Book Off!

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 how a graveyard helped her name lots of her characters. The novel is a gripping and ambitious story, told through five different perspectives, and explores science, nature, religion, enlightenment and the role of women in society.

They also discuss their book buying habits, how cities can be just as inspirational as the countryside and the lure of Orkney - and in particular, Twatt.

In the Book Off, they pit George Mackay Brown's short story collection, "Hawkfall", against Charlotte Bronte's "Villette" - but which one will win???

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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?

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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 reading and enjoying recently - and pitch us a book that they both love in the Book Off.

In this episode, we see J.R.R. Tolkien's "Lord Of The Rings" go up against "A Manual For Cleaning Women" by Lucia Berlin...but which one will win???

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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. 

The two authors also both recommend some books they have read and enjoyed recently, including David Diop's International Booker Prize winning novel, "At Night All Blood Is Black" 

In the Book Off, V.S. Naipaul's classic "A House For Mister Biswas" goes up against YA novel "Feed" by MT Anderson, but which one will win!?? 

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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!???

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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????

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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 Calligarich's "Last Summer In The City" - but which one will win?

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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 Addie LaRue" by V.E. Schwab goes up against "National Velvet" by Enid Bagnold, but which one will win?

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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 recommendations as well.

In the Book Off, Casey greedily pitches TWO books - "Not All Diamonds And Rose" by Dave Quinn and "Mike Nicholls: A Life" by Mark Harris - which go up against "Welcome To Biscuitland" by Jess Thorn...but which one will win!???

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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???

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