To be published by Sandycove, Penguin on 2nd March 2023 the books tell the story of Sally Diamond who cannot understand why what she did was so strange. She was only doing what her father told her to do, to put him out with the rubbish when he died.

Now Sally is the centre of attention, not only from the hungry media and worried police, but also a sinister voice from a past she has no memory of. As she begins to discover the horrors of her childhood, recluse Sally steps into the world for the first time, making new friends, finding independence, and learning that people don't always mean what they say.

But when messages start arriving from a stranger who knows far more about her past than she knows herself, Sally's life will be thrown into chaos once again . . .

The books chosen, in broadcast order, are: In The Blink Of An Eye by Jo Callaghan (S&S UK); The Space Between Us by Doug Johnstone (Orenda Books); Weyward by Emilia Hart (The Borough Press); Strange Sally Diamond by Liz Nugent (Sandycove); Hungry Ghosts by Kevin Jared Hosein (Bloomsbury) and Old God’s Time by Sebastian Barry (Faber & Faber).

Sara Cox returns as host and is joined in each episode by a panel of four famous guests to discuss one of the books. This series’ guests will include Meera Syal, Alan Davies, Samantha Bond and Mel Giedroyc.

Cox said she “cannot wait to welcome more witty, wise and wonderful guests into the world’s friendliest book club as we delve ‘between the covers’ for the sixth time”.

She added: “We have six brand new books that might just be the best half dozen yet. Prepare to be taken on a whistle-stop tour of Europe as we celebrate Eurovision by exploring six books set in countries competing in this year’s song contest.

“Plus, of course, our guests bring in their most treasured tome to wax lyrical about, so get ready for your teetering-to-be-read pile to be topped with more brilliant books.”

Amanda Ross, c.e.o. of Cactus TV, who heads the book selection panel, added: “Our new book picks for this series are from an exciting mix of début and renowned authors. They span centuries and continents, with characters dealing with a wide range of adversity, from witches to AI and aliens. I can’t wait to see what our panellists make of them.”