Simon Mayo's Books Of The Year

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

David Baddiel joins Simon and Matt for a chat about his new non-fiction book, 'My Family: The Memoir'He discusses his relationship with his mum and dad, some of the hilarious anecdotes from his childhood that appear in the book and the love that he has for both his parents, despite their quirks and faults.His family life growing up was complicated, and David doesn't shy away from telling the home truths of his upbringing.Simon and Matt also discuss David's brilliant new podcast, "A Muslim And A Jew Go There" which he co presents with Sayeeda Warsi.Here's some more gumf on the book:A searingly honest, funny and moving family memoir in which David Baddiel exposes his mother’s idiosyncratic sex life, and his father’s dementia, to the same affectionate scrutiny.On the surface, David Baddiel’s childhood was fairly standard: a lower-middle-class Jewish family living in an ordinary house in Dollis Hill, north-west London. But David came to realise that his mother was in fact not ordinary at all. Having escaped extermination by fleeing Nazi Germany as a child, she was desperate to make her life count, which took the form of a passionate, decades-long affair with a golfing memorabilia salesman. David’s detailing of the affair – including a hilarious focus on how his mother turned their household over to golf memorabilia, and an eye-popping cache of her erotic writings – leads to the inescapable conclusion that Sarah Baddiel was a cross between Jack Niklaus and Erica Jong.Meanwhile, as Baddiel investigates his family’s past, his father’s memories are fading; dementia is making him moodier and more disinhibited, with an even greater penchant for obscenity. As with his mother’s affair, there is both comedy and poignancy to be found: laughter is a constant presence, capable of transforming the darkest of experiences into something redemptive.My Family: The Memoir is David Baddiel’s candid examination of his childhood, family and memory offering a twisted love letter to his parents. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark Billingham joins Simon and Matt in the studio to chat about some of his favourite authors, writing processes and research.We surprise him with a question from fellow author and fan, Abir Mukherjee, and also find out which authors he'd invite to his fantasy dinner party Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mark Billingham joins Simon and Matt in the studio for a chat about his new character, Detective Miller. They discuss the fine line between comedy and crime, why Mark chose Blackpool as the setting for his new series and why you should always come back to an idea. We also try to find out what advice he gave Richard Osman, before he became an author...Here's more on 'The Wrong Hands': This is one case Miller won't want to open . . .Unconventional Detective Declan Miller has a problem. Still desperate to solve the murder of his wife, a young man has just appeared on his doorstep with a briefcase . . . containing a pair of severed hands.Miller knows this case is proof of a contract killing commissioned by local ne'er do well Wayne Cutler - a man he suspects might also be responsible for his wife's death. Now Miller has leverage, but unfortunately he also has something that both Cutler and a villainous fast-food kingpin are desperate to get hold of.Chuck in a Midsomer Murders-obsessed hitman, a psychotic welder and a woman driven over the edge by a wayward Crème Egg, and Miller is in a mess that even he might not be able to dance his way out of. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bestselling novelist and journalist, Andrew O'Hagan, tells us about the last book he REALLY enjoyed reading, as well as revealing some insights into his writing processes.He also answers a question from our special guest, Monica Ali, and reveals who he would invite to his fantasy dinner party. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bestselling author and journalist, Andrew O'Hagan, joins Simon and Matt to discuss his latest novel, Calendonian Road.They talk about the inspiration behind the book, the ever-changing landscape of British politics and pandemics and why it took a decade to write.Andrew also gives us an insight into the creation of some of his characters, and tells us a great story about his time aboard a luxury yacht! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bestselling crime writer, Abir Mukherjee, discusses his favourite authors, books, and tells us about his writing processes.He talks about working to deadlines (or not), how he orders his bookshelves and who he would invite to his fantasy dinner party. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Crime writer Abir Mukherjee joins Simon and Matt to discuss his new novel, Hunted.Abir is known for his Wyndham and Banerjee series, set in 1920s India, however this book is his first stand alone.They chat about the importance of writing something contemporary, the issues that he wanted to tackle and why it has taken so long to finish.Here's a little more on Hunted:IN A RACE AGAINST TIME, WHAT IF THE GREATEST THREAT WAS YOUR OWN CHILD?It’s a week before the presidential elections when a bomb goes off in an LA shopping mall…In London, armed police storm Heathrow Airport and arrest Sajid Khan. His daughter Aliyah entered the USA with the suicide bomber, and now she’s missing, potentially plotting another attack.But then a mysterious woman called Carrie turns up at Sajid’s door after travelling halfway across the world. She claims Aliyah is with her son Greg, and she knows where they could be.Back in the US, Agent Shreya Mistry is closing in on the two fugitives. But the more she investigates, the more she realises this case is far from as simple as it seems.Hunted by the authorities, the two parents are thrown together in a race against time to find their kids before the FBI does and stop a catastrophe that will bring the world to its knees. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bestselling author and screenwriter, David Nicholls, chats to Simon and Matt about his writing processes, what he's reading at the moment and some of his favourite authors. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A new David Nicholls books is always an exciting event, and his new novel, You Are Here, does not disappoint.He joins Simon and Matt for a chat about the writing process, creating his characters, the latest adaptation of One Day and how he came to the music choices in this new novel.They also discuss the influence and importance of the pandemic on stories, and how we will be talking (and writing) about it for many years to come.Here's some more info on the book:Marnie is stuck.Stuck working alone in her London flat, stuck battling the long afternoons and a life that often feels like it's passing her by.Michael is coming undone.Reeling from his wife's departure, increasingly reclusive, taking himself on long, solitary walks across the moors and fells.When a persistent mutual friend and some very English weather conspire to bring them together, Marnie and Michael suddenly find themselves alone on the most epic of walks and on the precipice of a new friendship.But can they survive the journey?A new love story by beloved bestseller David Nicholls, You Are Here is a novel of first encounters, second chances and finding the way home. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices