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The Reading Cafe

The Reading Cafe

By: Peter Kelly
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WINNER of Best Children and Young Adults’ podcast in the 2024 Independent Podcast Awards. Currently a FINALIST in 2025’s British Podcast Awards! Please leave a 5-star review and subscribe to make sure you don’t miss any episodes!Copyright 2021 All rights reserved. Art Literary History & Criticism
Episodes
  • SpotLit: Aoife Anson-O'Connell (Westside Cowboy)
    Mar 19 2026

    APPROX AGE RATING: 14+

    Welcome to a new chapter of The Reading Cafe. This is SpotLit, our brand-new strand where we speak to interesting people from arts and culture about their relationship with literature.

    In this SpotLit episode, Gemma and Victoria were joined by Aoife Anson-O'Connell of the thrilling 'Britainicana' band, Westside Cowboy.

    IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL DISCOVER:

    • The soundtrack Aoife would choose to accompany her favourite book
    • Which character would sing in her fantasy literary supergroup!
    • Why she loves escaping into magical realism

    …AND SO MUCH MORE!

    To learn more: Westside Cowboy

    https://www.westsidecowboy.com/

    https://chuffmedia.com/artists/westside-cowboy Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and join us for future SpotLit episodes and as always… keep reading.

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    24 mins
  • The Reading Cafe LIVE: Stuart Murdoch (Belle and Sebastian)
    Feb 18 2026

    APPROX AGE RATING: 14+

    Welcome back to The Reading Cafe, the award-winning podcast from Holy Cross High School that aims to get people talking about reading!

    This special Reading Cafe LIVE episode features singer, song-writer, novelist and film-maker Stuart Murdoch of the legendary Scottish band, Belle and Sebastian.

    IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL DISCOVER:

    • How Stuart approaches imagining things into reality, whether in song, for the page or on the screen.
    • The links Stuart finds between creativity and spirituality
    • How punk influenced his writing, alongside his favourite book...

    This episode features three exclusive solo performances of classic Belle and Sebastian songs: Fox in the Snow, Dog on Wheels and very excitingly, The Boy With The Arab Strap, which Stuart has never previously played without the band.

    To learn more:

    Belle and Sebastian - https://www.belleandsebastian.com/

    Don’t miss a single episode of The Reading Cafe! Please do subscribe, leave a rating or review wherever you listen, and most importantly… keep reading!

    Follow us on Instagram: @readingcafepod

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    50 mins
  • Alice Loxton interview (Eleanor)
    Jan 5 2026

    APPROX AGE RATING: 14+

    Welcome back to The Reading Cafe, the award-winning podcast from Holy Cross High School that aims to get people talking about reading!

    We’re making history with this episode featuring Alice Loxton, author of recent #3 Times Book Chart bestseller, Eleanor.

    IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL DISCOVER:

    • The emotional connection Alice builds with figures from the past and how she is engaging modern readers with history
    • How she compensates for gaps in historical records to bring stories to life with authenticity and vitality
    • The inspiration for her unique blend of historical research, personal reflection and travel journalism

    To learn more:

    Alice Loxton - https://aliceloxton.com/

    Don’t miss a single episode of The Reading Cafe! Please do subscribe, leave a rating or review wherever you listen, and most importantly… keep reading!

    Follow us on Instagram: @readingcafepod

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    36 mins
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