Absolutely Novel

In this bonus episode, we interview British author Paul Howarth about his critically acclaimed debut novel 'Only Killers and Thieves'. A dark western set in 1880's Queensland, Australia about two young brothers on a trail for revenge. It's an epic tale of family, guilt, empire and race.

In this interview, we discuss the characters, themes and the Australian and British colonial history behind the book.

Paul is a former lawyer, dual Australian-UK citizen and recent alumnus (with honours!) of the renowned University of East Anglia Creative Writing MA.

In this episode, we review "Anything is possible" by American novelist and author Elizabeth Strout. We briefly look at Elizabeth Strout as a writer and her other work. We give a synopsis of the book and take a look at what critics and people in the online book community have got to say about this novel. We then dive into a discussion about the themes. At the end of the show, you hear our ratings (out of five stars). Finally, we hit the streets to ask members of the public to tell us about their favourite book.

In this bonus episode, we interview British author Olivia Sudjic in central London about her debut novel 'Sympathy', a psychological thriller about Instagram obsession. In 2017, 'Sympathy' was selected as one of the debut novels of the year by The Observer and Elle UK. And, it has been hailed as the "First Great Instagram Novel" by The New Republic.

Oliva was born in 1988. She studied English Literature at Cambridge University where she was awarded the E.G. Harwood English Prize and made a Bateman Scholar.

More information Hosted by Emma Wise and Claudine Howard Researched by Emma Wise, Claudine Howard, Jo Nicholas and Jennifer Daniels. Produced by Kevin Fasusi An original score was written and performed by Kevin Fasusi Artwork created by Mark McTiernan, HTDL

In this episode we review "I Am, I Am, I Am: Seventeen Brushes With Death" by Maggie O'Farrell. We also ask Roisin from The Sheen Bookshop to tell us about the store and her favourite book.

In this episode, we review the novel "Birdcage Walk" by the late great and much-loved author Helen Dunmore, who unexpectedly died in June 2017. There are fiercely divided opinions about the novel amongst Emma, Jo and Claudine. Which co-host loved it? Who was frustrated by it? Who preferred "A Spell of Winter" and "The Seige" over this novel?

In this bonus episode, Emma and Claudine are joined by Christina Patterson. Christina is a writer, broadcaster, consultant and now an author; her terrific first book "The Art of Not Falling Apart" was released on 3rd May 2018.

We met Christina in central London to discuss the book, a memoir about things that go wrong in life, it is a part autobiographical and partly drawn from stories relayed to Christina by her wide network of friends and contacts. Pick up a copy of the book to read the stories about, not just what went wrong but how each person dealt with devastating events and somehow have come out the other side.

To find out more about Christina Patterson visit: http://christinapatterson.co.uk

More Information Hosted by Emma Wise and Claudine Howard. Research by Emma Wise, Claudine Howard and Jo Nicholas. Produced by Kevin Fasusi and Jennifer Daniels.

In this bonus episode we interview Norwegian author Nicolai Houm and discuss his amazing third book 'The Gradual Disappearance of Jane Ashland'. Translated into English for the first time by Anna Paterson and released 26th April 2018.

In this episode, we review the novel 'Tin Man' by Sarah Winman. We discuss some of the characters and themes. We also look at what others think of the book via online reviews; and at the end of the show members of the public tell us about their favourite book. 

In this episode, we review the novel 'Little Fires Everywhere' by Celeste Ng. We delve into some of the characters and themes. We also look at what others think of the book via online reviews (one-star, three-star and five-star); and at the end of the show, members of the public tell us about their favourite book.