Podcasts have never been more popular. There are podcasts on sport, movies and, most importantly for those on the Road to Reading, books! It may be that you’re looking for something to read and need a recommendation. Or perhaps you’d like some extra encouragement before you embark on this week’s 30minutes. Although podcasts are easy to find and download, it can be tricky to decide what to listen to since, just like books, there are so many to choose from. To help, here’s a selection of some of our favourite bookish podcasts.
The Radio 2 Book Club
Hosted by Radio 2’s Zoe Ball, The Radio 2 Book Club dropped its first episode in January. Each week Zoe chats with authors about their latest novels, librarians about what’s currently being most borrowed from their library, and listeners about what they’re currently reading. Easy to listen to and enjoy, each bite-sized episode is jam-packed with inspiring stories, interesting conversation and, most importantly, reading recommendations. You’ll be heading down to either your local bookshop or library after listening to each episode!
Where can I find it?
You can find The Radio 2 Book Club on BBC Sounds
The Waterstones Podcast
It’s no surprise that the UK’s most famous chain of bookstores has a podcast about books. Recent episodes focus on individual authors and their writing, but earlier ones are themed, with titles such as ‘Friendship’ and ‘Changes.’ In these episodes, multiple authors are interviewed about one of the main features of their writing, so you can listen to episodes on subjects that you’re interested in and get great book recommendations too!
Where can I find it?
You can listen to The Waterstones Podcast via Apple Podcasts and Spotify. It can also be found on the Waterstones website and episodes are uploaded to YouTube.
The Penguin Podcast
Penguin Random House is one of the biggest publishers, and they host this fortnightly series of author interviews. With a back catalogue of over 200 episodes, The Penguin Podcast’s guests have included not only some of the world’s most respected authors, such as Ian McEwan and Michael Morpurgo, but also some of its best-loved celebrities such as Stephen Fry and Paul McCartney. The Penguin Podcast is proof that often the stories behind books are just as exciting as the books themselves!
Where can I find it?
Head to the Penguin Random House website, or find it on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Spotify.
Bookshelfie: Women’s Prize for Fiction
The Women’s Prize has a mission to change the world through books by women, opening up pathways into reading and writing for the storytellers and booklovers of tomorrow. In their podcast, host Vick Hope is joined by inspirational guests to celebrate the best books written by women. As well as discussing the books shortlisted for the prestigious prize, they also talk about the books that have inspired them, and what the future holds for women writers.
Where can I find it?
You can find Bookshelfie on the Women’s Prize website, as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Audible.
The Graham Norton Book Club
Also hosting their own podcast about books is everybody’s favourite talk show host and Eurovision commentator Graham Norton, who’s also a novelist himself. If you’ve ever listened to Graham on the radio or watched him on the telly, you’ll know what to expect – warm, honest and often amusing conversation. Featuring an eclectic mix of guests, The Graham Norton Book Club is an ideal podcast to assist you on the Road to Reading.
Where can I find it?
The Graham Norton Book Club is an Audible original, but it can also be accessed via Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
