Series 4

Episodes • 2010

Mariella Frostrup
Episode 23

23. Episode 23

min

For the new series' first episode, Mariella Frostrup (right) is at the 60th Cheltenham Literature Festival.

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Episode 24

24. Episode 24

min

Iranian-born comedienne Shappi Khorsandi, veteran journalist Harold Evans, and Melvyn Bragg

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Episode 25

25. Episode 25

min

Ian Rankin and Tracy Chevalier

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Episode 26

26. Episode 26

min

Dr Brooke Magnanti, 34, works at St Michael's Hospital and wrote best-selling books about her time as a prostitute as she struggled to make ends meet. Also, Booker Prize-winner Hilary Mantel.

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Episode 27

27. Episode 27

min

John O'Farrell, Conn Iggulden, and Alison Weir

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Episode 28

28. Episode 28

min

Michael Palin, Andrew Marr, and John Banville

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Episode 29

29. Episode 29

min

At the start of a new run Mariella Frostrup recaps some of the highlights from the series that has got people talking about books again. These include conversations with Dr Brooke Magnanti, the real-life Belle De Jour and inspiration for Billie Piper's character in The Secret Diary of a Call Girl, Ben Elton, Sue Townsend and Robert Harris.

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Episode 30

30. Episode 30

min

Robert Harris, William Boyd, and Lynn Barber

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Episode 31

31. Episode 31

min

Looking back over the best bits from the first half of series four. Patricia Cornwell, Sue Townsend, Ian Rankin, and the almost ubiquitous David Mitchell all pop in for literary chat.

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Episode 32

32. Episode 32

min

No description available.

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Episode 33

33. Episode 33

min

Antonia Fraser, Ian McEwan, and Joanna Trollope

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Episode 34

34. Episode 34

min

Fantasy sage Terry Pratchett. Orange Prize-winner Andrea Levy discussing her new novel, The Long Song. Marina Lewycka talks about the inspiration for her book We Are All Made of Glue. Plus, Sebastian Barry takes us to Ireland and the place where he wrote his prize-winning novel The Secret Scripture, and we discover Cherie Blair's bedtime reading.

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Episode 35

35. Episode 35

min

Philip Pullman, who is creating a stir with his new book about Jesus. Pullman retells the gospels with Jesus and Christ as brothers and two distinct characters. Rose Tremain talks about the follow up to her Orange prize winner. Plus, Lemony Snicket with his bedtime reading suggestions and award-winning debut novelist Neel Mukherjee.

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Episode 36

36. Episode 36

min

Upper-crust socialite and interior designer Nicky Haslam recounts anecdotes from his biography, and thriller writer Philip Kerr recommends reading Michel De Montaigne's essays when you are "feeling a bit thick". Monty Don talks about gardening, and a dry and unflappable Lionel Shriver talks about the American healthcare system in relation to her new novel, So Much for That.

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Episode 37

37. Episode 37

min

John Boyne, author of The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas; American novelist Joshua Ferris; and politician Shirley Williams

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Episode 38

38. Episode 38

min

Roddy Doyle on his fictional trilogy exploring what it means to be Irish; feminist Natasha Walter on the hypersexual society; John Lanchester on his bedtime reading (Tolstoy); and Martin Amis on women's liberation, the sexual revolution and autobiographical fiction.

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Episode 39

39. Episode 39

min

David Nicholls, Alistair Campbell, and Simon Kernick

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Episode 40

40. Episode 40

min

Authors George Pelecanos and Joanne Harris, and poet Simon Armitage

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Episode 41

41. Episode 41

min

Blake Morrison, Maggie O'Farrell, and Ben Macintyre

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Episode 42

42. Episode 42

min

Episode 24 "final episode of the series" - Professor Robert Winston on liabilities, Joseph O'Connor on love stories, and Jonathan Coe on loneliness. Plus, Martina Cole talks trade secrets.

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Episode 43

43. Episode 43

min

The Book Show at Hay: Turner winning ceramicist Grayson Perry, journalist Tony Parsons, and well travelled honorary Englishman Bill Bryson. Plus contributions from Jerry Hall and Beth Orton.

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Episode 44

44. Episode 44

min

The Book Show at Hay: Carlos Ruiz Zafon, Nadine Gordimer, and Christopher Hitchens. Music from Alex Valentine.

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Episode 45

45. Episode 45

min

Antony Beevor replacing Gary Kemp on the show tonight. Other guests are Audrey Niffenegger, Jo Brand & Dennis Rollins.

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Episode 46

46. Episode 46

min

Simon Schama, Joss Ackland, and Rob Brydon are the guests on Mariella's sofa today. Music from Thea Gilmore.

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Episode 47

47. Episode 47

min

The Book Show at Hay: William Dalrymple, Jacqueline Wilson, and Sir Ian Blair. Music is from the ever excellent Orquesta Buena Vista.

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Episode 48

48. Episode 48

min

The Book Show at Hay: Louis de Bernières, who has taken a shot at writing about rural England in the 1960s in his new book, Notwithstanding; Allegra Huston, author of the memoir Love Child; and the current children's laureate Anthony Browne.

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Episode 49

49. Episode 49

min

The Book Show at Hay: Brian May, Virginia McKenna, and Alexander McCall Smith talk animals, including a dog bugged by MI5. Music from the truly brilliant Toumani Diabate, and mathematician Alex Bellos teaches us how to cut a cake in a mathematical fashion.

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