OurShelves with special guest Linda Grant

How can we reconsider failure?

In this episode of OurShelves Lucy Scholes interviews Linda Grant, a multi-award-winning author whose latest novel, A Stranger City, is out now in paperback. In this episode Lucy and Linda discuss Barbara Pym, Mrs. America and the importance of recalling our failures as well as our successes.

Click here to listen.

On the nightstand

Lunch with the Brownings by Penelope Mortimer

A Glass full of Blessings by Barbara Pym

Rosanna Joins the Wells by Lorna Hill

On your mind

Betty, Gloria and Shirley… we can learn so much from Mrs America’s pioneers by Natasha Walter

On repeat

My Brilliant Friend – The Story of a New Name, the second series adapted from Elena Ferrante’s novel

Pass it on

1. I’m reluctant to recommend novels, we like what we like and people become hurt if I don’t love what they love, but, it would have to be Vasily Grossman’s Life and Fate, which isn’t for everyone.

On the pedestal

1. Joan Bakewell

On the wall

1. Norman Parkinson 1949 photo of four models in hats atop a skyscraper with the NY skyline spread out behind them, one is saluting

2. On the shelf

   1. Hidden from History by Sheila Rowbotham

Tune in next time for more conversation about books, feminism and culture.