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The Bookshelf with Ryan Tubridy

Ryan Tubridy
Literature
Irish Politics
Eason
Politics
Simon Harris
Trainspotting
Books
Reading
It's Me, Cheetah
Autism
The Adventures Of Robin Hood
The Go-Between
The Boy In the Striped Pyjamas
The Mayor Of Casterbridge
Love Warrior
A Thousand Splendid Suns
Life-Changing Books
Books That Make You Cry
Childhood Books
Children's Literature

On ‘The Bookshelf with Ryan Tubridy’, the renowned broadcaster, author and book lover sits down with household names to discover the books that have influenced their lives.

Every week, Ryan will turn the pages of their life through the prism of three books: The childhood book, the book that brought them joy, and the book that changed their life.

‘The Bookshelf with Ryan Tubridy’ is brought to you ... more

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Latest Episodes

Dr Norah Patten is an aeronautical engineer, STEM advocate, author, and future astronaut with Virgin Galactic. Set to become the first Irish person in space, she has spent over a decade working in commercial space research, microgravity testing, and ... more

Conor Murray is a recently retired international rugby player. For more than a decade, he wore the No.9 jersey for Munster, Ireland, and the British & Irish Lions. His career includes 5 Six Nations titles, 2 Grand Slams, 125 caps for Ireland, and thr... more

In this live special, Ryan shares his favourite fiction and non-fiction books and authors of 2025.

Fiction:

The Book of Guilt by Catherine Chidgey

The names by Florence Knapp

Fair Play by Louise Hegarty

Nesting by Roisín O’Donnell,

Wellness by ... more

YouTube

Anna Haugh is an award-winning chef, restaurateur, author, and television presenter. She’s the founder of Myrtle Restaurant in London, which celebrates modern Irish cuisine with a contemporary twist. In September 2025, Anna was announced as a new jud... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
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Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Conor Murray
One of Ireland's most respected rugby players, known for his leadership on the pitch.
Irish Rugby Team
Episode: Conor Murray
Anna Haugh
Dublin chef and leading voice in modern Irish cooking
Episode: Anna Haugh
Jeffrey Archer
One of the world's most popular and enduring storytellers, author known for his extensive work including the William Warwick series and other best-sellers.
None
Episode: Jeffrey Archer
Alice Leahy
Pioneering advocate for the homeless and founder of the Alice Leahy Trust
Alice Leahy Trust
Episode: Alice Leahy
Emma Doran
Comedian and author
Episode: Emma Doran
Colm Tóibín
One of Ireland's most celebrated writers, known for novels like Brooklyn and The Master
Episode: Colm Tóibín
Nicola Tallant
One of Ireland's most respected crime journalists and host of the Crime World podcast.
Crime World Podcast
Episode: Nicola Tallant
Leo Varadkar
Former Taoiseach, party leader, and minister
Episode: Leo Varadkar
Andrea Mara
Author of It Should Have Been You
Episode: Book Club Live: Andrea Mara

Host

Ryan Tubridy
A renowned broadcaster and author with a deep love for books, Ryan Tubridy engages guests in thoughtful discussions about their literary influences and life experiences.

Reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars from 728 ratings
  • Leo was brilliant

    Leo is so authentic and a huge loss to politics. Great interview Ryan

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Cahermore
    Ireland2 months ago
  • Love the podcast but whhhy Leo ugh

    Ryan, love your podcast and was so excited to see a new season but what a disappointment to see Leo varadkar. Omg what an absolute k***head. Please don’t say Simon Harris is upcoming on your show 🙏

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sarah-!?23
    Ireland2 months ago
  • How The Mighty Have Fallen

    Time to retire.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Mac an tSionnaigh
    United States3 months ago
  • Mary McAleese

    Wonderful, gripping entertaining episode. Well done Ryan

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Murp is
    Ireland4 months ago
  • Highly recommend you listen

    Well done Ryan, very good podcast!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    pajsjsi
    Ireland6 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some reviews point out the podcast provides a cozy and relatable atmosphere, making it a favorite among book lovers.
Many find the book recommendations insightful and often feel inspired to read more due to the guests' personal anecdotes.
Overall, the quality of conversations and the host's warmth are consistently praised.
Listeners appreciate the engaging format and the depth of conversations about literature and life experiences.
Criticism exists regarding certain guest choices, where listeners feel some guests do not align with their literary interests.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#84
United Kingdom/Arts
Spotify
#74
Ireland/Top Podcasts
Spotify
#93
Ireland/Trending
Apple Podcasts
#35
Ireland/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#1
Ireland/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#87
United Arab Emirates/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Conor Murray
Q: What is the book that changed your life?
I think 'Who Moved My Cheese' had a profound impact on me as it taught me about resilience and taking initiative in life.
Conor Murray
Q: What was your experience playing for Ireland?
It was empowering and I had a greater appreciation for it as I was a late bloomer in rugby, but when it became a reality, it felt incredible.
Conor Murray
Q: Tell us a little bit about your childhood.
I grew up in Patrick's Well, Limerick, in a small bungalow house, with both my parents supporting me in a sports-filled life.
Jeffrey Archer
Q: What would you say was the most defining moment of your life?
Archer mentioned that losing everything in the stock market and going to prison ultimately led him to become a writer, which changed the course of his life.
Jeffrey Archer
Q: How did your friendship with Margaret Thatcher influence your life?
He appreciated her directness and commitment to her vision, noting the impact she had on his political career.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Bookshelf

What is The Bookshelf about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast features engaging conversations with various well-known personalities, exploring the influential books that have shaped their lives. Each episode typically revolves around three specific titles: a cherished childhood book, a source of joy, and a transformative read, providing a unique lens into the host's or guest's personal experiences and growth. The discussions often highlight the guests' journeys in their respective fields, weaving in anecdotes that connect literature to life lessons, emotional resilience, and cultural reflections. This format not only entertains listeners but also offers them insights into powerful storytelling and literary recommendations that resonate on a deeper level, making it an appealing choice for ... more

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How many subscribers and views does The Bookshelf have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Bookshelf has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Bookshelf?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Bookshelf:

1. The Laughs Of Your Life with Doireann Garrihy
2. Ready To Be Real by Síle Seoige
3. Brendan O'Connor
4. The Mind Full Podcast
5. The Laura Dowling Experience

How many episodes of The Bookshelf are there?

The Bookshelf launched 2 years ago and published 61 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Bookshelf?

Recent guests on The Bookshelf include:

1. Conor Murray
2. Anna Haugh
3. Jeffrey Archer
4. Alice Leahy
5. Emma Doran
6. Colm Tóibín
7. Nicola Tallant
8. Leo Varadkar

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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