Ask Penguin

Author Alex Wheatle MBE, aka the 'Brixton Bard', has just been the subject of one of Steve McQueen's 'Small Axe' films on BBC1. In this episode, he chats to Nihal about his latest YA book ‘Cane Warriors’, based on the true story of Tacky, a slave who led an uprising on the plantations of Jamaica in the 18th Century.Alex also talks to Nihal about his experiences growing up in a children’s home, how a prison cell-mate encouraged him to write and how reggae music, amongst other things, inspires him. #PenguinPodcast'Cane Warriors' is available to buy as an audiobook now - https://apple.co/3miQ8iTWIN a year’s supply of audiobooks! To be in with a chance to win, tap the link and tell us what you think about the Penguin Podcast. https://bit.ly/PodcastSurvey2020 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special edition, Nihal Arthanayake chooses some of his favourite bits from previous episodes which include the likes of Sir Paul McCartney on doubting his own talent, a surprising music choice from Elif Shafak and how Howard Jacobson was insulted by Kylie Minogue. #PenguinPodcastWIN a year’s supply of audiobooks! To be in with a chance to win, tap the link and tell us what you think about the Penguin Podcast. https://bit.ly/PodcastSurvey2020 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Iconic 80’s pop band Bananarama join Nihal Arthanayake to chat about their memoir ‘Really Saying Something’.They chat about the pressures of the band, how they ended up living in the Sex Pistols' old rehearsal room and discuss some of the objects that have inspired them creatively, including a Moomins book. #PenguinPodcast‘Really Saying Something’ is available to buy as an audiobook now: https://apple.co/2KcwGHs Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dolly Alderton, author, journalist and co-host of The High Low podcast chats to Sue Perkins about her first novel, ‘Ghosts’.Both Sue and Dolly open up about relationships and Dolly reveals the objects that have inspired her work, including a lukewarm glass of white wine and a song by George Michael. #PenguinPodcast ‘Ghosts’ is now available to buy as an audiobook: https://apple.co/325yw2J Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Richard Dawkins - British evolutionary biologist and populist science writer - chats to Nihal about his latest book ‘Outgrowing God’He also talks about objects which have inspired him creatively which include a framed photo of Prince Phillip and the Flounder fish. ‘Outgrowing God’ is available to buy as an audiobook now - https://apple.co/3obexsT Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

TV presenter and co-creator of the TV quiz show ‘Pointless’, Richard Osman chats to Nihal about his debut novel ‘The Thursday Murder Club’ - a story about four friends living in a retirement village who become amateur detectives.  He chats to Nihal about some objects that have inspired him which include the dating app Tinder and candles. Richard also reveals why he didn’t tell anyone he was writing a novel. #Penguinpodcast  ‘The Thursday Murder Club’ is available to buy as an audiobook now - https://apple.co/3llVb2f  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Author and historian Ben Macintyre talks to Nihal about his new book ‘Agent Sonya’ - the story of the greatest female spy of the 20th Century. Ben chats to Nihal about how ‘Sonya’s’ gender helped her stay under deep cover for so many years. Ben’s inspirational objects include a jar of chutney given to him from M15 and the jaw-dropping story of his great uncle’s pocketbook (which literally saved his life). #PenguinPodcast‘Agent Sonya’ is available to buy as an audiobook now - https://apple.co/32NX94J  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

‘Gavin and Stacey’ co-creator and actor Ruth Jones chats to Nihal about her second novel ‘Us Three’ - a story about enduring female friendships.  She talks about objects that have inspired her including a pair of pink trainers and Wales (the country). Plus why she never ever wants to return to Glastonbury #PenguinPodcast  ‘Us Three’ is available to buy as an audiobook now - https://apple.co/3i9x6u9    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Anthony Horowitz, author of the bestselling teen Spy series, Alex Rider, talks to Nihal about his creative process, how he’d like to write a Dickens novel and bonds with Nihal over the rapper Dave.Anthony, who has sold well in excess of 20 million books and has written two James Bond and two Sherlock Holmes novels, chats about his latest novel ‘Moonflower Murders’ and chooses objects that inspire his work including magic tricks and an unusual sculpture. #Penguinpodcast'Moonflower Murders' is available to buy as an audiobook now -https://apple.co/3j7zLoj Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

‘Crazy Rich Asians’ author Kevin Kwan chats to Nihal about his new book ‘Sex and Vanity’ - the story of a young woman who finds herself torn between two men.Kevin discusses some objects which have inspired him and chats to Nihal about why the island of Capri is so important to him, and how he used to make best dressed lists #PenguinPodcast‘Sex and Vanity’ is available to buy as an audiobook now - https://apple.co/33UuhbY Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.