Episodes

  • Episode 10: History Special with Al Murray, James Holland and Terry Deary
    Dec 5 2024


    Joining us in the studio to provide reading inspiration from the Roman Empire to the Second World War are author and podcast duo of We Have Ways of Making You Talk, James Holland and Al Murray, plus creator of Horrible Histories, Terry Deary


    For the full list of books plus transcript visit: Episode 6: History Special


    Books and authors mentioned in this episode:

    Arnhem Black Tuesday by Al Murray

    Casino ’44 by James Holland

    A History of Britain in Ten Enemies by Terry Deary

    The Cauldron by Zeno

    Scoop by Evelyn Waugh

    Mary Queen of Scots by Alison Weir

    The Go-Between by L.P. Hartley

    Swords of Honour by Evelyn Waugh



    Send us a question: penguinpodcast@penguinrandomhouse.co.uk.

    Website: www.penguin.co.uk/podcast


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    49 mins
  • Episode 9: How to Get Published with Jennie Godfrey
    Nov 28 2024

    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 the Sunday Times bestselling author of The List of Suspicious Things, Jennie Godfrey, alongside Commissioning Editor Kaiya Shang and Director of Publicity and Media Relations, Charlotte Bush. Plus, we share details of the programmes offered by Penguin Books to help aspiring writers.


    Books and authors mentioned in this episode

    The List of Suspicious Things by Jennie Godfrey

    Sonny Boy by Al Pacino

    Creation Lake by Rachel Kushner


    For more information on how to get published visit: Getting Published

    For the complete list of books mentioned in this episode and the transcript visit: Episode 9 - How to get published

    Send us a question: penguinpodcast@penguinrandomhouse.co.uk.

    Website: www.penguin.co.uk/podcast


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    41 mins
  • Episode 8: Christmas gifting with William Hanson
    Nov 21 2024

    As the Christmas season approaches, we’ve assembled an expert panel to help you navigate your gifting dilemmas and find the ideal presents for everyone on your list. Plus, how do you politely decline a festive party? And is bending the spine of a book the approved way to read it? We find out with etiquette expert, and Help I've S*xted my Boss podcaster, William Hanson as we discuss his new book Just Good Manners.


    For the complete list of books mentioned in this episode and the transcript visit: Episode 8: Christmas gifting


    Enjoy 20% off your order at Penguin Shop using the discount code PENGUINPODCAST. T&Cs apply


    Send us a question: penguinpodcast@penguinrandomhouse.co.uk.

    Website: www.penguin.co.uk/podcast


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    47 mins
  • Episode 7: Historical Fiction with Jodi Picoult
    Nov 14 2024

    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.


    Sign up to our Booksmarks panel

    Books and authors mentioned in this episode:

    By Any Other Name by Jodie Picoult

    The Warm Hands of Ghosts by Catherine Arden

    The Glass Woman by Caroline Lee

    Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

    Firebrand by Elizabeth Freemantle

    The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

    Act of Oblivion by Robert Harris

    In Memoriam by Alice Winn

    Maurice by E.M. Forster

    My Policeman by Bethan Roberts


    For the full list of books and the transcript visit: Episode 7: Historical Fiction

    Send us a question: penguinpodcast@penguinrandomhouse.co.uk.

    Website: www.penguin.co.uk/podcast


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    43 mins
  • Episode 6: Books to Screen with Robert Harris
    Nov 7 2024

    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 Ralph Fiennes, Isabella Rossellini, and Stanley Tucci. So grab your books and your popcorn, and get ready for another book-filled episode.


    Books and authors mentioned in this episode:

    Conclave by Robert Harris

    Precipice by Robert Harris

    Miss Austen by Gill Hornby

    Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld

    Atonement by Ian McEwan

    The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

    Little Women by Louisa May Alcott


    For the full list of books and the transcript visit: Episode 6: Books to Screen

    Send us a question: penguinpodcast@penguinrandomhouse.co.uk.

    Website: www.penguin.co.uk/podcast


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    27 mins
  • Episode 5: Crime and Mystery with Kate Atkinson
    Oct 31 2024

    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!

    Books and authors mentioned in this episode:

    Death at the Sign of the Rook by Kate Atkinson

    The Secret History by Donna Tartt

    The Cloisters by Katie Hayes

    Gone, Baby, Gone by Dennis Lehane

    The Thursday Murder Club series by Richard Osman

    The Blue Hour by Paula Hawkins

    Charles Paris series by Simon Brett

    Yellow Face by Rebecca F.Kuang

    Helen Fields

    Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

    The Christmas Appeal by Janice Hallett

    For the full list of books and transcript visit: Episode 5: Crime and Mysteries


    Send us a question: penguinpodcast@penguinrandomhouse.co.uk.

    Website: www.penguin.co.uk/podcast


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    25 mins
  • Episode 4: Spooky reads with Daisy Johnson
    Oct 24 2024

    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 page-turning recommendations, we sit down with Booker-shortlisted author, Daisy Johnson to talk about her new collection of ghost stories, The Hotel.


    Books and authors mentioned in this episode:

    The Hotel by Daisy Johnson

    Heads Will Roll by Josh Winning

    The Night House by Jo Nesbo

    The Terror by Dan Simmons

    For the full list of books plus transcript visit: Episode 4: Scary reads


    Send us a question: penguinpodcast@penguinrandomhouse.co.uk.

    Website: www.penguin.co.uk/podcast


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    30 mins
  • Episode 3: The Classics with Henry Eliot and Gill Hornby
    Oct 16 2024

    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 Austen with Gill Hornby, whose novel Miss Austen is being adapted into a four-part drama by the BBC.


    Books and authors mentioned in this episode:

    The Penguin Classics Book by Henry Eliot

    The Penguin Modern Classics Book by Henry Eliot

    Miss Austen by Gill Hornby

    For the full list of recommended reads visit: Episode 3: Classics


    Send us a question: penguinpodcast@penguinrandomhouse.co.uk.

    Website: www.penguin.co.uk/podcast


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    44 mins