A Good Read

Latest Episodes:

Christopher Biggins and Jenny Eclair Jul 26, 2016

Show notes

Actor Christopher Biggins and comedian Jenny Eclair join Harriett Gilbert to discuss their favourite books by Richard Yates, Dominick Dunne and Muriel Spark.

Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates Publisher: Vintage

The Girls of Slender Means by Muriel Spark Publisher: Penguin

People Like Us by Dominick Dunne Publisher: Valentine Books

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2016.

Francesca Simon and Lloyd Langford Jul 19, 2016

Show notes

Horrid Henry creator Francesca Simon and Welsh comedian Lloyd Langford join Harriett Gilbert to discuss their favourite books by Madeleine L'Engle, Richard Brautigan and Georges Simenon

A Wrinkle In Time by Madeleine L'Engle Publisher: Puffin

So The Wind Won't Blow it All Away by Richard Brautigan Publisher: Canongate

The Train by Georges Simenon. Publisher: Melville House

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2016.

Joann Fletcher and Damian Barr Jul 12, 2016

Show notes

Writer Damian Barr and Egyptologist Joann Fletcher join Harriett Gilbert to talk about their favourite books by Alice Walker, RE Witt and Leonora Carrington..

The Color Purple by Alice Walker Publisher: Weidenfeld and Nicolson

Isis in the Ancient World by RE Witt Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press

The Hearing Trumpet by Leonora Carrington Publisher: Penguin

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2016.

Alex Jones and Victoria Hislop Jul 05, 2016

Show notes

BBC One Show presenter Alex Jones, and writer Victoria Hislop, join Harriet Gilbert to talk about books they love by Lisa Jewell, Michael Cunningham and Elena Ferrante.

The Girls by Lisa Jewell Publisher: Arrow

The Hours by Michael Cunningham Publisher: Harper Perennial

Days of Abandonment by Elena Ferrante Publisher: Europa Editions [Translator: Ann Goldstein]

Producer: Sally Heaven

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2016.

Martin Lewis and Tanita Tikaram Jun 28, 2016

Show notes

Martin Lewis, founder of MoneySavingExpert.com and singer-songwriter Tanita Tikaram join Harriett Gilbert to discuss favourite books by CJ Sansom, Mick Herron and Anita Loos.

Slow Horses by Mick Herron Publisher: John Murray

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes by Anita Loos Publisher: Liveright

Shardlake by CJ Sansom Publisher: Pan Books

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2016.

Professor David Nutt and Philippa Perry Jun 21, 2016

Show notes

Professor David Nutt and psychotherapist Philippa Perry join Harriett Gilbert to discuss their favourite books by Aldous Huxley, Bernardine Evaristo and Mary Midgley.

Island by Aldous Huxley Publisher: Vintage

Mr Loverman by Bernardine Evaristo Publisher: Hamish Hamilton

Animals and Why They Matter by Mary Midgley Publisher: University of Georgia Press

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2016.

Judge Rinder and Stella Duffy Jun 14, 2016

Show notes

Barrister Robert Rinder (TV's Judge Rinder), novelist Stella Duffy and Harriett Gilbert discuss favourite books by Jessica Mitford, Irvin D Yalom and Andrey Kirkov.

Hons and Rebels by Jessica Mitford Publisher: Phoenix

Staring at The Sun: Overcoming the Dread of Death by Irvin D Yalom Publisher: Piatkus

A Matter of Death and Life by Andrey Kurkov Translated by George Bird Publisher: Vintage

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2016.

Trevor McDonald and Jon Snow Jun 07, 2016

Show notes

Former TV newscasters, Sir Trevor McDonald and Jon Snow join Harriett Gilbert to discuss favourite books by Robert A Caro, Graham Swift and Bill Bryson.

Master of The Senate by Robert A Caro Publisher: Pimlico

Mothering Sunday by Graham Swift Publisher: Scribner

Notes From A Small Island by Bill Bryson Publisher: Black Swan

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2016.

Russell Kane and Peter Lord Mar 29, 2016

Show notes

Aardman animations co-founder Peter Lord and comedian Russell Kane join Harriett Gilbert to discuss their favourite books by Susan Pinker, Russell Hoban and Nathaneal West.

Riddley Walker by Russell Hoban, Publisher: Bloomsbury

The Village Effect by Susan Pinker, Publisher: Atlantic Books

Miss Lonelyhearts by Nathaneal West. Publisher: Daunt Books

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2016.

Marian Keyes and Nikki Bedi Mar 22, 2016

Show notes

Bestselling Irish author Marian Keyes, broadcaster Nikki Bedi and Harriett Gilbert discuss their favourite books by Barbara Kingsolver, Imtiaz Dharker and Nick Hornby.

The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver Publisher: Harper Perennial

Over the Moon by Imtiaz Dharker Publisher: Bloodaxe

High Fidelity by Nick Hornby Publisher: Penguin

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2016.