Ask Penguin
Penguin Books UKWhat 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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| Publishes | Twice monthly | Episodes | 259 | Founded | 20 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | ArtsSociety & CultureBooks | |||
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Latest Episodes
Is Wuthering Heights the perfect novel or the perfect work of art? Why do we fall in love with villains? Is all love doomed? And if Emerald Fennell could adapt another book to film, what would she choose?
In this special episode of Ask Penguin, we ... more
In this special bonus episode, and to mark Jane Austen’s 250th birthday, we step inside her home in Alton to uncover the life she lived there and the objects she treasured most. From first editions to her own annotated books which formed her personal... more
What were our favourite books of the year and what are we most excited to read in 2026? Join the team behind the Ask Penguin podcast to look back at standout titles, memorable podcast moments, and the reading intentions we’re taking into the New Year... more
Which novels are truly unputdownable and what should you read on a dark winter's night? We’re joined by best-selling author, Paula Hawkins, who discusses art, love and remote islands in her latest thriller, The Blue Hour. She also helps us tackle you... more
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Reviews
- Love
Love this show. My only feedback would be to adjust the sound compression. I often turn the volume up to hear the quietest speaker only to be deafened when there is any laughter! :)
Apple Podcasts5Sph2991
United Kingdom11 days ago - Inconsistent volume
Great podcast but volume varies in the space of an episode - goes from very loud to hard to hear.
Apple Podcasts3loujane87United Kingdom8 months ago - A gem!
One of my favorite programs - interesting, well-recorded, and sharply smart without a whiff of pretension. Bravo!
Apple Podcasts5WaterBearer137
United States8 months ago - Eh
Kinda boring but it was okay🙃
Apple Podcasts4Abby@234United States9 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 Podcasts4Cameren B-GUnited Kingdom10 months ago
Listeners Say
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Chart Rankings
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #63 | United Kingdom/Arts/Books |
Apple Podcasts | #156 | United Kingdom/Arts |
Apple Podcasts | #116 |  Australia/Arts/Books |
Apple Podcasts | #186 | Australia/Arts |
Apple Podcasts | #18 |  Indonesia/Arts/Books |
Apple Podcasts | #39 | Indonesia/Arts |
Talking Points
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Audience Metrics
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Frequently Asked Questions About Ask Penguin
What is Ask Penguin about and what kind of topics does it cover?
This show consistently centers conversations with prominent authors, editors, and publishing insiders, often pairing literary figures with debates about adapting classic texts, translating fiction, or exploring current themes in writing. Episodes frequently spotlight flagship titles from Penguin's catalog, discuss the craft of storytelling, and highlight the publishing ecosystem—from discovery and marketing to literary prizes and reader communities. A notable strength is the host's warm, conversational interviewing style that surfaces personal connections to work, while frequently drawing out practical takeaways for readers and aspiring authors alike. The format often blends author profiles, behind-the-scenes publishing insights, and though... more
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How many listeners does Ask Penguin get?
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What are the audience demographics for Ask Penguin?
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How many subscribers and views does Ask Penguin have?
To see how many followers or subscribers Ask Penguin 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 Ask Penguin?
These podcasts share a similar audience with Ask Penguin:
1. Bookclub
2. World Book Club
3. Backlisted
4. This Cultural Life
5. Close Readings
How many episodes of Ask Penguin are there?
Ask Penguin launched 20 years ago and published 259 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 Ask Penguin?
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 Ask Penguin?
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View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.
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What guests have appeared on Ask Penguin?
Recent guests on Ask Penguin include:
1. Emerald Fennell
2. Harriet Evans
3. Henry Eliott
4. Paula Hawkins
5. Jane Lawson
6. Zadie Smith
7. Philip Pullman
8. Ocean Vuong
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.