'As an Irish person I have no such inhibitions.'
For the last episode of the series, Jess talks to Gillie Howarth, who chairs the Listening Books Board of Trustees, about how it all began, and how it’s grown along the way. We also hear from Listening Books ambassadors Sally Gardner, Bali Rai, Kit de Waal, and Jenny Eclair. Finally, Nik de Garis, on his last day as audio producer, recalls proud achievements, embarrassing moments, and meeting Stephen Fry.
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Click to view Transcript'I know not of the squeaky wheel.'
Wail Qasim makes his debut appearance on the podcast, joining Amy Flinders and Jessica Stone for a chat in celebration of Listening Books' 60th birthday, focusing on books popular with Listening Books members before turning to some of Wail's and Amy's favourites.
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Click to view Transcript'I wasn't that sorry.'
The ever-so-charming author of the Charles Paris, Mrs Pargeter, Fethering and Blotto & Twinks series of crime novels joins Jessica in the studio to talk about the experience of narrating his own work, how to spot a crime writer's misdirections, and even what it was like to work with Douglas Adams on the pilot episode of Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.
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Click to view Transcript'And suddenly it starts to make sense.'
Andrew Bell and Sarah Matthews join Jessica to round up some books they feel are even better as audiobooks than in their traditional printed format. From author-read autobiographies to full cast performances, they talk about which books and why they'd rather listen to.
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Click to view Transcript'Being read to is a basic human need.'
Jess meets the person behind the microphone to find out more about what it takes to be a narrator. Voice artist Bronwen Price talks about what it is like to record stories in the studio, what helps her give her best performance and what her dream books to read would be.
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Click to view Transcript'I don't want to be distracted by the voice.'
Jess is joined by Listening Books staff members Nik and Claire to talk about the art of audiobook narration. What are the qualities that set the best narrators apart, and what quirks let a good book down? Nik and Claire recommend some favourite narrators before being put through their paces in Jess's dastardly quiz.
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Click to view Transcript'You cannot have her owl.'
Writer, classicist, broadcaster and comedian Natalie Haynes brings her wit and humour to the studio to share her love of the classics and discuss her latest book. Shortlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction 2020, A Thousand Ships is a reimagining of the fall of Troy, this time as told by the women (and goddesses) swept up and knocked down by the war.
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Click to view TranscriptOnce upon a time in a recording studio far away, three women sat round to talk of fairies and bears!
In this first episode of season two, Jessica Stone talks to Louise Barling and Abigail Jaggers from Listening Books about some of their favourite reimagining's of myths and fairy tales.
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Click to view TranscriptA treat to bring in the new year, an extra slice of conversation between Mark Evans and Jessica Stone, talking all about Mark's voracious reading habits.
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Click to view Transcript