After three decades of Bookworm, KCRW’s long-standing literary conversational program, host Michael Silverblatt and KCRW producers began developing a special series — one that could bring 30 years of the show to a new generation of listeners and readers. In 2022, Michael placed the show on hiatus for health reasons, and the Bookworm team, headed by founding editor Alan Howard, shifted focus to this celebration series, which showcases some of Bookworm’s best. Episodes feature insights from Bookworm guests — who are, of course, some of the literary world's brightest stars. Tune in for thoughtfully produced episodes grouped by theme, topic, and tone, and hear directly from authors including Steve Erickson, Anne Beattie, and others. Thanks to Lannan Foundation’s unwavering support of 33 years of Bookworm. 


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Latest Episode

This episode takes us through the arc of Bookworm’s existence: Michael started the program with worries about the future of literature, found hope in the up-and-coming new writers, and…

The Arc of Bookworm

This episode takes us through the arc of Bookworm’s existence: Michael started the program with worries about the future of literature, found hope in the up-and-coming new writers, and…

The Nobel Prize in Literature has been awarded annually since 1901 to an author from any country who has, in the words of the will of Swedish industrialist Alfred Nobel, “In the field…

The Nobel Laureates, Pt.1

The Nobel Prize in Literature has been awarded annually since 1901 to an author from any country who has, in the words of the will of Swedish industrialist Alfred Nobel, “In the field…

The Nobel Prize in Literature has been awarded annually since 1901 to an author from any country who has, in the words of the will of Swedish industrialist Alfred Nobel, “In the field…

The Nobel Laureates, Pt.2

The Nobel Prize in Literature has been awarded annually since 1901 to an author from any country who has, in the words of the will of Swedish industrialist Alfred Nobel, “In the field…

Guest host Mary Corey, teacher of American history at UCLA and author of "The World Through a Monocle" about The New Yorker Magazine, teaches a course on American popular culture that…

The Confederacy of Bookworms

Guest host Mary Corey, teacher of American history at UCLA and author of "The World Through a Monocle" about The New Yorker Magazine, teaches a course on American popular culture that…

Claudia Rankine, award-winning poet and author of Citizen: An American Lyric, a book-length poem about the pernicious racism of American daily life, hosts the first of a three-part…

The Story of America, Pt. 1

Claudia Rankine, award-winning poet and author of Citizen: An American Lyric, a book-length poem about the pernicious racism of American daily life, hosts the first of a three-part…

Prolific author Dave Eggers, founder of McSweeney's, co-founder of 826 National, and other significant projects, first met Micheal Silverblatt in 2000, upon the publication of his…

The Story of America, Pt. 2

Prolific author Dave Eggers, founder of McSweeney's, co-founder of 826 National, and other significant projects, first met Micheal Silverblatt in 2000, upon the publication of his…

Prolific author Dave Eggers, founder of McSweeney's, co-founder of 826 National, and other significant projects, first met Micheal Silverblatt in 2000, upon the publication of his…

The Story of America, Pt. 3

Prolific author Dave Eggers, founder of McSweeney's, co-founder of 826 National, and other significant projects, first met Micheal Silverblatt in 2000, upon the publication of his…

Poet, author, and co-founder of The Song Cave, Alan Felsenthal guest hosts this episode’s focus on poetry.

Poetry

Poet, author, and co-founder of The Song Cave, Alan Felsenthal guest hosts this episode’s focus on poetry.

Close friend of Michael Silverblatt’s and Bookworm editor for 30 years, Alan Howard guest hosts this episode on grief and loss.

Chapter 9: Grief and Loss

Close friend of Michael Silverblatt’s and Bookworm editor for 30 years, Alan Howard guest hosts this episode on grief and loss.

Longtime friend and editor of Bookworm, Alan Howard, returns to host this episode, the last of 10 shows to journey through Bookworm’s 33 years and offer a retrospective look at…

Friends of Michael

Longtime friend and editor of Bookworm, Alan Howard, returns to host this episode, the last of 10 shows to journey through Bookworm’s 33 years and offer a retrospective look at…


Are you a reader, fan of the show, longtime listener of Bookworm? We’d love to hear from you. Give us a call or Record a voice memo. You can share an anecdote, express gratitude to Michael SIlverblatt, or share your thoughts and feelings about reading — we’ll pass your message along to the whole Bookworm team and may include it in future episodes of our Bookworm retrospective. 

Call the KCRW voicemail line: (877) 789-TELL (8355)

Record a voice memo and email to listenervox@kcrw.org