Insects | Books & Brews Podcast

I grew up in Scotland, graduating from Edinburgh University with a degree in genetics. Back then, genetics was all about statistics and probability. So, I became a statistician until I took up the more chancy career of writing children’s books. Exploring the Insect World was published nearly 50 years ago. I then switched to time-slip fantasies and historical fiction. I’ve written nature-activity books, biographies, and more books about insects, which I now look on as my true calling. I married an entomologist. When you share your home, and sometimes your refrigerator, with insects you realize they need an advocate in our world!
Margaret J. Anderson – Homepage (peak.org)

Margaret’s Readings:

Dung Beetle/Scarab Beetle – 12:16
Ollie Falls into Another Time – 26:52
Saving the Duck or Destroying Books? – 42:12

Michael’s Beer Pairings:

Egyptian Process Brew, British Museum and Alpha Beta Brewery ([paired to Dung Beetle] – 8:27
Belhaven Scottish Ale, Belhaven Brewery Company Ltd. (paired to Ollie Falls into Another Time) – 24:42
Skull Splitter, Orkney Brewery (paired to Saving the Duck) – 40:37

Interview Highlights:

Making the study of dung beetles INTERESTING! – 15:48
Where did those character’s names come from!? – 20:20
Thoughts on Smailholm being restored since In the Keep of Time was written. – 31:07
Why are we drawn to switching identities? – 35:21
What really happened to Danny Duck? – 45:35
Taking things in stride as an adult…good or bad? – 47:17

COMING NEXT MONTH: While Michael takes a hiatus, Laura and Chris will visit a local brewery

UPCOMING EVENTS: