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The Book Show

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

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

Jane Austen's novel Persuasion was the last she completed before her death and it is considered a more mature, sombre romance, and in Dear Jane, we ask what makes it so special?

Persuasion follows the ever dependable Anne Elliot and Frederick Wentwo... more

British comic Ben Elton on the Aussie inspiration for writing fiction, and Miles Franklin winner Sofie Laguna on the collision of puberty and Roman mythology in her novel The Underworld. Plus the rules for reading Austen's Pride and Prejudice with Ir... more

In a Jane Austen novel, what does it mean if a character is in the Navy? What role do aunts and silly characters play? And what's the significance of the lavish balls?

Irish author of Brooklyn and Long Island, Colm Tóibín, has the answers and share... more

The British-Hungarian author David Szalay restrained novel Flesh has won the 2025 Booker Prize.

The prize was presented to Szalay by Samantha Harvey, winner of the previous year's prize.

Flesh follows the dramatic life of István from his teens in... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Colm Tóibín
Acclaimed Irish writer, author of Brooklyn and Long Island
Columbia University
Episode: 02 | Dear Jane — the perfectly plotted Pride and Prejudice
David Szalay
Award-winning author and winner of the Booker Prize for his novel 'Flesh'.
Episode: Pod extra: David Szalay wins the Booker Prize
Devoney Looser
Regents Professor of English at Arizona State University and Jane Austen expert
Arizona State University
Episode: 01 | Dear Jane — the wild, not mild, Jane Austen
Ben Markovits
Author of the Booker shortlisted novel, The Rest of Our Lives
Episode: Who will win the Booker Prize?
Susan Choi
Author of the Booker shortlisted novel, Flashlight
Episode: Who will win the Booker Prize?
Andrew Miller
Author of the Booker shortlisted novel, The Land in Winter
Episode: Who will win the Booker Prize?
Kiran Desai
Author of the Booker shortlisted novel, The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny
Episode: Who will win the Booker Prize?
Eric Puchner
American writer known for his novel Dream State
Episode: An American elegy with Eric Puchner and Jane Harper on grief and the disappeared
Jane Harper
Author of crime fiction, known for The Dry
Episode: An American elegy with Eric Puchner and Jane Harper on grief and the disappeared

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 239 ratings
  • Love the show and host

    Great interviews of great books 😉

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Nat Fig
    Australiaa month ago
  • 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
    Australia6 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 States9 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

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
#148
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#190
United Kingdom/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#249
Australia/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#3
Australia/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#9
Australia/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#20
New Zealand/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ben Elton and the case for popular fiction
Q: Are we going to see another novel from you, Ben Elton?
I think I probably will write another novel, but I have no ideas at the moment; it's harder now to get noticed among the new generation of writers.
Ben Elton and the case for popular fiction
Q: Was it confronting to look back on a life and ask yourself those questions about the choices that you've made?
No, I found it illuminating. I reflected on moments of folly but accepted I am who I am, and I wouldn't change anything, as any changes could lead to unintended consequences in my life.
Ben Elton and the case for popular fiction
Q: How did your relationship with Rick Mayall evolve during the time of writing The Young Ones?
Our professional relationship blossomed during The Young Ones, but it also fractured, and we never quite got back to how it was.
Pod extra: David Szalay wins the Booker Prize
Q: Why were you wanting to push him to such extremes?
Szalay aimed to reflect the dramatic and extreme experiences that shape lives.
Pod extra: David Szalay wins the Booker Prize
Q: Did you enjoy writing this book?
Szalay initially faced pressure but ultimately enjoyed the process once it got going.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
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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?

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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. Conversations
4. Chat 10 Looks 3
5. Big Ideas

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. Colm Tóibín
2. David Szalay
3. Devoney Looser
4. Ben Markovits
5. Susan Choi
6. Andrew Miller
7. Kiran Desai
8. Eric Puchner

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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