Episodes

  • Live at Latitude: Irvine Welsh and Derek Owusu
    Aug 5 2025

    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.

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    48 mins
  • How Penguin Books turned the UK into a nation of readers
    Jul 29 2025

    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.

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    55 mins
  • S2 E6: Summer Reads with Anthony Horowitz
    Jun 19 2025

    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

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    47 mins
  • S2 E5: Queer Literature with Charlie Porter
    Jun 5 2025

    This week on the Penguin Podcast we talk to writer, critic and curator Charlie Porter about his novel Nova Scotia House, discuss queer books and the importance of hearing queer voices in art. Plus we provide plenty of book recommendations for LGBTQ+ stories.


    Explore the full list of books discussed on this episode and read the transcript by visiting: Season 2, Episode 5: Queer Literature


    Send us a question: penguinpodcast@penguinrandomhouse.co.uk


    Website: www.penguin.co.uk/podcast


    Charlie's Nova Scotia House playlist

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    43 mins
  • S2 E4: Book Club Books with Yrsa Daley-Ward
    May 22 2025

    Whether you are in a book club or fancy starting your own, we have the book recommendations and conversation starters to make it a success! Plus we talk to Merky books author Yrsa Daley-Ward about her first novel The Catch.


    Explore the full list of books discussed on this episode and read the transcript by visiting: Season 2, Episode 4: Book Club Books


    Send us a question: penguinpodcast@penguinrandomhouse.co.uk


    Website: www.penguin.co.uk/podcast


    Yrsa's Substack: the utter

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    51 mins
  • S2 E3: Debut Books with Catherine Airey, William Rayfet Hunter and Fiza Saeed McLynn
    May 8 2025

    What is it like to write and publish your first ever novel? We find out by asking the authors William Rayfet Hunter (Sunstruck), Catherine Airey (Confessions), and Fiza Saeed McLynn (The Midnight Carousel). Speaking to host Rhianna Dhillon, they discuss their different experiences writing their debut books, where they found their inspiration, and personal book recommendations ranging from fantasy to working-class fiction.


    Explore the full list of the books discussed on this episode and the transcript by visiting: Season 2, Episode 3: Debut Books


    Send us a question: penguinpodcast@penguinrandomhouse.co.uk.


    Website: www.penguin.co.uk/podcast

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    42 mins
  • S2 E2: Love and Romance with Emily Henry
    Apr 24 2025

    Bestselling author, and Queen of the Romantic comedy novel, Emily Henry joins us on this week's episode to discuss her brand new book, Great Big Beautiful Life, novels full of spice, and which fictional character makes the best book boyfriend. And as ever we solve your book dilemmas with a wide range of romantic fiction recommendations.


    Explore the full list of the books discussed on this episode and the transcript by visiting: Season 2, Episode 2: Love and Romance


    And you can download the audiobook here: Great Big Beautiful Life Audiobook


    Send us a question: penguinpodcast@penguinrandomhouse.co.uk.


    Website: www.penguin.co.uk/podcast

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    39 mins
  • S2 E1: Children's Books with Greg James and Chris Smith
    Apr 10 2025

    This week on the Penguin Podcast we jump into the exciting world of children's books and chat to Greg James and Chris Smith about their new book The Kid Who Fell Through Time. Plus we explore why there is a reading for pleasure crisis and the ways we can encourage kids to read, and we provide plenty of recommendations for children, whatever their age.


    Explore the full list of the books discussed on this episode and read the transcript by visiting: Season 2, Episode 1: Children's Books


    Send us a question: penguinpodcast@penguinrandomhouse.co.uk

    Follow our dedicated Broadcast channel on Instagram for exclusive content and giveaways: @PenguinUKBooks


    Website: www.penguin.co.uk/podcast

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    36 mins