The Guardian Books podcast

Weekend: episode two of a new podcast

01 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Ease into the weekend with our brand new podcast, showcasing some of the best Guardian and Observer writing from the week, read by talented narrators....

Weekend: episode one of a new podcast

05 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Ease into the weekend with our brand new podcast, showcasing some of the best Guardian and Observer writing from the week, read by talented narrators....

Comfort Eating with Grace Dent: episode one of a new podcast

01 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever wondered what famous people actually eat? In our new podcast, Guardian restaurant critic Grace Dent does just that, asking well-known gu...

'Our climate crisis is a choice': Christiana Figueres on why we can change the future - books podcast

21 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On our final episode, the diplomat who spearheaded the Paris Agreement discusses why we should feel optimisitic about our ability to tackle the climat...

Why David Attenborough is famous but 'he isn't a celebrity' – books podcast

14 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We speak to Horrible Histories consultant and podcaster Greg Jenner about the history of celebrity and share what listeners are reading. Help support ...

From diseases to memes, how do things spread? - books podcast

07 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Mathematician Adam Kucharski talks about how the concept of ‘contagion’ is rooted in our social lives and we share your reading tips for lockdown....

Hunting down the 42 paintings of Pieter Bruegel - books podcast

31 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s show we talk to Toby Ferris about his pursuit of the Dutch master and look at how the literary world is dealing with the pandemic. He...

Glenn Patterson and what to read while self-isolating – books podcast

24 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s show we talk to the Northern Irish writer about his new novel and discuss how headlines can impact our appetite for certain books. He...

Who was St Paul? With Christos Tsiolkas and Tom Holland – books podcast

17 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s podcast, we talk to Tsiolkas about his novel on the life of St Paul and the historian Holland explains what we know about the man. He...

'What if Gandalf joined The Sweeney?': Ben Aaronovitch on Rivers of London – books podcast

10 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s show, the bestselling fantasy author talks about how he came to invent a magical branch of the Met, and we discuss Hilary Mantel’s ...

Inside the Brontës' fantasy world, and a Booker controversy – books podcast

03 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s show, we talk to graphic novelist Isabel Greenberg about her comic Glass Town and the 2020 longlist for the International Booker priz...

The surprising history of astrology – books podcast

25 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Alexander Boxer talks about his book A Scheme of Heaven and we discuss why Harvey Weinstein’s lawyers tried to remove a juror for her reading histor...

Maaza Mengiste on the Ethiopian women who fought Italy – books podcast

18 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The novelist explains how she discovered her family was woven into history, plus the new wave of Ethiopian literature in English. Help support our ind...

Sophie Hannah on the recipe for a perfect crime novel – books podcast

11 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The crime writer joins us to discuss the mechanics of mystery novels, plus Margaret Atwood at the Hay festival in Cartagena. Help support our independ...

Adam Rutherford on how to tackle racist pseudoscience - books podcast

04 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The geneticist explains why science offers no support for prejudice. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/bookspod

Jonathan Coe and Sara Collins on their Costa-winning novels – books podcast

28 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We welcome not one but two Costa winners, as the victors in the novel and the debut fiction categories join us in the studio. Help support our indepen...

Jeanine Cummins on her explosive new novel, American Dirt

22 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The novelist explains her sudden decision to write her controversial thriller, and we hail TS Eliot prize winner Roger Robinson. Help support our inde...

Samantha Harvey on her year without sleep – books podcast

14 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s show, the novelist explains how she came to write about her insomnia and we consider why indie bookshops are booming in the UK and Ir...

Eoin Colfer on returning to Artemis Fowl – books podcast

07 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week, the creator of the biggest child villain in literature talks about comedy writing and seeing his creation adapted by Disney. Help support o...

Our favourite books of 2019, and the most exciting books of 2020 – books podcast

24 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Priya Basil talks about the dynamics of the dinner table and her book Be My Guest, and we chat about the best books of the year. Help support our inde...

Ben Lerner and Meena Kandasamy on autofiction – books podcast

17 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Ben Lerner and Meena Kandasamy talk about drawing on their most embarrassing and vulnerable moments to write fiction. Help support our independent jou...

Escaping Westboro Baptist Church: Megan Phelps-Roper's journey – books podcast

10 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

A former member recalls growing up in ‘America’s most hated family’ and Claire McGlasson explains why we’re fascinated by cults. Help support ...

When imagining our future, what can sci-fi teach us? – books podcast

03 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

Elizabeth Strout on the return of Olive Kitteridge – books podcast

26 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s show, the Pulitzer prize winning novelist talks about the return of her wonderfully difficult character in Olive, Again. Help support...

How true does travel writing need to be? With Rory MacLean and Luke Harding – books podcast

19 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Rory MacLean and Luke Harding talk about the challenges of writing about Russia, the subjectivity of experience and getting high on ‘Putin’s Pecke...

'The past is amongst us. Taking notes': nature writing with Kathleen Jamie and Laurie Lee – books podcast

12 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

'Mexico's drug problem is America's': crime legend Don Winslow – books podcast

05 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 cartel...

One language dies every two weeks. How can poetry help? – books podcast

29 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s show, we talk about endangered languages with Belarusian poet Valzhyna Mort, Maori poet Vaughan Rapatahana and publisher Clive Boutle...

The history of the book, from Gilgamesh to now – books podcast

22 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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...

The legacy of the Windrush scandal, plus the 2019 Booker prize winners - books podcast

15 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss the shock decision to split the 2019 prize, and look at two books about the UK’s Windrush generation. Help support our independent journa...

'I want world domination!' Lucy Ellmann on her Booker behemoth Ducks, Newburyport – books podcast

08 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 su...

Ann Patchett on her latest novel and facing down Amazon – books podcast

01 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 s...

Is freedom of speech a 'toxic myth'? Plus the top 100 books since 2000 – books podcast

24 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

From Blair to Cameron: what makes a good political memoir? – books podcast

17 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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...

'I felt a huge grief': the challenges of writing about trauma – books podcast

10 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 Marga...

Salman Rushdie on retelling Don Quixote in Quichotte – books podcast

03 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In this week’s show, Rushdie talks about his Booker-nominated novel and we discuss the best literary road trips. Help support our independent journa...

Elif Shafak on Turkey's treatment of novelists – books podcast

27 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The Turkish author talks about 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World, her new, Booker prize-longlisted novel. Help support our independent journ...

Does 'the English canon' still shape what we read? – books podcast

20 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Writers including Penelope Lively, Caryl Philips, Howard Jacobson and Yomi Sode explore how this idea has changed over time. Help support our independ...

My friend, the fake German heiress: a true crime special – books podcast

13 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

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 independe...

How we can learn to stop worrying and love language – books podcast

06 Aug 2019

Contributed by Lukas

David Shariatmadari reveals how English is evolving – or in Jacob Rees-Mogg’s case, refusing to – and Cecelia Watson shares her passion for the ...

Lisa Taddeo on sex and desire in Three Women – books podcast

30 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Taddeo discusses her bestseller about the intimate lives of women, and we take a look at the 2019 Booker prize longlist. Help support our i...

Ocean Vuong and the new Great American Novel - books podcast

23 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s show, we speak to the poet about his debut novel On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous and discuss the evolution of the Great American No...

Iris Murdoch at 100 and Howard Jacobson on humour and shame – books podcast

16 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s show, we talk to Jacobson about his new novel, and discuss the compelling career of Murdoch. Help support our independent journalism ...

Intolerance is rising in Europe, but can writers find hope? – books podcast

09 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Johny Pitts and Roger Robinson talk about Windrush, the rise of rightwing populism – and why they both feel still hope. Help support our independent...

Tracy K Smith on the place of poetry in modern America – books podcast

02 Jul 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The outgoing US poet laureate talks about her career, and we chat about the work of Alice Oswald, the new Oxford professor of poetry. Help support our...

Bernardine Evaristo and Lene Wold – books podcast

25 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This podcast contains descriptions of violence which some may find distressing. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/bookspod

What is it like being a refugee? with Pajtim Statovci and Dina Nayeri – books podcast

18 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

For Refugee Week, two writers discuss their experiences as asylum seekers and the challenges facing refugees around the world. Help support our indepe...

Women's prize winner Tayari Jones and Sandra Newman – books podcast

11 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s show, we meet the author of An American Marriage fresh from her win, and speak to Newman about her time-travelling novel The Heavens....

Hay festival special with Pat Barker, John Lanchester, Max Porter and more – books podcast

04 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Claire and Sian bring you some of the highlights from the annual books festival held in the Welsh town of Hay-on-Wye. Help support our independent jou...

Inside the world of trauma cleaners – books podcast

28 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Sarah Krasnostein talks about her biography The Trauma Cleaner and we remember children’s author Judith Kerr. Help support our independent journalis...

The life of Alexander von Humboldt, plus foraging for food – books podcast

21 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s show, Andrea Wulf shares her new graphic novel biography of Alexander von Humboldt and professional forager John Wright takes us on a...

'You can't sustain a career on shocking people': is Bret Easton Ellis genuine? – books podcast

14 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The American Psycho author talks about the reactions to his first book in 10 years, and we discuss the UK’s new poet laureate, Simon Armitage. Help ...

Heida: the Icelandic model who became a shepherd – books podcast

07 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s show, we speak to Heida Ásgeirsdóttir about her life as a farmer, and to Irish writer Sinéad Gleeson about her collection Constell...

Joe Dunthorne and Sarah Crossan on poetry and fiction – books podcast

30 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s show, Crossan talks about using poetry in her novel-in-verse Toffee and Dunthorne shares why he writes poetry to escape novels. Help ...

Are we too reverent with William Shakespeare? – books podcast

23 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s show, we sit down with Shakespeare expert Emma Smith and novelist Tash Aw talks about his latest book, We, the Survivors. Help suppor...

The Man Booker international shortlist and Nicole Flattery – books podcast

16 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s show, we discuss the 2019 shortlist for the best fiction in translation with Boyd Tonkin, and speak to Nicole Flattery about her shor...

Elizabeth-Jane Burnett and Ian Maleney on soil, family and loss – books podcast

09 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week we hear two contrasting approaches to eternal questions of belonging, plus regional differences in literature. Help support our independent ...

Nina Stibbe and the price of an expert bookseller – books podcast

02 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week we talk comedy with Nina Stibbe and turn to the serious topic of booksellers’ pay. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian....

Why is it so hard for white people to talk about racism? – books podcast

26 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s show, academic Robin DiAngelo talks about her book White Fragility and Margaret Busby reflects on her new collection of black female ...

Therapy on the couch, plus the London book fair – books podcast

19 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s show, we talk to AK Benjamin and Anthony Good about two very different takes on therapy, plus the most exciting books due in the next...

Finding solace in nature, with Luke Turner – books podcast

12 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The music journalist and writer takes Claire for a wander through Epping Forest as they discuss his book Out of the Woods. Help support our independen...

Why have we forgotten Jack the Ripper's victims? – books podcast

05 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Historians Hallie Rubenhold and Lindsey Fitzharris discuss their books The Five and The Butchering Art. Help support our independent journalism at the...

Can rocks influence US elections? Lewis Dartnell on how Earth shapes who we are – books podcast

26 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The scientist talks about his latest book Origins: How the Earth Made Us. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/bookspod

Leïla Slimani and Cat Person author Kristen Roupenian – books podcast

19 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The two authors discuss their stories about modern love and sex, and we reflect on the legacy of novelist Andrea Levy

The most disturbing books we've ever read, with Alice Clark-Platts

12 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s show, thriller fan Alison talks to Alice Clark-Platts about her terrifying novel The Flower Girls – and we share the books we found...

Jason Reynolds and JD Salinger's posthumous return – books podcast

05 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Jason Reynolds talks about tackling difficult subjects for children, and we discuss the ‘new’ work on the way from the Catcher in the Rye author

Rethinking masculinity with Thomas Page McBee - books podcast

30 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

When McBee stepped into the boxing ring at Madison Square Gardens to fight, he made history as the first trans man to do so – a journey he documents...

Costa biography prize winner Bart van Es and Mathias Énard – books podcast

22 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

We head back to 16th-century Constantinople with Énard, explore the troubled legacy of the second world war with Van Es and look ahead to the Costa b...

TS Eliot poetry prize winner Hannah Sullivan and Kevin Powers – books podcast

16 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s show, we speak to Sullivan about her winning Three Poems, and US author Kevin Powers about his novel A Shout in the Ruins

Should we stop working? And the books of 2019 – books podcast

08 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s show, we take a look ahead at the books coming out this year, and speak to Josh Cohen about why we should all slack off a little at w...

Sebastian Barry on James Joyce's Eveline – books podcast

01 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Forty years after he first discovered it, Sebastian Barry explains why he loves James Joyce’s short story Eveline, then reads it for you, as part of...

Zadie Smith on Giuseppe Pontiggia's Umberto Buti – books podcast

31 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Zadie Smith shares why she loves this almost ‘anti-Italian’ story from Giuseppe Pontiggia, then reads the story, as part of our seasonal series of...

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie on Ama Ata Aidoo – books podcast

26 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie shares why she admires the ‘old-fashioned social realism’ of the Ghanaian writer’s No Sweetness Here, then reads the st...

Neil Gaiman on Rudyard Kipling's The Gardener – books podcast

25 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Neil Gaiman introduces Rudyard Kipling’s The Gardener, a melancholy tale from 1925, as part of our seasonal series of short stories selected by lead...

Penelope Lively on MR James' Oh, Whistle and I'll Come to You, My Lad – books podcast

24 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

You’ll never sleep in a twin bedroom again after hearing this classic Edwardian ghost story, selected by Penelope Lively and read by Simon Callow as...

The best audiobooks to enjoy this Christmas - books podcast

18 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

From La Belle Sauvage to Lincoln in the Bardo, Claire and Sian review the most creative and compelling listening experiences and debate whether audiob...

Our favourite books of the year, and prose poetry with Claudia Rankine – books podcast

11 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s show, we reveal the books we loved most in 2018 and discuss the future of prose poetry with poets Rankine, Jeremy Noel-Tod and Emily ...

Crime and passion with Sara Paretsky and André Aciman – books podcast

04 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This week, it’s Claire’s birthday so she’s meeting with two of her favourite authors: crime author Paretsky and Call Me By Your Name writer Acim...

The art of biography, with Diarmaid MacCulloch and Ken Krimstein – books podcast

27 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

New Yorker cartoonist Krimstein discusses his pictorial life of Hannah Arendt and we head to the British Library with MacCulloch to learn about Thomas...

Myth-making with Sarah Perry and Maria Dahvana Headley – books podcast

20 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We talk to The Essex Serpent author Perry about the spine-tingling Melmoth and take Beowulf into the 21st century with Headley’s The Mere Wife

Robin Robertson and Andrew McMillan on sex, war and truth in poetry – books podcast

13 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s show, Robertson talks about his narrative poem The Long Take and McMillan explores adolescent rites of passage in Playtime

How does our DNA shape who we are? Robert Plomin and Ivy Pochoda – books podcast

06 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Behavioural geneticist Plomin picks apart the idea of nature versus nurture in Blueprint, and novelist Ivy Pochoda explains her latest novel, Wonder V...

Political writing from Terrance Hayes to the Anglo-Saxons – books podcast

30 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

As the midterm elections loom, we welcome a poet whose verse is carved from this divided moment and search for the deep roots of political writing

Feminist fairytales with Jessie Burton and Kiran Millwood Hargrave – books podcast

23 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We travel to a faraway land, where brave writers fight deadly stereotypes and discover inspiring new ways to tell old stories

Anna Burns's Booker prize win and poet Kate Tempest – books podcast

17 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Milkman delivers the 2018 Man Booker prize, while we listen in as a poet discusses the lyric art with her editor

What is it like being Ravenmaster at the Tower of London? – books podcast

09 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We step back in time for a stroll around the Tower of London with Chris Skaife, who looks after the landmark’s ravens; and we sit down with philosop...

Around the world with Simon Reeve and Neil MacGregor – books podcast

02 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The BBC presenter talks about the travels in his memoir Step By Step, and the celebrated curator reflects on the beliefs explored in Living With the G...

Sarah Waters, John Boyne and the 2018 Man Booker prize shortlist – books podcast

25 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

As The Little Stranger opens in cinemas, its author considers screen adaptations. Boyne discusses his novel of desperate ambitions – and we discuss ...

Karl Ove Knausgaard on the end of My Struggle – books podcast

18 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

As the final volume of his autobiographical novel arrives in English, the Norwegian literary sensation discusses how the books have changed his life

Kate Atkinson on her new novel, Transcription – books podcast

11 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We sit down with the one and only Kate Atkinson, author of modern classics including Life After Life and Behind the Scenes at the Museum, to talk abou...

Eugenia Cheng and Tim Radford on finding solace in science – books podcast

04 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This week, we turn away from the crowds of catastrophist headlines and dystopian fiction and discover hope in the world of science

Daisy Johnson and Michael Hughes on Classical adaptation - books

28 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We hear from two novelists who have taken inspiration from Greek myth. And the Guardian’s chief culture, writer Charlotte Higgins, discusses all thi...

Paul Kildea on Chopin and Amy Sackville on Velázquez – books podcast

21 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Paul Kildea explores how Frédéric Chopin wrote his Preludes and what became of them after his death, while Amy Sackville looks at power and PR throu...

Navigating modern life with Matt Haig and Christina Dalcher on feminist dystopias – books podcast

14 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We explore the unhealthy nature of modern life with Haig in Notes on a Nervous Planet, while Dalcher talks about her thriller Vox

Jericho Brown on poetry, religion and race in the US – books podcast

07 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

American poet Jericho Brown talks about his latest collection The New Testament

Refugees, in their own words – books podcast

31 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

On this week’s show, we walk with a group who are using Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales to tell the stories of the displaced, and speak to a publisher ...

Michael Ondaatje and the Booker longlist – books podcast

24 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We look at the runners and riders in this year’s Man Booker longlist, and hear from Golden Booker winner Michael Ondaatje at a Guardian Live event

Marcus du Sautoy and James Bridle – books podcast

17 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We talk about the troubling future of tech with artist and writer James Bridle, and the idea of infinity with Marcus du Sautoy

Summer reading and Ross Raisin on how to be a great writer – books podcast

10 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

We discuss holiday reading habits and what we’ll be reading this year, and the novelist Ross Raisin explains why he has published a writing guide

The rise of autofiction, with Olivia Laing and Christina Patterson – books podcast

03 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

A trend for authors to use their real lives as a template for stories has been widely noted. Two writers who complicate this picture join us to look f...