My Favorite Bookish Podcasts
February 14, 2024
By Brenna Murphy, Advisory Services Supervisor
Whether you’re new to podcasts or are a long-time listener, there’s lots to explore in the bookish podcast world. Here are some of my personal favorite picks for shows that entertain as well as inform.
All the Books
This podcast from Book Riot discusses the week’s newest book releases. The hosts set this podcast apart. They are energetic, knowledgeable, and oh-so-passionate about books. They cover a variety of genres for middle-grade through adult readers, often focusing on under-the-radar books that are definitely worth checking out. Each episode highlights summaries from seven books released that week to help you find awesome new titles.
Lit Society
Described as “a weekly podcast about books and drama,” Lit Society is a delight to listen to. Hosts Alexis and Kari have excellent banter, and their thoughts on everything from popular bestsellers to throwback reads are sure to have you hooked. Each episode focuses on one book, providing information about the author and social context of the book, and the hosts share their unfiltered opinions, both good and bad.
The Book Review
Brought to you by The New York Times (NYT), this podcast takes a deep dive into new releases hand-picked by NYT staff. Episodes feature either the author of the book discussed or an analysis by NYT staffers. Listen to this one if you like to stay on top of the titles that are making waves in the literary world.
The Stacks
Featuring author interviews, celebrity guests, and a virtual book club, The Stacks has pretty much everything you could want in a bookish podcast. Guests discuss their reading habits and their favorite and not-so-favorite books, often tying their reading into a conversation about wider social and political issues. Host Traci Thomas is thoughtful and insightful, sparking fascinating conversations with her guests.
NPR’s Book of the Day
These bite-sized episodes are perfect for folks short on time. Clocking in at less than 15 minutes, each episode covers one book and succinctly summarizes what’s to love about it.