I am the co-creator of this podcast, and one of the producers along with James Bowen. In this podcast series, acclaimed writer Sally Bayley invites us into her life on a narrowboat, surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature, sustained by reading and writing, showing us how books have the power to change your life. Sally's inspired, improvised musings demonstrate how literature and a connection to nature can console and give courage and insight even at the most difficult times. With the teaching and study of English Literature in steep decline in the UK, the podcast mounts a passionate defence of the possibilities of literature to console, inspire and transform. Each episode is accompanied by extensive "further reading" notes, encouraging listeners to delve deeper into the world of literature.
Reviews and feedback for the podcast
"I love this more than I can say. Intimate, subtle, rigorous and beautiful. Highly recommended!" - Fiona Melrose, award-winning author, Midwinter
"I've rarely felt so immersed in a podcast. Beautiful and profound" - Hugh Montgomery, Senior Editor, BBC Culture
“It had me in tears - beautiful, contemplative and humane.” - Helen Rappaport, best-selling author, No Place For Ladies, Magnificent Obsession
“A really powerful podcast series, with a striking narrative freshness. Each episode does something worthwhile with the form” - Jonathan McAloon, The Guardian
"Utterly spellbinding" - Gayle Bell, poet, Behind the Plots
“Magical. Words drip off her tongue” – Annie Skinner, Behind Closed Doors
“The podcast blew me away!! What I want to say feels like it's beyond words. Soul-feeding” – Dr Chris Laoutaris, poet, Shakespeare Institute
“Wonder, joy & suffering. Consoling, loving & provocative ... such bravery and courage” - Elizabeth Draper, The English Association
"Essential listening - the best podcast ever for books and book lovers!" - Morag Joss, award-winning author of the Sara Selkirk novels
“I had terrible writer’s block but after listening, something melted in me and I could write again. What a jewel!” – Dr Henrietta Lang, BACP
“Beautiful, strange, mesmerising podcast from the extraordinary Sally Bayley" - Nina Stibbe, Love, Nina
“Completely enthralled!” – Mary Woodin, artist, illustrator
“Highly intelligent, funny and gentle” - Alice Jolly, winner V. S. Pritchett Memorial Prize
“Soothing … perfect” - Nicole Gilroy, Bodleian Library, Oxford
"A lot of inspiration in 15 minutes" - Prof. Yvonne Jewkes, Media and Crime
“Glorious" - Nathan Filer, The Shock of the Fall, Heartland
“I was so moved - that kind of deep emotion where you burst into tears” - S.H. Thompson, Gone
“Exquisite. The brilliance of the recordings. Sensitive, funny, original and imaginative - an extraordinary encounter" - Dr Charlie-Lee Potter, Writing the 911 Decade
"My favourite thing to listen to at the moment - so relaxing and absorbing" - Bernice Barry, The Mind That Shines, A Lady's Pen
“A poetic communication with nature and literature" - James Lee, Something So Precious
“Thoughtful, intimate, moving and inspiring” – Alex Lockwood, The Chernobyl Privileges
“Exquisite and compelling, with profundity and charm.” Angela Findlay, In My Grandfather’s Shadow
“Perfect to drift and dream along with” – Dr Sarah Corbett, A Perfect Mirror
"Beautiful" - Christina Patterson, The Art of Not Falling Apart
"I loved this podcast. It feels like a meditation" - Prof Helen Kennedy, Post, Mine, Repeat
“I had to stop listening because it was just too beautiful to bear. Thank you for such a touching work of art” – Prof. Diego Semerene, University of Amsterdam
“Love! I love Sally’s words! Her voice lifted me!” - Rosie Canning, Orphans and Care Experience in Literature
“Perfect if you’re after the quieter, more natural moments in life” - Rather Be Reading
"Meditational, even prayerful” - Prof Ewan Fernie, Shakespeare For Freedom
"Wise, playful, deeply moving and full of solace" - Amy Winchester, publisher
"Something beautiful!" - Prof, Angelique Richardson, After Darwin
"Wonderful, brilliant!!" - Vicky Spratt, The iPaper
“Superbly done” - Prof. Will May, poetry editor, Steve Smith and Authorship
“Everyone should listen to this podcast” - Catalina Gayà Morlà, Ulysses Was A Woman
“Excellent!” – Kate Clanchy, Forward Prize-winning poet, Orwell Prize winner
Podcast recommended by Will Self, author
The podcast can be found here:
https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/a-reading-life-a-writing-life-with-sally-bayley/id1657828937
https://readinglifewritinglife.podbean.com/
To find out more about Sally please visit: https://sallybayley.com
To hear a sample of the podcast, you can view the video below. Thank you!