First Edition

Erin Somers on THE TEN YEAR AFFAIR and Naomi Huffman on Katherine Dunn

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 10:45:00 -0000

Jeff is joined by Erin Somers to talk about her terrific new novel, The Ten Year Affair. Then, editor Naomi Huffman on Katherine Dunn, Geek Love, and the new collection of Dunn's work, Near Flesh.

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Censorship, Inclusivity, Book Banning and more with Hachette CEO David Shelley

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 10:00:00 -0000

Hachette CEO David Shelley joins Jeff to talk about how Hachette is fighting book bans and censorship, working on greater exclusivity and access, and other issues facing publishing today.

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The Guggenheim Fellowships at 100

Tue, 07 Oct 2025 17:21:00 -0000

Over its first century The Guggenheim Fellowships have supported more than 19,000 artists, writers, thinkers, scientists, and makers of ideas and culture in America. In honor of this milestone, The Guggenheim Fellowship at 100, on view at The New York Historical Society through November 30th, shows off correspondence, application materials, cultural objects, and other signs and tokens of what Guggenheim these fellowships and fellows have done.

In this episode, Jeff talks to Guggenheim President Edward Hirsch about the fellowships and what they mean. Then, Hanna Pennington, Associate Director and Archivist at the Guggenheim, joins to talk about the work and materials that went into making this exhibition.

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Sasha Bonét on THE WATERBEARERS and Jason Diamond on KAPLAN'S PLOT

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 10:15:00 -0000

Jeff talks with Sasha Bonét about her memoir, The Waterbearers. Then, Jason Diamond joins to talk about his debut novel, Kaplan's Plot.

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How to Make a Literary Festival with Amanda Bullock and Creating Modern Book Coverage with Boris Kachka

Thu, 04 Sep 2025 15:19:00 -0000

First Edition returns after a summer hiatus. Amanda Bullock of Portland's Literary Arts talks about how to make a literary festival, Literary Arts growth over the past several years, and advice for book festival attendees. Then, The Atlantic Books editor Boris Kachka joins to talk about The Atlantic's new The Writer's Way series and creating modern book coverage.

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Discussed in this episode:

The 2025 Portland Book Festival

Literary Arts

The Writer's Way Series at The Atlantic

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What Are Social Media Algorithms Doing to How We Talk?

Fri, 18 Jul 2025 19:26:00 -0000

Jeff talks to Adam Aleksic about his new book, Algospeak: How Social Media is Transforming the Future of Language. Not sure if you will better or worse about how algorithms, censorship, and influencer culture are shaping language, but you will at least understand it better.

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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:

Algospeak: How Social Media is Transforming the Future of Language by Adam Aleksic

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HOT GIRLS WITH BALLS by Benedict Nguyen

Thu, 03 Jul 2025 16:14:00 -0000

Jeff talks about Hot Girls with Balls with author Benedict Nguyen.

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

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A Rare Bookseller Turns to Fantasy: Oliver Darkshire & ISABELLA NAGG AND THE POT OF BASIL

Thu, 26 Jun 2025 10:15:00 -0000

Jeff talks to rare-bookseller turned fantasy author Oliver Darkshire about his debut work of fantasy, Isabella Nagg and the Pot of Basil. Darkshire's breakout memoir of being an accidental rare bookseller is Once Upon a Tome.

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

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From Mourning to Making Art: A Conversation With Peter Mendelsund

Thu, 12 Jun 2025 21:04:00 -0000

Peter Mendelsund is a writer, book designer, musician, novelist, and painter. And he has two books coming out within just a couple of weeks of each other: Exhibitionist and Weepers. We talk about both in deep, wide-ranging conversation. This is a good one.

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

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An Agent's View on Publishing and Writing a Book

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 17:34:00 -0000

Kate McKean joins Jeff to talk about her new book, Write Through It: An Insider's Guide to Publishing and the Creative Life. Kate is a literary agent at the Howard Morhaim Literary Agency and writes the extremely interesting and popular Agents + Books newsletter.

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Discussed in this episode:

The Two Kinds of Book Auctions

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

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The "I Wish I Could Read All Day" Books of June

Thu, 05 Jun 2025 19:22:00 -0000

I am working on a permanent title for this episode format, where I just run through a bunch of books I am interested in that are coming out in the current month. You get the idea.

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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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Susan Choi on FLASHLIGHT & Damon Young on THAT'S HOW THEY GET YOU

Tue, 03 Jun 2025 22:12:00 -0000

June new releases are hopping. Jeff talks to Susan Choi about her new novel, Flashlight. Then, Damon Young comes on to talk about his new anthology, That's How They Get You: An Unruly Anthology of Black Humor.

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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!

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Discussed in this episode:

The Book Riot Podcast

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

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Wisdom, Aphorisms, and THE SECRETS OF ADULTHOOD with Gretchen Rubin

Thu, 29 May 2025 16:18:00 -0000

Gretchen Rubin returns to the show to talk about wisdom, aphorisms, and her new book, The Secrets of Adulthood. PLUS: a silent reading challenge coming in June that anyone can do.

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Discussed in this episode:

The Secrets of Adulthood by Gretchen Rubin

Read 25 Day

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The "Hey I Just Might" Books of May PLUS: Books on the Blockchain

Thu, 08 May 2025 16:20:00 -0000

Jeff goes over a couple dozen May new releases that he definitely might consider thinking about reading. Then, Book.io co-founder and CEO Joshua Stone comes on to talk about what the blockchain could offer the world of books and reading.

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The Business of Being a Writer with Jane Friedman

Thu, 24 Apr 2025 16:53:00 -0000

Jeff talks to Jane Friedman about the new edition of her book, The Business of Being a Writer. She has been writing about the publishing industry for years (and Jeff has been reading her work for years as well), and this book is a guide for writers who don't just want to write, they want to try to make a living. It's a tremendous resource for early-career writers especially, but also has application and relevance for later-stage writers, creatives of all kinds, and people who are interested in how publishing works. The Business of Being a Writer (Second Edition) is out now.

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Links and Resources:

The Spring 2025 First Edition Giveaway

The Business of Being a Writer by Jane Friedman

Jane's website

And please do email me with feedback here: firstedition (at) bookriot (dot)com

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The Books of Marie-Helene Bertino...with Marie-Helene Bertino

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

Jeff is joined by one of his favorite writers, Marie-Helene Bertino, and the talk about all five of her books in order, including her new short story collection, Exit Zero.

Marie-Helene Bertino's Beautyland was named a best book of 2024 by Times, Esquire, Lit Hub and many others. Jeff included it on his list of the most recommendable books of the century so far. Her new book, Exit Zero, is available now.

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Trying to Make English Spelling EZ: Gabe Henry & ENOUGH IS ENUF

Thu, 17 Apr 2025 10:15:00 -0000

Jeff talks to Gabe Henry about his new book, Enough is Enuf: Our Failed Attempts to Make English Easier to Spell. For centuries, a series of thinkers, writers, politicians, and bankers have been advocating to make English easier to spell. It hasn't really worked. But the effort is fascinating.

Enough is Enuf is available now wherever books are sold.

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Jon Hickey & BIG CHIEF

Fri, 11 Apr 2025 21:31:00 -0000

Jeff talks to Jon Hickey about his debut novel, Big Chief.

Jon Hickey earned his MFA at Cornell University and was a Stegner Fellow at Stanford University. He has received scholarships from the Bread Loaf Writers Conference and the Sewanee Writers Conference, and he is an enrolled member of the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians. His short fiction has appeared in Massachusetts Review, Gulf Coast Online, Virginia Quarterly Review, Meridian, and The Madison Review. Jon lives in San Francisco with his wife and two sons.

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Katie Kitamura & AUDITION

Tue, 08 Apr 2025 19:25:00 -0000

Jeff talks to the great Katie Kitamura about her new novel, Audition (it is very, very good).

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21 Books I've Got My Eye on This Month (April 2025)

Thu, 03 Apr 2025 10:15:00 -0000

Jeff talks about 21 books coming out this month that caught his eye.

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Discussed in this episode:

I Have a Capital Suggestion for a New Pronoun by John McWhorter

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Writing the Big One with Emma Pattee, Author of TILT

Thu, 27 Mar 2025 10:15:00 -0000

Jeff talks to Emma Pattee about her debut novel, Tilt. They talk earthquakes, IKEA, the consequences of writing place precisely, and much more. This book is a winner, folks.

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Making Phosphorus Interesting: WHITE LIGHT and How to Make a Microhistory

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 18:04:00 -0000

Jeff is joined by Jack Lohmann, author of the new book White Light: The Elemental Role of Phosphorus-in Our Cells, in Our Food, and in Our World. Plus, his editor at Pantheon, Todd Portnowitz joins the conversation to talk about positioning, crafting, and otherwise publishing non-fiction like this.

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The Reading Life of Stephen Graham Jones

Thu, 20 Mar 2025 15:58:00 -0000

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.

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How Hollywood Shaped Joan Didion with Alissa Wilkinson

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 20:31:08 -0000

Alissa Wilkinson joins Jeff to talk about her new book, We Tell Ourselves Stories: Joan Didion and the American Dream Machine.

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Discussed in this episode:

We Tell Ourselves Stories: Joan Didion and the American Dream Machine by Alissa Wilkinson

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A Gift from the Internet, Murder Ballads, and Liking Your Writing with Amal El-Mohtar

Thu, 06 Mar 2025 11:15:00 -0000

Jeff talks to Amal El-Mohtar about This is How You Lose the Time War getting one of greatest bookish gifts ever bestowed by the internet before talking about her new book, The River Has Roots.

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Discussed in this episode:

The Book Riot Podcast Live at Powell's on March 13th

This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar & Max Gladstone

The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar

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10 Notecards with Scaachi Koul

Tue, 04 Mar 2025 11:45:00 -0000

Scaachi Koul joins Jeff to talk about her new book, Sucker Punch with a new little format for First Edition called "10 Notecards With..." Jeff has picked out 10 things from the new book — words, ideas, stories, etc. — written them on notecards, and then has Saachi pick them at random (at least at the start order). Turned out to be a lot of fun, so expect to hear more of these.

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Discussed in This Episode:

The Book Riot Podcast Live at Powell's on March 13th

Sucker Punch by Scaachi Koul

One Day We'll All Be Dead and None of This Will Matter by Scaachi Koul

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How to Talk About New Books for 500 Episodes

Thu, 27 Feb 2025 16:41:15 -0000

Liberty Hardy joins Jeff to talk about hosting 500 episodes of All The Books! and a host of other reading-related topics.

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Discussed in this episode:

All The Books!

Liberty Hardy on Instagram

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Book Collecting, Bibliomemoir, and JANE AUSTEN’S BOOKSHELF with Rebecca Romney

Fri, 21 Feb 2025 19:47:00 -0000

Rebecca Romney joins Jeff to talk about her new book, Jane Austen's Bookshelf. They talk about personal book collecting, rediscovering literary history for yourself, a few of the writers Austen admired, and more. Jane Austen's Bookshelf is out now.

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Discussed in this episode:

Jane Austen's Bookshelf by Rebecca Romney

Rebecca Romney on Instagram

The Honey & Wax Book Collecting Contest

Type Punch Matrix (Romney's Rare Book Company)

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BIBLIOPHOBIA with Sarah Chihaya

Thu, 13 Feb 2025 17:34:35 -0000

Sarah Chihaya joins Jeff to talk about her new memoir, Bibliophobia. They talk life-ruining books, the enormous weight of all the books that are out there and how we cannot read them all, and other less-talked about parts of the reading life.

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Discussed in this episode:

Bibliophobia by Sarah Chihaya

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Life, Literature, and Psychological Richness with Professor Shigehiro Oishi

Thu, 06 Feb 2025 11:15:00 -0000

Jeff talks to Professor Shigehiro Oishi about his new book, Life in Three Dimensions: How Curiosity, Exploration, and Experience Make a Fuller, Better Life.

Books and reading play a central role in the book, both as examples but also as avenues towards living a psychologically rich life. I really enjoyed this book and this conversation.

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Human Writing, LLMs, and the Challenges and Opportunities of Living in the Age of AI

Tue, 04 Feb 2025 20:27:00 -0000

John Warner joins Jeff to talk about his new book, More Than Words: How to Think About Writing in the Age of AI. We talk about the teaching of writing, what we might want to save for humans, what kinds of things LLMs expose about how we think about writing, and what the present and future of living with AI could be.

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Discussed in this episode:

More Than Words by John Warner

The Biblioracle Recommends Newsletter

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Bookshop.org's Ebook Launch & Reading 25 Minutes a Day in 2025 with Gretchen Rubin

Thu, 30 Jan 2025 18:40:59 -0000

Bookshop.org Founder Andy Hunter joins Jeff to talk about Bookshop now offering ebooks. Then, Gretchen Rubin, author of The Happiness Project, comes on to talk about her bookish reading challenge: read for 25 in '25.

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Discussed in this episode:

Bookshop.org Now Sells Ebooks

Gretchen Rubin's 25 in '25 Challenge

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What's In Store in 2025 for The World of Books?

Thu, 23 Jan 2025 11:15:00 -0000

Jeff uses Susie Dumond's piece for Book Riot about 2025 predictions as a framework for taking stock of where we are and what the year may hold for publishing and reading.

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Discussed in this episode:

Book Trend Predictions for 2025

Bed and Break-Up by Susie Dumond

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The Reading Life of Nnedi Okorafor

Thu, 16 Jan 2025 11:15:00 -0000

Jeff talks to Nnedi Okorafor about her life as a reader. Her new book, Death of the Author, is out now.

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Dedicated to Debuts: Adam Vitcavage of Debutiful

Thu, 02 Jan 2025 11:15:00 -0000

Jeff is joined by Adam Vitcavage of Debutiful to talk about covering debuts, new authors, and all that entails.

Discussed in this episode:

Debutiful (website)

Debutiful (podcast)

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[Rerun] The Reading Life of Ada Limón

Thu, 26 Dec 2024 11:15:00 -0000

This was my favorite 2024 episode of First Edition, so I thought I'd repost it for you this holiday week. Join me to explore the reading life of U.S. National Poet Laureate Ada Limón.

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Discussed in this episode:

You Are Here: Poetry in the Natural World, edited by Ada Limón

In Praise of Mystery by Ada Limón, illustrated by Peter Sis.

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The Books Won't Save Us

Thu, 05 Dec 2024 16:57:33 -0000

Book Riot's Sharifah Williams joins Jeff to talk about her piece, "The Books Won't Save Us."

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Discussed in this episode:

The Books Won't Save Us by Sharifah Williams

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What It Is Like To Break Into Agenting & The Black List

Thu, 07 Nov 2024 17:24:00 -0000

A couple of segments here ported over from The Book Riot Podcast. First, Brooke Nagler tells us what it's like to break into the world of literary agenting. Then, Franklin Leonard and Randy Winston talk about their project, The Black List.

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Discussed in this episode:

The Book Group

The Black List

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Tracking Bestsellers, What You See (or Don't) When You Read, and Growing Up on the Internet Can Be Great

Thu, 24 Oct 2024 15:58:00 -0000

Book Riot editor Danika Ellis joins Jeff to talk about how she tracks bestsellers for Book Riot, how growing up online was sort of great, and what we see (or don't) when we read.

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Discussed in this episode:

The Best-Selling Books of the Week

The Most Read Books on Goodreads This Week

Books Aren't Mental Movies: You're Missing the Best Part of Reading

I'm Glad I Grew Up Online

Aphantasia Self-Test

Everything2

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10 Burning Questions for the World of Books and Reading

Thu, 03 Oct 2024 22:16:00 -0000

An audio version of a post I wrote for Book Riot recently, The 10 Most Interesting Questions in the World of Books and Reading.

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Democracy...the Book

Fri, 23 Aug 2024 17:28:00 -0000

This episode is from our old podcast series Annotated, and it seemed fitting to bring it out of the archive this election season. In this episode: A woman with no prior political experience decides to run for city commission in her small college town. So she goes to the library and checks out a book called How to Win a Local Election. And she wins. This is her story and the story of the book that helped her win.

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My Reading Life

Thu, 01 Aug 2024 22:41:00 -0000

While I am out on vacation, I am bringing something out from the vault. I have done a couple of "Reading Life" episodes here on First Edition with Adam Limon and James McBride, and that format got started as its own, sadly ended, podcast series: Reading Lives. While I was doing that show, I got a bunch of requests for my own episode, which I tried recording as a solo act. So here is that episode, about my own life as a reader. Back with new episodes starting at the end of August.

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What is Going On With Book Sales?

Thu, 25 Jul 2024 19:38:00 -0000

Jeff is joined by Brenna Connor, Director & Industry Analyst for U.S. books sales for Circana. She has the goods: what is selling, what is trending, how retailers are doing, and much more. I learned a TON, and I bet you will too.

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The Reading Life of Ada Limón

Thu, 27 Jun 2024 21:08:00 -0000

In this episode of First Edition, the reading life of U.S. National Poet Laureate Ada Limón.

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Discussed in this episode:

You Are Here: Poetry in the Natural World, edited by Ada Limón

In Praise of Mystery by Ada Limón, illustrated by Peter Sis.

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Ayana Mathis and THE UNSETTLED

Thu, 06 Jun 2024 19:28:00 -0000

Jeff O'Neal talks with Ayana Mathis about her latest book, The Unsettled. The Unsettled was a 2023 New York Times Notable Book of the Year, and a Best Book of the Year selection by The New Yorker, The Washington Post, Oprah Daily, and others. The Unsettled is now available in paperback.

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Discussed in this episode:

The Unsettled by Ayana Mathis

Email in with questions, comments, and ideas: firstedition@bookriot.com.

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Claire Messud and THIS STRANGE, EVENTFUL HISTORY

Thu, 23 May 2024 22:09:00 -0000

In this episode, Jeff talks with Claire Messud about her new novel, This Strange, Eventful History.

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Connection, The Alchemy of Happiness, and Office Parties with Rachel Khong, author of REAL AMERICANS

Thu, 02 May 2024 17:11:00 -0000

In this episode, Jeff talks with Rachel Khong about her new novel, Real Americans.

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THE HOUSE ON MANGO STREET at 40

Thu, 25 Apr 2024 10:10:00 -0000

40 years ago, Sandra Cisneros published what would become a contemporary classic: The House on Mango Street. To mark the occasion, Everyman's Library has released a new edition. The introduction to that edition was written by Professor John Philip Santos, a fellow writer and long-time friend of Cisneros. He joins me on this episode to talk about the origin, meaning, and legacy of this modern masterpiece.

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Discussed in this episode:

The House on Mango Street (Everyman's Library) by Sandra Cisneros, introduction by John Philip Santos

Places Left Unfinished at the Time of Creation by John Philip Santos

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Anatomy of a Scene and Hardest/Easiest with Xochitl Gonzalez

Fri, 08 Mar 2024 18:43:00 -0000

Xochitl Gonzalez, author of Anita de Monte Laughs Last, joins Jeff to debut two new First Edition segments: Anatomy of a Scene and Hardest/Easiest. In the first segment, they each pick a scene to dissect from Anita de Monte Laughs Last. In the second, Gonzalez talks about what part of the book was the easiest to write....and which was the hardest.

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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!

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Discussed in this episode:

Anita de Monte Laughs Last

The First Edition Newsletter

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The State of Ereaders

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 12:40:00 -0000

Jason Snell of sixcolors.com, and ereader connoisseur, joins Jeff to talk about the state of ereaders, what makes a good ereader, a couple of interesting, oddball new devices, and more.

Check out sixcolors.com and The Incomparable.

Discussed in this episode:

Two e-readers that made me reconsider why I use e-readers by Jason Snell

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How to Bring Back a Book

Thu, 21 Dec 2023 18:10:00 -0000

Joshua Bodwell of Godine & Black Sparrow Press talks to Jeff about a book they both love, The Orchard by Adele Crockett Robertson, and the process of reissuing it as part of Godine's Nonpareil series.

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.

Discussed in this episode:

The Orchard by Adele Crockett Robertson

Godine's Nonpareil Series

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The It Books of the Year

Wed, 06 Dec 2023 21:17:00 -0000

Jeff and Rebecca sit down to determine the It Books of the Year. From 24 finalists, they will whittle down to twelve. The last cut is the deepest.

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The It Books of the Year Finalists

The Woman in Me by Britney Spears

The Guest by Emma Cline

Tom Lake by Ann Patchett

Prophet Song by Paul Lynch

The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters

The Wager by David Grann

Doppelganger by Naomi Klein

Spare by Prince Harry

Big Fiction by Dan Sinykin

Lone Women by Victor LaValle

The Biography of X by Catherine Lacey

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

Heaven & Earth Grocery Story by James McBride

Poverty by Matthew Desmond

The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese

Yellowface by R. F. Kuang

Blackouts by Justin Torres

Chain Gang All Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah

The Fraud by Zadie Smith

The Vaster Wilds by Lauren Groff

How to Say Babylon by Safiya Sinclair

Let Us Descend by Jesmyn Ward

Pageboy by Elliot Page

The Country of the Blind by Andrew Leland

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THE SISTERHOOD with Prof. Courtney Thorsson

Thu, 16 Nov 2023 17:13:00 -0000

In this episode, I talk to Prof. Courtney Thorsson about her new book, The Sisterhood: How a Network of Black Women Writers Changed American Culture.

Over the course of two years, a group of remarkable black women writers met to discuss their work, connect with each other, and ultimately influence the next decades of American cultural life.

The Sisterhood documents the meetings of the group, their motivations for gathering, and the wider intellectual and artistic world they helped create.

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The It Books of November

Thu, 02 Nov 2023 22:39:34 -0000

It's the last big month for new releases, so Jeff O'Neal and Rebecca Schinsky saddle up for one more It Book Knockout Round for 2023.

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For episode extras, subscribe to the First Edition Substack.

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.

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Books mentioned in this episode:

The Future by Noami Alderman

Class by Stephanie Land

Breaking Twitter by Ben Mezrich

The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose

Day by Michael Cunningham

Same Bed, Different Dreams by Ed Park

The Vulnerables by Sigrid Nunez

My Name is Barbra by Barbra Streisand

The Liberators by E.J. Koh

To Free the Captives by Tracy K. Smith

Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros

Email in with questions, comments, and ideas: firstedition@bookriot.com.

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The Making of the Modern Publishing Industry

Thu, 19 Oct 2023 15:07:56 -0000

Jeff talks to Prof. Dan Sinykin about his new book, Big Fiction: How Conglomeration Changed Book Publishing and American Literature.

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Email in with questions, comments, and ideas: firstedition@bookriot.com.

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October 2023 “It Book” Knockout Round

Thu, 05 Oct 2023 10:00:00 -0000

It's time for the October "It Book" Knockout Round! Plus, a special mini-roundup of notable celebrity memoirs coming out this fall.

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For episode extras, subscribe to the First Edition Substack.

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!

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Discussed in this episode:

Brooklyn Crime Novel by Jonathan Lethem

Going Infinite by Michael Lewis

Hidden Potential by Adam Grant

Blackouts by Justin Torres

Family Meal by Bryan Washington

A Man of Two Faces by Viet Thanh Nguyen

Extremely Online by Taylor Lorenz

Roman Stories by Jhumpa Lahiri

America Fantastica by Tim O'Brien

Let Us Descend by Jesmyn Ward

How to Say Babylon by Safiya Sinclair

Worthy by Jada Pinkett Smith

Being Henry by Henry Winkler

My Name is Barbra by Barbra Streisand

Making It So by Patrick Stewart

The Woman in Me by Britney Spears

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How the Publishing Phenomenon of the Year Was Made

Wed, 27 Sep 2023 10:00:00 -0000

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros has taken the book world by storm. It is the first book (!) out from the new imprint Red Tower, and on today's episode, Molly Majumder (Editorial Director) and Stacy Abrams (V-P of Operations) talk to me about how it came to be, what it was like to be a part of the book's amazing success, and what they've learned.

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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!

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Discussed in this episode:

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

Red Tower Books

Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

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Email First Edition at firstedition@bookriot.com

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September 2023 It Book Knockout & The History of Women's Words

Wed, 06 Sep 2023 10:00:00 -0000

In this episode, Rebecca Schinsky helps me decide on the "it" book of the month after much consternation. Then, Professor Jenni Nuttall comes on to discuss her new book, Mother Tongue: The Surprising History of Women's Words.

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Discussed in this episode:

Holly by Stephen King

How to Say Babylon by Safiya Sinclair

The Pole by J.M. Coetzee

The Devil Makes Three by Ben Fountain

The Fragile Threads of Power by V.E. Schwab

Land of Milk and Honey by C Pam Zhang

The Unsettled by Ayana Mathis

The Wolves of Eternity by Karl Ove Knausgaard

Doppelganger by Naomi Klein

The Book of (More Delights) by Ross Gay

The Fraud by Zadie Smith

The Vaster Wilds by Lauren Groff

Mother Tongue: The Surprising History of Women's Word by Jenni Nuttall

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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Modern Indie Bookselling with Josh Cook

Wed, 23 Aug 2023 10:00:00 -0000

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.

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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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How to Make an Anthology & Reading Shakespeare in the Context of Race

Wed, 16 Aug 2023 10:00:00 -0000

In this episode, my colleagues Jenn Northington and Sharifah Williams talk to me about what it is like to make an anthology, specifically their new co-edited anthology, Fit for the Gods: Greek Mythology Reimagined.

Then, Professor Karim Farah-Cooper joins me to talk about reading Shakespeare through in the context of race. Her new book is called The Great White Bard: How to Love Shakespeare While Talking About Race.

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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Discussed in this episode

Fit For the Gods: Greek Mythology Reimagined, edited by Jenn Northington and S. Zainab Williams

The Great White Bard: How to Love Shakespeare While Talking About Race by Prof. Farah Karim-Cooper

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The Reading Life of James McBride

Wed, 09 Aug 2023 10:00:00 -0000

On the occasion of the publication of his new novel, The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store, James McBride comes on to talk about his life as a reader, what books can do, and what writing means to him.

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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Discussed in this episode:

The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride

The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison

Beverly Cleary

The Autobiography of Malcolm X

The Power Broker by Robert Caro

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"It" Book Knockout For August 2023

Wed, 26 Jul 2023 10:00:00 -0000

Rebecca Schinsky is back to help Jeff pick the "it" book for August 2023.

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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Discussed in this episode:

Anansi's Gold by Yepoka Yeebo

Family Lore by Elizabeth Acevedo

Half-Life of a Stolen Sister by Rachel Cantor

The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride

Learned by Heart by Emma Donoghue

Pulling the Chariot of the Sun by Shane McCrae

The Invisible Hour by Alice Hoffman

The Bee Sting by Paul Murray

Tom Lake by Ann Patchett

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15 Ways of Talking to an Author

Thu, 13 Jul 2023 10:00:00 -0000

Liberty Hardy helps Jeff workshop some ideas for talking to authors because interviewing authors is hard. Or at least Jeff thinks so.

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!

The All The Books! Podcast

The New Books! Newsletter

What's My Page Again? (Liberty's Patreon)

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July It-Book Knockout

Sat, 01 Jul 2023 07:00:00 -0000

Rebecca and Jeff consider ten finalists for the "It Book" of July and pick a winner.

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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!

Somebody's Fool by Richard Russo

Prom Mom by Laura Lippman

Crook Manifesto by Colson Whitehead

Silver Nitrate by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Strip Tees by Kate Flannery

Star Bringer by Craft and Wolf

Goodbye, Earl by Leesa Cross-Smith

The Librarianist by Patrick DeWitt

Vanishing Maps by Cristina Garcia

The Light Room by Kate Zambreno

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15 Years of the Audiobook Boom & Science Fiction & Fantasy "Insta-Buys"

Wed, 14 Jun 2023 10:00:00 -0000

Kendra Winchester comes on to commemorate the 15th anniversary of two events that heralded the modern audiobook boom: Amazon buying Audible and Apple allowing third-party apps on the iPhone. Then, Sharifah Williams, Book Riot's Director of Content and co-host of our SFF Yeah! podcast, joins me to debut a new segment: The Insta-Buys.

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!

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Discussed in this episode:

Better Than Nothing? Exploring the Limitations of AI-Narrated Audiobooks from a Disabled Person’s Perspective

10 Audiobook Narrators You Need to Follow on TikTok

The Untold History of the Talking Book by Matthew Rubery

Check out Kendra's podcast, Read Appalachia. You can also follow her on Substack, Winchester Ave, and posting photos of her Corgis on Instagram and Twitter @kdwinchester.

Sharifah Williams co-hosts our SFF Yeah! podcast

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June "It" Book Knockout & Reading Stories with S.A. Cosby

Wed, 31 May 2023 10:00:00 -0000

Rebecca Schinsky is back to help Jeff pick the "it" book of June, and S.A. Cosby, author of the forthcoming All the Sinners Bleed, tells a reading story.

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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!

I Am Homeless If This is Not My Home by Lorrie Moore

The 272 by Rachel Swarns

All the Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby

Five Star Weekend by Elin Hilderbrand

Be Mine by Richard Ford

The Puzzle Master by Danielle Trussoni

The Wind Knows My Name by Isabel Allende

Pageboy by Eliot Page

Watch Us Dance by Leila Slimani

Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood

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Khaled Hosseini on the 20th Anniversary of THE KITE RUNNER

Wed, 17 May 2023 10:00:00 -0000

On the occasion of the 20th Anniversary of The Kite Runner, author Khaled Hosseini joins Book Riot CEO Jeff O’Neal to talk about the creation, publication, and long-life of the literary phenomenon.

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!

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May It Book Knockout Round & the Premiere of “Reading Stories”

Wed, 03 May 2023 10:00:00 -0000

Rebecca Schinsky is back to help Jeff figure out what the It book of May will be. And Book Riot editor Erica Ezeifedi comes on to debut a new First Edition segment, Reading Stories.

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!

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

Discussed in this Episode:

The Making of Another Motion Picture Masterpiece by Tom Hanks

Chain Gang All Stars by Nana Kwame Ajdei-Brenyah

The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese

Traffic by Ben Smith

The Ferryman by Justin Cronin

Homebodies by Tembe Denton-Hurst

The Late Americans by Brandon Taylor

Hey, Hun by Emily Lynn Paulson

Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

Sing Her Down by Ivy Pachoda

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On ARE YOU THERE GOD? IT’S ME, MARGARET, Mathematics & Literature, and Why You Should Care about Nella Larsen

Wed, 19 Apr 2023 10:00:00 -0000

In this episode, Book Riot editors Vanessa Diaz and Kelly Jensen come on to talk about the long legacy of Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret in anticipation of the big new adaptation. Then Jeff talks to Professor Sarah Hart, author of the new book Once Upon a Prime, about the confluence of mathematics and literature. And finally, Professor Erica Williams on Nella Larsen, on the occasion of the new collection of her work: The Complete Fiction of Nella Larsen.

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Relevant links!

Are Your There, God? It’s Me, Margaret by Judy Bloom

Once Upon a Prime by Sarah Hart

The Complete Fiction of Nella Larsen

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!

And please do email me with feedback here: firstedition@bookriot.com

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Choosing the “It” Book of April, Talking Publishing with Yahdon Israel, and Sarah Bakewell on Humanism

Wed, 05 Apr 2023 10:00:00 -0000

In this kick-off episode, Jeff O’Neal plays a game to determine the “it” book of April with Rebecca Schinksy, talks about what it means to put a book into the world with Simon & Schuster Senior Editor Yahdon Israel, and considers humanism with Sarah Bakewell, on the occasion of the publication of her new book, Humanly Possible.

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Discussed in this episode:

It Book Knock-Out Contenders

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

First Edition on Instagram

First Edition on Twitter

First Edition on Substack

And please do email me with feedback here: firstedition@bookriot.com

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Announcing FIRST EDITION: A New Book Riot Podcast

Fri, 17 Mar 2023 18:31:00 -0000

Announcing FIRST EDITION: BookRiot.com co-founder Jeff O'Neal explores the wide bookish world. Interviews, lists, rankings, retrospectives, recommendations, and much more, featuring people who know and love books.

Follow on Instagram @FirstEdPod and Twitter @FirstEdPod.

And also sign up for the free companion newsletter!

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