Love everything books and literature? Of course, you do—that’s why you're here! Don’t worry, you’re in good company. If you're a book aficionado who loves chatting about literature with like-minded people, literature podcasts are the perfect addition to your listening lifestyle.
There’s no shortage of great book podcast options to choose from. Here are just a few of the best literature podcasts, covering many different genres and styles of podcasting. So, whether you're looking for a casual chit-chat about the newest rom-com or a structured deep dive into literary fiction, there's a podcast on this list for you.
From WNYC Studios and The New Yorker comes a literature podcast for fiction lovers. Each month, a writer is invited to choose a story from the magazine's archives to read and discuss with the host, fiction editor Deborah Treisman. Previous guests have included Jhumpa Lahiri reading Primo Levi; Margaret Atwood reading Alice Munro; Dave Eggers reading Sam Shepard; and Ottessa Moshfegh reading Sheila Heti. Whether you read these stories when they were initially published in The New Yorker or you're hearing them for the first time, The New Yorker Fiction brings fresh insights and a whole new perspective to exceptional works of short fiction.
What inspires authors to write the books they write? That's the question The Penguin Podcast looks to answer in each episode. Every episode of this literature podcast is an intimate and thought-provoking conversation with an author about their books and the people, places, major events, minor incidents, and books that inspired them. This podcast also includes special episodes where hosts explore the very best books of the year, including some hidden gems along with award winners and honorees.
Celebrity memoirs are getting published all the time—some, admittedly, are better than others, but each and every one of them offer fans new and fascinating details about a celebrity's personal life. Interested in diving headfirst into all those juicy details? Sit down with the Celebrity Memoir Book Club. Each week, New York comedians Claire Parker and Ashley Hamilton go in depth on all things celebrity memoirs, breaking down the books while also providing plenty of comedic commentary.
Can't bear the thought of a day going by without hearing something new and fascinating about books? NPR's Book of the Day has got you covered. This daily podcast spans a wide range of authors, genres, and topics, with each bite-sized episode bringing you the best of today's writing in 15 minutes or less. NPR's Book of the Day is perfect if you're looking for a quick listen about great books that will leave you excited to further build your listening library.
As the former host of the beloved children's television series Reading Rainbow, LeVar Burton has long been a trusted voice in the world of literature. In LeVar Burton Reads, the beloved actor and host handpicks the best short fiction and reads it to you. This is your opportunity to take a break from your life and just listen to a good story, featuring works from the likes of Neil Gaiman, Haruki Murakami, Octavia E. Butler, and Ray Bradbury. Think of this as the perfect bookish self-care listen—because there's really nothing more relaxing than listening to Levar Burton read you a story.
Looking to listen and learn more about literature from a writer’s perspective? Check out Between the Lines, a podcast where award-winning and bestselling fiction authors Sarah M. Eden, Traci Hunter Abramson, Esther Hatch, and Sian Ann Bessey discuss all the ins and outs of writing. Want to know more about the submission process? About writing short stories? About attending writing conferences? This podcast covers it all.
If you love Jane Austen, you're certainly not alone. Generations of readers and listeners adore discussing, dissecting, and debating Austen's classics, which is probably why there are multiple podcasts devoted to the author and her works. That being said, The Thing About Austen is probably the most fun. Co-hosts Zan and Diane offer a cheeky look into the life and times of Jane Austen and the culture that shaped her fiction. If you're curious about Lady Catherine's very fancy chimney-piece or have always known that Robert Martin was the real prize, this is the Austen podcast for you.
If you love listening to romance audiobooks, then you need to give Audibly Addicted a listen. In this podcast, Kim and Mo discuss their favorite romance audiobooks. Episodes include riveting discussions, interviews with authors and audiobook narrators, other special guests, and recommended listens. Past guests have included authors Kate Dunbar and Sarina Bowen and narrators Emily Woo Zeller and Lance Greenfield.
More than a casual book chat, The Literary Life draws you into an ongoing discussion about the skill and art of fully immersing yourself in a book. Join the hosts, experienced teachers Angelina Stanford and Thomas Banks and lifelong reader Cindy Rollins, for deep dives into classic literature, including The Wind in the Willows, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Mansfield Park, and The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Running about 90 minutes in length, episodes also feature conversations with other book lovers about a life of reading and listening, and explore how stories have the potential to save the world.
Missing those book report days? The Book Pile brings you recaps of popular books with unexpected insights and a lot of humor. In this podcast, comedians Kellen Erskine and David Vance team up to tell you all about the books they’ve read and their takeaways. Originally focused on topical nonfiction, The Book Pile now includes novels too. Here's a sampling of books recently covered: The Big Short by Michael Lewis, Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey, The Shining by Stephen King, The Illustrated Man by Ray Bradbury, and The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck. New episodes come out every Monday.
With book banning becoming an increasingly hot button issue across the US, now is the perfect time to start listening to this literature podcast. Banned Book Club believes that the most controversial books are often the most important. Every month, join hosts Nick and Rafaela as they dive into books frequently challenged by school boards, pastors, government leaders, and concerned parents all over the world. Among the works of literature recently discussed: Ernest Hemingway’s short story “Indian Camp," the graphic novel Maus by Art Spiegelman, Charles Bukowski's Factotum, The Last Temptation of Christ, and the ever-controversial Lolita.
Friends & Fiction is a literary podcast that delivers exactly what its name promises—pals getting together to talk about their passion for novels. Join bestselling authors and real-life friends Mary Kay Andrews, Kristin Harmel, Kristy Woodson Harvey, Patti Callahan Henry, and Ron Block as they discuss and share their love of reading, the art of writing (including common challenges and roadblocks), and the importance of storytelling and community bookstores. The hosts often open up their chats to other bestselling authors, including the wonderful Jennifer Weiner.
ReLiterated combines a love of books with all of the joy of nostalgia. This podcast is hosted by three grown men—Andy, Harold, and Josh—who revisit the books that were popular or taught in school when they were kids in the 1990s. The hosts reflect back on their impressions of the books when they first experienced them and the lessons they learned as a result—and then they reflect on how those lessons hit a bit differently when they experienced the same books as an adult. Previous episodes have covered Hatchet and The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, among other children's and young adult classics with plenty to say about life for adults.
Whether you're a veteran romance fan or a genre virgin, there's something you can take away from Learning the Tropes. Erin is a romance devotee. And as for Clayton? Well, let's just say he's new to the whole romance thing. Every week, this hosting duo leads listeners through a discussion about a romance novel, celebrating the tropes and other nuances that make the genre so hot and dreamy. As a bonus, this podcast also covers romance-centered movies and TV shows. For instance, Erin and Clayton recently discussed Sandra Bullock's latest romantic comedy The Lost City and Netflix's smash hit adaptation of Julia Quinn's bestselling series, Bridgertons.
If you're reading this list, it's fair to guess you're an audiobook fan. There's no better place to get audiobook recommendations (and a peek inside the narrator's booth!) than the new This Is Audible... podcast, hosted by Audible Editors Katie O’Connor and Kat Johnson. In voices warm and enthusiastic, Katie and Kat share recommendations for audiobooks they love, reflect on classics, interview industry experts, and provide insights into how our favorite listens are made. The hosts' love of audiobooks is infectious—before long, your to-be-listened-to list will grow longer than ever.
If you're looking for a hefty dose of "book talk," The Paris Review has you covered and then some. This seasonal podcast puts out weekly episodes during its runs, and covers everything happening in the wide world of books. With the legendary French literary magazine as its namesake, this pod has some seriously big shoes to fill, and we believe it does so. From deep dives on new releases to fascinating conversations with famous authors, this series is perfect for anyone looking to have an inside track on the goings-on within the author and publisher community, not to mention their next read.
Hosted by writer and literature academic Jacke Wilson, this podcast will take you on a sweeping journey through the history of the written word. As expected of a lofty title like The History of Literature, this podcast covers the majority of documented human history, spanning the whole globe and going back thousands of years, from cave etchings to Shakespeare and beyond. Wilson often hosts history experts to help him provide deeper context, covering individual classics and period trends with an unmatched sense of authority. With frequent releases (sometimes up to tri-weekly), this podcast is a perfect binge candidate for any of my fellow know-it-alls out there.
While there is no shortage of audio, video, and written content covering smash hits in the wide world of books, where is the love for the more low-key releases? Unlike many other literature review podcasts, Backlisted has a true mission statement, seeking to champion the under-appreciated, unfairly reviewed, and generally swept-under-the-rug media that lurks beneath the surface. Hosts Andy, Una, and Nicky keep the show light and funny, with multiple running bits and segments that bring the listener right into the room with them.
