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Between the Covers: Favourite reads from Mel Giedroyc, Griff Rhys Jones, Oti Mabuse and Rick Edwards

10 May 2021

BBC Two's book club Between the Covers returns to our screens this week. In each episode, Sara Cox invites her guests to share their favourite reads of all time. Read on for the eclectic books chosen by this week's panel of Mel Giedroyc, Griff Rhys Jones, Oti Mabuse and Rick Edwards.

Between the Covers brings the nation together through a shared love of reading. Four guests review the week’s book club picks and, for each of the next six weeks, reveal the books they treasure as their all-time favourites. First up as Sara Cox's guests are Mel Giedroyc, Griff Rhys Jones, Oti Mabuse and Rick Edwards.

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Episode 1 Recommendations

One Two Three Four: The Beatles in Time by Craig Brown

Chosen by Griff Rhys Jones

Craig Brown offers a fresh perspective on the Fab Four, fifty years after the band split up.

Easily the most joyous read about The Beatles.
Griff Rhys Jones

Griff says: “This is pure comfort and joy. I’ve read a lot of books about The Beatles but this is easily the most joyous read because it’s not just full of information about The Beatles … it also looks at the world around them.”

“There are 150 different postcards about the seven years when the Beatles dominated our lives.”

Author and comedian Griff Rhys Jones chooses One Two Three Four: The Beatles in Time

Think Like A Monk by Jay Shetty

Chosen by Oti Mabuse

Jay Shetty, an influencer and podcast host, distils the wisdom he has gained as a practising monk and delves into how to live a less anxious, more meaningful life.

During Strictly, every chapter worked with every single week.
Oti Mabuse

Oti says: “In this book you learn skills about understanding and forgiveness … how success is not how much money you make but how kind you are, how grateful you are.”

“I was reading this book during Strictly and somehow it just felt like every chapter worked with every single week. I love the fact that it’s about looking at yourself and fixing yourself from within.”

Dancer Oti Mabuse chooses Think Like A Monk

Other Minds: The Octopus and the Evolution of Intelligent Life by Peter Godfrey-Smith

Chosen by Rick Edwards

Peter Godfrey-Smith, a philosopher of science and scuba diver, tells the story of how nature became aware of itself and explores the consciousness of cephalopods, which include the squid, the cuttlefish and the octopus.

I tell everyone about this book. It’s really mind-blowing!
Rick Edwards

Rick says: “This is a very beautiful and affecting book. I’m quite evangelical about it. I tell everyone about it.”

“The main point is that octopuses and other cephalopods have this very curious intelligence that is totally different to our own and he [Peter Godfrey-Smith] asks what it would be like to be an octopus. It’s really mind-blowing!”

Author and presenter Rick Edwards chooses Other Minds: The Octopus and the Evolution of Intelligent Life

Les Misérables by Victor Hugo

Chosen by Mel Giedroyc

Les Misérables is set in Paris and follows the fortunes of a convict, Jean Valjean, who has been imprisoned for 19 years for stealing a loaf of bread.

It’s 900 pages of absolute quality.
Mel Giedroyc

Mel says: “It’s 900 pages of absolute quality. I love a vast-canvas, nineteenth-century, crinoline-bonnet, full-on experience and this gives that to you in absolute bucket-loads.”

“The central character, Jean Valjean, is just the most unbelievable central character you will ever meet. It’s just gripping!”

Presenter and comedian Mel Giedroyc chooses Les Misérables

Why 900 pages of Les Misérables isn't quite enough for Mel Giedroyc

Mel Giedroyc explains why she loves Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables so much.

More Books from BBC Arts

Between the Covers: Favourite reads chosen by Sara Cox's guests