In this episode we speak to crime author Stuart Turton about 'The Devil and the Dark Water'. Stuart's first novel, 'The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle'  played with the traditional country house mystery and his latest does the same with the brilliant detective and sidekick novel. Stuart talks the book and his writing life.

In this episode we're speaking to the writer, runner and mum, Helen Mort.

Helen’s fantastic short story Weaning, is one of 10 included in The Book of Sheffield, this year’s Big City Read.  We also hear about her new book, Never Leave the Dog Behind, a work of non-fiction all about the unbridled joy of heading to the hills with our four-legged friends.

Discover more about Helen's work at https://www.helenmort.com/

In this episode, Val Hewson from Reading Sheffield discusses the life of 'young' Walter Parsonson; Sheffield's first public librarian, and his role in the setting up of Sheffield Public Libraries, over 160 years ago.  It offers a glimpse into life in Sheffield back in Victorian times.

This is story of aspiration, self-improvement and achievement – a very Victorian story – but like a classic narrative of the period, it has a sad ending.

Discover more about Reading Sheffield on their website - https://www.readingsheffield.co.uk/

Our guest in this episode is the author Naomi Frisby.  Naomi's short story The Time is Now features in the The Book of Sheffield – the Big City Read for 2020 and part of the ongoing Sheffield Year of Reading.

Naomi’s story blends music and emotion with magic and a strong sense of place.  At the core, it’s a love story, a love story about Sheffield and its music and making, it’s people and it’s places.  

Since the story is so rich in musical references, we've included some short sections of music in the recording.  Due to licencing restrictions, they’re brief, and you will only hear them if you’re listening through our Libraries podcast webpage or using the the Anchor podcast app.

To listen to the playlist produced by Naomi to accompany her story Spotify page, or YouTube Music page.

To discover more about the Book of Sheffield City Read, including how to get your free copy, and details of related events, visit http://shefflibraries.blogspot.com/p/the-book-of-sheffield-big-city-read-2020.html

In this episode, our guest is the natural navigator Tristan Gooley.  Tristan is the author of several books including the The Walkers guide to Outdoor Clues and Signs, How to read water, and How to Connect with Nature.

This interview was recorded during a live Q&A with an online audience. We’ve edited the recording for the podcast and hope you enjoy it. 

To learn more about Tristan’s work, visit his website at www.naturalnavigator.com

Our guest in this episode is the freelance writer and editor Catherine Taylor.  Catherine writes for the Guardian, New statesman and various other publications. She is also the editor of The Book of Sheffield – the Big City Read for 2020 and part of the ongoing Sheffield Year of Reading.

In this episode, Catherine shares her personal perspective on our ever changing city and offers some insight into the process of making the book a reality.

To discover more about the Book of Sheffield City Read, including how to get your free copy, and details of related events, visit http://shefflibraries.blogspot.com/p/the-book-of-sheffield-big-city-read-2020.html

In conversation, library assistants Claire and Alexis share with you our Big City Read 2020 - The Book of Sheffield.

Sheffield prides itself on being a sporting city.  It’s produced world class sportsmen and women who have biked, boxed and run at the very highest level.  It’s also a footballing city and in this episode, we talk to Football historian Martin Westby.  Martin’s book, A History of Sheffield Football 1857 – 1889, explores the beginnings of the beautiful game and the truly massive contribution that our city made to the development of the world’s most popular sport.

During the recent lock-down, many of us have had the time to slow down.  People have spent more time in their gardens and many have enjoyed ditching the gym and instead taking exercise in their local green space.

Our guest in this episode is the nature writer Simon Barnes and we discuss his book, Rewild yourself: 23 spellbinding ways to make nature more visible.  It’s a guide to how to enjoy that precious time outdoors by opening our senses, connecting with with nature, and ultimately having a richer experience for it.

For more information about Simon and his writing, visit https://www.simonbarnesauthor.co.uk/