Mason, Winman and Onuzo among Between the Covers book choices

Meg Mason's Sorrow and Bliss (Weidenfeld & Nicolson), Sarah Winman's Still Life (Fourth Estate) and Chibundu Onuzo's Sankofa (Virago) are among the six books to be featured in the third series of BBC2's "Between the Covers", hosted by Sara Cox.

The selection also includes The Coward by Jarred McGinnis (Canongate), Ascension by Oliver Harris (Little, Brown) and Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan (Faber & Faber). An additional six backlist book picks and the exact broadcast date will be revealed soon. The BBC confirmed there will be six 30-minute episodes this autumn. 

This season will also see a line-up of 24 celebrity panellists including Emilia Fox, David Harewood, Greg James, Sarah Kendall, Prue Leith, Dane Baptiste, Evanna Lynch, Ben Miller, Rob Rinder, Lou Sanders, Sharleen Spiteri, Iain Stirling and Fleur East.

Cox said: “I am absolutely delighted to get back 'Between The Covers' with our passionate book-loving audience and some fabulous guests. Already I’m getting funny looks on public transport from laughing, gasping and sobbing as I bury myself in the magnificent books chosen for the third series. Get ready to reinforce your bookshelves and curl up with the cat as another pile of great books is coming your way!”

The books were chosen by executive producer Amanda Ross, supported by her production team and book club consultants including series producer Pollyanne Conway, publisher consultant Julia Kingsford and book club consultant Nina Pottell. The team selected the books by using an open submission process for titles published in hardback from May to October 2021, as well as calling books in.

The series enables members of the public to take part in an inclusive book club inspiring new readers as well as avid bookaholics. The 12 selected books featured in the series will be labelled with "Between The Covers" stickers in shops, libraries and online so audiences can read and join the conversation on social media using #BetweenTheCovers.

Amanda Ross, c.e.o of Cactus TV, who heads the book selection panel, said: “It’s a joy to be able to shine a light on great books, with great company from the entertaining panels that we know will inspire more people to read for fun. I think these six new books include some of the best we’ve chosen for the series so far, and I can’t wait to hear what the viewers think.”