Books

Celebrating the written word
Coming Soon
Gillian Clarke - A Poet's Year: The Turning of the Year & Deaths of the Poets—Poetry Extra
Daljit Nagra selects another highlight from the BBC's poetry archive.
Tomorrow02:00BBC Radio 4 ExtraRaymond Antrobus and Guy Gunaratne—A Good Read
Find reading inspiration when two guests share favourite books with Harriett Gilbert.
Tomorrow15:00BBC Radio 4![]()
Shami Chakrabarti and Monica Ali—A Good Read
Monica Ali and Shami Chakrabarti talk about their favourite books with Harriett Gilbert.
Tuesday10:00BBC Radio 4 ExtraWhat's So Good About Democracy?—Free Thinking
Matthew Sweet and guests look at democracy past and present.
Friday21:00BBC Radio 4![]()
Martin Amis - London Fields—Bookclub
Martin Amis discusses his acclaimed novel London Fields with some readers.
Next Saturday10:30BBC Radio 4 Extra![]()
Terrifying Verse—Poetry Extra
Daljit Nagra marks Halloween with a highlight from the BBC's poetry archive.
Next Sunday07:00BBC Radio 4 Extra![]()
Available Now
Around the Globe—The Verb
There's an international flavour to Radio 4's poetry programme presented by Ian McMillan.
BBC Radio 4Fathers and Daughters—Words and Music
With readings by Sam Dale and Isis Hainsworth from Austen, Woolf, Adichie and Helen Mort.
BBC Radio 3Gillian Clarke - A Poet's Year: The Turning of the Year & Deaths of the Poets—Poetry Extra
Daljit Nagra selects another highlight from the BBC's poetry archive.
BBC Radio 4 ExtraBread—Free Thinking
Shahidha Bari and guests look at the way bread comes up in history, religion and economics
BBC Radio 4The Arts Hour: Visionary filmmaker Boots Riley on his radical new movie I Love Boosters—Artists at Work
Nikki Bedi talks to the most exciting directors from this year's London Film Festival
BBC World ServiceAndrea Wulf and Selina Brown—A Good Read
Find reading inspiration with favourite books chosen by Harriett Gilbert and guests.
BBC Radio 4The Parish Church—Words and Music
From Pepys and Larkin to Barbara Pym; Purcell and Handel to Howard Goodall's Psalm 23.
BBC Radio 3Poems to earth you—The Verb
Ian McMillan is 'earthed' by poetry that helps us touch grass.
BBC Radio 4Stories In Verse - The Odyssey—Poetry Extra
Daljit Nagra selects another highlight from the BBC's poetry archive.
BBC Radio 4 ExtraReading Against the Grain—Free Thinking
As Woman's Hour marks 80 years, Matthew Sweet and guests explore women's voices in history
BBC Radio 4The Arts Hour: Tom Cruise on his latest film Digger—Artists at Work
Plus Nikki Bedi speaks to Sudanese-Russian director Suzannah Mirghani about Cotton Queen
BBC World ServiceIn the Studio: German Synth Music—Artists at Work
In Berlin, three artists have come together to make some unusual music.
BBC World Service
More from Books
500 Words 2019
Everything you need to know about this year's story-writing competition for kids.
![]()
BBC National Short Story Award 2019
Judges for the competition are announced as submissions open.
![]()
Neil Gaiman on science fiction
The author of the Sandman comics shares the sci-fi novels that inspired him.
![]()
Lenny Henry's guide to graphic novels
The actor compiled a list of his favourite comics during the recording of Anansi Boys.
![]()
Are you magic or muggle-born?
Test your knowledge of the world of Harry Potter with our ultimate quiz.
![]()
Are you a Jane Austen superfan?
Quiz time: Test your Austen knowledge to see if you qualify.
![]()
















