University representatives reach the ears of thousands of Book Club listeners

Students, staff and academics from the University of Northampton have been taking to the airwaves to spread the joy of reading across the county.

BBC Radio Northampton invited the University to take part in DJ John Griff’s Afternoon Book Club earlier this year, and a range of people from the institution jumped at the opportunity to take part.

Each month members of the University read a particular book and are invited to talk about it on air with John.

The club kicked off, in March, with The Silk Factory by Northamptonshire author Judith Allnatt, followed by Patricia Highsmith’s The Talented Mr Ripley.

Future titles include Steve Boggan’s Follow the Money, Bill Bryson’s Road to Little Dribbling and Village Tale by Donald McDonald.

Those taking part include English and Creative Writing academics, English and Creative Writing undergraduates and postgraduates and a receptionist.

English Master’s graduate, Anthony Stepniak, who has appeared on the Afternoon Book Club, said: “It was fantastic to be able to discuss such an intriguing novel like The Talented Mr Ripley in an entirely different format to the academic ones I am used to.

“I was able to learn the skill of adapting the way of discussing literature depending on the audience listening – a key developmental skill as I look towards a career in academia.

“The book club is a great way of both attracting and sustaining people’s interest in reading, and the ability to be able to hear the book discussed really enhances the experience – I’m really looking forward to taking part again.”

Listen again to Anthony and Dr Sam Reese discuss The Talented Mr Ripley on the John Griff show (starts 1:16).

The same book will be discussed on Friday 27 May just after 3pm on the show, when Anthony and Dr Sonya Andermahr will join John in the studio.

Pictured are John Griff (left) and Anthony Stepniak.