Tag: Freya North

Audiobooks ARE reading

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

I have been thinking about this ongoing debate I see out there about audiobooks, and if they count as reading. As a dedicated bookworm, I 100% consider them reading. Especially, as a child, I had a number of books on cassette tape that you listened to as you read the physical copy. And I think that was one of the most wonderful way to read – and, now that I know that so many of you ‘hybrid read’, listening to the audiobook and reading the physical book, I think it is fabulous that this still happens, even as we grow older.

I think it can also be argued that audiobooks are probably the most portable form of reading we have. We can have a very small device that allows us to listen to a story wherever we may be. And, if we go back to that childhood memory, listening to stories in the car was one of my favourite things when we were on long journeys. It created shared memories as a family, and led to some of those inside jokes that you continue to share for years – and we have a few of those.

Although, I admit that my audiobook appreciation is not as consistent as it could be, as I love a podcast (usually about books) and I enjoy listening to the radio. However, on that note, I have finished my first audiobook of 2026, and it was a real treat. ‘Christmas at Flora’s House’ by Freya North was an absolute delight to listen to. This novella was beautifully written and so engaging with some of the most wonderful characters who were brought to life so well through Amanda Abbington’s fantastic narration.

It was a real story of hope after loss, about community and making new friends – it is full of emotion and I may have walked from the train station on my commute shedding a little tear. Maggie is a great lead character, a strong woman who just needs to navigate a new normal, and even though she may be a little scared to do it on her own, she is willing to give it a good go. I found this such an inspiration; we should all do a little bit of what scares us, because we never know what may be on the other side. And I am again so ready to escape on a little Scottish adventure.

Something else I really liked about this book is hearing Freya North read the acknowledgments. It showed how much this book meant to her as an author, and I honestly believe that this added to my enjoyment of this book. Especially when you hear all the love and support she had around her as she took on self-publishing this book. Maybe there is a little bit of Freya North in our lead character Maggie – well, I like to think so.

So, I think it is safe to say that this lovely novella may have reminded me to make the most of the world of audiobooks that are out there, because it is another way to consume fantastic stories, whatever you are doing and wherever you are. And that can never be a bad thing.

The Unfinished Business of Eadie Browne by Freya North

by Bookworm&TheatreMouse

I would normally wait to write about ‘The Book Taster‘ pick for book club because we have not reached book club week yet. This is because the chance to chat helps you keep thinking and evaluating the book, and what you have read. However, this time, I can’t wait that long to share my thoughts – because I absolutely adored this book, and ‘The Book Taster’ has spread its magic again in introducing me to a new author.

‘The Unfinished Business of Eadie Browne’ has also been recommended by the fantastic Matt Cain, so it has actually been sitting on my shelf for some time, but, luckily, ‘The Book Taster’ gave me the boost I needed to pick it up. Because, let’s be honest, the curse of being a book lover, is that we may treat collecting books as a separate hobby to reading them, so they can be on those shelves for quite some time.

This is a beautifully written, thoughtful read. We meet Eadie Browne as she sets off on a road trip to a funeral in her home town. As she is on this trip with her husband, she is reflecting on what has got her to this moment. We go right back to her childhood, through her teenage years, to university, to the present day. And it is quite a journey we go on with Eadie as we learn more about her, her family, and her friendships and relationships. As we reach the conclusion of the tale and threads start to come together, we understand why exactly Eadie is so keen to be at this funeral, and the closure and support that it may give her and those around her.

I want this to be spoiler-free, but I will share that I think it is a clever technique in the tale that we do not know exactly who the funeral is for, for so much of the story – it is a twist that is quite a surprise. And it is a twist that for me was quite emotional to read and really made Eadie a beautiful character, as well as supporting the reader in really understanding her. This shows what skill Freya North demonstrates as an author, too – to bring so much emotion to a story that seems potentially so ordinary (a coming of age tale), but truly makes it her own and unique, feeling like you have not read something like this before.

Now, I am keen to read more books by Freya North, as this is my first and it has definitely whetted my appetite to read more. I do enjoy discovering an author who has a backlist for me to explore, because it opens you to a whole new world of reading adventures – and meeting more characters along the way.