Ask Penguin
by Penguin Books UK
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.
Episodes
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Is death metal the secret to writing a bestseller? with Elif Shafak
What can Little Women teach modern boys about sisterhood? How does food become a language of love and grief? How does writing in a third language shape your creative rhythm? And why can finishing a masterpiece feel like a tragedy? This week on Ask Penguin, Rhianna is joined by bestselling,...
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How do you adapt East of Eden for screen?
How do you begin breaking down a 600-page American epic to bring it to the screen? How did Florence Pugh capture the essence of the central character Cathy? How did John Steinbeck’s secret writing journals help the screenwriters? And what should you read next if you loved reading - or watching -...
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How can I help someone fall in love with reading? with Nadia Shireen and Jonathan Douglas
Can you read a cookbook cover-to-cover like a thriller? Does your reading level predict a longer life? Why is a punk chef’s memoir the ultimate weapon for reluctant readers? And how do we inspire children to read if we don’t have the time to read to them? In this special episode of Ask Penguin,...
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Which books help us reconnect with nature? with Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris
Why do baby puffins prefer to be alone? Why don’t Cuckoo birds raise their own children? Has the decline of birds taken away the music of our landscapes? And what is the simplest way back if we feel disconnected from nature? In this episode of Ask Penguin, Rhianna is joined by visionary creative...
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What's wrong with reading to look smart? with Abir Mukherjee
Has modern forensics taken away the power of the murder mystery genre? How does a career in corporate finance prepare you to write about a killer? Is narrative voice more important than plot? And is there really such a thing as a reliable narrator? In this episode of Ask Penguin, Rihanna Dillon...
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Which debut novels should you be reading in 2026?
What are the best books get you out of a reading slump? How did Snakes on a Plane inspire a literary sensation? What did James Joyce and Pakistani rap teach one of our debut novelists? And does a writer need to be completely delusional to finish writing a novel? This week on Ask Penguin we sit…
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Which books emotionally wrecked you? With Dawn French
How does artist Kae Tempest inspire Dawn French? Do editors always know best? What is the impact of grief on those we love most? And what really happened when Dawn French came face to face with a hippo while filming Harry Potter? In this episode of Ask Penguin, Rhianna Dhillon sits down with...
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What are the best novels about infidelity? With Sophie Mackintosh
What’s the difference between flash fiction and the short story? Why are we drawn to literature’s most flawed characters? And what would be the ideal fictional world for adulterers? Hosted by Rhianna Dhillon, on this episode of Ask Penguin, we’re answering your questions with our best book...
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What is a must-read book to make me laugh? With Bryony Gordon
How did Marian Keyes inspire Bryony Gordon’s writing? How do you write about family without falling into stereotypes? Which books capture the messy reality of life? And what is your favourite habit to fit reading into your life? The Ask Penguin team returns with a shelf-load of must-read book...
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Why I wanted to adapt Wuthering Heights with Emerald Fennell
Is Wuthering Heights the perfect novel or the perfect work of art? Why do we fall in love with villains? Is all love doomed? And if Emerald Fennell could adapt another book to film, what would she choose? In this special episode of Ask Penguin, we speak to the director of Wuthering Heights'…
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What secrets does Jane Austen's house hold?
In this special bonus episode, and to mark Jane Austen’s 250th birthday, we step inside her home in Alton to uncover the life she lived there and the objects she treasured most. From first editions to her own annotated books which formed her personal library, we explore how her surroundings and...
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What were the best books of 2025?
What were our favourite books of the year and what are we most excited to read in 2026? Join the team behind the Ask Penguin podcast to look back at standout titles, memorable podcast moments, and the reading intentions we’re taking into the New Year. Explore all the books mentioned on this...
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What makes a setting feel so vivid it becomes a character? With Paula Hawkins
Which novels are truly unputdownable and what should you read on a dark winter's night? We’re joined by best-selling author, Paula Hawkins, who discusses art, love and remote islands in her latest thriller, The Blue Hour. She also helps us tackle your listener questions with a stack of gripping...
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What is the best translated fiction to read? With Karl Ove Knausgaard
What are the best new books in Korean fiction? What is the process of translating a book into English? And how do you evoke a sense of place you haven't visited? This week we sat down with award-winning and internationally best-selling author, Karl Ove Knausgaard to discuss his latest novel, The...
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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…
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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...
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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...
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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...
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Which books shocked and shaped our society? With Simon Prosser and Jack Edwards
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...
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Which books defined a generation? with Irvine Welsh and Derek Owusu
What would you recommend an inspiring writer to read? What is the best gateway book to get into reading? Who are the new and upcoming Scottish novelists working today to watch out for? Recorded live at Latitude Festival, Irvine Welsh sits down with host Rhianna Dhillon to delve into his new novel...
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How did penguin turn the UK into a nation of readers? with Kate Mosse
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…
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What should you read this summer? With Anthony Horowitz
Why are murder mysteries so obsessed with grand houses and wealthy families? Does a summer read really need to be light? What can a writer learn from imitating their literary heroes? And when should an adaptation leave the book behind? This week on Ask Penguin, Rhianna is joined by bestselling...
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What can fiction teach us about queer history? with Charlie Porter
What happens when a generation is never given the space to grieve? Why can walking make difficult conversations easier? What can the stories of the past teach us about living differently today? And is slowing down sometimes the secret to understanding a story? This week on Ask Penguin, Rhianna is...
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What are the best book club books? with Yrsa Daley-Ward
Is disagreement the secret ingredient of a great book-club discussion? Can a smell transport us more powerfully than a memory? How can a fictional world feel more real than reality? And in what ways can writing actually help us heal? This week on Ask Penguin, Rhianna is joined by award-winning…
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What are the must read debut novelists of the year? (2025)
Which childhood books might have shaped the stories you tell? Is ten years too long to spend writing your first book? Should your friends be worried that something they say might end up in your novel? And is planning really the secret to avoiding writers block? This week on Ask Penguin, Rhianna…
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What are the best romance books? With Emily Henry
Is Heathcliff digging up Cathy the ultimate romantic gesture? Why do the best romances need a little heartbreak? Why are younger readers so unapologetic about the books they adore? And has Hollywood fallen behind when it comes to romance? This week on Ask Penguin, Rhianna is joined by bestselling...
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Why are children’s books so much fun to read? with Greg James and Chris Smith
What can Monty Python teach children about adventure? How do you write for children without forgetting the grown-ups reading along? And should we stop worrying about what children “ought” to be reading? This week on Ask Penguin, Rhianna is joined by bestselling children’s authors Greg James and...
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Ask Penguin Series 2 Trailer
The Penguin Podcast is back for another series of Ask Penguin. In each episode, we will take you inside Penguin Books to meet some of the incredible authors we publish, as well as the people who work here, to get answers to all of your book-related questions. The new series launches on Thursday...
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Jodi Picoult on the theory behind Shakespeare’s plays
In our final bonus episode from The Penguin Podcast, bestselling author Jodi Picoult shares her theory on the true author behind Shakespeare's plays that inspired her new novel, By Any Other Name. Explore the full list of the books discussed in this bonus episode and read the transcript by…
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A day in the life of a Publicist with Alison Barrow
In this bonus episode we speak with Alison Barrow, Publicity Director at Penguin Books, to explore the fascinating world of book publicity. Alison shares insights into her role, offering a glimpse into her daily life as she works with authors and connects their books with readers. Explore the…
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The human experience and AI with Jeanette Winterson
In this bonus episode from The Penguin Podcast, Episode 11 - Winter Reads, Jeanette Winterson shares her fascinating perspective on our relationship with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the evolution of human consciousness. Explore the full list of the books discussed on this bonus episode and...
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A day in the life of a Books Editor with Simon Prosser
Ever wondered what the role of an Editor at Penguin Books involves? In our second bonus episode, Rhianna speaks with Publishing Director, Simon Prosser about what a typical day of an editor is like and when they ever get time to read! Simon is the editor of many award-winning authors such as...
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How to tackle reading the big Classics with Henry Eliot
In a special bonus episode taken from Episode 3: The Classics with Henry Eliot and Gill Hornby we share author and editor Henry Eliot's tips on tackling some of Classics' biggest tomes. Explore the full list of the books discussed on this bonus episode and read the transcript by visiting: Bonus...
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What are the best books of the year? (2024)
What makes dark academia so enticing? Which book turned slow cooking into a life-changing obsession? What are the new books are already causing a stir inside Penguin HQ? And what happens when a TV presenter tries their hand at a novel? This week on Ask Penguin, Rhianna heads around Penguin HQ to...
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What are the best Winter reads? with Jeanette Winterson
Why do people of all cultures have ghost stories? Can love truly survive death? Will artificial intelligence be the new ghosts of ghost stories? And what makes A Christmas Carol the perfect read for Christmas? This week on Ask Penguin, Rhianna is joined by critically acclaimed and bestselling...
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How do we best preserve the history of World Wars? With Al James, Terry Deary and James Holland
Can a film turn history into mythology? What can a novel tell us about war that a history book can’t? How did a convicted murderer write one of the great wartime novels? And were the Romans really as civilised as we’ve been taught? This week on Ask Penguin, Rhianna is joined by authors and...
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How do you become a published author, anyway? with Jennie Godfrey
How do you get published if you don’t know anyone in publishing? What makes an editor fall in love with a manuscript? Should authors listen to every piece of feedback they receive? And how much do writers really need to promote their own books? This week on Ask Penguin, Rhianna brings together...
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What are the best books to gift at Christmas? with William Hanson
Who actually decides what counts as good manners? Why are speakerphone calls the latest frontier of bad etiquette? Can humour make us better behaved? And should you ever sniff someone else’s books? This week on Ask Penguin, Rhianna is joined by etiquette expert and author William Hanson to talk...
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Could Shakespeare have been a woman? with Jodi Picoult
What if one of literature’s greatest mysteries has been hiding in plain sight? Why do we know Shakespeare’s name but not Amelia Bassano’s? Can historical fiction give forgotten women their voices back? And what happens when you challenge 400 years of literary history? This week on Ask Penguin,...
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Was the book better than the film? with Robert Harris
How did one glimpse of the Vatican inspire an international bestseller? How faithful should a film stay to the novel that inspired it? And how long does it really take to get a novel onto the big screen? This week on Ask Penguin, Rhianna is joined by bestselling novelist Robert Harris to talk...
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How do you plot the perfect murder mystery? with Kate Atkinson
Can a country house whodunnit still surprise us? What can Agatha Christie teach a us about crime? Does every great detective need a partner? And what is it exactly that makes a murder mystery “cosy”? This week on Ask Penguin, Rhianna is joined by bestselling, award-winning novelist Kate Atkinson…
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Do ghost stories still have the power to scare us? with Daisy Johnson
Why do we love books that frighten us? What makes a hotel the perfect setting for a ghost story? Why can the safest places sometimes feel the most terrifying? And which books should you pick up if you're looking for a fright? This week on Ask Penguin, Rhianna is joined by Booker Prize-shortlisted...
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How do we define a classic novel? With Henry Eliot and Gill Hornby
Can a hundred-year-old novel still feel completely modern? Does The Count of Monte Cristo explain our obsession with superheroes? Who actually decides when a book becomes a classic? And why did Jane Austen’s own family have no idea she’d written Pride and Prejudice? This week on Ask Penguin,...
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Who gets to write African History? with Zainab Badawi
Where did the human story really begin? Why do some histories get remembered while others disappear? What can a centuries-old story passed down by word of mouth teach us today? And which novels are so good you’d be tempted to read them twice in one day? This week on Ask Penguin, Rhianna is joined...
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What are some of the best prize-winning books to read? With Sara Collins
What does it take to read 150 books in six months? Why do we love characters who make terrible decisions? What does an editor actually do to make a great writer even better? And which Booker winner prompted one of the biggest cheers in the prize’s history? In the first episode of our new series…
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Ask Penguin Trailer
The Penguin Podcast is returning with a brand-new series called Ask Penguin. In each episode, we will take you inside Penguin Books to meet some of the incredible authors we publish as well as the people who work here, to get answers to all of your book-related questions. Need help finding your...
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The Best Of the Penguin Podcast 2023
This week on the Penguin Podcast we're recapping the year with a selection of the brilliant guests we've welcomed onto the show. We hear from Jane Fallon, Chris van Tulleken, Julian Barnes, David Mitchell and more. We thank you for tuning in, and we'll see you in 2024. Happy holidays. Don't…
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Sebastian Faulks with Nihal Arthanayake
This week on the Penguin Podcast, Nihal Arthanayake is joined by national treasure and bestselling author, Sebastian Faulks. Together they they discuss the tweet that helped inspire his latest book, The Seventh Son, his thoughts on imposter Syndrome and humility, the influence of George Orwell on...
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C Pam Zhang with Nihal Arthanayake
This week on the Penguin Podcast, Nihal Arthanayake is joined by Booker Longlisted author, C Pam Zhang. Together they discuss Zhang's latest novel, The Land of Milk and Honey, as well as the effects of extreme wealth on the human psyche, the place of pleasure and joy in human existence, the many...
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Peter Singer with Nihal Arthanayake
This week on the Penguin Podcast, Nihal Arthanayake is joined by one of our time's most important moral philosophers and animal rights activists, Peter Singer. In this episode, they discuss Singer's experience of animal rights in the 70s compared to now, what inspired him to begin campaigning for...
About this show
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 by
Penguin Books UK