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Transatlantic Bookmarks

Transatlantic Bookmarks

By: Ksenija Popović & Sue Graham Johnston
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Welcome to Transatlantic Bookmarks, a weekly literary podcast hosted by European novelist Ksenija Popović and American engineer Sue Graham Johnston.

From opposite sides of the Atlantic, we talk about contemporary fiction, classic literature, international books, literary prizes, adaptations, reading culture, and the ways books collide with everyday life.

This is a podcast for readers who want thoughtful conversation without academic stiffness or internet performance. Some episodes focus on major new releases and award shortlists like the Booker Prize and the Women’s Prize for Fiction. Others explore classics, books in translation, film and television adaptations, literary trends, and the human questions hiding inside fiction.

New episodes every week.

Find show notes, reading lists, and additional writing on Substack: https://transatlanticbookmarks.substack.com/

2026 Ksenija Popović & Sue Graham Johnston
Art Literary History & Criticism Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Is Women's Writing Still Relevant?
    May 23 2026

    The shortlist for the 2026 Women’s Prize for Fiction is out, sparking a vital conversation: Does the term “women’s writing” still make sense today, and is a prize like Women's Prize for Fiction just DEI?
    From opposite sides of the Atlantic, @ksenijapopovic and Sue Graham Johnston dive deep into the cultural politics of literary prizes, whether male writing is still the default universal standard, and whether we need a corrective mechanism. We also share our personal favorite female authors and why their books made an impact on us.

    📚 BOOKS MENTIONED:
    • The Ending Writes Itself by Evelyn Clarke
    • Heart the Lover by Lily King
    • The Correspondent by Virginia Evans
    • 84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff
    • Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
    • Secret History by Donna Tartt
    • The Goldfinsh by Donna Tartt
    • The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy
    • The Bridge on the Drina by Ivo Andric

    ✨ DEEPEN THE CONVERSATION
    Read our complete weekly breakdowns, curated reading lists, and additional essays over on our Substack. Join our community of mature readers:
    💌 Our Substack & Show Notes: https://transatlanticbookmarks.substack.com/

    📚 EXPLORE OUR HOSTS' WORK & READING LISTS
    • Read Ksenija's Novels: https://transatlanticbookmarks.substack.com/p/publications
    • Ksenija on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6449766.Ksenija_Popovi_

    🎙️ ABOUT TRANSATLANTIC BOOKMARKS
    A weekly literary podcast hosted by European novelist Ksenija Popović and American engineer Sue Graham Johnston. From opposite sides of the Atlantic, we bring you thoughtful, relaxed, and witty conversations about contemporary fiction, classic literature, award shortlists, and the human questions hiding inside the books we read.

    New episodes are released every week.

    👉🏻 CHAPTERS
    00:00 Intro
    01:14 The Ending Writes Itself by Evelyn Clarke
    04:35 Heart the Lover by Lily King
    05:33 The Correspondent by Virginia Evans
    07:05 84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff
    07:24 Defining Women's Fiction
    12:20 Women Read More
    13:06 The Balkan Perspective
    15:53 The American Perspective
    19:59 The Disparity in Literary Awards
    22:42 Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver and the Opioid Epidemic
    33:20 Is Women's Prize for Fiction DEI?
    41:55 Do We Read more Female or Male Authors?
    46:04 The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy
    47:39 Donna Tart's Goldfinch and Secret History
    50:00 Ivo Andric's Short Story
    53:20 Book Recommendations

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    55 mins
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