Book Riot - The Podcast

Where to watch The Librarians screening near you

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Librarians on the Front Lines

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 02:00:00 -0000

Vanessa sits down with director Kim A. Snyder and librarians Martha Hickson and Carolyn Foote to discuss the film The Librarians: how it came to be, where to watch it, and why its message is such an urgent one for our times.

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The Librarians premieres on PBS on February 9, 2026

All 850 Books Texas Lawmaker Matt Krause Wants to Ban: An Analysis (2021)

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The It Books of February 2026

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 11:15:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca consider 10 finalists for the title It Book of February.

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Making Sense of Franchise Adaptation News

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 02:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca try to make sense of a bunch of adaptation news before talking about recent reads, Don DeLillo's hockey smut, and more.

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Updates on the Fourth Wing adaptation

The Testaments is coming to Hulu April 8

Brandon Sanderson’s unprecedented adaptation deal with Apple TV

Percival Everett was the bestselling Black author of 2025

Don DeLillo wrote hockey smut in 1980

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VIGIL by George Saunders

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 11:15:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about George Saunders' new novel, Vigil.

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The Best-Selling Publishers of the Year, NBCC Finalists, Adapted Screenplay Oscar Noms, and more.

Mon, 26 Jan 2026 02:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about the National Book Critics Circle Award Finalists, which publishers had the most best-sellers in 2025, Katie Couric's book club, and usher in the era of The Big 6.

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Libro.fm has launched an annual subscription

NBCC Awards finalists

Ranking the bestselling adult publishers of 2025

Katie Couric launches book club

James Daunt sees bright future for Barnes & Noble

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Lit History Corner: Christopher Marlowe

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 11:15:00 -0000

Vanessa returns with another surprise topic from literary history: Christopher Marlowe: Playwright, lover, thinker, spy (?).

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How Are We Feeling About Book Sales Right Now?

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 02:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca look at some 2025 sales numbers, are astounded by the rise of Heated Rivalry, applaud a new subscription box, have some harsh words for Oreo, and more.

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Print book sales rose slightly in 2025

There’s a new Heated Rivalry book coming later this year

Bridgerton author Julia Quinn has launched a romance subscription box

Book Riot’s best fantasy books of the century so far

The Royal Shakespeare Company is bringing Hamnet to U.S. stages

Give yourself the gift of this George Saunders interview

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2026 Adaptation Preview

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 11:15:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca run through the notable adaptations coming this year (at least the ones we know about).

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The Latest in American Reading Habits, 2026 Adaptations, and More

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 02:00:00 -0000

Vanessa and Sharifah sit in for Jeff and Rebecca to discuss a poll on American reading habits, this year's most anticipated books and adaptations, and more.

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A survey of American reading habits reveals 40% of Americans didn't read a single book in 2025.

Barnes & Noble's most anticipated fiction and nonfiction of 2026

Book Riot's Most Anticipated Books of 2026

Utah bans three more books at all public schools, leading the U.S. in book bans

Book Riot's guide to fighting book bans and censorship

2026 adaptation roundups from The New York Times and The Hollywood Reporter

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The Winter 2026 New Release Draft [Teaser]

Fri, 09 Jan 2026 17:00:00 -0000

This is a bonus preview of our ⁠⁠⁠⁠Patreon-only⁠⁠⁠⁠ episode in which Rebecca and Jeff compete to compile the best basket of 10 new releases for the season.

To listen to the full episode and all previous bonus content, ⁠⁠⁠⁠become a Patreon member here⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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The It Books of January 2026

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 11:15:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca consider 10 finalists for the title It Book of January.

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Our Most Anticipated Books of 2026

Mon, 05 Jan 2026 02:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca look at what we know of the 2026 publishing calendar to pick 10 books we are most excited about (with some quibbling and caveats). Lots to like this year.

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Come to Powell's to see Gabriel Tallent in Conversation with Jeff O'Neal

Vigil by George Saunders

On Morrison by Namwalli Serpell

Language as Liberation by Toni Morrison

Kin by Tayari Jones

Brawler by Lauren Groff

Python's Kiss by Louise Erdrich

London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe

My Dear You by Rachel Khong

Go Gentle by Maria Semple

On Witness and Respair by Jesmyn Ward

Country People by Daniel Mason

Cool Machine by Colson Whitehead

Exit Party Emily St. John Mandel

American Hagwon by Min Jin Lee

Transcription by Ben Lerner

Last Night in Brooklyn by Xochitl Gonzalez

Depths of Wikipedia by Annie Rauwerda

Lake Effect by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney

The Glorians by Terry Tempest Williams

The Natural Way of Things by Charlotte Wood

Screen People by Megan Garber

Inside the Box by David Epstein

Land by Maggie O'Farrell

The Missed Connection by Tia Williams

The Typing Lady by Ruth Ozeki

Whistler by Ann Patchett

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Zero to Well-Read's 2025 Canon Contenders

Mon, 29 Dec 2025 02:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca discuss the award-winning books, pop culture phenomena, book club picks, and crossover hits of 2025 and attempt to identify the ones that might someday join the canon.

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Email us: zerotowellread@bookriot.com

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AI Was The Story of the Year

Mon, 22 Dec 2025 02:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about how the story of the year in books was that there really wasn't a story. Except the big one. AI. Plus, NBCC longlists, getting boomers off slop, recent reading, and more.

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PW names the top 10 bookselling stories of the year

NBCC fiction longlist

The Wedding Date is getting a Netflix adaptation

The Book Gossip of 2025

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The Books We Missed in 2025 [Teaser]

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 17:57:00 -0000

This is a bonus preview of our ⁠⁠⁠Patreon-only⁠⁠⁠ episode in which Jeff and Rebecca talked about the books they wanted to read but didn't, they want to read and might still, they definitely are OK not reading, and other subtleties of which books went unread in 2025.

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The Best of the Rest of 2025 [Teaser]

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 19:18:00 -0000

This is a bonus preview of our ⁠⁠Patreon-only⁠⁠ episode in which Jeff and Rebecca talk about their favorite non-book things of 2025.

To listen to the full episode and all previous bonus content, ⁠⁠become a Patreon member here⁠⁠.

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UPDATED - Our Favorite Books of 2025

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 17:35:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca list their favorite books of the year, and then are joined by a series of Book Riot editors to share their picks: Kelly Jensen, Danika Ellis, Erica Ezefedi, Sharifah Williams, and Vanessa Diaz.

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The 2025 Read Harder Challenge, How Publishing People Feel about Publishing, and more

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 02:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about Book Riot's 2025 Read Harder Challenge, PW's 2025 Salary & Job Survey, a new Gen Z book club, and resurrect the spirit of Annotated for a very cool story about the women who invented the audiobook.

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The 2026 Read Harder Challenge

2025 PW Salary & Jobs Report

Let’s check in on The Odyssey

Hello Sunshine launches Gen-Z book club

Check your sources before you ask a librarian or bookseller for a title AI recommended to you

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So, How's the Hamnet Adaptation?

Wed, 10 Dec 2025 11:15:00 -0000

Rebecca sits down with Vanessa Diaz to discuss the adaptation of Hamnet, in wide theatrical release this week. They talk about the film as a standalone piece of art, how it works as an adaptation, the key differences between the book and the movie, and how to tell if it's for you.

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We’ve got the chops to match the book lover in your life with their next favorite read. And it only takes a few clicks to gift Tailored Book Recommendations! Simply head to mytbr.co/gift to get started.

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Even as a Shadow, Even as a Dream

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Goodreads Choice Winners, NYT 10 Best, and Spotify Wrapped for Audiobooks

Mon, 08 Dec 2025 02:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about the Goodreads Choice Winners, the NYT's 10 Best of the Year, NPR's excellent year-end round-up before talking to Katie del Rosario of Spotify about the year in audiobooks and Spotify's Audiobooks Wrapped.

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Spotify Audiobook Trends for 2025

NYT 100 Notable Books of 2025, which does, in fact, contain its top 10

NYT Top Ten

NPR’s “Books We Love”

WaPo’s top ten

Goodreads Choice Awards

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2025 It Books Scorekeeping and December New Releases

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 11:15:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca look back on their It Books selections from 2025 to see what they got right and wrong. But first, take a look at a pretty uninspiring slate of December new releases.

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December Releases:

House of Day, House of Night by Olga Tokarczuk
Somewhere, a Boy and a Bear by Gyles Brandreth
A Danger to the Minds of Young Girls by Adam Morgan
A Long Game by Elizabeth McCracken
The Tower and the Ruin by Michael Drout
Every Day I Read by Hwang Bo-Reum
Feast on Your Life by Tamar Adler
An Arcane Inheritance by Kamilah Cole
The Rest of Our Lives by Ben Markovits

For a complete list of It Books discussed in this episode, visit our website.

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The 2025 Holiday Recommendation Show, Part 2

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 02:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca wrap up the 2025 Holiday Recommendations.

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In the Time of Butterflies by Julia Alvarez

2 AM at the Cat’s Pajamas by Marie-Helen Bertino

The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery

A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

Pachinko by Min Jin Lee

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune

The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson

The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd

The Fellowship of Puzzlemakers by Samuel Burr

The Slough House series by Mick Herron

My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite

Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie

Jane Harper

Tilt by Emma Pattee

A River Runs Through It by Norman Maclean

The Unveiling by Quan Barry

Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy

Riverman by Ben McGrath

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

The Wilderness by Angela Flournoy

Kevin Wilson

People Like Us by Jason Mott

Marie-Helene Bertino

Katie Kitamura

Colson Whitehead

Tom Robbins

Oreo by Fran Ross

Oscar and Lucinda by Peter Carey

Something From Nothing by Alison Roman

Start Here by Sohla El-Waylly

Good Things by Samin Nosrat

Six Seasons of Pasta (and/or Six Seasons of Vegetables) by Josh McFadden

Now & Again by Julia Turshen

The Lowland by Jhumpa Lahiri

East of Eden by John Steinbeck

The Lost Man by Jane Harper

The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo

Like a Mother by Angela Garbes

Essential Labor by Angela Garbes

Splinters by Leslie Jamison

Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead

Jonathan Evison

Model Home by Rivers Solomon

Reign & Ruin by J. D. Evans

So Good They Can’t Ignore You by Cal Newport

The Imposter Cure by Jessamy Hibberd

Life in Three Dimensions by Shigehiro Oishi

The Broken Shore by Peter Temple

Light Years by James Salter

I Married You for Happiness by Lily Tuck

Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist by Rachel Cohn and David Levitan

Ross Gay

Hanif Abdurraquib

Ada Limon

Sarah Kay

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The 2025 Holiday Recommendation Show, Part 1

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 11:15:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca are back with another holiday recommendation show. Part 2 coming on Monday.

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Little Blue Truck

Little Pea by Amy Rosenthal

I Love You, Stinky Face by Lisa McCourt

Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy

Real Americans by Rachel Khong

A Marriage at Sea by Sophie Elmhirst

The Lost Man by Jane Harper

Highway 59 series by Attica Locke

Tilt by Emma Pattee

The Secret History by Donna Tartt

The Mountain in the Sea by Ray Nayler

Piranesi by Susanna Clarke

Special Topics in Calamity Physics by Marisha Pessl

Katabasis by R. F. Kuang

The Broken Earth Trilogy by N.K. Jemisin

The Wright Brothers by David McCullough

The Emperor of All Maladies by Siddhartha Mukherjee

We the People by Jill Lepore

Bad Blood by John Carreyrou

It’s Only Drowning by David Litt

The English Understand Wool by Helen DeWitt

The Midnight Timetable by Bora Chung

Stone Yard Devotional by Charlotte Wood

Blob by Maggie Su

The Vaster Wilds by Lauren Groff

Matrix by Lauren Groff

The Princess in Black by Shannon Hale

Survivor’s Guilt by Robyn Gigl

Jinx Ballou series by Dharma Kelleher

How to Live Safely in a Science Fiction Universe by Charles Yu

Angelmaker by Nick Harkaway

The Gone-Away World by Nick Harkaway

Perfect Little World by Kevin Wilson

Audition by Katie Kitamura

A Guardian and a Thief by Megha Majumdar

Palaver by Bryan Washington

Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng

The Bandit Queens by Parini Shroff

Mr. Ives' Christmas by Oscar Hijuelos

The Corrections by Jonathan Franzen

Winter by Ali Smith

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Books Of The Year Season Peaks

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 02:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca inhale a slew of best books of the year lists.

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Book Riot’s Best Books of 2025

National Book Award winners

Shein partners with Alibris to sell books

Lit Hub’s Book Twitter bracket

Libro.fm's top 10 audiobooks of the year

Audible’s best of 2025

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What is Magical Realism?

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 11:15:00 -0000

Vanessa Diaz is back to talk with Jeff and Rebecca about what magical realism is, where it comes from, and how to talk about it.

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One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriela Garcia Marquez

Like Water for Chocolate by Laura Esquivel

The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende

Labyrinths or Ficciones by Jorge Luis Borges

Hopscotch by Julio Cortázar

The Storyteller’s Death by Ann Dávila Cardinal

The Cemetery of Untold Stories by Julia Alvarez

Magical/Realism by Angelica Villareal

The Week of Colors by Elena Garro, Megan McDowell (trans.)

The Queen of Swords by Jazmina Barrera, Christina MacSweeney (trans.)

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On Putting Together a Best Books of the Year List

Mon, 17 Nov 2025 02:00:00 -0000

Vanessa Diaz sits in for Rebecca this week and talks to Jeff about the challenges of making a best books of the year list before getting into the news of the week.

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Amazon’s best books of the year

David Szalay has won the 2025 Booker Prize for his novel Flesh

B&N’s best book of the Year is Mona’s Eyes

The 2025 Goodreads Choice Awards.

I’m bookmarking this deep dive into the fashion industry’s recurrent interest in literature for knife-and-fork reading this weekend

Reader’s Digest asked three professional designers to pick the best book covers of the year

Kindle translate

Somebody is Walking On Your Grave by Mariana Enriquez

Stolen Crown by Tracy Borman

Devouring Time by Tod Goddard

One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This by Omar El Akkad

The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny by Kiran Desai

Flashlight by Susan Choi

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Fall Media Diet Check-In (Plus Other Life Pursuits) [Teaser]

Fri, 14 Nov 2025 20:32:00 -0000

This is a bonus preview of our ⁠Patreon-only⁠ episode in which Jeff and Rebecca talk about what they've been doing with their lives recently, outside of the world of books.

To listen to the full episode and all previous bonus content, ⁠become a Patreon member here⁠.

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The Books We Still Want to Read in 2025

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 11:15:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about the books they still want to get to before 2026 gets here.

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Flesh by David Szalay

Maggie by Katie Yee

Kaplan's Plot by Jason Diamond

Who is Government? by Michael Lewis

Some Bright Nowhere by Ann Packer

The Uncool by Cameron Crowe

Joyride by Susan Orlean

A Truce That is Not Peace by Miriam Toews

Trying by Chloe Caldwell

Next of Kin by Gabrielle Hamilton

Girl Warrior by Joy Harjo

The Season by Helen Garner

Does This Make Me Funny? by Zosia Mamet

Palaver by Bryan Washington

The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones

Black-Owned by Char Adams

This is for Everyone by Tim Berners-Lee

Every Screen on the Planet by Emily Baker-White

Cursed Daughters by Oyinkan Braithwaite

One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This by Omar El Akkad

Heart the Lover by Lily King

The Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny by Kiran Desai

Will There Ever Be Another You by Patricia Lockwood

A Guardian and a Thief by Megha Majumdar

The Eleventh Hour by Salman Rushdie

Squirrel by Nancy Castaldo

Isola by Allegra Goodman

We The People by Jill Lepore

The History of Money by David McWilliams

Is a River Alive? by Robert Macfarlane

The Emergency by George Packer

What We Can Know by Ian McEwan

El Dorado Drive by Megan Abbott

Vera, or Faith by Gary Shteyngart

Brigands & Breadknives by Travis Baldree

The Librarians by Sherry Thomas

The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett

The Persian by David McCloskey

Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid

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Speculating on The Book of the Year and the Impacts of AI on Writing

Mon, 10 Nov 2025 02:00:00 -0000

We're in a lull of current publishing industry news, so Jeff and Rebecca speculate about upcoming book awards, year-end announcements, and the book of the year, as well as touch on the impact of AI on writing.

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Erin Somers interview on First Edition

New Report Examines Writers’ Attitudes toward AI [Publishers Weekly]

My Students Use AI. So What? [The Atlantic]

The Ten Year Affair by Erin Somers

The Running Ground by Nicholas Thompson

Craftland by James Fox

Make your Holiday Book Recommendation requests to podcast [at] bookriot.com

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What We Want from Essays: DEAD & ALIVE by Zadie Smith

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 11:15:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk Zadie Smith's Dead & Alive.

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Checking in with We Need Diverse Books

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 02:00:00 -0000

Jeff talks to Dhonielle Clayton and Caroline Richmond of We Need Diverse Books about censorship, book bannings, and the ongoing drive to diversify books and reading in the U.S.

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Freewater by Amina Luqman-Dawson

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We Need Diverse Books

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The It Books of November 2025

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 10:15:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca consider 10 contenders for the title of It Book of November.

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Discussed in this episode:

Check out Zero to Well-Read!

Subscribe to The Book Riot Newsletter for regular updates to get the most out of your reading life.

Cursed Daughters by Oyinkan Braithwaite

Book of Lives by Margaret Atwood

The Look by Michelle Obama

The White Hot by Quiara Alegría Hudes

The Emergency by George Packer

The Eleventh Hour: Stories by Salman Rushdie

Palaver by Bryan Washington

The Pelican Child by Joy Williams

Brimstone by Callie Hart

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The Eye of the Best Books of the Year Storm Approaches

Mon, 27 Oct 2025 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca put on their rain gear as the best books of the year storm approaches.

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Discussed in this episode:

Check out Zero to Well-Read!

Subscribe to The Book Riot Newsletter for regular updates to get the most out of your reading life.

Barnes & Noble kicks off Best Books of the Year season

Amazon revisits 25 years of #1 Book picks

We might have called it wrong about Frankenstein: the reviews are good

Federal judge finds Texas READER Act unconstitutional

A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms by George RR Martin

Replaceable You by Mary Roach

The Unveiling by Quan Barry

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Deep into that Darkness Peering

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 10:15:00 -0000

Book Riot's managing editor, Vanessa Diaz, returns to re-examine the strange and influential life of Edgar Allan Poe.

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Subscribe to The Book Riot Newsletter for regular updates to get the most out of your reading life.

Check out Zero to Well-Read!

The Book Riot Podcast is a proud member of the Airwave Podcast Network.

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National Book Award Announces Host, B&N Discover Prize, and more book news.

Sun, 19 Oct 2025 13:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca applaud the news that Jeff Hiller will be hosting the National Book Awards in November before talking about more book news from the week.

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The Book Riot Podcast is a proud member of the Airwave Podcast Network.

Check out Zero to Well-Read!

Subscribe to The Book Riot Newsletter for regular updates to get the most out of your reading life.

Discussed in this episode:

Maggie by Katie Yee wins the Barnes & Noble Discover Award

Jeff Hiller will host the National Book Awards

First book acquired from The Black List

Texas school district bars students from school libraries

The Millions fall book preview i

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The Seventeen Year-Old Who Invented Science Fiction

Fri, 17 Oct 2025 10:00:00 -0000

With Guillermo del Toro's Netflix adaptation of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein in the news, we thought we would bring out an episode we did for Annotated several years ago. It's a great story and we had fun doing this one. Enjoy.

This episode of Annotated was written by me, Jeff O’Neal, and directed by Jeremy Desmon.

Sound editing and design by Kyle O’Neal. Our thanks to Mahvesh Murad for being our Mary Shelley, Bob Schinsky for being our Lord Byron, Amanda Nelson for being our Jane Clairmont and Kyle O’Neal for taking on the role of Percy Shelley.

Further reading recommendations:

Mary Shelley by Miranda Seymour

The Lady and Her Monsters by Roseanne Montillo

Romantic Outlaws by Charlotte Gordon

Mary Shelley by Muriel Spark

Mary Shelley: Romance and Reality by Emily W. Sunstein

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How Much Does Genre Matter to Readers?

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 10:15:00 -0000

Prof. Laura McGrath joins Jeff and Rebecca to talk about what some studies can tell us about just how much readers care (and don't) about genre.

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The Book Riot Podcast is a proud member of the Airwave Podcast Network.

Discussed in this episode:

Laura's newsletter: TextCrunch

English, James and J.D. Porter, "The Eclectic Reader." JCA: The Journal of Cultural Analytics. August 20, 2025

Peterson, Richard A. “Understanding Audience Segmentation: From Elite and Mass to Omnivore and Univore.” Poetics, vol. 21, no. 4, 1992, pp. 243–58

Check out Zero to Well-Read!

Subscribe to The Book Riot Newsletter for regular updates to get the most out of your reading life.

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The 2025 Nobel Prize in Literature, NBA Finalists, and more award season news. PLUS: Hachette CEO David Shelley

Mon, 13 Oct 2025 16:54:00 -0000

Sharifah Williams joins Jeff to talk about the 2025 Nobel for Literature, National Book Award finalists and more award season news. Then, Hachette CEO David Shelly talks to Jeff about book banning, inclusivity, and other issues facing the publishing world.

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The Book Riot Podcast is a proud member of the Airwave Podcast Network.

Discussed in this episode:

Check out Zero to Well-Read!

Subscribe to The Book Riot Newsletter for regular updates to get the most out of your reading life.

The 2025 Nobel Prize in Literature

2025 National Book Award Finalists

Kirkus Prize Announced

Baker & Taylor going away?

The Warmth of Other Suns by Isabel Wilkerson

Audition by Katie Kitamura

Near Flesh by Katherine Dunn

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Zero to Well-Read: TWILIGHT by Stephenie Meyer

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 17:06:00 -0000

A drop-in of the most recent episode of Zero to Well-Read, in which Jeff O'Neal and Rebecca Schinksy are joined by Book Riot editors Vanessa Diaz and Kelly Jensen to talk about Stephanie Meyer's cultural juggernaut: Twilight. This was a lot of fun.

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The Book Riot Podcast is a proud member of the Airwave Podcast Network.

Discussed in this episode:

Check out Zero to Well-Read!

Subscribe to The Book Riot Newsletter for regular updates to get the most out of your reading life.

Apply to write for Book Riot

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Anthropic Settlement Portal Shows All. Mostly.

Mon, 06 Oct 2025 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about the opening of the portal to submit claims against the $1.5 Billion Anthropic settlement, Reading Rainbow's relaunch, One Battle After Another, and more of the week's book news.

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The Book Riot Podcast is a proud member of the Airwave Podcast Network.

Discussed in this episode:

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Check out Zero to Well-Read!

Subscribe to The Book Riot Newsletter for regular updates to get the most out of your reading life.

Apply to write for Book Riot

Authors can find out if they’re eligible for a settlement from Anthropic

Reading Rainbow is coming back with a new host

Publishing has a gambling problem

Florida district judge rejects first amendment argument in book banning base

Kamala Harris’s 107 Days on track to be best-selling memoir of the year

107 Days by Kamala Harris

Midnight Timetable by Bora Chung

Replaceable You by Mary Roach

Enshittification by Cory Doctorow

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The It Books of October 2025

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 10:15:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca consider 10 candidates for the title, It Book of October 2025.

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The Book Riot Podcast is a proud member of the Airwave Podcast Network.

Discussed in this episode:

Check out Zero to Well-Read!

Subscribe to The Book Riot Newsletter for regular updates to get the most out of your reading life.

The Wayfinder by Adam Johnson

The Ten Year Affair by Erin Somers

King Sorrow by Joe Hill

The Land of Sweet Forever: Stories and Essays by Harper Lee

A Guardian and a Thief by Megha Majumdar

Enshittification by Cory Doctorow

The Unveiling by Quan Barry

Joyride by Susan Orlean

Shadow Ticket by Thomas Pynchon

Dead and Alive: Essays by Zadie Smith

Tom’s Crossing by Mark Danielewski

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The Booker Prize Finalists, Judge Shades Trump's Lawsuit Against PRH, and More Book News

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about The Booker Prize finalists, a judicial brow-beating, soft book sales, and more.

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Ready for a cozy, bookish autumn? Let Tailored Book Recommendations help you find your next favorite read with handpicked suggestions from professional book nerds. Get started today from just $18!

The Book Riot Podcast is a proud member of the Airwave Podcast Network.

Discussed in this episode:

Check out Zero to Well-Read!

Subscribe to The Book Riot Newsletter for regular updates to get the most out of your reading life.

Booker Prize finalists

Judge dismisses Trump’s lawsuit against NYT, PRH

Book sales dropped in first half of 2025, romantasy losing steam

The Fourth Wing adaptation has a showrunner

Will There Ever Be Another You by Patricia Lockwood

107 Days by Kamala Harris

Baldwin: A Love Story by Nicholas Boggs

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The Books That Matter: THE SNOWY DAY

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 10:15:00 -0000

Today we have for you an episode from the Brooklyn Public Library’s Borrowed & Returned podcast series, looking back on Ezra Jack Keats' trailblazing picture book and how it continues to resonate with readers.

You can find Borrowed & Returned wherever you get your podcasts.

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Trump Sues PRH, The National Book Award Fiction Longlist, and More Book News

Mon, 22 Sep 2025 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about the week's book news, from Trump flimsy lawsuit against PRH and The New York Times (and why it matters, flimsy as it is), break down a couple of award lists, do some Jefftionary entries, and more.

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Ready for a cozy, bookish autumn? Let Tailored Book Recommendations help you find your next favorite read with handpicked suggestions from professional book nerds. Get started today from just $18!

The Book Riot Podcast is a proud member of the Airwave Podcast Network.

Discussed in this episode:

Check out Zero to Well-Read!

Subscribe to The Book Riot Newsletter for regular updates to get the most out of your reading life.

The National Book Awards fiction longlist is here

Finalists for the 2025 Barnes & Noble Discover Prize

Trump sues NYT and PRH

How “actual malice” works in defamation

Scholastic launches streaming service

Mother Mary Comes to Me by Arudhati Roy

Baldwin: A Love Story by Nicholas Boggs

The Ten Year Affair by Erin Somers

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Book Club: THE SECRET OF SECRETS by Dan Brown

Wed, 17 Sep 2025 10:15:00 -0000

Jeff, Rebecca, and Vanessa gather in a secret chamber to discuss the wonderfully absurd mysteries of Dan Brown's latest, The Secret of Secrets.

Check out Zero to Well-Read!

Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.

Subscribe to The Book Riot Newsletter for regular updates to get the most out of your reading life.

Ready for a cozy, bookish autumn? Let Tailored Book Recommendations help you find your next favorite read with handpicked suggestions from professional book nerds. Get started today from just $18!

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National Book Awards Longlists, a Journey Into Literary History, and More

Mon, 15 Sep 2025 01:00:00 -0000

Book Riot's managing editor Vanessa Diaz joins Rebecca for a discussion about the National Book Awards longlists, authors' big settlement from Anthropic, and exciting adaptation news. Then, Vanessa takes Rebecca on a journey down the literary rabbit hole.

Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.

Subscribe to The Book Riot Newsletter for regular updates to get the most out of your reading life.

Ready for a cozy, bookish autumn? Let Tailored Book Recommendations help you find your next favorite read with handpicked suggestions from professional book nerds. Get started today from just $18!

Discussed in this Episode:

Anthropic agrees to pay $1.5 billion to settle book piracy lawsuit, but the judge has delayed it, citing concerns

2025 National Book Awards longlists are rolling out

Audition is being adapted

Annotated episode: The Original Gone Girl

Agatha Christie: A Mysterious Life by Laura Thompson

Ruth by Kate Riley

The Wilderness by Angela Flournoy

Murder Takes a Vacation by Laura Lippman

The Macabre by Kosoko Jackson

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Introducing Zero to Well-Read, a New Podcast from Book Riot

Wed, 10 Sep 2025 10:15:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca introduce their new podcast, Zero to Well-Read, with its inaugural episode about The Great Gatsby. We dig into what makes Gatsby a classic, why it’s all over high school reading lists, and the ways it still echoes in our culture.

This season of Zero to Well-Read is presented by Thriftbooks.

Subscribe to The Book Riot Newsletter for regular updates to help you get the most out of your reading life.

Email us: zerotowellread@bookriot.com

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Obama's Summer Reading List, B&N Buys Another Indie & More

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca announce a couple of new projects before talking about authors settling with Anthropic, Obama's summer reading list, the Kirkus Prize nominees, B&N buying Books Inc, and more of the week's book stories.

Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.

Subscribe to The Book Riot Newsletter for regular updates to get the most out of your reading life and follow the show on Instagram and Bluesky.

Ready for a cozy, bookish autumn? Let Tailored Book Recommendations help you find your next favorite read with handpicked suggestions from professional book nerds. Get started today from just $18!

Discussed in this Episode:

Barnes & Noble to acquire Books, Inc

Subscribe to Zero to Well-Read

Subscribe to The Book Riot Newsletter

Anthropic settles in AI copyright infringement case over book piracy

Jonathan Karp steps down as Simon & Schuster CEO to run new imprint

2025 Kirkus Prize finalists (note the Nov 1-October 31 eligibility window, can we please stop)

Obama’s summer reading picks

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The It Books of September 2025

Wed, 03 Sep 2025 10:15:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca crown the It Book of September 2025.

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Ready for a cozy, bookish autumn? Let Tailored Book Recommendations help you find your next favorite read with handpicked suggestions from professional book nerds. Get started today from just $18!

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Deals Deals Deals for August 2025 [Teaser]

Fri, 29 Aug 2025 10:00:00 -0000

This is a bonus preview of our Patreon-only episode: Deals Deals Deals for August 2025, in which Jeff presents interesting book deals for Rebecca's consideration.

To listen to the full episode and all previous bonus content, become a Patreon member here.

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KATABASIS by R.F. Kuang

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 15:19:00 -0000

Jeff, Rebecca, and Vanessa talk about Katabasis by R.F. Kuang. Spoiler-free discussion for the first bit, with warning when we wade into deeper plot waters.

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Get more industry news with our Today in Books daily newsletter.

Ready for a cozy, bookish autumn? Let Tailored Book Recommendations help you find your next favorite read with handpicked suggestions from professional book nerds. Get started today from just $18!

Use code BOOKRIOT to get an exclusive 60% off an annual Incogni plan at https://incogni.com/bookriot

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American are Reading for Pleasure Less. A Lot Less.

Mon, 25 Aug 2025 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about a big new survey of American reading habits, the Polari Prize closing up shop for the year, Katabasis getting an adaptation, ghost-written vanity memoirs, and more.

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Get more industry news with our Today in Books daily newsletter.

Ready for a cozy, bookish autumn? Let Tailored Book Recommendations help you find your next favorite read with handpicked suggestions from professional book nerds. Get started today from just $18!

The Book Riot Podcast is a proud member of the Airwave Podcast Network.

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Discussed in this episode:

Update: Polari Prizes canceled in response to protest

Katabasis set for TV adaptation

Study shows 40% decline in Americans who read for pleasure 2004-2023

BookTok is boosting sales at romance bookstores

Wealthy retirees are commissioning ghost-written memoirs

Church Camp by Cara Meredith

Katabasis by R.F. Kuang

Abundance by Klein and Thompson

Endling by Maria Reva

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Fall Adaptation Preview

Wed, 20 Aug 2025 10:15:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca preview a huge season of literary adaptations.

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Get more industry news with our Today in Books daily newsletter.

Book Riot is hiring a digital content specialist! If you love books and know the ins and outs of social media strategy, and especially social video, consider joining the team. Find details and apply by August 22, 2025, at riotnewmedia.com/careers.

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We Need a Book Review Revolution

Mon, 18 Aug 2025 01:00:00 -0000

An encouraging court win, thoughts on book reviews, direct to Kanopy films, and more of the week's book news.

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Get more industry news with our Today in Books daily newsletter.

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Discussed in this episode:

Judge strikes down much of Florida’s book banning bill

Associated Press to end weekly book reviews

Charlie Kaufman’s new short film will be distributed by Kanopy

Authors withdraw from consideration

for queer book prize in protest of John Boyne’s inclusion

Emerald Fennell’s new Jane Eyre adaptation sounds wild

People Like Us by Jason Mott

It's Only Drowning by David Litt

Great Black Hope by Rob Franklin

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"Well-Read" is Hard to Define. But Real.

Mon, 11 Aug 2025 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca process some public comments about the idea of being "well-read," a big influencer book club, a study on the gender of animals in kids books, and more book news of the week.

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Get more industry news with our Today in Books daily newsletter.

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Discussed in this episode:

BookTok celeb Jack Edwards launches Inklings book club to “elevate” online reading culture

Obamas’ production company picks up All the Sinners Bleed

National Association of Black Bookstores launches

Study shows gender bias in animal characters in children’s books

Frontlist Foyer, brought to you by Thriftbooks:

The Book of Alchemy

Clam Down by Anelise Chen

How to Be a Living Thing by Mari Andrew

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The 2025 Booker Longlist Is Here

Mon, 04 Aug 2025 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca break down the 2025 longlist for the Booker Prize, digest the news of a new book from Kamala Harris, lament the demise of class (behavior, not socio-economic status), and much more.

Jeff and Rebecca decide what the It Book of August will be.

Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.

Get more industry news with our Today in Books daily newsletter.

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Discussed in this episode:

Kamala Harris to publish memoir about presidential race in September

The 2025 Booker Prize longlist

And a possible conflict of interest on the Booker panel

We’re getting a new George Saunders novel in January

Maggie by Katie Yee

The Carpool Detectives by Chuck Hogan

Everyone is Lying to You by Jo Piazza

The Feather Detective by Chris Sweeney

The Brain at Rest by Joseph Jebelli

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The It Books of August

Wed, 30 Jul 2025 16:42:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca decide what the It Book of August will be.

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Looking to elevate your reading life? Tailored Book Recommendations delivers reading recommendations hand-picked just for you by real human book nerds. Plans start at just $18!

Discussed in this episode:

We are hiring.

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Making a Case for Supporting Independent Media, Way Early Award Nominations, and More

Mon, 28 Jul 2025 01:00:00 -0000

Vanessa Diaz joins Jeff as he workshops a couple of takes, before they dive into IMAX scalping, way early award longlists, and more of the week's book news.

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Looking to elevate your reading life? Tailored Book Recommendations delivers reading recommendations hand-picked just for you by real human book nerds. Plans start at just $18!

The Book Riot Podcast is a proud member of the Airwave Podcast Network.

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Discussed in this Episode:

The Odyssey IMAX Showtimes Sell Out Instantly as Scalpers List Resales Higher Than $200

The Center For Fiction Releases the Longlist for 2025 First Fiction Prize in July, because sure

The Book Industry Study Group conducting survey on how AI is changing publishing

Spotify expanding audiobooks plans, language is confusing

Audiobook walking clubs?

Deep Historical Survey on Gender Split of Who Writes Fiction

The Bewitching by Silvia Morreno-Garcia

Salt Bones by Jennifer Givhan

Algospeak by Adam Aleksic

Vera, or Faith by Gary Shteyngart

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Power Ranking the Books of 1995

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 19:49:00 -0000

It's as far back as we go with these historical rankings--30 years to 1995. Strange year, that sees Jeff pick a single copy of an individual book in his top 10. Christian dystopias, fairy tale retellings, genre-changing memoirs: there are spots for all of them in our top 10s.

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Mid-Year Check-in Time. PLUS: Rodney Freeman on ARE YOU A LIBRARIAN?

Mon, 21 Jul 2025 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about a bunch of mid-year lists: best-ofs, best-selllers, and more. Then Erica Ezeifedi talks to Rodney Freeman, former librarian and producer of the documentary Are You a Librarian, about the rich & overlooked history of Black librarianship in the US.

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Looking to elevate your reading life? Tailored Book Recommendations delivers reading recommendations hand-picked just for you by real human book nerds. Plans start at just $18!

The Book Riot Podcast is a proud member of the Airwave Podcast Network.

Discussed in this episode:

Book Riot’s best books of 2025 so far

The top 10 bestselling books of the year so far

Bookshop’s bestsellers of the year so far

Constance Grady explores whether there actually is a crisis with kids’ reading

Sarah J. Maas has completed the first draft of the 6th ACOTAR book

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The Top Ten Books to Read to Be Well-Read

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 10:15:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca try to answer the fun but impossible question of what are the top 10 books someone might read first on their path to becoming well-read. This was originally a Patreon-only members post. To get more like this, subscribe to the Book Riot podcast Patreon.

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Looking to elevate your reading life? Tailored Book Recommendations delivers reading recommendations hand-picked just for you by real human book nerds. Plans start at just $18!

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The Best Books of the Year So Far: Live at Powell's!

Mon, 14 Jul 2025 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca are joined by Book Riot's Managing Editor Vanessa Diaz and Powell's Book Buyer Keith Mosman to talk about their favorite books of the year so far.

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Summer 2025 Mailbag

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 23:10:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca answer listener questions.

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The

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Project Hail Mary Gets a Trailer, AI Is Fair Use (for now), and more book news of the week

Mon, 07 Jul 2025 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about several notable adaptations news items, legal rulings in AI and LBGTQ titles, recent reading, and more.

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Looking to elevate your reading life? Tailored Book Recommendations delivers reading recommendations hand-picked just for you by real human book nerds. Plans start at just $18!

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This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Discussed in this episode:

The Book Riot Podcast Live at Powell’s on July 9th!

Judge rejects authors’ claims that Meta violated copyright law by using their books to train AI

SCOTUS says parents can opt students out of positive-affirming lessons about LGBTQ+ issues

Project Hail Mary trailer!

Trailer for Christopher Nolan’s adaptation of The Odyssey leaks online

Jennifer Aston to star in Apple+ adaptation of I’m Glad My Mom Died

The Möbius Book by Catherine Lacey

Six Frigates by Ian W. Toll

The Doorman by Chris Pavone

The Summer of 1787 by David O. Stewart

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The It Books of July 2025

Wed, 02 Jul 2025 15:07:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca try to figure out what the It Books of July will be.

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Looking to elevate your reading life? Tailored Book Recommendations delivers reading recommendations hand-picked just for you by real human book nerds. Plans start at just $18!

The Book Riot Podcast is a proud member of the Airwave Podcast Network.

The Book Riot Podcast Live at Powell's on July 9th!

Discussed in this episode:

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NetGalley Launches Booktrovert Consumer Marketing Platform, BookTok's Obsession with Marginalia, and More

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 01:00:00 -0000

Danika Ellis joins Rebecca to talk about NetGalley's new consumer marketing platform, the latest decision in an AI copyright lawsuit, BookTok's obsession with marginalia, and more.

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Looking to elevate your reading life? Tailored Book Recommendations delivers reading recommendations hand-picked just for you by real human book nerds. Plans start at just $18!

The Book Riot Podcast is a proud member of the Airwave Podcast Network.

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Discussed in this Episode:

Netgalley launches consumer marketing platform Booktrovert

Sarah J. Maas signs major licensing deal

Judge rules use of copyrighted materials to train AI without authors’ permission is fair use, but using pirated copies violates copyright law

Let’s talk about marginalia and the latest BookTok trend

Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab

Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong

So Many Stars by Caro de Robertis

Sympathy for Wild Girls by Demree McGhee

Awakened by A.E. Osworth

Ten Incarnations of Rebellion by Vaishnavi Patel

Among Friends by Hal Ebbott

The Original by Nell Stevens

Tusk Love by Thea Guanzon

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The Books of the Year So Far

Wed, 25 Jun 2025 10:15:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca compare their lists of the biggest, buzziest, most newsworthy books of 2025 so far. Looking for the best books of the year so far? Join us Powell's on July 9th.

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Richard Linklater's BEFORE Trilogy [Teaser]

Tue, 24 Jun 2025 10:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about their shared love for Richard Linklater's Before Trilogy (Before Sunrise, Before Sunset, Before Midnight).

This is a bonus preview of a Patreon-only episode of the Book Riot Podcast. To get the whole episode and every single other Patreon-exclusive thing ever posted by the BR Pod, go here to sign up.

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TikTok's Publishing Imprint Folds, BookCon Returns, and More Book News

Mon, 23 Jun 2025 01:00:00 -0000

Vanessa Diaz joins Rebecca to discuss the demise of 8th Note Press, the resurrection of BookCon, a recent win in the fight against book bans, and more.

Get your tickets to join us at Powell's on July 9th for a conversation about the best books of the year so far.

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Get more industry news with our Today in Books daily newsletter.

Looking to elevate your reading life? Tailored Book Recommendations delivers reading recommendations hand-picked just for you by real human book nerds. Plans start at just $18!

Check out Strong Sense of Place wherever you get your podcasts, or visit strongsenseofplace.com

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Discussed in this Episode:

BookCon is coming back

ByteDance is closing 8th Note Press

Voters reject book bans in MAGA-heavy California county

Right-wing “See You at the Library” event returns in 2025, partnered with US Dept of Education

Reese’s Book Club launching companion podcast

Ali Hazelwood run off Instagram for having an opinion about Peeta and Gale from the Hunger Games

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The Most Recommendable Books of the Century (So Far)

Wed, 18 Jun 2025 10:15:00 -0000

We are bringing our special live recording of The Most Recommendable Books of the Century So Far out from behind the Patreon wall for all listeners to try to entice you to come to our next live recording at Powell's on July 9th: The Best Books of the Year (so far).

Get more industry news with our Today in Books daily newsletter.

Tailored Book Recommendations has the chops to find the right read for your loved one this Father’s Day. Gift TBR today starting at just $18!

Discussed in this Episode:

The Book Riot Live at Powell’s July 9th: The Best Books of the Year (so far)

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E. Lockhart on the WE WERE LIARS Adaptation

Tue, 17 Jun 2025 10:00:00 -0000

It's a Book Riot podiverse crossover event! The adaptation of E. Lockhart's YA sensation We Were Liars debuts later this week. Kelly Jensen sat down with Lockhart for a recent episode of the Hey YA! podcast. Enjoy!

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Looking to elevate your reading life? Tailored Book Recommendations delivers reading recommendations hand-picked just for you by real human book nerds. Plans start at just $18!

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Discussed in this Episode:

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

Family of Liars by E. Lockhart

We Fell Apart by E. Lockhart

Hey YA Interview with Gayle Forman

We Were Liars on Prime Instagram

My Sister the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite

The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

Again, Again by E. Lockhart

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Late Show Book Clubs, An Anti-Book Ban Lawsuit Wins, and More Book News. PLUS: How You Make a Best Books of the Year So Far List

Mon, 16 Jun 2025 16:24:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about recent reading, why late night talk shows might be interested in doing book clubs, a victory in court against book bans, and more book news. Then, Jeff talks to Al Woodworth, Managing Editor of the Amazon Books team, about their picks for the Best Books of 2025 so far and how their team makes those selections.

Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.

Get more industry news with our Today in Books daily newsletter.

Tailored Book Recommendations has the chops to find the right read for your loved one this Father’s Day. Gift TBR today starting at just $18!

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Discussed in this Episode:

St. Francis, MN school district drops book banning policy & returns books to shelves in respond to lawsuit

Carla Hayden speaks out about firing

Stephen Colbert launches the Late Show Book Club

The Book Riot Live at Powell’s July 9th: The Best Books of the Year (so far)

Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy

The Book of Alchemy of Suleika Jaouad

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So...Is it Good?: BURY OUR BONES IN THE MIDNIGHT SOIL by V.E. Schwab

Wed, 11 Jun 2025 19:05:00 -0000

Rebecca Schinksy, Vanessa Diaz, and Danika Ellis go deep on V.E. Schwab's highly anticipated new book to answer the question: So, is it good?

Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.

Get more industry news with our Today in Books daily newsletter.

Tailored Book Recommendations has the chops to find the right read for your loved one this Father’s Day. Gift TBR today starting at just $18!

Check out Strong Sense of Place wherever you get your podcasts, or visit strongsenseofplace.com

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Discussed in this Episode:

The Book Riot Live at Powell’s July 9th: The Best Books of the Year (so far)

Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V. E. Schwab

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AI Disasters, Amazon's Best Books of the Year So Far, and More Book News

Mon, 09 Jun 2025 01:00:00 -0000

Danika Ellis joins Jeff to talk about a spate of book-related AI disasters, Amazon's list of the best books of the year, Michelle Obama's recently-announced book, and much more.

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Get more industry news with our Today in Books daily newsletter.

Tailored Book Recommendations has the chops to find the right read for your loved one this Father’s Day. Gift TBR today starting at just $18!

Discussed in this Episode:

The Book Riot Live at Powell’s July 9th: The Best Books of the Year (so far)

Book Riot’s In the Club, In Reading Color, and Our Queerest Shelves Newsletters

Book Riot’s Read Harder Challenge

Salman Rushdie’s attacker sentenced to 25 years

Chicago Sun-Times runs AI-generated summer reading list w/ fake books

And business insider thing too

AI clone books showing up on amazon:

Amazon’s Best Books of the Year & Goodreads most popular books of the year so far

Michelle Obama’s new book

The Two Kinds of Book Auctions

James Cameron to adapt THE DEVILS

13 Signs You Used ChatGPT to Write

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Jeff’s “I Wish I Could Read All Day” Books of June 2025

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 10:00:00 -0000

This episode comes over from the First Edition feed: Jeff solos his way through listing a bunch of books coming in June that, were time and space no object, would go on the TBR for sure.

Subscribe to First Edition via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

For episode extras, subscribe to the First Edition Substack.

Tailored Book Recommendations has the chops to find the right read for your loved one this Father’s Day. Gift TBR today starting at just $18!

Discussed in this episode:

The Book Riot Podcast

The Book Riot Podcast Live at Powell’s on July 9th, 2025

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The Beach Read Episode

Wed, 04 Jun 2025 19:46:00 -0000

Jeff is joined by Book Riot editors Danika Ellis and Erica Ezeifedi to talk about what makes a beach read, beach reads picks, and memorable beach reading moments.

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Get more industry news with our Today in Books daily newsletter.

Tailored Book Recommendations has the chops to find the right read for your loved one this Father’s Day. Gift TBR today starting at just $18!

Discussed in this Episode:

The Book Riot Live at Powell's July 9th: The Best Books of the Year (so far)

The Best Beach Reads of All Time

The Hey YA Podcast

Book Riot's In the Club, In Reading Color, and Our Queerest Shelves Newsletters

Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge

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Recent Reading and Some Media Diet Updates [Teaser]

Tue, 03 Jun 2025 17:49:00 -0000

This is a bonus preview of the Book Riot Podcast's most recent Patreon-only episode. Jeff and Rebecca catch up with each other's recent reading and give some non-book media takes. For example: Fountain of Youth. Woof.

To listen to the full episode and get access to literally every Patreon-only thing we have done over the last three years, go to Patreon to sign up.

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Talking Audiobooks with Spotify & FLASHLIGHT by Susan Choi

Mon, 02 Jun 2025 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk to Spotify's Associate Director for Audiobooks Editorial Katie del Rosario about curating audiobooks for Spotify, getting people to try audiobooks, spotlighting special titles, and more. Then, Jeff and Sharifah talk about Flashlight by Susan Choi, one of the most anticipated releases of the summer.

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Get more industry news with our Today in Books daily newsletter.

Tailored Book Recommendations has the chops to find the right read for your loved one this Father’s Day. Gift TBR today starting at just $18!

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Discussed in this episode:

Spotify Audiobooks

Flashlight by Susan Choi

The Book Riot Podcast Live at Powell's on July 9th.

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The It Books of June 2025

Wed, 28 May 2025 18:18:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca consider a loaded roster of June books to pick the It Book of the month.

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Trust your reading list to the experts at Tailored Book Recommendations who have recommended over 160,000 books to readers of all kinds. Let TBR match you with your next favorite read! Get started for only $18 at mytbr.co!

Discussed in This Episode:

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Deals Deals Deals for May 2025 [Teaser]

Fri, 23 May 2025 19:52:00 -0000

Time again to look at interesting, lucrative, exciting, strange, or otherwise notable book deal announcements. Always a good time.

This is a bonus preview of our most recent Patreon-only episode. To listen to the full episode and our entire back catalog of bonus content, sign-up for the Book Riot podcast Patreon.

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Power Ranking the Books of 2005

Wed, 21 May 2025 16:11:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca look back a couple of decades to power-rank the books of 2005.

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Trump administration abruptly fires Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden

Discussed in This Episode:

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The Latest BookTok Conspiracy, What the Library of Congress Actually Does, and More Book News

Mon, 19 May 2025 01:00:00 -0000

Book Riot's managing editor Vanessa Diaz joins Rebecca for a conversation about the latest romantasy BookTok conspiracy, what's going on with the Trump administration firing the Librarian of Congress, the NYT's best books of the year so far, recent reading, and more.

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Get more industry news with our Today in Books daily newsletter.

Become a Book Riot All Access member and explore our full library of members-only content, including must-reads, deep dives, and reading challenge recommendations. For a limited time, the first 50 new All Access annual members get a FREE copy of Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz courtesy of Tor Publishing!

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Discussed in this Episode:

What is the Library of Congress, and What Does the Librarian of Congress Do?

Firing comes on the heals of major report about AI and copyright

Trump names his former defense attorney as acting Librarian of Congress

Massive victory in lawsuit against Trump’s dismantling of IMLS

The NYT’s best books of the year so far

Romantasy BookTok’s latest conspiracy

Edinburgh-based tour company to replace Harry Potter tours w/ LGBTQ+ history walks for Pride Month

The Dry Season by Melissa Febos

So Many Stars by Caro de Robertis

Detective Aunty by Uzma Jalaluddin

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The 2025 Book Riot Fantasy League Book Draft

Wed, 14 May 2025 10:15:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca are joined by Sharifah Williams and Prof. Laura McGrath to conduct the first ever Book Riot fantasy book draft. We explain the rules, talk about strategy, and then engage in some fairly chaotic literary team building.

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Discussed in This Episode:

The Book Riot Fantasy League Scoring Sheet - Make a copy to keep your own.

Alexandra Alter confirms JAMES Pulitzer speculation (LitHub piece with the speculation)

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The JeffCore Books of May 2025 [Teaser]

Tue, 13 May 2025 10:00:00 -0000

This is a bonus preview of the our most recent Patreon-only episode, The JeffCore Books of May 2025.

To listen to the full episode and get access to the complete back catalog of bonus content, sign up for the Book Riot Podcast Patreon here.

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The Pulitzer Drama Was Real and Other Book News PLUS: A Mini-Book Club for RUN FOR THE HILLS by Kevin Wilson

Mon, 12 May 2025 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca continue to lap up with extreme interest scuttlebutt about James's Pulitzer win before talking about Lithgow's underwhelming reaction to Rowling's transphobia, a new publisher focused on dudes (initially. they swear) and more book news. Then Sharifah Williams hops on to talk about Kevin Wilson's new novel, Run for the Hills.

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Discussed in This Episode:

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John Lithgow surprised by backlash to J.K. Rowling

New imprint will focus on literary fiction by men

Agatha Christie’s estate authorizes writing course taught by AI deepfake

You can now buy books in the Kindle iOS app

Run for The Hills by Kevin Wilson

The The Pulitzer Board Overrule The Jury?

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The Summer 2025 Draft [Teaser]

Thu, 08 May 2025 10:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca each select 10 books to win your vote in our Summer Preview draft.

To listen to the full episode and all of the bonus content from The Book Riot podcast, join the Patreon.

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JAMES Wins the Pulitzer & Moms, Dads, and Grads Recommendations Part 2

Wed, 07 May 2025 16:21:00 -0000

First, Jeff and Rebecca digest Percival Everett's Pulitzer win (including a little palace intrigue of the literary variety). Then, they conclude this go-round of reader recommendation requests.

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Discussed in This Episode:

The Books of Marie-Helene Bertino...with Marie-Helene Bertino on First Edition

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2025 Moms, Dads, and Grads Recommendation Show, Part 1

Mon, 05 May 2025 21:44:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca respond to a range of listener recommendation requests, including, but not exclusively, for moms, dads, and grads.

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Get more industry news with our Today in Books daily newsletter.

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The It Books of May 2025

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 10:15:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca try to determine what the It Book of May 2025 will be.

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Ranking the Stories of EXIT ZERO by Marie-Helene Bertino by How Marie-Helene Bertino They Are [Teaser]

Tue, 29 Apr 2025 10:00:00 -0000

This is a preview of the Patreon-only episode in which Jeff and Rebecca talk about Bertino's new short story collection by ranking the stories in Exit Zero by Marie-Helene Bertino. This is for the real ones out there.

Go here to check out The Book Riot Podcast Patreon.

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Celebrity Book Clubs GO IRL, Literary Grudges, and more book news

Mon, 28 Apr 2025 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about still being pissed off about the 2012 non-pulitzer, Gaiman seemingly throwing in the image rehab towel, legal challenges and defenses, and more before talking about their recent reading.

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This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Discussed in this Episode:

Jane Friedman on The Business of Being a Writer on First Edition

The Long History of The Simplified Spelling Movement with Gabe Henry on First Edition.

Exit Zero by Marie-Helene Bertino

Enough is Enuf by Gabe Henry

Pronoun Trouble by John McWhorter

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The 10 Best Winners of The Pulitzer Prize for Fiction of the Century So Far

Wed, 23 Apr 2025 16:33:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca continue to get mileage out of the "Of the Century so Far" framing, this time by ranking the fiction winners of the Pulitzer prize. Tough.

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Discussed in this Episode:

ALA State of America’s Libraries report

Email your Moms, Dads, and Grads Recommendations to podcast (at) bookriot (dot) com.

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NEVER LET ME GO by Kazuo Ishiguro, the book and the movie [Teaser]

Tue, 22 Apr 2025 10:00:00 -0000

It's the 20th anniversary of the publication of Kazuo Ishiguro's modern classic, Never Let Me Go. Jeff and Rebecca recorded this episode diving into the book and movie in 2022.

To listen to the whole episode, sign up to become a member of The Book Riot podcast Patreon. You'll get new bonus episodes as they publish, as well as access to all the bonus stuff we've done so far.

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Study Shows Book Bans Lead to Increased Readership, the "Shadow Daddies" of Romantasy, and More

Mon, 21 Apr 2025 01:00:00 -0000

Rebecca sits down with Vanessa Diaz to discuss a new study that shows book bans lead to increased readership of inclusive content, the men cashing in big on romantasy, PEN Awards finalists, and more.

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This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Discussed in this Episode:

PEN Awards Finalists

New study finds that book bans lead to increased readership

ACLU files suit against Department of Defense schools over book banning

The men cashing in on romantasy

Meta says books used to train LLMs are both essential and essentially worthless

Searches by Vauhini Vara

Murder at Gull's Nest by Jess Kidd

Murder by Cheesecake by Rachel Ekstrom Courage

Harlem Rhapsody by Victoria Christopher Murray

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Talking Bibliotherapy with Emely Rumble

Wed, 16 Apr 2025 10:15:00 -0000

Rebecca talks with Emely Rumble, author of Bibliotherapy in the Bronx, about using books as a tool for individual and collective healing, social justice, and more.

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Discussed in this Episode:

Bibliotherapy in the Bronx

Literapy NYC

National Association for Poetry Therapy

International Federation of Biblio/Poetry Therapy

The Center/Institute for Creative "Righting"

Follow Emely on Instagram, TikTok, and Threads

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Americans Want To Read More Books. Or Do They?

Mon, 14 Apr 2025 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about a big new survey of Americans' feelings about reading, before talking about a small but interesting change at PW, recent reading, and more.

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Discussed in this Episode:

New NPR/Ipsos poll shows most Americans want to read more…and just don’t

Email your Moms, Dads, and Grads Recommendations to podcast (at) bookriot (dot) com.

PW now charging for review consideration

Laura McGrath on how publishing industry demographics compare to US population

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AUDITION by Katie Kitamura & and the Documentary BANNED TOGETHER

Wed, 09 Apr 2025 16:03:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca discuss Katie Kitamura's new novel, Audition. Then, Rebecca talks to Allyson Rice and Tom Wiggins, producers of the new documentary, Banned Together.

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Discussed in this Episode:

Email your Moms, Dads, and Grads Recommendations to podcast (at) bookriot (dot) com.

Audition by Katie Kitamura

Banned Together

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National Book Critics Circle Winners, Censorship Cases on a Collision Course with the Supreme Court, and more of the week's book news

Mon, 07 Apr 2025 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff is back from vacation and joins Rebecca to talk NBCC winners, escalating legal challenges to book bans, Penguin Random House sales info, recent reading, and more.

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This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Discussed in this Episode:

Iowa’s book ban bill blocked again by federal judge

Email your Moms, Dads, and Grads Recommendations to podcast (at) bookriot (dot) com.

NBCC Award winners

The biggest book censorship stories of the year so far

Bishop who urged Trump to “have mercy” will publish 2 books for kids

PRH sales up 8.5% in 2024

James Patterson is teaming up with…Mr. Beast

RIP NaNoWriMo

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The It Books of April

Wed, 02 Apr 2025 10:15:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca consider contenders for the It Book of April, 2025.

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Discussed in this Episode:

Laura McGrath on the math of the slush pile

Email your Moms, Dads, and Grads Recommendations to podcast (at) bookriot (dot) com.

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The Reading Life of Stephen Graham Jones

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff is out this week reading on a beach, so we are sharing this rerun from the First Edition podcast in which Jeff talks to Stephen Graham Jones about his reading life. Stephen Graham Jones is the NYT bestselling author of thirty-five or so novels and collections, and there are some novellas and comic books in there as well. Most recent are Earthdivers and I Was a Teenage Slasher.

His new book, The Buffalo Hunter Hunter, is out now.

Subscribe to First Edition via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

For episode extras, subscribe to the First Edition Substack.

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5 Fascinating Stats About Modern Reading Habits, with Laura McGrath

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 16:05:00 -0000

Author, literary historian, and data scientist Laura McGrath joins Jeff and Rebecca to share some of the most interesting, surprising, and curious stats about modern reading habits.

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Get more industry news with our Today in Books daily newsletter.

Trust your reading list to the experts at Tailored Book Recommendations, who have recommended over 160,000 books to readers of all kinds. Let TBR match you with your next favorite read! Get started for only $18 at mytbr.co!

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Discussed in this Episode:

Laura's Substack textCrunch

Philippa Chong, Inside the Critics Circle

Christine Larson, Love in the Time of Self-Publishing

Janice Radway, A Feeling for Books

Janice Radway, Reading the Romance

Chong and Kim, "Writing By Women or For Women? Either Way, You're Less Likely to be Reviewed."

Inman Berens and Noorda, Immersive Media 2020

Inman Berens and Noorda, "Gen Z and Millennials: How they Use Public Libraries and Identify through Media Use."

Porter, Eimannsberger, English, et. al. "Genre Juggernaut: Measuring 'Romance'"

Lucy, Li, et al. "Racial and Ethnic Representation in Literature Taught in US High Schools"

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Which Classics Should You Read to Be "Well-Read"? [Teaser]

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 10:15:00 -0000

In this bonus preview of the most recent Patreon-only episode of The Book Riot Podcast, Jeff and Rebecca tackle an impossible question.

To listen to the full episode and get access to all previous Patreon-only episodes, consider joining The Book Riot Podcast Patreon.

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The Long Odds of the Slushpile, Adaptation News, and Picking Vacation Reading

Mon, 24 Mar 2025 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about the stunning reality of getting published from the slushpile, noodle about being well-read, and try to figure out what Jeff is going to read on vacation. He is genuinely stumped.

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Discussed in this Episode:

Trump’s new executive order targets libraries & museums…and what you can do about it

Keira Knightley Pride & Prejudice to be re-released 4/20 for 20th anniversary

Call your reps and get out there to protect the Dept of Education

Frontlist Foyer, sponsored by Thriftbooks

Hunchback

Beautyland

Everything I Never Told You

White Light

The Buffalo Hunter Hunter

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Things We Love and Things We Hate About Talking About Books Online with Traci Thomas

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 15:59:00 -0000

Traci Thomas of The Stacks podcast joins Jeff and Rebecca to talk about things we love (and hate) about talking about books online. Mostly it is really great! Mostly!

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Discussed in this episode:

Aardvark Box Giveaway!

The Stacks Podcast

The Stacks on Instagram

Unstacked by Traci Thomas

Scorcese! Adapts! Gilead! Series!

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The Book Riot Podcast Live at Powell's! [Teaser]

Tue, 18 Mar 2025 10:15:00 -0000

This is a preview of our live recording of the Most Recommendable Books of the Century (so far) at Powell's in beautiful downtown Portland, Oregon. If you aren't already a Patreon member, you can listen to the full recording when you sign up. Thanks to Powell's, our family and friends, and everyone who came out (or told someone else to). Hope to do it again sometime in the not-too-distant future.

Listen to the rest by becoming a member of The Book Riot Podcast Patreon.

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The GILEAD Adaptation is Real, Meta Streisands Itself, Powells Event Debrief and More of the Week's Book News.

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 19:04:12 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca debrief a little about their live recording at Powell's last week before talking about Meta Streisanding itself, the exciting/scary news of Scorsese's for actual life Gilead adaptation, and more of the week's book news.

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Discussed in this episode:

Austin Butler & Saoirse Ronan to star in Deep Cuts adaptation

Moms for Liberty is shutting down BookLooks

Former Meta executive ordered to halt promotion of tell-all book

Spotify launches program to publish audiobooks for independent authors

WNDB announces first We Need Diverse Books Day April 3

Careless People

White Light by Jack Lohmann

We Tell Ourselves Stories by Alissa Wilkinson

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Book Club: THE ANTIDOTE

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 20:19:58 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about The Antidote by Karen Russell.

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Discussed in this episode:

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New York Report, New Harper Lee Collection Announced, Golden Ticket Strategies, and more

Mon, 10 Mar 2025 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff fills Rebecca on his recent trip to New York for publishing meetings before they talk about the newly announced Harper Lee collection and other items of note.

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Discussed in this Episode:

Hear us on Books with Betsy

New collection of Harper Lee’s previously unpublished short stories coming this fall

This day-in-the-life of an audiobook narrator is great (and they get paid by the finished hour - does this apply to Meryl Streep?)

Kathryn Stockett’s first novel since The Help is coming this fall

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The It Books of March 2025

Wed, 05 Mar 2025 11:15:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca get ready for Spring with March's It Book Knockout Round.

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Discussed in this Episode:

Liberty Hardy on Instagram

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Give Me Liberty AND Give Me Jeff

Mon, 03 Mar 2025 02:00:00 -0000

With Rebecca out, Liberty Hardy joins Jeff on the occasion of the 500th episode of All the Books! They talk about being book podcasters and a host of other reading-related topics.

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A new year means a new Read Harder Challenge! Join us as we make our way through 24 tasks meant to expand our reading horizons. Sign up at bookriot.com/readharder.

Discussed in this episode:

All The Books!

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Who Will The Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay?

Wed, 26 Feb 2025 11:15:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca run though the nominees for the 2025 Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay and assign each of them a win probability. Please do not bet on these.

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A new year means a new Read Harder Challenge! Join us as we make our way through 24 tasks meant to expand our reading horizons. Sign up at bookriot.com/readharder.

Discussed in this Episode:

Come See us live at Powell's on March 13th

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Will Romantasy Get a Shot at a Big-Time Adaptation?

Mon, 24 Feb 2025 02:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca digest a bunch of high-profile adaptation news which leads them to wonder about the prospects of a big-budget romantasy series ever coming to screens, some news around book bannings and censorship, talk about recent reading, and more.

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A new year means a new Read Harder Challenge! Join us as we make our way through 24 tasks meant to expand our reading horizons. Sign up at bookriot.com/readharder.

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Discussed in this Episode:

Hulu cans the ACOTAR adaptation

STARZ to adapt All Fours

Matt! Damon! Is! Odysseus!

Nimona creator N.D. Stevenson announces new book

LA Times Book Prize finalists

Indiana cuts Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library from budget

Iowa rushes to advance a bill that would criminalize librarianship

Talk to Me by Rich Benjamin

Stone Yard Devotional by Charlotte Wood

Soft Core by Brittany Newell

Calling In

Back After This by Linda Holmes

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Which Writers Could Most Benefit from a Signal Adaptation?

Wed, 19 Feb 2025 11:15:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about authors they think would most benefit from (or they would just personally like to see have) a signal adaptation.

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A new year means a new Read Harder Challenge! Join us as we make our way through 24 tasks meant to expand our reading horizons. Sign up at bookriot.com/readharder.

Discussed in this Episode:

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Deep Dive into LIFE IN THREE DIMENSIONS by Shigehiro Oishi [Teaser]

Tue, 18 Feb 2025 20:12:26 -0000

This is a preview of our Patreon-only discussion of Shigehiro Oishi's Life in Three Dimensions.

Listen to the rest by becoming a member of The Book Riot Podcast Patreon.

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The Big 5 Are Indeed Big, First Major AI Verdict Comes In, Remembering Tom Robbins, and more.

Mon, 17 Feb 2025 02:00:00 -0000

First up, Jeff offers his remembrances of reading Tom Robbins. Then, Jeff and Rebecca talk about the hardcover dominance of the Big 5, the first landmark AI fair use case, recent reading, and more.

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A new year means a new Read Harder Challenge! Join us as we make our way through 24 tasks meant to expand our reading horizons. Sign up at bookriot.com/readharder.

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Discussed in this Episode:

Thomson Reuters wins first big AI copyright case in the US

R.I.P. Tom Robbins

Big Five retained hold on hardcover bestsellers in 2024 (let’s talk about some highlights from the print edition too)

Laura McGrath dives into publishing’s diversity data

Barbara Kinsolver funds rehab center with profits from Demon Copperhead

Margaret Atwood to publish memoir “of sorts” this fall

Turns out graphic novels are good for kids’ reading habits

John Lithgow to play Dumbledore in HBO Harry Potter series

Sendak/King team-up

Stone Yard Devotional by Charlotte Wood

On Tyranny

Bibliophobia by Sarah Chihaya

How to Share an Egg by Bonny Reichart

Raising Hare by Chloe Dalton

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Everything Romance with Jessica Pryde

Wed, 12 Feb 2025 11:15:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca are joined by romance expert Jessica Pryde to talk about romantasy, current trends in romance, category romance, navigating commercial romance covers, and much more.

Jessica co-hosts Book Riot's When in Romance. You can also find her exclamations about books and internet ridiculousness on BlueSky (JessIsReading) and instagram/threads (jess_is_reading).

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A new year means a new Read Harder Challenge! Join us as we make our way through 24 tasks meant to expand our reading horizons. Sign up at bookriot.com/readharder.

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Discussed in this Episode:

That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon by Kimberly Lemming

Jennifer Roberson

Lights Out by Navessa Allen

The Kiss Countdown by Etta Easton

I Think I Like "Cozy" Dark Romance

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Deals Deals Deals for February 2025 [Teaser]

Tue, 11 Feb 2025 11:00:00 -0000

Jeff is back with his quarterly pile of recent book deal announcements to bounce off Rebecca. One of our favorite recurring episodes.

To listen to the whole thing, check out the Book Riot Podcast Patreon.

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Gaiman Sued, Blurbs Deprecated, and A Book Sales Check-In

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 02:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca spend more time than they would like in legal-land before talking about how everybody hates blurbs, recent reading, and other book news. Then, Brenna Connor of Circana joins Jeff to talk about 2024 book sales highlights and lowlights before looking ahead to 2025.

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A new year means a new Read Harder Challenge! Join us as we make our way through 24 tasks meant to expand our reading horizons. Sign up at bookriot.com/readharder.

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Discussed in this episode:

Scarlett Pavlovich sues Neil Gaiman and Amanda Palmer for rape & human trafficking and Netflix adaptation of Sandman to end after second season

First Edition

Shout-out to Feedspot for featuring us as #5 in the top 100 book podcasts on the planet

Man accused of attacking Salman Rushdie to go to trial

Big 5 and Authors Guild sue Idaho over book banning law

Simon & Schuster’s flagship imprint won’t require blurbs and Rebecca Makkai essay in the NYT

Dystopian novels are on the rise again after the inauguration

On the Hippie Trail

The Loves of My Life

Life in Three Dimensions

Tilt

Bibliophobia by Sarah Chihaya

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The It Books of February 2025

Wed, 05 Feb 2025 11:15:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca consider ten contenders to be the It Book of the Month.

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A new year means a new Read Harder Challenge! Join us as we make our way through 24 tasks meant to expand our reading horizons. Sign up at bookriot.com/readharder.

Discussed in this Episode:

First Edition

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We Talk About WE DO NOT PART by Han Kang [Teaser]

Tue, 04 Feb 2025 20:04:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca discuss the new novel by the 2024 Nobel Laureate in Literature, Han Kang.

To listen to the full episode, become a member of the Book Riot Podcast Patreon, if you aren't already.

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Dark Horse Drops Gaiman, Ebooks Come to Bookshop, ONYX STORM is the Fastest-Selling Books in 20 years, and more.

Mon, 03 Feb 2025 02:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about Dark Horse parting ways with Neil Gaiman, get off some hot takes about bookish social media, go through the ins-and-outs of ebooks coming to Bookshop.org, and more.

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A new year means a new Read Harder Challenge! Join us as we make our way through 24 tasks meant to expand our reading horizons. Sign up at bookriot.com/readharder.

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Discussed in this Episode:

Bookshop.org’s Ebook Launch & Reading 25 Minutes a Day in 2025 with Gretchen Rubin episode of First Edition

Dark Horse Comics drops Neil Gaiman

Bookshop.org launches ebook sales

NYT’s coverage accidentally indicts how bad the old indie ebook options are

Authors Guild introduces “Human Authored” certification

New! Dan! Brown!

Hero of the week: Octavia’s Bookshelf

Defy by Sunita Sah

Y2K by Colette Shade

We Do Not Part by Han Kang

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Writers to Watch, 2025 Edition

Wed, 29 Jan 2025 11:15:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about a bunch of early-ish career writers to keep your eye on.

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A new year means a new Read Harder Challenge! Join us as we make our way through 24 tasks meant to expand our reading horizons. Sign up at bookriot.com/readharder.

Discussed in this Episode:

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ONYX STORM Rolls In, It's a Very Bookish Oscars, and Making Your Own Book Fair

Mon, 27 Jan 2025 02:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca note some side-effects of Onyx Storm's huge release before talking about Oscars nominations, NBCC finalists, recent reading and more. Then, Jami Attenberg talks to Rebecca about how she put together a book fair where every kid can walk away with a book.

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A new year means a new Read Harder Challenge! Join us as we make our way through 24 tasks meant to expand our reading horizons. Sign up at bookriot.com/readharder.

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Discussed in this Episode:

The Onyx Storm roll-out didn’t quite go as planned - and demand crashed the Target website and Fans are not impressed with the “exclusive” art

NBCC finalists

Oscar nominees for Best Adapted Screenplay

Blob

I Heard Her Call My Name by Lucy Sante

The Language of Mathematics by Raul Rojas

Alligator Tears by Edgar Gomez

Life in Three Dimensions by Shigehiro Oishi

Jami's Craft Talk Substack

How We Hacked the Scholastic Book Fair So Every Kid Could Buy a Book

1,000 Words: A Writer's Guide to Staying Creative, Focused, and Productive All Year Round

A Reason to See You Again

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Power Ranking the Books of 2015

Wed, 22 Jan 2025 11:15:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca look back and power-rank the books of 2015. Ten picks each, minimal cheating.

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A new year means a new Read Harder Challenge! Join us as we make our way through 24 tasks meant to expand our reading horizons. Sign up at bookriot.com/readharder.

Discussed in this Episode:

Details emerge in sexual assault allegations against Neil Gaiman

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Hot List Check in for January 2025 [Teaser]

Tue, 21 Jan 2025 11:15:00 -0000

This is a preview of our most recent bonus episode for Patreon members: The January 2025 Hot List Check-in. This is where Jeff offers Rebecca a list of the books he thinks are the current hot books and she tells him he is wrong. Or right. Since Patreon episodes aren't in the main feed, there is some occasional cursing, and in this preview, Jeff had to get out the horn-bleep effect. If you enjoyed this, please consider becoming a paid member of the Book Riot podcast Patreon. We have fun trying to make things you enjoy.

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The Neil Gaiman Story Gets Worse, Best-Selling Books of 2024, and The Price of Books with Kathleen Schmidt

Mon, 20 Jan 2025 02:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about the very, very ugly details emerging about Neil Gaiman, 2024's best-selling books, audio-first publishing, and more. Then, Kelly Jensen and Kathleen Schmidt talk about the price of books and what effects they have.

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A new year means a new Read Harder Challenge! Join us as we make our way through 24 tasks meant to expand our reading horizons. Sign up at bookriot.com/readharder.

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Discussed in this Episode:

Simon & Schuster launches audio-first imprint helmed by Jason Pinter

Print book sales saw small increase in 2024

Steven Soderbergh read more books than I did last year

Publishing Confidential

What Will Potential Tariffs Mean for Comics?

The Little Book of Goat Yoga

Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor

Rebecca Yarros

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix

Aflame by Pico Iyer

Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan

I Heard Her Call My Name by Lucy Sante

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Spring 2025 Adaptation Preview

Wed, 15 Jan 2025 11:15:00 -0000

Randy Winston of The Black List joins Rebecca and Jeff to preview the spring's most interesting literary adaptations.

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A new year means a new Read Harder Challenge! Join us as we make our way through 24 tasks meant to expand our reading horizons. Sign up at bookriot.com/readharder.

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Discussed in this Episode:

The Book Riot Podcast Patreon

The Black List

The Black List Podcast

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FOURTH WING by Rebecca Yarros [Teaser]

Tue, 14 Jan 2025 18:43:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about their experience reading Fourth Wing. A word of caution: the book didn't work for them. If hearing honest, free-ranging discussions of the specifics of why is going to be unpleasant, this might be one for you to skip.

If you are interested in the rest and are not already signed up for our Patreon, go here to subscribe and get the whole discussion.

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Book Riot's Most Anticipated Books of 2025, The Unbearable Whiteness of the Goodreads Choice Awards and...Jeff read ALL FOURS. And Jeff and Rebecca Both Read FOURTH WING

Mon, 13 Jan 2025 02:00:00 -0000

We kick off the new year in book news by talking about Book Riot's own list of the most anticipated books of 2025, a look at the whiteout that was the 2024 Goodreads Choices Awards before talking about All Fours (Jeff read it). And then some very brief reactions to Fourth Wing (we both read it).

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Check out the Book Riot Podcast Book Page on Thriftbooks!

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Discussed in this episode:

Book Riot’s Most Anticipated Books of 2025

Check out new collections on Patreon

The Unbearable Whiteness of the Goodreads Choice Awards

Federal judge strikes down portion of Arkansas book banning law that could have put librarians and booksellers in jail

Christopher Nolan’s next film is an adaptation of The Odyssey

Constance Grady digs into whether there’s actually a crisis of men not reading

Jenna Bush Hager launches imprint with PRH

Katy Waldman Goes Deep on the Romantasy Plagiarism Case

All Fours by Miranda July

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

The Heart of Winter

Life in Three Dimensions by Shigehiro Oishi

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More of Our Most Anticipated Books of 2025

Tue, 07 Jan 2025 18:25:12 -0000

Jason Blitman of the Gays Reading podcast joins Jeff and Rebecca to talk about more books to watch for in 2025. Jeff and Rebecca also joined Jason on Gays Reading for more picks in this episode.

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Check out the Book Riot Podcast Book Page on Thriftbooks!

Discussed in this episode:

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The It Books of January 2025

Mon, 06 Jan 2025 02:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca ring in the new year with another It Book knockout round. A storm gathers. Can anyone sail through it?

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Discussed in this episode:

The 2025 Read Harder Challenge is live

Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix

Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney

We Do Not Part by Han Kang

Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson

The Loves of My Life by Edmund White

Dare I Say It by Naomi Watts

Three Wild Dogs and the Truth by Markus Zusak

Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor

The Crash by Frieda McFadden

Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros

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The 2025 Winter Preview Draft [Teaser]

Sat, 04 Jan 2025 14:00:00 -0000

A preview of our 2025 Winter Preview Draft on our Patreon. Jeff and Rebecca draft 10 books each and then ask listeners to vote on which list they want to win, for whatever reason they like.

Join us on Patreon for access to early, ad-free listening and all bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/bookriotpodcast

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NIGHTBITCH is in the Wild. Is it Good?

Fri, 03 Jan 2025 19:10:44 -0000

Rebecca sits down with Book Riot's managing editor Vanessa Diaz to discuss Marielle Heller's adaptation of Nightbitch starring Amy Adams and Scoot McNairy. Nightbitch is streaming now on Hulu.

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Discussed in this Episode:

Marielle Heller Explores the Feral Side of Motherhood

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The Books To Watch for in 2025

Mon, 30 Dec 2024 02:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca preview the books of 2025 (that we know about) that will be on the reading world's radar in 2025.

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Check out the Book Riot Podcast Book Page on Thriftbooks!

Discussed in this episode:

The 2025 Read Harder Challenge is live

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The Best of the Rest of 2024 [Teaser]

Fri, 27 Dec 2024 11:00:00 -0000

A little teaser for our Best of the Rest of 2024 episode over on the Book Riot podcast Patreon. Rebecca and Jeff talk about their favorite non-book things from 2024, a few of which might be of interest to other humans.

Join us on Patreon for access to early, ad-free listening and bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/bookriotpodcast

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Emergency Podcast: On Obama's Favorite Books of 2024 [Teaser]

Tue, 24 Dec 2024 00:22:00 -0000

A preview of the first-ever EMERGENCY bonus episode for Patreon subscribers. Obama released his favorite books of 2024. Let's just say there were surprises.

Join us on Patreon for access to early, ad-free listening and all bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/bookriotpodcast

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The Year in Review

Mon, 23 Dec 2024 02:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca look back at the books & stories that defined 2024.

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Discussed in this episode:

The 2025 Read Harder Challenge is live

_________________________

The dust settled as publishing’s earnings rebound in H1

Barnes & Noble is back, baby, and they bought a beloved indie

The Discourse:

Coming Attractions:

Book banning news:

In memoriam:

The #metoo trifecta of Cormac McCarthy, Alice Munro, and Neil Gaiman

The robots are coming:

Number go up: US audiobook sales hit $2 billion in 2023

One to watch: ByteDance’s 8th Note Press to publish print books in 2025

This is why literacy matters: Florida dept of education recommends Pride & Prejudice as a book about American pride

Listener feedback award: the surprising origins of publishing’s seasons, Sophia’s It Books tracker

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The Books We Missed This Year [Teaser]

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 17:03:00 -0000

A preview of our most recent Patreon-only episode about the books we missed this year (though, maybe we will get to a few of them? maybe?).

Join us on Patreon for access to early, ad-free listening and all bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/bookriotpodcast

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Taking Stock of the Year in Adaptations

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 11:15:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca take a look at the hits, misses, and favorites from the year in literary adaptations.

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Discussed in this episode:

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The Books of the Year

Mon, 16 Dec 2024 05:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca settle in to figure what 10 books from 2024 defined the year. Not the best (necessarily), the most popular (though could be), or most interesting (in many cases not), but a list that comes closest to telling the story of 2024 in reading.

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Discussed in this episode:

Book Riot's TBR

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How THE NEW YORK TIMES Picks The 100 Notable, and 10 Best, Books of the Year

Thu, 12 Dec 2024 18:13:58 -0000

Gilbert Cruz, editor of The New York Times Book Review, joins Jeff to talk about the colossal undertaking that is making its 100 Notable Books List and its 10 Best Books of the Year List.

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Discussed in this episode:

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Our Favorite Books of the Year

Wed, 11 Dec 2024 11:15:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca reveal their favorite books of 2024.

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Discussed in this episode:

There's Always This Year by Hanif Abdurraqib

Splinters by Leslie Jamison

Challenger by Adam Higginbotham

The Bright Sword by Lev Grossman

The Other Significant Others

Margot's Got Money Trouble

Blackpill

Ghostroots by Pemi Aguda

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The New York Times 100 Notable Books of 2024, Goodreads Choice Winners, Spotify's Most-Listened Audiobooks, and more.

Mon, 09 Dec 2024 21:09:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca get into the NYT's 100 Notable and 10 Best Books of the Year list, Goodreads Choice winners, Cormac McCarthy's distressing hidden relationship, and kidney stones.

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Check out the Book Riot Podcast Book Page on Thriftbooks!

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Discussed in this episode:

Cormac McCarthy’s secret muse was 16 when he began a relationship with her

Costco to keep books in-store year-round in 100 locations

The NYT’s 100 notable books of the year and Top 10

Spotify reveals top audiobooks in the US & globally

Goodreads Choice Awards are as white as ever

The Tournament of Books shortlist has landed

Taylor Swift book sales best everyone but Barack

Rental House by Weike Wang

The Boys of Riverside

What's Next

Nightbitch

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Looking Back at Our It Book Picks of the Year, Interesting December Releases, and a Few More Holiday Recommendations

Wed, 04 Dec 2024 11:15:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca do a few more holiday recommendations before talking about nine interesting new books coming in December and then taking stock of their monthly It Book guesses.

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Discussed in this episode:

Our Full Year It Books Finalists and Picks

Big List of Steamy Romances

Land of Milk and Honey

Martyr!

Intermezzo

Strange Eventful History

The Bee Sting

Say Nothing

Age of Vice by Deepti Kapoor

Rental House

A Century of Tomorrows

Giant Love

The Rivals

The Rest is Memory by Lily Tuck

Alter Ego by Alex Segura

Custodians of Wonder

Cabin by Patrick Hutchinson

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2024 Holiday Recommendation Show, Part the Second

Mon, 02 Dec 2024 02:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca return for the second half of our 2024 Recommendation Extravaganza.

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Discussed in this episode:

Argonauts by Maggie Nelson

Nevada by Imogen Binnie

Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi

The House of Impossible Beauties by Joseph Cassara

Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead

Tommy Orange

Pachinko

A Gentleman in Moscow

Kevin Wilson

Brief History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson

Super Sad True Love Story by Gary Shteyngart

Bookshop.org

The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street

House on the Cerulean Sea

The Parker Inheritance

Winnie the Pooh

8 Books About Houses Haunted by More Than Ghosts

20 Must-Read Stories of Eerie Cabins & Haunted Houses

Hacienda by Isabel Canas

Ghostroots by Pemi Aguda

All the Right Notes by Dominic Lim

Unlikely Animals by Annie Hartnett

Goodbye Vitamin by Rachel Khong

Sandwich by Catherine Newman

Year of Wonder by Clemency Burton Hill

Life is Meals

Ross Gay

Pig Years

Carolyn Heilbrun’s Kate Fansler Series

Eleanor Catton

Brit Bennett

Kevin Wilson

Zadie Smith

Colson Whitehead

The Sentence by Louise Erdrich

Pride and Prejudice

Count of Monte Cristo

House of Mirth

Their Eyes Were Watching God

Instructions for a Heatwave by Maggie O’Farrell

Tana French

New Cozy Books to Snuggle Up With This Fall

Cozy Historical Fantasy

Cozy, Comforting BIPOC Books

Legends & Lattes

The Night Circus

Book with No Pictures by BJ Novak

What Do People Do All Day by Richard Scarry

Tom Lake by Ann Patchett

23 of the Best & Swooniest Romantasy Reads

Jesmyn Ward

North Woods

The Sympathizer

Small World by Jonathan Evison

The Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver

Frederick Backman

Intermezzo

The Mighty Red

I’m Mostly Here to Enjoy Myself

Such a Fun Age

The Vanishing Half

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The Best Gift Books of 2024

Wed, 27 Nov 2024 11:15:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca recommend books released in 2024 that would make great gifts — for a bunch of different kinds of readers.

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Discussed in this episode:

The Backyard Bird Chronicles by Amy Tan

Be Ready When the Luck Happens

The God of the Woods

Wandering Stars by Tommy Orange

By The Fire We Carry

Bone of the Bone

The Serviceberry

Praise Song for the Kitchen Ghosts

What Goes With What

Kids Cook Anything by Mark Bittman

The Other Significant Others

Vanishing Treasures

Beautiful Creatures

Margot's Got Money Troubles

Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop

Knife

Smoke Kings

Cue the Sun!

The Bright Sword

Mythos by Stephen Fry

An Encyclopedia of Gardening for Colored Children

The Researcher's First Murder

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2024 Holiday Recommendation Show (Part 1) + the 2024 National Book Awards

Mon, 25 Nov 2024 02:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about the winners of the 2024 National Book Awards a little before embarking on the first of two rounds of answering listener holiday recommendation requests.

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Discussed in this episode:

Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow

Angie Kim

Megan Abbott

Liz Moore

Dr No

Motherless Brooklyn

The Most Fun We Ever Had

On Beauty

Yellowface

Everything I Never Told You

Jami Attenberg

Be Ready When the Luck Happens

Chemistry

Margo’s Got Money Trouble

Birnam Wood

House of Cotton

In the Time of Butterflies by Julia Alvarez

The Buddha in the Attic

Wintering

Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows

Greta & Valdin

Michael Lewis

Steven Johnson

Hanif Abdurraquib

Challenger

How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe

How Big Things Get Done

A Love Song for Ricki Wilde

Looking for a Sign

Merry Little Meet Cute

Storied Life of AJ Fikry

Ink Blood Sister Scribe

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Power Ranking the Books of 1994

Wed, 20 Nov 2024 11:15:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca look back 30 years to 1994 and power-rank the year's most influential, important, and memorable titles.

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Discussed in this episode:

Send us your recommendation requests: podcast (at) bookriot (dot) co

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Amazon's Best Books of the Year, Goodreads Choice Voting, and More

Mon, 18 Nov 2024 02:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about Amazon's best books of the year list, the pros and cons of the Goodreads Choice Awards, PW's annual salary survey, recent reading, and much more.

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Discussed in this episode:

Amazon editors’ best books of 2024

Send us your recommendation requests: podcast (at) bookriot (dot) com

Good news: most TX school board candidates who support book bans lost their elections

Voting is open for the Goodreads Choice Awards

PW annual salary survey

Barnes & Noble on track to open 60 new stores this year

India’s ban on The Satanic Verses may end because of missing paperwork

Playground by Richard Powers

When the Coffee Gets Cold

Orbital by Samantha Harvey

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The Books Most Likely to Be on THE NEW YORK TIMES 100 Notable Books of 2024 List

Wed, 13 Nov 2024 20:31:00 -0000

We consider The New York Times 100 Notable Books of the Year list to be the book list of record. In this episode, we make our picks for locks, likelies, and would-like-to-sees ahead of the anticipated release of the list next week.

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Discussed in this episode:

Revenge of the Tipping Point

Send us your recommendation requests: podcast (at) bookriot (dot) com

James

Martyr!

RSTLNE Locks

All Fours

There’s Always This Year

The Anxious Generation

The City and Its Uncertain Walls

The Mighty Red

Demon of Unrest

Mutual Agreed Upon Tier B

Be Ready When the Luck Happens

Split Decisions

John Lewis: A Life

Everyone Who is Gone is Here

Long Island Compromise

Splinters

Margot’s Got Money Troubles

This Strange, Eventful History

Code Dependent

The Small and the Mighty

Entitlement

All That Glitters

Lovely One

Sonny Boy

Patriot by Alexei Navalny

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The Black List

Mon, 11 Nov 2024 02:00:00 -0000

Rebecca Schinksy talks to Franklin Leonard and Randy Winston about The Black List, a project to get exceptional, unproduced work into the world.

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Discussed in this episode:

The Black List

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The It Books of November 2024

Wed, 06 Nov 2024 11:10:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca decide the It Book of November.

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Discussed in this episode:

Variation by Rebecca Yarros

Didion & Babitz by Lili Anolik

The Name of This Band is R.E.M by Peter Ames Carlin

High and Rising: A Book About De La Soul by Marcus Moore

Heartbreak is the National Anthem: How Taylor Swift Reinvented Pop Music by Rob Sheffield

Cher: Part One

Lost and Lassoed by Lyla Sage

Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong

Masquerade by Mike Fu

The Serviceberry by Robin Wall Kimmerer

Four Points of the Compass by Jerry Brotton

What the Chicken Knows by Sy Montgomery

Vanishing Treasure by Katherine Rundell

Lazarus Man by Richard Price

The Half King by Melissa Landers

The City and Its Uncertain Walls by Haruki Murakami

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B&N's Book of the Year Finalists, PW's Books of the Year, Recent Reading, and What It's Like to Be a Newcomer in the World of Literary Agencies

Mon, 04 Nov 2024 22:49:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about B&N's finalists for their book of the year, why PW's best books of the year lists are so great and recent reading before they are joined by Brooke Nagler of The Book Group to talk about what it's like breaking into the world of books as an assistant to a literary agent.

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Discussed in this episode:

A belated fare-thee-well to John Gierach

The Book Group

Barnes & Noble’s Book of the Year finalists

The PW Best Books of the Year list is here, and it’s as hard to navigate as ever

The Last One at the Wedding by Jason Rekulak

We Solve Murders by Richard Osman

Conclave by Robert Harris

Pachinko by Min Jin Lee

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The Impossible Book Questions We Want Answered

Wed, 30 Oct 2024 10:10:00 -0000

Jeff offers Rebecca a list of questions about the world of books and reading that he would love to have answered but knows are impossible.

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Barnes & Noble's Books of the Year, INTERIOR CHINATOWN and SAY NOTHING Look Promising, and More Book News

Mon, 28 Oct 2024 01:00:00 -0000

Sharifah Williams joins Jeff to talk about B&N's Best Books of the Year list, promising trailers, PRH's new boilerplate AI language, and more of the week's top book news.

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PRH adds language to copyright pages prohibiting use in AI training

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Discussed in this episode:

Barnes & Noble best books of 2024 (ohmygod it isn’t even Halloween yet)

How Should Debut Novelists Measure Success?

Ursula K. Le Guin Prize

Say Nothing

God of the Woods by Liz Moore

Ghostroots by Pemi Aguda

Orbital by Samantha Harvey

Sonny Boy by Al Pacino

Interior Chinatown

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Author Buy/Sell/Hold: 2024 Edition

Wed, 23 Oct 2024 10:10:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca head down to the literary trading floor and evaluate their portfolio to determine which authors to buy, sell, or hold.

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JAMES Kicks off Award Season, Taylor Swift's Book Makes Waves, TikTok's First Slate of Titles, and more.

Mon, 21 Oct 2024 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca mark the beginning of what should be a busy awards season for James, talk about Taylor Swift's notable book release strategy, get ready for TikTok to publish print titles, and mull more of the week's book news.

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Percival Everett wins the Kirkus Prize

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Discussed in this episode:

South Carolina public library to stop acquiring books for minors

Amazon announces Kindle Colorsoft

Taylor Swift publishing first official book as Target exclusive

ByteDance imprint 8th Note Press to publish first print books in 2025

Kate McKinnon to host National Book Awards

What I Ate In One Year by Stanley Tucci

Meditations for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman

The Driving Machine by Witold Rybcyznski

A Reason to See You Again by jami attenberg

The Message by Ta-Nehisi Coates

Revenge of the Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell

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35 Years of WHEN HARRY MET SALLY

Wed, 16 Oct 2024 10:10:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about a shared favorite movie, 1989's When Harry Met Sally.

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Han Kang Wins the 2024 Nobel Prize for Literature

Mon, 14 Oct 2024 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Sharifah talk about Han Kang's Nobel win, the twenty-thousands serious and dedicated readers of literary fiction, a Book It! Program misdirect, and more news of the week.

Check out the Book Riot Podcast Book Page on Thriftbooks!

The 50 U.S. Writers That Could Win the Nobel. Someday.

Discussed in this episode:

My Life in Bookshelves

Company to help authors license their work to AI companies

What good is great literature?

New goodreads competitor

20,000 readers of literary fiction?

FRAUDULENT RESURRECTION OF BOOK IT THIS IS NOT IT

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What Are The 10 Most Interesting Questions in the World of Books and Reading?

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 15:47:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca go through Jeff's recent piece, The 10 Most Interesting Questions in the World of Books and Reading?

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The 10 Most Interesting Questions in the World of Books and Reading?

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Discussed in this episode:

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National Book Award Finalists, MacArthur Geniuses, THE CORRECTIONS bags Streep, and More Book News

Mon, 07 Oct 2024 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca digest the finalists for the 2024 National Book Award in fiction, envy and admire MacArthur winners, get pumped for The Corrections on TV, and think about Reese's thriller.

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National Book Award finalists announced

Discussed in this episode:

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mytbr.co

Federal judge orders Arkansas public library to reshelve “inappropriate” books

Jason Reynolds, Ling Ma, Alice Wong among 2024 MacArthur grant winners

Meryl Streep attached to star in Corrections adaptation

Reese Witherspoon to co-write debut novel with Harlan Coben

The Mighty Red by Louise Erdrich

Entitlement by Rumaan Alam

Chop Fry Watch Learn by Michelle King

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The It Books of October 2024

Wed, 02 Oct 2024 10:10:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca consider 10 books and crown one of them the It Book of the Month.

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The Revenge of The Tipping Point

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Discussed in this episode:

What I Ate in One Year

Sonny Boy

Meditations for Mortals

Absolution

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Booker Prize Shortlist, a new WUTHERING HEIGHTS Adaptation, and More Book News of the Week

Mon, 30 Sep 2024 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca digest the five finalists for the 2024 Booker Prize, talk about some upcoming literary adaptations, developments in the world of book banning and censorship, and hit some recent reading.

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Discussed in this episode:

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Half-Baked Ideas, 2024 Edition [Teaser]

Fri, 27 Sep 2024 16:51:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca share half-baked brainstorms about ways to make life better.

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Is It Good?: INTERMEZZO by Sally Rooney

Wed, 25 Sep 2024 22:06:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca debut a new format, "Is It Good?," with the most-hyped book of the fall: Intermezzo by Sally Rooney.

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Intermezzo by Sally Rooney

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Discussed in this episode:

What People Are Saying About The New Sally Rooney Book

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Notes from a Trip to New York, Recent Reading, and Amanda Litman from RUN FOR SOMETHING

Mon, 23 Sep 2024 18:43:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about their time in New York last week, recount some recent reading, and then Rebecca talks with Amanda Litman from Run for Something.

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Entitlement by Rumaan Alam

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Discussed in this episode:

Run for Something

Catalina

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Power-Ranking the Books of 2004

Wed, 18 Sep 2024 10:10:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca turn the time-machine dial to "2004" to pick the 10 books from that year that mattered the most.

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He's Just Not That Into You

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Discussed in this episode:

Gilead

The Plot Against America

What's the Matter with Kansas?

Alexander Hamilton

In the Shadow of No Towers

Snow by Orham Pamuk

After Dark by Haruki Murakami

Cloud Atlas

Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell

Transmission by Hari Kunzru

My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult

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The 2024 National Book Award Longlist, GOOD OMENS Season Three 'Paused,' Rachel Kushner's CREATION LAKE, and More

Mon, 16 Sep 2024 01:00:00 -0000

This week, Jeff and Rebecca discuss the 10 selections for The National Book Awards Fiction Longlist along with their mostly wrong guesses, Good Omens production pauses amid the accusations against Neil Gaiman, Rachel Kushner's Creation Lake, and an author interview chestnut we would like to see roasted, once and for all.

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Production paused on Good Omens series due to allegations against Neil Gaiman

Discussed in this episode:

National Book Awards Fiction Longlist

Big Publishing Saw Earnings Rebound in H1

How Historical Fiction Redefined the Literary Canon

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Fall Adaptation Preview

Thu, 12 Sep 2024 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca preview the always-busy fall adaptation slate, after paying respects to James Earl Jones as he fades into the cornfield.

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The Book Riot Podcast Patreon

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NaNoWriMo's AI Controversy, The Internet Archive Loses in Court, Recent Reading, and Other Book News of the Week

Mon, 09 Sep 2024 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca mull NaNoWriMo's AI blunder, note the passing of Len Riggio, talk about recent reading, and much more.

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The Book Riot Podcast Patreon

Discussed in this episode:

Big Five Publishing & Authors Guild Sue Over New Florida Book Banning Law

NaNoWriMo maybe blew itself up over AI statement?

Disney pauses Graveyard Book adaptation amid sexual assault allegations against Neil Gaiman

Follow-up: court upholds decision against Internet Archive, a win for major publishers

Rebecca was on Drinks in the Library to talk about Four Thousand Weeks

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The "It" Books of September 2024

Wed, 04 Sep 2024 10:10:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk through 10 contenders for the "It" book of September.

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Discussed in this episode:

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The Fall 2024 New Release Draft [Teaser]

Fri, 30 Aug 2024 17:29:00 -0000

Rebecca and Jeff compete to draft the best collection of 10 new releases for the season.

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Predicting the 2024 National Book Award for Fiction Longlist

Wed, 28 Aug 2024 15:24:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca embark upon a fool's errand: trying to guess the longlist for the 2024 National Book Award for Fiction.

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Breaking Down Obama's Summer Reading List, NYT's Article on Publishing Departures, Anthropic's Legal Challenge, and More

Mon, 26 Aug 2024 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca are back to talk about Obama's summer reading list, what is new and what isn't in a New York Times article about recent publishing layoffs, the state of LLM legal disputes, and more.

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Discussed in this episode:

Obama’s summer reading list

Authors sue Anthropic

How the Push to Diversify Publishing Fell Short

New research: most Americans oppose book bans

Two DeSantis-appointed school board members defeated in Broward County, FL

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THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION at 30

Wed, 21 Aug 2024 10:00:00 -0000

On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the theatrical release of The Shawshank Redemption, here is our Book Nerd Movie Club episode about the novella and film. A classic.

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The List of the Best-Selling Books in the UK from the Last 50 Years is Wild.

Mon, 19 Aug 2024 21:17:00 -0000

Vanessa joins Jeff to stare slack-jawed at a list of the best-selling books from the last five decades in the UK, talk about recent book-banning news, wince at some PR pack-ins, and more.

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Discussed in this episode:

The 100 bestselling books of the past 50 years

High school shuts down its library because of book-banning state law

One Year After DeSantis Takeover, Florida’s New College Throws Out Hundreds of LGBTQ+ Books

Walmart Celebrates Emily Henry Adapter Yulin Kuang’s Spicy Debut Novel With Limited-Edition Hot Sauce

Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni Highlight Domestic Violence in It Ends With Us After Backlash

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We Saw IT ENDS WITH US So You Don't Have To

Fri, 09 Aug 2024 20:21:00 -0000

Rebecca is joined by Book Riot's intrepid managing editor Vanessa Diaz for a conversation about the new adaptation of Colleen Hoover's It Ends With Us, starring Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni.

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The Bookish Movies of 1999

Wed, 07 Aug 2024 10:10:00 -0000

Looking back at one of the great movie years for book lovers: 1999.

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Project 2025's Impact on Books and Education, Spotify Adds to Catalog, a Little Time on the Soap Box, and More

Mon, 05 Aug 2024 15:11:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca tour the week in books, check in with Project 2025's dastardly plans and Spotify's continued growth, enjoy a little rant time, and much more.

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Check out the Book Riot Podcast Book Page on Thriftbooks!

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Discussed in this episode:

Court approves Barnes & Noble purchase of Tattered Cover

What is Going on with Book Sales? Episode of First Edition

Fare thee well, Edna O’Brien

RIP Francine Pascal

Liz Moore signs Sony deal for Long Bright River and God of the Woods

The Booker Prize longlist

Spotify adds 1,000 audiobooks from publishers distributed by Ingram

Jennifer Wilson’s tweet

Project 2025’s impact on libraries, books, and reading

The Bear by Julia Phillips

Liars by Sarah Manguso

Great Expectations by Vinson Cunningham

State of Paradise by Laura Van Den Berg

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The It Books of August, 2024

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 10:10:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca consider 10 contenders for the It Book of August.

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Check out the Book Riot Podcast Book Page on Thriftbooks!

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Discussed in this episode:

What is Going on with Book Sales? Episode of First Edition

Mina's Matchbox by Yoko Ogawa

There Are Rivers by Elif Shafak

Apprentice to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

The Art of Power by Nancy Pelosi

House of Bone and Rain by Gabino Iglesias

Burn by Peter Heller

Hum by Helen Phillips

All That Glitters by Orlando Whitfield

The Pairing by Casey McQuiston

Peggy by Rebecca Godfrey

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Harris Book Sales Spike, the Hugos Catch Some Bad Cheaters, and More Book News

Mon, 29 Jul 2024 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca respond to some listener feedback, talk about the sales spike of Kamala Harris books, some truly amateur hour cheating in the Hugo Awards, and nerd out about some specific sales data related the the NYT 100 Best Books of the 21st Century List.

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Check out the Book Riot Podcast Book Page on Thriftbooks!

Discussed in this episode:

What is Going on with Book Sales? Episode of First Edition

***We’re hiring***

The NYT list is moving units

Kamala Harris book sales soaring

Hugo Awards reveal (poorly executed) scheme to get fraudulent votes for one author

Nickel Boys adaptation will open the New York Film Festival, hits theaters 10/25

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Our Ballots for the NYT's 100 Best Books of the 21st Century [Teaser]

Thu, 25 Jul 2024 16:05:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca are joined by Sharifah Williams to discuss the books they selected for in The New York Times's 100 best books of the 21st century, how they picked, and their reactions to the final list.

Join us on Patreon for access to early, ad-free listening and bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/bookriotpodcast

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Book Nerd Movie Club: THE NEVERENDING STORY

Wed, 24 Jul 2024 10:10:00 -0000

On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the film release of The NeverEnding Story, Jeff, Rebecca, and Sharifah talk about the book, movie, and its place in pop and nerd culture.

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Discussed in this episode:

The NeverEnding Story by Michael Ende

The NeverEnding Story Oral History

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The Readers' List of the 100 Best Books of the 21st Century, Predicting Obama's Summer Reading List, and more.

Mon, 22 Jul 2024 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca are back to do more discussion of The New York Times's list of the Best Books of the 21st Century, go over the reader version of the list, predict what books we think are the most likely to make Obama's summer reading list, talk about their recent reading, and more.

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Check out the Book Riot Podcast Book Page on Thriftbooks!

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Discussed in this episode:

The 100 Best Books of the 21st Century

NYT reveals readers’ top 100

Slow Productivity by Cal Newport

State of Paradise by Laura Van Den Berg

The Coin by Yasmin Zaher

The Bright Sword by Lev Grossman

There's Always This Year by Hanif Abdurraquib

Fire Exit by Morgan Talty

The Demon of Unrest by Erik Larson

The Women by Kristin Hannah

The Searcher by Tana French

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Building The 100 Best Books of the Century with Gilbert Cruz, Editor of THE NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW

Wed, 17 Jul 2024 10:10:00 -0000

In this special episode, Jeff and Rebecca are joined by Gilbert Cruz, editor of The New York Times Book Review, to talk about the construction, philosophy, and end result of The New York Times list of the 100 Best Books of the 21st Century.

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Check out the Book Riot Podcast Book Page on Thriftbooks!

Discussed in this episode:

The 100 Best Books of the 21st Century

The New York Times Book Review Podcast discussion of the list

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The Best Books of the 21st Century

Mon, 15 Jul 2024 01:00:00 -0000

Rebecca and Book Riot managing editor Vanessa Diaz discuss the NYT's 100 books of the 21st century, sexual assault allegations against Neil Gaiman, disturbing revelations about Alice Munro, and more.

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Visit Thrift Books to see all the titles featured on the show.

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Discussed in this Episode:

Reagan Arthur will return to Hachette

Foot traffic is also up at Books a Million & Half Price Books

Book Riot’s Best Books of 2024 So Far

NYT Top 100 Books of the Century

Neil Gaiman accused of sexual assault

Alice Munro’s daughter reveals family secret of sexual abuse

Romance bookstores on the rise

PRH Buys Boom! Studios

The God of the Woods by Liz Moore

Ruse of Shadows by Sherry Thomas

Malas by Marcela Fuentes

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Book Riot Editors Pick Their Favorite Books of 2024 So Far

Wed, 10 Jul 2024 10:10:00 -0000

With Jeff and Rebecca hither and yon, we asked our editors to drop in and talk about their favorite books of the year so far.

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Check out the Book Riot Podcast Book Page on Thriftbooks!

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Discussed in this episode:

Find Other Book Riot Fans (Social Media Handle Exchange)

Moon of the Turning Leaves by Waubgeshig Rice

Shift Happens by J Albert Mann

Kill Her Twice by Stacey Lee

A Suffragist's Guide to the Antarctic by Yi Shun Lai

Here We Go Again by Alison Cochrun

Cash Delgado Is Living the Dream by Tehlor Kay Mejia

youthjuice by E.K. Sathue

Magical/Realism by Vanessa Angelica Villareal

A Ruse of Shadows by Sherry Thomas

The Framed Women of Ardemore House by Brandy Schillace

Hirayasumi, Vol. 1 by Keigo Shinzō, translated by Jan Mitsuko Cash

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ALA Takeaways, B&N Foot Traffic Surges, Library Hold Stats, and more

Mon, 08 Jul 2024 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff tells Rebecca about his trip to the American Library Association Annual Convention before a discussion of listener feedback, B&N getting more people into stores, and recent reading.

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Check out the Book Riot Podcast Book Page on Thriftbooks!

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Discussed in this episode:

Find Other Book Riot Fans (Social Media Handle Exchange)

Foot traffic up YOY in Barnes & Noble stores

Webtoon goes public for $315 million

Barnes & Noble picks God of the Woods as July book club selection

Oliver Burkeman’s next book is about meditation

Good Material by Dolly Alderton

The Bright Sword by Lev Grossman

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The It Books of July 2024

Wed, 03 Jul 2024 10:10:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca go through 10 contenders to pick the It Book of July.

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Check out the Book Riot Podcast Book Page on Thriftbooks!

Discussed in this episode:

Find Other Book Riot Fans (Social Media Handle Exchange)

Stephen Spielberg to direct adaptation of JAMES with Taika Waititi in early talks to direct

The Coin by Yasmin Zaher

I Was a Teenage Slasher by Stephen Graham Jones

The God of the Woods by Liz Moore

Someone Like Us by Dinaw Mengestu

The Book of Elsewhere by Keanu Reeves and China Mieville

State of Paradise by Laura Van Den Berg

All This & More by Peng Sheperd

Long Island Compromise by Taffy Brodesser-Akner

Liars by Sarah Manguso

The Bright Sword by Lev Grossman

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Our Favorite Books of 2024 So Far [Teaser]

Tue, 02 Jul 2024 10:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca tally up their favorite reads of the year so far. Yes, James is at the top of the list.

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JAMES Adaptation News, Wither Political Memoirs, Frieda McFadden Is Here To Low-Key Dominate Book Sales, and More

Mon, 01 Jul 2024 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about a mixed bag of topics this week: James getting a major adaptation deal, Hilary Clinton is publishing a new mem.....YAWN, and Frieda McFadden looks to go full grocery store.

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Discussed in this Episode:

Visit mytbr.co to subscribe today – it only takes a few minutes. That’s mytbr.co!

New Hillary Clinton memoir coming this fall

The new queen of the bestseller list isn’t a TikTok romantasy hit

Slow Productivity by Cal Newport

Same As It Ever Was by Claire Lombardo

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The Books of the Year...So Far

Wed, 26 Jun 2024 10:10:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca look back at their It Book selections so far, see what they got right and wrong, and then talk about which books have been the books of the year thus far.

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Check out the Book Riot Podcast Book Page on Thriftbooks!

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Discussed in this episode:

Find Other Book Riot Fans (Social Media Handle Exchange)

Find Other Book Riot Fans (Social Media Handle Exchange)

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Barnes & Noble Buys a Beloved Indie, Book Sales are Way Up, Real Data on Diversity in Published Books, and more.

Mon, 24 Jun 2024 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca dive into an extremely busy week of book news. Barnes & Noble buys Tattered Cover. April book sales are up so much it's hard to believe. And published books have gotten way more diverse over the last 5 years, but there is more work to be done and reason to wonder if the progress will continue.

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Check out the Book Riot Podcast Book Page on Thriftbooks!

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Discussed in this episode:

Barnes & Noble buys Tattered Cover

Amazon’s best books of 2024 so far

Sales were way up in April and print sales were up 5% in May

New data on DEI in publishing

Frontlist Foyer, brought to you by Thriftbooks

Long Island by Colm Tóibín

Bite by Bite by Aimee Nezhukumatathil

Consent by Jill Ciment

Margo's Got Money Problems by Rufi Thorpe

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The Most Interesting People in the Publishing World

Wed, 19 Jun 2024 18:23:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about the people they think are doing the most interesting stuff in the world of books (less writing, more making of the books you know?).

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Check out the Book Riot Podcast Book Page on Thriftbooks!

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Discussed in this episode:

Find Other Book Riot Fans (Social Media Handle Exchange)

Find Other Book Riot Fans (Social Media Handle Exchange)

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Book Club: EXHIBIT by R.O. Kwon [Teaser]

Tue, 18 Jun 2024 10:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca discuss one of the most anticipated books of the season, Exhibit by R.O. Kwon.

Join us on Patreon for access to early, ad-free listening and all bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/bookriotpodcast

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What Are Being Called The Best Books of the Year...So Far?

Mon, 17 Jun 2024 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about Jeff's breakdown of a bunch of Best of 2024 So Far lists, dive into a listener-created spreadsheet of It Books, talk about Oprah's summer book club selection, and much more.

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Check out the Book Riot Podcast Book Page on Thriftbooks!

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Discussed in this episode:

Oprah’s summer book club pick is…woof

Goodreads’ most popular books of the year so far

Jeff rounded up the best-of-2024-so-far lists

Let’s talk about Sophia’s amazing It Book tracker

Pod newsletter with the explainer for it

Grief is For People by Sloane Crosley

There's Always This Year by Hanif Abdurraqib

I'm Mostly Here to Enjoy Myself by Glynnis MacNicol

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Power Ranking The Books of 2014

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 10:10:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca rank the 10 most important, lasting, and otherwise notable books from 2014.

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Check out the Book Riot Podcast Book Page on Thriftbooks!

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Discussed in this episode:

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel

The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk

A Brief History of Seven Killings by Marlon James

The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin

Being Mortal by Atul Gawande

Bad Feminist by Roxane Gay

Men Explain Things to Me by Rebecca Solnit

Lila by Marilynne Robinson

Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng

Milk and Honey by Rupi Kuar

Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

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Our Literary Body Swap Wishlist [Teaser]

Tue, 11 Jun 2024 10:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca get a little unhinged imagining some of their favorite authors trying out each others' styles.

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The Season of "Best Books of The Year...So Far" Has Begun, Costco Scaling Back Book Sales, Reese Grabs the Apple Bag, and more.

Mon, 10 Jun 2024 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca discuss Barnes & Noble's list of the Best Books of the Year (So Far), dissect Costco's new book-selling strategy, wonder about the price Apple paid to host Reese's Book Club (Audio-only), and more.

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Check out the Book Riot Podcast Book Page on Thriftbooks!

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Discussed in this episode:

Barnes & Noble’s best of 2024 so far

Costco to stop selling books year-round

US Audiobook Sales Hit $2 Billion in 2023

Apple Books becomes official audiobooks home for Reese’s Book Club

The Winner by Teddy Wayne

youthjuice by E.K. Sathue

Kairos by Jenny Erpenbeck

Greta & Valdin by Rebecca K Reilly

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The "It" Books of June

Wed, 05 Jun 2024 10:10:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca decide what the "it" book of June is. Twice.

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Discussed in this episode:

Our new running list of books talked about on the show at Thriftbooks

One of Our Kind by Nicola Yoon

youthjuice by E.K. Sathue

Eruption by Michael Crichton and James Patterson

God Bless You, Otis Spunkmeyer by Joseph Earl Thomas

Same As It Ever Was by Claire Lombardo

Margot's Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe

Little Rot by Akwaeke Emezi

Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood

Cue the Sun! by Emily Nussbaum

Lulu Dean's Little Library of Banned Books by Kirsten Miller

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Adaptation Nation: THE REMAINS OF THE DAY [Teaser]

Tue, 04 Jun 2024 10:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca mark the 35th anniversary of Kazuo Ishiguro's THE REMAINS OF THE DAY by revisiting the novel and the 1993 adaptation.

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How is Publishing Doing?

Mon, 03 Jun 2024 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about Rebecca's recent visit to a big industry conference, a couple of notable publishing world dismissals, Dune, recent reading, and more.

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Discussed in this episode:

The State of Publishing, as Seen from the Inside

PRH dismisses Reagan Arthur & Lisa Lucas

The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley

Reading the Room by Paul Yamazaki

All Fours by Miranda July

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What is a Dad Book? Towards a New Theory (with Recommendations)

Wed, 29 May 2024 10:10:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about what a dad book is, what it isn't, and what it could be. Then, they give some recommendations that best represent the Dad Book 2.0.

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Discussed in this episode:

TBR! For Father's Day! Or anyone on any day!

Assassination Vacation by Sarah Vowell

Grit by Angela Duckworth

Grunt by Mary Roach

The Emperor of All Maladies by Siddhartha Mukherjee

The Structure of Scientific Revolutions by Thomas S. Kuhn

Moneyball by Michael Lewis

Attica Locke

S.A. Cosby

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BRIDGERTON Season 3

Wed, 22 May 2024 10:10:00 -0000

Managing Editor Vanessa Diaz is joined by Jess Pryde of When in Romance to discuss the third season of Netflix's Bridgerton adaptation.

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Make this your most bookish summer yet with personalized reading recommendations from Tailored Book Recommendations! Our bibliologists (aka professional book nerds) are standing by to help you find your next favorite read. Get your recommendations via email, or opt to receive hardcovers or paperbacks delivered right to your door. And with quarterly or annual plans available, TBR has something for every budget. Get started today from just $18! Head to mytbr.co to subscribe.

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Books and Links Discussed

Romancing Mister Bridgerton by Julia Quinn (Bridgertons #4)

What is Regency Romance?

Shonda Rhimes Explains Why ‘Bridgerton’ Season 3 Took So Long

TikTok: The making of that Queen Charlotte wig

Official Bridgerton Spotify Playlist

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The Surprising Origins of Publishing's Seasons

Mon, 20 May 2024 01:00:00 -0000

Rebecca and Book Riot's managing editor, Vanessa Diaz, discuss the surprising, boring origins of publishing's seasons, Ken Follett's big move, and more recent news.

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Discussed in this Episode:

Farewell to Alice Munro

The amazing, boring origins of publishing’s seasons

Ken Follett moves to Hachette in one-book deal after 45 years with Penguin

Netflix execs propose Willy Wonka-inspired reality show

Print sales are down 2% over the first four months of last year; frontlist sales taking market share from backlist

The Enid Public Library bans Pride displays for the third year running

Oye by Melissa Mogollon

Magical/Realism by Vanessa Angélica Villareal

When We Were Silent by Fiona McPhillips

The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley

This Strange Eventful History by Claire Messud

Another Word for Love by Carvell Wallace

For a complete list of books discussed in this episode, visit our website.

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Deals, Deals, Deals: May 2024 [teaser]

Fri, 17 May 2024 10:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca review some of the most interesting and exciting book deal announcements from the last few months.

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Gone Girl

Wed, 15 May 2024 10:10:00 -0000

To mark the 10th anniversary of the Gone Girl movie, and the 12th anniversary of the book's original publication, we're rerunning our Adaptation Nation episode from 2022 in which Jeff O'Neal, Rebecca Schinsky, and Amanda Nelson dive into the book, the movie, and the legacy of this hugely influential work.

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The Last of the Recommendation Responses, KNIFE by Salman Rushdie, and more

Mon, 13 May 2024 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca finish off the season's recommendation requests, talk about Salman Rushdie's Knife, answer a few mailbag questions, and more.

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Discussed in this episode:

Kelly Jensen named a Library Journal Mover & Shaker

Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar

Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke

A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

There’s Always This Year by Hanif Abdurraqib

North Woods by Daniel Mason

Afterlives by Abdulrazak Gurnah

A Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson

Cloudstreet by Tim Winton

Age of Vice by Deepti Kapoor

The Fraud by Zadie Smith

Scorched Grace by Margot Douaihy

The Sentence by Louise Erdrich

Small World by Jonathan Evison

The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo

The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri

The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje

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The 2024 Pulitzer Winners & Part 2 of Moms, Dads, and Grads Recommendations

Wed, 08 May 2024 10:10:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca spend a few minutes talking about yesterday's announcement of the 2024 Pulitzer prizes before getting into more book recommendations for moms, dads, grads, and others.

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Looking for a thoughtful Mother’s Day gift? Go beyond the tried and true flowers and chocolate and give the gift of reading with Tailored Book Recommendations! Our bibliologists are standing by to help your mom find her next favorite read, delivered right to her inbox or doorstep. And with gifts starting at just $18, there’s something for any budget! Head to mytbr.co/gift to send the gift of reading to the book nerd in your life!

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Discussed in this episode:

The Last Werewolf by Glen Duncan

The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova

S.A. Cosby

The Iceberg by Marion Coutts

What Looks Like Bravery by Laurel Braitman

On Living by Kerry Egan

Real Self-Care by Pooja Lakshmin

The Cartographers by Peng Sheperd

The Will of the Many by James Islington

H is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald

Kazuo Ishiguro

Maggie O’Farrell

The Bee Sting by Paul Murray

ZAAAADIEEEE, ZAAAADIEEEEE

Girl at War by Sara Novic

10 Must-Read Books by Deaf, DeafBlind, and Hard-of-Hearing Authors

Alibis by André Aciman

A Walk in the Park by Kevin Fedarko

NK Jemisin

The Architect’s Apprentice by Elif Shafak

This Strange, Eventful History by Claire Messud

Victory City by Salman Rushdie

My Name is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok

Death Comes for the Archbishop by Willa Cather

I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai

Stephen Graham Jones

Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons

We Cast a Shadow by Maurice Carlos Ruffin

Silver Nitrate by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Horror Movie by Paul Tremblay

The House of Char by Scott Hawkins

The Hacienda by Isabelle Cañas

Come and Get It by Kiley Reid

Dark Academia Authors

What is Dark Academia

Recent Dark Academia Books

Birnam Wood

Peter Heller

The Overstory by Richard Powers

The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown

The Hopefuls by Jennifer Close

While Justice Sleeps by Stacey Abrams

Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders

Someone Like Us by Dinaw Mengestu

Company by Shannon Sanders

Eclipse Fever by Walter Abish

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The Summer 2024 New Release Draft [Teaser]

Tue, 07 May 2024 10:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca compete to create the best collection of 10 upcoming releases.

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2024 Moms, Dads, and Grads Recommendation Extravaganza, Part 1

Mon, 06 May 2024 01:00:00 -0000

Part 1 of our 2024 Moms, Dads, and Grads Recommendation Extravaganza, in which Jeff and Rebecca answer listener book recommendations requests.

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Looking for a thoughtful Mother's Day gift? Go beyond the tried and true flowers and chocolate and give the gift of reading with Tailored Book Recommendations! Our bibliologists are standing by to help your mom find her next favorite read, delivered right to her inbox or doorstep. And with gifts starting at just $18, there’s something for any budget! Head to mytbr.co/gift to send the gift of reading to the book nerd in your life!

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Books and authors recommended in this episode:

Musicophilia by Oliver Sacks

The Creative Act by Rick Rubin

Bel Canto by Ann Patchett

The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb

Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro

Brandon Taylor

Lauren Groff

Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi

Mouth to Mouth by Antoine Wilson

The Wager by David Grann

In the Heart of the Sea by Nathaniel Philbrick

The Perfect Storm by Sebastian Junger

Jane Harper

Walter Mosley

Joe Ide

Bluebird, Bluebird by Attica Locke

The Searcher by Tana French

The Woman Next Door by Yewande Omotoso

Sipsworth by Simon Van Booy

Our Souls at Night by Kent Haruf

Cast, Catch, Release by Marina Gibson - coming June 4

Standing in a River Waving a Stick by John Gierach

A River Runs Through It by Norman Maclean

The Longest Silence by Thomas McGuane

We Ride Upon Sticks by Quan Barry

George Saunders

The Hike by Drew Magary

Pym by Mat Johnson

Tiffany Reisz

Sierra Simone

Kennedy Ryan

A Sport and a Pastime by James Salter

The Change Room by Karen Connelly

Bake Me a Story by Nadiya Hussain

America’s Test Kitchen Complete Cookbook for Young Chefs

How to Cook Everything by Mark Bittman

Gilead by Marilynne Robinson

The Real Work by Adam Gopnik

Hammerhead by Nina MacLaughlin

Spartina by John Casey

All the Beauty in the World by Patrick Bringley

The Alternatives by Caoilinn Hughes

Wait by Gabriella Burnham - coming May 21

The Celebrants by Stephen Rowley

Siracusa by Delia Ephron

Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto

Erasure by Percival Everett

There There by Tommy Orange

Stay True by Hua Hsu

Anita de Monte Laughs Laughs by Xochitl Gonzalez

Ways to Make Sunshine by Renée Watson

The List of Things That Will Not Change by Rebecca Stead

The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street by Karina Yan Glaser

A Boy Called Bat by Elana K. Arnold

The Care and Feeding of a Pet Black Hole by Michelle Cuevas

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"It Book" Knockout Round for May 2024

Wed, 01 May 2024 10:10:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca try to figure out what the "it book" of May 2024 will be.

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Discussed in this episode:

Book Riot on Instagram

Book Riot on TikTok (be merciful)

TBR! For Mother’s Day! Or anyone on any day!

You Like It Darker by Stephen King

Five Broken Blades by Mai Corland

Blue Ruin by Hari Kunzru

This Strange Eventful History by Claire Messud

All Fours by Miranda July

Exhibit by R.O. Kwon

Challenger by Adam Higginbotham

The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley

Long Island by Colm Tóibín

Coming Home by Brittney Griner

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Parenting Books, CRAZY RICH ASIANS as a Musical, and We Want to Know the Fate of the Mouse

Mon, 29 Apr 2024 01:00:00 -0000

Sharifah joins Jeff to talk about parenting books, recent reading, adaptation news, and a scheme involving QR codes that it just might work.

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This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Discussed in this episode:

Book Riot on Instagram

Book Riot on TikTok (be merciful)

TBR! For Mother’s Day! Or anyone on any day!

Americans Buy Over a Billions Books a Year

Trailer for Netflix’s adaptation of One Hundred Years of Solitude, coming out later this year

Plus: Thursday murder club casting, Project Hail Mary, Transcendent Kingdom casting

Crazy Rich Asians coming to Broadway

Sipsworth by Simon Van Booy

They Can't Kill Us All by Wesley Lowrey

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Looking at Bookish Social Media With Fresh Eyes [Updated]

Wed, 24 Apr 2024 16:53:00 -0000

Jeff checks in with Rebecca about re-entering, to a degree, the world of bookish social media.

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Discussed in this episode:

Book Riot on Instagram

Book Riot on TikTok (be merciful)

TBR! For Mother’s Day! Or anyone on any day!

TBR! For Mother's Day! Or anyone on any day!

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The Best-Selling Books of the Year So Far, UK Covers on Sale in the US, and More.

Mon, 22 Apr 2024 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about the best-selling books of the year so far, a variety of bookstore related mysteries, recent reading, and more.

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Discussed in this episode:

Lauren Groff & James McBride named to Time 100

US and UK Book Covers

The Cemetery of Untold Stories by Julia Alvarez

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Summer Adaptation Preview

Wed, 17 Apr 2024 15:44:00 -0000

Rebecca and Jeff look ahead to notable summer adaptations, including Bridgerton, Dark Matter, House of the Dragon, and more.

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Discussed in this episode:

Email us (podcast at bookriot dot com) with moms, dads, and grads recommendation requests!

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Selling UK Covers in the US? Plus: a PLA report, JAMES is legit, and more.

Mon, 15 Apr 2024 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about some recent book-related travel things, do some quick adulation of James, and much more.

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Discussed in this episode:

How about the nugget in this piece on AI that Meta thought about buying Simon & Schuster

Amazon grab-and-go was a sham

The Unsettled by Ayana Mathis

There's Always This Year by Hanif Abdurraqib

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Shogun, 3 Body Problem, Masters of the Air, A Gentleman in Moscow, Ripley...and Dune 2

Wed, 10 Apr 2024 10:10:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca check in with a selection of recent streaming adaptations (Shogun, 3 Body Problem, Masters of the Air, A Gentleman in Moscow, Ripley) and briefly discuss the year of Dune.

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Discussed in this episode:

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Book Design, Spotify Rate Rumors, a New Museum of Children's Literature, and more

Mon, 08 Apr 2024 01:00:00 -0000

Sharifah Williams joins Jeff to talk about fonts of all things, plus what's going on with Spotify, the tough media landscape, and more.

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Discussed in this episode:

HarperCollins saves thousands of trees with small tweak to book design

Spotify Might Be Raising Prices. Kinda Told Ya.

New museum for Children’s literature opens in Kansas City

What I Would Do If I Were Starting Book Riot...Today

Jeff Commits a TikTok

Please, Baby, Please by Spike Lee

Little Blue Truck

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The "It" Books of April

Wed, 03 Apr 2024 10:10:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about the "it" books of the month. And struggle to pronounce Amor Towles.

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Discussed in this episode:

The Paris Novel by Ruth Reichl

Shakespeare: The Man Who Pays the Rent by Judi Dench

The Cemetery of Untold Stories by Julia Alvarez

Table for Two by Amor Towles

The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo

Reboot by Justin Taylor

The Real Americans by Rachel Khong

Funny Story by Emily Henry

The Demon of Unrest by Erik Larson

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The Best TV Shows of the 21st Century [Teaser]

Mon, 01 Apr 2024 10:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca discuss the idea of prestige TV as the literary fiction of visual media, dissect The Hollywood Reporter's list of the 50 best shows of the 21st century, and dive into their own favorites.

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Notes from a Reconnaissance Mission Into the State of Publishing

Mon, 01 Apr 2024 01:00:00 -0000

After noting the passing of Daniel Kahneman, Jeff debriefs Rebecca on his most recent round of discussions with the publishing world.

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Discussed in this episode:

RIP Daniel Kahneman

Thinking, Fast and Slow

The Undoing Project

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Underrated Authors

Wed, 27 Mar 2024 19:36:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about authors they think are underrated. Even if only a little.

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Want to make your book club the best club? Sign up for our In the Club newsletter. In the Club will deliver recommendations for the best books to discuss in your book clubs. From buzzy new releases to brilliant throwbacks, the books highlighted in this newsletter will drive your book club discussions. We’ll also share some book club-friendly recipes and interesting bookish updates from all over. If you become a paid subscriber, you get even more recommendations plus community features. In other words, we’ll keep you well-met, well-read, and well-fed. Sign up today!

Discussed in this Episode:

There’s a big screen adaptation of Nickel Boys coming soon

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Our Media Diets [Teaser]

Tue, 26 Mar 2024 10:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca walk through their non-book media diets.

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The NICKEL BOYS Adaptation, DC to Honor the First Trans Superhero, and a Basket of Book Banning News

Mon, 25 Mar 2024 01:00:00 -0000

Book Riot's managing editor Vanessa Diaz joins Rebecca to discuss an upcoming adaptation of Colson Whitehead's The Nickel Boys, the National Book Foundation's 5 Under 35 honorees, DC's plan to celebrate the first trans superhero, and more.

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Discussed in this Episode:

DC Pride to honor creator of the first trans superhero

Illinois school district pulls out of statewide book award

Meanwhile, in Virginia, school district cancels district-wide read of Wishtree because it contains a tree that has both male and female reproductive parts. Yep.

Congrats to the National Book Foundation’s 5 Under 35 honorees

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The Hunter by Tana French

Oye by Melissa Mogollon

The Tower by Flora Carr

The Exvangelicals by Sarah McCammon

Sociopath by Patric Gagne

Great Expectations by Vinson Cunningham

James by Percival Everett

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People Will Come, Ray

Wed, 20 Mar 2024 13:00:00 -0000

Jeff is away this week, so in honor of baseball season getting underway, we are rerunning our episode in which Jeff and Rebecca talk about Field of Dreams and the book it's based on, W.P. Kinsella's Shoeless Joe.

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Our Insta-Buy Authors [Teaser]

Mon, 18 Mar 2024 17:03:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca try to guess which authors appear on each other's "insta-buy" lists.

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It's Time for Publishers to Tell the Truth About Posthumously Published Books

Mon, 18 Mar 2024 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about publishers misrepresenting posthumous books, Jeff's Q&A with Authors Equity CEO Madeline McIntosh, RuPaul's Allstora backtracking, and much more.

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Discussed in this episode:

Follow-up: Madeline McIntosh Q & A about Authors Equity

RuPaul and Allstora backtrack on selling anti-LGBTQ titles

Legislators in Delaware and Connecticut propose anti-book ban measures

It's Time for Publishers to Tell the Truth About Posthumously Published Books

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AMERICAN FICTION and Seeing The Book World On Screen and On the Page

Wed, 13 Mar 2024 10:10:00 -0000

On the occasion of Cord Jefferson's Best Adapted Screenplay win, Jeff and Rebecca talk about their favorite books, movies, and TV shows set in the world of books before talking about Erasure by Percival Everett and American Fiction.

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Discussed in this episode:

Wonder Boys by Michael Chabon

Elf

Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding

Seven Days in June by Tia Williams

Luster by Raven Leilani

Hothouse by Boris Kachka

Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

Erasure by Percival Everett

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A New Store and a New Publisher Both Trying to Reslice The Bookselling Pie

Mon, 11 Mar 2024 01:00:00 -0000

Book Riot editor Danika Ellis joins Jeff to talk about Allstore (a new online bookstore) and Authors Equity (a new publisher) coming at the same target from two different angles. Plus: a report on diversity in publishing and Spotify's curious new Audiobooks Tier.

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Discussed in this episode:

The Read Harder Challenge

Our Queerest Shelves

Is This What Author-Centered Publishing Looks Like?

RuPaul Launches an “Online Book Marketplace”

RuPaul bookstore controversy

Results of Lee & Low’s publishing diversity baseline survey and Erica’s response in The Deep Dive

Spotify introduces audiobooks tier at $9.99

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Who Will Win Best Adapted Screenplay?

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 11:10:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca try to predict the most literary Oscar.

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Discussed in this episode:

Ranking the Last 20 Winners of the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay

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Bookshop.org Is Audiobooks Curious, Ward Re-Ups, the State of Culture in 2024 & More

Mon, 04 Mar 2024 02:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca note a customer survey Bookshop.org sent to customers about their audiobook habits, decide no-new news is good news as Jesmyn Ward stays on at S&S, really resonate with Ted Gioia's "State of Culture, 2024," and more.

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Discussed in this episode:

Bookshop.org appears to be interested in audiobooks

Jesmyn Ward signs 3-book deal with Scribner

TikTok-famous librarian quits because of harassment

And I think we have to talk about Ted Gioia and the state of the culture

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Book Club: The Book of Love by Kelly Link [bonus]

Fri, 01 Mar 2024 17:42:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca discuss Kelly Link's debut novel, The Book of Love.

Join us on Patreon for access to early, ad-free listening and bonus episodes: https://www.patreon.com/bookriotpodcast

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The "It" Books of March

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 11:10:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca pick the "it" book of March.

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Discussed in this episode:

The Hunter by Tana French

Maktub by Paulo Coehlo

Parasol Against the Axe by Helen Oyeyemi

The Morningside by Téa Obreht

Memory Piece by Lisa Ko

There's Always Next Year by Hanif Abdurraqib

Anita de Monte Laughs Last by Xochitl Gonzalez

Until August by Gabriel García Márquez

The Prisoner's Throne by Holly Black

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Deals, Deals Deals: February 2024 [teaser]

Tue, 27 Feb 2024 16:07:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca review some of the most interesting book deal announcements from the last few months.

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Simon & Schuster's Odyssey Isn't Over, National Book Awards Open Up, and More

Mon, 26 Feb 2024 02:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about LeVar Burton's book deal, opening up the National Book Awards, book banning news, and why no one should think this is the forever home for Simon & Schuster.

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2024 is the tenth year of the Read Harder Challenge! Join us as we make our way through 24 tasks meant to expand our reading horizons and diversify our TBRs. To get book recommendations for each task, sign up for the Read Harder newsletter. We’ll also keep you informed about other cool reading challenges, readathons, and more across the bookish internet. If you become a paid subscriber, you get even more recommendations plus community features, where you can connect with a community of passionate, like-minded readers in a cozy and supportive corner of the internet. Visit bookriot.com/readharder to sign up.

Discussed in this episode:

National Book Awards open to authors who are not US citizens

LeVar Burton Signs 2-book deal

West Virginia House passes bill that allows prosecution of librarians

Maryland legislators introduce the Freedom to Read Act

ALA releases “book résumés” to help fight book bans

Marilynne Robinson remains lovely

KKR is in no hurry to sell S&S. But they will

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Talking DUNE

Wed, 21 Feb 2024 11:10:00 -0000

We are re-running an episode from our short-run podcast series Adaptation Nation on Dune, covering Frank Herbert's novel and what turned out to be part one of Denis Villaneueve's adaptation. Amanda Nelson and Jenn Northington joined Jeff for this deep dive.

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Discussed in this episode:

Frank Herbert’s Distrust of JFK

Hari Kunzru on Dune

Muslim Influences in Dune

Is Dune a White Savior Narrative?

Sidelining Arab Voices in Dune

Dune Book Club with Ausma Zehanat Khan

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Listener Mailbag & Personalized Recommendations [Teaser]

Tue, 20 Feb 2024 16:09:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca dive into general questions from listeners and offer personalized recommendations, including whether any F. Scott Fitzgerald books are worth reading and what's the deal with Huck Finn?

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Coincidences, Adaptations, and Recent Reading

Mon, 19 Feb 2024 02:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca discuss some good listener feedback on coincidences before running through a bunch of adaptation news and then talking about recent media consumption.

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Discussed in this episode:

The Elly Conway “mystery” was indeed the most interesting thing about Argylle..and even that is pretty boring

Ongoing: Publishers confirm that Spotify audiobook sales have been solid in terms of revenue & reaching new users

Amy Adams & Jenna Ortega in talks for Klara & the Sun adaptation

Who wants to watch the Hallmark Channel’s Jane Austen adaptations with me?

Lifetime gets its groove back with Terry McMillan

And I guess we’re going to do A Gentleman in Moscow

But we will not be getting the big ACOTAR series, or maybe we will

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The Best Adaptations of Romances & Love Stories

Wed, 14 Feb 2024 11:10:00 -0000

Vanessa Diaz joins Rebecca for a conversation about the best movies adapted from romances and love stories, the ones that are due for a remake, and a few creative takes on what a love story even is.

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Discussed in this Episode:

Vanessa's ode to Practical Magic

Rebecca revisits The Bridges of Madison County

The Adaptation Nation podcast feed

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Be Back Soon

Mon, 12 Feb 2024 16:16:00 -0000

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Checking in on the World of Romance

Wed, 07 Feb 2024 11:10:00 -0000

Trisha Brown and Jess Pryde, hosts of When in Romance, join Jeff to talk about what's going on in the world of romance: what's changed over the last ten years (and what hasn't), what the state of romance is today, where it's going, and a recommendation or two as well. This was fun.

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Discussed in this episode:

When in Romance Podcast

Most Anticipated Books of 2023 Episode of When in Romance

The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory

Black Love Matters, edited by Jessica P. Pryde

The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang

Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston

Indigo by Beverly Jenkins

Role Playing by Cathy Yardley

Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall

The Viscount Made Me Do It by Diana Quincy

A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams

After Hours on Milagro Street by Angelina M. Lop

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A Clandestine Texas Bookshelf, Argylle Fizzles, Spotify's Audiobook Royalties, and a Farewell to N. Scott Momaday

Mon, 05 Feb 2024 02:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca take a moment to mark the death of N. Scott Momaday, do a post-mortem on the Argylle 'intrigue," pitch a movie based on a secret banned bookshelf in Houston, and more.

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Discussed in this episode:

N. Scott Momaday Has Died

Of course Constance Grady did the legwork on Argylle

The Argylle movie reviews are rolling in, and they’re…not great

How not to pitch your book to BookTokers

Hero of the Week: Texas teacher’s clandestine library of banned books

Some late-breaking info about Spotify’s audiobook performance; Audible is concerned

Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar

Come and Get It by Kiley Reid

The Fury by Alex Michaelides

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February "It Book" Knockout Round

Wed, 31 Jan 2024 23:08:00 -0000

After a ho-hum January slate of new releases, Jeff and Rebecca are back to working their way through a much stronger slate of It Book candidates.

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This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Discussed in this episode:

The American Daughters by Maurice Carlos Ruffin

Bride by Ali Hazelwood

The Women by Kristin Hannah

The Great Wave by Michiko Kakutani

The Book of Love by Kelly Link

Greta & Valdin by Rebecca K. Reilly

A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams

Splinters by Leslie Jamison

Wandering Stars by Tommy Orange

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Adapted Screenplay Nominees, Big 5 Really Just as Big, NBCC Award Finalists, and more

Mon, 29 Jan 2024 02:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca helpfully wade into the Adapted Screenplay Discourse, question framing 2023 as anything other than dominance for the Big 5, peruse the National Book Critics Circle Award nominees, and more.

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Discussed in this episode:

Kansas introduces anti-book ban bill

Independent publishers chip away at Big Five’s hold on bestseller lists

NBCC awards finalists

Oscar nominees are out and apparently Barbie is an adaptation

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THE INTUITIONIST at 25 [Teaser]

Fri, 26 Jan 2024 18:51:00 -0000

On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of The Intuitionist, Jeff and Rebecca dive deep on Colson Whitehead's debut novel.

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Winter/Spring 2024 Adaptation Preview

Wed, 24 Jan 2024 11:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about notable adaptations coming out over the next few months.

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Discussed in this episode:

Monsieur Spade

Masters of the Air

The Taste of Things

The Expats

Origin (based on Caste)

Feud: Capote vs The Swans

Argylle

It Ends With Us

Dune 2

Lisa Frankenstein

Spaceman

3 Body Problem

Apples Never Fall

Civil War

LoTR: War of the Rohirrim

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Circuit Court Declares Texas Book Ban Law Unconstitutional, Barnes & Noble Opening New Stores, LA Public Library Buys a Publishing House, and more

Mon, 22 Jan 2024 02:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about some good legal news, B&N's announced plans to open 50 new stores, quashing (and starting?) some Argylle authorship rumors, the LAPL getting into the publishing game, and more.

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Discussed in this episode:

Big win: Fifth Circuit declares Texas book bans unconstitutional

Anti-book ban bill introduced in New Mexico and Massachusetts, may their efforts succeed

Argylle director shuts down the T Swift conspiracy theory

Barnes & Noble to open 50 new stores this year

LA Public Library acquires indie publisher

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What Are the 50 Hottest Books of the Moment? [Teaser]

Fri, 19 Jan 2024 18:09:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca check in on the Hot 50, their running list of the biggest/buzziest/most acclaimed books in the zeitgeist.

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Power Ranking the Books of 2019

Wed, 17 Jan 2024 11:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca try to power rank the top books of 2019.

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Discussed in this episode:

Jeff's List:

Rebecca's List:

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The Most Popular Books of the Last 10 years, a Keanu Reeves/China Mieville Team-Up, Banning Dictionaries, and Being Dumb about Oprah, and More

Mon, 15 Jan 2024 02:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca kick themselves for not seeing the obvious reason Oprah might be stumping extra-hard for The Covenant of Water, marvel at Keanu Reeves, lament banning the dictionary, and are unsurprised, mostly, with a list of the most popular books of the last ten years.

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Discussed in this episode:

Book Riot contributors’ most anticipated books of 2024

This might be the reason Oprah wanted to sell a lot of copies of Covenant of Water

Open AI says it can’t train LLMs without copyright material

Florida county bans the dictionary

Swifties fuel another literary conspiracy theory

Keanu Reeves collabs on sci-fi novel with China Miéville

Goodreads members’ 76 most popular books of the last decade

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Our Most Anticipated Books of 2024 (The First Bit of It, At Least)

Wed, 10 Jan 2024 11:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca run through some of their personally most-anticipated books of the first-ish half of 2024. Plus, they have some other Book Riot editors weigh in with their picks.

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Discussed in this episode:

Reading Genesis by Marilynne Robinson

The Bloodied Nightgown by Joan Acocella

Until August by Gabriel García Márquez

This Strange Eventful History by Claire Messud

The Unicorn Woman by Gayl Jones

The Z Word by Lindsay King-Miller

State of Paradise by Laura Van Den Burg

A Chance Meeting by Rachel Cohen

The Fine Art of Literary Fist-Fighting by Lee Gutkind

The Cemetery of Untold Stories by Julia Alvarez

Wandering Stars by Tommy Orange

Anita de Monte Laughs Last by Xochitl Gonzalez

Splinters by Leslie Jamison

The Last Fire Season by Manjula Martin

The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley

Corey Fah Does Social Mobility by Isabel Waidner

Legacy by Uché Blackstock

Praisesong for the Kitchen Ghosts by Crystal Wilkinson

The Other Significant Others by Rhaina Cohen

Acts of Forgiveness by Maura Cheeks

This American Ex-Wife by Lyz Lenz

Supercommunicators by Charles Duhigg

Optimal by Daniel Goleman & Cary Cherniss

And How Does That Make You Feel by Joshua Fletcher

The Cliffs by Scott Cawthorn

Looking for a Sign by Susie Dumond

Jewel Me Twice by Charish Reid

The American Daughters by Maurice Carlos Ruffin

For a complete list of books discussed in this episode, visit our website.

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Obama's Favorite Books of 2023, Iowa Book Banning Law Partially Stopped, Recent Reading, and more.

Mon, 08 Jan 2024 02:00:00 -0000

Jeff O'Neal and Rebecca Schinksy talk about Obama's favorite books of 2023, the best-selling books of 2023 in the U.S., some good news in Iowa, our winter reading, and more.

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This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Discussed in this episode:

Barack’s best of 2023 list

Key parts of Iowa book ban bill cannot be enforced

Excerpt of The Waters by Bonnie Jo Campbell, the new “Read With Jenna” pick

Best-Selling UK Books of 2023

Temple Folk

North Woods

Absolution

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The Winter 2024 New Release Draft [Teaser]

Fri, 05 Jan 2024 20:28:00 -0000

Jeff O'Neal and Rebecca Schinsky compete to draft the best selection of 10 new and upcoming releases.

Join us on Patreon for ad-free listening and premium content: https://www.patreon.com/bookriotpodcast

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January 2024 "It Book" Knockout Round

Wed, 03 Jan 2024 11:00:00 -0000

Jeff O'Neal and Rebecca Schinsky choose the "it book" of January 2024 from a roster of 10 finalists.

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Discussed in this episode:

Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar

The Storm We Made by Vanessa Chan

Dead in Long Beach, California by Venita Blackburn

The Showman by Simon Shuster

Come and Get It by Kiley Reid

Sanctuary of the Shadow by Aurora Ascher

The Fury by Alex Michaelides

Beautyland by Marie-Helen Bertino

The Atlas Complex by Olivie Blake

House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J. Maas

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The Best of the Rest 2023 [Teaser]

Tue, 19 Dec 2023 11:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca share the movies, TV, podcasts, and other non-book highlights of the year.

Join us on Patreon for ad-free listening and premium content: patreon.com/bookriotpodcast

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The Year in Review

Mon, 18 Dec 2023 02:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca look at the most important, memorable, strangest, and all and all most superlative stories from the year in books and reading.

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Discussed in this episode:

Good job, book people: The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store gets all the love; Paul Harding does not win awards for the book Jeff called “gormless”

Bad job, book people: The Vaster Wilds & Let Us Descend are under-celebrated

Love to See It: Pultizers expand eligibility

Audiobook moments of the year: Michelle Williams narrating Britney’s memoir; Leslie Jones’s 17-hour-long freestyle; Spotify introduces free listening for Premium members

Worst publisher response to book bans: Scholastic’s whole diversity collection situation

Best publisher response to book bans: PRH takes legal action against book banning states

Achievements in Reporting: The Atlantic’s coverage of the Books 3 data set used to train LLMs

More of These Conversations: The bestseller lists are broken and Goodreads is bad for books

Biggest Mystery: WTF Oprah was up to with Covenant of Water

Still Waiting to See Its Impact: Simon & Schuster sold to KKR, TikTok plans a publishing imprint

Eyeballs Emoji: The BookTok hockey romance shenanigans, Bigolas Dickolas moves some units, Review Bombing Author

Nobody Asked for This: Twilight series coming to TV; HBO plans 10-year run for Harry Potter reboot

Anticlimactic: Manuscript thief pleads guilty

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Bonus: The Books We Missed This Year [Teaser]

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 11:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca run through the books they had their eyes on but didn't quite get to this year.

Subscribe to premium content on Patreon to hear the rest: https://www.patreon.com/bookriotpodcast

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Wrapping Up Holiday Recommendation Requests & Our Most Giftable Books of the Year

Mon, 11 Dec 2023 02:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca handle a few last recommendation requests and then give some ideas for generally giftable books for 2023.

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It’s happening, readers — we’re bringing paperbacks! Whether you (or a reader you know and love) hate carrying around bulky hardcovers, you’re on a budget, you want a wider range of recommendations, or all of the above, you can now get a paperback subscription from TBR, curated just for you by one of our Bibliologists. The holidays are here, and we’ve got three different levels for gifting to suit every budget. Get all the details at mytbr.co.

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Discussed in this episode:

Walking with Sam by Andrew McCarthy

Taste by Stanley Tucci

Oh My Mother! by Connie Wang

Alone Time by Stephanie Rosenbloom

A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle

From Scratch by Tembi Locke

How to Excavate a Heart by Jake Maia Arlow

Holidays on Ice by David Sedaris

Memphis by Tara M. Stringfellow

The Fortunes of Jaded Women by Carolyn Huynh

The English Understand Wool by Helen Dewitt

Bad Cree by Jessica Johns

The Writing Retreat by Julia Bartz

Wild Girls by Tiya Miles

Sex, Death, and Fly-Fishing by John Gierach

Hidden Mountains by Michael Wejchert

Ross Gay

84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff

Letters to a Young Poet by Rainer Maria Rilke

Letters of Note by Shaun Usher (volumes on Art and Love)

Gilead by Marilynne Robinson

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

Battle Royale by Koushun Takami

World of Wonders by Johanna Basford

Once Upon a Time I Lived on Mars by Kate Greene

Major Labels by Kelefa Sanneh

From Hollywood with Love by Scott Meslow

Cork Dork by Bianca Bosker

Airplane Mode by Shahnaz Habib

Sigrid Nunez

The Fraud by Zadie Smith

A River Runs Through It by Norman Maclean

The Professor’s House by Willa Cather

A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce

Blackouts by Justin Torres

Invisible Cities by Italo Calvino

Tom Lake by Ann Patchett

The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride

Going Infinite by Michael Lewis

The Wager by David Grann

The Book of (More) Delights by Ross Gay

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Bonus: Our Favorite Books of 2023 [Teaser]

Tue, 05 Dec 2023 11:00:00 -0000

Rebecca and Jeff run down their favorite books of 2023 and a few highlights from backlist reading.

Listen to the full episode and see our full list of favorite books of 2023 on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/bookriotpodcast

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Holiday Recommendation Show, Part 2

Mon, 04 Dec 2023 02:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca wrap up their annual holiday recommendation extravaganza.

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It’s happening, readers — we’re bringing paperbacks! Whether you (or a reader you know and love) hate carrying around bulky hardcovers, you're on a budget, you want a wider range of recommendations, or all of the above, you can now get a paperback subscription from TBR, curated just for you by one of our Bibliologists. The holidays are here, and we've got three different levels for gifting to suit every budget. Get all the details at mytbr.co.

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Discussed in this episode:

Greek Lessons by Han Kang

Possession by A.S. Byatt

On Beauty by Zadie Smith

If I Survive You by Jonathan Escoffery

How Strange a Season by Megan Mayhew Bergman

The Miniature Wife by Manuel Gonzales

Music for Wartime by Rebecca Makkai

The Vanderbeekers series by Karina Yan Glaser

Meet Yasmin! by Saadia Faruqi

Rosie Revere, Engineer by Andrea Beaty

Forward by Abby Wambach

One Life by Megan Rapinoe

Uphill by Jemele Hill

The Rivals by Johnette Howard

The Orchard by Adele Crockett Robertson

2 A.M. at the Cats Pajamas by Marie-Helen Bertino

The Buried Giant by Kazuo Ishiguro

The Feather Thief by Kirk Wallace Johnson

Now Is Not the Time to Panic by Kevin Wilson

Mouth to Mouth by Antoine Wilson

Chemistry by Weike Wang

Post Traumatic by Chantal V. Johnson

The Guest by Emma Cline

Instead by Maria Coffey

The Most Fun We Ever Had by Claire Lombardo

The Turner House by Angela Flournoy

If We’re Being Honest by Cat Shook

The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough

The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende

Wake, Siren by Nina MacLaughlin

The Bandit Queens by Parini Shroff

Babel by R.F. Kuang

The Real Work by Adam Gopnik

The Country of the Blind by Andrew Leland

How Far the Light Reaches by Sabrina Imbler

Lab Girl by Hope Jahren

Notes from a Young Black Chef by Kwame Onwuachi

The Golden Doves by Martha Hall Kelly

The Collected Schizophrenias by Esmé Weijun Wang

Between Two Kingdoms by Suleika Jaouad

Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Tom Lake by Ann Patchett

The Pretty One by Keah Brown

Parnassus on Wheels by Christopher Morley

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2023 Holiday Recommendation Show, Part 1

Mon, 27 Nov 2023 02:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca respond to listener book recommendation requests.

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For more industry news, sign up for our Today in Books daily newsletter!

It's happening, readers — we're bringing paperbacks! Whether you hate carrying around bulky hardcovers, you're on a budget, you want a wider range of recommendations, or all of the above, you can now get a paperback subscription from TBR, curated just for you by one of our Bibliologists. You can also gift it (and the holidays, they are coming). Get all the details at mytbr.co.

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Discussed in this episode:

From Strength to Strength by Arthur C. Brooks

Together by Vivek H. Murthy

The Other Significant Others by Rhaina Cohen

LitHub’s list of Midlife Coming-of-Age Novels

Inciting Joy by Ross Gay

Joan is Okay by Weike Wang

All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir

Me (Moth) by Amber McBride

The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters

Snacking Bakes by Yossy Arefi

The King Arthur Baking School by King Arthur Baking Company

How to Bake Everything by Mark Bittman

No One Tells You This by Glynnis MacNicol

Women Without Kids by Ruby Warrington

Self, Shallow, and Self-Absorbed edited by Meghan Daum

Regretting Motherhood by Orna Donath

Yellowface by R. F. Kuang

Erasure by Percival Everett

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

There’s a Book Riot list for that!

The Hike by Drew Magary

The Last Final Girls by Stephen Graham Jones

Paper Girls by Brian K. Vaughan

Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi

Song of the Cell by Siddhartha Mukherjee

The Good Life by Robert Waldinger & Marc Schulz

I Contain Multitudes by Ed Yong

The Perfectionists by Simon Winchester

The Idea Factory by Jon Gertner

I Have Some Questions for You by Rebecca Makkai

Celeste Ng

Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows by Balli Kaur Jaswal

Age of Vice by Deepti Kapoor

"15 LGBTQ Haunted Horror Novels"

"8 of the Best Queer Horror Books"

"Great New Queer Horror To Read This Fall"

Queer Comics Database is a thing and has a list for this!

A Week in Winter by Maeve Binchy

Andy Weir

Michael Lewis

S.A. Cosby

In the Shadow of the Mountain by Silvia Vasquez-Lavado

The Guide by Peter Heller

The Lost Man by Jane Harper

The Nineties by Chuck Klosterman

A Little Devil in America by Hanif Abdurraquib

Cultish by Amanda Montell

Paved Paradise by Henry Grabar

Empire of the Sum by Keith Houston

The Mysterious Case of Rudolph Diesel by Douglas Brunt

Traffic by Tom Vanderbilt

How We Got to Now by Steven Johnson

The Alchemy of Us by Ainissa Ramirez

The Barbarian Nurseries by Héctor Tobar

The Searcher by Tana French

The collected Patrick O’Brien on audio

The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin

NK Jemisin

Pico Iyer

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The Prepositional Phrase After Trickle

Mon, 20 Nov 2023 02:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk Amazon's best books of the year, The National Book Award winners, Goodreads Choice Award nominees, and much more.

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This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Discussed in this episode:

Book Riot’s Best Books of 2023

Rebecca’s victory lap for the Barnes & Noble Book of the Year

A sigh of relief for Jeff, Paul Harding did not win the NBA

And Amazon editors agree - their best books of 2023

Goodreads Choice Awards kick off

Data Baby by Susannah Breslin

The Vulnerables by Sigrid Nunez

Hidden Potential by Adam Grant

How to Say Babylon by Safiya Sinclair

Everything I Learned I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant by Curtis Chin

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Inclusive Insider Baseball

Mon, 13 Nov 2023 02:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about Barnes & Noble's finalists for Book of the Year, a treasure trove of literary awards data, the stunning catalog of audiobooks from Spotify, and more.

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Discussed in this Episode:

Finalists for Barnes & Noble Book of the Year

WNDB launches Indigenous Reads Rising

35 years of National Book Awards data

A Look at audiobook economics

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Pop Diva Rumspringa

Mon, 06 Nov 2023 02:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about the sales numbers for The Woman in Me, PW's best books of the year list, the Fourth Wing adaptation announcement, and more.

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This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Discussed in this episode:

There’s a Fourth Wing adaptation coming

Britney sales numbers

PW’s best books of 2023

Highlights of a couple new studies about Americans’ reading habits

Barnes & Noble Discover Prize goes to The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters

12 Things Rebecca Learned in 12 Years of Book Riot

Blackouts by Justin Torres

The Woman in Me by Britney Spears

Let Us Descend by Jesmyn Ward

Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann

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Speaking of Therapy

Mon, 30 Oct 2023 01:00:00 -0000

Rebecca and Jenn Northington discuss Scholastic's decision to walk back the plan to silo diverse books, BookTok's takedown of a Taylor-Travis fanfic, and more. Then Rebecca is joined by Kelly Jensen for a conversation about Britney Spears's new memoir, The Woman in Me.

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Autumn is here, which means it's time to curl up with a great read and get cozy — whatever your version of cozy looks like. Whether it's romance, creepy reads, modern classics, or escapist reads you crave, TBR can help you find the perfect books for your fall reading, with options curated to your specific reading tastes. Visit mytbr.co to find out more and sign up — it only takes a few minutes!

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Links Discussed in the Episode:

Michelle Williams impersonates Justin Timberlake in Britney Spears’s memoir

Nailed it: Oprah selects Let Us Descend for final book club of 2023

Update: Scholastic walks back separate diversity collection

YA author opens bookstore dedicated to banned books & marginalized authors

BookTok takes down a Tayvis romance

How much should books cost?

"Purge the Poison" by Marina

A Fire Born of Exile by Aliette de Bodard

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The Starving Caterpillar

Mon, 23 Oct 2023 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about the celebrity memoir boomlet, Levar Burton hosting the National Book Awards, renovating Barnes & Noble, Scholastic separating LBGTQ+ and other marginalized books, the Lessons in Chemistry adaptation, and more.

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This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Discussed in this episode:

Scholastic confirms option to withhold LGBTQ+ titles from book fairs

RIP Louise Glück

Update: Michelle Williams is the support narrator for Britney’s memoir

Update: LeVar Burton to host NBA ceremony

Barnes & Noble’s new looks seem to be paying off

That American Fiction trailer tho

Family Meal by Bryan Washington

Blackouts by Justin Torres

MCU

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

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Mental Tattoos. They're Called Memories.

Mon, 16 Oct 2023 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca discuss listener feedback about Spotify audiobooks & the mystery Nov 7th Red Tower release, several interesting book announcements, recent reading, and more.

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For more industry news, sign up for our Today in Books daily newsletter!

Autumn is here, which means it’s time to curl up with a great read and get cozy — whatever your version of cozy looks like. Whether it’s romance, creepy reads, modern classics, or escapist reads you crave, TBR can help you find the perfect books for your fall reading, with options curated to your specific reading tastes. Visit mytbr.co to find out more and sign up — it only takes a few minutes!

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Discussed in this episode:

UK authors union demands info about Spotify’s audiobook licensing

Salman Rushdie memoir about stabbing

The Woman in Me by Britney Spears

The Pairing by Casey McQuiston

Somewhere Beyond the Sea by TJ Klune

Company by Shannon Sanders

Roman Stories by Jhumpa Lahiri

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Saying Goodbye to Louise Glück

Fri, 13 Oct 2023 21:50:32 -0000

American poet and 2020 Nobel Laureate Louise Glück has passed away. She was something of a house favorite here, so we thought we'd share a rebroadcast of the time Jeff and Rebecca talked about the life and work of Louise Glück, plus an extended discussion of her 1993 poem, “Vespers.” RIP, Louise Glück, we are so grateful for your work and your life.

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Discussed in this episode:

The Collected Poems of Louise Glück

“The Body Artist” by Dan Chiasson

“Vespers” by Louise Glück

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The Most Impossible Single Task of Literary Discernment

Mon, 09 Oct 2023 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about the honoree of the 2023 Nobel Prize in literature, the National Book Award finalists, free audiobooks coming to Spotify subscribers, and more.

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This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Discussed in this episode:

Spotify to make audiobooks free for premium users

Nobel winner Jon Fosse

NBA finalists

Leave the World Behind trailer

Making It So by Patrick Stewart

Going Infinite by Michael Lewis

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A New Thing Under the Sun

Mon, 02 Oct 2023 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about Book3 (and reactions to it), a survey about what libraries think of book bans, the U.S. suing Amazon, and more.

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This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Discussed in this episode:

Results of the parent perceptions survey BR partnered on with EveryLibrary

The Atlantic got the data about the 183,000 books in Books3 AI training set

FTC sues Amazon for unlawful monopoly

The Vaster Wilds by Lauren Groff

The Book of (More) Delights by Ross Gay

This Other Eden by Paul Harding

How to Fight Book Bans & Censorship

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Borrowed and Banned

Fri, 29 Sep 2023 10:00:00 -0000

As an extra for you this week, we are delighted to share the first episode of Borrowed and Banned, a new podcast made by our friends at the Brooklyn Public Library. This 7-episode limited series, hosted by Virginia Marshall and Adwoa Adusei, tells the story of America's ideological war with its bookshelves by talking with students on the frontlines, the librarians and teachers whose livelihoods are endangered when they speak up, and the writers whose books have become a political battleground.

Learn more about Borrowed and Banned at https://www.bklynlibrary.org/podcasts

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Homer Was On One

Mon, 25 Sep 2023 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about the National Book Award for Fiction longlist, a bunch of red states leaving the American Library Association, a teacher getting fired for teaching The Diary of Anne Frank, and Oprah's next surprising book club pick.

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Book Riot’s editorial team is writing for casual and power readers alike over at The Deep Dive! During the month of September, all new free subscribers will be entered to win Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler, plus 5 mystery books from The Deep Dive. To enter, simply start a free subscription to The Deep Dive. No payment method required!

Discussed in this episode:

Texas teacher fired after reading aloud from graphic novel of Anne Frank’s diary

Deep Dive shout-out: The Bestseller List is Broken

Red states cut ties with ALA

Reading IT’S PERFECTLY NORMAL

Project Gutenberg releases 5,000 public domain audiobooks w/ AI narration

Bidding opens Tues 9/26, in the Authors for Voices of Color auction to support WNDB

Oprah’s next pick is also 600+ pages long, and she’s only giving it a month

National Book Award Longlist

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Time For Bed

Mon, 18 Sep 2023 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about a bunch of recent reading, Drew Barrymore getting booted from the National Book Awards, and I guess that pretty much covers it.

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For more industry news, sign up for our Today in Books daily newsletter!

Book Riot's editorial team is writing for casual and power readers alike over at The Deep Dive! During the month of September, all new free subscribers will be entered to win Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler, plus 5 mystery books from The Deep Dive. To enter, simply start a free subscription to The Deep Dive. No payment method required!

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Discussed in this episode:

First Edition on Twitter. First Edition on Instagram. The First Edition (free) Substack.

Update: Pulitzer board amends citizenship requirements

Ongoing: More authors sue OpenAI

National Book Awards drops Drew Barrymore as host

Happiness Falls by Angie Kim

How to Say Babylon by Safiya Sinclair

Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam

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Nexuses of Attention

Mon, 11 Sep 2023 01:00:00 -0000

Jenn Northington joins Jeff to talk about book blurbs, book sales, and the fundamental tension of Goodreads.

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For more industry news, sign up for our Today in Books daily newsletter!

Discussed in this episode:

First Edition on Twitter. First Edition on Instagram. The First Edition (free) Substack.

Goodreads is Terrible for Books: Why Can’t We All Quit It?

The Conundrum of Blurbs

Wait, how many copies do most books sell?

Dictionary.com adds 566 New Words for 2023

Texas Judge Blocks Book Ban Law

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Do You Think the Books are Fine?

Sun, 03 Sep 2023 10:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk early 2023 prize lists, Jeff's trip to the UK, recent reading, and more.

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This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Discussed in this Episode:

First Edition on Twitter. First Edition on Instagram. The First Edition (free) Substack.

Listener feedback re: The Book of Hov.

Kirkus Prize finalists

The Bee Sting by Paul Murray

The Great White Bard by Farah Karim-Cooper

The Guest by Emma Cline

The Fraud by Zadie Smith

Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree

Once Upon a Tome by Oliver Darkshire

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Guest Post: Modern Indie Bookselling with Josh Cook

Mon, 28 Aug 2023 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca are out this week, wrapping up the last bits of summer vacation, so we are dropping Jeff's recent interview on First Edition with Josh Cook into the feed.

On the occasion of his new book, The Art of Libromancy: Selling Books and Reading Books in the 21st Century, Josh Cook of Porter Square books joins Jeff for a conversation about modern indie bookselling.

Subscribe to First Edition via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

For episode extras, subscribe to the First Edition Substack.

Wanna escape the Dog Days of summer with purrfect book recommendations? Let Tailored Book Recommendations pick awesome books to keep you entertained. Touch grass, grab some lemonade, and enjoy TBR's picks.

Discussed in this episode:

Check out First Edition on Twitter, on Substack, and on Instagram.

And if you have a moment to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, please and thank you!

Email First Edition at firstedition@bookriot.com

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It's All Connected

Mon, 21 Aug 2023 01:00:00 -0000

Kelly Jensen joins Rebecca to discuss a bummer-fest of book banning news, some truly absurd behavior in Texas, and Jay-Z's partnership with the Brooklyn Public Library.

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Discussed in this Episode:

EveryLibrary and Book Riot Partner on Survey About Parent Perceptions of Public Libraries

Iowa School District Using ChatGPT to Identify Titles to Be Removed from Libraries

Anti-LGBTQ Texas School Board Member Caught Illegally Entering School Library

Kansas Newspaper Illegally Raided by Police

Jay-Z Partners with Brooklyn Public Library

Watch the trailer for Hulu's adaptation of The Other Black Girl

Subscribe to Kelly's Literary Activism newsletter

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The Internet's Disappointed Mom

Mon, 14 Aug 2023 16:56:00 -0000

Rebecca and Vanessa talk about a trio of AI-related publishing shenanigans, the private equity firm that bought Simon & Schuster, and a cringey moment for the hockey romance community.

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Looking for fascinating stories, informed takes, useful advice, and more drawn from our collective experience as power readers, teachers, librarians, booksellers, and bookish professionals? Subscribe to The Deep Dive, a biweekly newsletter featuring stories to inform and inspire readers, to get exclusive content delivered to your inbox!

Links Discussed in the Episode

Big congrats to Kelly on a well-deserved commendation

Literary Activism Newsletter

Paramount agrees to sell S & S to private equity firm KKR

AI-generated travel books are the latest Amazon scam

Author fights Amazon to have AI books listed under name removed

AI fiction analytics site Prosecraft shut down after author backlash

This hockey romance BookTok stuff is wild

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Pass the Grudge Around

Mon, 07 Aug 2023 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca end up spending most of this episode talking about a new publishing company that is cutting influencers in on the action.

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Discussed in this episode:

A New Start-Up Proposes Influencer-Driven Publishing

First Edition on Twitter. First Edition on Instagram. The First Edition (free) Substack.

The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride

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Ninth in the Line of Cultural Currency

Mon, 31 Jul 2023 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca spend a long time talking about how the sheer quantity of books published is the central issue in book publishing. Plus, they hit a couple of quick news items and talk about recent reading.

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Discussed in this episode:

First Edition on Twitter. First Edition on Instagram. The First Edition (free) Substack.

Shout-out to PW’s Disability Representation in Publishing features

Booksellers sue over Texas law requiring them to rate books for appropriateness

Javier Zamora on why literary prizes should stop excluding non-citizens

Congrats to Libro.fm on their international launch!

BINC launches incubator for BIPOC and LGBTQ+ booksellers

GRRM says HBO deal is “suspended” and Winds of Winter is still in progress

Crook Manifesto by Colson Whitehead

Strip Tees by Kate Flannery

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UPDATED: The Ladder of Pockets

Mon, 24 Jul 2023 15:10:24 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about the best-selling books of 2023, Obama's summer reading list, The Covenant of Water, and much more.

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Discussed in this episode:

First Edition on Twitter. First Edition on Instagram. The First Edition (free) Substack.

Thanks to Charley Burlock for featuring us in this!

Obama summer reading, babyyyyyyy

PW: Best-selling books of 2023 so far

Generational shift at PRH as iconic editors take buyout

The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese

Crook Manifesto by Colson Whitehead

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Beneficent Ben

Mon, 17 Jul 2023 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk recent book banning developments, why book awards need to change their calendars, recent reading, and more.

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Discussed in this episode:

First Edition on Twitter. First Edition on Instagram. The First Edition (free) Substack.

Sarah Silverman suing Meta & OpenAI over copyright infringement related to AI

Libby/Overdrive banned for users under 18 in Mississippi

Judge sides w/ Florida in challenge to rules about books in schools

Pennsylvania senator to propose banning book bans

Britney Spears memoir will be released 10/24

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Both Eyebrows Raised, But in Different Directions

Mon, 10 Jul 2023 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about #booktwitter, do a little "book of the year" talk, wonder about how all-in Oprah is on THE COVENANT OF WATER, novelists suing OpenAI for copyright infringement, whether TikTok is really going to do this publishing thing in a serious way, and much more.

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Discussed in this episode:

First Edition on Twitter. First Edition on Instagram. The First Edition (free) Substack.

ByteDance prepares to launch publishing operation

Authors sue OpenAI for unlawfully “ingesting” their books

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You Are Your Own Lottery Ticket

Mon, 03 Jul 2023 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk Obama declaring once and for all (?) that he does read the books he says he does. Also, a discussion of the realities of author finances along with structural problems with Goodreads.

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Discussed in this episode:

First Edition on Twitter. First Edition on Instagram. The First Edition (free) Substack.

Hasan Minhaj Asks Barack Obama Who Really Curates His End-of-Year Lists: ‘Look Me in the Eyes and Be Honest’

How to Lose a Third of a Million Dollars Without Really Trying

How Review-Bombing Can Tank a Book Before It’s Published

The Guest by Emma Cline

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Unsocial Situations

Mon, 26 Jun 2023 01:00:00 -0000

Danika Ellis joins Jeff to talk about the last decade in LGBTQ+ books, Amazon's best books of the year so far, a recent essay about black women in publishing, and more.

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Discussed in this episode:

First Edition on Twitter. First Edition on Instagram. The First Edition (free) Substack.

Despite Book Bans, LGBTQ+ Fiction Sales Soar

The Lesbrary

Our Queerest Shelves

Amazon’s Best Books of the Year (So Far)

Shakeup at Indigo as almost half of company's board exits and chair Heather Reisman will also leave soon

Black Women Are Being Erased in Book Publishing

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We Used to Have Fun

Mon, 19 Jun 2023 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Kelly Jensen note the passing of two literary legends, ponder a strange pulling of a major novel, go deep on book banning legislation, and note the difficulty of paying bookstore workers a living wage, and more.

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Discussed in this episode:

First Edition on Twitter. First Edition on Instagram. The First Edition (free) Substack.

Liz Gilbert Pulls The Snow Forest

Cormac McCarthy

Robert Gottlieb

New Library Legislation in Texas and Illinois

Bookstore Pay Survey

Changes at The New York Times Book Review

Norton Celebrates 100 Years

Reuters Digital News Report

Burn It Down by Maureen Ryan

Conspirituality by Derek Beres, Matthew Remski, and Julian Walker

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Shorten That Funnel, Baby

Mon, 12 Jun 2023 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about a school in Utah banning the Bible, a book-banning organization officially being labeled an extremist group by the SPLC, a new federal position addressing book banning, B&N's Books of the Year (so far), and report in on recent reading.

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Discussed in this episode:

First Edition on Twitter. First Edition on Instagram. The First Edition (free) Substack.

Barnes & Noble’s best books of the year so far

Utah school district removes the Bible from elementary & middle schools

SPLC labels Moms for Liberty extremist, anti-government

Biden to name Dept of Ed coordinator to address book bans

All the Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby

The Art Thief by Michael Finkel

The Good Enough Job by Simone Stolzoff

Quietly Hostile by Samantha Irby

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A Little High Falutin'

Mon, 05 Jun 2023 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about 2022's book sales, The Ripped Bodice branching out, audiobooks keep growing, an interesting new trailer, recent reading, and much more.

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Discussed in this episode:

First Edition on Twitter. First Edition on Instagram. The First Edition (free) Substack.

2022 book sales down 2.6% from 2021

But the audiobook market keeps growing

Librarians sue Arkansas state over book banning law

The Color Purple trailer

The Ripped Bodice is opening a Brooklyn location

Wonder Boy

The Late Americans by Brandon Taylor

A Guide to Midwestern Conversation by Taylor Kay Phillips

Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

The Ferryman by Justin Cronin

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May I Suggest?

Fri, 26 May 2023 18:42:41 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca are off for the Memorial Day weekend, but Jeff offers something to hold you over in the meantime, and something to check out on May 31.

Discussed in this episode:

First Edition

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It All Sounds Dirty

Mon, 22 May 2023 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca follow up on THIS IS HOW YOU LOSE THE TIME WAR and the mystery non-fiction title, get into an LLM marketing to help write novels, PRH and PEN sue Florida, and unexpected adaptation news.

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Discussed in this episode:

First Edition on Twitter. First Edition on Instagram. The First Edition (free) Substack.

PEN American & PRH sue Florida school district over book bans

Sudowrite

Taika Waititi to direct Klara and the Sun adaptation

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People Have Lost Their Minds

Mon, 15 May 2023 01:00:00 -0000

Kelly Jensen joins Jeff to talk about two very weird publishing stories and then a long discussion about book banning and new legislation attempting to combat it.

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Discussed in this episode:

First Edition on Twitter. First Edition on Instagram. The First Edition (free) Substack.

An Interview With the Author Whose Novel Is Rocketing up the Amazon Charts Thanks to a Tweet From Someone Called “Bigolas Dickolas”

Right To Read Bills

Taylor Swift Rumor Fuels Pre-Orders of Untitled Non-Fiction Book

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Moms, Dads, and Grads Recommendations: 2023

Mon, 08 May 2023 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca respond to listener requests for recommendations.

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For a complete list of recommendations discussed in this episode, visit our website.

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The Gimmick is Life

Mon, 01 May 2023 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about good buzz for the adaptation of Are You There, God? It’s Me, Margaret coming out this weekend, the most banned books of 2013, continued improvements at Barnes & Noble, a new Twilight adaptation, and more.

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Discussed in this episode:

Send us your recommendation requests at podcast@bookriot.com

First Edition on Twitter. First Edition on Instagram. The First Edition (free) Substack.

AYTGIMM comes out of the gate with $600k in Thursday preview box office

Twilight TV series in development

ALA releases top 13 most banned & challenged books of 2022

James Daunt says BN returns are down to 7% (from 30%) since ending co-op

Rating Covers of AYTGIMM by Judy Blume

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Submit for a recommendation for Moms, Dads, and Grads gifting season

Thu, 27 Apr 2023 22:32:00 -0000

Moms, Dads and Grads gifting season is upon us! So here is just a quick reminder if you're looking for a recommendation of books to give to a mom, a dad, a mom or dad figure in your life, a graduate, or something for yourself for the coming season, you have until this Thursday, April 27th to send those to us.

Send that to podcast@bookriot.com, and put "moms dads grads" in the subject line so that we know not to miss it.

And as always, these are first come first serve.

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Searching for the “It” Book of April

Mon, 24 Apr 2023 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca are traveling for work this week, so we present the inaugural episode of First Edition to tide you over. We’ll be back next week with a regular episode.

In the first section, Jeff and Rebecca play a game of “knockout” to figure out what the “it” book of April might be. In the second section, Yahdon Israel, Senior Editor at Simon & Schuster, comes on to talk about putting books into the world. And in section three, Sarah Bakewell and Jeff talk about humanism on the occasion of the publication of her new book, Humanly Possible.

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Discussed in this episode:

First Edition on Twitter. First Edition on Instagram. The First Edition (free) Substack.

Wonder Boy by Angel Au-Yeung and David Jeans

Camp Zero by Michelle Min Sterling

Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld

You Could Make This Place Beautiful by Maggie Smith

Small Mercies by Dennis Lehane

The Wager by David Grann

Happy Place by Emily Henry

In the Lives of Puppets by T.J. Klune

A Living Remedy by Nicole Chung

House of Cotton by Monica Brashears

Yahdon Israel’s Advance Readers Club

Soil by Camille T Dungy

Humanly Possible by Sarah Bakewell

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Wandering into Bookstores Barefoot

Mon, 17 Apr 2023 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca note a coming 10 years of discourse, are unimpressed by the bestselling books of the year so far, and chew on a big nothingburger about Obama’s reading list.

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Discussed in this episode:

First Edition on Twitter. First Edition on Instagram. The First Edition (free) Substack.

Update: the Harry Potter reboot is coming to HBO, and….it will run for 10 years

And Casey Bloys is already dodging the issue

First quarter bestsellers

The “secret” behind how Obama’s reading lists get made

Ebooks are coming to Bookshop

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You Cannot Moonlight as David

Mon, 10 Apr 2023 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about audiobooks for quite a bit longer than they thought plus some other things.

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Discussed in this episode:

First Edition on Twitter. First Edition on Instagram. The First Edition (free) Substack.

Brandon Sanderson has entered the chat re: Audible taking too big of a cut from indie authors

Cory Doctorow weighs in

Ads in Audible audiobooks

Living Remedy by Nicole Chung

House of Cotton by Monica Brashears

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MAD MEN, But for Publishing

Mon, 03 Apr 2023 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca tease First Edition a little bit more, wind up the case of the manuscript thief, continue to have more things to say about LLMs, are tentatively interested in Questlove’s new imprint, consider Jeff’s recent return to #booktwitter, and much more.

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Discussed in this episode:

First Edition on Twitter. First Edition on Instagram. The First Edition Substack.

Bernardini gets time served & will be deported

Fun with AI: LibraryThing introduces a search tool for when you can’t remember a title

Questlove is starting an imprint

Wired’s Brandon Sanderson profile. And then Sanderson’s response. And then Esquire’s counter (?) profile.

The Real Work by Adam Gopnik

Bandit Queens by Parini Shroff

Biography of X by Catherine Lacey

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Break This Coffee Mug and Eat It

Mon, 27 Mar 2023 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about a new podcast project (!), a record year for book bannings, more ChatGPT things (not all of them bad!), BookTok influencer pay, and much more.

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Discussed in this episode:

First Edition on Twitter. First Edition on Instagram. The First Edition Substack.

We’re hiring a web developer

ALA reports attempted book bans nearly doubled in 2022 over 2021 022

A new U.S. House resolution will further ignite book bans

Coalition urges S & S not to distribute Skyhorse title by AIDS denialist

ChatGPT listed as author on more than 200 books now available on Amazon

And the WGA proposes allowing use of ChatGPT in scripts as long as it doesn’t impact author credit/residuals

Vox does the deep dive on BookTok authenticity

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Temporal Neophytes

Mon, 20 Mar 2023 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about the Chat-GTP4's weak performance on AP English Exams, Leigh Bardugo getting that bag, why modern adults seem befuddled by time, recent reading, and more.

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Discussed in this episode:

Shout-out to Rioter Susie Dumond, finalist for a Lambda Literary award for best lesbian romance

The Trans Rights Readathon is a thing, March 20-27

Manuscript thief pleads guilty

Leigh Bardugo’s 8-figure Macmillan deal

Birnham Wood by Eleanor Catton

Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano

Your Driver is Waiting by Priya Guns

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Give the People What They Want

Mon, 13 Mar 2023 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about Noam Chomsky on AI, women publishing more books than men, a celebrity bookstore acquisition, TikTok getting into publishing, and more.

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DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE:

Worth a read: Noam Chomsky isn’t worried about ChatGPT replacing writers/artists

Women are publishing more books than men, and it’s good for business

Chip Gaines buys Larry McMurtry’s Texas bookstore

ByteDance hiring an acquisition editor!

A take on TikTok via listener Alex

Enchantment by Katherine May

The English Understand Wool by Helen DeWitt

Dyscalculia by Chamonghne Felix

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Rabbit-Deer Hybrid Thing

Mon, 06 Mar 2023 02:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca continue to mull ChatGPT’s potential to change reading, assess another change to “classic” texts, recount recent reading, and more.

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DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE:

James Bond books being updated w/o racist language .html

Roald Dahl “classic” editions

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Buttering the Bricks [Updated]

Mon, 27 Feb 2023 14:28:06 -0000

Book Riot managing editor Vanessa Diaz joins Jeff to talk about the officially-ratified HarperCollins contract, ChatGPT and ebook “authorship,” bookstore rewards programs, cleaning up Roald Dahl, and more.

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DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE:

HC union ratifies contract

Roald Dahl updated to have more inclusive language, and it’s a whole Thing

ChatCPT and ebooks

Barnes & Noble’s new membership program

Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes

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A Tale as Old as the Medici

Mon, 20 Feb 2023 02:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about the end of the HarperCollins strike, possible homes for Simon & Schuster, a real mess at Indigo, recent reading, and more.

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DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE:

HarperCollins & union reach tentative agreement

Simon & Schuster is back on the market

…and they had a banner year

Catapult shuttering online magazine & writing classes to focus on publishing program

Indigo experiencing some sort of online sales meltdown:

The Half-Known World by Pico Iyer

Victory City by Salman Rushdie

Reading the Glass by Eliot Rappaport

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Riding on a High of Wanting to Be Different

Mon, 13 Feb 2023 02:00:00 -0000

Jeff And Rebecca cover a range of interesting listener emails, catch up with publishing pay raises, look back at 10 years of data from the YA category of New York Times Bestsellers, and discuss some recent reading.

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DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE:

Jenn took a look at what’s happening in publishing right now

Site shoutouts: What 10 years of NYT YA bestseller lists reveal about YA

The Creative Act by Rick Rubin

Victory City by Salman Rushdie

The English Understand Wool by Helen DeWitt

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Recreational Awe

Mon, 06 Feb 2023 17:34:44 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about the Barnes & Noble renaissance, a new book from Jesmyn Ward, developments in the world of publishing pay, a couple of new books, and much more.

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Discussed in this episode:

Book Riot has a book about fighting book bans

Ezra Klein column on Barnes & Noble rings a lot of bells

New! Jesmyn! Ward!

Resignations continue at PRH

And HC is cutting 5% of workforce

HC union members on why they are still striking

Scorched Grace by Margot Douihay

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The Apocalypse is For Everybody

Mon, 30 Jan 2023 02:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca consider listener feedback, talk about Goodreads users’s most anticipated books of 2023, a wild use case for modern chatbots and books, TikTok’s ability to put its thumb on the scale, and much more.

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DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE:

Update: HarperCollins union reports that HC has agreed to mediation

Chatbots for Books (this one for Talent by Tyler Cowen):

GoodReads readers most anticipated books of 2023

TikTok confirms that employees can decide what goes viral

Little Free Library launches Indigenous Library program

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No Country for Old Scuba Divers

Mon, 23 Jan 2023 02:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca follow up on reading goggles and scorched earth memoirs, look at other angles on unions in publishing, survey what recent-ish books appear on college syllabi, fail to name the Booker Prize statue, and then finally sputter about the new Cormac McCarthy books.

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DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE:

PW takes a look at the ongoing HC labor dispute

Cool thing – deep dive into the books from the 90s that appear on college syllabi now

Competition to name the Booker Prize statue

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9 Billion NDAs

Mon, 16 Jan 2023 02:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk a little more union stuff, try to imagine e-reading with VR goggles, note with disinterest a blockbuster title, look at the bestselling books of 2022, and more.

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DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE:

Update: Federal Labor Board certifies New York Amazon union

E-reading in VR is a thing

Prince Harry’s memoir becomes UK’s fastest-selling nonfiction book

Top 25 bestselling print books of 2022 (CoHo is 6 of the top 10)

Colleen Hoover announces It Ends With Us coloring book

And then Atria nukes it

!!! Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret adaptationnnnnnnn

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Top 10 Most Anticipated Adaptations Coming in 2023

Fri, 13 Jan 2023 20:34:08 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about 10 interesting new adaptations coming in 2023. Plus other less interesting but still interesting ones.

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DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE:

Are You There God, It’s Me Margaret?

The Color Purple

Red, White, & Royal Blue

Lessons in Chemistry

Killers of the Flower Moon

The Three Body Problem

Dumb Money

Leave the world behind

Nightbitch

Nimona

Poor things

Honorable Mentions

Daisy Jones & The Six

Dune 2

The Pale Blue Eye

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

The Power

All the Light We Cannot See

The Killer

American Born Chinese

Eileen

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Camels and Wedges

Mon, 09 Jan 2023 02:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca are back to talk about Barack Obama’s favorite books of 2022, Apple launches AI narration of audiobooks, 2022 print sales, listener feedback, and more.

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DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE:

The 2023 Winter Preview Draft on The Book Riot Podcast Patreon

Manuscript thief to plead guilty

Barack Obama’s favorite books of 2022

Print book sales rose 10% before Christmas

Publishing Salary Survey 2022

Apple has launched AI-narrated audiobooks

Sander$on blasts Audible pay rates for indie authors

Via listener Amanda K, a look at the downsides of how easy TikTok makes it to find & recommend books

Shouts to Kelly being recognized for her book ban coverage

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The Top Bookish Stories of 2022

Mon, 19 Dec 2022 02:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca look back on the most important, interesting, and befuddling stories from the year in books and reading.

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DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE:

Salman Rushdie attacked

PRH does not merge with S&S

TikTok on top

And Colleen Hoover rides the wave

The assault on books and reading

Brandon Sanderson’s singular Kickstarter

Peak adaptation

Book sales are…fine

LBGTQ book sales are more than fine

The end of Amazon’s foray into brick and mortar bookstores

Stocking changes at Barnes & Noble

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The Books of the Year

Mon, 12 Dec 2022 02:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca discuss the books that define the year of 2022.

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DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE

It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover

Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

Babel by R.F. Kuang

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng

I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jeanette McCurdy

Rabbit Hutch by Tess Gunty

The 90s by Chuck Klosterman

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Our Favorite Books of 2022

Mon, 05 Dec 2022 02:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about their favorite books of 2022.

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Discussed in this episode:

Flying Solo by Linda Holmes

Song of the Cell by Sidhartha Mukherjee

Now is Not the Time to Panic by Kevin Wilson

Memphis by Tara M. Stringfellow

In the Shadow of the Mountain by Silvia Vasquez-Lavado

To Paradise by Hanya Yanagihara

Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel

How to Be Perfect by Michael Schur

The Nineties by Chuck Klosterman

Heartbreak by Florence Williams

In the Early Times by Tad Friend

Solito by Javier Zamora

Stay True by Hua Hsu

Afterlives by Abdulrazak Gurnah

Inciting Joy by Ross Gay

Liberation Day by George Saunders

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2022 Holiday Recommendation Show, Part 2

Mon, 28 Nov 2022 02:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca conclude this year’s holiday recommendation extravaganza.

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Discussed in this episode:

Merchants of Culture by John Thompson

Bookish People by Susan Coll

The Billion Dollar Whale

An Ugly Truth by Sheera Frankel & Cecilia Kang

She Said

The Cult of We

Amor Towles

Sherry Thomas’ Lady Sherlock series

We Ride Upon Sticks

In the Dream House

The Space Between Worlds by Micaiah Johnson

The Switch by Beth O’Leary

On the Rooftop

2am at the Cat’s Pajamas

The Alchemy of Us

Your Table is Ready

The Man from the Future

Tender at the Bone

Buttermilk Graffiti

Our Lady of Perpetual Hunger

Dirt by Bill Buford

The English Patient

52 Loaves by William Alexander

Taste by Stanley Tucci

The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro

A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel

Perish by LaToya Watkins

All This Could Be Different

The Buddha in the Attic by Julie Otsuka

Cloudstreet by Tim Winton

The Home Place

World of Wonders

Pilgrim at Tinker Creek

The Naturalist at Large by Bernd Heinrich

Cutting Back by Leslie Buck

A Little Devil in America

Major Labels

I Contain Multitudes

The 90s

The Autobiography of Alice B Toklas

The Undoing Project by Michael Lewis

How Strange a Season

Brandon Taylor

The Sentence (or any Erdrich)

The Orchard by Adele Crockett Roberston

High Sierra by Kim Stanley Robinson

George Saunders

Kelly Link

Zone One by Colson Whitehead

How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe by Charles Yu

Unbound by Steph Jagger

Trace by Lauret Savoy

Beyond Possible by Nims Purja

S.A. Cosby

Elmore Leonard

The Force by Don Winslow

Anthem by Noah Hawley

Joe Ide

Catch & Kill

The Devil & Sherlock Holmes by David Grann

Evvie Drake Starts Over

Lives of Jaded Women

Crazy Rich Asians

Erotic Stories for Punjabi Women by Balli Kaur Jaswal

The Mitford Series by Jan Karon

Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society by Shaffer & Burrows,

Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng

Babel by R.F. Kuang

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2022 Holiday Recommendation Show, Part 1

Wed, 23 Nov 2022 16:27:26 -0000

The annual tradition returns! In this first of two episodes, Jeff and Rebecca respond to listener recommendation requests.

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Discussed in this episode:

A Year in the Woods by Torbjorn Ekelund

Life is Meals by James & Kay Salter

The Taste of Country Cooking by Edna Lewis

Pig Years by Ellyn Gaydos

Braiding Sweetgrass

How to Do Nothing

Moneyball

Some old-fashioned John Irving

Great Circle by Maggie Shipstead

Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead

The Hunters by James Salter

Emperor of All Maladies

Michael Lewis

Confidence Man by Haberman

Barbarian Days by William Finnegan

Matthew Perry’s memoir

Rebel Chef by Dominique Cren

Born a Crime

Inside Voice by Lake Bell

Intimations by Zadie Smith

The Guide by Peter Heller

Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro

Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

Now is Not the Time to Panic

The Change by Kristen Miller

The Family Chao by Lan Samantha Chang

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

Powder Days by Heather Hansman

Mary Roach

Isabel Wilkerson

An Immense World by Ed Yong

Stephen Johnson

Rogues by Patrick Radden Keefe

When Women Were Birds

How to Be Perfect

Let’s Talk About Hard Things

Big Friendship

Hunger by Roxane Gay

Heartbreak by Florence Williams

Happy Holigays! New LGBTQ Holiday Romances for 2022

Kiss Her Once for Me

The Holiday Trap

Trust by Hernan Diaz

While Justice Sleeps by Stacey Abrams

Jane Harper

Hammerhead by Nina Mcloughlin

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Where the Crawdads Sing 2

Mon, 21 Nov 2022 02:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca try to figure out the mystery of a 2023 title with a HUGE print run, B&N booksellers’ book(s) of the year, the National Book Award winners, and what that literary gumshoe Michael Lewis stumbled into.

This week, Jeff and Rebecca talk about a strike at HarperCollins, who got the future of book-selling right, a beta Kindle Rewards program, and much more.

Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. The show can also be found on Stitcher.

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DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE:

Barnes & Noble booksellers choose Lessons in Chemistry as the book of the year

Grammy Nominees for audiobooks

Natl Book Award Winners

Amazon editors’ best books of the year

Tor Announces what the heck will happen with the Brandon Sanderson kickstarter books

Michael Lewis FTX!!!!!

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The Most Giftable Books of 2022

Thu, 17 Nov 2022 11:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca pick books from the year that are the most giftable. Whatever that means.

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DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE:

The Nineties By Chuck Klosterman

How to Be Perfect by Michael Schur

Inciting Joy by Ross Gay

Kosher Soul by Michael Twitty

An Immense World by Ed Yong

What If 2 by Randall Munroe

Baking School: The Bread Ahead Cookbook

Building a Second Brain by Tiago Forte

Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel

Left on Tenth by Delia Ephron

The Maid by Nita Prose

Mouth to Mouth by Antoine Wilson

Notes on an Execution

To Paradise by Hanya Yanagihara

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The Full Gutenberg

Mon, 14 Nov 2022 02:00:00 -0000

This week, Jeff and Rebecca talk about a strike at HarperCollins, who got the future of book-selling right, a beta Kindle Rewards program, and much more.

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Discussed in this episode:

HarperCollins union workers on strike until new contract is reached

Ongoing: Jamestown, MI library defunded again

Amazon displaying Goodreads ratings on some title listings

For fellow Bourdain fans, Jason Diamond read the unauthorized biography so we don’t have

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The Cap is a Feather

Mon, 07 Nov 2022 02:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about the NPR Book Concierge, a report on the Gone Girl Cruise, ToMo on a stamp, PRH not becoming PRHS&S, and much more.

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Discussed in this episode:

Judge blocks PRH-SS merger

Truly bananas follow-up: the Gone Girl cruise

ToMo is going to be on a stamp

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Little Fancy Boy on the Internet

Mon, 31 Oct 2022 01:00:00 -0000

This week, Jeff and Rebecca talk about best of lists in general, Publishers Weekly’s list in particular, Spotify being surprised at not being special, and much more.

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Discussed in this episode:

Free Patreon Episodes: for real this time.

Spotify struggling with audiobooks update because of Apple’s in-app purchases rules that they…were kind of hoping to be magically exempt from

PW’s Best Books of the Year

PEN report on race, equity, and book publishing

FX/Hulu order Never Let Me Go series

Rogue Ingram employee replaces pro-choice titles with Focus on the Family propaganda while filling Bookshop orders

Republicans propose federal “Don’t Say Gay” bill

Celeste Ng named first ABA indie bookstore ambassador

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The 10 Biggest Bookish Phenomena of Our Reading Lives

Mon, 24 Oct 2022 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca bring their favorite Patreon episode out from behind the wall: the biggest bookish phenomena of their reading lives. To get all the extra episodes, go to patreon.com/bookriotpodcast.

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The Complete Tiffany Necklace

Mon, 17 Oct 2022 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about Barnes & Noble’s best books of the year, Alexandra Alter’s article on Colleen Hoover, and more.

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Discussed in this episode:

Enter to win a copy of Book Riot’s own Reading the Stars

Barnes & Noble’s best books of the year

The Colleen Hoover profile we’ve been waiting for?

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11% Devil

Mon, 10 Oct 2022 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about the 2022 Nobel Prize in Literature, audiobooks coming to Spotify, Amazon’s updated ebook return policy, a new Kindle model that Jeff absolutely should not buy, and much more.

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Discussed in this episode:

Enter to win a copy of Book Riot’s own Reading the Stars

Annie Ernaux wins the Nobel Prize for Literature

Spotify audiobooks are live

New Kindle Scribe

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Dead Poets Society

Mon, 03 Oct 2022 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about the most bookish non-adaptation ever made.

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MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Jeff’s 2012 Dead Poets Society Live-Blog

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Welcome to the Niche

Mon, 26 Sep 2022 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about the National Book Award longlist, which apparently triggers an existential crisis for Jeff.

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Discussed in this episode:

The 2022 National Book Award Longlists

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When One of You is a Dragon

Mon, 19 Sep 2022 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about John Green getting banned in his home school, new ereader news, recent reading, and much more.

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Discussed in this episode:

Book banning weirdness: John Green’s first novel might be banned at his old school

Out of Print job posting

Long-awaited great news that Angela Flournoy has two more books coming

Kobo’s new eco-conscious ereader

Amazon’s new base Kindle

This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub

In the Early Times by Tad Friend

Afterlives by Abdulrazak Gurnah

The Mosquito Bowl by Buzz Bissinger

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A Mist of Possibility

Mon, 12 Sep 2022 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about the Booker Prize shortlist, Nora Roberts making it rain for a Michigan library, Virginia’s obscenity case against Gender Queer getting kicked to the curb, interesting new trailers, nerd TV, and more.

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Discussed in this episode:

Their efforts have failed: VA obscenity case over Gender Queer is dismissed

Liberty Hardy’s Patreon

RIP Barbara Ehrenreich

And Peter Straub

Booker Prize Shortlist

AJ Fikry trailer

Nora Roberts saves Michigan library defunded over LGBTQ titles

Baker & Taylor’s systems were down for multiple weeks due to a ransomware attack the weekend of Aug 20-21

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Where the Slugs Dwell

Mon, 29 Aug 2022 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca follow-up about stocking changes at Barnes & Noble, a Texas school district bans the word “transgender,” a slate of new book clubs, and more.

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Discussed in this episode:

Shoutout to Kelly Jensen on PBS News Hour

Texas school district bans the word “transgender” from district, along w/ sweeping policy around discussions of gender & sexuality

Amazon is now sponsoring the TikTok Book Club

Chemistry Lessons by Bonnie Garmus

Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekulak

The Hacienda by Isabel Canas

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Go Kill a Watchman

Mon, 22 Aug 2022 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about the horrible attack on Salman Rushdie, a maybe consequential change to what Barnes & Noble stocks in its physical stores, a quick Confidence Index on DEVIL IN THE WHITE CITY starring Keanu Reeves, and much more.

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Discussed in this episode:

Salman Rushdie on the long road to recovery after being stabbed during event

Dallas area librarians told to remove every book that was challenged last year from shelves, even those that were approved

Barnes & Noble making a change to what it stocks and how it stocks

This GRRM profile in Vanity Fair

Keanu Reeves starring in Hulu’s Devil in the White City adaptation

Joan is Okay by Weike Wang

Home Waters by John Maclean

We Were Dreamers by Simu Lu

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The Tipping Point Was a Tipping Point

Mon, 15 Aug 2022 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about the passing of David McCullough, who holds the Dad Book crown, seeing the Colleen Hoover phenomenon in the wild, rubber-neck the PRH/S&S trial, and much more.

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Discussed in this episode:

Is this the Colleen Hoover profile we have been looking for?

Day Five of the Penguin Random House/S&S Trial

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A Novel Trial

Mon, 08 Aug 2022 01:00:00 -0000

Rebecca and Sharifah discuss the salacious history of Go Ask Alice, the antitrust trial against Penguin Random House’s merger with Simon & Schuster, and more.

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Links discussed in the show:

How a Mormon Housewife Turned a Fake Diary Into an Enormous Best-Seller

New York Times announces Gilbert Cruz as Books Editor

Louisiana Librarian Seeks Legal Action After Harassment by Far-Right Group

Michigan Library May Close Due to Conservative Propaganda

Background on the PRH-Simon & Schuster antitrust trial

Opening Arguments & Day One Testimony

S & S CEO Jonathan Karp’s Testimony

Why the Penguin Random House – Simon & Schuster Merger is About Amazon

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Millions of Canadians Cranking

Mon, 01 Aug 2022 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about Obama’s summer reading picks, Canadian reading habits, another take on “self-censorship,” and more.

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Discussed in this episode:

We’re still taking applications for Editorial Ops Associate

Utah State board of education policy opens door to book bans

Half of all Canadians read a book a week?!

Pamela Paul has a take

Barack Obama’s summer reading list

The Gillian Flynn Gone Girl…Danube River cruise?

Perish by LaToya Watkins

The Church of Baseball by Ron Shelton

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Book Riot Matches Donations to the National Network of Abortion Funds

Tue, 26 Jul 2022 17:43:00 -0000

Book Riot is running a campaign to match donations to the National Network of Abortion Funds from July 25th through August 1st. Feminism, gender equality, and inclusivity are all core tenants of our values at Book Riot, and we know there is no gender equality without reproductive freedom and bodily autonomy.

We hope that you'll be able to participate in this match campaign. If you are able to support it financially, you can get information at https://bookriot.com/book-riot-matching-donations-to-national-network-of-abortion-funds/

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Save It For the Message Boards

Mon, 25 Jul 2022 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk trailers (She Said, Rings of Power, House of the Dragon), a HarperCollins walk-out, Michelle Obama’s new book, and much more.

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Discussed in this episode:

The Book Riot Podcast Patreon

Follow-up: HarperCollins union workers hit the picket line

New Michelle Obama book

The Boys by Katie Hafner

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Catch-451

Mon, 18 Jul 2022 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk the best-selling books of the year, Book Riot’s own best books of the year so far, a very suspect reality show idea, and much more.

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DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE:

Book Riot’s Best of 2022 so far

Ada Limon named next Poet Laureate

Bookstores are booming & becoming more diverse

A reality show about authors?

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Good Job, Matt

Mon, 11 Jul 2022 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about Jesmyn Ward winning the Library of Congress Fiction Prize, a major publisher getting hijacked (?), labor at publishing houses, The New York Times understanding BookTok just about as well as they do, and much more.

Discussed in this episode:

Jesmyn Ward wins of Congress Prize for Fiction

Macmillan security breach

HarperCollins’s union authorizes strike if publisher does agree to fair contract

Penguin Classics adds Marvel to the Canon

NYT on BookTok

Public service story: if you work in any kind of library setting and have student loans, see if you eligible for student loan forgiveness

The Fox & I by Catherine Raven

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Mental Cellophane

Mon, 04 Jul 2022 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about “the book of the year,” Barnes & Noble and TikTok collaborating, follow up on book censorship stories, and more.

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Discussed in this episode:

Ongoing: Lawyers say obscenity claims in VA case are ‘defective’ and should be tossed out

Canadian librarian responds to threats over drag queen story hour by adding a second event

TikTok now has a dedicated #booktok hub, and Barnes & Noble is partnering to promote it with a challenge

Authors are protesting Amazon policy that allows Kindle users to return ebooks within 7 days

Wahala by Nikki May

Memphis by Tara Stringfellow

An Immense World by Ed Yong

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A Feather in the Trap

Mon, 27 Jun 2022 01:00:00 -0000

Jenn Northington joins Jeff to talk about a sweeping New York Times piece on diversity in publishing, the most popular GoodReads books of the moment, and how much Americans do and do not read books.

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Discussed in this episode:

NYT looks at the state of diversity of the publishing industry

Florence Pugh to star in East of Eden Netflix series

The Obamas Head to Audible

Over 50% of Americans have not finished a book in the last year

72 of the most popular books on GoodReads….right now

The City Inside by Samit Basu

Aurora by David Koepp

An Immense World by Ed Yong

Flying Solo by Linda Holmes

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The Implied Headline

Mon, 20 Jun 2022 01:00:00 -0000

Rebecca is joined by Book Riot’s managing editor, Vanessa Diaz, while Jeff is on vacation. They discuss the relaunch of MTV Books, James Patterson’s hot take on racism, and more.

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Discussed in this episode:

MTV Books Reveals 2023 Relaunch Slate

Sales of LGBTQ Books Are Soaring

Mom’s for Liberty’s Book Rating System

James Patterson says older white men experience “another form of racism”

And then James Patterson apologizes

NYPL to give away 500,000 free books

The Margins writers’ conference

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Two Questions and a Comment

Mon, 13 Jun 2022 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about Barnes & Noble’s picks for the best books of the year so far, Spotify coming for audiobooks, the quiet end of Oprah’s Book Club on AppleTV, Tiny Beautiful Things being adapted, and much more.

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Discussed in this episode:

Obscenity suit is advancing in VA

Barnes & Noble’s best books of 2022 so far

Kathryn Hahn to appear in Hulu’s Tiny Beautiful Things adaptation

Spotify is coming for audiobooks

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I’ve Got No Animal Paraphernalia

Mon, 06 Jun 2022 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca discuss the results of their summer preview draft, go through a bunch of listener feedback, talk about a cookbook being adapted for the screen, a huge study of bookselling patterns on Amazon, and more.

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Discussed in this episode:

We hiring a Digital Marketing Manager

Australian Cookbook To Be Adapted Into Feature Film

Ingram followed 150k books on Amazon for 3 years

Dog Eared Books in Ames, Iowa

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Playing by the Ruled

Mon, 30 May 2022 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about book sales, Amazon’s new book club, the bookstore of the year, recent reading, and more.

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Discussed in this episode:

The Second: Race and Guns in a Fatally Unequal America by Carol Anderson

Congrats to The Raven!

Amazon starts monthly book club

Translating Myself & Other by Jhumpa Lahiri

Trillions by Robin Wigglesworth

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From Talk Easy: Jennifer Egan on Writing Through Time

Fri, 27 May 2022 10:00:00 -0000

Today we're sharing a special preview of a podcast we've been enjoying, Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso, from Pushkin Industries. Talk Easy is a weekly interview podcast, where writer Sam Fragoso invites actors, writers, activists, and politicians to come to the table and speak from the heart in ways you probably haven't heard from them before. Driven by curiosity, he has revealing conversations with guests like Michael Lewis, Rupi Kaur, and Dave Eggers. In this preview, Sam talks to Jennifer Egan about the structural pulse of her new novel, The Candy House, why she’s drawn to nonlinear storytelling, and what the book reveals about authenticity in the digital age.

You can hear the full episode, and more from Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso, at https://podcasts.pushkin.fm/tebookriotegan

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Foley Artist on Mars

Mon, 23 May 2022 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about a striking attempt to sue Barnes & Noble for obscenity and pornography, admit we were wrong but for dumb reasons, talk about a hero of the week, and more.

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Discussed in this episode:

The Book Riot Patreon!

Klara & the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro

VA Beach Barnes & Noble being sued over GenderQueer and A Court of Mist and Fury

Now in book banning: conservative parents take aim at library apps

If it sounds too good to be true…this company will pay you $200 for every book you finish

Something you don’t see every day – expanded book coverage!

The Dracula Daily newsletter is a fun thing

Hero of the Week: teen upset about book bans starts forbidden book club

The Book of Night by Holly Black

Trust by Hernan Diaz

Flying Solo by Linda Holmes

Translating Myself and Others by Jhumpa Lahiri

How the World Really Works by Vaclav Smil

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Manga Eyes of Desire

Mon, 16 May 2022 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about the 2022 Pulitzer Prizes, the reMarkable 2….tablet?, recent reading, and more.

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Discussed in this episode:

The Book Riot Patreon!

Pulitzer winners

Is this a thing?

Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng

Dinner for One by Sutanya Dacres

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Exaggerate, Enhance, Create, and Reify

Mon, 09 May 2022 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca take listener feedback, spend a few moments talking about Julia on HBO, look at real, honest-to-goodness BookTok numbers, and talk with Florence Williams about her book, Heartbreak.

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Discussed in this episode:

The Book Riot Patreon!

Let’s talk about those BookTok numbers from publishers lunch — public link to the pod & infographic

So get a copy of Heartbreak using riot20 for 20% at pushkin.fm/heartbreak

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2022 Moms, Dad, and Grads Recommendation Show

Mon, 02 May 2022 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca turn with their annual spring recommendation show.

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Discussed in this episode:

2022 (!) 5 Under 35 Honorees

Book Riot Podcast Listener Survey

Danez Smith

Hanif Abdurraquib

Morgan Parker

Louise Gluck

Time is a Mother by Ocean Vuong

Selected Poems of Nikki Giovanni

Poets.org

The Great Circle

Pretty Face by Lucy Parker

A Taste of Her Own Medicine by Tasha Harrison

The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner

Gilead

Lila by Marilynne Robinson

Wicked Fox by Kate Cho

Books for K-Drama Fans

2am at the Cat’s Pajamas

City of Girls

Black Cake

Storied Life of AJ Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin

Pachinko

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie

Chronicles of St. Mary’s by Jodi Taylor

The Wheel of Time

I Came All This Way to Meet You

My Glory Was I Had Such Friends

The Ugly Cry

Fierce Attachments

The Odd Woman in the City by Vivian Gornick

Joan is Okay

Crooked Hallelujah by Kelli Jo Ford

Silver Sparrow by Tayari Jones

Sag Harbor by Colson Whitehead

The Cartographers by Peng Shepard

The Lincoln Highway

Greek to Me by Mary Norris

The Moonflower Murders by Anthony Horowitz

Automatic Detective by A. Lee Martinez

A Small Death in Lisbon by Robert Wilson

Lab Girl

Entangled Life by Merlin Sheldrake

The Wild Iris by Louise Gluck

Financial Intelligence

To The End of the Land by David Grossman

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Caffeinated, Liquid Snickers Bar

Mon, 25 Apr 2022 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about Barnes & Noble as publishing’s hero(!?), developments in the world of book banning, new initiatives to combat said banning, and more.

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Discussed in this episode:

Book bans now reaching math textbooks in Florida

California student’s petition to expand conversations about race in literature

5 Under 35 honorees

Brooklyn Public Library offers ecards to kids 13-21 as a move to provide access/resist book bans

We Need Diverse Books To Offer Grants to Educators to Buy Books

How Barnes & Noble went from villain to hero

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The Realm of Cookies

Mon, 18 Apr 2022 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk 2022 book sales so far, Brandon Sanderson making it rain, dive into The Candy House by Jennifer Egan, and more.

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Discussed in this episode:

Book Riot Podcast Patreon!

Brandon Sanderson pays it forward

Book sales boom is over?

Documentary about The Bookstore

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A Broken Hallelujah

Mon, 11 Apr 2022 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about the new Book Riot Podcast Patreon, solicit recommendation requests for Moms/Dads/Grads episode, somehow spin out again about audiobook pricing, look at the most banned books of 2021, and much more.

Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. The show can also be found on Stitcher.

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Discussed in this episode:

Book Riot Podcast Patreon!

Station Eleven team reuniting at HBO for Glass Hotel & Sea of Tranquility

We probably have to say something about the Amazon union success

The NYT looks at some of the most-banned books of 2021

B&N goes audiobook membership

The Cartographers by Peng Shepard

Secret Identity by Alex Segura

The Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi

Pay Up by Reshma Saujani

LGBTQ romance sales are booming

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From Talk Easy: Michael Lewis on The Premonition

Tue, 05 Apr 2022 21:45:17 -0000

We’re sharing a special preview of a podcast we’ve been enjoying, Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso, from Pushkin Industries.

Talk Easy is a weekly interview podcast, where writer Sam Fragoso invites actors, writers, activists, and musicians to come to the table and speak from the heart in ways you probably haven't heard from them before. Driven by curiosity and an abundance of research, he’s had revealing conversations with everyone from George Saunders and Cate Blanchett to Ocean Vuong and Gloria Steinem. In this preview, Sam talks with author Michael Lewis about his book, The Premonition, his approach to creating a relationship with the people he writes about, covering President Obama, and the power of luck.

You can listen to Talk Easy at https://podcasts.pushkin.fm/tebookriot.

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They're All Lowlights

Mon, 04 Apr 2022 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about listener experiences with Atlas of the Heart, do a quick update from the Sandersonverse, discuss the rising sales of LBGTQ romance, and linger for a moment in the Frontlist Foyer.

Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. The show can also be found on Stitcher.

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DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE:

Evelyn Hugo adaptation going to Netflix

The Swimmers by Julie Otsuka

Pachinko by Min Jin Lee

Tell Me Everything by Erika Krouse

The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb

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To Kill a Mockingbird Meets Nicholas Sparks

Mon, 28 Mar 2022 17:59:34 -0000

Danika Ellis joins Rebecca Schinsky to talk about Dr Seuss sales, librarians getting fired for not pulling books, that Where the Crawdads Sing Trailer, and much more.

Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. The show can also be found on Stitcher.

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DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE:

Pulling racist books turned out to be good for business for Dr Seuss

Texas librarian alleges she was fired for not removing books

Crawdads trailer

Heroes of the Week

Ted Cruz accidentally makes two anti-racist books bestsellers

As mentioned on the show: Danika’s quiz to match book banning quote to the decade it occurred

Delilah Green Doesn’t Care by Ashley Herring Blake

Tell Me an Ending by Jo Harkin

Ready When You Are by Gary Lonesborough

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Nobels and Hostages

Mon, 21 Mar 2022 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about books sales thus far in 2022, check in on the “book of the year” candidates, note some discontent in the publishing workforce, and talk about books that are not what we thought they were.

Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. The show can also be found on Stitcher.

For more industry news, sign up for our Today in Books daily newsletter!

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE:

We have a literary activism newsletter coming soon

Brandon Sanderson answers FAQs about that Kickstarter

Wanna talk about that Twitter thread about low-mid level publishing folks bouncing out?

Funny Farm by Laurie Zaleski

Left on Tenth by Delia Ephron

The Swimmers by Julie Otsuka

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You Know How I Am With Bandwagons

Mon, 14 Mar 2022 01:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about B&N’s 2021 results and how TikTok steers the ship, recent reading, new Cormac McCarthy novels, and more.

Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. The show can also be found on Stitcher.

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Discussed in this episode:

James Daunt talks about BN’s 2021

Cormac McCarthy publishing 2 new novels with a different flavor

Pamela Paul stepping down from NYT Book Review to join Opinion section

The Voltage Effect by John List

Left on Tenth by Delia Ephron

Recitatif by Toni Morrison

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Brandon Swagder$on

Mon, 07 Mar 2022 02:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about the closing of Amazon Books and the most interesting self-publishing story yet.

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Discussed in this episode:

Amazon is shutting down all of its bookstores

Brandon Sanderson’s Kickstarter!

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Dolly Partterson

Mon, 28 Feb 2022 02:00:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk more about bonus content, the Dolly Parton/James Patterson unique audio experience, trailer talk, and more.

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Discussed in this episode:

Novelists struggling with if/how to write about covid — curious where listeners are on this

Britney! Spears! Memoir! For $15million

Cases in which challenged books have been returned to shelves in Washington state.

Dolly/patterson audiobook experience on Spotify

Pachinko Trailer looks amazing

Rings of Power looks like….Rings of Power

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Algorithms Gone Wild

Mon, 21 Feb 2022 17:48:38 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk premium podcast content, play a bookish round of 20 Questions, think about the two-year anniversary of Bookshop, and much more.

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Discussed in this episode:

Mexican Gothic by Sylvia Moreno-Garcia

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

Students sue a school district over book banning

Heartbreak by Florence Williams

The Bomber Mafia by Malcolm Gladwell

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Freudian Slippers

Mon, 14 Feb 2022 16:30:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca talk about new details about The Spine Collector, Apple’s Book Club, recent reads, and more.

Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. The show can also be found on Stitcher.

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Discussed in this episode:

Check out our wordle-inspired merch at bookriot.com/merch

Glory’s doing a WRBG series with Liveright

The Bernardini plot thickens

Apple’s new book club