Books & Stories

Original stories by Ireland's most exciting female writers, retelling ancient Irish myths.

The true story of the world's first female captain of a merchant clipper ship.

A specially commissioned story from American author Lionel Shriver.

Jane Rogers's short stories shine an unflinching light on the future health of the planet.

Elizabeth McGovern reads Darcey Steinke's new book about the body and pain.

A love story based on the lives of the author's great-grandparents, who married in 1878.

Leading forensic psychiatrist Gwen Adshead reflects on her work with survivors of trauma.

A writer's journey through the experience of otherness.

Julie Hesmondhalgh narrates a new ghost story, set on the shifting sands of Morecambe Bay.

A specially commissioned five-part serial by best-selling novelist Rachel Joyce.

A fascinating scientific guide to why looking on the bright side really is good for you.

A selection of the great author’s most chilling short works, read by Sir David Suchet.

A whodunnit and a portrait of a very ordinary life which suddenly becomes extraordinary.

On retirement from her Hebridean school, Miss Macdonald plans the adventure of a lifetime.

The story of a young woman finding her own voice, and her own place in the world.

Dr Lucy Maddox shares ideas from the therapy room to help you live better.

Kenneth Grahame's classic tale of Mole, Ratty, Badger and Toad.

Maya thinks they've got a ghost. Vidya is the only extra-natural mediator she can find.

James Joyce's autobiographical modernist masterpiece. Read by Andrew Scott.

Soon to be divorced Maggie is completely fine. Really Good, Actually.

Marian has to write up a bizarre workplace accident - original fiction by Joe Dunthorne.

Grace is on a mission: to kill off her relatives. Bella Mackie’s darkly comic novel.

John Buchan’s thrilling tale of derring-do, secrets and spies set in the shadows of war.

Listen to Sherlock Holmes Short Stories, narrated by Hugh Bonneville.

An honest, unflinching account of life for South Asian women and girls in the UK today.

Hallie Rubenhold challenges the ideas of what history is and the stories it can tell.

Dermot Crowley reads a new fiction serial from the acclaimed Irish author Niall Williams.

The world's great authors discuss their best-known novel.

Read by Susan Jameson. Produced by Ross Burman.

The story of Dimple Pennington, wannabe lifestyle influencer, and her four half siblings

A beguiling series of essays centred on the Renaissance icon Isabella d'Este.

A glittering, gothic and surreal coming-of-age story with a deadly twist.

Read by Shaun Mason. Produced by Martha Littlehailes

A story about the friendship and rivalry between Virginia Woolf and Katherine Mansfield.

A thought-provoking new book exploding conventional wisdom about medical diagnoses.

A true story about surviving suicide – narrated by Stephen Graham.

Yomi Adegoke's fast-paced and addictive novel tackling the moral dilemmas of social media

Listen to Jane Austen’s classic tales, narrated by Julie Andrews.

Elizabeth Day's psychological thriller.

A sparkling new literary whodunnit from the acclaimed author William Boyd.

Zoe Strimpel asks thought-provoking questions about the family in contemporary Britain.

Dramatisation of Maya Angelou's debut memoir, which charts her childhood.

A newly-commissioned serial from Alice Jolly about love, loyalty and the meaning of care.

Original short works for radio.

A Highland heist story written for BBC Radio 4 by Abir Mukherjee. Read by Sudha Bhuchar.

Rebecca F Kuang’s deliciously dark, witty thriller with a deeply flawed narrator

Bryan Moriarty’s candid, funny and heartbreaking rom com about having an open relationship

Defence: Serious Case Operations investigate the murder of a military bandsman in Burnley.

Michael Fassbender reads Bram Stoker's Dracula.

A young boy’s time-travelling fight against ancient evil

A powerful memoir from footballer and anti-racism campaigner Troy Deeney.

At the height of a TB epidemic, Mrs Robinson meets dissolute poet Branwell Brontë.

Special readings from Orwell's dystopian classic, now celebrating its 75th anniversary.

Virginia Woolf’s comic biography of a time-travelling hero who transforms into a heroine.

Sara Cox celebrates the best new fiction, with author interviews and reviews.

Led by James Naughtie, readers talk to acclaimed authors about their best-known novels