This podcast delves into George Orwell's life and work, discussing his pseudonym, the influence of '1984', his experience in Barcelona during the Spanish Civil War, his wariness of progress and technology, problematic aspects in '1984', and perspectives on Orwell's ideas and influence.

Ayelet Gundar-Goshen, author of The Wolf Hunt, discusses themes of the American Dream, relationship dynamics, motivations, aggression in detective stories, and the allure of train travel in novels.

Octavia Bright talks to Ann Patchett about her captivating new novel. Tom Lake is the story of a young actor Lara under the spell of a future Hollywood star, but it is also about how she retells that story in later life to her adult daughters, and the power of storytelling itself.Two masters of historical fiction, Laura Shepherd-Robinson and S. J. Parris (aka Stephanie Merritt) discuss the allure of magic and mysticism in their latest books set either side of the Enlightenment.Plus Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah recalls the enchanting tale behind the book he'd never lend.Producer: Ciaran Bermingham

Johny Pitts explores Birmingham's literary heritage and contemporary writing scene.

Author and cultural critic Olivia Laing, whose books include The Lonely City, Funny Weather and Everybody, is joined by fashion writer and curator Charlie Porter, of What Artists Wear and Bring No Clothes: Bloomsbury and the Philosophy of Fashion, and presenter Harriett Gilbert, to talk about the books they love.Olivia recommends Bad Blood by literary critic Lorna Sage - a memoir of her eccentric childhood and adolescence in 1940s rural Wales. Charlie loves Honey From A Weed by Patience Gray, a cookbook which exalts local knowledge and seasonal cooking, taking readers to a time and place far removed from modern life. And Harriett brings The English Understand Wool, a 2022 novella by American author Helen DeWitt, which takes unexpected twists and turns and which Harriett argues, merits reading more than once.Comment on instagram: @agoodreadbbc Produced by Eliza Lomas for BBC Audio

Elizabeth Day celebrates the centenary year of the writer Elizabeth Jane Howard

More book recommendations from actor Niamh Cusack and author Elly Griffiths

Susanna Hoffs and Nina Wadia choose their good reads

Johny Pitts speaks to Megan Nolan about her new novel, Ordinary Human Failings. The book explores the demonization of an Irish family and tabloid journalism in nineties London following a shocking tragedy.Plus what is the best crime fiction out there this summer? Vaseem Khan, incoming chair of the Crime Writers Association, and critic Laura Wilson give their tips, from hot new psychological thrillers to reissued classics.And Val McDermid chooses a very modern-feeling 1940s whodunit for her Book I'd Never Lend.Book List – Sunday 16 July and Thursday 20 JulyOrdinary Human Failing by Megan Nolan Acts of Desperation by Megan Nolan Grave Expectations by Alice Bell The Square of Sevens by Laura Shepherd-Robinson Kill For Me Kill For You by Steve Cavanagh The Wheel of Doll by Jonathan Ames Alchemy by SJ Parris The Bandit Queens by Parini Shroff Uncle Paul by Celia Fremlin The Drowning Pool by Ross Macdonald Death of a Lesser God by Vaseem Khan Miss Pym Disposes by Josephine Tey

Richard Ford talks to Alex Clark about his latest novel, Be Mine.