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Arts

Take Four Books

by BBC Radio 4
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Where it charts

Today’s combined position on our country charts.

United Kingdom · Arts
#62 New on this chart
Pulse 16
Australia · Arts
#120 New on this chart
Pulse 7

Ranking history

Arts, United KingdomArts, Australia
History builds daily. We started tracking this show on the Arts chart recently, so the trend line appears after a second day of data.

About the show

Presenter James Crawford looks at an author's latest work and delves further into their creative process by learning about the three other texts that have shaped their writing.

Latest episodes

  • Louise Kennedy

    September 27, 2026 · 32 min

    The award-winning writer Louise Kennedy speaks to Radio 4's Take Four Books about her latest novel, Stations, and, together with presenter James Crawford, they explore its connections to three other literary works. Stations follows Róisín…

  • Donal Ryan

    September 20, 2026 · 29 min

    The award-winning Irish writer, Donal Ryan, speaks about his latest novel, Where Are The Kings, and, together with presenter James Crawford, they explore its connections to three other books. Set in rural Ireland, Where Are The Kings…

  • Sebastian Barry

    September 13, 2026 · 30 min

    The award-winning Irish writer Sebastian Barry speaks to Take Four Books about his latest novel, The Newer World, and, together with presenter James Crawford, they explore its connections to three other books. The Newer World takes us…

  • Colson Whitehead

    August 30, 2026 · 28 min

    The New York writer and two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize for fiction, Colson Whitehead, speaks to Take Four Books about his latest novel, Cool Machine, and, together with presenter James Crawford, they explore its connections to three…

  • Valeria Luiselli

    August 23, 2026 · 29 min

    Presenter James Crawford speaks to award-winning Mexican American novelist and essayist Valeria Luiselli about her latest novel, Beginning Middle End, and its three key literary influences. In the novel, a mother and her twelve-year-old…

  • M. John Harrison

    August 16, 2026 · 28 min

    The writer M. John Harrison speaks to Take Four Books about his latest novel, The End of Everything, and, together with presenter James Crawford, they explore its connections to three other works. The End of Everything follows the…

  • David Sedaris

    August 9, 2026 · 29 min

    Presenter James Crawford speaks to American author and humourist David Sedaris on his new collection of essays, The Land and Its People. From navigating the realities of ageing to reflecting on his personal relationships, Sedaris explores…

  • Christopher Brookmyre

    July 26, 2026 · 31 min

    Scottish crime writer Christopher Brookmyre speaks to Take Four Books this week about his latest novel, Quite Ugly One Evening, and, together with presenter James Crawford, they explore its links to three other books. Chris's new book…