Books and Reading: Podcasts

October 3, 2009

imagesWhat better on a long journey, walk or stint on the treadmill than to catch up with informed opinion on the latest in books and reading? The advent of the podcast has revitalised our listening skills – the spoken word is cool again.

Here are some of our favourites. Subscribing is easy (particularly if you use iTunes, which has most of these available) but setting up a feed is also straightforward. It’s hard to go past ABC Radio National’s advice on getting started if you are new to this.

Some podcasts on books, reading and the spoken word

If there are others you would like to suggest, your comments are welcome.

Image from wikimedia used under Creative Commons licence


Morris Gleitzman in conversation

June 29, 2009

On ABC Radio National Life Matters. Here.


Guess what? Yes, the A-word

June 11, 2009

If you want to hear Melina Marchetta, James Moloney, Andy Griffiths, Mike Shuttleworth and Anita Silvey talking about elitism and snobbery in children’s book awards hurry over to ABC Radio National’s Book Show quick smart for the podcast.


From the Hay Festival

May 28, 2009

English summer and the Hay Festival – oh, to be in England. But we can’t be right now, so the podcasts will have to do.

Patrick Ness, Philip Ardagh and Tanya Landman are among the speakers today. Not sure how long the files will be available for downloading though.


An hour with James McBride

March 10, 2009

Well, the promised Perth Writers Festival summation didn’t happen for all sorts of reasons but the ABC podcasts are stll being posted. Do yourself a favour and spend an hour with James McBride, the latest of the sessions to go online. The author of The Color of Water was possibly the coolest and certainly one of the most entertaining (of many entertaining people) at the Festival.

And when the Sebastian Barry podcast is posted (soon) transport yourself to Ireland. To be there to hear him read from The Secret Scripture was a privilege and a highlight of the weekend.


Paul Jennings

March 4, 2009

It seems that Paul Jennings is targetting an older audience than usual with his latest book, The Nest. Hear him talk about this title – aimed at readers of 15 or older – in an ABC Radio National interview.


Perth Writers Festival 2009

March 2, 2009

Another day to go and still digesting the two just past. Wondering which of the many books purchased to be read first – they are all begging. A more relective post later. Meanwhile, don’t forget the podcasts.

Last night’s highlight? The Moth. Yet another podcast to help the kilometres click past on long journeys.


Perth Writers Festival 2009

February 26, 2009

OK, so you can’t make it to the beautiful campus of the University of Western Australia over the coming weekend. Doesn’t mean you can’t participate in the Writers Fesival.

ABC local radio is a Festival partner, so just pop this feed

http://www.abc.net.au/local/podcasts/perthwriters.xml

into your favourite RSS feed reader and enjoy the free podcasts.


Authors in Second Life

February 25, 2009

A little over twelve months ago, a literary happening brought authors and their readers together in Teen Second Life. Since then a few writers have dropped by the virtual space, the latest being Cynthia Leitich Smith yesterday. You can hear her talk about the experience and her novels Tantalize and Eternal, in this podcast from YALSA. If you come late to the site, it’s podcast #64.


Sign of the times

October 15, 2008

Radio National’s Book Show has an interview with the engaging title of ‘Books to read to children during financial ruin’. The guest is American Erica Perl, who seems to specialise in these sort of things.

The podcast will be available for a short time only.