A Good Read

A.M. Homes discusses her poignant and funny new book May We Be Forgiven. Sir Sherard Cowper-Coles and Brigid Keenan, who have both written memoirs about diplomatic life, discuss the real story behind the embassy door. And award winning author Kim Scott talks about how his latest novel, That Deadman Dance, explores the fractious relationship between white and indigenous peoples in western Australia and its oppressive and emotional impact.

Harriett Gilbert and her guests - businessman, Sir Michael Darrington and entrepreneur, Terri Duhon - discuss John Grisham, Suzanne Collins and Marguerite Duras.

The Litigators by John Grisham

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

The Lover by Marguerite Duras - translated by Barbara Bray

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2012.

Pulitzer prizewinning author Michael Chabon talks to Mariella about his latest novel Telegraph Avenue. Hunter Davies and Artemis Cooper discuss when the best time is to write a biography about someone - when the subject is alive or decreased? And on the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Dickens, Professor John Bowen shows how considering the ways Dickens didn't always make the grade can reveal the key to his genius.

Harriett Gilbert and her guests - British mountaineer, Andy Cave and journalist and amateur climber, Ed Douglas to discuss favourite books by Lionel Terray, Nan Shepherd and Patricia Highsmith.

Conquistadores of the Useless by Lionel Terray

The Living Mountain - A Celebration of the Cairngorm Mountains of Scotland - by Nan Shepherd

The Talented Mr Ripley by Patricia Highsmith

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2012.

Harriett Gilbert and her guests - crime writer, Val McDermid and comedian and neologist, Alex Horne - diccuss favourite books by Andre Agassi, Jeanette Winterson and David Malou.

Why be Happy When you Could be Normal by Jeanette Winterson

Remembering Babylon by David Malouf

Open by Andre Agassi

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2012.

Edna O'Brien discusses her memoir Country Girl and Sid Smith and Naomi Alderman discuss the pain and pleasure involved in writing a novel.

A.N. Wilson talks about his novel based on the life of Josiah Wedgwood - The Potter's Hand, Mariella Frostrup discusses the best of European literature and takes a look at how our rivers and seascapes have been the source of inspiration for many of the great literary classics.

Will Self discusses his Booker shortlisted novel Umbrella. Fifty years after the publication of A Clockwork Orange we explore the life and works of his author Anthony Burgess. And Lawrence Norfolk explains why his latest novel is set around the turbulent period of the English Civil War and discusses the joys of writing about the sensual pleasures and power of food.

In a special programme Zadie Smith talks to Mariella Frostrup about her much anticipated new novel NW.

Dreda Say Mitchell presents a special Open Book programme on Tartan Noir, exploring the appeal of the Scottish crime novel. Glasgow based author Denise Mina joins Edinburgh writer and publisher Allan Guthrie to discuss the importance of place in this increasingly popular genre, while Stuart MacBride, writer of the DS Logan McRae books, takes us on a tour of his inspirational Aberdeen setting.