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The Book Show

ABC listen
Prophet Song
Ego
Booker Prize
Creativity
Patriarchy
Trust
Demon Copperhead
The Atomic Bomb
Mental Health
George Orwell
Wifedom
Domestic Violence
Family Dynamics
HG Wells
Civil War
Republic Of Ireland
Populism
The Conversion
Body Friend
Mr. Einstein's Secretary

Your favourite fiction authors share the story behind their latest books.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes463Founded8 years ago
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BooksArts

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Artwork for The Book Show

Latest Episodes

Ian McEwan's futuristic novel What We Can Know is about rising sea levels and a lost poem. Plus, Randa Abdel-Fattah's response to the crisis in Gaza in her novel Discipline and Vogel Award winner Murray Middleton on the despair of being an artist.

I... more

God of Small Things author Arundhati Roy remembers her difficult mother and how she was shaped as a writer, and Mick Herron on the success of Slow Horses and his repellent but memorable creation, Jackson Lamb.

Arundhati Roy is a giant of literature.... more

Australian author of Addition, Toni Jordan, goes gambling with greyhounds in Tenderfoot, Richard Osman digs up the background to The Thursday Murder Club and critically acclaimed writer, Gail Jones on why she wrote the crime novel, The Name of the Si... more

Discover the favourite books from the 21st century of Colum McCann, Kate Grenville and Kaliane Bradley who share their best reads for ABC Radio National's Top 100 Books.

The Book Show producer Sarah L'Estrange spoke to three acclaimed authors at Me... more

Key Facts

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Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Arundhati Roy
Acclaimed Indian author known for her novels and activism
Episode: Arundhati Roy and Mick Herron on monstrous mothers and Slow Horses
Mick Herron
Author of the 'Slow Horses' series, known for blending humor with espionage
Episode: Arundhati Roy and Mick Herron on monstrous mothers and Slow Horses
Toni Jordan
Australian author known for her personal and introspective writing style.
Episode: Toni Jordan, Richard Osman and Gail Jones on greyhounds, murder and mystery
Gail Jones
Acclaimed Australian author with a focus on literary fiction, recently ventured into crime literature.
Episode: Toni Jordan, Richard Osman and Gail Jones on greyhounds, murder and mystery
R.F. Kuang
Author of Yellowface and Katabasis
Harper Voyager
Episode: R.F. Kuang goes to hell with Katabasis
Gary Shteyngart
Russian-born, American-based author known for novels like Absurdistan and Super Sad True Love Story.
Atlantic (Publisher of Vera or Faith)
Episode: Gary Shteyngart, Jennifer Mills and Rhett Davis ask what's next
Jennifer Mills
Australian author, known for her novel Dyschronia and explores themes of environmental impact.
Picador (Publisher of Salvage)
Episode: Gary Shteyngart, Jennifer Mills and Rhett Davis ask what's next
Rhett Davis
Geelong-based author with a focus on absurdity and the human experience relative to nature.
Hachette (Publisher of Arborescence)
Episode: Gary Shteyngart, Jennifer Mills and Rhett Davis ask what's next
Florence Knapp
Debut novelist discussing her novel "The Names"
Phoenix
Episode: Florence Knapp and Brandon Jack on the power of a name

Host

Claire Nichols
Host with a passion for literature and keen interviewing skills, Claire Nichols engages listeners with her warm approach and insightful questions, often bringing out the best in her guests and discussing complex themes.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 236 ratings
  • Brilliant show

    I love this show and the passion and knowledge of the program host Claire Nichols. Her ability to tap in to all different authors is amazing. One of my go to shows.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Paula Rogers
    Australia4 months ago
  • Fave Australian book podcast

    Been a fan since the beginning but especially enjoying the My Biggest Book series. Thank you!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    shmonblah
    United States7 months ago
  • Love the show!

    I’m really enjoying listening to your show. Your interviews are always insightful and you manage to engage so warmly with your subjects. I’m also particularly loving the music that’s used, so congrats also to whoever is on the controls behind the scenes. Thankyou!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    All the time on the world
    Australia5 years ago
  • Although the hosts mostly do a very good job, I just get sick of the endless political correctness that characterises just about every ABC production these days. White authors are challenged on their credentials to write black characters, but never the reverse. Minority perspectives automatically are given greater respect. Maybe that's to balance the biases of the past, and I accept the need for some redress, but I'd rather hear each book & author treated on their merits

    Podcast Addict
    2
    oldblack
    5 years ago
  • Richard Ford

    Dear Claire. Thank you for the interview with Richard Ford, Striving for better, originally broadcast 29 June 2020. I was struck by the sincerity and intelligence of this interview. It was evident you and the author were listening, thinking about what had been said and responding in kind. The Book Show is consistently of high quality and one of my favourite podcasts.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    pjmanderson
    Australia5 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners praise the host's warmth and passion for literature, highlighting her ability to engage authors effectively.
There are mentions of high-quality interviews that resonate deeply with personal experiences viewers may relate to.
Many appreciate the depth and variety of topics discussed, while some express a desire for shorter episodes.
The insightful discussions are well-received, often leaving the audience inspired to explore new books.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#212
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#1
Australia/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#12
Australia/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#64
Sweden/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#64
New Zealand/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#142
Finland/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

How Ian McEwan is using the future to explore the present
Q: What does the derangement refer to in your novel?
The derangement is about climate change and societal madness about our actions contributing to it, highlighting complicity across populations.
How Ian McEwan is using the future to explore the present
Q: When did it occur to you that you could use a futuristic story to talk about the present?
After writing about climate change in a previous novel, McEwan sought to approach the topic differently to avoid typical dystopias or false optimism.
How Ian McEwan is using the future to explore the present
Q: What does the world look like in the 2120s?
Britain is a rather sleepy archipelago due to a terrible accident, where a nuclear weapon has caused significant tsunamis and societal collapse.
Arundhati Roy and Mick Herron on monstrous mothers and Slow Horses
Q: What inspired you to write 'Slow Horses'?
Mick Herron describes how his experiences at work and insights into bureaucracy and employment law inspired the backdrop of his spy series, intertwining comedy with traditional thriller elements.
Arundhati Roy and Mick Herron on monstrous mothers and Slow Horses
Q: Did your mum support your aspirations to be a writer, Arundhati?
Roy states her mother taught her to read and introduced her to important literary and historical topics, implying support but also conflict due to her mother's later rage against Roy's success.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
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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?

This podcast features in-depth conversations with notable authors, focusing on their latest works and the insights behind their creative processes. The discussions often explore significant themes within literature, including identity, love, societal issues, and personal experiences that shape storytelling. Episodes highlight a diverse range of literary perspectives, from contemporary fiction to historical narratives, showcasing the transformative power of literature in understanding the human experience. A standout feature is the engaging and thoughtful interviewing style that fosters a deep connection between the authors and listeners, making it a go-to resource for book lovers and aspiring writers alike.

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?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for The Book Show, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for The Book Show?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for The Book Show, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

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 Bookshelf
2. Sydney Writers' Festival
3. Chat 10 Looks 3
4. A Podcast of One's Own with Julia Gillard
5. Conversations

How many episodes of The Book Show are there?

The Book Show launched 8 years ago and published 463 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?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

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

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for The Book Show from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on The Book Show?

Recent guests on The Book Show include:

1. Arundhati Roy
2. Mick Herron
3. Toni Jordan
4. Gail Jones
5. R.F. Kuang
6. Gary Shteyngart
7. Jennifer Mills
8. Rhett Davis

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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