A Good Read

Latest Episodes:

Gráinne Maguire and John Higgs Nov 27, 2018

Show notes

Gráinne Maguire, John Higgs and Harriett Gilbert discuss favourite books by Jeremy Lent, Elaine Dundy and Beryl Bainbridge.

The Dud Avocado by Elaine Dundy Publisher: Virago

The Patterning Instinct by Jeremy Lent Publisher: Prometheus Books

The Dressmaker by Beryl Bainbridge Publisher: Abacus

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2018.

Andy McNab and George the Poet Nov 20, 2018

Show notes

Former SAS serviceman turned thriller writer Andy McNab, George the Poet and Harriett Gilbert discuss their favourite books by Akala, Attica Locke and Joe Simpson.

Touching the Void by Joe Simpson Publisher: Vintage

Natives by Akala Publisher: Two Roads

Bluebird Bluebird by Attica Locke Publisher: Serpent's Tail

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2018.

Kamila Shamsie and Jeffrey Archer Nov 13, 2018

Show notes

Authors Kamila Shamsie and Jeffrey Archer join Harriett Gilbert to discuss their favourite books by Fred Uhlman, Shehan Karunatilaka and Penelope Fitzgerald.

‘Reunion’ by Fred Uhlman Publisher: Vintage

‘Chinaman’ by Shehan Karunatilaka Publisher: Vintage

‘The Bookshop’ by Penelope Fitzgerald Publisher: 4th Estate

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2018.

Katie Derham and Matt Haig Nov 06, 2018

Show notes

Proms presenter and Strictly Come Dancing star, Katie Derham and writer, Matt Haig join Harriett Gilbert to discuss favourite books by Linda Grant, SE Hinton and Anne Tyler.

The Dark Circle by Linda Grant Publisher: Virago

The Outsiders by SE Hinton Publisher: Penguin

Breathing Lessons by Anne Tyler Publisher: Vintage

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2018.

Sindhu Vee and Phil Wang Oct 30, 2018

Show notes

Comedians Sindhu Vee, Phil Wang join Harriett Gilbert to discuss their favourite books by Celeste Ng, Rose George and Vivek Shanbhag.

Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng Publisher: Abacus

Deep Sea and Foreign Going by Rose George Publisher: Portobello

Ghachar Ghochar by Vivek Shanbhag Publisher: Faber [Translator: Srinath Perur]

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2018.

Liz Carr and Kate Williams Oct 23, 2018

Show notes

Actor Liz Carr and historian and writer, Kate William join Harriett Gilbert to discuss their favourite books by Penny Pepper, Murasaki Shikibu and Jenny Erpenbeck.

First In The World Somewhere by Penny Pepper Publisher: Unbound

Diary of Lady Murasaki by Murasaki Shikibu Publisher: Penguin [Translator: Richard Bowring]

Visitation by Jenny Erpenbeck [Translator: Susan Bernofsky) Publisher: Portobello Books

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2018.

Ben Miller and Danny Wallace Oct 16, 2018

Show notes

Comedian, writer and actor Ben Miller and writer Danny Wallace join Harriett Gilbert discuss their favourite books by AA Milne, William Trevor and George and Weedon Grossmith.

Winnie the Pooh by AA Milne Publisher: Ishi Press International

Diary of a Nobody by George and Weedon Grossmith Publisher: Wordsworth Classics

Children of Dynmouth by William Trevor Publisher: Penguin

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2018.

Grace Dent and Sian Harries Oct 09, 2018

Show notes

Journalist Grace Dent and comedy writer Sian Harries join Harriett Gilbert to discuss their favourite books by Max Porter, Lissa Evans and Barbara Pym.

Grief is the Thing with Feathers by Max Porter Publisher: Faber

Crooked Heart by Lissa Evans Publisher: Black Swan

Excellent Women by Barbara Pym Publisher: Virago

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2018.

Nikesh Shukla and Leone Ross Oct 02, 2018

Show notes

Writers Nikesh Shukla and Leone Ross join Harriett Gilbert to discuss their favourite books by Thomas Page McBee, Jean Toomer and Arundhati Roy.

Amateur by Thomas Page McBee Publisher: Canongate

Cane by Jean Toomer Publisher: Liveright

The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy. Publisher: Harper Perennial

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2018.

Anne-Marie Duff and Louise O'Neill Jul 24, 2018

Show notes

Actor Anne-Marie Duff and writer Louise O’Neill join Harriett Gilbert to discuss their favourite books by Maggie O’Farrell, Sally Rooney and Angela Carter.

I Am, I Am, I Am by Maggie O’Farrell. Publisher: Tinder Press

Conversations With Friends by Sally Rooney. Publisher: Faber

Nights At The Circus by Angela Carter. Publisher: Vintage

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2018.