A Novel Life
Nothing tells you more about who someone really is than what they read. Truly get to know some of your favourite artists and performers as they share the books they love - and then watch them come to life.
Each episode of MY NOVEL LIFE takes us on a journey through the four books that shaped, defined and inspired a guest actor, musician or artist. As each revealing presenter-led interview delves into their lives, compelling performance readings of key passages from the four books will be intercut.
And we'll share the celebrity’s reaction as they watch the filmed readings for the first time along with us, with every laugh, smile and tear caught on camera.
Performance readings
Named in The Guardian's 'Best 15 TV shows to Watch For Free', Rural Studio's returning series "The Read" on BBC Four and BBC Two Wales pioneered an engaging creative performance readings format, bringing new audiences to well-known novels.
Building on this format, MY NOVEL LIFE has the potential of reaching an even wider audience through the double appeal of a popular presenter and a raft of performers exploring their lives through their most treasured books.
We'll be looking for honesty from the celebrity guest, plumbing the genres and authors who often get left out of similar programmes - this is about the books we all actually read.
Familiar face Mark Benton (Early Doors; Shakespeare & Hathaway; Waterloo Road) shares the beloved books that have stoked his imagination since childhood.
“My favourite as a child was The Forest of Boland Light Railway by B B. Along. With The Little Grey Men books, I loved the magic he evoked. I loved the idea of these little beings living in the forest, and as a child I would invent little scenes in the trees and grass. Imagining living amongst the roots or hiding where the grass was longer.”
“My guiltiest pleasure must be Assassin by Shaun Hutson or The Rats by James Herbert. Reading gruesome horror as a youngster thrilled and terrified me in equal measure. I remember reading The Rats in bed until way past midnight and laying there terrified that the little furry terrors were under my bed waiting until I fell asleep, then they were going to creep out and attack…
“And books I return to time and again. Well… this would have to be something by David Gemmell. Exciting, heroic and emotional. I think I must have cried reading every one of his books. Almost impossible to pick a favourite but I’ll go for Waylander.”
“My favorite childhood book? Anything by Roald Dahl. I readily consumed all of his stories when I was young and loved Quentin Blake's illustrations. The Witches is perhaps the most memorable.
“The book that changed me has to be The Choice by Edith Eger. I read it when I was 17 or 18 years old and it truly struck a chord within me. It changed my perspective regarding my own capabilities to manage difficult feelings and thoughts and moving through adversity. I was just left feeling empowered, a little braver and deeply moved by the author's story.
“I love a whole array of books. I love romance novels that are easy summer reads, I love mainstream book series like Harry Potter or popular Stephen King horror. I never feel guilty reading so-called “easy” literature. It’s reading something for pleasure and I think that is always better than forcing yourself to read a book that you have absolutely no interest in but everyone else is raving about it.
“And the book I return to time and time again is… Harry Potter, as unremarkable as an answer that may be! Magic, courage, friendship, and these characters that feel like friends. It's always been the perfect escapism for me when life is too difficult to deal with or confront.”
Liv
