A Good Read

BBC Radio 4
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Books
  • Every two weeks

Find reading inspiration with favourite books chosen by our guests.

  1. 1 day ago

    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

    27 min

  2. 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

    28 min

  3. 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

    28 min

  4. 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

    28 min

  5. 1 Apr

    Patrick Grant and Mary-Ann Ochota

    This time the community clothing entrepreneur and host of The Great British Sewing Bee Patrick Grant chooses his favourite book along with fellow guest anthropologist and broadcaster Mary-Ann Ochota. The books are: Parsnips Buttered by Joe Lycett The Flow by Amy Jane Beer Heatwave by Penelope Lively Produced in Bristol by Maggie Ayre

    28 min

  6. 23 Mar

    Maryam Moshiri and Doug Naylor

    Newsreader Maryam Moshiri and Red Dwarf creator Doug Naylor discuss their chosen books, including Bridget Jones's Diary, with Harriett Gilbert. Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding, chosen by Maryam Moshiri Why You Should Read Children's Books, Even Though You Are So Old and Wise by Katherine Rundell, chosen by Doug Naylor Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson, chosen by Harriett Gilbert Join us over on Instagram @agoodreadbbc Produced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Sally Heaven

    28 min

  7. 16 Mar

    Victoria Pile and Julian Baggini

    THE LIVES AND LOVES OF A SHE DEVIL by Fay Weldon, chosen by Victoria Pile THE OLD MAN AND THE SEA by Ernest Hemingway, chosen by Julian Baggini CLEAR by Carys Davies, chosen by Harriett Gilbert Comedy writer and director Victoria Pile joins philosopher and author Julian Baggini to talk about their favourite books with Harriett Gilbert. On the menu is a feminist revenge novel that is as dark as it is funny, a classic Hemingway novella that casts us out to sea, and an evocative short story set on a remote island off Scotland. Join the conversation on Instagram: agoodreadbbc Produced for BBC Audio Bristol by Becky Ripley

    28 min

  8. 9 Mar

    Lolita Chakrabarti and Dr Guy Leschziner

    This week's books are: How to Measure a Cow by Margaret Forster (chosen by Lolita Chakrabarti) The House of God by Samuel Shem (chosen by Guy Leschziner) A Very Easy Death by Simone de Beauvoir (chosen by Harriett Gilbert) The producer is Eliza Lomas for BBC Audio Bristol Join us over on Instagram @agoodreadbbc

    28 min
See All (30)

Hosts & Guests

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Find reading inspiration with favourite books chosen by our guests.

Information

  • Creator
    BBC Radio 4
  • Years Active
    2009 - 2026
  • Episodes
    30
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © (C) BBC 2026
  • Show Website
    A Good Read

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