Summer 2013 Book Club

Liza Klaussmann discusses her novel Tigers In Red Weather with Richard and Judy. Hear Liza talk about life in Martha’s Vineyard, writing her debut novel and transatlantic attitudes to writing and writers. Liza reads from her book and tells us what it is like to see her book on the shelves. Listen to the podcast in full at whsmith.co.uk/richardandjudy

Tigers In Red Weather by Liza Klaussman - Podcast preview

Karen Thompson Walker discusses her novel The Age Of Miracles with Richard and Judy. Hear how the rotation of the Earth did slow this century and how her life in California inspired her novel. Also, Richard and Judy’s heated debate about what would happen if the situation in the novel were really happening and, Richard’s idea for a sequel and what he would call it. Listen to the podcast in full at whsmith.co.uk/richardandjudy. 

The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker - Podcast preview

Sophie McKenzie talks to Richard and Judy about her first novel for adults, physcological suspense thriller Close My Eyes. Sophie explains why she believes the main character, Gen, has struggled to move on from the aparent still birth of her only daughter Beth 8 years previously. Richard and Judy explore Sophie’s writing process and if she had plotted the story in full before she began writing and, most importantly, if she had decided whether or not Gen’s husband Art was involved in the baby’s disappearance… Listen to the podcast in full at whsmith.co.uk/richardandjudy.

Close My Eyes by Sophie McKenzie

Is it the end for Richard and Judy? Phew, of course not! Kathleen MacMahon meets Richard and Judy to discuss her debut novel, This is How it Ends. They talk about the power of the contemporary and real-life setting of the novel – in the centre of the 2008 worldwide financial crash. Kathleen explains to Richard and Judy how she felt Addie, the central character, didn’t deserve to be so unhappy, and how Irish people really feel about their Irish-American relations! Kathleen tells us how the book, for her, was all about discovering what actually matters in life. 

This Is How It Ends by Kathleen MacMahon - Podcast preview

ML Stedman talks to Richard and Judy about her debut novel, The Light Between Oceans. When Richard describes like a dreamscape, Margot explains how the novel began when Tom just appeared in her mind one day and that when she was writing she could see the whole of Tom and Izzy’s world in her minds eye – even spending afternoons in tears in the British Library when awful events were taking place on Janus Rock. They discuss the choice of the name Janus Rock as the name of the island and the theme of two sides and two perspectives running throughout the book. 

The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman - Podcast preview

Calling all book lovers, The Richard and Judy Book Club has a new home! Visit whsmith.co.uk/richardandjudy for all the latest recommendations, author interviews and thoughts from other readers. 

The Book Club announces a new set of books regularly throughout the year. Each list is compiled after going through a rigorous selection process, the available titles are whittled down to a longlist which Richard and Judy (alongside a group of book industry experts) read before settling on a final selection of books that they think you will love as much as they do.

Richard and Judy will be providing their own reviews of every book in the list, giving an insight into why the books were chosen. They will also be interviewing authors to discuss the books and the videos will all be available at the Book Club's new home.


Close My Eyes by Sophie McKenzie

Richard & Judy Book Club