Reviews
I was very surprised that the ep with Christopher Eccleston played with no content warning. I was in the car, so had no view of show notes. To be exposed to the conversation about depression when I felt suicidal was upsetting. My responsibility but i’ll avoid the podcast in future.
Mole68 via Apple Podcasts · Great Britain · 03/31/24
Harriet’s breadth of reading and her open minded approach are not always displayed by her guests who sometimes have an axe to grind.
Sad in Oz via Apple Podcasts · Australia · 02/25/24
I just love A good read as a program, and Harriet as presenter. She's interested, erudite and has a daring taste in booksRead full review »
moniekbaars via Apple Podcasts · Netherlands · 01/31/24
I enjoy the wide range of books discovered through these discussions. The guests vary so widely in how they interpret what is a a Good Read that I learn of books I’d never hear of elsewhere. The host is an absolute twin to my own book tastes so I know there will always be at least one book I’ve...Read full review »
Gingiaa via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 11/18/23
A great concept but often the shallowness of the guests is such that they could be talking about television. In fact they are usually TV presenters of some kind.
twomoonmusic via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 10/11/23
Love the show but the episode notes are non-existent or so short that they’re useless. Would LOVE to see even just the books discussed in the episode and names of people who talk. Would make this show even more impressive. Please Please Please Please Please
Podcast Fanner via Apple Podcasts · Australia · 08/28/23
I tend to skip the other episodes, but A Good Read is one of my favourite podcasts of all time. Love listening in and picking up new recommendations - and re-reading books through guests’ experiences.
Charlie 923 via Apple Podcasts · Great Britain · 01/28/23
Love the podcast, however, I wish Harriett Gilbert would let her guests say the point/quote they started instead of railroading them/fishing the quote herself.
Cee S via Apple Podcasts · Canada · 12/07/22
Mariella Frostrup is by far the best of the hosts. Always measured, informed and a pleasure to listen to.
sextus Pompeius via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 09/28/22
A Good Read is the best part of this podcast. Wish there was more of it.
Brat154 via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 05/24/22
Harriett is a wonderful host that truely cares about her guests and their work. I wish I had the time to read all of these books, they sound incredible.
Emma | Podcast Connection via Apple Podcasts · South Africa · 04/14/22
Always interesting and fab that there are still no ads - it feels like a friend. Thank you Mariella
Another Kitty via Apple Podcasts · Great Britain · 03/18/22
For anyone with a love for books and reading, A Good Read is the best of all possible Podcasts. The book selections and discussions (guided by the always brilliant and articulate Harriett Gilbert) are always wonderful. The guests usually agree…but the discussions are even more interesting when...Read full review »
A Reader in Tennessee via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 11/16/21
A Good Read has been off air for too long. I hope the BBC isn’t thinking of doing something stupid like axing it or replacing Harriet Gilbert with someone awful.
WWW/5934 via Apple Podcasts · Great Britain · 09/27/21
The host of the Books and Authors podcast, highlights all aspects of authorship and more in this can’t miss podcast! The host and expert guests offer insightful advice and information that is helpful to anyone that listens!
malfoxley via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 06/11/21
Love listening to A Good Read it gets me through long night shifts. Picked up loads of book recommendations.
Wilbo717 via Apple Podcasts · Great Britain · 05/01/21
Great podcast, beautifully hosted.
scmcgoo via Apple Podcasts · Great Britain · 04/30/21
This is my favourite podcast. The host is astounding, the guests are informative and entertaining and I love that I learn so much about books I have read or have yet to read. I get so excited when a new episode lands. Excellent.
Hardy Haha via Apple Podcasts · Canada · 04/04/21
Have been loving A Good Read recently! Some amazing guests with great discussion. My wish list is getting very long! 📚
H-Lion-316 via Apple Podcasts · Great Britain · 04/01/21
Love @agoodread! I have read so many great books thanks to you and your guests. Brilliant, sad it’s only once a fortnight! Should be once a week 🌟
Lola Stass via Apple Podcasts · Australia · 03/24/21
Finding this podcast got me through the worst of the Pandemic. I loved every interview. The hosts are brilliant and so are the guests! It’s a joy!
WB2MIA via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 03/06/21
A great way to discover books and get inside the mind of writers.
artsactivist via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 02/24/21
Best of the genre - not too long - not too short - always enjoyable
Prose Prose via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 01/11/21
Love this podcast! A favorite in these COVID times.
blimpy froman via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 01/04/21
I love Harriet and A Good Read. The rest of this channel (Mariella and others) is so so. I would rate higher is Harriet had her own separate podcast channel.
ssharma62 via Apple Podcasts · Great Britain · 01/03/21
See the film starring Anne Bancroft and Anthony Hopkins (and Judi Dench). Kindness, the love of books, and the passage of time. Wonderful! Thank you, Harriet Gilbert, for A Good Read.
Dame ichie via Apple Podcasts · Canada · 10/21/20
Hands down my favourite podcast. Love the humour and mixed dynamics in each episode and getting lost in the reviews of books, many of which I will never read - but have found some gems along the way. Well done Harriet and team!
Karenlundin via Apple Podcasts · Ireland · 08/26/20
I really have enjoyed the current practice of having different presenters. Alex Clark as always was brilliant and Johnny Pitts was particularly engaging. We all miss Mariella but the programme is still worth more than 5 stars. Thanks
PineGroveCharlie via Apple Podcasts · Great Britain · 08/19/20
I love A Good Read, and think Harriet Gilbert is an excellent presenter - interested, funny, fair minded and with interesting insights. The programme is a bit of a comfort listen in its own right but also really useful for reading recommendations - especially for bookclub. I agree with another...Read full review »
A lapsed reader via Apple Podcasts · Great Britain · 08/09/20
I love A Good Read - one of my favourite listens. It would be great though to have the list of books discussed in the show notes.
Fabien_L via Apple Podcasts · Great Britain · 07/21/20
Someone very posh talks books
Ducker76 via Apple Podcasts · Great Britain · 07/20/20
Love this but am missing Mariella
Mojo Joanna via Apple Podcasts · Great Britain · 06/23/20
Several of those downloads have turned out to be The Listening Project which I loathe....
Sievad via Apple Podcasts · Great Britain · 06/14/20
I adore this podcast - great guests, interesting book recommendations, has re-energised my life of reading.
AmyM_23 via Apple Podcasts · Great Britain · 05/17/20
Always interesting.... great interviews & full of reading suggestions, love it!
Harro654 via Apple Podcasts · Great Britain · 05/08/20
And I also love this comedic “in between 2 ferns” type interview with this NYT best selling author and WSJ reporter.
Maxcraft430 via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 02/18/20
Interesting interviews and great recommendations. Love both of these podcasts, the interview techniques of both Mariella and Harriet make me feel I am in good company.
CeliaHibs via Apple Podcasts · Australia · 01/04/20
The format has changed ....and I don’t like change!
al bif*khr via Apple Podcasts · Great Britain · 01/02/20
After listening to many of these I have finally given up and unsubscribed as in virtually every program, amongst the great reads, there would be the description of a book that graphically celebrates the disgustingly ugly side of people as in the Great Auk. I don’t want these images haunting me.
Gumtree fun via Apple Podcasts · Great Britain · 12/01/19
For some reason theres now no indication in the title of each episode as to whether its 'good reads' or something elseRead full review »
lingl0ngling via Apple Podcasts · Great Britain · 11/13/19
Just love hearing about what other people read and what they enjoy, or otherwise, about their chosen book and the choice of the other guests on the programme. Gives one so many ideas about what to read next.
marrondow via Apple Podcasts · Great Britain · 11/06/19
I really look forward to episodes of A Good Read, it has a wide range of interesting guests, although a few too many are entertainers. The discussions are excellent and I’ve picked up lots of good reading tips. Like Harriet’s style of presenting. Open Book can be a bit luvvie, a promotional...Read full review »
robertsbarrie via Apple Podcasts · Great Britain · 10/28/19
Two wonderful BBC Radio 4 programmes for anyone who loves books. Highly recommended!
gileden via Apple Podcasts · Israel · 09/24/19
I wait and wait for A Good Read and World Book Club. Harriet is a fantastic host. She is gracious, interesting and interested, so we follow suit. Thank you Harriet for hours of happy listening.
MJaudible via Apple Podcasts · United States of America · 09/12/19
How lovely to hear Benjamin Myers on Open Book and to hear him talking about the North as an inspirational place to write about.
beaandtig via Apple Podcasts · Great Britain · 08/19/19
A Good Read is great because the guests (and Harriet of course!) pick books which you would not otherwise have thought of and discuss them. They aren’t always the newest books which is ideal as a change to the usual publicity train on new releases. The guests are a nice mix of people and Harriet...Read full review »
MHB2019 via Apple Podcasts · Great Britain · 07/30/19
Thank you Harriet, for the consistently wonderful conversations, not only introducing me to gems written in every era and every culture, but also introducing me to so many interesting people. I need to write to bring a very special book to your notice arising from your discussion of March Violet...Read full review »
Katherine -Mary via Apple Podcasts · Ireland · 07/10/19
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