Take Four Books
Booking Overview
Metrics
Episodes: 76
Frequency: Weekly
Rating: 4.6/5.0
Estimated listeners: 1,000 - 10,000
Listener location: United Kingdom
Contact Information
Publicly listed emails
podcast.support@bbc.co.uk
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Host
James Crawford - Presenter of BBC Radio 4's literary programme Take Four Books.
Booking Intelligence
Booking Requirements
Recent Guest Discussions
Donal Ryan - His Novel Where Are The Kings And Its Connections To Room, Angela's Ashes, And Plainsong.
Sebastian Barry - His Novel The Newer World And Its Connections To The American Spelling Book, Army Life In A Black Regiment, And A Journey In The Back Country.
Colson Whitehead - His Novel Cool Machine, The Final Installment In His Harlem Trilogy, And Its Connections To Junky, One Hundred Years Of Solitude, And The Hunter.
Valeria Luiselli - Her Novel Beginning Middle End And Its Three Literary Influences: Natural History, Dart, And On Nature.
M. John Harrison - His Novel The End Of Everything And Its Connections To The Day Of The Triffids, Drought, And The Same Dog.
Recent Topics
Episodes
Marlon James
October 11, 2026
The award-winning Jamaican novelist Marlon James on his Booker-shortlisted novel The Disappearers, as he and presenter James Crawford explore its connections to three other books.The Disappearers starts with eight men in Jamaica in 1988 meeting in private to rehearse a play. The group are attacked by a violent mob, and for the survivors, recovery is as much emotional as it is physical. Through the lives of the men, the novel explores the realities of queer life in Jamaica during the 1980s and...
Louise Kennedy
September 27, 2026
The award-winning writer Louise Kennedy speaks to Radio 4's Take Four Books about her latest novel, Stations, and, together with presenter James Crawford, they explore its connections to three other literary works.Stations follows Róisín McCaffrey as she meets and Red Camelin as a teenager in their small Irish hometown in 1982. Red's reputation for trouble precedes him – but Róisín finds herself swept up in his storm, and soon their connection deepens.For her three influences Louise chose: I ...
Donal Ryan
September 20, 2026
The award-winning Irish writer, Donal Ryan, speaks about his latest novel, Where Are The Kings, and, together with presenter James Crawford, they explore its connections to three other books. Set in rural Ireland, Where Are The Kings, follows the character of Jack between the ages of twelve and fourteen as he attempts to deal with his mother's sudden death for which he feels a measure of guilt. Donal has won Book of the Year at the Irish Book Awards three times. In 2025 he won the Orwell Priz...
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Frequently asked questions
How do I get in touch with Take Four Books?
Take Four Books is hosted by James Crawford. Its publicly listed email is podcast.support@bbc.co.uk. For guest bookings, the host or producer is usually the best person to reach. Podseeker helps you find direct host and producer contacts and pitch from your own inbox.
What is the email for Take Four Books?
The publicly listed email for Take Four Books: podcast.support@bbc.co.uk.
How many listeners does Take Four Books have?
Podseeker estimates Take Four Books reaches 1,000 to 10,000 listeners per episode. Only the publisher has exact numbers.
Who is an ideal guest for Take Four Books?
Take Four Books typically books well-known public figures. Typical guest background: Established novelists or essayists with a notable new book, a strong literary reputation, and clear, substantive influences to discuss. Common among recent guests: Major literary awards or prize nominations; International or national publishing recognition; Acclaimed new fiction or nonfiction releases. Recent guests include Donal Ryan, Sebastian Barry, and Colson Whitehead.
How hard is it to get booked on Take Four Books?
Very high. It mostly books well-known names.
What topics does Take Four Books cover?
Recent episodes cover Art, Literature, Literary Fiction, Publishing, and Literary Influences. Pitch an idea tied to one of these topics and mention a recent episode.
Publicly listed emails
podcast.support@bbc.co.uk
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