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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

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

Kathryn Stockett became a literary phenomenon with her debut novel ‘The Help,’ a book that spent more than two years on the bestseller list and was adapted into an Academy Award–winning film. Now, nearly two decades later, she returns with ‘The Calam... more

Elizabeth Berg’s latest novel, ‘Life: A Love Story,’ brings readers into the final chapter of a remarkable life. It centers on ninety-two-year-old Florence Greene, who, begins writing an “autobiography in things” - a letter to a younger friend that t... more

Louise Erdrich, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of 'The Night Watchman,' returns with 'Python’s Kiss,' a new story collection that blends the everyday with the uncanny. Spanning decades, these stories explore love, loss, and the porous boundary between... more

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Recent Guests

Elizabeth Berg
New York Times bestselling author of Life, A Love Story
Random House (publisher)
Episode: Elizabeth Berg - Life: A Love Story
Louise Erdrich
American author known for The Night Watchman and The Roundhouse
Harper (publisher for Python's Kiss)
Episode: Louise Erdrich - Python's Kiss
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
Lauren Groff
Author of Brawler
Riverhead Books (publisher)
Episode: Lauren Groff - Brawler
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
Karl Ove Knausgaard
A Norwegian author known for his introspective and autobiographical writing style
Penguin Press (publisher of The School of Night)
Episode: The Book Show | Karl Ove Knausgaard - The School of Night

Host

Joe Donahue
Host of a literary-focused podcast, known for engaging interviews with authors about their works, lives, and writing craft.

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.

Listeners appreciate the thoughtful interviews with authors, finding them insightful and engaging.
Most comments highlight the quality of guests and the depth of discussions surrounding literary topics.
There is a strong recommendation for the podcast as a valuable resource for anyone interested in literature and writing.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#243
New Zealand/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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Listeners per Episode
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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 prominent platform for literary discussion, this podcast features interviews with a diverse array of authors, exploring their works, writing processes, and the unique narratives that shape their lives. Central themes include discussions about creativity, the emotional intricacies of storytelling, and the significance of literature in understanding human experiences. Episodes highlight various contemporary literary figures and delve into topics such as personal growth, societal issues, and the subtle complexities of relationships as portrayed in fiction. Listeners are likely to appreciate the thoughtful conversations that not only celebrate authorship but also illuminate broader cultural dialogues within the literary landscape.

Where can I find podcast stats for The Book Show?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The Book Show. 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 Show and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

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. Totally Booked with Zibby
3. The Book Case
4. The Book Review
5. NPR's Book of the Day

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.

How do I contact The Book Show?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Book Show?

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What guests have appeared on The Book Show?

Recent guests on The Book Show include:

1. Elizabeth Berg
2. Louise Erdrich
3. Emma Straub
4. Ani DiFranco
5. Tayari Jones
6. Lauren Groff
7. CJ Box
8. Eugene Robinson

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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