APPROX AGE RATING: 14+

Welcome back to The Reading Cafe!

Kayvion Lewis is the author of Thieves' Gambit, winner of the 2024 Waterstones Children’s Book Prize for Older Readers. This thrilling and wildly imaginative crime novel is the first in a series which looks certain to become the next big YA hit. Excitingly, it is now on its way to the big screen, having been sold to Lionsgate who have brought Creed and Transformers director, Steven Caple Jr, onto the project.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL DISCOVER:

• How Kayvion makes sure twists are unpredictable
• What she would say to her characters if she met them in real life
• The turning point in her journey as a writer

Plus, Kayvion reads an EXCLUSIVE preview of her new book, Heist Royale, which arrives in November.

This episode also features Holy Cross History teacher, Lucy Kinnie, who will be revealing the historical crime that has arrested her attention above all others...

To learn more about Kayvion Lewis, visit: https://www.kayvionlewis.com/

You wouldn’t want to miss any episodes of The Reading Cafe, so be sure to subscribe! Please leave a rating and review wherever you listen to podcasts and… keep reading!

APPROX AGE RATING: 15+ (NATIONAL 5 ENGLISH)

Welcome to The Reading Cafe - the podcast from Holy Cross High School that aims to get people talking about reading!

The inaugural Reading Cafe LIVE audience event featured an interview with Ann Marie Di Mambro, writer of the popular National 5 English set text, Tally’s Blood.

During this excellent interview, Ann Marie was in conversation with two of our outstanding S5 Reading Leaders, Elsa and Grace. Our audience of National 5 English pupils had the unique chance to hear the writer’s responses to questions about the characters, setting and themes of Tally’s Blood in preparation for the exam in May. 

They also enjoyed live scenes from the play performed by National 5 Drama pupils, Caroline and Martha, and Higher Drama students, Maria and David. After each scene, Ann Marie provides answers to an 8-mark style commonality question, focused on theme/relationships.

This is an invaluable resource for all pupils who are studying Tally’s Blood for their National 5 English exam, so make sure you take lots of notes as you listen!

Timestamps:

00:00:00 - Intro/Welcome to The Reading Cafe

00:04:37 - Ann Marie Di Mambro bio/Interview part 1 (setting/Rosinella/relationships)

00:14:38 - Act 1, Scene 11 and 8-mark discussion: theme of love

00:19:15 - Interview part 2 (setting/character/theme of identity/conflict)

00:23:49 - Act 2, Scene 8 and 8-mark discussion: relationship between Massimo and Rosinella

00:28:52 - National 5 Q & A: 1) Rosinella’s childlessness 2) Key scene: Italian experience 3) Theme of loss

00:34:21 - Final questions: If you could change one thing.../favourite character

00:39:24 - Thanks and closing remarks

SUBSCRIBE: @ApplePodcasts @spotify @audible @podbeancom

FOLLOW: @ReadingCafePod

APPROX AGE RATING: 13+

Welcome back to The Reading Cafe! In this episode, we're talking with S2 about graphic novels, dream memoirs and the secret diaries they would love to read... If you're thirsty for literary chat, our Reading Leaders are on hand to brew up some good book talk. If you haven't already, subscribe to make sure you don't miss a single episode and share The Reading Cafe with everyone you know.

APPROX AGE RATING: 12+

Welcome to the Reading Café – a brand new podcast from Holy Cross High School aiming to get people talking about reading. In each episode, we’ll be chatting with pupils about their literary dopplegangers, the villains they love to hate and the books they’d love to see make the transition from script to the screen. Be sure to subscribe to make sure you never miss an episode and share it with everyone you know!

APPROX AGE RATING: 11+

Welcome back to The Reading Cafe!

Elle McNicoll is an award-winning author and screenwriter whose debut novel, A Kind of Spark, won the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize, the Blackwells Book of 2020 and the Blue Peter Book Award. The novel was recently adapted into a fantastic CBBC show. She also established The Adrien Prize - an award for novels which feature disabled characters.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN ABOUT:  • Working as a professional author  • Learning to come up with creative ideas  • Elle’s experience of writing for television

This special transition episode also features P7 pupils from Holy Cross associated primaries, St Paul’s and St Mary’s, as well as guests from Support for Learning, James McManus and Aimee Gibson.

To learn more about Elle McNicoll, visit: https://www.ellemcnicoll.com/

You wouldn’t want to miss any episodes of The Reading Cafe, so be sure to subscribe! Please leave a rating and review wherever you listen to podcasts and… keep reading!

APPROX AGE RATING 11+

Welcome back to The Reading Cafe for a new season of awesome author interviews and riveting reading recommendations!

Matt Oldfield is a hugely popular author of non-fiction (Ultimate Football Heroes, Unbelievable Football) and fiction (Johnny Ball: Football Genius) books about... you guessed it, football!

His books fly off the library shelves and bring the lives of soccer stars into focus for young fans with interesting details of their journeys from "playground to pitch".

Listen to this superb interview to hear about Matt's "training routine" for writing, his approach to research and lots more, including his thoughts on the rise of women's football and the unsung heroes he'd love to see make their way into the Ultimate Football Heroes series. You'll also hear a reading from Matt and some half-time wisdom from two of our teachers from the Holy Cross High School PE team.

We have lots of amazing content coming up on this season of The Reading Cafe, so be sure to subscribe and please leave a 5 star review on the podcast platform of your choice!

Follow on X/Twitter: @ReadingCafePod

APPROX AGE RATING: 14+

Welcome back to The Reading Cafe for the second part of our interview with Comic King, Mark Millar!

In this episode, S6 Reading Leaders Ellie and Emma ask Mark about his opinions on the state of comic movie adaptations, his feelings about graphic novels finding their way into the classroom and lots more. It's a brilliant listen and we are very grateful to Mark for making time in his relentlessly busy schedule time to appear on the show.

Be sure to subscribe to The Reading Cafe on your podcast platform of choice as we have lots of exciting guests and shows planned. Also, please do leave a review if you enjoy what you hear, and follow us on Twitter at @ReadingCafePod to keep up-to-date with all our news.

As always... keep reading!

APPROX AGE RATING: 14+

This is the first episode of our two-part interview with Comic King and New York Times best-selling writer, Mark Millar.

Mark is the creator of the best-selling Marvel book of all time, Civil War, and his own Millarworld franchise was purchased by Netflix in 2017.

Listen to Mark talking about his writing process, his own heroes and advice for young people who hope to get into the comic industry.

Follow The Reading Café on Twitter at @ReadingCafePod

APPROX AGE RATING: 11+

Today’s episode arrives just in time for World Book Day 2023!

This is a discussion special in which our S1 pupils talk about Reading Resolutions, classic quotes, captivating covers & thought-provoking themes.

Also, listen to find out who we have lined up for The Reading Cafe as our next interview guest…

If you aren’t already following The Reading Cafe on Apple Podcasts/Audible, hit that subscribe button to make sure each new episode reaches you!

APPROX AGE RATING: 9-11

We ended the year on a high with our first Reading Cafe transition event, which gave Primary Seven pupils from St Bride’s Primary (Bothwell) and St John the Baptist Primary (Uddingston) the opportunity to speak to Adrien Prize nominee Aisha Bushby (A Pocketful of Stars/A Flash of Fireflies) about her writing process. This event was also the first to involve three S2-4 pupils as Junior Reading Leaders!

http://www.aishabushby.com

APPROX AGE RATING: 14+

🎃 HAPPY HALLOWEEN! 🎃

Fittingly for our Spooky Season Special, our interview guest is Master of Horror, Darren Shan!

Darren is the creator of Zom-B, Archibald Lox and Cirque du Freak. His books are on sale in 40 countries in 32 languages and have sold 30 million copies worldwide.

Darren talks with our S6 Reading Leaders and S1-4 Shanfans about his inspirations for writing, his relationship with his readership and his advice for would-be writers...

APPROX AGE RATING: 12+

Welcome back to The Reading Cafe! In this episode, we speak to Robin Stevens, author of the award-winning Murder Most Unladylike series. This is a fantastic interview and it was wonderful to be able to give some of her Holy Cross High School superfans the chance to talk with her. Soon after this interview, Robin was awarded Blackwell's Children's Book of the Year 2022 for her new novel, Ministry of Unladylike Activity.

https://robin-stevens.co.uk/

APPROX AGE RATING: 12+

Welcome back to The Reading Cafe, the award-winning podcast from Holy Cross High School that aims to get people talking about reading!

This special episode is the first ever Reading Cafe LIVE Jr, which features award-winning fantasy writer, Ross MacKenzie, who speaks with Nora and Orla about his latest thrilling novel, The Uninvited.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL DISCOVER:

• How (or even if...) Ross plans his stories, and how he visualises the exciting events of his books
• Ross's approach to addressing real world issues through junior fiction
• The influence of Scotland on his unique brand of fantasy writing

This episode was recorded in the Banqueting Hall at South Lanarkshire Council HQ before an audience of South Lanarkshire P7 pupils on the cusp of beginning in S1 at Holy Cross High School. Thank to the following schools for coming along to enjoy the show: St Bride's, St Elizabeth's, St John's (Blackwood), St John the Baptist, Our Lady and St Anne's, St Mary's (Hamilton), St Mary's (Larkhall) and St Paul's.

To learn more:

Ross MacKenzie - https://www.andersenpress.co.uk/contributors/ross-mackenzie/

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 new chapter of The Reading Cafe. This is SpotLit, our brand-new strand where we speak to interesting people from arts and culture about their relationship with literature.

In this SpotLit episode, Gemma and Victoria were joined by Aoife Anson-O'Connell of the thrilling 'Britainicana' band, Westside Cowboy.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL DISCOVER:

• The soundtrack Aoife would choose to accompany her favourite book
• Which character would sing in her fantasy literary supergroup!
• Why she loves escaping into magical realism

…AND SO MUCH MORE!

To learn more: Westside Cowboy

https://www.westsidecowboy.com/

https://chuffmedia.com/artists/westside-cowboy Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and join us for future SpotLit episodes and as always… keep reading.

APPROX AGE RATING: 9–12

Welcome back to The Reading Cafe, the award-winning podcast named Best Children and Young Adults' Show by the Independent Podcast Awards!

This episode is a double delight! We’re joined by award-winning author and screenwriter Frank Cottrell Boyce, along with his long-time collaborator, the brilliant illustrator Steven Lenton, for an inspiring and laughter-filled conversation all about stories, screenplays, and storytelling magic.

Frank is the celebrated author of Millions, Cosmic, and The Wonder Brothers, and he’s also the screenwriter behind Kensuke’s Kingdom and the unforgettable 2012 Olympics opening ceremony. His latest novel, The Blockbusters, brings his love of cinema and literature together in an exciting new adventure that celebrates friendship, creativity, and the power of stories.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL DISCOVER:

🎬 How Hollywood and screenwriting inspired The Blockbusters 🎙 Why hosting The Island of Brilliant podcast has changed how Frank thinks about children's books ✨ How magical elements help tell real-life stories in The Wonder Brothers 🎆 What it was like to help create the 2012 Olympic opening ceremony 📚 Frank's thoughts on the "happiness recession" and why access to books matters now more than ever 🎞 The challenges—and joys—of adapting Kensuke’s Kingdom for the big screen

PLUS: Illustrator Steven Lenton gives us a peek behind the scenes at how he brings Frank’s stories to life with colour, energy, and humour—and why pictures matter just as much as words.

To learn more: 📘 Frank Cottrell Boyce – https://www.stevenlenton.com

Don’t miss a single episode of The Reading Cafe! Subscribe, leave a rating or review wherever you listen, and most importantly… keep reading!

APPROX AGE RATING: 15+ (NATIONAL 5/HIGHER MODERN STUDIES/POLITICS)

Welcome to The Reading Cafe - the podcast from Holy Cross High School that aims to get people talking about reading!

The Reading Cafe LIVE 2025 audience event featured an interview with Darren McGarvey, award-winning BBC documentarian and Orwell Prize-winning author of Poverty Safari and The Social Distance Between Us.

During this excellent interview, Darren was in conversation with outstanding S6 Reading Leaders, Elsa and Grace. Our audience of National 5/Higher Modern Studies and Politics students had the opportunity to hear the writer’s responses to questions about key topics (poverty, health, gender and the criminal justice system) in preparation for the exam in May. 

They also enjoyed live self-written scenes ('Tone Deaf' and 'The Glass Ceiling') performed by Advanced Higher Drama pupils focused on poverty and gender.

This is an invaluable resource for all pupils who are studying for the National 5 and Higher Modern Studies and Politics exams, so make sure you take lots of notes as you listen!

SUBSCRIBE: @ApplePodcasts @spotify @audible @podbeancom

FOLLOW: @ReadingCafePod on Instagram

APPROX AGE RATING: 9-11

Welcome back to The Reading Cafe!

Pari Thomson is the author of the acclaimed eco-fantasy series Greenwild, which won the 2024 Waterstones Children's Book Prize for both the overall category and the Younger Readers prize. In addition to her own writing, Pari works as the Editorial Director at Bloomsbury Children's Books. Her Greenwild series has been praised for its imaginative storytelling and environmental themes.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL DISCOVER:

• Why Pari chooses to write children's literature
• How the magic of nature inspires her 
• Plus, Pari reads from Greenwild: The World Behind The Door

This episode also features Holy Cross Geography teachers, Stephanie Murphy and Dawn Honnet, who will be talking about their connection to nature and literature.

To learn more about Pari Thomson, visit: https://us.macmillan.com/author/parithomson

You wouldn't want to miss any episodes of The Reading Cafe, so be sure to subscribe!

Please leave a rating, review wherever you listen to podcasts and... keep reading!

APPROX AGE RATING: 14+

WINNER - Best Children and Young Adults' Podcast 2024 (Independent Podcast Awards)

Welcome back to the Reading Cafe!

Kat McKenna is author of Look What You Made Me Do: A Love-Letter to the Fandom Era. As a massive long-term Swiftie, Kat evaluates the phenomenon of Taylor Swift's success and looks at the concept of fandom itself. 

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL HEAR ABOUT:

- How Taylor makes her fans feel “seen”. 

- Swiftmas and the Easter Eggs Taylor leaves throughout her songs, performances and videos. 

- Why fans care so much about Taylor as a person, not just as a pop star.

...AND MUCH MORE!

This episode also features two members of The Tortured English Department, Miss Gallagher and Miss Quigley, who will be telling you about their most prized poets and treasured Taylor Swift songs. 

To learn more about Kat McKenna, visit: https://www.katmckenna.com

You wouldn’t want to miss any episodes of The Reading Cafe, so be sure to subscribe. Please leave a rating and review wherever you listen to podcasts and… keep reading!

APPROX AGE RATING: 14+

Welcome back to The Reading Cafe, the award-winning podcast from Holy Cross High School that aims to get people talking about reading!

This special Reading Cafe LIVE episode features singer, song-writer, novelist and film-maker Stuart Murdoch of the legendary Scottish band, Belle and Sebastian.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL DISCOVER:

• How Stuart approaches imagining things into reality, whether in song, for the page or on the screen.
• The links Stuart finds between creativity and spirituality
• How punk influenced his writing, alongside his favourite book...

This episode features three exclusive solo performances of classic Belle and Sebastian songs: Fox in the Snow, Dog on Wheels and very excitingly, The Boy With The Arab Strap, which Stuart has never previously played without the band.

To learn more:

Belle and Sebastian - https://www.belleandsebastian.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 back to The Reading Cafe, the award-winning podcast from Holy Cross High School that aims to get people talking about reading!

We’re making history with this episode featuring Alice Loxton, author of recent #3 Times Book Chart bestseller, Eleanor.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL DISCOVER:

• The emotional connection Alice builds with figures from the past and how she is engaging modern readers with history
• How she compensates for gaps in historical records to bring stories to life with authenticity and vitality 
• The inspiration for her unique blend of historical research, personal reflection and travel journalism 

To learn more:

Alice Loxton - https://aliceloxton.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 back to The Reading Cafe, the award-winning podcast from Holy Cross High School that aims to get people talking about reading!

This thrilling episode features Benjamin Dean, author of YA survival horror novel, Bury Your Friends.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL DISCOVER:

• How Ben maintains tension between characters to create atmosphere 
• The influences from music and the movies that found their way into Bury Your Friends
• Why the “terrible people” who populate the novel are Ben’s favourites of his characters!

To learn more:

Benjamin Dean - https://www.madeleinemilburn.co.uk/mm-authors/benjamin-dean/

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 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.

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 and current FINALIST in the 2025 British Podcast Awards and 2025 Independent Podcast Awards!

This brilliant episode features Emily Varga, writer of For She Is Wrath, in conversation with Rosie and Nicole.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL DISCOVER:

• How Emily balances her creative life a s writer with her professional role as a family lawyer
• Her approach to writing without being stuck to a plan
• Why fantasy is her favourite genre

PLUS: Isla and Niamh present the SpotLit featurette with a mini-interview with actor Safiyya Ingar, star of The Witcher and Brides, whose remarkable voice brings the audiobook of the novel to life. Emily’s enlightening, deep and thought-provoking interview appears in full in this episode, and Safiyya is our SpotLit guest, appearing in a 10 minute segment halfway through.  Be sure to listen to the full Safiyya Ingar interview next week when it is published as a bonus SpotLit episode - it is worth hearing all the way through, especially if you’ve ever dreamed of being an actor as Safiyya is proof that ambition is more than a dream! 

To learn more:

Emily Varga - https://emilyvargabooks.com

Safiyya Ingar - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safiyya_Ingar

Don’t miss a single episode of The Reading Cafe! Subscribe, leave a rating or review wherever you listen, and most importantly… keep reading!

APPROX AGE RATING: 14+

Welcome to Season 5 of The Reading Cafe, the award-winning podcast named Best Children and Young Adults' Show by the Independent Podcast Awards and current FINALIST in the 2025 British Podcast Awards!

This special Reading Cafe LIVE episode was recorded with an enthusiastic audience at the Edinburgh International Book Festival where we were joined by Waterstones Children's Book Prize winner, Nathanael Lessore.

Our tremendous presenters Sophia and Namatai had a fantastic chat with Nathanael and the audience were thoroughly entertained - laughing, applauding and no doubt making their way to pick up his excellent books (Steady For This, King of Nothing and What Happens Online) straight after the event...

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL DISCOVER:

• Nathanael's approach to ensuring his use of language chimes with his audience
• His process to addressing issues around toxic masculinity and the potential problems of online anonymity
• How his life has changed since winning the Waterstones Children's Book Prize for Older Readers

PLUS: Alice and Daisy present an Ed Book Fest featurette including a mini-interview with Carnegie Medal winner, Margaret McDonald (Glasgow Boys) and excerpts from the YA Book Prize award ceremony, co-hosted by The Reading Cafe's Elsa and Grace alongside Laura Bates (Non-fiction: Everyday Sexism/YA Fiction: Sisters of Fire and Fury) 

To learn more:

Nathanael Lessore - https://www.darleyandersonchildrens.com/book/king-of-nothing/

Margaret McDonald - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c8e4k4zxwwlo

Laura Bates - https://www.laurabates.co.uk/

Don’t miss a single episode of The Reading Cafe! Subscribe, leave a rating or review wherever you listen, and most importantly… keep reading!