Episodes
| Series | Episode | Title | First Broadcast | Repeated | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | 01 | Dame Jacqueline Wilson | 20141114 | 20141115 (BBC7) 20181212 (BBC7) 20181213 (BBC7) | 1/1 Celebrated children's author Dame Jacqueline Wilson has sold over 25 million books and is the most borrowed author of the decade. In conversation with Stuart Cosgrove, Dame Jacqueline reveals the 5 most important books in her life. As well as revealing her literary secrets, she tells Stuart about a childhood with imaginary friends, the impact of a health scare and why her mother refused to call her a Dame! From 2010. Stuart Cosgrove speaks to Jacqueline Wilson about the most significant books in her life. |
| 01 | 02 | Andrew O'hagan | 20100909 | 20141121 (BBC7) 20141122 (BBC7) | Andrew O'Hagan's first novel was shortlisted for the Booker Prize and his latest novel is making its way to Hollywood. Now a successful author living in London, Andrew reveals to Stuart Cosgrove the five most significant books in his life. As well as revealing his literary secrets, he tells Stuart why he scoured the streets of Bel Air chasing the story of a dog, why he thought London was a lot like Paisley and how he managed to nurture a love of books when the only book in his childhood home was the Kilmarnock phone directory. The Scottish author talks about nurturing a love of books with only a phone book at home. |
| 01 | 03 | Sue Lawrence | 20141128 | 20141129 (BBC7) 20190102 (BBC7) 20190103 (BBC7) | Stuart Cosgrove speaks to Sue Lawrence about the five most significant books in her life. |
| 01 | 04 | Anthony Horowitz | 20141205 | 20141206 (BBC7) 20190109 (BBC7) 20190110 (BBC7) | Anthony Horowitz is the creator of the best-selling Alex Rider novels and was identified by Labour's then Education Secretary Alan Johnson as the secret weapon to get boys reading. In conversation with Stuart Cosgrove, Anthony reveals the five most significant books in his life. From Tin Tin to War and Peace we hear what books have shaped the life of this acclaimed author. The creator of the Alex Rider novels talks about the five books that have shaped his life. |
| 01 | 05 | Al Kennedy | 20141212 | 20141213 (BBC7) 20190116 (BBC7) 20190117 (BBC7) | AL Kennedy is an award winning writer whose first published book 'Night Geometry and the Garscadden Trains' hit the bookshops in 1991. Now established as a novelist and short story writer Alison Louise Kennedy is also a stand-up comedian. In conversation with Stuart Cosgrove she reveals her favourite book from childhood and the book she has bought but has never finished. Stuart also enquires about her favourite bedside book, the novel she wishes she had bought as a teenager and the book she has returned to most often. The writer and stand-up comic talks about the books which have shaped her life. |
| 01 | 06 | Sir Terry Pratchett | 20141219 | 20141220 (BBC7) 20190123 (BBC7) 20190124 (BBC7) | Acclaimed author Sir Terry Pratchett has sold over 65 million books worldwide. In conversation with Stuart Cosgrove, Sir Terry reveals the five most important books in his life. As well as revealing his literary secrets he tells Stuart about his life as a journalist, how he copes living with Alzheimer's and why he really wanted to be an astronomer. Sir Terry died in March 2015 aged 66. First broadcast on BBC Radio Scotland in October 2010 Stuart Cosgrove speaks to Sir Terry Pratchett about the most significant books in his life |
| 01 | 07 | Tony Parsons | 20141226 | 20141227 (BBC7) 20190130 (BBC7) 20190131 (BBC7) | In this series Stuart Cosgrove meets guests from the literary world and beyond to hear about the five very special books in their lives. Tony Parsons is a bestselling author, a newspaper columnist and an outspoken commentator. He published his first novel, The Kids in 1976 while working in a Gin factory. Making a name for himself as a journalist on the New Musical Express he went on to publish several semi-autobiographical novels including Man and Boy in 1999. His latest book, Tony Parsons on Life, Death and Breakfast has just been published. Talking to Stuart Cosgrove, Tony picks five significant books from his book shelves including a memorable title from his childhood, a book he would describe as life changing and the tome he has bought but has never finished. Stuart Cosgrove speaks to Tony Parsons about the five most significant books in his life. |
| 01 | 08 LAST | Quintin Jardine | 20150102 | 20150103 (BBC7) 20190206 (BBC7) 20190207 (BBC7) | In this series Stuart Cosgrove meets guests from the literary world and beyond to hear about the five very special books in their lives. Quintin Jardine has built up a huge following for his crime novels featuring the fictional Edinburgh policeman Bob Skinner. From Skinner's Rules in 1993 the series now runs to 19 books. Quintin himself has had a varied career including spells as a journalist and a political spin doctor. Talking to Stuart he chooses five titles that he's found influential including the book that convinced him that he could do better and launched him on his own writing career. Crime writer Quintin Jardine tells Stuart Cosgrove about five of his favourite books. |
| 02 | James Robertson | 20150220 | 20150221 (BBC7) 20190227 (BBC7) 20190228 (BBC7) | James Robertson is a poet, editor, novelist and publisher and was the first Writer-in-Resident at Hugh MacDiarmid's cottage at Brownsbank near Bigger in Lanarkshire. James explains to Stuart how he first discovered MacDiarmid and how his book of Collected Poems is his life changing book. They also discuss James's favourite reference book, the volume he has looked at most often and the title he'd most like to re-read. Books chosen: . 1: Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson. 2: Collected Poems by Hugh MacDiarmid. 3: Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable by the Reverend Dr. Ebenezer Cobham 4: At Swim-Two-Bird by Flann O'Brieny 5: Bleak House by Charles Dickens. Producer Mike Walker Presenter Stuart Cosgrove. First broadcast on Radio Scotland in 2011. Author and publisher James Robertson talks to Stuart Cosgrove about his favourite books. | |
| 02 | 01 | Dr Tony Pollard | 20150206 | 20150207 (BBC7) 20190213 (BBC7) 20190214 (BBC7) | Dr Tony Pollard is a renowned archaeologist, academic and writer. He's presented television programmes and used his skills to help find a mass war grave. Talking to Stuart Cosgrove he explains how the book Ring of Bright Water by Gavin Maxwell directly led to his father up-routing the family and moving them to the west coast of Scotland. Tony five books are: The Washing of The Spears by Donald R Morris. An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge by Ambrose Bierce. Dilys Powell's memoir The Villa Ariadne. Le Grand Meulnes by Alain Fournier. Produced by Mike Walker. First broadcast on Radio Scotland in 2011. Dr Tony Pollard explains how Gavin Maxwell's book Ring of Bright Water changed his life. |
| 02 | 02 | Sue Arnold | 20150213 | 20150214 (BBC7) 20190220 (BBC7) 20190221 (BBC7) | If there is one thing Sue Arnold knows about it is books. As an author and journalist she is known for her sharp social observations and she currently reviews audio books for a national newspaper. Sue made the headlines herself when controversially she wrote about cannabis improving her deteriorating sight. Now she has changed her position on the drug as she explains to Stuart Cosgrove. Sue picks four of her favourite titles and explains about the book she's bought but never finished. Titles: 1: The Aubrey-Maturin nautical series by Patrick O'Brien. 2:: The Simple Subs Guide by Leslie Sellers 3: The Siege of Krishnapur by J.G.Farrell 4: Address Unknown by Kressman Taylor 5: Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes. Produced by Mike Walker. First broadcast on BBC Scotland in 2011. Author and journalist Sue Arnold tells Stuart Cosgrove about books she loves. |
| 02 | 04 | Joanne Harris | 20150227 | 20150228 (BBC7) 20190306 (BBC7) 20190307 (BBC7) | Joanna Harris has written eleven novels including Chocolat which was made into an Oscar-nominated film starring Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp. Her most recent book, Blueeyedboy has been recently published in paperback. She picks five books that are important in her life and explains to Stuart Cosgrove how she allows her daughter to read books that were banned in her young life. Joanne explains how she draws inspiration for her own writing and how she was pleased with the film adaptation of her most famous novel. Joanne's five books: 1: GORMENGHAST by Mervyn Peake 2: SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES by Ray Bradbury 3: PERFUMES by Luca Turin. 4: LES MISERABLES by Victor Hugo 5: SANDMAN SERIES by Neil Gaiman. First broadcast on BBC Scotland in 2011. Novelist Joanne Harris tells Stuart Cosgrove about five of her favourite books. |
| 02 | 05 | Robin Pilcher | 20150306 | 20150307 (BBC7) 20190313 (BBC7) 20190314 (BBC7) | Robin Pilcher didn't take up writing until he was 48 years old but he has made up for his late start by publishing many successful books. An Ocean Apart in 1999 was followed by Starting Over and A Risk Worth Taking and all three were adapted for television. His latest novel, A Matter of Trust has now been published in paperback. Robin is also passionate about short stories and is a co-director of the website Shortbread Stories. Chatting to Stuart Cosgrove about his 5 books Robin reveals his love of maps, picks a life changing book and they share a love of John Buchan's books. Robin picks the following five books: 1: Favourite Childhood Book: A HIGH WIND IN JAMAICA by Richard Hughes 2: Life-Changing book: I HEARD THE OWL CALL MY NAME by Margaret Craven 3: Favourite Reference Book: AA ROAD MAP OF THE BRITISH ISLES 4:Book you've read most often: THE THIRTY-NINE STEPS by John Buchan 5: Favourite novel no one has heard of: LOVESONG by Alex Miller. Produced by Mike Walker. First broadcast on Radio Scotland in 2011. Novelist Robin Pilcher tells Stuart Cosgrove about five of his favourite books. |
| 02 | 06 | Andy Merriman | 20150313 | 20150314 (BBC7) 20190320 (BBC7) 20190321 (BBC7) | Andy Merriman was born into a life of comedy. His father Eric was one of the first radio comedy writer's producing scripts for the likes of Kenneth Horne and Dave Allen. Andy has written biographies of Margaret Rutherford and Hattie Jacques but it is his book called A Minor Adjustment which is the story of his daughter Sarah who has Down's syndrome which has had the biggest impact on him. Talking to Stuart Cosgrove he explains why he's loves these books: THE IDYLL OF MISS SARAH BROWN by DAMON RUNYON THE RADIO TIMES GUIDE TO TV COMEDY by MARK LEWISOHN A MINOR ADJUSTMENT by ANDY MERRIMAN THE GLORY GAME by HUNTER DAVIES BIRD LIVES by ROSS RUSSELL. Produced by Mike Walker. First broadcast on BBC Radio Scotland in 2011. Comedy writer Andy Merriman tells Stuart Cosgrove about his five favourite books. |
| 02 | 07 | Zoe Wicomb | 20150320 | 20150321 (BBC7) 20190327 (BBC7) 20190328 (BBC7) | 2/4 Zoe Wicomb was born and raised in South Africa and has lived in Scotland since 1994. She's taught in the Department of English Studies at the University of Strathclyde and now concentrates on writing. Her latest book, You Can't get Lost in Cape Town is a collection of short stories about growing up as a young coloured woman in South Africa. Zoe talked to Stuart about these five books: 1. The Children's Bible 2. Toni Morrison - Beloved. 3. Flannery O'Connor -A Good Man Is Hard to Find. 4. Chinua Achebe - Things Fall Apart. 5. Virginia Woolf - To the Lighthouse. South African-born Zoe Wicomb tells Stuart Cosgrove about her five favourite books. |
| 02 | 08 LAST | Val Mcdermid | 20110818 | 20150327 (BBC7) 20150328 (BBC7) 20190403 (BBC7) | Treat yourself to a treat from the BBC Radio Scotland archives in this delightful programme where crime writer Val McDermid shares some of her all time favourite books with Stuart Cosgrove. Best selling author Val McDermid grew up in Kirkcaldy then was accepted to read English at St Hilda's College Oxford when she was only 17. Realising that she wasn't suited to a nine to five job Val became a journalist and after training in Devon she worked on national newspapers in Glasgow and Manchester. Following the success of her book Report for Murder published in 1987 Val was able to give up the day job and concentrate on writing, the rest, as they say, is history! Val picks the following 5 titles and tells Stuart Cosgrove why they are significant books in her life. 1: TREASURE ISLAND by Robert Louis Stevenson 2: THE COLLECTED POEMS by Norman MacCaig 3: THE MURDER AT THE VICARAGE by Agatha Christie 4: SEXUAL POLITICS by Kate Millett 5: INDEMNITY ONLY by Sara Paretsky. Produced by Mike Walker. First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 in 2011. Crime writer Val McDermid tells Stuart Cosgrove about five of her favourite books. |