Books on the Beach

Phil Williams

A brand new Books podcast from broadcaster Phil Williams profiling the Books you'll find on every sunlounger across the Globe. We celebrate the big commercial fiction, non-fiction and children's books by profiling one author each episode. All fully visualised in 4kUHD as well as in audio.

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22 episodes
weekly
Avg 30 min
English

Episodes 22

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Thursday · 5 min
Beach Bites 10 - Chris Brookmyre
The Bonus Beach Bites Episodes give you writers' answers to two very simple questions: 1. Best Holiday You've Ever Been On?2. Best Book You've Ever Read On Holiday? These are Chris Brookmyre's answers including a Book that he says is so large it should come with wheels and a carry handle! Season 2 is coming in October, so make sure you're signed up to the mailing list for exclusive guest reveals, giveaways and the inside track on Books on the Beach. https://joinbooksonthebeach.co.uk
September 10 · 4 min
Beach Bites 09 - Jamie Smart
The Bonus Beach Bites Episodes give you writers' answers to two very simple questions: 1. Best Holiday You've Ever Been On? 2. Best Book You've Ever Read On Holiday? These are Jamie Smart's answers which include a rare French comic and why his best holiday happened on one of his birthdays.
September 3 · 9 min
Beach Bites 08 - Abir Mukherjee
The Bonus Beach Bites Episodes give you writers' answers to two very simple questions: 1. Best Holiday You've Ever Been On? 2. Best Book You've Ever Read On Holiday? These are Abir Mukherjee's answers which include why he preferred holidaying in the Maldives to living there and how the best book he took finally unlocked his next novel after writers' block.
August 27 · 4 min
Beach Bites 07 - Sarah Vaughan
The Bonus Beach Bites Episodes give you writers' answers to two very simple questions:1. Best Holiday You've Ever Been On?2. Best Book You've Ever Read on Holiday?These are Sarah Vaughan's answers. Find out why she can't read a book set in a cold place, if she's sunning herself...!
August 20 · 4 min
Beach Bites 06 - Anthony Horowitz
The Bonus Beach Bites Episodes give you writers' answers to two very simple questions: 1. Best Holiday You've Ever Been On? 2. Best Book You've Ever Read on Holiday? These are Anthony Horowitz's answers, which also ponder on whether the holiday setting you're in, affects your choice of book and why I Am Pilgrim got passed around his entire family.
August 13 · 9 min
Beach Bites 05 - Heidi Perks
The Bonus Beach Bites Episodes give you writers' answers to two very simple questions: 1. Best Holiday You've Ever Been On? 2. Best Book You've Ever Read on Holiday? These are Heidi Perks' answers with some brilliant book recommendations here too and why you won't find Heidi in the Pool playing ball!
August 6 · 4 min
Beach Bites 04 Dorothy Koomson
The Bonus Beach Bites Episodes give you writers' answers to two very simple questions: 1. Best Holiday You've Ever Been On? 2. Best Book You've Ever Read On Holiday? Here are Dorothy Koomson's Answers which include the one holiday that led her to emigrate. She also reveals how many books she can burn through on a fortnight away and her Holiday Read is a blockbuster by the late, great Sophie Kinsella.
July 30 · 3 min
Beach Bites 03 - Ardal O'Hanlon
The Bonus Beach Bites Episodes give you writers' answers to two very simple questions: 1. Best Holiday You've Ever Been On? 2. Best Book You've Ever Read on Holiday? Here are Ardal O' Hanlon's answers... Now with added Howler Monkey...! His full Ep is also available here, just scroll down.
July 23 · 4 min
BEACH BITES 02: Michael Connelly
The Bonus Beach Bites Episodes give you writers' answers to two very simple questions: 1. Best Holiday You've Ever Been On? 2. Best Book You've Ever Read on Holiday? Here are Michael Connelly's answers. His full Ep is also available here, just scroll down.
July 16 · 3 min
BEACH BITES 01: Lynda La Plante
The Bonus Beach Bites Episodes, give you writers’ answers to two very simple questions: 1. Best holiday you’ve ever been on? 2. Best book you’ve ever read on holiday? Here’s Lynda La Plante’s answers. Her full Ep is available here too, just scroll down.
S1 · E11
July 9 · 1 hr 4 min
Lorraine Kelly
We end Season 1 with a genuine National Treasure. Lorraine Kelly has been on British television for over 40 years. Two years ago, she published her debut novel, The Island Swimmer and now she's back with the follow up, The Island Secret. In this interview Lorraine talks about her writing process; how she resented her brother appearing in her family as a little girl and the time the Daily Mail accused her of not having a proper Scottish accent !! Your life can only be enhanced by an hour with Lorraine. Our Youtube Channel is here Make sure you're following Books on the Beach on Instagram too.
S1 · E10
July 2 · 1 hr 1 min
Chris Brookmyre
Chris Brookmyre is the multi-award winning author of 31 books, spanning an incredible thirty year career. He’s back with a follow up to his debut: Quite Ugly One Morning, which is called Quite Ugly One Evening. In this wide ranging interview we talk about confected anger on the Internet; Views overtaking News; and how Chris learnt the guitar in later life to allow him to play alongside Val McDermid, Mark Billingham, Luca Veste, Doug Johnstone and Stuart Neville in the Fun Lovin’ Crime Writers. Chris is a brilliant writer and a lovely interviewee and as well as checking out Quite Ugly One Evening, you should also read The Cracked Mirror, Chris’ previous novel which is mind blowingly good. What a pleasure it was to spend an hour in his company. Enjoy.
S1 · E9
June 25 · 1 hr
Heidi Perks
The Brilliant Heidi Perks is the Sunday Times Bestselling Author who brought you, Now You See Her. She’s back with a page turner of a locked room thriller, called It Ends Here, which Phil really loved. In this chat you can hear about Heidi’s beginnings in marketing; why it took five years for her to get a publishing deal; how she’s scrapped endings of books on police advice, and why Mr Perks is grateful for a shout out on this podcast…! Phil really loved meeting Heidi for the first time. They even played table tennis together after the show! See the Books on the Beach Instagram channel for the footage! You’ll love this Ep. If you’ve ever wanted to write your own book, it’s super insightful.
S1 · E8
June 18 · 1 hr 8 min
Abir Mukherjee
Phil did Abir Mukherjee’s first national broadcast interview a decade ago for his debut, A Rising Man. Since then, Abir’s won the Theakstons Crime Novel of the Year, the British Book Awards Crime & Thriller Novel of the Year, the CWA Dagger for best Historical Novel, and much much more. In this Episode, we get Abir’s views on India; his Jeffrey Archer impression (!) and we learn his family’s Indian pet name for him. His new book The Pinnacle is also out today and is his funniest book to date. Enjoy!
S1 · E7
June 4 · 56 min
Jamie Smart
Jamie Smart has sold millions of children's books: The Bunny vs Monkey series, Looshkin and Megalomaniacs. His books are hilarious punk graphic novels for children and make my own kids howl with laughter. In this very special episode, some of Jamie's junior readers get to put their questions to their hero, one of which he says not even his own Editor has ever asked..!If you've got children, they'll love this. There's tonnes of new info about the next few books and some specials to come before the end of 2026. This one'll hit you, 'Oof...Right in the Puddings.'
S1 · E6
May 28 · 50 min
Sarah Vaughan
Sarah Vaughan is the brilliant Million Seller behind hits like Anatomy of a Scandal and Little Disasters. She's back with a brand new novel - Based Upon a True Story - which is a family saga rooted in King Lear. It's brilliantly observed, satirical and also tackles some serious issues like Gambling Addiction. Phil and Sarah chat about the novel plus Sarah's views on Instagram Influencers, her former career as a print journalist covering harrowing news stories and why she writes for therapy.
S1 · E5
May 19 · 53 min
Michael Connelly
Michael Connelly is Phil's all time favourite writer. He's delighted that Michael said Yes to another interview. In this Ep, you'll hear Michael talk candidly about a life changing health event; his brand new Detective Stilwell novel, IRONWOOD; he'll outline what the brand new Bosch nobel will be about which lands this Autumn, and gives vital TV updates on Bosch, Lincoln Lawyer and Ballard. It's a Must Watch/Listen for all Michael Connelly fans obsessed with the BoschVerse!
S1 · E4
May 14 · 59 min
Ardal O'Hanlon
You don't need me to tell you about Ardal O'Hanlon, right..? Stand up comedian, actor, writer. It's been a while since he gave us a Novel, though. His third - A Plot to Die For - is the first in a new series of gentle, funny, crime books. In this chat we discuss the novel, learn some Irish vernacular; we talk Fame, Celebrity and Howler Monkeys. Plus plenty of hilarious stories.
S1 · E3
May 7 · 44 min
Dorothy Koomson
Dorothy Koomson has sold over three million books and is Britain's Biggest Selling Black Writer.She stops by to tell Phil all about The Quiet Girls, her brand new 22nd novel; why she's a big scaredy cat when it comes to storylines that are too sinister and why she's lovely until you cross her...then you're guaranteed to turn up in one of her books...as a Baddie..!! She's great fun. Enjoy!
S1 · E2
April 30 · 57 min
Anthony Horowitz
The wonderful Anthony Horowitz chats to Phil about his new Hawthorne Thriller: A Deadly Episode. In a wide ranging chat they cover: Retirement; why his grandchildren aren't allowed to use the G word; how often Anthony misses his stop on the train because he's too busy writing on his laptop; why he has no interest in Awards Shows and which Producer he describes as 'a skunk.' He's warm, funny, engaging and Phil loved recording this chat for you. This is indeed, A Deadly Episode..!!!

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