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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
Katherine Mansfield
Alan Hollinghurst
Dave Wynn
Evolutionary Biology
Holocaust
Shuggie Bain
Frankie
Curandera
Wishful Drinking
Art

Find reading inspiration with favourite books chosen by our guests.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes937Founded17 years ago
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Artwork for A Good Read

Latest Episodes

Guests discuss books they love. This time:

Loving and Giving by Molly Keane, chosen by podcaster and Archers actor Susie Riddell The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Daré, chosen by education activist Dr Vee Kativhu The Land in Winter by Andrew M... more

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

Key Facts

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Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Susie Riddell
Actor; Tracy Horrobin of The Archers; hosts and produces audio projects
The Archers (BBC)
Episode: Dr Vee Kativhu and Susie Riddell
Vee Kativhu
Activist for girls' education; UN Young Leader; founder of Empowered by Vee
Empowered by Vee
Episode: Dr Vee Kativhu and Susie Riddell
Lauren Child
artist and writer, author of Among Much Else, The Charlie and Lola and Clarice Bean Picture Books, and the Ruby Redfort series
Episode: Lauren Child and David McAlmont
David McAlmont
singer, songwriter, and art historian
Episode: Lauren Child and David McAlmont
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

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
    5
    roysawney
    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
#54
United Kingdom/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#140
United Kingdom/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#165
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#113
Australia/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#20
New Zealand/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#52
Philippines/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Lauren Child and David McAlmont
Q: What drew you to Killing Time by Alan Bennett, and how does it compare with Strout's approach?
They note Bennett's stage-play-like dialogue and the way aging residents' conversations reveal deeper human truths, contrasting with Strout's interwoven perspectives, yet both explore connection, memory, and the social textures of community under pressure.
Lauren Child and David McAlmont
Q: What did you think of Elizabeth Strout's Tell Me Everything?
Lauren and David discuss Strout's fragmented storytelling and how she builds a town in readers' minds by following different characters through their thoughts and reactions, highlighting how small judgments reveal larger truths about people.
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.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
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Age Range
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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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How many listeners does A Good Read get?

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What are the audience demographics for A Good Read?

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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. Bookclub
3. Take Four Books
4. World Book Club
5. Front Row

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?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for A Good Read from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on A Good Read?

Recent guests on A Good Read include:

1. Susie Riddell
2. Vee Kativhu
3. Lauren Child
4. David McAlmont
5. Cariad Lloyd
6. Geoff Dyer
7. Joanne Harris
8. Islam Issa

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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