You're about to listen to a BBC podcast, but this is about something else you might enjoy.

My name's Katie Lecky and I'm an assistant commissioner for on demand music on BBC Sounds.

The BBC has an incredible musical heritage and culture and as a music lover, I love being part of that.

With music on sounds, we offer collections and mixes for everything, from workouts to

helping you nod off, boogie in your kitchen, or even just a moment of calm. And they're all

put together by people who know their stuff. So if you want some expertly curated music in your life,

check out BBC Sounds. Thanks for downloading a good read.

You can find more information on all the BBC downloads at BBC.co.uk slash radio four.

Hello, welcome to a new season. And today I think even fewer punches will be pulled and holds

barred than usual because my guests are first,

the journalist, author, TV presenter and now successful stand-up Jeremy Paxman,

who to much mourning earlier this year ended his quarter-century run on Newsnight,

but who still, I'm glad to say, Chairs University Challenge.

His most recent book out last year is Great Britain's Great War.

And with Jeremy, almost certainly the country's best-known classicist, Mary Beard.

A distinguished professor of classics at the University of Cambridge and fellow of Newham College,

Mary's most recent book is called Laughter in Ancient Rome.

And she's also the author of the blog, Adon's Life.

Jeremy, to you first, I think, what is your choice of a good read and what's it about?

Well, I've chosen Billy Lynn's Long Half-Time Walk by Ben Fountain.

This is the story of what happens when a young American soldier comes back to America.

He and his squad have been involved in a furious firefight in Iraq, which has been witnessed by a number

...