Books and Authors

Mariella Frostrup talks to Tessa Hadley about her latest novel Clever Girl, Cory Doctorow discusses literature and future technology and Ian Rankin on the book he will never lend. .

Mariella Frostrup presents a special programme from The Royal Opera House on the prolific and influential Scottish novelist Sir Walter Scott, in the company of biographer Stuart Kelly, authors Denise Mina and Allan Massie and actor Emun Elliott.

Harlan Coben talks to Mariella Frostup about his new thriller novel Six Years. We report from the London Book Fair which this year has given prominence to Turkish publishing. And author Rodge Glass takes a wry literary look at the impact of cheap flights.

Mariella Frostrup talks to Taiye Selasi about her debut novel Ghana Must Go with. Gillian Cross discusses her new book After Tomorrow and dystopian futures for children. And Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk - writer and music broadcaster Stephen Johnson on the novel behind the famous opera.

Patrick Ness talks to Mariella Frostrup about his novel The Crane Wife. We look at the way in which the start of Spring inspires novelists with Horatio Clare and John Sutherland. And in the first in our series on precious books, novelist and critic Amanda Craig comes clean about the novel that won't be prised off her book-shelf for love nor money.

Writers Gervase Phinn and Moni Mohsin talk to Harriett Gilbert about books they love. Gervase Phinn chooses A Ragged Schooling by Robert Roberts. Moni Mohsin picks Kim by Rudyard Kipling. And Harriett Gilbert champions Wise Children by Angela Carter. The producer is Beth O'Dea.

Aminatta Forna discusses her latest novel The Hired Man. Mariella delves into the state of the Russian literary scene with Russian Booker winning author Mikhail Shishkin and publisher and editor Natasha Perova. And in the year of the 150th anniversary of the publication of The Water-Babies, Robert Douglas-Fairhurst describes the eccentric life of its author and why he feels it still remains a fantastic story for children.

TV presenter, Konnie Huq's choice is Hangover Square by Patrick Hamilton, a dark novel of seedy low-life set in 1930's Earls Court. Hue & Cry pop singer Pat Kane's is a treatise on work and the joy of simply making something, The Craftsman by Richard Sennett. Presenter Harriett Gilbert chooses a disturbing but compelling satire on how far modern parents will go to protect their children, even after they have committed a terrible crime - The Dinner by Herman Koch.

Kate Atkinson talks to Mariella Frostrup about her new book Life After Life. We discuss classic and modern Western novels with Michael Carlson and novelist Ace Atkins. And Graham Sharpe, Media Relations Director of William Hill, shows how betting on the winning author of a literary prize can be more difficult than picking a winning horse at the races.

Robert Peston chooses, 'The Cruel Mother', written by his late wife, Sian Busby. Bernardine Evaristo chooses, 'The Boy Next Door' by Irene Sabatini and Harriett Gilbert's choice this week is 'Hons and Rebels' by Jessica Mitford.