S9 Ep13: Bookshelfie: Ashley James

S9 Ep13: Bookshelfie: Ashley James

From Bookshelfie: Women’s Prize Podcast by Women’s Prize Podcast/ Bird Lime Media

June 2, 2026 · 1h 4m · Season 9 · Episode 13

About this episode

Ashley James discusses motherhood, class in modern Britain, and her debut book BIMBO.

Live from Baileys HQ, Ashley James joins Vick Hope to discuss how motherhood transformed her perspective, the realities of class in modern Britain, and the rise of the “trad-wife” movement. Ashley is a broadcaster, author, DJ and advocate who first appeared on our screens in the early days of Made in Chelsea back in 2012, and has since gone on to be a feminist campaigner and social commentator. Her debut book BIMBO was published earlier this year. A Number 1 Sunday Times bestseller, BIMBO has been described as a rallying cry for every woman who’s ever felt ‘too much’ or ‘not enough’, covering the many themes of feminism and the labels that box women in. Ashley’s book choices are: 09:16 The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood 20:07 La Place (or A Man’s Place ) by Annie Ernaux 29:54 Fix the System, Not the Women by Laura Bates 41:00 Matrescence by Lucy Jones 49:50 Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke 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. Every week on Bookshelfie, Vick Hope is joined by inspirational women to discuss the work of incredible female authors. The…

People in this episode

Host: Vick Hope

Guest: Ashley James

Topics covered

  • motherhood
  • class in Britain
  • trad-wife movement
  • feminism
  • women's literature

Keywords

  • Ashley James
  • Vick Hope
  • BIMBO
  • feminism
  • women's literature
  • trad-wife movement
  • class

Sponsors

Baileys

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Women's Prize Trust, Made in Chelsea

Books & works: The Handmaid’s Tale, La Place (or A Man’s Place), Fix the System, Not the Women, Matrescence, Yesteryear, BIMBO

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