95bFM's Loose Reads
Today, Jenna reviewed The Pisces...a merman erotica by Melissa Broder, author of @sosadtoday.
This book tells the tale (or tail) of Lucy, an anxious student who moves to Venice Beach for the summer to dog sit for her sister.
She soon meets Theo the merman, with a tail that starts below his bum.
A rather bonkers read, which is funny and well written, as well as a poignant observation of despression. Listen below for more!
On 95bFM's Loose Reads, Kiran reviewed Sharp: The Women Who Made An Art of Having An Opinion by Michelle Dean. It's a fascinating group biography of ten brilliant women writers from Joan Didion to Susan Sontag, who were some of the sharpest thinkers and writers across literature, criticism, philosophy and journalism.
Provocateur, icon, enigma... who was Michael Jackson, really? Suri reviewed Margo Jefferson's insightful biography On Michael Jackson on Loose Reads this morning.
On 95bFM's Loose Reads, Kiran reviewed Caitlin Moran's new novel How to Be Famous - it's like Pippi Longstocking with whisky, a comic novel about music, music writing, ambition and confidence set when the upswell of Britpop was gathering speed...
This year, the Golden State Killer was caught after 45 years on the run. Before this however, Michelle McNamara spent years obsessing about this case and began investigating the crimes herself. I'll be Gone in the Dark, published posthumously, is MIchelle's investigation. It's a gripping read full of both humanity and detail.
Jenna talks to Mikey & Tess about why this is destined to be a true crime classic.
Jenna reviews the highly acclaimed 2017 memoir Priestdaddy, which has recently come out in paperback! This is a hilarious family tale - the premise of which Mikey does not believe to be possible. Listen here to find out more.
On 95bFM's Loose Reads, Kiran reviewed The Story of The Face: The Magazine That Changed Culture by Paul Gorman. It's a lavish, beautifully produced book which celebrates the history of the iconic British magazine The Face. Essential reading for lovers of magazines, fashion, culture, design and photography.
On 95bFM's Loose Reads, Kiran reviewed the new updated edition of Listen to This by Alex Ross, who appeared at the Auckland Writers Festival last week. A wonderfully engaging book about musical culture which explores essential figures in classical music alongside alternative views on pop music.
This morning Jenna reviewed Hellholes of the World: A Love Story by David G. Brown. This is a pure, rough and tumble travel memoir. Published posthumously, David tells of travelling to places that are no usually on your bucket list: Israel, Syria, the Congo, Banglasdesh, Sierra Leone and more. This is a classic travel memoir with excellent storytelling and political insight.
Jenna also chats with Jogai about Auckland Writers Festival highlights.
Today, Jenna gives bFM listeners a taste of the music-y events that are happening at the Auckland Writers Festival.
This includes three sessions with Alex Ross, author of The Rest is Noise. Tama Waipara's songwriting series 'On Song', featuring musical guests Nadia Reid, Lawrence Arabia and Moana Maniapoto. We also talk about the Ockhams and The Listener Festival Gala.
Today, Kiran reviewed Afterglow, Eileen Myles' memoir of their dog. Sadly, Myles has been a late cancellation for the Auckland Writers Festival but we recommend checking our their work as well as listening to this interview with RNZ's Kim Hill.
On Monday, Jenna, Jogai and Mikey spoke about the excellent read, Ponti. With sweaty Singapore as its backdrop, this story interweaves the lives of three women. It's smart, captures the subtly of complex female relationships, has great pop culture references. Listen to the review below.
Sharlene Teo will be in town for the Auckland Writer's Festival in just a few weeks. Check out her sessions here.
Kiran's brought in a rock-infused number this week. Vinyl. Album. Cover. Art: The Complete Hipgnosis Catalogue is exactly what the title suggests: a full feature of design collective Hipgnosis, showcasing groundbreaking cover art created for iconic rock 'n' roll giants including Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, and Pink Floyd to name a few.
This morning Jenna reviewed the riveting memoir, Educated. Westover grew up in a radical survivalist Morman family in rural Idaho. She didn't attend high school, but studied on her own to gain University entrance. Listen to what else happens here and why you should read it!
Kiran reviewed one of the 2018 Ockham shortlisted titles, Sodden Downstream on 95bFM this morning. A story about marginalised voices, refugees, class & zero hour contracts. You can listen here:
Ian speaks with Mikey in his last book review before he ditched Time Out for the mean streets of Dublin. Penguin's new series of Mini Modern Classics is packed full of incredible titles for only $3 each.
Suri spoke with Jogai about the recently translated Frankenstein in Baghdad, which was the International Prize for Arabic fiction winner in 2014.
This is also our first Time Out Lit Reads Book Club title! You can read more information about the Lit Reads book club here and buy tickets here.
Jenna chatted to Mikey about Down with Childhood, a slim book on a rather specific topic: children's voices in pop music.
Ian chats to Mikey Havoc about daughters! and the economy!
You can buy it here & you can listen here:
Jenna reviewed one of the best short story collections today on bFM's Loose Reads. Things to do when you're Goth in the Country is a collection eight short stories - American small town grime full of imagination, politics & black humour. Jenna's highlights are Zombie and A New Mohawk.
