BBC Radio Podcasts from Books and Authors

A Good Read

Favourite books selected by our guests

A Good Read: Lucy Speed and Sarah Mills

The actor and the comedian share favourite books with Harriett

A Good Read: Nina Sosanya and Joelle Taylor

The actor and the poet nominate favourite books for discussion

A Good Read: Oliver Burkeman and Sara Collins

Writers Sara Collins and Oliver Burkeman share books they love with Harriett Gilbert.

A Good Read: Inua Ellams and Ted Hodgkinson

The writer and the Southbank Centre's Head of Literature share books they love.

A Good Read: Julia Bradbury and Ramita Navai

Books by Matt Haig, Rohinton Mistry and Elizabeth von Arnim are recommended this time.

A Good Read: Joe Dunthorne and Iszi Lawrence

Perfume: The Story of a Murderer is revisited by the guests and Harriett Gilbert

A Good Read: Nicci French

The writing duo known as Nicci French choose favourite books

A Good Read: Professor Ben Garrod and Lucy Jones

An evolutionary biologist and a journalist on their favourite books.

A Good Read: Sir Ian Blatchford and Charles Fernyhough

The Science Museum director and the professor of psychology share their favourite books.

A Good Read: Naomi Alderman and Abi Dare

Two writers talk to Harriett about favourite books.

A Good Read: Jenny Kleeman and Sam Knight

Two journalists bring their favourite books to chat about with Harriett Gilbert.

A Good Read: Nihal Arthanayake and Elif Shafak

The broadcaster and the writer discuss books that are important to them.

A Good Read: Tim Spector and Tatty Macleod

Food writer Tim Spector and comedian Tatty Macleod talk books with Harriett Gilbert.

Books to Read and Re-Read

Johny Pitts and Chris Power celebrate books to read and re-read

A Good Read: Fee Mak and Ali Woods

Comedian Ali Woods and DJ Fee Mak discuss the books they love with Harriett Gilbert.

A Good Read Karl Ove Knausgaard and Amy Liptrot

The two writers choose favourite books. Recorded at the Edinburgh Book Festival

A Good Read Irvine Welsh & Andrew O' Hagan

At the Edinburgh International Book Festival the two authors discuss favourite books

Alan Hollinghurst

Alan Hollinghurst speaks to Chris Power about his new novel, Our Evenings.

Rachel Kushner

Rachel Kushner on her Booker Prize shortlisted novel, Creation Lake and Sarah Moss.

Matt Haig

Matt Haig discusses his new novel, The Life Impossible and Lord of the Flies at 70.

Graham Norton

Graham Norton speaks to Johny Pitts about his new novel, Frankie.

Elif Shafak

Elif Shafak discusses her new novel. Hanna Pylväinen on writing about the Arctic Circle.

Evie Wyld talks to Johny Pitts about her new novel, The Echoes.

Evie Wyld, Jessie Cave and Camille Bordas

Lauren Elkin

Lauren Elkin, Michèle Roberts and Maria Balshaw

A Good Read: Rachel Parris and Sonali Shah

Barbara Kingsolver's Demon Copperhead is one of the books being talked about this week.

Benjamin Myers

Benjamin Myers, Frank Cottrell-Boyce and Claire Kohda

A Good Read: Sarah Phelps and Irenosen Okojie

Two writers share their favourite books with Harriett Gilbert.

Irenosen Okojie

Irenosen Okojie talks to Johny Pitts about her new book, Curandera.

A Good Read: Helen Lederer and Ilaria Bernardini

Two guests recommend books they love.

Garth Risk Hallberg

Johny Pitts speaks to Garth Risk Hallberg about his new novel, The Second Coming.

A Good Read: Gyles Brandreth and Hannah Critchlow

The broadcaster and the neuroscientist choose favourite books.

A Good Read: Sebastian Faulks and Tessa Hadley

Two authors on books they love.

Rita Bullwinkel

Rita Bullwinkel, Mohsin Hamid and Téa Obreht

A Good Read: Doon Mackichan and Bruce Robinson

A special edition from the Hay Festival with Doon Mackichan and Bruce Robinson.

A Passage to India

Shahidha Bari discusses EM Forster's A Passage to India

A Good Read: Denise Mina and Simon Brett

Two crime writers join Harriett Gilbert to read each other's favourite books.

Open Book - Kevin Barry

Johny Pitts talks to Kevin Barry about his new novel, The Heart in Winter

Open Book: Claire Messud

Claire Messud, Kafka and Jiaming Tang.

A Good Read: Samantha Harvey and Darran Anderson

Two award-winning writers discuss books they love with Harriett Gilbert.

A Good Read: Dan Schreiber and Kathryn Hughes

The historian and the podcaster choose their favourite books.

Open Book - Maggie Nelson

Octavia Bright talks to Maggie Nelson about Like Love.

Open Book - Sarah Perry

Sarah Perry talks to Shahidha Bari about her new novel, Enlightenment

Open Book - Hari Kunzru

Hari Kunzru talks to Shahidha Bari about his new novel, Blue Ruin

Open Book - Sunjeev Sahota

Sunjeev Sahota talks to Alex Clark about his new novel, The Spoiled Heart

Open Book - Sinéad Gleeson

Sinéad Gleeson talks to Octavia Bright about her new novel, Hagstone.

Open Book - Percival Everett

Percival Everett talks about his new novel, James - a retelling of Huckleberry Finn

Open Book - Andrew O'Hagan and Helen Garner

Alex Clark talks to Andrew O'Hagan about his new novel, Caledonian Road

A Good Read - Carol Morley and Will Hislop

Film director Carol Morley and comedian Will Hislop discuss their favourite books.

Open Book: Carys Davies, Annie Ernaux

Carys Davies on her new novel, Clear. Plus Annie Ernaux and photography

Open Book - Jonathan Buckley, Lit Crit and David Baddiel

Alex Clark speaks to Jonathan Buckley about his novel, Tell.

A Good Read: Christopher Eccleston and Lindsey Hilsum

The actor and journalist share favourite books with Harriett Gilbert.

A Good Read - Katy Hessel and Amy Blakemore

Art historian Katy Hessel and author Amy Blakemore discuss their favourite books.

Open Book - Daphne du Maurier

Open Book explores Daphne du Maurier and the enduring qualities and appeal of her writing

A Good Read: Andrew McMillan and Kathryn Williams

A poet and a singer-songwriter share favourite books with Harriett Gilbert.

A Good Read Paterson Joseph and Richard Coles

More books worth reading chosen by well known guests

Kate Davies

Kate Davies talks to Chris Power about her new novel, Nuclear Family.

A Good Read: Anjana Vasan and Anne-Marie Imafidon

An actor and singer and a computer scientist and author pick their favourite books.

Sheila Heti

Sheila Heti on her new experimental book, Alphabetical Diaries.

A Good Read: Joe Talbot and Nancy Medina

The frontman of Idles and the artistic director of Bristol Old Vic share book choices.

Madeleine Gray

Madeleine Gray on her witty, heartbreaking novel, Green Dot, about a young woman's affair

A Good Read: Rachel Brown-Finnis and Anna Bogutskaya

a former professional footballer and a film critic pick their favourite books.

A Good Read: Ian Rankin & Colin MacIntyre

The crime writer and the singer aka Mull Historical Society choose favourite books

Michael Cunningham

Michael Cunningham speaks to Johny Pitts about his new novel, Day.

Gerald Murnane

Gerald Murnane talks to Chris Power about his writing life.

Hisham Matar

Pulitzer Prize winning author, Hisham Matar, discusses his new novel My Friends.

Endings and New Beginnings

Chris Power is joined by Frank Cottrell-Boyce, Aminatta Forna & Lucy Caldwell

The Year in Fiction

Chris Power shares some of the highlights of the year on Open Book.

Janice Hallett

Johny Pitts speaks to Janice Hallett about her new book, The Christmas Appeal.

Ron Rash

Ron Rash on his new book, The Caretaker.

A Good Read: Chantal Joffe and Séamas O'Reilly

An artist and a writer pick their favourite books.

Alexis Wright

Award winning novelist Alexis Wright talks to Chris Power.

A Good Read: Janet Ellis & Jason Arday

The presenter and the sociologist share favourite books with Harriett Gilbert.

Femi Kayode

Crime writer Femi Kayode on his new novel, Gaslight.

A Good Read: India Knight and Emma Dabiri

The journalist and the writer talk to Harriett about favourite books.

Teju Cole

Chris Power talks to Teju Cole about his wide-ranging and powerful new novel, Tremor.

A Good Read Nigel Kennedy and Clare Perkins

Good books chosen by well known guests as reading recommendations

A Good Read Cressida Cowell & Romy Gill

Books worth reading chosen by Harriett Gilbert and guests

AI and the Novel

Elizabeth Day and Johny Pitts discuss AI and the novel.

A Good Read: Anneka Rice and Maureen Freely

The TV presenter and the writer share favourite books with Harriett.

Karl Ove Knausgård

Chris Power speaks to Karl Ove Knausgård about his new book, The Wolves of Eternity

A Good Read: Cornelia Parker and Jeremy Lee

Artist Cornelia Parker and chef Jeremy Lee join Harriett Gilbert to talk favourite books.

Daniel Mason

The US author and psychiatrist on his new novel, North Woods

A Good Read: Rhys Stephenson and Esther Manito

The children's TV presenter and stand up comedian advocate for favourite books.

Lydia Davis

Lydia Davis on the writing of Our Strangers.

A Good Read Vaseem Khan and Lucy Winkett

Two guests choose their favourite books

Ben Lerner and Anne Enright on poetry and fiction

Zadie Smith

Elizabeth Day talks to the novelist Zadie Smith about her new novel, The Fraud.

George Orwell Now

Ayelet Gundar-Goshen speaks to Johny Pitts about her new book, The Wolf Hunt

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

Octavia Bright talks to Ann Patchett about her new novel, Tom Lake.

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

A Good Read: Olivia Laing and Charlie Porter

An author and a fashion writer discuss favourite books.

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

A Good Read

More book recommendations from actor Niamh Cusack and author Elly Griffiths

Susanna Hoffs and Nina Wadia

Susanna Hoffs and Nina Wadia choose their good reads

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

Johny Pitts speaks to Megan Nolan about her new novel, Ordinary Human Failings

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

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

A Good Read: Andi Osho and Nikita Gill

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

A Good Read: Merlin Sheldrake and Jo Marchant

Two science writers on the books they recommend.

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

Jenny Erpenbeck talks to Octavia Bright about her novel Kairos

A Good Read: Hal Cruttenden and Daisy Buchanan

The comedian and the writer talk to Harriett about favourite books.

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

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

A Good Read: Zing Tsjeng and Yomi Ṣode

A journalist and a poet join presenter Harriett Gilbert to talk books they love.

Leila Slimani, Nii Ayikwei Parkes, Kalaf Epalanga

A Good Read: Gill Hornby and Paul Burston

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

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

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

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

Linda Grant, Xiaolu Guo and Alice Vincent

Deborah Levy, Miranda France and Kate Morton

Stephen Buoro

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

Marlon James

Booker winning writer Marlon James talks to Elizabeth Day

Best of Young British Novelists 2023

Octavia Bright discusses Granta's once in a decade list of new writing talent

Contemporary Indian Writing in the spotlight

A Good Read: Donna Leon and Margaret Heffernan

A crime author and a writer-entrepreneur talk books they love.

Javier Marías

Chris Power discusses the last novel from the late Spanish writer Javier Marías.

A Good Read: Katherine May and Liz Berry

Author Katherine May and poet Liz Berry talk about their favourite books with Harriett.

Eleanor Catton

Eleanor Catton talks to Chris Power about her new eco-thriller, Birnam Wood

A Good Read: Sophie Raworth and Patrick Ness

The newsreader and the writer chat about books with Harriett.

Margaret Atwood and Sam Selvon

Johny Pitts explores the work of two writers who have combined comedy with tragedy

A Good Read: Janet Street-Porter and Felicity Ward

The broadcaster and comedian discuss favourite books with Harriett Gilbert.

A Good Read: Philippa Perry and Anil Seth

A psychotherapist and a Professor of Neuroscience talk about books they love.

Tom Bullough on writing about the climate crisis, and Richard Wright's lost novel

A Good Read: James Marriott and Jude Rogers

A columnist and an arts journalist choose their favourite books.

Aleksandar Hemon, Roddy Doyle on Soul, and Dorothy Tse on Hong Kong

Chris Power talks to Aleksandar Hemon about his new novel The World and All That It Holds

A Good Read: Kate Bryan and Mark Steel

Art historian Kate Bryan and comedian Mark Steel talk about their favourite books.

Bret Easton Ellis

Adrian Chiles and Martyn Ware

Harriett Gilbert is joined by Adrian Chiles and Martyn Ware.

Agnes Poirier & Nikki May

Harriett Gilbert is joined by Agnes Poirier and Nikki May.

Dark Academia with Katy Hays, RF Kuang and Kate Weinberg. Plus Saba Sams' Book I'd Never Lend

Chris Power discusses one of the most talked about trends in publishing

Really Good, Actually

Monica Heisey talks to Johny Pitts about her debut novel about divorce in your twenties

Jane Smiley, and writing gay lives from the past with Tom Crewe and Nell Stevens

Katherine Mansfield

Chris Power explores the writing of Katherine Mansfield on the centenary of her death.

Agatha Christie at Christmas

Johny Pitts explores the Queen of Crime's connection to the festive season

Katherine Rundell

Chris Power talks to the author of The Golden Mole and Other Living Treasures.

Looking back at 2022 and (re)discovering Bruno Schulz Open Book

Chris Power discusses a year in books with Ellah Wakatama and Kate Mosse.

A Good Read: Frank Turner and Ellie Gibson

Books about tidying, music and addiction, and a desire to write are this week's choices.

Women subverting horror with Mariana Enríquez, Claire Kohda and Sophie White

Octavia Bright talks to Mariana Enríquez about Our Share of Night,

A Good Read: Shaparak Khorsandi and Anne Hegerty

A disgraced university tutor, a dysfunctional family, and a love-letter to literature.

Cormac McCarthy, The Writers, Derek Owusu

A Good Read: Philippa Forrester and Dwayne Fields

Two very-different memoirs and a tale of two women on an adventure feature this week.

Barbara Kingsolver, plus the "Social Novel" with John Lanchester and Ayisha Malik

A Good Read: Heidi Regan & Neil Delamere

Comedians Heidi Regan and Neil Delamere discuss favourite books with Harriett Gilbert.

A Good Read: Ria Lina & Otegha Uwagba

A comedian and a writer chat favourite books with Harriett Gilbert.

Colm Tóibín essays, Revisiting Shirley Hazzard

Chris Power talks to Colm Tóibín about his essays on illness, religion and literature

A Good Read: Patience Agbabi and Andy Miller

The poet and the writer choose their favourite books.

Writing Nature

Johny Pitts and Octavia Bright with a discussion on responses to the natural world.

A Good Read: Damian Barr and Ben Fergusson

The writers choose the books they love to read.

William Boyd

William Boyd discusses his new novel, The Romantics.

A Good Read: John Wilson and Chloe Petts

The broadcaster and the comedian choose books they love

Celeste Ng

Celeste Ng and Grief and modern masculinity with Bobby Palmer and Michael Pedersen

A Good Read: Duncan Campbell and Mark Hokinson

Two writers who cover crime, football and music share their favourite books with Harriett

Orhan Pamuk

Orhan Pamuk, Patterson Joseph and Torrey Peters.

Maggie O'Farrell, Graphic Novels with Lizzy Stewart and Posy Simmonds, plus Anuradha Roy

Ian McEwan

Chris Power talks to Ian McEwan about his new book, Lessons.

Alex Clark on novels - past, present and future - about summer and change

Mary Renault's Greek Myths

Ross Raisin

Octavia Bright talks to Ross Raisin about his new book, A Hunger.

The Ethics of Writing Crime

A Good Read: Salena Godden & Rob Biddulph

Books to cherish, recommended by poet Salena Godden and author-illustrator Rob Biddulph.

Tess Gunty on The Rabbit Hutch; Jackie Kay on the writing of Jamaica Kincaid

A Good Read: Melanie Reid & Andrew Cotter

The Times columnist and sports broadcaster share their favourite books.

Summer Reading and Benjamin Wood

A Good Read: Sophie Hannah & Viv Groskop

Broken friendships, life on the stage, and a sinister talking dog all feature this week.

Johny Pitts returns to his home city to explore Sheffield's literary landscapes

A Good Read: Petroc Trelawny & Stuart MacBride

The broadcaster and the novelist chat favourite books with Harriett Gilbert.

A Good Read

Dr Alex George and Ella Al Shamahi choose books they love

Revisiting the 1990s

Chris Power explores the 1990s through two new novels.

A Good Read: Rob Newman & Sarfraz Manzoor

The comedian and the writer discuss favourite books

Time and Time Travel with Emily St. John Mandel, Carlo Rovelli and Audrey Niffenegger

Johny Pitts discusses time with three writers who have explored it in very different ways

A Good Read: Dreda Say Mitchell & Emma Gannon

The novelist and the podcaster propose favourite books for discussion

Elif Batuman and Book Influencers

Johny Pitts talks to author of Either/Or, sequel to the 2017 bestseller The Idiot

Omid Djalili and Nikita Lalwani

Omid Djalili and Nikita Lalwani choose books they love

Johny Pitts talks to Benjamin Myers about his new book, The Perfect Golden Circle.

Atticus Lish, Jean Rhys, Maggie Shipstead

Chris Power talks to Atticus Lish about his new novel, The War for Gloria.

Neurodiversity

Johny Pitts discusses neurodiversity in contemporary fiction

About A Son; Book Banning; The Water Statues

Elizabeth Day talks to David Whitehouse about his new creative nonfiction

Julian Barnes; How Words Get Good; Bangkok Postcard

Forbidden love with Douglas Stuart; Oxford’s influence on interwar writers

Belfast in the Blitz

A Good Read Julie Hesmondalgh and Elaine C Smith

The two actors choose books they love

Here Again Now, Readers Guide to Gogol, Lessons in Chemistry

A Good Read: Joanna Scanlan and Sabine Durrant

The actor and the thriller writer chat about books with Harriett Gilbert.

Karen Joy Fowler on the infamous Booth family, Michel the Giant, Lisa Taddeo on Fever Dream

Karen Joy Fowler on the infamous Booth family, Michel the Giant and Lisa Taddeo

A Good Read: Jessica Fostekew and Molly Naylor

The comedian and the writer talk about their favourite books with Harriett Gilbert.

Marlon James

A life in books with Marlon James

A Good Read: Alistair Petrie and Alex Wheatle

The actor and the writer debate books with Harriett Gilbert

A Good Read: Katie Thistleton and Suzannah Lipscomb

Katie Thistleton and Suzannah Lipscomb bring their favourite books to the table.

Open Book

Elizabeth Day talks to Audrey Magee about her latest novel The Colony

A Good Read: Lauren Mayberry and Rob Deering

CHVRCHES frontwoman Lauren Mayberry and comedian Rob Deering share their favourite books.

When We Were Birds and Tayari Jones on Toni Morrison's only short story, Recitatif.

Johny Pitts talks to author Ayanna Lloyd Banwo about her debut novel, When We Were Birds.

A Good Read - Gillian Burke and Dee Caffari

The natural world, leadership styles aboard a submarine and sibling rivalry in Scotland.

The ‘new boom’ of feminist Spanish-language literature.

A Good Read: Katherine Rundell and Nathan Filer

Writers Katherine Rundell and Nathan Filer bring their favourite books to the table.

A Good Read: Alan Titchmarsh and Amanda Owen

The gardener and broadcaster Alan Titchmarsh and the Yorkshire shepherdess choose books

Gary Shteyngart's tragic comedy set in lockdown, Richard Beard on Time, East Side Voices

Tessa Hadley

Tessa Hadley, Richard Beard on Time and two pioneering female book sellers.

Chris Power and guests explore the enduring legacy of James Joyce’s Ulysses.

Open Book explores the enduring legacy of James Joyce’s Ulysses.

Hanya Yanagihara

Hanya Yanagihara speaks to Chris Power about her new book, To Paradise.

Highlights 2021

Elizabeth Day and Johny Pitts look back at highlights of their first year at Open Book.

Laura Barnett, Moscow Postcard, Non- Fiction 2021

Chris Power enjoys a rare new book from Irish author Claire Keegan

Claire Keegan talks to Chris Power about her new book, Small Things Like These.

A Good Read: Liam Williams and Kate Stables

Comedian and writer Liam Williams and musician Kate Stables pick their favourite books.

Elizabeth Strout discusses her new novel, Oh William! which revisits the characters of her Lucy Barton series.

Elizabeth Strout discusses her new novel, Oh William!

A Good Read Kaffe Fassett and Andy Summers

The artist Kaffe Fassett and musician Andy Summers ex The Police choose books they love

JJ Bola, David Damrosch and Rob Doyle, plus Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor and Taskeen Ahmed

JJ Bola, David Damrosch and Rob Doyle plus Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor and Taskeen Ahmed

A Good Read: Athena Kugblenu and Pope Lonergan

Friends, sisters and serial killers all feature in the book choices for this week.

A Good Read Muriel Gray and Leah Davies

The ghost stories of Edith Wharton and Lustre by Raven Leilani are the guests' choices

Patricia Highsmith, Robin McLean, Courttia Newland

A Good Read: Dr Rachel Clarke and Mohsin Zaidi

The palliative care doctor and author and the barrister and author share favourite books.

Friendship in Fiction: a special programme from London Literature Festival

A Good Read: Musa Okwonga & Sophie Heawood

Two writers share favourite books with Harriett GIlbert.

Elizabeth Day talks to Sarah Hall about her latest novel, Burntcoat

A Good Read Mona Arshi and Malaika Kegode

Two poets and writers choose books that they love.

Lauren Groff

Johny Pitts talks to Lauren Groff about her novel Matrix.

A Good Read

Two guests discuss books they love this week on a science theme

Jonathan Franzen, Amitav Ghosh, Nina Mingya Powles

A Good Read Neil Brand and Tiff Stevenson

Pianist and broadcaster Neil Brand actor/comedian Tiff Stevenson choose books they love

Rabih Alameddine, English PEN at 100 with Philippe Sands and Elif Shafak, Editors' Pick

Malorie Blackman talks to Johny Pitts about Endgame

Elizabeth Day talks to Colson Whitehead

Elizabeth Day talks to Colson Whitehead in a special feature length interview.

Making it new? Literature of the Twenties Special

Johny Pitts explores the 20s with Alison MacLeod, Bill Goldstein, James Clammer & Jo Hamya

David Grossman, Richard Beard, The Sea Library

Leïla Slimani, Rachel Cusk's A Life's Work 20 years on with Kate Mosse and Laura Dockrill, Richard Beard

Chris Power talks to author of The Country of Others. Plus nonfiction books on motherhood

Jean Hanff Korelitz, Georgette Heyer, Marilynne Robinson

Chris Power talks to author behind TV hit The Undoing about her latest book, The Plot

A Good Read: Poppy Jay and Catherine Johnson

Cats, a wrestling princess and grief.

Elizabeth Day talks to Anuk Arudpragasam about his new novel, A Passage North

A Good Read: Vanessa Redgrave & Eileen Atkins

Two acting greats advocate for their favourite books.

Miranda Cowley Heller and Summer reading round up

Chris Power speaks to Miranda Cowley Heller about her debut The Paper Palace

Japanese fiction; Vendela Vida

A Good Read Lloyd Cole and Francis Macdonald

The two musicians choose favourite books

A Good Read Yanis Varoufakis and Patrick McGrath

The Greek politician chooses a good read along with novelist Patrick McGrath

Elizabeth Day speaks to Damon Galgut about his new novel, The Promise.

A Good Read: Janey Godley and Mel Hudson

Harriett Gilbert talks to Janey Godley and Mel Hudson about books they love.

Elizabeth Day talks to Zakiya Dalila Harris about her debut novel, The Other Black Girl

Jason Watkins & Yasmin Alibhai-Brown

The actor and the journalist share favourite books with Harriett Gilbert.

Chris Power speaks to Jonathan Lee about his new novel, The Great Mistake

A Good Read: Vick Hope & Isy Suttie

Tears, hope and identity. The comedian, the Radio 1 presenter, and their favourite books.

Tech startups in fiction; Editor's tip; Sensitivity reading

New Irish Writing, Book Dedications, Mary Gaitskill on Madame Bovary

Hollie McNish, Modern American Short Stories, Twins

Jhumpa Lahiri

Elizabeth Day talks to Jhumpa Lahiri

Jon McGregor; Chester Himes; Editors Tip

Johny Pitts talks to Jon McGregor about his latest novel Lean Fall Stand

Chris Power; Online Dating in Fiction; Postcard from Delhi

Chris Power talks about A Lonely Man

Spring Special: Bookshops Reopen, Naomi Ishiguro, Clearing out books

Johny Pitts visits his local bookshop and talks to Naomi Ishiguro about her debut novel

A Good Read: Bryony Gordon & Hollie McNish

Chess, drugs and dentistry- the two writers chat to Harriett about their favourite books

Claire Fuller & Karla Neblett; Elizabeth Bowen; Katherine Heiny

Johny Pitts discusses working-class rural life with Claire Fuller and Karla Neblett

A Good Read: Adjoa Andoh & Andy Day

Actor Adjoa Andoh, Bridgerton's Lady Danbury, and CBeebies presenter Andy Day share books

Elizabeth Day talks to Fiona Mozley about her second novel, Hot Stew.

A Good Read: Greg James & Bella Mackie

Husband & wife team - the Radio 1 Breakfast host and the writer talk up their top reads.

Elizabeth Day talks to Pulitzer Prize winning writer Viet Thanh Nguyen about The Committed

A Good Read: Jane Hill & Derek Owusu

The news presenter and the author both talk about the books they've chosen

A Good Read: Twayna Mayne & Simon Savidge

The comedian and the books blogger talk to Harriett about their favourite books

Elizabeth Day talks to Mary Lawson

A Good Read:Amrou AL-Kadhi & Peter Bazalgette

The writer/drag performer and the television executive talk books with Harriett

Johny Pitts talks to Caleb Azumah Nelson about Open Water, his hotly anticipated debut

A Good Read: Tobias Menzies & Gytha Lodge

Does a Tiger Come to Tea? Harriett Gilbert finds out

Elizabeth Day talks to actor Ethan Hawke about his new novel.

A Good Read: Tuppence Middleton & Matthew Shribman

The actress and the environmentalist talk about much loved books with Harriett Gilbert.

A Good Read: Helen Mort & Mo Omar

The poet and the comedian talk climbing, science fiction, and love with Harriett Gilbert.

Richard Flanagan; How To Read Well; Editor's Tip

Kate Mosse, Books on TV, Writing in prisons

Elizabeth Day talks to debut writer Raven Leilani.

Bryan Washington

Bryan Washington, Natalie Haynes, Trauma in fiction with Rebecca Watson & Peter Ho Davies

Reading in 2020

The Joy of Dickens

Johny Pitts and guests explore the dazzling brilliance of Charles Dickens

Jonathan Lethem; Sylvia Townsend Warner; Edna O'Brien

A Good Read: Clive Myrie & Boyd Tonkin

The journalist and the critic nominate favourite books

Jenny Erpenbeck, Margaret Atwood on a classic dystopia, Paintings in fiction

A Good Read: Alexander McCall Smith & Prof Lucie Green

Alexander McCall Smith and Professor Lucie Green discuss favourite books.

Climate Change Special

A Good Read:Vanessa Kisuule & Jonathon Porritt

Poet Vanessa Kisuule and environmental writer Jonathon Porritt talk books with Harriett.

Jonathan Coe, Radical Fairy Tales, Alex Wheatle

Chris Power talks to Jonathan Coe about bringing Billy Wilder to life in his new novel.

Yasmin Khan & David Mitchell

Travel and food writer Yasmin Khan and novelist David Mitchell talk books.

Rumaan Alam, Words and Photography, Bookshop.org

Arabella Weir & Deborah Levy

The comedian and novelist choose favourites including The Sellout by Paul Beatty.

Jonathan Safran Foer & Daliso Chaponda

Daliso can't believe Jonathan's never read a fantasy novel before his choice, Seventh Son

Hilary Mantel, Lee Child and Andrew Grant, Editors Pick

Sara Collins talks to Hilary Mantel about her essay collection

Mark Radcliffe & Patricia Cumper

Toni Morrison's Beloved and Elizabeth Strout's Olive Again are the books on the table

Armando Iannucci and John Mullan on Dickens; John Lanchester; new Black British writing

Johny Pitts & Charlotte Proudman

Romance in Marseilles, Butterfly Politics & This is Pleasure.Harriett Gilbert talks books

Jennifer Makumbi, New Dutch Writing, Barbara Kingsolver and Wild Swimming in literature

Ruth Jones & Dominic Cooke

Ruth Jones and Dominic Cooke share their favourite reads with Harriett Gilbert.

Martin Amis

Rose Tremain; Science in Fiction

Donal Ryan, Libraries in Fiction, Campus Novels

Richard Powers and Nature Writing

Alex Clark talks to Richard Powers about his new novel, The Overstory.

Sara Collins speaks to author and academic Sarah Moss

Sara Collins speaks to Sarah Moss about history, holidays and her new novel Summerwater

The novels of PD James; Akwaeke Emezi

Johny Pitts looks at the life and work of crime novelist P D James

Carys Davies

Chris Power talks to Carys Davies about her new book, The Mission House

A Good Read: Nicholas Lezard & Gwyneth Williams

Nicholas Lezard and Gwyneth Williams introduce their favourite reads to Harriett Gilbert

Kate Grenville, Beryl Bainbridge, Narrative Voices

A Good Read: Lissa Evans & Sarah Keyworth

Comedian Sarah Keyworth and author Lissa Evans talk books with Harriett Gilbert.

Elizabeth Day talks to Eley Williams about her new book, The Liar's Dictionary.

A Good Read: Fiona Shaw & Nichola Coughlan

Fiona Shaw and Nicola Coughlan join Harriett Gilbert to talk books

Charlotte Wood, Travel Writing, Narrative Voice

A Good Read: Nina Sosanya & David Nicholls

Nina Sosanya and David Nicholls bring their favourite books to the table

A Good Read: Laurie Anderson and Stuart Maconie talk about books they love with Harriett Gilbert

American avant-garde artist Laurie Anderson and radio DJ Stuart Maconie talk books.

Alex Clark speaks to Elizabeth Wetmore about her book Valentine

Elizabeth Wetmore, Sebastian Barry and a re-working of Mary McCarthy's The Group

A Good Read: Val McDermid and Martha Lane Fox talk about books they love with Harriett Gilbert

Val McDermid and Martha Lane Fox talk to Harriett Gilbert about books they really love.

Jean-Baptiste Andrea, Orlando King, Authors and Critics

A Good Read: Pippa Haywood & Felicity Montagu

Actresses Pippa Haywood and Felicity Montagu talk books with Harriett Gilbert.

Andrés Neuman, William Boyd on WW2 Novels, Singlit with Elaine Chiew

A Good Read: Melissa Cummings-Quarry and Natalie Carter

Natalie Carter & Melissa Cummings-Quarry (Black Girls Book Club) talk books with Harriett

Paul Mendez, Class & Society novels, Thomas Keneally on Dickens

Daniel Mason, Pride and Prejudice, Bob Geldof

Daniel Mason discusses new short story collection, A Registry Of My Passage On Earth.

Curtis Sittenfeld on her new book, Rodham

Curtis Sittenfeld, Ian Rankin and Katherine Rundell

Tayari Jones, Jane Eyre, John Freeman

Award winning autor Tayari Jones discusses her novel Silver Sparrow.

Garth Greenwell

Garth Greenwell talks to Mariella Frostrup about his new book Cleanness.

Ingrid Persaud, Short Fiction, Patricia Grace

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

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

A Good Read: Nazir Afzal and Maggie Gee

Books worth reading chosen by Nazir Afzal and Maggie Gee.

Maggie O'Farrell on her new novel, Hamnet

Maggie O'Farrell Sophie Hannah and Reading in Isolation

A Good Read: Helen Lederer & Angela Barnes

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

Petina Gappah on her new book, Out of Darkness, Shining Light

Petina Gappah. Plus Henry Porter on adventure writing and the joys of fictional journeys.

A Good Read:Sharleen Spiteri & Hugh Dennis

Texas frontwoman Sharleen Spiteri and actor Hugh Dennis choose favourite books.

Christos Tsiolkas, Mothers and Daughters in fiction, Nairobi books

Henry Normal & Bobby Seagull

Harriett Gilbert talks to Henry Normal and Bobby Seagull about their favourite books.

Kiley Reid on her debut novel, Such a Fun Age

Kiley Reid, Lucy Foley and Abir Mukherjee, Peter Swanson

Neil Forsyth & Neil Oliver

Books worth reading chosen by Neil Oliver and Neil Forsyth.

Richard Harrington & Njambi McGrath

Books worth reading chosen by actor Richard Harrington and comedian Njambi McGrath

Colum McCann

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

Gail Honeyman & Mavis Cheek

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

Isabel Allende

Isabel Allende, Magic Realism, The Foundling

Sarah Phelps & Dane Baptiste

Sarah Phelps and Dane Baptiste talk to Harriett Gilbert about books they love.

100 Novels; Love and Romance with Marian Keyes, David Nicholls, Sara Collins

A Good Read: Syima Aslam & Stig Abell

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

A Good Read: Nick Hornby & Carlo Rovelli

Nick Hornby and Carlo Rovelli tell Harriett Gilbert about the books they love the most.

Jeanine Cummins on American Dirt, and forgotten classic The Street with Tayari Jones

Deepa Anappara on her debut novel Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line

Deepa Anappara and Rob Doyle on their new novels; Helen Fielding's book she'd never lend

100 Novels That Shaped Our World: Identity

Graham Greene special

Highlights of 2019

Benjamin Markovits, PG Wodehouse, Family rows in novels and child prodigies

2019 books, André Aciman and David Bowie

Russell Kane & Sarah Perry

Comedian Russell Kane and novelist Sarah Perry talk favourite books with Harriett Gilbert

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

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

Nemone Metaxas and Raymond Antrobus

Nemone Metaxas and Raymond Antrobus talk favourite books with presenter Harriett Gilbert.

Ben Lerner, Women's auto fiction and Ian Rankin

Damian Le Bas & Amy Liptrott

The Romany writer and broadcaster Damian Le Bas and author Amy Liptrot choose a good read

Kathy O'Shaughnessy, George Eliot, Literary Magazines and Jason Reynolds

Kathy O'Shaughnessy talks to Mariella about her novel charting the life of George Eliot.

Stewart Lee & Dave Haslam

Comedian Stewart Lee and DJ author Dave Haslam choose their good reads

Lisa Jewell & Aditya Chakrabortty

Lisa Jewell and Aditya Chakrabortty talk all about books with Harriett Gilbert.

John Gordon Sinclair and Kerry Ellis

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

Andrew Michael Hurley, best novels of 1995, Rowan Hisayo Buchanan

Andrew Michael Hurley talks to Mariella Frostrup about new folk horror novel Starve Acre

Literary Norwich Special

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

Poorna Bell and Tony Law

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

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

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

Edith Bowman and Harry Baker

Edith Bowman and Harry Baker discuss their favourite books with Harriett Gilbert.

Colin Greenwood and Joanne McNally

Radiohead's bassist Colin Greenwood and comedian Joanne McNally recommend great books.

Dana Czapnik, Black Death novels, Imani Perry on Corregidora by Gayl Jones.

Dana Czapnik discusses her debut The Falconer and two writers talk about the Black Death.

A special American-themed edition with Ann Patchett and rising star Jia Tolentino.

Ann Patchett, Jia Tolentino and USA book picks with Jonathan Lee and Zack Graham.

Robert Harris

Robert Harris discusses his new novel and reflects on 30 years of writing fiction.

Deborah Levy, therapists in fiction, India's richest literary prize, Lorca's symbolism

Deborah Levy on her bestselling new novel, The Man Who Saw Everything.

What are young people writing and reading?

A special edition of Open Book from the Edinburgh International Book Festival.

Benjamin Myers, Proust's In Search of Lost Time, Valeria Luiselli

Benjamin Myers on his latest The Offing, and Proust's In Search of Lost Time discussed.

Colm Tóibín on Wilde, Yeats and Joyce, Mary Beth Keane, the best novels of 1979

Colm Tóibín reflects on the fathers of Irish greats and US bestseller Mary Beth Keane

David Nicholls discusses his latest novel Sweet Sorrow

David Nicholls on his new novel Sweet Sorrow and a reader's guide to Elizabeth Hardwick

A Good Read: Pam Hogg and Mark Billingham talk favourite books

Pam Hogg and Mark Billingham choose their books worth reading.

Open Book: Ocean Vuong; Bauhaus novels; Sudan literary postcard

Award-winning poet Ocean Vuong discusses his debut novel On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous

A Good Read: Dolly Alderton and Clare Mackintosh talk favourite books

Dolly Alderton and Clare Mackintosh talk about books they love to Harriett Gilbert.

On the centenary of her birth Open Book celebrates the novels of Iris Murdoch

A Good Read: Dom Joly and Kate Hamer talk favourite books

Harriett Gilbert talks to Dom Joly and Kate Hamer about their favourite books.

A Good Read: Mathew Baynton and Aasmah Mir talk favourite books

Mathew Baynton and Aasmah Mir choose favourite books to recommend to Harriett Gilbert.

Will Eaves on Alan Turing; The Moon in Fiction and Poetry; Afrofuturism

Will Eaves discusses Murmur, his award-winning novel about Alan Turing

A Good Read: Nicci Gerrard and Gary Younge talk favourite books

Nicci Gerrard and Gary Younge join Harriett Gilbert to talk about their favourite books.

Open Book: Kevin Barry, queer nature writing, turning podcasts into books

Irish writer Kevin Barry, plus Philip Hoare and Mike Parker on queer nature writing

A Good Read: Cathy Newman and Jeffery Deaver talk favourite books

Cathy Newman and Jeffery Deaver discuss their favourite books with Harriett Gilbert.

Open Book: Carolina Setterwall, Re-reading and what it offers, Shadowplay reviewed, Ahmad Danny Ramadan

Carolina Setterwall and the pleasures of re-reading. With Mariella Frostrup.

A Good Read: Kiri Pritchard-McLean and Hannah Peel talk favourite books

Kiri Pritchard-McLean and Hannah Peel share the books they love with Harriett Gilbert.

Pajtim Statovci, Gerald Murnane discussed, Roxane Gay's favourite book, Benjamin Dreyer

Pajtim Statovci on his novel Crossing and we explore the work of Gerald Murnane

A Good Read: Stephen Morris and Pippa Evans talk favourite books

Stephen Morris and Pippa Evans tell presenter Harriett Gilbert about books they love.

Mia Couto and Wayétu Moore, Mr B's Bookshop, Claire Alexander

Mia Couto and Wayétu Moore discuss two new African novels exploring colonialism and myth

Ben Smith and Julia Blackburn on Doggerland; Ghana's literary scene; Rosie Price

Open Book: Bernardine Evaristo, Victorian showmen in fiction, Graeme Simsion, Faber at 90

Bernardine Evaristo discusses her polyphonic new novel Girl, Woman, Other.

Open Book considers the rich heritage and bright future of working class writing

An exploration of the rich heritage and bright future of working class writing.

Ali Smith, Easter Eggs in fiction and Cate Blanchett's books to live by

Ali Smith on her new novel, Spring, Easter Eggs in fiction and books to live by

Damian Barr on his novel, You Will Be Safe Here and Candice Carty Williams' debut, Queenie

Damian Barr, Candice Carty Williams, Beckett's novels and Julián Fuks literary postcard.

Open Book: Taylor Jenkins Reid, Older Characters in Fiction, Baseball books

Taylor Jenkins Reid talks about her novel Daisy Jones & The Six

A Good Read: Nicola Walker and Sarah Ann Kennedy talk favourite books

Nicola Walker and Sarah Ann Kennedy discuss their favourite books with Harriett Gilbert.

Siri Hustvedt, Witches in Fiction, British Library's Erotica Collection

Siri Hustvedt discusses her new novel Memories of the Future.

A Good Read: Martin Rowson and Ayesha Hazarika talk favourite books

Ayesha Hazarika and Martin Rowson talk favourite books with presenter Harriett Gilbert.

Max Porter, Folk resurgence in literature, Angie Thomas on Hip Hop

Max Porter discusses his new novel Lanny.

A Good Read: Russell Tovey and Sarah Hadland talk favourite books

Actors Russell Tovey and Sarah Hadland talk books with Harriett Gilbert.

What Makes a Jewish Book; Colm Tóibín on Natalia Ginzburg; Censorship in Kuwait

A Good Read: Lemn Sissay and Mick Herron talk favourite books

Harriett Gilbert talks about books with poet Lemn Sissay and novelist Mick Herron.

A Good Read: Kate Bottley and Ken Cheng talk favourite books

Rev. Kate Bottley and Ken Cheng talk about the books they love with Harriett Gilbert.

Whitney Scharer, Fashion in fiction, Novels by Iraq War veterans

Whitney Scharer discusses her novel about the love affair between Lee Miller and Man Ray.

A Good Read: Tracey Thorn and Maggie O' Farrell talk favourite books

Harriet Gilbert invites singer Tracy Thorne and writer Maggie O'Farrell to choose a book.

Niklas Natt Och Dag on his debut novel, The Wolf and the Watchman

Barristers turned crime writers, Mohammed Hanif on Catch 22, Emma Darwin

A Good Read: Lucy Porter and Frank Cottrell-Boyce talk favourite books

Comedian Lucy Porter and writer Frank Cottrell-Boyce share their good reads.

Open Book: Kristen Roupenian, Javier Cercas, Quakers in fiction

Kristen Roupenian on her new short story collection

A Good Read: Brett Westwood and Kamal Ahmed talk favourite books

Naturalist Brett Westwood and author Kamal Ahmed talk books with Harriett Gilbert.

A Good Read: Scarlett Curtis and Catherine Bohart talk favourite books

Writer Scarlett Curtis and comedian Catherine Bohart talk books with Harriett Gilbert.

Chloe Aridjis, Adam Foulds and Leo Benedictus on fictional stalkers, Gay's the Word Bookshop at 40

Chloe Aridjis, Adam Foulds and Leo Benedictus, Gay's the Word Bookshop at 40

Caribbean Writing with Claire Adam, Jamaica Kincaid and Jacob Ross

A special programme celebrating the breadth and power of writing from the Caribbean

Oyinkan Braithwaite, Books as clutter, Kafka's legacy, True crime in fiction

John Steinbeck

Open Book explores the legacy of the American writer John Steinbeck

Festive short stories, Hangovers in fiction, Christmas novels, Book choices for 2019

Joyce Carol Oates, Wind in the Willows and Orphans in literature

Joyce Carol Oates, Wind in the Willows, October Books and orphans in literature

Donald S Murray, Lyrics and poetry, publishing in Iceland and Greenland

A Good Read: Gráinne Maguire and John Higgs talk favourite books

Comedian Gráinne Maguire and author John Higgs talk about the books they love.

Lee Child on his latest book, Past Tense

Lee Child, Southall-set thrillers, crime picks for teenagers

A Good Read: George the Poet and Andy McNab talk favourite books

SAS thriller writer Andy McNab and spoken word artist George the Poet choose a good read

Barbara Kingsolver on her new novel, Unsheltered.

Barbara Kingsolver, Northern Irish writing, India’s gay fiction

Open Book: Barbara Kingsolver, Northern Irish writing, India’s gay fiction

Barbara Kingsolver discusses her new novel Unsheltered with Mariella Frostrup.

A Good Read: Kamila Shamsie and Jeffrey Archer talk favourite books

Harriett Gilbert is joined by authors Kamila Shamsie and Jeffrey Archer

Open Book: Fiction following the Armistice; Beowulf reimagined; James Daunt

Exploring literary responses to the Great War in the immediate aftermath of the Armistice

A Good Read: Katie Derham and Matt Haig talk favourite books

Katie Derham and Matt Haig talk about their favourite books with Harriett Gilbert.

A Good Read: Sindhu Vee and Phil Wang talk favourite books

Harriett Gilbert talks favourite books with guests, comedians Sindhu Vee and Phil Wang.

Open Book: Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah and Minette Walters

Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah on his short story debut, Friday Black and Minette Walters

A Good Read: Liz Carr and Kate Williams talk favourite books

Actor and comedian Liz Carr and Kate Williams select a favourite read

Open Book: Liane Moriarty

Liane Moriarty, best-selling author of Big Little Lies, discusses her latest novel.

A Good Read: Ben Miller and Danny Wallace talk favourite books

Comedian and actor Ben Miller and writer Danny Wallace choose their favourite books.

Open Book: Hector Abad, Horror fiction

Colombian novelist Hector Abad joins Mariella Frostrup to discuss his new saga The Farm.

A Good Read: Grace Dent and Sian Harries talk favourite books

Grace Dent and Sian Harries talk to Harriett Gilbert about their favourite books.

A Good Read: Nikesh Shukla and Leone Ross talk favourite books

Nikesh Shukla and Leone Ross talk favourite books with presenter Harriett Gilbert.

Mariella and guests Sebastian Faulks, Lisa McInerney, Chibundu Onuzo and Kamila Shamsie celebrate 20 years of Open Book

Open Book celebrates 20 years with Mariella Frostrup in front of a live audience.

Open Book: Gail Jones, 1930's crime stories and the Tower of London's Ravens

Gail Jones, revisiting iconic literary detectives and crime fiction of the 1930's.

Open Book: Gail Jones, 1930s' crime fiction, Marlowe and Holmes revisited

Australian author Gail Jones discusses her new book The Death of Noah Glass

Open Book: Lavinia Greenlaw, Venezuelan literature, audio books and graphic novels

Lavinia Greenlaw on her new book In the City of Love's Dreams and Venezuelan literature.

Open Book: John Boyne discusses his new novel, A Ladder to the Sky

John Boyne on his new novel, and ode to Mrs Gaskell and six of the best Sci Fi novels.

Open Book: Richard Powers and nature writing

Open Book on the majesty of trees with Richard Powers, Melissa Harrison and Jessica J Lee

Open Book: Literary Criticism

A special edition exploring book criticism and why it matters.

Open Book: Claire Fuller, Neil Gaiman and literature in Iran

Claire Fuller discusses her new novel, Bitter Orange and Neil Gaiman on Hope Mirrlees

Open Book: Daisy Johnson on her debut novel, Everything Under

Daisy Johnson, The literary appeal of the Fens, Book festival etiquette

Open Book: Islands in fiction

Mariella Frostrup and guests consider what makes them such popular fictional locations.

A Good Read: Anne-Marie Duff and Louise O'Neill

Harriett Gilbert discusses favourite books with Anne-Marie Duff and Louise O'Neill.

A Good Read: Samira Ahmed and Elis James

With books by Arnold Bennett, Dylan Thomas and Daniyal Mueenuddin chosen this week.

Open Book: Michael Donker on his novel, Hold and poet Jackie Kay on the work of Audre Lorde

Michael Donker on his debut novel and Jackie Kay on how poet Audrey Lorde inspired her.

A Good Read: Isy Suttie and Lolly Adefope talk favourite books with Harriett Gilbert

Their choices included books by Meg Wolitzer, Ottessa Moshfegh's and Carol Ann Duffy.

Open Book: A M Homes on her new short story collection Days of Awe

Plus the Wellcome Collection's Kirty Topiwala on how fiction has approached the NHS

A Good Read: Loyd Grossman & Skin

Loyd Grossman and Skin talk to Harriett Gilbert about their favourite books.

A Good Read: Juno Dawson & Pandora Sykes

Juno Dawson and Pandora Sykes discuss favourite books with Harriett Gilbert.

Exploring the lives of Beiruti women and Ceridwen Dovey

Hanan Al-Shaykh and Nada Awar Jarrar on writing about Beirut close up and from a distance

A Good Read: Tony Parsons and Olly Mann talk favourite books with Harriett Gilbert

The choices are Big Little Lies, Never Mind & The Phantom Tollbooth. Are they good reads?

Michael Ondaatje on his new novel, Warlight.

Michael Ondaatje, Nell Dunn on her book, Talking to Women and a postcard from Croatia.

A Good Read: Adam Kay and Farrah Jarral talk favourite books with Harriett Gilbert

Books by David Sedaris & Mohsin Hamid are up for discussion. Are they good reads?

Cressida Connolly on her new book After the Party

Cressida Connolly, posthumous short stories and a literary postcard from Iraq.

A Good Read: Robert Webb and Hugo Rifkind

Robert Webb and Hugo Rifkind talk favourite books with presenter Harriett Gilbert.

Fiona Kidman, children's non fiction and celebrating 30 years of the Lambda Literary Award

Fiona Kidman discusses her new book, All Day at the Movies.

Anthony Horowitz on his new James Bond novel

Anthony Horowitz on his second James Bond adventure and a universal library in Seville

Crime writer John Harvey on his new book Body and Soul

John Harvey and favourite characters in fiction

Carys Davies on her new novel, West and the work of Octavia Butler

Carys Davies on her new book, West and unfaithful women in fiction.

Jennifer Clement on her latest novel, the London Book fair and Tony Parsons on the book he'd never lend.

Jennifer Clement and we discuss the increasing influence of book bloggers.

Diana Evans, the fictional lives of painters and bringing books to life on stage

Diana Evans discusses her new novel, Ordinary People and how to stage literary classics.

A Good Read: Phill Jupitus and Robin Ince

Comedians Phill Jupitus and Robin Ince talk to Harriett Gilbert about books they love.

Uzodinma Iweala on his new book 'Speak No Evil'

Crime writers Abir Mukherjee Val McDermid and Graeme Macrae Burnet on a tour of Kolkata.

A Good Read: Bernardine Evaristo and Jolyon Rubinstein share favourite books with Harriett Gilbert

Harriett Gilbert's guests are writer Bernardine Evaristo and comedian Jolyon Rubinstein.

Joseph Knox and Stella Duffy on Ngaio Marsh

Joseph Knox's new book The Smiling Man and the archives of Gabriel Garzia Marquz

A Good Read: Nina Stibbe and Kit de Waal talk favourite books with Harriett Gilbert

Writers Nina Stibbe and Kit de Waal share their recommendations for good reads

James Wood, childhood reading and Mary Shelly's Frankenstein

James Wood discusses his new book, Upstate and we discuss the joys of being a bookworm.

A Good Read: Joanna Trollope and Sabrina Mahfouz

Harriett Gilbert, Joanna Trollope and Sabrina Mahfouz talk about their favourite books.

A Good Read: Diana Henry and Mark Miodownik on their favourite books

Mark Miodownik and Diana Henry tell Harriett Gilbert about the books they love.

Jessie Greengrass on her new novel, Sight and what the suffragettes read in prison

Jessie Greengrass and Jeremy Gavron on creating a new novel from classic texts.

A Good Read: Sathnam Sanghera and Hadley Freeman talk favourite books with Harriett Gilbert

Sathnam Sanghera and Hadley Freeman talk favourite books with Harriett Gilbert

Jane Harper on her new book Force of Nature

Jane Harper discusses her latest book, Force of Nature and Penelope Lively on E Nesbit

A Good Read: Steph McGovern and Jayde Adams on being publicly shamed, getting back into reading and the late Carrie Fisher.

Broadcaster Steph McGovern and comedian Jayde Adams talk books with Harriett Gilbert.

Julian Barnes and other literary love stories

Julian Barnes on his new, The Only Story.

A Good Read: Ruby Tandoh and Jake Yapp on favourite books by René Goscinny, Nora Ephron and Ian McEwan

Ruby Tandoh and Jake Yapp on favourite books by René Goscinny, Nora Ephron and Ian McEwan

A Good Read: Stephen Fry and Alan Davies discuss dystopian visions, childhood traumas and tips for writers.

Stephen Fry and Alan Davies discuss favourite books with presenter Harriett Gilbert.

Dirk Kurbjuweit discusses his new book, The Fear and Nicola Sturgeon's favourite reads

Dirk Kurbjuweit on his book, The Fear, Nicola Sturgeon discusses her love of reading.

Leila Slimane on her book Lullaby and translating Turkish and Russian literature

Leila Slimane discusses her new novel and the iimportance of translating foreign fiction

Celebrating Muriel Spark and writing about post traumatic stress

William Boyd and Alan Taylor discuss the work of Muriel Spark.

Dystopian Fiction

Mariella Frostrup and guests ask if we are entering a golden age of dystopian fiction.

David Walliams talks to Mariella Frostrup

In a special programme David Walliams talks about his life as a children’s writer.

Christmas literary gifts and Hunter Davies on his late wife, Margaret Forster and her diaries.

A selection of Christmas literary gifts, Hunter Davies and crowd funding for books.

Lionel Shriver and celebrating the 100th birthday of Finland

Lionel Shriver on her new book and a celebration of Nordic writing.

A Good Read 28 November 2017: Nish Kumar and Katy Brand

Comedians Nish Kumar and Katy Brand tell Harriett Gilbert about their favourite books.

The Great American Novel and the merits of reading aloud

Stephanie Merrit and Benjamin Markovits discuss the idea of the Great American Novel.

A Good Read 21 November 2017: Alexei Sayle and Meg Rosoff

Comedian Alexei Sayle and novelist Meg Rosoff trade favourite books with Harriett Gilbert

Jennifer Egan

Pulitzer-winning Jennifer Egan on her new novel Manhattan Beach.

A Good Read 14 November 2017: Jon McGregor and Cathy Rentzenbrink

Writers Jon McGregor and Cathy Rentzenbrink talk favourite books with Harriett Gilbert.

Celeste Ng

Mariella Frostrup talks to celebrated American novelist Celeste Ng.

A Good Read 7 November 2017: Rick Edwards & George Lamb

Presenters Rick Edwards and George Lamb join Harriett Gilbert to talk favourite books.

A Good Read 31 October 2017: Jenny Colgan & Steven Camden (Polarbear)

Jenny Colgan & Steven Camden (Polarbear) talk about brilliant books with Harriett Gilbert

Graeme Macrae Burnet on his 'fiction within a fiction', The Accident on the A35

Graeme Macrae Burnet joins Alex Clark to discuss his novel The Accident on the A35

A Good Read 24 October 2017: Alice Lowe and Andrew Hunter Murray

Alice Lowe and Andrew Hunter Murray talk favourite books with Harriett Gilbert.

40 years In Patagonia, Nathan Englander and Sandi Toksvig's new children's novel

Mariella Frostrup celebrates the 40th anniversary of the classic travel book In Patagonia

A Good Read 17 October 2017: Owen Jones & Georgia LA

Owen Jones and Georgia LA discuss their favourite books with Harriett Gilbert.

Omar El Akkad's new novel American War and Nordic short stories

Omar El Akkad's debut novel American War has won rave reviews in the states.

A Good Read 10 October 2017: Jonathan Harvey & Sally Lindsay

Sally Lindsay and Jonathan Harvey talk about the books they love with Harriett Gilbert.

Alan Hollinghurst on his new novel, The Sparsholt Affair.

Alan Hollinghurst on his new novel and Denise Mina and Max Porter discuss ghost stories.

A Good Read 3 October 2017: Toby Young & Sarah Vine

Toby Young and Sarah Vine talk favourite books with Harriett Gilbert.

Clare Messud on The Burning Girl and theatrical memoirs

Clare Messud on her latest novels and theatrical memoirs.

Helen Sedgwick, the York Writer's Festival and up and coming writers from Australia

Helen Sedgwick discusses her new novel The Growing Season; Australian writers to watch.

Daryl Gregory and the importance of John Donne's love poems

Daryl Gregory discusses his latest novel Spoonbenders and a manual on being a writer

Revisiting Greek myths with Kamila Shamsie and David Vann

Kamila Shamsie and David Vann discuss their own interpretations of classic Greek myths.

Preti Taneja and Mohammed Hanif discuss the 70th anniversary of Partition and Peter Stamm's new novel, To the Back of Beyond

Partition, Peter Stamm on his new novel and libraries in fiction

Fredrick Backman, Outriders and writing to music

Fredrik Backman discusses his new novel, The Scandal.

The Chalke Valley History Festival

Tom Holland, Tracy Borman and Olivette Otele talk about who is writing history today.

A Good Read 25 July 2017: John Niven & Sali Hughes

Author John Niven and journalist Sali Hughes talk books they love with Harriett Gilbert.

Fiona Melrose, transgender characters in fiction and the book Susan Hill would never end

Fiona Melrose discusses her new book, Johannesburg and Kaite Welsh on transgender fiction

Elizabeth Day, Patrick Ness and the Bradford Literary Festival

Elizabeth Day discusses her new book, The Party and Patrick Ness's Queer Icon.

A Good Read 11 July 2017: Stacey Dooley & Gaia Vince

Harriett Gilbert talks to Stacey Dooley and Gaia Vince about their favourite books.

Matt Haig, Val McDermid and a postcard from Argentina

Matt Haig on time travel and Val McDermid discusses Virginia Woolf's Orlando.

A Good Read 4 July 2017: Kathy Burke & Tom Allen

Kathy Burke and comedian Tom Allen talk about their favourite books with Harriett Gilbert

A Good Read 27 June 2017: Bill Paterson & Tom Chatfield

Actor Bill Paterson and writer Tom Chatfield talk about beloved books to Harriett Gilbert

Mark Haddon on Virginia Woolf and Ruth Ware discusses her new novel, The Lying Game

Virginia Woolf's Hogarth Press and Misha Glenny on The Master and Margarita

A Good Read 20 June 2017: Verity Sharp & Matthew Syed

Harriett Gilbert talks favourite books with Verity Sharp and Matthew Syed.

Thomas Keneally, Meike Ziervogel and pet peeves in books

Thomas Keneally discusses his latest novel, Crimes of the Father

A Good Read 13 June 2017: Nathan Caton & Adam Rutherford

Harriett Gilbert talks favourite books with Nathan Caton and Adam Rutherford.

A Good Read 6 June 2017 Ed Byrne & Hardeep Singh Kohli

Harriett Gilbert talks to Ed Byrne and Hardeep Singh Kohli about their favourite books.

Tim Winton

Tim Winton on his new book The Boy Behind The Curtain – Notes from an Australian Life

Gail Honeyman and Nell Stevens

Gail Honeyman, Nell Stevens and Angie Thomas on the Book She'd Never Lend

Writers' memoirs, the libraries of Timbuktu and George Eliot

Richard Beard and Bella Pollen discuss their memoirs and a discussion on George Eliot.

Paula Hawkins and F. Scott Fitzgerald

The Girl on the Train writer Paula Hawkins talks about her new novel Into The Water

Lisa McInerney, regional writing and a postcard from Cuba

Lisa McInerney on her new novel, Blood Miracles and a discussion on regional writing

Luiza Sauma and Easter reading

Luiza Sauma on her book Flesh and Bone and Water and books for Easter.

Open Book:Jon McGregor

Mariella Frostrup talks to writer Jon McGregor and explores WH Auden's life in Scotland.

A Good Read 28 March 2017: Will Self & Rachel Johnson

Will Self and Rachel Johnson talk about their favourite books with Harriett Gilbert.

Balli Kaur Jaswal, Alison Macleod and Ra Page

Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows and Elan Mastai on literary soothsaying.

A Good Read 21 March 2017: Chris & Xand Van Tulleken

Doctor twins Chris and Xand van Tulleken talk to Harriett Gilbert about favourite books.

George Saunders discusses his new book Lincoln in the Bardo

George Saunders, Nina Lorez Collins, Harper Collins archives and favourite books

A Good Read 14 March 2017: Harriet Harman & Pete Paphides

Harriet Harman and Pete Paphides champion their favourite books with Harriett Gilbert.

Helen Dunmore and Fiona Kidman on the Book I'd Never Lend

Helen Dunmore discusses her new book, Birdcage Walk.

A Good Read 7 March 2017: Tony Robinson & Andi Oliver

Tony Robinson and Andi Oliver recommend great books to presenter Harriett Gilbert.

A Good Read 28 February 2017: Craig Brown & Pippa Evans

Harriett Gilbert talks great books with Craig Brown and Pippa Evans.

Mohsin Hamid, North Korean literature and Editor's Pick

Mohsin Hamid discusses his new book, Exit West and North Korean short stories

A Good Read 21 February: Murray Lachlan Young & Deborah Frances-Wood

Harriett Gilbert talks to Murray Lachlan Young & Deborah Frances-White about good reads.

Dorthe Nors, Nadiya Hussain, age gap relationships and vampires

Nadiya Hussain discusses the book she'd never lend.

A Good Read: Lionel Shriver & Mae Martin

Lionel Shriver, author, and Mae Martin, comedian, talk books with Harriett Gilbert.

Joanna Trollope, literature from the Mid West and African romance fiction.

Joanna Trollope discusses her new novel, City of Friends.

A Good Read 7 February 2017: Victor Adebowale & Rachel Unthank

Lord Victor Adebowale and musician Rachel Unthank join Harriett Gilbert to talk books.

A Good Read 31 January 2017: Alan Carr & Melanie Sykes

Alan Carr and Melanie Sykes talk with Harriett Gilbert about the books they love.

Yaa Gyasi

Yaa Gyasi's debut novel Homegoing is already one of the most talked about debuts of 2017.

Tessa Hadley, Female Friendships and the Russian Revolution

Tessa Hadley on her new book and Esther Freud and Kitty Aldridge on literary friendships

James Lasdun, Crime Fiction for 2017 and book bestsellers

James Lasdun discusses his new book The Fall Guy and crime fiction for 2017

Literary Postcards

Literary postcards from around the world.

Nadeem Aslam, book translating and unhappy books which make us happy

Nadeem Aslam discusses his new book The Golden Legend

Shirley Jackson and a literary round-up for 2016

The dark world of Shirley Jackson and a look at this year's best reads

Henrietta Rose-Innes and Terry Waite

Literary heroes and the book I'd never lend.

Jay McInerney

Jay McInerney talks about his novel Bright Lights, Big City.

A Good Read 29 November 2016: John Bird & John Timpson

Businessman John Timpson & Big Issue founder John Bird talk favourite books.

Writers Helen Garner and Charlotte Wood and the history of audio books

An original Jane Eyre manuscript published in a new edition and a story from Chris Cleave

A Good Read 22 November 2016: Charles Moore & Nadifa Mohamed

Charles Moore and Nadifa Mohamed discuss their favourite books with Harriett Gilbert.

David Grossman and Steve McCurry

David Grossman on his new novel and photographer Steve McCurry's portraits of readers.

A Good Read 15 November 2016: Michael Grade & Gia Milinovich

Michael Grade and Gia Milinovich talk to Harriett Gilbert about their favourite books.

Margaret Drabble Louis de Bernieres and a passion for islands

Margaret Drabble on her new book The Dark Flood Rises and the books on her bedside table.

A Good Read 8 November 2016: Sally Phillips & Julia Donaldson

Sally Phillips and Julia Donaldson talk about books they love with Harriett Gilbert.

Kidnapped by Robert Louis Stevenson

In Classic Book Club, author Louise Walsh discusses Kidnapped with James Naughtie

A Good Read 1 November: Terry Christian & Dr Kevin Fong

Harriett Gilbert invites Terry Christian and Dr Kevin Fong to talk favourite books.

Quentin Blake, Emma Chichester Clark and Brit Bennett

A Good Read 25 October 2016: Cariad Lloyd & Mike Bullen

Harriett Gilbert talks to Cariad Lloyd and Mike Bullen about books they love, and why.

Sebastian Barry, Naomi Alderman and Margaret Atwood

A Good Read 18 October 2016: Sebastian Faulks & Sarfraz Manzoor

Sebastian Faulks, Sarfraz Manzoor and Harriett Gilbert talk about their favourite books.

Graham Norton; Close Reading Henry James; Michelle Paver on the Himalayas.

Graham Norton, Michelle Paver and Robert Twigger. Close reading Henry James.

A Good Read 11 October 2016: Bidisha & Gillian Reynolds

Bidisha and Gillian Reynolds choose favourite books to discuss with Harriett Gilbert.

Tommy Wieringa, Flemish and Dutch literature, Fashion in fiction, Stewart Lee on Ithell Colquhoun

Mariella talks to Tommy Wieringa about his book A Beautiful Young Wife

A Good Read 4 October 2016: Ann Widdecombe & Vince Cable

Harriett Gilbert talks books with Ann Widdecombe and Vince Cable.

Open Book - Sarah Hall and Peter Hobbs on Sex and Death

Mariella Frostrup talks to Sarah Hall and Peter Hobbs about stories of Sex and Death

Open Book with Donal Ryan

Mariella Frostrup talks to Donal Ryan about All We Shall Know

Open Book on Jonathan Safran Foer

Mariella Frostrup talks to author Jonathan Safran Foer

Open Book in Edinburgh - Crime Writing with Val McDermid, Abir Mukherjee and Lucy Ribchester

A special edition of Open Book from Edinburgh, devoted to crime writing

Open Book at the Edinburgh International Book Festival

Mariella Frostrup with Raja Alem, Richard T Kelly and Benjamin Markovits and Nick Barley

Open Book with Colin Thubron

Mariella Frostrup talks to Colin Thubron

Open Book - Reading Europe

Mariella Frostrup explores contemporary literature from Italy

Open Book - Evelyn Waugh, DBC Pierre, a literary postcard from Sweden

A Good Read 26 July 2016: Christopher Biggins & Jenny Eclair

Christopher Biggins and Jenny Eclair chat about books they love with Harriett Gilbert.

A Good Read 19 July 2016: Lloyd Langford & Francesca Simon

Francesca Simon and Lloyd Langford talk about their favourite books with Harriett Gilbert

Open Book - Awesome Authors: Children's Literature with Frank Cottrell Boyce and Bali Rai

Mariella Frostrup on Children's Literature with Frank Cottrell Boyce and Bali Rai

A Good Read 12 July 2016: Joann Fletcher & Damian Barr

Joann Fletcher and Damian Barr join Harriett Gilbert to talk about their favourite books.

Writing From Wales, a special programme recorded at Cardiff Library

Open Book with Mariella Frostrup, recorded at Cardiff Central Library

A Good Read 5 July 2016: Alex Jones & Victoria Hislop

Alex Jones and Victoria Hislop talk about their favourite books with Harriett Gilbert.

A Good Read 28 June 2016: Martin Lewis & Tanita Tikaram

Martin Lewis and Tanita Tikaram join Harriett Gilbert to talk about books they love.

Open Book - Ruth Gilligan, Vietnam novels, Kenneth Baker

Mariella Frostrup talks to Ruth Gilligan about Nine Folds Make a Paper Swan

A Good Read 21 June 2016: David Nutt and Philippa Perry

Professor David Nutt and Philippa Perry join Harriett Gilbert to discuss favourite books.

Annie Proulx on her new novel Barkskins; Close Reading of Toni Morrison's Beloved

Mariella Frostrup talks to Annie Proulx about her new novel Barkskins

A Good Read 14 June 2016: Robert "Judge" Rinder & Stella Duffy

Robert "Judge" Rinder and Stella Duffy talk about books they love with Harriett Gilbert.

Open Book - Historical Fiction, Icelandic writer Sjon

Mariella Frostrup discusses historical fiction and talks to Icelandic writer Sjon

A Good Read 7th June 2016: Trevor McDonald & Jon Snow

Trevor McDonald and Jon Snow talk about the books they love with Harriett Gilbert.

Colombian literary superstar Juan Gabriel Vasquez, new stories by Radclyffe Hall, creative non-fiction from African writers

Mariella Frostrup talks to Juan Gabriel Vasquez about his novel Reputations

Open Book with Kit de Waal

Mariella Frostrup talks to Kit de Waal, Researching novels, Counter-factual fiction.

Open Book with Alan Cartwright on Iron Towns

Mariella Frostrup talks to Alan Cartwright about Iron Towns

Open Book with Allan Ahlberg

Mariella Frostrup talks to children's author Allan Ahlberg

David Szalay on All That Man Is

Mariella Frostrup talks to David Szalay and Ted Hodgkinson about being a man

Open Book - Barney Norris on Five Rivers Met on a Wooded Plain

Playwright Barney Norris on his first novel Five Rivers Met On A Wooded Plain.

Open Book - Kate Tempest on The Bricks that Built the Houses

Mariella Frostrup talks to Kate Tempest.

A Good Read 29 March 2016

Peter Lord and Russell Kane talk about their favourite books with Harriett Gilbert.

Open Book - Reader, I Married Him - Stories inspired by Jane Eyre

Mariella Frostrup explores an anthology of short stories inspired by Jane Eyre

A Good Read 22 March 2016

Marian Keyes and Nikki Bedi talk about their favourite books with Harriett Gilbert.

Open Book - Ayelet Gundar-Goshen on Waking Lions

Mariella Frostrup talks to Ayelet Gundar-Goshen about Waking Lions

A Good Read 15 March 2016

Dame Evelyn Glennie & Prof. Sarah Churchwell talk favourite books with Harriett Gilbert

Open Book - Javier Marias on Thus Bad Begins

Mariella Frostrup talks to Javier Marias on Thus Bad Begins

A Good Read 8 March 2016

Writers John O'Farrell and Joe Dunthorne recommend great books to Harriett Gilbert.

A Good Read 1 March 2016

Harriett Gilbert asks Deborah Bull and Sam Leith about the books they've always loved.

Open Book - Graham Swift on Mothering Sunday

Mariella Frostrup talks to Graham Swift about Mothering Sunday

A Good Read 23 February 2016

Natalie Haynes and David Greig join Harriett Gilbert to discuss favourite books.

Open Book - Meg Rosoff on Jonathan Unleashed

Mariella Frostrup talks to Meg Rosoff about Jonathan Unleashed

A Good Read 16 February 2016

Samantha Bond and Jason Cowley join Harriett Gilbert to discuss favourite books.

Open Book - Elizabeth Strout on My Name is Lucy Barton

Mariella Frostrup talks to Elizabeth Strout about My Name is Lucy Barton

A Good Read 9 February 2016

Jake Arnott and Rebecca Root nominate their favourite books with Harriett Gilbert.

A Good Read 2 February 2016

Vanessa Feltz and David Hepworth debate their favourite books with Harriett Gilbert.

Open Book - Patrick Flanery on I Am No One

Mariella Frostrup talks to Patrick Flanery about I Am No One

Open Book - Gail Jones on A Guide to Berlin

Mariella Frostrup talks to Gail Jones about A Guide to Berlin

Open Book - Janice Y K Lee on The Expatriates

Mariella Frostrup talks to Janice Y K Lee about The Expatriates

Open Book - Francesca Kay on The Long Room; Twins in Literature

Alex Clark talks to Francesca Kay about The Long Room

Open Book - Look Back at the Year in Books

Mariella Frostrup and guests discuss the literary trends of the last twelve months

Open Book - Samuel Bjork

Mariella Frostrup talks to Samuel Bjork about I'm Travelling Alone.

Open Book - Tom Drury

Mariella Frostrup talks to American novelist Tom Drury about The Driftless Area

A Good Read: 1 December 2015

Dr Christian Jessen and James Wong nominate their favourite books, with Harriett Gilbert.

A Good Read 24 November 2015

Harriett Gilbert debates favourite books with Shirley Williams and Margaret Drabble.

Open Book - William Boyd on Sweet Caress

Mariella Frostrup talks to William Boyd about his novel Sweet Caress

A Good Read 17 November 2015

Niall Ferguson and Tracy Chevalier talk favourite books with Harriett Gilbert.

Open Book - Edna O'Brien on The Little Red Chairs

Mariella Frostrup talks to Edna O'Brien about The Little Red Chairs

A Good Read 10 November 2015

Short Jonathan Coe and Gemma Cairney join Harriett Gilbert to recommend favourite books.

Open Book - Jeremy Gavron, Kate Grenville and Eugene Vodolazkin

Mariella Frostrup talks to Jeremy Gavron, Kate Grenville and Eugene Vodolazkin

A Good Read 3 November 2015

Krishnan Guru-Murthy and crime writer Ann Cleeves talk about books with Harriett Gilbert.

A Good Read 20 October 2015

Spectator editor Fraser Nelson & critic Adam Mars-Jones talk books with Harriett Gilbert.

A Good Read 27 October 2015

Philip Pullman & Caroline Criado-Perez talk about books they love with Harriett Gilbert.

Open Book - Adam Sisman on his biography of John Le Carre

Mariella Frostrup talks to Adam Sisman about his biography of John Le Carre

Open Book - Jonathan Lee on High Dive

Mariella Frostrup talks to Jonathan Lee about his new novel High Dive

A Good Read 13 October 2015

David Morrissey and Julia Blackburn join Harriett Gilbert to discuss favourite books.

Open Book - Andrew Michael Hurley and British Gothic

Mariella Frostrup talks to Andrew Hurley about The Loney

A Good Read 6 October 2015

Green MP Caroline Lucas and columnist Rod Liddle debate books with Harriett Gilbert.

Open Book - Orhan Pamuk on A Strangeness in my Mind

Open Book - Mariella Frostrup talks to Nobel Laureate Orhan Pamuk

A Good Read 27 July 2015

Miriam Margolyes and Mark Haddon talk about their favourite books with Harriett Gilbert.

Open Book - Bill Clegg on Did You Ever Have a Family?

Mariella Frostrup talks to literary agent turned author Bill Clegg

Open Book - John Banville on The Blue Guitar

Open Book with Mariella Frostrup - John Banville on The Blue Guitar

Bookclub: David Nicholls talks about his novel One Day

David Nicholls talks about his novel One Day

Open Book Special - Pat Barker

Mariella Frostrup talks to Pat Barker about her life, work and her new novel Noonday.

Open Book - a literary expedition to the coast

Open Book

Open Book - Leila Aboulela

Mariella Frostrup talks to Leila Aboulela about her new novel The Kindness of Enemies.

Open Book Special: Why We Read

Mariella Frostrop and guests discuss why we love to read

Open Book - Petina Gappah

Open Book - Mariella Frostrup talks to Petina Gappah about The Book of Memory

Open Book - Virginia Baily and Jacqueline Wilson

Open Book - Virginia Baily on Early One Morning; Jacqueline Wilson on Katy

Open Book - Judy Blume

Judy Blume talks about her new book for adults, In The Unlikely Event.

Open Book - Sean Michaels; Rachel Johnson and Michelle Miller

Novelist Sean Michaels on Us Conductors, the story of the inventor of the theremin.

Open Book - Benjamin Markovits; Milan Kundera; Mario Vargas Llosa; Harper Lee

Mariella Frostrup talks to Benjamin Markovits; reading Milan Kundera and Harper Lee.

Open Book - Sunjeev Sahota

Sunjeev Sahota on his new novel A Year of the Runaways

A Good Read Miranda Sawyer & Tom Robinson 9 June

Miranda Sawyer and Tom Robinson talk about the books they love with Harriett Gilbert.

A Good Read Helen Baxendale & Helen Cross 16 June 2015

Helen Baxendale and Helen Cross join Harriett Gilbert to recommend favourite books.

Laura Barnett on Open Book with Mariella Frostrup

Laura Barnett on her debut novel The Versions of Us

Ryan Gattis on his new novel All Involved

Ryan Gattis talks to Mariella Frostrup about his new novel All Involved, a fictional...

Open Book: Julian Barnes on Keeping An Eye Open

Man Booker prize winner Julian Barnes discusses his new book, Keeping An Eye Open: on...

Open Book: Anne Enright on The Green Road

Anne Enright talks about her novel The Green Road, her new role as the Irish fiction...

Open Book: Caryl Phillips on The Lost Child

Mariella Frostrup talks to award winning novelist Caryl Phillips whose new novel and T...

Open Book: Mexican Literature

Mexican writers Valeria Luiselli and Jorge Volpi talk about their country's literary...

Open Book: Christopher Bollen on Orient

American novelist Christopher Bollen talks about his novel Orient, a literary murder a...

A Good Read Ian Rankin & Joe Boyd

Crime writer Ian Rankin and record producer Joe Boyd talk to Harriett Gilbert about of...

Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor

Mariella is joined by author Yvonne Adhiambo Owuor, who discusses her acclaimed debut...

A Good Read Chris Frayling & Abi Morgan

Harriett Gilbert talks about favourite books, including A Heartbreaking Work of Genius...

Chigozie Obioma

The young Nigerian novelist Chigozie Obioma talks about his debut novel The Fishermen.

A Good Read Claire Skinner & Louise Welsh

Actress Claire Skinner, who plays the mum in BBC One's Outnumbered, and Glaswegian...

Children's Literature

Daniel Hahn talks about updating The Oxford Companion to Children's Literature, while...

A Good Read Rebecca Front & Laura Dockrill

Actress Rebecca Front and poet and writer Laura Dockrill talk about their favourite...

Robert Macfarlane

In Landmarks travel writer Robert Macfarlane celebrates the language of our landscape.

A Good Read Anita Rani & Katharine Whitehorn

Anita Rani and Katharine Whitehorn talk books, including Terry Pratchett's first novel...

A Good Read Josie Long & Romesh Ranganathan

Harriett Gilbert discusses favourite books, including Yann Martel's Booker Prize Life...

Open Book: Rabih Alameddine on An Unnecessary Woman

Rabih Alameddine on his new novel An Unnecessary Woman which was shortlisted for the...

A Good Read John Sergeant & Helen Lewis

Political editor turned Strictly contestant John Sergeant and Helen Lewis, Deputy of...

Anne Tyler on her new novel A Spool of Blue Thread

Anne Tyler's writing career spans fifty years and twenty novels, including Breathing A...

A Good Read Susie Dent & Janice Langley

Countdown dictionary buff Susie Dent and WI Chair Janice Langley talk good reads with...

Open Book: SJ Watson, Elif Shafak, and literary love

S J Watson, author of Before I Go To Sleep which was adapted into a Hollywood movie,...

A Good Read Maureen Lipman & Frankie Boyle

Maureen Lipman and Frankie Boyle talk about their favourite books with Harriett Gilbert.

Open Book: Quite a Good Time to be Born - David Lodge

David Lodge is a novelist, critic and academic and now he's written a memoir.

Open Book: Emma Hooper - Etta + Otto + Russell + James

Canadian writer Emma Hooper on her first book, Etta and Otto and Russell and James - a...

Open Book: Ben Lerner on 10:04

Acclaimed American novelist Ben Lerner on his playful second novel 10:04 which tackles...

Open Book: Sir Richard Eyre - 5 of the Best

Sir Richard Eyre's distinguished career as a director encompasses both theatre and film.

Open Book: Christmas Writings

Christmas, with all its tradition and rituals and emotion, has always provided a rich...

Open Book: BJ Novak - The Book With No Pictures

The actor and comedian BJ Novak has written his first children's book.

A Good Read Sean Lock & Roisin Conaty

Comedians Sean Lock and Roisin Conaty discuss their favourite books with Harriett Gilbert.

Open Book: Mal Peet on The Murdstone Trilogy

Mariella Frostrup talks to Mal Peet about his latest book The Murdstone Trilogy, his...

A Good Read Dawn O'Porter & Graham Fellows

Dawn O'Porter and Graham Fellows, AKA John Shuttleworth, talk with Harriett Gilbert of...

Open Book: Mirza Waheed on The Book of Golden Leaves

Mirza Waheed is a Kashmiri novelist whose new book, The Book of Gold Leaves, is a and...

A Good Read Doon Mackichan & Jack Monroe

Harriett Gilbert is joined by food blogger Jack Monroe and comic actor Doon MacKichan...

Open Book: Marilynne Robinson on Lila

Pulitzer prize winning author Marilynne Robinson on her new book Lila, the third novel...

A Good Read Roy Foster & Andrew Roberts

Harriett Gilbert discusses great books with historians Roy Foster and Andrew Roberts,...

Open Book: Jane Smiley; Africa 39

The Pulitzer prize winning novelist Jane Smiley talks to Mariella Frostrup about her a...

A Good Read: Eliza Manningham-Buller and Elif Shafak

Former M15 head Eliza Manningham-Buller and Turkish author and commentator Elif Shafak...

A Good Read Janet Street Porter & Martina Cole

Janet Street Porter and crime writer Martina Cole discuss their good reads with...

Open Book: Sports Writing

In a special edition of Open Book Mariella Frostrup stands on the touchline to the...

A Good Read: Adam Hills & Steven Pinker

Adam Hills and Steven Pinker talk about their favourite books with Harriett Gilbert.

Open Book: Amanda Coe and Catalan Literature

Amanda Coe talks to Mariella Frostrup about her double writing life as both a novelist...

A Good Read: Sheila Hancock & Cosmo Landesman

Actor Sheila Hancock and columnist Cosmo Landesman talk about the books they love with...

Open Book: Colm Toibin

Mariella Frostrup is joined by award-winning Irish writer, Colm Toibin, to discuss his...

A Good Read: Jeremy Paxman & Mary Beard

Jeremy Paxman and Mary Beard argue heatedly and entertainingly about the books they as...

Open Book: The Brethren and Steven Pinker

Mariella Frostrup discusses Robert Merle's iconic French series The Brethren, now in...

Open Book: Esther Freud on Mr Mac and Me

Novelist Esther Freud talks about her latest, Mr Mac and Me, inspired by the time in...

Open Book: Ali Smith on How to Be Both

Ali Smith has been shortlisted for the Man Booker prize for the third time this year...

Open Book: Ian McEwan and Amy Bloom

As we head for a September publishing bonanza, Mariella Frostrup is joined by writers...

Open Book: London Literary Scene

Writers Damian Barr, Evie Wyld and Joe Dunthorne discuss the rise of live literary events.

Open Book: Ross Raisin on the Yorkshire Moors

A literary ramble through the Yorkshire moors and the work they have inspired, from to...

Open Book: John Banville on the Dublin of the 1950s

John Banville takes Mariella on a tour of the foggy streets, smoke-filled bars and tea...

A Good Read: Ade Adepitan & Dominic Holland

Ade Adepitan and Dominic Holland talk Adrian Mole, Roddy Doyle's the Snapper and true...

Open Book: Jessie Burton on The Miniaturist

Jessie Burton takes Mariella Frostrup back to Golden Age Amsterdam with her acclaimed...

Open Book: Tom Campbell and Nikesh Shukla

Tom Campbell and Nikesh Shukla on writing about this generation's alienated young men.

A Good Read: Monica Ali and Shami Chakrabarti

Shami Chakrabarti, director of human rights organisation Liberty, and Monica Ali, of...

15 07 14: A Good Read: Julian Rhind-Tutt & Steve Oram

Actors Julian Rhind-Tutt (Green Wing, The Hour) and Steve Oram (Sightseers) talk books...

Open Book: Richard Flanagan on his new novel

Richard Flanagan on why he had to write about the Thai-Burmese Death Railway.

A Good Read:Al Murray & Tarek Osman

Comedian Al Murray, aka The Pub Landlord, and Egyptian political economist Tarek Osman...

Open Book: Children's Literature and Oxford

A special edition from Oxford, explores why the city is often called the home of with...

A Good Read: Edwina Currie and Nicholas Le Prevost

Author and former MP Edwina Currie and actor Nicholas Le Prevost talk about books they...

A Good Read: India Knight and Alvin Hall

Journalist and author India Knight and financial adviser Alvin Hall talk about books...

Open Book: Sandra Newman on her new novel

Sandra Newman discusses her new novel In the Country of Ice Cream Star with Mariella...

A Good Read: Fay Weldon & Hans Ulrich Obrist

Harriett Gilbert is joined by author Fay Weldon and Serpentine Galleries curator Hans...

Open Book: Javier Cercas on Outlaws

Mariella Frostrup talks to award winning Spanish writer Javier Cercas about his new in...

A Good Read: Roger Michell and Aminatta Forna

Notting Hill film director Roger Michell and writer Aminatta Forna talk about books -...

Open Book: Gabriel Garcia Marquez

Authors Salman Rushdie and Elif Shafak pay tribute to writer Gabriel Garcia Marquez

A Good Read: Aasmah Mir & Pete Brown

Broadcaster Aasmah Mir & beer writer Pete Brown talk about some great food books with...

Open Book: Nick Harkaway and Ned Beauman

Ned Beauman and Nick Harkaway talk to Mariella Frostrup about the appeal of writing a...

Open Book: Joseph O'Connor on The Thrill of it All

Joseph O'Connor tells Mariella Frostrup about his new novel about a fictional band: of...

Open Book: Tony Parsons on why he's turned to crime

Tony Parsons on his first crime novel, The Murder Bag, and why he and Henry Sutton...

Open Book: Sadie Jones; Peter Buwalda; Will Self

Sadie Jones on her new novel Fallout, the story of four young friends in 1970s London...

Open Book: Kamila Shamsie; young feminist writing

Kamila Shamsie discusses her latest novel A God in Every Stone; Laura Bates and Emer...

Open Book: Niall Williams and Armistead Maupin

Niall Williams talks about his latest novel History of the Rain, Armistead Maupin on...

Open Book: Damon Galgut on Arctic Summer

Medium Acclaimed South African writer Damon Galgut on his novel Arctic Summer, plus on...

A Good Read: Kathy Lette and Annie Mac

DJ Annie Mac and author Kathy Lette discuss their favourite books with Harriett Gilbert.

Anita Shreve, Rebecca Mead, Middlemarch

Anita Shreve discusses her latest novel The Lives of Stella Bain and we take a look at...

A Good Read: Julie Burchill and Fred MacAulay

Writer Julie Burchill and broadcaster Fred MacAulay argue about their favourite books...

Open Book: Mary Lawson on her new novel Road Ends

Mary Lawson on her latest novel Road Ends, Amir Cheheltan and Ali May discuss modern -...

A Good Read: Lorraine Kelly and Romesh Gunesekera

TV presenter Lorraine Kelly and writer Romesh Gunesekera tell Harriett Gilbert about...

Open Book: Tobias Hill on his new book What Was Promised

Tobias Hill on his latest novel What was Promised and Tibor Fischer on Stefan Zweig.

A Good Read: Dame Penelope Lively and Will Smith

Novelist Dame Penelope Lively and comedy writer and performer Will Smith talk to about...

A Good Read: Andrew Maxwell and Kamila Shamsie

Stand-up comedian Andrew Maxwell and writer Kamila Shamsie share their favourite books...

Open Book: Sally Beauman on her new novel The Visitors

Ellah Allfrey talks to Sally Beauman about her latest novel The Visitors and Darragh...

A Good Read: Richard Herring and Tracy Ann Oberman

Comedian Richard Herring and actor Tracy-Ann Oberman discuss their favourite books...

Open Book: Ben Watt and Mike Nicol

Literary reviews - do women get a fair deal? Musician Ben Watt on his memoir about his...

A Good Read: Daniel Finkelstein & Jill Paton Walsh

Journalist Daniel Finkelstein, and writer Jill Paton Walsh, reveal their favourite to...

Open Book: Adam Foulds on his latest novel In the Wolf's Mouth

Adam Foulds on his latest novel In the Wolf's Mouth; David Park and Naomi Wood discuss...

A Good Read: Mervyn King and Arabella Weir

Mervyn King, former Governor of the Bank of England, and Arabella Weir, comic actor to...

Open Book: Deborah Levy and Bulgarian fiction

Deborah Levy revisits her early work; Kapka Kassabova and Miroslav Penkov discuss and...

Open Book: Horatio Clare and Christopher Nicholson

Novelists Horatio Clare and Christopher Nicholson discuss the influence of the season...

Open Book: Carlos Acosta and Victoria Hislop

Carlos Acosta shares his Five of the Best Books and Victoria Hislop on where she writes.

Children's Laureate Special

Malorie Blackman, Dame Jacqueline Wilson and Michael Rosen discuss the role of the how...

Year of the Women Writers

In a special programme Ellah Allfrey, Sally Gardner, Sarah Hall, Lennie Goodings and...

Open Book: Jill Paton Walsh; John Freeman; Kate Mosse

Jill Paton Walsh and Sarah Crown on the enduring appeal Lord Peter Wimsey; John on a...

Open Book: Norse Myths; Penelope Lively; Suzanne Berne

David Vann and Stuart Kelly on Norse myths, Penelope Lively on where she writes and of...

A Good Read: Fern Britton and Katherine Grainger

TV presenter Fern Britton and Olympic gold medalist rower Katherine Grainger talk to...

A Good Read: Mark Ravenhill and Nihal Arthanayake

Harriett Gilbert talks to playwright Mark Ravenhill and DJ Nihal Arthanayake about the...

Open Book: Bernard MacLaverty on a literary life

Bernard MacLaverty on a literary life.

Open Book: Scott Turow on new novel Identical

Scott Turow talks to Mariella Frostrup about his new thriller Identical; Paul Bailey...

A Good Read: Michael Dobbs and Katie Puckrik

Michael Dobbs, author of House of Cards, and broadcaster Katie Puckrik talk to Gilbert...

A Good Read: Kate Silverton and Johnnie Walker

R2 presenter Johnnie Walker and BBC newsreader Kate Silverton talk about their books...

Margaret Drabble and Sebastian Faulks

Margaret Drabble on her novel The Pure Gold Baby; Sebastian Faulks and Helen Dunmore...

A Good Read: John Inverdale and Rachel Cook

From Everest's peak to a 1930s London bedsit, and a painfully funny portrait of a in...

A Good Read: Eve Pollard and Julie Bindel

Harriett Gilbert talks to guests about their favourite books. Eve Pollard chooses by...

Open Book: Justin Cartwright on his novel Lion Heart

Justin Cartwright on his novel Lion Heart; Joe Sacco on his graphic novel of The Great...

A Good Read: Brendan O'Neill and Gabriel Gbadamosi

Harriett Gilbert talks to Brendan O'Neill and Gabriel Gbadamosi about their favourite...

Open Book: Conn Iggulden, Autumn in Literature

Conn Iggulden on Stormbird, the first in his new series set during the Wars of the and...

A Good Read: Arlene Phillips and Jocelyn Jee Esien

Arlene Phillips, choreographer and Strictly Come Dancing judge, and Jocelyn Jee Esien,...

Open Book: Philip Pullman and Jung Chang

Philip Pullman discusses the great Soviet children's classics of the 1920s and 30s, on...

A Good Read: Alex Polizzi and Peter Robinson

In the first of a new series, Alex Polizzi, presenter of TV's The Hotel Inspector and...

Open Book: Sathnam Sanghera - Marriage Material

Sathnam Sanghera on his novel Marriage Material and not just the land of football, and...

Open Book: Victoria Hislop on editing The Story

Victoria Hislop has edited a new anthology of women's short stories called The Story.

Open Book: Jo Nesbo on his thriller Police

Jo Nesbo on his new Harry Hole thriller Police, we go in search of buried gems as and...

Open Book: Jhumpa Lahiri on The Lowland

Jhumpa Lahiri, Pulitzer prize winning novelist on her latest book The Lowland, and the...

Open Book: Glenn Patterson on Belfast

Glenn Patterson takes Mariella Frostrup around Belfast - the city that has inspired...

Cornwall with Patrick Gale

Patrick Gales takes Mariella Frostrup around the Cornish landscape that has inspired...

Open Book: The Lake District with Sarah Hall

Open Book’s summer series on Literary Landscapes begins at the Haweswater Dam.

A Good Read: Lynne Truss and Diran Adebayo

Writers Lynne Truss and Diran Adebayo discuss their book choices with Harriett Gilbert.

Open Book: Grace McCleen on The Professor of Poetry

Mariella Frostrup talks to Grace McCleen about her new novel The Professor of Poetry...

A Good Read: Meera Syal and Stephen Grosz

Writer, comedian and actor Meera Syal and psychoanalyst and author Stephen Grosz books...

A Good Read: Ricky Ross and Tom Heap

Deacon Blue frontman Ricky Ross and Countryfile reporter Tom Heap discuss their book...

Open Book: Rilla Askew on Kind of Kin

Rilla Askew on her latest novel Kind of Kin; Horatio Clare and Justin Cartwright on by...

Open Book: Denise Mina on The Red Road

Denise Mina talks to Mariella Frostrup about her latest crime novel The Red Road; jobs...

A Good Read: Dame Jacqueline Wilson and Richard Osman

Children's author Dame Jacqueline Wilson and TV presenter and producer Richard Osman...

A Good Read: Owen Jones and Sarah Hall

Journalist and writer Owen Jones and novelist Sarah Hall discuss their favourite books...

Open Book: Evie Wyld on All the Birds, Singing

Evie Wyld, one of Granta's 2013 best young British novelists, discusses her latest All...

A Good Read: Colin Murray and Bob Mills

Sports presenter Colin Murray and comedian Bob Mills argue about their favourite books...

Open Book: Neil Gaiman

Neil Gaiman talks to Mariella Frostrup about his hugely popular novels for children to...

A Good Read: Kerry Shale and Antonia Quirke

Film critic Antonia Quirke and actor Kerry Shale talk to Harriett Gilbert about their...

Open Book: Louise Doughty on Apple Tree Yard

Louise Doughty talks to Mariella Frostrup about her thriller Apple Tree Yard, we the...

A Good Read: Vanessa Feltz and Elvis McGonagall

Presenter Vanessa Feltz and performance poet Elvis McGonagall argue passionately with...

Open Book: Mark Billingham on The Dying Hours

Mark Billingham talks to Mariella Frostrup about his latest book The Dying Hours; we...

A Good Read: Terry Deary and Shappi Khorsandi 4th June

Terry Deary, author of Horrible Histories, and Iranian-born British comedian Shappi to...

Open Book: Colum McCann; Mental health and fiction

Column McCann on his novel TransAtlantic, which explores the relationship between and...

Open Book: Louise Erdrich; F Scott Fitzgerald

Mariella Frostrup talk to Native American writer Louise Erdrich about her National The...

Open Book: Tessa Hadley, Cory Doctorow and Ian Rankin

Mariella Frostrup talks to Tessa Hadley about her latest novel Clever Girl, Cory and...

Open Book: Sir Walter Scott special from The Royal Opera House

Mariella Frostrup presents a special programme from The Royal Opera House on the and...

Open Book: Harlan Coben, Rodge Glass & London Book Fair

Harlan Coben talks to Mariella Frostup about his new thriller novel Six Years.

Open Book: Gillian Cross, Taiye Selasi and novels behind operas

Mariella Frostrup talks to Taiye Selasi about her debut novel Ghana Must Go with.

Open Book: Patrick Ness, Literature and Spring

Patrick Ness talks to Mariella Frostrup about his novel The Crane Wife.

A Good Read: Gervase Phinn and Moni Mohsin

Writers Gervase Phinn and Moni Mohsin talk to Harriett Gilbert about books they love.

Open Book: Aminatta Forna, the Russian literary scene and 150 years of The Water-Babies

Aminatta Forna discusses her latest novel The Hired Man. Mariella delves into the of...

A Good Read: Konnie Huq and Pat Kane

TV presenter, Konnie Huq's choice is Hangover Square by Patrick Hamilton, a dark novel...

Open Book: Kate Atkinson, classic and modern Western novels

Kate Atkinson talks to Mariella Frostrup about her new book Life After Life.

A Good Read: Robert Peston and Bernardine Evaristo

Robert Peston chooses, 'The Cruel Mother', written by his late wife, Sian Busby.

Open Book: A L Kennedy, JM Coetzee Readers' Guide

Novelist A L Kennedy talks to Mariella Frostrup about her book On Writing which is on...

A Good Read: Daljit Nagra and Susan Jeffreys

Harriett Gilbert is joined by poet Daljit Nagra and journalist and radio critic Susan...

A Good Read: Alistair Appleton and Simon Baron-Cohen

TV presenter Alistair Appleton and psychologist Professor Simon Baron-discuss their An...

Open Book: Maggie O'Farrell, obesity in fiction & WH Smith

Mariella Frostrup talks to Maggie O'Farrell about her new novel Instructions For A set...

A Good Read: Francis Spufford and Sarah Moss

Harriett's guests this week are Sarah Moss and Francis Spufford. Sarah suggests The by...

Open Book: David Baddiel & Naomi Alderman and Jim Crace

Mariella Frostrup discusses what defines a Jewish novel with stand up comedian, tv & &...

A Good Read: Meg Rosoff and Sara Pascoe.

Harriett Gilbert is joined by writer Meg Rosoff and comedian Sara Pascoe to talk about...

Open Book: The Bell Jar, Christopher Brookmyre & original fiction

Mariella Frostrup talks to Ali Smith about Sylvia Plath's ground breaking novel The it...

A Good Read: Miles Jupp & Barb Jungr

Comedian Miles Jupp and singer Barb Jungr talk to Harriett Gilbert about the books...

Open Book: Australian classics, literary neuroscience, Robert Hudson

Mariella Frostrup talks to novelist Thomas Keneally, publisher and writer Carmen and...

Open Book: Chinese Literature, Eleanor Updale and debut novels

Mariella Frostrup discusses Chinese literature and how we can view this emerging its...

Open Book: Pride and Prejudice - 200th Anniversary Special

To mark the 200th anniversary of the publication of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice,...

Open Book: Literary trends of 2012

Authors James Runcie and Naomi Alderman and the editor of The Bookseller Philip Jones...

Open Book: Colin Firth shares his 5 of the best books

Colin Firth shares his 5 of the best books with Mariella Frostrup. The Sound and the I...

Open Book: Barbara Kingsolver, David Foster Wallace, Raffles

Barbara Kingsolver talks about her latest novel Flight Behaviour, David Baddiel and D.T.

Open Book: India Knight, M C Beaton & library reads

Mariella Frostrup talks to India Knight about her hilarious new novel Mutton featuring...

A Good Read: Frances O'Grady and Ruth Richardson

Frances O'Grady, General Secretary Designate of the TUC, brings 'the intellectual of a...

Open Book: Children's literature special

Open Book is devoted to the joys of children's literature. Four Weddings and a Funeral...

A Good Read: Michelle Paver and Ben Goldacre

Strongly divergent opinions are aired on this week's edition of A Good Read as author...

Open Book: Rachel Johnson, prequels & sequels, Dashiell Hammett

Mariella Frostrup talks to Rachel Johnson about Winter Games, her book set across two...

A Good Read: Peter White and Heydon Prowse

Being blind hasn't ever stopped the broadcaster Peter White from loving football, and...

Open Book: Jeremy Bowen & Arab writers, Michael Jacobs

Mariella Frostrup talks to Jeremy Bowen about his book on the Arab Spring and we how...

A Good Read: Neil Pearson and Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones

Actor Neil Pearson and Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones, the self-described "Black Farmer", talk...

A Good Read: Peter Hitchens and John Finnemore

Cabin Pressure star and writer John Finnemore, and Peter Hitchens, columnist and talk...

Open Book: Dawn French, bibliomania and Britain re-imagined

Dawn French talks about her latest novel Oh Dear Silvia. Authors CJ Sansom and Owen at...

A Good Read: Justin Webb and Frances Fyfield

Justin Webb and Frances Fyfield tell Harriett Gilbert about the books they love, to by...

Open Book: A.M. Homes, and life behind the embassy door

A.M. Homes discusses her poignant and funny new book May We Be Forgiven.

A Good Read: Sir Michael Darrington and Terri Duhon

What do teen blockbuster 'The Hunger Games' and Marguerite Duras' erotic semi-memoir a...

Open Book: Michael Chabon, Biographies & Dickens' anniversary

Pulitzer prizewinning author Michael Chabon talks to Mariella about his latest novel...

A Good Read: Ed Douglas and Andy Cave

Patricia Highsmith's classic thriller' The Talented Mr Ripley' would make a great to -...

A Good Read: Val McDermid and Alex Horne

Harriett Gilbert is joined by the Scottish crime writer Val McDermid and comedian and...

Open Book: Edna O'Brien and the pain and pleasure of writing a novel

Edna O'Brien discusses her memoir Country Girl and Sid Smith and Naomi Alderman the in...

Open Book: A.N. Wilson, European literature and Writing Britain

A.N. Wilson talks about his novel based on the life of Josiah Wedgwood - The Potter's...

Open Book: Will Self, A Clockwork Orange, Lawrence Norfolk

Will Self discusses his Booker shortlisted novel Umbrella. Fifty years after the of A...

Open Book: Zadie Smith

In a special programme Zadie Smith talks to Mariella Frostrup about her much new novel...

Open Book: Tartan Noir Special

Dreda Say Mitchell presents a special Open Book programme on Tartan Noir, exploring of...

Open Book: Pat Barker, questions never to ask an author

Writer and broadcaster Aminatta Forna is in the presenter's chair this week talking to...

Open Book: Russell Kane on James Bond and audio books

Comedian and author Russell Kane is in the presenter's chair this week talking to Enid...

Christopher Buckley and Anthony Cheetham

Christopher Buckley discusses his latest novel "They Eat Puppies, Don't They?" and Ann...

A Good Read: Kevin Maguire, Lucy Mangan

Harriett Gilbert is joined by the journalist Kevin Maguire and the columnist Lucy to a...

Open Book: Paul Theroux special

The American travel writer and author Paul Theroux discusses his latest novel The - a...

A Good Read: Tim Coates, John Plowman

Comedy producer Jon Plowman, publisher Tim Coates and presenter Harriett Gilbert their...

Open Book: Ben Fountain, Siri Hustvedt, internet book sales

Mariella Frostrup talks to Ben Fountain about his satirical Iraq War novel Billy Long...

A Good Read 10 July 12: Alison Graham, Sophi Tranchell

A Henning Mankell thriller, a tragedy from Jonathan Coe and a Graham Greene satire are...

Open Book: Michael Palin, funerals in literature, Alice Day

Michael Palin talks about his second novel in seventeen years, called The Truth.

A Good Read: Rob Hopkins, Helen Castor

Favourite paperbacks discussed by historian Helen Castor and sustainability activist a...

A Good Read: Constance Briscoe, Angela Saini

Harriett Gilbert and her guests discuss their three book recommendations: Constance of...

Open Book: Chick lit, The Woman Reader and Writing Britain

Jane Green and Adele Parks discuss why Chick Lit arouses such passion and how the is...

A Good Read: Ian Marchant, Larry Lamb

Harriett Gilbert's guests are the actor Larry Lamb, best known for his recent roles in...

Open Book: Literary London Special

Recorded in A Room for London, the creative / living space in the shape of a boat on -...

A Good Read: Michele Hanson, Roger Highfield

Columnist and author Michele Hanson and Director of External Affairs at the Science...

Open Book: Lionel Shriver, Mrs Bridge and Reading like a Writer

Lionel Shriver discusses her controversial novel The New Republic which looks at the...

A Good Read: Maggie Aderin-Pocock, William Orbit

Space scientist Maggie Aderin-Pocock and music producer William Orbit discuss their...

A Good Read: Steve Backshall, Geraldine Bedell

Deadly 60 presenter Steve Backshall and Editor of Gransnet Geraldine Bedell discuss...

Open Book: David Hewson, Commonwealth Writers, Helen Simpson

David Hewson explains how he's transported the cult Danish TV series The Killing into...

Orlando Figes - Just Send Me Word

Historian Orlando Figes discusses his book Just Send Me Word, the story of a young to...

Open Book

Mariella Frostrup talks to awarding winning poet and novelist Jackie Kay about her new...

Ross Raisin

Ross Raisin discusses his debut novel God's Own Country with James Naughtie.

Open Book: Russell Kane, Writing Britain, Updating Classics

Mariella Frostrup talks to comedian Russell Kane who looks at the nature of humour in...

Open Book: Timothy Mo, Stasi files and the London Book Fair

Mariella talks to award-winning writer Timothy Mo about his new book Pure.

Open Book: Elif Shafak, children's books

Mariella talks to novelist Elif Shafak about her latest book highlighting the issue of...

Open Book: Sir Ronald Harwood on the books that influenced him

Mariella Frostrup meets Ronald Harwood to talk about his five of the best books, while...

A Good Read: Isy Suttie, Beverley Humphreys

Comedian Isy Suttie and opera singer and broadcaster Beverley Humphreys share their of...

Open Book

Mariella Frostrup talks to Marilynne Robinson about her new collection of essays, I A...

A Good Read: Frances Barber, Grace Dent

Writer Grace Dent and actress Frances Barber talk to presenter Harriett Gilbert about...

Mariella Frostrup looks at the career and life of Dodie Smith

Mariella Frostrup looks at the career and life of Dodie Smith, the author best known I...

A Good Read: Neil McCormick, Chris Lintott

Astronomer and Sky at Night presenter Chris Lintott and the Telegraph's Chief music by...

Open Book

Mariella Frostrup talks to Marina Lewycka about her latest book, Various Pets Alive...

A Good Read: Deborah Meaden, Eliza Carthy

Harriett Gilbert invites Deborah Meaden from Dragons' Den, and folk-singer and Eliza...

A Good Read: Brian Sewell, Wendy Cope

Art critic Brian Sewell and the poet Wendy Cope discuss favourite books with Harriett...

Mariella Frostrup talks to John Lanchester

Mariella Frostrup presents news and features from the world of books. John Lanchester...

A Good Read: Martin Stephen, Augustus Casely-Hayford

Harriett Gilbert and her guests, the historian Gus Casely-Hayford and educationalist a...

Open Book: Short Stories

Aminatta Forna explores the delights and challenges of the short story.

A Good Read: Eleanor Updale, Andrea Oliver

Harriett Gilbert talks to children's writer Eleanor Updale and TV and radio presenter...

Open Book: William Boyd

William Boyd discusses his latest novel Waiting for Sunrise. With World War One it a...

A Good Read: Bonnie Greer, Simon Brett

Harriett Gilbert is joined by guests Bonnie Greer and Simon Brett to discuss three in...

Horror fiction with Helen Dunmore; plus students in literature

Mariella Frostrup speaks to Catherine Fletcher who discusses her non fiction book Our...

Woman in Black, debut novels, Kate Williams

Mariella talks to Susan Hill about her bestselling Woman in Black; she hears how to a...

Gillian Slovo, Ben Kane, Amazon Publishing

Mariella talks to Gillian Slovo about her new novel set between the deserts of North...

Sue Townsend, online publishing, Samantha Harvey

Mariella and John Mullan discuss listeners’ recommendations for funniest book, Sue...

The Tale of A Tale of Two Cities

With a scholar and an actor, Frances Fyfield visits London's Victoria and Albert to of...

Funniest Book

Mariella Frostrup and her line up of comedians and authors debate their funniest book.

Open Book: Mini History of Comic Writing - P G Wodehouse, Evelyn Waugh

Mariella continues her celebration of funny books and funny writers with award winning...

Open Book: Jo Brand on Open Book's funniest book, Roy Hattersley on Charles Dickens

Mariella continues Open Book's celebration of funny books with writer and comedian Jo...

A Good Read: Lucy Worsley, Barbara Stocking

Chief Executive of Oxfam Barbara Stocking, and historian Lucy Worsley discuss their by...

Tony Parsons 18th Century Satire and Readable Books

Tony Parsons opts for The Virgin Soldiers in the search for Open Book's Funniest Book...

A Good Read: Rachel Johnson, Martin Kelner

Editor of The Lady, Rachel Johnson, and journalist and broadcaster Martin Kelner pick...

Open Book: Comic writing continued, Sarah Hall

Mariella Frostrup continues her celebration of funny books and funny writers with A L...

A Good Read: Nerina Pallot and Peter Molyneux

Award-winning singer-songwriter Nerina Pallot and the computer games industry pioneer...

Penelope Lively, Terry Jones, John Sessions

Mariella Frostrup talks to Penelope Lively about her new novel How it All Began.

A Good Read: David Morrissey, Trevor Phillips

Harriett Gilbert is joined by actor David Morrissey and Chair of the Equality and to M...

A Good Read: Stephanie Flanders, Roisin McAuley

Harriett Gilbert is joined by the BBC's Economics Editor Stephanie Flanders and and to...

Victoria Hislop, Asian writers, Roslund and Hellstrom

Mariella Frostrup talks to Victoria Hislop about her latest novel, The Thread, a saga...

A Good Read: 25 Oct 11: Christopher Frayling, Nikki Bedi

Christopher Frayling and Nikki Bedi talk to Harriett Gilbert about the books they love.

Mariella Frostrup with Margaret Atwood, Helen Simpson and Hari Kunzru

Mariella Frostrup talks to the Canadian Booker prize winning author Margaret Atwood...

A Good Read: 18 Oct 11: Rick Stein, Michael Dobbs

Rick Stein and Michael Dobbs recommend favourite books to presenter Harriett Gilbert.

Mariella Frostrup with Ian Rankin and Don McCullin

Ian Rankin talks to Mariella Frostrup about his latest crime thriller The Impossible...

A Good Read: 11 Oct 11: Mary Beard, Bidisha -Chelt

Classicist Mary Beard and writer Bidisha talk to Harriett Gilbert about their books,...

Rober Harris talks to Mariella Frostrup

Robert Harris talks about his latest book The Fear Index with Mariella Frostrup and he...

A Good Read: 04 Oct 11: Michael Morpurgo, Sara Maitland

Former Children's Laureate Michael Morpurgo joins short story writer Sara Maitland and...

Open Book: Catch 22 50th anniversary and writers-in-residence

Open Book marks the 50th anniversary of Joseph Heller's bestseller, Catch 22, as Andy...

Open Book: Charles Frazier, travel writing and magic realism

Charles Frazier, bestselling author of Cold Mountain, discusses his long awaited third...

Open Book: Meg Rosoff and Christopher Hope

Meg Rosoff discusses her latest book There is no Dog. South African novelist Hope and...

Open Book: Barry Unsworth and Anita Desai talk to DJ Taylor

DJ Taylor talks to Barry Unsworth, who shared the 1992 Booker Prize for his historical...

D J Taylor presents Open Book

D J Taylor talks to Joe Dunthorne about his newly-published second novel Wild Abandon.

Dreda Say Mitchell talks to Ruth Rendall, Martyn Waites and Michael Carlson

Crime writer Dreda Say Mitchell talks to Ruth Rendell about "Vault", her 23rd Wexford...

Open Book: Final part of the history of women's writing

In the final part of her history of women's writing Mariella Frostup considers in the...

A Good Read: 26 Jul 11: Xanthe Clay, Alexander Waugh

Harriett Gilbert talks to Alexander Waugh and Xanthe Clay about their favourite books.

Open Book: A Book Of One's Own Part 3 & Crime fiction: too gory?

In the third instalment of her history of women's twentieth-century writing, A Book of...

A Good Read: 19 Jul 11: Raymond Tallis, Allegra Stratton

Harriett Gilbert talks to Raymond Tallis and Allegra Stratton about their favourite books.

Open Book: Al Murray on Thackeray, A Book Of One's Own - 2

Mariella presents the second part of her series examining the history of women's in...

A Good Read: 12 Jul 11: Juliet Barker, John O'Farrell

Satirical writer John O'Farrell and historian Juliet Barker talk to Harriett Gilbert -...

Open Book: A history of women's writing, Ross Raisin

Mariella presents the first in a four part series examining the history of women's in...

A Good Read: 05 Jul 11: Fay Weldon, Louise Welsh

Fay Weldon and Louise Welsh talk to Harriett Gilbert about the books they love.

A Good Read 28 Jun 11: Simon Evans, Hardeep Singh Kohli

Broadcaster Hardeep Singh Kohli and comedian Simon Evans talk to Harriett Gilbert...

A Good Read: 21 Jun 11: Fleur Adcock, Laura Solon

Harriett Gilbert discusses favourite paperbacks with writer Fleur Adcock and comedian...

Open Book: John Banville, novels about artworks and e-books & the short story

John Banville, writing as Benjamin Black, discusses the fourth novel in his Dublin A...

Open Book: Margaret Drabble, Helen Oyeyemi and Beach Reads

Margaret Drabble discusses the new collection of her 13 short stories, published 1966...

A Good Read: Bill Paterson, Dea Birkett

Harriett Gilbert's guests, actor Bill Paterson and travel writer Dea Birkett, discuss...

Open Book: Amitav Ghosh and Alexander Baron

Mariella talks to award-winning author Amitav Ghosh about River of Smoke - the second...

A Good Read: Chris Smith, Mavis Cheek

Lord Chris Smith, chairman of the Environment Agency, and novelist Mavis Cheek are in...

A Good Read: James Walton, Lindsey Davis

Joining Harriett Gilbert to discuss some favourite books are historical novelist Davis...

Open Book: Hilary Mantel and guests-historical fiction

Mariella celebrates a renaissance in historical fiction writing with authors Philippa...

Open Book: Frederick Forsyth, Robert Louis Stevenson and the literary salons of Afghanista

Mariella talks to Frederick Forsyth, forty years after he wrote his ground-breaking of...

Eoin Colfer, John Boyne & Jim Crace

Mariella talks to novelists Eoin Colfer and John Boyne about their new books as they...

Anne Enright and literary friendships

Mariella talks to Booker winning author Anne Enright about her new novel, The Waltz...

Edward St Aubyn

This week Mariella Frostrup is in extended conversation with the novelist Edward St Aubyn.

Max Hastings on journalism novels & Steve Hely

Two eras of journalism collide in Annalena McAfee's debut novel, 'The Spoiler'.

Jennifer Egan, conflict literature & Reading Clinic

Mariella Frostrup talks to Orange prize nominated novelist Jennifer Egan about her A...

Monica Ali, libraries & Woolf

Mariella Frostrup talks to author of Brick Lane, Monica Ali, about her new novel by of...

Will Self, dead lovers and comic novels

Mariella talks to writer Will Self about cuts to UK libraries. Novelists Joseph and of...

Justin Cartwright, Juliet Stevenson

Mariella Frostrup talks to Justin Cartwright about his new book Other People's Money.

Alan Bennett reads Untold Stories

A bonus download: Alan Bennett reads an extract from his diaries in Untold Stories.

Kim Edwards & Sybille Bedford

Mariella Frostrup talks to the American author Kim Edwards about her new book The Lake...

Sarah Winman & New Authors

Mariella Frostrup talks to first time novelist Sarah Winman and investigates the rise...

Hanif Kureishi; Heroines; and technology

Mariella Frostrup talks to novelist Hanif Kureishi about his newly published collected...

Sebastian Faulks; Michael Arditti; and Frontier Fiction

Mariella Frostrup talks to novelist Michael Arditti about his new book and to writer a...

Paul Torday, Jay Parini, Sue Arnold

Mariella talks to author of Salmon Fishing in the Yemen, Paul Torday, about his new book.

Alistair Campbell, AS Byatt and Carol Birch

Alastair Campbell tells Mariella Frostrup his top five reads. And Booker prize winner...

Michael Cunningham and Joanna Trollope

Mariella Frostrup talks to American author Michael Cunningham, author of the The into...

Barry Humphries

Barry Humphries talks to Mariella Frostrup about five of his favourite books.

Rose Tremain, Sunjeev Sahota and highlights of the year

Mariella picks her personal highlights from this year's programmes; novelist Rose the...

12.12.10

Mariella Frostrup speaks to Nobel laureate Nadine Gordimer about her collected short...

King Arthur, Philip Kerr & Paul Bailey

Mariella Frostrup speaks to writers Peter Ackroyd and Kevin Crossley-Holland about the...

21.11.10

Mariella Frostrup presents a special edition examining the rise of Young Adult with of...

14.11.2010

Mariella Frostrup talks to Barry Humphries about his five favourite books, novelist on...

Amanda Foreman, Dr Zhivago & Gunter Grass's memoirs

Historian Amanda Foreman talks about her new book, A World on Fire which examines role...

Paul Auster, Richard Maybey and reading out loud

Mariella Frostrup talks to American writer, Paul Auster, about his new book, Sunset Park.

17.10.10

Mariella Frostrup talks to the bestselling novelist Ken Follett about his new book, of...

The Cheltenham Literary Festival

Mariella Frostrup talks to Salman Rushdie, James Ellroy and in his 50th year of Alan...

26.09.10

Mariella Frostrup talks to acclaimed writer Susan Hill, best known for her novels In...

19/09/2010

Mariella Frostrup talks to the award-winning crime novelist Val McDermid about her new...

12 Sep 2010

Mariella Frostrup talks to Mann Booker Prize winner, DBC Pierre about his latest book,...