This episode we speak to debut author Sophie Haydock about The Flames, her historical novel about four women who were painted by Austrian artist Egon Schiele. Sophie chatted to us about recentering women in history, her inspiration for the novel and her popular corresponding Instagram account @egonschieleswomen. Later, we chat about the return of N…

We're back and we're thrilled to be interviewing Meg Mason, author of best-selling hit Sorrow and Bliss, a novel that's taken the world by storm. The bittersweet tale of Martha, a woman whose marriage is on the rocks and who is struggling with an undiagnosed mental illness, is warm, candid and unforgettable. Meg spoke to us about her writing proces…

This month on Loves Labours Watched we're speaking with author Rosanna Amaka about her beautiful debut novel The Book of Echoes. Switching between London and Nigeria, the novel is about love, hope and time, charting how history is never static, but reverberates through to the present. Rosanna wrote The Book of Echoes to celebrate the African Caribb…

This month on Loves Labours Watched we're speaking with author Zakiya Dalila Harris about The Other Black Girl, her New York Times bestselling debut novel. We talk to Zakiya about publishing's diversity problem, and how she blended elements of realism, sci-fi and horror to depict the ways in which white supremacy asserts itself in the workplace. Za…

This month we connect with New York Times bestselling author Maggie Shipstead about her new novel Great Circle, an enveloping, lyrical and ambitious novel about a 1940s female aviator and the modern-day actress who is hired to play her in a biopic. We enjoyed a fascinating discussion with Maggie all about how the megastardom of the Twilight stars i…

This month we're chatting to Laura Kay, author of the heartwarming new rom-com The Split. We chat to Laura about how she centered queer narratives, why main characters don't have to be likable and why Louise Rennison's Angus Thongs series remains a masterpiece to this day. Later, we dive deep into WandaVision, the Marvel Cinematic Universe's first …

Welcome back to LLW, this month we speak to author Lucy Jago about her new novel A Net For Small Fishes, which examines two real life women who were at the centre of a 16th century English scandal. We speak to Lucy about her wealth of historical research, recentering female narratives and why tearing War and Peace in half is the way to finally get …

For our first episode of 2021, LLW connected with Kiley Reid, author of Such a Fun Age, the smash-hit novel long-listed for the 2020 Man Booker Prize. In our chat, Kiley discusses the novel’s themes of storytelling and social media, plus how she uses the writing process to get inside her character’s heads, why she chose the multi-layered title and …

This week on LLW we speak to Zaina Arafat, author of You Exist Too Much, a coming of age story about a young Palestinian-American woman caught between two worlds. Zaina, an LGBTQ, Arab/Muslim-American writer, speaks to LLW about her protagonist, who struggles with her dual identity, her complicated relationship with her mother and her internalised …

After a month hiatus, LLW is back! We're here to chat about two recent Netflix big hitters: new movie Enola Holmes starring Stranger Things' Millie Bobbie Brown and so-bad-it's-good TV hit Emily in Paris. Find out why we were charmed by one and bemused by the other and get stuck into a discussion about breaking the fourth wall, a saccharine vision …

This week we had the pleasure of chatting to Helly Acton, author of debut novel The Shelf. The Shelf follows protagonist Amy, who is unceremoniously dumped by her boyfriend on a new reality TV show and tasked, alongside six other contestants, to complete challenges that'll turn her into a 'keeper' and win the show. We had a great time listening to …

Welcome back to Loves Labours Watched! This week we're chatting to Susannah Dickey, author of compelling new novel Tennis Lessons, a coming of age story showcasing snapshots of a young woman's life from her childhood to late twenties. It's visceral and compulsive and we speak to Susannah all about her knack for observing the minutiae of daily life.…

This week on Loves Labours Watched we’re chatting all about How to Build a Girl, the new movie adaptation of Caitlin Moran’s 2014 novel of the same name. We speak to director Coky Giedroyc, who brought the book to the big screen with a vivacious energy that matches the bighearted performance of Beanie Feldstein as protagonist Johanna Morrigan. Coky…

This week on Loves Labours Watched we speak to memoirist Tamsin Calidas, author of I Am An Island, an account of Tamsin's fraught yet transformative move from London to an unnamed Scottish island. Tamsin speaks to LLW about the process of memoir-writing, wild-swimming and her belief in the importance of living cohesively with the natural world.Late…

This week we connect with author Brit Bennett, whose second novel The Vanishing Half has shot to the top of the New York Times bestsellers chart and is causing a buzz across the literary world. We talk to Brit about how she tackled themes of race, discrimination, gender, performance and identity.Later, we talk about Mrs Dalloway, which Helena's rea…

This week we had the pleasure of chatting to journalist Gavanndra Hodge, author of new memoir The Consequences of Love, about the sudden death of her younger sister and its impact on her family. We talked about grief, memoir-writing and what it was like for Gavanndra growing up as the child of addicts.We also bring back our bi-weekly book segment. …

This week on Loves Labours Watched we connect with acclaimed author Curtis Sittenfeld. You may have read Curtis' bestselling 2008 novel American Wife, which imagines the life of a fictionalised American First Lady who shares many biographical similarities with Laura Bush. Or perhaps you devoured her wry collection of short stories, You Think it, I'…

Welcome back to Loves Labours Watched! This week we were delighted to speak to Lenny Abrahamson, Oscar-nominated director of the 2015 movie Room and the filmmaker behind hit BBC/Hulu show Normal People, based on the bestselling novel by Sally Rooney. We chat to Lenny about adapting the novel for screen, reflecting the novel's intimacy and interiori…

This week on Loves Labours Watched we welcome back author Beth O’Leary! Our first repeat guest, Beth last chatted to us back in May 2019 about her debut novel The Flatshare, a super heartwarming and gorgeously told story about the power of connection. The Flatshare became an international hit and now Beth’s back this spring with The Switch, a vivac…

This week on Loves Labours Watched, we're chatting to author Naoise Dolan. Dubbed "the next Sally Rooney", Irish writer Naoise just published her first book Exciting Times, which explores the intricacies of human relationships and connection via the story of three young people living in Hong Kong. There's so much well-deserved buzz surrounding the …

Loves Labours Watched goes virtual with our first social-distancing episode! Join us as we chat to one another from afar and call up bestselling author Holly Bourne! Holly talks to LLW about her fantastic new novel Pretending, which delves deep into complicated truths about modern life, love and dating apps. Holly also discusses her frustrations wi…

This week we're chatting about new movie Misbehaviour, directed by Philippa Lowthorpe and starring three of our favourite actors: Keira Knightley, Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Jessie Buckley. This British film is based on the real life events of the 1970 Miss World Contest, where the newly-formed Women's Liberation Movement disrupted proceedings, while Jenn…

بقلم Loves Labours Watched

بقلم Loves Labours Watched

بقلم Loves Labours Watched

Welcome back to Loves Labours Watched! On the back of the announcement of Stranger Things 4 by Netflix this week we're talking all about Stranger Things 3, what we loved so much about it, and the continuous battle in our hearts between Steve and Jonathan. Jokes we love Max really. We also chat about Margaret Atwood's recently released book The Test…

LLW: Poldark Season 5 and Interview with Kerri McLean by Loves Labours Watchedبقلم Loves Labours Watched

We absolutely devoured The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary and absolutely adored chatting to Beth about her wonderful, funny, heartwarming and romantic debut novel. Beth spoke to us about the inspiration behind the book, crazy London flat share scenarios and writing a romantic comedy that felt real. There are minor spoilers for the book, so if you’d rath…

Welcome to Loves Labours Watched! This week we're so excited to be talking to author Madeline Miller, author of recent novel Circe, which has been longlisted for the 2019 Women's Prize. We chat all about Circe, plus Madeline’s first novel The Song of Achilles. We also discuss her writing process, her favourite books, women’s role in the modern and …

Welcome back to Loves Labours Watched! This week on the show, we have a special guest - Emma Morgan, author of new novel A Love Story for Bewildered Girls. We chat to Emma all about her book and its themes of modern love, female friendships and family. We're also talking about Netflix's new dating show Dating Around, in which one New Yorker goes on…

Welcome back to LLW! This week we're chatting all about the new film Mary Queen of Scots, starring the fabulous Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie as the Stuart and Tudor queens Mary Stuart and Elizabeth I. We also have a chat about what we're looking forward to in 2019 pop culture, including the new Frozen 2 trailer and whether or not the new live-ac…

We're back! Happy 2019 everyone, we're starting it off strong with a great interview with Hilary McKay, award-winning author of The Skylark's War and many other amazing novels for children and young adults. Also, we talk about our love for Goodreads, what we're reading this year, and generally advise you on why reading is good. Give us a listen, an…

We have a SPECIAL GUEST on the podcast this week! We are so excited to welcome actor Erick Lopez, who stars as Hector on the CW's Crazy Ex-Girlfriend (on Netflix internationally) Erick chats to LLW about working on one of the most creative and dynamic shows on television. He discusses the show's use of inventive musical numbers and how it deliberat…

This time round we discuss the new series of Doctor Who and Jodie Whittaker's debut as the Doctor, the first woman to take on the iconic role. We also take a deep dive into Doctor Who episodes past and discuss some of our favorite moments. We round off our discussion with our thoughts on Heathers the Musical, currently playing London West End -- it…

We're back to discuss what we thought of female-led heist movie Oceans 8, the current season of Poldark and the recent books we've read and rated on GoodReads! Timestamps below! (Apologies for the laughing fit about pilchards)00:00 - Oceans 8 (minor spoilers!)21:34 - Poldark Season 438:08 - The books we've loved recently from Less by Andrew Sean Gr…

In honour of the FAB news that Netflix's Queer Eye is returning, we chat about why we love the show, how it examines current affairs and toxic masculinity, why each of the Fab Five rule and whether or not Antoni can cook more than guacamole.We've also went on a theatre outing to see West End classic The Phantom of the Opera - Helena for the third t…

This week we analyse our favorite Met Gala 2018 looks and then take a deep mermaid-esque dive into The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock, the debut novel by Imogen Hermes Gowar shortlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction.We then discuss the craziness of Eurovision 2018 and what we've been enjoying this week from more books to the Graham Norton Show live re…

This week we discuss super charming teen movie hit Love, Simon and how it's regenerating this well-loved genre. We've also seen A Wrinkle in Time and have lots to say about our love of Oprah and Chris Pine. Minor spoilers for both these movies -- check the time stamps below.We also update the world on Timothée Chalamet's latest antics, what to wear…

This week we discuss the shock reveal that Claire Foy was paid less than Matt Smith for her role in Netflix hit The Crown, casting announcements for the BBC adaptation of His Dark Materials, why we can't wait to see A Wrinkle in Time and a bunch of books we loved recently. Time stamps below!2:38 – The Crown and the gender pay gap (note, since time …

This week we discuss the winners and losers of the 2018 Academy Awards and why we loved The Shape of Water and Lady Bird. Spoilers for both those movies, time-stamps below: 00:00 Intro and Oscars Talk19:00 Shape of Water32:35 Lady Bird45:00 Pop Culture We Like This Weekبقلم Loves Labours Watched

Welcome back to Loves Labours Watched! This week we dive into The Greatest Showman, and how we think it could have been greater, as well as what we've been loving recently -- including reading Call Me By Your Name and watching The Bold Type. Plus what we're looking forward to in the world of popular culture!And, for your listening pleasure, we've s…

Happy (belated) New Year! In our first episode of 2018 we take a deep dive into the Aziz Ansari controversy, the Golden Globes' black dress code and the upcoming Oscar nominations. We also discuss our recent pop culture faves including Friends, Bridget Jones' Diary and Ali Smith's Autumn. Plus we get excited for February releases including Lady Bir…

This week we're talking all about one of our favourite movie sub-genres... Princess movies! More specifically princess movies set at Christmas! We chat about Netflix's new addition to this genre, A Christmas Prince (and how little it impressed us!), compare it to some of our personal favourites (Princess Diaries 2, anyone?!) and provide a definitiv…

And we're back! Hello and welcome to Episode 4, where we discuss the Luca Guadagnino movie 'Call Me By Your Name', a romantic (and slightly tragic) drama set in gorgeous Northern Italy. On the way we talk about its musical stylings, stellar acting, and beautiful location, and also have a chat about what we're loving this week! Stay connected with u…

Weeellcome back to a *spooky* episode of Loves Labours Watched! Today we're discussing the hit show Stranger Things and its second season, from whether we would date Steve or Jonathan to the current controversy surrounding the harassment of the younger stars. Don't listen if you don't want to be spoiled! We also cover our faves of the week, includi…

This week we're discussing new West End play Venus In Fur, currently on at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in London -- starring Game of Thrones' Natalie Dormer and David Oakes from ITV's Victoria. It's a comedic two-hander play that quickly turns chilling (and that we were wholly surprised by!) Warning --- our podcast is not spoiler-free this week as …

Welcome back to Series 2 of #LLWshow!! We're kicking things off with a chat all about the most recent season of the Starz hit show Outlander, covering diverse (and great) characters, strong women, how much we love Scotland and, overall, what makes this show so worth watching. And we're bringing this chat to you in a brand new format, which features…

Hello! We're back with another episode, all about the new DC Comics film WONDER WOMAN, starring Gal Gadot as Diana herself. Listen in to hear us chat all about our thoughts on the film and its reception, as well as its place in in modern culture and feminism. Find us @realllw on twitter to share your thoughts!…