Ease into the weekend with our brand new podcast, showcasing some of the best Guardian and Observer writing from the week, read by talented narrators. In this episode, Marina Hyde looks at the new additions to Downing Street (2m00s), Hadley Freeman interviews Hollywood actor Will Arnett (9m56s), Sirin Kale tries her hand at quiz show Mastermind (26m32s), and David Robson examines why we’re so stressed about stress (41m08s). If you like what you hear, subscribe to Weekend on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/bookspod">theguardian.com/bookspod</a>

Have you ever wondered what famous people actually eat? In our new podcast, Guardian restaurant critic Grace Dent does just that, asking well-known guests to lift the lid on the food they turn to when they’re at home alone – and what comfort foods have seen them through their lives. In the first episode, screenwriter Russell T Davies tells Grace about his childhood in Swansea, the delights of Woolworth’s pork and egg pies, and how his husband’s death informed his latest TV series, It’s a Sin. Future guests will include Nish Kumar, Rafe Spall and Aisling Bea. Episodes willl be released every Tuesday – search for it wherever you get your podcasts. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/bookspod">theguardian.com/bookspod</a>

On our final episode, the diplomat who spearheaded the Paris Agreement discusses why we should feel optimisitic about our ability to tackle the climate crisis. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/bookspod">theguardian.com/bookspod</a>

We speak to Horrible Histories consultant and podcaster Greg Jenner about the history of celebrity and share what listeners are reading. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/bookspod">theguardian.com/bookspod</a>

Mathematician Adam Kucharski talks about how the concept of ‘contagion’ is rooted in our social lives and we share your reading tips for lockdown. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/bookspod">theguardian.com/bookspod</a>

On this week’s show we talk to Toby Ferris about his pursuit of the Dutch master and look at how the literary world is dealing with the pandemic. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/bookspod">theguardian.com/bookspod</a>

On this week’s show we talk to the Northern Irish writer about his new novel and discuss how headlines can impact our appetite for certain books. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/bookspod">theguardian.com/bookspod</a>

On this week’s podcast, we talk to Tsiolkas about his novel on the life of St Paul and the historian Holland explains what we know about the man. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/bookspod">theguardian.com/bookspod</a>

On this week’s show, the bestselling fantasy author talks about how he came to invent a magical branch of the Met, and we discuss Hilary Mantel’s new novel The Mirror & The Light. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/bookspod">theguardian.com/bookspod</a>

On this week’s show, we talk to graphic novelist Isabel Greenberg about her comic Glass Town and the 2020 longlist for the International Booker prize. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/bookspod">theguardian.com/bookspod</a>

Alexander Boxer talks about his book A Scheme of Heaven and we discuss why Harvey Weinstein’s lawyers tried to remove a juror for her reading history. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/bookspod">theguardian.com/bookspod</a>

The novelist explains how she discovered her family was woven into history, plus the new wave of Ethiopian literature in English. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/bookspod">theguardian.com/bookspod</a>

The crime writer joins us to discuss the mechanics of mystery novels, plus Margaret Atwood at the Hay festival in Cartagena. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/bookspod">theguardian.com/bookspod</a>

The geneticist explains why science offers no support for prejudice. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/bookspod">theguardian.com/bookspod</a>

We welcome not one but two Costa winners, as the victors in the novel and the debut fiction categories join us in the studio. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/bookspod">theguardian.com/bookspod</a>

The novelist explains her sudden decision to write her controversial thriller, and we hail TS Eliot prize winner Roger Robinson. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/bookspod">theguardian.com/bookspod</a>

On this week’s show, the novelist explains how she came to write about her insomnia and we consider why indie bookshops are booming in the UK and Ireland. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/bookspod">theguardian.com/bookspod</a>

This week, the creator of the biggest child villain in literature talks about comedy writing and seeing his creation adapted by Disney. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/bookspod">theguardian.com/bookspod</a>

Priya Basil talks about the dynamics of the dinner table and her book Be My Guest, and we chat about the best books of the year. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/bookspod">theguardian.com/bookspod</a>

Ben Lerner and Meena Kandasamy talk about drawing on their most embarrassing and vulnerable moments to write fiction. Help support our independent journalism at <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/bookspod">theguardian.com/bookspod</a>