Life with Nat - EP167: Book Club #4 - Happy Days by Natalie Cassidy

Episode Date: November 2, 2025

Well this is special! A lovely chilled ep of Nat solo getting through some of your thoughts on her book (and the process and behind-the-scenes of it all, too). Enjoy!! xx November's book - All Together for Christmas by Sarah Morgan December's book (optional extra for the speedy readers) - A Heart for Christmas: Advent Romance by Sophie Jomain Please subscribe, follow, and leave a review. xxx You can find us in all places here; ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://podfollow.com/lifewithnat/view⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ We're on Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/lifewithnatpod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Nat's insta: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@natcass1⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Neice's insta: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@natsnieces⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Tony's insta: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@tonycass68⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Linny's insta: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@auntielinny.lwn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ THE BIG CHRISTMAS LIVE SHOW 7th December ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠- claphamgrand.com/event/live-with-nat-at-christmas/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The tiny warm-up shows 4th Nov - Dixon Studio, Palace Theatre, Southend - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.trafalgartickets.com/palace-theatre-southend/en-GB/event/other/live-with-nat-work-in-progress-tickets⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 6th Nov - Hat Factory, Luton - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://www.culturetrust.com/whats-on/live-nat-work-progress⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 16th Nov - Hawth Studio, The Hawth Theatre, Crawley - ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk/the-hawth/whats-on/live-with-nat-work-in-progress⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Book Club: November's book - All Together for Christmas by Sarah Morgan & December's book (optional extra for the speedy readers) - A Heart for Christmas: Advent Romance by Sophie Jomain Nat’s solo chats - any rants always welcome!  Scraping the Barrel - SCAN AND SHOP VIRGIN NO LONGER! Bonce vs list! - Are you a list maker? Always collecting for Nostalgia Fest! What’s brewing with the Nieces - are we all skipping the end of summer, all of autumn and going straight to Christmas - Nat’s door is! Group chat ettiquette & pranks. Nice Lorraines… get in touch! Advent calendars & gift recommendations v. welcome! Things we’re nagging with Linny about - More lateness stories and some cleaning questions, please! The Tony talks chatter - Keep your DIY questions coming, also open to some saucy two paragraph stories for Tony to read out at the Southend show - think cheeky postcards (both in tone and length)! Can we make Tony an influencer and get him any freebies?  TBC Cultural differences ep - inspired by Linny’s Mediterranean heritage and her & Ellia's Italian trip, we'd love to hear about the cultural differences you've noticed between the UK and basically ANYWHERE else!  A 'Keep It Light Media' Production Sales, advertising, and general enquiries: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[e-mail]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Now streaming on Paramount Plus. It's the epic return of Mayor of Kingstown. Warden? You know who I am. Starring Academy Award nominee Jeremy Renner. I have a sway in these walls. Emmy Award winner Edie Falco. You're an ex-con who ran this place for years. And now, now you can't do that.

And BAFTA Award winner Lenny James. You're about to have a plague of outsiders descend on your town. Let me tell you this. It's got to be consequences. Mayor of Kingstown, new season now streaming on Paramount Plus. Hello, my lovely listeners, happy relaxing Sunday, it's book club. Let me tell you a secret, though. I have literally just got up, so I'm all sleepy.

And it isn't Sunday. It's actually Thursday. And we're heading away today, me, Mark and the girls. We're off to Wales to have a few days there, which should be really lovely. As I said, beginning of the week, the girls keep moaning that it's going to be raining and that we're going somewhere boring. And I said to them, you've got to get out of that. They should be really grateful that they're going anywhere.

I genuinely, with my mum and dad, never went anywhere. So anyway, we're going to leave in about half an hour. And I thought to myself, I've got quite a lot to do because yesterday, oh, I had a nightmare yesterday. I was... Oh, can I just say that I am on my own doing book club today. It just hasn't worked out with the girls. They've not read the book.

I mean, we're doing a book club. I don't know what to say but I'm reading all the books on time so it's fine it's my pod but no bless them they have it's been a really funny time for everybody and they've been really busy

so they didn't want to also they didn't really want to review my book because they're proud of me and they said you know what I mean it is a bit strange family members reviewing my book and I'm not going to sit here

and tell you, I think my book's great, am I? But I'm going to just go through some lovely messages and talk a bit about why I did the book, etc., which will be lovely. So, yes, Maria and else aren't here. It is Nat's niece's bookworms, but I just thought I'd come on and tell you a little bit about the book and thank you all, because it's been a really interesting and fun experience, really,

right from the beginning when I got a phone call to say, would you like to do the book? There were a few different companies who wanted to do the book. Anyway, I had my Zoom calls with different ones and I went with HarperCollins and it was HQ stories. It's sort of an arm of HarperCollins. And, yeah, I went into the office.

And do you know in the first meeting where they wanted to woo me what they had on the table? A vionetta. That is the God's honest truth. And it did. It impressed me. It really, really did.

did. So we sat down. It had melted a little bit. I don't know if they'd thought about it. But, you know, the thought was there. Had a bit of Vianetta, had a good chat. And away we went. And writing the book was really cathartic. I thoroughly enjoyed coming up with the idea of the days of the week. And the reason I did that was because of Instagram. And naturally, I always say, happy Monday, everybody. You know, happy Thursday. And I thought, well, this is quite interesting. interesting and I also thought about it not being really boring and sort of I was born at this place and then I went to primary school and I wanted it to be autobiographical but I also wanted it to be interesting and that's why I put in some facts and I said already Georgina from

the pod listening crew it was down to you that wanted some facts in definitely although I've always been a little, you know, I've loved, you know, all different things to do with words, the etymology of things or where things come from and history. But yes, I wanted it to be a little bit fact-based and then I wanted it to jump around my life, which is why I did the days of the week and the special occasions. So yeah, it was really, really good. And it took about nine, eight, months, I'd say, eight months until it had to all be done so it could go off and then be printed and stuff. And then I did the audio book obviously, which took a few days. And then it was the book tour, which was really brilliant because once again I was in a room with loads of people and I could

meet people that liked me and bought the book or found me interesting and I could get to talk to those people, which is my favourite bit. So yes, it was lovely. And I can't thank you all enough really for the gifts I've received, to the comments I've had when I've seen you and I've signed your book. It has been so heartwarming. Yeah, I've thoroughly enjoyed it. It's been brilliant. So thank you very, very much. Let's go on to a few messages then. And we'll start with this one. Hi, Nat. It's Tracy from Manchester. Being brave and doing my first. first voice note. Just what I said to say, just finished your book, couldn't put it down. Well, I never picked it up, to be honest. It was an audio book. But I must say it was an absolutely

fantastic listen. I'm so proud of your. I felt like I was listening to a friend. Keep up the good work and bring on book number two. Thank you. Bye. Thank you, Trace. And thanks for being brave. It's always hard doing the first one. But well done you. I'm pleased you thought that you felt like I was talking to you. Because that's the biggest thing I wanted. I wanted people to pick up the book with a cup of tea or a glass of wine and think that you're having a chat to me, just like the pod really. So that has been a brilliant comment and I'm really, really proud. Thank you. Sanara said, hiya. So I've been reading your book each night and was giving the hubby facts about the months and the bank holidays and he was

like, why are you telling me these? I thought it was an autobiography. So basically, in a nutshell, your book is clearly giving so much more. I'm loving it. Well, there you go. That's what I wanted. so thank you very much. Hey book clubbers, today I finished happy days. It's taken me two days to listen to the audio book narrated by wonderful Natalie. It actually says narrated wonderfully by Natalie. I don't know why I've said that. I love the book overall.

It was great format to include the days and then some stories around each day and from Nat's life and experiences. It was great as some things were an extension of conversations we've heard on the pod, so married together nicely. The history parts weren't really of interest to me. as I'm not a history-orientated person, but I totally get why they're in there, and I know that they're totally up next street.

Thank you, Nat, for a great book, and narrating it so wonderfully, another book club book done. I'd also like to recommend Lush by Joe Page, Joanna, who I used to do off the telly with, and Gavin and Stacey, and everything in between by Ruth Jones and James Corden, both current brilliant books that I've finished in a matter of days too.

Have a great weekend, everyone, from California. Caroline. Those books have done extremely well as well. I sent Joe a lovely voice note to say, well done for her book, because hers was out a couple of weeks before mine. So we've been on the same sort of journey, as they say. But thank you, Caroline. Yeah, they are good books. I think, though, I think the idea of a novel and a fiction book, most people really want fiction. So I am going to just stick with my guns and go back to that for a little while, which I'll tell you about the end. I've had a lovely picture here from Natalie Colfer, and it's her holding my book, and she said,

Nat, I've finished happy days, loved it so much, well done you. I'm an avid podcast listener, I never miss an episode, and this book was a lovely parallel to that. Not being able to commit to tickets to any of your shows this year due to family stuff, but so hoping you'll do some more live shows next year so I can make that. I'm not far from Stephen Hedge, so another local one would go down a job. treat, all the best. So thank you, Nat. So you can't make it. I'm sure that we will be doing more shows if the ones we're doing already, you know, go to plan, hoping to get some dates in for 2026 for sure. So, you know, as soon as I know, you'll all know, you know that.

I absolutely loved listening to Happy Days. I realized that I had a placement at your primary school when I was training to be a teacher. Apparently one of the boys from hearsay also went there. The head teacher's dog was patrolling the corridors when I taught there as well. Anyway, I love the style of your book because it was unique and not like a run of them in autobiography. In some ways, it's a self-help book, a guide down memory lane and a chance to reminisce. What you wrote about Mother's Day really resonated with me and the love that you have for your family is just wonderful.

You're right that we should be grateful to wake up a bit of. for another day and you're right that every day is an opportunity for a fresh start looking forward to the next book

but for now congratulations on a terrific achievement Marios from where thank you Marios I love the way

you write actually and I love your voice notes it really means a lot to me so thank you how I love is my voice

when I wake up by the way you're probably thinking I don't feel I've got Nat's pod on it's not Nat I don't know if I'm coming down with a little cold

actually. I feel a little bit deep, but I think, excuse me, I'm yoghwin again, everyone. But I think what it is, is my body and my mind know, I'm going away now, and I've got three, four days with no work. And your body just knows, doesn't it? It was like anyone who's a teacher, always ill, half terms, Christmas. But yeah, your body just knows. Hopefully I'll be all right. It's very chilled. I've just packed a few jeans, a few jumpers, dry robe, dry robe wanker. Just going to chill out, watch steam engines and sit on steam engines for Mark. Not just for Mark, it's going to be beautiful.

I'm going to like it too, by the way. Terese said, good morning, Natalie. I hope you're both well. I hope you're both well. Both. Oh, me and Ro Roe, I would assume, possibly. Me and Mark, maybe. I purchased your audio book yesterday and only have three chapters left. I don't sleep well at night. I'll bless you. So I'll finish it and start the book again as there'll be bits I've missed. It is a delightful read uplifting in places and I love the way the important family theme weaves itself through the days of the week. Keep busy. Certainly doing that, Therese. Yesterday, I went, Into London, did a few bits and pieces that I needed to do. And I thought, oh, lovely, I'll jump on the train. I'll be home by six to pack.

Everything was cancelled. Every train from Tottenham Howe was cancelled. So I thought, I know what I'll do. I go to Highbury and Islington, and I'll get the Hertford North, and then I can get a cab from there. Cancelled. 450 people on the platform. So when the one train that did come along, stop, it would have been impossible to get on it, dangerous to get on it.

So then I went back to Tottenham How, then I had to get an Uber. Four Uber's cancelled on me. You know, like one of those? I didn't get until half eight. So annoying. So yes, I am keeping busy. Thank you, Terese. Lovely chilled Tuesday. I love a Tuesday. I'm just wanted to message to say thank you. I've just finished your book on Audible. I went to stay with a friend, one of my best friends this weekend. She's over a three-hour drive away. And I listened to you all the way there and back. And yeah, it just made my sort of weekend of therapy with my bestie even better.

There was just so much that made me smile, made my heart swell. I was nodding along. So much of what you say aligns with myself. I do the same things. I think the same things. I've always been a bit fascinated by the days of the week. And I talk about them to people. I talk about what colours they are because each day has a colour for me.

And yeah, I was smiling along by things you said. Just like, oh God, yeah, I love a Tuesday. It is a real chilled day. And yeah, it really. made me smile and um yeah i just wanted to to say thank you for sharing you with us because um you're one of those true gems in life i think you just have such a lovely energy about you and you're real and you're you're really in touch with everyone i think and um yeah i listened to the podcast every week and I'm just really happy that you're a part of my life like that.

So thank you for being you and for sharing you with all of us. That is such a special and kind message. So thank you so, so much. And yeah, I always share me because we're all friends together. It's really important. And I do see a lot of people, I think, trying to be, you know, friends of the people, should we say. and it just doesn't work. Do you know what I mean?

You're either the same as everybody or you're not, and I am. So thank you for that. Oh, I think we're going to find out who it's from now. Hang on. It's Amy from Oxford, by the way. There we go. Thank you so much, Amy. Tina gave it 8 out of 10.

I'm not one for audio books, but as an avid listener to the pod and a member of the book club, I downloaded the audiobook. A great listen and love the last. which I've never heard before. Our lives are similar but mine is missing the fame and celebrity status. You're not missing much, Tina. I enjoyed the book and give it a hearty 8 out of 10. Thank you so so much. I was trying to do a voice note but I'm terrible at them and just say um all the time. I will honestly keep trying. Anyway, happy days book club. Huge congratulations. You should be

immensely proud of yourself. I listen to the audio version and so lovely to hear it from you from the heart. I relate to you very much. I was born the same year as you. The TV you watched and the songs you mentioned. I love board games and family is the reason I do everything I do. It's a big 10 from me. Thank you. So, so pleased. Tell you what I haven't done though. I haven't written down people's names which is really annoying but it's again because it was a really busy time. I don't know how I've even got these into the book folder, quite frankly. Beautiful pictures from people of the book. They're on holiday with a book or they're in the garden with a cup of tea with the book

or they've got a candle on. Really honestly, so lovely to see. Absolutely lovely. Hi Nat. So two things. Just finished your fantastic book today. I'm actually gutted I've finished it to be honest. Listened and read just might listen all over again.

It's like listening to my friend reading, I love it. And also just order my trolley token, a tote bag and a mug for work. And I will order the hoodie ready for Clapham Grand. So all coming together nicely. Hope you had a lovely weekend, Emma. Emma, thank you so, so much. Please do you enjoyed the book. Can't wait to see you at Clapham.

Thanks for buying some merch. Yeah, it is. You're right. It's all coming together nicely. It is very exciting. Kim C. from Maldon said, Mauden, isn't it? The salt.

Sea salt. Morden? Maldon. Definitely Molden. Kim C from Morden said, finished your book today now. I absolutely loved it. Could really relate to so much of it.

The bit where you go through each day of the week was brilliant. Thursday is definitely chic. It is, isn't it? Thursday. It's like a cigarette holder and a 1920s beaded dress. I'm thirsty. I also used to see it as the start of the weekend back in the 90s and still do. So do I.

Sunday being a proper day of rest really hit home to. Family roast, feet up, just like you said. And still very much for our routine. I used to sit and watch a Doris Day musical with my mum. The Mother's Day chapter really touched me. me. I lost my mum to bowel cancer in 2011, so that one really resonated. And Christmas, so lovely to read, full of warmth and memories. Thank you, Nat. Well, blooming done. Thank you, Kim. I'm sorry you lost your mum too. It's crap, isn't it? So, again, thank you so much. There

you go. I've read some bits out, a little bit weird, because it's my book, but I really, really appreciate it. Thank you. Pass your book on if you've read it. Make sure you pass them on. Don't let them sit in the corner. Get them out there so people haven't got to pay for it. I shouldn't say that. Publisher would tell me off, but I don't care. So November, there was a bit of confusion the other night.

I thought I did really, really well and posted up about, you know, the books and the poll. And my idea of, and Maria's idea, actually, Rairo's idea as well, which I think is very, very good, that people are very, very busy November, December. It's a lot for people. There's lots of going out. There's weekends. You know, there's just stuff going on, family stuff, present buying, wrapping, all of that. So she said, why don't you do one book to spread between November and December?

And I said, yes, that's a good idea. I said, but what I am going to do also, because I've mentioned that Advent chapter book, like I just think it's such a good idea, is I will give people the option to do what I'm going to do, which is we pick one for November. If you want to keep that for both months, perfect. But if you want to come along with me, I'm going to do the Advent one in December. Well, got a message from Naomi, didn't I?

A, I said, pardon. She said, I'm lost, mate. Then I thought, oh, well, if she's lost, she gets everything. Anyway, I think I've worked it out. I've told you you'll be listening if you like the book club. We are doing, for November, Sarah Morgan, all together for Christmas. So for November, and if you want to, December also, all together at Christmas. And then we're moving on, if you want to join me,

to an advent romance a heart for Christmas open a chapter a day by Sophie Jomaine that's if you want to join me in December on that one so that's where we are we know what we're doing I can't wait to start Sarah Morgan whilst I'm in Wales in my little cottage with a fire on and that's what I'm going to do so let me know please leave me your views once you've read it. Let me know if you are going to do both books, which is brilliant. And that's it. As ever, thank you so, so much. I hope you enjoy a very chilled Sunday, 07788, 2019-19, as you know. Send me your thoughts. Tomorrow you have a lovely, that's nieces, minus Elia. She had stuff going on with her house. It was the wrong time for James

because she had to put baby James to bed. You know, one of those ones. But we have a really lovely chat and you'll really, really enjoy it. So thank you and I'll talk to you soon and I hope you've liked this little chilled bonus book club. See ya.