If you’re anything like us, you live, eat, and breathe books. Books in the bedroom, in your bag, in your car, in your friend’s cars…. But alas, there are times when your hands are otherwise occupied, and reading isn’t possible. That’s where the following podcasts come in. These 12 podcasts are perfect for the book lover who wants to be thinking bookish thoughts, even when they have to put the book down. We hope you enjoy these ear worms for book worms as much as we do!
Ear Worms for Book Worms: 12 Literary Podcasts You’ll Love
New Yorker Fiction
Average Episode Length: 30 to 60 minutes
If you’re a fan of the New Yorker, then you should definitely give their fiction podcast a listen. Each month, a featured author reads a short story that’s been published in the magazine. They then discuss the story with Deborah Treisman, the host of the podcast and the New Yorker’s fiction editor. Frequent listeners love how entertaining and insightful this podcast can be!
Find on iTunesRSS FeedWebsiteSlate’s Audio Book Club
Average Episode Length: 30 to 60 minutes
If you want to join a book club but don’t actually want to leave your house, listen to Slate’s Audio Book Club! The hosts of ABC pick a buzzy book to read each month and discuss what they liked and didn’t like about what they read. Their insight is snarky and intelligent, and you’ll love what they have to say about your favorite new books. Some of the books they’ve read include The Martian, Fates and Furies, and The Girl on the Train.
Find on iTunesRSS FeedWebsiteDear Book Nerd
Average Episode Length: 30 to 60 minutes
Dear Book Nerd, a Book Riot podcast that’s posted bi-weekly, focuses on questions that bookish people often ask themselves. How do I stop buying so many books? What’s the deal with eBooks? And the age old question: What should I read next? You can find the answer to all these questions and more in this insightful and entertaining podcast.
Find on iTunesRSS FeedWebsiteLit Up
Average Episode Length: 45 to 60 minutes
In Lit Up, Angela Ledgerwood, former editor at Cosmopolitan, has intimate and genuine conversations with authors about their new releases. From new to more established authors, the show features a great variety of interesting and engaging writers. Listening to this podcast feels less like an interview, and more like sitting in on a chat with two friends.
Find on iTunesWebsiteOtherppl
Average Episode Length: about 60 minutes
Brad Listi has the ability to bring out the passion for reading in all his guests and listeners. This isn’t your average podcast— Many long-time listeners claim that it is the best book-related podcast that’s out there. Listi gets together with the world’s leading authors and talks about many in-depth and personal topics. Luckily, he has released over 400 episodes of Otherppl, so you have plenty of entertaining content to choose from.
Find on iTunesRSS FeedWebsiteLiterary Disco
Average Episode Length: about 60 minutes
Literary Disco is hosted by three writer friends who want to share their love of reading with the world. From contemporary fiction to children’s books, they’re willing to discuss just about anything book related. Their sense of humor is smart and engaging, and you’ll laugh out loud when they argue and rant about a book.
Find on iTunesRSS FeedWebsiteBBC’s World Book Club
Average Episode Length: about 50 minutes
Hosted by Harriett Gilbert, the World Book Club is a monthly series of interviews with the world’s most well-known authors. Along with asking them questions about their life and their writing, the authors often read selections from their most notable works. From John Grisham to Maya Angelou, World Book Club has plenty of engaging conversations with inspiring authors.
Find on iTunesRSS FeedWebsiteLongform
Average Episode Length: 45 to 60 minutes
Each week, Longform gets together with a non-fiction writer and talks to them about how they tell stories. Most literary podcasts focus primarily on fiction writers, so it is exciting to hear the thoughts of journalists and other nonfiction writers. Some notable guests from the show include Michael Lewis, Ta-Nehisi Coates, and Tavi Gevinson.
Find on iTunesRSS FeedWebsiteSmart Podcast, Trashy Books
Average Episode Length: about 60 minutes
If you’re a romance fanatic, you’ve probably been to the website Smart Bitches, Trashy Books. But did you know they have a podcast too? From interviews with popular romance authors to chats about romance-related topics, it’s hard not to fall in love with their refreshing and hilarious conversations.
Find on iTunesRSS FeedWebsiteBook Riot Podcast
Average Episode Length: 50 to 60 minutes
If you’re looking for a source for all the bookish news you want, then you’ve come to the right place. The Book Riot Podcast discusses all the most important topics that are relevant to the book world. The hosts Jeff and Rebecca have a great, engaging chemistry, and their witty back-and-forth banter is extremely entertaining to listen to.
Find on iTunesRSS FeedWebsiteThe Guardian Book Podcast
Average Episode Length:
The Guardian Books Podcast calls itself the “perfect book worm’s companion.” Each week, hosts Claire Armistead and Richard Lea talk about trends in writing and ask authors about their novels. Long-time listeners say that the content is intelligent, insightful, and perfect for any book nerd.
Find on iTunesRSS FeedWebsiteLate Night Library
Average Episode Length:
The Late Night Library includes two different shows: Late Night Conversations and Late Night Debut. Conversations is centered on unscripted chats with professionals who work with books. Whether you’re a reader or a writer, you’ll enjoy the insider peaks you’ll get into the book industry. Debut talks with new authors about their debut novels
Find on iTunesWebsite