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The Bookshelf with Ryan Tubridy

Ryan Tubridy
Books
Eason
Literature
Dublin
Education
Irish Politics
Family
Irish Football
Gary Lightbody
Snow Patrol
Irish Literature
Politics
Rugby
Grief
Ireland
Nesting
The Things We Never Say
Childhood Books
Matilda
Parenting

On ‘The Bookshelf with Ryan Tubridy’, the renowned broadcaster, author and book lover sits down with household names to discover the books that have influenced their lives.

Every week, Ryan will turn the pages of their life through the prism of three books: The childhood book, the book that brought them joy, and the book that changed their life.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more i... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes92Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ArtsLeisure

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Artwork for The Bookshelf

Latest Episodes

Ryan recommends The Weight of Angels by his good friend and former Bookshelf guest John Boyne, one of his favourite writers. This imaginative novel explores what might have happened if Oscar Wilde had lived a longer life, writing more plays, campaign... more

Joe Duffy is one of Ireland’s best-known broadcasters and authors. He presented Liveline on RTÉ Radio 1 for 27 years. His award-winning books include Children of the Rising and Children of the Troubles. His new memoir, Talk to Joe: Life, Liveline and... more

YouTube

Ryan recommends The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout, a beautifully observed story about a man whose life is quietly falling apart. With relatable characters, touching conversations, and a gentle exploration of middle age and beyond, it’s a sh... more

YouTube

Neil Jordan is an Academy Award-winning filmmaker, screenwriter, and novelist. His films include Michael Collins, Interview with the Vampire, and The Crying Game, for which he won Best Original Screenplay in 1993. His books include the Guardian Ficti... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Joe Duffy
Irish broadcaster and author who presented Liveline on RTÉ Radio 1 for 27 years
RTÉ
Episode: Joe Duffy
Neil Jordan
Academy Award-winning filmmaker, screenwriter and novelist
Episode: Neil Jordan
Elizabeth Day
Sunday Times bestselling author, journalist and broadcaster; creator and host of How to Fail
How to Fail
Episode: Elizabeth Day
Marco Pierre White
Chef, restaurateur and author, the youngest chef to earn three Michelin stars
Episode: Marco Pierre White
Hector Ó hEochagáin
Broadcaster, author, and world traveler
Independent broadcaster and author
Episode: Hector Ó hEochagáin
Lorraine Kelly
British broadcaster, journalist, author
Self/Woman's magazines and broadcasting roles
Episode: Lorraine Kelly
Paul Howard
Author of A Nation Once Again; upcoming guest for The Bookshelf Live show
Author
Episode: The Bookshelf Live: Christmas Chaos & Gogglebox Carnage
Joanna Lumley
Actress and guest on the episode
Screen/Stage
Episode: The Bookshelf Live: Joanna Lumley Made Me Blush
Joseph O'Connor
Author, writer, guest announced for Bookshelf Live
Episode: The Bookshelf Live: A Trip to Downing Street!

Host

Ryan Tubridy
Host focused on books, literature, and conversations with notable figures; consistently fosters warm, engaging discussion and book recommendations.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 791 ratings
  • Perfect pod

    Great to have you back. I have always loved your work and how you are with the people you interview. Love this pod.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    shellyk09
    Ireland8 months ago
  • Gone off

    Just not good anymore

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Aastn66
    United Kingdom9 months ago
  • Entertaining and fascinating

    Great podcast, worth a listen and entertaining. The episode with Mary McAleese was absolutely fascinating and candid. I am surprised, having been inspired by her in the past, that I had never really taken the time to learn about her life before Trinity College. A wonderful avenue to learn about her life.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Franirl25
    Ireland9 months ago
  • Leo was brilliant

    Leo is so authentic and a huge loss to politics. Great interview Ryan

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Cahermore
    Irelanda year ago
  • Love the podcast but whhhy Leo ugh

    Ryan, love your podcast and was so excited to see a new season but what a disappointment to see Leo varadkar. Omg what an absolute k***head. Please don’t say Simon Harris is upcoming on your show 🙏

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sarah-!?23
    Irelanda year ago

Listeners Say

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

Guests are frequently described as engaging and well-chosen, with meaningful book insights.
Overall sentiment is positive, with occasional critiques about guest selections or episode focus.
Listeners consistently praise the host's warmth and ease in guiding interviews.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#79
United Kingdom/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#227
Australia/Arts
Spotify
#148
Ireland/Top Podcasts
Spotify
#71
Ireland/Trending
Apple Podcasts
#105
Ireland/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#2
Ireland/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Joe Duffy
Q: When you were seven or eight, who's in the house?
Duffy recalls living with his parents and five siblings in a crowded home with very few books. The Evening Herald was the main publication, and he vividly remembers a copy of The Three Little Pigs.
Joe Duffy
Q: Do you reflect on your years at the mic of Liveline with joy or with?
Duffy says he looks back with joy, though listening to the programmes for his memoir brought both pride and embarrassment. He was struck by the callers' stories and organized the book around 38 of them.
Neil Jordan
Q: Were you ahead of your time making a film like The Crying Game, do you think, and we're only catching up with you? Or was it ever thus?
Jordan says the context and terminology have changed since the film was made. He recalls consulting the trans community during production and argues that the film encompasses race, gender, sexuality and love, not only its famous plot revelation.
Neil Jordan
Q: What book are you going to pick from yourself from your childhood?
Jordan chooses James Stephens's The Crock of Gold, remembering its imaginative blend of Irish landscape, philosophy, absurdity and mythological creatures.
Elizabeth Day
Q: Did reading Eat, Pray, Love prompt you to be brutally honest about your own life and help other people feel seen?
Day says it did, though she did not recognize that influence at the time. The book made her feel less alone during her divorce, and Elizabeth Gilbert became a role model whose work she sees as a kind of lighthouse.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About The Bookshelf

What is The Bookshelf about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A thoughtfully curated interview show that centers conversations with notable figures about the books that shaped their lives. Episodes typically explore three anchor books—the childhood favorite, a book that brought joy, and a life-changing read—woven into intimate, often charming chat about careers, passions, and personal stories. Listeners consistently encounter warm, conversational hosting, insightful author and public figure guests, and rich book recommendations tied to Irish culture and broader literary trends. The format and community feel—combined with strong storytelling, a love of reading, and accessible discussions of life, work, and memory—make it appealing to committed readers and culture enthusiasts seeking texture beyond stan... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Bookshelf?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Bookshelf:

1. Ready To Be Real by Síle Seoige
2. Brendan O'Connor
3. Are We There Yet ? with Kathryn Thomas
4. The Women's Podcast
5. The Laura Dowling Experience

How many episodes of The Bookshelf are there?

The Bookshelf launched 3 years ago and published 92 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 Bookshelf?

Recent guests on The Bookshelf include:

1. Joe Duffy
2. Neil Jordan
3. Elizabeth Day
4. Marco Pierre White
5. Hector Ó hEochagáin
6. Lorraine Kelly
7. Paul Howard
8. Joanna Lumley

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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