Life with Nat - EP136: Nat's Nieces #25 - Book Club #1 - The Tenant by Freida McFadden

Episode Date: July 23, 2025

It's here! First book club ep and we're off to a flyer. Some great debriefing about The Tenant by Freida McFadden in this ep. For those still not caught up with the book, the first and last 10 minutes of this episode are book spoiler free and just all the usual fun chat, including Roro's birthday! And some current obsessions. Enjoy! Enjoy!! xx Please subscribe, follow, and leave a review. xxx You can find us in all places here; ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podfollow.com/lifewithnat/view⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ INSTA: @natcass1 A 'Keep It Light Media' Production Sales, advertising, and general enquiries: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[e-mail]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ SHOW INFO: Life with Nat - it’s me! Natalie Cassidy and I’ll be chatting away to family, friends and most importantly YOU. I want to pick people's brains on the subjects that I care about- whether that’s where all the odd socks go, weight and food or kids on phones. Each week I will be letting you into my life as i chat about my week, share my thoughts on the mundane happenings as well as the serious. I have grown up in the public eye and have never changed because of it. Life with Nat is the podcast for proper people. Come join the community. ♥️ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

MUSIC Got a little something for you. LAUGHS You're a wanker. LAUGHS What is this, like, what we have to do now? No, just for you. You made a big deal.

There you go. Happy birthday. HBD. For yesterday. Delated. Oh my god, these are horrendous. I just didn't want you to feel like we'd forgotten about it. They're just taking a photo.

For the pod I've bought, Maria, I shall post it, a beautiful pink furry hat and a little happy birthday pair of glasses. Got to give her a little sing song, haven't we? Yeah. Oh, I look fantastic. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday, dear Maria. Ooh, not rara.

Happy birthday to you. Because of the weekend, posting it was your birthday. Just so you know, you had lots and lots of listeners say happy birthday to you. Thank of the weekend, posting it was your birthday, just so you know you had lots and lots of listeners say happy birthday to you. Thank you so much and loads and loads of lovely messages on that SNESIS, so thank you so much everyone. Very good. Love you all. Some funny ones as well. Some queens, which I really appreciate. Don't mind being a queen. Although someone did wish me a happy birthday but said happy birthday Auntie Linnie.

Well, bit of confusion. Yeah, confused, but I mean, that's fine, I'll take that. Or I think Mum should be taking that. Or Mum should be taking that. I don't take that. No. In my life. What a wonderful weekend.

Very nice weekend. Really, really lovely weekend. I feel knackered though, I must say. I'm so tired. I'm so tired. Knackered sleep. Two days of it as well. It was intense.

We went for it yesterday as well, didn't we? Mm. I mean, you did. You was on a mission, wasn't you? Natalie certainly did. Succeeded. Mission complete. What a lovely time.

Yeah, it was good, wasn't it? Poor mum that knackered though, didn't she, she looked tired. Yeah, Auntie Lynnie smashed it, bless her. She just didn't stop yesterday, did she? No. As always, nothing is new. No, she's amazing. But yeah, we had a lovely party for Dad 60th. How good was it?

It was a really lovely party. I feel a bit sad that it's over. Oh no. Always away though, isn't it, with those lovely weekends where you see everyone. It goes so quick, the evening went so quick. And I feel like because there's a lot of people there that we used to see quite, not all the time,

but more often, and now families and everyone's busy, you then don't see them as often, so then you're just talking. And I feel like I didn't even get to see a lot of people because you're just trying to talk to everyone and have a dance. Not enough time to spend with everyone is it? And then to enjoy yourself. You're flittering about.

Yeah exactly. Because you want to be on the dance floor enjoying that but then you're talking to everybody as well. But no it was really lovely to see everybody. You and Mark enjoyed the dance floor didn't you? We did. What is that? Have I been bitten?

Yeah it looks like it. I just get bitten alive when I come here. Well, I don't get bitten, so it's got to be this gaff. Sorry. Oh my goodness. Natalie and Mark, the dance floor. I mean, not so much Natalie, but Mark. He loved it.

I wonder if we could get a little sneaky poster. I don't think he'd let us, would he? Not sure, but he did really enjoy it. He loves life vans. Yeah, me and Liam had a couple of really strong dances actually. We smashed it. I think he's practicing for Strictly, he's trying to beat me to it. Oh yeah, possibly. Can we just appreciate dad's song? He was amazing. So for the listeners, we had a band and dad loves the jam and he decided to get up on stage and sing that's entertainment.

It was so fun. Really, really good. Was it, yeah, weren't like karaoke. No, very good. Very seriously. It was really good. I hope we've got all that. Yeah, we have.

Yeah, I'll have that please. No, that was a nice little touch, wasn't it? Yeah, a little surprise. Just lovely. Just everyone was really up for it. Everyone, we did 60s theme, everyone got involved. I thought you all looked beautiful. Thank you. You too. We need to put our pick up actually. Yeah, we got one of all the pods. We've got a little pick, didn't we? Yeah, really good. Yeah, and that's it. Now we're just getting through this week and

off on our holo-bobs Hollybob is soon, eh? Hopefully the weather changes. I'm going to take you down. It's beautiful. The weather's looking good. Is it? Fantastic. What's beautiful in your eyes?

Well, it's sun. It's 22 by the sea. Lovely. How's the sign? Perfect. Really nice. I should have ordered a raincoat. I've got one.

No, not for me, for Rubes. I was going to say, you've got your lovely... I love that cream one you wear. I might get one. No not for me for rubes. I was gonna say you've got your lovely, I love that cream one you wear. I might get one anyway just in case. You reckon? No you've got one. Just take a couple. For Ruby. Why don't you take a couple of bin bags. You just said you ordered one for Ruby. I'll still bring it. Never know. You should just get a couple of bin bags just put holes through. No we're all right. No? Speaking of English holidays. Yes, darling. That bites nice, isn't it?

That's nice from here the other day. What is going on? It's a lot of stuff, isn't it? Yeah, that's the only thing. So you're an expert. We're not. So I booked my slot. Our shopping's coming Saturday, first thing.

Fantastic. You've got to buy everything. Have I got to buy a toilet roll? No. Oh, I didn't imagine they would have it. They'll have some, but they won't have it for last. What did we do? Oh, we took some, when we popped down to the hotels and restaurants, we just used to take a couple of rolls home. Oh, good. Yeah, it's a good idea, but no. Definitely get some, because there's a lot of you. I'm just saying it's... But they have things like salt and oil.

They'll have like the essentials. Of course they will. They should have. It's like an Airbnb, isn't it? Yeah. That's what they always do. Okay. You'll be surprised actually, the old condiments.

Well, I've bought mayonnaise, ketchup, all of that jazz. That's okay. I think you'll be surprised. You'll need that. But also, the reality is you just bring it home with you as well. Of course. That's what you do. You bring it home.

But yeah, it's a lot. But doing the shop, that is a must to arrive. You don't do that, do you? Also, when you've got kids. We eat out. No, but you still need food at home. Where we were going, you might even find you'll get them and they might have some bacon and sausages in the fridge. Yeah, we have got a welcome

pack. So yeah, you get a welcome pack and stuff. But with young kids, you need to. You need all your snacks. You need all the bits and bobs. And you're there, there's a lot of you who can play games. We want to stay, oh games, got to bring games. They'll have games there, but yeah, we'll bring some as well. Oh, you're going to have a really lovely time. But it is, you feel like you're packing up your home. Don't, well, you'll probably go a bit lighter, but I feel like we're having to pack up. I've got to bring Ruby's Barbies, the dolls,

the Peppa Pig toys. Yeah, we can show away for a week, and if you are in, they're going to want to play. But even in the evening, it keeps them entertained. I'm really excited to hear everyone's views, actually. I've ordered wetsuits for the kids. And shoes. Oh, can I not wear the Crocs?

Yes, Crocs are fine. Yeah. That's what I wore when I was on holiday last year. I was going to order. You wear them all the time. I was going to... No, but I mean in the water I did. Yeah, you have to.

Yeah. Fine, because I was going to order those things and I thought now they've got Crocs. Oh, my Crocs. I haven't seen them for a while. Are they under the cupboard of the stairs? No, yeah. Under the, what is it? Under the cupboard.

Under the cupboard. In the cupboard. In the stairs under the cupboard. Yeah. Lots of comments about that by the way. Stairs under the cupboard. And no one corrected us. No.

And what about another correction? We've only had one person tell us. Go on. ...that it's not a bag for life. Is it? Oh no. Oh Maria. Oh man. A bag for life. And it's true.

It is true. Well it's not. A bag for life is a 15... Where's the group? The 15s. No. A bag for life is a plastic... The 15p. ...the 15, 20p bags. The actual... 15p, 20p bags, the actual carrier bag.

From Tesco, you know if you go Tesco's and you haven't got a bag, you buy one for 20p, that is a bag for life. Right here, here we go. This is Amy, thank you Amy. So basically this was off the back of my story. Yes. Went to Tesco's, didn't have a bag, well not a bag for life, I didn't have my shopping bag. Saw this one, thought it was cute, I bought it and then I was like, and here we go, another one to add to the collection. And funnily enough, I've got that one. And then Lisa said she's got that one.

And I actually picked one out and it was like a Garfield Halloween one and I thought, I'm not bringing that, it's not appropriate so I then had to dig deeper for my peach one which was nice. Oh and I thought it was an orange but everyone kept saying it was a peach. Someone said is it a peach or a nectarine? I said I don't know. Does it look furry? I don't know. I think it can pass for either but she said right I'm going to sound like a right old geek here but here's the lowdown on bag lingo. Spent many years running the buying team at Asda for this here goes it's only a bag for life if it's a plastic traditionally 5 to 15p ones they're now 20p actually as the original idea is if it splits you can bring it back and replace for free.

Well I never knew that. Me neither. I didn't know that you could take them back. That's the point of it. People rarely do. The others, like the one pictured, are various forms of reusable bags. Understood. Reusing bags.

Okay. The other lesser known thing is that what most people think of as Hessian bags are jute, yep, and a much better environmental material. Hessian? Yes, they're actually jute. Which is actually a more environmental... And that's what you should be using. This is the end of my public service announcement.

All the best. Thanks Amy. Love you Amy, that's amazing. Brilliant. So yeah, there we go. Why just survive back to school when you can thrive? By creating a space that does it all for you, no matter the size. Whether you're taking over your parents' basement or moving to campus, IKEA has hundreds of design ideas and affordable options to complement any budget. After all, you're in your small space era.

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Book club on Monday. Gym on Tuesday. Date night on Wednesday. Out on the town on Thursday. Quiet night in on Friday. It's good to have a routine, and it's good for your eyes too because with regular comprehensive eye exams at Specsavers you'll know just how healthy they are. Visit specsavers.ca

to book your next eye exam. Eye exams provided by independent optometrists. Well we've got quite a lot to get through this evening. We have. As per, as per. It is book review time. So excited. So many people have got involved. I can't thank you all enough as usual. That's brilliant. But it's been brilliant and people have really enjoyed it. It's got people back into reading. That's what we wanted to do. Back into start. Yep. It's amazing.

It's fantastic. I think we should start with Elle's Bells because Elle's... Do you remember it? Not really. Yes you do. No, but somebody said, message that in and I totally get it. Same. And I like it with films.

Yeah, but we had that conversation about a film. I could tell you my favourite film, but I don't remember what happened. So it was from Jo and Jo said, listening to today's pod and you mentioned the book review coming up, I finished mine, ready for that pod, but it got me thinking about a problem that I have with reading. I love reading and would say I'm well read, not highbrow shit. I mean, the amount I read. However, as soon as I finished the book, I pretty much forget what happened in it. I can remember the general gist of the story, but rarely remember how it ended. I just wondered if it's me or does

this happen to anyone else? No, I get it. And she's 46, she's not old, it's always been the case. I get it. And she's right, it's the ending. But I do that with a lot of things. I'm like, what was the ending? What happened at the end? Do you know what I think it is sometimes? Right, oh, sorry, no, go on. What was you, what was you saying? No, I don't know with you and I know you were the same, but when you're, and again, I want to try and enjoy the next one a bit more at a slower pace, but I think maybe because it's the first time we did it and you wanted to make sure you finished it, is it the pace that you're reading it so you're not really taking it in?

I read very quick. So do I, yeah. And that's, but then, so for me, that's why I like how Freedom McFadden writes, because I can read them quite quickly. Not that I'm rushing it, but I'm not, I don't struggle to read, it's an easy read. But see, I found, now I'm reviewing it, I found the first part quite slow.

Yes, but it's all building up. And then it builds up, and then I'm like, and I'm just trying to read it, read it, read it, read it really fast because you want to see what happens and then I think I actually read it too fast that I now I can't really remember. I was very proud of myself because I haven't read a full book for a long time and it really did not take me very long. It was a very easy read. I did find at the beginning, I don't know if I'm going to like this at all. But like you say, as you get into it, there's a lot going on and then it becomes really, really interesting.

Yeah, I love how she writes and you're reading it. Remember I was saying this to you, you're reading it as the first person. And I like read like that and she always does that. She goes to the other perspective as in you go to read from Blake to Whitney. Which is good but I just feel like those bits were quite short so you're like just going through that aren't you, very quick to get that person's version. Yeah, I kind of felt the same. It was a bit like, it was very gongil for me. I'm surprised a few people have said that.

But yeah, for me, I just, what I love is I'm thinking I'm coming up with all how it's ending, what's happened, but it's never what you think. And that's what I really like for me personally. And I know a lot of absolutely no idea I had no idea that would be the case I just thought the tent it was all the tenant she was gonna be. But now don't you feel like if you read her other books you're gonna... No I've read four of them. What and you've never got unknown? Maybe that's why I have a bit more because I've read the others and again

I've read all the housemaid that's the trilogy but they're all just so different. Well we've got a couple here I'll start a few because we've got so many so it's lovely. Hi. So spoiler alert. Spoiler alert but we're coming to the end and it's all cool. Hello so excited you're doing the book club took myself off to Champley's Tring on Friday for a well-earned pamper and I read the whole book in one day. It was definitely a page-turner and had me gripped, although ultimately I thought it was a bit far-fetched and maybe ended a bit abruptly.

I think seven out of ten as a solid holiday read, but not sure I would rush to read more of her books, unless of course they are on the book club. I like to think of myself as a founding member given my previous suggestion of starting one. So yeah this is from Gemma and Gemma did send me a lovely message about it. I think I'm with Gemma. I wouldn't say I loved it. I didn't love it. No, easy read. Yeah, no, it's the... Yeah, you loved it. Right up my street. Very American for me. Some of the way it was described and some of the terminology and it was a bit cringe for me at the start.

Yeah. But once we got into it, a bit of fun. But yeah, a bit pathfetched. And I quite liked it. I felt when he went to go and visit the mum, I felt gripped. It takes a lot for me to be gripped. And I did. It was a page turner. I wanted to know what was going on.

But it's sometimes like watching a series that is a, if you really thought about it, you know, you, we love watching you. That is the most far-fetched. You're gripped and you're hooked and you wanna watch it and then you get to know the characters. And we've got a message here from Samantha. And she said, I know book club chat isn't for...

What is that? That's Mark with a hose. Possibly. I thought it was raining. I thought it was thunder. Sorry, so from Samantha, I know book club chat isn't for a few weeks, but I'm on a lovely relaxing anniversary holiday with my husband and I'm getting really fucking angry at this Whitney. I'm on page 157 and I think I need to step away from the book. I've ordered a cocktail to take the edge off.

Very good. I thought that was very good. We've got one here from Kim from Moldon. Okay here is my review for The Tenant. Creepy in the best way, with just enough weirdness to keep you hooked. Great setting, great characters and a mystery that actually keeps you guessing. Definitely one to talk about over wine. Love this type of book, Nine Out Of Ten, for Kim. Nice. So there we go. Remind me, how did he find out he was drugged, Ian?

He was drugged? Oh, in the car. So he got in the car. How did he know? The cookies. Yeah, but how did he realise? Well, just because the spiralling and the mother had told him about her poisoning. Right, okay. And then he remembered her giving him the cookie. Yeah.

Okay. Yeah. Oh, the poor neighbour. Shocker, yeah. What a shame. Oh no, I felt really sorry for him. And I loved that bit about the blood on the carpet. It was good. And then you're going, oh you're going that was Whitney. She's killed, she obviously killed him. Yeah. The neighbour that didn't like him. No, yeah. Whose was the blood on, in their place? It was his work colleague, wasn't it? I don't know.

place it was his work colleague, wasn't it? I don't know. You know he found the patch of blood on the floor and hid it with a rug? Yeah. Was that not from next door? I thought it was old matey next door, maybe through the binnet. Oh really? I think so. Yeah. And we had one here from Rosie that says, I'm loving this book and only a few chapters in. Currently on holiday in Turkey and have spotted two ladies also reading it around the pole. I'm tempted to go and ask if they listen to the podcast. Oh, that's lovely. I hope you asked, Rosie. That's brilliant.

Love the book, The Tenant. It had lots of plot twists. I'd rate it eight out of 10. I've read the Housemaid series, which is another good read. Frieda McFadden knows how to write thrillers. Can't wait to see what the next books will be. No name there sorry, but you'll know who you are. Oh nice. And we've got a lovely one here. Not sure, not sure. Four out of ten guys. Hi Nat, my review of The Tenant. Audio version. Narrator was bad. Oh I hope we had that a lot. Almost

robot like. Yeah That's a shame. I did get used to it though, but his voices for the female characters were terrible, but was quite slow paced, got interesting towards the end. It was clear that Krista didn't feel the same about the relationship and it was one-sided throughout. I found it quite boring. Would I watch it if it was a film?

No. That was from Chantelle. I'm leaning more. Gutted. Julie, I finished it last night and it is a hundred percent giving on girl. Oh, there you go. So happy you have started book club.

I've not read a book since having my daughter nearly three years ago. Really want to get back into it as I love reading. You girls gave me the push to make time to do it. Love that, Julie. Well done. That's fantastic. We've got one here, Kelly from New Zealand. She said,

I've read the book. I couldn't put it down. Love you girls. And thank you for listening all the way in New Zealand. I love that. So, so cool. If you was Whitney though, I don't know, I feel like if you're living with someone, you would have had a bit more of a convo about stuff. Do you know what I mean? What do you mean, sorry? As in the tenant? Yeah.

What combo about what? Whitney. No, like with him. The stuff that was happening. No. I know it's the book, but I'm just saying if we want to really delve into how it could have been improved or whatever. Do you know what I mean? What I liked was that she had set up all the people

coming to view the property like that. So she'd got the actor. Oh. And the fortune teller. So you know she killed the guy. What was his name? Can't remember. He helped her.

I want to say Malcolm. Oh yes. Is it Malcolm? No. Oh, he's her friend. But again, that reminds me of Gone Girl a little bit because it's a similar thing where she has someone who helps her and then he's in love with her and then I think she ends up killing him or something. So it is very similar vibes.

Right, fair enough. Interesting. Yeah, if anyone's read Gone Girl, it would be interesting to know. What did you prefer? Because that's a film now. It's been Affleck, isn't it? And the book, I didn't mind the book, but again, I read that years ago. Yeah, and it's good later on in the book how these people start to come to fruition. Like when he's in the park, he sees him and he's up.

I recognise him. That's it, yeah. It does all come together in the end. We had one here from Donna. Gripped. Never read from this author and I'm thoroughly enjoying the read. Happy Saturday, Nat. That was a little while ago, but thank you, Donna. So she enjoyed it. We had one from Nicola. Second of July. She smashed for it. Come on. I finished it last night. Twists and turns I never expected. I've never been a big reader,

but I had an incentive with your book club, so thank you for doing this. I'm looking forward to the next book already. It makes a pleasant change from scrolling on my phone too and that's always a good thing. That's brilliant. Absolutely agree. Hi Nat, I just finished The Tenant. I really, this was July the 11th. I just finished The Tenant. I really enjoyed it. I haven't read anything in ages so it's a good book to get into. Reading is always on my to-do list but I never get round to it so thank you. I can't wait to hear what everyone thinks of it. So yeah, it's a good book to get into. Reading is always on my to-do list, but I never get round to it, so thank you.

I can't wait to hear what everyone thinks of it. So yeah, it's really good. Kelly, I couldn't miss out on book club, but with an autistic son that doesn't sleep and is overhyped, I get zero time to sit in peace and read a book. I download the audio version and oh my God, I've just got to part two.

What a twist and can't wait to read, well, hear the rest. So brilliant Kelly. It's lovely now. Yeah. You know, people do like listening as well. Well the thing is, it's like listening to a podcast. So if you can go on a walk or if you're cleaning or... Do you know what I mean? It's like... Because some people, you don't get time to sit there and read a book.

Like it is hard. Your phone don't stop or to really switch off. But that's why it's good to do audios. I was thinking... It's like Piccadilly Circus out here. What is going on? Oh, it's Abbey dropping Eliza home. Oh, fine.

I was thinking, and I sent it to you and I forgot to be honest, but maybe we could do this going forward because I'm sure all books have it. Yeah. And we can get our listeners to get involved as well. But there's questions at the back of the book. Yes, you did send it. Because it's all of these reviews and stuff. Lovely. But I feel like we can go, we want a little bit more about

what did you love, like what could be improved, what was your favourite part of the book? Yeah, fantastic. So maybe we can put out some of those questions next time and get some answers on that. Well, listen, it's good to us isn't it? Yeah, yeah. It's all learning.

All learning. Did you know what a brownstone was? No. I mean it's chaotic. Crazy stuff going on outside the window. What do you mean? Well they refer to the brownstone, in their brownstone. In the brownstone.

Oh I thought it was just made of brownstone. No but it is, I had to Google it and it was a particular house that was built in a time, in America. Oh I see. So like you might call a cottage. Okay. I think, I've got that, yeah, I'm sure that's what, I mean. Where was it set? Yeah, it's a townhouse of characterized

by its reddish brown stone faqaid. Like the ones you see in New York and stuff. Façade. Oh! Oh! That is embarrassing. And that is staying on the pod. No, it is staying.

It's an easy mistake to make. What about you? Oh, how about old, Champing at the bit. What did it say in the book? Champing. What? The book said,

Champing at the bit. And I said it was chomping. Nobody was champing at the bit. I've never, I mean that. I thought it was chomping. That was blowing my brains. I thought it was chomping as well. Are you sure they've not messed it up? Is that. That's below my brain. I thought it was chomping as well. Thank you.

Are you sure they've not messed it up? Is that an American thing? I think I did Google it. Champing at the bit isn't, oh I'm not going to speak anymore. We're all a bit tired. You've got to let us off today guys. While champing at the bit is the grammatically correct and historical accurate form, chomping at the bit is a common variation.

Oh, there we go. Some people find chomping to be archaic or unfamiliar, leading them to use chomping. Yeah, I would have gone chomping. So that's fine, they're both right, but yeah, facade for Kate. Oh, and I knew it, I know what that is. I get it, but I understand it, Elle.

It's an easy mistake to make. It really, that is. I get it, but I understand it, Elle. It's an easy mistake to make. It really, really is. Hannah said, this is nice, book club chat. It was a slow burn for me. I was so pleased you picked The Tenant because I already had read the Lisa Duel one, which is amazing. You should definitely read that.

But I really struggled to get into it. I'm glad I persevered, as part two definitely got better. Maybe I'm not used to reading books from a male'm glad I persevered as part two definitely got better. Maybe I'm not used to reading books from a male perspective, I don't know. It was also quite a predictable twist, red flags were flagging anyway and then when she offered to do his laundry I thought it's her and I was right. Anyway looking forward to the next one, I've only been reading the last couple of years mostly Colleen Hoover, Lisa Jewell, Freedom Upfront and Books. So I'm hoping to find some other author recommendations and maybe even try a different style.

So thank you for that. Yeah, variety. I think we want lots of variety, don't we? But ultimately, you guys are going to be choosing the book. So choose wisely. What is going on in his house? I'm not sure. Gold nose. There's a nowhere on Book Club, but we do need to talk about it. So there is a message that you should read now. Right.

And then we've just got to touch on it just for 30 seconds. Yes. Book Club. Hi Nat and that's Nices. Goes without saying, I love the pod. It gets me through an hour of work every Monday and Thursday. I was over the moon when you suggested Book Club. I've always wanted to be part of a book club and don't have very many friends who share my love of reading. The tenant though, wow. I never guess the end twist as I often do with other freedom of fad and books. I felt sorry for Blake and all that he endured. Ghosts to show, cheating leads to so many issues as everyone knows from the recent Coldplay concert. Oh man.

Anyway, I'm going off track now, haha. I can't wait to find out what we are reading next. Please can it be Chick Lit as I'm a sucker for a love story. Lots of love from Sally. Wow. I know it's not book club, but what do we think of that? It's not great, is it? It's not great.

I think it's amazing how people can lead double lives because obviously he's out in a box full of people that know that they're both married. Oh is that what you think? That blows my mind. Yeah. Also he could have just stalled it out a bit better. What the fuck was he doing? But yeah I just, because then there's people saying you know well it's out of order so

people are putting it on social media and it's up. Well, don't do it. No, I know completely. I have a little bit of me. I do find it all a bit the privacy. And I know you're at a concert and I get all of that. No, I do not condone the cheating or any of that. But at the same time, the way it gets blown up everywhere.

Like it wasn't a cheating situation. But it's because of who they are. Well, there we go. They're very well-known people. I know we don't know who they are. Which again, then, you're an absolute muppet. Yeah, it's crazy. You're high-profile.

I don't know why you're behaving like that and doing that. What's not nice is- We can have a little cuddle at the Cold Play can't we babes? We can. What's not nice is sort of like now I've seen quite a few on the wife and I've of him and I think she's already going for a really hard time. What do you mean? Just memes about her and comparing her with who's prettier, photos of her with her kids with like sayings and I think... Yeah, no they've got children, you've got to protect the children.

Also, don't get like, she's already gone for a really hard time. She doesn't now need... Yeah, no, I don't like that. How was it leaked? Was it someone in the crowd that recognised them? Must be, yeah, they filmed it. Right. Yeah. Right.

Just bad, really bad timing. Oh, so bad. Don't do it. But he's resigned, hasn't he? Resigned. Yes. Yeah, and then apparently, again, I said something I heard, that the marketing company or whoever was involved

in getting him the tickets or sorting it out have also... Oh, wow. Yeah. Well, crazy stuff. Crazy stuff. I just never know, but yeah, no, we did have to mention it.

We did have to mention it. But yeah, the memes are funny. So with Book Club, do we think a month is too long? Oh, no. I think a month is a good amount of time. I know we've all cracked on with it, but some people have busy lives. And it's holiday season, so people aren't reading it on holiday. But I think. Or the sun's been out. We don't want people to feel pressured. And I think a month is lots of time for me. And it's around that month, Mark,

because we might record the pod a week earlier. There's bits, I think, yeah around that four weeks. I think that's cool. And I did actually get to read this because I'd already read it. So I bet you're looking forward to it. Very much. I've even said to Eliza she should get involved because she's not a reader. Yeah. And I've said, why don't you do book club as well?

Definitely. Because she's not really one for reading. I wasn't really at her age unless something really captured me. I know, but what if we have like a little erotica knocking about? 15 soon. Fine. Enjoy yourself. If she's reading, I don't really mind what it is. Oh good. I mean, you've got some voice notes now.

I have darling. Here we go. Hi now. It's Lisa from Shefford. Just wanted to say that I've just finished The Tenant. I listen to it on Audible because I like to listen while I'm grooming dogs, that's my job. And by the evening time, I literally can read like two pages of a book and then I'm asleep. So it would have taken me way too long and I would never have finished it. So I listened to it on Audible. One thing about listening to Audible, you do need to get used to whoever's narrating. So the guy was narrating at first it was like oh this is a bit weird but once you got into it was absolutely fine. Really liked it, really liked the

book and I'm looking forward to the next recommendation. So I've got something else to listen to so obviously I listen to podcasts but I usually run out and yeah it's brilliant. I hope everyone's good. Thanks very much. Bye. I think that's another thing as very much. Bye. Excellent. Fantastic. I think that's another thing as well, which was great. And if people share that with us, if you guys share again about the audio balls, where you can get them from, some people getting them from next to nothing.

Yeah. Some freebies. And then even with the book, some people were saying, if I finish it in a couple of days, could I give it to another listener? Yeah. Really good idea. Which would be really nice as well. Oh yeah, that would be good.

I don't know how we can... Not sure. We'll be building and thinking, won't we? Yeah. Can I also just go back to a point that the lady made, which is so true. If I get in bed, I'm asleep after a page. My eyes are like this. I don't know how people read in bed.

I don't get it. It's good though, and it's a good way to get yourself to sleep without having the telly on. I know but I would never finish the book because I read half a page and I'm asleep. So yeah I'm literally like with the book in bed I'm literally like this and that's when I'm reading fast so I can feel my eyes going. I'm like everyone just get to this bit, get to this, try and do it. At least a chapter. I read all of mine in the afternoon, an hour here, an hour there during the day. How many chapters was there? Can't remember now.

No, can't remember. Did you try and do a chapter a night even? Yeah, I just found it personally from what I think about it. I did enjoy the twists and turns, but I found the language that the actual writing of the same I struggled with it it did remind me of 50 shades yeah very American way that was written yeah but we'll see see what happens next see what we get she a new offer no she's been around for ages yeah so what what what's happening now that what she's just released?

Yeah, but she has got very big recently. Yeah, that's what I mean. How's that? Obviously she's just had a hit with the trilogy, you know? And the housemaid is coming out this year. I'm so excited. What, is it a film? So a few people have messaged saying that they've read that. Yeah, that's what I started with. I love that. The thing is, it's like we want you all to enjoy the book and we want it to be easy enough for everyone to read and get into it but it would

be nice to have some variation. We're going to have some challenges. Yeah, we're going to have some challenges. 2013 she started writing. Oh wow, she's been going for a while. Yeah. Brilliant. No, it's great. Here's another review. That book was absolutely insane, by the way. I know you said you read it in two days. I was about four days. Couldn't put it down. I was gripped. So much so I've ordered another one of hers that's coming today from Amazon. I think it's got something like the inmate. I thought that was a bit off my street given the job I do.

So I've got that one coming today. There's some really cheap ones on Amazon at the minute. They're down from £10 to £3. So, yeah, I've got that one coming today. There's some really cheap ones on Amazon at the minute. They're down from £10 to £3. So yeah, I've ordered that. But yeah, the Tenon was absolutely amazing. And I can't wait for the pods when we can all like... what's the word? Sorry, I've got dust in my hands scraping plaster off the walls. When we can all talk about it. I can't think of the word I'm trying to use. Fucking perimenopause. I love it that people are decorating.

But I love that it's like you're just voice noting your mate. You know, when something happens and you just go off. She doesn't care. It's great. I absolutely love it. Who was your favourite character? Not him. I liked the relationship between him and the husband of the friend. Yeah. I enjoyed him. I would imagine if that was televised, if I was watching them,

those scenes would have been interesting when they were with the mates and it was awkward or they met in the bar. Because they didn't really like each other. When you're reading it, do you ever think, oh, so and so could play that person. Yeah, or what does he look like? Who did you like? Probably Whitney, I think. The tenant. Yeah, she was good. I thought the white, what's her name? The tenant. Yeah, no, she was good. I didn't, yeah, I thought the white, what's her name? Crystal.

Yeah, not for me. Goldfish was my favourite character. I mean, the goldfish. Oh, goldfish. I knew that was coming, though. Yes, it was. Yeah, that definitely, because she was obviously building it up. The goldfish was amazing.

And the whole funeral thing. Embarrassing. Bit much, isn't it? Yeah. Cringe. Very cringe. It was a bit cringe, wasn't it? But yeah.

Very good. It would be interesting to see it as a film. Yeah. I don't know if I could sit through it now as a film as well. Really? God, you don't need to get a grip, man. Hi Nat, and that's Nises. Yeah, The Tenant.

I listened to it as an audio book. At first, I thought, what the bloody hell is this? I can't be doing with it. I couldn't bear the man narrating it. And I thought the story was just predictable, really dull. But then, I don't know at which point this was, I just thought, oh, hang on a minute, there's twists and turns.

And I thought, oh, this is worth sticking with. And in the end, I couldn't stop listening to it. And I absolutely loved it. I loved the way it focused on one character at a time and it got the audience to really like a character and hate another character and then you just, in one sentence, you just completely flip. Yeah, so great choice and it just shows me,

don't judge a book by its cover, give everything a go. I look forward to the next book. Thanks, bye. Oh, it's Marios from Where. Where? Where? Where? Oh, a little local. That's lovely to hear that he's reading it and you know didn't like it but stick you something. Audio, was that not audio? Oh sorry, we're listening. Did you listen to the audio? No. I'd be interested to see how... You can probably get like a demo. Yeah.

For me... That would put me off. I do want to... I think it's brilliant. Do everyone do whatever they want? But for me, it's about picking up a book. Yeah, no, I'd need to read it. And I want to have that time away from everything technological.

But I wonder if listening to it rather than reading it does change your perception of the book or the storyline. I think so. I think so. Yeah. Because I feel with words, if you're reading from a page, it's your voice. Yeah. And you're getting the images and the pictures from what you're reading. So I think it's a very different experience.

But I've never read an audiobook, so I don't know what I'm fucking talking about. Read an audiobook. Or listened. You know what I mean. Listened, but haven't. What about if we did like, would it work if we like read a chapter on here one day? No. In what respect? Why?

I don't know. Like, oh no, she can't do a read along, can you? No. No. Fuck me, Maria. She was meant to do a spreadsheet with all the books. And now she wants to read the book. Why doesn't that read the book for everyone? I'm actually recording, doing my audio soon for my book. I was going to say, you're doing that. So how do they do that, these people, the authors?

Well, they'll just then, they'll be like people, won't they? That's what they do. Yeah, there's lots of people that do it as a job. But yeah, I'm going to be reading my one soon. But yours is obviously, because yours is in a store, like it's... When they do these books, the audios, do they then change their voices for characters and stuff?

I think so, that's what someone said. The female voices weren't great. But then interestingly, it's funny that they don't just get a couple of characters and then you're turning it into more of a drama, I suppose, like a radio drama. So it's interesting. Is it hard doing the thing, the audio? Whenever I do voiceovers for anything really, if I do overlay a program that I've done, you think it's easy, it's really, really tiring

because you've got to put everything into it. Yeah. Got to be clear, you have to go over things and it is quite a tiring experience. So, you know, it's quite a difficult one. But yeah, it's good fun. I do enjoy it. So I'm looking forward to doing my book. At least with yours, it's your book. Yeah, it'll be nice. So it's like a difficult one. But yeah, it's good fun. I do enjoy it. So I'm looking forward to doing my book.

At least with yours, it's your book. So it's like people will relate it. Really good. And we were just saying, looking at our book club WhatsApp, another one that we have now, but we have been saying all the way along how amazing it is that everyone's loving the book club.

Yeah, I know. It's been overwhelmed by the response. It's been brilliant. It's so... Really good. I know we just did it for a bit of fun, but it has actually made such a difference to people and so many people have been on board with it. It's really, really good.

This is a true story. It happened right here in my town. One night, 17 kids woke up, got out of bed, walked into the dark, and they never came back. I'm the director of Barbarian. A lot of people died in a lot of weird ways. You're not gonna find it in the news because the police covered everything all up. On August 8th... This is where the story really starts.

So I have decided the next three books. So all of this information will be on Facebook and Instagram. You can post it on that's nieces. I'll do it on mine, but I am going to keep in from the last three that we had. We had so many people ask for it. I'm keeping in The Flat Share by Beth O'Leary. That looks good. The Flat Share. It feels like the same similar vibe though.

Lots of people. No, I don't think it is. It's a heartwarming triumph. You will love it. Marianne Keys has recommended it and she's a great writer. The Flat Share is a contemporary romantic comedy. It also falls into the sub-genres of chick lit, adult fiction and British fiction. The story revolves around Tiffy and Leon

who share a flat and a bed, but have never met because Leon works nights. They communicate through post-it notes, eventually leading to a unique and quirky romance. Oh, that sounds good. So the flat share. Then I have gone for an international number one bestseller, The Seven Sisters. Oh yeah, this one looks good. By Lucinda Riley. The Seven Sisters.

Yeah. by Lucinda Reilly. The Seven Sisters. A series of chalk cliffs in East... Sorry. Hang on. Let's just go to the mountains. Hang on a minute, everyone. Just give us a minute. Guys, just let me go to bed. I'm surprised you don't do the audible.

No, it's all good. Can't read. Oh, it's actually, there's a trilogy. There's it's all good. Can't read. Oh, it's actually there's a trilogy. There's a lot. Yeah. Oh, there's a lot. It's more than a trilogy. I think there's seven books. Oh, yeah. But wait, the lady who wanted us to review it said she

has never read anything like it, loved it. And she said, perhaps if you do one, then other people can continue, obviously, with the series if they want to. Oh really? Yeah. The Seven Sisters series by Lucinda Reilly primarily falls under the genre of historical fiction with strong elements of romance and mystery. The series follows the adopted daughters of a mysterious millionaire as they each investigate

their past, uncovering family secrets and historical events in different locations around the world. That sounds good, but how can you just read one? Well, we'll have to see what happens. Yeah, people might want to carry on reading them. What put them in the vote, you mean? No, as in people can read them in their own time, you know. Yeah, people can carry on.

It's all good. I know, but you don't want to lose people from book club. Well, no, people smash that out in two days. They'll be waiting for another. And then the third one I have gone for, Bella Mackey, What A Way To Go. And it says here on the front, taught Pacey seamless. Someone calls it delicious. Joe Lysak calls it very funny and Bella I know because she wrote a fantastic book about running

and I read her book when I did the marathon and I loved her style of writing. What's it called? The book? The running book? Oh I want to say How to Run. I found it in my loft the other day. I think I gave it to you. Yeah.

Yeah. It was brilliant. She's married to Greg James, actually. Okay. But she's a really I loved her style of writing. It suited me. So that's kind of one that I wanted to put in there. Looks good. I'm just googling a darkly humorous mystery thriller with elements of social satire and family drama. The story follows a wealthy man who dies at his own lavish birthday party in the aftermath as his dysfunctional family scrambles for his fortune.

That sounds excellent. Very good, nice. Fantastic. How do we feel about autobiographies? Listen, we can get right in there. I'm just starting to get people thinking. I think that's hard though because it's... I think an autobiography you've got to sort of like them or want to live on. Not necessarily. It's very interesting to find out about people. Very funny you said that. I nearly put in Hotel Avocado, which is Bob Mortimer's autobiography.

We've had quite a few people. But I like him so I would read that. Apparently it's very, very interesting, very, very good, but I'm saving that one. Maybe we'll do that another time. All right. But I shall post it all up. I'll get all the pictures up.

We'll do a little poll and we'll see where we're heading. Where we land. Absolutely. Lovely, can't wait. Great. Well, any obsessions this week, girls? I'm a little bit obsessed with sparkling Nitember, which is a little champagne from England.

It's a really good one. It's very, very nice and drunk quite a bit over the weekend. Yeah, it's delish. Really nice, isn't it? And I've got a bottle, thank you. That is all right, darling. That is all right.

Yeah, it is very nice. Nothing major, just lip balm, but that don't change. I've never, ever, ever known. When did you start the obsession with the lip salve? I've always been a lip balm kind of girl. But that's why I think they're dry. That is why they're dry. You are over-moisturizing.

Guys, help me out here, because I tell her this all the time. Somebody tell her, somebody out there that I know do I probably like three times a week or something if I see it but then I'm mad because I don't use moisturizer hand cream yeah I mean that's wild it's not good for you my skin's alright thank you my obsession is a song by somebody called Imogen Heap. Oh, I love that song. And it's called The Happy Song. Oh, I haven't heard that one.

I thought it was called Hide and Seek. What's that? Reminds me of the OC. Beautiful song. What? From Imogen Heap. This is a child's song, babe. So we're on the same page. I'm confused.

This is for James. No. Imogen Heap, English singer and songwriter. Yeah. Have I got it right? Yeah. Oh, he is the same person. So she, she done a song, I think on TikTok

and now it's actually come out. And I think, I believe, well no, I know, it's been engineered to make children happy. Right. Because she is, she's, it's all about noises that babies and children respond to, to make them happy. Okay. And it is, it's, I mean, look, it's just really cute. But what, she's done it purposely for that? Yes, that's why she's made it so it does. She's got a very, her voice is-

Developmental psychologists have helped craft the song and testing it on babies to maximize its joyful effect. Do you think if I play it to Joni, she might chill out a little bit? Possibly. I mean, give it a whirl. But there's beeping horns, there's like little babies giggling.

Well, she does it with her voice. Well, no, there's other bits. Cats meowing. But it's a really cute song. I don't get it. Just send it. I need to listen to it. I'll send it to you. But you know when you play it and then it's just stuck in your head.

But I don't hate it. It's not an annoying one. It's quite lovely. Does James love it as much as Baby Cakes though? Yeah, he's not into Baby Cakes. But I haven't really played it yet. I need to play baby cakes. But he just, it is fascinating because he's like, he's really... I don't know.

So that's my obsession. Imogen Heap, the happy song. And listen to her other songs. She's fantastic. Fantastic. Imogen Heap, what a nice name. You will know the song when you listen to it lacking a bit of energy tonight aren't we guys it's a little bit flat but people understand well no we're not wearing it but we're doing book club why can't you be energetic about books i'm very energetic about books no we've had a busy weekend we've had a busy weekend people will understand um i also can't believe that your sister has left that hat on for the whole of the episode.

And it's sweating. Yeah, but this is our thing now. This is what we'll do every birthday. Oh, good. You have to wear this for the whole party. Yeah, but we've had our birthdays. Okay, well you'll have another one next year. Don't worry about it.

This is staying in here. Don't worry, from November the 25th we've all got Christmas tree hats. I'm a good sport. Great. Christmas soon. Not long. Oh, don't. Don't worry, from November the 25th we've all got Christmas tree hats. Great, Christmas soon, not long. Don't, don't. I'd like a little bit more summer and then I'll be ready. Yeah, lovely. And we've got a lovely episode that's banked for when we're all out and about, which is lovely. It's all about phones again, a little bit of chat, about social media, which we did a little while ago,

so you won't be without my nieces for too long. We'll try and stay in touch on Insta. Absolutely. We're going to be busy. We do need a little bit of time out, but I know Aunty Lynnie's keen to do a few little bits for the Insta. Lovely. Good to see you.

I'm not going to see you. Pages. No. Wow. That's sad. I love you both. Love you. I miss you already to see you. Pages. No. Well, that's sad. I love you both. I miss you already. See you. Have we got one penciled in for my back? Absolutely.

Perfect. Absolutely. All right. All right. Well, 0778 8 8 2019 19. Remember to get in touch at Nat's nieces or my Instagram, which is at Natcas1 and you can follow the Facebook page also. It's been a pleasure. Yeah and also enjoy your summer holidays if you've got holidays planned or...

Or even if you're having a staycation at home. Enjoy, enjoy. And I hope the kids don't drive you too mad. I was just going to say I hope the kids don't bust your balls too much. It is a lot. It's a lot for people. Good luck. We're thinking of you. You've got this.

We'll come back with some antics and tales, I'm sure, about our kids. I'm sure. We've got, don't worry as well, we've got the old unicorn. What do we call it? Lilo, yeah. Unbelievable.

Float. Lilo, float. Yeah, well anyway. It's not a rubber ring, is it? It's a Lilo. A massive Lilo. We'll be bringing that. I ain't doing this again.

Love you both. Love you. See ya. Bye. Bye.