The British Book Awards has launched a weekly podcast featuring shortlisted writers discussing the books that shaped their lives and careers.
Chapters: A Life in Books is hosted by broadcaster and journalist Hannah MacInnes and features conversations with authors, narrators and illustrators including Ruth Jones, MC Grammar, Chris Chibnall, Donna Ashworth and Lucy Steeds.
The series focuses on personal reading memories, literary influences and the creative process behind each guest’s shortlisted work for The British Book Awards.
Episodes have mostly been recorded inside independent bookshops around the UK, including Saucy Books in Notting Hill, Bard Books in Bow, All Good Bookshop in Turnpike Lane and Morocco Bound in Bermondsey.
Guests are asked about the books that left lasting impressions on them, stories they would recommend to non-readers, and the authors they would most like to meet.
The conversations also explore books linked to difficult periods in their lives and characters they have connected with most strongly.
Hannah MacInnes said: “It is a real joy to be working again with the very best of teams. In fact, it feels like surreal luck to be able to call this work: settling into enchanting bookshops, with a dream collection of writers to hear about the literary influences on their lives, their inspirations and the stories that shaped them into the great successes they are today.”
The British Book Awards said the podcast combines literary discussion with the atmosphere of independent bookshops to offer listeners insight into the writers currently shaping the publishing industry.
The first episode is available now, with new episodes released weekly across podcast platforms and YouTube.
The podcast is also available on Audible, and The Bookseller website.
