Books by Hosein and Hart to feature on new series of BBC Two’s Between the Covers

Six books have been chosen for a new series of BBC Two’s "Between the Covers" which starts in March, including novels by Kevin Jared Hosein, Emilia Hart and Liz Nugent.

The books chosen, in broadcast order, are: In The Blink Of An Eye by Jo Callaghan (S&S UK); The Space Between Us by Doug Johnstone (Orenda Books); Weyward by Emilia Hart (The Borough Press); Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent (Sandycove); Hungry Ghosts by Kevin Jared Hosein (Bloomsbury) and Old God’s Time by Sebastian Barry (Faber & Faber).

Sara Cox returns as host and is joined in each episode by a panel of four famous guests to discuss one of the books. This series’ guests will include Meera Syal, Alan Davies, Samantha Bond and Mel Giedroyc.

As Liverpool and the UK prepare to host the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 on behalf of Ukraine, each episode of series six will also feature a novel set in a Eurovision country.

The books set in Eurovision countries, in broadcast order, are: Burial Rites by Hannah Kent (Picador, set in Iceland); Lullaby by Leïla Slimani (Faber & Faber, set in France); Death and the Penguin by Andrey Kurkov (Vintage, set in Ukraine); The Summer Book by Tove Jansson (Sort of Books, set in Finland); I’m Not Scared by Niccolò Ammaniti (Canongate, set in Italy) and My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell (Macmillan, set in Greece).

Cox said she “cannot wait to welcome more witty, wise and wonderful guests into the world’s friendliest book club as we delve ‘between the covers’ for the sixth time”.

She added: “We have six brand new books that might just be the best half dozen yet. Prepare to be taken on a whistle-stop tour of Europe as we celebrate Eurovision by exploring six books set in countries competing in this year’s song contest.

“Plus, of course, our guests bring in their most treasured tome to wax lyrical about, so get ready for your teetering-to-be-read pile to be topped with more brilliant books.”

Amanda Ross, c.e.o. of Cactus TV, who heads the book selection panel, added: “Our new book picks for this series are from an exciting mix of début and renowned authors. They span centuries and continents, with characters dealing with a wide range of adversity, from witches to AI and aliens. I can’t wait to see what our panellists make of them.”