The Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize returns for its second year and our booksellers have once again identified the most exciting new writing talent out there. We spoke with all six authors about how it feels to hand over that all-important manuscript for others to pass judgement on, discover how much autobiography feeds into their work, the kind of research it takes to create fiction, and that trickiest of questions: where does the inspiration and compulsion to write come from? Find all the books here.

The Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize returns for its second year and our booksellers have once again identified the most exciting new writing talent out there. We spoke with all six authors about how it feels to hand over that all-important manuscript for others to pass judgement on, discover how much autobiography feeds into their work, the kind of research it takes to create fiction, and that trickiest of questions: where does the inspiration and compulsion to write come from? Find all the books <a href="https://bit.ly/WDFP23" rel="noopener noreferer nofollow" target="_blank">here</a>.

Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize Shortlist 2023

Caitlin Moran

When Caitlin Moran was out promoting her series of books about women and feminism, she would often encounter the same question from audiences at the end of the event: What about Men? At a time when people can claim that men actually have it harder than women in some respects, what advice did she have for them? So she went away, spoke to male friends, did the research and came back with her thoughts. We sat down to talk about the strange ways men talk to each other, the dangers of the manosphere and what positive aspects of masculinity we should be celebrating.

When Caitlin Moran was out promoting her series of books about women and feminism, she would often encounter the same question from audiences at the end of the event: What about Men? At a time when people can claim that men actually have it harder than women in some respects, what advice did she have for them? So she went away, spoke to male friends, did the research and came back with her thoughts. We sat down to talk about the strange ways men talk to each other, the dangers of the manosphere and what positive aspects of masculinity we should be celebrating.

Lorrie Moore

Lorrie Moore has continued to delight readers with her short stories but it has been 14 years since her last novel, the Women’s Prize-shortlisted A Gate at the Stairs. Her new novel, I Am Homeless If This Is Not My Home, contains dual narratives which deal with the themes of love, loss and memory. As one of America’s most distinctive voices it’s best not to try and summarise things for a pith intro, far better to join our conversation about literary forms, the absurdity of loss and why romantic love is a tricky thing.

<a href="https://www.waterstones.com/author/lorrie-moore/536772" rel="noopener noreferer nofollow" target="_blank">Lorrie Moore</a> has continued to delight readers with her short stories but it has been 14 years since her last novel, the Women’s Prize-shortlisted <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/a-gate-at-the-stairs/lorrie-moore/9780571249466" rel="noopener noreferer nofollow" target="_blank">A Gate at the Stairs</a>. Her new novel, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/i-am-homeless-if-this-is-not-my-home/lorrie-moore/9780571273850" rel="noopener noreferer nofollow" target="_blank">I Am Homeless If This Is Not My Home</a>, contains dual narratives which deal with the themes of love, loss and memory. As one of America’s most distinctive voices it’s best not to try and summarise things for a pith intro, far better to join our conversation about literary forms, the absurdity of loss and why romantic love is a tricky thing.

Caroline O'Donoghue

Caroline O’Donoghue’s new novel for adults, The Rachel Incident, is a love story but just not the one you might be expecting from the book’s premise. Set in the post-economic crash Republic of Ireland of 2009 it sees our eponymous heroine looking for love and to be taken seriously in a world full of uncertainty. We sat down to talk about friendship, making memories and cultural touchstones.

<a href="https://www.waterstones.com/author/caroline-odonoghue/3545850" rel="noopener noreferer nofollow" target="_blank">Caroline O’Donoghue</a>’s new novel for adults, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-rachel-incident/caroline-odonoghue/9780349013558" rel="noopener noreferer nofollow" target="_blank">The Rachel Incident</a>, is a love story but just not the one you might be expecting from the book’s premise. Set in the post-economic crash Republic of Ireland of 2009 it sees our eponymous heroine looking for love and to be taken seriously in a world full of uncertainty. We sat down to talk about friendship, making memories and cultural touchstones.

Emma Cline

After her attention-grabbing debut novel, The Girls, Emma Cline has been quietly getting on with the business of writing. A story collection, Daddy, is now followed by a new novel, The Guest, another stylish display of Cline’s considerable skills that follows a young woman, drifting amongst the elite of Long Island, with the threat of everything being washed away with one wrong decision. We sat down to speak about literary influences, avoiding the obvious and portraying femininity.

After her attention-grabbing debut novel, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-girls/emma-cline/9781784701741" rel="noopener noreferer nofollow" target="_blank">The Girls</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/author/emma-cline/2745807" rel="noopener noreferer nofollow" target="_blank">Emma Cline</a> has been quietly getting on with the business of writing. A story collection, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/daddy/emma-cline/9781529112894" rel="noopener noreferer nofollow" target="_blank">Daddy</a>, is now followed by a new novel, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-guest/emma-cline/2928377161552" rel="noopener noreferer nofollow" target="_blank">The Guest</a>, another stylish display of Cline’s considerable skills that follows a young woman, drifting amongst the elite of Long Island, with the threat of everything being washed away with one wrong decision. We sat down to speak about literary influences, avoiding the obvious and portraying femininity.

David Grann

Stories of seafaring, shipwreck, mutiny and murder have long held a fascination, particularly for dwellers of this island nation and in his latest investigative piece of narrative non-fiction, David Grann has a tale that grips from first page to last. The Wager was a vessel shipwrecked in the 1740s, its crew presumed lost, until a group of survivors washed up on the coast of Brazil. Their story of survival would have been incredible enough except for a second group of survivors to appear in Chile with stories of mutiny, murder and even cannibalism. What follows is not so much a question of who is telling the truth, but of who gets to tell the story that will become the truth. A court martial of individuals but also the idea of Empire itself. We sat down to talk about the pursuit of truth, human survival and the power of stories to endure.

Stories of seafaring, shipwreck, mutiny and murder have long held a fascination, particularly for dwellers of this island nation and in his latest investigative piece of narrative non-fiction, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/author/david-grann/147473" rel="noopener noreferer nofollow" target="_blank">David Grann</a> has a tale that grips from first page to last. <a href="https://bit.ly/3MYGVgl" rel="noopener noreferer nofollow" target="_blank">The Wager</a> was a vessel shipwrecked in the 1740s, its crew presumed lost, until a group of survivors washed up on the coast of Brazil. Their story of survival would have been incredible enough except for a second group of survivors to appear in Chile with stories of mutiny, murder and even cannibalism. What follows is not so much a question of who is telling the truth, but of who gets to tell the story that will become the truth. A court martial of individuals but also the idea of Empire itself. We sat down to talk about the pursuit of truth, human survival and the power of stories to endure.

Claire Dederer

It’s an old question but one that seems to be asked with increasing frequency in the era of so-called cancel culture: can you separate the art from the artist? After Essayist and memoir-writer Claire Dederer wrote a viral article about her own response to Roman Polanski she looked further into the lives and works of other problematic figures. The result, Monsters, is a personal and entirely subjective look at creatives like Woody Allen, Miles Davis, Michael Jackson, Pablo Picasso and more, that invites the reader to really think about how they feel about the art they love that comes to be stained in some way. We sat down to talk about art monsters, creative genius, and self-indictment.

It’s an old question but one that seems to be asked with increasing frequency in the era of so-called cancel culture: can you separate the art from the artist? After Essayist and memoir-writer <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/author/claire-dederer/1016585" rel="noopener noreferer nofollow" target="_blank">Claire Dederer</a> wrote a viral article about her own response to Roman Polanski she looked further into the lives and works of other problematic figures. The result, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/monsters/claire-dederer/9781399715034" rel="noopener noreferer nofollow" target="_blank">Monsters</a>, is a personal and entirely subjective look at creatives like Woody Allen, Miles Davis, Michael Jackson, Pablo Picasso and more, that invites the reader to really think about how they feel about the art they love that comes to be stained in some way. We sat down to talk about art monsters, creative genius, and self-indictment.

Rebecca F. Kuang

There is no stopping Rebecca Kuang. With the Poppy War trilogy already under her belt and the fantastic success of Waterstones Book of the Year nominee Babel, she has reinvented herself once again this year with Yellowface, a literary thriller that satirises the very industry she’s involved in, publishing and bookselling. As someone who has worked in both of those industries myself, not to mention the world of social media for 15 years, I couldn’t wait to read this one and was even more excited to sit down and talk with Rebecca about her approach to writing, her insights from the industry, and where she might take readers next.

There is no stopping <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/author/r-f-kuang/4030771" rel="noopener noreferer nofollow" target="_blank">Rebecca Kuang</a>. With the Poppy War trilogy already under her belt and the fantastic success of Waterstones Book of the Year nominee Babel, she has reinvented herself once again this year with Yellowface, a literary thriller that satirises the very industry she’s involved in, publishing and bookselling. As someone who has worked in both of those industries myself, not to mention the world of social media for 15 years, I couldn’t wait to read this one and was even more excited to sit down and talk with Rebecca about her approach to writing, her insights from the industry, and where she might take readers next.

Caleb Azumah Nelson

Caleb Azumah Nelson made a huge impression with his debut novel Open Water, an emotionally complex novel of love that was also a celebration of black creativity. His new novel, Small Worlds, continues both of those themes, whilst also looking at notions of family, home and a connection with the authors own Ghanaian culture. We sat down for a talk about love, memory and the creative urge.

<a href="https://www.waterstones.com/author/caleb-azumah-nelson/4510022" rel="noopener noreferer nofollow" target="_blank">Caleb Azumah Nelson</a> made a huge impression with his debut novel Open Water, an emotionally complex novel of love that was also a celebration of black creativity. His new novel, Small Worlds, continues both of those themes, whilst also looking at notions of family, home and a connection with the authors own Ghanaian culture. We sat down for a talk about love, memory and the creative urge.

Han Kang

When Han Kang won the International Booker Prize in 2016 the bonus for readers was that there were more of her books ready to be translated into English. Her latest, Greek Lessons, features a woman who has stopped speaking and her professor, a man who has gradually been losing his sight in a tale of human connection and communication, translated once again by her fellow Booker-winner Deborah Smith, working this time with Emily Yae Won. I sat down with her and interpreter Mi Na Sketchley to talk about the novel’s inspiration, style and experience for the reader.

When <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/author/han-kang/1207457" rel="noopener noreferer nofollow" target="_blank">Han Kang</a> won the International Booker Prize in 2016 the bonus for readers was that there were more of her books ready to be translated into English. Her latest, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/greek-lessons/han-kang/deborah-smith/2928377160050" rel="noopener noreferer nofollow" target="_blank">Greek Lessons</a>, features a woman who has stopped speaking and her professor, a man who has gradually been losing his sight in a tale of human connection and communication, translated once again by her fellow Booker-winner Deborah Smith, working this time with Emily Yae Won. I sat down with her and interpreter Mi Na Sketchley to talk about the novel’s inspiration, style and experience for the reader.

Going beyond the book with a wide range of authors to discover the story behind the books we love.

The Waterstones Podcast

Nicci Gerrard

Eimear McBride

Meera Sodha

Memory gives us the chance to speak to three authors who all approach this theme from completely different directions. Eimear McBride takes us to a series of hotel rooms to see what memories they unearth and how they can warp and change over time. Bestselling food writer Meera Sodha shares some of her first food memories and why preserving family recipes is so important. And Nicci Gerrard shares her personal experience of her father’s dementia and why it encouraged her to write What Dementia Teaches Us About Love. Books mentioned: What Dementia Teaches Us About Love, Strange Hotel, East, Somebody I Used To Know, The Sense of an Ending, Playthings

Memory gives us the chance to speak to three authors who all approach this theme from completely different directions. <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/author/eimear-mcbride/476877" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Eimear McBride</a> takes us to a series of hotel rooms to see what memories they unearth and how they can warp and change over time. Bestselling food writer <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/author/meera-sodha/1161753" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Meera Sodha</a> shares some of her first food memories and why preserving family recipes is so important. And <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/author/nicci-gerrard/54964" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Nicci Gerrard</a> shares her personal experience of her father’s dementia and why it encouraged her to write <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/what-dementia-teaches-us-about-love/nicci-gerrard/9780141986432" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">What Dementia Teaches Us About Love</a>. Books mentioned: <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/what-dementia-teaches-us-about-love/nicci-gerrard/9780141986432" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">What Dementia Teaches Us About Love</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/strange-hotel/eimear-mcbride/9780571355143" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Strange Hotel</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/east/meera-sodha/9780241387566" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">East</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/somebody-i-used-to-know/wendy-mitchell/9781408893333" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Somebody I Used To Know</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-sense-of-an-ending/julian-barnes/9780099564973" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Sense of an Ending</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/playthings/alex-pheby/9781910296479" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Playthings</a>

17. MEMORY with Nicci Gerrard, Eimear McBride and Meera Sodha

Richard Ayoade

Debbie Harry

Jia Tolentino

Culture comes in many forms and we’ve tried to cram as much as we can into this week’s episode. Richard Ayoade takes us to the movies with his inimitable perspective on perhaps the best cabin crew dramedy ever filmed: View From the Top starring Gwyneth Paltrow. We get the chance to speak to cultural icon Debbie Harry, who shares what it was like to be in the New York of the 1970s involved in music, fashion, art and filmmaking. And essayist Jia Tolentino talks about the influence of the internet on our culture and why we should be very careful about what we give up to social media. Books mentioned: Ayoade on Top, Face It, Trick Mirror, A Field Guide To Getting Lost, The Lonely City, The Importance of Music to Girls.

Culture comes in many forms and we’ve tried to cram as much as we can into this week’s episode. <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/ayoade-on-top/richard-ayoade/9780571357932" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Richard Ayoade</a> takes us to the movies with his inimitable perspective on perhaps the best cabin crew dramedy ever filmed: View From the Top starring Gwyneth Paltrow. We get the chance to speak to cultural icon <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/face-it/debbie-harry/9780008229429" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Debbie Harry</a>, who shares what it was like to be in the New York of the 1970s involved in music, fashion, art and filmmaking. And essayist<a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/trick-mirror/jia-tolentino/9780008294922" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Jia Tolentino</a> talks about the influence of the internet on our culture and why we should be very careful about what we give up to social media. Books mentioned: <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/ayoade-on-top/richard-ayoade/9780571357932" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ayoade on Top</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/face-it/debbie-harry/9780008229429" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Face It</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/trick-mirror/jia-tolentino/9780008294922" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Trick Mirror</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/a-field-guide-to-getting-lost/rebecca-solnit/9781786890511" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">A Field Guide To Getting Lost</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-lonely-city/olivia-laing/9781782111252" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Lonely City</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-importance-of-music-to-girls/lavinia-greenlaw/9780571332274" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Importance of Music to Girls</a>.

9. CULTURE with Richard Ayoade, Debbie Harry and Jia Tolentino

Malcolm Gladwell

Sally Rooney

Arundhati Roy

Malcolm Gladwell brings fascinating anecdotes and insight to why humans are so bad at reading each other on first meeting, drawing on events that end in tragedy, wrongful conviction or compromised security. We also look at another meaning to meeting entirely: that between author and character. Sally Rooney talks about the absurdity of ascribing real psychology to figments of her imagination, people who may not exist and yet whom she feels she knows intimately. Arundhati Roy takes things even further by revealing the unique relationship she has with the characters she creates and the way in which they influence decisions about the books they inhabit. Books mentioned: Talking To Strangers, Normal People, The Ministry of Utmost Happiness, 1913, The Psychopath Test, Just Kids.

<a href="https://www.waterstones.com/author/malcolm-gladwell/43540" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Malcolm Gladwell</a> brings fascinating anecdotes and insight to why humans are so bad at reading each other on first meeting, drawing on events that end in tragedy, wrongful conviction or compromised security. We also look at another meaning to meeting entirely: that between author and character. <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/author/sally-rooney/3451106" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sally Rooney</a> talks about the absurdity of ascribing real psychology to figments of her imagination, people who may not exist and yet whom she feels she knows intimately. <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/author/arundhati-roy/54458" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Arundhati Roy</a> takes things even further by revealing the unique relationship she has with the characters she creates and the way in which they influence decisions about the books they inhabit. Books mentioned: <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/talking-to-strangers/malcolm-gladwell/9781785176814" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Talking To Strangers</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/normal-people/sally-rooney/9780571334650" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Normal People</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-ministry-of-utmost-happiness/arundhati-roy/9780241980767" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Ministry of Utmost Happiness</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/1913/florian-illies/shaun-whiteside/9781846689611" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">1913</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-psychopath-test/jon-ronson/9780330492270" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Psychopath Test</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/just-kids/patti-smith/9780747568766" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Just Kids</a>.

11. MEETINGS with Malcolm Gladwell, Sally Rooney and Arundhati Roy

Robert Macfarlane

Rebecca Solnit

Shane O'Mara

Robert Macfarlane joins us in the studio to talk about the world outside, the climate emergency and how the landscape has shaped his writing and thought over the years. With climate strikes becoming a regular feature we also speak to veteran activist and essayist, Rebecca Solnit, about whether we should be hopeful about the future of the planet. And we actually head outside with the microphone to speak to Professor Shane O’Mara about why the act of walking is far more miraculous and fundamental to being human than we may have imagined. Books mentioned: Underland, Ness, Whose Story Is This?, In Praise of Walking, Modern Nature, Haunts of the Black Masseur, The Secret Garden.

<a href="https://www.waterstones.com/author/robert-macfarlane/172313" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Robert Macfarlane</a> joins us in the studio to talk about the world outside, the climate emergency and how the landscape has shaped his writing and thought over the years. With climate strikes becoming a regular feature we also speak to veteran activist and essayist, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/author/rebecca-solnit/83633" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Rebecca Solnit</a>, about whether we should be hopeful about the future of the planet. And we actually head outside with the microphone to speak to Professor <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/author/shane-omara/2354692" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Shane O’Mara</a> about why the act of walking is far more miraculous and fundamental to being human than we may have imagined. Books mentioned: <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/underland/robert-macfarlane/9781785176203" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Underland</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/ness/robert-macfarlane/stanley-donwood/9781785177330" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ness</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/whose-story-is-this/rebecca-solnit/9781783785438" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Whose Story Is This?</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/in-praise-of-walking/shane-omara/9781847925015" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">In Praise of Walking</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/modern-nature/derek-jarman/olivia-laing/9781784873875" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Modern Nature</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/haunts-of-the-black-masseur/charles-sprawson/amy-liptrot/9780099577249" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Haunts of the Black Masseur</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-secret-garden/frances-hodgson-burnett/9780099572954" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Secret Garden</a>.

8. OUTSIDE with Robert Macfarlane, Rebecca Solnit and Shane O'Mara

Ann Patchett

Jason Reynolds

Author and bookshop owner Ann Patchett joins us to talk about why a bookshop should be at the heart of any community and why book design is more important than ever. Jason Reynolds talks about what binds communities together and gives us his perspective on black culture and its influence around the world. And we also hear from an event around Pride in London at which Zing Tsjeng and Amrou Al-Kadhi interrogate whether corporate sponsorship of events like Pride is a good or bad thing. Books mentioned: The Dutch House, Long Way Down, Look Both Ways, Unicorn, Forgotten Women, Queer Intentions, Sanctuary, Under Milk Wood, Bold Girls.

Author and bookshop owner <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/author/ann-patchett/139805" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ann Patchett</a> joins us to talk about why a bookshop should be at the heart of any community and why book design is more important than ever. <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/author/jason-reynolds/2296517" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jason Reynolds</a> talks about what binds communities together and gives us his perspective on black culture and its influence around the world. And we also hear from an event around Pride in London at which <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/author/zing-tsjeng/3564139" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Zing Tsjeng</a> and <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/unicorn/amrou-al-kadhi/9780008306069" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amrou Al-Kadhi</a> interrogate whether corporate sponsorship of events like Pride is a good or bad thing. Books mentioned: <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-dutch-house/ann-patchett/9781526618603" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Dutch House</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/long-way-down/jason-reynolds/9780571335121" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Long Way Down</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/look-both-ways/jason-reynolds/9781999642594" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Look Both Ways</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/unicorn/amrou-al-kadhi/9780008306069" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Unicorn</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/author/zing-tsjeng/3564139" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Forgotten Women</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/queer-intentions/amelia-abraham/9781509866168" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Queer Intentions</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/sanctuary/v-v-james/9781473229457" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sanctuary</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/under-milk-wood/dylan-thomas/9781780227245" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Under Milk Wood</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/bold-girls/rona-munro/9780340655276" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Bold Girls</a>.

10. COMMUNITY with Ann Patchett, Jason Reynolds, Amrou Al-Kadhi and Zing Tsjeng

Neil Gaiman

Margaret Atwood

R. J. Palacio

Books have provided the inspiration for countless films, plays, musicals, TV series, and other works of art. In Adaptation we speak to R. J. Palacio about seeing her best-seller, Wonder, transferred to the big screen. We hear from Neil Gaiman about the different ways he has adapted his own work into other forms and which he thinks have worked the best. And Margaret Atwood speaks to us about seeing The Handmaid’s Tale become a phenomenon and her own adaptation of the works of Shakespeare. Books mentioned: Wonder, The White Bird, The Ocean At The End of the Lane, Coraline, Good Omens, The Handmaid’s Tale, The Testaments, Hag-seed, This Thing of Darkness, An Astronaut’s Guide To Life On Earth, Not The End of the World

Books have provided the inspiration for countless films, plays, musicals, TV series, and other works of art. In Adaptation we speak to <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/author/r-j-palacio/281546" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">R. J. Palacio</a> about seeing her best-seller, Wonder, transferred to the big screen. We hear from <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/author/neil-gaiman/1478" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Neil Gaiman</a> about the different ways he has adapted his own work into other forms and which he thinks have worked the best. And <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/author/margaret-atwood/7637" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Margaret Atwood</a> speaks to us about seeing The Handmaid’s Tale become a phenomenon and her own adaptation of the works of Shakespeare. Books mentioned: <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/wonder/r-j-palacio/9780552565974" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Wonder</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/white-bird/r-j-palacio/9780241397244" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The White Bird</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-ocean-at-the-end-of-the-lane/neil-gaiman/9781472200341" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Ocean At The End of the Lane</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/coraline/neil-gaiman/chris-riddell/9781408841754" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Coraline</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/good-omens/neil-gaiman/terry-pratchett/9780552176729" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Good Omens</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-handmaids-tale/margaret-atwood/9780099740919" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Handmaid’s Tale</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-testaments/margaret-atwood/9781784742324" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Testaments</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/hag-seed/margaret-atwood/9780099594024" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hag-seed</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/this-thing-of-darkness/harry-thompson/9780755302819" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">This Thing of Darkness</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/an-astronauts-guide-to-life-on-earth/chris-hadfield/9781447259947" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">An Astronaut’s Guide To Life On Earth</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/not-the-end-of-the-world/kate-atkinson/9780552771054" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Not The End of the World</a>

14: ADAPTATION with R. J. Palacio, Neil Gaiman and Margaret Atwood

Naomi Ishiguro

Zadie Smith

Julia Armfield

What is it that short stories can do that novels cannot? Why does it appeal to some writers and not others? In this episode we embrace the short form and talk to three female writers keen to engage with this unique form of storytelling. Zadie Smith straddles the Atlantic to look at the differences between story culture in the US, UK and beyond. Julia Armfield invokes body horror and genre as she plays with form and liberates herself. And Naomi Ishiguro joins us in the studio to share her journey from student to published author as she launches her debut story collection. Books mentioned: Escape Routes, Grand Union, Salt Slow, Friday Black, The Light Years, Difficult Women.

What is it that short stories can do that novels cannot? Why does it appeal to some writers and not others? In this episode we embrace the short form and talk to three female writers keen to engage with this unique form of storytelling. <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/author/zadie-smith/1212978" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Zadie Smith</a> straddles the Atlantic to look at the differences between story culture in the US, UK and beyond. <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/author/julia-armfield/4034730" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Julia Armfield</a> invokes body horror and genre as she plays with form and liberates herself. And <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/author/naomi-ishiguro/4216028" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Naomi Ishiguro</a> joins us in the studio to share her journey from student to published author as she launches her debut story collection. Books mentioned: <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/escape-routes/naomi-ishiguro/9781472264855" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Escape Routes</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/grand-union/zadie-smith/9781785176043" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Grand Union</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/salt-slow/julia-armfield/9781529012569" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Salt Slow</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/friday-black/nana-kwame-adjei-brenyah/9781787476004" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Friday Black</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-light-years/elizabeth-jane-howard/9780330323154" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Light Years</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/difficult-women/roxane-gay/9781472152770" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Difficult Women</a>.

15. STORIES with Naomi Ishiguro, Zadie Smith and Julia Armfield

Rangan Chatterjee

Emily Dean

Claudia Hammond

At the start of a new year, and indeed a new decade, we’re taking the theme of Changes to allow us to talk to Dr Rangan Chatterjee about the simple ways in which we can genuinely change our health, happiness and fulfilment without having to take out a gym membership or clear the diary. We also hear from Emily Dean about how losing her sister, mother and father in the space of three years, forced a huge amount of change on her and how she coped with this bereavement. And Claudia Hammond tells us why rest is as important as sleep for human health and happiness and why reading might be the very best way to achieve it.  Books mentioned: Feel Better in 5, Everybody Died, So I Got A Dog, The Art of Rest, All Among The Barley, Queenie

At the start of a new year, and indeed a new decade, we’re taking the theme of Changes to allow us to talk to <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/books/search/term/dr+rangan+chatterjee" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dr Rangan Chatterjee</a> about the simple ways in which we can genuinely change our health, happiness and fulfilment without having to take out a gym membership or clear the diary. We also hear from <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/books/search/term/emily+dean" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Emily Dean</a> about how losing her sister, mother and father in the space of three years, forced a huge amount of change on her and how she coped with this bereavement. And <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/books/search/term/claudia+hammond" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Claudia Hammond </a>tells us why rest is as important as sleep for human health and happiness and why reading might be the very best way to achieve it.  Books mentioned: <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/feel-better-in-5/dr-rangan-chatterjee/9780241397800" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Feel Better in 5,</a> <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/everybody-died-so-i-got-a-dog/emily-dean/9781473671386" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Everybody Died, So I Got A Dog</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-art-of-rest/claudia-hammond/9781786892805" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Art of Rest</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/all-among-the-barley/melissa-harrison/9781408897973" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">All Among The Barley</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/queenie/candice-carty-williams/9781409180050" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Queenie</a>

13. CHANGES with Dr. Rangan Chatterjee, Emily Dean and Claudia Hammond

Jay Rayner

Michael Palin

Lara Williams

Beware: this episode may make you hungry. We’re joined by gourmand Jay Rayner to look back at the life experiences that shaped his taste as he searches for the ingredients for My Last Supper. Michael Palin shares his experiences of eating around the world and how food can be a great unifier of people who may not even share a language. And Lara Williams talks about subverting the idea of appetite for her stunning debut novel about female friendship. Books mentioned: My Last Supper, North Korea Journal, Supper Club, An Echo of Scandal, An Apple A Day, The Best of A. A. Gill

Beware: this episode may make you hungry. We’re joined by gourmand <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/author/jay-rayner/477063" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jay Rayner</a> to look back at the life experiences that shaped his taste as he searches for the ingredients for <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/my-last-supper/jay-rayner/9781783352104" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">My Last Supper</a>. <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/author/michael-palin/47704" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Michael Palin</a> shares his experiences of eating around the world and how food can be a great unifier of people who may not even share a language. And <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/supper-club/lara-williams/9780241350317" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Lara Williams</a> talks about subverting the idea of appetite for her stunning debut novel about female friendship. Books mentioned: <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/my-last-supper/jay-rayner/9781783352104" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">My Last Supper</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/north-korea-journal/michael-palin/9781786331908" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">North Korea Journal</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/supper-club/lara-williams/9780241350317" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Supper Club</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/an-echo-of-scandal/laura-madeleine/9781784162542" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">An Echo of Scandal</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/an-apple-a-day/emma-woolf/9781849532495" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">An Apple A Day</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-best-of-a-a-gill/adrian-gill/9781474607759" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Best of A. A. Gill</a>

12. EATING with Jay Rayner, Lara Williams and Michael Palin

Jessie Ware

Lennie Ware

A little bonus episode for you, recorded with Jessie Ware and Lennie Ware of Table Manners podcast fame when they came to launch their cookbook at Waterstones Piccadilly. What happens when you combine their passion for food with an equally greedy host and a fine selection of cheese from Paxton and Whitfield? A recipe for disaster? Far from it. Enjoy Books mentioned: Table Manners

A little bonus episode for you, recorded with <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/author/jessie-ware/4294993" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jessie Ware</a> and <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/author/lennie-ware/4294994" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Lennie Ware</a> of Table Manners podcast fame when they came to launch <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/table-manners-the-cookbook/jessie-ware/lennie-ware/9781785177453" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">their cookbook</a> at Waterstones Piccadilly. What happens when you combine their passion for food with an equally greedy host and a fine selection of cheese from Paxton and Whitfield? A recipe for disaster? Far from it. Enjoy Books mentioned: <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/table-manners-the-cookbook/jessie-ware/lennie-ware/9781785177453" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Table Manners</a>

TABLE MANNERS BONUS EPISODE with Jessie Ware & Lennie Ware

Jenny Offill

Rosamund Lupton

Julia Ebner

In these uncertain times we bring you a podcast that confronts our fears and anxieties to bring a note of hope and even some ideas about what we can do to make the world a better place afterwards. Jenny Offill speaks to us from America about the current coronavirus pandemic, and how she managed to engage with climate change, the opioid crisis and American politics in her new novel, Weather. Rosmaund Lupton shares her techniques for creating suspense in the reader in her latest real-time thriller, Three Hours. And Julia Ebner shares details of her undercover work to document online extremism in Going Dark and what happens when you come face to face with such real world danger. Books mentioned: Weather, Three Hours, Going Dark, House of Leaves, The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse

In these uncertain times we bring you a podcast that confronts our fears and anxieties to bring a note of hope and even some ideas about what we can do to make the world a better place afterwards. <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/author/jenny-offill/451817" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jenny Offill</a> speaks to us from America about the current coronavirus pandemic, and how she managed to engage with climate change, the opioid crisis and American politics in her new novel, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/weather/jenny-offill/9781783784769" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Weather</a>. <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/author/rosamund-lupton/1015102" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Rosmaund Lupton</a> shares her techniques for creating suspense in the reader in her latest real-time thriller, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/three-hours/rosamund-lupton/2928377002251" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Three Hours</a>. And <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/author/julia-ebner/3629676" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Julia Ebner</a> shares details of her undercover work to document online extremism in <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/going-dark/julia-ebner/9781526616784" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Going Dark</a> and what happens when you come face to face with such real world danger. Books mentioned: <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/weather/jenny-offill/9781783784769" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Weather</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/three-hours/rosamund-lupton/2928377002251" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Three Hours</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/going-dark/julia-ebner/9781526616784" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Going Dark</a>, <a href="9780385603102" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">House of Leaves</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-boy-the-mole-the-fox-and-the-horse/charlie-mackesy/9781529105100" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse</a>

18. FEAR, HOPE & ACTION with Jenny Offill, Rosamund Lupton and Julia Ebner

Giovanna Fletcher

Maggie O'Farrell

There is something unique about the bond of motherhood but with social media adding to the pressures already present, how do we keep our expectations realistic when it comes to being a good parent? And does history have anything to teach us about our modern approach? Maggie O’Farrell talks about bridging the gap of 400 years in her fictional portrait of Anne Hathaway and the Shakespeare family in Hamnet. And Giovanna Fletcher joins us in the studio to talk about the realities of modern motherhood; the tears and the tantrums. And that’s just the parents. Books mentioned: Letters on Motherhood, Hamnet, Motherwell, The Unit, The Republic of Motherhood. 

There is something unique about the bond of motherhood but with social media adding to the pressures already present, how do we keep our expectations realistic when it comes to being a good parent? And does history have anything to teach us about our modern approach? <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/author/maggie-ofarrell/118137" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Maggie O’Farrell</a> talks about bridging the gap of 400 years in her fictional portrait of Anne Hathaway and the Shakespeare family in Hamnet. And <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/author/giovanna-fletcher/51429" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Giovanna Fletcher</a> joins us in the studio to talk about the realities of modern motherhood; the tears and the tantrums. And that’s just the parents. Books mentioned: <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/letters-on-motherhood/giovanna-fletcher/2928377000202" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Letters on Motherhood</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/hamnet/maggie-ofarrell/9781472273468" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hamnet</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/motherwell/deborah-orr/9781474611459" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Motherwell</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-unit/ninni-holmqvist/9781780747217" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Unit</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-republic-of-motherhood/liz-berry/9781784742676" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Republic of Motherhood</a>.

16. MOTHERHOOD with Giovanna Fletcher and Maggie O'Farrell

Kiran Millwood Hargrave

Daisy Johnson

With the recent announcement that Stephanie Meyer’s retelling of the Twilight saga from Edward Cullen’s perspective (Midnight Sun) will finally be published in August there has been some ravenous excitement around the original books and perhaps even a reappraisal of their value. Should one feel guilty about enjoying them so much and indeed should one feel guilty about reading anything at all? To help answer those questions I spoke to former Waterstones Children’s Book Prize-winner Kiran Millwood Hargrave and Booker Prize-nominee Daisy Johnson. Lockdown has allowed these near-neighbours to create a bookclub amongst their friends and things have get very intense recently with the Twilight saga turning them all. Books mentioned: Twilight, Midnight Sun, The Mercies, Sisters

With the recent announcement that Stephanie Meyer’s retelling of the Twilight saga from Edward Cullen’s perspective (<a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/midnight-sun/stephenie-meyer/9780349003627" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Midnight Sun</a>) will finally be published in August there has been some ravenous excitement around the original books and perhaps even a reappraisal of their value. Should one feel guilty about enjoying them so much and indeed should one feel guilty about reading anything at all? To help answer those questions I spoke to former Waterstones Children’s Book Prize-winner <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/author/kiran-millwood-hargrave/1817529" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kiran Millwood Hargrave</a> and Booker Prize-nominee <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/author/daisy-johnson/2745808" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Daisy Johnson</a>. Lockdown has allowed these near-neighbours to create a bookclub amongst their friends and things have get very intense recently with the Twilight saga turning them all. Books mentioned: <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/twilight/stephenie-meyer/9781904233657" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Twilight</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/midnight-sun/stephenie-meyer/9780349003627" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Midnight Sun</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-mercies/kiran-millwood-hargrave/2928377000028" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Mercies</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/sisters/daisy-johnson/2928377032456" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sisters</a>

24. GUILTY PLEASURES with Kiran Millwood Hargrave and Daisy Johnson

Rutger Bregman

We have been told for centuries that humans are not much more than brutal animals with a thin veneer of civilisation on top but in his radical new history of humankind Rutger Bregman seeks to flip things on their head and ask if in fact we're pretty decent after all and if in fact our kindness has helped us to develop so far as a species. Challenging long-held views from philosophy and fiction, we spoke to him about his revolutionary perspective. Books mentioned: Humankind

We have been told for centuries that humans are not much more than brutal animals with a thin veneer of civilisation on top but in his radical new history of humankind <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/author/rutger-bregman/3445611" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Rutger Bregman</a> seeks to flip things on their head and ask if in fact we're pretty decent after all and if in fact our kindness has helped us to develop so far as a species. Challenging long-held views from philosophy and fiction, we spoke to him about his revolutionary perspective. Books mentioned: <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/humankind/rutger-bregman/2928377036188" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Humankind</a>

23. KINDNESS with Rutger Bregman

Mark O'Connell

Now, it might seem a strange time to be calling a podcast episode Apocalypse but in many ways now is the perfect time to enjoy the insights of Mark O’Connell’s odyssey into the end times. We have much to learn from those preparing for civilisational collapse in America, or millionaire bolt holes in New Zealand, the drive to take humans to Mars and an engagement with nature much closer to home. We spoke to him from his home in Ireland about the end, parenthood, and finding hope amidst the chaos. Books mentioned: Notes From An Apocalypse

Now, it might seem a strange time to be calling a podcast episode Apocalypse but in many ways now is the perfect time to enjoy the insights of <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/author/mark-oconnell/321529" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mark O’Connell</a>’s odyssey into the end times. We have much to learn from those preparing for civilisational collapse in America, or millionaire bolt holes in New Zealand, the drive to take humans to Mars and an engagement with nature much closer to home. We spoke to him from his home in Ireland about the end, parenthood, and finding hope amidst the chaos. Books mentioned: <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/notes-from-an-apocalypse/mark-oconnell/9781783784066" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Notes From An Apocalypse</a>

22. APOCALYPSE with Mark O'Connell

Sam Taylor

Walter Iuzzolino

After bringing the best of world TV to UK screens with Walter Presents, Walter Iuzzolino is now doing the same with literature in conjunction with Pushkin Press. We spoke to him from lockdown in London about why it's so important to get cultural input from around the globe and to find out more about the first book in the series with translator Sam Taylor, who speaks to us from his home in the US to help us understand more about the process of translating from one language to another. Books mentioned: The Mystery of Henri Pick, The Second Life of Inspector Canessa, HHhH, In Paris With You.

After bringing the best of world TV to UK screens with Walter Presents, Walter Iuzzolino is now doing the same with literature in conjunction with Pushkin Press. We spoke to him from lockdown in London about why it's so important to get cultural input from around the globe and to find out more about the first book in the series with translator <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/author/sam-taylor/53037" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sam Taylor</a>, who speaks to us from his home in the US to help us understand more about the process of translating from one language to another. Books mentioned: <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-mystery-of-henri-pick/david-foenkinos/sam-taylor/9781782275824" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Mystery of Henri Pick</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-second-life-of-inspector-canessa/roberto-perrone/hamish-goslow/9781782276210" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Second Life of Inspector Canessa</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/hhhh/laurent-binet/9780099555643" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">HHhH</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/in-paris-with-you/clementine-beauvais/9780571339723" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">In Paris With You</a>.

21. TRANSLATION with Walter Iuzzolino and Sam Taylor

Vivek Murthy

A book about human connection would an essential read at any time but right now it seems vital. Vivek Murthy served as Surgeon General in the US and found that loneliness was at the heart of a lot of the health issues he wanted to tackle. We spoke to him from his home in America about why human connection is so powerful for mind, body and spirit and what we can do during this period of isolation to maintain that contact. Books mentioned: Together

A book about human connection would an essential read at any time but right now it seems vital. Vivek Murthy served as Surgeon General in the US and found that loneliness was at the heart of a lot of the health issues he wanted to tackle. We spoke to him from his home in America about why human connection is so powerful for mind, body and spirit and what we can do during this period of isolation to maintain that contact. Books mentioned: <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/together/vivek-h-murthy/9781788162777" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Together</a>

20. TOGETHERNESS with Vivek Murthy

Julia Samuel

As a psychotherapist with over 30 years of experience Julia Samuel knows that change can present moments of crisis and crisis can force moments of extreme change. Her new book, This Too Shall Pass, looks at the moments of change any of us might face in our lifetime and as well as speaking to her about that, we wanted to know what lessons from her book might help us all to navigate the current crisis.  Books mentioned: This Too Shall Pass

As a psychotherapist with over 30 years of experience <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/author/julia-samuel/3377546" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Julia Samuel</a> knows that change can present moments of crisis and crisis can force moments of extreme change. Her new book, This Too Shall Pass, looks at the moments of change any of us might face in our lifetime and as well as speaking to her about that, we wanted to know what lessons from her book might help us all to navigate the current crisis.  Books mentioned: <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/this-too-shall-pass/julia-samuel/9780241348864" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">This Too Shall Pass</a>

19. COPING WITH CHANGE with Julia Samuel

Stephen Chbosky

Andrew Michael Hurley

Jeanette Winterson

You don’t start a new podcast season at this time of year without injecting some thrills and chills. Stephen Chbosky, author of The Perks of Being A Wallflower has made us wait 20 years for another novel but with Imaginary Friend he’s back with a bang. He spoke to us about where his idea for it came from and how he provokes reactions from readers. We also get to hear a genuine ghostly encounter from Jeanette Winterson who will have you checking the doors and windows before bedtime. And Andrew Michael Hurley shares his own fascinations with death and the afterlife and why we’re all a little bit obsessed with what happens next. Books mentioned: Imaginary Friend, Starve Acre, Frankissstein, Ghost Stories, Rivers of London, Thin Air.

You don’t start a new podcast season at this time of year without injecting some thrills and chills. Stephen Chbosky, author of <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-perks-of-being-a-wallflower-ya-edition/stephen-chbosky/9781471116148" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Perks of Being A Wallflower</a> has made us wait 20 years for another novel but with <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/imaginary-friend/stephen-chbosky/9781409184805" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Imaginary Friend</a> he’s back with a bang. He spoke to us about where his idea for it came from and how he provokes reactions from readers. We also get to hear a genuine ghostly encounter from Jeanette Winterson who will have you checking the doors and windows before bedtime. And Andrew Michael Hurley shares his own fascinations with death and the afterlife and why we’re all a little bit obsessed with what happens next. Books mentioned: <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/imaginary-friend/stephen-chbosky/9781409184805" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Imaginary Friend</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/starve-acre/andrew-michael-hurley/9781529387261" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Starve Acre</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/frankissstein/jeanette-winterson/9781787331402" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Frankissstein</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/ghost-stories/m-r-james/ruth-rendell/9780099560562" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ghost Stories</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/rivers-of-london/ben-aaronovitch/9780575097582" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Rivers of London</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/thin-air/michelle-paver/9781409163367" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Thin Air</a>.

7. HAUNTING with Stephen Chbosky, Andrew Michael Hurley and Jeanette Winterson

For our final episode in season one we tackle our nearest (if not dearest). Jeanette Winterson talks about how being adopted has shaped her concept of family and why the future may not look great for its traditional form. A. M. Homes, another adopted child, talks about the differences of writing about family in fiction and memoir. And to finish off we hear from Emilie Pine about her honest and frank personal essay collection and how she managed to share the intimate details of her family life. BOOKS MENTIONED: Frankissstein, This Brutal House, The Mistresses’ Daughter, May We Be Forgiven, Notes To Self, The Unmumsy Mum, Never Mind, Educated.

For our final episode in season one we tackle our nearest (if not dearest). <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/author/jeanette-winterson/41779" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jeanette Winterson</a> talks about how being adopted has shaped her concept of family and why the future may not look great for its traditional form. <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/author/a-m-homes/86707" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">A. M. Homes</a>, another adopted child, talks about the differences of writing about family in fiction and memoir. And to finish off we hear from <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/author/emilie-pine/1738543" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Emilie Pine</a> about her honest and frank personal essay collection and how she managed to share the intimate details of her family life. BOOKS MENTIONED: <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/frankissstein/jeanette-winterson/9781787331402" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Frankissstein</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/this-brutal-house/niven-govinden/9780349700700" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">This Brutal House</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-mistresss-daughter/a-m-homes/9781847080110" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Mistresses’ Daughter</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/may-we-be-forgiven/a-m-homes/9781847083234" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">May We Be Forgiven</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/notes-to-self/emilie-pine/9780241986226" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Notes To Self</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-unmumsy-mum/the-unmumsy-mum/9781784161224" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Unmumsy Mum</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/never-mind/edward-st-aubyn/9781447202936" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Never Mind</a>, <a href="https://www.waterstones.com/book/educated/tara-westover/9780099511021" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Educated</a>.

6. FAMILY with Jeanette Winterson, A. M. Homes and Emilie Pine 

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