BBC Two’s book show returns on the 11th of May featuring Big Jubilee Read books, which include books and authors who are part of the Booker family.

Hosted by Sara Cox, the star-studded series is designed to bring the nation together by sharing the enjoyment of reading. Between the Covers will include The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje, The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood and The Secret River by Kate Grenville, all of which are included in The Big Jubilee Read.

In each episode of the seven-part series, the panel of four famous guests will bring along their own book of choice and will discuss a newly-published book and a pick from The Big Jubilee Read list. The Big Jubilee Read is a reading for pleasure campaign spearheaded by BBC Arts and The Reading Agency that celebrates great reads from across the Commonwealth, to coincide with Her Majesty The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

It features 70 titles that consist of ten books from each decade of Her Majesty The Queen’s 70 year reign, chosen by an expert panel of librarians, booksellers and literature specialists. From that list, Amanda Ross and her production team chose one from each decade; offering a brilliant selection of beautiful and thrilling writing produced by authors from a range of Commonwealth countries.

Sara Cox