Books About Podcasts
Since Kirsten and I started the Read Carpet Report, we have been captivated by books about podcasts. These are novels about fictional podcasts, which feel a little bit meta, but we are all for it.
It all started when I listened to Listen for the Lie by Amy Tinterra. Not only was this one of the best thriller books I have ever read, but the podcast component brought this book to a whole new level. Often, the audiobook versions of these books are Full Cast Audiobooks, which means rather than reading a script of the podcast, you can hear parts of the podcast.
I have a few different genres of books about podcasts, ranging from thriller to romance.
The Best Books
Each colorful block below represents the best book in a subgenre. Click on the arrow to reveal my “best” pick in any category. You’ll also be able to use a page jump to see more books in that section.
Best Fiction Book About a Podcast
I Have Some Questions For you by Rebecca Makkai- Jump to Section
Best Thriller Book Featuring a Podcast
Listen For the Lie by Amy Tinterra- Jump to Section
Best Romance Book About a Podcast
The Ex-Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon- Jump to Section
*Post contains affiliate links. Purchases made through links result in a small commission to us at no cost to you. Some books have been gifted. All opinions are our own.
Fiction Podcast Novels
I Have Some Questions for You
Author: Rebecca Makkai
Year: 2023
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
More info: Named a Best Book of 2023 by The Washington Post, People, USA Today, NPR, Esquire, Good Housekeeping, Real Simple, & The Boston Globe
Age Range: 16+
Plot
This is a thriller from the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award Finalist author of The Great Believers. Bodie Cane is a film professor who wishes she could forget her past at a boarding school where a classmate was murdered. Now, she has been invited to return and lecture and she cannot stop feeling that she may have known more about the murder than she originally thought.
Why Jackie loves it
Makkai is a brilliant writer and storyteller. She weaves an utterly compelling story. This book will have you questioning your own memories and the idea of a collective memory as well. While I liked The Great Believers more than this book, this literary fiction is page-turning and thought-provoking.
Find this book in: Books set in High School / Dark Academia Books / Books About podcasts
Podcast Mystery and Thriller Books
Listen for the Lie
Author: Amy Tintera
Year: 2024
Genre: Thriller
More info: March 2024 Good Morning America Book Club Pick
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
2024 is the year of the thriller, and this one doesn’t disappoint! Lucy is returning to her hometown for the first time since she was accused, but never charged, with murdering her best friend, Savvy, 5 years ago.
She has no memories of the night Savvy died, but she needs answers for herself. So she decides to team up with true crime podcaster, Ben Owens, to discover the truth – even if she’s implicated in the process.
Ben is real-time podcasting the whole investigation, and his interviews are interspersed between chapters, revealing new insights each time.
Trigger Warnings
Domestic Abuse, murder
Why Jackie loves it
This is one mystery/thriller that is even better in audiobook format! The background noises and interviews bring the podcast to life. #gifted by Macmillan Audio
Why Kirsten loves it
I felt like I was in the story, investigating it myself. I can’t emphasize enough that this one is best consumed by listening. As Jackie noted, the audiobook adds elements not available in print. I will say I couldn’t figure out the ending on this one and was completely surprised by who committed the murder!
Find this book in: Best Audiobooks / Best Beach Reads 2024 / New Mystery Books of 2024 /Epistolary Novels / Nonlinear Narrative Novels /Best Books of 2024 / Amnesia Books / GMA Book Club List 2024 / Antiheroine Novels / Books About podcasts
None of This is True
Author: Lisa Jewell
Year: 2023
Genre: Thriller
More info: New York Times Bestselling Author
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Alix has a popular podcast and meets Josie while out celebrating their birthdays. They are birthday twins. When they meet a few days later, Josie tells Alix her idea for a podcast. Josie wants to change her life and she wants Alix to document the changes. Before long, it is almost impossible to tell what is true and what is a lie.
This book is unlike any other book written by Lisa Jewell. It is a psychological thriller that is creepy and page-turning but not necessarily shocking. I listened to the full cast audiobook and it was fantastic! It brought so much depth to the story.
Trigger Warnings
Pedophilia
Why Jackie loves it
I love Lisa Jewell’s books so it is no surprise that I loved this book as well. This book is a must-read thriller from our list of summer 2023 book releases. This one was the most disturbing and had a very “single white female” feel.
Find this book in: The Best Lisa Jewell Books in Order and Ranked / Best Full Cast Audiobooks / Books with Numbers in the Title / Books About podcasts
The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels
Author: Janice Hallett
Year: 2024
Genre: Mystery
More info: New York Times Bestselling Author
Age Range:16+
Plot
True crime author Amanda Bailey is looking to revive her career. She decides to write a book about The Alperton Angels, a cult that almost convinced a teenage girl that her baby was The Anti-Christ and needed to be killed. But after she calls the police and is dropped off at the hospital, she disappears and so does the baby.
Now Amanda is trying to find the perfect angle for this book when she discovers that Oliver, another author, is also on the case. When they decide to collaborate, they discover that the story goes deeper than they could have imagined.
Trigger Warnings
Cults
Why Jackie loves it
I started reading this book but switched to the full-cast audio version and could not stop listening. The book is written as WhatsApp messages, emails, and transcripts. I loved this five-star read and highly recommend the audio version for a deeper reading experience. #gifted
Find this book in: Cult Books / Ultimate List of Mystery Books / Summer Reads of 2024 / Janice Hallett Books in Order / Books About podcasts
Things We Do in the Dark
Author: Jennifer Hillier
Year: 2022
Genre: Thriller
More info: Award Winning Author
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
I was about 10% of the way through when the story suddenly came to life. When Paris Peralta comes home and finds her husband dead in the bathtub, she panics, knocks herself out, and finds herself the suspect in his murder.
Journalist Drew Malcolm has a true crime podcast dedicated to Ruby Reyes, a woman convicted 25 years earlier in a manner very similar to Paris’s husband. She finds herself under media scrutiny, and the podcast becomes a major threat. It turns out, Paris may be hiding more than just her true identity.
Trigger Warnings
Child Abuse, Assault
Why Jackie loves it
There is so much to this domestic thriller that is unexpected. I don’t want to ruin the surprises for you. But obviously, the mentions of Canada warm my heart!
Find this book in: Books About Podcasts
Podcast Romance Books
The Ex-Talk
Author: Rachel Lynn Solomon
Year: 2021
Genre: Romance
Spice Rating:💋💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
The concept of this story was cute – two radio show hosts fake a relationship to try to get ratings. Except they are pretending they already dated and broke up… which eventually leads to them actually dating.
Why Kirsten loves it
I picked up The Ex-Talk because I wanted to read a romance by a Jewish author. I loved that this one featured a biracial, interfaith couple. This fake dating book was a cute, easy read.
Find this book in: Fake Dating Books / Office Romance Books / Books Like the Love Hypothesis / Books About Podcasts
Back After This
Author: Linda Holmes
Year: 2025
Genre: Romance
More info: From the Author of Evvie Drake Starts Over
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
Cecily Foster is a podcast producer who has finally been given the chance to host her own show. IF she agrees to be the star of a new podcast first. She has to agree to go on 20 blind dates chosen by Eliza Cassidy, an influencer and relationship coach.
She has not had a relationship in years, since her last one ended poorly, and she has not met anyone she is interested in dating. She reluctantly agrees. Of course, now that she has committed, she has a number of run-ins with the same man and he is not on the approved dating list. Can she find a way to do what she loves and find love?
Why Jackie loves it
I could relate to Cecily’s quest of trying to fulfill the expectations of others while being true to herself. I think most people (women especially) can relate to the feeling of trying to be everything for everyone. Her search for love paralleled her path of searching for herself. I love that the quest for finding love was not the thing that “completed her”. Love was a cherry on the sundae.
Find this book in: Matchmaking Books for Romance Fans / Books About Podcasts
More Books About Podcasts
Expert Tip
Consider listening to these books as audiobooks. Many of these books contain podcast transcripts that are fantastic in audiobook form. Many of these also have a full cast. Kirsten and I absolutely love full-cast audiobooks. They add a whole new dimension to the story.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are books about podcasts better as audiobooks?
Yes. As a general rule, many of these books are full-cast audiobooks. This means that during the podcast component, there are usually two or more narrators. It makes it very easy to tell who is talking. Often when you are reading a book with a podcast, you will have to read the script, which can be more confusing. Not all of these books are full-cast. The two romances on the list, and Things We Do in the Dark by Jennifer Hillier all have only one narrator. These do not have scripts of the podcasts.
What books should I read if I loved Serial?
Serial is an investigative journalism podcast that fits into the true crime genre. If you are looking for a book to give you a similar vibe, Listen for the Lie by Amy Tinterra or The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels by Janice Hallett are both fantastic! Added bonus: they are full cast audiobooks.
Are there any romance novels about podcasters?
Yes. Back After This by Linda Holmes and The Ex-Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon are great romances about podcasters.
Related Content
Epilogue
What is your favorite book about podcasts? Is there something I should add to my TBR?
