Wuthering Heights
Emily Brontë
Mentioned 5 months ago
2026-02-19- KSR - Hour 2
Book Recommendations
KSR
Matt Jones and the KSR crew bring you the latest in UK news and views Mon.-Fri. from 10 to noon.
Episodes
1,285
Books
132
Recently mentioned
Latest Recommendations
To Kill a Mockingbird
Harper Lee
Mentioned 5 months ago
2026-02-17- KSR - Hour 2
The Great Santini
Pat Conroy
Mentioned 5 months ago
2026-02-17- KSR - Hour 2
A Dark Room in Glitter Ball City
David Dominé
Mentioned 5 months ago
2026-02-12- KSR - Hour 2
The Godfather
Mario Puzo
Mentioned 5 months ago
2026-02-05- KSR - Hour 2
The Lord of the Rings Illustrated (Tolkien Illustrated Editions)
J. R. R. Tolkien
Mentioned 5 months ago
2026-02-05- KSR - Hour 2
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
Ken Kesey
Mentioned 5 months ago
2026-02-05- KSR - Hour 2
Hamnet
Maggie O'Farrell
Mentioned 5 months ago
2026-02-05- KSR - Hour 2
Harry Potter Hardcover Boxed Set
J. K. Rowling
Mentioned 5 months ago
2026-02-05- KSR - Hour 2
The Pelican Brief
John Grisham
Mentioned 5 months ago
2026-02-05- KSR - Hour 2
The Shining
Stephen King
Mentioned 5 months ago
2026-02-05- KSR - Hour 2
The Firm
John Grisham
Mentioned 5 months ago
2026-02-05- KSR - Hour 2
Most Recommended
Romeo And Juliet
The hosts mentioned the play as a book they might have read and discussed Drew's upcoming acting role as Count Paris in a local production.
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I will soon make my acting debut in a local production of Romeo And Juliet. I am Count Paris.
— Episode: 2025-04-09- KSR - Hour 1
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Episode: 2025-04-09- KSR - Hour 1
The hosts mentioned the play as a book they might have read and discussed Drew's upcoming acting role as Count Paris in a local production.
"
I will soon make my acting debut in a local production of Romeo And Juliet. I am Count Paris.
Do you remember reading the book or watching the movie? I watched the Leo DiCaprio version.
The Satanic Verses
The hosts referenced that the author wrote the book and that it led to a jihad against his life, causing him to go into hiding for about twenty years. They highlighted the controversy surrounding its publication but did not discuss its content or recommend it.
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Episode: NFL Cover Zero: Week 10 with Berlin, Comebacks, an...
The hosts noted that SalmanRushdie wrote *The Satanic Verses* and spent years in hiding after it was published.
"
He wrote that book where they put a jihad on his life... he wrote The Satanic Verses and then he went into hiding for like 20 years.
His Dark Materials
The Golden Compass / The Subtle Knife / The Amber Spyglass
They recommended a recent, short book titled *Knife* about the Rushdie incident, saying it was released last year and was very good.
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There's a great book about it called Knife, which I highly recommend, came out last year. It's not very long, really, really good book about it.
— Episode: NFL Cover Zero: Week 10 with Berlin, Com...
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Episode: NFL Cover Zero: Week 10 with Berlin, Comebacks, an...
They recommended a recent, short book titled *Knife* about the Rushdie incident, saying it was released last year and was very good.
"
There's a great book about it called Knife, which I highly recommend, came out last year. It's not very long, really, really good book about it.
The Shining
The hosts noted that Stephen King's works often adapt successfully to film, citing the title as an example of this trend. Drew pointed to the story as a clear illustration of King’s cinematic potential. The discussion highlighted the book’s relevance to movie adaptations rather than offering a detailed endorsement.
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Episode: 2026-02-05- KSR - Hour 2
Stephen King was suggested as a writer who produces content that translates well to successful movies.
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Stephen King might be the king for this. Oh, yeah. So think about it. The Shining. It. The Shining. The Shining. The Shining. The Shining.
The Firm
A Novel (The Firm Series)
During the episode, the hosts praised the film adaptation of the title as a great thriller, but one speaker admitted he had only downloaded the book and read two pages, so he could not offer a detailed opinion on the novel. The discussion was brief and the book was mentioned more in passing than recommended.
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Episode: 2026-02-05- KSR - Hour 2
The movie adaptation, set in Memphis and described as a thriller, was called great, though one speaker admitted they had only downloaded the book and read two pages.
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Another one that produces good books and movies would be John Grisham. The Firm. The Firm. The Firm is a great movie.
I downloaded The Firm book on my phone for our flight here. I read two pages. So I can't tell you a lot about it.
So You've Been Publicly Shamed
The host mentioned having read the book years earlier and noted that it discusses the type of public shaming situation they were talking about.
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There's a book I read many years ago that's called So You've Been Publicly Shamed, and it's about what we're talking about.
— Episode: 2025-09-10- KSR - Hour 2
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Episode: 2025-09-10- KSR - Hour 2
The host mentioned having read the book years earlier and noted that it discusses the type of public shaming situation they were talking about.
"
There's a book I read many years ago that's called So You've Been Publicly Shamed, and it's about what we're talking about.
Bounce Back (Bounce Back, 1)
Adam offered the listeners a motivational book called Bounce Back, describing it as a guide on how to overcome adversity.
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Hey, guys. I had a gift idea for your Arkansas friends. I have this book. It's like a motivational book on how to overcome adversity. It's called Bounce Back.
— Episode: 2025-01-15- KSR - Hour 2
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Episode: 2025-01-15- KSR - Hour 2
Adam offered the listeners a motivational book called Bounce Back, describing it as a guide on how to overcome adversity.
"
Hey, guys. I had a gift idea for your Arkansas friends. I have this book. It's like a motivational book on how to overcome adversity. It's called Bounce Back.
Animal Farm
George Orwell (Macmillan Collector's Library)
The hosts referenced the novel while joking about equality, quoting the line about pigs being more equal than others.
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All pigs are equal. Some pigs are more equal than others. Animal Farm.
— Episode: 2024-12-6 - KSR - Hour 1
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Episode: 2024-12-6 - KSR - Hour 1
The hosts referenced the novel while joking about equality, quoting the line about pigs being more equal than others.
"
All pigs are equal. Some pigs are more equal than others. Animal Farm.
Gone Girl
Matt Jones highlighted the title as a rare example of a book that translated into an equally compelling film, noting that both the novel and its adaptation were highly effective. He pointed out that such success is uncommon, implying strong endorsement of the work. The discussion emphasized its dual appeal across mediums.
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Episode: 2026-02-05- KSR - Hour 2
It was mentioned as a rare case where a really good book also became a really good movie.
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That was a good movie. Oh, terrifying movie. Yeah. That's a rare case of a really good book that also becomes a really good movie.
Hamlet
They referenced the classic play, noting it was written by Shakespeare and discussing whether Hamlet was based on his son Hamnet's death.
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He wrote a play, Hamlet. ... they think Hamlet was based on his son Hamnet's death.
— Episode: NFL Cover Zero: A Wild, Wild Weekend!
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Episode: NFL Cover Zero: A Wild, Wild Weekend!
They referenced the classic play, noting it was written by Shakespeare and discussing whether Hamlet was based on his son Hamnet's death.
"
He wrote a play, Hamlet. ... they think Hamlet was based on his son Hamnet's death.
Please Don't Feed the Vampire! (Give Yourself Goosebumps Book 15)
The hosts said they had read the book about the 1978 Kentucky team, called it "Goose's book," and highly recommended it for its thorough insight into that championship season.
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I read Goose's book. They call me Goose. I highly recommend that. I took it on vacation last summer, read it completely through there at the beach and the pool.
— Episode: 2025-04-07- KSR - Hour 2
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Episode: 2025-04-07- KSR - Hour 2
The hosts said they had read the book about the 1978 Kentucky team, called it "Goose's book," and highly recommended it for its thorough insight into that championship season.
"
I read Goose's book. They call me Goose. I highly recommend that. I took it on vacation last summer, read it completely through there at the beach and the pool.
The book is very thorough in how it came to be. It covered the championship game details and gave great insight into the team.
Working Stiff
Two Years, 262 Bodies, and the Making of a Medical Examiner
They referenced a book called Stiff that humorously explored what happens to the body after death and what is done with the remains.
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There was also, I thought of another good book about that. There's a book called Stiff that's about kind of another kind of funny person writing about the what happens when we die, what happens to you...
— Episode: 2025-08-07- KSR - Hour 2
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Episode: 2025-08-07- KSR - Hour 2
They referenced a book called Stiff that humorously explored what happens to the body after death and what is done with the remains.
"
There was also, I thought of another good book about that. There's a book called Stiff that's about kind of another kind of funny person writing about the what happens when we die, what happens to your body, what they do, etc.
Of Mice and Men
The hosts cited the famous line about the best‑laid plans of mice and men while discussing how injuries can derail even well‑crafted strategies. They used the reference to illustrate the fragility of planning, but did not evaluate the novel itself. Overall, the book was mentioned only in passing.
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Episode: 2025-11-21- KSR - Hour 1
The hosts referenced the phrase "best laid plans of mice and men" while discussing how even wellmade strategies can be undone by injuries.
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our greatest plans Of Mice and Men - what is it? Best laid plans Of Mice and Men may not matter if you get hurt.
Lonesome Dove
A Novel (Lonesome Dove, 3)
In the episode, Drew highlighted the book as a solid recommendation, noting that it was both an outstanding novel and the basis for a celebrated TV series. He emphasized its quality and successful adaptation, presenting it as a worthwhile read for listeners.
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Episode: 2026-02-05- KSR - Hour 2
This was cited as a good book that also became a great TV series.
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Lonesome Dove is a good call as well. Lonesome Dove is a great book and a great TV series.
Forrest Gump
The hosts noted that the title originated as a novel and pointed out that, unlike the film, the protagonist becomes a professional wrestler named The Dunst. They discussed this difference with curiosity but did not issue a strong endorsement.
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Episode: 2026-02-05- KSR - Hour 2
The speakers discussed that the book was the original format, and one person mentioned that in the book, the character becomes a professional wrestler named The Dunst, which was very different from the movie.
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Forrest Gump was a book? Yeah, I can't think of... Was it a book first or was it one of those they turned the book from the book first? Really? I think so.
Forrest Gump, they say in the book, becomes a professional wrestler named The Dunst. Yeah, it's like very different than the movie.
American Psycho
The hosts brought up the title during a casting discussion, noting that its main character could be portrayed by virtually any actor. Matt Jones cited Christian Bale as an example of someone who could embody the role, using the novel as a reference point for versatile casting. The mention was brief and illustrative rather than a recommendation.
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Episode: 2025-08-13- KSR - Hour 1
The hosts mentioned the novel while discussing casting possibilities, noting that its protagonist could be played by any actor, citing Christian Bale as an example.
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American Psycho. He can do anything. Christian Bale. Christian Bale as Chris Farley. Well, if you had told me he could play Dick Cheney, I would have said, no way. And then he did. He does it all.
Helter Skelter
The True Story of the Manson Murders
The host recalled reading the book in college and said it terrified him, mentioning it was part of a class assignment.
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I read that book, Helter Skelter, when I was in college, and it scared me to death.
— Episode: 2025-06-12- KSR - Hour 1
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Episode: 2025-06-12- KSR - Hour 1
The host recalled reading the book in college and said it terrified him, mentioning it was part of a class assignment.
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I read that book, Helter Skelter, when I was in college, and it scared me to death.
I had to do it for a class.
ALL THE PRESIDENT'S MEN
During the episode, the host noted the title as a good suggestion, indicating it was positively mentioned as a worthwhile read. The brief endorsement highlighted the book’s relevance without extensive discussion.
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Episode: 2026-02-05- KSR - Hour 2
This book adaptation was mentioned as a good call among suggestions.
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ALL THE PRESIDENT'S MEN. That's a good call.
One Hundred Years of Solitude
The panel again confirmed they were unfamiliar with the title, replying "No" when prompted about the book.
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A Hundred Years of Solitude? No.
— Episode: 2025-05-16- KSR - Hour 2
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Episode: 2025-05-16- KSR - Hour 2
The panel again confirmed they were unfamiliar with the title, replying "No" when prompted about the book.
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A Hundred Years of Solitude? No.
Crime and Punishment (Vintage Classics)
It was cited as the speaker's favorite book, kept on the nightstand, and they wanted to reread it in a new translation, noting it made them feel smarter.
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My favorite book, which is, well, my two favorite books, Crime and Punishment and Brothers Karamazov.
— Episode: 2024-10-10- KSR - Hour 1
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Episode: 2024-10-10- KSR - Hour 1
It was cited as the speaker's favorite book, kept on the nightstand, and they wanted to reread it in a new translation, noting it made them feel smarter.
"
My favorite book, which is, well, my two favorite books, Crime and Punishment and Brothers Karamazov.
Crime and Punishment is literally on the nightstand next to my table, next to my bed.
I want to read it again. And it's a new translation.
When you read something like Dostoyevsky, you're like, I'm a smarter person now.
Something that's food for the soul.
Note: The book recommendations on this page are discovered automatically from podcast transcripts, and may be incorrect or incomplete.