Simon Mayo's Books of the Year

Cariad Lloyd talks 'You Are Not Alone"

Podcaster, Comedian and writer Cariad Lloyd joins Simon and Matt to discuss her new book, 'You Are Not Alone: A New Way To Grieve' They talk about her award-winning podcast, Griefcast, and how she has become the go-to grief expert! We also get some of her tips on grieving, advice on what we can do now for our friends and family, and there's your book correspondence too. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Q&A with Jason Mott

National Book Award winner, Jason Mott, joins Simon and Matt for a Q&A about his writing and reading habits. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jason Mott discusses 'Hell Of A Book' (winner of The National Book Award)

We're baaaaaack! And we're kicking off 2023 with HELL OF A BOOK by Jason Mott. This brilliant, humorous, moving, important novel is the winner of the Sir Walter Raleigh Award for Fiction, AND the National Book Award. Jason's surrealist gem centres on a mercurial writer who has visions of a young Black boy who may or may not be the child whose recent murder by a police office has sparked protests across the country. Simon and Matt discuss the novel, book tour nightmares, bad titles and comedic media traing sessions. They also get some writing tips and find out what some of our listeners have been reading and enjoying recently. We always love to hear from you, and you can contact us anytime via email: booksoftheyear@yahoo.com (yes, yahoo!) And you can follow us on Instagram (@pickanypage) and twitter (@booksoftheyear) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's a Books Of The Year Christmas Spesh!

Ho Ho Holy Moly it's nearly the end of 2022! And to celebrate, Simon and Matt have put together a bonus Christmas ep, for all our Books Of The Year stalwarts. Join us for some pretty lame Christmas jokes and clips of some of our favourite bits of the pod from the year gone by...because...that's what everyone does at Christmas right? Happy Holidays from all of us at BOTY!!!! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Q&A with Sebastian Payne

In our companion pod, FT Whitehall Editor Sebastian Payne answers questions about his writing, processes and what he's been reading and enjoying recently. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sebastian Payne: The Fall Of Boris Johnson

Simon and Matt welcome the former Whitehall Editor of the FT (now Director of the Think Tank, Onward), Sebastian Payne, to discuss his book 'The Fall Of Boris Johnson' We recorded this one quite late at night in a bar, so you'll also get to enjoy some thumpin' tunes in the background too, mixed in with a bit of Simon's cough, A delightful cacophony we think you'll agree! Sebastian talks about the 'three Ps' in his book (Patterson, Pincher and Partygate). as well as how well respected Johnson is in Ukraine, his obsession with Churchill and what he had to leave out of the book. We also have some of your correspondence and book reviews. (remember, you can get in touch at any time: booksoftheyear@yahoo.com) Here comes the science bit: The Fall of Boris Johnson is the explosive inside account of how a prime minister lost his hold on power. Boris Johnson was touted as the saviour of the country and the Conservative Party, obtaining a huge commons majority and finally getting Brexit done. But within three short

Q&A with Ben Macintyre

Bestseller author and journalist Ben Macintyre joins us for a Q&A about his writing and reading habits. He discusses the brilliance of 'In Cold Blood' and why he loves writing on planes. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ben Macintyre: Colditz - Prisoners Of The Castle

Bestselling author and Times columnist Ben Macintyre joins Simon and Matt to talk about his brilliant new book, Colditz: Prisoners Of The Castle. They discuss some of the incredible characters who frequented the prison, and the range of extraordinary escape plans which took place...and mainly failed. Here's the bumf: In a forbidding Gothic castle on a hilltop in the heart of Nazi Germany, an unlikely band of British officers spent the Second World War plotting daring escapes from their Nazi captors. Or so the story of Colditz has gone, unchallenged for 70 years. But that tale contains only part of the truth. The astonishing inside story, revealed for the first time by bestselling historian Ben Macintyre, is a tale of the indomitable human spirit, but also one of class conflict, homosexuality, espionage, insanity and farce. From the Indian doctor whose hunger strike and eventual escape reads like a thriller, to America's oldest paratrooper and least successful secret agent, the soldier-prisoners of Colditz

Q&A with Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney-Boylan

Join Simon and Matt, and the two bestselling authors Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney-Boylan, for a quick fire Q&A! We also have a guest question from the novelist Joanne Harris. You can hear more about Jenny and Jodi's new novel, "Mad Honey", on our previous episode where we discuss it at length... About the book: Olivia McAfee knows what it feels like to start over. Her picture-perfect life—living in Boston, married to a brilliant cardiothoracic surgeon, raising a beautiful son, Asher—was upended when her husband revealed a darker side. She never imagined she would end up back in her sleepy New Hampshire hometown, living in the house she grew up in, and taking over her father's beekeeping business. Lily Campanello is familiar with do-overs, too. When she and her mom relocate to Adams, New Hampshire, for her final year of high school, they both hope it will be a fresh start. And for just a short while, these new beginnings are exactly what Olivia and Lily need. Their paths cross when Asher falls for the n

Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan: Mad Honey

Bestselling authors Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan join Simon and Matt to discuss their brilliant new novel Mad Honey. Told from alternative narratives, the book is a suspenseful, unforgettable love story, and a moving and powerful exploration of the secrets we keep and the risks we take in order to become our authentic selves. The authors talk about the highs and lows of their collaboration, and why they think this book is going to be banned in some US States. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Q&A with Marina Hyde

Columnist and writer Marina Hyde answers some in-depth questions from Simon and Matt - as well as from listeners, and a surprise guest! No other writer is more suited to chronicling the absurd times in which we live. In What Just Happened?! Marina Hyde slashes her way through the hellscape of post-referendum politics, where the chaos never stops. From David Cameron to Theresa May to Boris Johnson. Marvel at the sights, from Trumpian WTF-ery to celebrity twattery. And boggle at the cast of characters: Hollywood sex offenders, populists, sporting heroes (and villains), dastardly dukes, media barons, movie stars, reality TV monsters, billionaires, police officers, various princes and princesses, wicked advisers, philanthropists, fauxlanthropists, telly chefs, and (naturally) Gwyneth Paltrow. It's the full state banquet of crazy - and you're most cordially invited. The book is drawn from her spectacularly funny Guardian columns, and is a welcome blast of humour and sanity in a world where reality has become str

Marina Hyde: What Just Happened?

Columnist and writer Marina Hyde joins Simon Mayo and Matt Williams to talk about the news, politics, her columns and...what the hell is going to happen next!? We're all trying to keep up with the news at the moment and it seems that every day, there's another crisis, resignation or flummoxed MP trying to change the narrative. In her latest book, Marina tries to make some sense of these turbulent times, whilst offering us some humour and valuable insight along the way. On this episode of Books Of The Year, she talks about the ever changing news cycle, how she keeps sane and the things she would never write about. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Q&A with Anthony Horowitz

The last book you really, really enjoyed? Which idea in a book do you wish you’d come up with? Do you work best with deadlines? Which books stand out from your childhood? Short chapters v long chapters. Discuss! Favourite TV or film adaptation of a book? How many books do you read a month? If you could go back to university, what would you study? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anthony Horowitz: The Twist Of A Knife

Making his 3rd appearance on the pod, best selling author Anthony Horowitz chats about his latest novel. With occasional sound effects from his builders. Anthony has written two highly acclaimed Sherlock Holmes novels, The House of Silk and Moriarty; three James Bond novels, Trigger Mortis, Forever and a Day and With a Mind to Kill; the acclaimed bestselling mystery novels Magpie Murders and Moonflower Murders and the Detective Hawthorne novels, The Word is Murder, The Sentence is Death, A Line To Kill, and the latest A Twist of Knife is out now - in which he stars as himself. His new play, a thriller called 'Mindgame', is about to open at the famous Vaudeville theatre in Shoreditch. Not surprisingly, Hawthorne declines a ticket to the opening night. The play is not enjoyed by the critics. In particular, Sunday Times critic Harriet Throsby gives it a savage review, focusing particularly on the writing. The next day, Throsby is stabbed in the heart with an ornamental dagger which, it turns out, belongs to Anth

Q&A with Robert Harris (Act of Oblivion, Fatherland, Enigma)

The last book you really, really enjoyed Which idea in a book do you wish you’d come up? Do you work best with deadlines? Short Chapters v Long Chapters. Discuss! Favourite TV or film adaptation of a book? How many books do you read a month? If you could go back to university, what would you study? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Robert Harris: Act of Oblivion

1660. Colonel Edward Whalley and his son-in-law, Colonel William Goffe, cross the Atlantic. They are on the run and wanted for the murder of Charles I. Under the provisions of the Act of Oblivion, they have been found guilty in absentia of high treason. In London, Richard Nayler, secretary of the regicide committee of the Privy Council, is tasked with tracking down the fugitives. He'll stop at nothing until the two men are brought to justice. A reward hangs over their heads - for their capture, dead or alive. Act of Oblivion is an epic journey across continents, and a chase like no other. It is the thrilling new novel by Robert Harris (Fatherland, Enigma, V2) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Q&A with Simon Mayo: Tick Tock

One of the greatest authors of his generation answers questions about his favourite books and authors - including Lee Child, Michael Connelly, JK Rowling and Philip Pullman Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Simon Mayo gets interviewed by broadcasting legend Tom Bradby

Best selling author, multi award winning broadcaster and lifelong Torchy fan SIMON MAYO is interviewed by ITN's Tom Bradby about his new thriller Tick Tock. It starts quietly enough. A tick-tick-ticking you can hear in your ear. Tinnitus, you think. It will pass. But it doesn't. It gets worse - and then you pass it on. Before you know it, it spreads. Elsewhere across the globe, it emerges: small outbreaks at first, but then suddenly it's a plague - and only days later it is killing people. In an increasingly affected north London school, teacher Kit Chaplin is struggling to understand what he is witnessing. Even Lilly Slater, his partner and an eminent vaccinologist, can't work out what's happening. As it spreads, little by little, they are inexorably drawn into the mystery behind the illness. And what they discover will change the world as they know it... Exciting and urgently contemporary, this piercingly insightful novel tells the story of a global catastrophe through the eyes of the three people at the he

Jonathan Freedland: The Escape Artist

Simon and Matt chat to Jonathan Freedland about his new book The Escape Artist. In April 1944 nineteen-year-old Rudolf Vrba and fellow inmate Fred Wetzler became the first Jews ever to break out of Auschwitz. Vrba's mission: to reveal to the world the truth of the Holocaust. In the death factory of Auschwitz, Vrba had become an eyewitness to almost every chilling stage of the Nazis' process of industrialised murder. The more he saw, the more determined he became to warn the Jews of Europe what fate awaited them. A brilliant student of science and mathematics, he committed each detail to memory, risking everything to collect the first data of the Final Solution. After his escape, that information would form a priceless thirty-two-page report that would reach Roosevelt, Churchill and the pope and eventually save over 200,000 lives. But the escape from Auschwitz was not his last. After the war, he kept running - from his past, from his home country, from his adopted country, even from his own name. Few knew of t

Q&A with Mick Herron (Slow Horses, Bad Actors)

Mick Herron chats about some of his favourite books and authors which include Francis Spufford, John Steinbeck, Gorky Park and The Wind In The Willows Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mick Herron (Bad Actors)

In 2010, with Slow Horses, Mick Herron began a spy series, entitled Slough House, featuring MI5 agents who have been exiled from the mainstream for various offences. With the follow up Dead Lions, he won the Crime Writers' Association 2013 Gold Dagger award. It has recently been turned in to a series on Apple TV featuring Gary Oldman. Bad Actors is the latest in the series. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Q&A with Tom Bradby (Yesterday's Spy)

Tom Bradby chats about some of his favourite authors including Len Deighton, Delia Owens, Thomas Harris and Simon Mayo Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tom Bradby: Yesterday's Spy

Tom Bradby is a novelist, screenwriter and journalist. He has written nine previous novels, including top-ten bestselling Secret Service, and its two sequels, Double Agent and Triple Cross. As a broadcaster, he is best known as the current Anchor of ITV's News at Ten. He has been with ITN for thirty years and was successively Ireland Correspondent, Political Correspondent, Asia Correspondent (during which time he was shot and seriously injured whilst covering a riot in Jakarta), Royal Correspondent, UK Editor and Political Editor- a job he held for a decade - before being made the Anchor of News at Ten in 2015 His latest novel is Yesterday's Spy. Set against the backdrop of one of the defining events of the Cold War. Nothing good ever comes from a midnight phone call. For washed-up spy Harry Tower, it is the worst news at the worst possible time. His son, Sean, has gone missing in troubled Iran after writing an exposé about government corruption. Their relationship has never recovered since Harry's wife's sui

Q&A with Claire Powell (At The Table)

Claire Powell tackles our Q&A about the books she loved as a child, books that cheer her up and her favourite book shops. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.