The Stories That Changed My Life

"The first great Instagram novel". Impressive praise for your debut novel, right? But with critical acclaim from the likes of The Guardian, Vogue and the New Yorker, it's perhaps no surprise that Olivia Sudjic's Sympathy would gain such praise. Olivia is such an engaging, thoughtful writer - and one who really explores what fiction means today. In this episode of The Stories That Changed My Life, we take in why writing is like dating, why you should revisit books you've hated, taking Sympathy Powder and the inspiring importance of feeling 'other'.

What WOULD The Spice Girls Do? it's a question we've been pondering for quite some time - and one that writer Lauren Bravo has finally found an answer to in her brand new book, cleverly named.... What Would The Spice Girls Do! Lauren's life stories and literary stories range from the ultimate secret you NEED to know when in comes to taking trains, to the most impossibly romantic family tale. There's also feminism aplenty, a small German boy, the joys of being read to and competitive grandmas.

This week, we're speaking to prolific writer and journalist Sarra Manning - the author of September's Reading in Heels book: The Rise and Fall of Becky Sharp, a modern retelling of Vanity Fair. From tragic Russian emigres and Jack The Ripper connections to grungey 90s YA novels and every writer's bete noire rejection - Sarra is a fascinating guest and a true raconteur.