The Guardian Books Podcast

For nearly 15 years, The Guardian's books team turned out one of the most respected literary podcasts in the English-speaking world. Claire Armitstead, Richard Lea, and Sian Cain hosted conversations with authors from across the globe, blending in-depth interviews with investigations into the publishing industry and the broader cultural forces shaping what we read. The show ran from 2006 until roughly 2020, with a few stray episodes appearing into 2022. At its peak, episodes landed weekly and ran about 35 to 40 minutes. The format mixed things up well -- some weeks featured a single extended author interview, others brought in multiple voices for a panel discussion about a trend or controversy in the book world. The Guardian's editorial sensibility gave the show a distinctly international perspective that American-centric book podcasts often lack. With 115 episodes still in the archive, the back catalog remains a rich resource. The show holds a 4.1-star rating from 236 reviews, and longtime listeners have called it the best literary podcast ever made. The feed has since been repurposed for other Guardian audio projects, which is a bit confusing if you subscribe expecting book content. This podcast is no longer producing new episodes, but the existing library -- covering interviews with major authors and sharp commentary on the publishing world -- still rewards listening. If you're the kind of reader who cares about literary culture beyond just the books themselves, these conversations hold up remarkably well.