ALIEN THINKING

#BLESSED AND OTHER STORIES OF LOVE AND FRIENDSHIP

Thirteen plays about human connection, from some of BBC Radio's best writers exploring love, family, romances and life's ups and downs This diverse collection of stories centres around family dynamics, relationships both romantic and platonic, and the diverse ways ordinary people navigate the vicissitudes of everyday life. Ranging from modern fairy tales to coming-of-age dramas, they feature a wide variety of styles, and are scripted by an array of writers from award-winning dramatists to first-time authors. Here are stories of meeting and parting; hope and heartbreak; grief and forgiveness; and the endless possibility of change. We meet the couple racing to secure their IVF treatment; the wide-eyed young Conservative whose awakening is more than just political; the teenager who discovers a secret that threatens his entire extended family; the ex-offender transformed through his friendship with a photographer, and many more captivating characters. These engrossing dramas let us venture into their worlds; giving us an intimate insight into their lives and loves. Among the casts are Jaime Winstone, Sean Gallagher, Rhea Bailey, Mina Anwar, Ciaran Griffiths and Harry McEntire.

4 AT THE STORE

Stand-up fans rejoice - this cracking collection contains a whole seven series of top-drawer comedy, recorded live at London and Manchester's legendary Comedy Store and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Enjoy over eleven hours of laughs from some of the biggest and best stand-ups on the circuit, hosted by three fantastically funny compères: Simon Bligh, Ross Noble and Adam Hills. Included here is an A-Z of top-drawer comic talent, from Richard Ayoade, John Bishop, Alan Carr, to Sean Lock, Lee Mack, Dara Ó Briain, Lucy Porter, Gina Yashere and a host of other peerless performers. It's all the fun of a comedy club, without the need to leave your armchair.

ANTHOLOGY OF POEMS FOR CHILDREN

Selection of poetry including poems by Edward Lear, Keats, Kipling, Eleanor Farjeon, Walter de la Mare & John Smith.

ARABIAN AFTERNOONS: THREE FULL-CAST DRAMAS INSPIRED BY TALES FROM THE ARABIAN NIGHTS

A trilogy of contemporary plays inspired by tales from The Arabian Nights The Casper Logue Affair by Sebastian Baczkiewicz*:* An absurd black comedy thriller, set in Baghdad. Junior diplomat Bob Goldacre is in trouble: the American businessman he was looking after has vanished from a Baghdad street. As the suspects pile up, Goldacre is going to have his work cut out if he wants to save his career and make sure that justice is done. The Porter and the Three Ladies by Rachel Joyce: It is time for Shahrazad to tell another tale to save her life. In this story within a story, we find out that if Joe doesn't find the exclusive to satisfy his ruthless editor, he will lose his job. He finds three beautiful women in Damascus but what is the truth behind their secret life? A Dish of Pomegranates by Peter Jukes*:* Shared roots and scattered families in the melting pot of modern Jerusalem. Tired after a stressful trip, Ajib is stopped by security officers as he tries to fly out of Ben Gurion airport on his way home to the U.S. They don't think his story adds up. Can he make them believe him? And does he actually know the whole story himself?

THE ARCHERS: THE AMBRIDGE PLAYERS

Classic plays and ghost stories, as performed by the residents of Ambridge and friends - plus bonus drama Dead Girls Tell No Tales

THE ARCHERS: VINTAGE HIGHLIGHTS

This collection takes a look back at the early years of the iconic show, from the 1950s to the 1970s, and follows the fortunes of some of its pivotal characters, including Jack and Peggy Archer, Walter Gabriel, Sid Perks, and Brian and Jennifer Aldridge. Here are some of the most memorable moments from Ambridge's history: Grace Archer's tragic death in a stable fire; Tom Forrest's arrest for manslaughter; the wedding of Tony and Pat; the birth of Phil and Jill's daughter, Elizabeth—and their subsequent worries about her heart; and the shock of Jennifer's illegitimate baby.

AT HOME WITH THE HARDY'S: A BBC RADIO COMEDY

All three series of the surreal sitcom set in the madcap world of four happy-go-lucky young folk Jeremy Hardy and friends are an irrepressible gang of jolly japesters who are always up for laughter and merriment. Luckily, they all live near to each other: which means craziness is never far away. So good they named it twice, this zany sitcom was initially known as Unnatural Acts, before returning for its third series as At Home With the Hardys. But though the title may be different, the high jinks are as wacky as ever... Series 1 of Unnatural Acts sees Jeremy investigating his lineage, and Kit deciding it's time to get in touch with a medium's answerphone. When the pals decide to commune with Mother Nature it's out with the picnic snacks and off to Sizefield nuclear power station - and when Caroline makes a special announcement at Kit and Jeremy's wedding anniversary, it's another success story for computer dating. There's just one tiny problem... In Series 2, a slew of April Fool pranks escalates into a terrorist threat; a safari park throws up some unexpected attractions, including an exploding ostrich and a gorilla with a walkie-talkie; and Paul starts spring-cleaning Ashdown Forest - where he makes a very interesting discovery... There's a new moniker, a new story, a new job and a new arrival for the crazy crew in Series 3, At Home with the Hardys. Someone, somewhere is having an affair - and Paul's doing the catering. Adverts make the heart grow fonder as our four funsters bring you a cleaner, brighter programme with built-in lemon freshness. Meanwhile, a famous line from a famous film may not amount to a hill of beans, but it could be the end of a beautiful friendship - and as Jeremy and Paul get starry-eyed, Kit and Caroline come down to earth...

BBC CLASSICS: ADVENTURE COLLECTION

This thrilling anthology contains five action-packed tales of incredible journeys, a murderous treasure hunt, invaders from outer space and international espionage - all read in full by some of the very best voice actors. With over 33 hours of exciting listening, tracked by chapter, let yourself get carried away with these classic adventures. Gulliver's Travels: Jonathan Swift's dark satire following Lemuel Gulliver's fantastical travels through strange and exotic lands. Read by Tony Turner. Kidnapped: Robert Louis Stevenson's classic story of David Balfour's youthful adventures on the high seas and across the Scottish Highlands. Read by Kenny Blyth. The Sign of the Four: Arthur Conan Doyle's intriguing locked-room mystery follows Holmes and Watson as they uncover a murky tale of theft, betrayal and greed. Read by Kenny Blyth. The War of the Worlds: HG Wells' iconic sci-fi story about the battle to save Earth from a Martian invasion. Read by Michael Bertenshaw. The Thirty-Nine Steps: John Buchan's stirring tale of derring-do, secrets and spies set in the shadows of war. Read by Kenny Blyth.

BBC CLASSICS: PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, JANE EYRE AND CRANFORD

This timeless collection brings together three of the finest works in the literary canon, read in full by some of the very best audiobook narrators. With over 38 hours of unmissable storytelling, tracked by chapter so you can easily find your place, this is the ideal way to enjoy these classic masterpieces. Pride and Prejudice: Jane Austen's universally acknowledged romance charts the love story between pretty, witty Elizabeth Bennett and handsome, arrogant Fitzwilliam Darcy. Read by Clare Corbett. Jane Eyre: Orphan Jane falls head over heels in love with the brooding, mysterious Mr Rochester in Charlotte Brontë's coming-of-age classic about secrets and lies. Read by Katherine Press. Cranford: Elizabeth Gaskell's much-loved portrait of life in a Cheshire town and its female inhabitants, as they cope with the impact of change on their small world. Read by Carolyn Pickles.

BEHIND THE AUTHOR'S DESK: DRAMAS OF FAMOUS WRITERS' REAL LIVES

These surprising, revealing dramas take a behind-the-scenes look at some of our best-loved authors, mingling fact and fantasy to explore their extraordinary hidden lives. From love affairs, friendships and family relationships to traumas, tragedies and journeys of self-discovery, we glimpse the unwritten worlds that shaped their unforgettable fiction. Among the star casts are Andrew Scott, Toby Jones, Richard Dormer, Glenda Jackson, Bella Ramsey, Julia Davis, Ian McDiarmid, Haydn Gwynne, David Threlfall, Alistair McGowan, Tom Goodman-Hill, Hattie Morahan, Rosie Cavaliero, Julian Rhind-Tutt, Paul Ritter and Lia Williams. Jane and Tom - Writing to her sister, Jane Austen describes her love for Tom Lefroy - a love that would lead to Pride and Prejudice. When Fanny Met Germaine - A delightful romp through the passionate, scandalous friendship between two 18th Century writers: Fanny Burney and Mme de Stael. Comrade Ackland - Dorset, 1936. Newly returned from an illicit trip to Civil War Spain, Sylvia Townsend Warner and her lover Valentine Ackland have an unexpected visitor.... Tongues of Fire - 1913. When a Nobel laureate visits Dublin's Abbey Theatre, fireworks erupt between WB Yeats and Sean O'Casey. A Year at the Races - Approaching the end of his career, Groucho Marx meets a wisecracking fan determined to teach him new comedy tricks. Spike and the Elfin Oak - A comic fantasy inspired by Spike Milligan's madcap attempts in the mid-1960s to preserve a curious sculpture in Kensington Gardens. Everybody's Got Conditions - Casting Bette Davis in his play The Night of the Iguana proves the biggest mistake in Tennessee Williams' career... I Believe I Have Genius- Humble and obscure, young Charlotte Brontë travels to Brussels to study at a girls' school. Marian and George - Marian Evans (aka George Eliot) must choose between her adored brother and the love of her life... Lying Low - An intriguing drama imagining what happened to Samuel Beckett during his mysterious three weeks in Folkestone in 1961. A Terrible Beauty - WB Yeats travels to France to propose to beautiful Maud Gonne, soon after her husband's execution in the 1916 Easter Rising. The Watcher on the Wall - Dramatised from his letters, this is the story of Louis MacNeice's transatlantic love affair and the poetry it inspired. Edith Sitwell in Scarborough - Returning to her birthplace, Edith Sitwell sets out to wreak revenge. Mrs Tolstoy - A five-part drama charting the tempestuous marriage between Leo and Sofya Tolstoy. The 'B' Word - The opening night of George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion causes a scandal and sparks a passionate love/hate triangle... The Rules of Palship - The young Noël Coward demanded fierce loyalty from his friends - but did he live up to his own high standards? The Lost Road - A playful tribute to the long friendship between CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien and how it influenced their respective masterpieces. Luxembourg Gardens - Re-imagined from Katherine Mansfield's stories, letters and journals, this Mansfieldesque play explores her last day in Paris, where she is dying of consumption aged 34.

BEST OF WOMEN'S SHORT STORIES: VOL I

Some of the great classic shorts stories inspired by women. This empowering selection explores the many experiences and complexities of womanhood, sometimes joyful, sometimes sad. It includes Ladies in Lavender by William J Locke, the inspiration for the film of the same name starring Judi Dench and Maggie Smith.

BEST OF WOMEN'S SHORT STORIES: VOL II

Some of the great classic short stories inspired by women. This empowering selection explores the many experiences and complexities of womanhood.

BEST OF WOMEN'S SHORT STORIES: VOL III

This empowering selection of classic stories inspired by women explores the many experiences and complexities of womanhood. It includes Happy Women by Louisa May Alcott and The Singing Lesson by Catherine Mansfield.

BLACKOUT

When a heatwave plunges New York City into darkness, sparks fly for thirteen teenagers caught up in the blackout. A first meeting.Long-time friends.Bitter exes.And maybe the beginning of something new… When the lights go out, people reveal hidden truths, love blossoms, friendship transforms and new possibilities take flight. Six of today's biggest stars of the YA world, Dhonielle Clayton, Tiffany D. Jackson, Nic Stone, Angie Thomas, Ashley Woodfolk, and Nicola Yoon, bring all the electricity of love to a collection of charming, hilarious and heartbreaking tales that shine the brightest light through the dark.

BOMBER COMMAND: BATTLE OF BERLIN

Thousands of airmen failed to return from operations as part of the 1943 and 1944 Bomber Command Battle of Berlin. The authors, utilising family archives, personal testimony and wartime memoirs, piece together the remarkable, yet tragic events surrounding those who made the ultimate sacrifice. ‘We Will Remember Them'.

THE BOOK THAT CHANGED ME

Part of BBC Radio 3's 'The Essay' strand, The Book That Changed Me features writers, academics and other eminent professionals discussing the literary works that have had the greatest impact on their lives. This fascinating selection contains some of the best episodes from the series, including legendary songwriter Steve Earle on Truman Capote's masterpiece In Cold Blood; academic Monica Siddiqui on Austen's Pride and Prejudice; and Tony Blair's onetime strategist Alastair Campbell on Flaubert's seminal Madame Bovary. Renowned film director Richard Eyre reveals how Angus Calder's social history The People's War evokes memories of his childhood; neurobiologist Colin Blakemore explains why he loves Darwin's lesser-known work, The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals; visual artist Tacita Dean describes how Marguerite Yourcenair's Fires helped her find her voice as a writer, feminist and filmmaker; and David Simon, creator of TV's The Wire, relates how James Agee's Let Us Now Praise Famous Men made him realise the importance of reportage. Absorbing and enlightening, this entertaining collection sheds new light on the intellectual lives of a host of famous names, and celebrates the transformative power of literature.

THE BRIG SOCIETY: THE COMPLETE SERIES 1-4: THE BBC RADIO 4 COMEDY SHOW

In the complete Series 1-4 of the multi-award-winning hit show from the people who brought you Cabin Pressure and Armando Iannucci's Charm Offensive, stand-up comedian Marcus Brigstocke has been put in charge of a thing! In each episode, Marcus finds he's volunteered to be in charge of a big old thing - a hospital, a prison, the banking system, the great British press - and each week he starts out by thinking "Well, it can't be that difficult, surely?" and ends up with "Oh - turns out it's utterly difficult and complicated. Who knew...?". Helping him fail to find the answers are regular guest stars such as Rufus Jones (Hunderby, Holy Flying Circus), William Andrews (Sorry, I've Got No Head), Margaret Cabourn-Smith (Miranda) and Colin Hoult (from Ricky Gervaise's Derek). Together they tackle the ills of British society, from the House Of Lords and internet trolling all the way up to the big issues - like why a paisley hanky is good for hiding disreputable stains, and how to use toothpaste to fool your landlord.

CEO EXCELLENCE: THE SIX MINDSETS THAT DISTINGUISH THE BEST LEADERS FROM THE REST

CEO Excellence, by McKinsey senior partners Carolyn Dewar, Scott Keller and Vikram Malhotra is a unique and timely business book which will draw on 25 years of research and interviews with top leaders of some of the world's most respected companies. The resulting audiobook will demonstrate that while the role of CEO is unique within every organisation, it is surprisingly similar across companies even in disparate industries. Furthermore, the best CEOs approach their role with distinct mindsets and practices. This audiobook is about truly world class leadership, showing how the best CEOs think, adapt and approach challenges (never more relevant than in this extraordinary time). It will show why a brilliant CEO can have such an immense impact, and demonstrate how to model yourself and your performance on the very best - so that your turn to lead comes sooner, and is more successful.

CHAIN REACTION: THE COMPLETE BBC RADIO 4 HOSTLESS CHAT SHOW

A complete collection of the talk show with a twist—the guest each week becomes the interviewer in the following episode. Focusing on the career and passions of a figure in the entertainment world whose work they admire, each interviewer gets to delve into the life of their hero as well as revealing hidden aspects of themselves. Featuring great British comedians, award-winning actors, and iconic musicians and writers, Chain Reaction serves you double helpings of amazing individuals like Johnny Vegas, Barry Cryer, Lenny Henry, David Tennant, Eddie Izzard, Lee Mack and Ruby Wax.

CHRISTMAS FIRESIDE STORIES

Snuggle up by the fire with this delightful festive collection of short stories from six bestselling authors: Rita Bradshaw, Margaret Dickinson, Annie Murray, Diane Allen, Pam Weaver, and Mary Wood.

CLASSIC DETECTIVE STORIES

A collection of ten classic detective stories featuring some of the greatest fictional detectives ever, including: Sherlock Holmes, Hugh "Bulldog" Drummond, Father Brown, Morris Klaw, and Inspector Morse amongst others.

CLASSIC DYSTOPIAS

Full-cast dramatisations of six masterpieces from the founding fathers of dystopian fiction. Included here are six classic novels of time-travel totalitarianism and terror written by some of the masters of speculative fiction and adapted for radio with all-star casts. The Time Machine by HG Wells - A Victorian inventor takes a fateful journey into the far future where mankind has diverged into two species - the Eloi and the Morlocks. Robert Glenister and William Gaunt star in this pioneering science fiction adventure. We by Evgeny Zamyatin - In a post-revolutionary future OneState is ruled according to the principles of rationality. The penalty for dissent is death. But when engineer D-503 meets the beautiful 1-330 he begins to question everything... Starring Anton Lesser Don Warrington and Brigit Forsyth. The Trial by Franz Kafka - Josef K is an ordinary man who lives a quiet life. Then one morning he is awoken by two men and arrested - but what is his crime? Mike Gwylim stars in this gripping dramatisation by Hanif Kureishi. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley - It's 2116 and Helmholtz Watson and Bernard Marx are token rebels in a society where eugenics promiscuity and happiness are gently enforced. Into this world comes an outsider John who will show the duo what rebellion really means... Starring Justin Salinger John Coy and Milton Lopes. Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell - Winston Smith works for the Ministry of Truth rewriting history to suit the Party. When he finds love with Julia he awakens to new possibilities - but free thinking is forbidden and Big Brother is always watching... Christopher Eccleston and Pippa Nixon star in Orwell's chilling tale. The Chrysalids by John Wyndham - In a post-apocalyptic world devastated by genetic mutation the God-respecting people of Waknuk regard deviation as the work of the Devil. Young David and his friends can communicate by telepathy: but as Mutants they must hide their powers or face the consequences of discovery...

CLASSIC EROTIC VERSE

Over the ages many poets have put pen to paper in celebration of that most raw and yet most beautiful of human instincts – erotic love. All aspects of erotic love are to be found in these poems, from the witty and bawdy to the sensuous and tender.

CLASSIC FM FAVOURITE POEMS

This delightfull anthology is a timeless collection of poems chosen by Classic FM listeners. Whether you're reading them for the first time or revisiting a classic, this is a selection to enchant, move and delight.

CLASSIC TALES OF GHOSTS AND VAMPIRES

A selection of chilling and spooky stories by famous authors including 'The signalman' by Charles Dickens.

CURIOUS UNDER THE STARS

When Gareth finds his wife Diane in bed with another man, the couple attempt to save their marriage by uprooting from London to the West Wales village where Gareth grew up, and buying the local pub. It's a bit of a dive - the wallpaper's peeling, there are squirrels in the saloon bar and something's growing out of the pool table. But it's got potential, and they're determined to make a go of it. Soon, the locals are flocking to The Druid's Rest - and as Diane discovers, her husband's old friends are an eccentric bunch. There's ex-soldier Gwyn, who carries a machine gun everywhere; garrulous waitress Megan; cook Matty, whose dishes cast a spell over everyone who eats them; and enigmatic potman (and narrator) Emlyn, who seems built into the fabric of Glan Don. And then there's Bethan - beautiful, bewitching Bethan, Gareth's teenage sweetheart, who may still have a hold on his heart...If the villagers are strange, Glan Don itself is even stranger. Steeped in ancient folklore, it is both eerie and enchanting. The sea is an all-pervading presence, magical and menacing in turn, home to mermaids and submerged forests. On land are haunted caves, dark woods, ruined castles, old lead mines - and legendary beings including ghosts, dragons, witches and the King under the Hill. As Gareth and Diane struggle to cope with the dual challenges of running a pub and dealing with the supernatural, will Glan Don bring them closer together - or tear them apart?

DOCTOR WHO: ELEVENTH DOCTOR NOVELS. VOLUME 1

Arthur Darvill, Olivia Colman, James Albrecht and Nicholas Briggs read these four original stories featuring the Eleventh Doctor. In Apollo 23, by Justin Richards, Amy is stranded on the moon, whilst the Doctor discovers one last great secret that could save humanity. In The Night of the Humans, by David Llewellyn, the Doctor and Amy arrive in the middle of an all-out frontier war on the Gyre, the most hostile environment in the galaxy. In The Forgotten Army, by Brian Minchin, an ordinary day becomes a time of terror, as the Doctor and Amy meet a new and deadly enemy in New York. In Nuclear Time, by Oli Smith, the Doctor finds himself living backwards through time, while Amy and Rory are hunted through the suburban streets of his future...

DOCTOR WHO: TALES OF TIME AND SPACE

The collection opens with a trilogy of stories set in the First World War - Men of War, Horrors of War and Fortunes of War - in which the First, Third and Sixth Doctors are pitted against a rogue element in time. In The Thing From The Sea the Fourth Doctor and Mrs Wibbsey meet an alien serpent in 18th Century Italy, and in The Elysian Blade the Second Doctor, Jamie and Victoria find trouble on a distant Earth colony. In The Flight of the Sun God the Sixth Doctor and Peri join a spaceship of company executives on a one-way trip, whilst The Scent of Blood brings the Eighth Doctor to Victorian Edinburgh in search of vampires. The Eleventh Doctor and Clara discover Paradise Lost on the distant edge of a nebula, and the Fourth Doctor returns to Earth - and Mrs Wibbsey - to face the menace of The Winged Coven.

DOCTOR WHO: THE BBC RADIO EPISODES COLLECTION

In The Paradise of Death and The Ghosts of N-Space, the Third Doctor reunites with Sarah Jane Smith and UNIT for adventures on Earth and beyond, first broadcast on BBC Radio in the 1990s. In Doctor Who and the Pescatons, made for LP release in 1976, the Fourth Doctor and Sarah fight alien invasion on present day Earth. The duo return in Exploration Earth: The Time Machine, for BBC Schools Radio, in which they witness the Earth's early development. Whatever Happened to...Susan? is a tongue-in-cheek look at how Susan Foreman's life might have turned out after her adventures with the Doctor, and Slipback is a full-throttle adventure for the Sixth Doctor and Peri, first broadcast on BBC Radio in 1985. Also included in this new edition is a 45-minute conversation with Elisabeth Sladen, recorded exclusively for BBC Audio in 2004.

DOCTOR WHO: THE LOST TV EPISODES COLLECTION FIVE

Six narrated TV soundtrack adventures starring Patrick Troughton as the Second Doctor - plus bonus features. These thrilling recordings of TV episodes, largely absent from the BBC archives, have been remastered with additional linking narration by original cast members. This set also includes bonus interviews with Wendy Padbury and Frazer Hines. In The Enemy of the World, recently returned to the film archives, the time travellers meet the Doctor's murderous double. In The Web of Fear the Doctor and friends find the London Underground tunnels overrun by Yeti! In Fury from the Deep something nasty is lurking in the gas pipelines of the North Sea. In The Wheel in Space the Doctor and Jamie confront some old adversaries in the far future. In The Invasion the Doctor battles to prevent the Cybermen from invading present day Earth. In The Space Pirates the TARDIS crew encounter the Interstellar Space Corps and a gang of murderous bandits.

DOCTOR WHO: THE SECOND EARTH ADVENTURES COLLECTION

A collection of five classic TV novelisations featuring the Doctor's hectic adventures on Earth including Planet of Giants, The Massacre, The Invasion, The Horror of Fang Rock and Delta and the Bannermen.

DOCTOR WHO: THE TV EPISODES COLLECTION

Six classic Doctor Who TV soundtrack adventures starring William Hartnell as the First Doctor. In 'The Sensorites' the Doctor and his friends visit an alien society with dark secrets. In 'The Romans' Ian and Barbara are sold into slavery in First Century Rome, and the Doctor encounters Nero! In 'The Space Museum' the travellers must work to avert a terrible potential future for themselves. In 'The Ark' the Doctor, Steven and Dodo encounter the last humans to flee Earth with their alien servants, the Monoids. In 'The Gunfighters' the TARDIS crewmembers try to avoid getting caught in crossfire at the OK Corral. In 'The War Machines' the TARDIS lands in London, 1966, to find the brand new Post Office Tower being controlled by sinister supercomputer.

DOCTOR WHO: TWELFTH DOCTOR TALES

Join the Twelfth Doctor, as played on TV by Peter Capaldi, as he meets friends and enemies new and old on these journeys in time and space. In the interlinked Winter quartet the Doctor is served with a Calling Card that means he and Clara can be summoned for assistance at any time or place. In the Lost quartet the Time Lord becomes embroiled in a mystery involving the Weeping Angels and the Sisterhood of Karn. In 'Rhythm of Destruction' he encounters the deadliest jazz quartet in the universe, and in 'Death Among the Stars' the Doctor sees some oddly familiar figures on Jupiter's sixth moon.

EIGHT GHOSTS: THE ENGLISH HERITAGE BOOK OF NEW GHOST STORIES

Eight authors were given after hours freedom at their chosen English heritage site. Within the walls of these historic buildings each author has found inspiration to deliver a new interpretation of the classic ghost story.

THE ENCHANTING WORLD OF HINGE AND BRACKET

Meet Hinge and Bracket, the delightful double act brought to sublime life by George Logan and Patrick Fyffe. Lifelong companions and musical collaborators, they enjoy nothing more than performing around the piano together, and trading light-hearted banter spiced with comic innuendo and a double entendre or two. Collected here are the very best of their radio appearances, including the pilot episode and first series of The Enchanting World of Hinge and Bracket. Also featured are 17 episodes from The Random Jottings of Hinge and Bracket. Rounding off the merriment is At Home with Hinge and Bracket, in which we join the duo for six informal soirees as they entertain celebrity guests Benjamin Luxton, Evelyn Laye, Jack Brymer, June Whitfield, Rosalind Plowright and Anthony Newley with their inimitable mix of songs and witty conversation. NB: Due to the age and nature of the recording, it contains language that some listeners may find offensive

FAITH, HOPE AND GLORY SERIES 3-5

Three more series of the landmark century-spanning historical drama Faith Hope and Glory charts the lives of three African-Caribbean families connected forever by the theft of a beautiful pram in Tilbury in 1946. As they live through the eighty years since then they witness and take part in the emergence of the modern United Kingdom. Beginning in 1958 - the year of the Notting Hill race riots - these three series find our characters forced to make difficult decisions as they seek to quell their own domestic turmoil against the backdrop of increasingly febrile racial tensions. Meanwhile a new generation begin to take their place in the rapidly changing Britain of the 1960s... This enthralling drama charts the history of post-war Britain through intimate interwoven stories brilliantly brought to life by leading Black playwrights Roy Williams Rex Obano and Carol Russell. The cast includes Danielle Vitalis as Hope Pippa Bennett Warner as Gloria and Shiloh Coke as Faith together with Martins Imhangbe as Jim Stefan Adegbola as Clement and Gary Beadle as Trevor.

THE FALKLANDS WAR: RECORDINGS FROM THE ARCHIVE

1982 was a historic year, a year in which the battle for a small group of islands in the South Atlantic dominated the news. From the initial broadcasts of the growing Argentine threat and Mrs Thatcher's speech to the Commons informing them that a Task Force will sail, to the battles for Goose Green and Port Stanley, the Argentine surrender and the controversial sinking of the Belgrano—all these historic moments, together with all the other important events of the Falklands War, are recorded here, in live BBC Radio News coverage.

A FAMILY CHRISTMAS

A collection of beloved Christmas tales that every family will cherish, including classic stories such as "The Little Match Girl" and "The Nutcracker".

THE FEMALE BODY BIBLE

This book tackles the taboos around women's bodies and aims to educate and empower us to be open rather than embarrassed about our health throughout our lives.** Women go through various life stages, with each moment bringing a new set of challenges and opportunities. Yet rarely do we speak openly about these, nor share our knowledge and solutions with each other. We use euphemisms to describe periods rather than saying the word, let alone fully understand and maximise the cycle. We don't acknowledge leakages or admit when we do not know how to find the pelvic floor or why it even matters. We buy trendy sports bras with little knowledge of how they work for breast health or exercise performance. We fall victim to the reality that many young women give up exercise in their teens to the detriment of their health at an older age. We barely mention the menopause. In addition to this tendency to secrecy, health advice and fitness programmes are generally based on what works for men, with a shrink to fit approach for women, despite research increasingly showing that this is far from optimal for women. Women are at greater risk of injury than men through physical activity, yet there's little focus on this in an attempt to prevent it. Body literacy is something every woman is entitled to. Everything that makes women female shouldn't be medicalized or considered niche, but be fully considered in making us better, fitter, healthier and happier humans. Health and fitness are not the same as aesthetics and photogenics. Instead of prioritising how a body looks we need to focus on how it feels and functions. How it works. When we listen to the body, embrace it and nurture it, health and fitness will follow. Merging the expertise of sports research scientist Dr Emma Ross, athletic coach Baz Moffat and medical practitioner Dr Bella Smith, The Well HQ champions the non-negotiables when it comes to understanding our health and wellbeing as women. This book will ask the questions that have been ignored for too long such as: What does good menstrual, breast and pelvic health look like in active women? How can you make the monthly cycle work for you and not against you? Why are women at increased risk of injury in sport, and how can we prevent it?

FLIGHTS OF FANCY: STORIES PICTURES AND INSPIRATION FROM TEN CHILDREN'S LAUREATES

The exceptional talents behind some of the nation's best-loved books – from The Gruffalo to The BFG, We're Going on a Bear Hunt to the Charlie and Lola series – the Children's Laureates are the perfect ambassadors for children's literature. This anthology marks twenty wonderful years of the Laureateship, with stories, poems and pictures by all ten former honourees.

THE FORWARD BOOK OF POETRY 2013

This anthology contains poems shortlisted for the Forward Poetry Prizes 2012, the UK's most valuable annual awards for contemporary poetry. ‘The diversity and originality of the judges' selection suggest that it may well be a vintage year’, says William Sieghart, founder of the prizes.

FRAMERS

Don't just think deep, think wide. From pandemics to populism, AI to ISIS, wealth inequity to climate change, humanity faces unprecedented challenges that threaten our very existence. But how we see them affects how we respond and lets us uncover hidden options that expand our thinking. In this bold, optimistic book, the authors of the bestselling Big Data show how humans have a unique cognitive ability to frame -- to create mental models that allow us to spot patterns, make predictions and grasp new situations. While computers may now excel at reasoning and judgement, framing is unique to humans. This book is the first guide to mastering an essential skill for the 21st century. Blending fascinating stories with cutting-edge research, you'll discover why it's useless to try to think outside the box, how Spotify beat Apple by framing music as experience, how the #metoo movement reframed the perception of sexual assault from silence to solidarity, and how framing Covid-19 as seasonal flu led to disaster whereas framing it as SARS delivered New Zealand from the pandemic. Framers will show you how to make better decisions in the age of algorithms, and will revolutionise not only how we think about our future, but how we think about everything.

GLIMPSES OF WAR: VOLUME 1

Inspired by the first COVID lockdown, Glimpses of War describes personal experiences of wartime of the last 100 years. Stories of great valour and heroism, of tragedy and sorrow, of hardship and stoicism as well as ordinary people ‘just doing their bit’. The British Modern Military History Society has captured many aspects of war from many perspectives, told in the personal words of those who lived through these times or from their family members or historians.

GREAT LEADERS' LIVES

Since its inception in 2001, Great Lives has been one of Radio 4's most popular programmes, presented by Joan Bakewell, Humphrey Carpenter, Francine Stock and Matthew Parris. The format is simple, but compelling: each week, a distinguished personality is invited to select an inspirational figure who has influenced them. Talking with the presenter and a guest expert, they assess the importance of their chosen candidate. This special collection, celebrating the programme's 20th birthday, comprises the very best episodes featuring leaders' lives, from the worlds of politics, religion, royalty, business and the military. Some are heroes, some tyrants, and several spark controversy. Among them AA Gill puts forward the case for Neville Chamberlain, Maxine Peake chooses Ellen Wilkinson, the Duke of Wellington is picked by Frederick Forsyth, and Leon Trotsky is selected by Christopher Hitchens in a hugely entertaining show that culminated in fireworks. In these cases, and many others, the life of the invited guest is as riveting as that of their subject - who wouldn't want to listen to Ken Livingstone discussing Robert Kennedy, George Monbiot champion Thomas Paine, and Trevor McDonald on Learie Constantine?

GREAT NARRATIVE POEMS OF THE ROMANTIC AGE

Here are some of the finest narrative poems in the English language, dating from an age of rich inspiration: the 19th century. All tell powerful stories of human passion and endeavor, often reflected in vivid evocations of the medieval world. Includes "The Eve of St. Agnes", "Morte d'Athur", and "Peter Grimes", among others.

GREAT UNANSWERED QUESTIONS: SERIES 1-3

What do you get if you put a comedian, a scientist and an internet expert in a room together? The answer is Great Unanswered Questions, a panel game in which resident funnyman Colin Murphy teams up with brainiac Dr David Booth and computer geek Matthew Collins to tackle ludicrous questions and provide the correct (or at least the funniest) answers. Each show features a guest comedian, and as Colin presents them with a quirky query to riff on, David attempts to offer some sense amidst the nonsense. Meanwhile, Matthew trawls the world wide web to find interesting and illuminating content and add some facts to the fun. Could pigs fly? Which wakes up first - you, or your eyes? Why do pizzas come in a square box? How much fat do you need to become bullet-proof? And does each of us have the potential to be a bright sparkling diamond? Among the comics answering the unanswerable are Jo Caulfield, Phill Jupitus, Dara O'Briain, Ardal O'Hanlon, Jason Manford and Holly Walsh. And in a special Edinburgh Festival show, Andrew Maxwell joins the team to inform, educate and entertain. You may not get the answers you were expecting, but you'll certainly have a few laughs...

THE GUARDIAN REVIEW BOOK OF SHORT STORIES

From caves in Pakistan to the underground tunnels of London's Piccadilly line, each of the stories collected here takes the reader into a very different world. Everyday triumphs and tragedies are briefly illuminated, the secret places of relationships laid bare – together these tales showcase the variety and vibrancy of the modern short story.

HARDSHIP BRITAIN

Individuals who have experienced some of society's biggest issues tell their stories - and search for answers. From climate change, fake news and vaccine hesitancy to mental health, addiction and domestic violence, there are no shortage of societal problems facing the UK right now. But while we are aware these challenges exist, without personal experience it is hard for us to understand what it is like to struggle with them, and harder still to envision potential solutions. These compelling documentaries, first broadcast on radio under the title 'My Name Is...', introduce us to a range of individuals who have confronted various hardships, telling their stories and following them as they ask difficult questions and endeavour to drive positive change. Offering unique insight into the lives of a host of extraordinary people, these fascinating first-person accounts highlight the complexity of the issues affecting Britons today, and provide diverse perspectives on how we can set about tackling them.

HEATED ROLLERS

Three top actresses show off their comedic talents in the very first all-women sketch show written for BBC Radio 2. In these six episodes, Lynda Bellingham, Gwyneth Strong and Joanna Monro present a feast of skits and music with a distinctly feminist flavour. Highlights include the 'Classic Serial' strand, featuring strangely familiar titles such as Madame Ovary, Lady Chatterbox's Lover and Donna Karenina; and 'The History of Feminism', in which we learn the truth about Florence Nightingale, suffragettes, women drivers and Boadicea.

HER STORY: WOMEN'S UNTOLD HISTORIES: 10 BBC RADIO FULL-CAST DRAMAS

10 dramas focusing on women's untold stories from history. This diverse, eclectic collection of plays explores an array of social, political and historical events from a female point of view. In these captivating dramas, we see the world through their eyes, giving us a fresh perspective on a female history that is too often unrecorded, misrepresented or misunderstood. Featuring a multiplicity of styles and genres, and written by a wide variety of authors, they range from comedy dramas themed around the Bayeux Tapestry and the 1962 Cheltenham Literary Festival, to award-winning, thought-provoking tales of Nigerian teenagers kidnapped by Boko Haram.

HOPES AND DESIRES

Written by a host of top radio writers and starring some of Britain's finest actors, these sparkling, beautifully crafted comedy dramas are centred around people with unconscious yearnings. From the serial seducer to the lonely mother's boy, each is looking for love - but will they find it?

INSTANT EXPERT

Since 2010, the Arts and Humanities Research Council and the BBC have joined forces to find the best and brightest academic minds whose cutting-edge research deserves to be shared with a wider audience. Each year, 10 pioneering scholars are selected as New Generation Thinkers, and given the unique opportunity to bring their groundbreaking work to life on radio. New Generation Thinkers have explored the arts, history, philosophy, science, religion and beyond, and continue to share ideas, bring people into their world, and expand horizons everywhere. To mark ten years of this incredible scheme, this collection brings together the 100 winners from the past decade. Many have gone on to become prominent public figures, and all have fascinating insights to share. Charlotte Blease questions the relationship between doctors and patients; Sarah Dillon explores roles for women in science fiction and whether the genre is sexist; Anindya Raychaudhuri discusses the 1947 Partition of India and how it is remembered; Edmund Richardson tells the story of Alexander the Great's lost city; and Ben Anderson explains how trespassers in the early 20th Century helped create new attitudes to nature by going off-piste.

INTRIGUE: 3 EXPLOSIVE TRUE STORIES: TUNNEL 29, MAYDAY & MURDER IN THE LUCKY HOLIDAY HOTEL (X Rated)

In these three gripping series, prominent journalists investigate fascinating human stories, shining a light on history and politics and deepening our understanding of the word we live in. Murder in the Lucky Holiday Hotel tells a shocking tale of sex, death and power. In Tunnel 29, Helena Merriman recounts the incredible story of Joachim Rudolph, who, in the early 1960s, joined a group digging a tunnel under the Berlin Wall, and helped smuggle out 29 people. Mayday investigates the extraordinary case of James Le Mesurier, an ex-British army officer found dead in an Istanbul street in 2019. Also featured is a special extended version of The Canister on the Bed, exploring the events of the Douma massacre. In addition, bonus programme Mayday: The Evidence Gatherers reveals how a Western-funded NGO, responsible for extracting over a million documents from Syria allegedly containing evidence of torture and genocide, is now fighting a disinformation war. NB: Contains strong language and scenes which some listeners might find upsetting

JANE AUSTEN: A PORTRAIT

Perfect for Janeites everywhere, this enticing collection brings together for the first time six special recordings that offer a glimpse behind the scenes at the life of the celebrated author. Taking us on a journey from her earliest teenage writings, to her love affair aged 20, to the scandalous arrest of her aunt which shook her family, these fascinating programmes offer a closer look at Jane Austen and those around her, as seen through her letters, writings and final home. Juvenile Jane - Jane Austen's delightfully precocious and revealing early works are celebrated by Austen expert Janet Todd and writer and illustrator Posy Simmonds. Anna Maxwell Martin reads extracts from three stories: 'Frederick and Elfrida', 'Henry and Eliza' and 'Love and Freindship'[sic]. Minuet - The story of Jane Austen's real-life romance with an impassioned but impoverished young Irishman, which fueled her desire to become a writer. Helen McCrory stars as Jane Austen and John Light as Tom Lefroy in this original drama by Harriet O'Carroll. A City Full of Swindlers - 1799, Bath. Accused of shoplifting a piece of lace, Jane Austen's aunt is arrested and imprisoned... Narrated by Cassandra Austen (Lucy Black), this shocking tale reveals Georgian Bath to be a much less decorous place than it appears in her sister Jane's novels. Based on a true story, Jenny Howarth's entertaining drama also stars Tim Pigott-Smith and Pamela Miles. Portrait of Elizabeth - Inspired by the Portrait of Elizabeth Bridges Austen at the Jane Austen's House Museum, Chawton, Sophia Hillan's short story is told from the point of view of Jane's elder brother Edward's wife. It is 1808, and Elizabeth has just given birth to her 11th child. Suffering from fever and unaware that she is dying, she rails at the thought of having Jane attend her. But why is she so angry with her sister-in-law? Read by Laura Carmichael. No Ice in Weymouth - This 5-part series is a portrait of the family, social and professional world of Jane Austen, as seen through her letters and novels. Beginning in 1813, when Pride and Prejudice is about to be published, it concludes in 1815 in the months leading up to the publication of Emma. Starring Susannah Harker as Jane and Oona Beeson as Cassandra. A Quire of Paper: A Poem for Jane Austen and Her House - In 2016, Maura Dooley was poet-in-residence at the Jane Austen's House Museum, where Austen lived for the last eight years of her life. This atmospheric programme interweaves the sounds of the house, garden and village with specially composed poetry set against the rich history of this iconic place.

JUDGES: VOLUME 3

United States of America, 2051 AD. It has been 20 years since Eustace Fargo's justice bill was passed. There are new weapons on the streets, and vast city blocks rising to the sky, as the first human being sets out to visit another star system. New York, California and Texas cry out for autonomy, chafing against a federal government they feel has lost control. Reeling from news of Chief Justice Fargo's death in service, the nation asks: has it all been worth it?

JUDI DENCH AND MICHAEL WILLIAMS WITH GREAT PLEASURE

Two archive BBC Radio programmes in which Judi Dench and Michael Williams, accompanied by friends John Moffatt and Alec McCowen, read a cornucopia of poetry and prose. In this enchanting pair of programmes from 1991 and 1996, Dame Judi Dench and husband Michael Williams shared an eclectic selection of pieces that they loved, admired or simply found entertaining. 'With Great Pleasure' saw Judi Dench and Michael Williams joined by fellow actor Alec McCowen to read some of the literature that shaped their lives. Among the poems included are: Sylvia Plath’s ‘Morning Song', ‘Fern Hill’ by Dylan Thomas, and Charlotte Mitchell’s ‘Just in Case’, and there are extracts from Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra, Alan Bennett’s The Lady in the Van, and Alec McCowen’s Young Gemini. Fond and Familiar was a true variety show featuring Dench, Williams, and acclaimed actor John Moffatt. Together they performed verses, ballads, limericks, stories, nursery rhymes, and epitaphs, ranging from the comic to the deeply moving. Featuring old favourites such as ‘The Green Eye of the Little Yellow God', ‘Mandalay', and ‘Billy’s Rose', as well as less well-known gems that are nonetheless remembered with affection, this collection of ‘party pieces’ will surprise, inspire and delight.

THE LEOPARD IN AUTUMN: BBC RADIO 4 COMEDY DRAMA

In Monte Guano, a ridiculously small and penniless principality in Renaissance Italy, Prince Ludovico II finds his rule constantly undermined by those around him: his shrewd wife, his official mistress and his three disappointing—if not outright humiliating—sons. As well as having to manage the ever-increasing tributes demanded by the Pope, Prince Ludovico must also contend with feeble conscripts in search of war booty, getting on the pilgrim map, fake currency, religious battles and worst of all, English tourists. Can they keep their family together despite the chaos of their lives?

LIFE WITH THE LYONS

First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in 1950, Life with the Lyons was the first UK 'situation comedy'. More than 11 million listeners tuned in to the hilarious fictional misadventures of real-life Hollywood stars Bebe Daniels and Ben Lyons and their two children, Barbara and Richard, as well as Scottish housekeeper Aggie and next-door neighbours Florrie and Mr Wimple. Such was its popularity that the series ran for 11 years, spawning a TV spin-off, a West End play and two feature films. Included here are 32 of the very best episodes, among them an early one from the first series and the very last show, 'Roaming Scandals'.

LIFE WORTH LIVING

What kind of life would be truly worth wanting? What kind of world would be truly worth seeking? How should we live? We are facing a crisis of meaning. Swept up in the obstacles of the day-to-day the deeper questions of our fundamental purpose linger just beneath the surface of our personal lives and our collective culture. What we need is to seek the truth. In A Life Worth Living Yale's leading theologians Volf Croasmun and McAnnally-Linz offer a deep dive beneath the levels of habit strategy and introspection to the bedrock question of what kind of life is truly worth living. Inspired by the leading Yale course of the same this perspective-shifting book will guide you through life's biggest questions. Drawing on the world's greatest religious and philosophical traditions this is your path to understanding the true meaning of life.

LIFE'S TOO SHORT

Whether we love it or hate it, work has a huge affect on our lives and in recent times working life has totally changed. So what is life really like at work today? Some of these stories will make you laugh and some might make you cry. The one thing they all share is that you can never be sure what your working day will bring. Quick Reads.

THE MAGAZINE GIRLS 1960S-1980S

The Magazine Girls captures a flash-bulb moment in counter-culture in a time of raw excitement, great creativity, opportunity and sheer magical zeitgeist. This unique multi-narrative memoir presents a rare perspective on publishing just as the media youth market was set to boom. Through seven personal stories, it charts, from the 1960s and into the 1990s, the lives and times of young women who, as teenage school leavers, found themselves working on the top teen magazines of the day: Rave, Mirabelle, Valentine, Loving, Petticoat, and 19. Opportunities abounded in the 1960s and the girls were soon writing about and mixing with a new kind of aristocracy - the bands, the fashion designers, photographers, make-up artists and models. Famous names they interviewed included David Bowie, David Cassidy, Marc Bolan, Elton John, the Who and Bob Marley, amongst others. They were to mature into high-profile fashion and beauty editors, PRs, stylists, features and showbusiness writers, working on best-selling women's magazines such as Woman's Own, Woman, and Good Housekeeping, Hello! and national newspapers.

THE MAHABHARATA AND THE RAMAYANA

Full-cast dramatised retellings of the two most important epic Sanskrit poems of ancient India The Mahabharata and the Ramayana are literary classics, the longest epic poems in world literature, as significant as the Bible, the Qu'ran and the works of Shakespeare. Estimated to have been composed over a period of time around the 3rd and 4th centuries BC, they encompass some of the greatest stories ever told - tales of the deeds of gods and men, and the eternal battle between good and evil. Included here are full-cast BBC Radio adaptations of both, directed by award-winning producer Claire Grove and with original music by acclaimed composer Niraj Chag. Viewed from the perspective of one of the central characters, Yudhishtra, The Mahabharata recounts the struggles of a divided family as they fight over their inheritance and destroy the very thing they seek most - a peaceful and harmonious land. Exiled for 13 years, Yudhishtra knows his cousin will never give up the throne. War is inevitable - but which side will Krishna be on? Paul Battacharjee, Nitin Ganatra and Raad Rawi star in this intimate, accessible reimagining by Jatinder Verma and Claudia Mayer. One of the world's most popular love stories, The Ramayana centres around the separation and reunion of Rama and Sita. When Sita first glimpses the beautiful Prince Rama, she determines to marry him or die. She wins his heart - but his stepmother's plot sees him banished from his position as heir to the throne. Exiled, he retreats to the forest, where Sita is abducted by a ruthless warlord. Rama enlists the help of an army of monkeys to get her back - but has she betrayed him with the evil ruler of Lanka? Manjinder Virk stars as Sita, with Lloyd Thomas as Rama in Amber Lone's distinctive modern version of the ancient legend. Also included is the 5-part series Let's Talk About Rama and Sita, in which award-winning poet and broadcaster Daljit Nagra takes stories from The Ramayana into his community and finds the ancient tales alive with contemporary Asian dilemmas. Are Rama and Sita useful role models for men and women nowadays? How is the duo's relationship relevant to marriage today? And what lessons can the Indian epic teach us about loyalty and betrayal?

MAKE MORE NOISE

An incredible collection of short stories, from ten of the UK's very best storytellers, celebrating inspirational girls and women. Published to commemorate the 100th anniversary of women's suffrage in the UK

THE MAMMOTH BOOK OF JACOBEAN WHODUNNITS

This is a fast paced anthology from a thrilling time in British history. Twenty five whodunnits set in turbulent Jacobean times. Stories of murder and mayhem centre on the true role of Guy Fawkes, the English Civil War and the fate of Charles I, plus the lost colony of Roanoke and the tale of Pocahontas.

THE MAMMOTH BOOK OF SHORT SPY NOVELS

A collection of twelve spy novellas featuring, amongst others, James Bond (in Octopussy), Somerset Maugham’s Ashenden (The Traitor), Modesty Blaise (The Giggle-Wrecker) and Sherlock Holmes (The Adventure of the Bruce Partington Plans).

MARPLE: TWELVE NEW STORIES

A brand-new collection of short stories featuring the Queen of Crime’s legendary detective Jane Marple, penned by 12 remarkable best-selling and acclaimed authors including Val McDermid, Elly Griffiths, Kate Mosse and Dreda Say Mitchell. This collection of 12 original short stories, all featuring Jane Marple, will introduce the character to a whole new generation. Each author reimagines Agatha Christie’s Marple through their own unique perspective while staying true to the hallmarks of a traditional mystery.

MILITARY VOICES PAST AND PRESENT: VOLUME 1 THE GREAT WAR

The words of the servicemen and women, who served their country in the wars of the 20th century have been forever preserved thanks to a team of volunteers and the West Sussex County Library Service. This volume contains edited interviews with local Sussex veterans who served in the Great War.

MILITARY VOICES PAST AND PRESENT: VOLUME 2 WORLD WAR 2

The words of the servicemen and women who served their country in the wars of the 20th century have been forever preserved thanks to a team of volunteers and the West Sussex County Library Service. This volume contains edited interviews with local Sussex veterans who served in the Second World War.

MILITARY VOICES PAST AND PRESENT: VOLUME 3 POST 1945 WAR AND CONFLICTS

The words of the servicemen and women who served their country in the wars of the 20th century have been forever preserved thanks to a team of volunteers and the West Sussex County Library Service. This volume contains edited interviews with local Sussex veterans who served in the post 1945 conflicts.

MOON ON THE TIDES

A poetry anthology for students preparing for the AQA GCSE English Literature specification Unit 2. This selection covers a range of poems from the English, Welsh and Irish Literary Heritage chosen by teachers to engage and stimulate readers in the classroom.

MORE BBC CLASSICS

Contained in this collection are four more enduring classics, read in full by some of the very best audiobook narrators. With over 32 hours of irresistible storytelling, tracked by chapter for ease of navigation, this is the perfect way to immerse yourself in these iconic works. Wuthering Heights: Emily Brontë's tempestuous tale of passions, betrayal and retribution on the wild Yorkshire moors. Read by Susan Jameson. Silas Marner: George Eliot's heart-warming tour de force about a lonely weaver's search for redemption and hope. Read by Sean Baker. Ethan Frome: Edith Wharton's powerful, affecting novella about a poverty-stricken young man attempting to escape a loveless marriage. Read by Joseph Ayre. Orlando: Virginia Woolf's comic biography of a time-travelling hero whose adventures through the centuries include transforming into a heroine... Read by Clare Corbett.

MURDER ON CHRISTMAS EVE

Christmas Eve..... the world sleeps, presents await under the tree ... and murder is afoot. In this collection of ten murder mysteries from some of the best classic crime writers, death and mayhem take many festive forms, from the inventive to the unexpected!

ONE SMALL STEP: A BBC MOON LANDING COLLECTION

On July 20th 1969, for the first time in history, man walked on the moon. Over 50 years later, this 'giant leap for mankind' still captures our imagination, and in this 4-part collection, we bring together some of the most fascinating and insightful BBC documentaries about our ever-changing relationship with our only natural satellite.

PANTOMIME STORIES

Stories include Cinderella, Babes in the Wood, Dick Whittington, Jack and the Beanstalk, Sleeping Beauty and Puss in Boots.

PART OF A STORY THAT STARTED BEFORE ME

Part of a Story That Started Before Me is an extraordinary new collection of poems chosen by acclaimed spoken-word performer and social commentator George the Poet. Taking readers on a thought-provoking poetical journey through Black British history, the anthology brings together some of the most exciting wordsmiths from across the diaspora and fascinating era-by-era notes from historian Dr Christienna Fryar. From Africans in Roman Britannia to the first Black actor to play Othello on stage, from Malcolm X's visit to the West Midlands to highlighting an organizer of the UK's first Gay Pride, this important collection reveals unsun people and events from our past to recognize the intrinsic impact they've had on Britain today.

THE PENGUIN BOOK OF GHOST STORIES

This new selection of ghost stories, by Michael Newton, brings together the best of the genre. From Elizabeth Gaskell's 'The Old Nurse's Story' through to Edith Wharton's 'Afterword', this collection covers all of the most terrifying tales of the genre. With a thoughtful introduction and helpful notes, Newton places the stories contextually within the genre and elucidates the changing nature of the ghost story and how we interpret it.

THE PERSEPHONE BOOK OF SHORT STORIES

A varied collection of stories ranging in date from 1909 to 1986 including works by Katherine Mansfield, Irène Némirovsky, Mollie Panter-Downes, Elizabeth Berridge, Dorothy Whipple, Frances Towers, Margaret Bonham, Diana Gardner and Diana Athill.

POEMS FOR AN AUTUMN AFTERNOON

A collection of poems recorded at the 1999 Calibre Poetry Day.

POETRY FOR A CHANGE

National Poetry Day is a chance for everyone everywhere to share and enjoy poetry. This special anthology features poems by the National Poetry Day Ambassadors, a top team of fantastic poets who bring poetry alive all year round. And each poet has chosen a favourite poem to share, so look out for classics by Chistina Rossetti, WB Yeats, Shakespeare and Keats among others.

POETRY PLEASE

BBC Radio 4's Poetry Please is a request show which broadcasts to two million listeners a week. It has become a unique record of some of the country's best-loved poems over the decades since its inception. Fifty of those poems are read here.

THE PRICE OF OIL

Ever since it was first drilled over 150 years ago, oil has been both a blessing and a curse. It has enabled economic growth, provided an efficient energy source, fuelled our entire infrastructure - and caused wars, pollution and global warming. These seven dramas, set between 1951 and 2045, and taking us from postwar Iran to futuristic Lancashire, examine the role oil has played in shaping our world: recounting incredible stories of wealth, power, politics and corruption.

REACHING THE STARS: POEMS ABOUT EXTRAORDINARY WOMEN AND GIRLS

This feisty collection of poems is a celebration of the achievements of women and girls throughout history. It includes poems about Malala Yousafzai, Rosa Parks, Margaret Hamilton, Ada Lovelace, Helen Keller, Mary Shelley, Edith Cavell and many more.

REFLECTIONS

This collection of poems is aimed at students preparing for OCR GCSEs in English, English Language and English Literature. Divided into two sections, Literary Heritage Poetry and Contemporary Poetry, it inlcudes works by Robert Browning, Chaucer, Thomas Hardy, Wilfred Owen, Christina Rossetti, Shakespeare, Simon Armitage, Gillian Clarke, Wendy Cope, Carol Ann Duffy, Seamus Heaney, and Benjamin Zephaniah.

THE REITH LECTURES: 10 OF THE BEST

Ten emblematic lectures by world-leading thinkers, specially selected by the series producer.

THE RING AND THE CROWN

The excitement surrounding the marriage of Prince William to Kate Middleton has prompted four of Britain's top historical biographers to look closely at Royal Weddings from 1066 to the present day. Every kind of wedding features - from those attended by great public celebrations, to the many that took place in private chapels, parish churches and even in secret.

THE RIVALS

The complete collection of all 16 episodes from this gripping BBC Radio crime series. Inspector Lestrade of Scotland Yard was made to look a fool in the Sherlock Holmes stories. Now he gets his own back, introducing sixteen tales of detectives whose abilities rival that of the great Sherlock Holmes.

SCIENCE STORIES

In these ten absorbing series award-winning authors Naomi Alderman and Philip Ball and guest presenters Tracey Logan Kevin Fong Simon Schaffer and Lindsey Fitzharris take a look at the many amazing events and characters from science's long history. In this collection which runs close to 23 hours in total they throw light on the revolutionary visionaries who defined how we see the world from pioneers and prophets to inventors experimenters and creators. Among the topics explored are feuding dinosaur hunters jumping genes the engine that nearly ran out of steam the day the Earth stopped standing still how laughing gas was discovered the first female professional scientist in Britain and how an eel sparked our interest in electricity. So if you want to know more about a medieval bishop's Big Bang theory how Florence Nightingale saved lives with statistics the medieval equivalent of GPS the woman who tamed lightning Cyrano de Bergerac's designs for a spaceship and what happened when Einstein decided to fix the fridge our presenters are here to fill you in. Helping them discover the fact behind the fiction are a host of scientists and experts including Professor Edith Hall Hannah Fry Tim Spector Marcus du Sautoy Richard Wiseman Natalie Haynes and Tracy Chevalier.

THE SECOND PERSEPHONE BOOK OF SHORT STORIES

In this volume there are thirty stories, spanning nearly a century (from 1896–1984). A quarter are by North American women writers. The common themes of these stories are grief over the two World Wars. This is stronger in the earlier part of the book, how to cope with a new order being stronger in the latter.

SNIPER ELITE

Sniper Elite: Origins is three original stories set in the world of the hit video game that explore the beginnings of Karl Fairburne, the Sniper Elite. In Water Line Karl Fairburn is a new recruit fighting on the front line. Battle weary, low on morale and holding a bridge in a rear-guard action to delay the German onslaught. This is where he comes to understand his place in the war. The beginning of his training for life behind the lines starts in Home Ground. Karl is recruited into the SOE to learn sabotage, espionage and assassination. His training is interrupted by a nighttime enemy attack. Follow his first mission far behind enemy lines in By the Sword where countless lives depended on the success of his mission, and there would be untold destruction if he failed. Sniper Elite: Origins fills in the background of the Sniper with three exciting stories that should be a must-read for any Sniper fan.

THE SOCIAL BRAIN

How many people does the ideal team contain? How do groups bond earn trust and forge shared identities? How can leaders build environments adaptable enough to respond to shocks and still enable people to thrive together? How can you feel close to people if your only point of contact is a phone or a computer? In The Social Brain leading experts from the worlds of evolutionary psychology and business management come together to offer a primer on great team working. They explain what size groups work and how to shape them according to the nature of the task at hand. They offer practical hints on how to diffuse tensions and encourage cooperation. And they demonstrate the vital importance of balancing unity and the need for different views and outlooks. By explaining precisely how the 'social brain' works they show how human groups function and how to create great high-performing teams.

THE SUFFRAGETTES

A potted history of the women who pioneered feminism and changed the world.

SUNLIGHT ON THE GRASS

An anthology of contemporary short stories, an optional text for students preparing for the AQA GCSE English Literature specification Unit 1. The selection, chosen by teachers to engage and stimulate readers in the classroom, includes work by Helen Dunmore, Clare Wigfall, Elizabeth Baines, Haruki Murakami, Peneope Lively, Ridjal Noor, and Leila Aboulela.

TALES FROM THE DEAD OF NIGHT: THIRTEEN CLASSIC GHOST STORIES

From rural England to colonial India, in murky haunted mansions and under modern electric lighting, these master storytellers - some of the best writers in the English language - unfold spine-tinglers which pull back the veil of everyday life to reveal the nightmares which lurk just out of sight.

TEN POEMS ABOUT CATS

Cats have provided many poets with inspiration and these poems capture some diverse perspectives on cats and their owners. This book was recorded as part of the Social Action Zone project at the Conservative Party Conference 2011 and read by members of the government.

THINK LIKE A VEGAN

According to the latest figures, the number of vegans in the UK has more than quadrupled since 2014, now representing over 1 per cent of the total population. With the rise in plant-based foods and cruelty-free products showing no sign of stopping, Think Like a Vegan explores how vegan ethics can be applied to every area of our daily lives. We all want to live more healthily and ethically, and this book is certainly not just for vegans. It’s for anyone interested in veganism, its ideals and what even non-vegans can learn from its practice. Through a personal and often irreverent lens, the authors explore a variety of contemporary topics related to animal use: from the basics of vegan logic to politics, economics, love and other aspects of being human, each chapter draws you into a thought-provoking conversation about your daily ethical decisions. Why should we adopt animals? What’s the problem with organic meat? What are the economics of plant-based foods? What about honey? What is the relationship between veganism and feminism? What is vegansexualism?

THIS WOMAN'S WORK: ESSAYS ON MUSIC

This Woman's Work: Essays on Music is edited by Kim Gordon and Sinéad Gleeson and features contributors Anne Enright, Fatima Bhutto, Jenn Pelly, Rachel Kushner, Juliana Huxtable, Leslie Jamison, Liz Pelly, Maggie Nelson, Margo Jefferson, Megan Jasper, Ottessa Moshfegh, Simone White, Yiyun Li and Zakia Sewell. Published to challenge the historic narrative of music and music writing being written by men, for men, This Woman's Work seeks to confront the male dominance and sexism that have been hard-coded in the canons of music, literature, and film and has forced women to fight pigeon-holing or being side-lined by carving out their own space. Women have to speak up, to shout louder to tell their story - like the auteurs and ground-breakers featured in this collection, including: Anne Enright on Laurie Anderson; Megan Jasper on her ground-breaking work with Sub Pop; Margo Jefferson on Bud Powell and Ella Fitzgerald; and Fatima Bhutto on music and dictatorship. This Woman's Work also features writing on the experimentalists, women who blended music and activism, the genre-breakers, the vocal auteurs; stories of lost homelands and friends; of propaganda and dictatorships, the women of folk and country, the racialised tropes of jazz, the music of Trap and Carriacou; of mixtapes and violin lessons.

THREE LIONESSES

Lionesses are brave. They fiercely look out for one another. They stick together. And they will roar as loud as they need to, to make sure their voices are heard. Ella, Georgia and Nikita have learned so much from football that can apply to everyday life. From joining a new squad to stepping up to take a penalty, from getting back up when life (or a footballer) knocks you down to going after your goals.With the true stories of how they got to where they are today and with tons of practical tips, this book will help you embrace who you are, ignite your spark and encourage you go after your dreams (whether that's on or off the pitch). Plus you'll discover the importance of finding a team - because no Lioness is complete without their pride. Are you ready to embrace your inner Lioness?

THE TITANIC LETTERS

The largest, most luxurious liner in the world, the RMS Titanic captured the public's imagination. But four days into her maiden voyage, on 14th April 1912, she hit an iceberg and sank, taking the lives of more than 1,500 people. This commemorative anthology opens with the emotional letters from the individuals who were there that fateful night—those who lived and those who died. They talk of life on board the ship, describing its size, opulence and vaunted 'unsinkability', write about the friends they've made, make disparaging remarks about fellow travellers and send fond messages of love, signed with a dozen kisses. Poignant, absorbing and deeply affecting, this unique radio collection reveals the human stories behind the terrible maritime tragedy.

TOMORROW IS BEAUTIFUL

Sometimes it's hard to find the right words. This poetry anthology provides the antidote, offering calm, hope and peace to all. Focusing on positivity, this is the perfect collection to dip into whenever you need a boost. Containing a selection of classic poems from Langston Hughes, Walt Whitman, Emily Dickinson and Christina Rossetti, as well as contemporary poems chosen by Sarah Crossan - the go-to verse novelist in the UK - this beautiful book will lift your spirits time and time again.

TRADITIONAL STORIES

Stories include Rumplestiltskin, The Frog Prince, Rapunzel, Jack the Giant Killer, Aladdin and The Voyages of Sinbad.

UNEARTHING BRITANNIA'S TRIBES

From warrior queens to King Arthur this epic collection explores the tribes rulers and civilisations of Britain's Iron Age In the first millennium BC the Iron Age arrived in Britain bringing with it huge technological and social changes. New civilisations arose the landscape was transformed and societies developed new cultures and lifestyles. In this comprehensive collection we take an in-depth look at Iron Age Britain and its inhabitants. The Essay: Unearthing Britannia's Tribes takes us on a 15-part 'woad trip' from the western reaches of Cornwall to the wilds of Scotland and Wales as archaeologists historians and writers reveal the peoples of ancient Albion and those who encountered them. We meet Queen Cartimandua King Arthur Boudicca Pytheas and Lindow Man; hear the stories of the Cantiaci the Demetae the Durotriges and the Druids; and probe their myths ideas and characters. Reaching journey's end we learn how tribal Britain succumbed and was integrated into the Roman world. With the arrival of Caesar's armies nothing would be the same again... Bookending this fascinating series are three episodes from In Our Time unpacking the context behind this pivotal period of history. In the first programme Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the transition from Bronze to Iron and the dawning of the European Iron Age; while the second and third examine the legacy of both the prehistoric Celts and their ultimate conquerors the Romans analysing their lasting impact on Britain today.

UNMADE MOVIES: HITCHCOCK'S THE BLIND MAN

Alfred Hitchcock and Ernest Lehman's unfinished screenplay, completed by Mark Gatiss. One of seven 'unmade movies' available on audio, The Blind Man is set in 1961 and features a famous blind jazz pianist, Larry Keating, who agrees to a pioneering surgical procedure: an eye transplant. The operation is a success, but his new eyes are those of a murdered man - and burned onto their retina is the image of his killer. Can Larry track him down before he strikes again?

VERBAL RIDDIM

This is dub poetry: bold and musical, funny and furious. This collection brings together the work of nine inventive and brilliant poets who defined and drove the dub poetry genre. From the Caribbean, Canada and the UK, the poetry in this collection spans forty years, as dub became a powerful cultural and creative force. With roots in the reggae culture of 1970s Kingston, dub poetry uses the vivid expressions of everyday spoken language to describe and challenge the experience of life on the margins. Early dub poetry took on police violence, slums and poverty. Later, as Caribbean migrants arrived in countries like Britain and Canada, dub poets faced new issues: racism, discrimination and hostility. Over four difficult decades, dub gave marginalised people a voice for their anger, defiance and creativity. It was the soundtrack to post-Windrush culture. Serious and humorous, alive and urgent, here is the very best of dub poetry. The poets included in this collection are: Oku Onuora, Mikey Smith, Mutabaruka, Jean 'Binta' Breeze, James Berry, Benjamin Zephaniah, Ahdri Zhina Mandiela, Lillian Allen and Afua Cooper.

VOICES OF BLACK AMERICA

This unique collection features original recordings from 1908 to 1947 of Booker T Washington's "Atlanta Exposition Address", the poetry of Paul Laurence Dunbar and Langston Hughes, the rarely heard humour of Charley Case, readings from "God's Trombones" by James Weldon Johnson, and much more.

WAR GIRLS

1914: war has broken out across Europe and beyond. Nothing will ever be the same again for those caught up in the conflict. This moving collection of untold stories from nine much-loved authors, explores how the First World War changed and shaped the lives of women forever.

WAR GIRLS: AN ANTHOLOGY OF POETRY AND PROSE BY WOMEN IN THE 1ST WORLD WAR

War Girls is a commemoration and celebration of the remarkable, often deeply moving and largely unsung experiences of women in the First World War told in their own words. Through poetry, journals and letters this audio book documents the contribution made by women from all walks of society - from campaigning for peace to working on the home front and in the services. Some are the writings of established poets and novelists but many more are the records of ordinary women living in extraordinary times. They detail not only personal hardship and suffering but also the joy and excitement of a new society emerging as the war brought women challenges, freedoms and possibilities previously unknown to them. A century on, their experiences are still as compelling, powerful and relevant as they were at the time.

WATERSTONES PRESENTS THE SHORTLIST, 2012: SIX SHORT STORIES

Waterstones presents this collection of stories shortlisted for The Sunday Times EFG Private Bank Short Story Award. Chosen from a wealth of entries by the finest writers published in the UK and Ireland, this book is a celebration of the power and pleasures of the short story form.

WOMAN'S HOUR FROM JOYCE GRENFELL TO SHARON OSBOURNE

In October 1946 BBC Radio started to broadcast a new programme 'Woman's Hour'. Since then it has gained iconic status, celebrating the lives of women, with contributions over the years from all sorts of women including Joyce Grenfell, Hilary Clinton, and Sharon Osbourne.

WONKA

WONKA tells the wondrous story of how the world's greatest inventor, magician and chocolate-maker becomes the beloved Willy Wonka we know today. Based on the major motion picture-an intoxicating mix of magic and music, mayhem and emotion, all told with fabulous heart and humour-WONKA introduces readers to a young Willy Wonka, chock-full of ideas and determined to change the world one delectable bite at a time... proving that the best things in life begin with a dream, and if you're lucky enough to meet Willy Wonka, anything is possible.

WOOING MR WICKHAM

This is an anthology of the winning entries in Chawton House Library's Jane Austen short story award following on from the success of the inaugural competition set up to celebrate the bicentenary of Jane Austen's arrival in Chawton.

WRITERS ON WALKS

22 writers talk about their memorable excursions and the act of walking and share their creative observations In these six series taken from BBC Radio 3's The Essay an array of novelists poets journalists and biographers chart the varied and inspiring walks they have taken around Britain and elsewhere. Here are treks taken at daybreak and after dark; in winter and in spring; in the footsteps of the past; and - in the case of Robert Macfarlane - along the ridges of the South Downs. Dawnwalks and Night Walks find Nicholas Shakespeare Nicola Barker Kamila Shamsie Ian Sansom Lucy Hughes-Hallett Owen Sheers Janice Galloway and John Walsh taking early morning and late-night strolls around locations ranging from their back garden and local cemetery to Manhattan Paris Tasmania and the Antarctic. Springwalks and Winterwalks feature Michele Roberts Ross Raisin John Walsh Kirsty Gunn Philip Hoare Deborah Levy Christopher Hope Scarlett Thomas Erica Wagner and Owen Sheers as they sample the transforming qualities of spring and the wonders of winter. From Poland and the Languedoc to Hampstead Heath and the Yorkshire Wolds they delight in the details of the landscape and reflect on what it means to them. Strange Strolls sees Jenn Ashworth Michael Donkor Stephanie Victoire Nat Segnit and Sophie Coulombeau embarking on walks of entertaining eccentricity revisiting favourite places including Wandsworth Bridge the Blue Ridge mountains of Appalachia and Ibiza. And in A Five-Day Journey Robert Macfarlane walks the length of the South Downs in monsoon rain and in sunshine discovering its chalk trails and its ghosts. He ponders the relationship between paths and stories; explores the poet Edward Thomas' love affair with tracks; considers the concept of the Aboriginal Australian songline; re-imagines the life of artist Eric Ravilious; and contemplates the sometimes eerie relationship between walking collecting and creation. Intimate evocative and immersive these 30 uplifting programmes transport us to a wealth of wonderful places and offer fascinating personal insight into the inner worlds of our walker-writers.