Bookclub Folgen

Rebecca Solnit is a leading American essayist and writer. She talks to James Naughtie and a group of invited readers about The Faraway Nearby, her recollections of her mother's advancing Alzheimer's and the power of storytelling.One summer, as their mother was diagnosed with dementia Rebecca's brother decided to harvest all the apricots from their mother’s tree, whether they were ripe or not. He delivered over 100lbs of the fruit to Rebecca and she found herself under deadline to sort them – to throw them out, make chutney, or make preserves. The huge pile of fruit on her floor reminded her of the tasks in fairytales, like the girl in Rumpelstilksen who must spin a room full of straw into gold overnight; the mountain of sand which must be moved by teaspoon. And at the heart of The Faraway Nearby is the voice of Rebecca's own mother, and how she is losing her memory and her own stories.By sharing her own history, like her difficult relationship with her mother, or her trip to Iceland, Rebecca Solnit also entertains a wide range of other stories: arctic explorers, Che Guevara among the leper colonies, Mary Shelley’s Dr. Frankenstein. She explores the ways we are all connected by empathy, narrative and imagination, and talks about how this month's book choice resonates at a time when we many of us are faraway from those we love. To take part in future Bookclubs apply at bookclub@bbc.co.ukJune's Bookclub choice : Lanny by Max Porter (2019) Presenter: James Naughtie Interviewed guest : Rebecca Solnit Producer : Dymphna Flynn

American novelist Jenny Offill talks to James Naughtie and readers about her novel Dept. of Speculation.The novel is the story of a relationship between two people whose names we never know. They meet by chance - she’s a writer and he's an artist working with sound. They write to each other and the return address on their envelopes is always Dept of Speculation. Egged on by a friend she calls the Philosopher they end up living together in a bug-infested apartment and have a daughter. But eventually this curiously-triggered relationship starts to falter; he has an affair and in the end The Protagonist, who now calls herself The Wife, realises she has to make the best of what life has thrown at her.Jenny talks about the structure and form of the novel, why the characters have no names - and what makes her happy.To take part in future Bookclubs apply at bookclub@bbc.co.ukMay's Bookclub choice : The Faraway Nearby by Rebecca Solnit (2016)Presenter: James Naughtie Producer : Dymphna Flynn

Marian Keyes talks about one of her most popular novels, Rachel's Holiday.Rachel Walsh is an Irish woman in her late 20s living in New York, but whose life is disintegrating around her. She's lost her dead-end job; her boyfriend Luke has broken up with her; her best friend and flat-mate Brigit can't cope with her behaviour any longer – and the reason for all this, which Rachel just can't see, is that she's become addicted to drugs and alcohol.Her 'holiday' is a trip into a rehab clinic in Dublin - the Cloisters - where she imagines she'll get away from it all, but discovers more about herself then she expected. Marian Keyes's book has been an international phenomenon - and maybe one reason, apart from its wit, is that it tells a story from the inside. As a recovering alcoholic herself, Marian understands Rachel's journey and how humour can help people survive. Presented by James Naughtie and a group of invited readers ask the questions.To take part in future Bookclubs apply at bookclub@bbc.co.ukPresenter : James Naughtie Producer : Dymphna FlynnApril's Bookclub Choice - Dept. of Speculation by Jenny Offill (2014)