In this special episode of Quick Book Reviews, Philippa explores a bold claim making waves across the book world: are wearable e-readers really the future of reading?

After researching the much-talked-about SOL wearable e-reader glasses, Philippa shares her scepticism, the surprising reactions from early adopters, and asks listeners whether immersive tech could change how we read forever.

Before that, returning guest Alison Barrow, PR Director at Transworld, answers another listener question and offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at publishing today, including:

• The standout debut novels to watch right now
• Why audiobooks are booming and reshaping the industry
• Spring publishing trends, from romantic fantasy to horror
• How bestseller charts fail to reflect modern reading habits
• Honest advice for anyone starting a career in publishing
• The importance of positivity, curiosity, and commercial awareness

Alison also champions under-the-radar books she believes deserve far more attention and discusses why some extraordinary novels slip through the cracks.

A thoughtful, wide-ranging conversation about books, trends, careers, and the future of how we read.

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In this episode of Quick Book Reviews, Philippa is joined by bestselling author Will Dean to discuss his haunting psychological thriller Adrift — a novel that explores control, isolation, and the quiet terror of living with someone who manipulates from the shadows.

Will talks candidly about his off-grid life in the Swedish woods, why he writes his first drafts in intense six-week bursts, and how emotional stories like Adrift can take years to fully realise.

Together, they discuss:

• Writing while living off grid and why isolation fuels creativity
• Why Will avoids the publishing “noise” and trends
• How Adrift took five years to complete, despite a fast first draft
• Writing claustrophobic tension without exhausting the reader
• The psychology of control, gaslighting, and quiet manipulation
• Writing from a child’s point of view and the emotional toll it takes
• Why Will leaves much of the violence off the page
• The fear and excitement of starting a new novel
• How rereading favourite books shapes his writing
• The current reading crisis and why encouraging children to read matters more than ever

Will also shares what he’s currently reading, why he rereads authors like Shirley Jackson and Sarah Waters, and answers the most important question of all: what powered the writing of Adrift (spoiler: frozen dates, not biscuits).

A thoughtful, intense, and revealing conversation about storytelling, fear, and the importance of noticing unheard people in unseen places.

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n this powerful and deeply honest episode of Quick Book Reviews, Philippa is joined by award-winning author Catriona Ward to discuss her haunting new novel Nowhere Burning.

This conversation goes far beyond the book. Catriona opens up about writing through profound personal grief, why she cries while writing, and how love — especially between siblings — can become both a source of salvation and destruction. Together, they explore childhood trauma, abandoned places, hostile landscapes, and the unsettling idea that some environments remember what happened there.

They also dive into:

• The origins of Nowhere Burning and its unsettling setting
• Why Catriona prefers the word reveal over plot twist
• Horror, literary fiction, and why genre labels often miss the point
• The worst writing advice Catriona has ever received
• Creative writing courses, resilience, and finding your voice
• Why “dark” fiction makes people uncomfortable — and why that matters
• Books Catriona is reading and recommending right now
• Biscuits, dunking rules, and the surprising truth about stroopwafels

Alongside the interview, Philippa also reviews:

• The Favorites by Layne Fargo
• Body of Lies by Jo Callaghan — the gripping finale to the AI crime series

Follow Quick Book Reviews for book recommendations, author interviews, and weekly podcast episodes.

📧 Email: quickbookreviews@outlook.com

📸 Instagram & Threads:

@quick_book_reviews

🎵 TikTok: @quickbookreviews

🐦 X: @quickbookrevie3

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Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.