Books Podcast
A weekly podcast, presented by editor of Guardian books Claire Armitstead, for author interviews, readings and discussions - plus a full recording of our monthly book club.
Ben Lerner and Meena Kandasamy on autofiction – books podcast
Ben Lerner and Meena Kandasamy talk about drawing on their most embarrassing and vulnerable moments to write fiction. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/bookspod
Escaping Westboro Baptist Church: Megan Phelps-Roper's journey – books podcast
A former member recalls growing up in ‘America’s most hated family’ and Claire McGlasson explains why we’re fascinated by cults. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/bookspod
When imagining our future, what can sci-fi teach us? – books podcast
On this week’s show, we talk to Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck, the two authors who published as James SA Corey and the space opera The Expanse. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/bookspod
Elizabeth Strout on the return of Olive Kitteridge – books podcast
On this week’s show, the Pulitzer prize winning novelist talks about the return of her wonderfully difficult character in Olive, Again. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/bookspod
How true does travel writing need to be? With Rory MacLean and Luke Harding – books podcast
Rory MacLean and Luke Harding talk about the challenges of writing about Russia, the subjectivity of experience and getting high on ‘Putin’s Pecker’. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/bookspod
'The past is amongst us. Taking notes': nature writing with Kathleen Jamie and Laurie Lee – books podcast
On this week’s show, Jamie talks about her new essay collection Surfacing and we hear a rare recording of the Cider with Rosie author. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/bookspod
'Mexico's drug problem is America's': crime legend Don Winslow – books podcast
On this week’s show, the US novelist talks about Donald Trump’s border policy and the personal toll of researching those left behind by the cartels. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/bookspod
One language dies every two weeks. How can poetry help? – books podcast
On this week’s show, we talk about endangered languages with Belarusian poet Valzhyna Mort, Maori poet Vaughan Rapatahana and publisher Clive Boutle. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/bookspod
The history of the book, from Gilgamesh to now – books podcast
On this week’s show, we talk about books as physical objects and look at the history of Gilgamesh through centuries of translation. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/bookspod
Margaret Atwood and Bernardine Evaristo: why do we have two Booker winners? - books podcast
On this week’s show, we discuss the shock decision to split the prize between Margaret Atwood and Bernardine Evaristo, and look at two books about the UK’s Windrush generation. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/bookspod
'I want world domination!' Lucy Ellmann on her Booker behemoth Ducks, Newburyport – books podcast
On this week’s show, the British-American author talks about her 1,000-page stream-of-consciousness and we chat about ‘difficult books’. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/bookspod
Ann Patchett on her latest novel and facing down Amazon – books podcast
On this week’s show, the US novelist talks about The Dutch House and we discuss your additions to our top 100 books of the 21st century list. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/bookspod
Is freedom of speech a 'toxic myth'? Plus the top 100 books since 2000 – books podcast
Journalist Nesrine Malik talks about her book We Need New Stories and we discuss the Guardian’s top 100 books of the 21st century. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/bookspod
From Blair to Cameron: what makes a good political memoir? – books podcast
On this week’s show, we look at the history of political memoirs, and speak to fantasy author Brian Catling and Weil sibling biographer Karen Olsson. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/bookspod
'I felt a huge grief': the challenges of writing about trauma – books podcast
On this week’s show, we talk to Laura Cumming and Rhik Samadder about their memoirs, take a look at the Booker shortlist and give a verdict on Margaret Atwood’s The Testaments. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/bookspod
Salman Rushdie on retelling Don Quixote in Quichotte – books podcast
In this week’s show, Rushdie talks about his Booker-nominated novel and we discuss the best literary road trips. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/bookspod
Elif Shafak on Turkey's treatment of novelists – books podcast
The Turkish author talks about 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World, her new, Booker prize-longlisted novel. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/bookspod
Does 'the English canon' still shape what we read? – books podcast
Writers including Penelope Lively, Caryl Philips, Howard Jacobson and Yomi Sode explore how this idea has changed over time. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/bookspod
My friend, the fake German heiress: a true crime special – books podcast
Rachel DeLoache Williams recalls her time with hoaxer Anna Sorokin in My Friend Anna and we rank the best true crime books. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/bookspod
How we can learn to stop worrying and love language – books podcast
David Shariatmadari reveals how English is evolving – or in Jacob Rees-Mogg’s case, refusing to – and Cecelia Watson shares her passion for the semicolon. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/bookspod