The Guardian Books podcast cover

The Guardian Books podcast

The Guardian

The Guardian Books podcast is our weekly look at the world of books, presented by Claire Armitstead, Richard Lea and Sian Cain. In-depth interviews with authors from all over the world, discussions and investigations make this the perfect companion for readers and writers alike

The Guardian Books podcast is our weekly look at the world of books, presented by Claire Armitstead, Richard Lea and Sian Cain. In-depth interviews with authors from all over the world, discussions and investigations make this the perfect companion for readers and writers alike

Weekend: episode two of a new podcast

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Episódios

Weekend: episode two of a new podcast 01 Apr 2022

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. In this episode, Marina Hyde looks at the new additions to Downing Street (2m00s), Hadley Freeman interviews Hollywood actor Will Arnett (9m56s), Sirin Kale tries her hand at quiz show Mastermind (26m32s), and David Robson examines why we’re so stressed about stress (41m08s). If you like what you hear, subscribe to Weekend on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/bookspod

Weekend: episode one of a new podcast 05 Feb 2022

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. In our first episode, Marina Hyde reflects on another less than stellar week for Boris Johnson (1m38s), Edward Helmore charts the rise of Joe Rogan (9m46s), Laura Snapes goes deep with singer George Ezra (18m30s), and Alex Moshakis asks, “Are you a jerk at work?” (34m40s). If you like what you hear, subscribe to Weekend on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/bookspod

Comfort Eating with Grace Dent: episode one of a new podcast 01 Jul 2021

Have you ever wondered what famous people actually eat? In our new podcast, Guardian restaurant critic Grace Dent does just that, asking well-known guests to lift the lid on the food they turn to when they’re at home alone – and what comfort foods have seen them through their lives. In the first episode, screenwriter Russell T Davies tells Grace about his childhood in Swansea, the delights of Woolworth’s pork and egg pies, and how his husband’s death informed his latest TV series, It’s a Sin. Future guests will include Nish Kumar, Rafe Spall and Aisling Bea. Episodes willl be released every Tuesday – search for it wherever you get your podcasts. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/bookspod

'Our climate crisis is a choice': Christiana Figueres on why we can change the future - books podcast 21 Apr 2020

On our final episode, the diplomat who spearheaded the Paris Agreement discusses why we should feel optimisitic about our ability to tackle the climate crisis. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/bookspod

Why David Attenborough is famous but 'he isn't a celebrity' – books podcast 14 Apr 2020

We speak to Horrible Histories consultant and podcaster Greg Jenner about the history of celebrity and share what listeners are reading. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/bookspod

From diseases to memes, how do things spread? - books podcast 07 Apr 2020

Mathematician Adam Kucharski talks about how the concept of ‘contagion’ is rooted in our social lives and we share your reading tips for lockdown. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/bookspod

Hunting down the 42 paintings of Pieter Bruegel - books podcast 31 Mar 2020

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. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/bookspod

Glenn Patterson and what to read while self-isolating – books podcast 24 Mar 2020

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. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/bookspod

Who was St Paul? With Christos Tsiolkas and Tom Holland – books podcast 17 Mar 2020

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. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/bookspod

'What if Gandalf joined The Sweeney?': Ben Aaronovitch on Rivers of London – books podcast 10 Mar 2020

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 new novel The Mirror & The Light. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/bookspod

Inside the Brontës' fantasy world, and a Booker controversy – books podcast 03 Mar 2020

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 prize. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/bookspod

The surprising history of astrology – books podcast 25 Feb 2020

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 history. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/bookspod

Maaza Mengiste on the Ethiopian women who fought Italy – books podcast 18 Feb 2020

The novelist explains how she discovered her family was woven into history, plus the new wave of Ethiopian literature in English. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/bookspod

Sophie Hannah on the recipe for a perfect crime novel – books podcast 11 Feb 2020

The crime writer joins us to discuss the mechanics of mystery novels, plus Margaret Atwood at the Hay festival in Cartagena. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/bookspod

Adam Rutherford on how to tackle racist pseudoscience - books podcast 04 Feb 2020

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

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 independent journalism at theguardian.com/bookspod

Jeanine Cummins on her explosive new novel, American Dirt 22 Jan 2020

The novelist explains her sudden decision to write her controversial thriller, and we hail TS Eliot prize winner Roger Robinson. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/bookspod

Samantha Harvey on her year without sleep – books podcast 14 Jan 2020

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 Ireland. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/bookspod

Eoin Colfer on returning to Artemis Fowl – books podcast 07 Jan 2020

This week, the creator of the biggest child villain in literature talks about comedy writing and seeing his creation adapted by Disney. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/bookspod

Our favourite books of 2019, and the most exciting books of 2020 – books podcast 24 Dec 2019

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 independent journalism at theguardian.com/bookspod

Ben Lerner and Meena Kandasamy on autofiction – books podcast 17 Dec 2019

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 10 Dec 2019

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 03 Dec 2019

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 26 Nov 2019

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 19 Nov 2019

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 12 Nov 2019

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 05 Nov 2019

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 29 Oct 2019

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 22 Oct 2019

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

The legacy of the Windrush scandal, plus the 2019 Booker prize winners - books podcast 15 Oct 2019

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 journalism at theguardian.com/bookspod

'I want world domination!' Lucy Ellmann on her Booker behemoth Ducks, Newburyport – books podcast 08 Oct 2019

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 01 Oct 2019

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 24 Sep 2019

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 17 Sep 2019

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 10 Sep 2019

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 03 Sep 2019

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 27 Aug 2019

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 20 Aug 2019

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 13 Aug 2019

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 06 Aug 2019

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

Lisa Taddeo on sex and desire in Three Women – books podcast 30 Jul 2019

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 independent journalism at theguardian.com/bookspod

Ocean Vuong and the new Great American Novel - books podcast 23 Jul 2019

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 Novel. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/bookspod

Iris Murdoch at 100 and Howard Jacobson on humour and shame – books podcast 16 Jul 2019

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 at theguardian.com/bookspod

Intolerance is rising in Europe, but can writers find hope? – books podcast 09 Jul 2019

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

Tracy K Smith on the place of poetry in modern America – books podcast 02 Jul 2019

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 independent journalism at theguardian.com/bookspod

Bernardine Evaristo and Lene Wold – books podcast 25 Jun 2019

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

For Refugee Week, two writers discuss their experiences as asylum seekers and the challenges facing refugees around the world. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/bookspod

Women's prize winner Tayari Jones and Sandra Newman – books podcast 11 Jun 2019

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. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/bookspod

Hay festival special with Pat Barker, John Lanchester, Max Porter and more – books podcast 04 Jun 2019

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 journalism at theguardian.com/bookspod

Inside the world of trauma cleaners – books podcast 28 May 2019

Sarah Krasnostein talks about her biography The Trauma Cleaner and we remember children’s author Judith Kerr. Help support our independent journalism at theguardian.com/bookspod