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The Book Show

ABC Australia
Climate Change
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Literature
Jane Austen
Love
Writing Process
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Australia
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Mental Health
Australian Literature
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Prophet Song
Percival Everett
Orbital
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International Space Station
Miles Franklin Literary Award
James

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes463Founded9 years ago
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Artwork for The Book Show

Latest Episodes

We have reconvened to solve another perplexing case: how does Agatha Christie plot the murder? We break down one of Agatha's most popular books — Murder on the Orient Express — to discover her tricks of the trade and learn about her commitment to the... more

At the first meeting of The Agatha Christie Murder Club we investigate the life of Agatha Christie to find out what led to a lifetime of writing detective fiction. How did her failed ambitions as an opera singer force her to pivot? What really happen... more

Is there any genre RF Kuang can't master? Her work continually surprises readers and for her latest novel, Taipei Story, she explains why she's shifted gears to tell a quiet story infused with subtle humour.

Taipei Story follows a Chinese American s... more

You voted, we counted and now we know: Tim Winton's Cloudstreet is our favourite-ever Australian book. In this Top 100 Australian Books afterparty we relive the highs, the lows and the controversies of the countdown. Claire Nichols and Hilary Harper ... more

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Recent Guests

Laura Thompson
Author of Agatha Christie: A Mysterious Life and 11 Days
Episode: 01 | The Agatha Christie Murder Club: Who was Agatha?
Rebecca Kuang
Novelist and author of Taipei Story, Yellowface and Katabasis
Episode: Why R.F. Kuang won't stay in the world of Yellowface
Tim Winton
Australian novelist and author of Cloudstreet.
Episode: The Top 100 Australian Books afterparty
Markus Zusak
Australian author of The Book Thief.
Episode: The Top 100 Australian Books afterparty
Melissa Lucashenko
Australian novelist and author of Too Much Lip.
Sisters Inside
Episode: The Top 100 Australian Books afterparty
Sally Morgan
Aboriginal Australian author of the memoir My Place.
Episode: The Top 100 Australian Books afterparty
Charlotte McConaghy
Australian novelist and author of Wild Dark Shore.
Episode: The Top 100 Australian Books afterparty
Min Jin Lee
Korean American novelist and author of Pachinko and American Hagwon.
Episode: Min Jin Lee and Bonnie Garmus: After Pachinko and Lessons in Chemistry
Bonnie Garmus
Novelist and author of Lessons in Chemistry and Peck and Peck.
Episode: Min Jin Lee and Bonnie Garmus: After Pachinko and Lessons in Chemistry

Host

Claire Nichols
Host of The Book Show; engages authors with thoughtful, in-depth questions and contextual knowledge.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 259 ratings
  • The Book Show

    One of two of the best podcasts around about reading and authors. Love it!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Itsallhistory
    Australia8 months ago
  • Love the show and host

    Great interviews of great books 😉

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Nat Fig
    Australiaa year 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
    Australiaa year 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 States2 years 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
    Australia6 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Some episodes have sparked discussions about coverage balance and pacing.
Shows are described as a go-to for book lovers and industry professionals alike.
Guests consistently deliver insightful, well-prepared interviews.
Listeners praise the host's warmth and depth of literary knowledge.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#174
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#44
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#110
Canada/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#169
United Kingdom/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#157
Australia/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#2
Australia/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

01 | The Agatha Christie Murder Club: Who was Agatha?
Q: Do you know what exactly happened?
Thompson says there are many theories about Christie's disappearance, but no definitive solution because the corroborated facts are insufficient.
01 | The Agatha Christie Murder Club: Who was Agatha?
Q: What do we need to know about Agatha's early life?
Christie grew up in Torquay in a close relationship with her mother, after her father died young. Her upbringing gave her considerable freedom and encouraged both family life and creative ambition.
Why R.F. Kuang won't stay in the world of Yellowface
Q: How difficult is that for the next generation to want to know these stories, but not have access to them?
Kuang says younger family members may expect to be welcomed into their family history, while relatives who endured trauma may keep painful memories private to protect them and move forward. Lily experiences that silence as exclusion, though her mother sees it as a way to build a new life.
Why R.F. Kuang won't stay in the world of Yellowface
Q: Is there a lesson there that you shouldn't wait to be perfect, Rebecca?
Kuang says perfectionism can stop people from speaking a language or reaching out while grieving. Taking the risk of saying the wrong thing can help people improve, connect and break through silence.
Min Jin Lee and Bonnie Garmus: After Pachinko and Lessons in Chemistry
Q: What was the seed for Peck and Peck?
Garmus says a difficult day at work and hearing a Nikki Giovanni poem on the radio prompted her to reflect on poetry and the arts. Her disillusionment with technology's shift toward profit also shaped the novel's concerns.

Audience Metrics

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

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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 literary discussion show that centers on fiction and its creators, featuring long-form conversations with prize-winning authors, innovative storytellers, and emerging voices. Topics span thematic analysis of recent novels, writing process, cultural heritage, memory, and how real-world contexts—politics, history, and social issues—inform storytelling. Noteworthy moments often emerge from blending craft notes with personal anecdotes, exploring art, identity, and the imagined worlds authors build. The format tends to favor thoughtful, in-depth interviews that appeal to avid readers, book industry professionals, and potential sponsors seeking author-facing storytelling with strong listener engagement.

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?

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

How many episodes of The Book Show are there?

The Book Show launched 9 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. Laura Thompson
2. Rebecca Kuang
3. Tim Winton
4. Markus Zusak
5. Melissa Lucashenko
6. Sally Morgan
7. Charlotte McConaghy
8. Min Jin Lee

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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