The latest edition of The Thursday Book Club was broadcast on 18th December 2025 at 2pm on Phonic FM. Joining hosts Jonathan Posner and Cathy Dodd were Kate Harris and Su Bristow. Click the names to find out more about them, and use the audio bar below to listen to the full show.
Given the season, we decided to review A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. We were particularly keen to go back to the original text and strip away all the modern interpretations.
Available on Amazon.
Our guest authors introduced their books:
Kate also told us about the illustrations she has done for her book – and has sent some over for us to enjoy!
The second hour featured an interview by Cathy Dodd with author Debbie Morrison who told us all about her series of ‘Perfect’ books set in the village of Brambleton.
Cathy also played some great music!
Listen to the show in full here:
The next show is at 2pm on the 15th January 2026.
NEWS
Terry Green is excited to invite you to an immersive afternoon where he’ll be sharing the twists and turns of his life and career that ultimately led him to write his first crime thriller, Redline; a fast, high-energy story set in the glamorous world of sports cars. This event is part of the Plymouth Literary Festival. Terry says he’ll be lifting the lid on the real moments that shaped the book, peppering the session with anecdotes, and showcasing selected extracts from Redline, brought to life by Nigel Howells from the South West’s Moonstone Theatre Company. It’s on 14 February 2026 at 3:00pm, and it’s at Portland Square, University of Plymouth. Tickets are via the Plymouth Literary Festival.
Devon County Council have launched a formal consultation on the future of the library service in Devon. This is a crucially important time for local libraries across Devon. The council have commissioned Libraries Unlimited to run 50 public libraries in their area, and they want as many people as possible to have their say and help shape how services are delivered in future. Devon County Council are inviting you to give your views on Devon’s libraries now, the proposed changes to the library service, and any alternatives you may wish to propose. You do not need to be a library member to complete the consultation, it is open to everyone. This consultation is open until Sunday 22 February 2026. All feedback will be collated and used to inform a new libraries strategy. https://devon.cc/your-libraries
This is a call for all novelists: Entries for the Exeter Novel Prize close on 1st if you are a writer, without an agent, this could be a great way to get your work in front of literary agent Helle Ogden who will be choosing the finalists and winner.
Go to the info / entry page here.
The new organisers of the Exeter Novel Prize are Word Kitchen. Word Kitchen’s David Lloyd says “We are fortunate to have the support of two great ambassadors Fiona Williams and Orlando Murrin who are championing writers.” Get your entries in by the 1st January. More info at wordkitchen.org.uk.
Dean Matthews says his The Foundation Stone series, including the third and fourth books in the series, Prophecy and Allegiance, and The Mysterious Child, will make an excellent gift at Christmas. An enthralling and engaging trip into the world of Aymara, including greyswords, a dark and dangerous figure from the past – and dragons; the pages are filled with jeopardy, excitement, intrigue and light & dark magic. Go to deangmatthews.co.uk.
