The Waterstones Podcast

2025 is a big year for Kate Mosse. Celebrating the 20th anniversary of her bestselling novel, Labyrinth, and the 30th winner of the prize she helped found, The Women’s Prize, we had lots to talk about. Did Labyrinth feel any different to the books that preceded it at the time of writing, what were the sparks for setting up a literary prize that has changed the landscape of publishing over three decades, and what have been the standout moments in such a stellar career? Sit back and enjoy a joyful celebration.

Andrew O’Hagan’s Caledonian Road was one of 2024’s bestselling novels, with readers delighting in his searing portrayal of privilege punctured in a changing world. To celebrate its arrival in paperback we’re thrilled to share the conversation from his recent event with Natalie Jamieson at Waterstones Piccadilly, in which he shares the connections between his characters, his meticulous planning, and some of the incredible true stories behind this state-of-the-nation novel.

Bestselling authorJojo Moyes knows how to create characters and relationships which engage her readers and We All Live Here is no exception. A blended family is tested to its limits when estranged members suddenly appear to upset a fragile balance but might happiness appear on the other side of the drama? We spoke with her about characters who appear fully realised, why acceptance might be the secret to happiness and why finding success later in her career might have been the best way for the cards to fall.

When Han Kang accepted the Nobel Prize for Literature at the end of 2024, she spoke about the thread that connects her writing, from a poem she wrote at the age of 8, all the way through to her latest novel, We Do Not Part. We were delighted to be able to speak to her from South Korea about the questions that drive her writing, the themes of her latest novel and where that thread may take her and her readers next.

Four university friends now in their thirties are all experiencing their own takes on motherhood in the new novel from Holly Bourne, and a baby shower for one of them becomes the scene of a unique whodunnit. We sat down to speak with her about her own experiences with a baby who just wouldn't sleep, her run-in with a Rotary Club Santa, and why she's only happy as a writer if the prospect of someone reading her work makes her feel sick.

After the success of her first book, Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? ⁠Dr Julie Smith⁠ wanted to create a new book, something to turn to when you find yourself in the eye of the storm. Whether it's lack of confidence, willpower or the feeling of overwhelm that are leaving you in stasis, this book offers support and real time tools to help get you moving in the right direction. We sat down to speak with her about why small actions are so powerful and which advice she turned to herself whilst writing.

Shortly after her Booker Prize win, we were delighted to host Samantha Harvey in conversation with Chief Executive of the Booker Prize Foundation, Gaby Wood, at Waterstones Piccadilly. In a wide-ranging conversation we discovered so much about Harvey’s writing process, preoccupations and response to seeing her novel Orbital triumph, and it is our privilege to be able to share that conversation with a wider audience. Enjoy!

On Boxing Day 2022, whilst in Rome, Hanif Kureishi fell after feeling faint. When he awoke, he realised he couldn't move his limbs, and life changed profoundly for him and those around him. What hadn't changed was his desire to write, and Shattered brings together the blogs that he began just a few days after that accident. We joined him at home to speak about that desire to write, the impact of becoming disabled, and what this change has taught him about human nature.

After the completion of her seasonal quartet, readers will have been wondering where Ali Smith might take us next and it shouldn't be a surprise that a writer who had so successfully captured our present moment should seek to extend her gaze just a little further into an all too imaginable near future. Gliff forms the first part of a two book sequence, followed next year by its sister novel, Glyph. We sat down with her to discuss the process of storytelling, the nature of dystopia, and why she still has hope for our future.

From his mega-selling debut, to viral superstardom and a career-renaissance that continues to this day, Rick Astley’s life has always been filed with music. We sat down to speak with him about first singles, making tea for Pete Waterman and why, despite the hardships, gratitude is so important.

Sometimes you want a second helping, and so it is with Stanley Tucci. After speaking with him about his memoir Taste, we were delighted to chat again about his new book, What I Ate In One Year (and related thoughts). Not just a chance to share some of his favorite food, but also the importance of friends, family, and making the most of every moment. Pull up a chair and join us.

Since winning the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize in 2015 with his debut picture book, Blown Away, we have been big fans of the work of Rob Biddulph. So when the chance came to visit his studio and find out more about not only his latest book, I Follow The Fox, but also about his process and passions, we leapt at the chance. Featuring foxes, imaginary friends and over two thousand post-it notes, join us for an uplifting conversation about children and creativity.

With a narrative that stretches over seven decades, the new novel from Alan Hollinghurst doesn’t just give us the intimate details of a man’s life, but allows us to see the shifting tectonics of Britain’s social and political landscape from the 1960s to the present day. We sat down with the author to discuss boarding schools, an actor’s life, and the brutal power of micro-aggressions.

Following her bestselling classic, The Suspicions of Mr Whicher, ⁠Kate Summerscale now transports the reader to 1950s Britain and the murders at Rillington Place, in The Peepshow. We spoke with her about using her journalistic skills to uncover new theories, the drive to understand the motivations of murderous men, and how individual cases can serve as a window onto society as a whole.

The ability to appreciate even the smallest moments of joy in our busy lives can be the difference between just another day and a truly memorable one. This spirit infuses the latest book from Nigel Slater, a collection of meditative moments that touch all of our senses so we sat down with him to talk about the perfection of plain crisps, the art of packing a suitcase, and the warm hug of walking into a fragrant kitchen.

When you have a world-renowned portraitist like Joe Lycett in the building, you get easels, paints and canvas out and indulge in a bit of dual-portraiture. We sat down with the mischievous comedian to discuss the unfinished genius of Truss’s premiership, where his activism comes from and why even those of us who think we can’t paint, actually can*. *subjective NB: Given the visual nature of this interview, we would recommend watching on Spotify, YouTube or Waterstones.com

The Iranian Embassy siege of 1980 was one of those ‘where were you when it happened?’ moments, but beyond the explosive live footage of the SAS assault that ended things, what of the previous six days of tense standoff and the lives of the 26 hostages and the 6 armed men who held them? Ben Macintyre writes narrative history like no-one else and after extensive research and interviews with those who were there he sat down with us for an interview of his own. Who were these people, what exactly did they go through, and how would any of us have reacted if put in the same situation?

The sound of change jangling in our pockets may be less familiar in these days of contactless payment, but we all know how important money can feel in our lives. But might it actually have shaped human history? From the very beginnings of money as a concept, through ideas like credit, forecasting, and cryptocurrency, to its connections to literary classics and great works of art, economist David McWilliams finds the stories that will help the reader to understand the innate link between money and human innovation, and why it might be the secret to our success as a species.

After creating the irresistible anti-hero Grace in How To Kill Your Family, Bella Mackie returns with more familial dysfunction, more unlikeable characters and, yes, more murder in What A Way To Go. We sat down to discuss the lives of the super wealthy, her fascination with the appeal of true crime, and finding humour in the darkest of places.

Clare Chambers knows how to hook readers, with her previous novel, Small Pleasures, winning The British Book Awards 2022 Pageturner Book of the Year. She looks set to do it all over again with her latest, Shy Creatures, which unearths the story of a mute patient in a psychiatric hospital. We sat down to talk about factual inspiration, the influence of lockdown on even this period piece, and why human flaws provide such narrative fuel.