Simon Mayo's Books of the Year

This week, we put broadcasting legend and bestselling author Simon Mayo under the Q&A spotlight. Marianna Spring joins Matt Williams as our guest host, and asks about Simon's writing process, inspirations - and who he would invite to his fantasy dinner party. There's also a surprise question from fellow author and broadcaster, Tom Bradby!

Yes, it's that time again, where the the tables turn and the Host becomes the Guest on Books Of The Year. This week we welcome a superstar co-host Marianna Spring to the studio, who steps into the Mayo shoes and, along with Matt, interviews Broadcaster and Author Simon Mayo about his new novel, 'Black Tag'. They talk about about his inspirations for the book, why he has brought back a character fr...

Simon and Matt put a range of questions to our special guest, the author and sports journalist Miguel Delaney. They ask about his favourite authors, which books he's jealous of and wished he'd written, his writing processes - especially when touring so much - and who he'd invite to his fantasy dinner party.

Miguel Delaney is no stranger to writing about sport, or indeed football, as he is the Chief Football Writer for The Independent. In his new book, States Of Play, he looks at the incredibly interesting (and controversial) topic of Sportswashing. Simon and Matt find out more what this means, how it is affecting sport (especially football) and what Miguel has found out from his many years of researc...

Michael Connelly joins Simon and Matt for a bonus Q&A episode. He talks about his writing processes, inspirations, favourite authors -and who he would invite to his fantasy dinner party.

Simon and Matt welcome international bestselling author Michael Connelly to Books Of The Year. They discuss his new book The Waiting, as well as his inspirations, Los Angeles basements, the constant nagging of an author's head and how he feels about Bosch getting older.

Matt Haig joins Simon and Matt for a little does of Q&A. He gives us some great book recommendations, talks about his writing process, the power of walking and who he'd invite to his fantasy dinner party. We also surprise him with a question from fan - and friend - Bryony Gordon! And remember, for a limited time, you can £100 off any HD light and free UK delivery. Just visit seriousreaders.com...

International bestselling author Matt Haig drops by the studio for a chat with Simon and Matt. His new novel, The Life Impossible, is - in his words - "not The Midnight Library 2" - but it does share some themes. Matt talks about facing fears and going back to Ibiza, a place where he nearly committed suicide and which held a lot of trauma. He talks about his fish out of water characters, why he do...

Simon and Matt welcome international bestselling author, Jodi Picoult, back to the studio for a slice of Q&A. She talks about some of her favourite authors and gives us some book recommendations. Plus we hear from crime writer Gillian McAllister and learn who Jodi would invite to her fantasy dinner party. We hope you enjoy the chat! And remember, for a limited time, you can £100 off any HD lig...

Jodi Picoult is baaaack! And she joins Simon and Matt in the studio to discuss her new novel. They chat about the myths surrounding Shakespeare and his work, whether he really wrote all the plays he's credited to have written, and why the history of women writers of the time is completely unknown. Women used writing to record their wisdom at the time, but this specific part of history hasn't been...

Simon and Matt welcome Ian Rankin to the studio for a special Q&A episode. They discuss his love of music, his writing processes, Swedish Death Cleaning (yes really) and who he would invite to his fantasy dinner party.

Sir Ian Rankin joins Simon and Matt for a natter about his new book, Midnight And Blue. They discuss the challenges of writing a book from a world inside a prison, and how much Ian had to research to ensure he got the details right. And of course they chat about music (Pentangle even get a mention) and the recent screen adaptation of his book.

Bestselling author Robert Harris joins Simon and Matt for a Q&A episode. He tells us the last book her really REALLY enjoyed reading, what he learns (and has learnt) from writing each of his books, why he's drawn to WWI and WWII and who he would invite to his fantasy dinner party.

Robert Harris returns to Books Of The Year to discuss his new novel, 'Precipice', with Simon and Matt. A new Robert Harris novel is always a big moment - and once again, he hasn't let us down! They chat about the extraordinary letters that were sent from Prime Minister H.H. Asquith to the woman he was besotted with, Venetia Stanley, and how that relationship changed the shape of government forever...

Ben Macintyre returns to Books Of The Year and answers questions about his craft, research, favourite books and authors. He tells us who he would invited to his fantasy dinner party, and gives us some great book recommendations too.

Ben Macintyre joins us again to discuss his brilliant new book 'The Siege' Simon and Matt chat to him about the incredible research and interviews he undertook to write the account of this incredible historic event. They delve into who carried out The Siege and what the people wanted, and how Ben managed to get so much access to the first hand accounts. Here's a little more on the book: On April 3...

Simon Mayo and Matt Williams welcome music journalist and author David Hepworth to the studio, to find out about his favourite authors and books and get a sense of his reading habits. You'll probably be as surprised as us to discover that he only reads standing up! There's also a surprise question from broadcasting legend, Bob Harris, and we find out who David would invite to his fantasy dinner pa...

Simon Mayo and Matt Williams welcome music journalist David Hepworth to the studio. His new book - Hope I Get Old Before I Die - looks at how enduring rock icons like Pink Floyd, Bruce Springsteen and many more have remained in the ever changing music game. They discuss Mick Jagger, Elton John, Paul McCartney and many other rock icons, and just how and why they are still so relevant today. The boo...

Ragnar Jonasson is a veracious reader and prolific writer. In this Q&A episode, he talks about his writing processes, his favourite authors and how he orders his bookshelves. We also hear from fellow author Vaseem Khan, who poses a question to Ragnar, and discover who he would invite to his fantasy dinner party.

Ragnar Jonasson joins Simon and Matt to discuss his latest novel, 'Death At The Sanitorium' They talk about the influence of Agatha Christie, the Icelandic way of life and how he keeps so many stories in his head at one time. Remember you can get in touch with us any time - to let us know what you're reading, books you have loved (or not) recently - and if any of our recommendations have gone down...

Former journalist turned author, Chris Brookmyre, joins Simon and Matt for a spot of Q&A. They ask him about the last book he really really enjoyed, whether there's a book or plot her wished he'd written, and who he'd invite to his fantasy dinner party.

Chris Brookmyre joins Simon and Matt to chat about his latest novel. You may have heard Mark Billingham on one of our previous Q&A episodes rave about The Cracked Mirror? Well, he did such a good job - we read it, and loved it too! So we had to have Chris on! The idea for the book came from a discussion with his Editor, who was looking for a meta crime novel. Chris has never been one to shy aw...

Chris Whitaker joins Simon Mayo and Matt Williams for the Q&A episode. He discusses the last book he really REALLy enjoyed reading, his writing routine and who he'd invite to his fantasy dinner party. Also, in an exclusive, he reveals us what his next book is about and what we can expect! Author of The List Of Suspicious Things, Jennie Godfrey, surprises Chris with a question - and - we find o...

Novelist Chris Whitaker joins Simon and Matt for a chat about his new book, All The Colours Of The Dark. Chris worked in the City for many years as a trader, before quitting to write. He talks openly about a traumatic incident which turned him on to writing, as well as how long it takes him to write each novel. (if you're thinking about writing, don't let this put you off!) We also learn about how...

Comedian and writer David Baddiel shares some of his writing processes and reading traits that he is not a fan of. He also tells us the book he has really enjoyed reading recently and who we would invite to his fantasy dinner party.