The Penguin Podcast

Denise Mina’s latest novel ‘Conviction’ was selected by Reese Witherspoon’s book club and won the McIlvanney Prize for Scottish Crime Book of the Year 2019. She chats to Katy about her sources of inspiration, why she adores podcasts and what it’s like to be part of a group labelled ‘Tartan Noir’. Her inspirational objects include her writing desk and a very special pencil #PenguinPodcast ‘Conviction’ is available to buy as an audiobook now - https://apple.co/2JClWhK  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Bernardine won the Booker prize last year with her novel ‘Girl, Woman, Other’, one of Barack Obama’s top books of 2019 and hailed 'book of the decade' by The Sunday Times and The Guardian. Bernardine brings objects into the studio that have inspired her creatively, including a song from Hamilton the musical and a photo of her paternal grandmother (who she dedicates every single book to) #PenguinPodcast To buy the audiobook:https://apple.co/2UBqkmv  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Booker prize winner, Anne Enright chats to Nihal about her new novel ‘Actress’ - the story of a legendary theatre star seen through the eyes of her daughter. Anne, who was the first Laureate for Irish fiction, tells Nihal how she sometimes spends hours and hours choosing the right word for her novels (and other times it just flows). Anne's objects of inspiration include a photo of Carrie Fisher and a magazine piece where Joan Crawford describes her best dinner party (everything has vodka added). #PenguinPodcast                              For the audiobook of ‘Actress’ by Anne Enright: http://bit.ly/PPAnne  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

William Gibson, author of the seminal speculative fiction novel 'Neuromancer', chats to Nihal about why his work has never predicted the future, why punk was the last pre-digital counterculture and on spending the afternoon with Mick Jagger (who is a huge fan of his work). His chosen inspiring objects include a pair of AI glasses which are a character is his new novel 'Agency'. #PenguinPodcast  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Andrew Hunter Murray, writer for the BBC’s QI programme and co-host of the hugely successful ‘No Such Thing as a Fish’ podcast, chats to Katy Brand about his new thriller set in 2059.Used to researching unusual facts and writing comedy, Andrew explains what it was like writing fiction set in the near future. He brings objects to the studio that have inspired him including an iceberg (not the real thing) and a stuffed dog (which currently resides at Slough station). #PenguinPodcast  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The 13th Doctor meets classic Doctor Who companion Ace, in a novel written by Sophie Aldred (who played Ace alongside Sylvester McCoy in the BBC TV series). Sophie joins Katy in the studio to talk about writing 'Dr Who: A Childhood's End' and brings with her objects that inspired her including the famous bomber jacket that she wore in the TV series. Sophie reveals how she was cast in the role of Ace originally, what it was like filming the episodes and on meeting the current Dr. Who, Jodie Whittaker, in person. #PenguinPodcast  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

‘Wonder’ has sold well over 15 million copies and was made into a major feature film starring Julia Roberts. Its author RJ Palacio has written and illustrated a new graphic novel ‘White Bird’ that sees a ‘Wonder’ character explore his family history. RJ brings a list of objects into the studio that have inspired her including a wooden bird and a sketchbook and also talks about the craft behind creating her graphic novel. #PenguinPodcast  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Sir Paul McCartney talks about his new children’s book ‘Hey Grandude’. In a special Christmas edition, the rock superstar tells Nihal about persuading John Lennon to believe in himself, the one famous person that even he feels nervous around and how being a grandad inspires him. #PenguinPodcast  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Jonathan Safran Foer is the American author of bestselling novels ‘Everything is Illuminated’ and ‘Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close’. His books have been made into major feature films starring the likes of Tom Hanks, with his latest work 'We are The Weather’ looking at what we can do about the climate crisis on a personal level. Jonathan tells Katy about the objects that inspire his writing, including a collection of framed blank sheets of paper from other famous authors. #PenguinPodcast  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Suggs chats to Nihal about Madness' new book 'Before We Was We', which charts the very funny and moving story of the band's early days. Madness, who've been together for 40 years, have played on top of Buckingham Palace, at the 2012 Olympics and had 17 UK top ten hits. Suggs brings in objects that tell the story of the band including a Prince Buster record, a pub sign and a plaster cast of some teeth #PenguinPodcast  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

‘His Dark Materials’ author Philip Pullman, talks to Sophie Dahl live from the Sheldonian Theatre in Oxford. Philip has a new novel in The Book of Dust trilogy entitled ‘The Secret Commonwealth’, which continues the story of his protagonist Lyra, now aged 20. Philip brings objects that have inspired him including a ‘real’ alethiometer and he also reads an extract from his new book #PenguinPodcast  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Jacqueline Wilson has a new Tracey Beaker book: ‘We Are the Beaker Girls’. The former children’s laureate, who has sold over 40 million books, talks to Katy Brand about how she gets inspired, bringing objects into the studio that help her create including a pair of swimming goggles and a trains timetable. #PenguinPodcast   See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Emma Kennedy, author, actress and TV writer talks to Katy Brand about her new book ‘The Things We Left Unsaid’. Emma’s previous books include ‘The Tent, The Bucket and Me’ which was adapted into The Kennedys for the BBC. She has also written children’s books and worked with the good and the great of British comedy (including Katy - so expect lots of laughter). Emma brought in objects that have inspired her including a tin of buttons and a discarded wedding bouquet #PenguinPodcast  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Rory Sutherland, the charismatic Vice Chairman of advertising agency Ogilvy, tells Katy how thinking counterintuitively can lead to success. Using examples from his Ted Talks (viewed 6.5 million times), his new book ‘Alchemy’ and the objects he brought in - he explains how ‘psycho-logic’ sells #PenguinPodcast  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this special LIVE edition from the Lowry in Manchester, Malorie Blackman OBE talks about the long-awaited fifth book in her Noughts and Crosses Series: ‘Crossfire’. Malorie has written over 70 books, is a former Children’s Laureate and has artists such as Stormzy counting themselves as super-fans. Malorie's chosen inspirational objects include ‘The Colour Purple’ by Alice Walker and a CD by Marvin Gaye. #PenguinPodcast  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Jonathan Coe, author of political satires ‘What a Carve Up!’ and ‘The Rotters’ Club’ chats to Nihal about his new novel ‘Middle England’. Jonathan brings with him objects that have inspired his work and reveals what it’s like to be an Elvis impersonator warm-up act. #PenguinPodcast  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Bestselling author Diana Evans (‘26a’, ‘The Wonder’) is the perfect guest for this podcast. She tells Katy how objects are an integral part of her writing process and brings some along including a mini London telephone box and her trusty sketchbook. Diana also chats about her new award-winning novel ‘Ordinary People’ which was one of the New Yorker’s books of the year. #PenguinPodcast #InspirationalObjects  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Kit De Waal, author of the critically acclaimed bestseller ‘My Name is Leon’ joins Katy in the studio. Kit talks about her latest book ‘The Trick to Time’ and brings objects that have inspired her including a track by Scott Matthews and a photo of Forlorn Point in Ireland.#PenguinPodcast  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Howard Jacobson joins Nihal in the studio to chat about his new book ‘Live a Little’. Howard, who has written sixteen novels including Booker prize-winning ‘The Finkler Question’, brings objects that have inspired him including a playbill and a painting. He also tells the story of the time Kylie Minogue called him ‘a b**tard’ (in a good way). #PenguinPodcast  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Mark Haddon tells Katy Brand how art inspires him – choosing objects including an oil painting and a David Hockney print to explain. The award-winning ‘Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time’ author also talks about his new book ‘The Porpoise’ based partly on the legend of Antiochus, it also features tales of time travel, pirates and semi-naked wrestling. #PenguinPodcast  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.