In this special Advent Calendar mini-episode, we were joined by two veritable icons of British entertainment, Joanna Lumley and Gyles Brandreth. Both authors (and longtime friends) have published new books on the royal family, A Queen for All Seasons and Philip respectively, which attempt to shed new light on Queen Elizabeth II and her beloved late husband, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Additionally, Mr. Brandreth has published a riotous new memoir entitled Odd Boy Out. All three of these books can be purchased in exclusive signed editions on our website. We hope you enjoy another wine-infused conversation from our bustling Christmas Evening at Hatchards. Happy Christmas!

Hosted by Ryan Edgington and Matt Hennessey.

In this special Advent Calendar mini-episode, we were joined by Dominic Sandbrook to discuss his new series of Children's History books entitled "Adventures in Time." The first four books in this ongoing series covers Alexander the Great, Henry VIII and the Wives of Windsor, as well as the two World Wars. Sandbrook spoke to us about the challenges of adapting these complex, wide-ranging histories into books that would be exciting and accessible to young readers. We hope you enjoy another wine-infused conversation from our bustling Christmas Evening at Hatchards. Happy Christmas!

Hosted by Ryan Edgington and Matt Hennessey.

In this special Advent Calendar mini-episode, we were joined by Henry Eliot, author of The Penguin Modern Classics Book, a beautifully detailed history of this iconic collection of modern literature, where names like Woolf and Proust stand alongside rediscovered gems and rarities. Eliot spoke to us about assembling this era-defining companion and why it makes such an ideal Christmas present. We also got him to admit on record what books from the series he has still yet to read. Eliot's book can be purchased in an exclusive signed edition on our website. We hope you enjoy another wine-infused conversation from our bustling Christmas Evening at Hatchards. Happy Christmas!

Hosted by Ryan Edgington and Matt Hennessey.

In this special Advent Calendar mini-episode, we were joined by William Sieghart, author of the bestselling series, The Poetry Pharmacy. Sieghart spoke to us about adapting 100 poems from this collection into a new illustrated book for children entitled, Everyone Sang: A Poem for Every Feeling. The book is part of his decades-long effort to make poetry more accessible to a wider range of individuals. He explained to us how this latest work might help children to better make sense of their complex emotions surrounding the COVID-19 global pandemic. It can be purchased in an exclusive signed edition on our website. We hope you enjoy another wine-infused conversation from our bustling Christmas Evening at Hatchards. Happy Christmas!

Hosted by Ryan Edgington and Matt Hennessey.

In this special Advent Calendar mini-episode, we were joined by Clare Jackson, author of Devil Land, an epic chronicle of England during its bloody 17th century, perhaps the most turbulent time in its history. Jackson spoke to us gleefully about the negative perceptions of England held throughout the world during this period, and whether parallels could be drawn between this country in the 17th century and our current state of affairs today. Devil Land can be purchased in an exclusive signed edition on our website. We hope you enjoy another wine-infused conversation from our bustling Christmas Evening at Hatchards. Happy Christmas!

Hosted by Ryan Edgington and Matt Hennessey.

In this special Advent Calendar mini-episode, we were joined by the art historian Philip Hook, who has spent much of his career as an impressionist and modern art expert at Sotheby's. Hook has sold many of the major paintings from that period including Edvard Munch's The Scream. His new book, ART OF THE EXTREME, takes place in the years running up to the First World War, where all of the major "-isms" (i.e. Fauvism, Cubism, Expressionism) began to take shape. He examines these movements against the popular art of the day, making a powerful case for the importance of ignoring conventional thought and forging new paths forward. We hope you enjoy another wine-infused conversation from our bustling Christmas Evening at Hatchards. Happy Christmas!

Hosted by Ryan Edgington and Matt Hennessey.

In this episode, we were visited by one of Britain's greatest living novelists, William Boyd. Boyd's latest book "Trio" follows three characters on the set of a swinging sixties film set in Brighton in 1968. This zany film and its wafer-thin premise are rendered instantly obsolete by the spirit of the times. Boyd spoke to us about his retrospective feelings regarding the 60s, his career as a screenwriter, his thoughts on chasing the zeitgeist, and a little bit about James Bond! We hope you enjoy this spirited chat with a remarkable literary talent.

Hosted by Ryan Edgington and Matt Hennessey.

We were delighted to welcome icon of British comedy, John Cleese, as our guest on the inaugural Hatchards Podcast.

He discussed his recent book Creativity: A Short and Cheerful Guide – a brisk, insightful challenge to the idea that creativity is an inherent trait that cannot be learned or finessed.

Drawing on personal experience from his long and illustrious career, and peppered with anecdotes about his own (and others) creative process, the book is an unpretentious, accessible, breezily companionable primer for anybody who has ever wondered about the mysterious nature of inspiration, or how ideas are formed, shaped and turned into art of any kind. His practical, unfussy advice should give solace to anyone who has ever struggled over a blank piece of paper or wondered just how their heroes do it.

Hosted by Ryan Edgington and Matt Hennessey.