APPROX AGE RATING: 14+

Welcome to a brand new chapter of The Reading Cafe. This is SpotLit, our brand-new strand where we speak to figures from music, sport, entertainment and culture about their relationship with literature.

In this SpotLit episode, Libby and Emma were joined by singer-songwriter and musician Alaska Reid, one half of the band Witch Post.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL DISCOVER:

• The influence of literature on Alaska’s songwriting, both on her solo records and in Witch Post
• How fantasy-interviewing friends and peers Charli XCX, Caroline Polachek and Ellie Rowsell (Wolf Alice) led to her writing her own fantasy novel
• The story of the supernatural experience that led to the naming of Witch Post…

…AND SO MUCH MORE!

A ten-minute section of this conversation appeared on the last episode of The Reading Cafe with writer of The Wycherleys, Annaliese Avery. We enjoyed such a brilliant conversation with Alaska about her career and creative life, and you are certain to love hearing it in full in this SpotLit episode.

To learn more: Alaska Reid

https://www.alaskareid.com/

https://partisanrecords.com/artists/witch-post Annaliese Avery

https://www.annalieseavery.com/home-1

Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and join us for future SpotLit episodes and as always… keep reading.

APPROX AGE RATING: 14+

Welcome back to The Reading Cafe, the award-winning podcast named Best Children and Young Adults' Show by the Independent Podcast Awards, as well as Kids finalist in the 2025 British Podcast Awards and Books finalist in the 2025 Independent Podcast Awards!

This magical new Halloween episode features Annaliese Avery, author of The Wycherleys, in conversation with Cara and Molly.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL DISCOVER:

• How Annaliese’s characters shape their own stories when she is writing
• The importance of strong female relationships explored in The Wycherleys
• Why we need fantasy and romantasy now more than ever

PLUS: Libby and Emma present a SpotLit featurette with Alaska Reid - acclaimed songwriter, musician, and member of Witch Post. This abridged version is brilliant but don’t miss the full Alaska Reid interview next week when it drops as a SpotLit episode - it’s a must-listen for anyone who’s ever found magic in music and words alike…

To learn more:

Annaliese Avery – https://annalieseavery.com Alaska Reid – https://www.alaskareid.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

APPROX AGE RATING: 14+

Welcome to a brand new chapter of The Reading Cafe. This is SpotLit, our brand-new strand where we speak to figures from music, sport, entertainment and culture about their relationship with literature.

In this very first SpotLit episode, we’re joined by actor, voice artist and writer Safiyya Ingar, in conversation with Niamh and Isla.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL DISCOVER:

• How Safiyya fell in love with voice acting through narrating audiobooks

• Safiyya's unique approach to voting stories in a way that makes each character stand out

• Why representation on the page, on screen and in audio matters more than ever

Safiyya’s multifaceted career spans stage, screen, video games and audio. From playing Keira Metz in The Witcher opposite Henry Cavill, to starring as Valarie Lockwood in Doctor Who: The Eleventh Doctor Chronicles. They recently starred in Brides, the 2025 Sundance hit described by Variety as “magnetic” and “savvy”, and they’ve voiced video game titles including Valkyrie Elysium, Dustborn and Diablo IV.

Safiyya is also the narrator of For She Is Wrath, the stunning debut novel by Emily Varga, featured in this month's episode of The Reading Cafe.

This honest and illuminating conversation explores literature as both a refuge and a force for change, and sets the tone for the SpotLit series to come.

To learn more: Safiyya Ingar – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safiyya_Ingar Emily Varga – https://emilyvargabooks.com

Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and join us for future SpotLit episodes and as always… keep reading.