Podcasts for Readers

Are you a bookworm? Or are you looking for a way to get back into reading? These podcasts about books are perfect for people who want to find new things to read, learn more about their favorite books or even hear some industry gossip.

“What Should I Read Next?”

“What Should I Read Next” touts itself as a “literary matchmaking” podcast, aiming to connect readers with the books they’d love the most. Every episode, host Anne Bogel puts together tailor-made recommendations for her guests – and her listeners. There’s also a huge backlog of episodes, so you’ll never run out of recs.

“Book Fight!”

There’s nothing writers love more than a hot take. On “Book Fight!” hosts Mike Ingram and Tom McAllister get open and honest about their opinions on books, publishing and the literary status quo. Along with their guest authors, they unpack what works (and what doesn’t) about good books, bad books and books that are just so-so. A great place to start is their miniseries on literary essays.

“Debutiful”

First-time authors don’t always get the attention they deserve. On “Debutiful,” host Adam Vitcavage interviews debut authors on their first published works, their literary influences and more. It’s a great way to find fresh new voices for your bookshelf.

“Re: Dracula“

Did you know that you can read “Dracula” in real time? Well, kind of. Bram Stoker’s famous novel is made up of letters, diary entries and articles, each featuring a date. “Re: Dracula” transforms this classic tale into a tense audio drama, releasing entries the same day they’re featured in the book.

Buying a New Car

Tips and tricks to get you through every step of buying a new car, whatever “new” means to you.

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“If Books Could Kill”

Why are so many self-help books full of such bad advice? From threadbare research to bizarre philosophies, Michael Hobbes and Peter Shamshiri break down the bestsellers of pop nonfiction. Hobbes and Shamshiri delight in exposing the flaws of these books and use them as a jumping-off-point to discuss issues that are still relevant today.

“Hey YA”

Are you a young reader at heart? “Hey YA” is a podcast all about what’s going on in young adult (YA) literature. They cover publishing industry news, new releases, genre favorites and more.

“Missing Pages“

The publishing world is filled with scandal, gossip and juicy stories. On “Missing Pages,” literary critic Bethanne Patrick uncovers some of the industry’s most outrageous characters, from published plagiarists to industry scammers who built their entire careers on deceit.

“The New Yorker: Fiction”

The New Yorker has always been an iconic publisher of short stories. On “The New Yorker: Fiction,” fiction editor Deborah Treisman invites a writer to choose a story from the magazine’s long history to read aloud and discuss. Whether you want to stick around for the discussion or not, it’s a great way to get more short stories into your literary diet. 

“LeVar Burton Reads”

Looking for even more short stories? “LeVar Burton Reads” stars iconic “Reading Rainbow” legend LeVar Burton as he narrates some of the best short fiction out there. The immersive, polished sound design really makes this podcast special.

“Backlisted”

Why should new books get all the love? On each episode of “Backlisted,” hosts John Mitchinson and Andy Miller invite a writer to highlight and discuss a book they think deserves more attention. Some selections include “The Awakening” by Kate Chopin, “Beloved” by Toni Morrison and even “Beowulf.” Now that’s an old book!

“Sold a Story”

“Sold a Story” dives deep into the state of literacy education in America. Host Emily Hanford explores the changes in how we teach reading and why the education system might be going in the wrong direction. If we’re truly teaching kids how to read, why are so many of them falling behind? “Sold a Story” interviews parents, children, teachers and education specialists to find out what’s going on between the pages.

If you love podcasts, don’t forget to check out AAA Northeast’s new podcast, “Merging Into Life.” It’s all about navigating life’s biggest milestones, from buying your first car to choosing your child’s first car seat. Listen now!

Did we miss your favorite literary podcast? Tell us about it in the comments below!