Meet the Writers
Georgina Godwin in conversation with top authors. Explore their inspirations, writing processes, and the stories behind their books.
Latest Episodes
Monocle Reads: Derek Owusu
Georgina Godwin speaks to writer, poet and podcaster Derek Owusu about his debut novel ‘That Reminds Me’, which won him the 2020 Desmond Elliott Prize. The first book to be released on Stormzy’s Merky Books imprint, it explores addiction, identity and belonging through the fragments of one young man’s memory.
Vincent Brown
Vincent Brown is a professor of African and African-American studies and director of the History Design Studio at Harvard. His fascinating new book, ‘Tacky’s Revolt’, looks at slavery in a completely different light, placing the Jamaican revolts of 1760 firmly within the broader history of the time.
Monocle Reads: Laura Mucha
Georgina Godwin speaks to award-winning poet and writer Laura Mucha about her latest book, ‘We Need to Talk About Love’. With personal stories from hundreds of people across different ages and nationalities, it analyses how we think, feel and behave about love.
Capricia Penavic Marshall
Capricia Marshall was Chief of Protocol of the US under Barack Obama. In her new book, ‘Protocol: Why Diplomacy Matters and How to Make It Work for You’, she gives us an insight into the backstage workings of the White House, a snapshot of her friendships with the Clintons and…
Monocle Reads: Anneka Harry
Georgina Godwin speaks to writer, performer and self-proclaimed “comedy hustler” Anneka Harry. Her new book, ‘Gender Rebels: 50 Influential Cross Dressers, Impersonators, Name-Changers and Game-Changers’, celebrates some unsung heroes of history.
Paul Mendez
Paul Mendez’s debut novel, ‘Rainbow Milk’, is a coming-of-age tale like no other, mapping the journey of a young black man with a Jehovah’s Witness upbringing who makes a fresh start in London. Semi-autobiographical and covering a range of important contemporary themes, he discussed the book and more with Georgina…
Monocle Reads: John Sutherland
Georgina Godwin speaks to former police officer John Sutherland. He is the author of bestseller ‘Blue: A Memoir – Keeping the Peace and Falling to Pieces’, which details his struggles with mental health during his 25 years in the Met police. His latest book ‘Crossing the Line: Lessons From a…
Witold Szabłowski
What do dictators have in common? Apparently, however bloody their regime, in the end they just want to eat food that reminds them of their mothers. Award-winning Polish journalist Witold Szablowski went to meet the chefs who cooked for some of the world’s worst tyrants. He tells Georgina Godwin all…
Monocle Reads: Charles Dickens: My Life
This week we meet Charles Dickens. 150 years after his death he wasn’t able to make it to the studio, so Georgina Godwin speaks with Derwin Hope about his new book ‘Charles Dickens: My Life’, which tells the story of one of the world’s greatest authors in unbelievable detail.
Robert Reich
Robert Reich is a US economist, professor and political commentator who has served in three national administrations, including as US Secretary of Labour. He has written 17 books, and he discusses his latest, ‘The System: Who Rigged It, How We Fix It’.
