Mick Herron

Mick Herron answers readers' questions about his novel, Slow Horses, the first in his hugely popular Slough House series. In it we meet the 'Slow Horses’ for the first time;  failed spies who instead of being pensioned off, find themselves working in Slough House, near the Barbican in London. Here, they carry out menial administrative tasks of little or no importance, led by their offensive, vulgar boss Jackson Lamb. In this novel, the Slow Horses find themselves unexpectedly at the centre of the action. Our next recordings: Thursday 17th August: Denise Mina on her novel The Long Drop.   7pm at The Portobello Bookshop, Portobello,  Edinburgh.   (Free tickets are available via the Bookshop's website)At BBC Broadcasting House, London: Thursday 21 September at 1300 - Bernardine Evaristo on Mr LovermanThursday 12 October at 1200 noon - Katherine Heiny on Standard Deviation. Email bookclub@bbc.co.uk to take part

Mick Herron answers readers' questions about his novel, Slow Horses, the first in his hugely popular Slough House series. In it we meet the 'Slow Horses’ for the first time; failed spies who instead of being pensioned off, find themselves working in Slough House, near the Barbican in London. Here, they carry out menial administrative tasks of little or no importance, led by their offensive, vulgar boss Jackson Lamb. In this novel, the Slow Horses find themselves unexpectedly at the centre of the action. Our next recordings: Thursday 17th August: Denise Mina on her novel The Long Drop. 7pm at The Portobello Bookshop, Portobello, Edinburgh. (Free tickets are available via the Bookshop's website) At BBC Broadcasting House, London: Thursday 21 September at 1300 - Bernardine Evaristo on Mr Loverman Thursday 12 October at 1200 noon - Katherine Heiny on Standard Deviation. Email bookclub@bbc.co.uk to take part

Mick Herron: Slow Horses

Julian Barnes

To mark our  25th  anniversary, Julian Barnes returns to Bookclub.  He’s answering readers' questions about his  Booker-shortlisted novel Arthur and George.  It's  based on real events and  tells the story of Arthur Conan Doyle’s campaign to overturn the conviction of a young solicitor, George Edalji,Upcoming recording:Thursday 13 July 1830 at BBC Broadcasting House in London - Mick Herron on Slow Horses.Thursday 17 August 1900 at The Portobello Bookshop in Edinburgh - Jenni Fagan on Luckenbooth

To mark our 25th anniversary, Julian Barnes returns to Bookclub. He’s answering readers' questions about his Booker-shortlisted novel Arthur and George. It's based on real events and tells the story of Arthur Conan Doyle’s campaign to overturn the conviction of a young solicitor, George Edalji, Upcoming recording: Thursday 13 July 1830 at BBC Broadcasting House in London - Mick Herron on Slow Horses. Thursday 17 August 1900 at The Portobello Bookshop in Edinburgh - Jenni Fagan on Luckenbooth

Julian Barnes: Arthur and George

Mary Lawson

Mary Lawson joins James Naughtie and a group of readers to answer questions about her novel, Crow Lake.  An international bestseller, it tells the story of four siblings, orphaned by a road accident who have to find a new way to live as a family.  The story is narrated by Kate, looking back at that dramatic rupture in her childhood.  As she tells  her story, Kate comes to understand not only how it affected her, but also her siblings - big brothers Luke and Matt, and baby sister Bo.    Meanwhile, on a neighbouring farm, the Pye family faced their own crisis....Upcoming recordings 13 June 1830 BBC Broadcasting House in London - Julian Barnes on Arthur and George13 July 1830 BBC Broadcasting House in London - Mick Herron on Slow Horsesemail  bookclub@bbc.co.uk

Mary Lawson joins James Naughtie and a group of readers to answer questions about her novel, Crow Lake. An international bestseller, it tells the story of four siblings, orphaned by a road accident who have to find a new way to live as a family. The story is narrated by Kate, looking back at that dramatic rupture in her childhood. As she tells her story, Kate comes to understand not only how it affected her, but also her siblings - big brothers Luke and Matt, and baby sister Bo. Meanwhile, on a neighbouring farm, the Pye family faced their own crisis.... Upcoming recordings 13 June 1830 BBC Broadcasting House in London - Julian Barnes on Arthur and George 13 July 1830 BBC Broadcasting House in London - Mick Herron on Slow Horses email bookclub@bbc.co.uk

Mary Lawson: Crow Lake

Sarah Winman

James Naughtie and readers are joined by novelist Sarah Winman,  answering questions about her novel Tin Man.It's a moving and intimate portrait of three characters, Michael, Ellis and Annie. They variously fall in love, and fall out of touch,  but  are always  deeply connected.  Tin Man is a short and powerful novel about love, loss and kindness. Our next Bookclub recordings are with Mary Lawson, discussing her novel Crow Lake, at 1300 on 24 May at BBC Broadcasting House in London. Julian Barnes discussing Arthur and George at 1830 on Tuesday 13 June at BBC Broadcasting House, London. email bookclub@bbc.co.uk to take part

James Naughtie and readers are joined by novelist Sarah Winman, answering questions about her novel Tin Man. It's a moving and intimate portrait of three characters, Michael, Ellis and Annie. They variously fall in love, and fall out of touch, but are always deeply connected. Tin Man is a short and powerful novel about love, loss and kindness. Our next Bookclub recordings are with Mary Lawson, discussing her novel Crow Lake, at 1300 on 24 May at BBC Broadcasting House in London. Julian Barnes discussing Arthur and George at 1830 on Tuesday 13 June at BBC Broadcasting House, London. email bookclub@bbc.co.uk to take part

Sarah Winman:  Tin Man

Tan Twan Eng talks to James Naughtie and a group of readers about The Garden of Evening Mists.  A lyrical novel set largely in 1950s Malay (now Malaysia), it  tells the story of  Yun Ling, imprisoned by Japanese soldiers during the Second World War,  and Aritomo, a master gardener who once worked for the Emperor of Japan.   It's a complex and moving story about forgetting, forgiveness and mercy. Our next Bookclub recordings:(email bookclub@bbc.co.uk to join us)Wednesday 19th April at 1300 at BBC Broadcasting House in London. Sarah Winman will be answering questions about her novel Tin Man.  Wednesday 24 May at 1300 at BBC Broadcasting House in London Mary Lawson on Crow Lake

Tan Twan Eng talks to James Naughtie and a group of readers about The Garden of Evening Mists. A lyrical novel set largely in 1950s Malay (now Malaysia), it tells the story of Yun Ling, imprisoned by Japanese soldiers during the Second World War, and Aritomo, a master gardener who once worked for the Emperor of Japan. It's a complex and moving story about forgetting, forgiveness and mercy. Our next Bookclub recordings: (email bookclub@bbc.co.uk to join us) Wednesday 19th April at 1300 at BBC Broadcasting House in London. Sarah Winman will be answering questions about her novel Tin Man. Wednesday 24 May at 1300 at BBC Broadcasting House in London Mary Lawson on Crow Lake

Tan Twan Eng: The Garden of Evening Mists

Nadifa Mohamed

Nadifa Mohamed joins James Naughtie and readers to talk  about her award-winning novel The Fortune Men.  Set in Cardiff in the 1950s, the novel is based on the real-life trial of Mahmood Mattan, a Somali seaman accused of murder.  It's a powerful, moving read and a dazzling portrait of a proud, bewildered young man and his life in Cardiff's Tiger Bay. Upcoming recordings:  15 March at 1830 at BBC Broadcasting House, London: Tan Twan Eng will be answering questions about his novel The Garden of Evening Mists. 19 April at 1300 at BBC Broadcasting House, London:  Sarah Winman on  her novel Tin Man  Email bookclub@bbc.co.uk to come along.

Nadifa Mohamed joins James Naughtie and readers to talk about her award-winning novel The Fortune Men. Set in Cardiff in the 1950s, the novel is based on the real-life trial of Mahmood Mattan, a Somali seaman accused of murder. It's a powerful, moving read and a dazzling portrait of a proud, bewildered young man and his life in Cardiff's Tiger Bay. Upcoming recordings: 15 March at 1830 at BBC Broadcasting House, London: Tan Twan Eng will be answering questions about his novel The Garden of Evening Mists. 19 April at 1300 at BBC Broadcasting House, London: Sarah Winman on her novel Tin Man Email bookclub@bbc.co.uk to come along.

Nadifa Mohamed: The Fortune Men

Cal Flyn

James Naughtie and a group of readers talk to Cal Flyn about her acclaimed book, Islands of Abandonment, an exploration of places which have been reclaimed by nature.   She talks about her travels to Cyprus, the Orkney Islands, First World War battlefields in France, and beyond, chronicling the fightback that plants have staged once humans have left.  She reveals why finding hope in even the most desolate places is important to her, and why it's ok to leave lawns unmown.  Our next recordings are both in-person events at BBC Broadcasting House in London.   16 February 2023 at 18.30  Nadifa Mohamed will be answering questions about The Fortune Men. 15 March 2023 at 1830  Tan Twan Eng on The Garden of Evening MistsTo come along and take part, email bookclub@bbc.co.uk

James Naughtie and a group of readers talk to Cal Flyn about her acclaimed book, Islands of Abandonment, an exploration of places which have been reclaimed by nature. She talks about her travels to Cyprus, the Orkney Islands, First World War battlefields in France, and beyond, chronicling the fightback that plants have staged once humans have left. She reveals why finding hope in even the most desolate places is important to her, and why it's ok to leave lawns unmown. Our next recordings are both in-person events at BBC Broadcasting House in London. 16 February 2023 at 18.30 Nadifa Mohamed will be answering questions about The Fortune Men. 15 March 2023 at 1830 Tan Twan Eng on The Garden of Evening Mists To come along and take part, email bookclub@bbc.co.uk

Cal Flyn: Islands of Abandonment

Ross King

Historian Ross King answers listener questions about his book Brunelleschi's Dome. An incredible story of one man's determination to build an apparently impossible structure, it's a tale of ingenuity, artistic rivalries, and single-minded obsession. Although building had started on  Florence's Santa Maria del Fiore in the late thirteenth century, it wasn't until 1418 that local goldsmith Filippo Brunelleschi came up with an audacious way of constructing the magnificent dome,  which still dominates the Florence skyline today. But as Brunelleschi's Dome reveals, the architect faced huge obstacles and opposition along the way. Our next Bookclub recordings: 18/01/23: Cal Flyn will be talking about her book, Islands of Abandonment. 1300 at BBC Broadcasting House, London.16/02/23: Nadifa Mohamed on The Fortune Men. 1830 at BBC Broadcasting House, LondonEmail bookclub@bbc.co.uk to send in a question, or come along.

Historian Ross King answers listener questions about his book Brunelleschi's Dome. An incredible story of one man's determination to build an apparently impossible structure, it's a tale of ingenuity, artistic rivalries, and single-minded obsession. Although building had started on Florence's Santa Maria del Fiore in the late thirteenth century, it wasn't until 1418 that local goldsmith Filippo Brunelleschi came up with an audacious way of constructing the magnificent dome, which still dominates the Florence skyline today. But as Brunelleschi's Dome reveals, the architect faced huge obstacles and opposition along the way. Our next Bookclub recordings: 18/01/23: Cal Flyn will be talking about her book, Islands of Abandonment. 1300 at BBC Broadcasting House, London. 16/02/23: Nadifa Mohamed on The Fortune Men. 1830 at BBC Broadcasting House, London Email bookclub@bbc.co.uk to send in a question, or come along.

Ross King: Brunelleschi's Dome

AJ Pearce

James Naughtie is joined by writer A J Pearce and a group of listeners, as she answers their questions about her bestselling novel Dear Mrs Bird.  Set in London in the 1940s, it’s the story of Emmy who has ambitions to be an intrepid war reporter, but instead finds herself working as a secretary on the agony aunt pages of an old-fashioned women’s magazine. Her main duty is opening and sorting the post but Emmy just can't resist sharing her opinions...Dear Mrs Bird is a funny, heart-warming novel which does not shy away from the true horrors of war.Our next Bookclub recordings:  Ross King, on 8th December. He'll be taking us to Italy with his book Brunelleschi's Dome.  To take part, in person or online, email bookclub@bbc.co.uk1300 on 18 January at BBC Broadcasting House: Cal Flyn on Islands of Abandonment. email bookclub@bbc.co.uk to come along

James Naughtie is joined by writer A J Pearce and a group of listeners, as she answers their questions about her bestselling novel Dear Mrs Bird. Set in London in the 1940s, it’s the story of Emmy who has ambitions to be an intrepid war reporter, but instead finds herself working as a secretary on the agony aunt pages of an old-fashioned women’s magazine. Her main duty is opening and sorting the post but Emmy just can't resist sharing her opinions... Dear Mrs Bird is a funny, heart-warming novel which does not shy away from the true horrors of war. Our next Bookclub recordings: Ross King, on 8th December. He'll be taking us to Italy with his book Brunelleschi's Dome. To take part, in person or online, email bookclub@bbc.co.uk 1300 on 18 January at BBC Broadcasting House: Cal Flyn on Islands of Abandonment. email bookclub@bbc.co.uk to come along

AJ Pearce: Dear Mrs Bird

Juan Gabriel Vasquez answers audience questions about The Sound of Things Falling. Set in Colombia, the novel examines the personal and private impact of the drug wars that ravaged the country during the 1970s, 80s and 90s.   It's the story of a strange friendship between two men, Antonio and Ricardo, told through Antonio's eyes.   He sets out to investigate his friend's mysterious life, after Ricardo is murdered.  The Sound of Things Falling is a powerful read about memory and storytelling, and about the lasting impact of living in a country ruled by violence and criminality.To take part in Bookclub email bookclub@bbc.co.uk Next guests: 24/11/22  A J Pearce answering your questions about her debut Dear Mrs Bird.  08/12/22 Ross King takes us to Italy.  He'll be talking about his book Brunelleschi's Dome: The Story of the Great Cathedral in Florence

Juan Gabriel Vasquez answers audience questions about The Sound of Things Falling. Set in Colombia, the novel examines the personal and private impact of the drug wars that ravaged the country during the 1970s, 80s and 90s. It's the story of a strange friendship between two men, Antonio and Ricardo, told through Antonio's eyes. He sets out to investigate his friend's mysterious life, after Ricardo is murdered. The Sound of Things Falling is a powerful read about memory and storytelling, and about the lasting impact of living in a country ruled by violence and criminality. To take part in Bookclub email bookclub@bbc.co.uk Next guests: 24/11/22 A J Pearce answering your questions about her debut Dear Mrs Bird. 08/12/22 Ross King takes us to Italy. He'll be talking about his book Brunelleschi's Dome: The Story of the Great Cathedral in Florence

Juan Gabriel Vasquez:  The Sound of Things Falling

Led by James Naughtie, a group of readers talk to acclaimed authors about their best-known novels

Love listening to this every week! Makes me absolutely happy 😊

Wonderful!

My favorite

Bookclub

James Naughtie a group of young readers talk to author J. K. Rowling about her phenomenally successful book Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, from which she also reads an extract.

J K Rowling

Oliver Sacks

James Naughtie talks to Dr Oliver Sacks about The Man Who Mistook His Wife For A Hat, a collection of case studies into neurological disorders, all written from the point of view of the Dr.

Max Porter

Max Porter talks about his highly acclaimed novel Lanny, which was nominated for the Booker Prize 2019, and recently released in paperback.  Max is one of the most exciting literary talents to emerge in recent years, with Lanny his follow-up novel to his 2015 debut, Grief Is the Thing with Feathers.Lanny is the story of a family who've recently moved to the countryside and whose village is peopled by the living and the dead. Lanny is a young boy with a gift for friendship, who adores roaming free in the countryside, making art, leaving traces of enchantment in the closely woven lives around him. Observing it all, and orchestrating a  tapestry of village voices, is Dead Papa Toothwort, a sinister and mythological creature who has woken from his slumber and who follows the boy Lanny in his daily life, seeing him as a kind of kindred spirit. It is a novel full of ideas about the environment, art, village life, parenting, as well as the strangeness of every day life.Presented by James Naughtie and including contributions and questions from an invited group of readers.To take part in future Bookclubs apply at bookclub@bbc.co.ukJuly's Bookclub choice : Presumed Innocent by Scott TurowPresenter: James NaughtieProducer : Dymphna FlynnProduction Co-ordinator : Belinda NaylorStudio Manager : Matilda Macari

Max Porter talks about his highly acclaimed novel Lanny, which was nominated for the Booker Prize 2019, and recently released in paperback. Max is one of the most exciting literary talents to emerge in recent years, with Lanny his follow-up novel to his 2015 debut, Grief Is the Thing with Feathers. Lanny is the story of a family who've recently moved to the countryside and whose village is peopled by the living and the dead. Lanny is a young boy with a gift for friendship, who adores roaming free in the countryside, making art, leaving traces of enchantment in the closely woven lives around him. Observing it all, and orchestrating a tapestry of village voices, is Dead Papa Toothwort, a sinister and mythological creature who has woken from his slumber and who follows the boy Lanny in his daily life, seeing him as a kind of kindred spirit. It is a novel full of ideas about the environment, art, village life, parenting, as well as the strangeness of every day life. Presented by James Naughtie and including contributions and questions from an invited group of readers. To take part in future Bookclubs apply at bookclub@bbc.co.uk July's Bookclub choice : Presumed Innocent by Scott Turow Presenter: James Naughtie Producer : Dymphna Flynn Production Co-ordinator : Belinda Naylor Studio Manager : Matilda Macari

Max Porter - Lanny

With James Naughtie. In a special 200th edition of the programme we celebrate the centenary of author Patrick O'Brian and Allan Mallinson is our guide to the first in his hugely popular series of Napoleonic naval stories, Master and Commander. Known as the Aubrey/Maturin novels, the twenty books are regarded by many as the most engaging historical novels ever written. Master and Commander establishes the friendship between Captain Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin, who becomes his ship's surgeon and an intelligence agent. O'Brian won fans not just because of the story-telling and his power of characterisation but also his detailed depiction of life aboard a Nelsonic man-of-war : the weapons, food, conversation and ambience, the landscape and the sea. Master and Commander was first published in 1969 and the twentieth novel in the series Blue at the Mizzen, in 1999, a year before O'Brian died. Allan Mallinson also writes novels about the Napoleonic wars and knew O'Brian. And as always on Bookclub a group of invited readers join in the discussion. December's programme marks the 200th edition of Bookclub which began in 1998 and has featured the world's leading authors from the late 20th/early 21st century like Toni Morrison, JK Rowling, Hilary Mantel, Salman Rushdie, Martin Amis, Paul Auster, Alan Bennett. James Naughtie's impressive list of guests also includes writers who are no longer with us like Muriel Spark, Gore Vidal, Douglas Adams, Carol Shields, and Sue Townsend. All are available online to download and keep forever, via the programme's website bbc.in/r4bookclub . Presenter : James NaughtieInterviewed guest : Allan MallinsonProducer: Dymphna FlynnJanuary's Bookclub choice : A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian by Marina Lewycka.

With James Naughtie. In a special 200th edition of the programme we celebrate the centenary of author Patrick O'Brian and Allan Mallinson is our guide to the first in his hugely popular series of Napoleonic naval stories, Master and Commander. Known as the Aubrey/Maturin novels, the twenty books are regarded by many as the most engaging historical novels ever written. Master and Commander establishes the friendship between Captain Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin, who becomes his ship's surgeon and an intelligence agent. O'Brian won fans not just because of the story-telling and his power of characterisation but also his detailed depiction of life aboard a Nelsonic man-of-war : the weapons, food, conversation and ambience, the landscape and the sea. Master and Commander was first published in 1969 and the twentieth novel in the series Blue at the Mizzen, in 1999, a year before O'Brian died. Allan Mallinson also writes novels about the Napoleonic wars and knew O'Brian. And as always on Bookclub a group of invited readers join in the discussion. December's programme marks the 200th edition of Bookclub which began in 1998 and has featured the world's leading authors from the late 20th/early 21st century like Toni Morrison, JK Rowling, Hilary Mantel, Salman Rushdie, Martin Amis, Paul Auster, Alan Bennett. James Naughtie's impressive list of guests also includes writers who are no longer with us like Muriel Spark, Gore Vidal, Douglas Adams, Carol Shields, and Sue Townsend. All are available online to download and keep forever, via the programme's website <a href="http://bbc.in/r4bookclub" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">bbc.in/r4bookclub</a> . Presenter : James Naughtie Interviewed guest : Allan Mallinson Producer: Dymphna Flynn January's Bookclub choice : A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian by Marina Lewycka.

Patrick O'Brian - Master and Commander

David Mitchell

From the Hay Festival, James Naughtie and an audience of readers talk to David Mitchell about Cloud Atlas, the novel that made him an overnight literary star.

John Simpson, the BBC's World Affairs Editor and writer Hilary Spurling discuss George Orwell's Homage to Catalonia, as part of the Radio 4 Real Orwell Season. Homage to Catalonia was first published in 1938 and is political journalist and novelist George Orwell's personal account of his experiences and observations in the Spanish Civil War. This pivotal time in his writing career led in later years to Nineteen Eighty Four and Animal Farm. James Naughtie presents and a group of readers ask the questions.March's Bookclub choice : Pure by Andrew MillerProduced by Dymphna Flynn.

John Simpson, the BBC's World Affairs Editor and writer Hilary Spurling discuss George Orwell's Homage to Catalonia, as part of the Radio 4 Real Orwell Season. Homage to Catalonia was first published in 1938 and is political journalist and novelist George Orwell's personal account of his experiences and observations in the Spanish Civil War. This pivotal time in his writing career led in later years to Nineteen Eighty Four and Animal Farm. James Naughtie presents and a group of readers ask the questions. March's Bookclub choice : Pure by Andrew Miller Produced by Dymphna Flynn.

George Orwell's Homage to Catalonia

Barbara Kingsolver

James Naughtie and an audience of readers discuss American author Barbara Kingsolver's novel The Poisonwood Bible.

Bill Bryson

James Naughtie talks to author Bill Bryson about his book A Short History of Nearly Everything.

John Irving

James Naughtie and readers talk to celebrated American author John Irving about his novel, A Prayer for Owen Meany. The novel starts with a shock - the eponymous hero hits a foul ball in a baseball match and kills his best friend's mother. It then moves through to spooky premonitions during an amateur performance of A Christmas Carol, to a drunken psychiatrist driving down school steps, to a bloody end during the Vietnam war. Yet there is pattern and meaning in such bizarre antics, and part of the fun for the reader is to work them out. Irving reveals the mysteries of one of fiction's most extraordinary characters, Owen Meany - the little guy with the falsetto voice.

James Naughtie and readers talk to celebrated American author John Irving about his novel, A Prayer for Owen Meany. The novel starts with a shock - the eponymous hero hits a foul ball in a baseball match and kills his best friend's mother. It then moves through to spooky premonitions during an amateur performance of A Christmas Carol, to a drunken psychiatrist driving down school steps, to a bloody end during the Vietnam war. Yet there is pattern and meaning in such bizarre antics, and part of the fun for the reader is to work them out. Irving reveals the mysteries of one of fiction's most extraordinary characters, Owen Meany - the little guy with the falsetto voice.

Jonathan Franzen

The author Jonathan Franzen discusses his novel The Corrections with James Naughtie and a group of readers at the British Library in London.

Jonathan Franzen - The Corrections

Author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie joins James Naughtie and readers to talk about Half of a Yellow Sun, winner of last year's Orange Broadband Prize for Fiction.

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Marilynne Robinson

American writer Marilynne Robinson talks to James Naughtie and readers about her novel Gilead, winner of the 2005 Pulitzer Prize.Marilynne Robinson enjoyed great success with her first novel, Housekeeping, when it was published in 1980. She reveals to Bookclub why there was a gap of twenty-four years before she was able to write Gilead, her second book; and how the voice of the narrator came to her when she found herself alone in a hotel one Christmas. Gilead is the autobiography of the Reverend John Ames, an elderly pastor in the small, secluded and fictional town of the same name, who knows he's dying of a heart condition. Writing in the late 1950s, Ames tells his story in the form of a letter to his seven year old son, who will have few memories of him. And as well as revealing his fears about what will happen to his family when he's gone, the account traces the family's history back to the time when the prairies around Kansas and Iowa were being settled, through the Civil War and up to the civil rights movement of the mid-twentieth century.The voice of John Ames captivates the Bookclub audience, and Marilynne discusses his life and work with themes relevant to her own - solitude and religious contemplation.November's Bookclub choice : Skellig by David AlmondProducer : Dymphna Flynn.

American writer Marilynne Robinson talks to James Naughtie and readers about her novel Gilead, winner of the 2005 Pulitzer Prize. Marilynne Robinson enjoyed great success with her first novel, Housekeeping, when it was published in 1980. She reveals to Bookclub why there was a gap of twenty-four years before she was able to write Gilead, her second book; and how the voice of the narrator came to her when she found herself alone in a hotel one Christmas. Gilead is the autobiography of the Reverend John Ames, an elderly pastor in the small, secluded and fictional town of the same name, who knows he's dying of a heart condition. Writing in the late 1950s, Ames tells his story in the form of a letter to his seven year old son, who will have few memories of him. And as well as revealing his fears about what will happen to his family when he's gone, the account traces the family's history back to the time when the prairies around Kansas and Iowa were being settled, through the Civil War and up to the civil rights movement of the mid-twentieth century. The voice of John Ames captivates the Bookclub audience, and Marilynne discusses his life and work with themes relevant to her own - solitude and religious contemplation. November's Bookclub choice : Skellig by David Almond Producer : Dymphna Flynn.

Marilynne Robinson - Gilead

Zadie Smith

James Naughtie talks to Zadie Smith about the impact of her debut novel White Teeth.

Owen Sheers

Owen Sheers talks about his novel I Saw A Man with James Naughtie and a group of readers at the Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea.After the sudden loss of his wife, Michael Turner moves from Wales to London to start again. Living on a quiet street in Hampstead, he develops a close bond with the Nelson family next door: Josh, Samantha and their two young daughters.The friendship between Michael and the Nelsons at first seems to offer the prospect of healing, and then one Saturday afternoon in June 2008 Michael steps through the Nelsons’ back door, thinking their house is empty and everything changes. Meanwhile thousands of miles away, just outside of Las Vegas, a man is setting in motion a change of events which eventually come to puncture life on that Hampstead Street.  And Michael finds himself bearing the burden of grief and a secret.Presenter : James NaughtieProducer : Dymphna FlynnSeptember's Bookclub Choice : The Memory of Love by Aminatta Forna (2011)

Owen Sheers talks about his novel I Saw A Man with James Naughtie and a group of readers at the Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea. After the sudden loss of his wife, Michael Turner moves from Wales to London to start again. Living on a quiet street in Hampstead, he develops a close bond with the Nelson family next door: Josh, Samantha and their two young daughters. The friendship between Michael and the Nelsons at first seems to offer the prospect of healing, and then one Saturday afternoon in June 2008 Michael steps through the Nelsons’ back door, thinking their house is empty and everything changes. Meanwhile thousands of miles away, just outside of Las Vegas, a man is setting in motion a change of events which eventually come to puncture life on that Hampstead Street. And Michael finds himself bearing the burden of grief and a secret. Presenter : James Naughtie Producer : Dymphna Flynn September's Bookclub Choice : The Memory of Love by Aminatta Forna (2011)

Owen Sheers - I Saw A Man

Bernard Cornwell

James Naughtie talks to the novelist Bernard Cornwell. He joins an audience of readers to discuss the first novel in his series set in Saxon England, The Last Kingdom. The novel centres on the story of Uhtred Ragnarson, a Northumbrian boy captured by the invading Vikings and raised as one of their own, who returns to the Saxons after the Danish warrior who raised him is killed.

Kazuo Ishiguro

A group of readers join James Naughtie to talk to Kazuo Ishiguro about The Remains of The Day, his acclaimed novel about life above and below stairs in the years leading up to World War II.

Don DeLillo

James Naughtie talks to Don DeLillo about his novel Underworld

Bookclub - Don DeLillo on Underworld

Elmore Leonard

In the 100th edition of Bookclub, James Naughtie is joined by American crime writer Elmore Leonard to discuss his book Rum Punch. The novel is set in Florida and features the character Jackie Burke, who became Jackie Brown in the film of the same name by Quentin Tarantino.

Erin Morgenstern

American author Erin Morgenstern talks about her fantasy novel The Night Circus which has become a cult favourite with readers.  James Naughtie presents and an invited group of readers ask the questions.It's the story of a mysterious Victorian travelling circus that only opens at night and is constructed entirely in black and white.  Although there are acrobats, fortune-tellers and contortionists Le Cirque des Rêves is no conventional spectacle. Some tents contain clouds, some ice.  the circus seems almost to cast a spell over its aficionados, who call themselves the rêveurs, the dreamers.At the heart of the story is the tangled relationship between two young magicians, Celia, the enchanter's daughter, and Marco, the sorcerer's apprentice.  At the behest of their shadowy masters they find themselves locked in a deadly contest and the two rivals defy all the rules of the game by falling in love.You can hear a reading of The Night Circus on BBC Radio 4 Extra Monday 6 January - Friday 10 January at 1800To take part in future Bookclubs apply at bookclub@bbc.co.uk February's Bookclub Choice :  The People's Act of Love by James Meek (2005)Presented by James NaughtieProduced by Dymphna Flynn

American author Erin Morgenstern talks about her fantasy novel The Night Circus which has become a cult favourite with readers. James Naughtie presents and an invited group of readers ask the questions. It's the story of a mysterious Victorian travelling circus that only opens at night and is constructed entirely in black and white. Although there are acrobats, fortune-tellers and contortionists Le Cirque des Rêves is no conventional spectacle. Some tents contain clouds, some ice. the circus seems almost to cast a spell over its aficionados, who call themselves the rêveurs, the dreamers. At the heart of the story is the tangled relationship between two young magicians, Celia, the enchanter's daughter, and Marco, the sorcerer's apprentice. At the behest of their shadowy masters they find themselves locked in a deadly contest and the two rivals defy all the rules of the game by falling in love. You can hear a reading of The Night Circus on BBC Radio 4 Extra Monday 6 January - Friday 10 January at 1800 To take part in future Bookclubs apply at bookclub@bbc.co.uk February's Bookclub Choice : The People's Act of Love by James Meek (2005) Presented by James Naughtie Produced by Dymphna Flynn

Erin Morgenstern - The Night Circus

Khaled Hosseini

With James Naughtie.Khaled Hosseini talks about his global bestselling novel, The Kite Runner with a group of invited readers.The book describes how the happiness of an afternoon's kite flying competition in late-1970s Kabul is broken when young Amir fails to help his best friend Hassan avoid a terrible incident. The effects on the duo's friendship are devastating. Over 20 years later, Amir returns to Afghanistan from America, determined to redeem himself.Khaled Hosseini explains the unequal relationship between the two boys that lies at the heart of the novel, and how the reader has a sense of dread and impending catastrophe as the story develops. He says that although the West has a view of Afghanistan as a violent culture, he remembers that for most of the twentieth century, Afghanistan was a peaceful place, and that the West has exoticised Afghans as being 'warrior' like.March's Bookclub choice : Disobedience (2006) by Naomi AldermanProducer : Dymphna Flynn.

With James Naughtie. Khaled Hosseini talks about his global bestselling novel, The Kite Runner with a group of invited readers. The book describes how the happiness of an afternoon's kite flying competition in late-1970s Kabul is broken when young Amir fails to help his best friend Hassan avoid a terrible incident. The effects on the duo's friendship are devastating. Over 20 years later, Amir returns to Afghanistan from America, determined to redeem himself. Khaled Hosseini explains the unequal relationship between the two boys that lies at the heart of the novel, and how the reader has a sense of dread and impending catastrophe as the story develops. He says that although the West has a view of Afghanistan as a violent culture, he remembers that for most of the twentieth century, Afghanistan was a peaceful place, and that the West has exoticised Afghans as being 'warrior' like. March's Bookclub choice : Disobedience (2006) by Naomi Alderman Producer : Dymphna Flynn.

Khaled Hosseini - The Kite Runner

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