A Good Read

Max Porter discusses his new novel Lanny.

Actors Sarah Hadland and Russell Tovey join Harriett Gilbert to discuss their favourite books by Annie Proulx, Quentin Crisp and Muriel Barbery.

Close Range: Brokeback Mountain by Annie Proulx

The Elegance of The Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery

The Naked Civil Servant by Quentin Crisp

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2019.

What Makes a Jewish Book; Colm Tóibín on Natalia Ginzburg; Censorship in Kuwait

Poet Lemn Sissay and writer Mick Herron join Harriett Gilbert to discuss their favourite books by JM Coetzee, Caroline Blackwood and John Steinbeck.

The Life and Times of Michael K by JM Coetzee

Great Granny Webster by Caroline Blackwood

Sweet Thursday by John Steinbeck

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2019.

BBC presenter Kate Bottley and comedian Ken Cheng join Harriett Gilbert to discuss their favourite books by Amy Chua, Cole Morton and Carlo Rovelli.

The Boy Who Gave His Heart Away by Cole Morton

Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother by Amy Chua

Seven Brief Lessons on Physics by Carlo Rovelli

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2019.

Whitney Scharer discusses her novel about the love affair between Lee Miller and Man Ray.

Singer and author Tracey Thorn and writer Maggie O'Farrell join Harriett Gilbert discuss their favourite books by Susie Boyt, Barbara Trapido and Kate Atkinson.

My Judy Garland Life by Susie Boyt

The Travelling Hornplayer by Barbara Trapido

Case Histories by Kate Atkinson

First broadcast on Radio 4 in February 2019.

Barristers turned crime writers, Mohammed Hanif on Catch 22, Emma Darwin

Writer Frank Cottrell-Boyce and comic Lucy Porter join Harriett Gilbert to discuss favourite books by Mervyn Peake, Terry Pratchett and Dashiell Hammett.

Letters from a Lost Uncle by Mervyn Peake

Truckers by Terry Pratchett

Red Harvest by Dashiell Hammett

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2019.

Kristen Roupenian on her new short story collection