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Books of My Life

Books of My Life


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Celebrities invite you inside the library of their life

Apple PodcastsPodbeanSpotifyYoutube

Season Two
English actor, comedian and author Ben Miller shares the books that inspired him the most when he was young.

Ben Miller on writing from the heart

The Englishman began his career as a comedian and actor, before writing a string of bestselling children's books

Books of My Life: Shahd Alshammari on how literature saved her

Shahd Alshammari on how literature saved her

Her memoir Head Above Water brings a crucial female Arab voice to conversations on disability and gender

Books of My Life: Explorer Benedict Allen on what he's learnt from his adventures

Benedict Allen on what he's learnt as an explorer

The real-life Indiana Jones has written a dozen hair-raising books, recounting his expeditions from the Arctic to the Amazon

Books of My Life: Shrabani Basu on journalism and historical fiction

Shrabani Basu on journalism and historical fiction

Her novel Victoria and Abdul was later adapted into a feature film

Bobby Chinn joins Books of My Life season two

Bobby Chinn on the secrets to health and happiness

The celebrated chef talks about the life of Van Gogh and his favourite stories

Jeffrey Archer joins Books of My Life podcast

Jeffrey Archer on the art of storytelling

The best-selling British author says his success with the pen is a 'God-given gift'



Other podcasts


Season One
Books of My Life

Alexander McCall Smith's mysterious case of books

The author of 'The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency' series speaks to Books of My Life about George Eliot, 'The Odyssey' and his love of WH Auden

Books of My Life

Irvine Welsh's literary highs

The acclaimed author tells Books of My Life how he used to sneak back into the local library after him and his friends had been kicked out, feeding his voracious appetite for reading

Books of My Life

The story of Bryn Terfel

The famous opera singer speaks to Books of my Life about his fondness for biographies and what he has in common with Angela Ashes author Frank McCourt

Books of My Life

Mary Beard, the books that left her spellbound

Britain's much-loved classicist tells Books of My Life about her childhood encounter with Peter Rabbit and admiration for Philip Pullman

Books of My Life

Ian Rankin, the evil that inspired him

The best-selling crime novelist tells Books of My Life about his PhD on Muriel Sparks including a fascinating link between Robert Louis Stevenson and a criminal from the 18th century

Books of My Life

Arianna Huffington, the books that inspired the media powerhouse

The media mogul tells Books of My Life about her passion for Marcus Aurelius and why she values the children's book 'Goodnight Moon' above all others



In focus

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Ahmed Bukhash, an Emirati architect with a model of the Expo Live pavilion at Expo 2020 Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National

Emirati architect to pick top pavilions at Expo 2025 Osaka

The Jetour T1 is smart, fun and inexpensive. Photo: Jetour

Jetour T1 road test: Versatile vehicle with style and substance

Influencer Jacquelyn Bagan's recent post advising on modest fashion guidelines at Dubai Mall sparked a lively discussion. Photo: Jacquelyn Bagan

Tips for understanding (and mastering) modest fashion

Zayed Hamed Sayed Hamed Hamed was among the first children born on Eid Al Adha

Day of joy as families welcome newborns on Eid Al Adha

US President Donald Trump speaks to Elon Musk on March 14. AFP

How the Trump-Musk implosion played out on social media

The award-winning Oman Pavilion is a contemplative space that took a year to make. Zawraq Collective / Instagram

Oman's memory-themed pavilion wins award at London Design Biennale


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