Shahidha Bari takes the reins for this episode of Inside Culture, which celebrates the joy of books and asks whether the way we read is changing.

In Leicester, Shahidha drops in on author Alex Wheatle and actress Sara Powell, who are in the process of turning one of Alex’s novels into an audiobook. As well getting an insight into this behind-the-scenes process, Shahidha asks whether audiobooks are changing the way writers write. She also hears from poet Liz Lochhead, who offers up a guided tour of her favourite library in Scotland and shares a special poem that this magical place inspired.

In Edinburgh, author Ian Rankin gives voice to the words of Scotland’s secret book sculptor, whose intricate artworks, created from the pages of novels, were made in support of libraries, books, words and ideas.

With only a few weeks to go before the announcement of the 2021 Booker Prize, Shahidha brings together previous winners Marlon James, John Banville and Eleanor Catton to compare their own reading and writing experiences and revel in our ongoing love affair with books. Show less