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Ask Penguin

Penguin Books UK
Penguin Books
Book Publishing
Technofeudalism
Capitalism
Editing
Authors
Historical Fiction
By Any Other Name
Mental Health
Artificial Intelligence
Cloud Capital
Collective Action
Black History Month
Classic Literature
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Books To Screen Adaptations
Amelia Bassano
Women Writers
Theater
Emotional Wellbeing

What should I read next? Ask Penguin is the podcast where your quirkiest, trickiest, and most urgent book questions get answered. Hosted by Rhianna Dhillon, we bring bestselling authors and Penguin insiders to explore some of your favourite books and discover new ones that you are yet to read.

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PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes255Founded20 years ago
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Society & CultureBooksArts

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Latest Episodes

What are the best new books in Korean fiction? What is the process of translating a book into English? And how do you evoke a sense of place you haven't visited?

This week we sat down with award-winning and internationally best-selling author, Karl ... more

Which multi-generational novels inspired White Teeth? Where does Zadie Smith turn for her next great read? And our Penguin team is back to solve your reading dilemmas - whether you're after fascinating memoirs, this year's pick of prize-winning books... more

What was the inspiration behind Philip Pullman’s Northern Lights series? How does he want readers to feel on Lyra’s final adventure in The Rose Field? Has his demon changed now that he has got to the end of this writing journey, and how do you say go... more

Why do we still love Jane Austen’s novels 250 years later? What makes her stories continue to inspire readers and creators today? And if Jane were alive now, which book would you recommend she read? 

In this special episode, recorded at Jane Austen’... more

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Recent Guests

Zadie Smith
One of the most distinctive and widely loved writers of her generation, winner of the Women's Prize, and author of the latest essay collection "Dead and Alive."
Author
Episode: Why are generations at war with each other? With Zadie Smith
Philip Pullman
Beloved author best known for His Dark Materials
Penguin
Episode: Is never growing up the secret to great storytelling? With Philip Pullman
Ocean Vuong
Award-winning poet, essayist, and novelist
Episode: Why do we still laugh when times are hard? With Ocean Vuong
Sarah Howe
Poet and Poetry Editor at Chatto & Windus, with notable works exploring identity and belonging
Penguin Books
Episode: Why do we still laugh when times are hard? With Ocean Vuong
Jack Edwards
Cultural catalyst and internet influencer, creator-in-residence for Hay Festival
Episode: Which Penguin books shocked society and became cultural icons? With Jack Edwards and Penguin Editor, Simon Prosser
Irvine Welsh
Author of Trainspotting and Men in Love
Author
Episode: Youth culture, love and music with Irvine Welsh and Derek Owusu
Derek Owusu
Award-winning author of Borderline Fiction
Penguin Books
Episode: Youth culture, love and music with Irvine Welsh and Derek Owusu
Kate Mosse
International bestselling author, founder director of The Women's Prize
Penguin Books
Episode: How Penguin Books turned the UK into a nation of readers
Zainab Juma
Head of brand at Penguin Books
Penguin Books
Episode: How Penguin Books turned the UK into a nation of readers

Host

Rhianna Dillon
Rhianna Dillon is a host known for her engaging and insightful discussions with authors and literary figures, drawing out personal stories and professional insights that resonate with listeners passionate about literature.

Reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars from 946 ratings
  • Inconsistent volume

    Great podcast but volume varies in the space of an episode - goes from very loud to hard to hear.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    loujane87
    United Kingdom4 months ago
  • A gem!

    One of my favorite programs - interesting, well-recorded, and sharply smart without a whiff of pretension. Bravo!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    WaterBearer137
    United States4 months ago
  • Eh

    Kinda boring but it was okay🙃

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Abby@234
    United States5 months ago
  • Great pod!

    Thoroughly insightful and enjoyable podcast, I’ve learnt a lot from listening and it’s helped reignite my curiosity about books!

    However audio is a bit inconsistent. Sometimes the audio is too quiet or too loud, especially on eps with guests who speak at dif volumes, so I have to keep adjusting the volume on my device.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Cameren B-G
    United Kingdom6 months ago
  • Heart warming

    Love the way Nihal interviews authors in a relaxed manner. A natural conversation forms and he gives the time to his interviewee to form and express their thoghts calmly. Their talks are very comforting and pleasant. I enjoy the other interviewer talks as well except that she keeps trying to find ecos with her own writing, which I find a bit annoying beause it is not about her I want to learn but about the author she is interviewing, and every chance she has she makes a silly connection to the s... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    JuliaMNZ
    New Zealanda year ago

Listeners Say

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

Many enjoy the engaging content that brings the literature community closer to discussions about the writing process and reading culture, noting a blend of humor and depth in conversations.
Listeners appreciate the podcast for its insightful discussions and warm interview style, highlighting the strong connection between the host and guests.
Some feedback mentions audio quality inconsistencies, which can be a point of frustration for a few but does not significantly detract from the overall enjoyment of the podcast.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#106
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#13
United Kingdom/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#35
United Kingdom/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#53
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#149
Canada/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#33
Australia/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Is never growing up the secret to great storytelling? With Philip Pullman
Q: What do you hope that people are going to take away from The Rose Field but also Lyra's story more widely?
He hopes readers will experience a sense of adventure and growth, and he humorously desires them to want to purchase his next book.
Is never growing up the secret to great storytelling? With Philip Pullman
Q: How important do you think storytelling is just in our day-to-day lives and the way that we speak to each other?
Pullman asserted that storytelling is fundamental to our understanding of ourselves and the universe, highlighting the pervasive nature of narratives in everyday contexts.
Is never growing up the secret to great storytelling? With Philip Pullman
Q: Did you, when you sort of began writing this particular part of Lyra's story, did you sort of already have all of the information that you needed from His Dark Materials?
Yes, he had to revisit and refer to his earlier works, including a book that details every character and reference to aid his recollection.
Is never growing up the secret to great storytelling? With Philip Pullman
Q: Can you remember the last day that you actually finished writing, tinkering, what that felt like?
Pullman recalled feeling relief after years of writing and rewriting, underscoring the iterative nature of his writing process.
Which Penguin books shocked society and became cultural icons? With Jack Edwards and Penguin Editor, Simon Prosser
Q: What do you think has changed in terms of what shocks readers today compared to the past?
Simon suggested there are two kinds of shock; societal mores changing over time and the shock of realization when confronting unsettling truths about human nature and history.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
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Frequently Asked Questions About Ask Penguin

What is Ask Penguin about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The content covers a broad spectrum of literary discussions, engaging listeners through interviews with a wide range of authors, editors, and publishing industry professionals. It frequently explores topics such as literature's societal impact, the evolution of reading culture, and the significance of various genres, including children's literature, romance, and queer narratives. Listeners can expect a blend of personal storytelling and professional insights that emphasize the transformative power of books and the connections between authors, their works, and the reading community. The podcast stands out for its intimate conversational style and the opportunity to learn about the behind-the-scenes workings of the publishing world, making it... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Ask Penguin?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Ask Penguin:

1. The Waterstones Podcast
2. Bookclub
3. A Good Read
4. World Book Club
5. Take Four Books

How many episodes of Ask Penguin are there?

Ask Penguin launched 20 years ago and published 255 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 Ask Penguin?

Recent guests on Ask Penguin include:

1. Zadie Smith
2. Philip Pullman
3. Ocean Vuong
4. Sarah Howe
5. Jack Edwards
6. Irvine Welsh
7. Derek Owusu
8. Kate Mosse

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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