Welcome to this very special episode of the Lit With Charles podcast, where instead of interviewing an interesting guest, I’m actually responding to 10 listeners’ burning questions! Today, you’ll get to hear about my earliest memory of falling in love with reading, and how Stephen King's thrilling tales resonated in  my pre-teen years. I’ll be spilling the beans on why Roberto Bolaño's 'The Savage Detectives' didn't click for me, and chatting about my scepticism around 'must-read' lists – like those ones that crop up from Barack Obama and the New York Times. Also on the menu: the recent Nobel Prize announcement, and the shock disclosure of which one single classic novel fails to impress me – it’s a cultural favourite, and I think it might be a controversial pick. I even manage to touch on my Instagram book review origins (a collection of COVID-19 quarantine updates that went viral) and the shape of this book-loving ecosystem that we’ve built as a community. It's a roller-coaster of reflections, confessions, and some good old fashioned literary nostalgia. Let's jump in! Lit with Charles loves reviews. If you enjoyed this episode, I’d be so grateful if you could leave a review of your own, and follow me on Instagram at @litwithcharles. Let’s get more people listening – and reading!

Today I sat down with Vanessa Beaumont, a former literary agent and novelist about her debut novel The Other Side of Paradise which follows Jean Buckman, a young American newspaper heiress, who arrives in London in the glittering 1920s, and evolves throughout the story, through personal tragedy and loss. Over the course of the story, we watch her grapple with the pressures of mid-Century society on a woman, what it means to do one’s duty, and the pull of desire in the face of it all. It’s kind of a Downtown Abbey meets Francis Scott Fitzgerald, with a modern feminist perspective As always, Vanessa picked the four books which have had the biggest impact on her as both a reader and a writer, and we also discussed her career trajectory. Before publishing The Other Side of Paradise, Vanessa spent 8 years as a Commissioning Editor at Short Books, and co-founded and ran a literary agency, so it was fascinating to get some insights from that. It was such a great conversation, and as always, such a pleasure talking with Vanessa. Lit with Charles loves reviews. If you enjoyed this episode, I’d be so grateful if you could leave a review of your own, and follow me on Instagram at @litwithcharles. Let’s get more people listening – and reading! Vanessa Beaumont’s four books were: Little Women, Louisa May Alcott (1868) The Age of Innocence, Edith Wharton (1920) Brideshead Revisited, Evelyn Waugh (1945) Tender is the Night, F Scott Fitzgerald (1934)

Today I sat down with Éric Chacour, a Canadian novelist born to Egyptian parents, to discuss his stunning debut novel. What I Know About You has captivated readers in its original French, winning the prestigious Prix Femina des Lycéens, and been translated into numerous languages, and with Pablo Strauss’ 2024 translation, now makes its grand entrance into the English-speaking world. Eric's novel, which he spent 10 years working on before it was published in 2023, is a richly woven tapestry of family, love, loss, and the queer identity. Set against the backdrop of a changing Egypt, the story shines a light on the tension between personal desires and cultural expectations, offering readers a nuanced look at what it means to belong in different settings. In this episode, as always, Eric has selected for us the four books which have most strongly influenced his life and literary journey – from tales of mysterious libraries to the adventures of dashing heroes. But, we also spend some time getting to grips with Eric's creative process, the inspirations behind his storytelling, and what it means to write a novel that crosses both geographical and emotional borders. I was so interested to learn about his path to becoming a novelist, from youthful inspiration to the sometimes challenging reality of life as a published author, and how Canadian national treasure Celine Dion fits into the picture. This was a great chat, and I’ve definitely come away from it with my mind expanded.  Lit with Charles loves reviews. If you enjoyed this episode, I’d be so grateful if you could leave a review of your own, and follow me on Instagram at @litwithcharles. Let’s get more people listening – and reading! Eric Chacour’s four books were: The Shadow of the Wind, Carlos Ruiz Zafón (2001) The Three Musketeers, Alexandre Dumas (1844) Promise at Dawn, Romain Gary (1960) The Orphan Muses, Michel Marc Bouchard (1989)

In this week's podcast episode, I sat down with Florence Gaub, the Director of Research at the NATO Defense College in Rome. A World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council member, and Vice-President of the European Forum Alpbach, Florence is a master of strategic foresight and international security. Her latest book, The Future, is a must-read, exploring how humanity's visions of tomorrow have shifted in different historical contexts. Our conversation spanned various domains, from the fascinating work being done at NATO to her new book, which I read and absolutely loved. Although it’s not out in English yet, I have been assured that the release is on the horizon – so keep your eyes peeled! In our conversation, Florence walked us through her career, the impact of her recent publication, and, as always, the four books which have been most pivotal in her life and her work. From a mysterious Dutch novel from her childhood to Isaac Asimov's The Foundation, each pick tells a unique story about how we perceive time, and how this has changed in line with the maturation of our societies. Excitingly, Florence also shared some insights into the methodology of strategic foresight and the ethical implications of forecasting the future – and the technologies she thinks we’ll look back on and laugh at in 100 years time. Lit with Charles loves reviews. If you enjoyed this episode, I’d be so grateful if you could leave a review of your own, and follow me on Instagram at @litwithcharles. Let’s get more people listening – and reading! Florence’s four books were: The Towers of February, Tonke Dragt (1973) The Foundation Part 1, Isaac Asimov (1951) Nos Derniers Festins, Chantal Pelletier (2019) Julia, Sandra Newman (2023)

My guest today is the writer Charlie Higson, author of On His Majesty’s Secret Service, the latest Bond continuation novel. Written to coincide with King Charles's coronation and the 60th anniversary of On Her Majesty's Secret Service, the book brings Bond into the modern era in a narrative that identifies very real geopolitical threats with some good old Bondian adventure.  For those of you to whom the name Charlie Higson his familiar, that’s because he was one of the writers and performers of The Fast Show, a cult British comedy show from the mid-90s. In this episode, Charlie and I discuss his literary tastes through the four books that have shaped his work, as well as his creative practices, and of course the way to achieve a new rendition of the world’s most fabulous spy. Modern Bond is less anchored in mid-Century wartime solemnity, and more attuned to the nuanced global landscape of 2024, which made for a really refreshing read. From his diverse reading selections to his personal take on the character, Charlie's insights were both enriching and hilarious. Whether you're a Bond enthusiast or just generally a lover of literary discussions, this episode is an absolute treasure trove of insight and inspiration – and not one to be missed! Lit with Charles loves reviews. If you enjoyed this episode, I’d be so grateful if you could leave a review of your own, and follow me on Instagram at @litwithcharles. Let’s get more people listening – and reading! Charlie’s four books were: Gormenghast, Mervyn Peake (1946-59) Pop 1280, Jim Thompson (1964) The Watcher, Charles Maclean (1982) From Russia with Love, Ian Fleming (1957)

Stanley Kubrick was a visionary American filmmaker, whose groundbreaking work redefined cinema. Renowned for his meticulous attention to detail, visual innovation and the complexity of his narratives, Kubrick's films crossed many genres. Perhaps most interestingly for Lit With Charles listeners, many of his most famous movies also began their lives as books. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) set new standards in science fiction, while A Clockwork Orange (1971) delved into dystopian violence. His horror masterpiece, The Shining (1980), remains a genre-defining classic. Beyond his creative output, he had a reputation as a complicated somewhat anti-social man, with both foibles and genius aplenty. Kubrick's relentless pursuit of perfection and his ability to push cinematic boundaries have solidified his legacy as one of the most influential and enigmatic directors of all time. This week, I had the incredible opportunity to talk with Robert P. Kolker and Nathan Abrams, the joint co-authors of Kubrick, a new and comprehensive biography of the great director, published by Faber & Faber earlier this year, which for fans of Kubrick and beyond,  is an absolutely enlightening read. Robert Kolker is an American film historian, theorist and critic, who has authored a number of books on film, including A Cinema of Loneliness and Triumph over Containment. Nathan is a professor of Film Studies at Bangor University in the UK, and the co-founder of Jewish Film and New Media, an international academic journal which analyses Jewish film, television and other media across the years. In today’s episode, Robert, Nathan and I discuss, as always, the four books which have shaped them most as thinkers, scholars and writers, along with the luminary life of their fascinating subject. So, join us as we peel back the curtain on the personal, public, and creative life of the 20th Century’s most important movie-maker. Lit with Charles loves reviews. If you enjoyed this episode, I’d be so grateful if you could leave a review of your own, and follow me on Instagram at @litwithcharles. Let’s get more people listening – and reading! Book selections: Robert:  Anatomy of Criticism, Northrope Frye, (1957) The collective works of Samuel Beckett, particularly the novels Malone Dies (1951) and The Unnamable (1953), and the play Endgame (1957). Nathan: The Unfinished Journey: America Since WWII, William H Chafe (1986) Ordeal of Civility: Freud, Marx, Levi-Strauss, and the Jewish Struggle With Modernity, John Murray Cuddihy (1974)

Leila Slimani is a highly acclaimed French-Moroccan author who has written some absolutely fantastic novels over the last few years. She burst into the mainstream consciousness when she won the prestigious Prix Goncourt in France in 2016 for her second novel Chanson Douce, which was translated into English in 2018 as The Perfect Nanny in the US, or Lullaby in the UK. She followed this up with non-fiction work as well as a fantastic trilogy which is two-thirds finished, called  “Le Pays des Autres” (The Country of Others) in which the second novel “Regardez-nous danser” (Watch Us Dance) has just been translated into English. In today’s episode, Leïla and I discuss, as always, the four books which have most influenced her writing – spanning all the way from early childhood literary beginnings, all the way to some very contemporary picks.

The London-based writer and journalist, Aniefiok Ekpoudom, joins me today to discuss his recent debut book, Where We Come From, which is a ‘history of rap, home and hope in modern Britain’, recently published by Faber & Faber in the UK.  When grime music emerged in the early 2000s, born on the streets of East London, it fused elements of UK garage, drum and bass, and dancehall into a dynamic, fast-paced sound. With raw authenticity and sharp lyrical narratives, grime quickly made its mark, both changing the shape of contemporary British music influencing global trends with its undeniable flair. In his book, “Neef” goes to the very origin points of some of the earliest artists in this genre, across different areas of Britain to investigate its earliest beginnings, as well as its growth, and the artists who were most influential in pushing it. In today’s episode, we discuss the four books which have most informed his development as a thinker and a writer – be that in terms of literary styles, interesting subject matters, or new approaches to integrating creative elements into non-fiction stories. It was such a great conversation, and I’m very excited to share it with you.

Italian literature is widely known for its rich tradition of passion, intellect and innovation, and it has always been a standard-bearer for imaginative & emotive literature. This week I'm speaking with the Italian author, screenwriter and BAFTA Award nominee, Ilaria Bernardini. One of Italy’s leading contemporary novelists, Ilaria has penned nine novels, one graphic novel, and two collections of short stories, as well as being a screenwriter collaborating with the legendary director Bernardo Bertolucci. Two of her novels, including We Will Be Forest – her most recent book, which we’re discussing today – have been longlisted for the Strega Prize, the most prestigious book award in Italy.  In today’s episode, Ilaria and I discuss, as always, the four books which have had the biggest influence on her life and creative development, along with her experience writing fiction drawn from her own life, and the process of translating a book from one language to another. The books she chose are eclectic and inspirational so it was a really fun discussion with some great recommendations.  Lit with Charles loves reviews. If you enjoyed this episode, I’d be so grateful if you could leave a review of your own, and follow me on Instagram at @litwithcharles. Let’s get more people listening – and reading!

This week, I had the pleasure of speaking with Peter Singer, one of the world’s leading moral philosophers, known for his work in building the philosophical foundations of the modern animal rights movement, which he helped develop with his landmark book “Animal Liberation” published in 1975 which was one of the first to highlight hideous conditions of animal suffering and the vacuity of “speciesism”. He is a prominent advocate of Utilitarianism, and over the years, he’s written about euthanasia, infanticide, and global poverty, amongst many other issues, and his scholarship continues to influence public discourse and ethical policy. If you’re interested in learning more about his philosophy, Peter Singer has just launched his own podcast called “Lives Well Lived” where he interviews guests who have lived lives with extraordinary contributions. In today’s episode, Peter and I discuss, as always, the four books which have most influenced him as a thinker and a person, as well as the modern animal rights movement, veganism, and his introduction to philosophy.

The 1930s Hollywood star Anna May Wong was a trailblazer in the Golden Age of Hollywood. While navigating the treacherous waters of racial prejudice, she carved a path to international fame, becoming the first Chinese-American bona fide Hollywood movie star. This week, I had the pleasure of speaking with author Katie Gee Salisbury, who’s written a biography of Anna May Wong called Not Your China Doll, published earlier this year to huge acclaim. In today’s episode, Katie and I discuss, as always, the four books which have most shaped her as a writer, as well as talking about the sparkling life of Anna May Wong, and Katie’s experience writing the biography.

Today's guest is a poet named Iona Lee, who I was lucky enough to meet at Glastonbury a few months ago. One night I was in a queue for an event, and Iona mentioned that she was about to publish her first collection of poems. Obviously, that peaked my interest and when I asked her if she would be willing to recite a poem, she delivered a really authentic, amazing performance, right there in the queue. Iona generously shared with me a copy of her book, a collection of poems with the title “Anamnesis” which is an Ancient Greek word for recollection, especially a recollection of a previous life, it means an “unforgetting”. And I liked this collection a lot. For starters, I love anything that evokes memory and remembrance, but also I appreciate eclectic approaches to literature, and this collection is definitely that: eclectic. It weaves between classical & contemporary subjects, it’s playful and creative in the structure of the poems and above all, it feels really authentic, like this poet is putting her feelings, emotions and perhaps memories out there, which is what we ask of artists.  I was so excited to speak to Iona about how she gets inspired, her path as an artist and what she recommends in the poetry world.  Here is the list of books mentioned throughout the episode: Her favourite poetry collections: “Glass, Irony and God”, by Anne Carson (1995) “Shine Darling” by Ella Frears (2020) “Motherland Fatherland Homelandsexuals” by Patricia Lookwood (2014) “When I Grow Up I Want To Be A List of Further Possibilities” by Chen Chen (2017) Her favourite book that I’ve never heard of: “Forests: The Shadow of Civilization” by Robert Pogue Harrison, (1992) Her favourite book of the last 12 months: “The Dangers of Smoking in Bed” by Mariana Enríquez (2009) Her most disappointing book in the last 12 months: “The Passion of New Eve”, by Angela Carter The book she would take to a desert island: “The Encyclopedia Britannica” The book that changed her mind: “Where Are The Women?” by Sara SheridanFollow me ⁠⁠⁠@litwithcharles⁠⁠⁠ for more book reviews and recommendations!

One of my favourite authors of all time is the American novelist (and essayist) David Foster Wallace. That name can evoke a variety of things to different people and in this episode, I’ll try and unpack these different facets with the writer DT Max who wrote an excellent biography of David Foster Wallace in 2012 called “Every Love Story is a Ghost Story”. DT Max’s book is amazing as it tells the story of this great artist, his evolution & inspirations, while also recalling some of the more problematic aspects of his life including accounts of domestic abuse with some of his former partners. This was such a fascinating conversation that I've decided to split it into two parts - enjoy! Find DT Max: Book: https://amzn.eu/d/d3RQP5t Twitter: https://twitter.com/dtmax?lang=en Website: https://dtmaxdotcom.wordpress.com/ Follow me ⁠@litwithcharles⁠ for more book reviews and recommendations!

The mission of getting children to read more is – in my mind – probably one of the noblest ones out there. That is exactly what my guest today does. Jessica Ewing is the founder & CEO of Literati, which she founded in 2016, after working at the White House and Google. Literati is based in Austin, Texas and it is a curated book subscription service which sends monthly book boxes to their members, depending on their age (from newborn to 12) & reading level. They also have Literati Book Fairs where schools can set up a curated physical library, easy to set up, for children to browse and be exposed to books. I was really excited to talk to Jessica to find out more about this business of how to get kids to read more.  The books that Jessica mentioned were the following: Favourite book I’ve never heard of: “The One Hundred Nights of Hero”, by Isabel Greenberg. (2016) The book Jessica would take to a desert island: “Desert Solitaire”, by Edward Abbey (1968) The book that changed Jessica’s mind: “Moonwalking with Einstein”, by Joshua Foer (2011) Her literary hero: Joseph Campbell, the author of “The Power of Myth” Find Jessica: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicarewing/?hl=en Literati website: https://literati.com/ Follow me @litwithcharles for more book reviews and recommendations!

Today’s episode is about quizzes, especially those that have a literary dimension to them. Today’s guest is Gary Wigglesworth who by day works as Sales and Marketing manager for British Library Publishing. But by night, once a month, he hosts London’s only monthly book quiz for literature lovers, on the first floor of the Betsy Trotwood pub, a charming Victorian establishment in Farringdon. You would not believe the lengths that Gary goes to in order to provide an extensive, detailed, and elaborate quiz that draws on literary knowledge, lateral thinking and above all, teamwork. His first book 'The Book Lover's Quiz Book' was published in 2020 - his second book will be published in October 2023. Find Gary: Website: https://www.gpwigglesworth.co.uk/ Twitter: @gpwigglesworth Buy his book: https://www.hachette.co.uk/titles/gary-wigglesworth/the-book-lovers-quiz-book/9781472145291/ Follow me @litwithcharles for more book reviews and recommendations!

The book “Savor: A Chef’s Hunger for More” is the story of Fatima Ali, a young Pakistani-American chef working in the US who was featured on the TV show Top Chef and who was set to become an influential voice in the world of gastronomy when she was diagnosed with terminal bone cancer.  My guest today is Fatima Ali’s collaborator Tarajia Morrell who is a New York-based food writer, who’s written numerous food-related pieces for publications like the WSJ Magazine and Departures who was brought in to help Fatima express her story. The book follows her life from her childhood in Lahore, Pakistan which was the beginning of her love affair with food, to working in leading restaurants in the United States. It's a really powerful book that packs an emotional punch, because it’s about dreams and ambition, love of food & family and how all of that is ultimately so fragile in the face of illness & death.  Buy the book: https://amzn.eu/d/gH3F7NY Find Tarajia: Website: https://www.tarajiamorrell.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tarajiamorrell/?hl=en Follow me @litwithcharles for more book reviews and recommendations!

Sports writing is a genre that I find particularly thrilling because sports is the ultimate form of non-violent competition, and there’s always something at stake. But as many people will tell you, it’s not all about winning, it’s about taking part. My guest today has written a book which might even argue that it’s not about taking part, but that it’s all about the preparation and the extreme lengths some people go to, in order to gain an edge.  Ed Hawkins is a sports writer who’s published numerous books including “The Lost Boys” a non-fiction exposé, for which he posed undercover to identify a human trafficking network bridging African & European football, and “Bookie Gambler Fixer Spy” which looks at the devastating effect of large betting syndicates in the sport of cricket. He’s also co-written the book “Why We Kneel, How We Rise” with the Jamaican cricket legend Michael Holding that looks at racism across various sports.  But the book that caught my eye had a more unusual title “The Men on Magic Carpets”. It’s an examination of some fairly outlandish developments in sports training, starting in the 1960s and is inspired by hippyish philosophies around the paranormal abilities of elite athletes and how these could be enhanced and mastered.  In this interview, we talk about the evolution of sports training, about the characters who devised some of these crazy methods and about the sports writing genre in general.  In this interview, Ed mentioned the following books: Jon Ronson – The Men who Stare at Goats which looks at the US Army’s attempts to channel the paranormal. Will Storr – The Science of Story-Telling – by the British journalist  George Orwell – Down and Out in Paris & London, 1984 Norman Mailer - The Fight -> about the Muhammad Ali – George Foreman fight Dave Meghaessy - Out of their League Find Ed Hawkins: Twitter: @cricketbetting Books: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Journalist-Ed-Hawkins/e/B00EZZY6X8/ref=aufs_dp_ftatl_dsk Follow me @litwithcharles for more book reviews and recommendations!

Today's episode was actually the first one I recorded a little while ago. I first came across the Book Club Review podcast hosted by Kate and Laura about a year ago, and I was always really impressed by the books they were discussing and the friendly, approachable tone they adopted during those discussions. Last year they contacted me to do an interview on the anniversary of the publication of Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf, and we recorded the interview in Tavistock Square, where Virginia Woolf used to live and where she is commemorated with a statue. The interview was a lot of fun and I was very glad I got the opportunity to continue the conversation.  Both Kate and Laura share some excellent book recommendations so make sure to have a pen and paper at the ready!  Find more information:  Website: https://www.thebookclubreview.co.uk/ Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-book-club-review/id1215730246 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bookclubreviewpodcast/?hl=en Follow me @litwithcharles for more book reviews and recommendations!

On today's episode I am joined by author, Alice Sherwood about her book "Authenticity: Reclaiming Reality in a Counterfeit Culture". We live in a world where it is increasingly difficult to make the difference between what’s authentic and what’s fake. Whether we are talking about counterfeit fashion or Tinder swindlers making up identities, inauthenticity is a force that seems to be taking over. Alice's book is thought-provoking – and an often humorous look at the concept of realness and fakeness across many topics, ranging from 17th century forgers to contemporary technology, and how the challenges to authenticity have evolved over time. This book and our conversation was profoundly illuminating and I hope it will be for you too. Find Alice Sherwood:  Buy "Authenticity: Reclaiming Reality in a Counterfeit Culture": https://amzn.eu/d/d5DD6xx Instagram: @alice.sherwood Follow me @litwithcharles for more book reviews and recommendations!

For the very first episode of my brand new podcast Lit with Charles, I wanted to interview an author whose work I’ve really enjoyed and admired. Caitlin Macy is a New York based author, she’s published two novels and two collections of short stories. Her first novel, The Fundamentals of Play, was published in 2000, which was followed by the short story collection Spoiled in 2009. Her second novel, Mrs., was published in 2018, and I connected with Caitlin when she published her second collection of short stories called A Blind Corner.  Caitlin’s stories inhabit a world where discomfort and neurosis lurk behind the edges. The women who populate these tales always seem to be one step away from a major, self-inflicted social disaster. As the author pokes her finger into the areas of gender, class, race, money and so many others. Her stories are fun, humorous and true, but also thought provoking and unsettling. I was very excited at the prospect of having a conversation with Caitlin Macy about her books and as you'll see in this episode, I wasn't disappointed. Links for Caitlin Macy: Website: https://caitlinmacy.com/ Books: https://caitlinmacy.com/books/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mrscaitlinmacy/ Follow me @litwithcharles for more book reviews and recommendations!

Welcome to my brand new podcast, Lit with Charles - a podcast on all things literary where I interview people who have either written books or have interesting things to say about them. Upcoming guests include:  - Caitlin Macy, an American novelist and the author of A Blind Corner - David Edmonds, a British philosopher and author of Wittgenstein's Poker -James Crabtree, author of The Billionaire Raj - Benjamin Moser, Clarissa Lispector, Susan Sontag and many more.  I hope you're as excited as I am to listen to my extremely talented guests talk about their craft and their books. Launching Monday 6th February.  Follow me on @litwithcharles