Ask Penguin

Penguin Books UK
  • 4.2 (138)
  • BOOKS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

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.

  1. Why are generations at war with each other? With Zadie Smith

    1D AGO

    Why are generations at war with each other? With Zadie Smith

    Which multi-generational novels inspired White Teeth? Where does Zadie Smith turn for her next great read? And our Penguin team is back to solve your reading dilemmas - whether you're after fascinating memoirs, this year's pick of prize-winning books, or stories perfect for Autumn.  Discover all the books mentioned on this episode: Click here Zadie Smtih is one of the most distinctive, exciting and widely loved writers of her generation: she’s the twice shortlisted, once winner of the Women's Prize, also shortlisted for the Booker and has been twice named among Granta’s Best Young British Novelists. Her debut, White Teeth, blazed onto the best-seller lists, and established her as a defining generational voice. Her follow-up work includes the critically and commercially acclaimed NW, On Beauty, and Swing Time. Zadie Smith’s latest work is Dead and Alive: the keenly awaited new collection of essays, in which she brings her unique skills and observations to bear across a dazzling range of subjects. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    56 min
  2. Is never growing up the secret to great storytelling? With Philip Pullman

    OCT 30

    Is never growing up the secret to great storytelling? With Philip Pullman

    What was the inspiration behind Philip Pullman’s Northern Lights series? How does he want readers to feel on Lyra’s final adventure in The Rose Field? Has his demon changed now that he has got to the end of this writing journey, and how do you say goodbye to characters you love? In this special edition of Ask Penguin, host Rhianna Dhillon visits Philip Pullman at his Oxford home, surrounded by books (and barking cockapoos), to mark thirty years since the world met Lyra Belacqua in Northern Lights. The two reflects on a lifetime of storytelling and returning to Lyra’s world one final time in the conclusion of The Book of Dust series, The Rose Field. Discover all the books mentioned in this episode here: here To put a question to future podcast guests, and for exclusive content and book giveaways, join our Broadcast channel on Instagram: @PenguinUKBooks   Philip Pullman is one of the most highly respected children's authors writing today. Winner of many prestigious awards, including the Carnegie of Carnegies and the Whitbread Award, Pullman’s epic fantasy trilogy His Dark Materials has been acclaimed as a modern classic. It has sold 17.5 million copies worldwide and been translated into 40 languages. In 2005 he was awarded the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award. He lives in Oxford. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    42 min
  3. Is Jane Austen's legacy more than just romantic love? With Andrew Hunter Murray and Gill Hornby

    OCT 15

    Is Jane Austen's legacy more than just romantic love? With Andrew Hunter Murray and Gill Hornby

    Why do we still love Jane Austen’s novels 250 years later? What makes her stories continue to inspire readers and creators today? And if Jane were alive now, which book would you recommend she read?  In this special episode, recorded at Jane Austen’s family home in Alton, host Rhianna Dhillon is joined by Miss Austen author and president of the Jane Austen Society, Gill Hornby, alongside author and creator of the West End show Austentatious Andrew Hunter Murray, to explore Austen’s legacy and provide some regency-inspired book recommendations.    Discover all the books mentioned in this episode here: Jane Austen Episode Visit Jane Austen’s home: janeaustens.house To put a question to future podcast guests, and for exclusive content and book giveaways, join our Broadcast channel on Instagram: @PenguinUKBooks   Gill Hornby is a writer and journalist. Her novels Miss Austen and Godmersham Park were Sunday Times bestsellers, and Miss Austen was adapted into a four-part BBC drama starring Keely Hawes as Cassandra Austen. She is also the President of the Jane Austen Society.  Andrew Hunter Murray is a writer, broadcaster and comedian. His first novel, The Last Day, was a Sunday Times Top 10 bestseller, and one of the top 10 fiction debuts of 2020; his second, The Sanctuary, was a Waterstones Thriller of the Month; and his third, A Beginner’s Guide to Breaking and Entering, was shortlisted for the Bollinger Everyman Wodehouse Prize for comic literature. in 2011, Murray was a founding member of the West End comedy show Austentatious.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    50 min
  4. Why do we still laugh when times are hard? With Ocean Vuong

    OCT 1

    Why do we still laugh when times are hard? With Ocean Vuong

    I'm looking for a novel that reads like poetry - where should I start? Can you recommend a queer love story with a happy conclusion? What are the best books that explore small-town life? We put your book dilemmas to bestselling author Ocean Vuong and Penguin Editor and award-winning poet Sarah Howe. Joining Rhianna this week is Ocean Vuong, whose latest book The Emperor of Gladness has been dubbed the first 'millennial Great American Novel' – but what does that really mean, and which classic American novels have inspired him? The author and poet also reflects on the themes and inspirations behind the book, from small-town Connecticut to intergenerational friendships.  Discover all the books mentioned in this episode here To ask a question and for exclusive content and giveaways join our Broadcast channel on Instagram: @PenguinUKBooks    Ocean Vuong is an award-winning poet, essayist and novelist. He is the winner of the T. S. Eliot Prize for his poetry collection Night Sky with Exit Wounds, and his debut novel On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous was a literary sensation, going on to sell more than a million copies. Amongst many other accolades, he was a recipient of the MacArthur ‘Genius Grant’ in 2019 and The Whiting Award in 2016.  The Emperor of Gladness, Vuong’s latest novel, explores themes of chosen family and the ways in which our lives can be changed by the most unexpected people.  Sarah Howe is Poetry Editor for Chatto & Windus an imprint of Penguin as well as an award-winning author. Sarah’s first collection, Loop of Jade won the T. S. Eliot Prize in 2015, and the Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year award the same year. Her follow-up collection, Foretokens, continues to explore ideas and complications of belonging, identity and inheritance.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    54 min
  5. Which Penguin books shocked society and became cultural icons? With Jack Edwards and Penguin Editor, Simon Prosser

    SEP 3

    Which Penguin books shocked society and became cultural icons? With Jack Edwards and Penguin Editor, Simon Prosser

    Outrageous, iconic and unforgettable - these are some of the books Penguin have been publishing over its 90-year history. As part of a special content series called 'The books that shaped us' on Penguin.co.uk, we invited readers from the world of publishing, comedy, and music to explore must-read titles across the decades. The Internet's resident librarian Jack Edwards and Penguin editor Simon Prosser discuss their curated reading lists, and explore the impact of the books that shocked society and became pop culture phenomena in this special episode, recorded live at Waterstones Picadilly Find all the books mentioned in this episode and more by clicking this link: The Penguin Podcast Waterstones Special Follow our dedicated Broadcast channel on Instagram for exclusive content and giveaways: @PenguinUKBooks Send us a question: penguinpodcast@penguinrandomhouse.co.uk Website: www.penguin.co.uk/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 5m
  6. Youth culture, love and music with Irvine Welsh and Derek Owusu

    AUG 5

    Youth culture, love and music with Irvine Welsh and Derek Owusu

    Recorded live at Latitude Festival, Irvine Welsh sits down with host Rhianna Dhillon to delve into his new novel Men in Love, the eagerly awaited sequel to Trainspotting, which explores the vibrant landscape of youth culture through the decades and the nuances of defining a generation through the arts. Plus, award-winning author and Penguin colleague Derek Owusu joins the panel, providing personalised book recommendations to audience members. We also speak to readers at the festival and ask them: what is the book that defined your youth?  Find all the books mentioned in this episode and more at by clicking this link: The Penguin Podcast: Latitude special Follow our dedicated Broadcast channel on Instagram for exclusive content and giveaways: @PenguinUKBooks Send us a question: penguinpodcast@penguinrandomhouse.co.uk Website: www.penguin.co.uk/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    48 min
  7. How Penguin Books turned the UK into a nation of readers

    JUL 29

    How Penguin Books turned the UK into a nation of readers

    From the paperback revolution to the obscenity trial that made Lady Chatterley’s Lover famous, we explore how Penguin turned the UK into a nation of readers as we celebrate our 90th birthday. Host Rhianna Dhillon speaks to Kate Mosse, international bestselling author, activist and Founder Director of the Women’s Prize for Fiction and Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction, and Zainab Juma, Penguin’s Head of Brand, about Penguin’s origin story, mission, and cultural influence over the past 90 years.   Explore the full list of books discussed on this episode and read the transcript by visiting: 90th Birthday special: How Penguin turned the UK into a nation of readers Send us a question: penguinpodcast@penguinrandomhouse.co.uk Website: www.penguin.co.uk/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    55 min
  8. S2 E6: Summer Reads with Anthony Horowitz

    JUN 19

    S2 E6: Summer Reads with Anthony Horowitz

    On the final episode of this series of the Penguin Podcast, Marble Hall Murders author Anthony Horowitz tells us how, when a famous actress asks you to write another novel, you do as you're told! Plus things heat up as we discuss and recommend the best books for summer reading. Explore the full list of books discussed on this episode and read the transcript by visiting: Season 2, Episode 6: Summer Reads Want to have your say on what's next for Ask Penguin? Click here! Send us a question: penguinpodcast@penguinrandomhouse.co.uk Website: www.penguin.co.uk/podcast The Books That Shaped Us Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    47 min
See All (254)

Trailers

Hosts & Guests

4.2
out of 5
138 Ratings

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Penguin Books UK
  • Years Active
    2005 - 2025
  • Episodes
    254
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Penguin Books UK
  • Show Website
    Ask Penguin

You Might Also Like