Podcast: Books and Authors

Sinéad Gleeson talks to Octavia Bright about her new novel, Hagstone.

Percival Everett

Mariella Frostrup presents a special edition examining the rise of Young Adult fiction, with the help of three leading YA novelists - Malorie Blackman, Marcus Sedgwick and Gemma Malley.

Mariella Frostrup talks to Barry Humphries about his five favourite books, novelist Mohsin Hamid discusses Antonio Tabucchi and Christopher Brookmyre on what makes a good title.

Mariella Frostrup speaks to writers Peter Ackroyd and Kevin Crossley-Holland about the legend of King Arthur.
Novelist Philip Kerr talks about his new book Field Grey.
And writer Paul Bailey discusses the life, work and letters of Giuseppe Tomasi di Lamedusa, author of The Leopard

Mariella Frostrup talks to author of Brick Lane, Monica Ali, about her new novel inspired by the life of Princess Diana. Seventy years after her death, novelist and critic James Runcie assesses the legacy of Virginia Woolf. And librarians, listeners and writers defend public libraries.

Mariella Frostrup talks to Mann Booker Prize winner, DBC Pierre about his latest book, discuss Graham Greene in Africa and the Reading Clinic explores contemporary novels inspired by the classics.

Mariella Frostrup talks to American author Michael Cunningham, author of the The Hours, adapted into a film starring Nicole Kidman. Cunningham discusses his new novel, By Nightfall, which follows the story of a New York based couple.
Two novelists discuss second novel syndrome as the follow-ups to their hugely successful debuts are published.
And writer Joanna Trollope on the radio adaptation of Miss MacKenzie, her choice of Open Book Neglected Classic.

Mariella Frostrup talks to Orange prize nominated novelist Jennifer Egan about her book, A Visit From The Goon Squad. Writers Hisham Matar and Mirza Waheed examine how the experience of living in a region with ongoing political conflict translates into fiction. Children's author Anthony Horowitz and his son offer literary advice to teenage boys.

Mariella Frostrup talks to the bestselling novelist Ken Follett about his new book, Fall of Giants. It's the first in a trilogy of novels about twentieth century history, and takes in the outbreak of the First World War and the emanicpation of women. Also on the programme, Mariella is joined by the novelists Rebecca Hunt and Tim Lott to explore how depression has been portrayed in fiction. Plus, she finds out what shapes the decision to bring a book back into print, following a query on the subject from an Open Book listener.

A bonus download: an extract from Agent Zigzag, Ben Macintyre's biography of a WW2 double agent, read by Damien Lewis and abridged by Doreen Estall.

Two eras of journalism collide in Annalena McAfee's debut novel, 'The Spoiler'. Sir Max Hastings discusses how journalists have been portrayed in fiction and Emmy Award winning comedy writer Steve Hely talks about his first book 'How I Became a Famous Novelist'

A bonus download: Alan Bennett reads an extract from his diaries in Untold Stories.

Historian Amanda Foreman talks about her new book, A World on Fire which examines Britain's role in the American Civil War. Two descendants of Boris Pasternak discuss his most famous novel, Dr Zhivago and novelist Laurence Norfolk examines the second part of the memoirs of Germany's most acclaimed living author, Gunter Grass.

Broadcaster Hardeep Singh Kohli and comedian Simon Evans talk to Harriett Gilbert about their favourite books.

Mariella Frostrup speaks to Nobel laureate Nadine Gordimer about her collected short fiction; author Tom Holland discusses the legacy of I, Claudius; writers Ian McMillan, Tessa Hadley and Andrew Martin explain the enduring allure of railways in fiction.

This week Mariella Frostrup is in extended conversation with the novelist Edward St Aubyn. This programme does contain some disturbing content.

Ian Rankin talks to Mariella Frostrup about his latest crime thriller The Impossible Dead, and world famous photographer Don McCullin gives us his five of the best books

Mariella picks her personal highlights from this year's programmes; novelist Rose Tremain discusses the literary and dramatic potential bound up in sibling rivalry; and new writer Sunjeev Sahota talks about his novel Ours Are The Streets.

Rick Stein and Michael Dobbs recommend favourite books to presenter Harriett Gilbert.