Introduction

Fergal Keane is our author of the month for February. He is one of the best known and highly regarded reporters on BBC television and radio. His Letter to Daniel was first heard on Radio Four and prompted a staggering heartfelt response from hundreds of listeners. Here, he talks about his favourite books and his work. You can read an extract or see a video clip of the live interview and tell us what you think of Letter to Daniel.

Real stories are the theme of this month's readers group. Further recommendations from us and from other readers will - we hope - inspire you and give you an insight into the extraordinary lives of other people. Our book of the month is Hugo Gryn's remarkable testament of his life in Eastern Europe before and during the Holocaust, Chasing Shadows.