A Good Read
Episodes
Katie Thistleton and Suzannah Lipscomb
01 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Radio 1 and CBBC presenter Katie Thistleton and historian and author Dr. Suzannah Lipscomb join Harriett Gilbert to discuss their favourite books. Su...
Lauren Mayberry and Rob Deering
22 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
CHVRCHES frontwoman Lauren Mayberry and comedian and writer Rob Deering are Harriett Gilbert's guests this week. Rob picks a staple of the literary c...
Gillian Burke and Dee Caffari
15 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Gillian Burke and Dee Caffari discuss their favourite books with Harriett Gilbert. Gillian picks 'Braiding Sweetgrass' by Robin Wall Kimmerer which e...
Katherine Rundell and Nathan Filer
08 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Katherine Rundell and Nathan Filer bring their favourite reads to Harriett Gilbert. Katherine has chosen the poetry of John Donne, Nathan loves The S...
Alan Titchmarsh and Amanda Owen
01 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
'How can you feel fed up?' when you read PG Wodehouse is Alan Titchmarsh's answer when asked why he chose Summer Lightning. Harriett remarks that Wode...
Liam Williams and Kate Stables
30 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Three strange, fantastical novels, all very different, are the book choices for this week.Liam Williams is perhaps best-known for the BBC series 'Ladh...
Kaffe Fassett and Andy Summers
23 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Kaffe Fassett is perhaps best known for his colourful knitwear designs but he is also a quilt maker, painter and ceramicist. His choice of book is Ka...
Athena Kugblenu and Pope Lonergan
16 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Friends, sisters and serial killers all feature in the book choices for this week. Writer and stand-up comedian Athena Kugblenu picks 'My Sister the ...
Muriel Gray and Leah Davis
15 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The broadcaster and writer Muriel Gray champions The Ghost Stories of Edith Wharton because she believes books that deal with the supernatural are oft...
Dr Rachel Clarke & Mohsin Zaidi
02 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The NHS palliative care doctor and author Rachel Clarke (Breathtaking, Dear Life) and the barrister and author Mohsin Zaidi (A Dutiful Boy) share the ...
Musa Okwonga & Sophie Heawood
26 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Writers Musa Okwonga (One of Them, Striking Out) and Sophie Heawood (The Hungover Games) share their favourite books with Harriett Gilbert. Musa choos...
Mona Arshi & Malaika Kegode
19 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Mona Arshi is a poet and novelist. Her choice of book is Summer Book by Tove Jansson which of which she says: "I'm glad it exists in the world". She l...
Adam Rutherford and Farrah Jarral
12 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
As part of Radio 4's Day of the Scientist Harriett Gilbert asks two scientists and broadcasters to choose a book on a science theme. Adam Rutherford ...
Neil Brand and Tiff Stevenson
05 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Neil Brand the silent film accompanist and presenter of BBC4's Sound of Cinema chooses a book he loved as a teenager: England Their England by A.G. Ma...
Poppy Jay and Catherine Johnson
03 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The host of the Brown Girls Do It Too podcast Poppy Jay and the writer of Mamma Mia Catherine Johnson join Harriett Gilbert to discuss their favourite...
Vanessa Redgrave and Eileen Atkins
20 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Vanessa Redgrave is 'in love with' Rachel Holmes' biography of Sylvia Pankhurst, Eileen Atkins has chosen a very different biography, Oliver Soden's i...
Lloyd Cole and Francis Macdonald
07 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Lloyd Cole is a singer/songwriter whose hits with his band The Commotions include Perfect Skin. His choice of A Good Read is The Big Sleep by Raymond ...
Yanis Varoufakis and Patrick McGrath
29 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The Greek politician Yanis Varoufakis chooses Margaret Atwood's treatise on debt - Payback: Debt & The Shadow Side of Wealth as his go to book fo...
Janey Godley and Mel Hudson
24 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Janey Godley's choice is a thriller Remember Me This Way by Sabine Durrant. It's a page turner with a neat twist and tackles coercive behaviour in an ...
Jason Watkins & Yasmin Alibhai-Brown
15 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Jason Watkins chooses Vladimir Nabokov's Laughter in the Dark as his good read, and Yasmin Alibhai-Brown champions a book with some similar themes, Th...
Isy Suttie & Vick Hope
08 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Comedian and writer Isy Suttie and the Radio 1 presenter and author Vick Hope are A Good Read's guests. Vick loves Zadie Smith's Swing Time, Isy choos...
Bryony Gordon & Hollie McNish
30 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Telegraph writer and podcaster Bryony Gordon is with poet and author Hollie McNish on this week's A Good Read. Bryony loves Rachel’s Holiday by her ...
Adjoa Andoh & Andy Day
23 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Actor Adjoa Andoh, Bridgerton's Lady Danbury, and the CBeebies presenter Andy Day share the books that inspire them. Adjoa is full of admiration for t...
Greg James & Bella Mackie
17 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Harriett is joined by a husband-and-wife team: Greg James, host of the Radio 1 Breakfast show and Radio 4's Rewinder, and Bella Mackie, author and Vog...
Jane Hill & Derek Owusu
09 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Jane Hill chooses The Suspicions of Mr Whicher by Kate Summerscale, and Harriett's choice, Murder in Notting Hill by Mark Olden, takes place a hundred...
Twayna Mayne & Simon Savidge
02 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Comedian Twayna Mayne proposes Claudia Rankine's Citizen: An American Lyric. Books blogger Simon Savidge (and his mum) both love An American Marriage...
Amrou Al-Kadhi & Peter Bazalgette
23 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Peter Bazalgette's choice is On Chapel Sands by Laura Cumming and Harriett goes for Lullaby by Leila Slimani. Amrou Al-Kadhi chooses Standard Deviati...
Tobias Menzies & Gytha Lodge
16 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Actor Tobias Menzies and crime writer Gytha Lodge talk about the books they love with presenter Harriett Gilbert. Tobias chooses Transit by Rachel Cus...
Tuppence Middleton & Matthew Shribman
09 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Actress Tuppence Middleton and environmentalist Matthew Shribman talk about the books they love with presenter Harriett Gilbert. Matthew chooses The B...
Helen Mort & Mo Omar
02 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Poet Helen Mort and comedian Mo Omar talk about the books they love with presenter Harriett Gilbert. Helen chooses Climbers by M. John Harrison, the a...
Clive Myrie & Boyd Tonkin
01 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Journalist Clive Myrie and critic Boyd Tonkin nominate favourite books. Clive, fresh from covering the US election, has chosen Steinbeck's tale of the...
Alexander McCall Smith & Prof Lucie Green
24 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Writer Alexander McCall Smith and Lucie Green, Professor of Physics at UCL's Dept of Space & Climate Physics, join Harriett Gilbert to discuss fav...
Vanessa Kisuule & Jonathon Porritt
16 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Poet Vanessa Kisuule and environmental writer Jonathon Porritt talk books with presenter Harriett Gilbert. Jonathon chooses Hiroshima by John Hersey, ...
Yasmin Khan & David Mitchell
10 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Travel and food writer Yasmin Khan and novelist David Mitchell talk about the books they love with presenter Harriett Gilbert. David chooses Circe by ...
Arabella Weir & Deborah Levy
03 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Comedian Arabella Weir and novelist Deborah Levy choose favourite reads. Arabella nominates The Sellout by Paul Beatty, which won the Booker prize the...
Jonathan Safran Foer & Daliso Chaponda
27 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Writer Jonathan Safran Foer and comedian Daliso Chaponda pick their favourite books to discuss with Harriett Gilbert. What does Jonathan make of his f...
Mark Radcliffe & Patricia Cumper
20 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Radio broadcaster Mark Radcliffe and playwright Patricia Cumper nominate their favourite books. Patricia chooses Toni Morrison's acclaimed novel Belo...
Johny Pitts & Charlotte Proudman
13 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Writer Johny Pitts and barrister Dr Charlotte Proudman talk to Harriett about the books that have inspired and entertained them. Johny chooses Romanc...
Ruth Jones & Dominic Cooke
06 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Writer, actor and Gavin and Stacey creator Ruth Jones, and theatre and film director Dominic Cooke share their favourite reads with Harriett Gilbert. ...
Nicholas Lezard & Gwyneth Williams
28 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Journalist and author Nicholas Lezard and former Radio 4 controller Gwyneth Williams introduce their favourite reads to Harriett Gilbert. Nicholas cho...
Sarah Keyworth & Lissa Evans
21 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Comedian Sarah Keyworth and author Lissa Evans talk about books they love with Harriett Gilbert. Sarah chooses Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific...
Fiona Shaw & Nicola Coughlan
14 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Actors Fiona Shaw and Nicola Coughlan join Harriett Gilbert to talk books. Nicola's choice is The Psychopath Test by Jon Ronson, Harriett recommends ...
Nina Sosanya & David Nicholls
07 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Actor Nina Sosanya and writer David Nicholls share their favourite books with Harriett. Nina chooses The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman, The Girls of S...
Laurie Anderson & Stuart Maconie
30 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
American avant-garde artist Laurie Anderson and radio DJ and writer Stuart Maconie talk about favourite books with Harriett Gilbert. Laurie chooses Fe...
Val McDermid & Martha Lane Fox
23 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Crime writer Val McDermid and businesswoman Martha Lane Fox talk to Harriett Gilbert about books they really love. Val's choice is This Is Shakespeare...
Pippa Haywood & Felicity Montagu
16 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Actresses and friends Pippa Haywood (Greenwing, The Bodyguard) and Felicity Montagu (Alan Partridge) talk about their favourite books with Harriett Gi...
Natalie Carter & Melissa Cummings-Quarry
09 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The two founders of Black Girls Book Club, Natalie Carter and Melissa Cummings-Quarry, talk about their favourite books with Harriett Gilbert. They ar...
Nazir Afzal & Maggie Gee
03 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Nazir Afzal prosecuted dozens of men responsible for grooming young girls during his time as head of the CPS in the North West of England. His role wa...
Helen Lederer & Angela Barnes
24 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Comedians Helen Lederer and Angela Barnes and presenter Harriett Gilbert discuss books by David Nicholls, Alan Taylor and Anna Funder. The Understudy ...
Sharleen Spiteri & Hugh Dennis
17 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The lead singer of Glasgow band Texas Sharleen Spiteri selects a contemporary thriller The Secretary by Renee Knight as her good read. Hugh Dennis goe...
Henry Normal & Bobby Seagull
10 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach is a book beloved of Bobby Seagull and his family (there's a clue there). Bobby is the school maths teache...
Neil Oliver & Neil Forsyth
03 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Two Scottish Neils choose the books they love. Neil Oliver the TV archeologist from Coast, A History of Scotland & Rise of the Clans chooses a na...
Richard Harrington & Njambi McGrath
25 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Richard Harrington (Hinterland, The Crown, Death In Paradise) and Kenyan born comedian Njambi McGrath choose the books they've loved reading. Richard'...
Gail Honeyman and Mavis Cheek
18 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Authors Gail Honeyman and Mavis Cheek join Harriett Gilbert to discuss favourite books by Charlotte Bronte, Catherine O'Flynn and Penelope Fitzgerald....
Sarah Phelps and Dane Baptiste
11 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Screenwriter Sarah Phelps and comedian Dane Baptiste talk to Harriett Gilbert about books they love. Sarah chooses Music for Chameleons by Truman Capo...
Syima Aslam & Stig Abell
04 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Syima Aslam is co-founder of the Bradford Literature Festival.Journalist Stig Abell is former editor of the Times Literary SupplementBoth are part of ...
Nick Hornby & Carlo Rovelli
28 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Author Nick Hornby and Italian physicist Carlo Rovelli join Harriett Gilbert to discuss favourite books by Viv Albertine, Fyodor Dostoyevsky and Tobia...
Russell Kane & Sarah Perry
26 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Comedian Russell Kane and novelist Sarah Perry join Harriett Gilbert to discuss their favourite books by Iris Murdoch, Heinrich Boll and Shirley Jacks...
Nemone Metaxas and Raymond Antrobus
19 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
DJ and former athlete, Nemone Metaxas and deaf poet and educator Raymond Antrobus join Harriett Gilbert to discuss their favourite books by Patrick Mo...
Damian Le Bas & Amy Liptrot
13 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Authors Damian Le Bas and Amy Liptrot join Harriet Gilbert to discuss their favourite books by Jessie Greengrass, Kathleen Jamie and Dorthe Nors.‘An...
Stewart Lee & Dave Haslam
05 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Comedian Stewart Lee and DJ and author Dave Haslam join Harriett Gilbert to discuss their favourite reads by Steve Aylett, Olivia Laings and Chris Pal...
Lisa Jewell & Aditya Chakrabortty
30 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Author Lisa Jewell and economics commentator Aditya Chakrabortty join Harriett Gilbert to talk about their favourite books by Amit Chaudhuri, Liz Nuge...
John Gordon Sinclair & Kerry Ellis
29 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Actor John Gordon Sinclair and West End star Kerry Ellis join Harriett Gilbert to choose their favourite books by Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Sophie Kinse...
Poorna Bell and Tony Law
15 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Writer Poorna Bell and comedian Tony Law join Harriett Gilbert to talk about their favourite books by Banana Yoshimoto, Lissa Evans and Voltaire. Kit...
Edith Bowman & Harry Baker
08 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Broadcaster Edith Bowman and poet Harry Baker join Harriett Gilbert to discuss their favourite books by Taylor Jenkins Reid, Fredrik Backman and Debor...
Colin Greenwood & Joanne McNally
01 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Radiohead's bassist Colin Greenwood and Irish comedian Joanne McNally recommend great books to presenter Harriett Gilbert. Joanne's is This is Going t...
Pam Hogg and Mark Billingham
23 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Crime writer Mark Billingham and fashion designer Pam Hogg join Harriett Gilbert to discuss their favourite books by Katherine Dunn, Dashiell Hammett ...
Dolly Alderton & Clare Mackintosh
16 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Author and podcaster Dolly Alderton and and crime writer Clare Mackintosh join Harriett Gilbert to discuss their favourite books by Martin Amis, Emma ...
Dom Joly and Kate Hamer
09 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Comedian Dom Joly, novelist Kate Hamer and Harriett Gilbert choose books by Rob Long, Barbara Comyns and Philip Kerr.Conversations with My Agent by Ro...
Mathew Baynton and Aasmah Mir
02 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Horrible Histories actor Mathew Baynton and presenter Aasmah Mir join Harriett Gilbert. to discuss their favourite books by George Saunders, Iain Bank...
Nicci Gerrard and Gary Younge
25 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Novelist Nicci Gerrard and journalist Gary Younge join Harriett Gilbert to talk about their favourite books. Gary chooses Brown Girl, Brownstones by P...
Cathy Newman and Jeffery Deaver
18 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Channel 4 News host Cathy Newman and bestselling crime writer Jeffery Deaver join Harriett Gilbert to discuss favourite books by Annie Proulx, Min Kym...
Kiri Pritchard-McLean and Hannah Peel
12 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Comedian Kiri Pritchard-McLean and singer/composer Hannah Peel join Harriett Gilbert to discuss favourite books by Tsitsi Dangarembga, Italo Calvino, ...
Stephen Morris and Pippa Evans
04 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Joy Division and New Order drummer Stephen Morris and comedian and songwriter Pippa Evans join Harriett Gilbert to discuss favourite books by Tim Wint...
Nicola Walker and Sarah Ann Kennedy
26 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Actor Nicola Walker and Peppa Pig voice artist Sarah Ann Kennedy join Harriett Gilbert to discuss favourite books by Gillian Flynn, Elena Passarello a...
Ayesha Hazarika and Martin Rowson
19 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Comedian and broadcaster Ayesha Hazarika and cartoonist-author Martin Rowson join Harriett Gilbert to discuss their favourite books by Elena Ferrante,...
Sarah Hadland and Russell Tovey
12 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Actors Sarah Hadland and Russell Tovey join Harriett Gilbert to discuss their favourite books by Annie Proulx, Quentin Crisp and Muriel Barbery.Close...
Lemn Sissay and Mick Herron
05 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Poet Lemn Sissay and writer Mick Herron join Harriett Gilbert to discuss their favourite books by JM Coetzee, Caroline Blackwood and John Steinbeck.Th...
Kate Bottley and Ken Cheng
26 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
BBC presenter Kate Bottley and comedian Ken Cheng join Harriett Gilbert to discuss their favourite books by Amy Chua, Cole Morton and Carlo Rovelli. T...
Tracey Thorn and Maggie O'Farrell
19 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Singer and author Tracey Thorn and writer Maggie O'Farrell join Harriett Gilbert discuss their favourite books by Susie Boyt, Barbara Trapido and Kate...
Frank Cottrell-Boyce and Lucy Porter
12 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Writer Frank Cottrell-Boyce and comic Lucy Porter join Harriett Gilbert to discuss favourite books by Mervyn Peake, Terry Pratchett and Dashiell Hamme...
Kamal Ahmed and Brett Westwood
05 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Author and journalist Kamal Ahmed and naturalist and presenter Brett Westwood join Harriett Gilbert to discuss favourite books by by Michael Faber, J...
Scarlett Curtis and Catherine Bohart
29 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Writer and activist Scarlett Curtis and comedian Catherine Bohart join Harriett Gilbert to discuss their favourite books by Maggie Nelson, Anna Burns ...
Gráinne Maguire and John Higgs
27 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Gráinne Maguire, John Higgs and Harriett Gilbert discuss favourite books by Jeremy Lent, Elaine Dundy and Beryl Bainbridge.The Dud Avocado by Elaine ...
Andy McNab and George the Poet
20 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Former SAS serviceman turned thriller writer Andy McNab, George the Poet and Harriett Gilbert discuss their favourite books by Akala, Attica Locke and...
Kamila Shamsie and Jeffrey Archer
13 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Authors Kamila Shamsie and Jeffrey Archer join Harriett Gilbert to discuss their favourite books by Fred Uhlman, Shehan Karunatilaka and Penelope Fitz...
Katie Derham and Matt Haig
06 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Proms presenter and Strictly Come Dancing star, Katie Derham and writer, Matt Haig join Harriett Gilbert to discuss favourite books by Linda Grant, SE...
Sindhu Vee and Phil Wang
30 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Comedians Sindhu Vee, Phil Wang join Harriett Gilbert to discuss their favourite books by Celeste Ng, Rose George and Vivek Shanbhag. Little Fires Eve...
Liz Carr and Kate Williams
23 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Actor Liz Carr and historian and writer, Kate William join Harriett Gilbert to discuss their favourite books by Penny Pepper, Murasaki Shikibu and Jen...
Ben Miller and Danny Wallace
16 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Comedian, writer and actor Ben Miller and writer Danny Wallace join Harriett Gilbert discuss their favourite books by AA Milne, William Trevor and Geo...
Grace Dent and Sian Harries
09 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Journalist Grace Dent and comedy writer Sian Harries join Harriett Gilbert to discuss their favourite books by Max Porter, Lissa Evans and Barbara Pym...
Nikesh Shukla and Leone Ross
02 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Writers Nikesh Shukla and Leone Ross join Harriett Gilbert to discuss their favourite books by Thomas Page McBee, Jean Toomer and Arundhati Roy. Amate...
Anne-Marie Duff and Louise O'Neill
24 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Actor Anne-Marie Duff and writer Louise O’Neill join Harriett Gilbert to discuss their favourite books by Maggie O’Farrell, Sally Rooney and Angel...
Samira Ahmed and Elis James
17 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Journalist and broadcaster Samira Ahmed and comedian Elis James join Harriett Gilbert to discuss favourite books by Arnold Bennett, Dylan Thomas and D...
Isy Suttie and Lolly Adefope
10 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Writer and actress, Isy Suttie and comedian, Lolly Adefope join Harriett Gilbert to discuss their favourite books by Ottessa Moshfegh, Meg Wolitzer an...
Loyd Grossman and Skin
03 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Food lover Loyd Grossman and singer Skin from rock band Skunk Anansie join Harriett Gilbert to discuss favourite books by W Somerset Maugham, Colston ...
Juno Dawson and Pandora Sykes
26 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Writers Juno Dawson and Pandora Sykes join Harriett Gilbert to discuss favourite books by Francoise Sagan, William Gibson and Laura Barnett.Bonjour Tr...
Tony Parsons and Olly Mann
19 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Journalist and broadcaster Tony Parsons and podcast presenter Olly Mann join Harriett Gilbert to discuss favourite books by Liane Moriarty, Edward St ...
Adam Kay and Farrah Jarral
12 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Two former doctors, Adam Kay and Farrah Jarral, join Harriett Gilbert to talk about their favourite books by David Sedaris, Per Petterson and Mohsin H...
Robert Webb and Hugo Rifkind
05 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Comic actor and writer Robert Webb and award-winning journalist Hugo Rifkind join Harriett Gilbert to discuss some favourite books by Graham Swift, Do...