The Book Club
The SpectatorLiterary interviews and discussions on the latest releases in the world of publishing, from poetry through to physics. Presented weekly by Sam Leith.
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| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 489 | Founded | 10 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | Society & CultureBooksArts | |||
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Latest Episodes
This week marks the 160th anniversary of Beatrix Potter’s birth. In this week’s Book Club podcast, I’m joined by Penny Bradshaw, author of An A–Z of Beatrix Potter, and the historian and biographer Kathryn Hughes, whose books include Catland: Feline ... more
My guest on this week’s Book Club podcast is Tim Whitmarsh, Regius Professor of Greek at Cambridge and author of Rome’s Age of Revolution: Augustus, Empire and the Making of Christianity. He tells me why, contrary to what we may have learnt at Sunday... more
My guest in this week’s Book Club podcast is the novelist Dave Eggers, talking about his new book Contrapposto. Dave tells me why, after years of writing tech-saturated satire, he returned to the world of art; how a novel 20 years in the making becam... more
My guest in this week's Book Club podcast is the former Obama speechwriter Ben Rhodes, talking about his new book All We Say: A History of the United States in 15 Speeches. Ben tells me why a debate between two visions of what makes the US special ha... more
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Reviews
- Homophobic publication
Why bother with this podcast? The publication is homophobic and not worthy of support. June 2026 and they publish a hate piece questioning the importance of Pride. Nasty and unnecessary.
Apple Podcasts1Nick Moore Spain
United Kingdom2 months ago - This is where the Spectator excels
This is when the Spectator steps outside of politics and really adds a great deal to arts insight. Both a great listen and challenges assumptions
Apple Podcasts5MartyFartyUnited Kingdom6 months ago - Speccie
Such an enjoyable listen. Erudite, funny, knowledgeable and educational.
Apple Podcasts5Mark1962!!United Kingdom7 months ago - Best book show out there
Sam Leith is such a good interviewer. He’s clearly an intelligent and alert reader; his questions are always designed to get the most out of the authors he is talking to - genuinely insightful and illuminating. Recommended to anyone who is serious about their reading.
Apple Podcasts54th Generation Blades FanUnited Kingdom8 months ago - Best book show out there
Sam Leith is such a good interviewer. He’s clearly an intelligent and insightful reader; his questions are always incisive, designed to get the most out of the authors he is talking to.
Apple Podcasts55th Generation Blades FanUnited Kingdom9 months ago
Listeners Say
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Chart Rankings
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #68 | United Kingdom/Arts/Books |
Apple Podcasts | #183 | United Kingdom/Arts |
Apple Podcasts | #181 |  Australia/Arts/Books |
Apple Podcasts | #76 |  Indonesia/Arts/Books |
Apple Podcasts | #80 |  Sweden/Arts/Books |
Apple Podcasts | #113 |  South Africa/Arts/Books |
Talking Points
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Audience Metrics
Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Book Club
What is The Book Club about and what kind of topics does it cover?
A show focused on literary conversations with influential authors, editors, and thinkers, featuring deep dives into craft, archival material, and the broader ideas behind contemporary writing. Episodes cover a wide range from poetry to heavy-hitting fiction, often pairing rigorous analysis with personal storytelling and behind-the-scenes editorial details. Noteworthy traits include high-caliber guests from major literary houses, thoughtful questioning that surfaces craft and archival context, and a consistent, accessible exploration of how books come to life and resonate today.
Where can I find podcast stats for The Book Club?
Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The Book Club. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to The Book Club and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.
How many listeners does The Book Club get?
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What are the audience demographics for The Book Club?
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How many subscribers and views does The Book Club have?
To see how many followers or subscribers The Book Club has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.
Which podcasts are similar to The Book Club?
These podcasts share a similar audience with The Book Club:
1. The TLS Podcast
2. Backlisted
3. Best of the Spectator
4. The LRB Podcast
5. London Review Bookshop Podcast
How many episodes of The Book Club are there?
The Book Club launched 10 years ago and published 489 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
How do I contact The Book Club?
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Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Book Club?
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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for The Book Club?
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What guests have appeared on The Book Club?
Recent guests on The Book Club include:
1. Penny Bradshaw
2. Tim Whitmarsh
3. Dave Eggers
4. Ben Rhodes
5. Carlo Rovelli
6. Frank Cottrell-Boyce
7. Andrea Wulf
8. Emily Wilson
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.