Series 3: Episode 5

Joining Mariella Frostrup on the sofa this week are Philippa Gregory with her new book, The Other Queen; Susie Boyt talks about her slight obsession with Judy Garland and her new book, My Judy Garland Life; and we are overjoyed that Lord Richard Attenborough pops to the studio to talk about his new book, Entirely Up To You, Darling.

Tune in at 7pm 21 Nov, Sky Arts 1 and Sky Arts HD for the full story

If you liked Philippa Gregory’s The Other Queen and you’ve been inspired to hark back to the past, try these:

Sally Varlow: The Lady Penelope: The Lost Tale of Love and Politics in the Court of Elizabeth I
Sally Varlow reveals the story of Penelope Devereux, now forgotten but once the brightest star in the court of Elizabeth I. A great beauty and the muse of countless poets and musicians, she was held in special affection by the Queen. So why did her story end in tragedy when she died in disgrace on 7 July 1607, a widow, outcast from court and stripped of her titles?

Alison Weir: Innocent Traitor
A fictional account of the very short reign of Lady Jane Grey. Bullied by her scheming parents, 16-year-old Jane is a pawn in a dangerous and political dynastic game. When the boy king Edward VI dies, Jane is persuaded by protestant forces to take the throne from Edward’s sister, the catholic Mary Tudor. But her reign lasts for a mere nine days…

If you liked Susie Boyt’s My Judy Garland Life and feel a bit of a Judy Garland obsession growing, start with these:

Paul Donnelly: Judy Garland
Paul Donnelly’s illustrated biography Judy Garland provides the full story of this extraordinary star who, as a young girl, was forced into dieting and drugs to maintain her child-like image and, as an adult, despite incredible talent, just couldn’t keep the demons at bay.

L Frank Baum: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
The book on which the film that made Judy Garland’s name is based was published in 1900 and became an instant success. It’s now regarded as America’s greatest and best loved home grown family tale, with the film version celebrating its 70th anniversary next year. It follows the adventures of Dorothy Gale and her dog Toto who, after a trip down the yellow brick road to the strange land of Oz, discover there’s no place like home.

If you liked Richard Attenborough’s Entirely Up To You, Darling and want to continue your showbusiness immersion, then here’s some essential reading:

Roger Moore: My Word is My Bond
With the title inspired by Mr Suave himself, Roger Moore, it’s a memoir full of charm and humour. With a career spanning an incredible seven decades, he takes us through his days from early television to Hollywood and international stardom. Always the dashing Englishman, whether playing the saint or 007, Roger Moore shares his recollections for the first time.

David Mamet: Bambi vs Godzilla
Award-winning playwright and screenwriter David Mamet provides a subversive insiders’ guide to Hollywood. Entertaining, funny and deadly, Mamet answers questions on just about every aspect of film-making from script to screen. It’s a forthright examination in which no one’s blushes are spared.


Bedside Read with Philip Hensher
Author Philip Hensher let us into his bedroom to investigate what he keeps on his bedside table:

Robert Tewdwr Moss: Cleopatra’s Wedding Present: Travels Through Syria
"Cleopatra's Wedding Present "is the rare book that captivates its reader from the first page. Like the best travel books, Robert Tewdwr Moss's memoir of his travels through Syria resonates on many levels: as a profoundly telling vivisection of Middle Eastern society, a chilling history of ethnic crimes, a picaresque adventure story, a purely entertaining travelogue, and a poignant romance. Tewdwr Moss, a brilliant young writer who was murdered in London the day after he finished this book, left this lyrical gem as his legacy. He adeptly captures an essence of the Middle East that is foreign to most of us, but which becomes real with his astute observations of the region's culture and explosive politics. He conveys what so many westerners find both fascinating and frightening in the Middle East, making no attempt to mask circumstances that are appalling and dangerous while also exotic, beautiful, and sometimes very funny. Mesopotamia, now present-day Syria, was part of Mark Anthony's love gift to Cleopatra. Then and now, it is a land of mystery and love. The Wisconsin edition is only for sale in the United States and it's dependencies.

Ivy Compton-Burnett: A Heritage and Its History
Simon Challoner is destined to inherit the ancient house at his uncle's death. But Sir Edwin's constitution and marriage propel the impatient Simon to commit a inadvisable act. This rashness leaves him further away than ever from the only thing he really wanted.

A Fine Line by Zoe Heller
This week author Zoe Heller picks her favourite line from Lord Alfred Tennyson's poem Maud.

Book Club: Persephone Books
This week we visit Persephone Books in London where Nicola Beuman recommends her book club read:

Marghanita Laski: Little Boy Lost
Hilary Wainwright, an English soldier, returns to a blasted and impoverished France during World War Two in order to trace a child lost five years before. But is this small, quiet boy in a grim orphanage really his son? And what if he is not? In this exquisitely crafted novel, we follow Hilary's struggle to love in the midst of a devastating war.


Guests’ literary heroes and heroines
Every week we ask the authors to tell us about their literary heroes and heroines. Philippa Gregory has chosen Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, Susie Boyt’s favourite character is from Noel Streatfield’s Ballet Shoes and Richard Attenborough’s leading novel is Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island. But who are their literary heroes and heroines?

Tune in at 7pm 21 Nov, Sky Arts 1 and Sky Arts HD to find out!

To read the opening extracts of these books and find out more about the authors, visit Lovereading.co.uk.