Broadcaster Sophie Raworth joins Gaby Huddart on The Joy of Books to share the stories that have made her laugh, helped her through loss and kept her turning the pages — even on a 20-mile run.

From childhood memories of her father reading The Hobbit to the treasured books her grandmother gave her, Sophie reflects on a lifelong love of reading. She reveals why Lessons in Chemistry made her laugh out loud, how Lonesome Dove sparked an unexpected obsession with cowboys, and why When the Cranes Fly South moved her so deeply after her father’s death.

Plus, Sophie discusses her debut memoir, Running on Air, and the surprising connections between running marathons, presenting the news and finding the confidence to keep going. Expect heartfelt recommendations, much-loved childhood poetry and a story about diving with a young Jason Statham.

The Joy of Books with Gaby Huddart is a Pixiu Podcast for The National Literacy Trust.

For more information on The National Literacy Trust and The Joy of Books visit our website

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What do Sherlock Holmes, a childhood copy of The Wind in the Willows and a late-night reading habit have to do with becoming a space scientist?

In the first episode of The Joy of Books, from the National Literacy Trust, Dame Maggie Aderin-Pocock shares the stories that sparked her imagination, offered an escape during a difficult childhood and helped her dream big.

From discovering Heidi while struggling with undiagnosed dyslexia to getting lost in science fiction, Maggie explores how books opened up new worlds—and why creativity is just as important in science as it is in storytelling. She also recalls reading by torchlight at boarding school, bringing bedtime stories enthusiastically to life for her daughter, and sharing her love of the Moon with Tom Hanks.

Along the way, Maggie reveals the treasured book she’d take into space, the poetry that inspires her and the novel she thinks every adult should read.

The Joy of Books with Gaby Huddart is a Pixiu Podcast for The National Literacy Trust.

For more information on The National Literacy Trust and The Joy of Books visit our website

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.