James Naughtie and readers quiz Nicholas Shakespeare about his book, Six Minutes In May: How Churchill Unexpectedly Became Prime Minister. It chronicles the dramatic political and military events of 1940 which led to the momentous Norway Debate and Chamberlain’s resignation.

Upcoming recordings at BBC Broadcasting House in London:

Wednesday 15 May at 1300: Lucy Caldwell on These Days

Thursday 6 June at 1245: Marlon James on A Brief History of Seven Killings

Clare Chambers talks to James Naughtie and readers about her bestselling novel, Small Pleasures. Set in the London suburbs in the 1950s, it tells the story of Jean Swinney, a journalist who is asked to investigate a letter sent to her paper, from a mother claiming her daughter is the result of a virgin birth. Jean meets the mother, Gretchen; her husband, Howard and daughter Margaret and is drawn into their family life. Her investigations soon expand both her world, and her heart.

Upcoming recordings, at BBC Broadcasting House in London:

Wednesday 24 April at 1800 - Nicholas Shakespeare on Six Minutes In May

Wednesday 15 May at 1300 - Lucy Caldwell on These Days.

Thursday 6 June at 1245 - Marlon James on A Brief History of Seven Killings

Wednesday 10 July at 1830 - Ayọ̀bámi Adébáyọ̀ on Stay With Me

Email [email protected] to take part. Over 18s only.

Bookclub travels to Northumberland to meet best-selling crime writer Ann Cleeves. She joins James Naughtie and listeners to discuss her novel, Hidden Depths: Detective Inspector Vera Stanhope sets out to solve two murders which are apparently linked, although there are no clues to connect the victims.

Upcoming recordings - 1830 BBC Broadcasting House in London :

26 March - Clare Chambers on Small Pleasures

Email [email protected] to take part. Over 18s only.

Graeme Macrae Burnet joins James Naughtie and readers to reveal the secrets behind his award-winning historical novel, His Bloody Project. Set in the Scottish Highlands in 1869, His Bloody Project explores crime, justice and retribution through the confessions of a young man accused of murder, and an account of his trial.

Upcoming recordings at BBC Broadcasting House in London:

Tuesday 26 March 1830 - Clare Chambers discusses her bestselling novel, Small Pleasures.

Wednesday 24 April 1830- Nicholas Shakespeare discusses Six Minutes In May: How Churchill Unexpectedly Became Prime Minister

Marking 200 years since the birth of Wilkie Collins, crime writer, and Collins admirer, Elly Griffiths discusses one of his best known works -The Moonstone - with James Naughtie and a group of readers.

Upcoming recording

Wednesday 24th January at 1830 at BBC Broadcasting House, London: Graeme Macrae Burnet on His Bloody Project.

Donal Ryan discusses his book The Spinning Heart with a group of readers, It's a powerful, moving novel told through twenty one individual voices. Set in Ireland in the immediate aftermath of the Celtic Tiger 'boom' years, each character reveals how the sudden and dramatic 'bust' affected their lives. At the centre is Bobby Mahon, once a respected and reliable foreman for a building company who suddenly loses his job when the firm's owner disappears overnight.

Presenter: James Naughtie

Upcoming recordings:

13 December at 1830 at BBC Broadcasting House, London - Elly Griffiths is our guide to The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins

24 January 2024 at 1830 at BBC Broadcasting House, London - Graeme Macrae Burnet discusses His Bloody Project

Email [email protected] to take part.

Katherine Heiny answers readers questions about Standard Deviation, her hilarious novel about marriage, parenting and the road not travelled. Audra is married to Graham, who is divorced from Elspeth. While Audra is sociable, loving, outspoken, tactless, kind and funny, Elspeth is contained, reserved, controlled and reticent. Despite loving Audra, Graham begins to wonder if his life should have taken a different path.

Upcoming recordings at BBC Broadcasting House, London

Wednesday 15 November at 1300 - Donal Ryan on The Spinning Heart

Wednesday 13 December at 1830 - Elly Griffiths is our guide to The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins

Email [email protected] to take part.

Bernardine Evaristo joins James Naughtie and readers to discuss Mr Loverman, her 2013 novel about Barrington Walker, a married man with a secret life. Ever since his teens in Antigua, Barry has been in love with Morris and despite both men moving to London, marrying and having children, their love affair has never faltered. Now he’s in his seventies, Barry decides it’s time to tell the truth. It’s a funny, poetic, moving novel about love, family, prejudice and forgiveness.

Upcoming recordings, all at BBC Broadcasting House in London:

Thursday 12 October at midday - Katherine Heiny on Standard Deviation

Wednesday 15 November at 1300 - Donal Ryan on The Spinning Heart

Wednesday 13 December at 1830 - Crime Writer Elly Griffiths is our guide to The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins

Email [email protected] to take part.

James Naughtie is joined by Denise Mina to talk about her book The Long Drop. This intriguing true-crime story is set in 1950s Glasgow when notorious serial killer Peter Manuel spread fear throughout the city. The Long Drop alternates between Manuel's trial and a extraordinary night he spent with Glaswegian businessman William Watt, whose own family Peter Manuel was suspected of killing. Despite this, the two men form an unlikely alliance and tour the bars and dives of Glasgow together.

Recorded at The Portobello Bookshop in Edinburgh.

Upcoming recordings at BBC Broadcasting House in London:

21 September at 1300 - Bernardine Evaristo on Mr Loverman

12 October at 1200 noon - Katherine Heiny on Standard Deviation.

Email [email protected] to take part

Mick Herron answers readers' questions about his novel, Slow Horses, the first in his hugely popular Slough House series.

Our next recordings:

Thursday 17th August: Denise Mina on her novel The Long Drop. 7pm at The Portobello Bookshop, Portobello, Edinburgh. (Free tickets are available via the Bookshop's website)

At BBC Broadcasting House, London:

Thursday 21 September at 1300 - Bernardine Evaristo on Mr Loverman

Thursday 12 October at 1200 noon - Katherine Heiny on Standard Deviation.

Email [email protected] to take part