Bookwandering with Anna James

Anna James

Bookwandering is a podcast where author and arts journalist Anna James chats to other writers and creatives about their most beloved children's or YA book.

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20 episodes
Updated July 22

Episodes20

Newest first

July 22 · 56 min
A Book of Magic Animals with Emma-Lee Moss
My guest this week is writer and musician Emma-Lee Moss whose memoir, My Cantopop Nights, was published last month. You may also know her as Emmy the Great, the name Emma made music as until she retired it in 2023. Emma chose A Book of Magic Animals, the 1974 collection of folk tales and fairytales by Ruth Manning-Sanders, illustrated by Robin Jacques. We talked about being raised by stories of all kinds, how to write memoir honesty, and whether we have met each other in a previous life. You can find Emma's and my own books on my Bookshop page: https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/bookwandering-the-podcast The podcast is produced by Adam Collier with artwork by Hester Kitchen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
July 1 · 48 min
The Princess Diaries with Amelia Tait
My guest this week is Amelia Tait, journalist and author of Lily Tripp: Diary of an Accidental Time Traveler, her brilliant middle grade debut. Amelia chose Meg Cabot’s iconic 2000 novel The Princess Diaries and we talked about the enduring appeal of diary style books for tweens, Amelia’s own diaries, and of course the Anne Hathaway film. You can find Amelia's and my own books on my Bookshop page: https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/bookwandering-the-podcast The podcast is produced by Adam Collier with artwork by Hester Kitchen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
June 17 · 41 min
It’s Not the End of the World with Lily King
My guest this week is Lily King, author of several books including Euphoria, Writers & Lovers and Women’s Prize shortlisted Heart the Lover. Lily chose Judy Blume’s 1972 novel It’s Not the End of the World and we chatted about why it was the book that made Lily want to be an author, the magic of Judy Blume, and why it’s all about emotion not plot when Lily’s writing. You can find Lily's and my own books on my Bookshop page: https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/bookwandering-the-podcast The podcast is produced by Adam Collier with artwork by Hester Kitchen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
April 11 · 56 min
Junk with Alice Slater
My guest this week is Alice Slater, former bookseller, and author of Death of a Bookseller and Let the Bad Times Roll, which is out now in paperback. Alice chose Melvin Burgess’ seminal 1996 YA novel, Junk. We talk about looking at older books through a modern lens, unlikeable characters and second album syndrome as novelists. You can find Alice’s and my own books on my Bookshop page: https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/bookwandering-the-podcast The podcast is produced by Adam Collier with artwork by Hester Kitchen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 21, 2025 · 53 min
The Snowman with Joseph Coelho
Former children's laureate and poet Joseph Coelho joins me to talk about Raymond Brigg's beloved Christmas classic, The Snowman. We talk about festive traditions, some of Brigg's other work including When the Wind Blows, and about the importance of poetry for young people. You can find a selection of Joseph's books along with The Snowman and my own work at: https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/bookwandering-the-podcast The podcast is produced by Adam Collier with artwork by Hester Kitchen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 8, 2025 · 58 min
Kasper in the Glitter with Rochelle Dowden-Lord
Debut novelist Rochelle Dowden-Lord joins me to talk about Kasper in the Glitter, Philip Ridleys' gloriously odd 1994 children's book that's illustrated by Chris Riddell. We talk about the importance of weird children's books, researching wine, and have a frank chat about our experiences of being published while working in the book industry. Please note this episode contains an instance of very strong language. Lush, Rochelle's Nero Prize shortlisted novel, is out now and you can find it alongside my books at: https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/bookwandering-the-podcast The podcast is produced by Adam Collier with artwork by Hester Kitchen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 14, 2025 · 38 min
The Lord of the Rings with Leah Williamson and Jordan Glover
Lioness captain Leah Williamson and her co-writer and cousin Jordan Glover join me this week to talk about The Lord of the Rings. We talk about how Leah takes inspiration from Aragorn as the England captain, fancy dress family parties, and the Lost Lionesses of the 1971 Women’s World Cup who inspired their most recent book. You can find The Wonder Team series, The Lords of the Rings and my own books at: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/acaseforbooks The podcast is produced by Adam Collier with artwork by Hester Kitchen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 2, 2025 · 41 min
The Secret Garden with Kate Mosse
Bestselling author and founder of the Women's Prize Kate Mosse joins me this week to talk about Frances Hodgson Burnett's 1911 classic, The Secret Garden. We talk about pirate queens and little princesses, spiky girls and gardens, and how Kate chose who to include in her anthology. You can find Feminist History for Every Day of the Year, The Secret Garden and my own books at: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/acaseforbooks The podcast is produced by Adam Collier with artwork by Hester Kitchen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 17, 2025 · 51 min
The Wind in the Willows with Piers Torday
Award-winning writer and playwright Piers Torday joins me this week to talk about The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame. We discuss talking animals, whether the book can be read through a queer lens, and how children's fiction has evolved over the last hundred years. You can find Midnight Treasure, The Wind in the Willows and my own books at: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/acaseforbooks The podcast is produced by Adam Collier with artwork by Hester Kitchen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 23, 2025 · 1 hr 8 min
Alanna by Tamora Pierce with Katherine Webber
Bestselling author of books for children and teenagers (and my best friend) Katherine Webber joins me to talk about the Alanna books by Tamora Pierce, officially known as the Song of the Lioness Quartet. We talk about age gap romances, why maps are brilliant as a read and tricky as a writer, and mermaids. Captain of Fates, a standalone spin-off from the Twin Crowns series, is out now. You can find that and the Alanna books, along with my books at: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/acaseforbooks The podcast is produced by Adam Collier with artwork by Hester Kitchen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 25, 2025 · 59 min
The Hunger Games with Mikaela Loach
Climate justice activist, speaker and writer Mikaela Loach joins me this week to talk about The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins, the YA dystopian phenomenon. We talk about how the series radicalised Mikaela, reluctant heroes and different ways of resisting justice. (There are spoilers for the original trilogy, but none for The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes or Sunrise on the Reaping.) Mikaela's book for young people about the climate crisis and what we can do, Climate Is Just the Start is out now. You can find that and The Hunger Games along with my own books at: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/acaseforbooks The podcast is produced by Adam Collier with artwork by Hester Kitchen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 11, 2025 · 53 min
Twilight with Harry Trevaldwyn
Actor, comedian and writer Harry Trevaldwyn joins me to talk about Twilight, Stephenie Meyer's iconic 2005 YA vampire novel. We talk about Harry's obsession with the book as a teenager, the spirit of Georgia Nicholson, hoa hoa season and why it's so vital to have queer YA love stories. Harry's debut YA romcom, The Romantic Tragedies of a Drama King is out now. You can find The Romantic Tragedies of a Drama King, Twilight and my own books here: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/acaseforbooks The podcast is produced by Adam Collier with artwork by Hester Kitchen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 28, 2025 · 49 min
Half Magic with Rachel Khong
Award-winning author Rachel Khong joins me to talk about Half Magic, Edward Eager's 1954 fantasy classic about a family who find a coin that grants them half wishes. Rachel is the author of Goodbye, Vitamin and most recently Real Americans, which is out now in paperback. We talk about Eager's love of E. Nesbit, why Rachel went back to Half Magic when writing Real Americans and how to write magic in literary fiction. You can find Real Americans and my own books on my Bookshop page, although Half Magic is out of print in the UK currently: https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/bookwandering-the-podcast The podcast is produced by Adam Collier with artwork by Hester Kitchen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 14, 2025 · 1 hr 2 min
A Traveller in Time with Jessie Burton
Bestselling author Jessie Burton joins me to talk about A Traveller in Time, Alison Uttley's 1939 time slip novel about a girl who falls back to Tudor times. Jessie is the author of many books including The Miniaturist, The House of Fortune, and Medusa. Her debut children's novel, Hidden Treasure, is out now. We talk about both being deeply weird about history as kids, the books refusal to do anything but be its own thing, and some of the gorgeous coincidences that happened as Jessie was writing Hidden Treasure and researching her own family history. You can find Hidden Treasure, A Traveller in Time and my own books here: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/acaseforbooks The podcast is produced by Adam Collier with artwork by Hester Kitchen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 6, 2024 · 48 min
Pride and Prejudice with Cariad Lloyd
Comedian, writer and podcaster Cariad Lloyd joins me to talk about Jane Austen. Cariad is the co-creator of Austentatious, the improvised Jane Austen play, the host of Griefcast, and Sara & Cariad’s Weirdos Book Club with Sara Pascoe. She’s also the author of The Christmas Wish-Tastrophe, amagical middle grade Regency story. We started with Pride and Prejudice but cover a bit of everything Austen. We talk about our favourite and least favourite Austen novels, the BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice, and why writing and reading the Regency period is such fun. You can find The Christmas Wish-Tastrophe, my favourite Austen editions and my books at my Bookshop page: https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/bookwandering-the-podcast? and find our more about Brian's work at https://cariadlloyd.com/ The podcast is produced by Adam Collier with artwork by Hester Kitchen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Oct 25, 2024 · 1 hr 9 min
Earthsea Part 1 with Brian Hook
Theatre producer and friend of the pod Brian Hook joins me to talk about the first three books in Ursula K Le Guin's Earthsea series. Brian is the co-owner of Hartshorn Hook which has produced shows including Immersive Gatsby, Choir of Man, Amelie the Musical and Immersive Peaky Blinders. Brian and I are both huge fans of Earthsea and we chatted about why it means so much to us, bookish tattoos, and why the natural pause point in the series is after book three, not the traditional book four break. You can find Earthsea and my books at my Bookshop page: https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/bookwandering-the-podcast? and find our more about Brian's work at https://hartshornhook.com/ The podcast is produced by Adam Collier with artwork by Hester Kitchen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Aug 8, 2024 · 56 min
Ella Enchanted with Laura Wood
Laura Wood joins me to talk about Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine. Laura is the bestselling author of several books for children, teens and adults including newly released Under Your Spell, Laura's debut adult romcom. Laura's choice was Gail Carson Levine's 1997 classic Ella Enchanted and we chatted about retellings, library book limits and the Anne Hathaway film adaptation. You can find Laura's and my books at my Bookshop page: https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/bookwandering-the-podcast? The podcast is produced by Adam Collier with artwork by Hester Kitchen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 15, 2023 · 43 min
Pawn of Prophecy with Jay McGuiness
In episode ten, Jay McGuiness joins me to talk about Pawn of Prophecy by David Eddings. Jay is a member of boyband The Wanted and previous winner of Strictly Come Dancing but also the author of Blood Flowers, his debut YA novel, which is out in February and available to pre-order now. Jay’s choice was David Eddings’ 1982 fantasy book Pawn of Prophecy, the first book in the Belgariad series. We chatted about what makes a book YA, how fantasy can be used to explore almost any idea or issue and the similarities and differences between the publishing and music industry. You can find Blood Flowers, Pages & Co, and Pawn of Prophecy at my Bookshop page: https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/bookwandering-the-podcast-s2 This is the last episode of series two but Bookwandering will be back in the New Year for series three. The podcast is produced by Adam Collier with artwork by Hester Kitchen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 8, 2023 · 43 min
A Wrinkle in Time with C Pam Zhang
In episode nine, C Pam Zhang joins me to talk about American classic A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle. Pam is the author of Booker Prize-longlisted How Much of These Hills is Gold and this year's Land of Milk and Honey, one of my favourite books of the year. Pam's pick was A Wrinkle in Time, Madeleine L'Engle's beloved 1962 award-winning novel which kicked off the Time Quintet. We chatted about world hopping and climate change, the religious elements of the book and its refusal to sit neatly in a genre. You can find Pam's books, Pages & Co, and A Wrinkle in Time at my Bookshop page: https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/bookwandering-the-podcast-s2 Next week's episode features Jay McGuiness on Pawn of Prophecy by David Eddings. The podcast is produced by Adam Collier with artwork by Hester Kitchen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 1, 2023 · 49 min
The Wolves of Willoughby Chase with Sophie Dahl
In episode eight, Sophie Dahl joins me to talk about a mutual favourite, The Wolves of Willoughby Chase by Joan Aiken. Sophie has written books across ages and genres - novels for adults, non-fiction food writing and most recently children's fiction including her two Madame Badobedah picture books illustrated by Lauren O'Hara. Sophie's pick was The Wolves of Willoughby Chase by Joan Aiken, set in an alternate version of 19th century England and written in 1962. We chatted about the book's massive heart, glorious food writing and truly excellent villains. You can find Sophie's books, Pages & Co, and The Wolves of Willoughby Chase at my Bookshop page: https://uk.bookshop.org/lists/bookwandering-the-podcast-s2 Next week features C Pam Zhang on A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle. The podcast is produced by Adam Collier with artwork by Hester Kitchen. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.