Fantasy Book Swap

24/11/2025

Hello friends. I am sorry for the quietness of Fantasy Book Swap in recent months. My Dad’s health took a sharp downturn in late September and he passed away peacefully in his sleep, holding my mum’s hand, on Saturday.

In his memory, here he is talking about Masefield’s The Midnight Folk.

This episode has a very special guest… my dad, Michael Baker, who was 84 yesterday. You can see him wearing his favourite hat here. This photo was taken last May, on my sister Kate’s belated 50th birthday. It was absolutely freezing! Our choices were: John Masefield's The Midnight Folk Chris Rid...

11/10/2025

Scrème Maggie Tokuda-Hall, author or The Mermaid, the Witch and the Sea, discussed with Ida Keogh, responded to my excitement about her graphic novel The Worst Ronin on BlueSky:

Omg thank you! Where are you lecturing? Why Ronin?

Eee!

11/09/2025

New episode! With Rob from Bona Books on Oz, q***r fandom and a gorgeous graphic novel where magic isn’t a metaphor for oppression

Robert's choice: The Marvellous Land of Oz by L. Frank Baum Ali's choice: Wynd book 1: The Flight of the Prince by James Tynion IV and Michael Dialnyas Robert is 1/4 of wonderful Bona Books! The Wrath Month kickstarter is still open for stretch goals backing. Return to Oz (1985) trainer here: relive...

10/09/2025

Hello PodPals! The teenager is back at school; term is beginning for teacher education at University of East London. I have edited episode 49 and it was so much fun talking about L Frank Baum, theatricality, q***r fandom and when magic isn’t a subtext, cowards! It will be uploaded tomorrow morning in between meetings!

I am hoping to get episode 50 recorded this month, but if I can’t I’ll be taking a break until late October.

22/08/2025

New episode with Sandra Bond!

Ep 48 Shownotes Sandra’s book: The Wind on the Moon by Eric Linklater Ali’s book: The Wild Robot by Peter Brown. It’s also a film The Politics of Fantasy by Brian Attebury Catherine Crumb on her bicycle Nicolas Bentley’s illustrations Rudyard Kipling’s Just-So Stories Murderbot by Martha W...

18/08/2025

Hello PodPals! I’ve been on holiday, came back to All The Work and have been wrangling a teenager who didn’t find the transition from holiday to home very easy. However! The next episode of Fantasy Book Swap with the brilliant Sandra Bond will be released into the wild tomorrow evening!

12/08/2025

Some things to watch and read if you don't want to support a certain wizarding school TV adaptation

Hohenzellern Castle, Germany (Britannia.com) If you would prefer not to support the work of known transphobe J. K. Rowling, here are some alternatives. Some have been dramatised, and some definitel…

27/07/2025

New episode! On worldbuilding in historical fiction, with two books set in 6th Century Britain with Caroline Mullan. Get comfy, it's an hour and a half!

Caroline's choice: Dawn Wind by Rosemary Sutcliff Ali's choice (first read in 2022, not 2002!): The Short Knife by Elen Caldecott. Tir na n'Nog book award Ken Slater and fan ac Some books where a “commoner” becomes a prince: The Prince and the Pauper by Mark Twain The Prisoner of Zenda and Ruper...

26/07/2025

Hello pals! I am sorry that I am late with releasing my most recent recording. Unfortunately Steve Vapour Trails took his laptop with editing software on a training course (outrageous!), I had a busy spell at paid work and this week has been the first week of school holiday for the insert voice artist. I’m determined to get it done this weekend!

19/07/2025

Mr Hobson and Mr Jobson from Eric Linklater’s The Wind on the Moon, illustrated by Nicolas Bentley

01/07/2025

New episode! https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-p5uwf-18f24f2 With JL Worrad. On Earthseed by Pamela Sargent and Phoenix by SF Said

Jim’s book (with Twilight-style cover); with Alison Moyet cover Ali’s book Stars and Sabers publishing Ferengi “Human female” Murderbot trailer Dave McKean’s website SF Said’s website Alfred Bester: The Stars my Destination There are two sequels to War of the Worlds: the straight to DVD ...

27/06/2025

Celebrating my 4th year on Facebook. Thank you for your continuing support. I could never have made it without you. 🙏🤗🎉