Episodes
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Who would John O'Farrell invite to his fantasy dinner party? Does he work best to deadlines? Which author always makes him laugh?
Find out the answers to these questions, and many more, on this Q&A episode of Books Of The Year.
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Simon and Matt are joined by screenwriter and author John O'Farrell to talk about his latest novel, Family Politics.
They discuss...politics...believe it or not, as well as the humour that can be found in all political parties, Question Time, Mrs Doubtfire the musical and what doesn't always translate from the UK to the US (and vice versa).
You could say it's a cornucopia of an episode!
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Episodes manquant?
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In our bonus Q&A episode, Historian, Broadcaster and Writer, Anna Keay, answers Qs about screen adaptations, writing processes, her research...and who she'd invite to her fantasy dinner party.
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We may be a little late to this book, but, we want to shout about it nonetheless!
Anna Keay joins Simon and Matt for a deep dive into The Restless Republic, when for eleven years, Britain had no king.
In 1649 Britain was engulfed by revolution, but it's not a time in history that we are taught about, certainly in the UK.
Anna's book takes as its guides the people who lived through these years of restlessness. Among them is Anna Trapnel, the daughter of a Deptford shipwright whose visions transfixed the nation. John Bradshaw, the Cheshire lawyer who found himself trying the King. Marchamont Nedham, the irrepressible newspaper man and puppet master of propaganda. Gerrard Winstanley, who strove for a Utopia of common ownership where no one went hungry. William Petty, the precocious scientist whose mapping of Ireland prefaced the dispossession of tens of thousands. And the indomitable Countess of Derby who defended to the last the final Royalist stronghold on the Isle of Man.
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Kiley Reid (author of the Booker longlisted novel, Such A Fun Age) joins Simon and Matt for a Q&A. They talk about her favourite writers, deadlines, how she orders her books...and who she'd invite to her fantasy dinner party.
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Bestselling author, Kiley Reid, joins Simon and Matt to talk about her new novel, Come And Get It.
She discusses her fascination with money (those who have it, those that don't and the things people might do to get it) which is a big theme in this book, and what drew her to write what she has coined a 'dorm novel'.
The book is set in the University of Arkansas, so we learn why that setting was important for Kiley, and Matt has a rant about dancers...of course he does.
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Alex Michaelides published his bestselling debut novel 'The Silent Patient' in 2019. His new novel 'The Fury', is out now.
In this episode, Alex answers questions about his writing process, characters, authors he admires, books he loves - and - there's a special appearance from a surprise author and fan.
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Alex Michaelides returns to Books Of The Year to chat with Simon and Matt about his new novel, 'The Fury'.
The screenwriter turned author talks about his inspirations (Patricia Hysmith), his love of film, putting humour into thrillers and how to try and write a twist like Agatha Christie.
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David McCloskey is an ex-CIA analyst, turned bestselling novelist.
He joined us on the pod last year, to talk about his debut novel 'Damascus Station', but now he's back - quite quickly! - with 'Moscow X'.
On this episode he answers questions about his writing process, favourite authors and who would be at his fantasy dinner party.
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David McCloskey is an Ex-CIA analyst and a bestselling author. He's also finished writing his third novel and has started his fourth. But, he's a nice guy, so we forgive him!
This is David's second appearance on Books Of The Year. In this episode, he talks to Simon and Matt about his latest novel Moscow X, his inspirations, what he can and can't write about, and who advised him on the use of ceiling fans in Cornwall!
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In this Q&A episode, Simon Mayo and Matt Williams talk to journalist and author Araminta Hall about her writing process and literary loves.
We learn which books and authors she has been reading and enjoying recently, how she gets into the minds of her characters...and who she wold invite to her fantasy dinner party!
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Araminta Hall joins Simon Mayo and Matt Williams for a chat about her new novel, 'One Of The Good Guys'.
They talk about her inspirations for the book, her character creation and why she feels disappointed about the current state and impact of the #metoo movement.
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Simon Mayo and Matt Williams look back on some of our favourite books of 2023.
This episode features SA Cosby, Louise Doughty, David McCloskey, Daniel Finkelstein and Cecelia Ahern.
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Simon Mayo and Matt Williams chat to Simon Sebag Montefiore about the books and writers he loves, his writing processes, his research and much more besides...
We also learn who he'd invite to his fantasy dinner party!
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Simon Mayo and Matt Williams welcome Author and Historian Simon Sebag Montefiore to the podcast.
They chat about TWO of his books, which are both very relevant at the moment. Firstly, 'Jerusalm: The Biography', which Simon is currently updating....and secondly, 'The World: A Family History'.
These two books are humungous in both scope and size - but they are fantastic and well worth your time.
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Simon and Matt ask John Boyne about his writing processes, favourite authors, reading habits, book shelves and inspirations.
There's also a guest question from the brilliant Irish writer, Donal Ryan.
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International bestselling author John Boyne joins Simon and Matt for a natter about his new book.
'Water' is the first of a Quartet of books, which will also include Fire, Air and Earth.
John talks about his inspirations, why he writes the characters he does and what drew him to the elements in the first place.
Here comes the science bit:
From million-copy-bestselling author John Boyne comes a masterfully reflective story about one woman coming to terms with the demons of her past and finding a new path forward.
The first thing Vanessa Carvin does when she arrives on the island is change her name. To the locals, she is Willow Hale, a solitary outsider escaping Dublin to live a hermetic existence in a small cottage, not a notorious woman on the run from her past.
But scandals follow like hunting dogs. And she has some questions of her own to answer. If her ex-husband is really the monster everyone says he is, then how complicit was she in his crimes?
Escaping her old life might seem like a good idea but the choices she has made throughout her marriage have consequences. Here, on the island, Vanessa must reflect on what she did - and did not do. Only then can she discover whether she is worthy of finding peace at all. Can you ever truly wash away your past?
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I Am Pilgrim author, Terry Hayes, answers questions about his process, who and what he likes to read, and the authors he'd have at his fantasy dinner party!
There's also a question courtesy of author, screenwriter and playwright, Anthony Horowitz.
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Terry Hayes' debut novel, I Am Pilgrim, was published in 2013. Ten years later, he has returned with his second novel.
In this episode, Simon and Matt chat to him about what has taken him so long, how he feels now it's out in the world and what is happening with the film of his first novel.
Terry also talks about the highs and lows of Hollywood, his editors notes and what he's going to work on next.
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Bestselling author Victoria Hislop answers some questions about her processes, reading habits, favourite authors and...dancing!
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