Ear Candy: 14 Favorite Podcasts, 14 Terrific Reads

For fans of S-Town:

Murder, mayhem, and massive success. Those are only three things that the popular podcast S-Town and John Berendt’s classic have in common. If the narrative twists and turns, visceral descriptions of local people and their lives, or unforgettable, mysterious characters at the center of the drama caught your ear when listening to Brian Reed’s investigation, look no further than MIDNIGHT for your next nonfiction read, which follows the author’s multiyear investigation of a shooting in Savannah, Georgia.

For fans of Pod Save America:

Part of PSA’s appeal (aside from its equally humorous and harsh look at current events) is the fact that its hosts have firsthand experience in Washington politics and aren’t afraid to speak their minds. One thing they can agree on? Our capitol is a circus. In his true-life satire, Mark Leibovich highlights the comparison by exposing the media-obsessed, gilded culture of D.C., and how the people elected to serve are often only serving themselves.

For fans of Freakonomics Radio:

Freakonomics Radio aims to explore “the hidden side of everything,” and Malcolm Gladwell’s book delivers on the same promise. A collection of observations about what makes people and things extraordinary, it covers topics from Silicon Valley to Cesar Millan, high school football teams to rotisserie chicken ovens. Both book and podcast offer interesting and thought-provoking insights about how things interact with each other, and how they shape us—sometimes without us even realizing it.

For fans of You Must Remember This:

If you can’t get enough of Karina Longworth’s deep dives into the Golden Age of Hollywood, check out Anne Helen Petersen’s collection of notorious cinematic controversies and calamities which highlights both infamous and lesser-known stories. From Mae West’s “indecency charges” to Montgomery Clift’s heartbreaking fall from grace, Bogie and Bacall to Gable and Lombard, there’s plenty of drama and deviance for any film or gossip fan.

For fans of Still Processing:

This award-winning memoir is perfect for listeners of Jenna Wortham and Wesley Morris’s podcast, which focuses on cultural developments and implications, often through an African-American lens. Their nuanced and honest approach to privilege and “post-racial” America is exactly what you’ll find in Margo Jefferson’s book, which explores her childhood and coming-of-age in upper-crust black Chicago. (And, once you’re done, listen to Jenna and Wesley’s conversation with Ms. Jefferson here.)

For fans of Call Your Girlfriend:

Call Your Girlfriend is “a podcast for long-distance besties,” and Rebecca Traister’s landmark book about the rise of unmarried women is exactly what you would talk to your friends about over a meal or a drink. A stirring investigation into the sexual, economic, and emotional lives of women in the twenty-first century (and throughout American history), this book is firmly in the CYG wheelhouse and a real conversation starter. An added bonus? Cohost Aminatou Sow appears in Traister’s book as a case study.

For fans of Death, Sex & Money:

Before she became a bestselling author, Cheryl Strayed was an advice columnist named Sugar, answering letters for The Rumpus and offering advice about life, love, loss, and the difficult hands we’re dealt. Anna Sale takes on a similar role with DSM, digging deep and introducing topics that were once taboo with her many guests, celebrity and ordinary alike. If you love the human element of this show, and the gentleness with which Anna handles the stories she shares, Strayed’s collection of Sugar advice is for you.

For fans of WTF with Marc Maron:

For years, Marc Maron has been the king of compelling conversations, hosting his podcast out of his now-infamous garage, and getting some of our most beloved celebrities, from Robin Williams to President Barack Obama, to open up in ways they never have before. Judd Apatow has a similar approach in SICK IN THE HEAD, a collection of candid chats with people like Lena Dunham, Jay Leno, Eddie Vedder, Mike Nichols, Spike Jonze, and Sarah Silverman. (And psssst! Maron has his own book coming out this year—keep an eye out!)

For fans of Nerdist:

Imagine talking about your nerdiest obsession with your friends, and you’ve got the Nerdist Podcast. Now, imagine writing and reading about your nerdiest obsession, and you’ve got Glen Weldon’s deep dive into the history of Batman and the rise of the fans who love him. A fascinating, funny, and insightful examination of the ways Bruce Wayne has changed over the decades, and how we have changed with him, it’s a must-read for comic and culture fans alike.

For fans of Stuff You Missed in History Class:

For every historical figure we learn about in school, there are thousands we never hear of, even though they may have contributed to our world in major ways. With rarely seen photos and even rarer interviews, Molly Schiot’s illustrated history of unsung heroines in sports history features over a hundred women who were breaking barriers before Title IX was the law of the land, changing the face (sometimes literally) of tennis, track, swimming, baseball, football, and even jujitsu.

For fans of 2 Dope Queens:

There’s absolutely no question that Phoebe Robinson and Jessica Williams are two of the funniest women to ever grace a set of headphones. Their unique and unapologetically female perspective on sex, romance, race, and everyday issues is the latest in a long line of superstars who changed the role of women in comedy, and Yael Kohen’s group biography of the greatest generation, from Joan Rivers and Lily Tomlin to Tina Fey and Chelsea Handler, is a perfect supplement.

For fans of Radiolab:

Radiolab has been a must-listen since its debut in the early 2000s with its masterful and accessible blend of storytelling and science. Oliver Sacks was known for his similar skill, introducing cases and neurological phenomena not through the pathology but through the patients. AN ANTHROPOLOGIST ON MARS is one of his best collections, focused on seven individuals with fascinating personalities, perfect for people who love the episodic structure of podcasts.

For fans of Nancy:

One of the newest podcasts from WNYC, Nancy is hosted by Kathy Tu and Tobin Low and is all about the LGBTQ experience in today’s world, covering culture, politics, relationships, and more. If you love their candid blend of serious and comedic topics, check out the latest from Alison Bechdel (yes, of the test!), a graphic memoir of the artist’s relationship with her craft and her mother as she grew up.

For fans of Bon Appétit Foodcast:

When he published this book a decade ago, Chef Anthony Bourdain brought the restaurant scene into the mainstream with stories of sex, drugs, and haute cuisine gathered from his near quarter-century of experience in kitchens around the world. The Bon Appétit Foodcast has a similar impact, bringing delicious interviews with culinary tastemakers, writers, and influencers to listeners everywhere.