Literature

It's been a great year for authors with some excellent books published and some wicked visitors to the Literature podcast studio. Here's a look back at some of our favourite guests, including Tony Parsons, Jonathan Maitland and the comedian John Hegley. We'll be back in the new year with more great books to read!

Modern Phobias – a litany of contemporary fears is an hilarious book by Tim Lihoreau. Taking modern fears that have yet to be given a formal name – fear of a certain kitchen drawer for instance – Tim creates a name and full dictiobary explanation in a style that is guaranteed to make you smile. This is the fourth chapter in a series from this book.

Modern Phobias – a litany of contemporary fears is an hilarious book by Tim Lihoreau. Taking modern fears that have yet to be given a formal name – fear of a certain kitchen drawer for instance – Tim creates a name and full dictiobary explanation in a style that is guaranteed to make you smile. This is the third chapter in a series from this book.

Modern Phobias – a litany of contemporary fears is an hilarious book by Tim Lihoreau. Taking modern fears that have yet to be given a formal name – fear of a certain kitchen drawer for instance – Tim creates a name and full dictiobary explanation in a style that is guaranteed to make you smile. This is the second chapter in a series from this book.

Modern Phobias – a litany of contemporary fears is an hilarious book by Tim Lihoreau. Taking modern fears that have yet to be given a formal name – fear of a certain kitchen drawer for instance – Tim creates a name and full dictiobary explanation in a style that is guaranteed to make you smile. This is the first chapter in a series from this book.

Is It Just Me Or Is Everything S**t? is the second installment of Steve Lowe and Alan McArthur’s highly amusing – and often controversial – take on everyday life. Here the two authors talk about how they researched the book, decided what to include aand how they worked together as a team.

The Presidents of MCC is a stunning book by the author Jonathan Rice. It reveals the history of one of the most prestigious appointments in English cricket. Jonathan has interviewed many surviving past Presidents and there are intriguing tales of 18th and 19th Century Presidents.

It can truly be said that Gerald Howat has led a life dedicated to cricket. He has been a member of the MCC for more than 40 years and amazingly nears his 80th birthday. Cricket All My Life is both a fascinating autobiography and a great read from an author who has seen most of the great players of the past half century.

Foreign languages are a wonderful source of weird and wonderful explanations – some words are familiar sounding, others are just plain bizarre. We hear from the authoru of a book that comes highly recommended by the comedian and fellow author Stephen Fry. In The Meaning of Tingo – and other extraordinary words, author Adam Jacot de Bonod has trawled through the world’s dictionaries to uncover words that are quirky, amusing or just downright befuddling!

An inspirational book for women on the benefits of Traditional Chinese Medicine. “Disease is an expression of the whole person — body, mind and spirit — in relation to the environment. Chinese medicine doesn't just treat isolated symptoms in isolated body parts. It gently encourages an awareness of the self as a whole, which in turn promotes strength and healing.” Author Xiaolan Zhao

When Does A Tree Stop Growing is a tale of spiritual growth written by Steve Rock. The inspirational poet and wordsmith for the 21st century, Steve Rock is a man that walks his talk; he firmly believes that dreams are meant for living and promotes this message through his writing, talks and music. Here he gives the reasoms for writing, explains its style and gives an example of his work.

Increasingly India’s fate matters and affects us all. Inspite of the Gods written by Ed Luce analyses how India’s history, economy, demographics, politics, religion and culture are all influencing its modernisation and development. Ed Luce penetrates the apparent disorder of a society undergoing massive change and reveals a country teetering on the brink of greatness.

Dream Healer is an amazing piece of work from a young man. To his friends he is just Adam. But in the world of alternative healing, he is fast becoming the most talked-about energy healer alive today. This is the remarkable story of this teenager and his discovery that he has the power to heal others. The next Literature podcasts is available on Monday 28th August

The Bob Dylan Encyclopedia is an amazing monumental music compendium by Michael Gray Michael’s all-encompasing book charts the influences that shaped Dylan’s life and work and the impact he has made on the cultural landscape of the 20th and 21st centuries. Here Michael talks about the process of writing his book.

Too Many Mothers is a powerful series of memoirs of an East End Childhood by the well-known actress Roberta Taylor Here Roberta talks about the reasons for writing the book combined with reading extracts from two chapters.

A Blow To The Heart is a powerful story of revenge, redemption and the meaning of loss set in the world of Boxing. It’s from the award-winning author Marcel Theroux. The violent death of Daisy’s husband leaves her a widow. As she struggles to build a new life, a chance encounter with her husband’s killer becomes the starting point of a journey into obsessive hatred. Here Marcel talks about the reasons for writing the book combined with reading extracts from two chapters.

Britian’s Last Tommies is the moving book about the final memories from soldiers in the 1914-18 war written in their own words. It from author Richard van Emden. It’s now nearly 90 years since the outbreak of the First World War and very few of the six million men who served in this bloodiest of wars are still alive. Here Richard talks about the reasons for writing the book combined with reading extracts from two chapters.

Revenge of the Middle-Aged Woman is the beautifully written book about coming second best by Elizabeth Buchan . And it’s a tale of sexual betrayal with a unique twist. The author is aleady a best-seller with and lives in London. Here Elizabeth talks about the reasons for writing the book combined with reading extracts from two chapters.

This Is My Life is an autobiography written with style and wit by Eamonn Holmes, the hugely popular TV presenter. He recalls his days growing up in Northern Ireland and the urge to become a reporter. There’s also a fair dose of his devotion to Manchester United. Here Eamonn talks about the reasons for writing the book combined with reading extracts from two chapters.

A Piano In The Pyrenees is written with style and wit by comedian Tony Hawks. It’s sub-titled the ups and downs of an Englishman in the French mountains. The book details how not to do things when you take the leap and buy a home abroad!! Here Tony talks about the reasons for writing the book combined with reading extracts from two chapters.