Let Them Eat Books
Let Them Eat Books is a podcast hosted by Claire Reynolds and Colin Herd about all the food you have and haven’t tried in all the books you have and haven’t read. Leaving jammy fingerprints on book jackets, reading every last word on the back of packets, we combine the two things that make us who we are: a shared passion for the culinary and the literary! We also visit food and book locations around Scotland and further afield.
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Episodes
Tuesday Feb 03, 2026
Tuesday Feb 03, 2026
In our most lenticular episode to date, Claire and Colin discuss Lentil Soup by reading poems by Zharad and Maria Sledmere, and an extract from a short story by David Toulmin.
Tuesday Jan 27, 2026
Tuesday Jan 27, 2026
Colin and Claire discuss texts by Jennifer Moxley and Annie Johnson in this episode devoted to rhubarb, rhubarb, rhubarb!
Wednesday Dec 31, 2025
Wednesday Dec 31, 2025
Our 31st episode celebrates the Scottish Hogmanay tradition of Black Bun, via texts by O Douglas, Robert Louis Stevenson, Gilly Pickup and Annie Boutelle.
Tuesday Dec 23, 2025
Tuesday Dec 23, 2025
Colin and Claire taste the traditional Venezuelan Christmas dish of Hallaca from La Bodega in the East End of Glasgow, and share texts from Adriana Bertorelli Párraga, José Rafael Pocaterra, Edwin Morgan, Tori Derricote, Ange Mlinko and Diane Suess. Merry Christmas from your favourite foodie elves!
Tuesday Dec 16, 2025
Tuesday Dec 16, 2025
Claire and Colin indulge in a hearty round of wassailing in this exploration of christmas drinks. From Mulled Cider flavoured Tea, via Mulled Wine to Eggnog and the Snowball, this episode is enough to leave you needing a wee lie down. Writers discussed include: Charles Dickens, Robert Herrick, Lorrie Moore, Carmen Maria Machado and Christopher Todd Matthews. And from drams to Am Dram, don’t miss Colin’s one-man version of A Christmas Carol!
Wednesday Dec 10, 2025
Wednesday Dec 10, 2025
Colin and Claire discuss the classic Dresdener Stollen, a Christmas Classic! Focusing on the German children's author Agnes Sapper, the episode also gives quite a lot of details of the history of this favourite festive treat!
Tuesday Dec 02, 2025
Tuesday Dec 02, 2025
Colin and Claire talk about Brussels Sprouts on today’s show in the first of three festive specials including reference to Emily Berry and Don Lee.
Tuesday Nov 25, 2025
Tuesday Nov 25, 2025
Clare and Colin visit Happy Meal Polish cafe in Glasgow and taste Mizeria Salad and Sour Cucumber and Rye Soups. They also talk about Bona Sforza and read two poems by Wisława Szymborska.
Tuesday Nov 18, 2025
Tuesday Nov 18, 2025
Claire and Colin clamber out of the briny jars that keep them perfectly preserved to discuss the tangy crunchy sweet sour delight of Pickles! Focusing on Meagan Jennett’s novel You Know Her and John Tobias’ poem ‘Reflections on a Gift of Watermelon Pickle Received from a Friend Called Felicity’.
Tuesday Nov 11, 2025
Tuesday Nov 11, 2025
An iconic Scottish pie! The Forfar Bridie is a legendary delicacy of the north east and Claire and Colin visit Forfar to watch Forfar Athletic, eat Bridies and talk about a diverse selection of authors: J M Barrie, David Kinloch, J B Salmond and many more!