05 Feb
Thomas Carlyle died 1881. Carlyle's authoratiative work on The French Revolution was nearly a non starter when the first volume was accidentally burned by the philosopher John Stuart Mill's maid.
Please find below all the books reviewed on the Sky Arts Book Show - click on the Month you would like to see more information on. To see books reviewed in last year's series click the link below. Sky Arts Book Show 2008
The Terrible Privacy of Maxwell Sim Jonathan Coe
Featured on The Book Show on Sky Arts on 27 May 2010.
Jonathan Coe is a great observer of human nature and once again he gives us a thoroughly believable and sympathetic character in Maxwell Sim. Small, and sometimes seemingly insignificant,... Format: Paperback - Released: 27/05/2010
Ghost Light Joseph O'Connor
Featured on The Book Show on Sky Arts on 27 May 2010.
A beautiful love story that will leave the reader moved and uplifted.
Format: Hardback - Released: 03/06/2010
Bad Ideas? - An Arresting History of Our Inventions Robert Winston
Featured on The Book Show on Sky Arts on 27 May 2010.
A history of our technological progress spanning hundreds of years. Winston makes the most complicated of ideas easy to understand and shows that sometimes some advances are not always... Format: Hardback - Released: 18/02/2010
The Way Home George P Pelecanos
CWA Gold Dagger Finalist 2010.
CWA Judges’ comments: 'A remarkable portrait of a blue collar family whose son is struggling to break free from his criminal past.'
The Lovereading view...
A crime novel that focuses largely on the relationship between a father and... Format: Paperback - Released: 26/12/2009
The Last Weekend Blake Morrison
Featured on The Book Show on Sky Arts on 20 May 2010.
A dark and gripping story about friendships and old rivalries. The summer heat makes for an uncomfortable time both physically and mentally in this compelling tale.
Format: Hardback - Released: 06/05/2010
Seeing Stars Simon Armitage
Shortlisted for the T.S. Eliot Prize for Poetry 2010.
The Poetry Book Society view...
Seeing Stars is a genuine change in direction, while at the same time a distillation and amplification of a voice we’ve come to recognise and... Format: Hardback - Released: 01/05/2010
Blueeyedboy Joanne Harris
April 2010 Book of the Month.
Featured on The Book Show on Sky Arts on 13 May 2010.
A brilliantly plotted thriller from the author of Chocolat. This tale of a highly dysfunctional... Format: Hardback - Released: 31/03/2010
Maya Alastair Campbell
Featured on The Book Show on Sky Arts on 6 May 2010.
Partly a psychological thriller and mostly about the obsession with fame society now has Campbell draws together characters from the worlds of business, journalism, politics and film and creates... Format: Hardback - Released: 04/02/2010
The Last 10 Seconds Simon Kernick
Featured on The Book Show on Sky Arts on 6 May 2010.
Simon Kernick is fast becoming one of the top crime writers in Britain today and at Lovereading we have been fans for a long time. Here we have another... Format: Hardback - Released: 21/01/2010
The Dead Republic Roddy Doyle
Featured on The Book Show on Sky Arts on 29 April 2010.
The final part of Roddy Doyle's trilogy see's Henry Smart return to the Ireland he left 20 years before and once again getting caught up in the Republican movement.... Format: Hardback - Released: 25/03/2010
Living Dolls - The Return of Sexism Natasha Walter
Featured on The Book Show on Sky Arts on 29 April 2010.
A straight-talking, passionate and important book that makes us look afresh at women and girls, at sexism and femininity, today.
Format: Paperback - Released: 04/02/2010
The Pregnant Widow Martin Amis
Featured on The Book Show on Sky Arts on 29 April 2010.
A story of a group of people in 1970, holidaying in an Italian castle, at the height of the sexual revolution. Move forward 40 years and Amis fills in... Format: Hardback - Released: 04/02/2010
Climbing the Bookshelves - The Autobiography of Shirley Williams Shirley Williams
Featured on The Book Show on Sky Arts on 22 April 2010.
One of the most influential women in modern politics Shirley Williams became a politician in 1964 and is still an active voice in politics. As one of the ‘Gang... Format: Hardback - Released: 24/09/2009
The Unnamed Joshua Ferris
Featured on The Book Show on Sky Arts on 22 April 2010.
The 'Unnamed' is the intriguing condition that afflicts Tim Farnsworth causing him to set off walking at unpredictable times, walking without any destination or desire to stop, until utter... Format: Paperback - Released: 25/02/2010
So Much for That Lionel Shriver
Shortlisted for the prestigious U.S. National Book Award 2010.
Featured on The Book Show on Sky Arts on 15 April 2010.
A book about terminal illness and battling the healthcare system may not sound much fun but Lionel Shriver adds her marvellous... Format: Hardback - Released: 18/03/2010
Redeeming Features Nicky Haslam
Featured on The Book Show on Sky Arts on 15 April 2010.
One of the most colourful and fabulous fashionistas in the country Nicky Haslam has been at the forefront of the fashion and celebrity world for decades. Mixing with supermodels,... Format: Hardback - Released: 05/11/2009
Trespass Rose Tremain
Shortlisted for the Galaxy UK Author of the Year 2010.
Longlisted for the Man Booker Prize 2010.
Featured on The Book Show on Sky Arts on 8 April 2010.
Rose Tremain won the Orange Prize for Fiction for The Road Home and... Format: Hardback - Released: 04/03/2010
The Ivington Diaries Monty Don
Featured on The Book Show on Sky Arts on 15 April 2010.
The seasons in Monty Don’s hands are equally blessed. Capturing15 years of creative gardening at his farmhouse home in Ivington (in Herefordshire), Monty makes milky winter-sun pruning just as... Format: Hardback - Released: 05/10/2009
A Life Apart Neel Mukherjee
Featured on The Book Show on Sky Arts on 8 April 2010.
A Life Apart is a scalding novel about dislocations and alienations,
about the tenuous and unconscious intersections of lives and histories
and about the consolations of storytelling.
Format: Hardback - Released: 28/01/2010
We are All Made of Glue Marina Lewycka
Featured on The Book Show on Sky Arts on 1 April 2010.
A warm and humorous read about two lonely women who form a friendship. Definitely one for fans of her previous novels and a great one to start with if... Format: Paperback - Released: 24/02/2010
The Good Man Jesus and the Scoundrel Christ Philip Pullman
Featured on The Book Show on Sky Arts on 8 April 2010.
Pullman’s re-telling of the life of Christ. Controversial before it was even published Pullman’s book gives his view on the life of Jesus. He is not trying to shock... Format: Hardback - Released: 01/04/2010
Going Postal Terry Pratchett
Featured on The Book Show on Sky Arts on 1 April 2010.
A writer who had more titles on the BBC’s Big Read Top 100 than any other living author, only Charles Dickens matched him. At the start Pratchett was categorised... Format: Paperback (a Format) - Released: 01/10/2005
Must You Go? My Life with Harold Pinter Antonia Fraser
Featured on The Book Show on Sky Arts on 25 March 2010.
Antonia Fraser’s memoir of the love story between herself and Harold Pinter, who spent 33 years together, having found each other somewhat later in life. Since 1968 Fraser has... Format: Hardback - Released: 11/01/2010
Solar Ian McEwan
Winner of the Bollinger Everyman Wodehouse prize 2010.
Featured on The Book Show on Sky Arts on 25 March 2010.
On Chesil Beach was the last offering from McEwan and although beautifully formed it
was a novella rather than a good... Format: Hardback - Released: 18/03/2010
The Making of Modern Britain Andrew Marr
Featured on The Book Show on Sky Arts on 17 December 2009.
The book to accompany the brilliant TV series is equally as engrossing. Andrew Marr looks at one of the most interesting and complex times of British history with the... Format: Hardback - Released: 02/10/2009
The Infinities John Banville
Featured on The Book Show on Sky Arts on 17 December 2009.
A family drama with the action taking place over one day. Even within this time frame there are wonderful insights in to relationships and situations. With the odd mythical... Format: Hardback - Released: 04/09/2009
Halfway to Hollywood Diaries 1980 to 1988 Michael Palin
Featured on The Book Show on Sky Arts on 17 December 2009.
Now this would be a test for those celebrities who write their memoirs in between massages and manicures: keep a diary every day and make it interesting. Not just... Format: Hardback - Released: 17/09/2009
Tollins: Explosive Tales for Children Conn Iggulden
Featured on The Book Show on Sky Arts on 10 December 2009.
It's Peter Pan with attitude as Conn Iggulden, creator of the
phenomenal bestseller The Dangerous Book for Boys, introduces an
explosive and magical new fictional world of the Tollins – flying
creatures... Format: Hardback - Released: 24/08/2009
The Lady in the Tower: The Fall of Anne Boleyn Alison Weir
Featured on The Book Show on Sky Arts on 10 December 2009.
Alison Weir brings history to life yet again in this study of the last few days of Anne Boleyn's life. This reads as well as any fictional conspiracy theory... Format: Hardback - Released: 01/10/2009
Ordinary Thunderstorms William Boyd
Featured on The Book Show on Sky Arts on 3 December 2009.
A gripping thriller that will keep you glued from beginning to end. When Adam Kindred finds himself caught up in a murder and has to lose himself in the... Format: Hardback - Released: 07/09/2009
William Golding: The Man Who Wrote Lord of the Flies John Carey
Shortlisted for the James Tait Black Memorial Prize for Biography 2010.
Featured on The Book Show on Sky Arts on 3 December 2009.
A detailed and fascinating biography of the author of Lord of the Flies. In this biography Carey does make... Format: Hardback - Released: 03/09/2009
Adrian Mole: The Prostrate Years Sue Townsend
Featured on The Book Show on Sky Arts on 3 December 2009.
The latest volume in the Adrian Mole saga see's Adrian down on his luck in more ways than one and when the possibility that he may have prostate cancer... Format: Hardback - Released: 05/11/2009
This Mitchell and Webb Book David Mitchell, Robert Webb
Featured on The Book Show on Sky Arts on 26 November 2009.
A great gift for any fan of this quirky comedy duo. Filled with their bizarre and strange humour there is plenty to keep you laughing all through the festive... Format: Hardback - Released: 03/09/2009
Wolf Hall Hilary Mantel
Winner of the inaugural Walter Scott Prize for historical fiction 2010.
Winner of the Man Booker Prize 2009.
Shortlisted for the Costa Novel Award 2009.
Costa Book Awards 2009 Judges' comment: "One of the outstanding books of the year - historical fiction at... Format: Hardback - Released: 30/04/2009
The Kites are Flying Michael Morpurgo
Featured on The Book Show on Sky Arts on 19 November 2009.
Set around the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, this is a hugely topical novel from a master storyteller, which at its heart makes a plea for peace and unity. The story is... Format: Hardback - Released: 02/11/2009
The Brightest Star in the Sky Marian Keyes
Featured on The Book Show on Sky Arts on 19 November 2009.
Marion Keyes brings a whole host of characters together in this funny and sad book. A mystery narrator carries the story along as we delve into the lives of... Format: Hardback - Released: 30/10/2009
Meltdown Ben Elton
Featured on The Book Show on Sky Arts on 19 November 2009.
Always topical, Ben Elton centres his new book around the credit crunch. Following his characters from their days at university, through the highs of their careers and domestic lives... Format: Hardback - Released: 05/11/2009
The Bride's Farewell Meg Rosoff
Featured on The Book Show on Sky Arts on 12 November 2009.
Meg Rosoff has written another superb book for young adults, although this will be equally enjoyed by the more mature adults out there too! Pell leaves home determined not... Format: Hardback - Released: 03/09/2009
An Education Lynn Barber
Featured on The Book Show on Sky Arts on 12 November 2009.
A memoir of the authors life from her teens in the 60's through until today. Bittersweet, funny and thoroughly enjoyable, this will be one you won't want to put... Format: Paperback - Released: 25/06/2009
The Greatest Show on Earth The Evidence for Evolution Richard Dawkins
Featured on The Book Show on Sky Arts on 12 November 2009.
Richard Dawkins is loved and loathed in equal measure for his views on evolution against creationist views but this book really is a serious discussion and look at the... Format: Hardback - Released: 10/09/2009
The Complaints Ian Rankin
Featured on The Book Show on Sky Arts on 5 November 2009.
Rankin has moved on to a new protagonist in the form of Malcolm Fox and has set him up in a department which bodes well for what we are... Format: Hardback - Released: 03/09/2009
The Winter Ghosts Kate Mosse
Featured on The Book Show on Sky Arts on 5 November 2009.
This is quite different from Mosse’s previous books Labyrinth and Sepulchre. It started out as a short story for the 2009 Quick Reads but the author felt... Format: Hardback - Released: 01/10/2009
Memoirs of a Radical Lawyer Michael Mansfield
Featured on The Book Show on Sky Arts on 29 October 2009.
Probably one of the most recognisable British lawyers of our time, Mansfield has been involved in some of the biggest law suits this country has seen. This is someone... Format: Hardback - Released: 07/09/2009
Lustrum Robert Harris
Shortlisted for the inaugural Walter Scott Prize for historical fiction 2010.
Featured on The Book Show on Sky Arts on 29 October 2009.
This is the second part of Harris's historical trilogy which began with Imperium. More political intrigue from 60BC... Format: Hardback - Released: 08/10/2009
Get Her Off the Pitch! How Sport Took Over My Life Lynne Truss
Featured on The Book Show on Sky Arts on 29 October 2009.
In Lynne Truss’s varied career in journalism her four years spent as a sports columnist perhaps seemed the most unlikely but she made a success of those four years... Format: Hardback - Released: 01/10/2009
In Our Time Melvyn Bragg
Featured on The Book Show on Sky Arts on 22 October 2009.
The book adapted from Melvyn Bragg's Radio 4 show looking at the history of ideas through philosophy, literature and much, much more. A great 'dipping into' book.
Format: Hardback - Released: 17/09/2009
A Beginner's Guide to Acting English Shappi Khorsandi
Featured on The Book Show on Sky Arts on 22 October 2009.
Shappi Khorsandi gives a warm, humorous and slightly scary view of her childhood growing up in England as exiles from Iran in the 1970’s and 80’s. Well written and... Format: Paperback - Released: 02/07/2009
My Paper Chase: True Stories of Vanished Times - An Autobiography Harold Evans
Featured on The Book Show on Sky Arts on 22 October 2009.
This is the life story of Harold Evans, one of the most respected investigative journalists of recent times and sadly part of a dying breed. From humble Lancashire beginnings... Format: Paperback - Released: 24/09/2009
Collected Screenplays Christopher Hampton
Featured on The Book Show on Sky Arts on 15 October 2009.
One for lovers of screenplays, this work includes the wonderful ‘Dangerous Liaisons’ and some of Hampton’s other works, previously unpublished.
Format: Paperback - Released: 16/09/2002
Talking Theatre Richard Eyre
Featured on The Book Show on Sky Arts on 15 October 2009.
Anyone with the vaguest interest in the theatre will find this a fascinating insight in to that world told by those who live and breathe it. Some of our... Format: Hardback - Released: 10/09/2009
Robert Vaughn: A Fortunate Life - An Autobiography Robert Vaughn
Featured on The Book Show on Sky Arts on 15 October 2009.
From ‘The Man from UNCLE’ in the 1960’s through to today’s ‘Hustle’ on BBC Robert Vaughn has been a regular on our film and TV screens. Having met some... Format: Hardback - Released: 31/12/2008
Mariella Frostrup hosts the UK’s only
dedicated TV book show, featuring an array of A-list authors and other
big-name guests in the studio, discussing their favourite reads and
their own works.
To see books reviewed in the last series, click here.
Away from the studio guests the series will get out and about, finding
out what books your favourite authors currently have on their bedside
tables, getting recommendations from bookshop owners and peeking behind
the closed doors of where top authors choose to practice their craft.
The Book Show will review, preview and ensure that no page is left unturned in this essential series for book lovers everywhere!
You can watch The Book Show on Sky Arts on Thursdays at 7pm on Sky Arts 1 (256) or in high definition on Sky Arts HD (258)
On the TV series’ official website you can find more information on the show and watch any interview or feature from any previous series of the show.
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Christopher Hampton 
