A Good Read

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: ProfileAn Officer and a Spy by Robert Harris Publisher: ArrowA Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway Publisher: VintageProducer: Sally HeavenFirst 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: VintageThe 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 SimenonA Wrinkle In Time by Madeleine L'Engle Publisher: PuffinSo The Wind Won't Blow it All Away by Richard Brautigan Publisher: CanongateThe Train by Georges Simenon. Publisher: Melville HouseFirst 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 NicolsonIsis in the Ancient World by RE Witt Publisher: Johns Hopkins University PressThe Hearing Trumpet by Leonora Carrington Publisher: PenguinFirst 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: ArrowThe Hours by Michael Cunningham Publisher: Harper PerennialDays of Abandonment by Elena Ferrante Publisher: Europa Editions [Translator: Ann Goldstein]Producer: Sally HeavenFirst 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 MurrayGentlemen Prefer Blondes by Anita Loos Publisher: LiverightShardlake by CJ Sansom Publisher: Pan BooksFirst 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: VintageMr Loverman by Bernardine Evaristo Publisher: Hamish HamiltonAnimals and Why They Matter by Mary Midgley Publisher: University of Georgia PressFirst 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: PhoenixStaring at The Sun: Overcoming the Dread of Death by Irvin D Yalom Publisher: PiatkusA Matter of Death and Life by Andrey Kurkov Translated by George Bird Publisher: VintageFirst 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: PimlicoMothering Sunday by Graham Swift Publisher: ScribnerNotes From A Small Island by Bill Bryson Publisher: Black SwanFirst 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: BloomsburyThe Village Effect by Susan Pinker, Publisher: Atlantic BooksMiss Lonelyhearts by Nathaneal West. Publisher: Daunt BooksFirst broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in March 2016.