Young Adult fiction was the topic of discussion on the Open Book program on BBC Radio 4 yesterday -- beginning with an interview with China Mieville (discussing his new book Un Lun Dun), followed by a discussion of historical fiction for teens with Caroline Lawrence and Mary Hoffman (author of the Stravaganza children's fantasy series), and ending with an interview with Irish writer Derek Lundy, the latest author to be billed as "the new JK Rowling". There's also an interesting discussion of the adult novels of Frances Hodgson Burnett (best known now for The Secret Garden and her other children's books). You can listen to the program on-line any time during the next week by using the Radio 4 website's Listen Again feature.
And while you're on the Listen Again page, check out Landlocked in Krakow, a strange and charming program on the popularity of traditional sea shanties in landlocked Poland.
Two items of interest coming up this week: On Tuesday at 4:30 (UK time), fairy tale historian Marina Warner discusses her favorite books on A Good Read. And on Thursday at 11:30, Terry Jones moderates a discussion between Philip Pullman and Enid Jones (Pullman's former schoolteacher), discussing Pullman's development as a writer, their long friendship, and the "His Dark Materials" trilogy. You can listen to these programs live on-line at the time of broadcast, or use the website's Listen Again feature any time during the following week.
The art above is by the Swedish painter Carl Larsson.
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