Simon Mayo's Books of the Year

Multi-million bestselling author, Ken Follett, joins Simon and Matt for a natter about his latest novel 'Circle Of Days'. They discuss skeletons, Stone Henge, Priestesses, the movement of the sun and stars, the origins of counting and measurements of time. Ken is meticulous with his research and shares how he approached this book, as well as how he chose the language in the novel and the technolog...

Simon and Matt learn more about the fantasy and romantasy genres, from bestselling author Callie Hart. She also shares some of her favourite books and authors, and introduces us to binaural beats! We also surprise her with a question from Saara El-Arifi - and discover who she'd invite to her fantasy dinner party!

Simon and Matt welcome international bestselling author Callie Hart to the pod, to learn more about the genre of Romantasy. Never ones to stay in their lane - Simon and Matt have taken themselves out of their reading comfort zone, and explored this very popular genre! They chat to Callie about her craft, worldbuilding, the Netflix adaptation which she can't talk about - and why this genre is havin...

International bestselling author and screenwriter, William Boyd, joins Simon and Matt for a bit of Q&A. He talks about his favourite authors, how he organises his bookshelves, his favourite screen adaptation of a book - and reveals who he's invite to his fantasy dinner party. We also surprise him with a question from fellow author, Sebastian Faulks.

Sunday Times bestseller, William Boyd, joins Simon and Matt for a natter about his latest novel - 'The Predicament'. This is the second of a trilogy set in the 60s about reluctant spy, Gabriel Dax, who is also a travel writer. William gives some writing advice (he always knows the ending), reflects on the smoking and drinking culture of the 1960s and talks us through his reasons for his spy's char...

International bestselling author, Ian McEwan, joins Simon and Matt for a little bit of Q&A. He talks about his favorite places to write, being interrupted during a a writing flow and gives us some brilliant book recommendations too. Ian also shares who he would invite to his fantasy dinner party.

International bestselling author, Ian McEwan, joins Simon and Matt for a chat about his new novel 'What We Can Know'. Optimistic manifesto? Or a cautious tale? In the first half of the book, we learn about a lost poem - which is at the heart of the novel - as this is ultimately a book about a quest. As well as poetry, they talk about renewable energies being on the rise and the positive conversati...

Crime author, Laura Shepherd-Robinson, joins Simon and Matt for a natter about the authors and books she loves - and her writing process. We also surprise her with a question from the author SJ Parris - and find out who she would invite to her fantasy dinner party.

Author Laura Shepherd-Robinson joins Simon and Matt for a natter about her latest historical crime novel - 'The Art Of A Lie' They discuss conmen, ice cream, twists and turns, the 18th Century and loving characters too much. Matt has claimed this is probably his favourite book of the year so far! See if you agree.... Here's more about 'The Art Of A Lie' London, 1749 Hannah Cole's world shatters fo...

Bestselling author Lucy Foley joins Simon and Matt for a chat about her latest novel, 'The Midnight Feast' (which has just come out in paperback) She talks about the place and setting that inspired the story, folk-horror, how much to reveal early on in a story and why more and more entertainment seems to be laughing at the super rich. Matt shares his opinions about the term 'beach read' and Simon...

Bestselling author Nick Harkaway joins Simon and Matt for our Q&A episode. He talks about books and authors he loves, his writing process, adaptations of his father's (John Le Carre) work, and who he would invite to his fantasy dinner party. We also surprise Nick with a question from previous Books Of The Year guest, David McCloskey!

Author Nick Harkaway answers our Q&A questions! He talks to Simon and Matt about his reading habits, authors he loves, whether he always finishes a book or not - and - who he would invite to his fantasy dinner party!

John Le Carre's son, Nick Harkaway, joins Simon and Matt for a chat about his new Circus novel. They discuss the challenges (and joys) of taking on the mantel of such an iconic character (George Smiley) and writing in his father's footsteps, as well as the research it takes to get the technology of the time right. As well as lots of espionage stories, they chat about John Le Carre, his voice, his...

Andrew Hunter Murray joins Simon Mayo and Matt Williams for our Q&A episode. They chat about some of his favourite authors, his love of 'cosy crime' and what he likes to eat when he's writing (question courtesy of his fellow author and friend, Cariad Lloyd) We also learn who he'd invite to his fantasy dinner party...

Author, podcaster and QI legend - Andy Hunter Murray - joins Simon and Matt for a natter about his latest novel, 'A Beginner's Guide To Breaking And Entering' They chat about his inspirations for the book, the anger behind it, how to make a social commentary through comedy - and why a character in the book hates Magic FM so much! Here's the book blurb: Property might be theft. But the housing mark...

Bestselling author Abigail Dean joins Simon and Matt for a Q&A. She talks about some of her favourite authors, gives us some book recommendations - and - reveals who she would invite to her fantasy dinner party.

Bestselling thriller writer, Abigail Dean, joins Simon and Matt to discuss her latest novel, 'The Death Of Us' This has been an idea she's been thinking about for over a decade, but the timing hasn't been right to write it until recently. She talks about her inspirations and influences - and how she reacted to learning that Stephen King had read it! Here's a little more about the book: t’s the sto...

Screenwriter and novelist, Robert Crais, joins Simon and Matt for a chat about his processes, favourite authors, screen adaptations - and who he'd invite to his fantasy dinner party. We also hear from fellow crime author, Steve Cavanagh, who is a huge Robert Crais fan - and - put him on our radar in the first place! (so it seemed apt)

International bestselling author and screenwriter, Robert Crais, joins Simon and Matt for a chat about his new novel 'The Big Empty'. They chat about his inspirations for the story and characters, and how the classic TV shows he worked on in the 70s and 80s have influenced his writing.

Bestselling author and essayist, Elif Shafak, answers questions about her writing process, inspirations and favourite authors. She also tells us the shocking and extraordinary story of when she was arrested in Turkey, in the name of fiction. We also find out who she would invite to her fantasy dinner party.

International bestselling author, essayist and activist - Elif Shafak - joins Simon and Matt for a chat about her novel, 'There Are Rivers In The Sky' She talks about her inspirations for this epic tale, why she writes with history in mind and who she is writing for. Here's more on the book: In Victorian London, an extraordinary child is born at the edge of the dirt-black Thames. When his brillian...

Simon and Matt ask lawyer turned bestselling author, Scott Turow, questions about his processes and favourite authors. As well as learning about how he writes - and where - we also find out who he would invite to his fantasy dinner party. There's also a surprise question from a global superstar author!

Lawyer turned bestselling author, Scott Turow, joins Simon and Matt for a chat about his new novel, 'Presumed Guilty' (the sequel to his 1987 masterpiece, 'Presumed Innocent') Scott joins us down the line from Florida and discusses writing an 'older' protagonist, the soothing components of jazz music, Keith Jarrett and how much legalise is too much legalise. This episode comes complete with a cras...

The international bestselling author Jojo Moyes joins Simon and Matt for a Q&A. She gives us some great book recommendations, tells us a little about her reading and writing habits - and we find out who she'd invite to her fantasy dinner party. Lisa Jewell also makes a surprise appearance - to ask Jojo a question about being more sinister! You can hear more from Jojo on our previous episode, w...

International bestselling sensation, Jojo Moyes, returns to the podcast to tell us about her new novel. Simon and Matt talk to her about writing nasty characters, whether it's harder to come up with plots seventeen books in, and how she may have accidentally based a character on David Soul, who she met 30 odd years ago! More on the book: Lila Kennedy has a lot on her plate. A recently broken marri...