15 Bookish Podcasts That Feel Like Talking Books With a Friend

You know the feeling: you finish a book that wrecked you, look up, and there’s no one to discuss it with. Your partner hasn’t read it. At work, no one seems interested. By the time you mention it in the group chat, the conversation has already moved on. Enter the bookish podcast—your on-demand book bestie who’s always ready to dissect that plot twist at 2 am.

Here’s your complete guide to the best ones, how to listen, and which to start with based on your exact mood.

By [Your Name], who listens to book podcasts on walks, during dishes, and anytime she needs to feel connected to the literary world without leaving the house.

What Is a Bookish Podcast?

A bookish podcast is an audio show focused on books, reading culture, author interviews, and literary discussion. Unlike general entertainment podcasts, a bookish podcast centers around readers, whether that means deep dives into fantasy series, romance discussions, or literary analysis.

Why Bookish Podcasts Are the Best Thing You’ll Add to Your Phone

Reading is solitary. Discussing is communal. Bookish podcasts bridge that gap.

They let you feel part of a conversation without having to talk. Books are often discovered through people whose taste you trust. Along the way, you hear interpretations you’d never considered. Soon, laughter, tears, and surprise moments are shared with hosts who truly get it.

The stat: According to a 2024 podcast listener survey, 43% of women say book podcasts have introduced them to books they wouldn’t have found otherwise.

That’s not just entertainment, that’s book discovery happening while you fold laundry.

Before You Dive In: A 2-Minute Podcast Primer

New to podcasts? Here’s the quick start.

Pro Tip: Create a Bookish Playlist

Save episodes from different podcasts in one place. Then you always have something to match your mood.

Bookish podcasts on Spotify work the same way as any other show. Search, subscribe, listen. No PhD required.

15 Bookish Podcasts—Categorized by What You’re Looking For

For Fantasy & Romantasy Girls

1. Fantasy Fangirls

Hosts: Sisters Nicole and Lexi

Vibe: Two sisters losing their minds over ACOTAR, Fourth Wing, and everything romantasy

Best for: Deep dives, theories, and the feeling of texting your bestie at 2 am

Start with: Their Onyx Storm breakdown episodes

Why it’s different: They’re not critics—they’re fans. It feels like eavesdropping on a group chat.

2. Fated Mates

Hosts: Sarah MacLean (bestselling romance author) and Jen Prokop (romance critic)

Vibe: Smart, spicy, unapologetically pro-romance

Best for: Romance readers who are tired of defending the genre

Start with: Any episode where they defend a guilty pleasure read

Why it’s different: Actual expertise + genuine love = unbeatable combo

For When You Want to Laugh

3. Celebrity Memoir Book Club

Hosts: Claire and Ashley

Vibe: Two friends reading celebrity memoirs, so you don’t have to

Best for: Commutes, chores, anytime you need to laugh

Start with: Any episode about a memoir you’ve vaguely heard of

Why it’s different: You don’t even need to read the book. They do the work. You get the tea.

4. If Books Could Kill

Hosts: Peter and Michael

Vibe: Gentle (and hilarious) slander of airport bestsellers

Best for: When you want to hear someone critique that book everyone loved but you secretly hated

Start with: Their takedown of a book you couldn’t finish

Why it’s different: Smart criticism without being mean-spirited

For Deep Literary Dives

5. The New York Times Book Review

Host: Gilbert Cruz

Vibe: Professional, informed, authoritative

Best for: Staying current on literary news and buzzy books

Start with: Any episode featuring an author you love

Why it’s different: Access to the biggest authors and sharpest critics

6. Between the Covers

Host: David Naimon

Vibe: Long-form, thoughtful, immersive

Best for: Two-hour deep dives into craft and process

Start with: An author whose work you admire

Why it’s different: Feels like a masterclass in writing

For Casual, Fun Vibes

7. Bookmark’d with Sara & Des

Hosts: Sara and Destiny (popular BookTubers)

Vibe: Besties chatting about books like it’s brunch

Best for: When you want something light and fun

Start with: Their one-star review episodes (hilarious)

Why it’s different: Brings the visual energy of BookTube into audio form

8. Professional Book Girl

Host: Kayla (from @KayReadWhat)

Vibe: Approachable, warm, slightly obsessed (in the best way)

Best for: Monthly recaps, spoiler-free reviews, book club energy

Start with: Her monthly reading recap episodes

Why it’s different: Cuts through Bookstagram overwhelm

9. I’ll Read What She’s Reading

Vibe: Pure fun, games, and bookish chaos

Best for: Literary Smash or Pass, author interviews, internet book girl energy

Start with: Any episode where they play a game

Why it’s different: Interactive-feeling content in audio form

For the Pop Culture Lover

10. Dua Lipa’s Service 95 Book Club

Host: Dua Lipa (yes, that Dua Lipa)

Vibe: Chic, thoughtful, surprisingly deep

Best for: Hearing authors chat with a genuine fan who happens to be a pop star

Start with: Any author you already love

Why it’s different: Celebrity access + actual literary taste

For When You Want Something Different

11. The History of Literature

Host: Jacke Wilson

Vibe: Like the History Channel for book lovers

Best for: Learning something while you listen

Start with: An author or era you’re curious about

Why it’s different: Educational but never boring

12. Overdue

Hosts: Andrew and Craig

Vibe: Two guys finally reading books they have been meaning to get to

Best for: Honest, first-impression reviews

Start with: A childhood favorite or a famous classic

Why it’s different: Relatable, I finally read it with energy

For Quick Hits

13. NPR’s Book of the Day

Host: Varies

Vibe: Short, digestible, informative

Best for: Your daily commute (episodes are ~15 minutes)

Start with: Any recent episode

Why it’s different: Low commitment, high reward

Hidden Gems (Lesser-Known but Worth Your Time)

14. Bookish Introverts

Vibe: For readers who love books but need quiet to process them

Best for: Gentle, thoughtful discussions without shouting

Find it: Search the name on Spotify

15. Feral and Bookish

Vibe: Unhinged in the best way (iykyk)

Best for: When you want chaos and books combined

Find it: Reddit recommends this one constantly

How to Choose: A Quick Flowchart

Not sure which bookish podcast to start with? Here’s your guide:

You want to… laugh?
Try Celebrity Memoir Book Club or If Books Could Kill.

Ready to dive deep into fantasy?
Check out Fantasy Fangirls or Fated Mates.

Want to feel smart and informed?
Listen to The Book Review from The New York Times or Between the Covers.

Craving casual bestie vibes?
Try Bookmark’d or Professional Book Girl.

Looking for something short and sweet?
Go with NPR’s Book of the Day.

In the mood for something totally different?
Explore Dua Lipa’s Book Club or History of Literature.

Where Reddit Sends New Listeners

I scoured Reddit threads (r/books, r/romancebooks, r/fantasy) to see what actual listeners recommend.

Reddit Gold: One user described I’ll Read What She’s Reading as the book podcast for people who want to feel like they’re in on the joke.

Bookish podcasts and Reddit threads are gold mines for finding your next obsession. People don’t hold back—they tell you what actually works.

How to Start Your Own Bookish Podcast (For Aspiring Hosts)

If you’ve thought, I could do that, you probably could. Here’s how.

Step 1: Find Your Angle

What’s missing from current podcasts? Are you an expert in something? (Romance? Fantasy? Debut authors?) Do you have a unique dynamic? (Sisters? Mom/daughter? Strangers?)

Step 2: Name Ideas That Work

• Play on bookish terms: Chapter & Verse, The Spine Tinglers, Marginalia.
• Use alliteration: Bookish Banter, Feral & Bookish, Plot Points.
• Include your niche: Fantasy Fangirls, Romance Readers Anonymous.

3: Gear You Actually Need

• Microphone: Blue Yeti or Audio-Technica ATR2100x (under $100)
• Recording software: Audacity (free) or GarageBand (Mac)
• Hosting: Buzzsprout or Anchor (free to start)

Step 4: First Episode Tips

Introduce yourselves and your reading tastes. Review one book you both loved (or hated). Keep it under 30 minutes. Post it. Don’t overthink.

Printable Cheat Sheet: Your Bookish Podcast Starter Pack

Your Next Book Bestie Awaits

The beauty of a bookish podcast is that it’s always there.

2 am and you can’t sleep after that plot twist? Someone’s podcast episode is waiting. Long walk with no one to talk to? Put in your earbuds,s and suddenly you’re in a conversation.

You don’t need to find friends who read the same books as you. You just need to find the right podcast.

Your move: Pick one from this list. Subscribe. Listen this week. When you find your people (because you will), come back and tell me which one feels like home.

Which bookish podcast are you trying first? Drop it in the comments—I am always looking for my next listen.