Books of My Life
By The National News
You can learn a great deal about somebody from the books they read. Take a listen to storytellers and celebrities as they invite you inside the library of their life. Which books make them cry? What is currently on their bedside table? Which novel do they wish they had read as a child? Which books could they not do without?
Latest episode
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Ben Miller on writing from the heart
In the sixth and final episode of Books of My Life season two, host Hareth Al Bustani interviews English actor, comedian and author Ben Miller. Having found success with the BAFTA-winning Armstrong and Miller sketch show, he has gone on to feature in… -
Shahd Alshammari on how literature saved her
In the fifth episode of Books of My Life season two, host Hareth Al Bustani interviews Kuwaiti-Palestinian author and academic Shahd Alshammari. Alshammari has a profound relationship with literature – she credits it with saving her life. Diagnosed w… -
Explorer Benedict Allen on what he’s learnt from his adventures
In the fourth episode of Books of My Life season two, host Hareth Al Bustani interviews British writer and explorer Benedict Allen. The real-life Indiana Jones, Allen has nearly died nine times, adventuring everywhere from the Amazon to the Arctic. K… -
Shrabani Basu on journalism and historical fiction
In the third episode of Books of My Life season two, host Hareth Al Bustani interviews Indian historian, journalist and author Shrabani Basu. The truly great history writer walks a fine line between dramatisation and documentation – a balance Basu ha… -
Bobby Chinn on the secrets to health and happiness
In the second episode of Books of My Life season two, host Hareth Al Bustani interviews chef, TV personality and writer Bobby Chinn. Born to Egyptian and Chinese parents in New Zealand, and raised in Egypt and the UK, Chinn worked on Wall Str… -
Jeffrey Archer on the art of storytelling and the craft of writing
In the first episode of Books of My Life season two, host Hareth Al Bustani interviews best-selling British author Jeffrey Archer. Starting with the blockbuster hit Kane and Abel in 1979, Archer has gone on to sell more than 275 million books. But th… -
Books of My Life Season 2 Trailer
Storytelling is a crucial pillar of our lives. In many ways, the human experience is defined as a series of stories. For millions, the most memorable and evocative tales live in the hallowed pages of books, for there is no medium more powerful than t… -
Irvine Welsh
Irvine Welsh’s book Trainspotting is largely considered one of the best pieces of literature of the 20th century but according to Welsh it only came about due to a string of failures in his musical career. Host Rupert Hawksley speaks to the Scottish … -
Bryn Terfel
Sir Bryn Terfel started singing at a very young age growing up on a farm in Wales. Host Rupert Hawksley found the renowned bass-baritone singer very entertaining but also found keeping him on the topic of books a little challenging. He did manage to … -
Mary Beard
Mary Beard is Professor of Classics at the University of Cambridge and a prominent household name in the UK having written numerous books and made many documentaries about Ancient Rome. Host Rupert Hawksley spoke to the British National Treasure abou…
