A Good Read

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 & NicolsonA Whole Life by Robert Seehaler Publisher: PicadorFirst 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: VintageOnce in a House on Fire by Andrea Ashworth Publisher: PicadorThe History Man by Malcolm Bradbury Publisher: PicadorFirst 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 ClassicsThe Possessed: Adventures with Russian Books and the People Who Read Them by Elif Batuman Publisher: GrantaThe Confidential Agent by Graham Greene Publisher: VintageFirst 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 ClassicsUndermajordomo Minor by Patrick de Witt Publisher: GrantaThe Hounding of David Oluwale by Kester Aspden Publisher: VintageFirst 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: SphereSurely You're Joking Mr Feynman by Richard Feynman Publisher: VintageWe Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson Publisher: PenguinFirst 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: VintageFirst 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 VoyagerThe Humans by Matt Haig. Publisher: CanongateHowards End is On The Landing by Susan Hill Publisher: Profile BooksFirst 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: PenguinThe Sea, The Sea by Iris Murdoch Publisher: VintageThe Tiger in the Smoke by Margery Allingham Publisher: VintageFirst 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: PenguinThe Plot Against America by Philip Roth Publisher: VintageStet by Diana Athill Publisher: GrantaFirst 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: PenguinHand Grenade Practice in Peking by Frances Woods Publisher: Slightly FoxedCall For the Dead by John Le Carre Publisher: PenguinFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in October 2016.