Bestselling authors Marian Keyes and Nina Stibbe go head to head in a war of the words in a bumper episode of Book Off. They shower admiration on to each other and their new books, "Again, Rachel" and "One Day I Shall Astonish The World" which they discuss with Joe Haddow. They also talk about their writing, inspirations, friendship, sex in older age, taking the waters in Bath, writing a sitcom and fabulous funny females. We get their recent book recommendations, and in the Book Off they pit "Gr...
Mar 09, 2022•1 hr 4 min•Season 9Ep. 5
Authors Charlotte Mendelson and Liz Hyder go head to head in a war of the words. It's been 9 years since Charlotte published a novel - and on this episode she tells us all about her new book - "The Exhibitionist" - and how she feels now it's finally being published. The novel is an exploration of art, sacrifice, toxic family politics, queer desire and personal freedom. And Liz tells us about her first novel for adults - "The Gifts" - where her fascination with Victorian history came from, and ho...
Mar 02, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Season 9Ep. 4
International bestselling novelists David Baldacci and Linwood Barclay go head to head in a war of the words. They discuss writing themselves into corners, how they scare themselves to write better books and tell us about their brand new novels, "Take My Breath Away" and "Dream Town". They also talk about their shared loved of the author Ross MacDonald, and the Lew Archer novels. In the Book Off, they pit Ken Follett's "Never" against "Caste" by Isobel Wilkerson, but which one will win? Hosted o...
Feb 23, 2022•34 min•Season 9Ep. 3
Debut novelists, Jo Browning Wroe and Miranda Cowley Heller go head to head in a war of the words... They discuss their books, "A Terrible Kindness" and "The Paper Palace" - as well as their writing journeys and inspirations. Miranda also discusses her former career at HBO - where she worked on shows such as The Sopranos and The Wire, whilst Jo explains how she came to the idea for her novel and how she approached such a sensitive subject. They also recommend some of the books they have been rea...
Feb 16, 2022•56 min•Season 9Ep. 2
Bestselling author, Monica Ali, goes head to head with debut author Hafsa Zayyan in a War Of The Words. It's been 10 years since Monica Ali published her last novel - and in this episode she talks about losing confidence in her writing and how she decided to explore screenwriting. After winning the inaugural #Merky Books New Writer's Prize, she published her debut novel "We Are All Birds Of Uganda" to great acclaim. Now on maternity leave, Hafsa discusses motherhood and writing whilst parenting....
Feb 08, 2022•49 min•Season 9Ep. 1
Booker winning novelist and poet, Ben Okri, goes head to head with poet, writer and artist Tice Cin in a war of the words. In this episode, the two authors discuss their work, their influences, the joy of nature, the power of poetry and how silence can be a healer. They also recommend us some brilliant things to read. In the Book Off, Miguel de Cervantes epic "Don Quixote" goes up against "Fovea/Ages Ago" by Sarah Lasoye - but which one will win!??? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for mor...
Dec 15, 2021•41 min•Season 8Ep. 15
Poets John Gerard Fagan and Monika Radojevic go head to head in a war of the words. In this episode, they talk to Joe Haddow about the power of poetry, their writing inspirations, Japanese culture and writing, the Brexit fallout and putting yourself on the page. They also give us some brilliant book recommendations and do great battle in the Book Off, which sees "The Crab Cannery Ship" by Takiji Kobayashi go up against "Kafka On The Shore" by Haruki Murakami...but which one will win???? Hosted o...
Dec 08, 2021•54 min•Season 8Ep. 14
Award-winning journalist, TV presenter and author Robert Peston, goes head to head with Barrister and Author, Imran Mahmood in a War of the Words. They discuss their new novels and fascination with memory. Robert explains why he can't stand D:Ream and Imran gives us an insight into his character creation. Both authors also tell us what they have been reading and enjoying recently - and recommend some great books. In the Book Off, they pit Harper Lee's "To Kill A Mockingbird" against Giafranco Ca...
Dec 01, 2021•45 min•Season 8Ep. 13
International bestselling authors, Jodi Picoult and Jojo Moyes are good friends, but have never met in person! Here they go head to head in a war of the words, from different sides of the world. They discuss their new books, the turmoil of writing in lockdown, escapism, open spaces, horses, being political through commercial fiction and how writers help other writers. Jodi and Jojo also recommend some books they have been reading and enjoying recently. In the Book Off, "The Invisible Life Of Add...
Nov 24, 2021•47 min•Season 8Ep. 12
Screenwriter Georgia Pritchett goes head to head with actor and writer Casey Wilson, in a war of the words. Georgia talks about her work on the hit TV shows "Succession" and "Veep" - and how in the UK, she is still the only female writer in the room. Casey tells us all about her new show "The Shrink Next Door", obsession with the Real Housewives - and how that obsession has turned into a hit podcast. They also discuss their new memoirs, how to tackle worrying and give us a few book recommendatio...
Nov 17, 2021•46 min•Season 8Ep. 11
Writers Lucy Vine and Nicole Kennedy go head to head in a war of the words, with two very different novels. They talk about their latest books, their relationship with social media, motherhood, the highs and lows of being a teenage girl, writing in lockdown and recommend us some new books. In the Book Off, John Wyndham's "The Day Of The Triffids" gets pitted against "The Idea Of You" by Robinne Lee - but which one will win??? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Nov 02, 2021•44 min•Season 8Ep. 10
Pulitzer Prize winner Richard Powers goes head to head with bestselling novelist Sebastian Faulks, in a war of the words. These two great writers discuss their work and inspirations, why humans are so fragile, writing in the wilderness, the future of the planet, and give us a few book recommendations along the way too. In the Book Off, they pitch Marcel Proust's "In Search Of Lost Time" against "Say Nothing" by Patrick Radden Keefe - but which one will win? Subscribe to Book Off now, from wherev...
Oct 27, 2021•42 min•Season 8Ep. 9
Author and professor Mukoma Wa Ngugi joins screenwriter and author Charles Yu for a War Of The Words. They discuss their writing, new novels, changing the way people are represented in Hollywood (and across the world) and recommend some books. In the Book Off, Charles Petzold's "Code" goes up against "Lose Your Mother" by Saidiya Hartman - but which one will win???? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Oct 20, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Season 8Ep. 8
Singer, Songwriter and novelist Kathryn Williams goes head to head with writer and friend, Rosa Rankin-Gee, in a war of the words. As well as discussing their novels "The Ormering Tide" and "Dreamland" - they talk about songwriting, water, the positives of lockdown, zombies, castles, writing and what they have enjoyed reading recently. In the Book Off, Dodie Smith's "I Capture The Castle" is pitted against "World War Z" by Max Brooks, but which one will win... ? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/pr...
Oct 13, 2021•56 min•Season 8Ep. 7
In this fascinating bumper episode, cultural critic Olivia Laing and author Howard Cunnell talk about their latest books, how they write, their inspirations, what art means to them, the importance of water, Wilhelm Reich and masculinity among many other things... As well as rich and in-depth conversation, Olivia and Howard go head to head in a war of the words, pitching Hadrien VII's "Quest For Corvo" against John Healey's "The Grass Arena" - but which one will win? Hosted on Acast. See acast.co...
Oct 06, 2021•1 hr 18 min•Season 8Ep. 6
Comedian, Actor and Author Katy Wix goes head to head with Comedian and Taskmaster creator Alex Horne, in a war of the words. They discuss their reading habits, Taskmaster, the joy of memoirs and what they have been reading and enjoying recently. Alex reveals something he probably shouldn't about the new Taskmaster book and Katy talks of the highs and lows which came from writing her new non-fiction book, Delicacy. In the Book Off, they put Maggie Nelson's "Bluets" against Howard W. Bergersen's ...
Sep 29, 2021•51 min•Season 8Ep. 5
Authors Bella Mackie and Vera Kurian discuss their debut novels, "How To Kill Your Family" and " Never Saw Me Coming", with Joe Haddow. They also discuss horror films, gratuitous killing of women in literature, publishing fatigue and what they have been reading and enjoying recently. In the Book Off, they pit David Mitchell's "Cloud Atlas" up against "The Light Years" by Elizabeth Jane Howard, but which one will win? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Sep 22, 2021•47 min•Season 8Ep. 4
Bestselling novelists Joanne Harris and Sharon Bolton go head to head in a war of the words, pitching a book they love and think we should all read. They discuss their latest books - The Narrow Door and The Pact - with Joe Haddow, as well as talking about how they approach characters and setting. Sharon and Joanne tell us what they have both been reading and enjoying recently - and, of course, there's the Book Off - where Donna Tart goes up against Ray Bradbury...but who will win?? Hosted on Aca...
Sep 15, 2021•52 min•Season 8Ep. 3
Journalist and broadcaster Jeremy Vine goes head to head with journalist and broadcaster Fern Britton, in a war of the words. They join Joe Haddow to discuss their new novels - "The Diver And The Lover" and "Daughters Of Cornwall" - and to pitch us a book they love and think we should all read. Fern champions Margaret Mitchell's "Gone With The Wind" in the Book Off, whilst Jeremy pitches "The Last Enemy" by Richard Hilary...but which one will win?? They also discuss how much reality should be pu...
Sep 08, 2021•50 min•Season 8Ep. 2
New York Times Bestselling author, Jason Mott, joins Journalist and author Christine Smallwood for Book Off! They talk about their new novels, dinosaurs, Werner Herzog, what they have enjoyed reading lately and how it never gets easier to write a novel. Jason's novel - "Hell Of A Book" - is an incredibly funny and honest novel which goes to the heart of racism and police violence in America. And Christine's novel - "The Life Of The Mind" - is a witty, intelligent novel about a woman on the edge....
Sep 01, 2021•48 min•Season 8Ep. 1
Former journalist turned best-selling crime author Peter May goes head to head with thriller writer Peter Swanson in a war of the words. They talk about letting ideas for books go when they're not strong enough, working through the pandemic, priceless art and how nice it is to not be consumed by Donald Trump news any more... In the Book Off they pit JP Donleavy’s ‘The Beastly Beatitudes of Balthazar B’ against Ira Levin's 'A Kiss Before Dying' - but which one will win? Hosted on Acast. See acast...
May 12, 2021•57 min•Season 7Ep. 14
Debut authors Louise Nealon and Julie Ma go head to head in a war of the words! They discuss their new books, the thrill of being published for the first time, writing for your younger self and Chinese food! In the Book Off they put Dermot Healy's "A Goat's Song" against "The Snow And The Works On The Northern Line" by Ruth Thomas, but which one will win!? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 28, 2021•54 min•Season 7Ep. 13
Pulitzer Prize winning author, Jane Smiley, goes head to head with writer, broadcaster and poet, Pam Ayres, in a war of the words. They discuss their writing, the importance of wildlife, going on cruises, fables and humour. In the Book Off they put James Rebanks "English Pastoral: An Inheritance" against "The Year Of Lear" by James Shapiro. But which one will win??? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Apr 21, 2021•56 min•Season 7Ep. 12
Writer, poet and podcaster Musa Okwonga goes head to head in a war of the words, with Man Booker Prize long-listed author Wyl Menmuir. They discuss the complex father/song relationship, the joy of independent publishers, their homes of Berlin and Cornwall, and how football is just like jazz. In the Book Off they put James Salter's "Light Years" against "The Bone Readers" by Jacob Ross, but which one will win? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Apr 13, 2021•52 min•Season 7Ep. 11
Writer and filmmaker Sheena Patel goes head to head with author Naomi Ishiguro in a war of the words. They talk about poetry in a pandemic, the joy of children's books, being creative with friends and the solitude of writing. In the Book Off they pit Cathy Park Hong's "Minor Feelings: An The Asian Condition" against "The Book Of Hopes" edited by Katherine Rundell, but which one will win??? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Apr 06, 2021•43 min•Season 7Ep. 10
Author and lecturer Emily M Danforth goes head to head with journalist and writer Inga Vesper. They talk to host Joe Haddow about the intoxication of Los Angeles, how to get inspiration from busses and why more people should read Shirley Jackson. In the Book Off, they put Jackson's "The Haunting Of Hill House" up against "Random Family" by Adrian Nicole LeBlanc, but which one will win?? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Mar 30, 2021•46 min•Season 7Ep. 8
Screenwriter Lizzie Fry and journalist Anna North go head to head in a war of the words. They discuss their new books, The Coven and Outlawed, as well as writing visually, adapting for the screen and how to reclaim genres for female characters. In the Book Off they pit "The End Of The World Running Club" by Adrian J Walker against Hernan Diaz's "In The Distance" but who will win!? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Mar 24, 2021•43 min•Season 7Ep. 8
Bestselling crime writers, Chris Brookmyre and Mick Herron, go head to head in a war of the words. They talk to host Joe Haddow about their latest novels, weaving humour into crime stories, how long walks can help percolate ideas and the how lying on a sofa reading is classed as work (for an author) In the Book Off, they pit Derek Mahon "Selected Poems" against "Swing Hammer Swing" by Jeff Torrington. Two very different books, but which one will win??? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for ...
Mar 17, 2021•45 min•Season 7Ep. 7
Debut novelists Emma Stonex and Rebecca Watson join Joe Haddow for a war of the words. They discuss their first novels, The Lamplighters and Little Scratch, as well as the books they have been reading recently and enjoying and how it feels to be publishing in a pandemic. In the Book Off, they put Claire Chambers' "Small Pleasures" up against "Motherhood" by Shelia Heti, but which one will win???? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information....
Mar 10, 2021•44 min•Season 7Ep. 6
Legendary broadcaster and writer, Simon Mayo, goes head to head with bestselling author SJ Watson in a war of the words. They talk to Joe Haddow about their writing, hitting the wall, the highs and lows of adapting work for the screen and some of the books and authors they have read and enjoyed recently. In the Book Off, they pit Colson Whitehead's "The Underground Railroad" against Kristin Hersh's memoir, "Paradoxical Und - but who will win!?? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more inf...
Mar 03, 2021•52 min•Season 7Ep. 5
