A Good Read

BBC Radio 4
  • 4.2 (5)
  • Books
  • Every two weeks

Find reading inspiration with favourite books chosen by our guests.

  1. 4 days ago

    Lauren Child and David McAlmont

    A sharing of book recommendations and lively discussion. Harriett Gilbert is joined by children's author Lauren Child and musician David McAlmont to talk about books they love by George Orwell, Elizabeth Strout and Alan Bennett. The books are: Tell Me Everything by Elizabeth Strout, chosen by Lauren Child Burmese Days by George Orwell, chosen by David McAlmont Killing Time by Alan Bennett, chosen by Harriett Gilbert Producer for BBC Audio Bristol: Sally Heaven Join us over on Instagram @agoodreadbbc

  2. 20 Jul

    Cariad Lloyd and Geoff Dyer

    Writer, actor and comedian Cariad Lloyd and writer Geoff Dyer join Harriett Gilbert for an enthusiastic and robust discussion about favourite books. The books are: The Transit of Venus by Shirley Hazzard, chosen by Geoff Dyer Question 7 by Richard Flanagan, chosen by Harriett Gilbert The Others by Sheena Kalayil, chosen by Cariad Lloyd Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Eliza Lomas Join us over on Instagram @agoodreadbbc

  3. 13 Jul

    Joanne Harris and Islam Issa

    We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson, chosen by Joanne Harris Mother Mary Comes to Me by Arundhati Roy, chosen by Harriett Gilbert Akhenaten: Dweller in Truth by Naguib Mahfouz, chosen by Islam Issa Join us over on Instagram @agoodreadbbc Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Sally Heaven

  4. 6 Jul

    Daisy Dunn and Andrew Hunter Murray

    The classicist and the author talk about books they love with presenter Harriett Gilbert. One of the books is eerily prescient about the state of the world today. The books are: Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, chosen by classicist Daisy Dunn Rogue Male by Geoffrey Household, chosen by podcaster and author Andrew Hunter Murray A Life's Music by Andreï Makine, translated by Geoffrey Strachan, chosen by presenter Harriett Gilbert Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Beth O'Dea Join us over on instagram @agoodreadbbc Photo credit: Timothy Foster

  5. 29 Jun

    Philippa Perry and Stuart Maconie

    A special episode of A Good Read, recorded live at the Hay Festival. The books are: London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe, chosen by psychotherapist and artist Philippa Perry All Quiet on the Orient Express by Magnus Mills, chosen by presenter and writer Stuart Maconie Luka and the Fire of Life by Salman Rushdie, chosen by presenter Harriett Gilbert Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Maggie Ayre Join us over on Instagram @agoodreadbbc Photo credit: Pal Hansen

  6. 22 Jun

    Louise Welsh and Chris Brookmyre

    Two Scottish crime writers choose books by: Iain Banks (Espedair Street) Muriel Spark (Memento Mori) And Harriett's choice is Summer by Edith Wharton Producer: Maggie Ayre BBC Audio Bristol Photo credit: Julie Broadfoot

  7. 15 Jun

    Harriet Tyce and Matt Edmondson

    The books are: Brighton Rock by Graham Greene, chosen by Harriet Tyce Agent Zigzag by Ben Macintyre, chosen by Matt Edmondson Cluny Brown by Margery Sharp, chosen by Harriett Gilbert Join us over on Instagram @agoodreadbbc Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Sally Heaven Photo credit: Suki Dhanda

  8. 8 Jun

    Kelly Cates and Tom Rob Smith

    Three books that deal with the intricacies of relationships and marriage. Not That Sort of Girl by Mary Wesley Aftermath by Rachel Cusk Three Days In June by Anne Tyler Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Maggie Ayre

See All (34)

Hosts & Guests

Ratings & Reviews

4.2
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Find reading inspiration with favourite books chosen by our guests.

Information

  • Creator
    BBC Radio 4
  • Years Active
    2009 - 2026
  • Episodes
    34
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © (C) BBC 2026
  • Show Website
    A Good Read

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