Editor’s Note: The following article is an opinion piece that reflects the views of the author.
I am the host of the book podcast, Try Reading with Gabriel Torres and while this podcasting job is not easy and I listen to the episodes over and over as I edit, proof listen, and publish them, I do enjoy listening to podcasts in my free time; specifically book podcasts.
Avery Palmieri has been a guest on Try Reading and is a wonderful BookToker who I highly recommend following, if you aren’t already. I’ve loved her book content for a long time, and so when she announced the release of her book podcast, Shut Up I’m Reading, I flew to Spotify to listen. Palmieri is the most wonderful podcast host, with the perfect podcasting voice and her episodes are full of amazing stories, reader advice, book world information, and most of all, she works to be relatable to her listeners. Whether it’s about writing a book, being in a reading slump, loving libraries, book adaptations, or what it’s like being a teenager, her episodes cover all kinds of book topics and will entertain you every time you listen. My personal favorite episode is #11: Use Your Library.
If you love interview-style episodes, this is the podcast for you. Each week, co-hosts Melanie and Angela, both PitchWars 2020 alumni, interview a new person in the book world to learn about their journey in publishing. The guests can range from editors, agents, authors, illustrators, and more! Schubert and Montoya begin each episode with a segment from themselves, catching up, talking about the most random topics, but each conversation is hilarious, inspirational, and heartfelt and it adds the perfect introductory segment to each episode. Then for the rest of the time, you hear their interview with the guest. Their questions are thought-provoking, and give the listeners an in-depth look on the guest’s part of the book world. Schubert and Montoya are wonderful at alternating when asking questions, they have the best conversation transitions, and overall, they have the most wonderful podcast, allowing the listeners to feel like a fly on the wall in these magical conversations each time a new episode airs. My personal favorite episode is “with our MOMMAGER QUEEN and Debut Author, Jessica Parra.”
This is a bit different from the first two podcasts. Hey Cool Life! is hosted by NYT Bestselling author, Mary H. K. Choi. And while this podcast is not solely focused on books and the book world, she talks about her books, her writing, and her part of the book world sometimes, along with amazing discussions surrounding mental health, creativity, passion, and art. Choi’s books often cover topics involving mental health or have heavy themes, and within real life on this podcast, she brings awareness to the reality of mental health and normalizes it through her soothing voice and relatable stories. Each episode is short, covering something going on in her life that can be very relatable for many listeners. She has talked about stress, the loss of a parent, work life, relationships, being a child of immigrants, having an eating disorder, autism, and more. It is the perfect podcast to plug your headphones in, listen to Choi’s voice and her calming background music, and let it be a tranquil part of your day. As a long-time lover and listener of this podcast and Choi’s work, I can honestly say, it’s a podcast that makes you feel seen and heard. My personal favorite episode is #134: ! Episode 134.
Elle Gonzalez Rose, debut author of Caught in a Bad Fauxmance, was another guest on my podcast, but I had been a fan of her podcast before we even met. This is easily the most hilarious but comforting podcast to listen to every time a new episode releases. And while this podcast is not about books, it is hosted by an author and it involves writing. Each episode, Elle reads fanfiction she wrote when she was 12. There are multiple seasons and each season features a new fanfiction. If you love hilarious fanfiction, then this podcast is for you. I have never laughed so much listening to a podcast. Elle not only reads her fanfiction (sometimes with guests), but she’ll create different voices for the characters, and the commentary on each chapter makes it even more enjoyable. I don’t have a personal favorite episode to be honest, because every episode of each season never fails to make me laugh.
If you love books or the book world, and you enjoy listening to podcasts, I highly suggest listening to all of these. And maybe, while you’re at it, check out my book podcast, Try Reading with Gabriel Torres, available on all podcast platforms!
