Books To Read Inspired by Your Favorite Podcasts

Inspired by the curiosity for science found in the “Stuff You Should Know” podcast, discover The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot. Exploring the life of Henrietta Lacks, whose cells were taken without her knowledge in 1951, this book illustrates how these cells became vital for medical research, raising ethical questions about consent and the intersection of race and medicine. Stuff You Should Know also dedicated a SYSK Selects episode to the story.

Fans of “My Favorite Murder,” a true crime comedy podcast hosted by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark, may also like The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson. Combining meticulous research with nail-biting storytelling, this book tells the true story of the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago and the cunning serial killer who used the magic and majesty of the fair to lure his victims to their deaths.

Fans of “Las Culturistas” with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang will remember Yang proclaiming his love for Kaveh Akbar’s Martyr!. The book follows Cyrus Shams, a young man grappling with an inheritance of violence and loss. Cyrus is a drunk, an addict, and a poet, whose obsession with martyrs leads him to examine the mysteries of his past. The novel is a paean to how we spend our lives seeking meaning — in faith, art, ourselves, and others.

Fans of “Vibe Check,” with hosts Sam Sanders, Saeed Jones, and Zach Stafford should check out the podcast’s 2023 book club pick, Poverty, by America written by Matthew Desmond. Desmond examines the roots and realities of poverty in the United States and argues that systematic inequalities perpetuate hardships. He explores solutions to the economic injustices that trap millions in poverty and offers a compelling call to action. After you finish the book, you can listen in to the conversation the hosts had with the author.

Fans of “The Bald and the Beautiful with Trixie and Katya” can find more of the duo’s iconic hilarity in Trixie and Katya’s Guide to Modern Womanhood. The pair channel their wit and chemistry into an old-school etiquette guide for ladies. In essays, conversations, and how-to sections peppered with hilarious, gorgeous photos, Trixie and Katya will advise readers on beauty and fashion and tackle other vital components of living your best life.

Fans of the business insight podcast “Acquired,” hosted by Ben Gilbert and David Rosenthal, will like Onward. Former CEO of Starbucks, Howard Schultz, and Joanne Gordon tell the remarkable story of how Schultz decided to return to Starbucks as CEO in 2008 returning the company to its core values and restoring its financial health. Offering you a snapshot of the recession that left no company unscathed, the book shows in riveting detail how one company struggled and recreated itself in the midst of it all.

Are you a fan of the insights into politics, government, and social issues that “Pod Save America” — hosted by a rotating cast of former Barack Obama staffers — provides? Consider checking out We Were Eight Years in Power by Ta-Nehisi Coates. The book examines the impact of Barack Obama’s presidency on America, exploring themes of race, politics, and identity. Through essays and personal reflections, Coates highlights the complexities of progress and the persistence of systematic racism.

If you like the “Time Sensitive” interview podcast with curious and courageous people about their lives and work through the lens of time, you may like this memoir by Lucy Sante. In I Heard Her Call My Name, Lucy Sante reflects on her journey from an uncertain upbringing in Belgium to finding her identity in New York City’s bohemian scene. Her memoir explores gender identity, personal transformation, and the complexities of self-presentation with grace and empathy.

Fans of “Normal Gossip” will love this biography about gossip, power, and the culture of celebrity. This book dives into the influential newspaper columnist and broadcaster, Walter Winchell. Following his rise to fame and impact on American culture, this book reveals the man behind the legend.

For those who love true crime and the podcast “Crime Junkie,” hosted by Ashley Flowers, author of The Missing Half, pick up Liliana’s Invincible Summer. In 2019 Cristina Rivera Garza traveled from her home in Texas to Mexico City, in search of an old, unresolved criminal file. It’s been 29 years since her sister, Liliana, was murdered by an abusive ex-boyfriend. Inspired by feminist movements across the world and enraged by the global epidemic of femicide and intimate partner violence, Cristina embarks on a path toward justice.