Book Off!

Novelist and screenwriter David Mitchell (author not comedian) goes head to head with writer Jasper Fforde in a War Of The Words. David and Jasper discuss their latest books (Utopia Avenue and The Constant Rabbit) with host Joe Haddow, as well as talking about their writing and what they have been reading recently.

The Book Off sees Max Porter’s “Grief Is The Thing With Feathers” go up against "How To Keep Your Volkswagen Alive: A Manuel of Step-by-Step Procedures for the Compleat Idiot" by John Muir . 

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

Poet and writer Jackie Kay goes head to head with debut novelist Douglas Stuart in this episode of Book Off! They discuss the importance of understanding our history, how Glasgow fuels and inspires their work and how most writers are a little bit mad. Douglas discusses his Booker Prize shortlisted novel, Shuggie Bain, and Jackie talks about her new play, The Lamplighter as well as recommending some books they have recently read.

In the book off, they pit Quentin Crisp (The Naked Civil Servant) against Zora Neale Hurston (Their Eyes Were Watching God) - but who will win!?

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

Joe Haddow is joined by two fabulous authors, who go head to head in a War Of The Words. In this episode, international-bestselling author John Connolly talks about his latest Charlie Parker novel and academic and author Sarah Moss tells us how her latest novella was inspired by a pretty rubbish holiday.

Both authors discuss how they create sense of place in their books, tell us what they've been reading lately and pit Dorothy Wordsworth's "The Grasmere Journals" up against Irmgard Kuen's "Child Of All Nations". But which one will win?

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

For the first episode of Series 6, Joe Haddow is joined by TV presenter and writer Richard Osman and international bestselling author and screenwriter, Anthony Horowitz. They discuss their love of crime fiction, how the "Britishness" of their books is a big selling point overseas and just how much food needs to be consumed in order to be able to write a novel.

As well as discussing Moonflower Murders and The Thursday Murder Club, Richard and Anthony go head to head in the Book Off, pitching Michael Frayn against Homer. But who will win???

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

In the final episode of Series, bestselling crime authors Jeff Deaver and Scott Turow go head to head in a war of the words, pitting Graham Greene against Harper Lee in the Book Off!

They discuss their latest novels what it takes to be a writer, how they're coping in lockdown and their brief acting careers.

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

Fantasy author Joe Abercrombie goes head to head with playwright and author Barney Norris, in another classic Book Off!

Recorded in 2019 - but published during the 2020 lockdown, the two authors discuss their latest books, their love for Robin Hobb and the fact that not everyone wants to be shocked in books.

Host Joe Haddow referees the Book Off which sees George RR Martin go up against Georges Perec in a war of the words.

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

Bestselling YA and adult author, Holly Bourne, goes head to head with the fashion editor of The Times, and debut author Harriet Walker in the latest Book Off!

The two writers discuss online dating and what it means for human interaction in 2020, as well as their writing processes and latest novels, "Pretending" and The New Girl". They talk about the need for humour around trauma and the pressures on authors in lockdown.

Plus, they each pitch a book they love and think we should all read in the Book Off! This episode sees Anne Bronte's "The Tenant Of Wildfell Hall" get put up against "Three Women" by Lisa Taddeo. But which one will you want to read?

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

Joe Haddow talks to novelists Naoise Dolan and Paul Mendez about their debut books Exciting Times and Rainbow Milk.

They discuss their writing journeys, the diversity of publishing in 2020 and why it might be a good idea to read slower books in lockdown.

In the Book Off, Banana Yoshimoto's "Asleep" goes up against Brit Bennet's "The Vanishing Half"

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

Bestselling author Maggie O'Farrell (The Hand That First Held Mine, Instructions For A Heatwave) goes head to head with New York Times bestseller Tayri Jones (An American Marriage) in the Book Off!

They put "Old Filth" by Jane Gardam up against "The Street" by Ann Petry, but which one would you take home??

The authors also talk to Joe Haddow about their love of Shakespeare, the lengths they go to to research their novels and what new projects are on the horizon.

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

Bestselling crime writers Louise Candlish and Mark Edwards talk about their latest books as well as living with bad neighbours and how certain characters can inspire a whole novel.

They go head to head in the Book Off, putting Tom Wolfe's " Am Charlotte Simmons" up against Brett Easton Ellis' "American Psycho" - but who will win!?

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