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The podcast that asks women with lives as inspiring as any fiction, to share the five books by women that have shaped them. Join Vick Hope, multi-award winning TV and BBC Radio 1 presenter, author and journalist, and her inspirational guests as they celebrate the best books written by women, sharing their creativity, voices, and perspectives. The Women’s Prize for Fiction is the biggest celebration of women's creativity in the world and has been running for over 30 years. Sit back and enjoy.








womensprize.com/

Bookshelfie: Women’s Prize Podcast

Women’s Prize Podcast/ Bird Lime Media
Books
146 episodes
S8 Ep16: Bookshelfie: Thangam Debbonaire
Chair of Judges for the 2026 Women’s Prize for Non-Fiction, Baroness Thangam Debbonaire explains why the prize is so important; the enduring importance of democracy for women worldwide; and her formative years working in a communist bookshop. Thangam is a Labour Member of the House of Lords, where her key interests include arts policy, international cultural partnerships and diplomacy, copyrig...
53m • Oct 28
53m
S8 Ep15: Bookshelfie: Nikki Amuka-Bird
Actor Nikki Amuka-Bird discusses her awe for Zadie Smith, the need for humour in books about difficult conversations and her relationship with playing “mean” characters. Nikki is an actor whose career spans across film, television, and stage. She was born in Nigeria and grew up in Antigua before moving to the UK to attend boarding school. She studied at LAMDA – the London Academy of Music and ...
49m • Oct 21
49m
S8 Ep14: Bookshelfie: Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett
Columnist and writer Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett talks to Vick about motherhood, neurodivergence  and her love for quiet books which look at interior lives. Rhiannon is best known as a writer and columnist for The Guardian, co-founder of the feminist satire blog The Vagenda (later a book) and as a writer for Vogue, Elle and the Independent.  She’s also the author of multiple books. Her debut novel,...
49m • Oct 14
49m
S8 Ep13: Bookshelfie: Laura Coryton
Feminist campaigner and founder of Sex Ed Matters, Laura Coryton discusses the power of sisterhood, the books which have inspired her campaigning and why sex education in schools still needs to evolve. In 2014, Laura led the petition ‘Stop Taxing Periods’ to end tampon tax, which gained over 300,000 signatures and support from major political figures including Barack Obama. The campaign succes...
48m • Oct 07
48m
S8 Ep12: Bookshelfie: Megan Jayne Crabbe
Body positivity influencer and feminist writer Megan Jayne Crabbe discusses female hunger, moving beyond the ‘male saviour’ narrative and learning to accept her race, sexuality and place in the body positivity movement. Megan is best known for changing the narrative of how women feel about their bodies. She’s amassed over 1.3 million followers on social media, and has built her platform by cre...
50m • Sep 30
50m
S8 Ep11: Bookshelfie: Joanne McNally
Queen of Irish comedy Joanne McNally kicks off the second instalment of Bookshelfie series eight talking about her love for Bridget Jones, and why she’s drawn to stories about break-ups and revenge. Joanne is known for her sharp wit and self-deprecating humour, and her hotly-anticipated new show Pinotphile, which is selling out venues across the UK and Ireland, tackles everything from dating d...
53m • Sep 23
53m
S8 Ep10: Bookshelfie: Kit de Waal
Accomplished writer and this year’s Chair of Judges for the 2025 Women’s Prize for Fiction Kit de Waal talks to Vick about her memoir, the value of audiobooks and why we need to see more writing about women in mid life. Kit de Waal has written novels for adults and young adults, short stories and her memoir Without Warning and Only Sometimes was published in 2022. Her debut novel My Name is Le...
57m • Apr 01
57m
S8 Ep9: Bookshelfie: Anne Sebba
Historian and award-winning biographer Anne Sebba talks about her incredible career interviewing everyone from Elizabeth Taylor to the Duchess of Windsor and the process of writing her newest book: The Women's Orchestra of Auschwitz: A Story of Survival. Anne Sebba began her career as a Reuters correspondent based in London and Rome. She has written eleven works of non-fiction, mostly about ic...
55m • Mar 25
55m
S8 Ep8: Bookshelfie: Neneh Cherry
Recorded live at Bailey’s HQ in London, singer-songwriter, rapper, producer and Women’s Prize 2025 longlisted author Neneh Cherry discusses her career, the power of women and the process of writing her deeply personal memoir, A Thousand Threads. Neneh first achieved global success in 1988, with 'Buffalo Stance', a groundbreaking mix of music genres. She has released six critically acclaimed st...
1hr • Mar 18
1hr
S8 Ep7: Bookshelfie: Charlene White
Pioneering broadcaster, journalist and author Charlene White discusses the danger of banning books, dealing with grief and loss, and her interest in what home means to others. Charlene began presenting ITV News in 2008 and in 2014 became the first Black woman to present ITV News at Ten. She’s also one of the presenters of daytime show, Loose Women, and helmed the show's first all-black panel s...
44m • Mar 11
44m
S8 Ep6: Bookshelfie: Shani Dhanda
Broadcaster, disability inclusion and accessibility specialist, and social entrepreneur Shani Dhanda discusses the power of audiobooks, the importance of kindness and why accessibility benefits us all. Shani Dhanda is one of the UK's most influential disabled people, and was named Number 1 on The Shaw Trust’s Disability Power 100 List in 2023. Shani has been recognised with multiple honours an...
1hr 1m • Mar 04
1hr 1m
S8 Ep5: Bookshelfie: Emer Kenny
Actor and screenwriter Emer Kenny tells us why all pain is useful - whether it be heartbreak or rejection -  and why being a mentor to other creatives is so important. Emer Kenny is an actor and writer who made her acting debut in the BAFTA-nominated single drama Coming Down The Mountain in 2008. She began to write for the screen soon after, honing her skills on BBC’s Eastenders and Holby City...
52m • Feb 25
52m
S8 Ep4: Bookshelfie: Bryony Gordon
Journalist, author and mental health campaigner Bryony Gordon discusses the journey to writing about her own mental health, why we need political balance, and her aversion to misery books. Bryony has written six Sunday Times bestselling books, including the number one bestsellers Mad Girl and You Got This. Her latest book Mad Woman is the eagerly anticipated follow-up which explores a crucial ...
59m • Feb 18
59m
S8 Ep3: Bookshelfie: Eimear McBride
Author, Actor and Director Eimear McBride on the delayed gratification of her first novel, the  ‘classic combination’ of sex and death and why we should celebrate  female writers tackling difficult topics and themes. Eimear trained as an actor before writing her first novel, A Girl is a Half-formed Thing, which took nine years to find a publisher but subsequently won the 2014 Women’s Prize for...
50m • Feb 11
50m
S8 Ep2: Bookshelfie: Jojo Moyes
Bestselling author Jojo Moyes discusses her passion for libraries, the importance of staying silly and how to build complex characters aka the ‘kick the dog’ test. Jojo Moyes is a novelist and screenwriter. Her books include the bestsellers Me Before You, After You and Still Me, The One Plus One, The Giver of Stars, Someone Else's Shoes and her short story collection Paris for One and Other St...
1hr 6m • Feb 04
1hr 6m
S8 Ep1: Bookshelfie: Diane Abbott MP
Diane Abbott is parliament’s longest serving Black MP. A political trailblazer, a passionate advocate for social justice and a writer. She kicks off series eight of Bookshelfie talking about Trump, feminism and navigating a world of social media trolls. Diane was the first Black woman elected to Parliament and has served Hackney and Stoke Newington for more than 35 years. In 2024 she became Mo...
51m • Jan 28
51m
S7 Ep25: Bookshelfie: Kavita Puri
Award-winning executive producer and broadcaster Kavita Puri on the importance of collecting untold stories, being an Elizabeth Strout groupie and why women always have been and continue to be complex characters. Kavita Puri is the creator, writer and presenter of the Three Million podcast on BBC Sounds, which won the Gold for Best New Podcast at the British Podcast Awards 2024, and the accomp...
59m • Nov 12, 2024
59m
S7 Ep24: Bookshelfie: Cariad Lloyd
Comedian Cariad Lloyd explains how she unexpectedly became part of the death community and why Half of a Yellow Sun should be part of the curriculum. Cariad is an award-winning comedian, actor and writer. She is the creator and host of the award-winning podcast Griefcast and the smash-hit improv show Austentatious. She has starred in TV shows such as Alan Partridge, Peep Show, Inside No. 9 and...
59m • Nov 05, 2024
59m
S7 Ep23: Bookshelfie: Maggie Aderin-Pocock
Space scientist Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock joins Vick to delve into her favourite science fiction books, tells us why dyslexic kids shouldn’t be pigeon-holed and explains why she encourages all children to reach for the stars. Maggie is a space scientist and pioneering figure in communicating science, having spoken directly to over half a million people globally, 350,000 of whom are children.  Sh...
57m • Oct 29, 2024
57m
S7 Ep22: Bookshelfie: Cecelia Ahern
Irish novelist Cecelia Ahern joins Vick to chat about how books making us less lonely, what inspires her work and the art of being an introverted extrovert. Cecelia's debut novel PS I Love You was published in 2004 and went on to become an international bestseller and was adapted into a film starring Hilary Swank. Her second novel, Where Rainbows End, was adapted into the film Love, Rosie star...
51m • Oct 22, 2024
51m
S7 Ep21: Bookshelfie: Kate Humble
Broadcaster Kate Humble explains the joy of living in the moment, the glory of nature and the importance of shunning the algorithms. Kate is a broadcaster specialising in wildlife and science programmes, including  Countryfile, Springwatch and Blue Planet Live. A champion of the environment, nature conservation and rural affairs, she is president of the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust and founded Hu...
1hr 1m • Oct 15, 2024
1hr 1m
S7 Ep20: Bookshelfie: Jodi Picoult
Jodi Picoult is the number 1 New York Times bestselling author of 28 novels and short stories, and has also written several issues of Wonder Woman. Approximately 40 million copies of her books are in print worldwide and have been translated into 34 languages.  Her book My Sister’s Keeper was made into a motion picture starring Cameron Diaz. Jodi is the recipient of many awards, including the ...
49m • Oct 08, 2024
49m
S7 Ep19: Bookshelfie: Corinna Brown
British actress Corinna Brown tells us why representation is so important to her and through the poetry of Rupi Kaur, explains why you are more than just pretty. Corinna best known for her role as Tara Jones in Heartstopper, the multi-award-winning, BAFTA nominated Neftlix adaptation of Alice Osman’s LGBTQ+ graphic novels which rose to the top ten most-watched English series on Netflix within ...
48m • Oct 01, 2024
48m
S7 Ep18: Bookshelfie: Rukmini Iyer
Food writer and bestselling author Rukmini Iyer shares how her recipes bring families together, the importance of flavours and the joy of finding a delicious, easy solution to dinner. Rukmini is the bestselling author of The Roasting Tin series, which in five years has sold over 1.75 million copies worldwide. They’ve transformed the cookery space in the UK, leading the one-tin, one-pot, and on...
54m • Sep 24, 2024
54m
S7 Ep17: Bookshelfie: Tracy Chevalier
Tracy Chevalier is an award-winning American-British novelist of 11 books, including the immensely popular Girl with a Pearl Earring, which has sold over 5 million copies worldwide and was adapted into a film, which was nominated for three Academy Awards. Tracy has also edited anthologies such as Why Willows Weep, a collection of tales from the woods to raise money for the Woodland Trust, and ...
51m • Sep 17, 2024
51m
S7 Ep16: Bookshelfie: Deborah Joseph
Glamour UK’s Editor-in-Chief Deborah Joseph joins Vick to discuss feminism through the lens of magazines, the importance of representation and the need for perfectly imperfect women. Deborah is an award-winning editor and journalist. Over the past seven years, she has directed Glamour’s transition from a print to a digital-first, beauty-first brand. Prior to that, she spent six years working f...
50m • Sep 09, 2024
50m
S7 Ep15: Bookshelfie: Julia Gillard
The former Prime Minister of Australia, Julia Gillard joins Vick for a live recording in Bedford Square Gardens from the Women’s Prize Live Festival. Julia Gillard served as the 27th Prime Minister of Australia from 2010 to 2013 after serving as Deputy Prime Minister from 2007 to 2010. She was the first and only woman to have held either of these offices in Australian history. Following her re...
55m • Sep 03, 2024
55m
S7 Ep14: Bookshelfie: Rosie Jones
Rosie Jones joins Vick Hope in front of a live studio audience where they celebrate different kinds of love, discuss Rosie’s favourite reads on holiday and uncover why Rosie will never get over A Little Life. Rosie is a must-see act on the UK comedy circuit. Having fronted two travelogue series’ of her own for Channel 4, Mission: Accessible and Trip Hazard. Rosie can also be seen on countless ...
1hr 11m • Jun 11, 2024
1hr 11m
S7 Ep13: Bookshelfie: Miranda July
Miranda July is a multi-award-winning director, writer, filmmaker and artist and in this episode she opens up about ageing, reaching her creative limit and reading with every meal. Miranda has written, directed and starred in three feature films as well as over a dozen short films. Her first major film production, Me and You and Everyone We Know, won six awards including the Caméra d’Or at the...
58m • Jun 04, 2024
58m
S7 Ep12: Bookshelfie: Ria Hebden
Television presenter and broadcaster, Ria Hebden discusses the importance of identity, how books can inspire massive career changes and why the sky's the limit for her. Ria is the official Entertainment presenter on ITV’s Lorraine, having interviewed  everyone from Robbie Williams to Harrison Ford, to Kim Cattrall, Shania Twain and John Boyega. Her infectious energy and iconic smile make her a...
49m • May 28, 2024
49m
S7 Ep11: Bookshelfie: Rebecca Achieng Ajulu-Bushell
Former swimmer and entrepreneur Rebecca Achieng Ajulu-Bushell discusses her career, details her love of the water, and lays bare the pressures within her former swimming world. Rebecca Achieng Ajulu-Bushell is a former elite athlete with a career spanning over 10 years, swimming for both Great Britain and Kenya. She is a former world number one and British champion, winning the 50m and 100m br...
46m • May 21, 2024
46m
S7 Ep10: Bookshelfie: Victoria Prew
Victoria Prew is an entrepreneur and CEO of fashion rental company HURR, in this episode she explains how she saw a gap in the market for rented luxury fashion and leaned in. Victoria Prew is the CEO and co-founder of HURR Collective (https://www.hurrcollective.com/) , the global home for circular fashion, a community of first-movers, committed to environmental responsibility, setting the tone...
49m • May 14, 2024
49m
S7 Ep9: Bookshelfie: Edwina Dunn OBE
Entrepreneur and pioneering businesswoman Edwina Dunn OBE discusses the need for role models, the perils of seeking perfection and the importance of female spending. Edwina leads The Female Lead, which is an active community of 8 million women, underpinned by an educational foundation, and focused on celebrating the achievements and diversity of women who shape our world. Using data to underst...
47m • May 07, 2024
47m
S7 Ep8: Bookshelfie: Ann Akinjirin
Ann Akinjirin is an actress, writer, director and producer working across screen and stage and is currently starring in the BBC’s new adaptation of Enid Blyton’s The Famous Five. Ann is best known for her recurring roles in BBC 1 /HBO’s The Strike Series playing ‘DS Vanessa Ekwensi’ and ‘Dee’ in BBC Two’s Trigonometry. More recently, Ann played 'Bobbi' in Marvel Studios series Moon Knight on D...
50m • Apr 30, 2024
50m
S7 Ep7: Bookshelfie: Elif Shafak
Award-winning British-Turkish novelist and 2022 Women’s Prize for Fiction shortlisted author Elif Shafak reveals the five books that have shaped her life and career.
51m • Apr 23, 2024
51m
S7 Ep6: Bookshelfie: Anna Jones
Best-selling food writer, stylist, and author, Anna Jones explains how Nigella Lawson’s How to Be a Domestic Goddess gave her the confidence to just be herself in the kitchen.
43m • Apr 16, 2024
43m
S7 Ep5: Bookshelfie: Suzannah Lipscomb
Historian, author and broadcaster Suzannah Lipscomb shines the spotlight on women throughout history who are too often missed from books. A distinguished historian, Suzannah is Professor Emerita at the University of Roehampton, Senior Member at St Cross College, Oxford, and a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and the Society of Antiquaries. She has written and edited seven books, most re...
46m • Apr 09, 2024
46m
S7 Ep4: Bookshelfie: Kristin Hannah
A New York Times bestselling author, Kristin Hannah’s books are beloved the world over and read by millions. Listen as she discusses the art of creating empathy with readers and the importance of putting women at the centre of stories. Kristin is the author of 25 novels, including historical fiction masterpiece The Nightingale, which has now sold millions of copies worldwide and has been trans...
52m • Apr 02, 2024
52m
S7 Ep3: Bookshelfie: Kiley Reid
Bestselling author Kiley Reid delves into her favourite books with Vick and discusses motherhood, morals and money.
42m • Mar 26, 2024
42m
S7 Ep2: Bookshelfie: Hollie McNish
Award-winning writer, poet and performer Hollie McNish chats about becoming a feminist, swearing in french and why she’s bored of taboos.
51m • Mar 19, 2024
51m
S7 Ep1: Bookshelfie: Jacqueline Wilson
Iconic, beloved children’s author and national treasure Dame Jacqueline Wilson kicks off series 7 of Bookshelfie with Vick Hope. In her long and illustrious career Jacqueline has written over 100 books,  sold over 40 million copies in the UK alone and been translated into 34 languages. She has been the children’s laureate, winner of many awards and for years was the most borrowed author from B...
44m • Mar 12, 2024
44m
S6 Ep25: Bookshelfie: Monica Ali
Bestselling writer Monica Ali, finishes off this season with an in-depth chat about the books that she loves, the responsibility she takes on as a writer and how she overcame a shattered self confidence.
53m • Dec 07, 2023
53m
S6 Ep24: Bookshelfie: Kit Kemp
Designer Kit Kemp MBE takes Vick on a literary journey from 1490 to 2022 and explains how she’s built her signature style, and her confidence.
45m • Nov 30, 2023
45m
S6 Ep23: Bookshelfie: Anita Rani
Award-winning broadcaster Anita Rani tells Vick about finding a new confidence in her 40s, taking Woman's Hour to Glastonbury and why she needed to write her own story.
45m • Nov 23, 2023
45m
S6 Ep22: Bookshelfie: Kenya Hunt
Editor-in-Chief of ELLE UK Kenya Hunt discusses her love of the essay, the multiplicity of motherhood and the importance of blazing your own trail. Kenya is an award-winning American journalist who has now been working in the UK for a decade. Her career spans working for some of the most influential women's publications on both sides of the Atlantic, from her post-graduate days as an Assistant...
44m • Nov 16, 2023
44m
S6 Ep21: Bookshelfie: Tanya Reynolds
Actress Tanya Reynolds talks about why being an introvert is a superpower, her final Sex Education scenes and when books come into your life and act like medicine. Tanya is perhaps known best for her scene-stealing role as Lily Iglehart in the Emmy award-winning Netflix show Sex Education, but has been gracing our screens with roles in Outlander, Death in Paradise and more recently 2020’s film...
51m • Nov 09, 2023
51m
S6 Ep20: Bookshelfie: Natalie Haynes
Author, broadcaster, comedian and classicist Natalie Haynes joins Vick to chat about her love for Greek Mythology and why there’s an appetite for female-focused stories. Natalie is a Women’s Prize for Fiction 2020 shortlisted author for her novel In A Thousand Ships, which retells the story of the Trojan War from an all-female perspective. Her book Stone Blind tackles the story of Medusa throu...
53m • Nov 01, 2023
53m
S6 Ep19: Bookshelfie: Kerry Washington
Scandal star Kerry Washington opens up about the revelations in her new memoir, why she’s ditching feelings of shame and how sharing your most vulnerable self is actually the most empowering thing you can do. Kerry Washington is a celebrated actor, director, producer, activist and a Shondaland superstar. Kerry received widespread public recognition for her role as Olivia Pope on the hit ABC dr...
39m • Oct 25, 2023
39m
S6 Ep18: Bookshelfie: Naomi Klein
Award-winning journalist and New York Times bestselling author Naomi Klein reveals how she had to write herself into her new book to rediscover her voice. Naomi Klein is a bestselling author, with nine critically acclaimed books which include The Shock Doctrine and This Changes Everything. In 2018 she was named the inaugural Gloria Steinem Endowed Chair at Rutgers University and is now Honorar...
51m • Oct 18, 2023
51m
S6 Ep17: Bookshelfie: Mary Beard
World famous classicist Prof Mary Beard covers ageism, feminism, university fees, the role of children’s books, why men are obsessed with the roman empire and of course, her favourite books. She is also a television and radio presenter, trustee of the British Museum and the author of more than 20 books on classical history, feminism and academic life, including the bestsellers Pompeii, SPQR (h...
49m • Oct 11, 2023
49m

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