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Artwork for Gays Reading

Gays Reading

Jason Blitman
Identity
LGBTQIA+ Literature
Family Dynamics
Grief
LGBTQIA+ Community
Self-Discovery
Queerness
Thanksgiving
LGBTQIA+ Representation
Friendship
Mental Health
New York City
Motherhood
Books
Literature
Wicked
Memory
Polyamory
Queer Literature
LGBTQIA+ Identity

Best authors. Best banter. Host — and gay reader — Jason Blitman is joined each week by bestselling authors, VIP gay readers, cultural icons, and other special guests for lively, spoiler-free conversations. Gays Reading celebrates LGBTQIA+ and ally authors and storytellers through fun, thoughtful, and insightful discussions. Whether you're gay, straight, or somewhere in between, if you love great ... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes204Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BooksSociety & CultureArts

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Gays Reading

Latest Episodes

Host Jason Blitman is joined by debut novelist Paige Lewis to talk about their book, Canon. 

Conversation highlights include:

⚠️ Perseverance in the face of danger

🐀 Animal fun facts

🦸 What makes a hero

Paige Lewis is the author of the poetry ... more

Host Jason Blitman talks to author Davin Malasarn about what he's been reading and the books that influenced his debut novel, The Outer Country. 

Davin Malasarn was born and raised in Southern California. After completing his PhD in biology at the C... more

YouTube

Host Jason Blitman is joined by debut author Portia Elan to talk about her book, Homebound, named May 2026's Good Morning America Book Club selection.

Highlights from this spoiler-free conversation:

💾 evolution of technology

🏳️‍🌈 history of th... more

Host Jason Blitman talks to Pulitzer Prize-winner Elizabeth Strout about her latest novel, The Things We Never Say. 

Conversation highlights include:

🧠 Thoughts on free will

🧐 Things we find interesting

✨ What it means to become a grown-up

Eli... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Paige Lewis
Author of Canon
Author
Episode: Paige Lewis, Canon
Davin Malasarn
Author of The Outer Country
Self-published author
Episode: What Are You Reading? feat. Davin Malasarn
Portia Elan
Author of Homebound
Author
Episode: Portia Elan, Homebound
Elizabeth Strout
Author of The Things We Never Say
Episode: Elizabeth Strout, The Things We Never Say
Douglas Stuart
Author of John of John
Author, John of John
Episode: Douglas Stuart, John of John
Stephanie Sy-Quia
Author and writer
Episode: What Are You Reading? feat. Stephanie Sy-Quia
Xochitl Gonzalez
Author of Last Night in Brooklyn
Author
Episode: Xochitl Gonzalez, Last Night in Brooklyn
Jayne Anne Phillips
Author of Small Town Girls: A Writer's Memoir
Author, Small Town Girls
Episode: What Are You Reading? feat. Jayne Anne Phillips
Abigail Savitch-Lew
Author discussing Livonia Chow Mein
Author
Episode: Abigail Savitch-Lew, Livonia Chow Mein

Host

Jason Blitman
Host of Gays Reading

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 183 ratings
  • Really good pod!

    I actually hate books but for some reason I absolutely love listening to people talk about books. Jason has a really nice voice and sometimes I think about him reading to me.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    littlejohnnyr
    Canadaa month ago
  • A happy safe space

    This has become my new comfort listen. From the intro music to the conversations, it is just a delight. Thank you!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Minitess23
    United Kingdom6 months ago
  • 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️📚

    Gays Reading is exactly what this moment needs. As queer voices are being silenced, we need this space to amplify the perspectives, the artistry, and the beauty of the queer community. Jason Biltman is such an engaging host and selects such amazing guests and such amazing books; I’ve encountered so many great reads through the podcast. This podcast may do some damage to your TBR list, but I promise it’s worth it to support queer voices!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    @AutobiographiCole
    United States6 months ago
  • Great host, great guests

    Gays Reading’s host Jason Blitman is smart and funny, and he’s a great interviewer. He gets top authors and has some of the best conversations about books and life. This is my new favorite podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lifelong Bibliophile
    United States6 months ago
  • Exceptional listening experience

    GAYS READING is a quintessential podcast for anyone who self-describes as a book lover.

    Whether you’re trying to read more books or have a healthy appetite for the newest releases, host Jason Blitman deftly guides the casual and intimate conversations. He is an excellent interviewer and a vocal warm hug as you listen on your commute home. You can tell both the authors and his special guests enjoy the experience and aren’t simply on PR stump for their latest project regurgitating the same talki... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    CricketNY
    United States7 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners describe the host as warm, funny, and deeply knowledgeable about books.
Audience notes high-quality guests and strong reading recommendations that expand TBR lists.
The show is praised for spoiler-free, thoughtful author conversations and engaging banter.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#243
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#65
South Africa/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#152
South Africa/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

What Are You Reading? feat. Jayne Anne Phillips
Q: Why essays for Small Town Girls, and how does writing in her own voice change the book?
She explains choosing essays to explore material in her own voice and to reveal connections between pieces, using the essays to illuminate family history and personal memories in a way that traditional linear storytelling might not.
What Are You Reading? feat. Jayne Anne Phillips
Q: What are you reading? What are books that have shaped you?
Phillips discusses her evolution from poetry to prose and highlights influences like Dubliners and James Agee, emphasizing how non-linear forms, the paragraph as a vehicle for consciousness, and the idea of a book as a living, interconnected structure have shaped her own writing.
Patrick Radden Keefe, London Falling
Q: How do you balance journalistic investigation with storytelling and personal digressions?
He describes using digressions carefully to illuminate larger themes without derailing the main narrative, sharing stories from his own life and experiences to reveal how a journalist's path informs the book's structure and voice.
Patrick Radden Keefe, London Falling
Q: What was it about this story that made you lean in?
Keefe explains the triple appeal: a mystery about a teen who fabricates a life, the deeper history of London's transformation under foreign money, and a human drama in which grieving parents try to understand their son, all of which demanded a ground-level, intimate approach while integrating broader social context.
Yann Martel, Son of Nobody
Q: What is the elevator pitch for the book Son of Nobody?
It follows a Canadian scholar at Oxford who uncovers a lost Trojan War story told from the viewpoint of a commoner, presented through a format that blends epic verse with modern footnotes, creating a dialogue between ancient and contemporary storytelling.

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 Gays Reading

What is Gays Reading about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Two hosted conversations per episode style sit-down with bestselling authors, LGBTQIA+ creators, and cultural figures, all centered on books, reading habits, and storytelling. Spoiler-free discussions explore craft, process, and personal experiences, often weaving in memoir, genre-bending fiction, and contemporary LGBTQIA+ themes. The show stands out for warm banter, thoughtful questions, and strong emphasis on reading culture, with guests ranging from novelists and poets to performers who discuss how books intersect with identity, media, and community.

Noteworthy strengths include accessible, spoiler-free formats that still pull out deep craft insights, a consistent focus on LGBTQIA+ narratives, and guest variety that spans fiction, memoi... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Gays Reading?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Gays Reading:

1. Sarah's Bookshelves Live
2. Poured Over
3. Book Talk, etc.
4. From the Front Porch
5. Book Riot - The Podcast

How many episodes of Gays Reading are there?

Gays Reading launched 3 years ago and published 204 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 Gays Reading?

Recent guests on Gays Reading include:

1. Paige Lewis
2. Davin Malasarn
3. Portia Elan
4. Elizabeth Strout
5. Douglas Stuart
6. Stephanie Sy-Quia
7. Xochitl Gonzalez
8. Jayne Anne Phillips

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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