A books podcast made by readers
Welcome to The Book Club Review, the independent podcast about the books that get people talking, hosted by Kate and Laura. From literary prize shortlists to book club favourites we’re always on the hunt for those books that provoke conversations, the ones we can’t wait to share, the ones perfect for book club. With our cast of regular and special guests, we promise you honest opinions and lively debate. As featured in Vogue, Stylist, the iPaper, Waitrose Weekend and BBC Radio 5 Live. Listen via your favourite podcast player or browse our archive for back episodes full of book recommendations. If you want to find your way to some really good books, there’s no better place to start. Wondering if we’ve covered one of your favourites? Type the title into the search tab to find out.
Just out, listen to our most recent episode
Discover the hidden stories inside secondhand books as Kate talks to W. B. Gooderham, author of Dedicated To, and celebrates the joy of book hunting. Kate and Laura are also sharing their favourite places to shop secondhand, and some of their most treasured discoveries. Listen in the media player above or head to the episode page for full shownotes and book links.
George Saunders’ new novel Vigil puts mortality, morality and climate change under the microscope, but does it make a great book club book? Kate is joined by Jenny and Sarah from The Bookcast Club podcast to find out. Listen in the media player above or head to the episode page for full shownotes and book links.
It’s time for the 2026 Women’s Prize for Fiction and Kate is joined by Amanda Moulson of Curious Readers to discuss the shortlist. Which one is their pick to win? Listen in the media player above or head to the episode page for full shownotes and book links.
When the Guardian newspaper drops a list of the 100 Best Novels of All Time it’s time to drop everything to talk about it. Pod-regular guest, journalist Phil Chaffee and Joseph Dance, host of the Curious Readers podcast, join Kate to discuss the hits and misses of the list. Listen in the media player above or head to the episode page for full shownotes and book links.
What makes a bestseller? Is it the quality of the writing, or just the right book at the right time? This week Kate is joined by co-host Laura Potter and returning guest Phil Chaffee to find out. Listen here or head to the episode page for full shownotes.
We’re celebrating the end of the year with a look back over our favourite reads of 2025. With Phil Chaffee and Sarah Oliver. Listen via the media player below or head to the episode page for the booklist and full shownotes.
Keep up with the pod between episodes
Reviews, recommendations and more.
NEW EPISODE • George Saunders latest novel Vigil plus assorted other reads, with @notestothemoon and @sarahxify from @bookcastclub • Link in the bio to listen
#bookspodcast #bookrecommendations #bookclubreview #georgesaunders #bookclubreads
Sunday night bookstack
Feat: The Power Broker by Robert Caro
A Truce that is not Peace by Miriam Toews
My Year in Paris with Gertrude Stein by Deborah Levy
Called by the Hills by Anuradha Roy
The Lady in the Van by Alan Bennett
Our July book club read is The Makioka Sisters. Join us and discover this 20th-century classic. All the details at the link in the bio. Book club membership also gets you access to a fantastic archive of past reads including introductory episodes and book club discussions.
A TRUCE THAT IS NOT PEACE • I had not heard of this book till Laura gave it to me but turns out it has been out here for a while. Nick Hornby calls it ‘the best memoir you will read all year’ and Zadie Smith found it ‘curious, idiosyncratic and enjoyable’. The paperback is our July 16th. I loved it so much. I’m now off to read the Toews back catalogue.
Blissful weekend in the country with a book that is rapidly turning into one of my all-time favourite reads. Just about to start Week 4 of our readalong over on Patreon.
New episode • The 2026 Women’s Prize for Fiction • link in bio 📚Full and frank reviews of all six shortlisted titles for this year’s #womensprize with @itsmoleyreads of @curiousreaderspodcast: Which is your pick to win? Listen at the link in the bio or wherever you get your pods
New episode • The 2026 Women’s Prize • link in the bio
Such a pleasure to be joined by @itsmoleyreads of @curiousreaderspodcast to hash through this year’s Women’s Prize shortlist. A brilliant and diverse list but which is our pick to win? Which was our favourite to read? Plus find out how Amanda organized her bookshelves, the books on her TBR, the ones she loves to recommend, plus why The Power Broker by Robert Caro is topping Kate’s summer reading pile.
#bookspodcast #womensprize #summerreadinglist
Why THIS IS WHERE THE SERPENT LIVES by Daniyal Mueeneddin is a perfect book club read
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Discussion, debate, even a little dispute
Every month we bring you a new episode. That could be Book Club where we chat about the book read most recently by one of our book clubs. An interview with a book club, bookshop or book lover. Or Bookshelf, an episode dedicated to the books we’re reading outside of book club – the ones we get to pick and choose.