Episode 2: A Life Woven with Books: Kirstin’s Story

Show Notes Kirstin’s teacup + teapot, gifted to her by her precious aunt and Nanna + French Early Grey tea from Inspirational Tea CoIn this episode of Tell Me Over Tea, I’m joined by my lovely friend Kirstin Bokor. Kirstin is a librarian, writer, and lifelong lover of stories whose life has been beautifully threaded through with books and words.in this episode Kirstin talks about:* The comfort of books during a childhood filled with change* How her Nannas influenced her love of reading and storytelling* The books that have stayed with her across decades (from childhood favourites to unforgettable adult reads)* Her own journey into writing her first novel* And yes — even her quirky ‘coffin list’ of books she’d want to take into eternity!It’s a rich, heartwarming chat about the ways stories connect us, shape us, and carry us through life’s seasons.Pour yourself a cuppa, settle in, and join us.Oh, and I wanted to also mention that when I have guests come on the podcast to share their stories, we will be sipping delicious tea together (of course!). The lovely Tanya from Inspirational Tea Co has kindly gifted myself and each guest some of her delicious teas and …. guess what? If you too would like to enjoy a yummy tea to sip whilst you listen to these podcast episodes (and of course you do!), Tanya has created a discount code for my listeners (you!!!). It will give you 15% off the regular price. How wonderful is that?Please be sure to use the discount code: STORIES to get 15% off.I hope you enjoy it. Kim xPS I would absolutely love it, only if you enjoy this podcast of course, if you wouldn’t mind leaving a review. it’s the way we can get these precious stories into the homes of fellow story lovers and memory keepers.Kirstin has kindly shared her list of books she mentioned throughout the episode. There are so many I want to go and check out!Paddington Bear by Michael BondSeven Little Australians by Ethel TurnerI Captured the Castle by Dodi SmithThe River Wife by Heather RoseThe Great Gatsby by F. Scott FitzgeraldThe Turn of the Screw & The Aspern Papers by Henry JamesCandide by VoltaireAnna Karenina by TolstoyMadame Bovary by Gustave FlaubertOnce Upon a River by Diane SettlefieldLe Morte D’Arthur by Thomas MaloryTwilight by Stephanie MeyerTrue Blood by Charlaine HarrisMoon on the Water by Pamela Belle (Chains of Fate and Alathea)The Odyssey by HomerNever Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro (his The Buried Giant is a coffin book)The Children’s Book by A.S Byatt Katherine Rundell – everything! – Wolf Wilder, Rooftoppers, The Thieves, Impossible Creatures, The Explorers Non-fictionThe Super-Infinite (about John Donne – seriously it’s brilliant), and The Golden Mole.The Golden Mole is a book I urge everyone to own, honestly it reminds you that the world is full of wonders. And Why You Should Read Children’s Books Even Though You Are Oh So Old And Wise.Anne of Green Gables by Lucy MontgomeryW Somerset Maugham (I recommend starting on The Merry-Go Round) The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan KunderaWuthering Heights Emily BronteJane Eyre by Charlotte BronteTess of the D’Urbervilles by Thomas HardyThe Magic Far Away Tree by Enid BlytonIf you would like to follow Kirstin’s Coffin Book List you can do that over on Instagram: @the_coffin_booksAnd if you’re like me and enjoy a good old sticky beak at beautiful artworks, you can head on over to Kirstin’s husband’s Instagram account: @johnbokor It’s gorgeous!✨If you’d like to subscribe to my weekly newsletter, you can do that here: Betty Mae Wrote newsletter where I share stories there too and it’s also a way of keeping up to date with all things Betty Mae Wrote and the podcast.✨ If you’d like to get started with writing your own life story, please feel free to grab my free beginners guide. It helps you take one memory and turn it into a treasured story. You can grab that here: Free Guide✨To find out more about my writing membership, Little Life Stories you can do that here: Little Life Stories✨If you’d like to get back into the gorgeous slow soothe of letter writing, please know you are always welcome to join: The Lovely Letters Project ✨Or if you simply need a good old sticky beak around the place, please head on over here to the website: www.bettymaewrote.com ✨Oh and if you’re an Instagram type, be sure to follow me on Instagram: @bettymaewroteMusic: Kim on the uke😉 Rattling teacups – also KimProduction and Editing: Surprise, surprise, guess who? Yep! Kim again!Art by Lewis Dillon This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit bettymaewrote.substack.com