Episode 11

Joining Mariella this week in another dazzling edition of The Book Show are Horrid Henry creator Francesca Simon; the criminally good thriller writer RJ Ellory; and the queen of romcom, Jenny Colgan.

Tune in at 7pm 15 January, Sky Arts 1 and Sky Arts HD for the full story

To read first chapters of the books featured in The Book Show for free, visit Lovereading.co.uk for a taste of what’s coming up!

If you liked Francesca Simon’s Horrid Henry and you have an appetite for mischief and mayhem, then give these a go:
Richmal Crompton: Just William
Horrid Henry’s infamous predecessor Just William is Richmal Crompton’s book of classic tales of the tousle-headed, mischievous William who is permanently harassing his unfortunate family with pranks and scrapes. The tales have thrilled children and adults since they were first published in the 1920s.

Maurice Sendak: Where The Wild Things Are
Where The Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak is another timeless classic. When Max is sent to bed with no supper for behaving like a wild thing, his bedroom turns into a the land where the wild things are and Max becomes king. They take it a wild rumpus too far, and desperate for his mum’s cooking, their monarch decides to return home.

If you liked RJ Ellory’s A Simple Act of Violence and are after a couple more taut political thrillers, you might enjoy these:
Stephen L Carter: Palace Council
Yale professor Stephen L Carter delves into the murky world of Washington DC politics in his latest novel. Set against a backdrop of racial tension and the Vietnam War, acclaimed black novelist Eddie Wesley stumbles across the corpse of a while lawyer and Republican fundraiser at a glamorous soiree in Harlem. Fast-paced and compelling, this tale features an appearance by Nixon himself…

Richard North Patterson: The Race
The Race features a liberal Republican in the race for the White House – must be fiction! Likeable, attractive and charismatic Corey Grave has it all, including an attractive African-American actress for a girlfriend. However, he also has secrets that could destroy him.

If you liked Jenny Colgan’s Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend and are after further volumes of witty and heart-warming stories, here are a few to curl up with equipped with chocolates and chardonnay:
Jill Mansell: An Offer You Can’t Refuse
Lola has no intention of  accepting when her boyfriend Dougie’s snobbish mother offers her £10,000 to break up with him. Then she discovers a secret that makes her think again. Dougie would probably have broken up with her in the long run and this way she can help a friend. Ten years later Lola meets Dougie again and her feelings are just as strong – but can she ever win him back and admit to what happened?

Marian Keys: The Other Side of the Story
The Irish empress of the genre Marian Keys tells the story of Jojo Harvey, a literary agent whose star is on the rise. In love with her married boss and with a burgeoning career, not much distracts her - until she finds herself representing two women who used to be best friends. It’s a gripping story of love, loyalty and survival tactics.

Bedside Table: Bernard Clark 
Mother Like Alex -author Bernard Clark reveals what books he keeps by his bedside

Fine Line
Quentin Blake reveals his favourite line from a book

Book Club
London Review Bookshop in Bloomsbury reveal their book club recommendation for this week, John Le Carré’s A Most Wanted Man

Write Place
We are also treated to a trip around the study of Tony Parsons, author of the bestselling Man and Boy

Quests' literary heroes and heroines
Every week our guests tell us about their literary heroes and heroines. Francesca Simon can’t decide whether her favourite character is from Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice or Nancy Drew’s The Orchid Thief; RJ Ellory is certain his literary figure is from David Dodge’s To Catch a Thief; and Jenny Colgan’s favourite character is from Jasper Fforde’s The Eyre Affair. But who have they chosen?

Tune in at 7pm 15 January, Sky Arts 1 and Sky Arts HD for the full story