The Penguin Podcast
The Penguin Podcast is back with a brand new series called Ask Penguin. In each episode, we will take you inside Penguin Books to meet some of the incredible authors we publish as well as the people who work here, to get answers to all of your book-related questions. Do you need to find your next page-turning read? Are you curious about what a day in the life of an editor is like? Or perhaps why a small, aquatic, flightless bird became the iconic emblem that adorns Penguin books worldwide?
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What were the best books of 2025?
What were our favourite books of the year and what are we most excited to read in 2026? Join the team behind the Ask Penguin podcast to look back at standout titles, memorable podcast moments, and the reading intentions we’re taking into the New Year. Listen to the episode and subscribe to Ask Penguin wherever
What is the best translated fiction to read? With Karl Ove Knausgaard
What are the best new books in Korean fiction? What is the process of translating a book into English? And how do you evoke a sense of place in your writing when you haven't visited it? This week we sat down with award-winning and internationally best-selling author, Karl Ove Knausgaard, to discuss his latest novel
Why are generations at war with each other? With Zadie Smith
Which multi-generational novels inspired White Teeth? Where does Zadie Smith turn for her next great read? And our Penguin team is back to solve your reading dilemmas - whether you're after fascinating memoirs, this year's pick of prize-winning books, or stories perfect for Autumn. Listen now
What makes a setting feel so vivid it becomes a character? With Paula Hawkins
Which novels are truly unputdownable and what should you read on a dark winter's night? We’re joined by best-selling author, Paula Hawkins, who discusses art, love and remote islands in her latest thriller, The Blue Hour. She also helps us tackle your listener questions with a stack of gripping recommendations to guide you to your
Is never growing up the secret to great storytelling? With Philip Pullman
What was the inspiration behind Philip Pullman’s Northern Lights series? How does he want readers to feel on Lyra’s final adventure in The Rose Field? Has his demon changed now that he has reached the end of this writing journey, and how do you say goodbye to characters you love? In this special edition of
Is Jane Austen’s legacy more than just romantic love?
Why do we still love Jane Austen’s novels 250 years later? What makes her stories continue to inspire readers and creators today? And if Jane were alive now, which book would you recommend she read? In this special episode, recorded at Jane Austen’s family home in Alton, host Rhianna Dhillon is joined by Miss Austen
Ask Penguin Podcast: Why do we still laugh when times are hard? With Ocean Vuong
I'm looking for a novel that reads like poetry - where should I start? Can you recommend a queer love story with a happy conclusion? What are the best books that explore small-town life? We put your book dilemmas to bestselling author Ocean Vuong and Penguin Editor and award-winning poet Sarah Howe. In this episode,
Books that shocked society and changed culture
Outrageous, iconic and unforgettable - these are some of the books Penguin have been publishing over its 90-year history. As part of a special content series called 'The books that shaped us' on Penguin.co.uk, we invited readers from the world of publishing, comedy, and music to explore must-read titles across the decades. The Internet's resident
Irvine Welsh live at Latitude
Recorded live at Latitude Festival, Irvine Welsh sits down with host Rhianna Dhillon to delve into his new novel Men in Love, the eagerly awaited sequel to Trainspotting, which explores the vibrant landscape of youth culture through the decades and the nuances of defining a generation through the arts. Plus, award-winning author and Penguin colleague Derek
How do you judge books for prizes? With Sara Collins
What is it like to judge the world's most prestigious book prize? How do judges manage to read 150 submissions in a matter of months? And how do publishers update the winning book jacket so swiftly? In the first episode of our new series, Ask Penguin, we delve into the world of literary prizes with
Celebrating Black History Month with Zeinab Badawi and Derek Owusu
Joining us in our book-filled studio this week is broadcaster and author Zeinab Badawi, who shares her journey chronicling Africa’s spectacular history through the voices of African historians, archaeologists, and local storytellers. Plus, we put your reading requests to award-winning author Derek Owusu to top up your reading pile with books by Black authors to […]
Spooky reads with Daisy Johnson
Looking for a book that will keep you up at night? If you enjoy that tingling sensation down your spine while reading something on the spookier side then you’re in the right place. In this episode, we explore the best horror and ghost stories perfect for Halloween. Alongside filling your book pile with terrifying but […]
Crime and mystery recommendations with Kate Atkinson
Join us as we dive into the world of crime, thrillers, and mysteries! We answer your listener questions with award-winning author Kate Atkinson and publicist Alison Barrow. Plus, Kate discusses her brand-new Jackson Brodie novel, Death at the Sign of the Rook. Get ready for some killer reads! Click the button below to listen or continue […]
Books to screen with Robert Harris
What do you usually prefer: the book or the film? Or do you enjoy both? In this episode, we delve into books that have successfully transitioned from page to screen. We'll also be chatting with best-selling author Robert Harris about his gripping thriller, Conclave, which has been adapted for the silver screen this November, starring
The best historical fiction books with Jodi Picoult
Join us as we time-travel through our bookshelves as we recommend must-read historical fiction in answer to your reading requests. Plus, bestselling author Jodi Picoult shares her theory on the true author behind Shakespeare’s plays that inspired her new novel, By Any Other Name. Click the button below to listen or keep scrolling to explore […]
The best books for Christmas
As the Christmas season approaches, we’ve assembled an expert panel to help you navigate your gifting dilemmas and find the ideal presents for everyone on your list. Plus, how do you politely decline a festive party? And is bending the spine of a book the approved way to read it? We find out with etiquette […]
How to get published with Jennie Godfrey
This week we unpick the publishing process, answering all of your questions from how to find an agent to what it’s like working with your editor and publicity team. Joining Rhianna in the studio is Sunday Times bestselling author of The List of Suspicious Things, Jennie Godfrey alongside Penguin colleagues, Commissioning Editor Kaiya Shang and […]
Favourite history books with Al Murrey, James Holland and Terry Deary
This week we on the Penguin Podcast go back in time to bring two riveting discussions on the history of the world, including Al Murray and James Holland delving into the details of World Wars, and Terry Deary describing his distaste for the horrors of the Roman Empire and his love of enemies who make […]
The perfect books for winter reads with Jeanette Winterson
Joining us this week is award-winning author Jeanette Winterson, as we explore her captivating new collection of ghost stories, Night Side of the River, and provide listeners with reading recommendations based on their winter-themed questions. Plus, we’ll stroll through the office to gather the perfect list of festive reads from our Penguin colleagues for you to
The best books of the yaer 2024
We round-up a year of reading with recommendations from Penguin colleagues of their favourite books of the year and a look at what they are most excited for you to read in 2025. Click the button below to listen or continue scrolling to explore all of the books mentioned in this episode. Click here to […]
A day in the life of a book editor with Simon Prosser
Join Rhianna as she talks to Simon Prosser about what a typical day is like as a books editor at Penguin Books Simon is a Publishing Director with decades of experience working with authors such as Bernardine Evaristo, Zadie Smith, Ali Smith and Micheal Magee. Click the button below to listen or continue scrolling to
The human experience and AI with Jeanette Winterson
In this bonus episode from The Penguin Podcast, Episode 11 - Winter Reads, Jeanette Winterson shares her fascinating perspective on our relationship with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the evolution of human consciousness. Click the button below to listen or continue scrolling to explore all of the books mentioned in this episode. Listen now Click here
A day in the life of a Publicist with Alison Barrow
In this bonus episode we speak with Alison Barrow, Publicity Director at Penguin Books, to explore the fascinating world of book publicity. Alison shares insights into her role, offering a glimpse into her daily life as she works with authors and connects their books with readers. Click the button below to listen or continue scrolling
Jodi Picoult on the theory behind Shakespeare’s plays
In this bonus episode from The Penguin Podcast, bestselling author Jodi Picoult shares her theory on the true author behind Shakespeare's plays that inspired her new novel, By Any Other Name. Click the button below to listen or continue scrolling to explore all of the books mentioned in this episode. Listen now Click here to read the transcript
The best books for children with Greg James and Chris Smith
This week on The Penguin Podcast we jump into the exciting world of children's books and chat to Greg James and Chris Smith about their new book The Kid Who Fell Through Time. Plus we explore why there is a reading for pleasure crisis and the ways we can encourage kids to read, and we
Our favourite romantic books with Emily Henry
Bestselling author, and Queen of the Romantic comedy novel, Emily Henry joins us on this week’s episode to discuss her brand new book, Great Big Beautiful Life, novels full of spice, and which fictional character makes the best book boyfriend. And as ever we solve your book dilemmas with a wide range of romantic fiction […]
Who are the debut writers to look out for?
What is it like to write and publish your first ever novel? We find out by asking the authors William Rayfet Hunter (Sunstruck), Catherine Airey (Confessions), and Fiza Saeed McLynn (The Midnight Carousel). Speaking to host Rhianna Dhillon, they discuss their different experiences writing their debut books, where they found their inspiration, and personal book […]
The best books to take to book club with Yrsa Daley-Ward
Whether you are in a book club or fancy starting your own, we have the book recommendations and conversation starters to make it a success! Plus we talk to Merky books author Yrsa Daley-Ward about her first novel The Catch. Click the button below to listen to this episode or continue scrolling to explore the […]
Exploring our Queer literature bookshelves with Charlie Porter
This week on the Penguin Podcast we talk to writer, critic and curator Charlie Porter about his first novel Nova Scotia House, discuss queer books and the importance of hearing queer voices in art. Plus we provide plenty of book recommendations for LGBTQ+ stories. Click the button below to listen to this episode or continue
The best books to take on your summer holiday with Anthony Horowitz
On the final episode of this series of the Penguin Podcast, Marble Hall Murders author Anthony Horowitz tells us how, when a famous actress asks you to write another novel, you do as you’re told! Plus things heat up as we discuss and recommend the best books for summer reading. Podcast Questionnaire Want to have […]