What’s ‘The Island Library Podcast?’

I know you’ve been asking it…

Okay, fine. Maybe you haven’t, but I am sure that some of you may know that today, the 1st of July, is one of the most joyful moments of my life. Finally, after many weeks of recording, further weeks of planning, The Island Library has launched with our Podcast episodes having been released into the world.

So, what is it?

Each week your hosts—Laura and I—put a fun twist on the get-to-know-you-question by asking one another if the book they’ve read that week will take up a spot in their library. Y’know, if we were stranded on a desert island. The twist though, there are only ten spaces. So, we have to be ruthless with our choices otherwise. Yes, you guessed it, because otherwise books are going in the sea.

And no one likes soggy pages.

This fun, adorable—if I do say so myself—podcast begun in a Facebook messenger chat as just a discussion. Then, it became something I’m so wholeheartedly proud of. Not just because my co-host Laura is an actual goddess, (honestly, she’s amazing) but because we did what we set out to do. We let nothing hold us back, not even anxious weeks or nights I hadn’t slept; Laura had her own things going off with a move and freelancing, but at no point did either of us give up.

Creating this podcast has been a highlight of my life, because for the first time in a really long time, I felt authentically me and unafraid if anyone seeing it–or well, hearing it. Some of you may remember my short lived book Youtube videos, but they filled me with such anxiety it was over before it began. I’ve never felt this with Laura, or this podcast.

The point of me saying all of this is, if you listen—and I hope you do, because we are hilarious—I want you to know we are being as authentic as we are when we talk to one another without being recorded. Each laugh is real, and except the intro nothing is scripted—which, I give away a lot.

So, if you’re a lover of books, and want to hear two British girls discuss a new book each week, deciding that limiting question of what books they’d have on an island, this podcast is for you. Plus, we do give quite good book recommendations, again, if I say so myself.

As much as we wanted to make a podcast for us, The Island Library is something we thought can bring some positivity to the world, starting this at the beginning of lockdown in the UK due to the pandemic. Understandably, there will be times when you may disagree with our opinion on the books, but that’s what makes art and literature so interesting. So, if you have any suggestions of books you’d want us to read, recommend them over; if you have a disagreement with us, let us know, we would love to hear from you, honestly.

But the main thing I really want you to take away from this, dear reader, is shoot for the stars. If there’s something you’re fearful of getting out there, a creative side of you bursting to escape, or an idea you just can’t let go of, then chase it. I did. We did, and we have a wonderful thing we are so proud of, and I think you’ll feel the same when you shoot your shot.

I couldn’t smile any larger right now as I post this, I can’t believe we actually did it, and at the time of this, ten wonderful people have already listened. Sometimes, dreams do come true.

The Island Library Podcast can be found on iTunes, Spotify, and Stitcher.

Laura can be found here.