Episode 20: Current Reads - Strong Women, Dark Secrets & Mythical Mermaids

Hannah shares personal updates, including celebrating her 16th wedding anniversary with a bonsai tree gift and discussing a recent visit to see the Bayeux Tapestry at the British Museum. She expresses disappointment with the museum's crowd management, which delayed her viewing despite having a timed ticket. The tapestry itself impresses her with its intricate details, but the experience is marred by logistical issues.

The conversation shifts to their current reading selections, with Hannah highlighting "Send Nudes" by Sabba Sams, a collection of short stories that explore the female experience with honesty and depth. She admires the fresh voices of young authors like Sams and Rose Keating, noting their candid discussions of topics often considered taboo. Nikki discusses "The Mermaid of Black Conch" by Monique Rofey, praising its vivid portrayal of a mermaid's return to human life and the complexities of her relationship with a fisherman. Both hosts reflect on the evolving representation of women in literature, celebrating the new generation of writers who tackle these themes with authenticity.

The episode concludes with a preview of their next buddy read, a festive selection, and an invitation for listeners to share their thoughts on the discussed books and recommend ghost stories.

Hannah’s been super busy with work but has still found time to celebrate her Wax wedding anniversary with a meal out and a bonsai tree gift. She’s also been getting stuck into some autumn cleaning to prepare for the months ahead. Nikki’s been equally busy with work projects and has managed a trip to the British Museum to see the Bayeux Tapestry. We discuss the pros and cons of the exhibition, share some insights and consider whether it’s worth a visit. If you’re planning to see it yourself, tune in before you go!

Books We Discuss in this week’s episode Hannah Reads: Send Nudes – Saba Sams We explore Saba Sams’s age when she wrote these stories, their honesty and the refreshing new wave of women’s voices in contemporary fiction. We discuss how female writers are challenging taboos, opening up conversations about the female body and presenting women’s experiences with unapologetic honesty. We also consider the short story as a literary form. Hannah picks out two standout stories: Blue4Eva, which explores family tensions and adolescence, and Bread, about a woman who turns to making the perfect sourdough loaf in the days following an abortion. These stories lead us into a wider conversation about female identity, bodily autonomy, agency and body confidence, and how a new generation of writers is pushing boundaries.

The Artist – Lucy Steed Hannah is still early in The Artist, but we discuss its similarities to Rachel Joyce’s The Homemade God. We also delve into the familiar trope of the tortured artist. When does an artist’s difficult personality feel convincing, and when does it become a cliché? We consider how authors can make these characters earn their reputation on the page rather than relying on a well-worn literary stereotype. Nikki Reads: The Mermaid of Black Conch – Monique Roffey Nikki loved Monique Roffey’s alternative take on the traditional Western mermaid myth, particularly the mermaid’s power and striking physical depiction. We discuss Roffey’s vivid use of the senses, the distinctive voice of the central character and the novel’s portrayal of violence and aggression between women. We also explore the Disney-fication of folklore and how familiar mythical creatures have been softened and reshaped for modern audiences. The Mermaid of Black Conch offers a very different, more visceral interpretation of mermaid folklore, challenging our expectations of these mythical beings. The Turn of the Screw – Henry James Following our recent buddy read of You Did Nothing Wrong, Nikki picked up this Gothic classic hoping to discover something new and haunting. Unfortunately, she struggled to connect with it, finding Henry James’s dense writing difficult to navigate and the language so elaborate that the story itself became obscured. We discuss the characters’ shortcomings, James’s portrayal of children and whether the novella successfully builds atmosphere, suspense and psychological tension. We also consider the challenges of reading classic literature when its writing style creates more distance than intrigue. In This Episode Contemporary fiction and the changing voices of women writers

Send Nudes by Saba Sams and the modern female experience

Short stories, female identity and breaking taboos

The Artist by Lucy Steed and the tortured artist trope

The Mermaid of Black Conch by Monique Roffey and the reimagining of mermaid folklore

The Turn of the Screw by Henry James: Gothic horror, unreliable perspectives and psychological suspense

The Bayeux Tapestry at the British Museum

Honest book reviews, reading experiences and book club discussion

Join Hannah and Nikki for another episode of books, thoughtful literary chat and honest opinions on what they’re reading — from contemporary short stories to classic Gothic horror.