Simon Mayo's Books Of The Year
Simon Mayo and Matt Williams invite the world's finest authors in for a chat.
Episodes
April 23, 2024 • 22 mins
Journalist and author Tom Burgis joins Simon and Matt for our bonus Q&A episode.
He talks about the authors he admires, the stories and scandals he wishes he had discovered, and who he would invite to his fantasy dinner party.
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April 16, 2024 • 42 mins
Investigative journalist, Tom Burgis, joins Simon and Matt to discuss his fascinating new book 'Cuckooland: Where The Rich Own The Truth'
They discuss the dangers involved in his job, what goes in to researching such incredible stories and why he continues to do it.
Here's more info on the book:
Everywhere, the powerful are making a renewed claim to the greatest prize of all: to own the truth. The power to choose what you want rea...
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April 10, 2024 • 20 mins
Bestselling author and journalist, Erin Kelly, joins Simon and Matt to answer some Questions about her writing and reading habits.
She also tells us about the last book she really really enjoyed, who she'd invite to her fantasy dinner party - and answers a question from fellow author, Jane Casey.
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April 3, 2024 • 38 mins
Journalist and author Erin Kelly joins Simon and Matt for a chat about her new novel - a follow on from her debut novel, but also a stand alone!
Erin discusses her characters, plotting and how Frasier helps her write scenes. They also chat about the email she received from Stephen King, praising her book, and why she has returned to these characters so many years later.
About the book:
In the sweltering summer of 1997, straight-l...
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March 27, 2024 • 20 mins
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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March 20, 2024 • 42 mins
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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March 13, 2024 • 18 mins
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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March 6, 2024 • 41 mins
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 Tra...
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February 28, 2024 • 19 mins
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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February 21, 2024 • 40 mins
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 ra...
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February 14, 2024 • 18 mins
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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February 7, 2024 • 38 mins
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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January 31, 2024 • 17 mins
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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January 24, 2024 • 38 mins
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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January 17, 2024 • 22 mins
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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January 10, 2024 • 42 mins
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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December 27, 2023 • 29 mins
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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December 20, 2023 • 19 mins
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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December 13, 2023 • 42 mins
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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November 29, 2023 • 27 mins
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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