Prolific author Alexander McCall Smith joins Nihal Arthanayake to share tales from behind his impressive body of work.

In this episode, the ever-curious Alexander McCall Smith tells of his affection for Botswana, and its important role as the backdrop to his much-loved series, The No 1 Ladies Detective Agency, gives due respect to the surprises of an author’s subconscious mind, and waxes lyrical about the Celtic art that inspired the story behind one of the fascinating objects he’s brought with him. #PenguinPodcast

The No 1 Ladies Detective Agency is available on audiobook here: https://www.audiobooks.co.uk/audiobook/no-1-ladies-detective-agency-bbc-radio-casebook-vol-1-eight-bbc-radio-4-full-cast-dramatisations/324032

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To celebrate this year’s upcoming Booker Prize nominations, we've delved back into the archives and cherry-picked highlights from eight very special interviews. Hear about the inspirations, frustrations, and secrets behind the winners of the most prestigious prize in literature.

What’s in a name? What is the worst question you can ask an author? Who has a squirrel skull hidden under their bed? All these questions are answered, alongside discussions of African Temporality, the importance of mischief and protest on social media. #PenguinPodcast

Original interviews, from the archives:

• Bernardine Evaristo with Nihal Arthanayake: https://apple.co/2VcpL6B
• Anne Enright with Nihal Arthanayake: https://apple.co/2SNVs5c
• Salman Rushdie with David Olusoga: https://apple.co/3ytvy68
• Howard Jacobson with Nihal Arthanayake: https://apple.co/3Auas9s
• Ian McEwan with Katy Brand: https://apple.co/3hjyJYf
• Marlon James with Nihal Arthanayake: https://apple.co/2SNTZvK
• Pat Barker with Katy Brand: https://apple.co/3AvTmYM
• Arundhati Roy with Kirsty Lang: https://apple.co/3AwU5Jh  

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“There’s a way in which memory can press up against the present”: this week, American author Avni Doshi talks to Nihal Arthanayake about her wildly successful debut novel, ’Burnt Sugar’, which was shortlisted for the 2020 Booker Prize.

In this episode, Avni and Nihal discuss the problematic deification of motherhood in South Asian communities, using humour to explore dark subject matter, and using her nomadic experiences to develop her writing style. #PenguinPodcast

'Burnt Sugar' is available to buy as an audiobook now - https://apple.co/3gyj7jg

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Labour MP, podcast host and now author Ed Miliband talks to Nihal Arthanayake about his debut book, ‘Go Big: How To Fix Our World’. 

Using a scene from ’The West Wing’ and a Robert Kennedy speech as jump off points, Ed and Nihal meditate on Ed's time as Leader of the Opposition, reconciling a partisan political climate, and being an idealist in a world of pragmatists. #PenguinPodcast

Robert Kennedy’s Day of Affirmation speech can be found here - https://bit.ly/2T7Gff9

The ‘Let Bartlet be Bartlet’ episode of ’The West Wing’ can be found here - https://bit.ly/3zdUQGi

’Go Big: How To Fix Our World’ is available to buy as an audiobook now - https://apple.co/3w60AQB 

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Tune in to an exclusive conversation between President Barack Obama and England and Manchester United footballer Marcus Rashford as they meet for the first time.

In this special bonus episode of the #PenguinPodcast, moderated by June Sarpong, Barack Obama and Marcus Rashford discuss the power that young people have to make change, the positive impact that reading can have and the importance of giving back to your local community.

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Bestselling author Taylor Jenkins Reid talks to Nihal Arthanayake about her latest book, ’Malibu Rising’. 

Much of Taylor’s fiction focuses on the world of celebrity and fame - she talks to Nihal about why a cultural fascination with celebrities exists, the insidious, seductive nature of fame, and how the accessibility of stars today has changed fame forever. They also discuss her writing process (which involves a lot of iced tea!) and the joys of immersing yourself in another time period. #PenguinPodcast  

The audiobook version of ‘Malibu Rising’ is available to pre-order now - https://adbl.co/3oO6F19. 

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Author, social historian and broadcaster Emma Dabiri talks to Nihal Arthanayake about her latest book, 'What White People Can Do Next: From Allyship to Coalition’.

Emma picks objects, including a bookshelf and an incense holder, which instigate a fascinating conversation about the changing landscape of online activism, the books she continues to return to for inspiration, and the importance of interrogating our current world order. #PenguinPodcast

'What White People Can Do Next: From Allyship to Coalition’ is available to buy as an audiobook now - https://apple.co/33yV7Fy

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Literary power couple Zadie Smith and Nick Laird chat to Nihal Arthanayake about their collaborative project, ‘Weirdo’, a children’s book about the quiet power of being different, featuring exquisite illustrations from Magenta Fox. 

In this episode, Zadie and Nick discuss the joy of removing words from their work, the virtues of rawness in writing, and the inspiration they take from the internal life of their aging pug, Maud. #PenguinPodcast  

‘Weirdo’ is available to buy as an audiobook now - https://apple.co/3eC4wkr 

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Ghanaian-American novelist Yaa Gyasi talks to Nihal Arthanayake about her second novel, ’Transcendent Kingdom’. 

Using objects like a photo of a mouse and a SZA song, the author of the award-winning ‘Homegoing’ chats to Nihal about her Ghanaian heritage, liking your own characters, and discussing mental illness in African cultures. #PenguinPodcast

’Transcendent Kingdom’ is available to buy as an audiobook now - https://apple.co/3e0h7Oa

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Author and ex-publicity director Ashley Audrain talks to Nihal Arthanayake about her wildly successful debut novel, ’The Push’. 

Using objects like a popular Canadian children’s book and a Brandi Carlile song, Ashley chats to Nihal about the contradictions of motherhood, the catharsis of exploring our deepest fears on a page, and how parenting and writing co-exist. #PenguinPodcast

’The Push’ is available to buy as an audiobook now - https://apple.co/2QFIHIv

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.