In this episode of the Indie Book Club Podcast, Cathy speaks with Mark Field – British businessman, commentator, and former Conservative MP – about the turbulent state of British politics.

Drawing on insights from his new book "The End of an Era: The Decline and Fall of the Tory Party", Mark offers a candid and thought-provoking reflection on the economic, social and political challenges facing the UK.

From the corrosive effects of inflation to the housing crisis, pension inequality, and the changing role of universities, the conversation explores why so many young people are disillusioned with the political system – and whether reform is truly possible.

This is a wide-ranging, deeply insightful episode that connects the dots between past policy failures and today’s mounting crises – essential listening for anyone trying to understand modern Britain and where it’s headed next.

Books mentioned in this episode:https://amzn.to/3FPGLqX

Inkspot Publishing receives a commission for any Amazon sales made through the above affiliate links.

The Indie Books Club is a podcast dedicated to discussing books of all kinds, usually from Indie presses. We'll talk about books that make us think, chat with guests from the publishing world, and more. Hosted by Cathy Evans and brought to you by Inkspot Publishing, we aim to enrich your day with interesting arguments, unfiltered thoughts, and a few jokes!Inkspot Publishing Website: https://inkspotpublishing.com/

Amazon Affiliate Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/inkspotpub?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_aipsfshop_FCBRWQP5VFZXGXDTTN2B_1

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Produced and edited by Taryn de Meillon

#IndieBookClub #BookPodcast #BookTube #ReadingCommunity #AmReading #FictionLover #Storytelling #LiteratureLover #Bookish #WritingCommunity #Novels #Bookstagram #PopCultureBooks #podcast #publishing #literature #freespeech

In this engaging conversation, Helen Lederer discusses her memoir 'Not That I'm Bitter', reflecting on her journey in comedy, the significance of authenticity, and the challenges faced by women in comedy.

She shares insights on the evolution of comedy, the impact of the woke movement, and her initiatives to support women writers through Comedy Women in Print. The discussion also touches on personal growth, future aspirations, and the joy of connecting through humor.

Books mentioned in this episode:Not That I'm Bitter: https://amzn.to/45h55Mw

Inkspot Publishing receives a commission for any Amazon sales made through the above affiliate links.

Connect with Helen: https://www.helenlederer.co.uk/

https://www.facebook.com/helenlederer/

https://www.instagram.com/helenlederer/?hl=en

https://x.com/helenlederer/

Comedy Women in Print (CWIP):

https://www.comedywomeninprint.co.uk/

https://www.instagram.com/cwipprize/

https://www.facebook.com/CWIPprize

https://x.com/CWIPprizehttps://www.youtube.com/c/CWIPprize

The Indie Books Club is a podcast dedicated to discussing books of all kinds, usually from Indie presses. We'll talk about books that make us think, chat with guests from the publishing world, and more. Hosted by Cathy Evans and brought to you by Inkspot Publishing, we aim to enrich your day with interesting arguments, unfiltered thoughts, and a few jokes!

Inkspot Publishing Website: https://inkspotpublishing.com/

Amazon Affiliate Page:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/inkspotpub?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_aipsfshop_FCBRWQP5VFZXGXDTTN2B_1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inkspotpub/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/inkspotpublishing/

X: https://www.twitter.com/inkspotpub/

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@inkspotpub

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/inkspot-publishing/posts/?feedView=all

Produced and edited by Taryn de Meillon#IndieBookClub #BookPodcast #BookTube #ReadingCommunity #AmReading #FictionLover #Storytelling #LiteratureLover #Bookish #WritingCommunity #Novels #Bookstagram #PopCultureBooks #podcast #publishing #literature #freespeech

British journalist Andrew Pierce documented the search for his birth mother in his book, Finding Margaret. In this episode, Pierce opens up about the deeply personal and emotional journey behind the book — from his early years in a Cheltenham orphanage, through a loving adoption, to the complex and often painful process of reconnecting with his birth mother, Margaret.

With humor, honesty, and vulnerability, Pierce describes the psychological impact of adoption, the challenges of unearthing long-buried family secrets, and the catharsis of writing his first book, which has since become a Sunday Times bestseller.

Books mentioned in this episode:Finding Margaret: https://amzn.to/42EWJgg

Inkspot Publishing receives a commission for any Amazon sales made through the above affiliate links.

The Indie Books Club is a podcast dedicated to discussing books of all kinds, usually from Indie presses. We'll talk about books that make us think, chat with guests from the publishing world, and more. Hosted by Cathy Evans and brought to you by Inkspot Publishing, we aim to enrich your day with interesting arguments, unfiltered thoughts, and a few jokes!

Inkspot Publishing Website: https://inkspotpublishing.com/

Amazon Affiliate Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/inkspotpub?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_aipsfshop_FCBRWQP5VFZXGXDTTN2B_1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inkspotpub/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/inkspotpublishing/

X: https://www.twitter.com/inkspotpub/

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@inkspotpub

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/inkspot-publishing/posts/?feedView=all

Produced and edited by Taryn de Meillon#IndieBookClub #BookPodcast #BookTube #ReadingCommunity #AmReading #FictionLover #Storytelling #LiteratureLover #Bookish #WritingCommunity #Novels #Bookstagram #PopCultureBooks #podcast #publishing #literature #freespeech

In this episode of the Indie Book Club, we dive into the most beloved — and most polarizing — genre of all: romance.

From adolescent obsessions with Byronic heroes to the slow realization that kindness might just be the ultimate aphrodisiac, our host takes listeners on a sharp, witty, and deeply personal journey through love, literature, and disillusionment.

Through the lens of iconic stories like Wuthering Heights, we explore the damage done by impossible ideals and the complicated biology that tricks us into thinking bad boys are a good idea.

We also get into the gloriously absurd world of Mills & Boon and Barbara Cartland, with their outdated tropes, formulaic plots, and heroine-villain dynamics dressed up as love.

But beyond the sarcasm and satire, this episode also makes space for the comfort and escapism that romance provides—especially in lonely or stressful times.

Whether you're a long-time lover of love stories or a jaded realist with a cup of tea, there’s something here to make you laugh, cringe, and maybe rethink your teenage crush on Heathcliff.

Books mentioned in this episode:https://amzn.to/4lmeCHZ

Inkspot Publishing receives a commission for any Amazon sales made through the above affiliate links.

The Indie Books Club is a podcast dedicated to discussing books of all kinds, usually from Indie presses. We'll talk about books that make us think, chat with guests from the publishing world, and more. Hosted by Cathy Evans and brought to you by Inkspot Publishing, we aim to enrich your day with interesting arguments, unfiltered thoughts, and a few jokes!

Inkspot Publishing Website: https://inkspotpublishing.com/

Amazon Affiliate Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/inkspotpub?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_aipsfshop_FCBRWQP5VFZXGXDTTN2B_1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inkspotpub/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/inkspotpublishing/

X: https://www.twitter.com/inkspotpub/

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@inkspotpub

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/inkspot-publishing/posts/?feedView=all

Produced and edited by Taryn de Meillon

#IndieBookClub #BookPodcast #BookTube #ReadingCommunity #AmReading #FictionLover #Storytelling #LiteratureLover #Bookish #WritingCommunity #Novels #Bookstagram #PopCultureBooks #podcast #publishing #literature #freespeech

What separates great crime fiction from the forgettable? In this episode, we dive into the key ingredients that make crime novels truly gripping.

From complex characters and clever plotting to immersive atmospheres and unexpected twists, we highlight the authors who do it best.

We also explore how crime fiction can be both a thrilling escape and a reflection of deeper social issues, touching on books from Agatha Christie to Mick Herron.

Whether you're a crime fiction fan or an aspiring writer, this discussion will give you insight into what makes the genre so enduringly popular. Plus, we debate the fine line between dark and gratuitous, why shock value isn't enough, and how the best crime novels keep readers hooked until the very last page.

Books mentioned in this episode: https://amzn.to/4iNRIXW

Inkspot Publishing receives a commission for any Amazon sales made through the above affiliate links.

The Indie Books Club is a podcast dedicated to discussing books of all kinds, usually from Indie presses. We'll talk about books that make us think, chat with guests from the publishing world, and more.

Hosted by Cathy Evans and brought to you by Inkspot Publishing, we aim to enrich your day with interesting arguments, unfiltered thoughts, and a few jokes!

Inkspot Publishing Website: https://inkspotpublishing.com/

Amazon Affiliate Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/inkspotpub?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_aipsfshop_FCBRWQP5VFZXGXDTTN2B_1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inkspotpub/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/inkspotpublishing/

X: https://www.twitter.com/inkspotpub/

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@inkspotpub

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/inkspot-publishing/posts/?feedView=all

Produced and edited by Taryn de Meillon

#IndieBookClub #BookPodcast #BookTube #ReadingCommunity #AmReading #FictionLover #Storytelling #LiteratureLover #Bookish #WritingCommunity #Novels #Bookstagram #PopCultureBooks #podcast #publishing #literature #freespeech

Books mentioned in this episode: https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/inkspotpub/list/306DZ7VO5JVH2?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_aipsflist_54VJFF4BHP4260S3CHYY

Inkspot Publishing receives a commission for any Amazon sales made through the above affiliate links.

Why do some crime novels grip us while others leave us rolling our eyes? In this episode, we dive into the common pitfalls that make bad crime fiction so frustrating. From predictable twists and lazy plotting to cartoonish villains and gratuitous violence, we break down the storytelling sins that take the thrill out of the thriller.

Why do so many detectives act like rogue vigilantes? Why do the police always seem incompetent? And why do some crime authors think endless shock value is a substitute for good storytelling?

We also explore what makes crime fiction so enduringly popular and why the best mysteries keep readers guessing while staying grounded in logic.

Whether you're a writer looking to avoid these mistakes or a reader who loves dissecting crime fiction, this episode is for you. Plus, we’ll discuss some of our favorite crime novels that get it right—and those that absolutely don’t.

The Indie Books Club is a podcast dedicated to discussing books of all kinds, usually from Indie presses. We'll talk about books that make us think, chat with guests from the publishing world, and more. Hosted by Cathy Evans and brought to you by Inkspot Publishing, we aim to enrich your day with interesting arguments, unfiltered thoughts, and a few jokes!

Inkspot Publishing Website: https://inkspotpublishing.com/

Amazon Affiliate Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/inkspotpub?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_aipsfshop_FCBRWQP5VFZXGXDTTN2B_1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inkspotpub/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/inkspotpublishing/

X: https://www.twitter.com/inkspotpub/

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@inkspotpub

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/inkspot-publishing/posts/?feedView=all

Produced and edited by Taryn de Meillon

#IndieBookClub #BookPodcast #BookTube #ReadingCommunity #AmReading #FictionLover #Storytelling #LiteratureLover #Bookish #WritingCommunity #Novels #Bookstagram #PopCultureBooks #podcast #publishing #literature #freespeech

Books Mentioned in this episode: https://www.amazon.co.uk/shop/inkspotpub/list/1C7ITS7AW6U64?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_aipsflist_9PTSE6WPNCJQ15JVD2KJ

Inkspot Publishing receives a commission for any sales made through the above affiliate link.

In the first episode of the Indie Book Club Podcast, Cathy explores the power of historical fiction—how it reimagines the past while staying rooted in truth. From Catherine de Medici’s chilling reputation to the Tudor court’s political intrigue, we discuss how authors like Jean Plaidy, Hilary Mantel, and Philippa Gregory craft compelling narratives that blur the line between fact and fiction.

We also dive into the ethics of rewriting history, how characters with outdated worldviews are portrayed, and why alternative history novels like Fatherland challenge our perception of the past.Along the way, we reflect on the role of historical fiction in shaping our understanding of real events, its ability to humanize controversial figures, and how storytelling can offer deeper insights than traditional history books. Whether you're a history buff or a fiction lover, this episode will make you rethink how stories influence our perception of truth.The Indie Books Club is a podcast dedicated to discussing books of all kinds, usually from Indie presses. We'll talk about books that make us think, chat with guests from the publishing world, and more.

Hosted by Cathy Evans and brought to you by Inkspot Publishing, we aim to enrich your day with interesting arguments, unfiltered thoughts, and a few jokes!

Inkspot Publishing Website: https://inkspotpublishing.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inkspotpub/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/inkspotpublishing/

X: https://www.twitter.com/inkspotpub/

Threads: https://www.threads.net/@inkspotpub

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/inkspot-publishing/posts/?feedView=all

Produced and edited by Taryn de Meillon

#IndieBookClub #BookPodcast #BookTube #ReadingCommunity #AmReading #FictionLover #Storytelling #LiteratureLover #Bookish #WritingCommunity #Novels #Bookstagram #PopCultureBooks #podcast #publishing #literature #freespeech