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The Book Show

Joe Donahue
Family Dynamics
Identity
Literature
Grief
Climate Change
Tell Me Everything
James
Vera Or Faith
Boy From the North Country
Addiction
End Game
Hello Beautiful
Alphabetical Diaries
The Antidote
London Olympics
Social Media
Technology
Friendship
Artificial Intelligence
Random House

Each week on The Book Show, host Joe Donahue interviews authors about their books, their lives and their craft. It is a celebration of both reading and writers. Joe holds interesting conversations with a variety of authors including Malcolm Gladwell, Lawrence Wright, and Emily St. John Mandel.As the son of a librarian, Joe has been part of the book world since childhood. His first job was as a lib... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes200Founded10 years ago
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Latest Episodes

In his latest novel, “The River Is Waiting,” Wally Lamb gives us a story about one man’s fall and uncertain redemption. Corby Ledbetter, a married, father of twins, makes a tragic mistake that sends him to prison and shatters his family. Behind bars,... more

Pulitzer Prize-winning author Elizabeth Strout has spent decades writing about the quiet devastations and unexpected moments of grace that shape ordinary lives. Her latest novel, ‘The Things We Never Say,’ introduces a new cast of characters and a ne... more

Douglas Stuart’s novels include ‘Shuggie Bain’ and ‘Young Mungo.’ In his latest novel ‘John of John,’ Stuart shifts the landscape but not the intensity. Set in Scotland’s remote Hebridean islands, the novel follows a young man returning home, confron... more

Tom Perrotta, bestselling author of ‘Election,’ ‘Little Children,’ and ‘The Leftovers’ returns with ‘Ghost Town.’ Set in 1970s New Jersey, ‘Ghost Town’ centers on Jimmy Perrini, a thirteen-year-old reeling from the death of his mother. It is written ... more

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Recent Guests

Douglas Stuart
Author of John of John
Author
Episode: Douglas Stuart - John of John
Tom Perrotta
Author of Ghost Town
Scribner
Episode: Tom Perrotta - Ghost Town
Kathryn Stockett
Author of The Calamity Club
Spiegel & Grau/Penguin Random House
Episode: Kathryn Stockett - The Calamity Club
Elizabeth Berg
New York Times bestselling author of Life, A Love Story
Random House (publisher)
Episode: Elizabeth Berg - Life: A Love Story
Emma Straub
Author of American Fantasy
Riverhead Books (publisher); Books Are Magic (co‑owner)
Episode: Emma Straub - American Fantasy
Ani DiFranco
Singer-songwriter, activist, and author
Righteous Babe Records
Episode: Ani DiFranco - The Spirit of Ani - A Creative Life Conversation
Tayari Jones
Author of Kin, acclaimed novelist
Author of Kin
Episode: Tayari Jones - Kin
CJ Box
Author of The Crossroads
Putnam (publisher)
Episode: C.J. Box - The Crossroads
Eugene Robinson
Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist, former Washington Post columnist and associate editor; chief political analyst for NBC News and MSNBC
NBC News/MSNBC; The Washington Post
Episode: Eugene Robinson - Freedom Lost, Freedom Won

Host

Joe Donahue
Host of The Book Show, long-time interviewer of authors, with public-radio background and focus on literary craft and author stories.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 53 ratings
  • Love it!

    I just discovered The Book Show and am enjoying it so much! I love hearing some of my favorite authors like Billy Collins (the definition of poetry is awesome), Kaveh Akbar (I'm a huge fan!), and Scott Turow (who knew he had a Chicago or Michigan accent (I think)? Looking forward to catching up! (PS - Joe Donahue sounds like David Letterman, right?!)

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mavis M
    United Statesa year ago
  • Best Author Interviews Out There

    Such an underrated show in the podcast sphere. I used to listen on the radio back east and it's a treasure trove for listening to some of the best authors.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Gingerrsnapped
    United States9 years ago

Listeners Say

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

High production quality and strong guest selection.
Engaging author interviews with thoughtful questions.
Listeners appreciate deep dives into craft and writing process.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#179
France/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Elizabeth Berg - Life: A Love Story
Q: Did Berg have a moment of personal discovery writing this book, especially about aging and living fully?
She reflects on aging as a time for living fully and maintaining grace, noting she loves writing because it allows her to explore these themes deeply and honestly.
Elizabeth Berg - Life: A Love Story
Q: What was it like recording the audiobook and performing Flo's voice?
Berg describes it as terrifying yet rewarding, mentioning her acting background and the challenge of differentiating characters while staying true to Flo's emotional arc.
Elizabeth Berg - Life: A Love Story
Q: How did Berg approach the death-doula character and the hospice aspects of Flo's world?
Berg discusses her nursing background and how she collaborated with a death doula to portray the role authentically, ensuring the portrayal honors both the caretaking and emotional aspects of end-of-life care.
Elizabeth Berg - Life: A Love Story
Q: What inspired Flo's voice and the idea of telling her life through objects?
Berg explains that Flo's voice came from her earlier short story voice and that the objects reveal a life's worth through personal associations, which Berg allows to unfold organically during writing.
Louise Erdrich - Python's Kiss
Q: What was it like to go back and reread and evaluate these stories and put them together again?
She describes a careful process of updating files, choosing which pieces to keep, and recognizing how some stories evolved over time, with a sense that the collection functions like a living archive rather than a fixed compilation.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Book Show

What is The Book Show about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A thoughtful interview series that centers on authors, their books, and the craft of writing. Conversations often weave literary analysis with personal storytelling, exploring themes from memory and history to contemporary culture, with notable attention to the writing process, research methods, and how lived experience informs fiction. The host's long-running public-radio pedigree adds a calm, inquisitive cadence that suits listeners who love deep dives into character, craft, and the societal context surrounding new works. A standout is the breadth of guests—ranging from literary fiction to genre novels—paired with candid discussions about authors' inspirations, editing journeys, and the ethics of portrayal in fiction.

Noteworthy strength... more

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How many subscribers and views does The Book Show have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Book Show 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 Show?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Book Show:

1. The Book Review
2. Poured Over
3. NPR's Book of the Day
4. Wiser Than Me with Julia Louis-Dreyfus
5. Totally Booked with Zibby

How many episodes of The Book Show are there?

The Book Show launched 10 years ago and published 200 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 The Book Show?

Recent guests on The Book Show include:

1. Douglas Stuart
2. Tom Perrotta
3. Kathryn Stockett
4. Elizabeth Berg
5. Emma Straub
6. Ani DiFranco
7. Tayari Jones
8. CJ Box

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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