Best Bookish Radio Podcasts (2025)

1
Medieval Women: In Their Own Words interview with Dr Eleanor Jackson and Julian Harrison 28:17

21d ago28:17

28:17

In this episode Martin Nathan and Tabitha Potts interview Lead Curator Dr Eleanor Jackson and Julian Harrison, about the British Library's latest blockbuster exhibition, Medieval Women: In Their Own Words, where visitors will discover how the voices of medieval women still resonate across the centuries and speak powerfully to our world today. We di…

1
Story Radio Writers Salon on the theme of Food 1:45:34

2M ago1:45:34

1:45:34

Our second live recording of six writers reading their work in the intimate surroundings of the Colony Room Green bar. There will be occasional drink mixing and pouring, laughter and doors opening! Listen to Lana Citron talk about food as an aphrodisiac, Sue Hubbard read her novel Three about food as a source of emotional renewal, Lindsay Gillespie…

1
Interview with Hanna Nordenhök about her novel Caesaria 38:29

3M ago38:29

38:29

In 19th-century Sweden, Caesaria is kept in a doctor's mansion as a trophy: she is the first baby to be born alive from one of his c-sections. In a Gothic ambience, Caesaria narrates in first person her experiences in the mansion and her encounters with its mysterious inhabitants and visitors. Does she know where she comes from? Where is her mother…

1
At the Watts Memorial EC1 by Simon Roberts 21:32

4M ago21:32

21:32

'At the Watts Memorial EC1' is a haunting recreation of some of the true stories told on the famous memorial in Postman's Park. The memorial commemorates brave people who lost their lives trying to save others in acts of heroic self-sacrifice in the last three centuries - most recently in 2007. We hear the heart-breaking stories of William Donald o…

1
Story Radio Writers Salon 1:33:34

5M ago1:33:34

1:33:34

Writers Salon: Bohemia Theme – Brought to You from the Colony Room Green, London Welcome to the first-ever Writers Salon, hosted at the Colony Room Green, an artist-run bar in London. The theme was Bohemia, with tales of 1980s art models, 19th-century stage acts, clubbing in Tenerife, and a famous musician dying in hospital. Thanks to all the amazi…

1
Dolls are for Babies by Lana Citron 15:09

6M ago15:09

15:09

A young girl goes for a walk in the country with life-changing consequences. This short story by Lana Citron was originally published in US magazine Thin Air, 2022 under the title "The Understanding". Trigger warning: The following short story contains content and or references of a violent and sexual nature. These may be distressing or triggering …

1
Interview with Daisy Goodwin the author of Diva 32:18

7M ago32:18

32:18

We interview Daisy Goodwin, novelist and screenwriter, about her latest novel, Diva (Head of Zeus March 2024), inspired by the life of the brilliant soprano Maria Callas. The novel opens at a time when Callas is at the height of her extraordinary career but in a stultifying marriage and haunted both by her unhappy childhood and the ever-present fea…

1
Close to Revelation and Check Your Tire Pressure 14:54

8M ago14:54

14:54

This month we have two auto-fiction stories about parents and children. Our first auto-fiction piece, "Close to Revelation" written by Janet Lawrence, is set during the pandemic and tells the story of a woman trying to get pregnant using IVF while chaos erupts all around her. Janet Lawrence is a writer, journalist, and video producer based in New Y…

1
Interview with Katie Willis about The Quiet Act of Loving Bones 37:55

9M ago37:55

37:55

Story Radio interviews Katie Willis, author of The Quiet Act of Loving Bones, published by Joan Publishing. We discuss bones, inspiration, the colour yellow, Russia and lucid dreaming. "It is rare to come across a book that feels, at the same time, overwhelmingly strange and delightfully familiar. The Quiet Act of Loving Bones takes you into a worl…

1
Anne by Kristin Burniston 31:44

10M ago31:44

31:44

Eleven-and-a-half months ago, Mary didn’t know she had sisters. Now, at her home in Hove on England’s South Coast, they meet to scatter their mother Anne’s ashes. This episode was written, directed, and produced by Kristin Burniston. Kristin is a graduate of the MA Screenwriting program at the University of Arts London. In 2023, her short film scri…

1
Interview with Miki Lentin about Winter Sun 32:13

11M ago32:13

32:13

Martin Nathan and Tabitha Potts interview writer Miki Lentin about his new novel Winter Sun, published by Afsana Press in 2024. A nine-day winter break in Tenerife. Nothing is quite good enough. A son tries in vain to ask his ailing, elderly Irish Jewish father questions about their past before it is too late. The absurdity and hilarity of family h…

1
Outing by Simon Roberts 16:20

12M ago16:20

16:20

A student goes on a day trip to the seaside with his mum, and ends up learning a great deal more about himself - and her. This story was written and read by Simon Roberts. Simon Roberts is currently based in West London and writes short stories and flash fiction. He was longlisted for the 2022 Fish Short Story Prize. He has read his work on Riversi…

1
Jane Labous Past Participle Interview 45:07

1y ago45:07

45:07

Listen to an interview with Jane Labous and hear her reading from her new novel, Past Participle, published by Afsana Press. Dakar, Senegal, 1987: On a rainy night after a wild party, the British ambassador’s wife, Vivienne Hughes, is involve in a car crash. Her vehicle hits the motorbike of a young Senegalese doctor, Aimé Tunkara, killing him. Ple…

1
Fantasy: Realms of Imagination interview with Matthew Sangster and Tanya Kirk of the British Library 46:09

1y ago46:09

46:09

Tabitha Potts and Martin Nathan interview the lead curator and guest curator of the British Library’s blockbuster exhibition, Fantasy: Realms of Imagination, Tanya Kirk and Matthew Sangster. The exhibition runs until 25th February 2024 and tickets can be booked here. The exhibition has been critically acclaimed with a five star review in The Telegr…

1
The Watchers by Kae Hart 9:18

1y ago9:18

9:18

A young woman watches over her little sister in a polluted dystopian world where her scientific knowledge is her only weapon. The story was written by Kae Hart. Kae is a university student who learned to speak by telling stories to everyone who would listen. The cashier at the local grocery store was her first fan. Since then, she has written stori…

1
Dust and Oranges by Nicholas Batura 12:17

1+ y ago12:17

12:17

This Halloween, rather than encountering ghosts and ghouls, we explore the horrors of war. A little girl sneaks out of her family home to buy a birthday gift for her mother, a decision that changes her life forever. Nicholas Batura lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States, with his rad wife and their rescue pit bulls. When he’s not writing, he …

1
Dirty Chicken and Rice by Simon Roberts 17:29

1+ y ago17:29

17:29

In this darkly comic and moving story, two young flatmates prepare and eat their favourite comfort food, dirty chicken and rice, at a time when there isn't much comfort to be had. Simon Roberts is currently based in West London and writes short stories and flash fiction. He was longlisted for the 2022 Fish Short Story Prize. He has read his work on…

1
The Book of Beginnings: interview with Sally Page 25:42

1+ y ago25:42

25:42

The Story Radio team interview Sally Page, best-selling author of The Keeper of Stories, whose new novel The Book of Beginnings has just been published by HarperCollins. We talk to her about stationery, fountain pens, romance and ghosts. The Book of Beginnings tells the story of Jo, who is hiding from her past when she agrees to run her uncle’s bel…

1
Waking the Dead: Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park 27:34

1+ y ago27:34

27:34

This month we are featuring short stories and flash fiction written at a creative writing workshop in Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park. The stories are loosely inspired by the gravestones of people who were buried in the cemetery. They include Charlie Brown, boxer and publican, Alec Hurley, boxer, singer and husband of Marie Lloyd, the Woods family, who…

1
Pure at Heart by Patricia Furstenberg 10:36

1+ y ago10:36

10:36

A young girl is fascinated by the story of a magical being hidden in the forest outside her home, and goes out at night to look for her. Written by Patrica Furstenberg and read by Lysandra Furstenberg. With a medical degree behind her, writer and poet Patricia Furstenberg authored 18 books imbued with history, folklore, legends. The recurrent motiv…

1
Interview with Tracey Rose Peyton author of Night Wherever We Go 29:57

1+ y ago29:57

29:57

Martin Nathan and Tabitha Potts interview Tracey Rose Peyton about her beautiful and heart-breaking debut novel, Night Wherever We Go, published by The Borough Press. Night Wherever We Go is an intimate look at the domestic lives of enslaved women in 1800s America, and an evocative meditation on resistance and autonomy, on love and transcendence an…

1
Dogs by S P Murphy 33:24

2y ago33:24

33:24

A woman at home with her baby during lockdown hears the unsettling sound of dogs fighting in the street. It isn't long before she is in danger herself - and she has to decide how to fight back. Dogs by S P Murphy was first published in Litro Magazine. S. P. Murphy is an American writer and arts consultant living in London. He has served on the boar…

1
"Thanks, Chynna Philips!" 40:40

2y ago40:40

40:40

Today, we're talking Wikipedia rabbit holes, including but not limited to: the Baldwins, skin conditions, & the Chinese Cultural Revolution. Then, of course, the books. Thank you so much for listening! ❤️ Buy BATC merch here: https://www.booksandthecitypod.com/merch. Browse and shop all the books we’ve discussed on this episode and past episodes at…

1
A Museum of Scandoval? 46:36

2y ago46:36

46:36

Today we’re back to book talk with two historical fiction books and one translated sci-fi! Plus we’re discussing what our ideal museum would be! Thank you so much for listening! You can buy BATC merch here: https://www.booksandthecitypod.com/merch. Browse and shop all the books we’ve discussed on this episode and past episodes at https://www.booksh…

1
Pre-London Kayla + Summer Travel 33:57

2y ago33:57

33:57

Happy Chaos episode! Today, we’re soaking in the good weather we’ve been having and daydreaming about future travels. Plus Kayla gives us a little peek at her trip to London before she left! If you’ve not been following along, you can see all her London adventures on @kayreadwhat! Thank you so much for listening! You can buy BATC merch here: https:…

1
"If you listened to Radio Disney, you heard me." 1:05:44

2y ago1:05:44

1:05:44

Today's episode has us reveling in nostalgia, our favorite activity, after the latest American Girl news: there's a new "historical" doll from the '90s. So naturally, we had to get into what our childhood doll's accessories would be. Then we keep that nostalgia train rolling by talking about some childhood favorite rereads ❤️ Thank youuu for listen…

1
Interview with author Ava Glass and reading from The Chase 31:42

2y ago31:42

31:42

Martin Natha interviews spy insider turned author Ava Glass about her debut novel, The Chase, published by Penguin. Listen to this podcast to find out more about how Glass found her inspiration, and hear her talking about how she structured her novel which has been highly praised by various critics for its gripping plot and breathless pace. She als…

1
"Emily used to do this all the time" 44:48

2y ago44:48

44:48

We kick things off with a controversial fishbowl question, in the vein of "if you could sweat anything" - longtime listeners know. And then, enjoy some fun book talk including a couple of books that the co-hosts may or may not have finished quite yet!!! Hehe thank you so much for listening! You can buy BATC merch here: https://www.booksandthecitypo…

1
"Listen to this $#!+" 53:05

2y ago53:05

53:05

Today, we're talking about what the book about our lives would be called. Hint: someone's book title may or may not be today's episode title 😏 and then we have some fantastic books lined up, so get your TBRs ready. Thank you so so much for listening! You can buy your BATC merch here: https://www.booksandthecitypod.com/merch. Browse and shop all the…

1
Anticipation Ice Cream 37:25

2y ago37:25

37:25

Good morning, hello, today we’re talking about ice cream flavored like a feeling. Not to brag, but I think you’re going to want to stop by our ice cream shop… And then, the books! Today, we’ve got a prize-winning King Lear reimagining, a twisty suspenseful heist story, and a scammer book that Kayla was obsessed with. Thank you so much for listening…

1
Daisy Jones & Other Adaptation Chaos 36:34

2y ago36:34

36:34

Hello friends, today we're getting RILED UP about movie and TV adaptatios of books! This episode is inspired by the recent Daisy Jones & the Six adaptation, but also fueled by our various strong feelings about Twilight, HP, His Dark Materials, and all the screen adaptations that never were… (pour one out for that series Becky loved that sent us dow…

1
Interview with Helen Fields author of The Institution 40:21

2y ago40:21

40:21

In this episode Martin Nathan and Tabitha Potts speak to best-selling crime novelist Helen Fields, criminal law barrister turned writer, about her new book The Institution. The Institution is a nail-biting psychological thriller about a criminal profiler, Dr Connie Woolwine, who goes undercover in a high security prison hospital while she tries to …

1
Debutante Ball > Dating 38:53

2y ago38:53

38:53

Hello, and happy almost-Spring! Today, before we get into our books, we’re talking about historical figures. Specifically, which historical figures we’d bring back from the dead and what we would do with them during our day of hanging out. This question was harder than we thought! And for books today, we’ve got a family saga, and a couple of royal …

1
Lotion, Lemons, & TP 47:08

2y ago47:08

47:08

We know you've been dying to know: what would we all want a lifetime supply of? Tune in to find out. Then keep listening for some bookish recs, including a wild religious cult thriller and some historical fiction. Thank youuu for listening! You can buy your BATC merch here: https://www.booksandthecitypod.com/merch. Browse and shop all the books we’…

1
We’re Baaack! 48:58

2y ago48:58

48:58

After a quick break for the holidays, we’re back! Well most of us are (we miss you Emily!!) and today we’re filling you in on all the things we were up to while we were gone and diving into the future of BATC and our reading goals! Thank you for listening! You can buy the new BATC merch here: https://www.booksandthecitypod.com/merch. Browse and sho…

1
Do We All Have Mercury Poisoning? 47:34

2y ago47:34

47:34

Hello! Happy New Year! Welcome to season 3!!! Thanks for joining us for another season of this bookish podcast that us four three friends love making so much. And even though Emily’s gone and literally moved to France on us, Becky, Kayla, and Libby are excited to be back in “the studio” recording another season for you all. Today, we’re chatting ab…

1
A terrible thing has happened by Elinora Westfall 17:07

2y ago17:07

17:07

It is March 1941 during the Second World War, and a young evacuee, Tabitha, is fascinated by the stories about a famous author who lives nearby. Content warning: contains references to suicide. The story is written and read by Elinora Westfall. Influenced by David Bowie, Virginia Woolf and Sally Wainwright, Elinora Westfall is a lesbian writer of s…

1
THROWBACK: Emily's Interview with Ali Hazelwood 47:40

2y ago47:40

47:40

THROWBACK! Originally released September 12, 2022. We'll be back with new episodes in February 2023! If you’ve been listening to Books and the City for awhile you know Ali Hazelwood’s first book, The Love Hypothesis, was one of the books that all four of us on the podcast absolutely loved! So naturally we were so excited that Emily got to sit down …

1
THROWBACK: Scary Microphones 52:44

2y ago52:44

52:44

THROWBACK! Originally released October 31, 2022. We'll be back with new episodes in February 2023! HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!! Today, we’re talking haunted house mishaps and embarrassing spooky season stories in general. This episode features one of the funniest miscommunications we’ve had on the pod in a while, and that’s saying something. Then, appropriat…

1
THROWBACK: Emily Almost Joined the Circus 57:12

2y ago57:12

57:12

THROWBACK! Originally released March 14, 2022. We'll be back with new episodes in February 2023! Get ready for some nostalgic talk about our favorite TV shows growing up! Also, Emily is sharing a date and time for her fan club book club discussion, Love In the Big City by Sang Young Park, so grab your copies soon. And stick around for the book talk…

1
THROWBACK: Amigas, Cheetahs, Friends for Life 1:06:34

2y ago1:06:34

1:06:34

THROWBACK! Originally released June 14, 2021. We'll be back with new episodes in February 2023! We’re (still) reflecting on our upstate retreat, and today we’re sharing what we learned about each other after spending our first full weekend together. The answers may surprise you a little bit! And before we get into some quality book talk, we have so…

1
THROWBACK: Alien Orgies?! 1:03:27

2y ago1:03:27

1:03:27

THROWBACK! Originally released May 31, 2021. We'll be back with new episodes in February 2023! We’re coming to you (not) live with some more BATC Upstate Retreat Content! We recorded this episode from the Airbnb of our dreams in Kingston - can we go back yet? So tune in for that then stay tuned to hear Libby announce the June fan club book club pic…

1
Life in the dressing room of the theatre 4:35

2y ago4:35

4:35

This short story is about a young woman whose heart is stolen by a mysterious magician. The story is written and read by Elinora Westfall. Influenced by David Bowie, Virginia Woolf and Sally Wainwright, Elinora Westfall is an Australian/British lesbian actress and writer of stage, screen, fiction, poetry and radio from the UK. Her novel, Everland h…

1
Long Live the Emily Era 1:05:32

2y ago1:05:32

1:05:32

Join us for Emily's last episode on the pod 🥺 of course, it's not "goodbye," it's "see you later." But Emily's on to bigger things across the pond in France (Emily in Paris spinoff, anyone??) and we'll miss her so much. Tune in for some podcast/Emily era reflections, and fair warning: tears are shed. Also on this ep: our 2022 year-end recaps, inclu…

1
Secret Santa III: More Secret, More Santa 1:17:12

2y ago1:17:12

1:17:12

It’s time for the most fun episode of the year: SECRET SANTA! In typical fashion, Kayla’s coming in hot with evidence, Libby has thoughts, Emily has suspicions, and Becky has no idea. We’ve got some great books and some great mysteries lined up for you, so enjoy the holiday chaos :) and don’t forget to read The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb …

1
Spotify Wrapped Szn 1:06:42

2y ago1:06:42

1:06:42

Hey! Don’t forget to stop by Ink48 Hotel in Hell’s Kitchen this holiday season to donate your gently used books, so that Book Fairies can help redistribute them to underserved communities in NYC & Long Island. Also, join Emily in the New Year to discuss her (last!!!) book club pick, The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb. After these announcement…

1
Interview with Greg Mosse and Kate Mosse 51:13

2y ago51:13

51:13

Tabitha Potts and Martin Nathan interview best-selling novelist and short story writer Kate Mosse and playwright and debut novelist Greg Mosse, whose novel The Coming Darkness (Moonflower Books) is publishing on the 10th November. Early praise for Greg Mosse's dystopian thriller have included Lee Child's review: "Greg Mosse writes like John le Carr…

1
“Live the raw notes straight for you” 1:14:24

2+ y ago1:14:24

1:14:24

Hello and happy end-of-November! Now that we’re moving into the holiday season, if you’re in NYC don’t forget to stop by Ink 48 Hotel in Hell’s Kitchen. The hotel is partnering with the amazing non-profit organization, The Book Fairies, to collect used books to redistribute to underserved communities on Long Island and NYC. Also, don’t forget to st…

1
This is a Try Guys Roast. 34:19

2+ y ago34:19

34:19

Welcome to one of the most chaotic episodes in recent memory - I know we say that every month, but we're on another level today. We're chatting about live music, Broadway, being sick in public, and a shocking amount of time on the Try Guys. Thank you for listening! And hope to see you at Libby's book club next week! Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃 Get your B…

1
Who Would You Haunt? 44:50

2+ y ago44:50

44:50

Halloween may be long over, but it's always a little bit spooky season on this pod! So this week naturally we're chatting about who we'd haunt for a day, if we could. We run in a few different directions with this one 👻. Don't forget to join Libby for her fan club book club discussion of All This Could Be Different on November 30 at 8pmET! Last but…

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