Simon Mayo's Books Of The Year

Simon Mayo and Matt Williams chat to Simon Sebag Montefiore about the books and writers he loves, his writing processes, his research and much more besides...We also learn who he'd invite to his fantasy dinner party! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Simon Mayo and Matt Williams welcome Author and Historian Simon Sebag Montefiore to the podcast.They chat about TWO of his books, which are both very relevant at the moment. Firstly, 'Jerusalm: The Biography', which Simon is currently updating....and secondly, 'The World: A Family History'.These two books are humungous in both scope and size - but they are fantastic and well worth your time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Simon and Matt ask John Boyne about his writing processes, favourite authors, reading habits, book shelves and inspirations.There's also a guest question from the brilliant Irish writer, Donal Ryan. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

International bestselling author John Boyne joins Simon and Matt for a natter about his new book.'Water' is the first of a Quartet of books, which will also include Fire, Air and Earth.John talks about his inspirations, why he writes the characters he does and what drew him to the elements in the first place.Here comes the science bit:From million-copy-bestselling author John Boyne comes a masterfully reflective story about one woman coming to terms with the demons of her past and finding a new path forward.The first thing Vanessa Carvin does when she arrives on the island is change her name. To the locals, she is Willow Hale, a solitary outsider escaping Dublin to live a hermetic existence in a small cottage, not a notorious woman on the run from her past.But scandals follow like hunting dogs. And she has some questions of her own to answer. If her ex-husband is really the monster everyone says he is, then how complicit was she in his crimes?Escaping her old life might seem like a good idea but the choices she has made throughout her marriage have consequences. Here, on the island, Vanessa must reflect on what she did - and did not do. Only then can she discover whether she is worthy of finding peace at all. Can you ever truly wash away your past? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I Am Pilgrim author, Terry Hayes, answers questions about his process, who and what he likes to read, and the authors he'd have at his fantasy dinner party!There's also a question courtesy of author, screenwriter and playwright, Anthony Horowitz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Terry Hayes' debut novel, I Am Pilgrim, was published in 2013. Ten years later, he has returned with his second novel.In this episode, Simon and Matt chat to him about what has taken him so long, how he feels now it's out in the world and what is happening with the film of his first novel.Terry also talks about the highs and lows of Hollywood, his editors notes and what he's going to work on next. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bestselling author Victoria Hislop answers some questions about her processes, reading habits, favourite authors and...dancing! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Victoria Hislop joins Simon Mayo and Matt Williams for a natter about her latest novel. They discuss the draw of Greek islands, the history of Figurines and what inspired her for this latest book. The history of Greece is vast - and Figurines are a small, but important and fascinating part of it. They're mysterious and beautiful - and they're very sought after too. Here comes the science bit: In her irresistible new novel, Sunday Times No 1 bestselling author Victoria Hislop shines a light on the questionable acquisition of cultural treasures and the price people - and countries - will pay to cling on to them.Of all the ancient art that captures the imagination, none is more appealing than the Cycladic figurine. An air of mystery swirls around these statuettes from the Bronze Age and they are highly sought after by collectors - and looters - alike.When Helena inherits her grandparents' apartment in Athens, she is overwhelmed with memories of the summers she spent there as a child, when Greece was under a brutal military dictatorship. Her remote, cruel grandfather was one of the regime's generals and as she sifts through the dusty rooms, Helena discovers an array of valuable objects and antiquities. How did her grandfather amass such a trove? What human price was paid for them?Her desire to find answers about her heritage dovetails with a growing curiosity for archaeology, ignited by a summer spent with volunteers on a dig on an Aegean island. Their finds fuel her determination to protect the precious fragments recovered from the baked earth - and to understand the origins of her grandfather's collection.Helena's attempt to make amends for some of her grandfather's actions sees her wrestle with the meaning of 'home', both in relation to looted objects of antiquity ... and herself. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Simon Mayo and Matt Williams have taken a break from usual proceedings, to look back on some of the books we have featured this year so far. They pick out some of their favourite books that we have featured (and some we haven't) and we feature a few suggestions from some of our guests too. In case you were wondering which books and authors we have featured on the pod this year so far - here's a full list to jog your memory... Jason Mott – “Hell Of A Book”Cariad Lloyd – “You Are Not Alone”Linwood Barclay – “Look Both Ways”David McClosckey – “Damascus Station” Harlan Coben – “I Will Find You”Catriona Ward – “Looking Glass Sound”Cecelia Ahern – “In A Thousand Different Ways”Joanne Harris – “Broken Light”Sadiq Kahn – “Breathe”SA Cosby – “All The Sinners Bleed”TJ Newman – “Drowning”Kate Mosse – “The Ghost Ship”Daniel Finkelstein – “Hitler, Stalin, Mum And Dad”Lisa Jewell – “None Of This Is True" Steve Cavanagh – “Kill For Me Kill For You”Sebastian Faulkes – “The Seventh Son”Adele Parks – “Just Between Us”Louise Doughty – “A Bird In Winter” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The bestselling author of 'Apple Tree Yard' and 'Platform Seven', Louise Doughty, joins Simon Mayo and Matt Williams to answer some questions. She talks about some of the books she has really really enjoyed recently, her research process and who she'd invite to a fantasy dinner party! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices