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Artwork for The Book Show

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
The River Is Waiting

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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Artwork for The Book Show

Latest Episodes

Author Colm Toibin’s latest, 'The News From Dublin,' is his first story collection in more than a decade. The volume gathers nine stories set across Ireland, Spain, the United States, and beyond, tracing lives shaped by distance, memory, and the pull... more

Andrew Sean Greer, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Less, returns with 'Villa Coco,' a witty and warmhearted novel set in the hills of Tuscany.The story follows a drifting young American who takes a job with the eccentric Baronessa Coco and soon ... more

Ann Patchett's new novel, Whistler, begins with a chance meeting at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Daphne Fuller unexpectedly encounters Eddie Triplett, the former stepfather who vanished from her life decades earlier.Their reunion reopens memories ... more

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

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Recent Guests

Ann Patchett
Author of Whistler; owner of Parnassus Books
Parnassus Books (independent bookstore)
Episode: Ann Patchett - Whistler
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

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
#41
Ireland/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#100
Ireland/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#179
Denmark/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Elizabeth Strout - The Things We Never Say
Q: How did the political moment influence Artie and the novel's trajectory?
The politics of the time pressed into Artie's interior life, affecting his relationships and the decisions he faces, and I aimed to reflect how public events shape personal meaning.
Elizabeth Strout - The Things We Never Say
Q: Was that a conscious choice or did that suddenly just happen when you shifted from Maine to Massachusetts?
It felt like a natural evolution; I wanted to start fresh with new settings and new lives, while letting the old cast lightly linger in the background.
Ann Patchett - Whistler
Q: Give me a sense of how you came to this particular idea of a family dynamic that you wanted to explore.
Patchett explains she wanted to explore love and memory, shaping the narrative from the love between Daphne and Eddie rather than a preordained moral or theme.
Wally Lamb - The River is Waiting
Q: What is it like to start off that way?
Lamb describes the opening as a cataclysmic, heart-stopping moment that sets the emotional tone for the novel and invites reflection on guilt, forgiveness, and the consequences that follow.
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.

Audience Metrics

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Gender Skew
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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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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. Totally Booked with Zibby
3. Fresh Air
4. The Book Case
5. The New Yorker Radio Hour

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

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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