Tea or Books? #108: Books with Bite or No Bite; Late and Soon vs A Game of Hide and Seek

Bite, E.M. Delafield, Elizabeth Taylor – welcome to episode 108!

In the first half of this episode, we discuss a topic suggested by Gina – do we prefer books with bite or without bite? All will be explained in due course… In the second half we pit two books with similar plots against each other: Late and Soon by E.M. Delafield and A Game of Hide and Seek by Elizabeth Taylor.

Do get in touch – with voice notes, questions, suggestions – to teaorbooks[at]gmail.com. You can find us at Patreon, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, your podcast app of choice.

The books and authors mentioned in this episode are:

Exit West by Mohsin Hamid
H is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald
The Goshawk by T.H. White
T.H. White by Sylvia Townsend Warner
The Real and the Romantic by Francis Spalding
Osebol by Marit Kapla
Rose Macaulay
Margery Sharp
Miss Read
O. Douglas
Someone at a Distance by Dorothy Whipple
Because of the Lockwoods by Dorothy Whipple
High Wages by Dorothy Whipple
Mrs Palfrey at the Claremont by Elizabeth Taylor
Saul Bellow
Elizabeth Fair
Ursula Orange
O, The Brave Music by Dorothy Evelyn Smith
Britannia Mews by Margery Sharp
The Stone of Chastity by Margery Sharp
Anne of Avonlea by L.M. Montgomery
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
Persuasion by Jane Austen
The Other Elizabeth Taylor by Nicola Beauman
Frost at Morning by Richmal Crompton
Heat Wave by Penelope Lively
Heat Lightning by Helen Hull

9 thoughts on “Tea or Books? #108: Books with Bite or No Bite; Late and Soon vs A Game of Hide and Seek

  • August 27, 2022 at 8:15 pm
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    I’m halfway through your podcast (really enjoying it) and am looking forward to the discussion later. I read Late and Soon recently and loved it. I have not got my own copy and have failed to source a reasonably priced book yet so please could I register an interest in your spare copy.

    Thank you!

    Reply
    • September 7, 2022 at 9:33 pm
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      You’re in the draw, Sarah!

      Reply
  • August 28, 2022 at 3:09 pm
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    I tend to prefer a bit of bite – or at least some underlying tension – too much niceness just leaves me a little flat! :D

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    • September 7, 2022 at 9:32 pm
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      Agree!!

      Reply
    • September 7, 2022 at 9:32 pm
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      Taylor is definitely a stunning writer

      Reply
  • August 31, 2022 at 12:54 am
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    Thanks to you and Rachel for this enjoyable episode! I have listened to all of your programs, many more than once after reading the books you discuss. “Bite or no bite” was a very successful prompt!

    Over the years, you and Rachel have developed such an easy rapport and so much confidence and “gravitas,” all while being witty and fun.

    Since you like “books about books” and come from a booklish family, I’d like to recommend The End of Your Life Book Club by Will Schwalbe. It sounds depressing, but it’s not. Bittersweet but also charming and smart and moving.

    Reply
    • September 7, 2022 at 9:31 pm
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      Thank you so much for this lovely comment, Susan, I appreciate it! And for the recommendation of the Schwalbe book. I have one of his, but not that one.

      Reply
  • December 11, 2022 at 12:51 am
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    Thank you so much for sharing my message on the podcast, Simon and Rachel! It was really interesting to hear how you felt about my topic, Bite or No Bite. I’m definitely a No Bite type of reader, but I think most people do like a bit of bite. I think it also depends on how I’m feeling emotionally at the time, too. I’m in love with your podcast and I can’t go anywhere without a couple of downloaded episodes. Now that I only have a few left that I haven’t listened to (noooo!), I’m re-listening to my past favorites. Especially episodes that I listened to, but I hadn’t actually read the book yet. You’re both two of my all-time favorite book people. Can’t wait until the next episode 🤗💕🌸

    Reply

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