A Good Read

BBC Radio 4

Find reading inspiration with favourite books chosen by our guests.

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20 episodes
Updated July 27

Episodes20

Newest first

July 27 · 27 min
Lauren Child and David McAlmont
The children’s author and the chart topper talk favourite books with Harriett Gilbert.
July 20 · 27 min
Cariad Lloyd and Geoff Dyer
Harriett Gilbert is with a comedian and a writer to talk favourite books.
July 13 · 27 min
Joanne Harris and Islam Issa
The writer and the academic and broadcaster talk about favourite books.
July 6 · 27 min
Daisy Dunn and Andrew Hunter Murray
The classicist and the author talk about books they love with presenter Harriett Gilbert.
June 29 · 27 min
Philippa Perry and Stuart Maconie
Guests talk to Harriett Gilbert about books they love and loath, at the Hay Festival 2026.
June 22 · 27 min
Louise Welsh and Chris Brookmyre
Two crime writers choose favourite books
June 15 · 27 min
Harriet Tyce and Matt Edmondson
Harriett Gilbert talks to the writer and the DJ about their favourite books.
June 8 · 27 min
Kelly Cates and Tom Rob Smith
The sports presenter and screenwriter recommend books.
April 1 · 27 min
Patrick Grant and Mary-Ann Ochota
More favourite books with Harriett Gilbert and guests.
March 23 · 27 min
Maryam Moshiri and Doug Naylor
The newsreader and the Red Dwarf creator discuss their chosen books with Harriett Gilbert.
March 16 · 27 min
Victoria Pile and Julian Baggini
Comedy writer Victoria Pile and philosopher Julian Baggini join Harriett Gilbert.
March 9 · 27 min
Lolita Chakrabarti and Dr Guy Leschziner
A playwright-actor and a neurologist recommend favourite books with Harriett Gilbert.
March 2 · 27 min
Frank Cottrell-Boyce and Jung Chang
Harriett Gilbert and guests choose favourite books.
February 23 · 27 min
Martin Edwards and Tom Shakespeare
The crime writer and the sociologist talk about books they love with Harriett Gilbert.
February 17 · 27 min
Maria Balshaw and Léa Ypi
The director of Tate and the political philosopher swap books they love.
February 9 · 27 min
Robin Ince and Philip Hensher
The comedian and the writer share good books with Harriett Gilbert.
Dec 8, 2025 · 27 min
Gwyneth Lewis and Annabel Abbs
Poet Gwyneth Lewis and author Annabel Abbs join Harriett to talk favourite books.
Dec 1, 2025 · 27 min
Michelle Ogundehin and Lisa St Aubin de Terán
More reading recommendations from two guests.
Nov 24, 2025 · 27 min
Roma Agrawal and Kate Lister
A structural engineer and a historian of sex share favourite books with Harriett Gilbert.
Nov 17, 2025 · 27 min
Richard Benson and Amy Sackville
Two writers talk to Harriett Gilbert about their favourite books