麻豆约拍

Diana Athill, who was born in 1917, had a long and successful career in publishing before turning her hand to writing herself. As she publishes a new book of essays at the age of 97 she talks to Mariella about the moments in her life she remembers and treasures, the continuing importance of reading for her and the pleasures of being pushed in a wheelchair.

Also on the programme, thriller writer Lee Child and Dr Andy Martin from Cambridge University talk about the time they spent together as Lee Child wrote his latest Reacher novel - an experience which Andy Martin has now turned into a book. Hisham Matar discusses a forgotten Italian prize winner, just translated into English, which chronicles early 20th century Libya and we hear from three aspiring novelists attempting to complete a book in a month.