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Artwork for Simon Mayo's Books of the Year

Simon Mayo's Books of the Year

Bauer Media
Family Politics
Cuckooland
The House Of Mirrors
You Are Here
The Restless Republic
English Civil War
Oliver Cromwell
The Poison Tree
Kleptopia
British Book Industry Awards
Live Aid
Writing
Libraries
Charlotte Countess Of Derby
Anna Trapnel
1650s
British Library
Erin Kelly
Alice
Mohammed Emersi

Simon Mayo & Matt Williams invite the world's finest authors in for a chat

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes286Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BooksArts

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Simon Mayo's Books of the Year

Latest Episodes

Bestselling author and journalist, Jonathan Freedland, discusses some of his favourite authors, The Beatles, his writing process - and - gives us some brilliant book recommendations too.

We also hear from Jeremy Vine - who is a big fan of Jonathan'... more

Journalist and bestselling author, Jonathan Freedland, joins Simon and Matt for a natter about his latest book - 'The Traitor's Circle'

They chat about his extensive research, love of history, the incredible real-life stories of bravery he discover... more

International bestselling author, Ken Follett, joins Simon and Matt for a bit of a Q&A. He talks about his writing process, books he has loved reading, film adaptations and who he would invite to his fantasy dinner party. We also surprise him with a ... more

Multi-million bestselling author, Ken Follett, joins Simon and Matt for a natter about his latest novel 'Circle Of Days'. They discuss skeletons, Stone Henge, Priestesses, the movement of the sun and stars, the origins of counting and measurements of... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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People also subscribe to these shows.

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Recent Guests

Jonathan Freedland
Top journalist and bestselling author
Episode: Jonathan Freedland
Ken Follett
Multi-million selling author, known for historical fiction such as "The Pillars Of The Earth".
Episode: Ken Follett
Callie Hart
International bestselling author and speaker
Episode: Callie Hart Q&A
Saara El-Arifi
Romantasy author and fan of Callie Hart
Episode: Callie Hart Q&A
William Boyd
International bestselling author and creator of The Predicament.
Author of The Predicament
Episode: William Boyd
Ian McEwan
International bestselling author and literary commentator
Episode: Ian McEwan
Laura Shepherd-Robinson
Top crime author, also historical crime author, edging towards contemporary crime author
Episode: Laura Shepherd-Robinson Q&A
SJ Parris (Steph Merritt)
Journalist and author of historical fiction
Episode: Laura Shepherd-Robinson Q&A
Lucy Foley
International best-selling author
Author of 'The Midnight Feast'
Episode: Lucy Foley

Hosts

Simon Mayo
Host with extensive experience in broadcasting and literature, known for his engaging and knowledgeable interview style.
Matt Williams
Co-host who brings humor and insight into literary discussions, enhancing the show's engaging atmosphere.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 1.1k ratings
  • Great to have them back

    Lovely to hear Simon and Matt back. They keep the politics to the genuine political subjects. I have dropped Simons film review pod as Kermode just wont stop dragging politics into everything.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DrewzyJ
    United Kingdom7 months ago
  • David Nicholls

    Driving along, listening to the brilliant interview with David Nicholls I pulled over just so I could order his book ‘You are here’ - and it is living up to expectations.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Alisouthampton
    United Kingdoma year ago
  • Favourite Podcast Bar None 😍

    Love book/author podcasts and this is by far the best. Having Simon and Matt back like the good old days makes me so happy and the banter is great! Good spread of books and authors and I have now read a couple recommended that I wouldn’t normally have chosen and couldn’t put them down. Keep doing what you do guys, we love it! X

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    feeona78
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • My favourite podcast

    Books of the year is my favourite podcast, Simon and Matt keep me company during my ironing sessions (I hate ironing) so their easy banter and great interviews are fabulous. Being a book worm this is great for recommendations and great to hear about the book from the writers perspective. Love love love it

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ginabean1107
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • !!!

    AMAZING

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lin7k
    Australia3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the engaging banter between Simon and Matt, noting their ability to balance humor with meaningful discussions about literature.
The podcast has received praise for introducing a wide array of authors, providing depth in book recommendations, and enhancing listeners' literary experiences.
Some criticism points to a lack of diversity in author representation, prompting suggestions for a more varied lineup of guests.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#18
United Kingdom/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#44
United Kingdom/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#169
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#136
Australia/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#47
United Arab Emirates/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#59
Philippines/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Callie Hart
Q: How do you handle the challenges of creating a coherent magic system?
Callie shares that establishing clear limitations and plotting carefully are crucial for making the magic believable and engaging in the story.
Callie Hart
Q: What is romantasy and why is it so popular right now?
Callie explains that romantasy blends fantasy and romance, appealing to readers who might find either genre daunting, thus inviting a wider audience to enjoy the stories.
Callie Hart Q&A
Q: If you weren't an incredibly successful and brilliant author, what other profession would you like to have done?
Callie Hart considers being a doctor or a literary agent and expresses admiration for her agent's fast-paced job.
Callie Hart Q&A
Q: What was the last book you really, really enjoyed reading?
Callie Hart mentions she enjoyed reading Joe Abercrombie's 'The Blade Itself' and appreciates its phenomenal world building and character development.
William Boyd Q&A
Q: Do you always finish a book once you've started?
Absolutely not. If I'm not enjoying it, it's hurled across the room.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Simon Mayo's Books of the Year

What is Simon Mayo's Books of the Year about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This engaging series features intimate conversations with renowned authors, exploring their latest works and literary insights. The discussions often reflect on personal journeys, writing processes, and the nuanced dynamics of storytelling, making it a deep resource for book lovers. Notable for its blend of humor and knowledge, listeners can expect to hear about a variety of genres, insights into book promotion, and a behind-the-scenes look at the literary world, further enriched by interactive Q&A sessions. Guests span both established and emerging voices, ensuring a diverse range of topics related to contemporary literature and the publishing landscape.

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How many subscribers and views does Simon Mayo's Books of the Year have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Simon Mayo's Books of the Year has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Simon Mayo's Books of the Year?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Simon Mayo's Books of the Year:

1. Kermode & Mayo’s Take
2. Kermode on Film
3. Screenshot
4. The Waterstones Podcast
5. Simon Mayo's Confessions

How many episodes of Simon Mayo's Books of the Year are there?

Simon Mayo's Books of the Year launched 7 years ago and published 286 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Simon Mayo's Books of the Year?

Recent guests on Simon Mayo's Books of the Year include:

1. Jonathan Freedland
2. Ken Follett
3. Callie Hart
4. Saara El-Arifi
5. William Boyd
6. Ian McEwan
7. Laura Shepherd-Robinson
8. SJ Parris (Steph Merritt)

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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