Simon Mayo's Books of the Year

Heather's debut novel The Tattooist Of Auschwitz has become an international best seller. Based on the recollections of Lale Sokolov, who confided his life story to Heather back in 2003 - this is a love story in the most brutal of settings Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Simon and Matt chat to the best selling author of The Tattooist of Auschwitz about her reading habits. Heather Morris' debut novel, at the age of 65, is an incredible piece of work based on her interviews with Lale Sokolov - about his experiences in the Holocaust, and the love of his life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In our children's special, Chris Riddell talks about Beedle The Bard which he has illustrated for JK Rowling - one of 7 books he has out at the moment. In 2015 he was appointed the UK Children's Laureate. Radio presenter Dermot O'Leary talks about the second outing for his blind ninja cat Toto - in The Incredible Cheese Heist. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dermot O'Leary & Chris Riddell talk about their reading habits, loves and recommendations. Plus your letters and tweets. (If you corresponded with us.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Take That frontman opens up about his life, his eating disorder, his songwriting and the stress of being an X Factor judge. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gary will help you fall asleep. Full interview in the next show. If you are awake in time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Graham Norton pops in to catch some germs from Simon and Matt - and to talk about his latest novel A Keeper. Graham is one of the UK's best loved broadcasters. He presents The Graham Norton Show on BBC1, has a weekly show on BBC Radio 2, and writes a column for the Telegraph. He is the winner of eight BAFTA awards. Born in Dublin and raised in West Cork, Norton now lives in London.  His debut novel HOLDING was a commercial and critical success, winning Norton the Irish Independent Popular Fiction award at the Bord Gáis Irish Book Awards in 2016. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Enid Blyton, Richmal Crompton, Anne Griffin, Mary Lawson and more Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

(The failing...) New York Times Bestseller Ben MacIntyre pops in to chat at length about his latest effort The Spy and The Traitor. If anyone could be considered a Russian counterpart to the infamous British double-agent Kim Philby, it was Oleg Gordievsky. He took his first posting for Russian intelligence in 1968 and eventually became the Soviet Union’s top man in London, but from 1973 on he was secretly working for MI6. “The best true spy story I have ever read.”—JOHN LE CARRÉ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a (sort of) music special, journalist and broadcaster Mark Kermode and former Home Secretary Alan Johnson talk us through their new memoirs - which focus on their fledgling music careers, stolen instruments and failed bands. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.