The Penguin Podcast
The Penguin Podcast is returning 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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The Penguin Podcast: episode 1 – prizewinners
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 […]
The Penguin Podcast: episode 2 – Black History Month
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 […]
The Penguin Podcast: episode 3 – the classics
What makes a book a classic? Who decided which books make it into the canon? And how long would it take to read the entire list? Join our exploration through our Classic bookshelves with author Henry Eliot who answers listener questions with reading recommendations from all eras. Plus, we delve into the world of Jane […]
The Penguin Podcast: episode 4 – 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 […]
The Penguin Podcast: episode 5 – 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 […]
The Penguin Podcast: episode 6 – 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 Penguin Podcast: episode 7 – historical fiction 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 Penguin Podcast: episode 9 – how to get published
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 […]
The Penguin Podcast: episode 10 – history special
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 Penguin Podcast: episode 11 – 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 Penguin Podcast: episode 12 – the best books of the year
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 […]
The Penguin Podcast: bonus episode 1 -how to tackle reading the big Classics with Henry Eliot
In a special bonus episode taken from our Ask Penguin: Classics episode, we share author and editor Henry Eliot’s tips on tackling some of Classics’ biggest tomes. Click the button below to listen or continue scrolling to explore all of the books mentioned in this episode. Click here to read the transcript of this episode […]
The Penguin Podcast: bonus episode 2 - 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 Penguin Podcast: bonus episode 3 - 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. Click here to read […]
The Penguin Podcast: bonus episode 4 - 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 […]
The Penguin Podcast: bonus episode 5 - 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. Click here to read the transcript of this […]
The Penguin Podcast: series 2 episode 1 – Children’s books
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 […]
The Penguin Podcast: series 2 episode 2 – Love and Romance
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 […]
The Penguin Podcast: series 2 episode 3 – Debut books
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 Penguin Podcast: series 2 episode 4 – Book club books
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 […]
The Penguin Podcast: series 2 episode 5 – Queer literature
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 Penguin Podcast: series 2 episode 6 – Summer reads
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, including the latest Booker Prize […]