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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
  • 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

    Show More Show Less
    36 mins
  • Benjamin Dean interview (Bury Your Friends)
    Dec 18 2025

    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 thrilling episode features Benjamin Dean, author of YA survival horror novel, Bury Your Friends.

    IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL DISCOVER:

    • How Ben maintains tension between characters to create atmosphere
    • The influences from music and the movies that found their way into Bury Your Friends
    • Why the “terrible people” who populate the novel are Ben’s favourites of his characters!

    To learn more:

    Benjamin Dean - https://www.madeleinemilburn.co.uk/mm-authors/benjamin-dean/

    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

    Show More Show Less
    33 mins
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