The charity set up by Queen Camilla following the success of her online book club – The Queen’s Reading Room – has announced it is launching a podcast in the new year.
Suitability titled ‘The Queen’s Reading Room Podcast’, it will feature high-profile individuals, including Dame Joanna Lumley and Sir Ian Rankin, who will talk about their relationship with reading. Guests will speak to the CEO of The Queen’s Reading Room, Vicki Perrin.
The Queen is a passionate reader and often encourages the younger generation to read as well. (The Queen’s Reading Room)
The first episode in January 2024 will see Vicki Perrin chat to 63-year-old crime fiction author Sir Ian Rankin, who will talk about his childhood and how his passion for literature developed. Actress Dame Joanna Lumley will feature in the second episode to speak about her book collection and her favourite writers.
Other slated guests include poet Joseph Coelho, novelist Elif Shafak, comedian David Baddiel, American author Ann Patchett, author Bonnie Garmus, and screenwriter and novelist Frank Cottrell-Boyce. There will also be a bonus episode with lexicographer and Countdown contributor, Susie Dent.
Vicki Perrin said: ‘There is nothing quite like a brilliant book recommendation from a friend, but it’s even better when that person is one of your favourite authors or most admired persons.
‘I hope that this podcast will inspire listeners to new literary adventures and help those wishing to love books a little more find the books which set their imaginations alight.’
Reading is a passion of Camilla’s and has been a champion around the encouragement of the younger generation taking up reading as a hobby for a number of years.
The Queen launched her online Reading Room in was in January 2021 to act as a ‘celebration of literature in all its forms’ and to be ‘a hub for literary communities around the world’, as the UK and many parts of the world were still in lockdown.
The idea of the online Reading Room began when the Duchess of Cornwall shared two sets of recommendations featuring books to keep people entertained during lockdown. Remind yourself of both lists here and here.
The Queen’s Reading Room charity was launched to help more people find and connect with books to help enrich their lives and turn them into lifelong readers. The charity aims to provide opportunities for the love and passion of literature among adults and children in the UK and around the world. It will seek to close the gap between writers and readers through accessible and educational content.
