Episode 38

trailer
Published on:

26th Mar 2026

Best Book Forward: Chapter 5

🎙️ Best Book Forward – Season 5 Trailer

A brand new season of Best Book Forward is almost here.

Join host Helen for another chapter of bookish conversation, where each week she sits down with authors to explore the books that have shaped their lives—think a literary take on Desert Island Discs.

đź“… Season 5 launches: Thursday 2nd April

📚 What’s coming: 8 weeks of brilliant author interviews and irresistible book recommendations

🔍 This season, expect…

  1. A dangerously blurred line between patient and therapist
  2. Moral dilemmas that will make you question your own choices
  3. The chilling idea that every crime begins with someone’s child…
  4. A novel from this year’s Women’s Prize for Fiction longlist
  5. A journey to the Suffolk countryside filled with new beginnings and unexpected romance
  6. A glimpse into the lives of two of history’s most iconic women
  7. A sweeping historical romance crossing oceans, cultures, and timelines
  8. A glamorous 70th birthday party… that ends in murder

đź‘€ Can you guess the authors?

The first episode drops on Thursday 2nd April—and if you’re subscribed, it’ll be ready and waiting.

🎧 Listen & Subscribe

https://best-book-forward.captivate.fm/listen

📲 Stay Connected

Follow on Instagram: @bestbookforward

Website: https://bestbookforward.org/

Transcript
Speaker A:

Welcome back to a brand new season of Best Book Forward.

Speaker A:

I'm your host, Helen and this is the podcast where I talk to authors about the books that have shaped their lives.

Speaker A:

You can think of it as a little like a bookish version of Desert island discs.

Speaker A:

From Thursday 2nd April, I'll be bringing you eight weeks of brilliant author interviews and book recommendations.

Speaker A:

I've been told many times that this is a dangerous podcast as it leaves you wanting to buy all the books.

Speaker A:

So you may as well get ahead of yourself and clear some space on your shelf as there are some incredible book recommendations coming your way.

Speaker A:

So who's joining me this season?

Speaker A:

Well, I'm not going to give it all away at once, but let me give you some clues about the books we'll be discussing.

Speaker A:

We'll be exploring the dangerously blurred lines between a patient and therapist questioning our own moral compass when faced with an impossible choice exploring the unsettling idea that every crime begins with someone's child diving into one of this year's Women's Poem Prize for Fiction long listed titles escaping to the Suffolk countryside where new beginnings, old traditions and unexpected romance collide stepping into the lives of two of the most iconic women in history crossing oceans, cultures and timelines in an unforgettable historical romance and stepping inside a lavish 70th birthday that ends in murder.

Speaker A:

So can you guess who's coming on the show?

Speaker A:

You won't have long to wait.

Speaker A:

The first episode lands on Thursday 2nd April.

Speaker A:

If you've already subscribed, you'll get a notification as soon as it lands.

Speaker A:

And if you haven't, I would be so grateful if you'd consider giving the podcast a subscribe and follow.

Speaker A:

Until then, follow Best Book Forward on Instagram to stay up to date with all the latest news and I look forward to seeing you next Thursday with our first author.

Speaker A:

Thanks for listening and see you next week.

Show artwork for Best Book Forward

About the Podcast

Best Book Forward
A bookish version of Desert Island Discs
Have you ever wondered which books shaped your favourite authors?

Best Book Forward is the bookish podcast for avid readers where we delve into the lives of your favourite authors and discover the books that have shaped their lives.
Prepare for surprising picks, heartwarming stories, and the ultimate literary dilemma: "If you could only read one again, which would it be?"

Warning: This podcast may lead to an uncontrollable urge to expand your TBR pile.
Ready to discover your next literary obsession? Tune in and join Helen's vibrant book community!

Find Helen online:
Instagram: @bestbookforward
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BestBookForward
Website: https://bestbookforward.org/