Series bringing fresh insight into lives through literature, in which guest presenters pick readings from their favourite pieces of poetry and prose
Adrian Mitchell entertains an audience when he introduces some of his favourite literature to illustrate a happy life as poet, playwright and general mischief maker.
DetailsBroadcaster and journalist Anna Raeburn is joined on stage at the Hay Festival by Diana Quick and Richard Mitchley in a selection of some of her favourite pieces of writing.
DetailsJournalist and political commentator Anthony Howard chooses some of his favourite pieces of writing. The pieces are read by Nigel Anthony and Eleanor Bron.
DetailsAs a tribute to director Anthony Minghella who died recently, another chance to hear him discuss his favourite pieces of writing. Readers include Juliet Stevenson and Alan Rickman.
DetailsWriter and adventurer Ben Fogle chooses some of the pieces of writing which have influenced him. The readers are Michael Simkins and Eleanor David.
DetailsPoet Brian Patten chooses pieces of writing which have been inspirational to him in his work and his life. Readers are Christian Rodska and Alison Reid.
DetailsIn a programme recorded at the Hay Literary Festival, writer and publisher Carmen Callil presents her selection of favourite pieces. Readers are Diana Quick and Richard Mitchley.
DetailsClassical singer and broadcaster Catherine Bott shows how writers as diverse as JM Coetzee and Joyce Grenfell have attempted to convey what music means in words.
DetailsLawyer and human rights activist and Clive Stafford Smith, founder of the pressure group Reprieve, chooses a selection of the writing which has inspired, amused or uplifted him.
DetailsChildren's author Dame Jacqueline Wilson shares her love of literature with anecdotes and a choice of readings.
DetailsGuest performers select their favourite pieces of writing. Literary editor and memoirist Diana Athill shares the rich pickings of a life spent among books.
DetailsActress Diana Quick chooses some favourite pieces of writing. Her readers are her long-time partner Bill Nighy and their daughter Mary.
DetailsGuest performers select their favourite pieces of writing. Dominic Dromgoole, artistic director of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, shares his passion for poetry and prose.
DetailsNovelist Fay Weldon introduces a programme of some of her favourite pieces of writing. The readers are Pippa Haywood and Peter Marinker.
DetailsTurner Prize-winning artist Grayson Perry presents a selection of the written influences on his life and work. The readers are Michael Simkins and Eleanor David.
DetailsHonor Blackman introduces a selection of the poetry and prose which has inspired her through her long career. The pieces are read by Eleanor David, Nickolas Grace and Honor herself.
DetailsCrusading environmental scientist James Lovelock, author of the Gaia theory of life on Earth, reveals some of his favourite pieces of prose and poetry.
DetailsPolitical journalist and Today programme presenter James Naughtie shares some of his favourite pieces of writing with an audience.
DetailsNovelist Joanne Harris shares her love of great writing, including Molesworth and science fiction. Plus the radio version of a graphic novel by Neil Gaiman.
DetailsJude Kelly, artistic director of London's refurbished Southbank Centre, uses literary extracts to argue the case for the central role of creativity and the arts in society.
DetailsSports writer Julie Welch chooses a selection of writing which illustrates one of the main themes of her life so far - feet. The readers are Dominic Jephcott and Stella Gonet.
DetailsWildlife presenter Kate Humble shares some favourite pieces of writing with an audience. The readers are John Telfer and Rosie Cavliero.
DetailsLes Dennis introduces an eclectic selection of readings reflecting some of the ups and downs of his personal and professional life. Readers are Christopher Cazenove and Jodie McNee.
DetailsLynne Truss revisits the early literary passions which would shape her as a writer. Actors Helen Atkinson Wood, Philip Franks and Peter Marinker join her to entertain an audience.
DetailsFilm critic Mark Kermode selects some haunting fiction, including extracts from William Peter Blatty's novel The Exorcist and F Scott Fitzgerald's American classic The Great Gatsby.
DetailsMartha Kearney chooses pieces of writing which have a special meaning for her, either personally or in her work as a broadcaster. Readers are Niamh Cusack and David Morrissey.
DetailsChildren's writer Michael Morpurgo takes a literary journey through his life, with pieces of prose and poetry read by Alison Reid and Christian Rodska.
DetailsPaul Gambaccini invites an audience to share some of his favourite pieces of writing. The readers are John Guerrasio, Kathryn Akin and Philip Rosch.
DetailsRichard Briers chooses some of his favourite performance pieces for an entertaining half hour with his daughter Lucy Briers and his old friend Peter Egan.
DetailsComedian Robert Webb presents a selection of his favourite prose and poetry in a special edition recorded at the University of Bedfordshire.
DetailsComedian Robert Webb plunders his bookshelves to present a selection of his favourite prose and poetry in a special edition recorded at the University of Bedfordshire.
DetailsPlaywright Sir Alan Ayckbourn asserts the importance of humour and laughter in his choice of literary extracts. The readers are Amanda Root and Jon Strickland.
DetailsFormer prime minister Sir John Major chooses some of the pieces of writing which have sustained, inspired and entertained him. The readers are Nigel Anthony and Lucy Briers.
DetailsWriter and DJ Stuart Maconie presents a selection of favourite verse and prose illustrating some personal memories, in front of an audience at the Latitude Festival.
DetailsTony Benn presents some of the pieces of prose and poetry which have helped shape his personal philosophy. Readers are Saffron Burrows, Jim Findley and Carl Prekopp.
DetailsFashion designer Vivienne Westwood chooses some of the pieces of writing which inspire her, from Alice in Wonderland to Bertrand Russell.
DetailsGuest performers select their favourite pieces of writing. Will Hutton, chief executive of the Work Foundation, shares his admiration for JM Keynes, Dickens and Umberto Eco.
DetailsA very special festive edition in which Alan Titchmarsh revels in some of his favourite pieces of prose and poetry with the help of Judi Dench and Geoffrey Palmer.
DetailsA special festive edition in which Terry Pratchett revels in his favourite pieces of writing with the help of Helen Atkinson Wood, Michael Fenton Stevens and Michael Maloney.
DetailsPolitical journalist and Today programme presenter James Naughtie shares some of the pieces of prose and verse which have entertained and inspired him over the years.
DetailsTV presenter Zeinab Badawi presents her selection of favourite pieces of writing, ranging from Virgil to The Tale of Custard the Dragon.
DetailsDJ Zoe Ball shares some of her favourite pieces of writing with a live audience. The readers are Hattie Morahan and Blake Ritson, with a guest appearance by Johnny Ball.
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