A Good Read

Latest Episodes:

Frances O'Grady and Ruth Richardson Nov 27, 2012

Show notes

Harriet Gilbert and her guests - General Secretary Designate of the TUC, Frances O'Grady and historian, Ruth Richardson – discuss their favourite books by Anne Enright, TS Eliot and John Masefield.

Booker prize-winning 'The Gathering' by Anne Enright Publisher: Vintage

'Four Quartets' by TS Eliot Publisher: Bloomsbury

‘The Box of Delights’ by John Masefield. Publisher: HarperCollins

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2011.

Ben Goldacre and Michelle Paver Nov 20, 2012

Show notes

Harriett Gilbert and her guests - acclaimed children's author, Michelle Paver and medical journalist, Ben Goldacre - discuss their favourite books by Tove Jansson, Sybille Bedford and Imogen Evans.

The Summer Book by Tove Jansson Publisher: Sort Of Books

Testing Treatments by Imogen Evans, Hazel Thornton and Iain Chalmers Publisher: Pinter & Martin

Jigsaw by Sybille Bedford Publisher: Eland

Producer: Mark Smalley

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2012.

Peter White and Heydon Prowse Nov 13, 2012

Show notes

Harriett Gilbert and her guests - Broadcaster, Peter White and Satirist and Prankster, Heydon Prowse discuss their favourite books by Duncan Hamilton, Nicholas Shaxson and Georgette Heyer.

Provided You Don't Kiss Me: 20 years With Brian Clough by Duncan Hamilton. Publisher: HarperCollins

Treasure Islands: Tax Havens and The Men Who Stole The World by Nicholas Shaxson Publisher: Vintage

Faro's Daughter by Georgette Heyer Publisher: Cornerstone

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2012.

Neil Pearson and Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones Nov 06, 2012

Show notes

Actor Neil Pearson and Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones, the self-described "Black Farmer" join Harriet Gilbert to discuss favourite books by George Orwell, Olaudah Equiano and James Baldwin.

Coming Up For Air by George Orwell Publisher: Penguin Classics

The Interesting Narrative and Other Writings by Olaudah Equiano Publisher: Penguin Classics

Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin Publisher: Penguin Classics

Producer: Beth O'Dea

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in September 2011.

John Finnemore and Peter Hitchens Oct 30, 2012

Show notes

Harriett Gilbert and her guests - Cabin Pressure star and writer, John Finnemore and columnist and author, Peter Hitchens - discuss their favourite books by Michael Frayn, Josephine Tey and Michael Simkins.

'The Daughter of Time' by Josephine Tey Publisher: Cornerstone

'A Landing on the Sun' by Michael Frayn Publisher: Faber & Faber

'What's My Motivaton?' by Michael Simkins Publisher: Ebury

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2012.

Justin Webb and Frances Fyfield Oct 23, 2012

Show notes

Harriett Gilbert and her guests - broadcaster, Justin Webb and novelist, Frances Fyfield - discuss favourite books by Wallace Stegner, Iain Pears and Fred Vargas.

Crossing to Safety by Wallace Stegner Publisher: Penguin

Stone's Fall by Iain Pears Publisher: Vintage Books

Seeking Whom He May Devour by Fred Vargas Publisher: Random House

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2012.

Sir Michael Darrington and Terri Duhon Oct 16, 2012

Show notes

Harriett Gilbert and her guests - businessman, Sir Michael Darrington and entrepreneur, Terri Duhon - discuss John Grisham, Suzanne Collins and Marguerite Duras.

The Litigators by John Grisham Publisher: Hodder

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins Publisher: Scholastic

The Lover by Marguerite Duras - translated by Barbara Bray Publisher: Harper Perennial

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2012.

Ed Douglas and Andy Cave Oct 09, 2012

Show notes

Harriett Gilbert and her guests - British mountaineer, Andy Cave and journalist and amateur climber, Ed Douglas to discuss favourite books by Lionel Terray, Nan Shepherd and Patricia Highsmith.

Conquistadores of the Useless by Lionel Terray (Translated by Geoffrey Sutton) Publisher: Batten Wickes

The Living Mountain - A Celebration of the Cairngorm Mountains of Scotland - by Nan Shepherd Publisher: Canongate

The Talented Mr Ripley by Patricia Highsmith Publisher: Vintage

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2012.

Val McDermid and Alex Horne Oct 02, 2012

Show notes

Harriett Gilbert and her guests - crime writer, Val McDermid and comedian and neologist, Alex Horne - diccuss favourite books by Andre Agassi, Jeanette Winterson and David Malou.

Why be Happy When you Could be Normal by Jeanette Winterson Publisher: Vintage

Remembering Babylon by David Malouf Publisher: Vintage

Open by Andre Agassi Publisher: Harper Collins

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2012.

Kevin Maguire and Lucy Mangan Jul 24, 2012

Show notes

Harriett Gilbert and her guests - journalist, Kevin Maguire and columnist, Lucy Mangan - discuss their favourite books by Florence King, Peter Ackroyd and Simon Gray..

Lucy Mangan's choice:

'Confessions of a Failed Southern Lady' by Florence King Publisher: Virago

Kevin Maguire's choice:

'The Clerkenwell Tales' by Peter Ackroyd Publisher: Random House

Harriett Gilbert's choice:

'The Smoking Diaries' by Simon Gray Publisher: Granta

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 Extra in July 2012.