Ann Patchett

S. J. Parris

Octavia Bright talks to Ann Patchett about her captivating new novel. Tom Lake is the story of a young actor Lara under the spell of a future Hollywood star, but it is also about how she retells that story in later life to her adult daughters, and the power of storytelling itself.Two masters of historical fiction, Laura Shepherd-Robinson and S. J. Parris (aka Stephanie Merritt) discuss the allure of magic and mysticism in their latest books set either side of the Enlightenment.Plus Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah recalls the enchanting tale behind the book he'd never lend.Producer: Ciaran Bermingham

Octavia Bright talks to Ann Patchett about her captivating new novel. Tom Lake is the story of a young actor Lara under the spell of a future Hollywood star, but it is also about how she retells that story in later life to her adult daughters, and the power of storytelling itself. Two masters of historical fiction, Laura Shepherd-Robinson and S. J. Parris (aka Stephanie Merritt) discuss the allure of magic and mysticism in their latest books set either side of the Enlightenment. Plus Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah recalls the enchanting tale behind the book he'd never lend. Producer: Ciaran Bermingham

Ann Patchett, plus Magical Historical Fiction with S. J. Parris and Laura Shepherd-Robinson

Johny Pitts

Johny Pitts explores Birmingham's literary heritage and contemporary writing scene.

Charlie Porter

Olivia Laing

Author and cultural critic Olivia Laing, whose books include The Lonely City, Funny Weather and Everybody, is joined by fashion writer and curator Charlie Porter, of What Artists Wear and Bring No Clothes: Bloomsbury and the Philosophy of Fashion, and presenter Harriett Gilbert, to talk about the books they love.Olivia recommends Bad Blood by literary critic Lorna Sage - a memoir of her eccentric childhood and adolescence in 1940s rural Wales. Charlie loves Honey From A Weed by Patience Gray, a cookbook which exalts local knowledge and seasonal cooking, taking readers to a time and place far removed from modern life. And Harriett brings The English Understand Wool, a 2022 novella by American author Helen DeWitt, which takes unexpected twists and turns and which Harriett argues, merits reading more than once.Comment on instagram: @agoodreadbbcProduced by Eliza Lomas for BBC Audio

Author and cultural critic Olivia Laing, whose books include The Lonely City, Funny Weather and Everybody, is joined by fashion writer and curator Charlie Porter, of What Artists Wear and Bring No Clothes: Bloomsbury and the Philosophy of Fashion, and presenter Harriett Gilbert, to talk about the books they love. Olivia recommends Bad Blood by literary critic Lorna Sage - a memoir of her eccentric childhood and adolescence in 1940s rural Wales. Charlie loves Honey From A Weed by Patience Gray, a cookbook which exalts local knowledge and seasonal cooking, taking readers to a time and place far removed from modern life. And Harriett brings The English Understand Wool, a 2022 novella by American author Helen DeWitt, which takes unexpected twists and turns and which Harriett argues, merits reading more than once. Comment on instagram: @agoodreadbbc Produced by Eliza Lomas for BBC Audio

A Good Read: Olivia Laing and Charlie Porter

Jane Howard

Elizabeth Day celebrates the centenary year of the writer Elizabeth Jane Howard

More book recommendations from actor Niamh Cusack and author Elly Griffiths

A Good Read

Susanna Hoffs and Nina Wadia choose their good reads

Laura Wilson

Vaseem Khan

Val McDermid

Megan Nolan

Johny Pitts speaks to Megan Nolan about her new novel, Ordinary Human Failings. The book explores the demonization of an Irish family and tabloid journalism in nineties London following a shocking tragedy.Plus what is the best crime fiction out there this summer? Vaseem Khan, incoming chair of the Crime Writers Association, and critic Laura Wilson give their tips, from hot new psychological thrillers to reissued classics.And Val McDermid chooses a very modern-feeling 1940s whodunit for her Book I'd Never Lend.Book List – Sunday 16 July and Thursday 20 JulyOrdinary Human Failing by Megan NolanActs of Desperation by Megan NolanGrave Expectations by Alice BellThe Square of Sevens by Laura Shepherd-RobinsonKill For Me Kill For You by Steve CavanaghThe Wheel of Doll by Jonathan AmesAlchemy by SJ ParrisThe Bandit Queens by Parini ShroffUncle Paul by Celia FremlinThe Drowning Pool by Ross MacdonaldDeath of a Lesser God by Vaseem KhanMiss Pym Disposes by Josephine Tey

Johny Pitts speaks to Megan Nolan about her new novel, Ordinary Human Failings. The book explores the demonization of an Irish family and tabloid journalism in nineties London following a shocking tragedy. Plus what is the best crime fiction out there this summer? Vaseem Khan, incoming chair of the Crime Writers Association, and critic Laura Wilson give their tips, from hot new psychological thrillers to reissued classics. And Val McDermid chooses a very modern-feeling 1940s whodunit for her Book I'd Never Lend. Book List – Sunday 16 July and Thursday 20 July Ordinary Human Failing by Megan Nolan Acts of Desperation by Megan Nolan Grave Expectations by Alice Bell The Square of Sevens by Laura Shepherd-Robinson Kill For Me Kill For You by Steve Cavanagh The Wheel of Doll by Jonathan Ames Alchemy by SJ Parris The Bandit Queens by Parini Shroff Uncle Paul by Celia Fremlin The Drowning Pool by Ross Macdonald Death of a Lesser God by Vaseem Khan Miss Pym Disposes by Josephine Tey

Megan Nolan, plus crime summer reading recommendations from Vaseem Khan, Laura Wilson and Val McDermid

Alex Clark

Richard Ford

Richard Ford talks to Alex Clark about his latest novel, Be Mine.

Richard Ford talks to Alex Clark about his latest novel, Be Mine - a father and son road trip across America.

Andi Osho

Nikita Gill

The actor-comedian and the poet advocate for their favourite books

A Good Read: Andi Osho and Nikita Gill

Jo Marchant

Biologist and author Merlin Sheldrake (of 'Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds and Shape Our Futures') is joined by the science journalist Jo Marchant (of 'Human Cosmos' and 'Cure') and presenter Harriett Gilbert.Merlin picks 'The Age of Wonder' by Richard Holmes, a biographical portrait of scientific innovators in the late 18th century. In this historical book. Holmes explores the scientific ferment that swept across Britain, and how it became an age of great discovery.Jo's choice, 'You Are Not a Gadget: A Manifesto', is by computer scientist and virtual reality pioneer Jaron Lanier. In this prescient book from 2010, Jaron delves into the digital world, examining what went wrong in its development, and how we might fix these problems.And Harriett recommends the classic, magical children's novel, 'The Sword In The Stone' by T. H. White, which she argues merits re-reading as an adult.Produced by Eliza Lomas for BBC Audio, Bristol.Comment on Instagram @agoodreadbbc

Biologist and author Merlin Sheldrake (of 'Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change Our Minds and Shape Our Futures') is joined by the science journalist Jo Marchant (of 'Human Cosmos' and 'Cure') and presenter Harriett Gilbert. Merlin picks 'The Age of Wonder' by Richard Holmes, a biographical portrait of scientific innovators in the late 18th century. In this historical book. Holmes explores the scientific ferment that swept across Britain, and how it became an age of great discovery. Jo's choice, 'You Are Not a Gadget: A Manifesto', is by computer scientist and virtual reality pioneer Jaron Lanier. In this prescient book from 2010, Jaron delves into the digital world, examining what went wrong in its development, and how we might fix these problems. And Harriett recommends the classic, magical children's novel, 'The Sword In The Stone' by T. H. White, which she argues merits re-reading as an adult. Produced by Eliza Lomas for BBC Audio, Bristol. Comment on Instagram @agoodreadbbc

A Good Read: Merlin Sheldrake and Jo Marchant

This podcast features Open Book and A Good Read. Open Book talks to authors about their work. In A Good Read Harriett Gilbert discusses favourite books.

Jenny Erpenbeck

Brigitte Reimann

Lucy Jones

Jenny Erpenbeck talks to Octavia Bright about her novel Kairos

Jenny Erpenbeck talks about her novel Kairos and discuses Siblings by Brigitte Reimann with translator Lucy Jones.

Hal Cruttenden

Daisy Buchanan

The comedian and the writer talk to Harriett about favourite books, including one of Orwell's less well known novels, Coming Up for Air, chosen by Hal after he played the central character in a one man show. Daisy has gone for Happy All the Time by Laurie Colwin, and Harriett loves Jenny Diski's Stranger on a Train, a travel memoir by someone who is not too keen on travel.Producer Sally Heaven

The comedian and the writer talk to Harriett about favourite books, including one of Orwell's less well known novels, Coming Up for Air, chosen by Hal after he played the central character in a one man show. Daisy has gone for Happy All the Time by Laurie Colwin, and Harriett loves Jenny Diski's Stranger on a Train, a travel memoir by someone who is not too keen on travel. Producer Sally Heaven

A Good Read: Hal Cruttenden and Daisy Buchanan

Paul Murray

Tragicomic Writing with Paul Murray plus guests Josie Long, Katherine Heiny &amp; Jen Beagin

Tragicomic Writing - Paul Murray talks to Alex Clark about his latest tragicomedy novel, The Bee Sting

Yomi Ṣode

Journalist, broadcaster and author Zing Tsjeng and poet Yomi Ṣode join presenter Harriett Gilbert to talk about the books they love.Zing chooses a book set in the heart of New York City's queer community. Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters is centred on the lives of Reece, a trans woman, her ex Ames, and her ex's new lover, Katrina. Yomi recommends Caleb Azumah Nelson's debut book, Open Water, a lyrical romance story set in South East London. And Harriett's choice is Intimacies, a novel by Katie Kitamura, where the main character is an interpreter at the International Court in The Hague, where unease bubbles below the surface of the novel's cool narration.Comment on instagram: @agoodreadbbcProduced by Eliza Lomas

Journalist, broadcaster and author Zing Tsjeng and poet Yomi Ṣode join presenter Harriett Gilbert to talk about the books they love. Zing chooses a book set in the heart of New York City's queer community. Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters is centred on the lives of Reece, a trans woman, her ex Ames, and her ex's new lover, Katrina. Yomi recommends Caleb Azumah Nelson's debut book, Open Water, a lyrical romance story set in South East London. And Harriett's choice is Intimacies, a novel by Katie Kitamura, where the main character is an interpreter at the International Court in The Hague, where unease bubbles below the surface of the novel's cool narration. Comment on instagram: @agoodreadbbc Produced by Eliza Lomas

A Good Read: Zing Tsjeng and Yomi Ṣode

Nii Ayikwei Parkes

Leila Slimani

Leila Slimani, Nii Ayikwei Parkes, Kalaf Epalanga

Gill Hornby

The two writers talk about their favourite books with Harriett Gilbert.

A Good Read: Gill Hornby and Paul Burston

Rebecca Kuang

Andrew Lipstein

Guy Gunaratne

Johny Pitts talks to Guy Gunaratne about their new novel Mister, Mister

Guy Gunaratne, plus Literary Thefts with Rebecca Kuang and Andrew Lipstein

Linda Grant

Linda Grant, Xiaolu Guo and Alice Vincent

Linda Grant talks to Alex Clark about her novel The Story of the Forest

Kate Morton

Miranda France

Deborah Levy

Deborah Levy, Miranda France and Kate Morton

Stephen Buoro

Johny Pitts talks to the debut novelist about The Five Sorrowful Mysteries of Andy Africa

And I also love this comedic “in between 2 ferns” type interview with this NYT best selling author and WSJ reporter.

Enjoy your podcast

I wait and wait for A Good Read and World Book Club.  Harriet is a fantastic host. She is gracious, interesting and interested, so we follow suit. Thank you Harriet for hours of happy listening.

Harriet the Great

Books and Authors

Kerry Ellis

John Gordon

Books worth reading chosen by actor John Gordon Sinclair and singer Kerry Ellis

John Gordon Sinclair and Kerry Ellis

Syima Aslam

Stig Abell

Harriett Gilbert talks to Syima Aslam and Stig Abell about books they love - all classics

A Good Read: Syima Aslam & Stig Abell

Lee Child

Lee Child and Pat Barker explore the heroic protagonist.  Hanne Orstavik's novel, Love

Lee Child on his first book of non-fiction, The Hero

Gail Honeyman

Authors Gail Honeyman and Mavis Cheek talk to Harriett Gilbert about the books they love.

Gail Honeyman & Mavis Cheek

Highlights of 2019

Ingrid Persaud

Ingrid Persaud, Short Fiction, Patricia Grace

Helen Lederer

Angela Barnes

Helen Lederer and Angela Barnes nominate books they consider to be a good read.

A Good Read: Helen Lederer & Angela Barnes

The University of East Anglia's Creative Writing MA turns 50.

Literary Norwich Special

Tayari Jones

Jane Eyre

John Freeman

Award winning autor Tayari Jones discusses her novel Silver Sparrow.

Tayari Jones, Jane Eyre, John Freeman

Emma Donoghue

Harper Lee

Emma Donoghue discusses her new novel Akin, plus a discussion of the best fiction spies.

Emma Donoghue, Spy Fiction, Harper Lee's Unpublished True Crime Novel

Poorna Bell

Tony Law

Poorna Bell and Tony Law join Harriett Gilbert to talk about their favourite books.

Poorna Bell and Tony Law

Colum McCann

Colum McCann, George Orwell, new fiction set in Windrush-era London

Louise Doughty

Evie Wyld

Polly Samson

Mariella Frostrup talks to Evie Wyld about new novel The Bass Rock

Evie Wyld, Louise Doughty on Ghostly Narrators, Polly Samson and Leonard Cohen's Hydra

The Best Multi-Part Documentaries, with documentaries on Obama, Federer vs Nadal, the making of Star Wars, Netflix vs Blockbuster and more. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!

Best Multi-Part Documentaries

The best podcast episodes on romantic relationships. Episodes talk about the 5 love languages, intimacy, and the taboo topics of sexual desires and infidelity. This topic is a deep dive into the science and complexities that face us in our relationships with others. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!