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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
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

Booker Prize-winning novelist Marlon James returns to Jamaica with 'The Disappearers.' Set in Kingston in 1988, the novel follows eight gay men whose lives are forever changed by a brutal attack.James joins us to talk about friendship, violence, iden... more

Chang-Rae Lee joins us to discuss 'A Tender Age,' a coming-of-age story set in the summer of 1976 that explores family, identity, memory, and the moments that shape a life. From the award-winning author of Native Speaker comes a deeply moving new nov... more

Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Richard Russo has made a career exploring the complicated relationships of small-town America. His latest, 'Under the Falls,' follows a famous musician returning to the Adirondack town he fled years ago, where old frie... more

Sigrid Nunez has long been one of America's most thoughtful literary voices. Now, after more than three decades as a novelist, she's published her first collection of short fiction, 'It Will Come Back to You.' The stories span much of her career, bri... more

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Recent Guests

Marlon James
Author of The Disappearers
Riverhead Books
Episode: Marlon James - The Disappearers
Chang-Rae Lee
Author of A Tender Age
Riverhead Books
Episode: Chang-Rae lee - A Tender Age
Sigrid Nunez
National Book Award–winning author, author of It Will Come Back to You
Author
Episode: Sigrid Nunez - It Will Come Back to You
Paul Yoon
Author
Scribner / Author of Etna
Episode: Paul Yoon - Etna
Daniel Mason
Author of Country People
Random House
Episode: Daniel Mason - Country People
Colson Whitehead
Award-winning author of Harlem Shuffle, The Underground Railroad, etc.
Author
Episode: Colson Whitehead - Cool Machine
Amy Bloom
New York Times best-selling author of fiction and memoir, author of Blunt Instrument
Author
Episode: Amy Bloom - Blunt Instrument
Francine Prose
Author of Five Weeks in the Country
Harper (publisher)
Episode: Francine Prose - Five Weeks in the Country
Colm Toibín
Irish novelist and author of The News From Dublin
Author
Episode: Colm Toibin - The News from Dublin

Host

Joe Donahue
Host of The Book Show; long-running radio interviewer with a focus on author conversations, craft, and books.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 54 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.

Love the show's depth and breadth of author guests and thoughtful questions.
The host's radio heritage adds a warm, insightful interviewing style.
The interviews feel authentic and well-curated, with engaging host rapport.
A treasure trove for listening to great authors and craft discussions.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#150
Israel/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Richard Russo - Under the Falls
Q: The thriller aspect of it, did that come as a surprise?
Russo confirms he was drawn to the idea of a thriller from the start, aiming for a thriller that is character- and place-driven rather than purely plot-driven, and notes the challenge and reward of writing something new.
Chang-Rae lee - A Tender Age
Q: What brought you to the overall ideas, and why set the story in 1976?
The era provides a clean contrast to a world without the internet and with different social dynamics, allowing the protagonist to explore belonging and rules in a contained environment.
Sigrid Nunez - It Will Come Back to You
Q: So let me ask the obvious first question, which is about collection of stories. Was that always in the back of your mind of something that you would do?
Sigrid Nunez explains she had not planned to publish a collection of stories, but began writing them over the years and eventually gathered a set that felt cohesive and worth sharing, with a four-story core that led to the decision to assemble a collection.
Daniel Mason - Country People
Q: Did you know where you were headed at all times?
He felt more confident about the book's arc than with Northwoods, aiming to write a happy, uplifting ending while allowing for a mythic underworld element to emerge later in the process; he also notes that contemporary writing carries the risk of world events shifting the narrative, which influenced how the story evolved.
Daniel Mason - Country People
Q: What were you afraid of?
He feared that telling jokes or portraying characters with quirks wouldn't land and that he might offend readers, a worry that shaped how he balanced humor with respect for real people and the realities of contemporary America.

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?

The show centers on in-depth author interviews that blend craft, storytelling, and book promotion. Conversations commonly explore how authors approach character, structure, and thematic resonance across contemporary fiction and literary non-fiction, with frequent emphasis on the writing process, historical context, and the personal experiences that shape a book. The host's long-running radio presence adds a warm, interview-focused rhythm that has attracted a roster of renowned writers, making it a go-to for listeners who want thoughtful discussions and behind-the-scenes storytelling from top authors.

A standout aspect is the consistent focus on craft and the progression of an author's career, often tying new releases to broader literary co... more

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How many listeners does The Book Show get?

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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. Poured Over
2. The Book Show
3. NPR's Book of the Day
4. All Of It with Alison Stewart
5. The Book Review

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. Marlon James
2. Chang-Rae Lee
3. Sigrid Nunez
4. Paul Yoon
5. Daniel Mason
6. Colson Whitehead
7. Amy Bloom
8. Francine Prose

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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