On today's show, as ‘The Rules of Seeing’ is crowned Debut Romantic Novel of 2019, its author, Joe Heap, tells us what inspired him to write about sight loss. (Starts at 1.30)

 

Robert Kirkwood talks to Niq Mhlongo about how much things have changed for South African authors since the birth of The Rainbow Nation. (21.40)

 

We learn more about the Omani novel, Celestial Bodies, that won this year’s Man Booker International prize from publishers Sandstone Press (30.50)

 

Listener Gill Garret recommends a hidden gem that celebrates the beauty of The Lake District. (43.40)

And author of Long Way Down, Jason Reynolds, shares the books of his life. (51.12)