You're Booked
188 episodes - English - Latest episode: 21 days ago - ★★★★★ - 45 ratingsWelcome to You’re Booked, the podcast for literary nosy parkers who would like the chance to snoop around their favourite authors’ bookshelves.I’m Daisy Buchanan, your Book Inspector, and I’ll be asking our guests all about the first forbidden books they read under the covers, the beloved books they have borrowed, and never given back, and those impressive heavyweight hardbacks that make them look like intellectual giants – even though they couldn’t get beyond the first twenty pages.We’ll also be talking about what makes readers into writers, how our guests became book lovers and their favourite reading memories, all with a dash of intelligence and a dollop of irreverence. Our guests include Dolly Alderton, Nina Stibbe, Nikesh Shukla, and many more favourites from our own bookshelves.
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Episodes
Jess Phillips - You're Booked
October 01, 2019 03:00 - 58 minutes - 133 MBThis week we are heading to beautiful Birmingham and visiting the home of politician, author and feminist superstar Jess Phillips! Jess is the MP for Birmingham Yardley, previously worked for Women's Aid and continues to campaign for equality and recognition on a vast array of issues. She's also the author of two books: Everywoman: One Woman’s Truth About Speaking the Truth and Truth to Power: 7 Ways to Call Time on B.S. We talked to Jess about her adoration of Sue Townsend, misleading Engli...
Richard Ayoade - You're Booked
September 23, 2019 03:00 - 1 hour - 144 MBThis week we are ensconced in the lush, historic offices of Faber and Faber (featuring framed, insulting TS Eliot memos) to talk to the comedian, director and author Richard Ayoade! Richard is globally recognised due to his roles in iconic shows such as The IT Crowd and Garth Marenghi's Darkplace, he's directed two films (Submarine and The Double) and published three books, all on the theme of film - with his latest being a deep dive into one particular rom-com entitled Ayoade on Top. We tal...
Jenny Eclair - You're Booked
September 16, 2019 03:00 - 55 minutes - 126 MBThis week we're travelling to South-East London and the lovely, award-winning home of writer, stand-up and podcast host Jenny Eclair! As well as being a legendary comedian and familiar face on our TV screens thanks to shows like Grumpy Old Women and Loose Women, Jenny is the author of many books including the novels Moving, Having a Lovely Time and, her latest, Inheritance. We talked to her about the joy of audiobooks, writing habits, sub-par city guides and comedy versus writing. BOOKS Da...
Tracy Chevalier - You're Booked
September 09, 2019 03:00 - 54 minutes - 125 MBWe're back in leafy North London to visit the lovely (if slightly damaged - as she explains) home of author Tracy Chevalier! Tracy is the enormously successful novelist behind such books as The Lady and the Unicorn, Burning Bright and, most famously, the mega-hit Girl with a Pearl Earring. We talked to Tracy about her latest book A Single Thread plus hardcore book organisation, emulating Margaret Atwood, gifts from fans and book resolutions. BOOKS Daisy Buchanan - The Sisterhood Tracy Che...
David Nicholls - You're Booked
September 02, 2019 03:00 - 1 hour - 149 MBWe're kicking off season 4 in style by visiting the beautiful North London home of the magnificent David Nicholls! As we are sure you are aware, David is massively bestselling internationally renowned author of novels such as One Day, Us and most recently Sweet Sorrow as well adapting work such as Edward St Aubyn's Patrick Melrose and Great Expectations for the screen. We spoke to David about being an understudy, Dickens, adaptation and Billy Wilder. BOOKS Daisy Buchanan - The Sisterhood ...
30. Dorothy Koomson
June 24, 2019 03:00 - 56 minutes - 130 MBThis week we're back in Brighton to meet the sensational Dorothy Koomson! Dorothy is the author of 15 books including the best-selling and award-winning My Best Friend's Girl, The Ice Cream Girls and The Brighton Mermaid. Her latest is Tell Me Your Secret, described as "totally addictive, can't put down, rollercoaster ride of a story". We talked to Dorothy about the power of Jackie Collins, the importance of editing and the influence of Judge Dredd. BOOKS Daisy Buchanan - The Sisterhood ...
29. Ayisha Malik
June 17, 2019 03:00 - 57 minutes - 132 MBWe're off to South London this week to meet and chat to the fabulous Ayisha Malik! Ayisha worked in publishing before the publication of her first smash hit novel Sofia Khan is Not Obliged, described as 'the Muslim Bridget Jones'. She then produced a sequel The Other Half of Happiness and her new book, This Green and Pleasant Land has just been released to great acclaim. We talked to her about Rochester versus Darcy, religion in writing, childhood faves and terrible author behaviour. BOOKS ...
28. Elif Shafak
June 10, 2019 03:00 - 59 minutes - 137 MBWe're back in leafy London this week and visiting the beautiful home (including glorious bookshelves with a library ladder that made us green with envy) of Elif Shafak. Elif is a celebrated and award-winning novelist and the most widely read female author in Turkey. She has published seventeen books, eleven of which are novels, including the bestselling The Bastard of Istanbul, The Forty Rules of Love, and Three Daughters of Eve. Her latest book is the critically acclaimed 10 Minutes, 38 Sec...
27. Helen Lederer
June 03, 2019 03:00 - 51 minutes - 119 MBThis week we’re travelling to leafy South London and visiting the glorious home of comedy legend Helen Lederer. Helen is probably best known as a trailblazing stand-up comedian and actress, appearing in such iconic shows as Absolutely Fabulous, Bottom, Girls on Top and Naked Video. But she is also a celebrated novelist and humour writer with her book Losing It nominated for the P. G. Wodehouse Comedy Literary prize. She also founded her own comedy prize CWIP - Comedy Women in Print. We talke...
26. Juno Dawson
May 27, 2019 04:00 - 59 minutes - 137 MBWe're down in sunny Brighton (or Hove, actually) to meet the award-winning, bestselling author, screenwriter, journalist and activist Juno Dawson! Juno is the author of 17 books including the YA works Clean and Meat Market, the non-fiction This Book is Gay and her first book aimed at adults The Gender Games. We talked to her about horror, meeting your heroes, education and the importance of Tales of the City. BOOKS Daisy Buchanan - The Sisterhood E. A. Jones - Hermits and Anchorites in En...
25. Holly Bourne
May 20, 2019 03:00 - 55 minutes - 127 MBWe're back in London town this week and in the home of the phenomenal Holly Bourne! Holly is the celebrated, award-winning YA author of such books as It Only Happens in the Movies and Are We All Lemmings and Snowflakes? Her debut adult novel was the critically acclaimed How Do You Like Me Now? We talked to Holly about getting books signed, colour co-ordination, meeting Metallica and troubling literary crushes. BOOKS: Daisy Buchanan - The Sisterhood Sonder & Tell (Edit) - Comfort Zones Ho...
24. Julie Cohen
May 13, 2019 03:00 - 58 minutes - 133 MBToday we travel to, appropriately enough, Reading to visit with the award-winning, multi-million-selling author Julie Cohen! Born in Maine (and yes, Stephen King looms large in her life) Julie cut her teeth writing Mills & Boon romances before constructing her critically acclaimed novels Dear Thing, Together and Louis and Louise. We discussed Irving, Vonnegut, New England, libraries, learning your craft, teaching and the troubles she faced with her book Together. BOOKS Daisy Buchanan - The...
23. Erin Kelly
May 06, 2019 03:00 - 59 minutes - 136 MBThis week we're visiting Erin Kelly, the critically acclaimed author adored by hundreds of thousands of readers – she’s been topping bestseller lists since the publication of her debut, The Poison Tree. Her latest novel, Stone Mothers, is an addictive story about love, lies and secrets. Erin is a reading addict and a true scholar of fiction. We talked about writing ambitions, failures that lead to success and being mentored by Ruth Rendell from beyond the grave. BOOKS Daisy Buchanan - The ...
22. Sarah Maria Griffin
April 29, 2019 03:00 - 1 hour - 145 MBThis week we're travelling to Dublin to meet the wonderful author, poet, journalist and podcaster Sarah Maria Griffin. Sarah's first book, Not Lost was an essay collection concerning a year spent in San Francisco. She then authored the critically acclaimed novels Spare and Found Parts and Other Words for Smoke. We talked to her about pilgrimages, the importance of helping others, video games and the amazing array of Irish women writers currently working. BOOK (CLICK ON TITLES FOR MORE) Dai...
21. Barbara Trapido
April 22, 2019 04:00 - 1 hour - 145 MBWe are beyond excited and honoured to bring you this conversation with one of our all-time favourite authors Barbara Trapido! Barbara is the author of seven novels including Brother of the More Famous Jack, The Travelling Hornplayer and Frankie and Stankie. All are beautifully written, gloriously funny and incredibly moving. Barbara is a true marvel and we were thrilled to travel to her home in Oxford to talk about sex, feet, work habits and future projects. BOOKS (CLICK TITLES FOR MORE) D...
BONUS: Deborah Moggach Live at the London Book Fair
April 08, 2019 04:00 - 41 minutes - 95.5 MBFor our first ever live episode, from the London Book Fair, we are delighted to present the author and screenwriter Deborah Moggach. Deborah wrote the bestsellers The Ex-Wives, Tulip Fever (made into a film of the same name), These Foolish Things (made into the film The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel) and Heartbreak Hotel. She also adapted classics such as Pride and Prejudice and Love in a Cold Climate for the screen. Deborah discussed her mum's sex manual appearance, writers that make her sick ...
20. Sinéad Gleeson
March 25, 2019 04:00 - 1 hour - 119 MBIt's our first INTERNATIONAL edition as we travel to Dublin to talk to author, journalist, poet and broadcaster Sinéad Gleeson. Sinéad is a powerhouse who has written essays and poems for a huge range of publications, edited various anthologies and hosted the Book Show on RTÉ Radio One. Her acclaimed new essay collection Constellations deals with the body in its various incarnations. We talked to Sinéad about poetry, horror, frogs and inappropriate literary crushes. BOOKS (CLICK TITLES FOR ...
19. Christina Patterson
March 18, 2019 04:00 - 1 hour - 144 MBThis week we're in a converted school in London to meet with author, journalist and broadcaster Christina Patterson. Christina's memoir The Art of Not Falling Apart is a remarkable and moving look at our emotional relationship with work and expectation. As both a book lover and a book reviewer, Christina might hold the record for You're Booked guest with the largest library. We talked to her about sex, death, poetry and Enid Blyton. BOOKS (CLICK ON THE TITLES FOR MORE) Daisy Buchanan - The...
18. Angela Clarke
March 11, 2019 07:26 - 56 minutes - 130 MBThis week we're jetting off to sun-kissed St Albans to meet crime writer, journalist, former fashionista, broadcaster, playwright, screenwriter and campaigner Angela Clarke. Angela attracted a gaggle of devoted fans with her Social Media Murder series of books. Her highly-anticipated new thriller On My Life has just been released. We talked to her about loving Marple, being haunted by Chandler, the filth in John Donne and getting gooey over Irvine Welsh. BOOKS (CLICK TITLES FOR MORE) Josep...
BONUS: Daisy Buchanan on Literary Sisters and The Sisterhood
March 07, 2019 04:00 - 7 minutes - 11.5 MBDaisy has a new book out! The Sisterhood: A Love Letter to the Women Who Have Shaped Me is out right now. As Daisy states: 'My five sisters are the only women I would ever kill for. And they are the only women I have ever wanted to kill.' It’s a tender, feisty memoir that explores family relationships, female friendship and the intimacy and clashes that occur between women, viewed through the lens of her own relationship with her five younger sisters, as they move from girlhood to adulthood....
17. Philippa Perry
March 04, 2019 04:00 - 50 minutes - 116 MBThis week we're heading to North London to meet the author, broadcaster, journalist and psychotherapist Philippa Perry. As we met in Philippa's kitchen, it seemed only fair that she baked us a delicious vegetable pie as a treat. In between furtive strokes of Kevin the cat, we talked about falling out of love with Jane Austen, holiday reading, family dramas and wrangling with a Kindle. BOOKS (Click on the titles for more) Daisy Buchanan - The Sisterhood Philippa Perry - The Book You Wish Y...
16. Hannah Beckerman
February 25, 2019 04:00 - 56 minutes - 128 MBThis week’s guest is the author, critic and journalist Hannah Beckerman, whose new novel If Only I Could Tell You has dazzled and captivated readers. Hannah is a professional book addict. She’s a critic for the Observer, the FT and the Sunday Express, as well as regularly contributing to Sara Cox’s BBC Radio 2 show. She’s a frequent judge, panel host and festival guest, and she’s spent time with Phillip Roth and Jackie Collins. BOOKS (Click on titles for more) Daisy Buchanan - The Sisterh...
15. Sarah Knight
February 18, 2019 05:00 - 49 minutes - 114 MBIn an episode with a slight difference, we meet the multi-million-book bestselling, Marie Kondo of feelings, Sarah Knight. Sarah is the celebrated author of The Life Changing Magic Of Not Giving A F**k, and changed her life by moving to the Dominican Republic. Sadly we could not afford to go to the Dominican Republic so we caught up with Sarah at Foyles bookshop in London, during her UK tour for her brilliant new book Calm The F**k Down. Sarah discusses discovering talent, her love of Dorito...
14. Sophie Kinsella
February 11, 2019 05:00 - 55 minutes - 128 MBThis week we’re in Central London – home of some of the greatest shops in the world and our guest, the multimillion selling superstar novelist Sophie Kinsella. Sophie is the author of 30 books, including novels, children’s books and her hit Shopaholic series, and she’s as prolific a reader as she is a writer. We talked about PG Wodehouse, Jilly Cooper, sex, jokes, bums and why she ended up buying four copies of Donna Tartt’s The Goldfinch… BOOKS (CLICK FOR MORE) Sophie Kinsella - Secret Dr...
13. Lauren Bravo
February 04, 2019 05:00 - 56 minutes - 129 MBWe're venturing deep into East London this week to peruse the library of journalist and author Lauren Bravo. Lauren recently released What Would The Spice Girls Do? a joyous and energetic celebration of girlhood, friendship and pop culture. A wide ranging discussion covered the use of wee in James Joyce, Colin Firth in your pencil case, upsetting Ali Smith and an extraordinarily accurate Psammead impression. BOOKS (CLICK FOR MORE) Daisy Buchanan - The Sisterhood Lauren Bravo - What Would ...
12. Charlie Connelly
January 28, 2019 05:00 - 54 minutesThis week we're travelling to sunny Deal on the Kent coast to peruse the shelving of author, travel writer, sports scribe and broadcaster Charlie Connelly. Charlie has written books on a baffling array of subjects including Elvis, walking, weather and World War I. He is perhaps best known for his glorious book about the Shipping Forecast, Attention All Shipping and he has just released a wonderful book about the magic of radio listening, Last Train To Hilversum. We talked to Charlie about cr...
11. Poorna Bell
January 21, 2019 05:00 - 57 minutes - 131 MBThis week, we head to South London to chat to the award winning journalist and author Poorna Bell. Poorna wrote about her story in her acclaimed 2017 memoir, Chase The Rainbow: One Man’s Journey With Mental Health, And The Woman Who Loved Him. She’s quick, clever, extremely funny, a must-follow on Instagram and has a sideboard worthy of envy. And as an added bonus for our beloved You're Booked listeners, you can pre-order Daisy Buchanan's new book The Sisterhood from The Margate Bookshop a...
10. Caroline O'Donoghue
January 07, 2019 05:00 - 50 minutesWe're venturing to glamorous South East London this week to peruse the shelves of author, columnist and podcaster Caroline O'Donoghue. Described as 'timely and vibrant', Caroline's acclaimed debut novel PromisingYoung Women was released in 2018. She writes a weekly column for The Irish Times and fronts two great podcasts: School for Dumb Women and Sentimental Garbage, focusing on chick-lit. We talked to her about writing sex scenes, tarot, fear and the delights of Louise Mensch. BOOKS (CLIC...
9. Andy Miller
December 31, 2018 05:00 - 1 hour - 138 MBThis week we travel to the sunny Kent coast to meet writer, reader, podcaster and Brookner fanatic Andy Miller. Andy is the author of The Year of Reading Dangerously: How Fifty Great Books Saved My Life and the co-host of the fantastic and highly informative Backlisted podcast. We were allowed VIP access to his exclusive reading shed where we discussed life-changing books, Dan Brown, Peanuts versus Proust and, of course, Anita Brookner. BOOKS Andy Miller - The Year of Reading Dangerously ...
8. Nina Stibbe
December 24, 2018 01:00 - 48 minutes - 111 MBFor our very, very special Christmas extravaganza we visit the Cornwall home of the brilliant Nina Stibbe. Nina is the celebrated author of the beloved memoir Love Nina, plus the novels Paradise Lodge and Man at the Helm. Her collection of festive stories An Almost Perfect Christmas is an ideal gift at any time of year. We talked about funny books, Harry Potter, suspect driving instructors and, of course, Adrian Mole. BOOKS (Click on the titles to find out more) Nina Stibbe - Love Nina Ni...
7. Elizabeth Day
December 17, 2018 05:00 - 48 minutes - 110 MBWe're heading, once more, to leafy, lovely North London to meet the author, journalist and podcast supremo Elizabeth Day. Elizabeth is the author of four novels and will soon release her first memoir, based on her massively successful podcast How To Fail. While snooping around her (small but perfectly formed) flat, we discussed being nosey, literary heroines, EM Forster related tattoos and learning the facts of life from The Thorn Birds. BOOKS (Click on the links for more) Elizabeth Day - ...
6. Nikesh Shukla
December 10, 2018 05:00 - 42 minutes - 96.5 MBThis week we're in a top secret London interrogation room location with Nikesh Shukla, the author, broadcaster and essayist. His third novel, The One Who Wrote Destiny was published to great acclaim this Spring. Nikesh is also the creator and editor of the bestselling essay collection The Good Immigrant. We talked to him about childhood reads, early inspirations and literary annoyances (n.b. if you're Jonathan Franzen you might not want to listen to this one). BOOKS Nikesh Shukla - The One...
5. Lucy Vine
December 03, 2018 05:00 - 38 minutes - 87.5 MBThis week, we're off to Cambridge, home of some of the greatest scientific minds - and pens - known to human existence. from Charles Darwin to Douglas Adams and this week's guest, romantic comedy writer and zombie lit lover Lucy Vine. Lucy comes from a family of writers, and she tells us about an early run in with Roald Dahl, her surprisingly scatological filing system and her belief that no-one is too grand for Dan Brown. We were also joined by a puppy posse - listen out for Ivy, Teddy and ...
4. Robyn Wilder and Stuart Heritage
November 26, 2018 05:00 - 33 minutes - 75.8 MBFor episode 4 we're heading to Ashford - the home of the Eurostar, Vic Reeves, Bob Holness and the journalistic power couple Stuart Heritage and Robyn Wilder. Stuart is the author of the brilliantly funny memoir Don't Be a Dick Pete, Robyn writes a weekly parenting column for The Pool and they both host the excellent Naughty Step podcast. We huddled around their kitchen table to discuss comedy cookbooks, Misty comics and upsetting Paul Hollywood. BOOKS Stuart Heritage - Don't Be a Dick Pet...
3. Sarra Manning
November 19, 2018 05:00 - 47 minutes - 109 MBIt's Muswell Hill for Ep 3, not far from the desks of Alan Bennett, Zadie Smith, and today’s guest Sarra Manning. Sarra is a bestselling, prolific novelist, literary editor of Red, alumni of several top teen mags and one of the most prolific readers around. She told us she got rid of 800 books before our visit, just so we could move freely around her flat. But there were tons of treasure left including a precious collection of rare Noel Streatfeilds, a copy of proto bonkbuster Lace, a gorgeo...
2. Cathy Rentzenbrink
November 12, 2018 05:00 - 46 minutesFor Episode 2, we’re off to Falmouth, Cornwall. The Wild West has been inspiring writers for 100s of years, from Du Maurier to DH Lawrence and it’s the home of our very special guest, Cathy Rentzenbrink. Many readers will be familiar with Cathy from her bestselling memoir, The Last Act Of Love and her beautiful book, A Manual For Heartache. So you might not associate Cathy with comedy – but she’s fiercely funny. Her books will make you cry, but her conversation will definitely make you laugh...
1. Dolly Alderton
November 05, 2018 05:00 - 41 minutes - 94.9 MBEpisode one takes place in leafy, literary North London, a place that has inspired many Very Important Pens – including those belonging to Virginia Woolf, JG Ballard, and that of our very first guest Dolly Alderton. Dolly, the author of Everything I Know About Love, the co-presenter of chart topping podcast The High Low and the Sunday Times columnist, is a voracious reader. Her book filled flat yielded some serious treasures, with a library featuring names fit to grace the guest list of ...
Welcome to You're Booked
October 16, 2018 09:00 - 8 minutes - 19.3 MBWelcome to You're Booked, the podcast for literary nosy parkers. Join your Book Inspector, Daisy Buchanan, as she enters the homes of your favourite authors and snoops around their bookshelves. She'll uncover forbidden reads, books borrowed and never returned, bad reading habits, those embarrassing tomes hidden at the back of the pile and formative literary experiences. Take a listen to a few choice moments from some upcoming episodes featuring Dolly Alderton, Nina Stibbe, Nikesh Shukla an...