In the first of a brand-new series, Graham talks to best-selling ‘tartan noir’ doyenne, Val McDermid, about her latest novel, 1979 and our clubbers debate whether it was, in fact, a good year. 

Plus, Nirvana and Foo Fighters rock legend, Dave Grohl, reveals how he created and voiced his memoir, The Storyteller. All this and plenty more including a glimpse behind the Booker prize curtain and an insiders-guide to what’s trending on the book charts.

The Book Club entertains literary royalty as Margaret Atwood tells Graham about her Booker-nominated story of murder and madness, Alias Grace, and the clubbers pass judgement on whether it stands up in court. Master illusionist, Derren Brown, reveals some of his ‘secrets’ and, inspired by Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale, Alex Clark guides us through three books who have staged impressive come-backs. All this plus which chart-toppers to watch.

Our book of the week is Naoise Dolan’s smash hit debut, Exciting Times. Graham talks to her about creating this story of young, misguided love and our clubbers reveal if they’re excited about it or not. 

National treasure and storyteller extraordinaire, Miram Margolyes, shares some ‘truths’ about her life and Sara Collins proves that size doesn’t matter (when it comes to books). 

We’ve also got chart choices and plenty of other reviews and recommendations.

Matt Haig’s chart topping The Midnight Library is this week’s book. He tells Graham about creating this fantasy best-seller while the club decide if they’re renewing their loan or returning their cards. Celia Imrie reveals the true story behind her new audiobook, Orphans of the Storm, Sara Collins decides if ‘the book was better’ with three of the best novels adapted for TV and film and our chart guide gives you the inside track on the next big thing.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The Midnight Library deals with suicide and issues surrounding it. If you have been affected by any of the themes discussed in the programme, please get in touch with one of these organisations who can help and support you.

UK - Samaritans: https://www.samaritans.org/

Europe - Samaritans: https://www.samaritans.org/

USA - National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/ 

Australia - Lifeline: https://www.lifeline.org.au/

Crying in H Mart is Michelle Zauner’s New York Times best-selling memoir about the loss of her Korean mother and the discovery of her own Korean heritage. Michelle tells Graham about the writing of it while the clubbers debate how they felt about the reading of it. 

Humourist David Sedaris talks about committing his latest of volume of diaries – A Carnival of Snackery – to sound, and Alex chimes with the zeitgeist with three books from Japan and Korea (Graham has still not seen Squid Game). 

Walter Mosley’s classic hard-boiled crime drama, Devil in a Blue Dress, is our book of the week. Graham talks to Walter about why 1948 Los Angeles still enthrals readers today and our clubbers get their gumshoes on and discuss whether it’s an open and shut case or a petty crime. 

Poet Lemn Sissay talks about bringing to life TS Eliot’s Cats and his own extraordinary memoir, My Name Is Why, while Sara Collins sees the funny side with her three best humorous novels.

RC Sherriff is best-known for his play Journey’s End and his screenplays for The Dam Busters and Goodbye Mr Chips but our book this time is his novel, The Fortnight in September. Sherriff fan and novelist, Tracy Chevalier (The Girl With a Pearl Earring, A Single Thread) talks to Graham about this 1930s classic and the clubbers decide whether they would take it on their holidays. 

Staying with temporal issues, Miles Jupp talks about voicing his novel, History, and Alex Clark recommends three books shaped by a specific time frame.

Our book of the week is Homegoing, Yaa Gyasi’s brilliant debut novel that follows the descendants of two sisters from 18th century Ghana to millennial California. Yaa tells Graham about creating such an extraordinary journey and our clubbers discuss how they felt about undertaking it. Sara Collins highlights three other books that powerfully take on the topic of slavery and Booker Prize winner, Bernardine Evaristo, talks about speaking her truth in Manifesto.