This week's guest is a full-blown National Treasure. Mel Giedroyc is a versatile presenter, actor and comedian, who formed a formidable comedy partnership with Sue Perkins, hosted the iconic Great British Bake Off and has starred in West End musicals. And now Mel can add novelist to her list of achievements with her critically acclaimed debut The Best Things already topping the charts. We talked to her about her ferocious devotion to Jean Valjean, the funny book she always gives as a gift and the book so scary she'd only read it when other people were in the room.BOOKSDaisy Buchanan - InsatiableMel Giedroyc - The Best Things Margaret Mitchell - Gone with the WindJane Austen - PersuasionVictor Hugo - Les MiserablesEmily Bronte - Wuthering HeightsNigel Planer & Christopher Douglas - I an ActorThomas Harris - Silence of the LambsRobert Goddard - Past CaringRobert Goddard - The Fine Art of Invisible DetectionAlice Thomas Ellis - Unexplained LaughterCharles Dickens - Nicholas NickelbyCharles Dickens - Bleak HouseLaurie Colwin - Home CookingLaurie Colwin - More Home CookingLaurie Colwin - Happy All The TimeElena Ferrante - Lying Life of AdultsElena Ferrante - Neapolitan QuartetEvelyn Waugh - Vile BodiesLissa Evans - V For VictoryMary Wesley - Sensible LifeMary Welsley - Camomile LawnZadie Smith - Swing TimeDonatella Di Pietrantonio - A Girl ReturnedDante - InfernoGeorgia Pritchett - My Mess is a Bit of a LifeNina Stibbe - Reasons To Be CheerfulFanny Craddock - Fanny Craddock Invites See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.