
Show Notes
This week, Amanda and Joseph go into the trenches with Daniel Kraus’s repulsively propulsive Angel Down. They also discuss what they’ve been reading recently, including the new Ian McEwan novel and a slew of non-fiction, as well as what they’re looking forward to picking up next.
(2:40) Bookish news
(2:44) Storygraph (@josephjdance and @itsmoleyreads)
(3:47) Faversham Literary Festival, 20 February to 1 March, 2026
(4:44) Chocolat and Vianne by Joanne Harris
(5:41) Recent reads
(6:00) Books, A Manifesto: Or, How To Build A Library by Ian Patterson
(7:19) Trees In Winter by Richard Shimell (richardshimell.co.uk)
(8:21) Hiroshima by John Hersey
(10:33) What We Can Know by Ian McEwan
(14:05) Deep Dive - Angel Down
(14:45) The Shape of Water by Daniel Kraus
(14:53) Trollhunters by Daniel Kraus
(15:04) The Monster Variations by Daniel Kraus
(15:27) Rotters and Scowler by Daniel Kraus
(15:46) The Death and Life of Zebulon Finch by Daniel Kraus
(15:57) Whale Fall by Daniel Kraus
(19:13) Angel Down by Daniel Kraus @krausauthor
(23:49) Ducks, Newburyport by Lucy Ellman
(24:04) Zone by Mathias Enard
(24:18) Septology by Jon Fosse
(38:56) 1917, directed by Sam Mendes
(38:59) All’s Quiet on the Western Front (2022), directed by Edward Berger (41:39) In Memoriam by Alice Winn
(57:33) Final thoughts
(59:38) What We’re Reading Next
(59:44) A High Wind In Jamaica. Or The Innocent Voyage by Richard Hughes
(1:00:59) The Woman Dies by Aoko Matsuda
Curious Readers is mixed by the incredibly talented James Whiting @fishislandstudio
Follow us on Instagram @curiousreaderspodcast and Bluesky @curiousreaderspod.bsky.social for more recommendations in between episodes
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
More from Curious Readers
As the nights draw in, Joseph and Amanda look forward to all the autumn releases they hope to get through before December. Along the way, they meander through prize news, current reads and discover circular themes about the Epic of Gilgamesh, pianos and Dickens – and that’s all before they get to the mimmoths.
Joseph and Amanda are back from summer break with a bumper episode deep diving into Ann Patchett’s latest novel, Whistler. They also take some time to cogitate over the Booker Prize long list, as well as catch up on what they've been reading recently and the titles they hope to pick up next.
As we bid farewell to Summer Break, we take questions from our listeners in a special post bag episode - and of course, we can’t help but make some recommendations along the way. And don’t worry, normal service will be resumed on 11 September when return to the mics for a deep dive into Ann Patchett's latest novel, Whistler.
How many times have Amanda and Joseph joined the ‘Just One Book’ Deception Society? Too many to count. This week they are talking about the joy of browsing and the bookshops they love visiting across the UK. Plus, as always they’ll be chatting about what they’ve been reading recently and the titles they're hoping to pick up next.
Join Amanda and Joseph as they set out to excavate Land, Maggie O’Farrell’s latest historical novel and family drama which is set in 1860s Ireland, a decade after the Great Famine. Plus, as always they chat about what they've been reading recently and what they hope to pick up next.