Relaxing Reads

In our latest episode, hosts Simone, Deb and Tanya discuss Study for Obedience from Sarah Bernstein. This book tells the story of a young woman who moves from the place of her birth to the remote northern country of her forebears to be housekeeper to her brother, whose wife has recently left him. Soon after arriving, a series of inexplicable events occurs – deaths of cattle; the demise of a ewe and her lamb; a local dog's phantom pregnancy; a potato blight too. She notices that locals suspect she might be the cause, the reason… It explores themes of guilt, abuse and prejudice through the eyes of its unreliable narrator. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hosts Simone, Deb and Tanya chat with the bestselling author of The Maid, Nita Prose about her latest book "The Mystery Guest". We chat about how she got the idea, the cast of characters and storyline, plus Nita shares some really big news with us!! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In our latest episode, hosts Simone, Deb and Tanya discuss a book from the bestselling author of The Maid, Nita Prose called The Mystery Guest. Molly Gray is not like anyone else. With her flair for cleaning and proper etiquette, she has risen through the ranks of the glorious five-star Regency Grand Hotel to become the esteemed Head Maid. But just as her life reaches a pinnacle state of perfection, her world is turned upside down when J.D. Grimthorpe, the world-renowned mystery author, drops dead—very dead—on the hotel’s tea room floor. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hosts Simone, Deb and Tanya chat with the bestselling author of Breathless, Amy McCulloch about her latest book "Midnight”. In the previous Relaxing Reads episode they discussed the book "Midnight". It's another pulse-pounding thriller: a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Antarctica to camp beneath the midnight sun becomes a desperate battle for survival against a killer determined to follow their prey to the very ends of the earth. With 24 hours of daylight, there is nowhere to hide. Olivia has always dreamt of spending a "white night" on the frigid continent, but never thought she'd have the chance….until her high-powered art-dealer boyfriend, Aaron decides to stage an exhibition on a luxury expedition. It's like a real life murder-mystery weekend Olivia didn’t sign up for. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In our latest read, hosts Simone, Deb and Tanya discuss a book from the bestselling author of Breathless, Amy McCulloch "Midnight”. It's another pulse-pounding thriller: a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Antarctica to camp beneath the midnight sun becomes a desperate battle for survival against a killer determined to follow their prey to the very ends of the earth. With 24 hours of daylight, there is nowhere to hide. Olivia has always dreamt of spending a "white night" on the frigid continent, but never thought she'd have the chance….until her high-powered art-dealer boyfriend, Aaron decides to stage an exhibition on a luxury expedition. It's like a real life murder-mystery weekend Olivia didn’t sign up for. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our latest read, The Mythmakers is Keziah Weir’s debut novel about a young journalist named Sal who discovers a short story by an older author she met years ago. The story she believes is about her and that moment she met the man, Martin. Her life is in shambles, with a relationship falling apart and a career that’s taking a nosedive…so why not leave it all behind in search of that manuscript. This leads to an entanglement with the author’s widow, daughter and former best friend. It’s a story about the memory, perspective through different time lines, love, discovery within one’s self and the twists and turns that life presents! Plus a Q & A with the author! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In our latest read, hosts Simone, Tanya and Deb discuss “Three Holidays and a Wedding” a team effort from authors, Uzma Jalaluddin and Marissa Stapley. As strangers and seatmates Maryam and Anna fly to Toronto over the holidays — Maryam to her sister's impromptu wedding, and Anna to meet her boyfriend's wealthy family for the first time—neither expect that severe turbulence will scare them into confessing their deepest hopes and fears to one another. They end up being forced to delay those holiday plans thanks to a Snowmageddon scenario… and land at a quirky inn on the outskirts of Snow Falls — a picture-perfect town where a holiday romance. But as Maryam and Anna start to feel the magic of Snow Falls — and find love better than their deepest hopes — they just might realize there's no place they'd rather be for the holidays!!! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hosts Josie, Ryan and (Britney Super-Fan) Simone discuss the book that has everyone talking, Britney Spears 'The Woman in Me'. Our three hosts go beyond the Justin Timberlake headlines and discuss Britney's often sad, but amazing journey and surviving it all, in her own words. In June 2021, the whole world was listening as Britney Spears spoke in open court. The impact of sharing her voice—her truth—was undeniable, and it changed the course of her life and the lives of countless others. The Woman in Me reveals for the first time her incredible journey—and the strength at the core of one of the greatest performers in pop music history. Written with remarkable candor and humor, Spears’s groundbreaking book illuminates the enduring power of music and love—and the importance of a woman telling her own story, on her own terms, at last. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In our latest read, hosts Simone, Tanya and Deb discuss Pebble & Dove from Amy Jones. A once-famous but now-abandoned aquarium-in-a-ship in Florida is the backdrop for a novel of family secrets and dysfunction, and the ways in which it can sometimes take an animal to remind us how to be human. This is the story of a family falling apart, only to be brought back together again by an unlikely champion—a 1,000-pound manatee named Pebble. Lauren’s life is a mess, with a teenage daughter, Dove, who barely speaks to her. …there are quite a few secrets, it’s a little dark, but very moving, as they try to figure out how to choose between what’s worth saving and what needs to be let go. This one will pull at your heartstrings. Plus a Q & A with the author. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Guest hosts, The B-Team!, Josie and Ryan are back! In this episode they discuss Viola Davis's powerful memoir 'Finding Me' and learning about the incredible struggle and success of Viola's life. "In my book, you will meet a little girl named Viola who ran from her past until she made a life-changing decision to stop running forever. This is my story, from a crumbling apartment in Central Falls, Rhode Island, to the stage in New York City, and beyond. This is the path I took to finding my purpose but also my voice in a world that didn’t always see me." See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In our latest read, hosts Simone, Tanya and Deb chat about A History of Burning by Janika Oza. This epic debut novel is about how one act of rebellion can influence a family for generations. Beginning in 1898 with a young boy, Pirbhai, being tricked into traveling from India to Africa to help build the East African Railway, this sweeping saga traces the story of four generations told in snapshots through the years. It explores the impacts of colonialism, resistance, exile and the power of family. The book shines a light on some dark parts of history, but also offers love through the resilience of the human spirit. Plus we chat with the author. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In our latest read, hosts Simone, Tanya and Deb chat about Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers, A lonely shopkeeper takes it upon herself to solve a murder in the most peculiar way in this captivating mystery by Jesse Q. Sutanto, bestselling author of Dial A for Aunties. When one thinks of the ideal amateur detective, none of Vera Wong's qualities — like tampering with evidence and romantically setting up two of her suspects together — would come to mind. But when the tea shop owner, who watches an unhealthy amount of “CSI,” suddenly finds a dead body in her shop, she believes she’s the only one who can solve the case. Nobody spills the tea like this amateur sleuth in this comedic mystery. Plus we chat with the author. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In our latest read, hosts Deb, Simone and Tanya discuss “The Whispers” from Ashley Audrain which takes us to a well-to-do neighbor­hood where couples and their kids gather for a barbecue as the summer winds down. Everything is fabulous until Whitney, the picture-perfect hostess, explodes in fury because her son disobeys her. Everyone at the party hears her exquisite veneer crack—loud and clear. Before long, that same young boy falls from his bedside window in the middle of the night. And then his mother can only sit by her son's hospital bed, where his life hangs in the balance. Over the course of a tense three days, the women on the street grapple with what led to that terrible night. There are secrets, deceptions and lies within this group of women on Harlow Street. Plus a Q & A with the author! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Our latest read, Hosts Deb, Simone and Tanya discuss Jasmine and Jake Rock the Boat, by Sonya Lalli. This is about romance on the high seas! Jasmine is newly single as she boards a cruise ship for seniors with her parents, as she tags along on their vacation. (unknowingly) What seemed to be the perfect relationship with Brian hit the rocks, meaning she has to face her parents and their friends, who’ve always been a little judgy. Despite a successful career and love life (for a moment) Jasmine has a bad reputation after a long history of striving for perfection in the eyes of these people, only to fall short. The only person her age on the boat just happens to be her longtime nemesis since childhood, Jake Dhillon. She has always thought of him as the arrogant perfect, Indian son and Jake has always thought Jasmine was too wild for him. So, how will time alone in closed quarters work out for them, as they travel to Alaska – and might they find a relationship worth fighting for? It’s fun, there are evolving relationships, family, culture and warmth among the chaos! Plus a Q & A with the author. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our latest read, guest hosts Josie and Ryan discuss, The Creative Act: A Way of Being from Rick Rubin. Rick Rubin is a nine-time GRAMMY-winning producer, named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time and the most successful producer in any genre by Rolling Stone. He has collaborated with artists from Tom Petty to Adele, Johnny Cash to the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Beastie Boys to Slayer, Kanye West to the Strokes, and System of a Down to Jay-Z. “I set out to write a book about what to do to make a great work of art. Instead, it revealed itself to be a book on how to be.” — Rick Rubin The Creative Act is a beautiful and generous course of study that illuminates the path of the artist as a road we all can follow. It distills the wisdom gleaned from a lifetime’s work into a luminous reading experience that puts the power to create moments—and lifetimes—of exhilaration and transcendence within closer reach for all of us. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In our latest read, hosts Deb, Tanya and Simone discuss, Your Driver Is Waiting from Priya Guns. Damani is pretty tired…. Sher father has died, she cares for her mum, drives a ride share to pay the bills for both of them as she lives paycheck to paycheck living in their basement and is angry at a world that seemed to promise her more. …until she meets Jolene and then life opens up. Jolene seems like the perfect girlfriend …until she’s not!! This sets off an explosive chain of events. There’s comedy, there’s politics, love and privilege …all a little messy!! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In our latest read, hosts Deb, Tanya and Simone discuss SAM by Allegra Goodman. A coming-of-age story about a girl from the ages of 7 to about 19. Sam adores her father, though he isn’t around much. She lives with her mother, Courtney, who struggles to make ends meet, and her half-brother, Noah. Sam doesn’t fit in at school, and doesn’t care about jeans or rules. She just loves to climb--trees, fences, walls, the side of a building. Climbing, is where she belongs: she can turn off her brain, pain has a purpose, and it’s okay if you want to win. Into her teens, she grapples with self-doubt and insecurity. And then the girl becomes a woman. There’s a struggle between what brings her joy and what she thinks she should do, through heartbreak, friendships, identity and hope. Plus a Q & A with the author herself. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This month hosts, Deb, Tanya and Simone discus the debut novel for Amita Parikh “The Circus Train”. This novel takes us through the World of Wonders, Europe’s most magnificent travelling circus, where every moment is full of magic, and nothing is as it seems—especially for those who put on the show Lena Papadopoulos has never quite found her place within the circus, even as the daughter of the extraordinary headlining illusionist, Theo. Brilliant and curious, Lena yearns for the real-world magic of science and medicine, despite her father’s overprotectiveness and the limitations of her wheelchair. Lena’s unconventional life in war-torn Europe, takes an exciting turn when she rescues Alexandre, an orphan with his own secrets and a mysterious past ... plus a Q & A with the author. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This month hosts Deb, Simone and Tanya discuss “Exes and O’s” about a romance novel–obsessed social media influencer, Tara Chen who revisits her exes on her hunt for true love in this rom-com from author, Amy Lea. Romance-novel connoisseur Tara has had her heart broken ten times by ten different men--all of whom dumped her because of her "stage-five clinger" tendencies. Nevertheless, she’s determined to find The One. The only problem? Classic “meet-cutes” are dead thanks to modern dating apps. So Tara decides to revisit her exes in hopes of securing her very own trope-worthy second-chance romance. Enter - firefighter Trevor Metcalfe who is the first to rush into a burning building but the last to rush into a relationship. Love just isn't his thing. When his new roommate Tara enlists him to help her reconnect with her exes, he reluctantly agrees. But Tara's journey is leading him to discover his own new chapter. Plus a Q & A with Amy Lea. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This month hosts Deb, Simone and Tanya discuss Superfan: How Pop Culture Broke My Heart: A Memoir. For most of Jen Sookfong Lee's life, pop culture was an escape from family tragedy and a means of fitting in with the larger culture around her. Anne of Green Gables promised her that, despite losing her father at the age of twelve, one day she might still have the loving family of her dreams. Princess Diana was proof that maybe there was more to being a good girl after all. And yet as Jen grew up, she began to recognize the ways in which pop culture was not made for someone like her—the child of Chinese immigrant parents who looked for safety in the invisibility afforded by embracing model minority myths. Jen is a master at weaving together key moments in pop culture with stories of her own failings, longings, and struggles as she carves her own path as an Asian woman, single mom, and writer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.