Books

Celebrating the written word
Coming Soon
Johny Pitts & Charlotte Proudman—A Good Read
Johny Pitts, Dr Charlotte Proudman and Harriett Gilbert discuss their favourite books.
Tomorrow00:00BBC Radio 4 ExtraWilliam Wordsworth—The Write Stuff, Series 4
Return of the panel game of literary correctness with James Walton.
Tomorrow14:00BBC Radio 4 Extra![]()
Ragnar Jonasson - The Darkness—World Book Club
Octavia Bright talks to Ragnar Jonasson about his thriller - The Darkness.
Saturday12:06BBC World Service except East and Southern Africa & West and Central Africa![]()
The Psalms—Poetry Extra
Daljit Nagra selects a programme from the BBC's poetry archives to mark Easter Sunday.
Sunday07:00BBC Radio 4 Extra![]()
05/04/2026—Bookclub
Led by James Naughtie, readers talk to acclaimed authors about their best-known novels
Sunday16:00BBC Radio 4![]()
Aspects of the Divine—Words and Music
Readings from Shakespeare to Wordsworth and Larkin, and music from Beethoven to Bruckner.
Sunday19:45BBC Radio 3![]()
Available Now
Patrick Grant and Mary-Ann Ochota—A Good Read
More favourite books with Harriett Gilbert and guests.
BBC Radio 4Things Fall Apart—Poetry Extra
Daljit Nagra selects another highlight from the BBC's poetry archive - featuring WB Yeats.
BBC Radio 4 ExtraHumility—Free Thinking
From Spinoza's thinking to the "humble brag" - Matthew Sweet and guests explore humility.
BBC Radio 4Maryam Moshiri and Doug Naylor—A Good Read
The newsreader and the Red Dwarf creator discuss their chosen books with Harriett Gilbert.
BBC Radio 4Poetry Please: Pot Luck—Poetry Extra
A 4 Extra listener requests a favourite programme from the BBC's poetry archive.
BBC Radio 4 ExtraAn English countryside calendar—Words and Music
Martin Clunes and Louiza Patikas with words and music evoking Constable's landscapes.
BBC Radio 3Oral tradition and oracy—Free Thinking
Anne McElvoy and guests look at speaking fluently in politics, the classroom & communities
BBC Radio 4Victoria Pile and Julian Baggini—A Good Read
Comedy writer Victoria Pile and philosopher Julian Baggini join Harriett Gilbert.
BBC Radio 4Looking—Words and Music
Music and Ben Miles and Ellie Piercy with readings about mirrors, looks and contemplation.
BBC Radio 3The Echo Chamber - Gillian Clarke—Poetry Extra
Daljit Nagra marks the Spring Equinox with another highlight from the BBC's poetry archive
BBC Radio 4 ExtraTaste—Free Thinking
Matthew Sweet and guests explore what it means to have 'good taste'.
BBC Radio 4Lolita Chakrabarti and Dr Guy Leschziner—A Good Read
A playwright-actor and a neurologist recommend favourite books with Harriett Gilbert.
BBC Radio 4
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500 Words 2019
Everything you need to know about this year's story-writing competition for kids.
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BBC National Short Story Award 2019
Judges for the competition are announced as submissions open.
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Neil Gaiman on science fiction
The author of the Sandman comics shares the sci-fi novels that inspired him.
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Lenny Henry's guide to graphic novels
The actor compiled a list of his favourite comics during the recording of Anansi Boys.
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Are you magic or muggle-born?
Test your knowledge of the world of Harry Potter with our ultimate quiz.
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Are you a Jane Austen superfan?
Quiz time: Test your Austen knowledge to see if you qualify.
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