best book review podcasts 2021

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Blog – Posted on Wednesday, Aug 23

40+ best book review podcasts of 2024.

You might have heard about Bookstagram, BookTok, and BookTube, but have you found your favorite bookish podcast yet? With over a third of the world’s population turning to reading during the Coronavirus pandemic, podcasting in general, and podcasts about books specifically, are seeing a huge boom.

With plenty of book podcasts and reading clubs to choose from, we’ve scoured the airwaves and curated more than 40 of the best podcasts that entertain, inspire, review , and — most importantly — recommend the best books for your reading pleasure.

General book review podcasts

Let’s start with the giants, these podcasts are big and talk about all things books, from literary fiction to niche nonfiction. The books come from both big trad publishers and little indie presses and what ultimately ties them together is the stories at the heart of it all, the experiences of the authors, and the advice we all wish we’d heard earlier. 

1. The Maris Review

Hosted by the cultural critic and bestselling author of Slaughterhouse 90210 , Maris Kreizman, the Maris Review  goes beyond the book covers and tries to get to the core of what inspires authors, from films, to music, to popular phenomena.

Coming to the microphone with warmth, depth of knowledge, and thoughtfulness, Maris’ goal is to let her guests shine and she has a true gift for pulling each morsel of literary goodness from her guests, one succulent bite at a time. Listening to the Maris Review will solidify your love for reading and instill an insatiable hunger for more books — RIP your TBR list.

Apple | Spotify | Stitcher | Lit Hub Radio

2. NPR Book of the Day

Want to know if a book is worth reading in 15 minutes or less? NPR’s got your back! The much-loved, bite-sized radio show is a popular podcast that regardless of genre, mood, style, or author, seeks to make reading accessible to everyone, while tackling the big questions of our time.

Whether you’re searching for your next read, or a recommendation for a friend, NPR’s short-form interviews got you covered, keeping you up-to-date with the latest bookish news and your shelves stacked. 

Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Amazon Music

3. Book Fight

Despite the podcast name, Mike Ingram and Tom McAllister are good friends, writers, and long-time editors for Barrelhouse literary magazine and publisher. Taking a lighthearted approach, Mike and Tom engage their audience with humor, candor, and insights into the world of publishing and writing, welcoming listeners to sit in on genuine conversations rather than lectures while answering the question we’re all asking ourselves: what should I read next?

Each week they’re joined by authors whose work ask tough questions, offer harder answers, and seek to connect us all through our love of literature — no fighting involved. 

Apple | Spotify

4. The LRB Podcast

Decreed the ‘leading magazine of culture and ideas of Europe’, the London Review of Books podcast is a weekly conversation on literature hosted by Thomas Jones and Malin Hay. Often joined by their editors across the pond and other writerly guests, the hosts dive deep into the question of what makes great literature great .

With a goal to enliven and enrich their audience, the show is like waking your brain up with a (legal) stimulus better than coffee. From looking at how Ovid influenced the writing of Chaucer to how we can understand contemporary giants like David Foster Wallace through the lens of #MeToo, no work or angle is left unturned with LRB. You’ll find yourself relistening to episodes not just for the joy the podcast brings, but to sharpen your own critical reading and appreciation for the written word. 

Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts

5. The Worst Bestsellers

Writer Kait and librarian Renata read books so you don’t have to. Well, that’s not quite true. Intrigued by the appeal of bestsellers, the two read the latest ‘Big Thing’ to try to understand what people love about them, and maybe, what you could love too — or why you might want to avoid it. 

Filled with plenty of humor and joy, Kait and Renata invite listeners into their cozy space and ask themselves “How did this get made?” or “How is something so questionable in quality this big ?”. Swearing they’re not snobs, they read everything with an open yet critical mind and are quick to indulge in a laugh at the book’s expense,never the reader. 

Homepage | Apple | Stitcher | Spotify | Deezer

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6. What Should I Read Next?

Aptly named What should I read next? , Anne Bogel’s podcast seeks to give readers all over the ether an answer to that very question. Each week, Anne — also known for her Modern Mrs Darcy blog — sits down with a reader and learns what they love, what they hate, and what they’ve read before, all in a bid to guide them towards what they should read next. With an encyclopedic mind for books (and a great team to back her up), Anne’s suggestions are always on point, as she has something up her sleeve for every type of reader. A bookish agony aunt of sorts, Anne wants you to read and love what you read. Don’t we all Anne, don’t we all…

Apple | Spotify | Overcast | Stitcher | Google Podcasts

7. Fully Booked

From the editors of Kirkus Reviews, Fully Booked : is a podcast unafraid to tell you which books to pass on and which are worth your time.

More like a coffee shop discussion, Fully Booked hosts regular author take-overs, inviting you directly into their minds and keeping the content constantly fresh. So clear your reading schedule: this podcast will keep you “fully booked” for the foreseeable future. 

Apple | PodcastOne | Spotify  

8. Book Riot

In Book Riot’s mainstage podcast, the editors of the website, Jeff and Rebecca, offer exciting and satisfying book recommendations to their listeners: titles that may otherwise have flown below your radar or bestsellers you were ready to write off. 

With eyes and ears on the publishing industry, they discuss everything from self-publised gems to traditionally published giants. They’re unapologetic about their opinions — making for an entertaining listen — but do not claim to be all-knowing tyrants of taste. Readers should all find their own happy space in literature, and Book Riot wants to help you do just that.

Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher  

9. You’re Booked

Ever wonder what’s on your favorite author’s shelf? Or what book they borrowed and never returned to the library? Daisy Buchanan’s You’re Booked asks questions like “What is a forbidden book you read under the covers?”, or “What intellectual-doorstopper do you pretend to have read?”

If you love books and loooove learning why people pick what they do, then Daisy’s podcast is for you. From treasured memories of reading, to wasted hours of scribble, Daisy and her guests seek to help readers read more and revel in the company of other book lovers.

Apple | Spotify | Acast

10. Celebrity Memoir Book Club

Claire Parker and Ashley Hamilton are two New York comedians who read celebrity memoirs to give you the low-down in a fun and informative way. The hilarious duo wade through the sometimes delightful, sometimes insightful, but mostly egocentric world of celebrity memoirs with such humor and wit that their review can be just as good as the book itself. 

The Celebrity Memoir Book Club is a hilarious take on an industry that often takes itself too seriously. This is the perfect podcast to settle into if you just want to have a good time and love a bit of juicy gossip. 

Apple | Spotify | Audioboom | Youtube

11. The Stacks

Traci Thomas is your host for The Stacks book review podcast, and if your TBR list isn’t bursting already, this is an absolute must-listen. Probing her guests with questions relating to which reads changed their life, which authors made them see the world in a new light, and how politics and race are now more important than ever in writing, Traci and her guests breaks down a new book every week — one onion layer at a time. Even if not every book takes your fancy, the discussion is thought-provoking, humorous, and always engaging. It's well-worth your time.

Apple | Podcast Addict

12. KCRW Bookworm

KCRW Bookworm began airing in 1989 with the goal of making reading accessible, encouraging both entertaining and thoughtful writing, and provoking listeners to make reading a lifelong habit.

Legendary Michael Silverblatt interviews guests from every corner of the publishing world and the show is underpinned by a deep love for reading not just as a pastime, but a way of life.

Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio

13. London Review Bookshop Podcast

Not to be confused with the LRB podcast, the London Review Bookshop podcast is recorded in the eponymous bookshop in Bloomsbury, London, where two new authors come together each episode to discuss life, love, books, and writing in front of a live crowd of customers. 

From fiction to poetry, nonfiction, and politics, this show gives authors a soapbox to stand on and makes for an intellectually stimulating and entertaining listening experience that will give you plenty of fodder for debate. 

14. Radio 4 Books & Authors

BBC’s radio stations are institutions in and of themselves, but their podcast Books & Authors on channel 4 is something else altogether. Compiling two similar shows into one book review podcast — Open Books and A Good Read is hosted by Harriet Gilbert and discusses her favorite reads, upcoming titles, and the books you really should read. Cobbled together with guests you’ll love, these articulate and witty discussions are often just as interesting as the books themselves, so come prepared for books to be read, thoughts to be had, and friends to be made. 

Apple | Spotify | BBC Sounds

15. The Guardian Books Podcast

Though it officially aired its last episode in 2022, we highly recommend that you go back and mine the rich backlog of The Guardian Books podcast for a phenomenal source of in-depth interviews with authors from all over the world. Covering every topic and genre under the sun, the hosts know how to sell a book to their readers, while also deepening your knowledge and understanding of the context it was written in. If you’re looking for one of the greats of book reviews — and maybe some backlist titles to add to your shelves — this is it.

Homepage | Apple | Spotify | Soundcloud

16. Between the Covers

If you’re in search of a profound listening experience, then go no further. David Naimon’s Between the Covers is the rich and well-researched conversation on literature you never knew you were missing, produced by the Portland-based publishers Tin House. And if you don’t want to take our word for it, it has been recognized by none others than the Guardian, Book Riot, the Financial Times, and BuzzFeed as “one of the most notable book podcasts for writers and readers around.” 

Making sure to research his guests thoroughly, David approaches each episode with care, inviting writers of all ages and voices to take you on a journey into the world of books, guiding you towards not only the next book you could read, but the next story you could love. 

Apple | Stitcher

17. All the Books

All the Books is a podcast dedicated to new releases, specializing in what’s hot, what’s new, what’s quirky, and what’s recommended.

Full of recommendations to pick and choose from, host Liberty Hardy (and her adorable cats) are purr-fect companions for your morning commute, a stroll through the forest, or an evening in front of the fireplace. As entertaining as it is witty, the goal of this show is to to keep you informed and make sure you don’t miss your favorite author’s newest title or any upstart debutants

Apple | Spotify | Stitcher | Google Podcasts

18. Debutiful

If you really want to keep an eye out for the next big thing, this debuts-only club, hosted by Adam Vitcavage, is a podcast entirely devoted to first time book publications. Together with his guests, Adam talks about writing habits, inspiration, and the process of getting your first book published.

If the book doesn’t always sound like your jam, there’s a wealth of knowledge and inspiration to be had in each episode, as authors share ideas and intriguing suggestions for craft practice as well as candid glimpses into what goes into the ‘making-of’ a debut...

19. TwoLitChicks

Hosted by writers and avid readers Julia Boggio and Ed Crocker, TwoLitChicks is a podcast about loving books and loving writing books. Setup like a Desert Island Discs, the hosts talk with authors about the books they read which changed their lives and how that affected their writing. Divulging books published across the entire publishing spectrum, be they traditionally or self-published , Julia and Ed get to the core of what makes these authors and their work tick. From beautiful debuts to written-word masters, TwoLitChicks cracks plenty of eggs of writerly wisdom.

20. Slate’s Audiobook Club

You’re already looking for podcasts on books, so why not podcasts on audiobooks? Hosted by Slate magazine’s critics, this audiobook podcast is perfect if you’re looking for insights on what does well in the audio format. Taking the form of a panel review show, the group discusses classics, new releases, underdogs, and forgotten gems, always with the auditory experience in mind. 

For readers who are listeners , this pod will give you plenty of solid recommendations to choose from. That’s if you can remember to write them down. Your TBR has been warned.

Diversity in publishing podcasts

While self-publishing allows many more voices to be heard and stories to be told, one of the most important changes taking place in the industry at large is the opportunities for diversity in publishing . The podcasts below champion voices that have not always been given their due space, discussing award winning works and stories that will shape our next generations .

21. Well-Read Black Girl

Glory Edim is not only the writer and founder of the Well-Read Black Girl book club, but also an advocate of the written word through the podcast medium. Her goal has always been to give readers the literary booster shot they never knew they needed and, as a host, she seeks deep and honest conversations to bring us all together via books. The WRBG podcast explores not just the power of books, but their place in a world where art, social justice, and literature are colliding. From paying homage to iconic literary women, to promoting the most important voices of today, Glory and her guests discuss what they’re reading, what it means to be “well-read,” and what you should pick up next.

Apple | Spotify | Stitcher

22. Minorities in Publishing

When Jenn Baker began the Minorities in Publishing podcast her goal wasn’t just to bridge the gap in diversity in publishing, but to blow the doors down and give authors the love they deserve. With topics ranging far and wide, Jenn discusses the publishing industry, books and authors writing fantastic stories, and the best tips for those wishing to write themselves. 

With authors and genres spanning from children’s , to YA , graphic novels , upmarket fiction and beyond, the goal here is to show you how many storytellers roam this planet with unique stories to tell, making us believe we can do it too. 

Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio | TuneIn Radio

23. Storykeepers Podcast

Hosted by Jennifer David and Waubgeshig Rice, Storykeepers is unlike any other book review podcast around. They only champion Indigenous voices. From authors, publishers, booksellers, to readers, Storykeepers treasures the experiences of Indigenous, First Nation, Inuit, and Métis stories.

Whether it’s debating an idea, laughing over a character, or discussing the changing landscape and opportunities within Indigenous publishing, Jennifer and Waubgeshig aim to bring these fantastic stories and authors to more people’s attention. Don’t miss this one.

Apple | Spotify | Amazon

Coming to you from Amman, Jordan, and Rabat, Morocco, friends Ursula Lindsey and M Lynx Qualey, talk about all things books and publishing in the modern Arabic-speaking world. 

Named after the first printing press established in Egypt in 1820, Bulaq is indispensable for anyone wanting a contextualized view of translated Arabic works in English. Together, Ursula and M Lynx discuss the books which are changing them, have changed them, and that they hope might change you too, showcasing the richness of modern Arabic literature.

Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Deezer | Anghami | Castbox

25. What’s My Therapist Reading?

Hosted by therapists Caleb Matthews and Mary Hoofnagle, What’s My Therapist Reading? is a podcast dedicated to both fiction and nonfiction titles, but with a twist. Their emphasis is on bringing visibility to mental health, physical and mental disabilities, and if their representations in literature help or hinder people’s understanding. From episodes dealing with autism to family dynamics, the two discuss triggers in books and how the intended audience of a book may differ to a reading audience. Diversity in publishing is leading to more and more titles being released that represent all of the reading audience, not just the loudest voices.

Apple | Spotify  

26. Books & Boba

Hosted by Marvin Yueh and Reera Yoo, Books & Boba discusses Asian and Asian American literature , looking at everything from contemporary fiction, historical fiction , sci-fi , fantasy , YA, nonfiction , thrillers , graphic novels, and memoirs — always delivering great recommendations and thoughtful insights.

With the dynamism and banter of best friends, Marvin and Reera spotlighting the industry at large, while highlighting emerging authors alongside (sometimes) forgotten classics. Run, don’t walk to your nearest podcast distributor to tune in.

Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Pocket Casts | Radio Public

Romance fiction book review podcasts

Are you looking for the next read to sweep you off your feet ? Presenting you with sizzling heroes and smoldering heroines, these podcasts spread the word on the biggest genre in publishing and bring the authors behind the stories to the forefront. Read on to find your perfect match.

27. Big Gay Fiction Podcast

Husbands Jeff Adams and Will Knauss created the Big Gay Fiction podcast for one reason and one reason only: to spread their love of queer fiction , and specifically romance queer fiction. Each week, they bring in authors they adore, books that they want to spotlight, and ideas worth discussing in the queer space of publishing.

Their interview style is as friendly as it is charming, making their listeners feel as comfortable as their guests. If you’re looking for witty views on the MM genre and more than a few great reads to add to your pile, then Jeff and Will have more than enough up their sleeves.

Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Amazon Music | Youtube

28. The Sapphic book review

Hosted by Laura Green, the Sapphic Book Review champions all things Sapphic fiction. From reviews of books to interviews with the authors themselves, Laura asks hard-hitting questions which shed new light on sapphic love in literature. If you’ve been wondering which book you should read next and have been struggling to find your sapphic lit fix, Laura has you covered.

Homepage | Apple | Spotify | Amazon Music | Overcast | Castro

29. Sentimental Garbage

Whether it makes you blush or makes you cry, Caroline O’Donoghue’s Sentimental Garbage is a book review podcast that advocates for all the books we love — even if society makes us feel like we shouldn’t. Beginning as a self-professed chick-lit podcast, with some good Sex and the City detours, Sentimental Garbage has grown larger to encompass a wider definition of guilty pleasures.

Caroline’s goal is interviewing authors and guests that are oh so relatable because, at the end of the day, a good book is like a companion. Trading quick quips, Caroline and her guests are always a pleasure to listen to as they discuss books they love and hate, tropes they despise and get giddy over, and characters that make them swoon. For them, stories are not about how much you know by the end, but about how much you feel. 

Apple | Deezer | Acast  

Children & YA lit book review podcasts

Whether you’re trying to encourage your kids to read more, are searching for the next Percy Jackson or Hunger Games , or learning how to make your dreams a reality — the pods below are all about books, authors, and writing in the Children’s, Middle Grade, and Young Adult sphere.

30. Hey YA!

What Book Riot is doing for Young Adult lit is what everyone else wants to do. Their Hey YA podcast may not feature Outkast, but brings great reads to the growing generation. With stories and styles from everyone’s favorite genres, Kelly, Eric, and Sarah recommend books which aim to be as inclusive as possible, as page-turning as possible, as hashtagable as possible, and — more than that — books readers of all ages can see themselves in. 

If your TBR list isn’t bursting at the seams after discovering Hey YA then you haven’t listened close enough. No longer just a stepping stone to great literature, YA has eeked out a legitimate and thriving space of its own, so if you think YA deserves more attention, then you’ll find like-minded people here.

Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher

31. First Draft Podcast

First Draft with Sarah Enni at the helm is a podcast for storytellers to talk about how art informs their lives. Sarah comes to each episode with the honest intention of getting to know her guests, asking great questions and getting even better answers. First Draft will introduce you to new sides of the publishing industry, while discussing the next best-book-you-haven’t-read-yet.

While not strictly children’s and YA, Sarah does talk to a lot of children’s and YA authors. She underlines the importance of these works because it is often the books we read as children that define us as adult readers. Though currently on hiatus, you can still revel in the long list of past episodes available via select podcast distributors.

32. Write or Die Podcast

Write or Die isn’t just about the joy of storytelling, but about the gritty, infuriating, and pull-your-hair moments when you want to give up but don’t. Claribel A. Ortega and Kat Cho are both powerhouse authors in the YA realm and invite you to join them on their Write or Die podcast, where you’ll learn to love even the parts of publishing you hate. 

Bursting with inspiration, this podcast is about the stories which make the storytellers. Great for writers of all ages and genres, the lessons here are just as fantastic as the books they discuss. If you’re looking for a light in the dark tunnel of writing, this is it.

Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Radio Public | Pocket Casts

33. 88 Cups of Tea

While Yin Chang is perhaps better known for her work as an actor, she’s always been a prolific reader and writer. Driven to help others tell their story, 88 Cups of Tea is a space to sit with industry professionals and authors and get to the heart of what drives them. From inciting incidents to query letters , Yin delivers all she can to help writers find their way.

Of course, along the way she discusses plenty of books, inspiring and thought-provoking quotes, and the realities of publishing. 88 Cups of Tea has built a community of readers and writers that inspire and entertain each other in the process of creating the next big thing. Pens down and ears up, and get ready to find your reading or writing mojo with this podcast.

Apple | Spotify | Stitcher | Player FM

34. This Creative Life

Whether leading solo-episodes or riding shotgun with a guest, Sara Zarr sits down to shine a light on the bizarre and satisfying world of writing in her podcast This Creative Life . Focusing on the practical tips and psychological aspects of writing, This Creative Life makes a point of inviting guests to share their life experiences and how they came to write their books. 

From plotting to pantsing, This Creative Life is a podcast which inspires writers to constantly evolve and create. It is the act of creation which nourishes us, and the act of telling our stories which makes them real. From children’s to YA and beyond, no story is too small or too big to be told, or no failure too grand to come back from. Sarah endeavors to inspire the next generation to tell the story of their generation.

Apple | Spotify | Amazon Music

35. Your Kid’s Next Read

If children are our hope for a better future, then Allison Tait and Megan Daley are going to help you find the books to foster your kids reading habits. Co-founders of the Your Kid’s Next Read community, these author and teacher-librarians kept receiving and asking themselves the same questions so they made YKNR to try to find answers. Discussing everything from YA blockbusters, middle grade adventures, and junior fiction to getting those training wheels off, their book recommendations are top notch.

Full of tips to get your little ones loving reading, they also recommend what else they could be into. This podcast is lighthearted, fun, engaging, and geared towards helping your kid find their next read. If you want to bulk up your kids reading list, or encourage those who wish to spread their wings and write, this one’s for you. 

Homepage | Apple | Spotify

‘Classics’ of literature book review podcasts

We all have lists of books we wished we’d read, have meant to have read, or just never got around to reading. These podcasts are for you. More than that, they make the case for why the classics are deemed ‘classics’, and give a few recommendations for books to read before you die along the way.

36. Backlisted

When the book is just as much a guest as the guest themselves, you know you’re onto a winning formula. Hosted by John Mitchinson and Andy Miller, Backlisted invites writers to bring a book they wish more people knew about. Championing the underdogs, these episodes are often thoughtful observations on style and writing, referencing great ideas which may have gone unnoticed by the public at large. 

This is a podcast for those who want to read widely and expand their idea of what constitutes a ‘classic’, beyond Austen and Dickens , and contemplate what distinguishes truly outstanding writing.

Homepage | Apple | Acast | Overcast

37. Overdue

We all have those books we’ve been meaning to read; the ones that sit at the bottom of your TBR list, dusty and mothballed under the weight of everything else. Podcasters Andrew and Craig are the same, but now they’re doing something about it. Overdue tackles those classics you should’ve read, those obscure plays referenced by your obscure writing professor, or just those books you never got around to reading. Just as funny as it is analytical, Andrew and Craig delve into books you’d never thought to read and the ones you claim you’ve read — from childhood oddities to canon soliloquies, Overdue brings book reviews to a whole new, hilarious level. Get your pen ready to take some notes.

38. Novel Pairings

Self-professed nerdy bookworms Sarah and Chelsey, the hosts of Novel Pairings , are on a mission to make the classics readable, relatable, and, most importantly, relevant. Armed with good taste, better banter, and incredible recommendations, Novel Pairings breaks down the false perception that you have to be ‘educated’ to enjoy classics and keeps the classics exciting while avoiding the pomp. 

Sci-fi/fantasy & comics podcasts

Speculative fiction has fired up the imaginations of readers and writers for centuries. With hundreds of classics already written in this space, these podcasts keep an eye to the past while looking towards the future, diving into little-known sub-genres and household favorites alike. Tune in: there are new worlds to be explored!

39. The Legendarium Podcast

Welcome to the lands of speculation and worldbuilding.Hosted by Craig, Ryan, Kyle, and Stephanie, the Legendarium Podcast is an epic call to adventure for all things sci-fi and fantasy. 

Appreciating the classics as much as the new releases, the Legendarium quartet and their guests offer glimpses at the industry, views on books they love and hate, and recommendations on what to read next. If you want to hang out and listen to your favorite authors talk shop, grab a tankard of ale or a Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster, and prepare to be entertained.

40. SFF Yeah!

SFF Yeah! fails in only one thing: keeping your book-buying ban intact. Sharifah and Jenn divulge their favorites as well as regretted reads, taking the time to discuss what works and what doesn’t, along with what makes it uniquely special in the speculative genre. Aware that we’re all different, if there’s anything they feel that might be triggering, Sharifah and Jenn always preface books and ideas with a warning, but, as we’re all here for the books (and a little bit of the chatter) they’re not shy to predict your next favorite read. Heck, it’s the future! Even if it’s 1984 …

41. The Stack

If you like the graphic novel artform then this is the space for you. This tasty podcast comes to you every week from the Comic Book Club and is hosted by Alex, Just, and Pete, discussing all things comics and visual storytelling.

Like a mashup of your much preferred roller rink DJ (err yeah) and a real book review radio show, the Stack aims to get you loving comics and appreciating the craft of this artform as much as you would any other. With good taste, good chats, and even better recommendations, they could make even the staunchest Marvel fan into a DC dabbler.

Apple | Podbean | Google Podcasts | Radio Public | iHeart Radio

If you’re looking for more auditory content, why not check out our article on the 60 best audibooks of all time or our tips on where you can find free audiobooks ?

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The 9 Bookish Podcasts I Never Miss An Episode Of

April 11, 2023 - Updated March 31, 2023 // 6 Comments

I have quite the variety of podcasts I listen to (seriously, there is no algorithm that could ever anticipate what might interest me next) and, the least shocking to anyone, is among them I’ve amassed quite a list of book podcasts/literary podcasts in that rotation.

I have a good mix of podcasts about books (like book recommendations and reviews) as well as podcasts for book lovers that interview different authors of books or talk about other literary things and issues.

I have some that talk widely and eclectically across genres and some that are more specific genre book podcasts — honestly it really reflects how wide my book tastes are.

So if you are a book lover looking to add some new book-related podcasts to the mix — check out this list of my favorite & (imo) best book podcasts about books and the literary life that will really enhance your reading life, help you find new books to read and fuel your love of books and literature.

Best Book Podcasts For Readers

What Should I Read Next?

Best for: readers who have eclectic tastes and want thoughtful recommendations

Anne Bogel’s What Should I Read Next? is one of the best book podcasts on this list, truly. It’s popular but it still remains an absolute gem. I get oodles of book recommendations from her and I absolutely LOVE how she recommends books and the format of the episodes.

She talks to authors, book people and just everyday readers and my favorite episodes are the ones when she is talking to everyday readers to help them figure out what to read next based on what books they’ve enjoyed and what they are looking for/not looking for.

I get great recommendation from the guest but then Anne herself. She has this knack for truly pulling out great recommendations by really listening and understanding what someone loved about a book.

I also love that I think so thoughtfully about my reading life and what I want to read when I listen to this podcast. (Not shocked because her reading journal is one of the best reading journals out there and makes you really think thoughtfully about your reading life).

Listen on : Apple | Spotify

Best for: readers who love non-fiction and literary fiction especially books that explore race, politics, culture and other social issues

Traci always has the most interesting guests! I always find books that I wouldn’t have otherwise picked up or maybe wouldn’t have come across but find myself so interested in them based on the conversations Traci has with the author about their book, the author themselves or themes in their books. I also love her book club episodes where she talks about a specific book.

There’s such thought-provoking and powerful conversations — always so interesting! Listening always reminds me how much books shape us, move us and just how much they mean in general for society in a variety of ways.

Book Talk, Etc.

Best for: readers who are looking for straight-up book recommendations and love perusing themed book lists for potential reads

I started listening to this because Tina and I have followed one another for years on Bookstagram and I really enjoy her book taste. I just love the conversational nature and the chemistry between Tina and Renee and they give really solid book recommendations.

While they talk widely about books old and new, they do talk a lot on new releases (have a monthly segment each month) and do a lot of book talks on a theme which is fun.

Most of the time it’s just the two of them but sometimes they do have guests!

Sarah’s Bookshelves Live

Best for: a good mix of book-related talk/interviews and recommendations

Another fellow book person I’ve followed on the internet for a long time and whose recommendations are top tier!

Sarah typically has a guest (author, publishing professional, other book people) and they will talk about a subject — maybe a genre or another book-related topic — and then in every episode her guest gives some book recommendations: 2 backlist books they loved, 2 new books they loved, 1 they didn’t and one they are excited about.

Her interviews with authors are some of my favorite — she asks such great questions that lead to interesting conversation!

(one of my random book-related dreams is to get on this podcast!)

Currently Reading podcast

Best for: book recommendations & general readerly talk

Friends discussing what they are currently reading/read recently (spoiler-free!) and other general book talk! Seriously, have a notebook handy for all the great recommendations you will come across (if you have similar book taste to them that is — which I do).

Smart Podcast, Trashy Books

Best for: readers of romance books and rom-coms

I’ve been a fan of the Smart Bitches, Trashy Books blog since at least 2010 and I enjoy listening to Sarah on the podcast!

From book talks about specific romance books or general recommendations, interviewing romance authors to talking about the romance genre and industry as a whole — there is so much to listen to here.

I often skip the writing-centric episodes because I have no plans to be an author but I don’t miss any of the others.

It’s a lot of fun and I’m always getting great romance recs and be introduced to romance authors I hadn’t heard of. Especially since I’ve been following the blog for so long, it feels like listening to an old friend!

Best for: people who love a mix of interesting conversations with authors as well as really well pitched book recommendations

I just adore this new-to-me book podcast. The host features two authors each episode and they talk about their books a bit and books/reading/writing in general. Always smart and interesting conversations with some authors I really love!

But my favorite part of each episode is towards the ending.and then each other faces off to give a book recommendation and “sell” it to the host and he picks which one was the winning pitch out of the two recommendations.

Fated Mates

Best for: people who love romance and discussing the genre’s ins-and-outs

I adore Sarah MacLean’s romance novels and her creating a podcast with romance critic, Jen, is the best thing that ever happened to me. If anyone has ever shamed you for loving romance, this podcast will serve for just how wrong they are about the genre and remind you why it is brilliant (if you even needed that!).

Great guests, smart and hilarious discussions, a plethora of book recs — it’s definitely one of the top romance book podcasts!

Lit Society

Best for: people looking for deep dives of one book each episode

These life-long friends, Alexis and Kari, are my new favorite listen and definitely an underrated pick on this list. I enjoy the ease and flow of their book conversations. They have SUCH a good mix of books and I really love listening to every episode. Always honest and I trust their recs.

I typically don’t listen to book podcast episodes of books I read (unless it was super recent!) but these two will make me listen to every episode.

Their podcast focuses on one book per episode and it’s a great way to get a good recommendation,, reminisce about a book you’ve read or move a book on your TBR list up (or down).

A recent fave that I’m really enjoyed

The Readerly Report

I just started listening and going through back episodes of this podcast — only to realize I’ve followed Nicole for years and didn’t even know about this endeavor of hers!

Really enjoying it. I’ve only listened to a few episodes so far but I can see it sneaking up in my rotation as I catch up. A nice mix of recommendations, reading/book lover talk and more! I’m loving the themed book recommendations especially!

I’d love to hear what literature podcasts you can’t miss an episode of! Do you listen to any of these?

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About Jamie

Jamie is a 32 year old married lady (with a new baby!!) who is in denial that she's actually that old to be a married lady and a mom. When she's not reading you can find her doing Pilates followed by eating ice cream, belting out Hamilton (loud and offkey) and having adventures with her husband, daughter and rescue dog.

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April 11, 2023 at 9:53 am

You should check out Shit She Read. Its a millennial woman re-reading books that came out when we were younger and discussing them. They cover a lot of Judy Blume, Sweet Valley High, Baby Sitters Club etc. Lots of time other authors are her guests!

June 21, 2023 at 7:49 am

Ooh this sounds so up my alley! Thanks for the rec!

Molly @ Molly's Book Nook says

April 16, 2023 at 9:25 pm

You know, I never listen to bookish podcasts! I love podcasts but mostly true crime and political ones hahah I’ll have to check some of these out! Thanks for the list 🙂

June 21, 2023 at 7:48 am

What are your fave true crime ones?

June 6, 2023 at 10:31 am

I might be biased but… Reading Through Life is a fun podcast that my best friend and I host. 🙂

June 21, 2023 at 7:46 am

Will check it out!!

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The Book Review

The world's top authors and critics join host Gilbert Cruz and editors at The New York Times Book Review to talk about the week's top books, what we're reading and what's going on in the literary world. Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Listen to this podcast in New York Times Audio, our new iOS app for news subscribers. Download now at nytimes.com/audioapp

.css-14f5ked{margin:0;word-break:break-word;display:-webkit-box;-webkit-box-orient:vertical;box-orient:vertical;-webkit-line-clamp:2;overflow:hidden;} Stanley Tucci on His Year in Eating and a Look at the National Book Awards

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Jo Hamya’s novel “The Hypocrite” follows a famous English novelist as he watches a new play by his daughter, Sophia, in London. The lights go down in the theater, and immediately the novelist realizes: The play is about him, the vacation he took with Sophia a decade earlier and the sins he committed while they were away.

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This weekend marks the official start of autumn, so what better time to take a peek at the fall books we’re most excited to read? On this week’s episode, Gilbert Cruz chats with Joumana Khatib and Anna Dubenko about the upcoming season of reading and the books on the horizon that they’re looking forward to most eagerly.

Books mentioned in this week’s episode:

“Intermezzo,” by Sally Rooney

“Playground,” by Richard Powers

“Sonny Boy: A M...

Robert Caro on 50 Years of 'The Power Broker'

Robert Caro’s 1974 biography “The Power Broker” is a book befitting its subject, Robert Moses — the unelected parochial technocrat who used a series of appointed positions to entirely reshape New York City and its surrounding environment for generations to come. Like Moses, Caro’s book has exerted an enduring and outsize influence. This week, Caro joins the podcast and tells the host Gilbert Cruz how he accounts for its enduring le...

Kate Atkinson on the Return of Jackson Brodie

The British writer Kate Atkinson has had a rich and varied career since her debut novel, “Behind the Scenes at the Museum,” won the Whitbread Book of the Year award in 1996; her 14 subsequent books have included story collections, historical fiction and an inventive speculative novel, “Life After Life,” that landed on the Book Review’s recent survey of the 100 Best Books of the 21st Century .

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21st Century Books Special Edition: Isabel Wilkerson on 'The Warmth of Other Suns'

As part of its recent " 100 Best Books of the 21st Century " project, The New York Times Book Review is interviewing some of the authors whose books appeared on the list. This week, Isabel Wilkerson joins host Gilbert Cruz to discuss "The Warmth of Other Suns," her sweeping history of the movement of Black Americans from the south to points north over the course of the 20th century.

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Book Club: 'My Brilliant Friend,' by Elena Ferrante

This July, The New York Times Book Review published a list of The 100 Best Books of the 21st Century . The top choice was “My Brilliant Friend,” by Elena Ferrante, translated by Ann Goldstein.

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21st Century Books Special Edition: Jennifer Egan on 'A Visit from the Goon Squad'

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Liz Moore on Her Summer Camp Mystery "The God of the Woods"

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On this week’s podcast, Liz Moore chats with Gilbert Cruz about her new novel. ( Spoiler alert: the...

What We're Reading This Summer

It’s August, which means that Labor Day and back-to-school are just around the corner. The vacation that seemed so leisurely a month ago suddenly feels a little more frantic. But there’s still time to squeeze in a last batch of summer reading. On this week’s episode, host Gilbert Cruz chats with his colleagues Joumana Khatib and Anna Dubenko about the books that have been occupying their attention this season.

Books mentioned on thi...

21st Century Books Special Edition: George Saunders on 'Lincoln in the Bardo'

As part of its recent " 100 Best Books of the 21st Century " project, The New York Times Book Review is interviewing some of the authors whose books appeared on the list. This week, George Saunders — who had three books on the list, including his short story collections "Pastoralia" and "Tenth of December" — joins host Gilbert Cruz to discuss his novel "Lincoln in the Bardo."

Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore ...

Sarah Jessica Parker on Her Life in Publishing

Sarah Jessica Parker has been a familiar presence on TV, movie screens and Broadway stages for five decades. But since 2016 she has also been a force in the book world, initially at the helm of the fiction imprint SJP for Hogarth and for the past two years with SJP Lit, an imprint at the independent publisher Zando.

Parker visits the podcast this week to chat with the host Gilbert Cruz about her lifelong love of reading, the kinds o...

21st Century Books Special Edition: Min Jin Lee on 'Pachinko'

As part of its recent " 100 Best Books of the 21st Century " project, The New York Times Book Review is interviewing some of the authors whose books appeared on the list. This week, Min Jin Lee joins host Gilbert Cruz to discuss her novel, as well as the book she's read the most times — George Eliot's "Middlemarch."

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Book Club: Let's Talk About "The Talented Mr. Ripley," by Patricia Highsmith

Patricia Highsmith’s 1955 thriller “The Talented Mr. Ripley” follows a young, down-on-his-luck scammer, Tom Ripley, who is looking to reverse his fortunes. When he receives a job offer to go to Italy and retrieve Dickie Greenleaf, a rich socialite on an endless holiday, Tom finds the perfect opportunity to work his way into the upper crust. But as he becomes more and more obsessed with Dickie and Dickie’s life, the breezy getaway t...

21st Century Books Special Edition: Colson Whitehead on 'The Underground Railroad'

As part of its recent " 100 Best Books of the 21st Century " project, The New York Times Book Review is interviewing some of the authors whose books appeared on the list. This week, two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Colson Whitehead joins host Gilbert Cruz to discuss his 2016 novel.

Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podca...

What It's Like to Write a King Arthur Tale

Lev Grossman, author of fantasy novel "The Magicians" and its two sequels, joins host Gilbert Cruz to talk about writing his version of Camelot in "The Bright Sword: A Novel of King Arthur."

Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

The 100 Best Books of the 21st Century

This week The New York Times Book Review rolled out the results of an ambitious survey it conducted to determine the best books of the 21st century so far. On this week’s episode, Gilbert Cruz chats with fellow editors Tina Jordan, Scott Heller and Joumana Khatib about the results of that survey and about the project itself, including the willingness of some participants to let us share their ballots with the public.

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Book Club: 'Headshot,' by Rita Bullwinkel

Rita Bullwinkel’s impressive debut novel, “Headshot,” follows eight teenagers fighting in the Daughters of America Cup, a youth women’s boxing tournament staged in a dilapidated gym in Reno. Each chapter details a match between fighters, bout after bout, until finally a champion is declared.

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Griffin Dunne on His Joyful and Tragic Family Memoir

Every family has its stories, and every family has its drama — and some families, like the one the actor and director Griffin Dunne was born into, have an excess of both. His uncle was the writer John Gregory Dunne, his aunt was Joan Didion and his father was Dominick Dunne, who became famous for his Vanity Fair dispatches from the trial of the man who killed his daughter (and Griffin’s sister) Dominique.

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26 of the Best Book Podcasts to Listen to When You're Not Reading

Calling all book worms and podcast lovers!

Our editors handpick the products that we feature. We may earn commission from the links on this page.

What's almost as rewarding as reading a really good book ? Listening to other bookworms talk about them. Yes, we're referring to book podcasts. We already know there are a bevy of shows dedicated to Latinx culture, the LGBTQ community , politics , and true-crime . And if you're looking for audio books we've got some suggestions, too . But there's also an entire realm where everything and anything literary is up for discussion. Whether you're really into fantasy, YA, historical fiction , or romance , we guarantee there's a show for you. Even Oprah has a new podcast. Launched in September 2020, it focuses on her Book Club picks . Below we have a variety of podcasts available on Apple, Spotify, and more that are sure to scratch your literary itch.

Oprah's Book Club

Lady O's podcast offers in-depth discussions of Oprah's Book Club selections. The first eight episodes unfolded her last pick—Isabel Wilkerson's Caste —as she spoke to Wilkerson about the themes woven into the book.

The Book Riot Podcast

This weekly podcast hosted by Book Riot CEO Jeff O’Neal and executive director Rebecca Joines Schinsky keeps you up-to-date on the latest, most exciting news in the book world.

The Stacks Podcast

Part book club, part podcast, each month host Traci Thomas picks a new irresistible read and invites special guests to not only unpack the book, but their own literary habits. October's choice was The Autobiography of Malcolm X in discussion with activist Marc Lamont Hill.

Friends and co-hosts Brad and Britney review various audio books each month, not only discussing the book, but interviewing narrators and authors for the audio book obsessed.

Deadline City

With 40 books written between the two of them, co-hosts Dhonielle Clayton and Zoraida Córdova set out to "pull back the curtain" on the world of publishing and how to navigate the industry.

The Legendarium Podcast

A book club for fantasy and sci-fi fans, the popular Legendarium Podcast discuss both new and classic works with passion. On the pod, you'll find discussions of authors ranging from Tolkien to Brandon Sanderson.

Bookmarked: A YA Book Podcast

If you can't get enough of young adult fiction, Bookmarked will probably be your new favorite. Each month the hosts discuss the latest popular reads, important themes, and why it's totally okay for adults to read YA. A recent episode explored Stephanie Meyer's latest, Midnight Sun .

The Penguin Podcast

The renowned publishing house hosts discussions with leading authors in an effort to understand their creative processes.

By the Book

Each episode, comedian Jolenta Greenberg and her friend Kristen Meinzer select a different self-help book and live life exactly as is instructed. The results range from kind of life-changing to downright hilarious.

The Book Review - The New York Times

Along with host Pamela Paul, the editors behind The New York Times book review keep you updated on the news of the literary world, their reads of the moment, and the given week's most popular books.

If you're a bookworm that loves finding an undercover literary gem, this one's for you. During episode, a special guest recommends a book that they feel deserves wider spread readership—expanding your personal library in the process.

The New Yorker Fiction Podcast

Every month the New Yorker 's fiction editor, Deborah Treisman, sits down with a revered author or writer as they conduct a reading of a select story from the celebrated magazine's archives.

MuggleCast: The Harry Potter Podcast

Podcasting since 2005, this show is for any die-hard Potterhead . The hosts dissect literally every aspect of the Harry Potter universe. And with episode titles like, "Horcrux Hangover" and "Baby Voldemort," what muggle could resist?

What Should I Read Next?

This show is for the person who loves celebrating the triumph of finishing a story, only to be stuck on which page-turner to pick next. In comes host Anne Bogel, who interviews readers about the books they're enjoying, in addition to the ones they didn't care for. And in the end, she performs a "literary matchmaking" to find her guest that one perfect read.

Black Chick Lit

Black Chit Lit's bi-monthly podcast showcases hosts Danielle and Mollie as they open up a bottle of wine and create a space for bibliophile women of color. Each show focuses on a book written by and about Black women.

Chilling Tales for Dark Nights

If you need a dose of fright in your life, this horror-themed podcast will do the trick. Each episode, theatrical vocal performers conduct readings of the creepiest tales ever written .

Food 4 Thot

While it's not solely focused on books, the Food 4 Thot podcast serves up plenty of entertainment, or as their site says , "giving thots like us a seat at the scholarly table." Queer friends Joseph, Dennis, Tommy, and Fran discuss identity, sex, the latest in pop culture, and their favorite books. It's all delivered with engaging flair that will spice up your literary world.

Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books

Host Zibby Owens, a mother of four, sits down with a writer each episode to discuss the latest and greatest in literature.

Book Riot's weekly episodes serve as personalized reading recommendations for its listeners.

History of Westeros

Game of Thrones and A Song of Ice and Fire super fans will truly appreciate this podcast, as the hosts delve into every detail of the GOT universe past, present, and future.

McKenzie Jean-Philippe is the editorial assistant at OprahMag.com covering pop culture, TV, movies, celebrity, and lifestyle. She loves a great Oprah viral moment and all things Netflix—but come summertime, Big Brother has her heart. On a day off you'll find her curled up with a new juicy romance novel.

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The 15 best fiction podcasts

From side-splitting comedies to spine-tingling horrors, these engrossing fiction podcasts represent the best in escapism

We know what you’re thinking. How is a fiction podcast any different to an audiobook? Well, for starters, fiction podcasts weren’t often books to begin with – they’re a world totally of their own. Fiction podcasts are generally the length of your typical TV show (which keeps them distinct from radio plays, too), and often run for multiple seasons.

The most popular genres tend to be science fiction, mystery and horror, but we’ve gone ahead and dug out fiction podcasts from all over the very broad spectrum. Podcasts on this list range from sitcoms starring famous comedians to long-form detective dramas. So if you’ve got a long old road trip coming up or simply looking to turn the world off for a while, there’s bound to be something for you. Check it out. 

RECOMMENDED: 🎧  The best podcasts to listen to in 2023 🎶 The best podcasts on Spotify 🔪  The best true crime podcasts 😂  The best comedy podcasts 🏃  The best motivational podcasts ✊  The best political podcasts

Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.

Gripping fiction podcasts, ranked

1.  homecoming.

Homecoming set the standard for big budget fiction podcasts, starring the likes of David Schwimmer, Catherine Keener and Oscar Isaac. A thriller, the 12-part series (spanned over two seasons), follows the story of a caseworker at an experimental rehabilitation centre – and yes, it’s about as creepy as it sounds. There haven’t been new series since, but the story is a timeless one. Unsurprisingly, it was turned into a Prime Original TV series in 2018, but make sure you listen to the podcast first. It’s the real deal. 

2.  The Lovecraft Investigations

Is there anything better than a murder mystery? A murder mystery fiction podcast with a comedic spin, that’s what! And the ‘Lovecraft Investigations’ trilogy remains at the absolute top of its game, adapted from HP Lovecraft’s comic horror novels for audio back in 2019. The trilogy includes ‘The Case of Charles Dexter Ward’, ‘The Whisperer in Darkness’ and ‘The Shadow Innsmouth’, and you’re unlikely to be able to take out your headphones until they’re finished. 

3.  The Sandman

Released a few years ahead of Netflix’s lavish television version, this three-series audio adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s hugely acclaimed comic book series is no poor cousin. Translating a wild series of elaborately visual graphic novels to radio play format may seem a bit nuts, but Gaiman smartly divides his sprawling tale of anthropomorphised immortals into three seasons that trace distinctive arcs from the comics, with Gaiman himself on hand to serve as narrator and fill in the visual blanks with the aid of an exceptional voice cast including James as Morpheus/Dream.

4.  Welcome to Night Vale

‘Fiction’ almost feels like too simple a word to describe this bimonthly cult classic podcast by Joseph Fink and Jeffrey Cranor. ‘Welcome  To Night Vale’ takes the form of an extremely deadpan community radio broadcast detailing the extremely strange goings on in the titular fictional US town, in which mundane daily life and screaming terrors from beyond human comprehension live together in surreal, imperfect harmony. A droll masterpiece, as much a state of mind as a story.

5.  The Edge of Sleep

This classy limited series is a post-apocalyptic mystery thriller with a gripping premise: it follows a night watchman who discovers that everyone who went to sleep the previous night has died, leaving the Earth populated by a dazed rump of night owl survivors who must stay awake as they attempt to get to the bottom of this catastrophe. Popular YouTuber Markiplier produces this enthralling, creepy, ultimately deeply psychedelic drama, which was renewed for a second season at the end of 2022. 

6.  Passenger List

Part conspiracy thriller, part contemplation of the nature of grief, this classy two-season drama stars Kelly Marie Tran (of ‘Star Wars’ fame) as Kaitlin Le, a college student whose brother was one of the 256 passengers who mysteriously disappeared along with Atlantic flight 702 from London to New York. Inventively written and brilliant at keeping us guessing whether Kaitlin’s devastation at the loss of her brother is making her seek out a conspiracy that doesn’t exist, Tran is joined by a superlative cast that includes Ben Daniels and Patti LuPone. 

7.  DUST

This top-notch sci-fi anthology series boasts big-name guest voice cast members and a gripping sense of trajectory across its seasons. While series one was essentially a classy anthology of classic sci-fi stories from the likes of Philip K Dick and Ray Bradbury, series two - aka ‘Flight 008’ - saw an array of modern authors all tackling the same premise of a passenger jet that travels through a wrinkle in time, while series three, ‘Chrysalis’, is a gripping 14-part serial starring Corey Hawkins and Toni Collette about an artificial intelligence programme that schemes to take revenge on the alien civilisation that wiped out humanity. 

8.  Wooden Overcoats

Popular podcast fiction is dominated by sci-fi and horror… and then there’s ’Wooden Overcoats’, a beautifully realised British sitcom about rival undertakers on a fictional Channel Island. Charting the clash between the grimly prosaic undertaker Rudyard Funn and flashy newcomer Eric Chapman, it’s just a very, very funny show, both for its central premise and its delightful evocation of life on an eccentric little island.

9.  Limetown

This gripping, somewhat ‘X-Files’-indebted faux true crime podcast follows American Public Radio journalist Lia Haddock as she investigates the inexplicable case of the titular self-contained scientific research facility, whose residents all seemingly vanished into thin air one day save for the cremated remains of one of the researchers. Season one traces her investigation as she gets increasingly in over her head; season two, released three years later, cleverly flips the script and changes the focus to a completely new character, Charley Lattimore, leaving you desperate for answers to the first series’ mystery.

10.  The Amelia Project

This pitch black British comedy centres on a secret agency that specialises in helping its well-off clients to fake their own deaths and start again in new lives. It’s a brilliantly absurdist show that has an absolute hoot with its own premise, each episode following the case of a new strange, usually upper class eccentric who wishes to rip it up and starts again, usually for deeply weird reasons. It also smartly finds ways to keep the premise fresh, with season three heralding an abrupt and clever change of tack. 

11.  The Magnus Achives

To be frank, there are almost as many horror anthology podcasts as there are true crime ones. But the hugely popular ‘Magnus Archives’ is a genuinely terrific place to start. It’s written by Jonathan Sims, who also stars as a man named… Jonathan Sims, who begins season one as the newly-appointed director of the Magnus Institute, a London-based paranormal research institution. The show starts off as a pretty straight down the line horror anthology as (the fictional version of) Sims attempts to digitise the institute’s archival interviews. But let’s just say events overtake him…

12.  Wolverine

These two gritty adventure serials about everybody’s favourite indestructible mutant grouch constitute Marvel’s first radio dramas since the ‘70s. And they’re pretty damn good: launching the Marvel Podcast Universe (ie; a different continuity to the ‘X-Men’ films or the MCU), they star Richard Armitage as beclawed wonder Wolverine. Season one ‘The Long Night’ sees him caught up in an unusual murder case in small-town Alaska; in season two ‘The Lost Trail’ he’s investigating a disappearance in New Orleans. Written by Benjamin Percy, both seasons combine superhero flourishes with the sort of true crime-ish grit and smaller scale that suits the myth of the Wolverine.

13.  Girl in Space

Another quirky space-set podcast in which all is emphatically not as it appears, Sarah Rhea Werner’s serial follows X, a young, cheese-obsessed scientist on a decrepit spaceship - she is indeed a girl in space - and the adventures that befall her as she drifts across the cosmos. The show starts off small - just Xon her ship - and expands into a full-on head-spinning space opera. Series one wound up in 2019, but we’re promised that a series two is on its way.

14.  Blackout

Another post-apocalyptic thriller with a big name cast, ‘Blackout’ stars Academy Award-winner Rami Malek as small town radio DJ Simon Itani who struggles to keep his family and community together after the power grid is destroyed and humanity must carry on into a post-electric future. The first season sees Simon struggling to cope with the drastic change in human lifestyle; the second sees him come closer to the origin of the blackout; a third is heavily rumoured to be coming, though not currently confirmed.

15.  Wolf 359

Writer/director Gabriel Urbina’s excellent sci-fi podcast wrapped up back in 2017, but it leaves some 60 high-class episodes. Actually, from solid beginnings, it really hits its stride a season or so in, as ‘Wolf 359’ transitions from a comedy about the dysfunctional crew of a tinpot space station that was told via their ship’s logs, to a more assured dialogue-based thriller with comedy elements. It’s gripping, often very weird stuff that really kicks into gear when the bickering crew begin to unearth the truth about their mission.

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12 Podcast Recommendations for Book Lovers

Everything we know about ‘love in taipei’, the ‘loveboat, taipei’ movie, 39 queer fantasy/sci-fi books that should be on your radar, choose a romance trope, we’ll give you a book rec.

Full honesty here: When we’re not reading, we’re usually on our phones. Sorry! It’s true. In a world where blue screens follow us everywhere (wow, typing that sounds way too sci-fi for our liking), it seems like everyone’s trying to find a way to limit screentime. So, what can we do when we need a break from screens  and the written page?

Podcasts, duh!

Not only are podcasts entertaining and addictive, there are also  so many. Rather than mindlessly scrolling your fave social media app , just download a few podcast episodes before your commute to school, work, or the gym. And whether you’re a podcast fanatic already or looking to subscribe to your first-ever audio show, we have a list of book-themed podcasts for you that will fill the literary void in your heart (and ears!). Scroll down and check them all out.

12 Book Podcasts

THAT BOOK NERDS SHOULD LISTEN TO

1. Remember Reading Podcast

Featured Review: “Quickly paced, very professional, and insightful.

• Listen to Remember Reading on Apple podcasts

2. 88 Cups of Tea

Featured Review: “Yin is amazing and so is this podcast!”

• Listen to 88 Cups of Tea on Apple podcasts

3. The B&N YA Podcast

Featured Review: “Wonderful reviews with great writers!”

• Listen to The B&N YA Podcast on Apple podcasts

4. Professional Book Nerds

Featured Review: “I have listened to every single episode of this sow.”

• Listen to Professional Book Nerds on Apple podcasts

5. The Librarian is In

Featured Review:  “It’s like hanging with good friends”

• Listen to The Librarian is In on Apple podcasts

6. What Should I Read Next?

Featured Review: “I cannot get enough of this podcast.”

• Listen to What Should I Read Next? on Apple podcasts

7. All the Books!

Featured Review: “One of my absolute favorite bookish podcasts.”

• Listen to All the Books! on Apple podcasts

8. Just the Right Book

Featured Review: “Thought-provoking, insightful interviews for book lovers.”

• Listen to Just the Right Book on Apple podcasts

9. Literaticast

Featured Review: “Funny, informative, concise—everything I want in a podcast.”

• Listen to Literaticast on Apple podcasts

10. Adventures in YA

Featured Review: “This podcast has changed my reading life.”

• Listen to Adventures in YA on Apple podcasts

11. First Draft

Featured Review: “Fantastic interviews! So smart, uplifting, and inspiring! I never miss this podcast, and I’m slowly working my way through the backlist.”

• Listen to First Draft on Apple podcasts

12. Harper Audio Presents

Featured Review: “Love this podcast. Some of my favorite authors and the audiobook angle is fresh and interesting!”

• Listen to Harper Audio Presents on Apple podcasts

What’s your fave bookish podcast? Let us know in the comments down below!

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