Simon Mayo's Books of the Year

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 quite remarkable! Here's a bit more info on the book:A thrilling true story of courage, resistance and ultimately betrayal in the Third Reich, captured by internationally bestselling author and prize-winning journalist Jonathan Freedland.The Traitors Circle tells the true, but scarcely known, story of a group of secret rebels against Hitler. Drawn from Berlin high society, they include army officers, government officials, two countesses, an ambassador's widow and a former model - meeting in the shadows, whether hiding and rescuing Jews or plotting for a Germany freed from Nazi rule. One day in September 1943 they gather for a tea party - unaware that one among them is about to betray them all to the Gestapo. But who is the betrayer of a circle themselves branded 'traitors' by the cruellest regime in history?In another page-turning work of nonfiction that reads like a thriller, Jonathan Freedland, acclaimed author of The Escape Artist, sheds light on one of the most dramatic episodes of the second world war, telling a story of courage, resistance and ultimate betrayal that has deep moral resonance for our own time, and asks what kind of person it takes to risk everything and stand up to tyranny.

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.

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 technological advancements.

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 having such a big moment!

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 characteristic traits.

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 conversations around climate change. 'you only have to stop doing bad things to nature, for it to push back quickly' Here's more on the book: 2014: A great poem is read aloud and never heard again. For generations, people speculate about its message, but no copy has yet been found.2119: The lowlands of the UK have been submerged by rising seas. Those who survive are haunted by the richness of the world that has been lost.Tom Metcalfe, a scholar at the University of the South Downs, part of Britain's remaining archipelagos, pores over the archives of the early twenty-first century, captivated by the freedoms and possibilities of human life at its zenith.When he stumbles across a clue that may lead to the great lost poem, revelations of entangled love and a brutal crime emerge, destroying his assumptions about a story he thought he knew intimately.