A Good Read Podcast
Find reading inspiration with favourite books chosen by our guests.
Episodes to download
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Gwyneth Lewis and Annabel Abbs
Mon 8 Dec 2025
Poet Gwyneth Lewis and author Annabel Abbs join Harriett to talk favourite books.
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Michelle Ogundehin and Lisa St Aubin de Terán
Mon 1 Dec 2025
More reading recommendations from two guests.
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Roma Agrawal and Kate Lister
Mon 24 Nov 2025
A structural engineer and a historian of sex share favourite books with Harriett Gilbert.
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Richard Benson and Amy Sackville
Mon 17 Nov 2025
Two writers talk to Harriett Gilbert about their favourite books
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Julia Shaw and Hayaatun Sillem
Mon 10 Nov 2025
Psychologist Julia Shaw and engineer Hayaatun Sillem discuss favourite books with Harriett
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Nicola Sturgeon and Alistair McGowan
Mon 3 Nov 2025
Scotland's former first minister and the actor and impressionist Alistair McGowan.
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Tom Cox and Sophie Scott
Mon 27 Oct 2025
Neuroscientist Sophie Scott and writer Tom Cox discuss favourite books with Harriett.
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Sarah Waters and Walter Murch
Mon 13 Oct 2025
Novelist Sarah Waters and film editor Walter Murch share favourite books.
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Rob Rinder and Juno Dawson
Mon 4 Aug 2025
The barrister and the writer discuss books they feel passionate about.
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Zadie Smith and Colm TóibÃn
Mon 28 Jul 2025
Two authors join Harriett Gilbert to share favourite books.
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Joanna Hardy-Susskind and Horatio Clare
Mon 21 Jul 2025
Writer Horatio Clare joins barrister Joanna Hardy-Susskind to discuss favourite books.
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Desiree Akhavan and Rosie Wilby
Mon 14 Jul 2025
The film-maker and the comedian propose favourite books.
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James Rebanks and Kiri Pritchard-McLean at the Hay Festival
Mon 7 Jul 2025
We're at the Hay Festival talking books we love.
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Xantoné Blacq and Harry Trevaldwyn
Mon 23 Jun 2025
Composer Xantoné Blacq and actor Harry Trevaldwyn discuss books with Harriett Gilbert.
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Josh Cohen and Nussaibah Younis
Mon 16 Jun 2025
Two writers join Harriett Gilbert to share favourite books.
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Jack Thorne and Peter Kosminsky
Mon 9 Jun 2025
The creator of Adolescence and the Wolf Hall director nominate favourite books.
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Douglas Stuart and Sian Eleri
Mon 31 Mar 2025
Author Douglas Stuart and radio and TV presenter Sian Eleri on beloved books.
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Lucy Speed and Sarah Mills
Mon 24 Mar 2025
The actor and the comedian share favourite books with Harriett Gilbert.
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Nina Sosanya and Joelle Taylor
Mon 17 Mar 2025
The actor and the poet nominate favourite books for discussion.
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Oliver Burkeman and Sara Collins
Mon 10 Mar 2025
Two writers share favourite books with Harriett Gilbert.
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Inua Ellams and Ted Hodgkinson
Mon 3 Mar 2025
The writer and the Southbank Centre's Head of Literature share books they love.
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Julia Bradbury and Ramita Navai
Mon 24 Feb 2025
Books by Matt Haig, Rohinton Mistry and Elizabeth von Arnim are recommended this time.
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Joe Dunthorne and Iszi Lawrence
Mon 17 Feb 2025
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer is revisited by the guests and presenter Harriett Gilbert
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Nicci Gerrard and Sean French
Mon 10 Feb 2025
The husband and wife writing duo pick favourite reads.
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Professor Ben Garrod and Lucy Jones
Mon 2 Dec 2024
An evolutionary biologist and a journalist on their favourite books.
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Sir Ian Blatchford and Charles Fernyhough
Mon 25 Nov 2024
The Science Museum director and a professor of psychology share their favourite books.
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Jenny Kleeman and Sam Knight
Mon 11 Nov 2024
Two journalists bring their favourite books to chat about with Harriett Gilbert.
Listen now to books on BBC Sounds
Escape with books & stories
Opening Lines
John Yorke unpacks the themes behind the stories in Radio 4's weekend afternoon dramas.
Books
Celebrating reading and the 100 novels that have shaped our world.
How many of these 100 Novels have you read?
After a passionate debate, our panel has come up with this surprising literary selection.
