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Ask Penguin

Penguin Books UK
Penguin Books
Jane Austen
Book Publishing
Technofeudalism
Wuthering Heights
Pride and Prejudice
Historical Fiction
Christmas Gifting
Queer Literature
Artificial Intelligence
Authors
Editing
Capitalism
Mental Health
Gender Discrimination
Shakespeare
By Any Other Name
LGBTQ+ Representation
Persuasion
Emily Brontë

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.

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

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes266Founded21 years ago
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Society & CultureBooksArts

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Artwork for Ask Penguin

Latest Episodes

Can you read a cookbook cover-to-cover like a thriller? Does your reading level predict a longer life? Why is a punk chef’s memoir the ultimate weapon for reluctant readers? And how do we inspire children to read if we don’t have the time to read to ... more

Why do baby puffins prefer to be alone? Why don’t Cuckoo birds raise their own children? Has the decline of birds taken away the music of our landscapes? And what is the simplest way back if we feel disconnected from nature?

In this episode of As... more

Has modern forensics taken away the power of the murder mystery genre? How does a career in corporate finance prepare you to write about a killer? Is narrative voice more important than plot? And is there really such a thing as a reliable narrator?

more

What are the best books get you out of a reading slump? How did Snakes on a Plane inspire a literary sensation? What did James Joyce and Pakistani rap teach one of our debut novelists? And does a writer need to be completely delusional to finish writ... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Rob McFarlane
Sunday Times and New York Times bestselling author
Author of Is a River Alive, Underland; collaborator on The Book of Birds
Episode: Which books help us reconnect with nature? with Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris
Jackie Morris
Artist and author
Illustrator/author of The Book of Birds and collaborator with Rob McFarlane
Episode: Which books help us reconnect with nature? with Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris
Abir Mukherjee
Bestselling crime and thriller author, known for Wyndham & Banerjee series and The Pinnacle
Self/Author
Episode: What's wrong with reading to look smart? with Abir Mukherjee
Angela Tomaski
Author of The Infamous Gilberts
Penguin/Brand affiliated with debut release
Episode: Which debut novels should you be reading in 2026?
Sufiyaan Salam
Author of Wimmy Road Boyz
Penguin/Brand affiliated with debut release
Episode: Which debut novels should you be reading in 2026?
Madeline Cash
Author of Lost Lambs
Penguin/Brand affiliated with debut release
Episode: Which debut novels should you be reading in 2026?
Dawn French
Author of Enough; comedian and actor
Author
Episode: Which books emotionally wrecked you? With Dawn French
Liz Smith
Penguin editor colleagues introduced as guests in a panel
Penguin Random House
Episode: Which books emotionally wrecked you? With Dawn French
Zaynab Juma
Penguin colleague
Penguin Random House
Episode: What are the best novels about infidelity? With Sophie Mackintosh

Host

Rhianna Dhillon
Host of Ask Penguin

Reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars from 958 ratings
  • Brilliant!

    The episode with Bryony Gordon spoke straight to my soul. Thank you and keep up the amazing work!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MemYesThatsRightMem
    United States2 months ago
  • 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 Podcasts
    5
    Sph2991
    United Kingdom4 months ago
  • 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 Kingdoma year 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 Statesa year ago
  • Eh

    Kinda boring but it was okay🙃

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Abby@234
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

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

Audience notes some volume inconsistencies but still highly recommends for book lovers.
Guests and hosts are described as knowledgeable and engaging, making complex topics accessible.
Listeners praise the show for its thoughtful, well-researched conversations and warm interview style.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#25
United Kingdom/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#65
United Kingdom/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#57
Australia/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#154
Australia/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#24
South Korea/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#28
Finland/Arts/Books

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

What's wrong with reading to look smart? with Abir Mukherjee
Q: What was the biggest challenge writing The Pinnacle's Mumbai setting?
Capturing the social dynamics between the wealthy and their staff, and conveying the authentic atmosphere of Mumbai while balancing satire with serious themes like Me Too and class disparity.
What's wrong with reading to look smart? with Abir Mukherjee
Q: How has technology changed the way you write a murder mystery?
Technology both helps and hinders; it provides new tension but can strip suspense when overused, which makes for careful plotting and pacing.
Which debut novels should you be reading in 2026?
Q: What novel would you recommend next in the same genre as your debut?
Suggestions include Cold Comfort Farm for a gothic-tinged, uplifting counterbalance; Gabrielle Krauze's Who They Was for language and examination of masculinity; and Lydia Millet's A Children's Bible for an optimistic close.
Which debut novels should you be reading in 2026?
Q: Which books sparked your love of reading?
Personal favorites include The Little Prince and A Wrinkle in Time for their imaginative resonance, followed by more literary works that broadened understanding of narrative craft.
Which debut novels should you be reading in 2026?
Q: How do you motivate yourself to finish the manuscript?
Finishers are driven by the momentum of nearing the end and by simple routines that create quiet writing time, like a dedicated writing spot or a small daily ritual; keep the process manageable to avoid burnout.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Ask Penguin

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

A literary discussion show that leans into deep dives with notable authors, editors, and publishers. Episodes mix novel analysis, author storytelling, and industry context, often featuring Penguin colleagues or prominent writers to explore themes, craft, and adaptation in contemporary literature. The vibe is warm, insightful, and conversation-driven, with a strong emphasis on reading culture, translation, and the publishing world, making it appealing to avid readers, aspiring authors, and industry professionals alike.

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How many listeners does Ask Penguin get?

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

How many episodes of Ask Penguin are there?

Ask Penguin launched 21 years ago and published 266 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.

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What guests have appeared on Ask Penguin?

Recent guests on Ask Penguin include:

1. Rob McFarlane
2. Jackie Morris
3. Abir Mukherjee
4. Angela Tomaski
5. Sufiyaan Salam
6. Madeline Cash
7. Dawn French
8. Liz Smith

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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