The Cheap Thrills episode

On this episode the LitFest team are talking about the books that might not get the full page erudite book reviews by venerated critics, but what they do get is a 5/5 for unputdownability. And luckily, these authors are all coming to the Emirates LItFest is February.Authors and books include: My Heart is a Chainsaw, by Stephen Graham JonesNivea Serrao recommends this beautifully written horror novel. Sleepyhead, by Mark BillinghamFunny and horrific in equal measures, this is the first outing for DI Tom Thorne, and the start of a 17 book series of bestsellers. The Hunting Party, by Lucy FoleyA snowed-in murder mystery with toxic friendships? Yes please, says Andrea. The Bridgerton series, by Julia QuinnYou may have seen the series, but the books are, as always, better. Each book has a different sibling as protagonist, and Nivea particularly recommends The Viscount Who Loved Me. Yesterday, by Felicia YapThis speculative fiction and crime mash-up asks, how do you solve a murder when you only remember yesterday? About us:Andrea Gissdal is the Head of Communications and Marketing for the Emirates Literature Foundation. From a voracious and indiscriminate reader as a child, to a part time bookseller as a student, as an adult she has become a literary omnivore but with a preference for fiction. She also dabbles in creative writing, and once scored 82 points in one move in Scrabble. Best day ever.Annabelle Corton is the English Programme Manager at the Emirates Literature Foundation. She runs the Festival Book Club and has a background in guesting and presenting on talk radio shows about various literary topics. She likes words like ‘equinox’ and ‘vespa’, and loves a good pun. She’ll read anything in reach, but has a fondness for witty tussles of good vs. evil on page and screen, especially vampire fiction where a great deal is at stake. Get it? Stake? ….She’s not sorry.

Om Podcasten

From Russian tragedies to Australian comedies, via Emirati slam poetry and Saudi science fiction, our appetite for words knows no bounds. In our day jobs at the Emirates Literature Foundation, you'd normally find us planning the next Emirates Airline Festival of Literature, but the rest of the time we're guessing whodunnit, debating the ultimate feel-good novel, or reading the stacks of books that line our office walls. As we are here in Dubai, one of the best connected cities in the world, we aim to bring you recommendations for books from all over the world. We are joined by a different writer in every episode so stay tuned. Want to get in touch? Send us a message on comms@emirateslitfest.com