Simon Mayo's Books of the Year

Pulitzer Prize winning author Elizabeth Strout joins Simon and Matt for a special Q&A episode.
They discuss her writing routine, snacks, her favourite authors and how she organises her bookshelves.
We also surprise Elizabeth with a question from a fellow author and fan - AND - find out who she'd invite to her fantasy dinner party.

Pulitzer Prize winning author, Elizabeth Strout, joins Simon and Matt for a chat about her brilliant new novel, 'The Things We Never Say'.
She talks about her writing routine, inspirations, listening to conversations, making every word count - and - why returning to characters and worlds is so enjoyable.
They also discuss writing about covid, and the joy of discovering what your book is about halfway through writing it!
Here's the blurb for Elizabeth's novel:

Artie Dam is a man with a secret. He spends his days teaching history to high schoolers, expanding their young minds, correcting their casual cruelties, and lending a kind word to those who need it most. He goes to holiday parties with his wife of three decades, makes small talk with neighbours, and, on weekends, takes his sailboat out on the beautiful Massachusetts Bay. He is, by all appearances, present and alive. But inside, Artie is plagued by feelings of isolation. He looks out at a world gone mad―at himself and the people around him―and turns a question over and over in his mind: how is it that we know so little about one another, even those closest to us?

And then, one day, Artie learns that life has been keeping a secret from him, one that threatens to upend his entire world. Once he learns it, he is forced to chart a new course, to reconsider the relationships he holds most dear―and to make peace with the mysteries at the heart of our existence.

Comedian and author Dawn French joins Simon and Matt for our Q&A episode.
We learn about her writing routine, favourite snacks, her love for Kae Tempest's writing, the people she always shares her book with first - and - who she'd invite to her fantasy dinner party.
We also surprise Dawn with a question from the poet, Donna Ashworth!
Remember you can email us anytime: booksoftheyear@yahoo.com

Comedian, actor and bestselling author Dawn French joins Simon and Matt for a natter about her new novel, 'Enough'.
She talks about her personal inspirations for the story, white crows, teenage crushes (Donny Osmond VS David Cassidy) and how she sees her book a as a film.
There are some deep and poignant moments too - where Dawn talks about her father's suicide, and her Mum's death - specifically the agency her mum had over the end of her life.
They also chat about a shared love of Barcelona, family recipes - and - Dean Friedman.
Here's a little more on Dawn's novel - 'Enough':
Etta is sixty-eight years old. Happy, healthy and an active participant in her world, she’s gathered her family together for an unforgettable weekend.
Tick.
At 5am that Saturday morning, Etta wakes her daughter, her granddaughter, her son and her daughter-in-law up to lead everyone down to the beach. To ‘Etta’s Hollow’, where a roaring fire has already been lit. Drowsy but delighted – the sun is just starting to rise for a glorious dawn – Etta’s family bask in the beauty of the moment. A memory to be cherished forever.
Tick.

Until twenty minutes later, when Etta announces to her assembled beloveds something as shocking as it is alarming. ‘I have brought you all down to the beach this morning to tell you something important. You see, the thing is, today is my last day alive.’
Boom.

Over the next twenty-four hours, Etta and her family are about to have the most surprising, affecting and life-affirming day of all their lives.

In our Q&A episode - international bestselling author Matt Haig talks about some of the books he's been enjoying recently (including 'Yesteryear' by Caro Claire Burke), the Brontes, how he orders his bookshelves and his favourite film adaptation of a book.
Simon and Matt also ask him about his mentor - and whether he takes risks as a writer.