Ask Penguin

• Why do we still laugh when times are hard? With Ocean Vuong

  I'm looking for a novel that reads like poetry - where should I start? Can you recommend a queer love story with a happy conclusion? What are the best books that explore small-town life? We put your book dilemmas to bestselling author Ocean Vuong and Penguin Editor and award-winning poet Sarah Howe.Joining Rhianna this week is Ocean Vuong, whose latest book The Emperor of Gladness has been dubbed the first 'millennial Great American Novel' – but what does that really mean, and which classic American novels have inspired him? The author and poet also reflects on the themes and inspirations behind the book, from small-town Connecticut to intergenerational friendships. Discover all the books mentioned in this episode hereTo ask a question and for exclusive content and giveaways join our Broadcast channel on Instagram: @PenguinUKBooks Ocean Vuong is an award-winning poet, essayist and novelist. He is the winner of the T. S. Eliot Prize for his poetry collection Night Sky with Exit Wounds, and his debut novel On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous was a literary sensation, going on to sell more than a million copies. Amongst many other accolades, he was a recipient of the MacArthur ‘Genius Grant’ in 2019 and The Whiting Award in 2016. The Emperor of Gladness, Vuong’s latest novel, explores themes of chosen family and the ways in which our lives can be changed by the most unexpected people. Sarah Howe is Poetry Editor for Chatto & Windus an imprint of Penguin as well as an award-winning author. Sarah’s first collection, Loop of Jade won the T. S. Eliot Prize in 2015, and the Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year award the same year. Her follow-up collection, Foretokens, continues to explore ideas and complications of belonging, identity and inheritance. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Which Penguin books shocked society and became cultural icons? With Jack Edwards and Penguin Editor, Simon Prosser

  Outrageous, iconic and unforgettable - these are some of the books Penguin have been publishing over its 90-year history. As part of a special content series called 'The books that shaped us' on Penguin.co.uk, we invited readers from the world of publishing, comedy, and music to explore must-read titles across the decades. The Internet's resident librarian Jack Edwards and Penguin editor Simon Prosser discuss their curated reading lists, and explore the impact of the books that shocked society and became pop culture phenomena in this special episode, recorded live at Waterstones PicadillyFind all the books mentioned in this episode and more by clicking this link: The Penguin Podcast Waterstones SpecialFollow our dedicated Broadcast channel on Instagram for exclusive content and giveaways: @PenguinUKBooks Send us a question: [email protected]: www.penguin.co.uk/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Youth culture, love and music with Irvine Welsh and Derek Owusu

  Recorded live at Latitude Festival, Irvine Welsh sits down with host Rhianna Dhillon to delve into his new novel Men in Love, the eagerly awaited sequel to Trainspotting, which explores the vibrant landscape of youth culture through the decades and the nuances of defining a generation through the arts. Plus, award-winning author and Penguin colleague Derek Owusu joins the panel, providing personalised book recommendations to audience members. We also speak to readers at the festival and ask them: what is the book that defined your youth? Find all the books mentioned in this episode and more at by clicking this link: The Penguin Podcast: Latitude specialFollow our dedicated Broadcast channel on Instagram for exclusive content and giveaways: @PenguinUKBooks Send us a question: [email protected]: www.penguin.co.uk/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• How Penguin Books turned the UK into a nation of readers

  From the paperback revolution to the obscenity trial that made Lady Chatterley’s Lover famous, we explore how Penguin turned the UK into a nation of readers as we celebrate our 90th birthday. Host Rhianna Dhillon speaks to Kate Mosse, international bestselling author, activist and Founder Director of the Women’s Prize for Fiction and Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction, and Zainab Juma, Penguin’s Head of Brand, about Penguin’s origin story, mission, and cultural influence over the past 90 years. Explore the full list of books discussed on this episode and read the transcript by visiting: 90th Birthday special: How Penguin turned the UK into a nation of readersSend us a question: [email protected]: www.penguin.co.uk/podcast Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• S2 E6: Summer Reads with Anthony Horowitz

  On the final episode of this series of the Penguin Podcast, Marble Hall Murders author Anthony Horowitz tells us how, when a famous actress asks you to write another novel, you do as you're told! Plus things heat up as we discuss and recommend the best books for summer reading.Explore the full list of books discussed on this episode and read the transcript by visiting: Season 2, Episode 6: Summer ReadsWant to have your say on what's next for Ask Penguin? Click here!Send us a question: [email protected]: www.penguin.co.uk/podcastThe Books That Shaped Us Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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