A Good Read

Harriett Gilbert talks favourite books with music presenter Verity Sharp and table tennis champion turned author Matthew Syed. Their books are The Man Who Planted Trees by Jean Giono, Anglo-Saxon Attitudes by Angus Wilson and Chéri by Colette. These spark deeply-felt argument over whether planting trees can save the earth and also insights into the ideal of getting back to the land, the process of ageing for women who've lived by their looks and the peculiar nature of British reserve as observed by the son of an immigrant. Books as the jumping-off point for ideas.. Producer Beth O'Dea.

Comedian, Nathan Caton and science presenter and geneticist, Adam Rutherford join Harriett Gilbert.The trio discuss favourite books by Paul Auster, Juan Pablo Villalobos and Paul Canoville. Leviathan by Paul Auster Publisher: FaberBlack and Blue: How Racism, Drugs and Cancer Almost Destroyed Me by Paul Canoville Publisher: HeadlineI'll Sell You A Dog by Juan Pablo Villalobos Publisher: And Other Stories First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in June 2017.

Comedians Ed Byrne and Hardeep Singh Kohli talk to Harriett Gilbert about favourite books. It's a bit of a Scotfest: Ed's is Quite Ugly One Morning by Christopher Brookmyre, Hardeep's The Prime of Miss Brodie by Muriel Spark and then Harriett introduces them to The Seven Good Years by little-known Israeli writer Etgar Keret - with mixed results.. Producer Beth O'Dea.

Writers Will Self and Rachel Johnson join Harriett Gilbert to discuss favourite books by Raymond Carver, JR Ackerley and Doris Lessing. What We Talk About When We Talk About Love: A collection of short stories by Raymond Carver. Publisher: VintageMy Father and Myself, by JR Ackerley. Publisher: The New York Review of BooksThe Grass is Singing by Doris Lessing Publisher: Fourth EstateFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2017.

Doctor twins and broadcasters Chris and Xand van Tulleken join presenter Harriett Gilbert to discuss favourite books by Samuel Shem, James Fenton and Evelyn Waugh. The House of God by Samuel Shem Publisher Black SwanYellow Tulips Poems 1968 - 2011 by James Fenton Publisher FaberVile Bodies by Evelyn Waugh Publisher PenguinFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2017.

Former Labour MP Harriet Harman and music journalist Pete Paphides join Harriett Gilbert to discuss favourite books by Lionel Shriver, Julian Cope and Angela Carter. We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver Publisher Serpents TailHead On by Julian Cope Publisher ElementNothing Sacred: Selected Writings by Angela Carter Publisher ViragoFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2017.

Actor Sir Tony Robinson and Chef and broadcaster Andi Oliver join Harriett Gilbert to discuss favourite books by Nickolas Butler, James Baldwin and Elizabeth Taylor. Shotgun Lovesongs by Nickolas Butler Publisher: PicadorGo Tell it on the Mountain by James Baldwin Publisher: PenguinAngel by Elizabeth Taylor Publisher: ViragoFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2017.

Satirist Craig Brown and comedian Pippa Evans join Harriett Gilbert to talk about favourite books by George Orwell, Simon Gray and DBC Pierre. Enter A Fox by Simon Gray Publisher: FaberDown and Out in Paris and London by George Orwell Publisher: PenguinVernon God Little by DBC Pierre. Publisher: FaberFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2017.

Poet Murray Lachlan Young and Guilty Feminist' podcaster Deborah Frances-White join Harriett Gilbert to discuss favourite books by Robert Graves, Ajay Close and Toni Morrison. Goodbye to All That by Robert Graves Publisher: PenguinA Petrol Scented Spring by Ajay Close Publisher: Sandstone PressSong of Solomon by Toni Morrison Publisher: VintageThe books spark some fiery discussion about gender and race.First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2017.

Author Lionel Shriver and comedian Mae Martin join Harriett Gilbert to talk about books they love by John Knowles, HG Wells and Anne Enright. A Separate Peace by John Knowles Publisher: Simon & SchusterThe Door in The Wall by HG Wells Publisher: Read Books/HG Wells LibraryThe Gathering by Anne Enright Publisher: VintageProducer: Beth O'DeaFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in February 2017.