Dougie Poynter

Books To Live By… with Mariella Frostrup

After admiring the many animal artefacts dotted around Dougie’s flat – from a saber-toothed tiger’s skull to glass cases filled with extinct insects - he and Mariella settle down to chat about the McFly star’s favourite books of all time.

A whopping three tales are dedicated to one of his biggest interests in life: dinosaurs! Whilst discussing Michael Crichton’s 1990’s fictional classic “Jurassic Park”, his most loved non-fiction book “The Rise and Fall of Dinosaurs” by Stephen Brusatte, and the comical children’s booked he penned with his band mate “The Dinosaur that Pooped a Planet”, Dougie explains how this niche passion extends from a fascination and respect for the wonders of the natural world.

Upon being asked what sparked his interest, he recalls being taken by his Mum to the Natural History Museum at the age of 3 and being blown away. They chat more about his childhood, with Dougie revealing the pain that came with his father leaving one day without a trace, and the on-going journey of dealing with that loss.

Several of Dougie’s choices allude to his rock and roll lifestyle; he read the notoriously wild anecdotes of the band Mötley Crüe in their book “The Dirt” at a time when he himself was partying dangerously hard as young pop star at the peak of fame. He opens up about his struggles with drink and drug addiction and how he found the road to recovery.

Throughout the interview, Mariella and Dougie relive his incredible life story and the books that have punctuated this journey.

Dougie’s choices: The book that… … Is my favourite non-fiction book about dinosaurs: “The Rise and Fall of Dinosaurs” by Stephen Brusatte, 2018 …. Is true rock and roll: “The Dirt” by Mötley Crüe, 2001 … Reminds me of the romance and roughness of being on tour: “On The Road” by Jack Kerouac, 1957 … I loved writing: “The Dinosaur That Pooped A Planet” by Tom Fletcher & Dougie Poynter, 2012 … Epitomises my love of dinosaurs: “Jurassic Park” by Michael Crichton, 1990 … Helps me understand our place in the universe: “Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind” by Yuval Noah Harari, 2011

Presenter and Executive Producer: Mariella Frostrup Producer: Sera Baker Music: Matt Clifford at Music and Voices TBI Media Production for BBC Sounds