Simon Mayo's Books of the Year
Episodes
A little taster of Lee Child interviewing Simon
15 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Lee Child, the 100 million selling author of the Jack Reacher novels, takes over presenting duties to interview fledgling author Simon Mayo about his ...
Q&A with Sabine Durrant
08 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Sabine Durrant is a former assistant editor of The Guardian and a former literary editor at The Sunday Times. She is currently a magazine profile w...
Sabine Durrant (Finders, Keepers)
01 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Hoarding, how to write endings, ice cream vans - and Matt's desire to kill Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Q&A with Robert Webb (Come Again)
25 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The best selling author and Peep Show star tells us about his favourite books and authors, which include Huckleberry Finn, Hitchhiker's Guide To The G...
Robert Webb (Come Again)
18 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The No 1 best selling author of How Not To Be A Boy releases his debut novel Come Again - where his heroin finds herself back in 1992, trying to save ...
Q&A with Anthony Horowitz OBE
22 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The best selling author chats about his favourite books and authors - including Agatha Christie, Charles Dickens, Ian Fleming, Ben MacIntyre and Ian R...
Q&A with Ariana Neumann
16 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The author of When Time Stopped talks us through some of her favourite books, authors and poets - including WH Auden, Enid Blyton, Dani Shapiro and Jo...
Ariana Neumann (When Time Stopped)
10 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
When Time Stopped -A Memoir of My Father’s War and What Remains Ariana meticulously uncovers the astonishing truth of her father’s extraordinary e...
Q&A with Mark Billingham
08 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
One of Britain's finest crime writers tells us about his favourite books and authors - which include Elvis Costello, Leon Garfield and Charlie Brooker...
Mark Billingham (Their Little Secret)
08 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Mark Billingham is one of the UK's most acclaimed and popular crime writers - selling over 5 million copies. A former actor, television writer and sta...
Q&A with Andrew Hunter Murray
06 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
QI Elf Andrew talks us through his favourite authors which include Rik Mayall, Douglas Adams, Terry Pratchett and PG Wodehouse. Andrew's debut novel i...
Andrew Hunter Murray (The Last Day)
03 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
QI Elf, Private Eye contributor and No Such Thing As A Fish presenter Andrew Hunter Murray tells us about his debut novel The Last Day - a thriller se...
Q&A with Sophie Hannah
01 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Sophie is an internationally best selling crime author. In our Q&A she tells Simon and Matt about her favourite authors which include Agatha Christie,...
Sophie Hannah (Haven't They Grown)
29 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In Sophie Hannah's latest thriller Beth sees some old friends...but "twelve years have passed and the children don't look any older...why haven't they...
Q&A with Michael Lewis (Moneyball, The Big Short, The Fifth Risk...)
28 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
One of America's finest investigative writers answers our book Q&A Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Michael Lewis (The Fifth Risk)
19 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Michael Lewis is the global bestselling author of The Big Short and Moneyball - both of which were turned in to hugely successful movies. His la...
Q&A with Malcolm Gladwell
12 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Malcolm Gladwell is a journalist, author and podcast maker. His first five books were on The New York Times Best Seller list. Here her chats to Sim...
Malcolm Gladwell (Talking To Strangers)
05 Dec 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Malcolm Gladwell is a journalist, author and podcast maker. His first five books were on The New York Times Best Seller list. His sixth book, Talk...
Q&A with Lee Child
27 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Multi million selling author Lee Child gives a rather candid glimpse in to his reading and writing habits Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for m...
Lee Child - Jack Reacher: Blue Moon
21 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Lee Child is a publishing phenomenon. His Jack Reacher novels have sold over 100 million copies. In his latest, Blue Moon, Reacher steps out of a bus ...
Q&A with Adele Parks
20 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Bestselling author Adele Parks talks about her favourite books and writers. Including Enid Blyton, Vera Brittain, Clare Mackintosh and Muriel Spark. H...
Adele Parks (Lies, Lies, Lies)
13 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Adele Park's latest novel Lies Lies Lies is a Sunday Times bestseller. She has written 19 novels, selling over 3.5million copies in the UK alone. In o...
Q&A with George Alagiah
28 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Broadcaster, journalist and author George Alagiah talks us through his favourite books and authors... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more ...
George Alagiah (The Burning Land)
21 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Since 2007, George has been the presenter of the BBC News at Six and has also been the main presenter of GMT on BBC World News since its launch in 201...
Q&A with Wild Swans author Jung Chang
08 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The best selling author talks about her favourite books and writers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jung Chang
01 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Jung Chang is best known for her family autobiography Wild Swans. Published in 1991, it has sold over 15 million copies, has been translated in to 40 ...
A Q&A with Dr Chris Naunton (Searching For The Lost Tombs of Egypt)
20 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Egyptologist Chris Naunton talks us through his favourite writers, explorers and books. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dr Chris Naunton (Searching For The Lost Tombs of Egypt)
04 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Where are the tombs of Alexander the Great or Cleopatra? Both rulers were buried in Egypt, but their tombs have never been found despite years of inte...
A Q&A with Matt Haig
04 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Find out about Matt Haig's favourite books and writers. Matt is one of Britain's best loved and most prolific writers. Reasons To Stay Alive and Notes...
Matt Haig
28 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Matt Haig pops in to chat about his new books: Evie and the Animals and The Truth Pixie. His children’s book A Boy Called Christmas was a runaway hi...
A Q&A with Emma John (Wayfaring Stranger)
22 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Journalist and author Emma John talks us through her favourite books and writers - which include Stephen Fry, Amy Poehler and Mark Twain. Hosted on Ac...
Emma John (Wayfaring Stranger)
15 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Can you feel nostalgic for a life you've never known? Suffused with her much-loved warmth and wit, Emma John's memoir follows her moving and memorable...
Q&A with Jeanette Winterson (Oranges Are Not The Only Fruit/Frankissstein)
10 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Jeanette Winterson is one of the UK's most loved and respected authors. In our Q&A she discusses her favourite writers and books - and her reading and...
Jeanette Winterson (Frankissstein)
03 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
What will happen when homo sapiens is no longer the smartest being on the planet? Jeanette Winterson shows us how much closer we are to that future th...
Q&A with Sue Nelson (Wally Funk's Race For Space)
26 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Sue Nelson is an award-winning science journalist, producer and broadcaster. A former BBC TV science correspondent and Radio 4 presenter, Sue makes sh...
Wally Funk's Race For Space
20 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Wally Funk was among the Mercury 13, the first group of American pilots to pass the Woman in Space programme. Wally sailed through a series of rigorou...
Q&A with Chloe Hooper (The Arsonist)
22 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Chloe's book The Arsonist is Simon and Matt's favourite of the year so far. Here she talks us through her favourite authors and books. Hosted on Acas...
Chloe Hooper - The Arsonist
15 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The Arsonist tells the real-life story behind one of Australia’s darkest days and the deadliest bushfire disaster in Australia’s history, Black S...
Q&A Michelle Paver & John Boyne
25 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Two hugely successful authors have a crack at our book Q&A Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Michelle Paver & John Boyne
18 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Michelle Paver is an international bestselling author with over 3 million copies of her books sold in 37 countries across the globe. She writes for bo...
Q&A with Prof Lewis Dartnell
11 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Science writer Prof Lewis Dartnell tells Simon and Matt about his favourite books and writers. And how long you could survive in a supermarket after T...
Prof Lewis Dartnell - Origins
06 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The best selling author of Origins: How The Earth Made Us - the story of the human species as shaped by the environment. Prof Lewis Dartnell is a rese...
Our Q&A with Anita Anand
20 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Broadcaster and journalist Anita Anand picks her favourite books and authors - including Roald Dahl, Gitta Sereny, Emily Eden and Fern Riddell. Hosted...
Anita Anand - The Patient Assassin
14 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Anita Anand tells the remarkable story of one Indian's twenty-year quest for revenge, taking him around the world in search of those he held responsib...
Q&A with Jonathan Freedland/Sam Bourne
07 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Find out the reading habits of thriller writer (and Guardian journalist) Jonathan Freedland Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informatio...
Sam Bourne aka Jonathan Freedland
28 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Jonathan Freedland is a Guardian journalist who has written 7 thrillers under the name Sam Bourne. To Kill the Truth springs from one question. What ...
Q&A with Charlie Connelly
21 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The author of "Last Train To Hilversum - A Journey In Search Of The Magic of Radio" talks us through his favourite books and authors Hosted on Acast. ...
Charlie Connelly - Last Train To Hilversum
14 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Charlie Connelly is a bestselling author and award-winning broadcaster. His many books include Attention All Shipping: A Journey Round The Shipping F...
Alex Michaelides - The Silent Patient
07 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The author of one of the most anticipated thrillers of 2019 - The Silent Patient Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Q&A with Alex Michaelides (The Silent Patient)
02 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Listen to author Alex Michaelides talk about his favourite books and authors. His debut novel THE SILENT PATIENT has been sold to over 30 countries an...
Q&A with Helen Russell
24 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The Atlas of Happiness author tells Simon about her favourite authors, which include Kate Atkinson, Jill Murphy, David Niven, Naomi Alderman, Siri Hus...
Helen Russell - Atlas of Happiness
17 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
The Atlas of Happiness is a round-the-world trip through 33 international happiness concepts, from the bestselling author of The Year of Living Danish...
John Simpson's Q&A
21 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Legendary journalist John Simpson tells us about his favourite books and authors Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Parky's Q&A
20 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Sir Michael Parkinson talks us through his favourite books Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Robin Ince Q&A
19 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Comedian Robin Ince tackles our book Q&A. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Robin Ince
16 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
A very thoughtful chat with Robin about his latest book - I'm A Joke And So Are You - A Comedian's Take On What Makes Us Human. Covering brains, death...
Roger Daltrey
13 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
An undiagnosed broken back, turning up to Woodstock in a VW Beetle, and 6 of the best on his bare arse. The legendary frontman of The Who tells all ab...
Roger Daltrey on the life of Keith Moon
12 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
A taster from our next pod...about life on tour with The Who - and news of the new Keith Moon film Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more inf...
Sir Michael Parkinson
10 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Sir Parky pops in to chat about his friend, the flawed footballing genius George Best- the focus of his new memoir. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/pri...
John Simpson
05 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
John Simpson has been the BBC's World Affairs Editor for more than half his fifty-two year career. The legendary journalist tells us about his new nov...
Q&A with Cressida Cowell and Edward Brooke Hitching
02 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Find out the writing and reading habits of this week's authors. Cressida is the multi million selling creator of How To Train Your Dragon. And Edward ...
Cressida Cowell & Edward Brooke Hitching
28 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Cressida Cowell is the multi million selling creator, author and illustrator of How To Train Your Dragon. Her latest book is the second in the Wizards...
A Q&A with Ian Rankin
25 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
The reading habits of bestselling author Ian Rankin - covering the likes of Charles Dickens, Alistair MacLean, RagnarJonasson...and Jilly Cooper Hoste...
Ian Rankin
22 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
See if Matt can keep his sh*t together in front of his all time favourite author...Ian Rankin comes in to chat about his new bestseller In A House of ...
An extra Q&A with Lee Child
19 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
The author of the multi million selling Jack Reacher thrillers talks about his reading and writing habits. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for...
Lee Child
14 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
The multi million selling author of the Jack Reacher books pops in to the pod to talk coffee, movies and cotton buds. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/p...
The QI Elves & Levison Wood
08 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Dan and Anna from the No Such Thing As A Fish podcast discuss their Book of the Year - amazing facts from 2018. And explorer Levison Wood tells us abo...
A Q&A with explorer Levison Wood & the QI Elves
06 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Discover the reading habits, loves and suggestions of explorer Levison Wood and the QI Elves Anna & Dan (No Such Thing As A Fish). Levison has written...
Markus Zusak & Anthony Horowitz
01 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Two of the world's finest authors grace our studios...three if you include Simon. But even Matt would agree 4 would be stretching it. Markus Zusak's d...
Q&A with Anthony Horowitz & Markus Zusak
29 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Simon and Matt find out the reading habits of authors Anthony Horowitz and Markus Zusak. Plus your tweets, letters and suggestions. Anthony Horowitz i...
Heather Morris - The Tattooist of Auschwitz
25 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Heather's debut novel The Tattooist Of Auschwitz has become an international best seller. Based on the recollections of Lale Sokolov, who confided his...
Q&A with Heather Morris
22 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Simon and Matt chat to the best selling author of The Tattooist of Auschwitz about her reading habits. Heather Morris' debut novel, at the age of 65, ...
Chris Riddell & Dermot O'Leary
19 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In our children's special, Chris Riddell talks about Beedle The Bard which he has illustrated for JK Rowling - one of 7 books he has out at the moment...
A book Q&A with Dermot O'Leary & Chris Riddell (Beedle The Bard)
17 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Dermot O'Leary & Chris Riddell talk about their reading habits, loves and recommendations. Plus your letters and tweets. (If you corresponded with us....
Gary Barlow
11 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
The Take That frontman opens up about his life, his eating disorder, his songwriting and the stress of being an X Factor judge. Hosted on Acast. See a...
A quick book Q&A with Gary Barlow
09 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Gary will help you fall asleep. Full interview in the next show. If you are awake in time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information...
A Graham Norton Special
04 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Graham Norton pops in to catch some germs from Simon and Matt - and to talk about his latest novel A Keeper. Graham is one of the UK's best loved broa...
Graham Norton Q&A
02 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Enid Blyton, Richmal Crompton, Anne Griffin, Mary Lawson and more Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
SPY SPECIAL: Ben MacIntyre
27 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
(The failing...) New York Times Bestseller Ben MacIntyre pops in to chat at length about his latest effort The Spy and The Traitor. If anyone could be...
Mark Kermode & Alan Johnson
20 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In a (sort of) music special, journalist and broadcaster Mark Kermode and former Home Secretary Alan Johnson talk us through their new memoirs - which...
Q&A with Mark Kermode and Alan Johnson
18 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
This week's guests answer a quickfire Q&A on their reading habits including what book do you remember being read to you as a child? Is there a book on...
John Boyne & Shaun Usher
13 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
John Boyne is one of a rare breed of authors who actually enjoy writing. He has written 11 adult novels - as in novels for adults, rather than the fru...
Have you ever used a book to impress someone?
11 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
A taster of our next pod featuring authors John Boyne and Shaun Usher Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Kate Atkinson
06 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Kate joins Simon and Matt to chat about her new release Transcription. It tells the story of Juliet Armstrong, who is recruited as a young woman by an...
Sebastian Faulks
31 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Sebastian is invited in to chat about his latest novel Paris Echo - plus an excellent Q&A about his reading habits. Best known for the French trilogy,...
Melvin Burgess and Michael Calvin
17 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Carnegie Medal winning author Melvin Burgess (The YA-Father!) on his latest book The Lost Witch. Plus twice named Sportswriter of the Year Michael Cal...
Our Q&A with authors Manda Scott and Tracy Borman
10 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Manda Scott and Tracy Borman are the first to face our author Q&A. Manda has written A Treachery of Spies, focusing on the French Resistance. And Trac...
Manda Scott and Tracy Borman
03 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
A historical fiction special! Manda Scott has written A Treachery of Spies, focusing on the French Resistance. And Tracy Borman's fiction debut is The...
A Q&A with Simon and Matt about their favourite books.
27 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Simon and Matt work their way through a book questionnaire...covering crying when reading, books as gifts, being read to as a child and much more. You...
Ant Middleton and DB John
20 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Former SAS/SBS hero Ant Middleton talks about his time in the Special Forces, alongside DB John whose latest thriller is set inside present day North ...
A few words from Simon and Matt
13 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Your reviews, letters and suggestions Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ben Rhodes and Louis De Bernieres
06 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Simon and Matt are joined by Louis De Bernieres - the multi million selling author of Captain Corelli's Mandolin, to discuss his new novel So Much Lif...
An update from Simon and Matt about forthcoming shows
02 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Simon and Matt discuss forthcoming guests and their books, to give you a chance to have a read in advance of their appearances. Hosted on Acast. See a...
Robbie Williams and Lynda La Plante
25 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Simon and Matt are joined by Robbie Williams to discuss his memoir Reveal. And crime fiction legend Lynda La Plante talks about the enduring success o...
We Are Here! Sort of. A taster of things to come from Simon and Matt. Subscribe if you like!
22 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Simon and Matt reveal just what they have been planning Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.