A Good Read

Latest Episodes:

Al Murray and Tarek Osman Jul 08, 2014

Show notes

Harriett Gilbert and her guests - comedian Al Murray, aka The Pub Landlord, and Egyptian political economist, Tarek Osman - discuss their favourite books by Naguib Mahfouz, Philip Roth and Joseph Heller.

Children of The Alley by Naguib Mahfouz Publisher: Doubleday US

Catch-22 by Joseph Heller Publisher: Vintage

Everyman by Philip Roth Publisher: Vintage First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2014.

Edwina Currie and Nicholas Le Prevost Jul 01, 2014

Show notes

Harriett Gilbert and her guest - former MP, Edwina Currie and actor, Nicholas Le Provost - discuss their favourite books by Beryl Bainbridge, Dorothy Whipple and Azar Nafisi.

'An Awfully Big Adventure’ by Beryl Bainbridge. Publisher: Abacus

‘The Priory’ by Dorothy Whipple. Publisher: Persephone Books

‘Lolita in Tehran’ by Azar Nafisi. Publisher: Harper Perennial

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in July 2014.

India Knight and Alvin Hall Jun 24, 2014

Show notes

Harriett Gilbert and her guests - journalist and author India Knight and financial adviser Alvin Hall - discuss favourite books by Barbara Pym, Rebecca Skloot and Boris Akunin.

Jane and Prudence by Barbara Pym Publisher: Virago

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot Publisher: Pan Macmillan

The Winter Queen by Boris Akunin Publisher: Orion

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2014.

Fay Weldon and Hans Ulrich Obrist Jun 17, 2014

Show notes

Harriett Gilbert and her guests - author, Fay Weldon and Serpentine Galleries curator, Hans Ulrich Obrist - discuss favourite books by Etel Adnan, Gabriel Gbadamosi, RL Stevenson.

Sitt Marie Rose by Etel Adnan Publisher: Post Apollo Press Vauxhall by Gabriel Gbadamosi Publisher: Telegram Books Treasure Island by RL Stevenson Publisher: Penguin

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2014.

Roger Michell and Aminatta Forna Jun 10, 2014

Show notes

Harriett Gilbert and her guests - Notting Hill film director, Roger Michell and writer, Aminatta Forna - discuss favourite books by Laura Alcoba, Mark Twain and Robert Graves.

The Rabbit House by Laura Alcoba Publisher: Portobello Books

The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain Publisher: Collins Classics

Goodbye to All That by Robert Graves Publisher: Penguin

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2014.

Aasmah Mir & Pete Brown at Bristol Food Connections Festival Jun 03, 2014

Show notes

Harriett Gilbert and her guests - broadcaster, Aasmah Mir and beer writer, Pete Brown - discuss great food books by Mohsin Hamid, Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin and John Lanchester.

Recorded with an audience at the Bristol Food Connections Festival.

Moth Smoke by Mohsin Hamid Publisher: Penguin

The Physiology of Taste by Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin Publisher: Everyman

The Debt to Pleasure by John Lanchester Publisher: Picador

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2014.

Annie Mac and Kathy Lette Mar 25, 2014

Show notes

Harriett Gilbert and her guests - DJ Annie Mac and author Kathy Lette - discuss their favourite books by John Green, WM Thackeray and Penelope Fitzgerald.

The Fault In Our Stars by John Green Publisher: Penguin

Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray Publisher: Wordsworth Editions

Offshore by Penelope Fitzgerald Publisher: Fourth Estate

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2014.

Julie Burchill and Fred MacAulay Mar 18, 2014

Show notes

Harriett Gilbert and her guests - writer, Julie Burchill and broadcaster, Fred MacAulay - discuss their favourite books by Harriet Lane, JD Salinger and Elmore Leonard.

Alys, Always by Harriet Lane Publisher: Phoenix

Catcher in the Rye by J D Salinger Publisher: Penguin

Get Shorty by Elmore Leonard Publisher: Phoenix

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2014.

Lorraine Kelly and Romesh Gunesekera Mar 11, 2014

Show notes

Harriett Gilbert and her guests - TV presenter, Lorraine Kelly and writer, Romesh Gunesekera - discuss their favourite books by Jack Kerouac, George Mackay Brown and Molly Keane.

On the Road by Jack Kerouac Publisher: Penguin

Greenvoe by George Mackay Brown Publisher: Polygon

Good Behaviour by Molly Keane Publisher: Virago

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2014.

Penelope Lively and Will Smith Mar 04, 2014

Show notes

Harriett Gilbert and her guests - novelist, Dame Penelope Lively and comedy writer, Will Smith - discuss their favourite books by John Kennedy Toole, Barry Lopez and Kingsley Amis.

‘A Confederacy of Dunces’ by John Kennedy Toole Publisher: Penguin

‘Arctic Dreams’ by Barry Lopez Publisher: Penguin

‘Lucky Jim’ by Kingsley Amis Publisher: Harvill

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2014.