The Radio 2 Book Club
Episodes
Superstar Librarian Maggie Ross
24 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Sara welcomes one of our superstar librarians to the podcast. Maggie Ross works for the Royal Borough Of Windsor & Maidenhead libraries - and has ...
'This Story Might Save Your Life' by Tiffany Crum
17 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
A thriller, a romance, a hugely successful podcast; those are the ingredients for Tiffany Crum's debut novel, 'This Story Might Save Your Life'. Sara ...
'Minbak' by Ela Lee
10 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Former lawyer turned novelist, Ela Lee, joins Sara in the Radio 2 Book Club for a chat about her new novel, 'Minbak'. They chat about the inspirations...
Jamie Smart joins us for World Book Day!
05 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Comic book artist Jamie Smart joins Sara in the Book Club for a World Book Day special! The Bunny Vs Monkey creator chats to Sara about his award-winn...
The Royal Library at Windsor Castle (celebrating 500 Words)
03 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Come with Sara Cox on a behind-the-scenes tour of the Royal Library in Windsor Castle. Housing over 45,000 items, this library is a treasure trove for...
'Saoirse' by Charleen Hurtubise
24 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Author Charleen Hurtubise joins Sara in the Radio 2 Book Club to chat about her debut novel, 'Saoirse'They talk about her inspirations for the story, ...
Harriet Tyce on her new novel 'Witch Trial' (and The Traitors)
17 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Barrister turned author, and recent 'Traitors' star - Harriet Tyce - joins Sara for a chat about her new novel. She talks about stepping out of her co...
'The Keeper Of Lost Children' by Sadeqa Johnson
10 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Bestselling author, Sadeqa Johnson, joins Sara for a natter about her new novel. 'The Keeper Of Lost Children' is a powerful and beautifully told nove...
Cressida Cowell on the joy of reading
03 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Cressida Cowell (bestselling children's author of the 'How To Train Your Dragon' series) joins Sara for a natter about the joy of reading. As an ambas...
'This Book Made Me Think Of You' by Libby Page
27 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Libby Page joins Sara in the Book Club to chat about her new novel, "This Book Made Me Think Of You" They discuss their love of bookshops, the genre t...
Superstar Librarian Phoenix Cooper shares their Top Five Reads Of The Year (well, 2025)
20 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Phoenix Cooper - of Kent Libraries fame - shares their Top Five Reads Of The Year so far (but mainly, of 2025) They chat to Sara about their love of l...
'The Poet Empress' by Shen Tao
13 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Our first Book Club pick of 2026 is 'The Poet Empress' by debut novelist, Shen Tao. The book is an epic tale of female empowerment, love and the power...
Superstar librarian Louisa Steel picks her Top Five Reads Of The Year
06 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Louisa Steel - one of our superstar librarians - joins Sara for a natter about books. They chat about the Radio 2 Book Club panel, reading ruts and w...
The White Octopus Hotel by Alexandra Bell
23 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Our last book choice of 2025 is The White Octopus Hotel by Alexandra Bell. Alex joins Sara for a chat about the novel, the inspiration behind it, the ...
Celebrating Jane Austen
16 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sara welcomes Rachel Parris and Jessica Bull to the Radio 2 Book Club for a celebration of Jane Austen. Jess writes the 'Miss Austen Investigates' ser...
'The Merge' by Grace Walker
09 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Debut novelist, Grace Walker, joins Sara in the Radio 2 Book Club to chat about her claustrophobic, dystopian page-turner - 'The Merge' The book asks ...
The Radio 2 Book Club Christmas Special
02 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Former librarian turned book influencer, Simon Savidge, joins Sara for a chat about his favourite books of the year - and - his recommendations for gr...
Superstar Librarian, Karen McPherson, shares her Top Five Reads of the Year
25 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sara welcomes former library worker turned head of all things Radio 2 Book Club, Karen McPherson, to the podcast. They chat about how we choose our ti...
'The Shapeshifter's Daughter' by Sally Magnusson
18 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Broadcaster and author Sally Magnusson returns to The Radio 2 Book Club once more, to discuss her new novel 'The Shapeshifter's Daughter'. The book is...
'King Sorrow' by Joe Hill
11 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sunday Times and New York Times bestseller, Joe Hill, joins Sara to chat about his epic new novel 'King Sorrow'. This book has been 10 years in the ma...
'The Eleventh Hour' by Salman Rushdie
04 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sara welcomes Sir Salman Rushdie to the Radio 2 Book Club to talk about his new collection of stories. 'The Eleventh Hour' consists of five stories, s...
Halloween Special
28 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Whether you're into the Halloween thing or not - we thought it was as good a time as any to celebrate some spooky, scary, dark, ghostly, chilling book...
'The Murder At World's End' by Ross Montgomery
21 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As the nights draw in, it's the perfect time for some cosy crime - and our latest book choice will fit the bill. The Murder At World's End has been de...
Superstar librarian Kelly Greenwood picks her Top Five Reads Of The Year
13 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Superstar librarian Kelly Greenwood joins Sara for a natter about working in libraries and being a children's book specialist. She gives us her Top Fi...
'Artificial Wisdom' by Thomas R. Weaver
07 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Debut novelist Thomas R. Weaver joins Sara for a chat about his new techno-thriller 'Artificial Wisdom'. They discuss Thomas' thoughts on AI, his entr...
Maggie O'Farrell on Writing
30 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sara welcomes international bestselling author, Maggie O'Farrell, to the Book Club. They discuss a brand new writing prize, set up in Hilary Mantel's ...
A 500 Words Special: with Charlie Higson
23 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
500 Words - the UK's largest children's writing competition (for 5 - 11 year olds) - is back! On this week's episode, Sara is joined by bestselling c...
'A Splintering' by Dur e Aziz Amna
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Author Dur e Aziz Amna joins Sara for the Radio 2 Book Club to chat about her new novel, 'A Splintering'. Dur e got the idea for the novel from a wal...
Dawn O'Porter (recorded at Radio 2 In The Park)
07 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Broadcaster and bestselling author, Dawn O'Porter, joins Sara for a special edition of The Radio 2 Book Club. Recorded live in Hylands Park, Chelmsfor...
'The Two Roberts' by Damian Barr
02 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sara welcomes author and broadcaster Damian Barr to the Book Club, to chat about his new novel 'The Two Roberts'. They discuss how he first discovered...
'Katabasis' by R.F. Kuang
26 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sara welcomes the international bestselling author of 'Yellowface' - R.F. Kuang -to the Radio 2 Book Club. Her latest novel, 'Katabasis', sees Rebecca...
Listener reviewer Chantelle picks her Top Five Books of the year
18 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Chantelle Tijhaar is this week's listener reviewer, and has some great recommendations for us. She works as a librarian, and as well as being in The R...
'Dead Lucky' by Connor Hutchinson
13 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Debut novelist, Connor Hutchinson, joins Sara for the Book Club to tell us all about his new book - 'Dead Lucky'. Connor is originally from the North ...
A Summer Reads Special (with Simon Savidge)
04 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sara welcomes former librarian turned book vlogger extraordinaire - Simon Savidge - to share his top five Summer Reads! As well as recommending a rang...
'The Compound' by Aisling Rawle
29 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Debut novelist Aisling Rawle joins Sara for a chat about her brilliant new page-turner, 'The Compound'. It has been described as Lord Of The Flies mee...
Lee Child, Kate Mosse, Abir Mukherjee and more join Jeremy Vine for a crime fiction special
22 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this bumper episode of the Radio 2 Book Club, crime author and Agatha Christie fan, Jeremy Vines, takes a trip to the Harrogate Crime Writing Festi...
Listener reviewer Rose picks her Top Five Reads of the year so far
15 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sara chats to Rose Kooper Johnson about her own book group, living in Bristol and how she discovered the Radio 2 Book Club through 'Ordinary Saints'. ...
'The Art Of A Lie' by Laura Shepherd Robinson
07 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Laura Shepherd Robinson is the author of four crime novels, set in the Georgian era.In this episode, she tells Sara all about her latest book, 'The Ar...
Celebrating Pride Month: with the Queer Girls Book Club
24 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
To celebrate Pride Month, we're putting the spotlight on some brilliant queer literature, courtesy of the Queer Girls Book Club. Ayse Huseyin joins Sa...
'Atmosphere' by Taylor Jenkins Reid
17 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Taylor Jenkins Reid (the author of 'Daisy Jones & The Six', 'Malibu Rising', 'The Seven Husbands Of Evelyn Hugo' and many more) joins Sara for a c...
'The Rush' by Beth Lewis
10 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Author Beth Lewis joins Sara in the Radio 2 Book Club to discuss her new historical novel, The Rush. Beth has set her latest book in the gold rush era...
The Carnegies 2025!
03 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Librarian Ros Harding tells Sara all about The Carnegies - the UK's longest running children's book awards. Ros is this year's Head Of Judges - and te...
'Bury Our Bones In The Midnight Soil' by V.E. Schwab
27 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
V.E. Shwab returns to the Radio 2 Book Club to discuss her new novel, 'Bury Our Bones In The Midnight Soil' She has written and published 25 books in ...
Superstar Librarian Luke shares his Top Five Reads
20 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Luke Burton is one of our Superstar Librarians who helps choose our Radio 2 Book Club titles. He's now a big cheese at Arts Council England, and talks...
'The Book Of Guilt' by Catherine Chidgey
13 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sara welcomes author Catherine Chidgey to the Radio 2 Book Club. They discuss her new novel, 'The Book Of Guilt', which is an eerie, dark, chilling st...
Listener Reviewer Stef Loughrey
06 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Listener Reviewer, Stef Loughrey, shares the five books she has loved reading recently. She also tells Sara about her job as a TV producer, sharing bo...
'The Correspondent' by Virginia Evans
29 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Our Book Club pick this week is 'The Correspondent' by Virginia Evans. She joins Sara down the line from the USofA to tell us all about the inspiratio...
Superstar librarian, Becki Pritchard, shares her Top Five Reads
22 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Becki works for Barnsley Libraries, and is also a member of the Radio 2 Book Club panel, who help choose our book choices. She tells Sara which books ...
'Ordinary Saints' by Niamh Ni Mhaoileoin
15 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Niamh Ni Mhaoileoin joins Sara in the Book Club to chat about her debut novel, 'Ordinary Saints'.She discusses her writing journey, the weaving of man...
Clare Kenney's Top Five Reads
08 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week, listener reviewer Clare Kenney joins us, to share her Top Five Reads of 2025 so far...and tell us a little bit about the WI! Sara learns a...
'Who Wants To Live Forever' by Hanna Thomas Uose
01 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week’s book choice is a time-bending romance novel, which is bold and inventive and brilliant to read. If you were a fan of previous Book Club ...
'Fundamentally' by Nussaibah Younis
18 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sara welcomes debut author Nussaibah Younis to the Book Club to discuss her debut novel, 'Fundamentally'.They discuss Nussaibah's previous life (advis...
The Favourites by Layne Fargo
11 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on the pod we're recommending 'The Favourites' by Layne Fargo. Dubbed as "Wuthering Heights on ice", the book is a rip-roaring page-turner, ...
A World Book Day Special: with Stephen Mangan
05 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
To celebrate World Book Day, Sara is joined by actor, screenwriter and children's author Stephen Mangan. His new book, 'The Fart That Broke World Book...
Listener Reviewer, Rebecca, gives us her Top Five Reads
25 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week on the pod we welcome listener reviewer Rebecca Chalmers. She gives us her Top Five Reads of the year (and last year) so far - as well as a ...
Seth Insua discusses his debut novel, "Human, Animal"
18 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Debut novelist and illustrator, Seth Insua, joins Sara for the Radio 2 Book Club to discuss his book "Human, Animal" He talks about his inspirations f...
Listener Reviewer: Harriet Thomas
11 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This week's episode is all about recommendations! Listener Harriet Thomas joins Sara to go through her Top Five Reads of the year (and last year) She ...
Sara welcomes debut novelist Roisin O'Donnell to the Radio 2 Book Club to talk about 'Nesting'
05 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Our latest Radio 2 Book Club choice is 'Nesting' by Roisin O'Donnell. It is a beautiful but tense novel about hope and resilience, which contains them...
Sara is joined by listener reviewer Fiona Buckland, who gives us her Top 5 Reads of the Year (well, 2024)
28 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Listener Fiona Buckland joins Sara in the Radio 2 Book Club to give us some fab recommendations. Being a voracious reader, she has very broad taste - ...
Author Asia Mackay talks about 'A Serial Killer's Guide To Marriage'
21 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Our latest Radio 2 Book Club choice is 'A Serial Killer's Guide To Marriage' by Asia Mackay. Asia was a runner up of the CWIP prize back in 2018, whic...
The Radio 2 Book Club Christmas Special
17 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Jeremy Vine, Angela Griffith, Dermot O'Leary, Mark Goodier, Shaun Keaveny and The Reverend Kate Botley share their favourite festive fiction with Sara...
Author Marjan Kamali discusses her new novel 'The Lion Women Of Tehran'
10 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Marjan Kamali joins Sara from Boston USA to talk about her brilliant new novel, 'The Lion Women Of Tehran'. This book has been four years in the maki...
Bestselling author Niall Williams joins Sara for a chat about his new novel, 'Time Of The Child'
02 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Niall gives us some brilliant writing tips - and shares a little of his own writing routine too. As well as talking about his brilliant new novel, whi...
Alan Murrin, Rufi Thorpe and Kaliane Bradley discuss their new novels
26 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week's listener reviewer is Rosa Miller from Bedfordshire. She gives us a review of our latest Book Club choice - "Playground" by Richard Powers ...
Pulitzer Prize winning author, Richard Powers, joins Sara for the Book Club
19 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Our latest Book Club choice is 'Playground' by Richard Powers. Richard won the Pulitzer in 2019, for his novel 'The Overstory' and his latest book is ...
Abir Mukherjee, Marian Keyes and Percival Everett
13 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week on the Radio 2 Book Club podcast, Sara welcomes listener reviewer Sadia Rana to share her Top 5 Reads of 2024 so far. She has been reading r...
Kathleen Glasgow discusses ‘The Glass Girl’
06 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Our latest Radio 2 Book Club choice is 'The Glass Girl' by Kathleen Glasgow. It's officially a Young Adult book, but can be enjoyed by all readers (14...
David Nicholls, Helen Heckety and Amor Towles discuss their latest books
29 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Sara features three books that her and the team have loved reading recently. These are:You Are Here by international bestselling author David Nicholls...
The Radio 2 Book Club with C.J. Cooke
22 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
C.J. Cooke joins Sara in the Radio 2 Book Club to talk about her new gothic novel, The Book Of Witching. This is her tenth book and is based on a real...
Sara Cox welcomes Robert Harris, Benjamin Myers and Sally Smith to the Book Club!
15 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Sara features three of our Book Club choices from the summer, that we think you will really enjoy. We'll hear about each of the books...
The Radio 2 Book Club is back! With Sara Cox at the helm...
08 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Booker Prize winning author, Alan Hollinghurst, joins Sara in the Radio 2 Book Club for a chat about his new novel, 'Our Evenings'. It's been seven y...
Zoe chats to debut author Vanessa Chan about her brilliant new novel, The Storm We Made
09 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Vanessa Chan's debut novel - The Storm We Made - was fought over in a seven way publishing auction! It's now out in the world, and it's our first Radi...
Zoe welcomes bestselling author, Katherine Howe, to the Book Club to discuss her new pirate novel.
28 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
For our last Book Club of 2023, Zoe chats to bestselling author Katherine Howe about her latest novel, 'A True Account' Katherine talks about her fasc...
Zoe welcomes author and screenwriter, Femi Kayode, to the Radio 2 Book Club
05 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Zoe welcomes author and screenwriter Femi Kayode to the Book Club to discuss his brilliant new novel, 'Gaslight'. Femi has spent the last two decades ...
International bestselling author and screenwriter, Terry Hayes, joins Zoe for a natter about his new novel
28 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Zoe is joined by international bestselling novelist Terry Hayes. His new novel, The Year Of The Locus, is our lates Radio 2 Book Club pick ...
Zoe talks to Superstar Librarian Sarah Davis, who recommends us some books
21 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Zoe welcomes Sarah Davis, one of our Superstar Librarians, to the podcast. Sarah has been working in libraries for 43 years! And is one of the origi...
Author Caroline Bond joins Zoe in the Book Club to talk about her new novel
14 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Zoe welcomes Caroline Bond to the Book Club to discuss her new novel, The Day We Left. It's a powerful and moving story about identical twins, and Car...
Zoe chats about Tana French, Bonnie Garmus and strong female characters
07 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Sarah and Louise from a reading group in Westward Ho! join Zoe to chat about their book club and what books they have been reading and enjoying recent...
Librarian Pete Hughes discusses books by Patrick Gale, Andy Weir and Sally Rooney.
31 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Zoe chats with librarian Pete Hughes about his library, career and reading recommendations. They discuss books by Patrick Gale, Gabrielle Zevin, Andy ...