A new podcast will connect listeners with authors and book recommendations to read while relaxing on the sun lounger.
Books on the Beach is hosted by broadcaster Phil Williams and will feature one writer per episode, focusing on commercial fiction, non-fiction and children’s titles.
The series is produced with EY3 Studios in South Manchester and will be available across major audio platforms. A filmed version will also be released on YouTube in 4K UHD, extending the podcast’s reach beyond audio audiences.
Confirmed guests include Lynda La Plante, Dorothy Koomson and Anthony Horowitz, with more authors expected to be announced. Each episode will centre on a single writer, offering insights into their work and reading recommendations.
Phil Williams said he hopes the podcast will encourage more people to engage with books, particularly those who may have avoided reading in the past.
He said: “I never read fiction until the age of 34. I was completely put off by English A Level texts. I don’t want other adults and especially men to make the same mistake.”
He added: “A recent YouGov poll suggested 40% of Britons hadn’t read or listened to a book in the last year. I’d love to put that right through this podcast and recommend some incredible stories to people who don’t ever pick up a book.”
Phil has previously worked across BBC Radio 1, BBC Radio 5 Live and Times Radio, and is currently heard on BBC Radio 2.
Books on the Beach launches on 23 April, with new episodes released every two weeks on all podcast platforms.
