Book Trivia Podcast

Think you know your favorite children's books inside out? In this nostalgic bonus episode of Book Trivia Podcast, Jess and Rach dive into three iconic picture books—Dr. Seuss's Green Eggs and Ham, Eric Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Maurice Sendak's Where the Wild Things Are.
They unpack surprising origin stories, publishing drama and fun adaptations, along with a lightning round of kids' book trivia to kick things off.
In this episode:
Quick-fire children's book trivia about Paddington Bear, Charlotte's Web and Goodnight Moon (plus the wild story of why it was banned from NYC libraries for 25 years).

Green Eggs and Ham: the 50-word challenge with Bennett Cerf, sales milestones and screen adaptations from the 1973 TV special to Netflix.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar: how it evolved from "Willi the Worm," the technical printing challenge of the die-cut holes, and the global stage show success.

Where the Wild Things Are: Maurice Sendak's Polish-Jewish heritage, real-life relatives as monster inspirations, and adaptations from opera to Spike Jonze's 2009 film.

Final true-or-false trivia featuring postal stamps, graphic novels, cocoons and more childhood classics.

No spoilers—just cozy nostalgia and book club-ready facts you can retell. Whether you grew up with these books or are sharing them with kids in your life, this minisode is packed with weird facts and heartfelt storytelling.
Subscribe to Book Trivia Podcast on your favorite podcast app so you never miss a new episode or bonus minisode. Explore more book trivia, episode notes and trivia questions at booktriviapodcast.com.

Think you know Sally Hepworth's latest thriller? 📚 This bonus episode of Book Trivia Podcast takes you behind the scenes of Mad Mabel with exclusive insights from Sally's Sydney book launch, Australian literary trivia, and the twisted true crime story that inspired the novel. We explore Mad Mabel's themes while sharing:
✨ The elderly woman who told Sally she was "planning to murder her neighbour" - and sparked this entire book
✨ How the Anne Perry murder case (depicted in Heavenly Creatures) influenced the story
✨ Sally's journey with alopecia and becoming an advocate for women's hair loss
✨ Behind-the-scenes author facts, from her Instagram "Towelgate" controversy to being an extra in her own TV adaptation
✨ Why Mad Mabel's unreliable narrator keeps readers guessing until the final page 
You'll also hear:
🎯 Lightning-round Australian book trivia (Peter Carey, May Gibbs, and Aussie literary legends)
🎯 True-or-false facts about Sally Hepworth's career
🎯 Personal stories from meeting Sally at her book launch
🎯 A sneak peek at our upcoming children's books bonus episode 
Whether you're a Sally Hepworth superfan, love Australian crime fiction, or enjoy psychological thrillers with family secrets and unreliable narrators, this 34-minute bonus episode delivers exclusive content you won't find anywhere else. 
Themes explored: Family secrets, unreliable narrators, female friendship, psychological suspense, Australian crime writing
🎙️ About Book Trivia Podcast
Book Trivia Podcast is a trivia-led show for readers who love testing their knowledge of classic and contemporary books. Each episode blends quizzes, author facts, cultural context, and lively discussion. Play along, keep score, and discover the stories behind the books you love.

Think you know The Catcher in the Rye? 📚
This episode of Book Trivia Podcast goes beyond the basics with a fun, fast-paced trivia quiz and a deep dive into J.D. Salinger’s most famous novel.
We test your knowledge of The Catcher in the Rye while unpacking:
Holden Caulfield’s journey through New York City

Major characters, plot points, and symbols

Themes of teenage rebellion, alienation, innocence, and authenticity

Why the novel was controversial, banned, and endlessly debated

How Salinger’s own life (including his experiences in WWII) shaped the book

You’ll also hear:
🎯 Lightning-round book trivia🎯 True-or-false literary facts🎯 Behind-the-scenes insights into Salinger’s life and legacy🎯 Honest reactions to the ending and Holden as an unreliable narrator
Whether you’re revisiting the novel, studying it, or just love literary trivia, this episode is designed to be informative, opinionated, and genuinely fun - no dusty English classroom vibes here.

🎙️ About Book Trivia Podcast
Book Trivia Podcast is a trivia-led show for readers who love testing their knowledge of classic and contemporary books. Each episode blends quizzes, author facts, cultural context, and lively discussion.
Play along, keep score, and see how well you really know The Catcher in the Rye.

Oryx and Crake Trivia - Margaret Atwood's Dystopian Masterpiece | Book Trivia Podcast
Join us for a fascinating dive into the trivia and behind-the-scenes facts about Margaret Atwood's chilling 2003 novel, Oryx and Crake - the first book in the MaddAddam trilogy.
In This Episode:
How Margaret Atwood started writing Oryx and Crake during a 2001 book tour in Australia - and where the character Crake's name really came from (hint: it's a real Australian bird!)

Why Atwood stopped writing after September 11, 2001, and how real-world events shaped this dystopian classic

The surprising connection between character Glenn/Crake and legendary pianist Glenn Gould

Margaret Atwood's charity auctions - discover which Oryx and Crake character was named through a London charity auction

Why Atwood calls her work "speculative fiction" instead of science fiction - and why everything in the book is based on real, current science

The banned book controversy - why Oryx and Crake has been repeatedly banned in Texas, Utah, Missouri, and Virginia school districts as recently as 2024

Margaret Atwood's hidden talents: cake decorating, knitting, opera composition, and her cameo appearances in The Handmaid's Tale and Murdoch Mysteries

The opera adaptation that premiered in Germany before any TV series was made

Real genetic engineering concepts behind pigoons and Crakers

Atwood's witch ancestor Mary Webster who survived a hanging in 17th century Massachusetts

Updates on the upcoming television adaptation from Paramount and Anonymous Content

True or False trivia round including spelling abilities, family legends, and more

Perfect for:
Margaret Atwood fans, MaddAddam trilogy readers, The Handmaid's Tale fans, dystopian fiction lovers, book club discussions, literary trivia enthusiasts, speculative fiction readers, banned books awareness, author biography fans
Discover why BBC News and The Guardian named this one of the most influential novels of the 21st century, plus why it remains controversial in schools today.
No intense literary analysis here - just laughs, interesting factoids, and all the behind-the-scenes trivia you didn't know about Atwood's bioengineering nightmare.
Also mentioned: The Year of the Flood, MaddAddam, The Blind Assassin, Brave New World, Aldous Huxley, genetic engineering, banned books, book trivia
Subscribe for more episodes covering classic and contemporary literature!

What do crumbling castles, eccentric families, and coming-of-age drama have to do with one of the most beloved classics of English literature? 🏰✨ In this episode of the Book Trivia Podcast, Rachel & Jess dive deep into the enchanting world of I Capture The Castle by Dodie Smith.
We unravel the unforgettable opening lines, quiz you on quirky characters, and explore why this 1948 novel has inspired generations of readers (and filmmakers). Is Cassandra Mortmain literature’s most charming narrator? What secrets hide in the towers and turrets of her family’s dilapidated castle? Find out how Dodie Smith’s witty, romantic storytelling still captures hearts today.
📚 Expect whimsical trivia, literary hot takes, and magical moments from classic book history.
🔍 Keywords: I Capture The Castle, Dodie Smith, English literature classics, coming-of-age novels, literary trivia, eccentric families, book podcast, romantic fiction, Book Trivia Podcast