BBC Radio 4 launches 'Take Four Books' in Scotland to replace 'Open Book'

BBC Radio 4 is launching a new books show “Take Four Books”. The new half-hour show will be presented by author and broadcaster James Crawford. Produced in Scotland, the programme will interview authors about their new work and three other books that have influenced them and their writing.

There will be 40 editions of “Take Four Books” each year, replacing "Open Book" which ended last month. The first programme will broadcast on 24th November, featuring Ali Smith talking about her new novel, Gliff (Hamish Hamilton). Other upcoming guests include Tessa Hadley.

Mohit Bakaya, director of speech and controller of Radio 4, said: “Coverage of literature has always been an integral part of the Radio 4 schedule and I’m delighted to launch this new series for book lovers everywhere. James will bring listeners in-depth conversations with new and established writers as they talk about their work and discuss, in detail, the writing and the writers that have inspired them.”

Crawford, also an editor-at-large for Birlinn, chair of the board of the Edinburgh International Book Festival, and a former literary agent, said: “I’m thrilled to be presenting ’Take Four Books’ for Radio 4. In many ways this is a dream gig: being able to delve into the creative process with a host of wonderful authors, uncovering fascinating or unexpected influences, and examining the unique power of writing—from the epic sweep of an entire book all the way down to the great weight or significance of a single sentence. I hope it will really bring literature and writing alive for listeners.”

The BBC said its "across the UK strategy" is to move creative spend and decision-making across the UK to better reflect, represent and serve all parts of the country, ensuring every household receives value from the BBC. For radio, this means increasing network and music spend outside London to 50% by moving teams and programmes.

Last year, the BBC announced the creation of a new audio hub in Scotland which has become the home of Radio 4’s books and readings programming, along with other arts programming. Other book programmes across Radio 4 include “Bookclub”, presented by James Naughtie, which is also produced in Scotland, and “A Good Read”, produced in Bristol. The BBC regularly covers literature and authors across all its strands, including “Front Row”, which broadcasts the Booker Prize live each year.

"Take Four Books” is a BBC Audio Scotland production and will be produced by Dominic Howell, edited by Annie McGuire, with Elizabeth Clark as head of production and is commissioned by Matthew Dodd.