Love Listening to People Talk About Books?

Do you enjoy hearing author's talk about books or booksellers and publishers talk about what they've read and think will be the next "hot read"? You might enjoy one or more of the plethora of literar focused podcasts being recorded by people who enjoy talking about books.

What is a podcast?
Podcasts are pre-recorded interviews, informal discussions, or person opinions on a selected topic. Most are in a format similar to "talk radio", but encapsulated in themes and subjects based on the presenter's interests or experiences. They range from very informal chats to more formal outlined presentations. The length is usually around 10 minutes to no more than one hour. Most average around 30 minutes. You access podcasts via your computer or phone and find them on websites, Apple's podcast app, or a variety of other podcasts apps available for Android or Windows.

I usually listen to a number of episodes over a period of time before I subscribe to a podcast. Subscribing is usually free and means an application will prompt me for the next episode when it is available. Most podcast episodes come out in a regular time frame, such as, a specific day of the week or monthly. I have also found that podcast presenters will take seasonal breaks.

I have found a couple of podcasts I listen to regularly and enjoy the following podcasts where people share their reading recommendations, as well, as comments on books they've read and perhaps wouldn't recommend.

From The Front Porch Podcast. 

This is a podcast is hosted by Annie Jones, owner of an independent bookstore in Atlanta, GA. It is a conversational podcast where she chats with "bookish co-hosts".  I enjoy listening to their reviews and book selections, which often are different from the "favorites" we receive in the northeast. 

 Enjoy a recent podcast episode where they discuss their 2019 favorites. The following are recommendations that are outside of DFL's popular reads: "The Dearly Beloved" by Carla Wall, "The Current" by Tim Johnston, "Stars of Alabama" by Sean Dietrich, "The Glittering Hour" by Iona Grey, and  "This Tender Land" by William Kent Krueger.  (although "This Tender Land" has been recently recommended as a DFL patron pick.)  

I recently started listening to "Currently Reading" whose podcast "A Record Number of Five-Star books + Goodreads, You're Fired" caught my attention given my disillusionment with this year's Goodread's Choice Awards. (Nice to hear that someone else is thinking what I determined after seeing this year's list.)  Their reading selections include recommendations to moms looking for middle-school aged read a-louds. 

Enjoy these podcasts recommended by DFL Staff. 

Annotated "This book podcast is like Radiolab for books, studying different aspects of books, reading, and language. Past episodes have focused on the 2018 Nobel crisis in literature, Agatha Christie’s mysterious disappearance, and how Shakespeare was saved."

Overdue "Overdue is a podcast about the books you've been meaning to read. Join Andrew and Craig each week as they tackle a new title from their backlog. Classic literature, obscure plays, goofy children’s books: they'll read it all, one overdue book at a time."


Reading Glasses "Do you love books? Want to learn how to make the most of your reading life? Join hosts Brea Grant and Mallory O’Meara every week as they discuss tips and tricks for reading better on Reading Glasses! Reading Glasses is a podcast designed to help you get more out of your literary experiences. As professional creatives and mega-readers, Mallory and Brea are experts on integrating a love of reading into a busy lifestyle." 

The Librarian is In (New York Public Library) "The Librarian Is In is the New York Public Library's podcast about books, culture, and what to read next."

SSF Yeah! For those of you who are searching for good science fiction and fantasy books. "SFF Yeah! is a biweekly fantasy and science fiction podcast dedicated to the latest happenings and favorite recommendations."

Just want to be taken away by a great storyteller's voice? LeVar Burton has a podcast, Levar Burton Reads, that "invites you to take a break from your daily life, and dive into a great story. LeVar’s narration blends with gorgeous soundscapes to bring stories by Neil Gaiman, Haruki Murakami, Octavia Butler, Ray Bradbury and more to life. "

Podcasts are great inspiration for short walks. In addition to hearing about what people are reading,enjoy podcasts focused on storytelling ("The Moth" is my favorite), spiritual/devotionals, the arts, true crime, history, comedy, business, education, sports - you name it - there is probably a podcast on that topic.  NPR produces about 45 podcasts. You can find all of the podcasts mentioned in this blog through their websites, Apple Podcasts, and Google Play

Find your next great read by listening to recommendations from one of the many literary podcasts available.