The High Low podcast is now finishing in December 2020 , as was announced today on Instagram. Whilst we will miss the sound of Dolly and Pandora’s witty banter and fluffy and deep stories in equal measure, we are here to break down the 10 of our favourite book-ish podcasts that you can add to your library in order to fill the void.
1. Bad on Paper podcast
Hosted by real-life best friends Grace Atwood and Becca Freeman, based in Williamsburg, New York, this podcast is a delicious hour or so of books, banter, everything from skincare to pyjama recommendations. Each month, the duo host a book club featuring a light and delicious read that may not be in your radar. As Dolly and Pandora did for their penultimate episode, the duo also have featured a chat with Graham Norton and this will definitely be your new binge-listen to fill the High Low void.
2. The Stacks podcast
Hosted by Traci Thomas, based out in California, this podcast is the ultimate educational reading experience – particularly recommended for those who love a non-fiction recommendation. Traci’s conversations with authors and friends are incredibly knowledgeable and thoughtful, delving into current issues. Featuring a book club episode each month that offers a really deep and thoughtful analysis. Disclaimer: this podcast will grow your TBR list by approximately 1000%.
3. Stig Abell’s Guide to Reading
This is an almost brand new podcast, hosted by Stig Abell. For a whole year on his train to work, Stig Abell read books from across genres and time periods. Then he wrote about them, and their impact on our culture and his own life. Stig talks to guests about their favourite books and tries to get to the bottom of what makes them so good. Episodes focus on a range of genres, from Crime (with Lucy Foley) to Classics, from Poetry to Shakespeare’s Plays. It’s a true love fest for all things literary.
4. The Penguin Podcast
Featuring episodes with Dolly and Pandora themselves, this podcast dives into meaty discussions with authors about their new releases, using this as a springboard to talk about themselves and their perspectives on the way they navigate the world. It’s immensely engaging and entertaining.
5. Fresh Air
Not strictly literary, but Fresh Air isn’t a household name for nothing – it’s one of public radio’s most popular programs and features in-depth analysis and commentary on the arts, culture and news. Though you might not get an analysis of Salt and Vinegar crisps on this one…
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6. Friends to Lovers
Another delicious new find from the past few months, Friends to Lovers is hosted by Bad Bitch Book Club founder Mackenzie Newcomb and writer and bestie Lily Herman. The two are as similar as they are different, waxing lyrical between books and dating with ease. It’s an indulgent and lovely listen on a Monday morning.
7. Book Riot podcast
Book Riot – The Podcast is a weekly news and talk show about what’s new, cool, and worth talking about in the world of books and reading, brought to you by the editors of BookRiot.com
8. You’re Booked
Think of this as the literary podcast for nosy parkers. Hosted by Daisy Buchanan, she delves into the hidden world of people’s reading, particularly those books they’re most ashamed to profess loyalty for.
She also talks about what makes readers into writers, how guests became book lovers and their favourite reading memories, all with a dash of intelligence and a dollop of irreverence. Guests include Dolly Alderton, Nina Stibbe, Nikesh Shukla, and many more favourites from our own bookshelves.
9. Sarah’s Bookshelves
Think of this as a girly chat over tea (or coffee) about the best of books, featuring chats with authors, this is a delightful listen hosted by Sarah, replete with a healthy dose of snark and sarcasm.
10. Sentimental Garbage
Author and journalist Caroline O’Donoghue gets rid of the stigma around ‘chick-lit,’ discovering the chick-lit classics her guests were raised on, from schmaltzy romances to family comedies to bodice-ripping dramas. She talks to authors, fans and cultural critics about what makes chick-lit tick, and investigates why it’s so often overlooked.
