A Good Read

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Jonathan Coe and Gemma Cairney Nov 10, 2015

Show notes

Harriett Gilbert is joined by comic novelist Jonathan Coe and Radio 1 DJ Gemma Cairney to recommend favourite books.

Jonathan's choice is the first part in a tragi-comic epic, 'The Complete Pratt',a semi-autobiographical novel by the late David Nobbs, creator of 'The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin'. It's called 'Second From Last in the Sack Race'.

Gemma chooses a novel by Laura Dockrill, a vividly imagined story of mermaids and pirates, 'Lorali'.

Harriett dusts off a novel from the 1940s by Nevil Shute, 'Pied Piper'. Its subject matter is sharply topical: an elderly man leads a growing group of refugee children across Europe, attempting to avoid the Nazi invaders.

Producer...Mary Ward-Lowery.

Krishnan Guru-Murthy and Ann Cleeves Nov 03, 2015

Show notes

News presenter Krishnan Guru-Murthy, crime writer Ann Cleeves and Harriet Gilbert discuss their favourite books by Alain-Fournier, George Orwell and Joanna Rakoff.

The Lost Estate (Le Grande Meaulnes) by Alain-Fournier Publisher: Penguin

The Road To Wigan Pier by George Orwell Publisher: Penguin

My Salinger Year by Joanna Rakoff Publisher: Bloomsbury

Producer: Sally Heaven

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2015.

Fraser Nelson and Adam Mars-Jones Oct 28, 2015

Show notes

Editor of The Spectator Fraser Nelson, Adam Mars-Jones and Harriett Gilbert discuss their favourite books by Vilhelm Moberg, Hugo Williams and Elmore Leonard.

I Knew The Bride by Hugo Williams Publisher: Faber

The Emigrants by Vilhelm Moberg Publisher: Borealis Books

Rum Punch by Elmore Leonard Publisher: Phoenix

Producer: Beth O'Dea

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2015.

Philip Pullman and Caroline Criado-Perez Oct 27, 2015

Show notes

Author Philip Pullman, journalist Caroline Criado-Perez and Harriett Gilbert discuss their favourite books by Graham Greene, Tove Jansson and Alice Munro.

Sculptor's Daughter: A Childhood Memoir by Tove Jansson Publisher: Sort of Books

The Beggar Maid: Stories of Flo and Rose by Alice Munro Publisher: Vintage

The Quiet American by Graham Greene. Publisher: Vintage

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2015.

David Morrissey & Julia Blackburn Oct 14, 2015

Show notes

Actor David Morrissey and writer Julia Blackburn join Harriett Gilbert to discuss favourite books by John O'Hara, JD Salinger and Alexandra Fuller. Appointment in Samarra by John O'Hara, Publisher: Vintage

For Esme with Love and Squalor by JD Salinger Publisher: Penguin

Don't Lets Go To The Dogs Tonight by Alexandra Fuller Publisher: Picador

Producer Mary Ward-Lowery.

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2015.

Caroline Lucas & Rod Liddle Oct 06, 2015

Show notes

Green MP Caroline Lucas and columnist Rod Liddle join Harriett Gilbert to discuss favourite books by Barbara Kingsolver, David Peace and Alison Bechdel.

Flight Behaviour by Barbara Kingsolver Publisher: Faber

Red or Dead by David Peace Publisher: Faber

Fun Home by Alison Bechdel Publisher: Jonathan Cape

First broadcast in October 2015.

Miriam Margolyes and Mark Haddon Sep 23, 2015

Show notes

Actress Miriam Margolyes, writer Mark Haddon and Harriett Gilbert discuss their favourite books by Charles Dickens, Virginia Woolf and Truman Capote.

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens Publisher: Penguin

To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf Publisher: Penguin

Breakfast at Tiffany's by Truman Capote Publisher: Penguin

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2015.

Miranda Sawyer and Tom Robinson Jun 18, 2015

Show notes

Harriett Gilbert and her guests - journalist, Miranda Sawyer and singer, Tom Robinson - discuss their favourite books by Joan Didion, Alan Hollinghurst and Ben Aaronovitch.

The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion Publisher: Fourth Estate

Rivers of London by Ben Aaronovitch Publisher: Gallants

The Swimming-Pool Library by Alan Hollinghurst Publisher: Vintage

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2015.

Helen Baxendale & Helen Cross Jun 16, 2015

Show notes

Harriett Gilbert and her guests - actress Helen Baxendale and writer Helen Cros - discuss favourite books by George Monbiot, Kirsten Thorup and Julia Blackburn. From 2015.

The God of Chance by Kirsten Thorup Pub: Norvick Press

The Three of Us by Julia Blackburn Pub: Vintage

Feral: Rewilding the Land, Sea and Human Life by George Monbiot Pub: Penguin

Producer Mary Ward-Lowery

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2015.

Ian Rankin and Joe Boyd Mar 31, 2015

Show notes

Harriett Gilbert and her guests - crime writer, Ian Rankin and record producer, Joe Boyd - discuss their favourite books by Lesley Branch, Mohsin Hamid and Pascal Garnier.

The Wilder Shores of Love by Lesley Blanch Publisher: Simon & Schuster

How to Get Filthy Rich in Rising Asia by Mohsin Hamid Publisher: Penguin

The Islanders by Pascal Garnier Publisher: Gallic Books

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2015.

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