6 Literary Podcasts that are Absolute Joys

Podcasts are lifesavers, especially when you are too tired to read a book or your eyes are strained from a day hard at work to watch a movie before bed time. Podcasts always make me feel like an eavesdropper, and in a good way. I must admit I am more of an audiobook person that a podcast chaser. I usually listen to podcasts when doing chores——rolling chappatis, tidying up or hanging clothes to dry—when I crave some radio in the background. Or commutes—well, that’s a lie because my commutes are significantly reduced now. But podcasts were lifesavers once upon a time during boring commutes. There are so many literary podcasts out there, and very good ones too. This list has only six. It is more of the best literary podcasts that bring me joy, the ones that I usually visit again and again, more than anything else.

I’ve kept this list limited to the podcasts that are still active. One of the first names I wrote was Lit Up—a show by Angela Ledgerwood, which sadly is archived. It was one of my favourites, and I realized it had been a rather long time since I listened to it. Ledgerwood used to have these amazing interviews with writers that delve deep into their craft. I remember the excellent episode with Lauren Groff that made me feel like I could not live until I’ve read something, anything by Groff. If anyone knows where I can access the archives—they don’t seem to be available now—please comment below. Another podcast archive to rummage through are The Lit Pickers by Deepanjana Pal and Supriya Nair (start with the one about literary festivals or ‘Read like a girl’). For those who love eavesdropping on thoughtful literary stuff and poetry, my favourite is Literary Happy Hour by Obvious State (start with any episode. The poetry readings are simply beautiful).

Best Literary Podcasts to listen during commute and chores

Here are six best podcast that make excellent commute, bedtime and house-chores companions.
 

1. The Slightly Foxed podcast

The Slightly Foxed podcast, much like the beloved quarterly, is an absolute joy. I am often caught in the spell of the wondrous conversations that happen here. And I always walk away with a big list of titles to buy, add to wishlist, and forage in second hand places. The episodes mostly revolve around slightly older books, underrated gems and feature surprises that I seldom see being mentioned elsewhere. I love how the SF team is commited towards talking about good books and literature, not overly concerned whether it is the ‘in thing’ or not; something which sadly most publications fail to do. I recently really enjoyed Episode 23: A Writer in the Kitchen with Olivia Potts who left a career at the bar and followed her passion for cooking. Potts talks about “using your hands and following a recipe”, how she ended up in cooking school—“The course started with fruit salad, then foot-tall statues made of sugar, then moulding chocolate into edible boxes”, key lime pies and of course books. Needless to say, this podcast is one of my absolute favourites and one that I often tune into, even when not consumed by chores.

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2. The Reading Women Podcast

The Reading Women is an endeavour to reclaim the bookshelf and highlight more books by women. Every month is themed and there are two episodes, a general one and an in-depth look at a few books that adhere to the theme. Their newsletter, interviews, reading challenge, and a book award at the end of the year are also committed to appreciating work by women. New books and writers are given more importance though older contemporary titles are also talked about. Kendra, founder, and her co-hosts always make you feel as if you are sitting right beside them discussing books. The best part—they have transcripts available for all episodes! Start with Ep 94: Memory Police and Breasts and Eggs or Ep:85 Marriage stories.

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3. Books and Beyond

Books and Beyond with Tara Khandelwal and Michelle d’Costa is a shining podcast. They always manage to put the guests at ease and promise a chatty, interesting conversation. If you are looking for chats with authors that don’t feel limited to the usual questions, this is your best bet. I particularly love the episode with Deepanjana Pal where she drops truth bombs about how everyone “expected” her to write a Bengali novel with smoking and cafes in Paris and announces “Nobody enters reading through literary fiction.”

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4. LeVar Burton podcast

My go-to pick when I need a soothing voice, reading me a story when I am too tired to do anything else. LeVar Burton is one of those people who make me think reading out stories is really an art. And hands down, these story episodes make the LeVar Burton podcast one of the best literary podcasts. The episodes feature handpicked short stories, read out beautifully in a slow, unhurried pace with excellent background sounds (Whenever a door opens in a story and the sound effects are in place, I am THERE, right inside the story). There’s a huge list, a little something from different genres—So pick something you’ll enjoy listening before hitting the bed today. Pure indulgence.

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5. Backlisted Pod

Are you always on the lookout for slightly older gems? Backlisted Pod presented by John Mitchinson and Andy Miller is a lovely listen. In every episode they talk about so many books (and also read excerpts)—you’ll lose count. Start with How to Cook a Wolf by M. F. K Fisher episode and work your way around their archives of nearly 120 episodes. My only worry about listening to Backlisted Pod is that I often wonder “When will I have the time to read them all?”

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6.The Maris Review

Hosted by cultural critic and author, Maris Kreizman, this podcast gives you all the behind-the scenes talk. It is really a get-to-know-your-author better show. Kreizman talks to writers about their books, the books they are reading and even about other things like music, TV shows and there are usually lots of laughs (Kreizman really puts all her guests at ease). Start with the episode 64 interviewing Raven Leilani (who wrote one of my favourite novels this year, Luster) about the challenges of creating and diverse stories being flattened.

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Pin the best literary podcasts to check later

Featured image by Omid Armin

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