Book Club Meets: Fertility pressures, medical racism, and hen parties, with Candice Carty-Williams

Book Club Meets: Fertility pressures, medical racism, and hen parties, with Candice Carty-Williams

Author: Fearne Cotton August 3, 2026 Duration: 43:45

This month in the Happy Place Book Club, we’ve been reading Queenie Is Working On It, by Candice Carty-Williams. This is the much anticipated follow up to 2019’s Queenie.... and this time, Queenie Jenkins is questioning whether she wants kids, being priced out of the housing market in the place she grew up, and coping with horrible heartbreak too.


In this chat with Fearne – live from the Happy Place Festival – Candice explains why she felt it was so important to write about big topics like medical racism and fertility pressures, as well as why for her characters come first and the plot is just a side quest. Also, we all think hen parties are the absolute worst, right??


Thank you to Trapeze for the use of the Queenie Is Working On It audiobook, narrated by Shvorne Marks.


You can listen to the Queenie Is Working On It audiobook, from bookshop.org, here.

 

If you'd like to WIN a year's supply of audiobooks, enter our competition with bookshop.org here. Competition closes on August 22nd. 

 

If you liked this episode of Happy Place, you might also like:


Book Club Meets: Caro Claire Burke


Book Club Meets: Josie Lloyd and Emlyn Rees


Book Club Meets: Imani Thompson


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In a world that often feels loud and demanding, Happy Place offers a different kind of conversation. Here, Fearne Cotton sits down with a wide range of fascinating people-from artists and athletes to experts and everyday heroes-to explore the nuanced realities of human experience. These discussions gently peel back the layers on topics like mental resilience, physical well-being, cultural shifts, and the complexities of our relationships, moving far beyond simple soundbites. The core of this podcast lies in its authentic curiosity about how individuals navigate life's inevitable highs and lows. Rather than prescribing a single path to joy, each episode uncovers personal definitions of contentment and peace, often found in unexpected moments or hard-won perspectives. Listening feels like being part of a thoughtful, intimate dialogue where vulnerability is welcomed and stories are shared without pretense. Whether the conversation touches on overcoming loss, finding creative inspiration, or building a healthier society, Fearne guides it with empathy and a genuine desire to understand. This collection of interviews provides a quiet space for reflection, reminding us that happiness is not a constant state but a deeply personal and evolving journey. Tune in for a sincere exploration of what it means to live fully across all facets of life.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

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