In this episode, we discuss echoes from the past catching up with the present in two in-depth interviews with our bestselling guest authors Sebastian Faulks and Claire Fuller. So catch up before our new episode is released in November!

In his new novel Paris Echo, Sebastian Faulks creates a surprising connection between two strangers in Paris: Hannah, an American academic, and Tariq, a Moroccan teenager, each on a very different quest to discover - or perhaps ignore - their personal history. Listen from 01:21 of the podcast to hear Sebastian discuss Paris Echo.

And in Bitter Orange, Claire Fuller weaves a thrilling tale around the past life of a dying woman, Frances, whose encounter with two mysterious strangers twenty years ago made her confront her own deepest secret. We discuss Bitter Orange at 24:35 of the podcast.

My Pick this month is a provocative non-fiction title: 21 Lessons for the 21st Century by Yuval Noah Harari (21:50 of this episode). It’s a highly original take on the most burning issues of our times, helping us see echoes of history in the way we live today, yet without relying on the past to show us a way forward. By questioning the stories we choose to believe in, we may discover new ways of shaping our future. 

And finally, tune into a lively conversation among some of the judges of the new LoveReading Very Short Story Award 2019 about our passion for stories (46:05 of the podcast). Review Editor Liz Robinson, author and editor Maxim Jakubowski and myself agree: stories sustain us, excite us, surprise us. And the best ones stay with us forever. 

Thank you for listening. Please follow us on Twitter and email us at podcast@lovereading.co.uk with your feedback and suggestions.

Click here to listen to Episode 5.

The Timings

00:00 Teaser

00:49 Intro

01:21 Sebastian Faulks on PARIS ECHO

21:50 Elena Lappin’s Top Pick: Yuval Noah Harari 

24:35 Claire Fuller on BITTER ORANGE

46:05 Very Short Story Award judges discussion (Liz Robinson, Maxim Jakubowski)

55:09 Conclusion and Credits

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