Simon Mayo's Books Of The Year

We may be a little late to this book, but, we want to shout about it nonetheless!Anna Keay joins Simon and Matt for a deep dive into The Restless Republic, when for eleven years, Britain had no king.In 1649 Britain was engulfed by revolution, but it's not a time in history that we are taught about, certainly in the UK.Anna's book takes as its guides the people who lived through these years of restlessness. Among them is Anna Trapnel, the daughter of a Deptford shipwright whose visions transfixed the nation. John Bradshaw, the Cheshire lawyer who found himself trying the King. Marchamont Nedham, the irrepressible newspaper man and puppet master of propaganda. Gerrard Winstanley, who strove for a Utopia of common ownership where no one went hungry. William Petty, the precocious scientist whose mapping of Ireland prefaced the dispossession of tens of thousands. And the indomitable Countess of Derby who defended to the last the final Royalist stronghold on the Isle of Man. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kiley Reid (author of the Booker longlisted novel, Such A Fun Age) joins Simon and Matt for a Q&A. They talk about her favourite writers, deadlines, how she orders her books...and who she'd invite to her fantasy dinner party. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bestselling author, Kiley Reid, joins Simon and Matt to talk about her new novel, Come And Get It.She discusses her fascination with money (those who have it, those that don't and the things people might do to get it) which is a big theme in this book, and what drew her to write what she has coined a 'dorm novel'.The book is set in the University of Arkansas, so we learn why that setting was important for Kiley, and Matt has a rant about dancers...of course he does. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alex Michaelides published his bestselling debut novel 'The Silent Patient' in 2019. His new novel 'The Fury', is out now.In this episode, Alex answers questions about his writing process, characters, authors he admires, books he loves - and - there's a special appearance from a surprise author and fan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alex Michaelides returns to Books Of The Year to chat with Simon and Matt about his new novel, 'The Fury'.The screenwriter turned author talks about his inspirations (Patricia Hysmith), his love of film, putting humour into thrillers and how to try and write a twist like Agatha Christie. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

David McCloskey is an ex-CIA analyst, turned bestselling novelist.He joined us on the pod last year, to talk about his debut novel 'Damascus Station', but now he's back - quite quickly! - with 'Moscow X'.On this episode he answers questions about his writing process, favourite authors and who would be at his fantasy dinner party. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

David McCloskey is an Ex-CIA analyst and a bestselling author. He's also finished writing his third novel and has started his fourth. But, he's a nice guy, so we forgive him!This is David's second appearance on Books Of The Year. In this episode, he talks to Simon and Matt about his latest novel Moscow X, his inspirations, what he can and can't write about, and who advised him on the use of ceiling fans in Cornwall! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Q&A episode, Simon Mayo and Matt Williams talk to journalist and author Araminta Hall about her writing process and literary loves.We learn which books and authors she has been reading and enjoying recently, how she gets into the minds of her characters...and who she wold invite to her fantasy dinner party! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Araminta Hall joins Simon Mayo and Matt Williams for a chat about her new novel, 'One Of The Good Guys'.They talk about her inspirations for the book, her character creation and why she feels disappointed about the current state and impact of the #metoo movement. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Simon Mayo and Matt Williams look back on some of our favourite books of 2023.This episode features SA Cosby, Louise Doughty, David McCloskey, Daniel Finkelstein and Cecelia Ahern. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices