Book Off!

On this episode of Book Off, Joe welcomes Elif Shafak and Evie Wyld to the studio. These two fabulous writers talk about their latest novels ("There Are Rivers In The Sky" and "The Echoes") as well as giving us some brilliant reading recommendations. Evie lived in a haunted house, so we explore that and her fascination with ghosts - which are a central theme in her new book. She also discusses the...

TV and Radio presenter, and former record company executive, Nicki Chapman goes head to head in a war of the words with producer, musician and label owner, Simon Raymonde. On this episode of Book Off we delve into two music memoirs, covering two very sides of the music industry and history, but that both have a lot in common. Simon was one third of the band Cocteau Twins between 1983 and 1997, and...

Susie Dent and Louise Minchin join Joe Haddow this week for a war of the words. Both guests have had incredible careers in TV (Susie recently celebrated 30 years of being on Countdown and Louise spent 20 years on BBC Breakfast's red sofa) and both have written non-fiction before, but have now turned their hand to novels. Susie say's her book, Guilty By Definition, is more of a linguistic mystery t...

Book Off is back! And for the first episode of Series 13, we welcome bestselling authors Mark Haddon and Clare Chambers to the pod. They chat to Joe Haddow about their new books and what they have been reading and enjoying recently. 'Dogs and Monsters' is Mark's latest collection of short stories, where he weaves together Ancient Greek fables with more dystopian narratives. In each of the eight st...

Journalists and authors Sophie Elmhirst and Susan Smillie go head to head in a war of the words. In this nautical themed episode, they discuss their new books (Maurice & Marylin and The Half Bird), the joy (and dangers) of the sea, sailing and leaving work behind and exploring the world. They also share with us some brilliant book recommendations. Warning - this episode might make you want to...

Bestselling authors Freya North and Matt Cain go head to head in a War of the Words! They chat to Joe Haddow about their new novels ('The Unfinished Business of Eadie Browne' and 'One Love') which are possibly each author's most personal book to date. Both writers share a love of Manchester, a city they both lived in and that means a lot to them - it also features in both of these novels, as does...

What do you get when you put three children's authors on a podcast? (well, it turns out you get a lovely conversation!) Join Justin Somper and Cat Doyle as they discuss their new pirate books for kids and go head to head in a War of the Words. They also share some great book recommendations with us and tell us about their writing processes. THE BOOK OFF 'Impossible Creatures' by Katherine Rundell...

Poet and author, Andrew McMillan, goes head to head with author and screenwriter Nathan Newman in a War of the Words! They chat to Joe Haddow about their new novels ('Pity' and 'How To Leave The House'), chosen family, working class towns, comedy from tragedy and, Margaret Thatcher (yes, really). Nathan and Andrew also recommend some authors and books they have been reading and enjoying recently....

Bestselling authors Percival Everett and Andrew O'Hagan go head to head in a War of the Words, and discuss their brilliant new novels. Percival's latest novel 'James' is a re-imagining of Mark Twain's 'Huckleberry Finn', but set in 1861, whilst Andrew's latest work is a contemporary tale of class, money, greed and doing the right thing. They discuss how characters form for them, why writing is tor...

QI Elf, podcaster and author, Andrew Hunter Murray, goes head to head in a war of the words with comedian and writer Jonny Sweet. They discuss their new novels ('A Beginners Guide To Breaking And Entering' and 'The Kellerby Code'), their writing habits, inspirations and how to hide a socially conscious message in a page-turning thriller. We also get some fab book recommendations from them and natt...

Superstar authors Kiley Reid and Caroline O'Donoghue go head to head in a war of the words. They chat to Joe Haddow about their latest novels ('Come And Get It' and 'The Rachel Incident'), society's obsession with money, 'the campus novel' and why writing less is sometimes more. We go look back at the financial crash of 2008 and what it meant for a certain generation of artists and compare it to n...

Book Off is back! Welcome to Series 12. And to kick us off, we welcome Jennie Godfrey and Susan Fletcher to the studio to talk about their books and writing, and get some recommendations too. Jennie's debut novel, The List Of Suspicious Things, has been published to great acclaim whilst Susan's new novel, The Night In Question, is hotly anticipated - and coming out in just a few weeks. We discuss...

It's a children's book special this week! Former Children's Laureate, Cressida Cowell, goes head to head with broadcaster and author Dermot O'Leary. They chat about their latest novels, their passion for getting books into children's hands, a love of history - and - world building! THE BOOK OFF 'The Power Of The Dog' by Don Winslow VS 'The Joy Luck Club' by Amy Tan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/p...

Authors Heidi Amsinck and Marisa Haetzman go head to head in a war of the words, just before their appearance at Bloody Scotland. Heidi discusses her latest Jensen thriller, 'The Girl in The Photo' and her love for Denmark. Marisa tells us about collaborating with her husband, Chris Brookmyre (writing as Ambrose Parry) and their new book, 'Voices Of The Dead' They also tell us what they have been...

Journalist, radio presenter and author Stig Abell goes head to head with international bestselling author and screenwriter, Jo Spain in a war of the words. They discuss the politics of blurbing books, where they get their inspirations from, hard-boiled crime and when and where they write. They also recommend us some brilliant books, which they have enjoyed recently. THE BOOK OFF 'Pride and Prejudi...

Bestselling novelist, Catriona Ward, goes head to head in a war of the words with Suede co-founder, bassist and author, Mat Osman! They discuss their new novels - "Looking Glass Sound" and "The Ghost Theatre" - as well as recommending us some books they have read recently and loved. These include 'Orlando' by Virginia Wolf and 'Wide Sargasso Sea' by Jean Rhys. The authors also talk about being "sh...

Authors Poorna Bell and Eva Rice go head to head in a War of the Words! They discuss their love of the 90s and why it's such a rich decade to set fiction in. (*warning - Joe and Eva geek out a little on the music of the 90s just fyi!) We also get some brilliant book recommendations AND some very useful writing tips too. THE BOOK OFF 'Kitchen' by Banana Yoshimoto VS 'The Buddha Of Suburbia' by Hani...

Publicist extraordinaire and debut novelist Georgina Moore goes head to head with author and journalist Sophia Money-Coutts in a war of the words. They talk to Joe Haddow about siblings, sisterhood, writing women in their thirties and boats! We also delve into literary love, language and landscapes - and the importance of a setting. George and Sophia also give us some brilliant book recommendation...

Bestselling authors Jill Mansell and Lucy Diamond join Joe Haddow for a war of the words! They discuss the brilliance of Elly Griffiths (a previous BooK Off guest) and how hard it is to find the time to start a new series of books. They talk about their new novels ('Promise Me' and 'The Best Days Of Our Lives') as well as giving us some writing tips. The authors also talk about why 'feelgood ficti...

In this episode, bestselling crime/thriller authors Elly Griffiths and Jane Harper go head to head in a war of the words. The writers discuss their latest novels, 'The Last Remains' and 'Exiles', and give us some writing tips too. They also recommend us some books they have read recently and talk about what it means to take their research seriously. (hint - wine tasting is key) THE BOOK OFF 'Cold...

In the first episode of our new series, authors Kirsty Logan and Laura Purcell go head to head in a war of the words... They discuss their new novels - 'Now She Is Witch' and 'The Whispering Muse' - writing processes and they give us some brilliant book recommendations. THE BOOK OFF 'Moominland Midwinter' by Tove Jansson VS 'The Circus Of Wonders' by Elizabeth Macneal Hosted on Acast. See acast.co...

Singer/Songwriter and Ocean Colour Scene frontman Simon Fowler goes head to head with music journalist, author longtime friend and collaborator Daniel Rachel, in a war of the words! They talk about collaborating on their new book, their friendship, lost songs, how great the 1990s were and what they have been reading and enjoying recently. The Book Off "Music And Silence" by Rose Tremain VS "The Co...

We're getting a little Christmassy in this episode, with bestselling authors Lindsey Kelk and Beth O'Leary. They discuss their latest books, their love for Marian Keyes, writing humour and what they love about Christmas. They also recommendation us some books they have been enjoying recently. THE BOOK OFF "Again, Rachel" by Marian Keyes VS "Her Majesty's Royal Coven" by Juno Dawson Hosted on Acast...

Sally Gardner and Jamie Costello (aka Laura Wilson) go head to head in a war of the words! They discuss the importance of colour in our lives and in writing, the ever changing weather, and give us some top reading recommendations too! THE BOOK OFF "The Devil In The Flesh" by Raymond Radiguet VS "The Book Of The Most Precious Substance" by Sara Gran Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more i...

Bestselling author Ken Follett goes head to head in a war of the words, with playwright and debut author Greg Mosse. They discuss their new novels, a dystopian future, how they approach writing and give us some brilliant book recommendations too. The Book Off "Uncle Tom's Cabin" by Harriet Beecher Stowe VS "Opening Night" by Ngaio Marsh Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.