Find reading inspiration with favourite books chosen by our guests.
Lord Victor Adebowale and musician Rachel Unthank join Harriett Gilbert to discuss their favourite books by David Almond, Robert Seehaler and John Higgs. Half a Creature from the Sea by David Almond Publisher: Walker Books Stranger Than We Can Imagine by John Higgs Publisher: Weidenfeld & Nicolson A Whole Life by Robert Seehaler Publisher: Picador First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2017.
Comedian Alan Carr and presenter Melanie Sykes join Harriett Gilbert to talk about books they love by John Fowles, Andrea Ashworth and Malcolm Bradbury. The French Lieutenant's Woman by John Fowles, Publisher: Vintage Once in a House on Fire by Andrea Ashworth Publisher: Picador The History Man by Malcolm Bradbury Publisher: Picador First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in January 2017.
Businessman John Timpson and Big Issue founder John Bird join Harriett Gilbert to discuss favourite their books by Thomas Hardy, Elif Batuman and Graham Greene. The Mayor of Casterbridge by Thomas Hardy Publisher: Wordsworth Classics The Possessed: Adventures with Russian Books and the People Who Read Them by Elif Batuman Publisher: Granta The Confidential Agent by Graham Greene Publisher: Vintage First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2016.
Journalist and Margaret Thatcher's biographer Charles Moore, and writer Nadifa Mohamed, join Harriett Gilbert to discuss favourite books by Jane Austen, Kester Aspden and Patrick de Witt. Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen Publisher: Wordsworth Classics Undermajordomo Minor by Patrick de Witt Publisher: Granta The Hounding of David Oluwale by Kester Aspden Publisher: Vintage First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2016.
TV executive Michael Grade and science presenter Gia Milinovich join Harriett Gilbert to discuss beloved books by Peter Oborne, Richard Feynman and Shirley Jackson. Basil D'Oliveira by Peter Oborne Pubisher: Sphere Surely You're Joking Mr Feynman by Richard Feynman Publisher: Vintage We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson Publisher: Penguin First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2017.
‘Clare in the Community’ actress Sally Phillips and ‘Gruffalo’ author Julia Donaldson join Harriett Gilbert to discuss their favourite books by John Irving, Paul Wilson and Rachel Cusk. ‘A Prayer for Owen Meany’ by John Irving Publisher: Black Swan ‘The Visiting Angel’ by Paul Wilson Publisher: Serpent’s Tail ‘Outline’ by Rachel Cusk Publisher: Vintage First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2016.
TV presenter Terry Christian and space doctor Kevin Fong join Harriett Gilbert to discuss their favourite books by Ray Bradbury, Matt Haig and Susan Hill. Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury Publisher: Harper Voyager The Humans by Matt Haig. Publisher: Canongate Howards End is On The Landing by Susan Hill Publisher: Profile Books First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2016.
Actor, comedian and writer Cariad Lloyd and Cold Feet screenwriter Mike Bullen join Harriett Gilbert to discuss their favourite books by Iris Murdoch, Joshua Ferris and Margery Allingham. To Rise Again At A Decent Hour by Joshua Ferris Publisher: Penguin The Sea, The Sea by Iris Murdoch Publisher: Vintage The Tiger in the Smoke by Margery Allingham Publisher: Vintage First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2016.
Birdsong author Sebastian Faulks and journalist Sarfraz Manzoor join Harriet Gilbert to discuss their favourite books by Joseph Conrad, Philip Roth and Diana Athill. Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad Publisher: Penguin The Plot Against America by Philip Roth Publisher: Vintage Stet by Diana Athill Publisher: Granta First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2016.
Writer and broadcaster Bidisha and radio reviewer Gillian Reynolds join Harriett Gilbert to discuss favourite books by Jean Rhys, Frances Woods and John Le Carre. Wide Sargasso Sea, by Jean Rhys Publisher: Penguin Hand Grenade Practice in Peking by Frances Woods Publisher: Slightly Foxed Call For the Dead by John Le Carre Publisher: Penguin First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2016.
Former politicians- and Strictly Come Dancing dancers - Ann Widdecombe and Vince Cable talk to Harriett Gilbert about their favourite books by Jonathan Dimbleby, Robert Harris and Ernest Hemingway. Destiny in the Desert by Jonathan Dimbleby Publisher: Profile An Officer and a Spy by Robert Harris Publisher: Arrow A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway Publisher: Vintage Producer: Sally Heaven First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2016.
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.
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.
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.
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, 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Internationally renowned percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie, journalist Professor Sarah Churchwell and Harriett Gilbert their discuss favourite books by Napoleon Hill, Henry James and Rebecca Front. Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill Publisher: Simon & Schuster The Ambassadors by Henry James Publisher: Penguin Classics Curious' by Rebecca Front Publisher: Weidenfeld & Nicolson First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2016.
Authors John O'Farrell, and Joe Dunthorne, join Harriet Gilbert to discuss their favourite books by Denis Johnson, Cathy Rentzenbrink and Marilynne Robinson. Jesus' Son by Denis Johnson Publisher: Methuen The Last Act of Love by Cathy Rentzenbrink Publisher: Picador Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson Publisher: Faber First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2016.
Deborah Bull, former ballet dancer and Sam Leith, The Spectator’s literary editor join presenter, Harriett Gilbert to discuss their favourite books by Mervyn Peake, John Berryman and Gabriel Garcia Márquez. 'Mr Pye' by Mervyn Peake Publisher: Vintage '77 Dream Songs' by John Berryman Publisher: Faber 'News of a Kidnapping' by Gabriel García Márquez. Translated by Edith Grossman. Publisher: Penguin First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2016.
Comedian Natalie Haynes, Playwright David Greig and Harriett Gilbert discuss favourite books by Patricia Highsmith, David Foster Wallace and Zachary Mason. 'The Lost Books of the Odyssey' by Zachary Mason Publisher: Vintage 'A Supposedly Fun Thing I'll Never Do Again' by David Foster Wallace Publisher: Abacus 'Strangers on a Train', by Patricia Highsmith Publisher: Penguin First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2016.
Actress Samantha Bond and editor of The New Statesman, Jason Cowley join Harriett Gilbert to discuss their favourite novels by Donna Tartt, Joseph Conrad and Hamid Ismailov. The Secret History by Donna Tartt Publisher Penguin The Secret Agent by Joseph Conrad Publisher Penguin The Dead Lake' by Hamid Ismailov translated by Andrew Bromfield Publisher Peirene First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2016.
Rebecca Root, the first trans actor to play a trans role in a mainstream BBC series, Boy Meets Girl, and The Long Firm author, Jake Arnott join Harriet Gilbert to discuss favourite books by Chris Ware, Damien Barr and Kurt Vonnegut. Jimmy Corrigan: The Smartest Kid on Earth by Chris Ware. Publisher: Jonathan Cape Maggie and Me by Damien Barr Publisher: Bloomsbury Mother Night by Kurt Vonnegut Publisher: Vintage First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2016.
Broadcaster Vanessa Feltz and music journalist, David Hepworth join Harriett Gilbert to discuss their favourite books by Hilary Mantel, Edith Wharton and Dodie Smith. A Tale of Two Families by Dodie Smith Publisher: Hesperus Press The Custom of the Country by Edith Wharton Publisher: Bantam Beyond Black by Hilary Mantel Publisher: Fourth Estate First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2016.
Science writer and botanist,James Wong, TV's Dr Christian Jessen and Harriett Gilbert discuss their favourite books by Michael Crichton, Louis Begley and Amos Oz. Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton Publisher: Arrow Books Wartime Lies by Louis Begley Publisher: Penghuin The Same Sea by Amos Oz Translated Nicholas de Lange Publisher: Vintage Producer Sally Heaven First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in December 2015.
Politician Shirley Williams and novelist Margaret Drabble join Harriett Gilbert to discuss their favourite books by Winifred Holtby, Mary McCarthy and James Joyce. The Group by Mary McCarthy Publisher: Virago South Riding by Winifred Holtby Publisher: Virago Dubliners by James Joyce Publisher: Penguin First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in November 2015.
