The world of podcasts is dark and deep, and there are many promises that they keep when it comes to the different genres on a reading list. Here are a list of some of the most interesting podcasts that are going viral.
Podcasts by authors
Dan Brown
Apart from engaging his readers in nerve-wracking thriller novels, Dan Brown is also popular for his podcasts on the Player FM. The genres he covers include politics, education, business, society, news, comedy, inspiration, sports and of course, books. Publishing on almost a daily basis, the most interesting among them is Dick Flicks where “dude movies are torn to shreds, thrown in a fire, and lit on fire!”
For the voracious readers
The BBC Podcast
If books are what you dig, then this one is for you. A book club with your favourite authors, you’ll love BBC’s World Book Club. Each month, this podcast invites celebrated writers to discuss their best-known work. Recent guests include The Fat Years author Chan Koonchung, Life After Life author Kate Atkinson, and An Atlas of Impossible Longing author Anuradha Roy. Lee Child stopped by to talk about his debut novel and the first story to feature Jack Reacher, Killing Floor in January.
What page are you on
Themed literary discussions to great reading recommendations, What Page Are You On? gives readers a lot of reasons to tune in. Their special book club episodes are also very interesting. Hosts Alice Slater and Bethany Rutter select a book every month to read and have a lively discussion about it. Past titles include Lullaby by Leila Slimani, Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier, and I’ll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara.
Slate’s audio book club
Although this podcast is on a hiatus, Slate’s Audio Book Club has plenty of amazing episodes. Each episode takes a deep-dive into one title, from classics like Ursula K. Le Guin’s The Left Hand of Darkness and Homer’s The Odyssey to modern favourites like Jennifer Egan’s Manhattan Beach and Carmen Maria Machado’s Her Body and Other Parties.
For Romance
Thirst Aid
Bim Adewunmi and Nichole Perkins host this podcast that is all about the objects of our thirst. They mix film chats with bookish ones (discussions of both Dirty Dancing and To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before can be found here) to explore women’s desire, representation, and opportunity.
Book Riot
Book Riot’s podcast, hosted by Jess and Trisha, is dedicated entirely to discussing romance novels, sharing news in the romance book industry, and giving stellar recommendations.
For the tots
HarperCollins Children’s Books recently launched Remember Reading, a monthly podcast dedicated to classic and contemporary books for young readers. In each 30-minute episode, guests including journalists, educators, and award-winning authors discuss the connections between beloved books from childhood and recent favourites, and the enduring appeal of children’s literature.
The podcast can be found on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and SoundCloud. Jodi Kendall, author of The Unlikely Story of a Pig in the City, and Lisa Greenwald, author of the Friendship List and TBH series, and a slew of other writers appear and speak about their books in different episodes. The podcast uncovers why classic stories are so special to readers today.
