Episodes 62
Avg. Duration 51m
Activity Highly Active
Apple Rating 5.0 (4)
Since Sep 2023
Latest Episode Jun 2026

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Schedule
Weekly
Format
Episodic
Consistency
50%
Hosting
feeds.captivate.fm

About This Podcast

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/

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Recent Episodes

S6E45 Karen Swan on Three Summers

Jun 11, 2026 1h 10m Transcript

In this week’s episode I am joined by Karen Swan to talk about her brilliant new novel, Three Summers which is out today in paperback (link below). This episode was a pure joy to record, we actually…

S6E44 Tuesday Teaser: Karen Swan Preview + Exclusive Author Reading

Jun 09, 2026 8m

Welcome to this very special preview episode of Best Book Forward! Today, I am giving you an exclusive sneak peek into my conversation with the brilliant bestselling author, Karen Swan, ahead of her…

S6E43 Joanna Cannon: "Everything worth having starts with a pinch of anxiety"

Jun 04, 2026 1h 9m Transcript

I am absolutely thrilled to kick off the new season with the brilliant Sunday Times bestselling author, Dr. Joanna Cannon, to talk all about her beautiful new novel, An Unlikely Visitor.In this…

S6E42 Tuesday Teaser: Dr. Joanna Cannon Preview + Exclusive Audiobook Clip

Jun 02, 2026 14m Transcript

Welcome to this very special preview episode of Best Book Forward! Today, I am giving you an exclusive sneak peek into my conversation with the brilliant bestselling author, Dr. Joanna Cannon, ahead…

S6E41 Best Book Forward - Season Six

May 28, 2026 2m Trailer Transcript

🎙️ Best Book Forward – Season 6 TrailerA brand new season of Best Book Forward is almost here!Join me for another chapter of bookish conversation, where each week I sit down with incredible authors…

S5E40 "I love uncovering bits of forgotten history": Kate Lord Brown on The Silver Thread

May 21, 2026 51m Transcript

Kate Lord Brown on The Silver ThreadIn this final episode of Season 5, I’m joined by bestselling author Kate Lord Brown to talk about her beautiful new novel, The Silver Thread. We discuss Kate’s…

S5E39 “It Made Me Feel a Sense of Urgency” – Lucy Ashe on The Model Patient

May 14, 2026 59m Transcript

Lucy Ashe on The Model PatientIn this episode, I’m joined by author Lucy Ashe to talk about her latest novel, The Model Patient, looking at her own experiences with therapy helped shaped the story…

S5E38 “Do You Stick by Your Kids No Matter What?”: Inside Such a Nice Girl (with Andrea Mara)

May 07, 2026 55m Transcript

Andrea Mara on Such a Nice Girl: When Friendship and Motherhood CollideIn this episode bestselling author Andrea Mara joins me to talk about her gripping new thriller Such a Nice Girl, released…

S5E37 “What If These Were Your Last Five Minutes?”: Inside Five (with Ilona Bannister)

Apr 30, 2026 1h 3m Transcript

Ilona joins me today to chat about her incredible new novel Five. I couldn’t wait to chat to Ilona about it; I mean check this hook out: Five passengers, five, stories, five minutes until someone…

S5E36 “My Characters Live and Breathe for Me”: Inside Walking on Sunshine (with Heidi Swain)

Apr 23, 2026 1h 1m Transcript

Heidi Swain on Walking on Sunshine: A Story of New BeginningsIn this uplifting episode, Heidi Swain joins Helen to discuss her latest novel, Walking on Sunshine. We follow Tilly as she returns to her…

S5E38 "A Christie for the Instagram Age”: The Story Behind Based on a True Story (with Sarah Vaughan)

Apr 16, 2026 1h 4m Transcript

Sarah Vaughan on Based on a True StoryIn this episode, I’m joined by bestselling author Sarah Vaughan to discuss her brilliant new novel, Based on a True Story. We explore the themes at the heart of…

S5E38 “You Don’t Really See These Stories”: Inside Gloria Don’t Speak (with Lucy Apps)

Apr 09, 2026 53m Transcript

Lucy Apps on Gloria Don’t Speak In this episode, I’m joined by Lucy Apps to discuss her debut novel Gloria Don’t Speak, recently longlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction. We talk about the…

S5E35 "I Knew There Was Something There” The Story Behind Elizabeth & Marilyn (with Julie Owen Moylan)

Apr 02, 2026 1h 2m Transcript

Julie Owen Moylan on Elizabeth & Marilyn | Best Book Forward PodcastWhat an incredible way to kick off a brand new season of Best Book Forward.In this episode, I’m joined by novelist Julie Owen…

S5E38 Best Book Forward: Chapter 5

Mar 26, 2026 1m Trailer Transcript

🎙️ Best Book Forward – Season 5 TrailerA 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…

S4E34 Ruth Ware on The Woman in Suite 11: Secrets, Suspense & Screen Adaptations

Feb 19, 2026 1h 1m Transcript

Well I can’t quite believe it but this is the final episode in this Season. I have had so much fun recording these episodes and I really hope that you have enjoyed it too.We’re ending the Season on a…

S4E33 Jennie Godfrey on The Barbecue at No. 9: Secrets from the Summer of ’85

Feb 12, 2026 1h 3m Transcript

What a joy it was to chat to Jennie Godfrey, I could have happily chatted for another hour. Jennie’s new book The Barbecue at No. 9 is out today and it is fabulous. One you absolutely do not want to…

S4E32 Emma Steele on The Love of Our Lives: Love, Loss & Second Chances

Feb 05, 2026 58m Transcript

This was such a fun conversation with Emma Steele, we’ve been chatting online for a while so it really felt like catching up with a friend. In this episode we talk about Emma’s fabulous new novel,…

S4E31 Alexandra Potter on So, I Met This Guy: When Romance Turns Into a Con You Don’t See Coming

Jan 29, 2026 55m Transcript

This was such a fun episode with Alexandra Potter, it was one of the times I felt like I was just sat down having a cuppa and catching up with a friend. So, I Met This Guy, Alexandra’s book that we…

S4E30 Nicola Gill on Identity Crisis: The Fine Line Between Tears and Laughter

Jan 22, 2026 49m Transcript

A quick content note: this episode includes conversations about fertility, miscarriage, baby loss, and the death of a parent. I know these topics can be difficult, so please listen in whatever way…

S4E30 Bonus! Ellie Levenson on Room 706: The Ending Everyone’s Talking About

Jan 15, 2026 20m Bonus Transcript

⚠️ Bonus Episode Warning: Contains Spoilers ⚠️ When a book delivers an ending as brilliant and surprising as Room 706 by Ellie Levenson, it deserves its very own bonus episode, one where we can…

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Best Book Forward have?

Best Book Forward has published 62 episodes since September 2023, covering topics in Arts, Books.

Is Best Book Forward still active?

Best Book Forward is currently highly active with new episodes weekly. Average episode length is 51m.

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