books

12 Podcasts for book worms  

By Pod Mirror

3 Sept 2021

Book clubs are thriving in the pandemic. These podcasts about books just as much as reading them, and even as libraries close down, other technologies have stepped in to facilitate discussions

The Guardian Books Podcast

The Guardian Books podcast delves into the world of literature on a weekly basis. It contains in-depth interviews with some of the world's finest authors, as well as discussions of larger trends, round-ups, award winners, and retrospectives on historical works.

5 out of 5

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You’re Booked

Daisy Buchanan, a journalist, hosts this conversational podcast that invites listeners to spy into guests' bookshelves and uncover the books that influenced them. Daisy's dulcet tones are worth hearing on their own, but listen in for interesting chats with recent guests such as Dolly Alderton and Elizabeth Day.

5 out of 5

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The New Yorker: Fiction

This illustrious New Yorker's monthly podcast about the greatest occurrences in fiction is hosted by fiction editor Deborah Treisman. Listen out for some of literature's biggest stars, including Dave Eggers, Roddy Doyle, and Tess Hadley.

5 out of 5

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The Stories That Changed My Life

Visitors tell experiences that have left an impression on them. Recent guests include writers Lauren Bravo and Zing Tsjeng, and the programme prides itself on being a "books podcast for the non-bookish." Join them as they remember in a mash-up of storytelling and Desert Island Discs.

5 out of 5

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London Review Bookshop Podcast

If you like to hear writers speak and present, this is a wonderful podcast to listen to. The London Review Bookshop presents live events, which are luckily recorded for your listening enjoyment. There are nearly 200 episodes to pick from, including readings, debates, and conversations.

5 out of 5

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Books and Authors

Expect in-depth literary conversations on the newest tomes in typical Radio 4 style from BBC Radio 4's resident books programme. Recent visitors have included Pulitzer Prize winner Jennifer Egan and Booker Prize contender Richard Powers.

5 out of 5

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Freedom, Books, Flowers & the Moon

The Times Literary Supplement's weekly podcast focuses on culture and ideas. Inspired by Oscar Wilde's remark, "Who could not be happy with freedom, literature, flowers, and the moon?" Expect questions about everything from Bronte to Reddit.

5 out of 5

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Literary Friction

Literary Friction is a monthly conversational podcast hosted by friends Carrie and Octavia. The hosts of each episode, which is themed, interview both emerging and renowned authors. There are vigorous debates, personal suggestions, and more...

5 out of 5

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Fatwa

This BBC Radio 4,  ten-part series explores the tale of what happened after Salman Rushdie's novel The Satanic Verses was released. It has been 30 years since Ayatollah Khomeini called on Muslims to assassinate Salman Rushdie for blasphemy.

5 out of 5

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Banging Book Club

Banging Book Club was founded by three friends who read a book about sex and gender together, covering subjects ranging from intersectional feminism to Aristotle and Dante. This podcast has tragically concluded, but there are still 47 episodes to listen to.

5 out of 5

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Book Fight

This weekly podcast on ‘books, writing, reading, and racoons' has a new perspective. The hosts discuss novels they enjoy, as well as books they loathe. Join them for an open and honest chat in which they digress and go off on tangent line to discuss the current literary occurrences.

5 out of 5

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Not Another Book Podcast

In a conversational style, this three-woman-hosts show presents the most recent African writing. They expose you to both popular and controversial viewpoints. It's jam-packed with relevant ideas.

5 out of 5

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