Which books shocked and shaped our society? With Simon Prosser and Jack Edwards
About this episode
<p>Outrageous, iconic and unforgettable - these are some of the books Penguin have been publishing over its 90-year history. As part of a special content series called 'The books that shaped us' on Penguin.co.uk, we invited readers from the world of publishing, comedy, and music to explore must-read titles across the decades. The Internet's resident librarian Jack Edwards and Penguin editor Simon Prosser discuss their curated reading lists, and explore the impact of the books that shocked society and became pop culture phenomena in this special episode, recorded live at Waterstones Picadilly</p><br><p>Find all the books mentioned in this episode and more by clicking this link: <a href="https://www.penguin.co.uk/discover/articles/the-penguin-podcast-with-jack-edwards-and-editor-simon-prosser?utm_campaign=Waterstones&utm_source=penguinwebsite&utm_medium=organic&utm_camteam=penguin" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Penguin Podcast Waterstones Special</a></p><p>Follow our dedicated Broadcast channel on Instagram for exclusive content and giveaways: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/penguinukbooks?igsh=N2VoM3pyMjN1Nm1y?utm_campaign=PodcastLatitude&utm_source=acast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_camteam=penguin" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">@PenguinUKBooks </a></p><br><p>Send us a question: penguinpodcast@penguinrandomhouse.co.uk</p><p>Website: <a href="https://www.penguin.co.uk/podcast?utm_campaign=Ask+Penguin+Series+2+Book+Club+Books&utm_source=acast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_camteam=penguin" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.penguin.co.uk/podcast</a></p><br><p><br></p><p><br></p><hr><p style='color:grey; font-size:0.75em;'> Hosted on Acast. See <a style='color:grey;' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' href='https://acast.com/privacy'>acast.com/privacy</a> for more information.</p>
Listen to this episode in English to learn English
Podcast episodes are one of the highest-density ways to absorb English at native pace. Which books shocked and shaped our society? With Simon Prosser and Jack Edwards from Ask Penguin gives you natural dialogue, unscripted speech, and vocabulary that actually appears in real conversations.
In the Clue app, every word in the transcript is tappable. Tap an unknown word, see the translation in your language instantly, and keep listening without breaking flow.
Episodes to Learn English
- Which books help us reconnect with nature? with Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris Jul 1, 2026
- What's wrong with reading to look smart? with Abir Mukherjee Jun 17, 2026
- Which debut novels should you be reading in 2026? Jun 3, 2026
- Which books emotionally wrecked you? With Dawn French May 20, 2026
- What are the best novels about infidelity? With Sophie Mackintosh May 6, 2026
- What is a must-read book to make me laugh? With Bryony Gordon Apr 22, 2026
- Why I wanted to adapt Wuthering Heights with Emerald Fennell Feb 13, 2026
- What secrets does Jane Austen's house hold? Dec 18, 2025
- What were the best books of 2025? Dec 11, 2025
- What makes a setting feel so vivid it becomes a character? With Paula Hawkins Dec 4, 2025
- What is the best translated fiction to read? With Karl Ove Knausgaard Nov 20, 2025
- Why are generations at war with each other? With Zadie Smith Nov 6, 2025
- Is never growing up the secret to great storytelling? With Philip Pullman Oct 30, 2025
- Is Jane Austen's legacy more than just romantic love? With Andrew Hunter Murray and Gill Hornby Oct 15, 2025
- Why do we still laugh when times are hard? With Ocean Vuong Oct 1, 2025
- Which books defined a generation? with Irvine Welsh and Derek Owusu Aug 5, 2025
- How did penguin turn the UK into a nation of readers? with Kate Mosse Jul 29, 2025
- What should you read this summer? With Anthony Horowitz Jun 19, 2025
- What can fiction teach us about queer history? with Charlie Porter Jun 5, 2025
- What are the best book club books? with Yrsa Daley-Ward May 22, 2025
- What are the must read debut novelists of the year? (2025) May 8, 2025
- What are the best romance books? With Emily Henry Apr 24, 2025
- Why are children’s books so much fun to read? with Greg James and Chris Smith Apr 10, 2025
- Ask Penguin Series 2 Trailer Apr 3, 2025
- Jodi Picoult on the theory behind Shakespeare’s plays Jan 24, 2025
- A day in the life of a Publicist with Alison Barrow Jan 23, 2025
- The human experience and AI with Jeanette Winterson Jan 22, 2025
- A day in the life of a Books Editor with Simon Prosser Jan 21, 2025
- How to tackle reading the big Classics with Henry Eliot Jan 20, 2025
- What are the best books of the year? (2024) Dec 19, 2024