Ask Penguin

In our final bonus episode from  The Penguin Podcast , bestselling author  Jodi Picoult  shares her theory on the true author behind Shakespeare's plays that inspired her new novel,  By Any Other Name . Explore the full list of the books discussed in this bonus episode and read the transcript by visiting Bonus Episode 5 Send us a question: penguinpodcast@penguinrandomhouse.co.u...

In this bonus episode we speak with Alison Barrow, Publicity Director at Penguin Books, to explore the fascinating world of book publicity. Alison shares insights into her role, offering a glimpse into her daily life as she works with authors and connects their books with readers. Explore the full list of the books discussed in this bonus episode and read the transcript by visiting: Bonus Episode...

In this bonus episode from The Penguin Podcast, Episode 11 - Winter Reads, Jeanette Winterson shares her fascinating perspective on our relationship with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the evolution of human consciousness. Explore the full list of the books discussed on this bonus episode and read the transcript by visiting: Bonus Episode 3 Send us a question: penguinpodcast@penguinrandomhouse.c...

Ever wondered what the role of an Editor at Penguin Books involves? In our second bonus episode, Rhianna speaks with Publishing Director, Simon Prosser about what a typical day of an editor is like and when they ever get time to read! Simon is the editor of many award-winning authors such as Bernardine Evaristo, Zadie Smith, and Micheal Magee. Explore the full list of the books discussed in this b...

In a special bonus episode taken from Episode 3: The Classics with Henry Eliot and Gill Hornby we share author and editor Henry Eliot's tips on tackling some of Classics' biggest tomes.  Explore the full list of the books discussed on this bonus episode and read the transcript by visiting: Bonus Episode 1 Send us a question: penguinpodcast@penguinrandomhouse.co.uk. Website: www.penguin.co.uk/...

We round-up a year of reading with recommendations from Penguin colleagues of their favourite books of the year and a look at what they are most excited for you to read in 2025. Explore the full list of the books discussed on this episode and the transcript by visiting: Episode 12: Best books of the year . Thank you for listening to The Penguin Podcast and our new show Ask Penguin. We would love t...

Joining us this week is award-winning author Jeanette Winterson , as we explore her captivating new collection of ghost stories,  Night Side of the River , and provide listeners with reading recommendations based on their winter-themed questions. Plus, we’ll stroll through the office to gather the perfect list of festive reads from our Penguin colleagues for you to enjoy this Christmas. Explo...

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...

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. Pl...

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 Ju...

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...

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...

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 Sec...

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 J...

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 int...

Joining us in our book-filled studio is broadcaster and author Zeinab Badawi, who shares her journey chronicling Africa's spectacular history through the voices of African historians, archaeologists, and local storytellers. Plus, we put your reading requests to award-winning author Derek Owusu to top up your reading pile with books by Black authors to celebrate Black History Month.  Send us a...

What is it like to judge the world's most prestigious book prize? How do judges manage to read 150 submissions in a matter of months? And how do publishers update the winning book jacket so swiftly?  In the first episode of our new series Ask Penguin , join our new host, Rhianna Dhillon as we delve into the world of literary prizes with this year's Booker Prize judge and award-winning author,...

The Penguin Podcast is returning with a brand-new series called Ask Penguin . In each episode, we will take you inside Penguin Books to meet some of the incredible authors we publish as well as the people who work here, to get answers to all of your book-related questions. Need help finding your next page-turning read? Are you curious to know what a day in the life of an editor is like? Or perhaps...

This week on the Penguin Podcast we're recapping the year with a selection of the brilliant guests we've welcomed onto the show. We hear from Jane Fallon, Chris van Tulleken, Julian Barnes, David Mitchell and more. We thank you for tuning in, and we'll see you in 2024. Happy holidays. Don't forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode, and don't forget to leave us a review – it really helps! T...

This week on the Penguin Podcast, Nihal Arthanayake is joined by national treasure and bestselling author, Sebastian Faulks. Together they they discuss the tweet that helped inspire his latest book, The Seventh Son, his thoughts on imposter Syndrome and humility, the influence of George Orwell on his political outlook, and a magical riverbank he discovered in France.  Don't forget to subscrib...

This week on the Penguin Podcast, Nihal Arthanayake is joined by Booker Longlisted author, C Pam Zhang. Together they discuss Zhang's latest novel, The Land of Milk and Honey, as well as the effects of extreme wealth on the human psyche, the place of pleasure and joy in human existence, the many expectations still placed upon women, and the literary benefits of being a marginalised writer. Don't f...

This week on the Penguin Podcast, Nihal Arthanayake is joined by one of our time's most important moral philosophers and animal rights activists, Peter Singer. In this episode, they discuss Singer's experience of animal rights in the 70s compared to now, what inspired him to begin campaigning for the rights of animals, the importance of suffering in determining rights, and his views on the rise of...

This week on the Penguin Podcast, Nihal Arthanayake is joined by the former Finance Minister of Greece and co-founder of the international grassroots movement DM25 as well as a Professor of economics at the University of Athens, Yanis Varoufakis. His latest book,  Technofeudalism: What Killed Capitalism , explores how the owners of big tech have become the world's feudal overlords. In this ep...

This week on the Penguin Podcast, Isy Suttie is joined by bestselling author, public speaker, and founder of The School of Life, Alain de Botton. His latest book, A Therapeutic Journey , deals with mental ill-health and recuperation and has been described as both a source of companionship in our loneliest moments and a practical guide to finding reasons for hope.   In this episode, Isy a...

This week on the Penguin Podcast, Isy Suttie is joined by comedian, writer and actor David Mitchell for a chat about Unruly, a thoughtful, funny exploration of the founding fathers and mothers of England and, subsequently, Britain.   They discuss the historical artefacts that inspired the book, why people in the Middle Ages had more confidence, and how a bout of food poisoning changed th...