In another of those “top 100” programmes, the BBC is out to discover the novels we love best, encourage us to read and give some underworked academics a chance to chat about literature. More than 100,000 people have already voted, and there is a website, www.bbc.co.ukbigread, where you can carry on the dialogue, take a quiz and find out celebrities’

choices. There are also links to other websites, such as Onion Street, which has hints for children on school work and speed reading. Tomorrow night, on BBC4, Andrew Marr hosts a discussion on the top 100 between Germaine Greer, John Carey and Michael Rosen (9.05-10.05pm). Or you can play at home, or take part in activities being organised over the summer.

ROBIN BUSS