Confessions of a Book Collector

Former deputy editor of the Independent on Sunday, James Hanning, takes us behind the scenes of The Bookseller of Hay , his immersive portrait of Richard Booth, the man whose eccentric brilliance (and spectacular unruliness!) turned Hay-on-Wye into a world-famous literary destination. We talk about Booth’s larger-than-life personality, his love–hate relationship with the Hay Festival, his spectacu...

In this episode of Confessions of a Book Collector , David sits down with acclaimed novelist, journalist and broadcaster Sebastian Faulks to explore the restless creative energy that drives his work. Sebastian discusses his latest release, Fires Which Burned Brightly: A Life in Progress,  a collection of essays born from his lifelong compulsion to write. From the childhood books that first sparked...

She’s the biggest female voice in fiction right now, and a bestselling author of more than 20 novels, we’re delighted to share this brilliant interview with Kristin Hannah. From the remarkable way she writes her books to revealing a major exclusive - we hope you’ll enjoy listening to this episode as much as we enjoyed making it.

This episode opens with a reflection on the newly launched Go All In campaign, part of the National Year of Reading 2026, a nationwide push to get Britain reading for pleasure again. Backed by the National Literacy Trust and the Department for Education, the initiative aims to reignite our love of books at a time when fewer children and teenagers are reading for fun. From there, we turn to someone...

In this special episode of Confessions of a Book Collector , David sits down with the brilliant actor and author Richard Armitage, a true bibliophile whose life has always been shaped by story.  We talk about his new novel The Cut , and how childhood memories and early experiences helped inspire it. Richard reflects on reading aloud as part of his creative process, the rhythm of language he learne...

We’re back with our biggest series yet! In this premiere episode, David reveals the remarkable guests lined up for Series 5 and shines a light on three standout novels from this summer, books that have already secured a place on his “best of the year” list. These are stories you won’t want to miss - listen now and discover your next great read. And get special editions of all the incredible books...

Confessions of a Book Collector returns soon for its fifth (and most thrilling!) series. Tune in for a first look at the legendary authors, collectors, and surprise guests who’ll be sharing their stories.

We close this series of Confessions of a Book Collector with a sparkling conversation with one of Britain’s best-loved storytellers, Adele Parks MBE. Over the past 25 years, Adele has written 25 novels spanning romance, historical fiction, family drama and psychological thrillers - and she’s still brimming with ideas. In this episode, Adele reflects on her extraordinary career, the nerves and exci...

From stage to page, murder-mystery author Jamie West has cracked the code to self-publishing success. His Murder at the Matinee was shortlisted for the 2025 CWA Whodunnit Dagger Award, and his novels have climbed the Amazon bestseller charts. By night, Jamie works backstage on some of London’s biggest West End shows. By day, he’s built a thriving career as a self-published author. From shaping his...

In this uplifting episode, David sits down with Florence Knapp, author of one of 2025’s biggest debut novels, The Names.   Together they explore how the smallest shifts in your routine and the most ordinary decisions can alter the entire course of your life.  Listen now, to this truly joyful episode.

From touring Europe as a musician, to a 12 year career in publishing working with some of the world’s biggest authors - Hattie William’s is now a celebrated debut author whose novel Bittersweet has secured a six figure deal with Orion Fiction. Set in the heady, complex world of London publishing, Bittersweet explores a toxic age-gap relationship, the messy beauty of female friendship, and the hidd...

If you’ve ever wondered how a book club works, and how the books are chosen, then this is for you. In this special episode, David turns the page back to where it all began 20 years ago, from PREM1ER’s humble origins to the powerhouse book collecting community it is now. Find out how it all started, why it’s so popular with readers and revisit some of the standout titles that have shaped its story...

What happens when a brand strategist discovers they can craft award-winning novels? International bestselling author Lex Noteboom joins David to share his incredible journey from his science fiction podcast The Deca Tapes (which landed him multiple book deals in the UK and US) to creating his latest novel, The Man with a Thousand Faces. Lex reveals his intense world-building writing process, inclu...

In this episode we speak to international bestselling author, Will Carver, known for his dark, genre-defying thrillers. Will has been described as ‘arguably the most original writer in Britain’, and if you’ve read his work, you’ll understand why. He’s written mind-bending novels including Good Samaritans, Nothing Important Happened Today and many more, which blend gritty crime, sharp satire and ph...

In this episode of Confessions of a Book Collector , David Headley sits down with publishing trailblazer and founder of Orenda Books, Karen Sullivan. Celebrating ten years of her fiercely independent publishing house, Karen shares the story behind Orenda’s rise. From championing fiction in translation, to building a loyal community of readers and authors. Expect candid chat about the challenges fa...

In this episode of Confessions of a Book Collector , David Headley sits down with the wildly talented Beth Lewis to explore her stunning new novel, The Rush  - a gripping historical crime thriller set during the Yukon Gold Rush of 1898.  Beth shares what drew her to this icy, lawless frontier and why she chose to spotlight the extraordinary women who braved it.  From real-life inspiration and wild...

In this episode, David sits down with the inimitable Joe Abercrombie - renowned epic fantasy author and film editor. With his signature humour and insights, Joe discusses building a reimagined medieval Europe, creating complex characters (such as his irresistible vampire, badass librarian and undead knight), whilst sharing the inspiration and journey behind his gripping new trilogy, The Devils.

British-Nigerian Emmy nominee Remi Kone - known for hit TV shows like Killing Eve and Spooks - joins us to talk about her leap from the screen to the page. In this intriguing episode, Remi explores her love of reading and top book recommendations (possibly the most we've ever had on an episode!), and takes us behind the scenes of her breathtaking debut crime thriller, Innocent Guilt.

Find out what happens when an earth shattering identity crisis takes you from promoting other people’s books, to writing your own. In this episode, David interviews Georgia Leighton, a senior publishing marketing manager turned debut fantasy author.  Discover more about her new novel Spellbound : an enchanting new fantasy and feminist retelling of the classic Sleeping Beauty fairy tale.

Author Robert Rutherford — master of dilemma novels — explores his terrific, cinematic new thriller, The Missing Hour . Find out how Robert came up with such a unique concept, as he shares his honest journey into becoming a crime author, including his route to publication, the challenges along the way, and what author life is like post-publication. A delightful listen and a fascinating glimpse ins...

In this episode, we’re joined by the multi-talented Barnaby Martin. Composer, video essayist, chemistry teacher… and now, acclaimed dystopian thriller author. We dive into his gripping new novel, set in a near-future world transformed by a mysterious force known as the Sound Field. At its heart? A hauntingly original story of parenting through an unimaginable apocalypse. Barnaby’s path to becoming...

Crime fiction addicts, this one’s for you. In this episode of Confessions of a Book Collector, we’re diving into the hottest and most highly anticipated crime novels of 2025. Books that are guaranteed to dominate the bestseller lists, keep you glued to your reading seat and completely destroy your sleep schedule… Listen now, to reveal the top crime novels of 2025.

In this episode, David sits down with the brilliant Clare Leslie Hall to celebrate the launch of Broken Country —hailed as the year’s most addictive love story. Clare shares how the novel’s unforgettable characters first appeared in her mind, the inspiration behind its intense love triangle, and the highs and lows of bringing a book to life. A must-listen for book lovers, aspiring writers, and any...

What happens when an author’s voice lingers long after the story ends? In this episode, we dive into the brilliant mind of Nnedi Okorafor, the award-winning pioneer of Africanfuturism, as she challenges the concept of authorial control in her provocative new novel, Death of the Author . Known for blending African mythology, science fiction, and deeply personal narratives, Okorafor’s latest work is...

Essie Fox is an author who weaves rich, gothic tales inspired by the Victorian era. Her novels are brimming with history, mystery and just the right touch of the macabre. From her debut book The Somnambulist , to her latest work Dangerous , she transports readers into shadowy atmospheric worlds with dark secrets. Beyond her own writing she’s also a devoted collector of books. Join us to get to kno...