In this episode we talk to Onjali Rauf, author of The Boy at the Back of the Class, take a look at popular children's fiction from around the world, find out how to make a 15-minute short film, and discuss the unique words that Lewis Carroll gave to the English language.

In this episode we examine the tropes of gothic horror fiction, announce the winner of Vaseem’s greatest ever female pioneer competition, talk to one of the country’s top crime fiction critics, Barry Forshaw, put Bram Stoker’s Dracula on trial, and revisit one of his lesser known descendants: Count Duckula.

In this episode we talk about New Year's resolutions - common ones and weird ones, Ayisha tells us about whacky New Year's customs from around the world, we interview award-winning literary novelist Natasha Pulley, and we talk to Amit about his inability to use the phrase 'deus ex machina'

In this special Christmas episode we discuss how British Asians approach Christmas, put Christmas movies on trial, interview crime writer Dorothy Koomson, and chat about 2019's high and low points, including some of the most talked about stories of the year.

In this episode we talk to Nikesh Shukla on writing and rap battles, Vaseem introduces his next novel, Midnight at Malabar House, as well as a competition to get your name on a character in the book, Mum takes on Alex over the best Bollywood movies in recent years, and we discuss literary themes with Dorothy Koomson and Ayisha Malik.

In this episode Abir tells us about his new book Death in the East, we talk about literary classics set in Asia, including Shogun and A Suitable Boy, chat to author Luan Goldie, put Brownface on trial, and reveal the secrets to writing and pitching a new TV series.

In this episode we interview Chris Whitaker, author of small-town American noir, talk about Introverts v Extroverts, and review "Quiet: the power of introverts in a world that can't stop talking" by Susan Cain, and also take a look at how Bollywood movies are now big business in China.

Episode 7 - In this special Halloween episode we talk about the big winners at the Crime Writers Association Dagger awards, discuss weird Stephen King facts, interview literary novelist Patrick Gale, put fairytales on trial, and review some of the greatest ever horror films

In this episode we look at the link between Agatha Christie's disappearance and a hotel room in Istanbul, the fate of Edgar Allen Poe, chat to crime and contemporary romance novelist Elly Griffiths, find out about a fat bear contest in Alaska, discuss the Booker Prize, review 'A Very Expensive Poison' and talk about the influence of book blurbs.

In this episode we interview mathematician, author and TV star Bobby Seagull, find out who invented Zero, report back from the Bloody Scotland and Capital Crime festivals, discuss Scotland's national poet Robert Burns, put Roald Dahl on trial and talk about the Quickreads adult literacy programme.