BBC Radio 4’s Bookclub has been broadcast monthly for coming up to twenty-five years. It’s hosted by James Naughtie, former presenter of Radio 4’s flagship current affairs programme Today, and himself the author of several books, both fiction and nonfiction. The books chosen are usually the best-known novels by an author rather than the latest releases.
To create an atmosphere similar to a regular book club, the number of participants is kept small. However, unlike most book clubs, the author of the book being discussed is always present giving the audience of readers a chance to ask questions and listen to the always fascinating answers.
I’ve been lucky enough to attend four recordings of the programme so far:
- Donal Ryan discussing his book The Spinning Heart which is set in the aftermath of Ireland’s financial collapse in 2008. A companion novel, Heart, Be At Peace, set ten years later, will be published in August 2024.
- Graeme Macrae Burnet talking about his novel His Bloody Project which involves a triple murder that takes place in a small village in Scotland in 1869. It was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize in 2016. A Case of Matricide, the third book featuring French detective Georges Gorski will be published in December 2024.
- Clare Chambers discussing her book Small Pleasures set in 1950s south-east London and longlisted for the Womens Prize for Fiction 2021. Her new novel, Shy Creatures, set in London in 1964 will be published in August 2024.
- Lucy Caldwell talking about her novel These Days set in Belfast in 1941 which won the Walter Scott Prize for Historical Fiction 2023. (The programme will be broadcast on 2nd June 2024). Her short story collection, Openings, was published in April.
How can I attend a Bookclub recording?
It’s free to attend recordings which take place at BBC Broadcasting House in London either at lunchtime or early evening. You can book yourself a place via the Bookclub website where you’ll find dates and details of upcoming recordings. (The next one is Marlon James talking about his book, A Brief History of Seven Killings.) There are also links to the archive of past recordings with over 350 previous episodes available to listen to.
What happens at a recording?
If you’re successful in bagging yourself a place, you’ll need to arrive at BBC Broadcasting House at least 15 minutes before the recording start time. There will be a table set up in the main reception where you collect your pass. You’ll need to show some form of photo ID. Any bags will need to be scanned by security. The audience services team will then guide you to the room in which the recording is taking place.
Once you’re there, James Naughtie will introduce the author and set out some house rules including, most importantly, turning off your mobile phone. You’ll have been invited to submit questions in advance but it doesn’t matter if you haven’t, you can just put your hand up on the day and wait for James to spot you. A microphone will then appear in front of you to enable you to ask your question. The programme is recorded so you don’t need to worry about fluffing your lines! If you don’t want to ask a question that’s no problem, you can just sit back and listen. There’ll be around 40 to 50 minutes of questions and answers which will then be edited down to just under thirty minutes by producer Nicola Holloway and her team. At the end, there’s usually an opportunity to have the author sign your copy of their book. As well as being a great opportunity to listen to an author talk about their book, I’ve found it a fascinating insight into what goes into recording a radio programme.
Perhaps I’ll see you at a future recording!
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