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World Book Club

BBC World Service
In the Night Of Time
Spanish Civil War
Toronto
Ignacio Abel
Civil War
Historical Fiction
Museo Nacional Del Prado
The Dutch House
Storytelling
House Of Anansi Press
Sri Lanka
Judith Beeley
Architecture
Canada
Indigenous Peoples
Literature
The Country Girls
Feminism
Immigration
Booker Prize

The world's great authors discuss their best-known novel.

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes277Founded18 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Society & Culture

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Artwork for World Book Club

Latest Episodes

Harriett Gilbert talks with Michelle De Kretser about her 8th novel, and winner the 2023 Rathbones Folio Fiction Prize 'Scary Monsters'. This diptych novel consists of the tale of two immigrants, one in the past, and one in a dystopian future that se... more

Harriett Gilbert is joined by one of the boldest writers of her generation, Ottessa Moshfegh, to delve into her second novel My Year of Rest and Relaxation. This twisted Sleeping Beauty story is told from the perspective of an unnamed protagonist, a ... more

Novelist Meg Rosoff joins Harriett Gilbert to answer listeners' questions about one of her best-loved novels, How I Live Now.

It is the story of Daisy, an American teenager shipped off to live with her aunt and cousins in England. What is at first a... more

World Book Café heads to Oslo to Europe’s largest Literature House to find out if Norway is the best place in the world to be a writer?

Octavia Bright is joined to discuss the highs and lows by the internationally bestselling novelist and climate a... more

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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People also subscribe to these shows.

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Recent Guests

Michelle De Kretser
Award-winning Australian novelist known for her explorations of identity and migration.
Episode: Michelle De Kretser
Maja Lunde
Author known for The History of Bees and climate quartet
Episode: World Book Café: Oslo
Johan Harstad
Acclaimed novelist and playwright
Episode: World Book Café: Oslo
Gunnhild Oyehaug
Prize-winning author of experimental short stories
Episode: World Book Café: Oslo
Oliver Lovrenski
Young author of Back in the Day
Episode: World Book Café: Oslo
Agata Kazmirchak
Project advisor for Norla, Norwegian Literature Abroad
Norla
Episode: World Book Café: Oslo
Douglas Stuart
Scottish American author and fashion designer
Episode: Douglas Stuart: Shuggie Bain
Kate Mosse
British author and internationally best-selling writer
Author of Labyrinth
Episode: Kate Mosse: Labyrinth
Elif Batuman
Award-winning American author of The Idiot and Either Or
Author
Episode: Elif Batuman

Hosts

Harriett Gilbert
Host known for her warm-hearted and engaging interview style, focusing on author connections and rich literary discussions.
Kim Chakanetsa
Co-host and interviewer who brings insightful perspectives, often focusing on the international literary landscape.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 1.1k ratings
  • Without a doubt, my favorite podcast of all time

    I’ve been listening to the World Book Club for many years and have gone back through the entire archive more than once. I think Harriett Gilbert is an outstanding interviewer. She’s authentic, not snobbish, and warm-hearted. And I really like the format; entirely different from the other literature podcasts.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    lisajanrose
    United States2 months ago
  • Delicious! Such depth.

    It is wonderful to hear the voices of readers from all corners of the world talking about the same book. The comments and questions are rich and the answers of authors are rich. The discussions expand our openness to the diversity of our global family.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Wendy Whimsy
    United States2 years ago
  • So Interesting, So Well Presented

    Harriet Gilbert is an excellent presenter in that she seems to relax the guests, respects those who submit questions and when appropriate uses her own life experiences to illustrate themes / issues from the books being discussed. If you enjoy reading then definitely give this podcast a go, there is genuine diversity running through each episode.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    PineGroveCharlie
    United Kingdom2 years ago
  • The best!

    Harriet Gilbert is the best and this podcast is a class apart.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    avm1406
    United States2 years ago
  • Love the thoughtful Q&A that takes place between the authors and their readers

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Eternal Learner
    3 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Many users commend the opportunity to explore deeper themes in literature, making it both informative and engaging for avid readers.
Listeners appreciate the intelligent and sensitive interviewing style, which fosters an authentic connection to authors and their works.
The variety of guests and global literary perspectives enriches the discussions and enhances the overall listening experience.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#218
Italy/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#123
Chile/Society & Culture
Apple Podcasts
#154
Singapore/Society & Culture

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ottessa Moshfegh: My Year of Rest and Relaxation
Q: Were you consciously exploring the anti-hero type character?
Ottessa stated she does not consciously think in terms of hero and anti-hero but instead focuses on character portraiture and realistic experiences.
Ottessa Moshfegh: My Year of Rest and Relaxation
Q: Why did you choose to make the protagonist unnamed?
Ottessa explained that the protagonist could not name herself as she was in the process of erasing her identity, reflecting a deeper exploration of self.
Ottessa Moshfegh: My Year of Rest and Relaxation
Q: Is the protagonist's journey a rejection of today's self-improvement culture?
Though not initially penned as a critique of self-help culture, Ottessa acknowledges that the character's actions reflect a defiance of societal expectations for continual self-improvement.
Ottessa Moshfegh: My Year of Rest and Relaxation
Q: Did you set out to shock your readers with the narrator?
Ottessa acknowledged that her narrator is not for everyone and noted that some readers dislike her for confronting unspoken suffering, suggesting that the discomfort in novels can be important for growth.
Ottessa Moshfegh: My Year of Rest and Relaxation
Q: What inspired you to write My Year of Rest and Relaxation?
Ottessa indicated that many experiences in her life prepared her to write the book, particularly a summer spent with a friend on the Upper East Side which inspired the protagonist's character.

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 World Book Club

What is World Book Club about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A prominent venue for literary exploration, this podcast offers in-depth conversations with acclaimed authors discussing their most celebrated works. Each episode centers around a different novel, allowing authors to share their insights on crafting their stories, character development, and the contextual elements surrounding their narratives. The series covers a wide range of literary themes, from personal struggles to cultural reflections, often involving audience participation through questions submitted by listeners, which enhances the interactive aspect of the discussions. Notably, the diverse selection of guests and their unique backgrounds contribute to a rich tapestry of perspectives on literature, creating a vibrant space for book ... more

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Which podcasts are similar to World Book Club?

These podcasts share a similar audience with World Book Club:

1. Bookclub
2. Books and Authors
3. The Waterstones Podcast
4. The Penguin Podcast
5. London Review Bookshop Podcast

How many episodes of World Book Club are there?

World Book Club launched 18 years ago and published 277 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 World Book Club?

Recent guests on World Book Club include:

1. Michelle De Kretser
2. Maja Lunde
3. Johan Harstad
4. Gunnhild Oyehaug
5. Oliver Lovrenski
6. Agata Kazmirchak
7. Douglas Stuart
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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