Showing results by author "Holly Newson" in All Categories

Joining us at Audible Studios is Lara Maiklem, who runs the largest online mudlarking community, and has recently released a book all about it: Mudlarking. Expert mudlarker, Lara Maiklem, is uniquely skilled in the art of seeking. Tirelessly trekking across miles of the Thames' muddy shores, where others only see the detritus of city life, Maiklem unearths evidence of England's captivating, if sometimes murky, history, with some objects dating back to AD 43, when London was just an outpost of the Roman Empire.

Joining us at Audible Studios is journalist, restaurant critic, radio presenter and jazz musician Jay Rayner, who has recently released his book My Last Supper. You’re about to die. What would your final meal be? This question has long troubled Jay Rayner. As a man more obsessed with his lunch than is strictly necessary, the idea of a showpiece last supper is a tantalising prospect. But wouldn’t knowledge of your imminent demise ruin your appetite? So, Jay decided to cheat death and create his last meal while he’s still very much alive - and write it all down in a book.

The book follows Andrew, who sees the everyday the consequences of loneliness as part of his job. When no next of kin can be found, Andrew is the council worker who attends the funerals of those who had no-one at the end. He has told people about his wife and kids, the perfect family life back home, so he doesn't need to worry about being alone.... But in truth, his family are a white lie and this might make things complicated.

Sean O'Connor brings the period beautifully to life with painstaking research and thorough detail, as well as having access to brand new evidence on the case - journeying from the South London slums in the 1880s to British Columbia, and reaching its dramatic climax in Bournemouth, England. In this interview we talk about how women are treated when accused of murder, what O’Connor’s biggest find was on this case, and how his writing on this murder tied in with a story line on BBC Radio 4’s The Archers.

In this interview we spoke to Alastair about all three of his audiobooks and how things have changed for him over the years. Along the way we covered would he rather be too hot or too cold, adventure with a friend or alone, and even if it works to be married to someone with a different perspective on his travels.

Joining us at Audible Studios is English comedian, novelist and actress Jenny Eclair. Jenny's most recent novel is called Inheritance. The book, set in Cornwall, centres around the mansion Kittiwake, which has seen many pass through its doors since it was bought by American heiress Peggy Carmichael 70 years ago. Over the decades, the keys have been handed down through the family, and now it’s where Lance will be celebrating his 50th birthday, and Bel is invited. But in going back to Kittiwake, Bel will be returning to the place where it all began....

Joining us at Audible Studios is award-winning novelist and mental health advocate Nathan Filer. His new book, The Heartland, breaks down the misconceptions associated with schizophrenia. It asks big questions, like whether we spend enough time listening to those suffering with mental health issues and whether we truly understand the complex diagnosis of schizophrenia. Filer, who previously worked as a mental health nurse, opens our minds to new way of thinking about mental health and about ourselves.

Joining us at Audible Studios is Ayisha Malik, a British author who’s debut novel, Sofia Khan Is Not Obliged, released in 2015 and in 2019 was picked as the novel for Cityread London. Her newest book, This Green and Pleasant Land, published in June 2019. The story of This Green and Pleasant Land focuses on Bilil and Mariam Hasham, who have lived in the sleepy, contented village of Babbel's End for years. But things change rapidly when Bilal's mother whispers her dying wish from her deathbed....

His latest book, Black, Listed, is an exploration into 21st-century black identity, looking at why it's wrong to call someone a 'lighty', what a roadman really is, and why people think black guys are cool. It examines black identity through a list of insults and insights and everything in between. In this interview, Jeffrey told us what he learnt writing the book, why ‘black’ and ‘white’ are woefully inadequate and about the importance of teaching broad history and not getting stuck in old narratives.

Joining us at Audible Studios is Alex Bertie, YouTube vlogger of his transgender journey and author of Trans Mission: My Quest to a Beard. When Alex was born, doctors took one look and put an 'F' for female on the birth certificate, based on genitals. When Alex was 15 he realised he was a transgender man, through many years of struggling with identity. After coming out to family and friends, Alex battled the health-care system in order to take male hormones, have surgery, change his name and grow a beard.

Joining us at Audible Studios is English actress and model Dani Dyer, who won ITV2's Love Island in the summer of 2018. In her first book, What Would Dani Do?, Dani shares her experiences of growing up, going through bullying, relationships, insecurities...and being Danny Dyer's daughter! She gives advice to fans whilst showing how she’s still figuring it all out herself. We spoke to Dani about including Jack in the book, what she’s learnt from her dad and why hair removal cream should probably be kept away from your upper lip!

Joining us at Audible Studios is Oscar Duke, a doctor working for the NHS who regularly contributes to The Surgery on BBC Radio 1, has appeared on Channel 4's 24 Hours in A&E, and presented his own documentary about albinism for BBC2, Born Too White. Dr Oscar Duke has written a book, How to Be a Dad, which gives a 'Doctor' section and a 'Dad' section for each and every stage of pregnancy through to birth and after, with handy tips for mums along the way.

After Michelle Thomas suffered her first major depressive episode in 2013, she searched online for any information available on how to 'fix' herself. There was nothing. Nothing that wasn't dry as the Sahara desert. It was uncomfortably...depressing. And so, My Sh*t Therapist was born! In this interview, we spoke about her first experience of major depressive disorder; her fears, worries and ultimately positive experience of medication; and the other mental health books out there worth a listen.

The Beekeeper of Aleppo tells the story of Nuri, a beekeeper, and Afra an artist, who are warmly surrounded by friends and family in the beautiful city of Aleppo in Syria. Their world changes in an instant when war destroys everything they've known and loved and serves them unendurable heartbreak. In this interview we spoke about Lefteri's experiences in refugee camps in Athens, how these weighed on her, and thus her motivations for writing The Beekeeper of Aleppo. We also spoke about learning about beekeeping, PTSD and asylum.

Joining us at Audible Studios is Professor Richard Wiseman, Britain’s first Professor of the Public Understanding of Psychology. His newest book, Shoot for the Moon, gives listeners eight key principles on how to live their lives with the same mind-set of the Apollo mission crew, who put a man on the moon. He explains how pessimism is key to success and how you can transform fear into hope and tragedy into optimism.

The Patient Assassin covers the events of the Amritsar Massacre of 1919 in which hundreds of lives were lost when the army opened fire on a crowd with no warnings. An injured survivor, Udham Singh, vowed, wiping blood-soaked earth onto his forehead, that he would kill the men responsible. The Patient Assassin follows him through Africa and the US and across Europe to end up in front of Sir Michael O'Dwyer, who had sent the men to attack.

Joining us at Audible Studios is Jon Parkin, affectionately termed ‘The Beast’ by his many fans and known for indulging in full English breakfasts before training sessions. Parkin has proved his goal-scoring abilities over the years and has played for 14 different clubs in the Football League. We spoke about his memoir, Feed the Beast, his football career and plans for the future, his cheeky pranks and the personal struggles he’s faced.

Joining us at Audible Studios is Temi Oh, who has a BSci in neuroscience and an MA in creative writing and who has recently released her debut novel, Do You Dream of Terra-Two? We spoke about how rewriting one book taught her to write novels, how she got to go in a human centrifuge and being a huge audiobook fan.

Joining us at Audible Studios is Rachel Reeves, British economist and Labor Party politician. We spoke about her new book, Women of Westminster, which details the stories of women MPs from 1919-2019. In the past century, a total of 491 women have been elected to parliament. However, it wasn’t until 2016 that the total number of women ever elected eventually surpassed the number of male MPs in a single parliament. We spoke about Rachel about interviewing Teresa May for the book and how being a woman MP has affected her career.

Michael Fuller, author of Kill the Black One First, recounts his childhood in care and then his policing career, from the highs of promotion and justice to the lows of institutional racism, prejudice and family struggles. In the book, he gives details on his involvement in Operation Trident and how he overcome discrimination and stayed strong in the face of adversity. When he joined us in studio, we spoke to Michael about his first time on the beat, the advice he’d give to others experiencing bullying and what it was like to get access to his foster files.