Episode 2: Black History Month with  Zeinab Badawi

Episode 2: Black History Month with Zeinab Badawi

Author: Penguin Books UK October 10, 2024 Duration: 29:29

Joining us in our book-filled studio is broadcaster and author Zeinab Badawi, who shares her journey chronicling Africa's spectacular history through the voices of African historians, archaeologists, and local storytellers. Plus, we put your reading requests to award-winning author Derek Owusu to top up your reading pile with books by Black authors to celebrate Black History Month. 

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

Explore all the books discussed and a transcript by visiting: Episode 2: Black History Month

Website: www.penguin.co.uk/podcast

Books mentioned in this episode:

Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman

Giovanni's Room by James Baldwin

That Reminds Me by Derek Owusu

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

An African History of Africa by Zainab Badawi

The Confessions of Franny Langton by Sara Collins

Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson

The Lonely Londoners by Sam Selvon

Ghana Must Go by Teiye Selassie

The Terrible by Yrsa Daley-Ward


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


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.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Ask Penguin
Podcast Episodes
Episode 7: Historical Fiction with Jodi Picoult [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:35
Join us as we time-travel through our bookshelves as we recommend must-read historical fiction in answer to your reading requests. Plus, bestselling author Jodi Picoult shares her theory on the true author behind Shakesp…
Episode 6: Books to Screen with Robert Harris [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:37
What do you usually prefer: the book or the film? Or do you enjoy both? In this episode, we delve into books that have successfully transitioned from page to screen. We'll also be chatting with best-selling author Robert…
Episode 5: Crime and Mystery with Kate Atkinson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:40
Join us as we dive into the world of crime, thrillers, and mysteries! We answer your listener questions with award-winning author Kate Atkinson and publicist Alison Barrow. Plus, Kate discusses her brand-new Jackson Brod…
Episode 4: Spooky reads with Daisy Johnson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:22
Looking for a book that will keep you up at night? If you enjoy that tingling sensation down your spine while reading something on the spookier side then you're in the right place. In this episode, we explore the best ho…
Episode 3: The Classics with Henry Eliot and Gill Hornby [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:48
What makes a book a classic? Who decided which books make it into the canon? And how long would it take to read the entire list? Join our exploration through our Classic bookshelves with author Henry Eliot who answers li…
Ask Penguin Trailer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:53
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, t…
The Best Of the Penguin Podcast 2023 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:09
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 th…
Sebastian Faulks with Nihal Arthanayake [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:34
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 t…
C Pam Zhang with Nihal Arthanayake [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:57
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 t…