Something of the Night podcast

Who can say what the night might bring? Mummy tucking you up with Teddy and a cup of Ovaltine? Fireworks and frivolity? A party? Music? Dancing? Ian Merchant might have the answers…

An extract from Something of the Night, by Ian Marchant

Who can say what the night might bring? Mummy tucking you up with Teddy and a cup of Ovaltine? Fireworks and frivolity? A party? Music? Dancing? Or you could be reading in bed, between clean linen sheets before falling into deep and restful sleep and sweet dreams…

What secrets wash up on the tide?

Listen to the podcast for Penny Hancock’s debut novel, Tideline…

Joseph Galliano on putting Dear Me together

The original UK edition took three months to compile, an Irish edition took two months, but the American version of the book (released in the UK as Dear Me, More Letters To My Sixteen Year Old Self) was an altogether more marathon task…

An extract from Henry’s Demons

Living with Schizophrenia, A Father and Son’s Story.

On a cold February day two months after his 20th birthday, Henry waded into the lethally cold Newhaven estuary and almost drowned. The trees, he said, had told him to do it.

Dear Me: More Letters to my Sixteen Year Old Self

If you were to write a letter to your 16-year-old self, what would it say? In Dear Me, some of the world’s most famous and best loved celebrities, from actors to chefs, directors to musicians, have written just such a letter.

Uncover The Night Strangers, by Chris Bohjalian

It begins with a door in a dusky corner of a basement in a rambling Victorian house in northern New Hampshire. A door that someone has sealed shut with thirty-nine enormous carriage bolts.

Read an extract…

An extract from Chango’s Beads and Two-Tone Shoes

The latest novel from Pulitzer Prize-winning William Kennedy – a tale of revolutionary intrigue, heroic journalism, crooked politicians, drug-running gangsters, Albany race riots, and the improbable rise of Fidel Castro.

The Dovekeepers

Read an extract from Alice Hoffman’s The Dovekeepers – “… This novel is a testament to the human spirit and to love rising from the ashes of war. But most of all, this novel is one that will never be forgotten by a reader.” Jodi Picoult.

Win copies of The Women of the Cousins’ War, by Philippa Gregory [closed]

We have three copies of Philippa Gregory’s latest beautifully illustrated work, with rare portraits and source materials, as well as fascinating insights into the inspiration behind her writing. To enter read the extracts and watch the video…

Get to know the Women of the Cousin’s War

The Women of the Cousin’s War is a beautifully illustrated work with rare portraits and source materials, as well as fascinating insights into the inspiration behind Philippa Gregory’s writing. Watch out for a competition later this week!

The Lady of the Rivers

Read the opening chapter of the latest in Philippa Gregory’s Cousins’ War series, The Lady of the Rivers…

Discover A Chaplain at Gallipoli, The Great War Diaries of Kenneth Best

Many chaplains were not permitted to go near the Front in the First World War – others insisted on doing so, like Kenneth Best in the Gallipoli Campaign. In his diary we follow his progress through his initial training in Egypt and on to his arrival in Gallipoli in May 1915.

The Lost Kings – A Code

Bruno Hare tells a tale of his time spent in Pakistan, researching his novel, Lost Kings, a rollicking tale of adventure and derring-do set on the far frontiers of Empire in the best tradition of Kipling and Rider Haggard.

Explore the genesis of The Lost Kings

Bruno Hare introduces us to the wild lands that inspired his first novel, The Lost Kings, a rollicking tale of adventure and derring-do set on the far frontiers of Empire in the best tradition of Kipling and Rider Haggard.

The fall and rise of Matt Hampson

Engage author Paul Kimmage talks to ex-England rugby player Matt Hampson, who dislocated his neck during a game.

Simon Day talks Comedy and Error

Best known as one of the stars of the Fast Show and Bellamy’s People co-starring Paul Whitehouse, Simon Day tells the shocking, sometimes sad and hilariously funny story of his life so far.

Tom Rob Smith on The Secret Speech

Tom Rob Smith’s follow-up to wildly successsful debut novel Child 44 is republished this month.

Watch out for a competition to win amazing signed, limited edition numbered bound copies of his latest novel, Agent 6, next week on our sister website, Bookdagger!

Discover Chasing the Sun by Richard Cohen

The Sun is so powerful, so much bigger than us, that it is a terrifying subject. Yet though we depend on it, we take it for granted. Download an extract from Chasing the Sun – a cultural and scientific history of our relationship with the star that gives us life.

Chasing the Sun

The Sun is so powerful, so much bigger than us, that it is a terrifying subject. Yet though we depend on it, we take it for granted. Author Richard Cohen discusses Chasing the Sun – a cultural and scientific history of our relationship with the star that gives us life.

Listen to The Soundtrack of a Northern Life podcast

In his eagerly awaited new book, Reelin’ in the Years DJ Mark Radcliffe takes a record from each year of his life, using the song as a starting point from which to reach out and pull together a wonderfully entertaining catalogue of memories and asides about British culture.

Watch Will and Kate’s Big Fat Gypsy Wedding

Will and Kate’s Big Fat Gypsy Wedding is the exclusive behind-the-scenes photo album of the royal/gypsy wedding the whole world has been waiting for!