This week, Esme and Kareem are joined by journalist and author Kieran Yates, whose acclaimed debut All the Houses I’ve Ever Lived In explores what home means in modern Britain — from damp flats and mouldy walls to joy, resilience and belonging.

Kieran talks about the realities of the UK housing crisis, from the absurdity of housemate auditions to landlords who turn off the hot water, and why imagination is key to rethinking how we live. She shares what it was like to write such a personal book, how she balanced creative storytelling with journalism, and why she insisted on working with a woman of colour editor in a largely white publishing world.

We also dig into the politics of home, class and race in housing, and how design and architecture could help rebuild community. Kieran opens up about how her experiences reporting after Grenfell shaped her voice, why she believes creativity can’t thrive without security, and the books that continue to inspire her — from Hanif Abdurraqib’s A Little Devil in America to Natasha Brown’s Assembly.

Books mentioned include:

All the Houses I’ve Ever Lived In by Kieran Yates

Assembly by Natasha Brown

A Little Devil in America by Hanif Abdurraqib

Poor Little Sick Girls by Ione Gamble

Feminism Interrupted by Lola Olufemi

The Transgender Issue by Shon Faye

Against Landlords by Nick Bano

Follow the show on Instagram and TikTok at @whatyoureadingnowpod

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