Simon Mayo's Books of the Year

Pulitzer Prize winning author, Elizabeth Strout, joins Simon and Matt for a chat about her brilliant new novel, 'The Things We Never Say'. She talks about her writing routine, inspirations, listening to conversations, making every word count - and - why returning to characters and worlds is so enjoyable. They also discuss writing about covid, and the joy of discovering what your book is about half...

Comedian and author Dawn French joins Simon and Matt for our Q&A episode. We learn about her writing routine, favourite snacks, her love for Kae Tempest's writing, the people she always shares her book with first - and - who she'd invite to her fantasy dinner party. We also surprise Dawn with a question from the poet, Donna Ashworth! Remember you can email us anytime: booksoftheyear@yahoo.com

Comedian, actor and bestselling author Dawn French joins Simon and Matt for a natter about her new novel, 'Enough'. She talks about her personal inspirations for the story, white crows, teenage crushes (Donny Osmond VS David Cassidy) and how she sees her book a as a film. There are some deep and poignant moments too - where Dawn talks about her father's suicide, and her Mum's death - specifically...

In our Q&A episode - international bestselling author Matt Haig talks about some of the books he's been enjoying recently (including 'Yesteryear' by Caro Claire Burke), the Brontes, how he orders his bookshelves and his favourite film adaptation of a book. Simon and Matt also ask him about his mentor - and whether he takes risks as a writer.

Matt Haig joins Simon and Matt to talk about his new novel, 'The Midnight Train'. They discuss the inspirations for this book, how Matt see's it as a sibling to The Midnight Library- and why he wants us to challenge the fears of getting older. Matt talks about optimism and hopefulness, wasting time (and life) on the wrong things and what we should do about regrets. They also talk about the film ad...

Anthony Horowitz (known for his Alex Rider series, Foyles War, Sherlock Holmes mysteries, the Magpie Murders and many more) joins Simon Mayo and Matt Williams for a natter about his writing and favourite authors! He also shares a story about working with Meryl Streep (or rather, NOT working with her) and reveals who he would invite to his fantasy dinner party. We also surprise Anthony with a quest...

Bestselling author and Screenwriter - Anthony Horowitz - joins Simon and Matt for a natter about his new 'Hawthorne' novel. They chat about his meta approach to having himself as a character in his books, his dislike when readers guess his endings and twists - and why his writing is getting funnier. Anthony also talks positively and optimistically about the future of books and reading - and whilst...

Michael Connelly joins Simon and Matt for a good ole Q&A. He gives us some great book recommendations, talks about his collection of jazz biographies and tells us which authors he'd invite to a fantasy dinner party. We also surprise him with a question from fellow author and fan, Denise Mina!

International bestselling author, Michael Connelly, joins Simon and Matt for a natter about his new novel 'Ironwood'. Set on the island of Catalina, they discuss settings, sense-of-place, and how certain landscapes or communities inspire Michael's stories. They also chat about his iconic characters - Bosch, Ballard and Haller - and why he can't help himself write cameos for them all in other books...

Journalist and author, Bryony Gordon, joins Simon Mayo and Matt Williams for a Q&A about her favourite authors, books, writing processes - and - tells us who she'd invite to her fantasy dinner party.

Simon Mayo and Matt Williams welcome podcaster, journalist, marathon-runner, broadcaster and author - Bryony Gordon - to the podcast, to chat about her debut novel for adults. They discuss the London Marathon (which Bryony ran this year in her underwear with her good friend Adele Roberts), columnists who don't write what they truly believe - and - people pleasing, which is the central theme in Bry...

Bestselling novelist and journalist, John Lanchester, joins Simon and Matt to answer some of our classic Q&A questions. We learn about his writing process, his favourite authors, some of his quirks, get some good writing advice - and find out who he'd invite to his fantasy dinner party.

Journalist and author, John Lanchester, joins Simon and Matt to chat about his new darkly comic novel, 'Look What You Made Me Do' They dissect the characters in the novel, explore house ownership in the 90s versus owning property now and look at inter-generational tensions. John also talks about being an 'outsider' and writing from the perspective of having lots of different flags to wave. 'Look W...

Booker Prize winning author, Yann Martel, joins Simon and Matt for a bit of Q&A. He reveals his quirky writing routine, who he'd invite to his fantasy dinner party - and - gives us some great book recommendations too. We also surprise him with a question from fellow author and Booker shortlistee, Tan Twan Eng.

Booker Prize winning author, Yann Martel, chats to Simon and Matt about his new novel 'Son Of Nobody'. They talk about The Iliad - one of his inspirations behind the book - as well as how we understand ancient history in 2026, and how we should tell those stories. The novel explores how stories become facts, the price we pay to share them and how we live – then, now and always. Here's a little mor...

Author Francis Spufford joins Simon and Matt for a natter about his processes, favourite authors, the ordering of his bookshelves and much more. We also learn who he'd invite to his fantasy dinner party!

Francis Spufford joins Simon and Matt for a natter about his new novel, 'Nonesuch'. They talk about his fascination with The Blitz, his inspirations for the fantasmical parts of the story and how he melded two genres together. They also discuss craft, research, bending history - and the finished manuscript sitting on his computer which he isn't allowed to publish until 2034. Here's a little more a...

International bestselling crime writer, Kathy Reichs, joins Simon and Matt for a chat about her latest Temperance Brennan novel. They discuss taxidermy (Simon makes makes his feelings known!), forensic pathology, autopsies, animals, the origins of evil and what Kathy has learnt after writing and publishing so many books. Here's a little more info on Kathy's latest novel, 'Evil Bones': Small animal...

Bestselling author, Jennifer Niven, joins Simon and Matt to talk about the authors she admires, her writing process and the job she would have liked to do if she wasn't an author. Simon and Matt also surprise Jennifer with a question from bestselling author Jennie Godfrey...

Jennifer Niven (bestselling author of 'All The Bright Places' joins Simon and Matt for a natter about her first adult fiction novel. 'Meet The Newmans' is about a famous American TV family in the 1960s - and their subsequent unravelling! Jennifer chats about her inspirations for the novel and why she decided to turn to writing for adults (after a huge career as a YA author). They also discuss TV c...

Bestselling crime author, Ann Cleeves, answers questions about her writing processes and some of her favourite authors and books. Simon and Matt also surprise her with a question from Steph McGovern - and - find out who she'd invite to her fantasy dinner party.

Ann Cleeves - crime novelist, library advocate and creator of best-loved characters Vera Stanhope, Matthew Venn and Jimmy Perez - joins Simon and Matt for a natter about her latest novel, 'The Killing Stones'. This new Jimmy Perez mystery is perfect for this time of year - and we can highly recommend you get a copy and curl up under a blanket over Christmas and enjoy it. Ann chats about getting bo...

Bestselling author and journalist, Jonathan Freedland, discusses some of his favourite authors, The Beatles, his writing process - and - gives us some brilliant book recommendations too. We also hear from Jeremy Vine - who is a big fan of Jonathan's books - and find out who would be invited to his fantasy dinner party.

Journalist and bestselling author, Jonathan Freedland, joins Simon and Matt for a natter about his latest book - 'The Traitor's Circle' They chat about his extensive research, love of history, the incredible real-life stories of bravery he discovered and put in the book and how and when he likes to write. Although this book is non-fiction, it reads like a thriller! Some of the stories in it are qu...

International bestselling author, Ken Follett, joins Simon and Matt for a bit of a Q&A. He talks about his writing process, books he has loved reading, film adaptations and who he would invite to his fantasy dinner party. We also surprise him with a question from Greg and Kate Mosse.