Film director Carol Morley and comedian Will Hislop discuss their favorite books, exploring the storytelling of 'The Red Parts' and its reflection on a family mystery. They reflect on motives and trauma in a murder case, delve into city life in 'Invisible Cities', and explore complex relationships and emotional depth in literature.

Exploring themes of solitude, human connections, and political commentary through novels set in remote locations. Discussion on the impact of French writer Annie Ernaux and a street photography exhibition. Insights on capturing visual images through writing and the multifaceted Swiss literary tradition.

Alex Clark talks to novelist Jonathan Buckley about his novel, Tell. The story is told as a monologue by an unnamed narrator, the gardener of self-made businessman and would-be art collector, Curtis Doyle. Doyle has gone missing from his Scottish estate and many stories about his rags to riches life are being constructed. Tell is a novel concerned with the nature of storytelling, narrative form and the inherent unreliability of memory.Critic and writer Lauren Oyler and fiction editor of the TLS, Toby Lichtig, discuss the impact of online reviewing on professional literary criticism. Plus David Baddiel on his ten years of writing books for children.

Lindsey Hilsum discusses Patti Smith's 'Just Kids' and her relationship with Robert Mapplethorpe. Christopher Eccleston shares Viktor Frankl's 'Man's Search for Meaning' on finding purpose in suffering. Harriett Gilbert talks about Michael Frayn's satire on journalism. From artists' journeys to human resilience in adversity, the podcast covers a range of thought-provoking topics.

Art historian Katy Hessel and author Amy Blakemore discuss insightful book recommendations, exploring topics such as chess symbolism and unity in 'Chess' by Stefan Zweig, the poetic narrative style of 'Maud Martha' by Gwendolyn Brooks, and the dark compassion in 'The Pier Falls' by Mark Hatton. The discussion also touches on storytelling techniques and the impact of novel length on modern readers.

"Last night I dreamt of Manderley again..." begins Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier one of the most well-loved novels of the 20th century. As part of the Daphne du Maurier: Double Exposure season on Radio 4, Open Book looks again at her hugely popular novels to reveal the enduring qualities and appeal of her writing.From the pirates, smugglers and bewitching Cornish wilds of Jamaica Inn and Frenchman’s Creek, to the gender politics and class commentary of Rebecca and My Cousin Rachel, du Maurier’s reputation as a romance novelist misrepresented the true breadth of her work. Octavia Bright is joined by Olivia Laing, author of The Lonely City, Funny Weather and Crudo; novelist, short story writer and Cornish resident Wyl Menmuir and Dr Laura Varnam of Oxford University, an expert on du Maurier’s life and work, to strip away some of the undermining labels she struggled to shake in her lifetime.

ON WRITING by Stephen King, chosen by Kathryn Williams THE BITCH by Pilar Quintana (translated by Lisa Dillman), chosen by Harriett Gilbert ON THE BEACH by Nevil Shute, chosen by Andrew McMillanThe singer-songwriter Kathryn Williams loves books about the craft of writing and her choice of a good read is 'On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft', by the master of horror, Stephen King. The book gave her practical tools and advice which helped her to write her debut novel, The Ormering Tide. She also loves what we learn about King's life - from his flatulent childhood nanny to the devastating 1999 accident which almost ended his life.Harriett's choice this week is The Bitch by Colombian author Pilar Quintana, translated from the Spanish by Lisa Dillman. In a village on the Pacific coast of Colombia, between wild jungle and wild seas, a childless woman develops a complicated relationship with an orphaned puppy.And the poet and novelist Andrew McMillan chooses On the Beach by Nevil Shute. In Australia, a group of people try to come to terms with the end of the world. A nuclear war has wiped out all life in the northern hemisphere and the radiation is drifting steadily south. What would you do if you knew that you, and everyone you know, had only months to live?Produced by Mair Bosworth for BBC Audio

Delve into themes of Caribbean migration, struggles, and humor in 'The Lonely Londoners'. Explore race relations and gender dynamics in 1950s Britain. Analyze character dynamics and social divides in a gritty setting. Unravel personal and professional struggles in Buenos Aires with 'A Crack in the Wall'. Discover new books and author introductions.

Kate Davies talks to Chris Power about her new novel, Nuclear Family.

Actor and singer Anjana Vasan and computer scientist Anne-Marie Imafidon discuss their favorite books, including the biography of Bessie Smith by Jackie Kay, exploring themes of queerness, working-class roots, and blackness. They also dive into a unique book touching on spirituality, technology, fate vs. free will, and the need for human connection. In addition, they analyze character dynamics, pacing, power dynamics, and intrigue in science fiction and psychological thriller genres.