Debut novelists, Roisin O'Donnell and Chris McQueer, go head to head in a war of the words. They discuss their latest books ("Nesting" and "Hermit"), their writing inspirations, the power of short stories and the rise of toxic masculinity. Whilst Andrew Tate doesn't in any way dominate this conversation (nor should he dominate any conversation), the authors discuss how young boys and men are being radicalised through dangerous people on social media and what, if anything, can be done about it. Both books also look at the theme of coercive control, which again is something else that is on the rise. They also recommend us some brilliant books - and have a bit of a love-off about Wendy Erskine. THE BOOK OFF 'Threats' by Amelia GrayVS'Demon Copperhead' by Barbara Kingsolver Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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46:54
Ben Okri and Colum McCann
Sir Ben Okri and Colum McCann join Joe Haddow for a war of the words... This is Ben's second appearance on Book Off! (The first author to ever appear on the pod twice)Let's see if he's learnt anything from the last time!He chats about his woozy new novella - "Madame Sosostris And The Festival For The Broken-Hearted' - and the poem that inspired it. We also learn he has read 'War & Peace' FOUR times! And so we get a full Ben Okri style review... Colum's new novel - 'Twist' - is a darkly epic tale of connection, disconnection and destruction. He chats about his research on ships in South Africa and his fascination with what's under the sea - deep down.The writers also discuss the importance of artists and books in this turbulent time, and recommend us some brilliant novels too. THE BOOK OFF"Le Grand Meaulnes" by Alain Fournier VS"When The Bulbul Stopped Singing" by Raja Shehadeh Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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58:02
Nicci French
Bestselling thriller writer(s) Nicci French go head to head in a war of the words, expertly refereed by Joe Haddow.Nicci French is the pen name for husband and wife writing team, Nicci Gerrard and Sean French, and this is our first official Book Off couple! Sean and Nicci discuss their latest novel, The Last Days Of Kira Mullan, and dig into some of the themes which inspired this story. Here's the blurb:Nancy North and her boyfriend Felix are making the move across London to Harlesden. A new flat, a new area, a new start. Because while Nancy is fine now, she wasn’t fine before. But settling into the new flat and meeting the new neighbours isn’t helped by Felix’s hovering concern. She is all right. She is sticking to her breathing exercises and doctor-prescribed help. So, when their new neighbour Kira Mullan is found dead by suicide, Felix is understandably worried about Nancy’s frame of mind. But Nancy saw Kira the day before she died and she didn’t strike her as someone who was suicidal – she was upset and angry, yes, but was she upset and angry enough to take her own life? Nancy is the only one convinced that there’s more to Kira’s death than has been discovered. But all the police and the neighbours see is a vulnerable woman who isn’t sure of what she saw, and might even be imagining things . . . Nicci and Sean also give us some brilliant book recommendations - SO MANY recommendations - which include the audiobook of Samuel Pepys' diaries. As former journalists, they're both pretty competitive, but we don't think the Book Off will be the end of the marriage... (?) THE BOOK OFF 'Presumed Innocent' by Scott Turow VS'The Feast' by Margaret Kennedy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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59:47
Emma Healey and Fiona Scarlett
On the first episode of Series 14, we welcome bestselling authors Emma Healey and Fiona Scarlett to the studio.They chat about their new novels, give us some great book recommendations - and go head to head in a war of the words! (aka The Book Off)Emma Healey's new novel - Sweat - is a maze-like game of revenge. It blends wellness culture with a slow-burn feminist thriller - and is eery and unsettling and brilliant.We look at what it means to hold the power in a relationship, what happens when power shifts - and - we talk about the gaze. The male gaze. Female gaze. And how looks can be both innocent and evil. Fiona Scarlett's latest novel - May All Your Skies Be Blue - is beautiful and devastating and raw, and has an unforgettable cast of characters. We have a bit of a nostalgia trip, remembering gigs in the 90s, life without mobile phones and how fun it was to use the local phonebox! And we talk about the power of friendships, on the page and in life in general. Both guests are huge readers, and like to read very widely. Fiona likes to read a poem or play before she goes to bed - and recommended these: Marina Carr - "Audrey Or Sorrow"Bernard O'Donoghue - "The Day I Outlived My Father" Emily Bronte - "Wuthering Heights" (re-read) Emma has been enjoying some non-fiction recently, and recommended:A. J. A Symons - "The Quest For Corvo"Stephen Scheding - "A Small Unsigned Painting" And has also been devouring this novel:John Lanchester - "The Debt To Pleasure"THE BOOK OFF Martin Waddell - "Can't You Sleep Little Bear" (illustrated by Barbara Firth) VS Helen Garner - "Joe Cinque's Consolation"(*We recorded this late in 2024 - so there may be a couple of out of date references) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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51:12
James Kaplan and Paul Alexander
Two great music writers - James Kaplan and Paul Alexander - join Joe for a War of the Words. Joe gets excited and takes a deep dive into both of their brilliant books, which are both about America in the 40s and 50s, both about the jazz music scene, but follow very different subjects. 'Three Shades Of Blue' by James Kaplan is biography of Miles Davis, John Coltrane and Bill Evans - and how those three extraordinary musicians made one of the greatest jazz albums of all time: Kind Of Blue. 'Bitter Crop' by Paul Alexander is a biography of the great Billie Holiday, but told through the last year of her life - 1959 - which coincidently is when Kind Of Blue came out. Both books are brimming with great stories and accounts from the time - they are meticulously researched - snd Joe asks both authors how immersed they get in their subjects when writing. They also give us some brilliant book recommendations as well! THE BOOK OFF 'In Cold Blood' by Truman Capote VS'Last Train To Memphis' by Peter Guralnick We hope you enjoy the chat - which we've kept a little long - which may well inspire you to put on some jazz after listening!? :-)Oooooh and get this!For a limited time, you can get £100 off off any HD light and free UK delivery. Just visit seriousreaders.com/bookoff to claim your discount! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
A fun, upbeat, accessible show about brilliant books, writing and culture. Each episode sees two authors go head to head in a war of the words, championing a book they love and think we should all read...but only one can win.This book podcast features an incredible array of authors from across the globe and some amazing, and sometimes unexpected, book recommendations. #books #bookpodcast #authors #writers #booklovers #writing #literature #bookrecommendations #bookworms Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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