Ask Penguin

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.

Nick Hornby joins Nihal to talk about how he gets inspired, bringing along a collection of objects that help him including a jigsaw puzzle and an LP.The ‘About a Boy’ and ‘High Fidelity’ author chats to Nihal about his new novel ‘Just Like You’, why he is still full of doubt, and how the characters he creates have a personal effect on his life. #PenguinPodcast'Just Like You' is available to buy as an audiobook on 17/09/2020 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lily Cole joins Nihal to talk about her latest book ‘Who Cares Wins’ - where she interviews the likes of Elon Musk, Stella McCartney and the Extinction Rebellion co-founders about issues relating to the climate crisis.Lily, who is an actress, model and businesswoman chose a selection of objects which have inspired her work and why optimism is so important when it comes to activism. #PenguinPodcast‘Who Cares Wins’ is available to buy as an audiobook on 30/07 - https://apple.co/2EqWL2C   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Journalist and podcast host Pandora Sykes chats to Nihal about her debut book ‘How Do We Know We’re Doing It Right? - a collection of essays which question the perceived wisdom of modern life.  Pandora chooses objects which inspire her and talks to Nihal about her life-long love of books, why it is so important to shop less and she reads out some of her favourite quotes from when she was a teenager. #PenguinPodcast  ‘How Do We Know We’re Doing It Right?’ is available to buy as an audiobook now - https://apple.co/2E1LmGg  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Broadcaster and journalist Dame Jenni Murray talks to Nihal about her new book ‘Fat Cow, Fat Chance’ - what it’s like to be labelled fat when society dictates skinny as the norm.  Jenni chooses objects that have inspired her, telling Nihal how liberated she felt by her favourite leather skirt, when she first realised she was a feminist, and why we need to look at the science behind obesity. #PenguinPodcast  ‘Fat Cow, Fat Chance’ is available to buy as an audiobook now - https://apple.co/3h446D9 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Illustrator and author Jackie Morris, who has collaborated with the likes of Ted Hughes and written over 40 books, talks to Nihal about how she gets creative and the objects that inspire her such as a gold hare with a fascinating backstory. They also chat about her award-winning book 'The Lost Words' (written by Robert Macfarlane), which won The Most Beautiful Book award and in audiobook form has been narrated by Benjamin Zephaniah, Guy Garvey, Cerys Matthews and Edith Bowman with nature sounds by Chris Watson (who has worked with David Attenborough). 'The Lost Words' audiobook is available to download here: https://apple.co/3gFbnt3 #PenguinPodcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.