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Artwork for The Waterstones Podcast

The Waterstones Podcast

Waterstones
Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize
Love
Art
Long Island
Mental Health
Family Dynamics
Identity
The Ministry Of Time
London
Grief
Brooklyn
Climate Change
History
George Michael
Women's Rights
How To Kill Your Family
Orbital
Motherhood
Time Travel
Crippen Case

Going beyond the book with a wide range of authors to discover the story behind the books we love.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes202Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BooksArts

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Artwork for The Waterstones Podcast

Latest Episodes

After losing her best friend, Ann Patchett poured all that love into her new novel, Whistler. Bringing platonic love to the fore, alongside the unearthing of the past and a reckoning with our own mortality; we sat down to speak with her about what it... more

50% of people in the UK take supplements and the consumer blood-testing industry is now a $128 billion business. But does any of it work? In an increasingly confusing world Xand van Tulleken wanted to cut through the noise to sort fact from fiction. ... more

In her most personal novel yet, Rebecca F. Kuang transports readers to Taipei, where Yale student Lily is working on her Chinese language to better connect with her Chinese family, only for loss to appear suddenly and change her perspective. In a fas... more

Kate Atkinson's latest novel beautifully combines her skills in historical detail and crime caper plotting for a story which assembles a motley crew of misfits attempting to curate 1951's Festival of Britain. We sat down to speak with her about the a... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Ann Patchett
Author of Whistler and other novels
HarperCollins (US publisher)
Episode: Ann Patchett
Xand van Tulleken
Guest, author and physician
Author of Make Me Well
Episode: Xand van Tulleken
Rebecca F. Kuang
Author of Taipei Story, discussing linguistic relativity and themes in the book
Author
Episode: Rebecca F. Kuang returns!
Kate Atkinson
Author of Our Noble Selves
Episode: Kate Atkinson
Rebecca Perry
Author of the Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize-winning novel, The Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize winner
Author
Episode: Rebecca Perry
Jon Ronson
Author of The Castle, discussing his book and its themes
Author
Episode: Jon Ronson
Alice Oseman
Author and creator of Heartstopper
Author (Heartstopper)
Episode: Alice Oseman
Andrew Sean Greer
Author of Villa Coco and Less, discussed as a guest on the Waterstones Podcast
Author
Episode: Andrew Sean Greer
Madeleine Cash
Author of Lost Lambs
Independent author
Episode: Meet the Waterstones Debut Fiction Prize 2026 Shortlist Authors

Host

Will Rycroft
Host of The Waterstones Podcast

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars from 348 ratings
  • Can someone help them with the sound quality

    I love this podcast but why is the sound quality like that

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AnnaLFW
    Germanya month ago
  • Less Host Talking

    Great guests like Nigel Slater ; would be 5 star if host spoke much much less!

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    trillionshelper
    United States2 years ago
  • Great for finding new authors!

    Love the interviewer and short interviews. Always a good listen to expand my reading horizons!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Shooker374
    United Kingdom3 years ago
  • Fantastic

    A nicely varied podcast about books, with authors, actors and humans discussing all aspects of books and our lives!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    hanrutous
    United Kingdom3 years ago
  • My favourite!

    This is the best bookish podcast I’ve come across. So enjoying each conversation, emotive themes explored but communicated in a lighthearted and warm style. LOVE ❤️📚

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AlishaBens0n
    United Kingdom3 years ago

Listeners Say

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

The show is noted for variety, including memoirs, history, and children's literature.
Many appreciate the thematic structure and craft-focused conversations.
Guests are described as insightful and the host's warmth keeps discussions engaging.
Listeners praise the interview depth and range of authors, from debuts to established voices.
Some criticism exists around pacing in longer episodes.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#126
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#249
United States/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#12
United Kingdom/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#32
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#40
United Kingdom/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#91
Canada/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Rebecca Perry
Q: If we could place your book into the hands of any A-list Hollywood talent, who would you like to read it?
The guest mentions Sarah Jessica Parker and Lena Dunham as exciting readers, and also expresses deep interest in Mary Beard reading it, while noting the possibility that Hillary Mantel would have found it fascinating for her research-oriented approach.
Kate Atkinson
Q: Where does Veronica come from and why is she such a brilliant addition to the book?
Veronica was introduced when she was young and quickly became a sharp, independent voice who challenges the protagonist; she elevates the plot by offering a different perspective and catalyzing character development, transforming the narrative into a more dynamic, crime-solving duo.
Kate Atkinson
Q: Tell me a little bit about the motley crew of characters that you have assembled for the Festival office.
The characters are partly drawn from reality but mostly imagined to fit the fictional office; they include a trio of workers and a precocious 14-year-old who helps drive the office's quirky projects, while each character is shaped by experiences of the war, which influences their humor and resilience.
Xand van Tulleken
Q: What did the large vitamin D trials reveal about its usefulness in healthy populations?
They showed that in healthy individuals, extra vitamin D does not meaningfully improve bone health or other health outcomes, challenging the idea that more is better.
Xand van Tulleken
Q: Why did you decide to wear and study CGMs as part of your approach to wellness?
I wanted to understand how real-time data could affect behavior, but also to show how readings can be misleading for healthy people and how context matters for interpreting them.

Audience Metrics

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions About The Waterstones Podcast

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

A thoughtfully curated book-centered interview series that covers a wide range of authors—from debut fiction writers to established literary voices—alongside historians and illustrators. Episodes typically center on craft, thematic explorations, and the real-life inspirations behind acclaimed books, with recurring strengths in memoir, historical fiction, and children's literature. Listeners often get deep dives into process, research, and the intersection of literature with culture, memory, and place, all delivered in warm, insightful conversations. The show's appeal lies in its thematic variety, strong interview technique, and a balanced mix of debut spotlight episodes and author deep-dives, making it a good fit for readers who want both d... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Waterstones Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Waterstones Podcast:

1. Take Four Books
2. A Good Read
3. Bookclub
4. Artists at Work
5. The Radio 2 Book Club

How many episodes of The Waterstones Podcast are there?

The Waterstones Podcast launched 8 years ago and published 202 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 Waterstones Podcast?

Recent guests on The Waterstones Podcast include:

1. Ann Patchett
2. Xand van Tulleken
3. Rebecca F. Kuang
4. Kate Atkinson
5. Rebecca Perry
6. Jon Ronson
7. Alice Oseman
8. Andrew Sean Greer

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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