Book Off!

Book Off is back! And for the first episode of Series 13, we welcome bestselling authors Mark Haddon and Clare Chambers to the pod.

They chat to Joe Haddow about their new books and what they have been reading and enjoying recently.

'Dogs and Monsters' is Mark's latest collection of short stories, where he weaves together Ancient Greek fables with more dystopian narratives. In each of the eight stories, Mark explores what it means to be human.

Clare's new novel is 'Shy Creatures' - set in South London in 1964, it follows an art therapist in a psychiatric hospital who decides to unravel the story of an immensely talented mute patient.

We get some fabulous book recommendations from each of author, as well as an insight into the ups and downs of publishing and how a little luck can go a long long way!

Mark talks openly about his long Covid and how it has given him brain fog, which not only effects his writing but also his reading. He is now a big gan of short books and short chapters.

THIS WEEK' BOOK OFF

'The Employees: A Workplace Novel Of The 22nd Century' by Olga Ravn

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'Lonesome Dove' by Larry McMurty

We hope you enjoy this episode - and the whole of the new series! Please like, comment and follow so you never miss an episode (and so we can help spread the word!)

More on our guests:

Mark Haddon's bestselling novel, The Curious Incident Of The Dog In The Night-Time, was published in 2003 and won seventeen literary prizes. In 2012, a stage adaptation by the National Theatre, went on to win seven Olivier Awards and a Tony! His other literary work includes poetry and short stories, and his most recent novel – ‘The Porpoise’ – was published in 2019. 

Clare Chambers the author of nine novels – the first of which was published in 1992. In 2022, her novel ‘Small Pleasures’ became a word-of-mouth hit on publication, was longlisted for the Women’s Prize For Fiction - and won ‘Pageturner of the Year’ at the British Book Awards.

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Journalists and authors Sophie Elmhirst and Susan Smillie go head to head in a war of the words.

In this nautical themed episode, they discuss their new books (Maurice & Marylin and The Half Bird), the joy (and dangers) of the sea, sailing and leaving work behind and exploring the world. They also share with us some brilliant book recommendations.

Warning - this episode might make you want to quit your job!

THE BOOK OFF

'The Bounty' by Caroline Alexander

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'Offshore' by Penelope Fitzgerald

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Bestselling authors Freya North and Matt Cain go head to head in a War of the Words!

They chat to Joe Haddow about their new novels ('The Unfinished Business of Eadie Browne' and 'One Love') which are possibly each author's most personal book to date.

Both writers share a love of Manchester, a city they both lived in and that means a lot to them - it also features in both of these novels, as does friendship and the importance of these relationships.

As well as discussing their own work, Matt and Freya give us some brilliant book recommendations too. Unbelievably, Marian Keyes gets ANOTHER mention on the pod. Does an episode of Book Off go by where she doesn't?

THE BOOK OFF

'Lottery' by Patricia Wood

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'The Song Of Achilles' by Madeline Miller

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What do you get when you put three children's authors on a podcast? (well, it turns out you get a lovely conversation!)

Join Justin Somper and Cat Doyle as they discuss their new pirate books for kids and go head to head in a War of the Words.

They also share some great book recommendations with us and tell us about their writing processes.

THE BOOK OFF

'Impossible Creatures' by Katherine Rundell

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'Cloud Street' by Tim Winton

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Poet and author, Andrew McMillan, goes head to head with author and screenwriter Nathan Newman in a War of the Words!

They chat to Joe Haddow about their new novels ('Pity' and 'How To Leave The House'), chosen family, working class towns, comedy from tragedy and, Margaret Thatcher (yes, really).

Nathan and Andrew also recommend some authors and books they have been reading and enjoying recently.

THE BOOK OFF

'A Visit From The Goon Squad' by Jennifer Egan

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'The Man Who Fell In Love With The Moon' by Tom Spanbauer

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Bestselling authors Percival Everett and Andrew O'Hagan go head to head in a War of the Words, and discuss their brilliant new novels.

Percival's latest novel 'James' is a re-imagining of Mark Twain's 'Huckleberry Finn', but set in 1861, whilst Andrew's latest work is a contemporary tale of class, money, greed and doing the right thing.

They discuss how characters form for them, why writing is torture and share some of the books they have been reading and enjoying recently.

THE BOOK OFF

'The Strange Case Of Dr Jekyll And Mr Hyde' by Robert Louis Stevenson

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'The Life And Opinions Of Tristram Shandy' by Laurence Sterne

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QI Elf, podcaster and author, Andrew Hunter Murray, goes head to head in a war of the words with comedian and writer Jonny Sweet.

They discuss their new novels ('A Beginners Guide To Breaking And Entering' and 'The Kellerby Code'), their writing habits, inspirations and how to hide a socially conscious message in a page-turning thriller.

We also get some fab book recommendations from them and natter about one of Hitchcock's slightly lesser known films, 'Rope'.

THE BOOK OFF

'Hangover Square' by Patrick Hamilton

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'The Franchise Affair' by Josephine Tey

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Superstar authors Kiley Reid and Caroline O'Donoghue go head to head in a war of the words.

They chat to Joe Haddow about their latest novels ('Come And Get It' and 'The Rachel Incident'), society's obsession with money, 'the campus novel' and why writing less is sometimes more.

We go look back at the financial crash of 2008 and what it meant for a certain generation of artists and compare it to now, and what the next generation of writers and creatives are facing.

Kiley and Caroline also recommend us some books they have been reading and enjoying recently, and of course there's the Book Off!

BOOK OFF

'Disgrace' by J.M. Coetze

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'Piranesi' by Susanna Clarke

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Book Off is back! Welcome to Series 12. And to kick us off, we welcome Jennie Godfrey and Susan Fletcher to the studio to talk about their books and writing, and get some recommendations too.

Jennie's debut novel, The List Of Suspicious Things, has been published to great acclaim whilst Susan's new novel, The Night In Question, is hotly anticipated - and coming out in just a few weeks.

We discuss Yorkshire, adventure, writing older characters, friendships in fiction and a lot lot more.

It also turns out, Susan and Jennie (and Joe) are huuuuge Marian Keyes fans, so there's a little bit of fan girling...please forgive us.

THE BOOK OFF

'Rachel's Holiday' by Marian Keyes

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'The Poisonwood Bible' by Barbara Kingsolver

But who will win?

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It's a children's book special this week!

Former Children's Laureate, Cressida Cowell, goes head to head with broadcaster and author Dermot O'Leary.

They chat about their latest novels, their passion for getting books into children's hands, a love of history - and - world building!

THE BOOK OFF

'The Power Of The Dog' by Don Winslow

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'The Joy Luck Club' by Amy Tan

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