The Penguin Podcast

Nigella talks about her first cookbook ‘How To Eat’, which is 20 years old and has now been made into an audiobook. She tells Katy why she thought this would the only book about food she would write, why some of her ideas have changed since writing and what her rider is when working abroad. Nigella beings in some objects that inspire her including a tea caddy and a photograph of her kitchen table. #PenguinPodcast  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Bestselling Turkish-British author Elif Shafak, chats to Nihal about the brilliant idea behind her new novel ’10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World’ (10:38 is the period of time a brain can still be active after death). Elif, who has also received standing ovations at Ted Talks and is an academic and journalist, explains how she finds it impossible to write without noise and brings with her objects that inspire her work including a pair of headphones and a wooden statue of Don Quixote.     #PenguinPodcast  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

'The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read’ by Philippa Perry recently topped the Sunday Times Bestseller List and has been called ‘a parenting book for people who don’t normally buy them’. Philippa, a psychotherapist and broadcaster, talks about not judging parents, how there is no 'good and bad' and what to do about screen time. Philippa’s objects that inspire her writing, include a tiny pair of walking boots and a TV remote control. We also hear an extract from the audiobook. #PenguinPodcast  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

John Boyne, bestselling author of ‘The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas’ chats to Nihal Arthanayake about harnessing ideas around his new YA book ‘My Brother’s Name is Jessica’. John brings objects into the studio that have inspired him including a football, a locked black box and reveals the reason behind his Kate Bush tattoo. #PenguinPodcast #KateBush #JohnIrving #JohnBoyne  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Booker prize-winning author Ian McEwan visits the Penguin studio to talk about his new novel ‘Machines Like Me’ - set in an alternatives 1980’s in which synthetic humans are on sale. Ian and Katy talk about the ethics of AI, why drinking wine on the top of a mountain is good for your health and how being an A list Hollywood screenwriter can be ‘the ruin of many an English novelist’. Ian’s objects of inspiration include steel drinking cups and a drawing of a squirrel’s skull. #PenguinPodcast  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

What happened when engineers fixed an aeroplane window with bolts ever so slightly too short (spoiler: the pilot did not stay seated). Mathematician and stand-up comedian (yes, he does both), Matt Parker, explains to Katy Brand how maths mistakes in everyday life can have BIG consequences. He brings with him the rogue aeroplane bolts to the studio as well as objects that have helped him write his latest book ‘Humble Pi: A Comedy of Maths Errors’. #PenguinPodcast  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this special edition, Katy Brand selects highlights from past episodes featuring Stephen Fry, Salman Rushdie, Ruby Wax, Zadie Smith, Caitlin Moran, Romesh Ranganathan, Reggie Yates, Ian Rankin, Michael Palin, Pat Barker, Arundhati Roy, Michael Morpurgo and many more. #PenguinPodcast  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Man Booker prize winner Marlon James tells Nihal why his new novel ‘Black Leopard, Red Wolf’ is a sort of African ‘Game of Thrones’. The Jamaican author of ‘A Brief History of Seven Killings’ talks about objects that inspire his creativity including comic books, superheroes and how he loves to draw maps. #PenguinPodcast  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Simon Amstell - comedian, presenter, director and writer talks to Katy Brand about his new book ‘Help’, a memoir interspersed with sections of his stand-up gigs. Simon brings with him objects that have helped him to write and create (including post-it notes and a voice recorder) and explains why people told him to stop being funny, and how taking Ayahuasca in the Amazon rainforest helped cure his depression. #PenguinPodcast  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

‘The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock’ was nominated for the Women’s Prize for Fiction and was The Times Historical Fiction Book of the Year. Imogen Hermes Gowar talks to Katy Brand about the highs and lows of huge success as a first time author and brought in objects to the Penguin studio that inspire her creativity, including an old bottle of red ink and a packet of Jaffa Cakes. #PenguinPodcast  ‘The Mermaid and Mrs Hancock' is available as an audiobook to download now.   https://itunes.apple.com/gb/audiobook/the-mermaid-and-mrs-hancock-unabridged/id1335672004  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In this special edition, Katy Brand selects some of the best bits from past episodes featuring Johnny Marr, Romesh Ranganathan, Ruby Wax, Tim Peake, Zadie Smith, Sebastian Faulkes, William Boyd, Jeff Kinney, Michael Palin, Pat Barker and Caitlin Moran. #PenguinPodcast  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Comedian Romesh Ranganathan tells Nihal why he thinks Richard Pryor is the greatest stand-up of all time and how he practices his set in front of an imaginary audience in his garage. Romesh’s chosen inspirational objects include a Public Enemy CD, a microphone stand and a Trading Places poster. Expect lots and lots of laughter. #PenguinPodcast  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Michael Morpurgo has written a new version of ‘The Snowman’ inspired by the original story by Raymond Briggs which is now 40 years old. The author of 130 books including War Horse, Michael tells Katy why Christmas is so special. If you’re not feeling festive this will definitely get you in the mood with Michael’s special objects including a family Santa Claus decoration with an amazing history. #PenguinPodcast  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Markus Zusak, author of ‘The Book Thief’ (which spent over 500 weeks on the New York Times Bestseller list) joins Katy Brand. He talks about his much anticipated new book ‘Bridge of Clay’ and why it took him over 13 years to write. Markus also explains why special objects are a big feature in his latest book and help unlock his creative process. He brings a surfboard fin, a pebble shaped like a Zippo lighter, postcards and a famous Australian racehorse into the studio! #PenguinPodcast  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Pat Barker, bestselling author of the Regeneration trilogy and Booker Prize winner talks to Katy Brand about her latest book ‘Silence of the Girls’ based on the Trojan wars. Pat also brings in objects to the Penguin studio that have inspired her including a copy of Homer’s Iliad, a bronze age loom weight and a pile of dad rats (luckily just a photo). #PenguinPodcast  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

A special live edition of the Penguin Podcast with comedian, actor, and writer Michael Palin is hosted by David Baddiel. Having been in Monty Python’s Flying Circus and made award-winning travel documentaries around the world, Palin talks about his latest book, ‘Erebus; The Story of a Ship’. He brings objects that have inspired him included an African stool, a piece of fuselage from Ernest Hemingway’s plane and a postcard written by Spike Milligan.#PenguinPodcast  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Could you make the grade as an astronaut? Katy Brand talks to Tim Peake about his new ‘Astronaut Selection Test Book’. Tim reveals what is was like hanging onto the outside of the International Space Station with one hand (whilst looking at the rest of The Universe over his right shoulder)…. and what is was like watching ‘Star Wars’ in space. Tim’s chosen inspirational objects include a flag from the back of his spacesuit. #PenguinPodcast  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Lawyer, broadcaster and author Helena Kennedy talks to Nihal Arthanayake about her latest novel, ‘Eve Was Shamed’. The book comes 25 years after her first book ‘Eve Was Framed’ which led to a number of key reforms for women. Her latest work sees how the British Justice system is still failing women. Helena brought along objects that inspire her including her father’s rosary and beach pebbles that help her come up with new ideas. #PenguinPodcast  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Bestselling author William Boyd tells Nihal Arthanayake about his writing methodology; years of research before he even sits down to write. Known for writing novels which span continents and timescales, commissioned by the Fleming Estate to write a James Bond novel and working with David Bowie, Boyd is something of a phenomenon. He’s in the studio to talk about his latest novel, Love Is Blind, and brings with him objects that have inspired him, including a piano tuning hammer and a pistol. #PenguinPodcast  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Bestselling author Colm Tóibín tells Katy Brand why he returns to the theme of home again and again in his work and what it’s like writing about violence for the first time. Colm wrote ‘Brooklyn’, which was made into a feature film starring Saoirse Ronan, and has been nominated for the Booker three times. He brings objects into the Penguin studio that have inspired his new novel ‘House of Names’ including a Greek play and an opera CD. #PenguinPodcast  See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.