Book Off!
176 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 2 months ago - ★★★★★ - 12 ratingsA 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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Episodes
David Tennant and Christian Brassington (You've never seen Home Alone???)
February 01, 2019 10:36 - 41 minutes - 57.3 MBActors David Tennant and Christian Brassington go head to head in the Book Off, pitching George Orwell against Batman. They talk to Joe Haddow about festive films, a love of comics, new projects and finding the time to read. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Barbara Taylor Bradford and Sophie Hannah (An archive? That's just a load of tat...)
February 01, 2019 10:34 - 38 minutes - 52.8 MBBestselling authors Barbara Taylor Bradford (A Woman Of Substance) and Sophie Hannah (Kind Of Cruel) go head to head in the Book Off! Emily Bronte's classic "Wuthering Heights" goes up against "Half Broken Things" by Morag Joss, but who will be crowned the winner? The writers talk to Joe Haddow about Agatha Christie, their routines, what constitutes an archive and the joy of typewriters. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sarah Winman and Tim Winton (Writing is a young persons game)
February 01, 2019 10:28 - 46 minutes - 64.4 MBAustralian author Tim Winton (Cloud Street) goes head to head with British actress and author Sarah Winman (Tin Man). In this episode of Book Off, Richard Powers' "The Overstory" is put up against "A Prayer For Owen Meany" by John Irving, but who will win? The authors also chat to Joe Haddow about how books come to them, the importance of place and how writing gets harder as you get older. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Sarah Winman and Tim Winton (Writing is a young persons game)
February 01, 2019 10:28 - 46 minutes - 64.4 MBAustralian author Tim Winton (Cloud Street) goes head to head with British actress and author Sarah Winman (Tin Man). In this episode of Book Off, Richard Powers' "The Overstory" is put up against "A Prayer For Owen Meany" by John Irving, but who will win? The authors also chat to Joe Haddow about how books come to them, the importance of place and how writing gets harder as you get older. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sarah Perry and Patrick Gale (People love being scared, it's very close to sex!)
February 01, 2019 10:23 - 44 minutes - 60.4 MBBestselling authors Sarah Perry (The Essex Serpent) and Patrick Gale (A Place Called Winter) go Head to Head in the Book Off, with two very different novels. Edith Wharton's "The Age Of Innocence" is put up against "We That Are Young" by Preti Taneja, but which one will win? The writers also chat about ghosts, witches, reading bad reviews and their love of short stories. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Sarah Perry and Patrick Gale (People love being scared, it's very close to sex!)
February 01, 2019 10:23 - 44 minutes - 60.4 MBBestselling authors Sarah Perry (The Essex Serpent) and Patrick Gale (A Place Called Winter) go Head to Head in the Book Off, with two very different novels. Edith Wharton's "The Age Of Innocence" is put up against "We That Are Young" by Preti Taneja, but which one will win? The writers also chat about ghosts, witches, reading bad reviews and their love of short stories. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Cecelia Ahern and Murray Lachlan Young (Are we on another planet!?)
February 01, 2019 10:18 - 42 minutes - 58.9 MBInternational bestselling author Cecelia Ahern goes head to head in the Book Off with poet and broadcaster Murray Lachlan Young. In this episode, Audrey Niffenegger's "The Time Travellers Wife" goes up against "The Last Mughal" by William Dalrymple. They also discuss the bending of time, whether different versions of ourselves are living on another Earth, their favourite rap and hip-hop music and the popularity of poetry in the UK. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out infor...
Cecelia Ahern and Murray Lachlan Young (Are we on another planet!?)
February 01, 2019 10:18 - 42 minutes - 58.9 MBInternational bestselling author Cecelia Ahern goes head to head in the Book Off with poet and broadcaster Murray Lachlan Young. In this episode, Audrey Niffenegger's "The Time Travellers Wife" goes up against "The Last Mughal" by William Dalrymple. They also discuss the bending of time, whether different versions of ourselves are living on another Earth, their favourite rap and hip-hop music and the popularity of poetry in the UK. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more inform...
Adam Kay and John Cooper Clarke (This Is Going To Hurt...)
February 01, 2019 10:15 - 37 minutes - 51.8 MBComedian and author Adam Kay goes head to head in the Book Off with punk poet John Cooper Clarke. David Sedaris' "Holidays On Ice" goes up against "Dolce Vita Confidential" by Shawn Levy, but who will win? They also discuss the joys of milkmen, Italian cinema and how punk it is to not have a mobile phone. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Paddy Ashdown and Bernard Cornwell (If you don't love poetry, you should give up on life!)
February 01, 2019 10:08 - 30 minutes - 41.6 MBFormer Lib Dem Leader, Paddy Ashdown, takes on international bestselling author Bernard Cornwell in the Book Off! This episode sees John Donne take on William Shakespeare, but who will win??? Hosted by Joe Haddow, the two historians discuss secret spies in the Second World War, the unravelling of English history, how politics of the 1930s are mirroring our society today, and lots of poetry. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Matt Haig and Bryony Gordon (From mental health to running to Police Academy!)
February 01, 2019 10:07 - 49 minutes - 45.6 MBBestselling author Matt Haig and Telegraph journalist Bryony Gordon join Joe Haddow for a very interesting Book Off! In possibly the most diverse war of the words this series, Carl Sagan's "Cosmos" is put up against the Alcoholics Anonymous "Big Book" by Bill W. As well as discussing their own books, Matt and Bryony talk about their mental health, facing demons, how running really helps them and the Police Academy films! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Erin Kelly and Sabine Durrant (Taking time off of social media? You must be mad!)
February 01, 2019 10:03 - 40 minutes - 37.4 MBThriller writers Erin Kelly and Sabine Durrant go head to head in the Book Off! Barbara Vine's "No Night Is Too Long" goes up against "Hanover Square" by Patrick Hamilton - but which will have the glory? As well as a fierce competition, the authors talk about taking time off social media and how some subjects are just too horrific to write about. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Erin Kelly and Sabine Durrant (Taking time off of social media? You must be mad!)
February 01, 2019 10:03 - 40 minutes - 37.4 MBThriller writers Erin Kelly and Sabine Durrant go head to head in the Book Off! Barbara Vine's "No Night Is Too Long" goes up against "Hanover Square" by Patrick Hamilton - but which will have the glory? As well as a fierce competition, the authors talk about taking time off social media and how some subjects are just too horrific to write about. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Louise Doherty and Araminta Hall (Women are still portrayed badly in fiction!)
February 01, 2019 09:59 - 46 minutes - 42.8 MBThe bestselling author of Apple Tree Yard, Louise Doherty, joins Joe Haddow for a chat about her writing foundation and goes head to head with author Araminta Hall who discusses her latest novel, Our Kind Of Cruelty. Daphne Du Maurier's "Rebecca" goes up against 'Ghosts Of The Tsunami" by Richard Lloyd Parry in this episode, but which will win? The authors also discuss the portrayal of women in fiction, how hard it is to hit deadlines and the best places to write. Hosted on Acast. See ac...
Kate Mosse and SJ Parris (Literary prizes and jet-lag, now there's a combo!)
February 01, 2019 09:55 - 47 minutes - 43.9 MBBestselling author and co-founder of the Women's Prize For Fiction, Kate Mosse goes head to head with critic, journalist and author SJ Parris in the Book Off! Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" goes up against "The Name Of The Rose" by Umberto Eco in this episode, but which one will Joe take home? They also discuss the importance of literary prizes, their latest novels, how to plan your writing routine and jet-lag. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Kate Mosse and SJ Parris (Literary prizes and jet-lag, now there's a combo!)
February 01, 2019 09:55 - 47 minutes - 43.9 MBBestselling author and co-founder of the Women's Prize For Fiction, Kate Mosse goes head to head with critic, journalist and author SJ Parris in the Book Off! Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein" goes up against "The Name Of The Rose" by Umberto Eco in this episode, but which one will Joe take home? They also discuss the importance of literary prizes, their latest novels, how to plan your writing routine and jet-lag. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mark Billingham and David Hepworth (It's about to get very geeky!)
February 01, 2019 09:44 - 50 minutes - 46.3 MBBestselling crime writer Mark Billingham goes head to head with music journalist extraordinaire David Hepworth. As well as a hotly contested Book Off between Lyndon B Johnson and The Maltese Falcon (yep, seriously!) Joe Haddow gets geeky with both writers about music. They talk Steely Dan, Elvis Costello and The Beatles and why music genre trends only occur every forty years. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Donal Ryan and Imogen Hermes Gower (What's the point of no carb diets?)
February 01, 2019 09:37 - 40 minutes - 37.2 MBIrish writer and Man Booker Prize longlistee Donal Ryan and debut author Imogen Hermes Gower go head to head in the Book Off! John Steinbeck is pitted against Beryl Bainbridge in this episode - but who do you think should win? Imogen discusses the pressures of writing after a huge bidding war and financial deal and Donal explains how he has only really been a full-time author for 3 months of his life. All this plus no carb diets and how docks can be romantic. Hosted on Acast. See acast.c...
Jess Kidd and Simon Wore (I'm funny how? I mean funny like I'm a clown?)
February 01, 2019 09:30 - 41 minutes - 38.5 MBJess Kidd (Himself/The Hoarder) and Simon Wroe (Chop Chop/Here Comes Trouble) join Joe Haddow to talk books, writing styles and literary parties. "True Grit" by Charles Portis goes up against "Sal" by Mick Kitson...but which one will Joe take home? They also discuss what it means to be described as "humorous authors", writing on a hangover, hoarding and the art of writing young narrators. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Jess Kidd and Simon Wore (I'm funny how? I mean funny like I'm a clown?)
February 01, 2019 09:30 - 41 minutes - 38.5 MBJess Kidd (Himself/The Hoarder) and Simon Wroe (Chop Chop/Here Comes Trouble) join Joe Haddow to talk books, writing styles and literary parties. "True Grit" by Charles Portis goes up against "Sal" by Mick Kitson...but which one will Joe take home? They also discuss what it means to be described as "humorous authors", writing on a hangover, hoarding and the art of writing young narrators. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Kit de Waal and Ned Beauman (The golden age of cinema)
February 01, 2019 09:27 - 40 minutes - 37.4 MBAuthors Kit de Waal (My Name Is Leon/The Trick To Time) and Ned Beauman (Boxer, Beetle/Glow) join Joe Haddow for another Book Off! Kazuo Ishiguro's classic "The Remains Of The Day" is put up against "The Conspiracy Against The Human Race; A Contrivance Of Horror" by Thomas Ligotti. As well as going head to head in a literary fight for glory, they discuss growing up around books, previous careers...and the golden age of cinema. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Kit de Waal and Ned Beauman (The golden age of cinema)
February 01, 2019 09:27 - 40 minutes - 37.4 MBAuthors Kit de Waal (My Name Is Leon/The Trick To Time) and Ned Beauman (Boxer, Beetle/Glow) join Joe Haddow for another Book Off! Kazuo Ishiguro's classic "The Remains Of The Day" is put up against "The Conspiracy Against The Human Race; A Contrivance Of Horror" by Thomas Ligotti. As well as going head to head in a literary fight for glory, they discuss growing up around books, previous careers...and the golden age of cinema. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
John Niven and Viv Groskop (Is a school reunion ever a good idea?)
February 01, 2019 09:23 - 27 minutes - 25.4 MBBestselling author John Niven and writer, broadcaster and comedian Viv Groskop go head to head in a very competitive Book Off! "Heartburn" by Nora Ephron goes up against "Rabbit Is Rich" by John Updike in the war of the words...but which should win? As well as talking about their latest books, John and Viv also discuss school reunions and great Russian novels! Naturally. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Lionel Shriver and Tracy Chevalier (Jazz drummers can often ruin dinner!)
February 01, 2019 09:18 - 43 minutes - 40.2 MBThe bestselling authors of We Need To Talk About Kevin and Girl With The Pearl Earring, Lionel Shriver and Tracy Chevalier, bring two contemporary novels to the Book Off! to pitch against each other; 'Beautiful Animals' by Lawrence Osborne and "Preparations For The Next Life" by Atticus Lish. As well as a heated book fight, Lionel and Tracy talk "covering" Shakespeare, cycling and how jazz drummers can sometimes ruin dinner. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.
Lionel Shriver and Tracy Chevalier (Jazz drummers can often ruin dinner!)
February 01, 2019 09:18 - 43 minutes - 40.2 MBThe bestselling authors of We Need To Talk About Kevin and Girl With The Pearl Earring, Lionel Shriver and Tracy Chevalier, bring two contemporary novels to the Book Off! to pitch against each other; 'Beautiful Animals' by Lawrence Osborne and "Preparations For The Next Life" by Atticus Lish. As well as a heated book fight, Lionel and Tracy talk "covering" Shakespeare, cycling and how jazz drummers can sometimes ruin dinner. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Paula Hawkins and John Boyne (How do you follow Girl On The Train?)
February 01, 2019 09:17 - 25 minutes - 23 MBBestselling authors Paula Hawkins (The Girl On The Train) and John Boyne (The Boy In The Striped Pyjamas) go head to head in the first ever Book Off! LP Hartley's "The Go Between" goes up against "The Handmaid's Tale" by Margaret Atwood - but which will win!? And they also discuss the pressure of a second novel after the success of a debut. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.