Bookshelfie: Women’s Prize Podcast

Comedian, actor and improviser Rachel Parris discusses why people can be so wrong about Jane Austen, the knotty complexities of female friendship and her love for crime fiction. Rachel is officially a member of the British comedy elite – she has appeared on Live at the Apollo, Have I Got News For You, and Mock the Week, and was BAFTA-nominated for her satirical sketches on BBC's The Mash Report, which have garnered over 100 million views online. She’s a regular on BBC Radio 4 where she can be heard on Just A Minute, I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue and, formerly, The Now Show. Rachel hosts the comedy podcast How Was It For You?, with her husband, Marcus Brigstocke; and another podcast for the Children’s Book Project called The Power of a Book, where guests share the children’s stories that mean the most to them. On the stage, she is a co-founder of Austentatious – a Jane Austen themed improv comedy show in the West End. Her debut novel, Introducing Mrs Collins, is a tale of love, loss, and second chances, for anyone who’s wondered if there’s more to the sensible character we met in Pride and Prejudice.Rachel’s book choices are: **Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver**Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen**The Names by Florence Knapp**My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante**The Lost by Claire McGowanVick Hope, multi-award winning TV and BBC Radio 1 presenter, author and journalist, is the host of season eight of the Women’s Prize’s Bookshelfie Podcast. Every week, Vick will be joined by another inspirational woman to discuss the work of incredible female authors. The Women’s Prize for Fiction is the biggest celebration of women's creativity in the world and has been running for over 30 years. Don’t want to miss the rest of season eight? Listen and subscribe now!You can buy all books mentioned from our dedicated shelf on Bookshop.org – every purchase supports the work of the Women's Prize Trust and independent bookshops. This podcast is sponsored by Baileys and produced by Bird Lime Media.

Irish broadcaster, podcaster and author Angela Scanlon discusses why Marian Keyes was so inspirational to her, how an unexpected honeymoon reading choice had her bawling, and why choosing not to get your nails done is a radical act. Angela is best known for hosting shows on the BBC and RTÉ as well as her weekend breakfast show on Virgin Radio. Her first major documentary, Oi Ginger! aired in 2014, trending worldwide and showcasing her ability to dig deep into a subject matter. The success of the show led to a follow-up series, Angela Scanlon: Full Frontal, where she tackled taboo subjects such as extreme makeovers, fitness and nudity. Since beginning her work with the BBC, Angela has hosted The One Show and cult classic Robot Wars alongside Dara O’Brien, as well as coverage of T In The Park and the BAFTAs. In 2022 Angela published her debut book Joyrider: How Gratitude Can Help You Get The Life You Really Want. Part memoir, part self-help guide, Joyrider sees Angela chart her own journey into the world of self-development. This year has seen Angela launch the Get A Grip podcast, alongside co-host Vicky Pattison. Described as the ultimate group chat, Angela and Vicky discuss everything from motherhood and navigating newly-wed life to pop culture, internet drama and much more. She’s also the founder of jewellery brand frkl. and the online community, Hot Messers. Angela’s book choices are: **Rachel’s Holiday by Marian Keyes**Soldier Sailor by Claire Kilroy**A Girl is a Half-Formed Thing by Eimear McBride**Trespasses by Louise Kennedy**I Feel Bad About My Neck: And Other Thoughts On Being a Woman by Nora EphronVick Hope, multi-award winning TV and BBC Radio 1 presenter, author and journalist, is the host of season eight of the Women’s Prize’s Bookshelfie Podcast. Every week, Vick will be joined by another inspirational woman to discuss the work of incredible female authors. The Women’s Prize for Fiction is the biggest celebration of women's creativity in the world and has been running for over 30 years. Don’t want to miss the rest of season eight? Listen and subscribe now!You can buy all books mentioned from our dedicated shelf on Bookshop.org - every purchase supports the work of the Women's Prize Trust and independent bookshops. This podcast is sponsored by Baileys and produced by Bird Lime Media.

Award-winning author Lily King joins us from the road during her book tour to explore how women finding themselves and love are such big topics in her favourite books. Plus, she tells us the novels she returns to over and over again for comfort; and why Virginia Woolf has been such an important writer in her life.Lily has written six novels which have been published in 28 languages. Her 2020 novel, Writers & Lovers, won the New England Society Book Awards, was a New York Times Notable Book and was chosen as a top-ten best book of 2020 by The Washington Post, NPR, People Magazine, and The LA Times. Her 2014 novel Euphoria won the Kirkus Award, the New England Book Award, and was a finalist for the National Book Critics Award, as well as being named one of the 10 Best Books of the year by The New York Times Book Review. Her latest novel, Heart the Lover, was released in October and was an instant New York Times bestseller.Lily’s book choices are:** It's Not the End of the World by Judy Blume** To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf** I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith** Mrs Dalloway by Virginia Woolf** The Transit of Venus by Shirley HazzardVick Hope, multi-award winning TV and BBC Radio 1 presenter, author and journalist, is the host of season eight of the Women’s Prize’s BookshelfiePodcast. Every week, Vick will be joined by another inspirational woman to discuss the work of incredible female authors. The Women’s Prize for Fiction is the biggest celebration of women's creativity in the world and has been running for over 30 years. Don’t want to miss the rest of season eight? Listen and subscribe now!You can buy all books mentioned from our dedicated shelf on Bookshop.org - every purchase supports the work of the Women's Prize Trust and independent bookshops. This podcast is sponsored by Baileys and produced by Bird Lime Media.

Presenter and author Alice Loxton discusses how fiction can help us understand the past – particularly when it comes to women’s stories; finding humour in classic literature; and her companionship with figures from history.Alice is passionate about bringing history to mainstream, younger audiences, and she has over three million followers on social media, where her videos educate on British history, heritage and art. She has worked with many organisations including 10 Downing Street, The Royal Academy, English Heritage, The National Gallery, Tate, BBC, ITV, and Microsoft, and she writes about history for publications including The Times, Telegraph and Spectator. She’s an ambassador for the National Trust, a mentor for The King’s Foundation 35 Under 35 Network, and a patron of The British Pilgrimage Trust. Alice’s book Eighteen: A History of Britain in 18 Young Lives was a Sunday Times bestseller and Blackwell’s Book of the Year 2024. Her new book, Eleanor: A 200-Mile Walk in Search of England’s Lost Queen, sees her follow in the footsteps of Eleanor of Castile’s funeral procession, bringing to life the formidable character of this lesser-known royal. Alice’s book choices are:** Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen** Secret Voices by Sarah Gristwood** Through England by Side Saddle by Celia Fiennes** The Tower by Flora Carr** Hamnet by Maggie O’FarrellVick Hope, multi-award winning TV and BBC Radio 1 presenter, author and journalist, is the host of season eight of the Women’s Prize’s Bookshelfie Podcast. Every week, Vick will be joined by another inspirational woman to discuss the work of incredible female authors. The Women’s Prize for Fiction is the biggest celebration of women's creativity in the world and has been running for over 30 years. Don’t want to miss the rest of season eight? Listen and subscribe now!You can buy all books mentioned from our dedicated shelf on Bookshop.org - every purchase supports the work of the Women's Prize Trust and independent bookshops. This podcast is sponsored by Baileys and produced by Bird Lime Media.

Chair of Judges for the 2026 Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction, Baroness Thangam Debbonaire explains why the prize is so important; the enduring importance of democracy for women worldwide; and her formative years working in a communist bookshop. Thangam is a Labour Member of the House of Lords, where her key interests include arts policy, international cultural partnerships and diplomacy, copyright and AI. A former Labour MP, she served as Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport from September 2023 until May 2024. Before parliament, Thangam worked for 25 years on the protection from - and prevention of - violence against women and girls, both nationally and internationally. She was recently announced as chair of the judging panel for the 2026 Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction, sponsored by Findmypast. Thangam’s book choices are:** The Pursuit of Love by Nancy Mitford** My Ántonia by Willa Cather** Democracy: Eleven writers on what it is, and why it matters (ed. Margaret Atwood)** Looking at Women Looking at War by Victoria Amelina** My Brilliant Friend by Elena FerranteVick Hope, multi-award winning TV and BBC Radio 1 presenter, author and journalist, is the host of season eight of the Women’s Prize’s Bookshelfie Podcast. Every week, Vick will be joined by another inspirational woman to discuss the work of incredible female authors. The Women’s Prize for Fiction is the biggest celebration of women's creativity in the world and has been running for over 30 years. Don’t want to miss the rest of season eight? Listen and subscribe now!You can buy all books mentioned from our dedicated shelf on Bookshop.org - every purchase supports the work of the Women's Prize Trust and independent bookshops. This podcast is sponsored by Baileys and produced by Bird Lime Media.

Columnist and writer Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett talks to Vick about motherhood, neurodivergence and her love for quiet books which look at interior lives.Rhiannon is best known as a writer and columnist for The Guardian, co-founder of the feminist satire blog The Vagenda (later a book) and as a writer for Vogue, Elle and the Independent. She’s also the author of multiple books. Her debut novel, The Tyranny of Lost Things, is a beautiful coming of age story that deals with trauma and memory, set against the backdrop of the 2011 London riots. Her critically acclaimed memoir, The Year of the Cat, explores her decision whether or not to have a baby, and how a small cat named Mackerel reminded her of just how much love she had to offer. Her new book, The Republic of Parenthood: On Bringing Up Babies, is a fearless account of the first years of parenting, drawn from her agenda-setting Guardian column, alongside new essays and beautiful illustrations by Pia Bramley. Rhiannon’s second work of fiction, Female, Nude, will be published in 2026.Rhiannon’s book choices are:** Just William by Richmal Crompton** Three Days in June by Anne Tyler** The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne Brontë** The Nursery by Szilvia Molnar ** The Baby on the Fire Escape: Creativity, Motherhood, and the Mind-Baby Problem by Julie PhillipsVick Hope, multi-award winning TV and BBC Radio 1 presenter, author and journalist, is the host of season eight of the Women’s Prize’s BookshelfiePodcast. Every week, Vick will be joined by another inspirational woman to discuss the work of incredible female authors. The Women’s Prize for Fiction is the biggest celebration of women's creativity in the world and has been running for over 30 years. Don’t want to miss the rest of season eight? Listen and subscribe now!You can buy all books mentioned from our dedicated shelf on Bookshop.org - every purchase supports the work of the Women's Prize Trust and independent bookshops. Recorded May 2025. This podcast is sponsored by Baileys and produced by Bird Lime Media.