Book Off!

Bestselling authors, China Mieville and Emily St John Mandel go head to head in a war of the words...

They join Joe Haddow for a chat about their work, inspirations and new novels.

'The Rouse' by China Mieville is a sprawling, epic saga (1200 pages in length). He talks to Joe about what can be achieved in a long novel, how the writing process is different, how he kept continuity - and - why it has taken 20 years to write.

'Exit Party' by Emily St John Mandel is a dystopian novel...

Two brilliant writers and humans - Charlie Higson and Vaseem Khan - join Joe for a Book Off (and a Bond Off!)

Both are writing contemporary novels - in the world of James Bond - for the Ian Fleming estate.

Charlie has previously written Young Bond novels - but has recently published 'King Zero' - his first adult novel featuring James Bond.

Vaseem is writing the character of Q - who appears in the Fleming Novels and, of course, on screen too (played namely by Desmond Llewlyn and Ben Wishaw)<...

Award-winning authors, Donal Ryan and Elif Shafak, join Joe Haddow for a war of the words.

Elif's new novel - 'In One Brief Moment All Eternity' - is an imaginative re-telling of Flaubert's 'Madame Bovary' - told from 30 different characters. Some of them are based on real-life people, whilst others are completely made up (and not necessarily human!)

Donal's latest novel - "Where Are The Kings" - is a poignant coming-of-age story set in rural Ireland. It follows a young boy, navigating the tragic loss of his mother.

The authors...

Bestselling authors and all-round wonderful human beings, Max Porter and Katherine Rundell, join Joe Haddow for a War of the Words!

They chat about the joy of children's books, magic, creating worlds and why brawling is very much different to fighting.

Both Katherine and Max are passionate about words and poetry - and give us some wonderful book recommendations to add to the TBR pile!

THE BOOK OFF

The Love Poetry of John Donne

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'Staying Alive' by Neil Astley

And...

Authors Shelby Van Pelt and Debra Curtis join Joe Haddow for a good ole Book Off!

They talk about their debut novels ('Impossibly Bright Creatures' and 'Laws Of Love And Logic'), the brilliance of nature - specifically Octopi - strange psychic coincidences - and sex!

THE BOOK OFF

'The Woman Who Lost Her Soul' by Bob Shacochis

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'The Soul Of An Octopus' by Sy Montgomery

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International bestselling authors, Lisa Jewell and Shari Lapena, go head to head in a war of the words!

They join Joe Haddow to chat about their new novels, creepy houses, instagram life vs real life, and why some authors (mainly men) shouldn't write sex scenes in their books.

The authors also discuss how dark they will go in their own books, why they like reading really gruesome things, tell us about authors they admire - and give us some brilliant book recommendations too.

THE...

We're baaaaack! HELLO SERIES 16!

And for the first episode in our new series, authors Bobby Palmer and Claire Daverley go head-to-head in a war of the words.

They discuss their latest novels ("Main Characters" and "People In Love") and discover that they both have exactly the same taste in books!

Joe chats to them about rom-coms, Richard Curtis, and the many different beautiful and frustrating angles of writing about love. We also get some cracking book recommendations from them as well...and there are several cameos from Dougal the dog! <...

Justin Currie - lead singer of Del Amitri - and Debsey Wykes - frontwoman of Dolly Mixture - join Joe for a natter about their memoirs, music, writing, forgotten histories and much more.

Justin talks about touring America, then and now, how the US took Del Amitri under their wings and, essentially, helped him buy a house!

Debsey talks about touring with The Undertones and U2, keeping an archive - and writing to remember.

They also recommend us some brilliant books that they have enjoyed recently!

<...

Two authors go head to head in a war of the words!

This week - Laura Evans and Pip Landers-Letts join Joe Haddow for a natter.

They chat about writing sapphic fiction, big skies, eerie landscapes, the Amazon Kindle Storyteller Award...and the joys of writing in Ikea!

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Multi-million selling superstar author, Ken Follett, returns to Book Off and goes head to head in a war of the words with author and artist Amy Jeffs.

Ken discusses his latest novel 'Circle Of Days' and his fascination with Stonehenge. He talks about the challenges of writing in different historic periods, deep research and how to turn lots of factual information into a brilliantly engaging, page-turning novel.

Amy chats about her book 'Old Songs', and her fascination with folk songs and ballads. Amy steeped herself in medieval history and has studied this period...

 Women’s Prize shortlisted author, Lily King, and previous Women's Prize winner, Tayari Jones, join Joe for this week’s Book Off!

They discuss their new novels, co-parenting Koalas, Ann Patchett, lovers, desire, chosen family, female friendship, mothers, Oprah and the many many forms of love.

We LOVED this chat - and hope you do too! 

THE BOOK OFF

'The Transit Of Venus' by Shirley Hazzard

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'Song Of Solomon' by Toni Morrison

And here's a litt...

Authors Ava Glass and Anna Mazzola go head to head in a war of the words - pitting a book they love and think that everyone should read against each other in The Book Off!

They also chat to Joe Haddow about their new novels, the corrupt world of billionaires (and their exclusive ski resorts), haunted houses, spies, writing inspirations - and - why writers have pseudonyms.

They also give us some great book recommendations too.

THE BOOK OFF

'The Thirteenth Tale' by Diane Setterfield

VS <...

Joe Haddow welcomes two more authors to the Book Off studio - for a war of the words!

This week, he's joined by debut novelists Fran Fabriczki and Sam Beckbessinger, who discuss their new books, writing processes and inspirations.

They talk about Los Angeles (the loves / the hates), wry humour, peri menopause, forging anger into stories and legendary mums. We also get some pretty great book recommendations too.

THE BOOK OFF

'The Book Of George' by Kate Greathead

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'We Have...

Sarah Hilary and Sabine Durrant join Joe Haddow for a Book Off!

They chat about their new novels, choosing their settings, 'chalk n cheese' detective duos and balancing darkness and light.

Sarah's book ('The Drowning Place') has ghostly elements to it, so they discuss ghosts and whether the authors believe in them...

THE BOOK OFF

'The Mahe Circle' by George Simenon

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'Your Blue-Eyed Boy' by Helen Dunmore

If you're enjoying the podcast - please...

Joe Haddow welcomes two bestselling authors - Claire Douglas and Jane Harper - to Book Off to go head-to-head in a war of the words!

They chat about making fictional settings seem as real as possible, how a sense of place can shape a novel, and why you should ALWAYS write down your ideas, you never know when you might need them.

Jane and Claire also talk about knowing when to give up on a novel - rather than pushing through if something's not working - and how some books...

Jessie Burton and Katy Hessel join Joe Haddow for a war of the words.

They discuss great women artists, mudlarking, the influence of family histories, museums and galleries, getting children interested in art and finding a writing voice.

Katy and Jessie also recommend some brilliant books - including 'The Wreck' by Lizzy Stewart (graphic novel) and 'The Artist' by Lucy Steeds (novel)

THE BOOK OFF

'What I Loved' by Siri Hustvedt

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'The Lonely City' by Olivia Laing

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Alex Kadis (ex Smash Hits journo and music manager) goes head to head with Tanya Sweeney (columnist and journo) in a war of the words.

They chat about their debut novels, their inspirations and their complex central characters.

Plus, there's a lot of chat about Smash Hits, music, Bros, One Direction - and - stalking!

THE BOOK OFF

'Olga Dies Dreaming' by Xochitl Gonzalez

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'High Fidelity' by Nick Hornby

Here's a little more info on each of our guest's new...

Debut novelists Tobi Coventry and India-Rose Bower join Joe Haddow for a war of the words.

They chat about their new novels ("He's The Devil" and "We Call Them Witches") as well as their love for the horror genre, their inspirations - and why queer horror is in a renaissance right now. Tobi and India also give us some brilliant book recommendations too.

(whilst this episode celebrates the horror genre - you don't have to be a 'horror fan' to enjoy it!)

THE BOOK OFF

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Authors Curtis Sittenfeld and Erin White join Joe Haddow for a war of the words...

Curtis and Erin are best mates - which makes for a very competitive Book Off!

Erin talks about her debut novel 'Like Family' which has themes of desire in middle age, queer domestic love and life, navigating the world as a teenager - and much more.

Curtis discusses her latest short story collection 'Show Don't Tell' which is a witty and tender collection of tales, featuring a cast of characters that feel like old friends. <...

Alexandra Potter and Madeleine Gray join Joe Haddow for a war of the words!

They chat about their new novels, conmen, queer love, writing women without making them victims - and give us some great book recommendations too.

THE BOOK OFF

'Wuthering Heights' by Emily Bronte

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'How To Be Both' by Ali Smith

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LIbby Page and Ellie Levenson join Joe Haddow for a natter about their new novels - and - go head to head in a War Of The Words!

Libby's new novel - 'This Book Made Me Think Of You' - is a heartwarming, uplifting story about grief and love (and a love letter to books, reading and bookshops!)

Ellie's new novel - 'Room 706' - is a tense page-turner about a woman trapped in a hotel room with her lover

Both authors share their inspirations for their new books, give...

Bestselling authors Peter James and Sophie Hannah join Joe Haddow for a right royal Book Off!

They discuss Poirot, Christie, Greene and many other writers they love - and give us some great book recommendations too.

Peter and Sophie also chat about their new novels. Queen Camilla is a huge fan of Peter James' Roy Grace books - so much so that she is the star of the latest novel 'The Hawk Is Dead'. And Sophie's latest 'No One Would Do What The Lamberts Have Done' is based on something that happened in...

Charlatans lead singer, Tim Burgess, and music photographer, Tom Sheehan, join Joe Haddow for a war of the words.

Tim and Tom have worked together on and off for over 30 years - and during that time, Tom has captured some of the most iconic images of Tim's band. They chat about their new collaboration 'How High: A Portrait Of The Charlatans' as well as some of their favourite music biographies, artists they've worked with - and the new Charlatans album too.

THE BOOK OFF

'Amusing Ourselves To Death' by Neil Postman<...

This week Joe welcomes two debut authors - Lisa Smith and Marcia Hutchinson - who get head to head in a war of the words.

They chat about their writing journeys, black voices in literature, coming to writing later in life and why sometimes, you can just use books as a way of getting back at people!

THE BOOK OFF

'Beloved' by Toni Morrison

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'Small Island' by Andrea Levy

Here's a little more about our guests new novels:

'Jamaica Road...

Bestselling authors Joe Hill and Joe Abercrombie join another Joe (the host) for a natter about books, films, horror, fantasy and much more.

They discuss their brilliant new novels, 'King Sorrow' and 'The Devils', their writing processes and routines, Stephen King, James Cameron, film adaptations, comics - and - give us some brilliant book recommendations too.

THE BOOK OFF

'Lonesome Dove' by Larry McMurtry

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'The Night Always Comes' by Willy Vlautin

Heres some more info on our guests brilliant novels!<...

This week we welcome bestselling authors Saara El-Arifi and Callie Hart to the podcast, who go head to head in a war of the words.

We chat fantasy, romantasy, maps, sexy fairies - and also learn a new word 'Chussy' (don't google it!)

Callie and Saara also give us some brilliant book recommendations and some top writing tips! (oh, and di we mention the interpretive dance?)

THE BOOK OFF

'Gideon The Ninth' by Tamsyn Muir

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'I Medusa' by Ayana Gray

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We welcome two brilliant debut novelists to Book Off this week, who go head to head in a war of the words...

Xenobe Purvis and Gurnaik Johal have both recently published their first novels - and they are both brilliant!

Hear them discuss their inspirations, writing and research techniques. how to choose a good title and why reading slowly is good.

In a Book Off first - Gurnaik pitches a book he hasn't even finished yet! And there are some great recommendations all round.

THE BOOK OFF <...

Two debut novelists, Wendy Erskine and Niamh Ni Mhaoileoin join Joe Haddow for a war of the words!

They discuss their brilliant new novels ('The Benefactors' and 'Ordinary Saints') as well as giving us some brilliant book recommendations too.

They also chat about 'queer literature', the Women's Prize, how to cast a book and the joy of free writing.

THE BOOK OFF

'The Price Of Salt' ('Carol') by Patricia Highsmith

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'Hunchback' by Saou Ichikawa

Here's a little more about our...

Bestselling crime writers, MW Craven and JD Kirk go head to head in a war of the words...

They chat with Joe Haddow about their latest novels ('The Final Vow' and 'A Rock And A Hard Place'), their inspirations, meeting artists they admire and acting weird...and Terry Pratchett. There's quite a lot of Terry Pratchett chat! (Chatchett?)

As ever, we have some brilliant book recommendations for you - and of course - there's the little matter of the Book Off.

THE BOOK OFF

'Horror Movie' by Paul...

Two bestselling authors, both alike in dignity, in the fair Book Off studio - where we lay our scene...

On this episode we bring together two brilliant minds, authors and Scots - Irvine Welsh and John Niven.

They discuss their latest novels, nostalgia, returning characters...and the joy of writing in the pre-mobile phone era.

They also chat Oasis, crime fiction, the shit that appears on instagram - and give us some great book recommendations too.

*and just to warn you - there's quite a bit of...

It's our 150th episode!!! Can you believe it? No, we can't either...

...and celebrating our big birthday are Harriet Evans and Laura Barnett, who join Joe for a brilliant bit of Booking Off.

Sadly - there's no cake or party poppers - thanks to the terrible Thameslink service which meant Joe couldn't get to the shops in time, but there's still a lot of great book chat!

Harrie and Laura discuss their brilliant new novels, give us some fab book recommendations - and - there's also a surprise appearance from...

Bestselling author Holly Smale goes head to head with Comedian and writer Cally Beaton in a War Of The Words.

The authors chat to Joe Haddow about their latest books, imposter syndrome, living in the present and what Orca's can teach us about feminism.

They also also share some great book recommendations

THE BOOK OFF

'East Of Eden' by John Steinbeck

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'The Beekeeper Of Aleppo' by Christy Lefteri

Here's more on our guest's books:<...

Bestselling spy novelists, David McCloskey and Paul Vidich, join Joe Haddow for a good ole fashioned booking off!

As well as discussing their new novels ('The Seventh Floor' and 'The Poets Game'), they also share some great book recommendations and talk us through their writing processes.

Spy novels are such a great way to learn about world history - and have arguably never been more popular - so we delve a little more into this genre, referencing John Le Carre - and his son, Nick Harkaway, who was a recent Book Off guest...

Wendy Holden and Jane Thynne are both former journalists turned authors. In fact, they both worked in newsrooms together back in the 1980s.

In this episode, they bring their journalistic competitiveness to the Book Off, but who will triumph?

They also discuss their new novels, their fascination with WW2, why we need to keep telling historic stories and how fun research can be. They also give us some brilliant reading recommendations too!

THE BOOK OFF

'Little Women' by Louisa May Alcott

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'Tinker, Tailor...

Bestselling authors Linwood Barclay and CJ Tudor join Joe Haddow for a chat about their latest books.

They discuss genre bending, horror tropes, Stephen King, rocking horses, muffins and building tension. Quite the eclectic mix!

They also give us some brilliant book recommendations too.

THE BOOK OFF

'Long Island' by Colm Toibin

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'Altered Carbon' by Richard K Morgan

And here's more on their latest novels!

'Whistle' by Linwood Barclay

Celebrated children’s author and illustrator An...

This week, Joe welcomes Milly Johnson and Samuel Burr to the studio to chat about their new novels.

They talk about their writing habits, author mates, female friendships and the menopause amongst man other things.

They also give us some great book recommendations too!

THE BOOK OFF

'We All Want Impossible Things' by Catherine Newman

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'Persuasion' by Jane Austen

And here's more on our guests books...

The Fellowship Of Puzzlemakers...

Emilia Hart and Bridget Collins join Joe Haddow for a pretty fun and chaotic Book Off!

They chat about their brilliant new novels and give us some great book recommendations too. They also talk about the importance of author mates, accidental deleted manuscripts and some scary scary creepy scenes too.

Joe had a glass of wine at lunch before the recording - and then had a negroni thrust in his hands at the studio - so he was quite 'loose' for this one! (enjoy)

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Debut novelists, Roisin O'Donnell and Chris McQueer, go head to head in a war of the words.

They discuss their latest books ("Nesting" and "Hermit"), their writing inspirations, the power of short stories and the rise of toxic masculinity.

Whilst Andrew Tate doesn't in any way dominate this conversation (nor should he dominate any conversation), the authors discuss how young boys and men are being radicalised through dangerous people on social media and what, if anything, can be done about it.

Both books also look at the theme of coercive...

Sir Ben Okri and Colum McCann join Joe Haddow for a war of the words...

This is Ben's second appearance on Book Off! (The first author to ever appear on the pod twice)

Let's see if he's learnt anything from the last time!

He chats about his woozy new novella - "Madame Sosostris And The Festival For The Broken-Hearted' - and the poem that inspired it. We also learn he has read 'War & Peace' FOUR times! And so we get a full Ben Okri style review...

Colum's new...

Bestselling thriller writer(s) Nicci French go head to head in a war of the words, expertly refereed by Joe Haddow.

Nicci French is the pen name for husband and wife writing team, Nicci Gerrard and Sean French, and this is our first official Book Off couple!

Sean and Nicci discuss their latest novel, The Last Days Of Kira Mullan, and dig into some of the themes which inspired this story.

Here's the blurb:

Nancy North and her boyfriend Felix are making the move across London to Harlesden...