Books

There are broadly two types of females in the world of traditional British comedy - battleaxes and nubile maidens; that's to say, crones or tarts, ratbags or nymphets. On the one hand, as it were, Hattie Jacques as Matron, pounding up the ward, and on the other, Barbara Windsor , 'joyous, earthy, funny', her assets, as Frankie Howerd said, for ever 'tittering on the brink'. As ours is a super-sensitive era of identity politics, however, the rollicking Carry Ons , with their bottom-pinching and wolf-whistling, are at serious risk of cancellation - so all praise to Gemma and Robert Ross, in The Carry On Girls, for defending the films as social history.

All About Books

All About Books A weekly book review and discussion program hosted by Pat Leach. Updated on Thursdays.

January 3, 2024 • An English Literature class typically reads classic works as generations of students have before. Why do we re-read these books? We asked this question of Aaron Douglas Professor of English at UNL, Stephen Buhler. He'll talk about re-reading to teach and how time changes the reader- if not the book.

December 29, 2023 • Not long ago, Beth Moore was filling arenas as a popular speaker and Bible teacher, especially to women in the Southern Baptist church. Her memoir, "All My Knotted Up Life", reveals her abusive childhood and how evangelicals embrace of Trump eventually led to her leaving the church.

December 20, 2023 • Eric Buchanan is an avid reader who's enjoyed introducing his reading group and his adult sons to books he's passionate about. He gained new insight into his favorite books by the different things these readers picked up on.

December 13, 2023 • She was one of the most successful novelists and playwrights of our times who inspired generations of writers. On this week's "All About Books", an overdue introduction to Agatha Christie from Scott Clark a Christie enthusiast and expert.

December 6, 2023 • The annual guide to holiday gift giving for all the readers and pre-readers in your life. Leslie Huerta returns with book suggestions for every interest: fiction, non-fiction, history, cookbooks, sports, and titles for young adults and children.

November 29, 2023 • Carla Ketner's son came up with the idea when she had difficulty choosing the subject for her first children's book. Why not tell the life story of fellow Seward resident and friend, Ted Kooser? Hear an interview with author Carla Ketner and Omaha artist Paula Wallace as they collaborated in the creation of "Ted Kooser: More Than a Local Wonder"

November 15, 2023 • Reading to small children is a cherished part of family life, but introducing books to older children can also be a rewarding activity. Guest reader Mary Kay Roth joined host Pat Leach this week to talk about re-reading and discussing favorite books with adult children.

November 8, 2023 • Omaha writer John J. Waters is a former U.S. Marine and Afghanistan and Iraq veteran. His novel, "River City One" follows a former soldier adrift who finds the hardest part of going to war might be coming home. Hear his conversation with host Pat Leach about the novel's creation.

November 1, 2023 • He travels to schools and libraries across the state presenting poetry, he teaches, writes and finds time to read too. Busy as he is, Nebraska State Poet Matt Mason keeps returning to certain books- find out what they are and how raising kids offeres another opportunity to re-read great books.

October 25, 2023 • As co-host of NPR's "All Things Considered", Mary Louise Kelly finds herself in the common conflict between a demanding career and being present for her 2 teen-age children. Their time together before they leave home is running out. The story of this struggle is found in her book, "It Goes So Fast: the Year of No Do Overs."

Queen Camilla will launch a weekly podcast called the Reading Room - an audio version of her popular online book club

By Rebecca English Royal Editor

Published: 19:02 EST, 15 December 2023 | Updated: 19:07 EST, 15 December 2023

It seems anyone who's anyone has a podcast these days. And the Queen is set to jump on the bandwagon herself, with a weekly audio version of her popular online book club.

Camilla will personally star on The Queen's Reading Room Podcast, which launches from January 8.

Her Majesty, 76, is a bookworm who has used her royal role to promote reading and help improve national literacy.

Her Instagram book club, which boasts 167,000 followers, was set up after she shared some of her lockdown reading favourites during the pandemic.

It has since become a charity and launched its own annual literary festival at Hampton Court Palace, which will be held again next year on June 8. Now, in a royal first, the Queen will share her own 'bookish treasures' in an eight-episode series.

Queen Camilla will personally star on The Queen's Reading Room Podcast, which launches from January 8

Her Majesty, 76, is a bookworm who has used her royal role to promote reading and help improve national literacy

Her Instagram book club has become a charity and launched its own annual literary festival at Hampton Court Palace, which will be held again next year on June 8

Camilla will present the show alongside a series of star guests including Dame Joanna Lumley, Sir Ian Rankin, David Baddiel, Elif Shafak and Countdown's Susie Dent.

It's hoped the podcast will create a space where book lovers – and those who wish to connect more with books – can hear straight from the mouths of literary heroes.

Chief executive of The Queen's Reading Room and podcast host Vicki Perrin said: 'There is nothing quite like a brilliant book recommendation from a friend; but it's even better when that person is one of your favourite authors or most admired persons.

'I hope that this podcast will inspire listeners to new literary adventures and help those wishing to love books a little more, find the books which set their imaginations alight.'