Ask Penguin

Ask Penguin

Author: Penguin Books UK Language: English Episodes: 100
Ever find yourself staring at a bookshelf, utterly paralysed by choice, or finishing a masterpiece only to feel that peculiar emptiness of not knowing where to go next? Ask Penguin is for that exact moment. Guided by host Rhianna Dhillon, this podcast from Penguin Books UK transforms those universal readerly dilemmas into lively conversation. Each episode tackles real questions from listeners-the quirky, the tricky, the desperately urgent-about what to read next. The answers don’t come from an algorithm, but from genuine dialogue with bestselling authors and the editors, designers, and passionate insiders who help bring books to life. You’ll find yourself revisiting beloved classics with fresh eyes and being introduced to hidden gems you might have otherwise missed. It’s a warm, insightful space that feels like having a brilliant friend in the publishing world, one who knows that a great book recommendation is about more than just plot; it’s about connection, mood, and the next perfect story waiting to crack open your world. Tune in for thoughtful discussions that celebrate the sheer breadth of literature, from page-turning fiction to groundbreaking non-fiction, all within the vibrant landscape of arts and culture. This is where curiosity meets its match, and your next favourite read is always just an episode away.
Episodes
Alison Hammond with Derek Owusu [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:25
This week on the Penguin Podcast, Derek Owusu is joined by presenter, TV personality, actress and children's author, Alison Hammond. Alison speaks to Derek about her brand new children's book, Black in Time: The Most Awe…
Benjamin Zephaniah with Derek Owusu [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:39
This week on the Penguin Podcast, new host Derek Owusu is joined by Poet, activist, musician, actor, presenter and children's author, Benjamin Zephaniah!Benjamin speaks to Derek about his journey into poetry and spoken w…
Asma Khan with Isy Suttie [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:25
This week on the Penguin Podcast, Isy Suttie is joined by restaurateur and author, Asma Khan.Asma speaks to Isy about her most recent work, her cookbook/memoir, Ammu. They also discuss food and its connection to memory,…
Hanif Abdurraqib with Nihal Arthanayake [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:14
This week on the Penguin Podcast, Nihal Arthanayake is joined by award-winning writer and poet, Hanif AbdurraqibHanif speaks to Nihal about his most recent work of nonfiction, A little Devil in America, which won the 202…
Bonnie Garmus with Isy Suttie [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:39
This week on the Penguin Podcast, Isy Suttie is joined by debut novelist Bonnie Garmus.She speaks to Isy about her debut novel, Lessons in Chemistry, and also discusses her reluctance to change any keyboard she's grown u…
Michael Rosen with Isy Suttie [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:24
This week on the Penguin Podcast, Isy Suttie is joined by national treasure, poet and children’s author, Michael Rosen. He speaks to Isy about his experiences before and after contracting Covid, how to create more impact…
Michio Kaku with Nihal Arthanayake [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:24
This week on the penguin podcast, Nihal Arthanayake is joined by theoretical physicist, futurist, and popularizer of science, Michio Kaku. Together they discuss string theory, the unifying threads of different religious…
Pankaj Mishra with Nihal Arthanayake [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:00
This week on the Penguin Podcast, Nihal Arthanayake is joined by renowned essayist and novelist, Pankaj Mishra, to discuss his new novel, Run and Hide. Together they discuss the meaning of art and the novel, the Tibetan…
Claire Fuller with Nihal Arthanayake [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:33
Claire Fuller, who recently won the Costa Novel of the Year for her latest book, Unsettled Ground, joins Nihal Arthanayake on the podcast this week. Together they discuss the importance of music in her creative process,…
New Non-Fiction Writers to Look Out For in 2022 with Nihal Arthanayake [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:47
Last time we brought you some of the most exciting debut novelists to look out for in 2022, so this week we're introducing you to some of the best new non-fiction writers to add to your reading list this year. It's a ver…