath to the clash of desires that tore them apart. Sensational rumours have haunted their every step for years, but the truth may be even more shocking than the headlines.Alternating Kat’s own account of her dramatic rise and devastating fall with scandalous snippets from the tell-all film, and capturing the can’t-look-away intensity of Emily Bronte’s classic novel, The Favourites is an exhilarating dance between passion, ambition, and what it truly means to win

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  13:45
• A World Book Day Special: with Stephen Mangan

  To celebrate World Book Day, Sara is joined by actor, screenwriter and children's author Stephen Mangan. His new book, 'The Fart That Broke World Book Day', was written specifically for...well you guessed it...World Book Day, alongside books by Julia Donaldson, Bluey, Paddington and many more. We sent his book to a school in Sheffield, for our Junior Book Club reviewers - Noah, Lily, Ayla and Arthur - to read and review. Listen to find out what they thought - and how Stephen reacts to their honesty! Also in this bumper episode, Fun Kids presenter Bex Lindsay gives us a round-up of some of her favourite kids books that have been published recently. Her choices are:Younger readers (under 7):Charlie Higson and Nadia Shireen- What's That Noise? Gordon D'Arcy- Let's Play Rugby! James Kochalka- Green Eggs and Ham7-9 year olds:Nathaneal Lessore- Solving Crime is NOT My Superpower Serena Patel- Pia's Pet ClubMiddle-Grade (9-12):Judith Eagle- The Great Theatre Rescue Brogen Murphy- Wildlands AF Steadman- SkandarAnd as if that wasn't enough - we're also joined by the CEO of World Book Day - Cassie Chadderton - who reminds us of the importance of getting children reading, and explains how you can use the vouchers to get a child a free book.

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  36:04
• Listener Reviewer, Rebecca, gives us her Top Five Reads

  This week on the pod we welcome listener reviewer Rebecca Chalmers. She gives us her Top Five Reads of the year (and last year) so far - as well as a bit of Argentine Tango chat. Yes! Her choices are: 1. You are here - David Nicholls 2. The Women - Kristin Hannah 3. A Very Private School - Charles Spencer 4. Nesting - Roisin O’Donnell 5. Water - John BoyneSara also asks her what she thought of our latest Radio 2 Book Club choice, "Human, Animal" by Seth Insua.

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  12:32
• Seth Insua discusses his debut novel, "Human, Animal"

  Debut novelist and illustrator, Seth Insua, joins Sara for the Radio 2 Book Club to discuss his book "Human, Animal" He talks about his inspirations for the book, from growing up in rural England to the Brexit vote of 2016. They discuss his publishing journey and how, after many years of thinking about it, the book was written in such a short time.Seth is also an illustrator, but wasn't allowed anywhere near his own cover...for reasons that become apparent in the chat.Sara delves into the themes of the book, what it means to be a farmer in 2025 - and - we hear a snippet of the audiobook as well. Here's the blurb! Dairy farmer George Calvert is fighting to keep the family business afloat. Worried about the future but resistant to change, he refuses to face the reality of his failing farm, his elderly mother's declining health and his troubled relationship with his youngest son, Tom.Newly returned from university, Tom isolates himself in his childhood bedroom, guarding the truth of his burgeoning identity.When animal rights activists break into the cowshed one morning and Tom appears to side with the protesters, father and son lock horns. As the Calverts begin to unravel, a decades-old secret surfaces – one that might rip them apart completely, or finally unite them.

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  13:50
• Listener Reviewer: Harriet Thomas

  This week's episode is all about recommendations! Listener Harriet Thomas joins Sara to go through her Top Five Reads of the year (and last year) She picks: Demon Copperhead by Barbara KingsolverThe Marriage Portrait by Maggie O'Farrell. The Unseen by Roy Jackobson Shuggie Baine by Douglas StewartA Fortnight In September by RC SherriffPlus, we get her thoughts on our latest Radio 2 Book Club choice - "Nesting" by Roisin O'Donnell

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  19:51

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