13:27
Baggies 2025 and The Year In Review. Join Suzi as she looks back on the year that was.
2025 saw a lot of interesting guests in the bag. Suzi sums it all up for you in the Year in Review.
Complete channel catalogue
Every Book Bag video, indexed for readers, writers and search.
Browse 90 public videos from Suzi's Book Bag by episode, author, subject and playlist-style category.
13:27
1:03:10
After Hans Holbein arrived in England, painting would never be the same again. Elizabeth Goldring...
Hans Holbein's masterpieces are world-renowned, but who was the man behind those brilliantly observed portraits of the Tudor court? Elizabeth Goldring drops into the Book Bag to discuss her marvellous new biography.
13:19
Suzi discusses the launch of The Aftershock Review in Manchester.
Suzi discusses the launch of The Aftershock Review in Manchester issue two and recent literary events. Plus Chorley cakes and northern crisp flavours.
1:03:40
Sexing Up the Haunted House: Leon Craig's Eerie Debut 'The Decadence'
Rising star Leon Craig drops into the Book Bag to discuss moving from the short story to the novel form with her darkly delicious debut, 'The Decadence', a sharply modern take on the country house genre.
1:28:09
Did Jane Austen ever fall in love? Suzi and Paula Byrne discuss the nuances. 'Six Weeks By the Sea'
Did Jane Austen ever fall in love? Paula Byrne joins me in the Book Bag to discuss all things Austen and her excellent new novel 'Six Weeks By the Sea', an ingenious spin on the author's life.
1:09:29
From costume designer to historical novelist; Sally Gardner reveals her unique writer's journey.
Prizewinning author Sally Gardner joins Suzi to discuss her new historical novel 'The Bride Stone', fairy tales, the French Revolution, and her top tip for creating rounded characters
26:01
Musical heroes, acting royalty and comedy legends at the Idler Festival in Hampstead
Suzi hangs out at the Idler festival in Hampstead, tries a bit of Regency dancing, finds out about the sex in Jane Austen, remembers Britpop and meets musical hero Joe Boyd.
1:04:10
I chat with Benjamin Markovits about trips, Saul Bellow and nominated novel, 'The Rest of Our Lives'
Benjamin Markovits joins Suzi to talk about road trips, basketball and Saul Bellow, and his witty, bittersweet new novel, 'The Rest of Our Lives' about a man who goes on a voyage of self-discovery across the US as he contemplates leaving his marriage.
1:19:31
How do you write 50+ books? Children's author Joseph Coelho reveals his tricks
Children's author and poet Joseph Coelho drops into the Book Bag to discuss his latest prizewinning book, 'The Boy Lost in the Maze', a brilliant contemporary re-working of the myth of Theseus and the Minotaur.
1:07:04
Suzi chats with Peter Stothard
Seize the day! Why Roman poet Horace still rocks A lover of wine (Nunc est bibendum), women and the peaceful life, Horace had to tread carefully around Augustus Caesar.
11:33
The Aftershock Review
Suzi introduces the new poetry mag that's causing a stir, and remembers the Irish poet Niall McDevitt
30:31
Suzi visits the Oxford and Althorp Literary Festivals.
Who she met, who she interviewed and overall impressions of the events in question.
1:34:31
Suzi talks to poet Rachel Spence about her inspirations: yoga, Venice and the Greek myths.
'Living in Venice made me a better person' Poet and art writer Rachel Spence joins me in the Book Bag to discuss her latest collection, 'Daughter of the Sun', which contains tender poems on her mother's terminal illness and a sequence redeeming the villainous Medea. We talk Ruskin, Greek tragegy, Renaissance art and yoga
1:01:47
Charlie Hill Chapter 2 - We learn about his writing process and more.
Charlie HIll returns to the Book Bag to discuss his new collection of wry psychogeographical essays, 'This Albion: Snapshots of a compromised land'. We chat about his journeys, photos and inspirations, his unique take on Britain, and his writing methods.
1:07:24
Suzi chats with George Orwell biographer, critic and novelist DJ Taylor
Suzi interviews George Orwell biographer, critic and novelist DJ Taylor about his methods, motivations and insights.
48:04
Suzi chats with author Philip Womack... Chapter 2, 'I wrote a vampire novel aged 14'
Coronation Chicken sandwiches, Narnia and playing the piano - children's fantasy author Philip Womack reveals his top writing tips, tweaks and post-creativity treats.
14:53
The Baggie Awards 2024
The Baggie Awards are BACK! 🏆 Don't miss this revealing look inside Suzi's Book Bag!
13:46
The obituary of the famous Irish poet Michael Longley.
Suzi bids farewell to the great Irish poet Michael Longley, and discusses his lengthy career. A link to the poetic past has been broken, but the work lives on.
1:12:34
Suzi chats with Jenny Downham and Louis Hill about their unique collaboration and their new book.
How do a bestselling, prizewinning author and an actor collaborate on their first book together? Well, it helps if they're mother and son!
1:13:15
Suzi chats with cartoonist and poet Martin Rowson.
Cartoonist Martin Rowson joins me in the Book Bag to celebrate publication of his Collected Journalism and also to chat about 'The *untsiad' his savage update of Alexander Pope's satirical epic The Dunciad. We get a bit sweary and talk about the grand old days in Soho.
1:08:26
Suzi chats with fiction author Chris Chalmers
Chris Chalmers drops into the Book Bag to talk about his latest novel, 'Fenella's Fair Share', a Wimbledon-set tale of mismatched flatmates with a complex yet comical heroine. We discuss finding inspiration in news stories, the novelist's work ethic, and cruising (the nautical kind).
1:08:50
Suzi chats with historian Kathryn Hughes. The history of cats and so much more.
Historian Kathryn Hughes joins Suzi in the Book Bag to discuss 'Catland', a vastly entertaining glimpse into the bizarre world of Victorian artist Louis Wain and his anthropomorphic felines. Think Richard Dadd with cats instead of fairies.
1:15:25
Suzi chats with author Sam Leith.
Sam Leith joins me in the Book Bag to discuss 'The Haunted Wood', not just a survey of children's books but a study of changing notions of childhood itself. It's a huge field - Alice, Tolkien, Rowling, Alan Garner and many more - and Leith is the perfect guide to its riches.
1:22:16
Suzi chats with author Liz Hyder about her unique writing process and new book.
Liz Hyder joins Suzi in the Book Bag to discuss her young adult novel 'The Twelve', a thrilling Welsh-set tale of shapeshifters, standing stones and cosmic peril. She talks about finding the right setting, being an obsessive writer, and why she likes puffins.
1:14:15
Suzi chats with author Suzanne Joinson.
Suzanne Joinson drops into the Book Bag to discuss her memoir about an extraordinary childhood, 'The Museum of Lost and Fragile Things'. Her parents were spiritual seekers, but the impact on their children was immense.
1:01:45
Suzi chats with author Will Noble
It's got two palaces, it's the last resting place of 11 archbishops, its aerodrome was at the forefront of aviation, even its diving board is Grade II listed. If's...
1:08:53
Suzi chats with historical novelist Louisa Treger
Historical novelist Louisa Treger joins Suzi in the Book Bag to discuss 'The Paris Muse' - a fictionalised account of the heady affair and compelling artistic collaboration between Dora Maar and Pablo Picasso. Both had a dark side it's fascinating to explore.
1:23:22
Suzi chats with Fabio Barry
No one decodes the esoteric meanings behind churches, temples and palaces like architectural historian Fabio Barry. He joins Suzi in the Book Bag to discuss his prizewinning book 'Painting in Stone', a brilliant survey of marble decoration from the ancient world to the Enlightenment.
1:05:38
Suzi chats with historian Daisy Dunn
Historian Daisy Dunn joins Suzi in the Book Bag to discuss 'The Missing Thread', her scintillating account of the classical world from the Minoans to the Romans, giving women their proper place in the story. Finally!
22:03
Suzi gives the highlights of the Idler Literary Festival 2024.
From sloths to pilgrims, fairies to philosophers, featuring DJs, dancing and electric shoes - the Idler Festival never fails to enchant. Suzi reports on a deliciously indolent weekend gathering that even a thunderstorm couldn't extinguish.
1:23:21
Suzi chats with music author Daniel Rachel
Don't watch that, watch THIS! Daniel Rachel joins Suzi in the Book Bag to talk about 'Too Much Too Young', his epic history of 2 Tone records: the suits, the fights, the hats and the heavy heavy monster sound that captivated post-punk Britain.
21:50
Suzi attended and now discusses the big event. The Stokey Literary Festival 2024.
Suzi shares her thoughts on another great Stokey Literary Festival for 2024.
14:25
Literary News for June 2024. Festival controversy and RIP John Burnside
The latest news on literary festivals and the happenings in the space.
1:10:19
Suzi chats with philosopher Mark Vernon of Idler magazine.
The Idler magazine's in-house philosopher drops into the Book Bag to discuss his innovative book on Dante. Mark Vernon explains how The Divine Comedy is a living text, a map of the psyche and an essential guide on the spiritual journey.
1:05:44
Suzi Chats with author and publisher Ariane Bankes.
The glamorous Paget twins had it all: looks, intellect, charm, personality. Ariane Bankes joins us to chat about 'The Quality of Love', the book she's written about her mother and aunt and how their lives intersected with some of the big names in mid-century literature: Orwell, Camus, Koestler just for starters.
1:16:38
Suzi chats with musical journalist and author Simon Price. If you want to talk The Cure, he's it.
Music journalist Simon Price drops into the Book Bag to swap stories with Suzi about the Manics, Morrissey and Robert Smith, and to discuss his comprehensive A-Z guide to The Cure, 'Curepedia'. He also reveals how one band gave a bizarre, citrus-related response to his music review.
53:39
Suzi chats with author Rachel Cockerell.
Rachel Cockerell has been wowing reviewers and readers alike with her innovative debut, 'Melting Point'. She joins Suzi in the Book Bag to explain how she went about fusing a family memoir with the quest for a Jewish homeland in the first half of the 20th century.
52:41
The Oxford Literary Festival Highlights 2024
Suzi roams the festival for 8 days, chairing an incredible 20 authors and meeting others in the green room and on the streets. Features: Booker prizewinner Paul Lynch; outgoing RSC Artistic Director Greg Doran, crime novelist Cara Hunter, the irrepressible Bryony Gordon, poet/novelist Derek Owusu, Amanda Craig and many more.
4:41
Book Bag News for March 2024
The month's book news as viewed from the Bag, including London Book Fair, prize longlists and the Bag's Book of the Month.
1:19:30
Suzi chats with Andrew McMillan
Andrew McMillan drops into the Book Bag to talk about his Barnsley-set debut novel 'Pity', the long shadow of the 1984 miners' strike and the challenge of switching from poetry to prose. Andrew is also the author of three acclaimed collections of poetry, including the multi-award-winning 'physical'.
1:25:37
Suzi chats with Keiran Goddard
'Hermes ties won't fill a hole in your soul' Suzi talks to Keiran Goddard about his brilliant second novel, 'I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning', and his first, the playful, witty 'Hourglass'. Also in the mix of topics: growing up in Brum, the male narrative voice in fiction, the pressures on young writers today, and what's weird about book marketing.
14:36
Suzis Book Bag Year in Review and the Baggie Awards of 2023
Suzi's thoughts on the guests we had in 2023. The first annual Baggie Awards is presented for the books she's loved and the interviewees she enjoyed most over the past year.
54
Thanks from the Book Bag
We're on holiday but thought we'd say hi.
1:11:51
Robert Elms 'I chickened out of playing football with Bob Marley'
Music and style journalist Robert Elms joins me in the Book Bag to discuss 'Live: Why We Go Out', his memoir of decades of ardent gig-going. He talks about naming Spandau Ballet, how the Jackson 5 changed his life and why it doesn't pay to annoy Miles Davis.
1:04:40
"I was an atheist - then I had mystical experiences". Poet Sally Read joins Suzi in the Book Bag.
Join me in the Book Bag for an inspiring conversation with poet Sally Read about her new anthology, '100 Great Catholic Poems'! We delve into her journey from atheism to Catholicism, her criteria for selecting poems, and why some of her early works surprise readers.
1:03:09
Journalist, activist and novelist Paul Burston returns to the Bag to discuss his hard-hitting memoir
Journalist, activist and novelist Paul Burston returns to the Book Bag to discuss his hard-hitting but glitzy memoir 'We Can Be Heroes' and what it means to be a 'Method fan
17:04
Suzi's reviews the Slightly Foxed Readers Day.
Suzi reviews the Slightly Foxed Readers Day at the Art Workers Guild, with some added book news and recommendations.
58:07
Suzi chats with historian and author Dan Jones.
Historian Dan Jones blasts his way into the Book Bag to discuss the middle novel in his blockbuster trilogy: 'Wolves of Winter', about the 1347 Siege of Calais. It's got pirates, pimps, princes, horrible deaths and daring exploits galore.
59:49
Suzi interviews author Amanda Craig about "The Three Graces" and more.
Amanda Craig joins Suzi to talk about her acclaimed new novel 'The Three Graces', a witty social comedy with a serious edge set in Tuscany. They discuss elderly heroines, oligarchs, Botticelli, and the impact of the migrant crisis on struggling Italian towns.
1:01:42
Suzi chats with Owen Davies
It's almost Halloween, so we have conjured up Owen Davies to talk about his spectacular new book 'The Art of the Grimoire', an illustrated history of magical books and spellcraft from the dawn of time to the era of Buffy and Harry Potter. Curses upon all ye who fail to
1:15:24
Suzi chats with author Catherine Taylor
During lockdown Catherine Taylor dug deep into her past to craft the memoir 'The Stirrings', about a Northern childhood and adolescence overshadowed by the Yorkshire Ripper. Suzi chats to her about the music, politics and culture of a vibrant, though troubled era.
1:19:25
Suzi chats with prolific author Michael Arditti.
Michael Arditti is the author of 13 novels and two collections of short stories. He joins Suzi in the Book Bag explain how cancel culture inspired his latest novel, 'The Choice', and why he wanted to write about a woman priest.
1:16:31
Suzi chats with poet Tristram Fane Saunders
Poet Tristan Fane Saunders drops into the Book Bag to talk about his virtuosic debut collection, 'Before We Go Any Further', his time as a jazz-punk singer, getting poetically lost in Crystal Palace Park and why we should all read Edna St Vincent Millay.
1:19:42
Suzi chats with author Kevin Le Gendre.
Music critic and broadcaster Kevin Le Gendre joins Suzi in the Book Bag to discuss his major ongoing project to document the history of Black music in Britain, and his love for the Trinidadian novelists Sam Selvon and Earl Lovelace.
1:22:01
Sé Merry Doyle ready
Filmmaker Sé Merry Doyle drops into the Book Bag to discuss his documentaries on Irish cultural themes: art and architecture, James Joyce, WB Yeats and especially his collaboration with the late, great Irish poet Niall McDevitt.
11:23
The Obituary of Tobias Hill
Suzi remembers her friend the poet and novelist Tobias Hill, who has died aged 53
12:33
Suzi's thoughts on the Ticehurst Literary Festival
Suzi takes part in the inaugural Ticehurst literary festival, discussing North Korea, Dungeons and dragons, and John Fowles with Marcel Theroux
1:20:10
Suzi chats with Mary Novakovich
Acclaimed travel journalist Mary Novakovich breaks off from globe-trotting to chat to Suzi about 'My Family and Other Enemies', the account of her many visits to Croatia in search of family connections and history in a beautiful but frequently troubled land. With some top packing tips from a travelling pro.
1:15:29
Suzi chats with renowned poet John McCullough
Polari-prizewinning poet John McCullough drops into the Book Bag to explain why each of his four collections builds on the one before, how the poetry world has changed for the better, and why he'll never forget his old science teacher. Plus: some nifty writing tips!
1:21:34
Suzi chats with Art Historian Charlotte Mullins
Art critic and broadcaster Charlotte Mullins drops into the Book Bag to discuss 'A Little History of Art', which covers a mere 17,000 years of global mark-making from the cave paintings to the present day. It's a stimulating survey that goes way beyond the big Western names - though they're there too.
1:11:00
Suzi chats with famed crime writer Cara Hunter.
Cara Hunter is the bestselling author of six crime novels featuring DI Adam Fawley and his Oxford-based police team. She joins Suzi in the Book Bag to discuss the popular series, explain how she gets gruesome crime scene details right, and why she switched styles for her gripping new stand-alone, 'Murder in the Family'.
1:17:09
Suzi chats with Clare Pollard
Acclaimed poet Clare Pollard joins Suzi in the Book Bag to discuss her switch into fiction with her wickedly funny debut novel 'Delphi', her recent free-verse Ovid translations and her love of classical myths and legends.
1:24:26
Suzi chats with Shakespeare scholar Chris Laoutaris.
Poet, biographer and Shakespeare scholar Chris Laoutaris drops into the Book Bag to discuss 'Shakespeare's Book', his terrific account of the men behind the making of the First Folio. We owe the survival of 'Macbeth'.
1:16:33
Suzi chats with Cathi Unsworth
Crime novelist, biographer and music critic Cathi Unsworth drops into the Book Bag to muse with Suzi over all things Goth - as detailed in her mighty compendium of the genre, 'Season of the Witch'. Grab that eyeliner, tease that spikey hair, and listen in as they release the bats.
21:31
Suzi reviews the new Nick Drake Biography
Suzi reviews the latest biography of Nick Drake.
1:26:03
Suzi chats with Author Catherine Pepinster.
Journalist, author and broadcaster Catherine Pepinster is a former editor of The Tablet and a regular on Radio 4's Thought for the Day. The author of 'The Keys and the Kingdom' and 'Martyrdom', she joins Suzi in the Book Bag to talk about her latest book 'Defenders of the Faith', a study of religion and the monarchy, and deconstructs the recent coronation of
59:02
Suzi chats with art historian Kelly Grovier.
Poet and art historian Kelly Grovier joins Suzi in the Book Bag to talk about his new book, 'The Art of Colour', on the frequently murky origin of the pigments used in sublime works of art. Why did Burne-Jones conduct a funeral rite for a tube of paint?
15:03
Suzi visits the Stoke Newington Literary Festival
Suzi hangs out at the 2023 Stoke Newington Literary festival, a feast of fun, fiction, music, comedy, some heartbreak and a lot of teacakes.
1:24:39
Suzi chats with author Scarlett Thomas
Scarlett Thomas is the author of 'PopCo', 'The End of Mr Y', 'Our Tragic Universe' and other works of brain-bending fiction. She chats to Suzi about her early crime novels, ethnobotany, fictional pets, Nietzsche, veganism and why she put a giant mouse god in one of her novels.
15:16
Suzi discusses the Bloomsday Literary Festival 2023
To commemorate Bloomsday, Suzi reviews 'Falling Through the Universe', Declan Gorman's one-man adaptation of James Joyce's famous short story, 'The Dead'.
1:06:30
Suzi chats with art critic and author Charles Darwent
Charles Darwent was chief art critic of the Independent on Sunday for 14 years and is the author of 'Josef Albers: Life and work'. Today he talks about his new book 'Surrealists in New York', which tells how artists fleeing Hitler boosted the New York art scene in the 40s and 50s and how one daring small atelier spawned the Abstract Impressionist movement.
1:41:53
Suzi chats with author and editor Tom Hodgkinson
Tom Hodgkinson is the founder/editor of the Idler magazine and the author of 'How to be Idle', 'How to be Free' and 'An Idler's Manual'. He explains how a medieval lifestyle is one to embrace, not shun, how idling differs from laziness, and how the idle approach to parenting went down with his kids.
1:05:20
Suzi chats with author and publisher R B Russell
RB Russell is the publisher at Tartarus Press and the author of supernatural fiction and a memoir about life in the book trade, 'Fifty Forgotten Authors'. As Suzi discovers, it's a tale of dusty bookshops, prized first editions, uncanny texts and literary hauntings.
1:18:12
Suzi chats with author Henry Jeffreys
Henry Jeffreys is an award-winning drinks writer and former literary publicist. His book 'Empire of Booze' looks at the influence of the British on classic drinks around the world, from port and sherry to claret and champagne.
19:28
Rest In Peace Martin Amis
Suzi discusses the life and works of famed author Martin Amis.
55:45
Suzi interviews judge and author Nicola Williams
Nicola Williams served for many years as a criminal barrister, and now sits as a Crown Court judge, experience that fed into her debut legal thriller 'Without Prejudice'. She talks to Suzi about the follow-up, 'Until Proven Innocent', which reintroduces her protagonist, black defence lawyer Lee Mitchell, now faced with a moral dilemma when she takes on the c
1:15:04
Suzi chats with contemporary cultural historian Travis Elborough
Travis Elborough is an author, critic and pop cultural historian who has written books on vinyl, double-decker buses, old London Bridge and Parklife. His Atlas series includes Improbable Places, Vanishing Places and the Unexpected.
1:03:51
Suzi Feay chats with author and editor John Walsh
The former literary editor of the Sunday Times and the Independent, John Walsh is the author of the novel 'Sunday at the Cross Bones' and two previous memoirs, 'The Falling Angels' and 'Are You Talking to Me?: A life in the movies'. His latest book is 'Circus of Dreams: Adventures in the 1980s literary world'.
1:28:57
Suzi chats with author Tom Cox
Tom Cox, the man behind the Twitter sensation 'My Sad Cat', is the author of non-fiction titles '21st Century Yokel', 'Notebook', 'Nice Jumper' about the world of golf, and 'Close Encounters of the Furred Kind'. He chats to Suzi about his move into fiction with short stories 'Help the Witch' and new novel 'Villager', the accompanying artwork and soundtracks,
22:26
Suzi Attends the Oxford Literary Festival 2023 and discusses her takeaways.
Suzi reports on the 2023 Oxford Literary Festival, nine days of bookish fun with A N Wilson, Paterson Joseph, Dan Jones, Ian Bostridge, Sally Gardner and many more. Books: The Weather Woman by Sally Gardner The Windsors at War by Alexander Larman Song & Self by Ian Bostridge Confessions: A Life of Failed Promises by AN Wilson Essex Dogs by Dan Jones Defender
49:04
Suzi interviews Jeremy Dyson and Andy Nyman. Authors and Magicians.
Jeremy Dyson and Andy Nyman, who collaborated on the hit West End play and film 'Ghost Stories', have joined forces once more with 'The Warlock Effect', a thrilling Cold War mystery combining stage magic and espionage. Jeremy is a founder member of TV's League of Gentlemen, the author of a novel and three collections of short stories.
1:08:13
Suzi Feay chats with author and social activist Paul Burston
Novelist Paul Burston is the author of 'Shameless', 'The Gay Divorcee', 'Star People' and the crime thrillers 'The Black Path' and 'The Closer I Get'. The host and creator of the award-winning Polari literary salon, he founded the three Polari prizes, for debut, non-debut and children's books with an LGBTQ+ focus.
58:17
Suzi chats with author Charlie Hill
Charlie Hill is a Birmingham-based author, who has been described as 'the chronicler Birmingham needs'. His experience as a former bookseller in the city fed into his satirical novel 'Books', about a writer whose popular fiction is literally deadly.
42:16
Suzi chats with the poet Pele Cox
Suzi welcomes the poet Pele Cox to the Book Bag. Pele Cox was poet in residence at Tate Modern, the Royal Academy and the British School at Rome.
57:19
Suzi chats with author Blake Morrison
Today we welcome Blake Morrison to the Book Bag. Blake Morrison, poet, academic, critic and author of three acclaimed memoirs and four novels, discusses the book of sonnets he wrote for his deceased sister, his new musical collaboration, and what it was like to meet his idols Ted Hughes and Philip Larkin.
53:38
Suzi chats with author D.J. Taylor
DJ Taylor is a biographer, critic, novelist and short story writer based in Norwich. He's been twice longlisted for the Man Booker prize, while his biography of George Orwell won the 2003 Whitbread biography prize.
42:55
Suzi chats with author Philip Womack
Thank you for joining me on my first episode of the channel.
56
Suzi's Book Bag Intro Extended - A home for book lovers
Welcome to Suzi's Book Bag. If you gaze into the abyss of publishing, publishing gazes back and hands you a tote bag.
31
Welcome to Suzi's Book Bag - A home for authors.
Join Suzi as she interviews authors, creators, critics and insiders of the literary world. "When you look into the abyss of publishing, publishing looks back and hands you a tote bag."
15:37
Good Bye Christopher Fowler
Suzi's thoughts on the passing of dear friend Christopher Fowler.
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