We're back on Tuesday 24th October for a History Special. My guests are Maggie O'Farrell, Rochelle Neil and Leila Aboulela. We'll take you to 15th century Florence and 19th Century Sudan via Windrush Britain.
If you miss the show, you can catch up on BBC iPlayer. Thanks to all my guests, to IWC for producing and to you for watching and sharing.
Read MoreWe're back! Join us on Tuesday 17th October, BBC Scotland at 10.30pm for a Crime Special. My guests are Irvine Welsh, Ann Cleeves and Lauren Lyle. We're talking true-crime podcasts, revenge in Edinburgh and truth in Shetland.
If you miss the show, you can catch up on BBC iPlayer. Thanks to all my guests, to IWC for producing and to you for watching and sharing.
Read MoreThe Big Scottish Book Club returns with an Edinburgh Festival Special! Damian's joined by Pulitzer Prize winner Colson Whitehead, Booker Prize winner Eleanor Catton and Judy Murray.
Join us live on on BBC Scotland or BBC iPlayer - Thanks for all your support!
Watch The Big Scottish Book Club on Wednesday, 23rd August 10pm, BBC Scotland and BBC iPlayer https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001pxk5.
Read MoreJoin us for the final episode of The Big Scottish Book Club on the 18th December 10pm on BBC iPlayer & BBC Scotland.
Damian Barr chats to writer and radio presenter Reverend Richard Coles about his best-selling debut novel, ‘Murder Before Evensong’; award-winning writer and poet Lemn Sissay shares his favourite books; and musician and broadcaster Cerys Matthews reveals her love of Dylan Thomas and discusses her new adaptation of ‘Under Milk Wood’. The readers of St Boswell’s share their thoughts on Scottish classic ‘Trumpet’, by Jackie Kay, and recommend the books they would give to a friend.
Thank you for all of your support! You can watch us live or catch-up with past episodes on BBC iPlayer & BBC Scotland!
The Big Scottish Book Club is back on Sunday 6th November, 10pm for episode two of the new series!
Damian's joined by Armistead Maupin to discuss his classic Tales of the City series, Glasgow-based comedian Josie Long reveals the writers that inspire her, and Andrew Cotter talks about his books Dog Days and Olive, Mabel and Me.
The Edinburgh Gay Men’s Book Group rate Scottish classic Trainspotting and regulars at The Portobello Bookshop give their recommended reads.
Watch live or catch-up with past episodes on BBC iPlayer & BBC Scotland!
The Big Scottish Book Club is back with a new series and new format!
Damian Barr is joined by special guests to talk literature & life with a big dose of insight and laughs!
The Big Scottish Book Club is an IWC (a Banijay UK company) production for BBC Scotland. The new eight-part series will start on the BBC Scotland channel and BBC iPlayer on Sunday 30th October at 10pm.
Click HERE for more info. You can also still enjoy series three on BBC iPlayer.
Read MoreThe Big Scottish Book Club is BACK!
If you'd like to appear in Series 4 please contact IWC Media at BSBC@iwcmedia.co.uk.
Read MoreThe Big Scottish Book Club has been recommissioned by BBC Scotland for a fourth series. The IWC (a Banijay UK company) series will return later this year for a further eight episodes, with some exciting changes to the format.
Writer and host, Damian Barr, will be joined by three guests together in the studio, each with a great story to tell and stories to share. Guests will range from authors with a new fiction, non-fiction book or memoir to well-known book lovers talking about the books that changed their life and the writers they are most passionate about.
In addition to studio guests, The Big Scottish Book Club will head out and about to speak to book lovers across Scotland. Readers will be invited to give a book review of a classic title, and each week, the show visits a different village or town and challenges three residents to tell viewers in 45 seconds about their bucket-list book on a new theme each week.
Pauline Law, Executive Producer for The Big Scottish Book Club, said:
“We’re really looking forward to bringing The Big Scottish Book Club back. It’s a wonderful series to make and while some elements might look slightly different, the series remains a celebration of literature, and our love for books remains very much at the heart of the series.“
Damian Barr said:
“2022 is Scotland’s year of stories and I am thrilled that The Big Scottish Book Club will return for a fourth series among the celebrations. We are bringing the audience at home right into the heart of the show by making it even cosier and more conversational. This next chapter is exciting and I hope it brings even more viewers and readers to the show. I love
hearing from folk who have picked up new books because of the show or got back in to reading again so thanks for your feedback and keep in touch. Happy reading.”
Gareth Hydes, Commissioning Editor at BBC Scotland, said:
“We are delighted to have a fourth series later this year, with just a few tweaks to the format. Viewers love The Big Scottish Book Club and Damian for the warmth, intelligence but also accessibility of the series and that very much remains the core of the show.”
The Big Scottish Book Club (8x45’) is an IWC production for BBC Scotland. It was
commissioned by Gareth Hydes. It will be executive produced by Pauline Law for IWC and will
broadcast later this year.
Read MoreJust five weeks left to watch this! I mean, we are all just glued to the news but should you wish to escape into my documentary about Sir Walter Scott, you have not long left to catch it!
Made by Factory Films.
Read MoreI’m excited to announce that Guide Books will be returning to BBC Radio 4 on Sunday 10th April! You can hear me talking with Sinéad Gleeson and Sarah Perry about The Body. All episodes are also available to listen on BBC iPlayer.
Read MoreIt has been a joy to bring a third series of The Big Scottish Book Club to your screens, but don't worry, the literary love doesn't need to end there as you can now watch all episodes on BBC iPlayer!
This week Damian is at Troon Concert Hall talking short stories which reveal whole worlds with guests Bernard MacLaverty, Val McDermid and Kit de Waal. And there's spoken word performance from Bee Asha Singh.
Join us live on BBC iPlayer or on BBC Scotland - Thank you for all your support!
Read MoreWe're back! The Big Scottish Book Club returns to BBC iPlayer and BBC Scotland! Join us for the first episode which is all about Location, Location!
Louise Welsh gives us the world premiere of The Second Cut, the much anticipated sequel to her bestselling 2002 thriller The Cutting Room. Sarah Perry introduces us to her fellow Essex Girls. James Robertson takes us to a remote imagined Glen in News of the Dead. And Mara Menzies makes Damian cry with her spoken word performance.
The Big Scottish Book Club is back! You can watch live on BBC iPlayer or BBC Scotland on 31st October, 10pm.
I'll be joined by writers including: Alan Johnson, Miriam Margolyes, Bobby Gillespie, Louise Welsh, Jenni Fagan, Jackie Kay, Alan Warner, Denise Mina, Val McDermid, Ian Rankin, Darren McGarvey, James Robertson, Bernard MacLaverty, Kit De Waal, Pete Paphides, Mohsin Zaidi, Sarah Perry, Cal Flyn, Kirsty Capes, Séamas O'Reilly, Bryony Gordon, Suzannah Lipscomb, Hannah Lavery and Monisha Rajesh.
The featured poets and spoken word performers include: Len Pennie, Mara Menzies, Mae Diansangu, Jeda Pearl, Nasim Rebecca Asl, John Gerard Fagan, Bee Asha Singh and Michael Pederson.
Every show features a fabulous book group from a different community in Scotland.
Gareth Hydes, Commissioning Editor at BBC Scotland, says: “The Big Scottish Book Club is a great stalwart of our BBC Scotland winter schedule. And I, like the viewers, am looking forward to being in the very good company of host Damian Barr and this year’s authors. It is another great line-up. There is always a lot to enjoy and reflect upon from the chats and of course great inspiration for books to read this winter.
Thank YOU for watching.
Read the full press release here. Click here to watch on BBC iPlayer.
Read MoreDelighted that ‘Shelf Isolation’ was Pick of the Day in the Sunday Times yesterday! Well done to all the crew and thanks to my guests! The next show is Sunday at 10.30pm on BBC Scotland and iPlayer! thanks for watching!
Catch all episodes here on BBC iPlayer.
Read MoreWhat a great Shelfie!
The full line up for Damian Barr’s Shelf Isolation is announced – Douglas Stuart, Lorraine Kelly, Iain Stirling, Ian Rankin, Fern Brady & Alex Norton – with great inspiration on what to watch, read or listen to. Sunday nights at BBC Scotland and BBC iPlayer from February 28th, 10.30pm.
Read MoreFor the latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast Ali caught up with Damian to talk all about the second series of The Big Scottish Book Club, which airs on BBC Scotland and BBC iPlayer.
Click HERE to listen to the podcast.
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