Meet the Writers
Georgina Godwin in conversation with top authors. Explore their inspirations, writing processes, and the stories behind their books.
Latest Episodes
Victoria Hislop
Join Georgina Godwin as she talks to ‘Sunday Times’ bestselling author Victoria Hislop. Her first novel, ‘The Island’, was inspired by a visit to Spinalonga, the abandoned Greek leprosy colony. The book became an international bestseller and a 26-part television adaptation was screened in Greece. Now firmly established as one…
Monocle Reads: Caroline Taggart
Caroline Taggart worked in publishing as a non-fiction editor for 30 years before starting her career as an author with her books ‘I Used to Know That’ and ‘My Grammar and I’, which became ‘Sunday Times’ bestsellers. She’s recently published her latest book, ‘Improve Your Word Power’, which introduces the…
Damian Barr
On ‘Meet The Writers’ this week, join me, Georgina Godwin, as I talk to Damian Barr. His novel ‘Maggie and Me’ won ‘The Sunday Times’ Memoir of the Year and his latest novel, ‘You Will Be Safe Here’, has already received high praise. The conversation ranges from his abusive childhood,…
Monocle Reads: ‘The Men Who Stare At Hens’
Simon Leyland is a city trader-turned-author whose most recent book, ‘The Men Who Stare At Hens’, explores the wonderful eccentricities of Irish history. His book covers more than 100 short biographies describing the more unusual habits of some famous Irish people.
Charles Cumming
Georgina Godwin talks to bestselling UK thriller writer Charles Cumming about his book ‘The Man Between’. Cumming has been described as one of the best of the new generation taking over from where John le Carré and Len Deighton left off. He’s won the Crime Writers’ Association Ian Fleming steel…
Monocle Reads: Hannah Critchlow
Georgina Godwin sits down with Hannah Critchlow, a UK scientist, writer and broadcaster, and author of ‘The Science of Fate: Why Your Future is More Predictable Than You Think’. The book explores the idea that concepts such as free will and destiny don’t exist. It also explains how anxieties and…
Sue Nelson and Wally Funk
As part of the Mercury 13, Wally Funk was one of the pioneering women of space travel, frequently outperforming male astronaut candidates in tests of endurance. But just one week before the final phase of training, the programme was abruptly cancelled. Politics and prejudice meant that Wally never flew into…
Monocle Reads: ‘Buzz: The Nature and Necessity of Bees’
Conservation biologist Thor Hansen’s book ‘Buzz: The Nature and Necessity of Bees’ outlines everything from the insects’ biology to their relationship with flowers, and discusses the threats posed to bees from climate change and pollution.
Dina Nayeri
Dina Nayeri fled Iran with her mother and brother at the age of eight. Her family eventually found their way to a rundown hotel in Italy before being granted asylum in the US. She tells us about the migrant experience, how taekwondo changed her life and describes the people she…
Monocle Reads: ‘The Clapback’
Elijah Lawal discusses his book ‘The Clapback’ with Georgina Godwin. It’s a non-fiction book that arms you with witty responses to harmful racist stereotypes. It examines the evolution of negative stereotypes towards the black community and gives you the tools you need to shut racism down with humour, historical context…
