The Penguin Podcast

Author Salman Rushdie joins David Olusoga in the Penguin Studio. Salman’s 13 novels have won countless awards worldwide and his second novel ‘Midnight’s children’ won the Best of the Booker over its 40 year history. Salman talks about his latest novel, ’The Golden House’ bringing with him objects that inspired it, including a copy of The Satyricon by Petronius, and a photo of The Joker from Batman. #PenguinPodcast    See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Radio broadcaster and author Simon Mayo joins David Baddiel in the Penguin studio to talk about his first adult novel 'Mad Blood Stirring'. Simon hosts Radio 2’s Drivetime show, the BBC’s flagship film review show Kermode and Mayo and has previously written 4 young adult books. He brings with him objects that have inspired his writing including a map, the periodic table and a Stephen King book. #PenguinPodcast    See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Before she was a critically acclaimed author, Christie Watson was a nurse for 20 years, she joins Paul Smith in the Penguin studio to talk about ‘The Language of Kindness’. It’s an extraordinary account of a profession that witnesses everything from birth to death and a lot in between. Christie brings objects which inspired her work into the studio, including a statue of Florence Nightingale, a fob watch, a mini book on nursing and a photo of a fishing boat. #PenguinPodcast  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Much-loved author Tracy Chevalier has written nine novels, including ‘Girl with a Pearl Earring’ which sold 5 million copies worldwide and was made into a film starring Colin Firth and Scarlett Johansson. Tracy joins Paul Smith (Maximo Park) in the Penguin studio to talk about her latest work, ‘New Boy’, a retelling of Othello set in an American school in the 1970s. Tracy brings objects which inspired her work including a tiny music box, her notebook and a school photo. #PenguinPodcast  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Author of the award winning 'Artemis Fowl’, Eoin Colfer, joins Maxïmo Park frontman, Paul Smith, in the Penguin studio. Eoin talks about his book ‘And Another Thing’, the sixth instalment of the 'Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy’ (commissioned by the Douglas Adams Estate), which has recently been made into a drama for BBC Radio 4 starring the original cast - 40 years after the first comedy series aired. Eoin chooses objects that inspired his writing include a shabby red-checked dressing gown and some David Bowie and Kate Bush cassette tapes. #PenguinPodcast   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Guardian Columnist and author Afua Hirsch joins historian and broadcaster David Olusoga in the Penguin studio. Afua talks about her bestselling book ‘BRIT (ish)’ which tackles questions of race, identity and belonging in the UK. She brings along objects that inspired her work including a hot water bottle, poetry she wrote when she was a child and an Alan Paton book. #PenguinPodcast  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Playwright, novelist, poet and author Deborah Levy joins David Baddiel in the Penguin studio to talk about her critically acclaimed novel ‘Hot Milk’, which was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize in 2016. Deborah has written 6 novels including ‘Swimming Home’ (another Man Booker finalist), has written extensively for the BBC and her work has been staged by the Royal Shakespeare Company. She tells David about her upcoming autobiography ‘The Cost of Living’ and brings along objects that have inspired her work, including a sketch given to her by the artist Rose Blake and a skein of bright blue thread. #PenguinPodcast  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Radio 1 DJ, actor and television presenter Reggie Yates joins David Baddiel in the studio to talk about his new book. ‘Unseen’ explores how he made the transition from TV personality to documentary storyteller, covering difficult subjects such as far right groups in Russia to gun crime in Chicago. Reggie brings with him objects that inspired his writing, including DJ decks, a moleskin notebook and humbug mints. #PenguinPodcast  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

‘Exit West’ was chosen by Barack Obama as one of his favourite books of last year. The author Mohsin Hamid, joins Paul Smith in the Penguin studio, and has chosen five objects that have inspired his book. They include a book by C.S. Lewis, a photograph of a bomb blast in Lahore taken by his sister and a CD by Gilberto Gil and Jorge Ben. Mohsin is a two time Booker prize nominee and his novel ‘The Reluctant Fundamentalist’ was made into a major motion picture starring Riz Ahmed and Kate Hudson. #PenguinPodcast  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Jojo Moyes, author of the hugely successful novel ‘Me Before You’, joins us in the Penguin studio to talk about the final book in her Lou Clarke trilogy ‘Still Me’. Jojo’s books have sold more than 30 million copies and she’s one of the few authors to have had three novels on the New York Times bestseller list at the same time. ‘Me Before You’ was also adapted into a major feature film starring Emilia Clarke and Sam Clafin. Jojo introduces five objects that have been an inspiration - including a bumblebee necklace and a photo of Big Dog. #PenguinPodcast  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The Chalk Man is one of this years most anticipated thrillers. Its author, C.J. Tudor, joins Konnie Huq in the Penguin studio to talk about writing her debut novel and how it became part of a furious bidding war. C.J. brings in five objects that have inspired her writing, including a Stephen King book and a glass dolphin. #PenguinPodcast  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Jeff Kinney, author of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books, joins Konnie Huq in the Penguin studio to talk about his latest in the series: The Getaway. Jeff’s books have sold more than 194 million copies, they’ve inspired four feature films and he’s been named as one of Time Magazine’s Most Influential People in the World. Jeff brings in some objects to the studio that have inspired his writing including: An Uncle Scrooge Comic, a boom box and an airplane sickness bag. #PenguinPodcast  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Author of the hugely successful Inspector Rebus novels, Ian Rankin, joins David Baddiel in the Penguin studio to talk about his short story made for radio, The Deathwatch Journal. Ian is regarded at one of the most popular authors of the last 100 years, has won four Crime Writer’s Association Dagger Awards and has received an OBE for services to literature. A map of Edinburgh, Hawkwind single and Captain Scarlet toy car are among the objects Ian brings to the studio. #PenguinPodcast  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Author of 'Love, Nina’ (adapted for TV starring Helena Bonham Carter) and the critically acclaimed novels, 'Man at the Helm' and 'Paradise Lodge', Nina Stibbe joins Konnie Huq in the Penguin studio. Nina talks about her new book 'An Almost Perfect Christmas' and kicks off the festive season by bringing in objects including an unusual Christmas tree, a turkey on the loo and her mum. #PenguinPodcast   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Fact researchers, presenters of the hugely successful No Such Thing as a Fish podcast, TV show hosts and authors the QI Elves join Paul Smith in the Penguin studio to talk about The Book of the Year. Dan Schreiber, Anna Ptaszynski, Andrew Hunter Murray and James Harkin bring in an object each which has inspired their book on the fascinating and funny facts of the year including an Oscar statuette, The Loch Ness Monster's dandruff and a pint of champagne. #PenguinPodcast  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Comedian, actor, broadcaster and writer Stephen Fry joins David Baddiel in the Penguin studio to talk about his new book Mythos, which retells the Greek Myths. Stephen brings in words (instead of objects) that have inspired him and he and David discuss typewriters, AI teachers and of course the Greek gods. #PenguinPodcast  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The author of five New York Times bestsellers and one of the world's most successful non-fiction writers, Malcolm Gladwell speaks to Paul Smith down the line from LA. Malcolm talks about the themes behind Blink, Outliers, David & Goliath and on writing his new book. Plus he selects five objects that have inspired his chart-topping podcast Revisionist History. #PenguinPodcast (Photo: Bill Wadman)  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Award winning author Rachel Botsman is a world-renowned trust expert and her Ted Talks views are in the millions. She joins Konnie Huq in the studio to reveal how we are on the cusp of one of the biggest social transformations in human history. Rachel has brought with her some objects that have inspired her latest book Who Can You Trust, including her engagement ring and an Alexa bot. #PenguinPodcast  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Author Harlan Coben has over 70 million books in print across the world and his last 10 novels all debuted at number one on the New York Times bestseller list. He joins Konnie Huq in the Penguin studio to talk about his latest book Don't Let Go and he's brought in some objects that have inspired him as a writer, including a basketball and a signed script from the TV series Modern Family. #PenguinPodcast  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Bestselling author of the Alex Rider teen series Anthony Horowitz, joins Konnie Huq in the Penguin studio to talk about his latest book. The Word is Murder is the first in his new series of crime novels. Anthony brings some objects that inspire his writing, including a human skull and a fountain pen with a real diamond in the lid. #PenguinPodcast  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.