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Looking for book podcasts? You've come to the right place!
It might not surprise you to hear that many avid podcast listeners are also avid readers (or at least lovers of books and stories, even if they can’t find time to read.)
I developed a love for reading when I was a little girl, with my nose in a book in the backseat on road trips. I even used to read while hanging upside down from the monkey bars on my swing set!
I still love books, mostly because I enjoy a good story. That's also what I love so much about podcasts.
I often find myself engrossed in the stories of podcasts, the same way I do when I read. And because I love knowing what other people read and listen to, podcasts about books is icing on the cake.
Listening to other readers talk about the books that they loved and hated makes podcast listening just a little less lonely. You'll feel like you're part of a reading community.
But be warned: once you've discovered podcasts that are geared towards readers, your To Be Read (TBR) list will start growing out of control!
Here are my favorite podcasts about books to check out.
Podcasts Every Book Lover Should Hear
What Should I Read Next?
Book blogger turned author and podcaster Anne Bogel hosts this wildly popular podcast.
In each episode of What Should I Read Next?, Bogle hosts a different guest, many of whom are regular people like you and me (you can apply to be on the show!).
Bogle and the guests talk about the guests' preferred book genres, reading style (like how often they read), and favorite authors. The guest also lists three books they loved, and one they hated.
Bogel takes those love/hate books as a jumping point for recommending three new books to the guest.
Everything about this podcast feels "cozy". New listeners to the show will love you can start with any episode and binge them completely out of order.
The Podcast (as in, Book Riot: The Podcast)
I love the Book Riot website.
To be honest, it was a big inspiration for the Podcast Maniac blog. I love their articles, book recommendations, and yes, their podcasts (of which they currently have multiple in production!).
It’s not every day that you come across a single website or company that has multiple podcasts of their own (not including podcast production companies). Book Riot is the exception, with several book podcasts currently in production.
The Podcast covers a range of bookish topics, including reading habits, events in the book world, book adaptations for TV and movies, audiobooks, cool libraries to visit, and more. Hosts Jeff and Rebecca do a great job of mixing it up in every episode and making book news relevant to current events.
Episodes of The Podcast are pretty loosely structured, with Jeff and Rebecca discussing a random list of topics, but their conversation is easy to listen to, which makes it fun. New episodes of The Podcast come out weekly.
Also check out the 6 Independent Book Podcasts Readers Will Love post!
Currently Reading
If you use Instagram, you might be familiar with the #currentlyreading hashtag. And boy, do the hosts of this show have a lot to be posting about!
The Currently Reading podcast feels like you're eavesdropping on two friends gabbing about their latest reads. That's basically what it is, but it has a structured format, and doesn't run long with host tangents.
Hosts Meredith and Kaytee talk about the latest books they've read, and provide plot points and opinions without any spoilers. Each one is always reading several books at once, even though they have busy lives.
Even though I don't read a lot of Young Adult (YA), I'm not bothered by the fact that Meredith and Kaytee cover quite a few YA titles.
This is just a really fun book podcast to listen to, and the episode lengths are always just right.
All The Books
Here's another Book Riot podcast. I think of the All The Books podcast as the 20 minutes of trailers that you can’t miss when you go to the movies.
In each episode, hosts Liberty (a fellow Mainer!) and Rebecca (also co-host of The Podcast) take you through a list of just- and soon-to-be-released titles.
I wasn’t sure that I’d love listening to a podcast about a list of books, but both hosts do a great job of providing plot summaries and reactions (each has read a pre-release of the book they are describing.) It’s fun to hear them react to new releases from authors they love, as well as discuss debut works by up-and-coming writers.
If you hold yourself to a monthly book budget, All The Books could be your helpful budget planning guide.
Get Booked
Here's one more Book Riot podcast.
While The Podcast and All The Books give book recommendations by default, the Get Booked podcast provides specific book recommendations in response to listener requests.
In each episode, hosts Jenn and Amanda read emails from listeners who have certain preferences or parameters and need book advice.
Every episode provides interesting insight into what average people consider when they’re picking their next book to read. It’s like getting a glimpse into the mind of the person standing next to you in the aisle at a bookstore.
Sometimes the listener emails aren’t in-line with my own preferences, but I still like to listen, just like I enjoy listening to the letters people write to typical advice podcasts.
Find Great Book Recommendations
Check out the big list of Books By Podcasters for best-selling titles by your favorite podcast hosts!
Bonus Podcast Recommendation
A post for book lovers wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the MuggleCast podcast, the long-running podcast dedicated to all things Harry Potter. The hosts of the podcast are really entertaining and they always find something new going on in the world of Potter. The podcast is best-suited to teen and adult Potter fans.
Listen to your podcasts & audiobooks on the go with the FlipBelt
Your Turn To Recommend!
Do you have a favorite podcast about books? Share it in a comment below! And don't forget to check out the 6 Independent Book Podcasts Readers Will Love!
Want more story podcasts? Check out these posts:
Podcast Review: The Truth
5 Must-Listen Podcasts for TV and Movie Lovers
Podcast Review: The Habitat
Thanks for including us on your round-up. What great company we’re in!! xoxo
Hey, Kaytee and Meredith! I’m so glad you’ve seen these recommendations! I love your show!