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Artwork for Book Cougars Podcast: Two Middle-Aged Women on the Hunt for a Good Read

Book Cougars Podcast: Two Middle-Aged Women on the Hunt for a Good Read

Book Cougars
Literature
Carolyn Wells
Judith Jones
Books
Gender Pay Gap
Rebecca Rego Barry
Food Writing
Publishing
The Lost Boy Of Santa Chionia
Literary Adventures
Alice Munro
Book Banning
Jenny Colvin
Short Stories
LGBTQIA Literature
Parenting
Grandparenting
Windham Campbell Prizes
Murder In the Smithsonian
Shred Sisters

Chris and Emily discuss books and literary adventures

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes250Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BooksArts

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Artwork for Book Cougars Podcast: Two Middle-Aged Women on the Hunt for a Good Read

Latest Episodes

Welcome to Episode 250! We joke that we turned “250” before “America250,” the moniker given to the United States’s anniversary celebration. The country is celebrating 250 years in 2026. This is also our last episode of 2025, and we want to thank you ... more

Welcome to Episode 249–we are now NINE! That’s right, December is our anniversary month. Episode 1 launched on December 6, 2016, and we’ve published a new episode every other Tuesday since then. Thank you so much for listening and all your encouragem... more

Welcome to Episode 248! This episode is a bit different. We have an Author Spotlight with biographer Natalie Dykstra. If you’ve been listening to the podcast since this summer, you know that we both read her fascinating biography, CHASING BEAUTY: THE... more

Chris and Emily discuss books and biblio adventures

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Natalie Dykstra
Biographer and Professor Emerita of English at Hope College
Hope College
Episode: Episode 248 - Author Spotlight with Natalie Dykstra
Clare Beams
Author of The Garden
Episode: Episode 238 - Author Spotlight with Clare Beams
Elissa Altman
Memoirist and author of 'Permission'
Episode: Episode 234 - Author Spotlight with Elissa Altman
Matthew Goodman
Author of Paris Undercover and other historical works
Episode: Episode 233 - Author Spotlight with Matthew Goodman
Eowyn Ivey
Author of 'Black Woods Blue Sky', 'The Snow Child', and 'To the Bright Edge of the World'.
Random House
Episode: Episode 232 - Author Spotlight with Eowyn Ivey
Ruth Franklin
Author of The Many Lives Of Anne Frank
Yale University Press
Episode: Episode 231 - Author Spotlight with Ruth Franklin
Megan Marshall
Pulitzer Prize-winning author
Episode: Episode 227 - Spotlight with Pulitzer Prize-winning Author Megan Marshall
Dr. Pamela D. Toler
Author of 10 works of nonfiction, including The Dragon from Chicago
Episode: Episode 224 - Author Spotlight with Pamela D. Toler
Brian D. Kennedy
Author of A Little Bit Country
Episode: Episode 223 - Author Spotlight with Brian D. Kennedy

Hosts

Emily Fine
Co-host of the Book Cougars podcast
Chris Wallach
Co-host of the Book Cougars podcast

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 165 ratings
  • Thoughtful

    They discuss books I wouldn’t have known about otherwise, including classics and « backlist » titles.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    TO~JK
    Canada2 years ago
  • My favorite podcast!

    My favorite podcast! Thoughtful reviews, excellent interviews, and great thoughts on the reading life.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ESnow1126
    United States3 years ago
  • Top of the list

    I listen to several podcasts but this is one of only two or three that I actually look forward to. I always come away with a better appreciation of an author or a new title (or more) to check out.

    Keep up the great work!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Twofer6
    United States3 years ago
  • I love this podcast!

    Chris and Emily are so fun, interesting and real. I love all the laughing, the intelligent conversation, book jaunt ideas and events, and the lack of pretense. I can’t believe it took me so long to discover what has become my favorite podcast!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Andrea G 2727
    United States3 years ago
  • So great!

    I absolutely love this show! Every episode is engaging and fun, and I always walk away with a longer reading list than I came with. Don't miss it!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Arlie K
    United States5 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many mention the hosts' warm chemistry, making the content feel like a friendly conversation.
Overall, it's considered a must-listen for book lovers, with numerous positive reviews highlighting the joy and humor in the discussions.
Some listeners express a desire for less political commentary.
The podcast is praised for its thoughtful book recommendations and insightful literary analysis.
Listeners appreciate the engaging and relatable discussions about books and reading.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#218
Indonesia/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#10
Indonesia/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#21
Indonesia/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#195
Ireland/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 227 - Spotlight with Pulitzer Prize-winning Author Megan Marshall
Q: As a biographer, what has your experience been since the advent of portable technology in research?
I initially had to argue for the right to bring a silent typewriter into archival spaces, but now the ability to photograph and digitize materials has changed how research can be conducted, making it much more accessible.
Episode 227 - Spotlight with Pulitzer Prize-winning Author Megan Marshall
Q: Can you give the listeners your description of this book?
It's a memoir, but also an exploration of the interconnected lives of women in my family and notable historical figures, told in braided essays that examine themes of identity and legacy.
Episode 231 - Author Spotlight with Ruth Franklin
Q: Can you tell us about your experience going to visit the Annex or the Anne Frank House?
I visited the Anne Frank house at age eight after reading the diary for the first time. It was impossibly cramped, and many years later, I returned and realized how rickety and steep the staircases were, emphasizing the discomfort of the space.
Episode 224 - Author Spotlight with Pamela D. Toler
Q: Can you tell us about Sigrid Schultz?
Sigrid was an accomplished journalist with the Chicago Tribune and was pivotal in bringing to light the realities of Nazi Germany and its effects on the populace.
Episode 224 - Author Spotlight with Pamela D. Toler
Q: Can you talk a little bit about your background?
Dr. Toler fell in love with Rudyard Kipling's Kim, leading her to pursue a PhD in history so she could tell broader stories, focusing on underrepresented figures in history.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

An engaging exploration of the literary world, featuring discussions on a wide variety of books and the unique adventures of its hosts. Topics include personal reading experiences, author interviews, and insightful reflections on literary themes and genres, including ghost stories and historical biographies. The hosts also incorporate personal anecdotes that resonate with their audience, inviting listeners to share in their literary journeys while encouraging book recommendations. Listeners can expect light-hearted banter alongside more profound literary conversations, making it suitable for both casual and devoted readers alike.

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Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. Well-Read
2. Sarah's Bookshelves Live
3. From the Front Porch
4. Literally Reading
5. Currently Reading

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 9 years ago and published 250 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Natalie Dykstra
2. Clare Beams
3. Elissa Altman
4. Matthew Goodman
5. Eowyn Ivey
6. Ruth Franklin
7. Megan Marshall
8. Dr. Pamela D. Toler

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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