A Good Read

Mark Billingham talks to Mariella Frostrup about his latest book The Dying Hours; we discuss reportage in book form; and Thomas Keneally on the book he would never lend.

Horrible Histories author Terry Deary and comedian Shappi Khorsandi join Harriett Gilbert to discuss favourite books by GK Chesterton, Sue Townsend and John McGahern.

The Napoleon of Notting Hill by GK Chesterton

Adrian Mole and the Weapons of Mass Destruction by Sue Townsend

Amongst Women by John McGahern

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2013.

Column McCann on his novel TransAtlantic, which explores the relationship between Ireland and the USA, mental health and fiction, and more weird things people say in bookshops

Mariella Frostrup talk to Native American writer Louise Erdrich about her National Book Award winning book The Round House and looks at the work -and life - of F Scott Fitzgerald.

Mariella Frostrup talks to Tessa Hadley about her latest novel Clever Girl, Cory Doctorow discusses literature and future technology and Ian Rankin on the book he will never lend.

Mariella Frostrup presents a special programme from The Royal Opera House on the prolific and influential Scottish novelist Sir Walter Scott, in the company of biographer Stuart Kelly, authors Denise Mina and Allan Massie and actor Emun Elliott.

Harlan Coben talks to Mariella Frostup about his new thriller novel Six Years. We report from the London Book Fair which this year has given prominence to Turkish publishing. And author Rodge Glass takes a wry literary look at the impact of cheap flights.

Mariella Frostrup talks to Taiye Selasi about her debut novel Ghana Must Go with. Gillian Cross discusses her new book After Tomorrow and dystopian futures for children. And Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk - writer and music broadcaster Stephen Johnson on the novel behind the famous opera.

Patrick Ness talks to Mariella Frostrup about his novel The Crane Wife. We look at the way in which the start of Spring inspires novelists with Horatio Clare and John Sutherland. And in the first in our series on precious books, novelist and critic Amanda Craig comes clean about the novel that won't be prised off her book-shelf for love nor money.

Harriett Gilbert and her guests - authors Gervase Phinn and Moni Mohsin - discuss their favourite books by Robert Roberts, Rudyard Kipling and Angela Carter.

A Ragged Schooling by Robert Roberts

Kim by Rudyard Kipling

Wise Children by Angela Carter

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2013.