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A Good Read

BBC Radio 4
Motherhood
Friendship
Artificial Intelligence
Literature
Mental Health
Our Evenings
Feminism
The Second Coming
London
Maggie Nelson
Holocaust
Shuggie Bain
Katherine Mansfield
Alan Hollinghurst
Art
Enlightenment
Dave Wynn
Evolutionary Biology
Astronomy
Frankie

Find reading inspiration with favourite books chosen by our guests.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes937Founded17 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BooksArts

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Artwork for A Good Read

Latest Episodes

A sharing of book recommendations and lively discussion. Harriett Gilbert is joined by children's author Lauren Child and musician David McAlmont to talk about books they love by George Orwell, Elizabeth Strout and Alan Bennett.

The books are: Tell... more

Writer, actor and comedian Cariad Lloyd and writer Geoff Dyer join Harriett Gilbert for an enthusiastic and robust discussion about favourite books.

The books are: The Transit of Venus by Shirley Hazzard, chosen by Geoff Dyer Question 7 by Richard F... more

We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson, chosen by Joanne Harris Mother Mary Comes to Me by Arundhati Roy, chosen by Harriett Gilbert Akhenaten: Dweller in Truth by Naguib Mahfouz, chosen by Islam Issa

Join us over on Instagram @agoodr... more

The classicist and the author talk about books they love with presenter Harriett Gilbert. One of the books is eerily prescient about the state of the world today.

The books are:

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, chosen by classicist Daisy Dunn Rogue ... more

Key Facts

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Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
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People also subscribe to these shows.

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Recent Guests

Cariad Lloyd
Writer, actor, and comedian; presenter of Griefcast
Self-identified author/comedian
Episode: Cariad Lloyd and Geoff Dyer
Geoff Dyer
Author and photographer; multiple award-winning writer
Self-identified author
Episode: Cariad Lloyd and Geoff Dyer
Joanne Harris
Author
Episode: Joanne Harris and Islam Issa
Islam Issa
Author, broadcaster, curator, professor of public humanities at Birmingham City University
Birmingham City University
Episode: Joanne Harris and Islam Issa
Andrew Hunter Murray
writer, broadcaster
Episode: Daisy Dunn and Andrew Hunter Murray
Daisy Dunn
classicist, author
Episode: Daisy Dunn and Andrew Hunter Murray
Philippa Perry
Artist, psychotherapist and author
Episode: Philippa Perry and Stuart Maconie
Stuart Maconie
TV and radio presenter and author
Episode: Philippa Perry and Stuart Maconie
Louise Welsh
Crime author and guest on the episode
Author
Episode: Louise Welsh and Chris Brookmyre

Host

Harriett Gilbert
Host of A Good Read, known for her engaging discussions with authors about their favorite books, fostering deep literary conversations and drawing out personal connections to literature.

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars from 1.4k ratings
  • Love this program!

    Thanks for your consistently fascinating broadcasting. The recent panel episode with Naomi Alderman about the future was especially great. Keep up the great work.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bob Garfield
    United States2 years ago
  • Bit of a shock

    I was very surprised that the ep with Christopher Eccleston played with no content warning. I was in the car, so had no view of show notes. To be exposed to the conversation about depression when I felt suicidal was upsetting. My responsibility but i’ll avoid the podcast in future.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Mole68
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • A good read.

    Harriet’s breadth of reading and her open minded approach are not always displayed by her guests who sometimes have an axe to grind.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Sad in Oz
    Australia2 years ago
  • Love for Harriet

    I just love A good read as a program, and Harriet as presenter. She's interested, erudite and has a daring taste in books

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    moniekbaars
    Netherlands3 years ago
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    Podchaser
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    3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the engaging and thoughtful discussions around literature, often highlighting the personal connections made by the guests.
Many listeners find the diversity of book recommendations refreshing, helping them to discover new authors and genres.
Reviewers praise Harriett Gilbert's hosting skills, noting her ability to facilitate conversations that are both insightful and entertaining.
Some audience members express a desire for more detailed show notes, indicating a desire for improved resources to accompany the episodes.
There are occasional critiques about the depth of discussion, with some feeling that certain guests may not contribute as richly as others.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#69
United Kingdom/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#182
United Kingdom/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#250
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#75
Australia/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#237
France/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#240
Australia/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Desiree Akhavan and Rosie Wilby
Q: Rosie, how does Untrue relate to the discussions in this episode, especially about women's sexuality and societal norms?
Rosie explains that Untrue foregrounds women's desire within a broader critique of patriarchal norms, highlighting how feminism, identity, and monogamy intersect, and she connects it to her own work on gender and sexuality.
Desiree Akhavan and Rosie Wilby
Q: Desiree, what have you chosen as A Good Read and why?
Desiree selects All Fours for its earth-shattering blend of absurdity, realism, and candid exploration of female sexuality, aging, and the shifting dynamics of relationships, which resonates with her own experiences as a creator and observer.
Harriet Tyce and Matt Edmondson
Q: Can I just ask you, Matt, how did you come across Agent Zigzag?
Matt explains偶 two serendipitous moments—a friend mentioning the book and Wimbledon conversations—that led him to read Agent Zigzag, after which he became captivated by its blend of true espionage history and gripping storytelling.
Sarah Waters and Walter Murch
Q: What are you recommending as A Good Read?
Sarah Waters recommends Bear by Marian Engel, praising its steady realism, intimate portrayal of a lonely archivist, and the tender, though unusual, relationship with a bear that is treated with emotional honesty.
Zadie Smith and Colm Tóibín
Q: Colm, would you start us off? What are you suggesting is A Good Read?
Colm recommends Oblivion by Héctor Abad, a deeply human portrait of a family and a country confronting violence, and he expands on how its ethical and political stakes feel urgent and relevant today.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About A Good Read

What is A Good Read about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The content features rich discussions around literature, focusing on various themes including personal narratives, historical contexts, and societal issues presented through diverse book selections. Guests typically share their personal connections to the books, providing unique insights into their significance and the emotional responses they evoke, whether discussing classic literature, contemporary narratives, or explorations of identity and trauma. The engaging dialogues encourage an appreciation for the power of storytelling, often highlighting the nuances of character development and thematic depth, making it an excellent resource for avid readers and those seeking to expand their literary horizons.

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Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for A Good Read. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to A Good Read and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does A Good Read get?

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How many subscribers and views does A Good Read have?

To see how many followers or subscribers A Good Read has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to A Good Read?

These podcasts share a similar audience with A Good Read:

1. A Good Read
2. Take Four Books
3. Bookclub
4. World Book Club
5. The Waterstones Podcast

How many episodes of A Good Read are there?

A Good Read launched 17 years ago and published 937 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact A Good Read?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for A Good Read?

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What guests have appeared on A Good Read?

Recent guests on A Good Read include:

1. Cariad Lloyd
2. Geoff Dyer
3. Joanne Harris
4. Islam Issa
5. Andrew Hunter Murray
6. Daisy Dunn
7. Philippa Perry
8. Stuart Maconie

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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