Reading Room

Online Exclusives

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International Day of the Girl Child

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What Inspires The Writing Of Bernardine Evaristo

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The Beginnings of Atonement

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The Life And Books Of Élisabeth Gille

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Khaled Hosseini and Afghanistan today

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HM’s childhood favourites:

World Book Day

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The Affair Of The Diamond Necklace

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Interview

Elena Ferrante

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Interview

Victoria Hislop

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Spotlight: Elizabeth Jane Howard
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Treasures from Windsor Castle Library

The Sobieski Hours
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Interview

Elena Ferrante

On friendship, female rage and finding a great story

Reading Room Roundtables

We love learning from the experts about their craft; but what happens when the experts ask each other questions? Delve into these roundtables with some of the UK’s greatest minds, discussing everything from literary techniques to moral responsibility

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Judi Dench & Gyles Brandreth
Why is reading important?

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Cressida Cowell & Katherine Rundell
What makes a great adventure story?

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Anthony Horowitz & William Boyd
How to create suspense

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Elif Shafak & Delia Owens
What is the role of the writer in critical issues?

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Hilary Mantel & Philippa Gregory
How do you research a historical novel?

Treasures from the Library

Explore some of the UK’s most important and rarely seen books and manuscripts

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One of Queen Victoria’s favourites: Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist
Windsor Castle Library

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Henry VIII’s Bible
Windsor Castle Library

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French Psalter: a poem by Princess Elizabeth
Windsor Castle Library

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Shahnamah: The Book of Kings
Windsor Castle Library

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The Sobieski Hours: a nativity scene
Windsor Castle Library

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A Bestiary
The Bodleian Library

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Katherine Parr’s New Year’s gift from Princess Elizabeth
The Bodleian Library

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Walter Scott: when Queen Victoria read to Prince Albert
Windsor Castle Library

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Austen: Sense And Sensibility
Windsor Castle Library

Readings & Audio

Sometimes, hearing a story read by a brilliant narrator can be just the thing to get you out of a reading rut. Enjoy this selection of actors and authors bringing books to life

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Tom Felton reads from…
Labyrinth

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Geoffrey Rush reads from…
The Book Thief

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Charles Dance reads from…
Dracula

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Louise Brealey reads from…
Dark Tides

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Jennifer Ehle reads from…
Pride & Prejudice

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Miranda Cowley Heller reads from…
The Paper Palace

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Harriet Walter reads from…
Suite Française

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Richard E Grant reads from…
…’My Brilliant Friend’ – Rage And Violence In The Neighbourhood.

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Richard E Grant reads from…
…’My Brilliant Friend’ – Don Achille’s Apartment.