A Good Read

Latest Episodes:

Dr Vee Kativhu and Susie Riddell Aug 03, 2026

Show notes

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 Gilbert

Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Sarah Goodman Join us over on Instagram @agoodreadbbc

Lauren Child and David McAlmont Jul 27, 2026

Show notes

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 by Harriett Gilbert

Producer for BBC Audio Bristol: Sally Heaven Join us over on Instagram @agoodreadbbc

Cariad Lloyd and Geoff Dyer Jul 20, 2026

Show notes

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 Lloyd

Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Eliza Lomas Join us over on Instagram @agoodreadbbc

Joanne Harris and Islam Issa Jul 13, 2026

Show notes

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 Issa

Join us over on Instagram @agoodreadbbc

Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Sally Heaven

Daisy Dunn and Andrew Hunter Murray Jul 06, 2026

Show notes

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 by presenter Harriett Gilbert

Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Beth O'Dea Join us over on instagram @agoodreadbbc

Photo credit: Timothy Foster

Philippa Perry and Stuart Maconie Jun 29, 2026

Show notes

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 Gilbert

Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Maggie Ayre Join us over on Instagram @agoodreadbbc

Photo credit: Pal Hansen

Louise Welsh and Chris Brookmyre Jun 22, 2026

Show notes

Two Scottish crime writers choose books by: Iain Banks (Espedair Street) Muriel Spark (Memento Mori)

And Harriett's choice is Summer by Edith Wharton

Producer: Maggie Ayre BBC Audio Bristol

Photo credit: Julie Broadfoot

Harriet Tyce and Matt Edmondson Jun 15, 2026

Show notes

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 @agoodreadbbc

Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Sally Heaven

Photo credit: Suki Dhanda

Kelly Cates and Tom Rob Smith Jun 08, 2026

Show notes

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 Tyler

Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Maggie Ayre

Patrick Grant and Mary-Ann Ochota Apr 01, 2026

Show notes

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 Lively

Produced in Bristol by Maggie Ayre

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