A Good Read
A Good Read is a BBC Radio 4 podcast that offers reading inspiration. Each episode features guests discussing their favorite books, providing recommendations and insights into their literary choices.
Episodes
Mike Kroeger and Professor Anthony Kessel
Lively conversation around three book choices. Presenter Harriett Gilbert talks to two guests about books they love.This week Mike Kroeger bassist and founder member of Canadian band Nickelback guests with YA author, Professor Anthony Kessel, Deputy Medical Director of NHS England.Anthony Kessel's choice is THE SAFEKEEP by Yael van der Wouden set in The Netherlands in the 1960s.Mike Kroeger choose
Lord John Bird and Lucy Kellaway
Lively conversation around three book choices. Presenter Harriett Gilbert talks to two guests about books they love.A SEVERED HEAD by Iris Murdoch, chosen by Lucy Kellaway
LITTLE BOY LOST by Marghanita Laski, chosen by Harriett Gilbert
SPECIMEN DAYS by Walt Whitman, chosen by John BirdLucy Kellaway, former Financial Times journalist turned secondary school teacher and founder of the charity Now Te
Raymond Antrobus and Guy Gunaratne
Lively conversation around three book choices. Presenter Harriett Gilbert talks to two guests about books they love.Raymond Antrobus chooses Hunchback by Saou Ichikawa
Guy Gunaratne chooses The Use of Photography by Annie Ernaux and Marc Marie
Harriett Gilbert chooses The Mars Room by Rachel KushnerRaymond Antrobus is a poet whose memoir The Quiet Ear, which investigates the intersection of race
Andrea Wulf and Selina Brown
Lively conversation around three book choices. Presenter Harriett Gilbert talks to two guests about books they loveEUPHORIA by Lily King
HUNGER PAINS by Derek Owusu
LOVED AND MISSED by Susie BoytSelina Brown has written three children's picture books. She is the founder and CEO of the Black British Book Festival. Her book recommendation is Hunger Pains by Derek Owusu - a novel that puts the growin
Dr Vee Kativhu and Susie Riddell
Guests discuss books they love. This time: Loving and Giving by Molly Keane, chosen by podcaster and Archers actor Susie Riddell
The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Daré, chosen by education activist Dr Vee Kativhu
The Land in Winter by Andrew Miller, chosen by presenter Harriett GilbertProduced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Sarah Goodman
Join us over on Instagram @agoodreadbbc
Lauren Child and David McAlmont
A sharing of book recommendations and lively discussion. Harriett Gilbert is joined by children's author Lauren Child and musician David McAlmont to talk about books they love by George Orwell, Elizabeth Strout and Alan Bennett. The books are:
Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout, chosen by Lauren Child
Burmese Days by George Orwell, chosen by David McAlmont
Killing Time by Alan Bennett, chosen
Cariad Lloyd and Geoff Dyer
Writer, actor and comedian Cariad Lloyd and writer Geoff Dyer join Harriett Gilbert for an enthusiastic and robust discussion about favourite books.The books are:
The Transit of Venus by Shirley Hazzard, chosen by Geoff Dyer
Question 7 by Richard Flanagan, chosen by Harriett Gilbert
The Others by Sheena Kalayil, chosen by Cariad LloydProduced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Eliza Lomas
Join us over on
Joanne Harris and Islam Issa
We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson, chosen by Joanne Harris
Mother Mary Comes to Me by Arundhati Roy, chosen by Harriett Gilbert
Akhenaten: Dweller in Truth by Naguib Mahfouz, chosen by Islam IssaJoin us over on Instagram @agoodreadbbcProduced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Sally Heaven
Daisy Dunn and Andrew Hunter Murray
The classicist and the author talk about books they love with presenter Harriett Gilbert. One of the books is eerily prescient about the state of the world today.The books are:Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, chosen by classicist Daisy Dunn
Rogue Male by Geoffrey Household, chosen by podcaster and author Andrew Hunter Murray
A Life's Music by Andreï Makine, translated by Geoffrey Strachan, chosen b
Philippa Perry and Stuart Maconie
A special episode of A Good Read, recorded live at the Hay Festival. The books are:London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe, chosen by psychotherapist and artist Philippa Perry
All Quiet on the Orient Express by Magnus Mills, chosen by presenter and writer Stuart Maconie
Luka and the Fire of Life by Salman Rushdie, chosen by presenter Harriett GilbertProduced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Maggie Ayre
Louise Welsh and Chris Brookmyre
Two Scottish crime writers choose books by:
Iain Banks (Espedair Street)
Muriel Spark (Memento Mori)And Harriett's choice is Summer by Edith WhartonProducer: Maggie Ayre BBC Audio BristolPhoto credit: Julie Broadfoot
Harriet Tyce and Matt Edmondson
The books are:Brighton Rock by Graham Greene, chosen by Harriet Tyce
Agent Zigzag by Ben Macintyre, chosen by Matt Edmondson
Cluny Brown by Margery Sharp, chosen by Harriett Gilbert Join us over on Instagram @agoodreadbbcProduced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Sally HeavenPhoto credit: Suki Dhanda
Kelly Cates and Tom Rob Smith
Three books that deal with the intricacies of relationships and marriage.Not That Sort of Girl by Mary Wesley
Aftermath by Rachel Cusk
Three Days In June by Anne TylerProduced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Maggie Ayre
Patrick Grant and Mary-Ann Ochota
This time the community clothing entrepreneur and host of The Great British Sewing Bee Patrick Grant chooses his favourite book along with fellow guest anthropologist and broadcaster Mary-Ann Ochota.The books are:Parsnips Buttered by Joe Lycett
The Flow by Amy Jane Beer
Heatwave by Penelope LivelyProduced in Bristol by Maggie Ayre
Maryam Moshiri and Doug Naylor
Newsreader Maryam Moshiri and Red Dwarf creator Doug Naylor discuss their chosen books, including Bridget Jones's Diary, with Harriett Gilbert.Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding, chosen by Maryam MoshiriWhy You Should Read Children's Books, Even Though You Are So Old and Wise by Katherine Rundell, chosen by Doug NaylorNothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson, chosen by Harriett GilbertJoin us over
Victoria Pile and Julian Baggini
THE LIVES AND LOVES OF A SHE DEVIL by Fay Weldon, chosen by Victoria Pile
THE OLD MAN AND THE SEA by Ernest Hemingway, chosen by Julian Baggini
CLEAR by Carys Davies, chosen by Harriett GilbertComedy writer and director Victoria Pile joins philosopher and author Julian Baggini to talk about their favourite books with Harriett Gilbert. On the menu is a feminist revenge novel that is as dark as it i
Lolita Chakrabarti and Dr Guy Leschziner
This week's books are:
How to Measure a Cow by Margaret Forster (chosen by Lolita Chakrabarti)
The House of God by Samuel Shem (chosen by Guy Leschziner)
A Very Easy Death by Simone de Beauvoir (chosen by Harriett Gilbert) The producer is Eliza Lomas for BBC Audio Bristol
Join us over on Instagram @agoodreadbbc
Frank Cottrell-Boyce and Jung Chang
The children's author Frank Cottrell-Boyce and the author of Wild Swans and Big Sister Little Sister Red Sister Jung Chang choose their good reads.Where Should We Run To by Alan Garner chosen by Frank Cottrell-Boyce
Death of A Naturalist by Seamus Heaney chosen by Harriett Gilbert
Hans Christian Andersen's Fairytales chosen by Jung ChangProduced in Bristol by Maggie Ayre
Martin Edwards and Tom Shakespeare
This week's books are:Five Little Pigs by Agatha Christie, chosen by crime writer Martin Edwards
At Swim-Two-Birds by Flann O'Brien, chosen by sociologist, bioethicist and comedian Tom Shakespeare
Thursday Night Widows by Claudia Pineiro, chosen by Harriett GilbertJoin us over on Instagram @agoodreadbbcProduced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Sally HeavenPhoto credit: Belinda Mason
Maria Balshaw and Léa Ypi
This week's books are:
Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler chosen by Maria Balshaw.
The Overcoat by Nikolai Gogol (translated by Isabel Hapgood) chosen by Léa Ypi.
Small Bomb at Dimperley by Lissa Evans chosen by Harriett Gilbert.The producer is Eliza Lomas for BBC Audio Bristol.
Join us over on Instagram @agoodreadbbcPhoto credit: Erdem Moralioglu
Robin Ince and Philip Hensher
This week's books are:Water Shall Refuse Them by Lucie McKnight Hardy, chosen by comedian Robin Ince
Pnin by Vladimir Nabokov, chosen by Harriett Gilbert
Esther Waters by George Moore, chosen by writer Philip HensherProducer Sally Heaven, BBC Audio Bristol
Gwyneth Lewis and Annabel Abbs
This week's books are:
Lolly Willowes by Sylvia Townsend Warner chosen by the Welsh poet and writer Gwyneth Lewis
The LIving Mountain by Nan Shepherd picked by author Annabel Abbs
Emma by Jane Austen chosen by Harriett Gilbert ahead of the writer's 250th birthday in December 2025Join us over on Instagram @agoodreadbbcProduced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Maggie AyrePhoto credit: Edward Brown
Michelle Ogundehin and Lisa St Aubin de Terán
Michelle Ogundehin is a broadcaster, magazine editor and author also known as a presenter on TV's Interior Design Masters. She and author Lisa St Aubin de Terán give their book recommendations. Michelle's is 4000 Weeks: Time Management For Mortals by Oliver Burkeman which she says has helped her simplify her life. Lisa chooses Small Boat by Vincent Delecroix the powerful retelling of the 2021
Roma Agrawal and Kate Lister
WEDLOCK: HOW GEORGIAN BRITAIN'S WORST HUSBAND MET HIS MATCH by Wendy Moore, chosen by Kate Lister
GRAYSON PERRY: PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST AS A YOUNG GIRL by Wendy Jones, chosen by Harriett Gilbert
PLASTIC EMOTIONS by Shiromi Pinto, chosen by Roma AgrawalStructural engineer Roma Agrawal, known for her work on buildings such as the Shard in London, and historian Kate Lister, who specialises in the hi
Richard Benson and Amy Sackville
THE YEARS by Annie Ernaux chosen by Richard Benson
THE CORNER THAT HELD THEM by Sylvia Townsend Warner chosen by Amy Sackville
COFFEE AND CIGARETTES by Ferdinand von Schirach chosen by Harriett GilbertWriter and former editor of the Face Richard Benson talks to fellow writer Amy Sackville and presenter Harriett Gilbert about favourite books.
Richard chooses The Years by Nobel Laureate Annie Ernau
Julia Shaw and Hayaatun Sillem
FUNDAMENTALLY by Nussaibah Younis, chosen by Julia Shaw
YOUR LIFE IS MANUFACTURED by Tim Minshall, chosen by Hayaatun Sillem
ROSARITA by Anita Desai, chosen by Harriett GilbertCriminal psychologist Julia Shaw joins engineer Hayaatun Sillem to discuss favourite books with Harriett Gilbert. Julia's choice, Fundamentally, is a bold debut novel by Nussaibah Younis which sparks a bit of debate. Younis
Nicola Sturgeon and Alistair McGowan
Two books featuring teenage killers feature this time. Nicola Sturgeon MSP votes for Elif Shafak's Honour as her good read. It details the reasons behind the so-called honour killing carried out by a young Turkish Kurd living in London in the 1970s. Nicola says it provides valuable cultural insight into the reasons behind a particular form of violence against women.
His Bloody Project by Graeme M
Tom Cox and Sophie Scott
THE STONE DIARIES by Carol Shields, chosen by Tom Cox
HOW TO WRITE A THESIS by Umberto Eco, chosen by Sophie Scott
PARADISE by Abdulrazak Gurnah, chosen by Harriett GilbertWriter Tom Cox joins neuroscientist Sophie Scott to discuss favourite books with Harriett Gilbert. Tom's choice is the 1995 Pulitzer Prize winner, The Stone Diaries. Following the story of one woman’s life from birth to death, t
Chris Tarrant and Mike Gayle
OPEN by Andre Agassi
SONIC YOUTH SLEPT ON MY FLOOR by Dave Haslam
THE SECRET HOURS by Mick HerronTelevision and radio broadcaster Chris Tarrant nominates the autobiography of tennis legend Andre Agassi, and novelist Mike Gayle has gone for Dave Haslam’s memoir of his time spent DJing at Manchester’s famous Hacienda. Harriett is hoping the two of them will enjoy an espionage novel by Slow Horses au
Sarah Waters and Walter Murch
BEAR by Marian Engel, chosen by novelist Sarah Waters
THE TRUE BELIEVER by Eric Hoffer, chosen by film editor Walter Murch
THE VISITOR by Maeve Brennan, chosen by presenter Harriett GilberSarah Waters, acclaimed author of Fingersmith and The Night Watch, and Walter Murch, legendary film editor of Apocalypse Now and The English Patient choose the books they love.Sarah's choice is a cinematic novel
Rob Rinder and Juno Dawson
RUNNING WITH SCISSORS by Augusten Burroughs, chosen by Rob Rinder
THE ODD WOMAN AND THE CITY by Vivian Gornick, chosen by Harriett Gilbert
EARTHLINGS by Sayaka Murata, chosen by Juno DawsonThe barrister, television presenter and writer Rob Rinder and author Juno Dawson talk books with Harriett Gilbert. Juno Dawson selects Sayaka Murata's Earthlings, the follow-up to her cult hit Convenience Store
Zadie Smith and Colm Tóibín
OBLIVION by Héctor Abad, chosen by Colm Tóibín
FLESH by David Szalay, chosen by Zadie Smith
CALL ME BY YOUR NAME by André Aciman, chosen by Harriett GilbertAuthors and good friends Zadie Smith and Colm Tóibín join Harriett Gilbert to share books they love. For a longer edition of this episode, check out the A Good Read podcast. Colm Tóibín chooses Oblivion, a memoir by Colombian writer Héctor Abad
Joanna Hardy-Susskind and Horatio Clare
THE TRUCE by Primo Levi, chosen by Horatio Clare
THE SUN DOES SHINE by Anthony Ray Hinton with Lara Love Hardin, chosen by Joanna Hardy-Susskind
SULA by Toni Morrison, chosen by Harriett Gilbert Writer Horatio Clare joins criminal defence barrister Joanna Hardy-Susskind to discuss favourite books with Harriett Gilbert. Horatio's choice is a book he returns to every winter, The Truce, in which wri
Desiree Akhavan and Rosie Wilby
ALL FOURS by Miranda July, chosen by Desiree Akhavan
UNTRUE by Wednesday Martin, chosen by Rosie Wilby
DRAGON TALK by Fleur Adcock, chosen by Harriett GilbertFilmmaker and writer Desiree Akhavan joins comedian, writer and podcaster Rosie Wilby as they discuss favourite books with Harriett Gilbert. Desiree's choice is All Fours by Miranda July, a novel about a perimenopausal woman's sexual awakenin
James Rebanks and Kiri Pritchard-McLean at the Hay Festival
THE IRON AGE by Arja Kajermo
A SHORT STAY IN HELL by Steven L Peck
STONE YARD DEVOTIONAL by Charlotte WoodJames Rebanks is a farmer from the Lake District as well as author of The Shepherd's Life. His new book The Place of Tides is about his time in Norway learning from an elderly woman who cared for eider ducks on a remote island. His book choice is The Iron Age by Arja Kajermo, a Finnish novel
Budgie and Juhea Kim
NAUSEA by Jean-Paul Sartre
GO WENT GONE by Jenny Erpenbeck
LAURUS by Evgeny VodolazkinBudgie is best known as the drummer with Siouxsie & The Banshees and The Creatures, as well as The Slits. His memoir The Absence: Memoirs of A Banshee is published in July 2025. Together with the Korean novelist Juhea Kim he chooses his favourite book to discuss with Harriett Gilbert. His choice is Nausea b
Xantoné Blacq and Harry Trevaldwyn
WHEN GOD WAS A RABBIT by Sarah Winman, chosen by Harry Trevaldwyn
THE ALCHEMIST by Paulo Coelho, chosen by Xantoné Blacq
JAMES by Percival Everett, chosen by Harriett GilbertMusic producer and composer Xantoné Blacq joins actor and writer Harry Trevaldwyn to share the books they love with presenter Harriett Gilbert. First up, Harry brings to the table a book by The Sunday Times bestselling author
Josh Cohen and Nussaibah Younis
BIG SWISS by Jen Beagin, chosen by Nussaibah Younis
A HEART SO WHITE by Javier Marías, chosen by Josh Cohen
THE END OF EDDY by Edouard Louis, chosen by Harriett GilbertBig Swiss is a 29-year-old gynecologist who has never had an orgasm. Greta Work is an audio transcriber for a sex therapist who is infatuated by one of his clients. After an encounter at the dog park, they strike up an affair. Nussa
Jack Thorne and Peter Kosminsky
AN INSTANCE OF THE FINGERPOST by Iain Pears, chosen by Peter Kosminsky
HEROES OF THE FOURTH TURNING by Will Arbery, chosen by Jack Thorne
PERFECTION by Vincenzo Latronico, chosen by Harriett GilbertThorne and Kosminsky are great friends, but don't fully agree on the books discussed. Topics raised by their choices include toxic masculinity, empathy, and whether or not Succession is a great TV serie
Douglas Stuart and Sian Eleri
Douglas Stuart author of Booker Prize winning novel Shuggie Bain chooses his favourite book - Train Dreams by Denis Johnson - a short novel encapsulating the history of America in the early 20th century through the life of a lonely man in the forests of the Pacific Northwest.
He's joined by Radio 1 and The Voice Wales presenter Sian Eleri whose choice is I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Ha
Lucy Speed and Sarah Mills
EVERYONE BRAVE IS FORGIVEN by Chris Cleave, chosen by Lucy Speed
THE HUMAN FACTOR by Graham Greene, chosen by Harriett Gilbert
253 by Geoff Ryman, chosen by Sarah MillsFormer Eastenders and present-day Archers actor Lucy Speed and comedian Sarah Mills talk about books set in wartime London, a 1990s underground train, and Graham Greene's MI6.Lucy's choice is Everyone Brave is Forgiven by Chris Clea
Nina Sosanya and Joelle Taylor
Actor Nina Sosanya and prize winning poet and writer Joelle Taylor talk favourite books with Harriett. Nina chooses Sally Jones and the False Rose by Jakob Wegelius, a children's novel with a mute gorilla engineer as its protagonist. The book appeals to Nina's love of engineering, and the city of Glasgow!Joelle nominates Booker Prize winning The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida by Sri Lankan writer Sh
Oliver Burkeman and Sara Collins
MOON TIGER by Penelope Lively, chosen by Sara Collins
NUMBER GO UP: INSIDE CRYPTO'S WILD RISE AND STAGGERING FALL by Zeke Faux, chosen by Oliver Burkeman
LORD JIM AT HOME by Dinah Brooke, chosen by Harriett Gilbert"I'm writing a history of the world" - so begins the choice of novelist and broadcaster Sara Collins: Penelope Lively's Booker Prize-winning novel Moon Tiger. Claudia Hampton, a famous w
Inua Ellams and Ted Hodgkinson
WHEN WE CEASE TO UNDERSTAND THE WORLD by Benjamin Labatut (translated by Adrian Nathan West), chosen by Ted Hodgkinson
ENTER GHOST by Isabella Hammad, chosen by Inua Ellams
GHOSTING: A DOUBLE LIFE by Jennie Erdal, chosen by Harriett GilbertAs Head of Literature and Spoken Word-programming at the Southbank Centre in London, writers and writing are at the heart of Ted Hodgkinson's work. In 2020 he
Julia Bradbury and Ramita Navai
How to Stop Time by Matt Haig, chosen by Julia Bradbury
A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry, chosen by Ramita Navai
An Enchanted April by Elizabeth von Arnim, chosen by presenter Harriett GilbertTV presenter, author and walking enthusiast Julia Bradbury recommends a fiction book by Matt Haig, How to Stop Time, which brings to life the idea of living forever. Award-winning British-Iranian investigati
Joe Dunthorne and Iszi Lawrence
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer by Patrick Süskind, translated by John E. Woods, chosen by Iszi Lawrence
Two Serious Ladies by Jane Bowles, chosen by Joe Dunthorne
Oh William! by Elizabeth Strout, chosen by presenter Harriett GilbertHistorical fiction author and broadcaster Iszi Lawrence adores the sensational novel Perfume, and has done since she was a teenager. For her, it immerses her in anoth
Nicci Gerrard and Sean French
Books featured:True Grit by Charles Portis
Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason
Moominland Midwinter by Tove JanssonNicci Gerrard and Sean French write collectively as Nicci French. They not only write together, they're also a married couple and they love to read. Sean chooses True Grit by Charles Portis, better known for the film versions with John Wayne and Jeff Bridges. But Sean passionately believes
Professor Ben Garrod and Lucy Jones
A PRIMATE'S MEMOIR (Love, Death and Baboons) by Robert Sapolsky, chosen by Professor Ben Garrod
SOLDIER SAILOR by Claire Kilroy, chosen by Harriett Gilbert
THE ABUNDANCE by Annie Dillard, chosen by Lucy JonesEvolutionary biologist Ben Garrod (Professor at the University of East Anglia) chooses a book which he's read and gifted countless times, a book which inspired him to go out in the field and s
Sir Ian Blatchford and Charles Fernyhough
TOKYO EXPRESS by Seichō Matsumoto, translated by Jesse Kirkwood, chosen by Sir Ian Blatchford
THE LETTERS OF ABELARD AND HELOISE, translated by Betty Radice, chosen by Charles Fernyhough
SOLDIERS OF SALAMIS by Javier Cercas, translated by Anne McLean, chosen by Harriett GilbertDirector of the Science Museum group and president of the Royal Literary Fund, Sir Ian Blatchford, chooses a cult classic
Naomi Alderman and Abi Dare
A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS by Khaled Hosseini, chosen by Abi Dare
THE FIRE NEXT TIME by James Baldwin, chosen by Harriett Gilbert
DEAR COMMITTEE MEMBERS by Julie Schumacher, chosen by Naomi AldermanThe Power author Naomi Alderman, and Nigerian writer Abi Dare discuss favourite books. Naomi chooses Dear Committee Members by Julie Schumacher, a series of hilarious letters written by a beleaguered aca
Jenny Kleeman and Sam Knight
EDUCATED by Tara Westover, chosen by Jenny Kleeman
THE WREN, THE WREN by Anne Enright, chosen by Harriett Gilbert
GIVING UP THE GHOST by Hilary Mantel, chosen by Sam KnightJournalist and broadcaster Jenny Kleeman (of Radio 4's The Gift and author of The Price of Life) chooses Tara Westover's memoir Educated, which caused a sensation when it was first published. It's about her childhood growing up
Nihal Arthanayake and Elif Shafak
Nihal has chosen Amma, the debut novel by Sri Lankan writer Saraid de Silva, which he compares to meeting someone on a train and having a long, intense conversation. Elif Shafak's choice, however, You're Embarrassing Yourself by Desiree Akhavan, he describes as more like a hilarious night in a pub. Harriett has gone for The Second Murderer by Denise Mina, a Philip Marlowe novel. But is there a
Tim Spector and Tatty Macleod
THE COUNTRY OF OTHERS by Leïla Slimani, chosen by Tatty Macleod
THE MAN WHO ATE EVERYTHING by Jeffrey Steingarten, chosen by Tim Spector
ORBITAL by Samantha Harvey, chosen by Harriett GilbertComedian Tatty Macleod chooses a novel by French-Moroccan writer Leïla Slimani, the first volume of a new trilogy telling the saga of a French-Moroccan family between 1946 and 2016.Scientist and food writer Pr
Fee Mak and Ali Woods
REASONS TO STAY ALIVE by Matt Haig, chosen by Ali Woods
ELENA KNOWS by Claudia Piñeiro, chosen by Fee Mak
THE DETAILS by Ia Genberg, chosen by Harriett GilbertComedian Ali Woods chooses a memoir by Matt Haig based on his experiences of living with depression and anxiety disorder. Moving, funny and incredibly honest, Reasons to Stay Alive is a book which blasts open the way in which we talk about d
Amy Liptrot and Karl Ove Knausgaard
The Norwegian author of the hugely successful My Struggle books Karl Ove Knausgaard chooses The Names by Don de Lillo. It's set in Athens in the early 1980s with the main character being a risk analyst whose estranged wife is working there as an archeologist. It's a richly themed novel that feels very contemporary as well as prophetic. Amy Liptrot's book The Outrun is currently enjoying further s
Irvine Welsh and Andrew O'Hagan
A new series begins at the Edinburgh International Book Festival with guests Irvine Welsh and Andrew O'Hagan. Irvine Welsh is best known as the author of Trainspotting. Andrew O'Hagan's Mayflies was recently made into a BBC TV series. The programme was recorded in front of an audience at the Dynamic Earth Centre. Irvine Welsh chooses a lesser known book - Brian by Jeremy Cooper. It's the story
Rachel Parris and Sonali Shah
DEMON COPPERHEAD by Barbara Kingsolver, chosen by Rachel Parris
DID YE HEAR MAMMY DIED? by Séamas O'Reilly, chosen by Harriett Gilbert
BOTH NOT HALF by Jassa Ahluwalia, chosen by Sonali ShahComedian and musician Rachel Parris and broadcaster and presenter Sonali Shah join Harriett Gilbert to read each other's favourite books.Rachel Parris (Late Night Mash, Austentatious) chooses Barbara Kingsolver
Sarah Phelps and Irenosen Okojie
RADIO ROMANCE by Garrison Keillor, chosen by Sarah Phelps
PERSEPOLIS by Marjane Satrapi, chosen by Irenosen Okojie
ABSOLUTELY AND FOREVER by Rose Tremain, chosen by Harriett GilbertTwo authors pick books they love with Harriett Gilbert.Screenwriter, playwright and television producer Sarah Phelps (The Sixth Commandment, A Very British Scandal, EastEnders) brings us the trials and tribulations of a
Helen Lederer and Ilaria Bernardini
BOOKS:WISHFUL DRINKING by CARRIE FISHER
FORBIDDEN NOTEBOOK by ALBA DE CESPEDES
YELLOWFACE by REBECCA F KUANGHarriett's guests today are comedian and writer Helen Lederer known for so many roles including as Catrionia in Absolutely Fabulous. Recently she has published her memoir Not That I'm Bitter and set up the Comedy Writing In Print Prize. She has opted for the hugely witty and knowing memoir
Gyles Brandreth and Hannah Critchlow
Writer and broadcaster Gyles Brandreth has chosen EF Benson's entertaining tale of competitive snobbery in the 1920s, Mapp and Lucia. In a contrasting choice, neuroscientist Hannah Critchlow advocates for Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi, a story of a Ghanaian family transplanted to Alabama which takes in neuroscience and opiate addiction. Harriett has gone for a real crowd-pleaser in E. Nesbit's
Sebastian Faulks and Tessa Hadley
VOICES IN THE EVENING by Natalia Ginzburg (trans. DM Low), chosen by Tessa Hadley
THE ZONE OF INTEREST by Martin Amis (trans. Jessica Moore), chosen by Sebastian Faulks
EASTBOUND by Maylis de Kerangal, chosen by Harriett GilbertTwo authors pick books they love with Harriett Gilbert.Tessa Hadley (Late In The Day, Free Love, After The Funeral) takes us to post-war Italy with Voices In The Evening by
Doon Mackichan and Bruce Robinson
Recorded at the Hay FestivalSHUGGIE BAIN by Douglas Stuart
ON THE BLACK HILL by Bruce Chatwin
AGAINST NATURE by Joris-Karl HuysmansHarriett Gilbert takes to the stage in the BBC Marquee at the Hay Festival for a special edition of the programme recorded in front of an audience.
Actor and writer Doon Mackichan known for her outrageous character Cathy in the sitcom Two Doors Down chooses Shuggie B
Denise Mina and Simon Brett
ABSENT IN THE SPRING by Agatha Christie (writing as Mary Westmacott) (HarperCollins), chosen by Simon Brett
IN THE GARDEN OF THE FUGITIVES by Ceridwen Dovey (Penguin), chosen by Denise Mina
HIDE MY EYES by Margery Allingham (Penguin), chosen by Harriett Gilbert Crime writers Denise Mina and Simon Brett join Harriett Gilbert to read each other's favourite books. Simon Brett (Charles Paris, Fetherin
Samantha Harvey and Darran Anderson
QUARTET IN AUTUMN by Barbara Pym, chosen by Samantha Harvey
MRS CALIBAN by Rachel Ingalls, chosen by Harriett Gilbert
PHARMACOPOEIA: A DUNGENESS NOTEBOOK by Derek Jarman, chosen by Darran AndersonTwo award-winning writers share books they love with Harriett Gilbert.Samantha Harvey is the author of five novels, The Wilderness, All Is Song, Dear Thief ,The Western Wind and, most recently, Orbital.
Kathryn Hughes and Dan Schreiber
Historian and author Kathryn Hughes and No Such Thing As a Fish presenter Dan Schreiber recommend favourite books to Harriett Gilbert. Kathryn chooses Flaubert's Parrot by Julian Barnes, an exploration of the French writer's life in the form of a novel. Dan's choice is very different - John Higgs taking on the conceptual artists and chart toppers The KLF. Harriett has gone for Michael Ondaatje's n
Carol Morley and Will Hislop
THE RED PARTS by Maggie Nelson (Vintage), chosen by Carol Morley
INVISIBLE CITIES by Italo Calvino (Vintage), chosen by Will Hislop
ORDINARY PEOPLE by Diana Evans (Vintage), chosen by Harriett GilbertFilm director Carol Morley chooses a memoir called The Red Parts, in which author Maggie Nelson tries to make sense of the horror, grief and scepticism of her own aunt's murder trial. A book that blur
Christopher Eccleston and Lindsey Hilsum
JUST KIDS by Patti Smith, chosen by Lindsey Hilsum
MAN'S SEARCH FOR MEANING by Viktor E. Frankl (trans. Ilse Lasch), chosen by Christopher Eccleston
TOWARDS THE END OF THE MORNING by Michael Frayn, chosen by Harriett Gilbert The television journalist and actor share favourite books with Harriett Gilbert. Lindsey Hilsum, International Editor of Channel 4 News, loves Patti Smith's memoir Just Kids,
Katy Hessel and Amy Blakemore
CHESS by Stefan Zweig (Faber), chosen by Katy Hessel
MAUD MARTHA by Gwendolyn Brooks (Penguin), chosen by Amy Blakemore
THE PIER FALLS by Mark Haddon (Vintage), chosen by Harriett GilbertArt historian Katy Hessel chooses a book that she read in one sitting because she couldn't put it down: Chess by Stefan Zweig. A novella about the limitless possibilities of the game, and of the human mind.Author
Andrew McMillan and Kathryn Williams
ON WRITING by Stephen King, chosen by Kathryn Williams
THE BITCH by Pilar Quintana (translated by Lisa Dillman), chosen by Harriett Gilbert
ON THE BEACH by Nevil Shute, chosen by Andrew McMillan The singer-songwriter Kathryn Williams loves books about the craft of writing and her choice of a good read is 'On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft', by the master of horror, Stephen King. The book gave her
Paterson Joseph and Richard Coles
THE LONELY LONDERS by Sam Selvon
THE CHANGELING by Robin Jenkins
A CRACK IN THE WALL by Claudia PeneiroThe Lonely Londoners by Sam Selvon traces the new lives of a group of hopeful immigrants from the West Indies in the late 1950s. Told with humour and pathos it's a favourite of actor Paterson Joseph. He regards it as the seminal book about Caribbean migration to Britain and applauds Selvon's brav
Anjana Vasan and Anne-Marie Imafidon
BESSIE SMITH by Jackie Kay (Faber) chosen by Anjana Vasan
EDGE OF HERE by Kelechi Okafor (Trapeze) chosen by Anne-Marie Imafidon
THE WIDOW COUDERC by Georges Simenon (Penguin) chosen by Harriett GilbertStar of 'Black Mirror', 'We Are Lady Parts' and 'Wicked Little Letters' Anjana Vasan chooses Jackie Kay's affectionate and personal biography of Blues legend, Bessie Smith.Founder of Stemettes and a
Joe Talbot and Nancy Medina
Artistic Director of Bristol Old Vic, Nancy Medina and IIdle band member Joe Talbot join Harriett Gilbert to discuss their favourite choose books by Junot Diaz, Bell Hooks and Douglas AdamsThe Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz
Publisher: FaberAll About Love by Bell Hooks
Publisher: William MorrowThe Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy by Douglas Adams
Publisher: PanFirst broadcast on B
Rachel Brown-Finnis and Anna Bogutskaya
CRYING IN H MART by Michelle Zauner, chosen by Anna Bogutskaya
SKATING TO ANTARTICA by Jenni Diski, chosen by Harriett Gilbert
THINKING ON MY FEET by Kate Humble, chosen by Rachel Brown-FinnisCritic, author and podcaster Anna Bogutskaya chooses musician Michelle Zauner's account of growing up as one of the few Asian-American children in Eugene, Oregon, Crying in H Mart, which details her complex r
Ian Rankin and Colin MacIntyre
THE GLASS PEARLS by Emeric Pressburger chosen by Ian Rankin
WIDOW BASQUIAT by Jennifer Clement chosen by Colin MacIntyre
THE PATIENCE STONE by Atiq Rahimi chosen by Harriett GilbertRebus creator, Ian Rankin, expresses his admiration for filmmaker and novelist Emeric Pressburger's skilfully empathetic characterisation of a fleeing Nazi war criminal in his novel, The Glass Pearls. All the more impre
Chantal Joffe and Séamas O'Reilly
The artist Chantal Joffe picks I Capture The Castle, the English classic by Dodie Smith. Set in 1930s rural England, it relates the adventures of an eccentric family over the course of about a year. It's a book Chantal has come back to again and again, ever since she was a teenager. Séamas O'Reilly champions the Irish novel, A Goat's Song by Dermot Healy, which he argues deserves to be more widely
Janet Ellis and Jason Arday
Janet Ellis and Jason Arday join presenter Harriet Gilbert to discuss The Cut Out Girl by Bart van Es; Rise, the memoir of South African rugby player Siya Kolisi and Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann. Three readers choose favourite books and discuss themes of war, rugby and tightrope walking.Writer and former Blue Peter presenter Janet Ellis chooses The Cut Out Girl by Bart van Es, the true
India Knight and Emma Dabiri
Journalist India Knight and writer Emma Dabiri talk to Harriett Gilbert about favourite books. India chooses The Tap Dancer by Andrew Barrow, while Harriett has gone for Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant, the novel Anne Tyler considers her best work. Emma champions Claire Keegan's short but powerful story, So Late in the Day. Themes of food and family emerge from all three books. Producer for BB
Nigel Kennedy and Clare Perkins
The violinist Nigel Kennedy is in the UK playing several concerts and takes time out to join Harriett Gilbert and actor Clare Perkins to talk about one of his favourite books. It's Confessions of A Mask by Yukio Mishima - the coming of age and sexual awakening story of a young boy in post war Japan. Nigel says he began exploring Japanese fiction and is interested in how many Japanese authors expl
Cressida Cowell and Romy Gill MBE
Cressida Cowell MBE is the best-selling author illustrator of the How To Train Your Dragon and The Wizards of Once children's book series. Cressida's book choice is The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan - the story of a fractious mother-daughter relationship between a first generation Chinese immigrant to the USA and her Americanised daughter.Romy Gill MBE is a renowned Indian chef and travel writer. She i
Anneka Rice and Maureen Freely
TV presenter Anneka Rice and writer Maureen Freely share favourite books. Maureen has chosen Marilynne Robinson's award winning Gilead, Anneka enjoyed Tan Twan Eng's The Garden of Evening Mists, and Harriett is charmed by The Mystery of Henri Pick by David Foenkinos.Producer for BBC Audio Bristol: Sally Heaven
