Books and Authors

In a special edition of Open Book Mariella Frostrup stands on the touchline to celebrate the very best writing about sport.

Adam Hills and Steven Pinker talk about their favourite books with Harriett Gilbert. The Last Leg presenter and comedian Hills picks Jonathan Livingston Seagull, and Harriett's choice is another tale of non conformists, Albert Camus' The Outsider. Psychologist and popular science author Steven Pinker claims 1930s style guide Elements of Style by Strunk & White is a good read.

Amanda Coe talks to Mariella Frostrup about her double writing life as both a novelist and a screenwriter, and Kathy Reichs reveals the book she'd never lend.

Actor Sheila Hancock and columnist Cosmo Landesman talk about the books they love with Harriett Gilbert, including How To Lose Friends & Alienate People by Toby Young, Stoner by John Williams and Lolly Willowes by Sylvia Townsend Warner.

Mariella Frostrup is joined by award-winning Irish writer, Colm Toibin, to discuss his new novel, Nora Webster, and to look back over a career that spans a quarter of a century.

Jeremy Paxman and Mary Beard argue heatedly and entertainingly about the books they love, with presenter Harriett Gilbert acting as referee. Jeremy's choice is Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk by Ben Fountain: a rollercoaster of a novel that's been called the Catch-22 of the Iraq War. The Return of Martin Guerre by Natalie Zemon Davis is classicist Mary Beard's recommendation. It's a depiction of French peasant life that's been described as even greater than the film of the same story. Travels with my Aunt, a genuinely funny novel by Graham Greene, is Harriett Gilbert's contribution.

Mariella Frostrup discusses Robert Merle's iconic French series The Brethren, now in English. And behind the genius of Ian Curtis and the socio-linguist Steven Pinker on style.

Novelist Esther Freud talks about her latest, Mr Mac and Me, inspired by the time architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh spent in Suffolk. Howard Jacobson talks about the book that he would never lend, not least because he can't find it at the moment and the changing face of book launches: how the crowded market has inspired publicists to think of new ways to draw attention to new books.

Ali Smith has been shortlisted for the Man Booker prize for the third time this year for her novel How To Be Both. She talks to Mariella Frostrup.

As we head for a September publishing bonanza, Mariella Frostrup is joined by acclaimed writers Ian McEwan and Amy Bloom, as well as Books Editor of the Guardian Claire Armitstead.

Writers Damian Barr, Evie Wyld and Joe Dunthorne discuss the rise of live literary events.

A literary ramble through the Yorkshire moors and the work they have inspired, from the Brontes to Sylvia Plath. With authors Ross Raisin, Will Atkins and Professor John Bowen.

John Banville takes Mariella on a tour of the foggy streets, smoke-filled bars and genteel hotel tea rooms of 1950s Dublin.

Ade Adepitan and Dominic Holland talk Adrian Mole, Roddy Doyle's the Snapper and Truman Capote's true crime classic In Cold Blood with presenter Harriett Gilbert.

Jessie Burton takes Mariella Frostrup back to Golden Age Amsterdam with her acclaimed debut, The Miniaturist, plus Viv Groskop and Matt Haig on this summer's best beach reads.