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Book Riot
Book Riot's Jeff O'Neal and Rebecca Schinsky discuss the latest news in the world of books and reading, including hot new releases, adaptations, publishing industry events, and more.
Book Riot is the largest independent editorial book site in North America and home to a host of media, from podcasts to newsletters to original content, all designed around diverse readers and across all genres.
Count Me Among the Uncool
Jeff and Rebecca talk about the uncoolness of ereading, how Jeff was right in a way that matters, a diversity in writing initiative from Reese’s Book Club, and more.
Discussed in this episode:
Reese’s Book Club offering fellowship for unpublished writers from underrepresented groups
Shouts for Jess Pryde!
Another editorial about What Publishing Stands For
Albuquerque is home to the world’s only Native-owned comic book store
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58:4910/05/2021
2021 Moms, Dads, and Grads Recommendation Show
Jeff and Rebecca respond to listener requests for recommendations for moms, dads, grads (and themselves).
This post contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Book Riot may earn a commission.
Books and Authors discussed in this episode:
Shop Class as Soul Craft
Flight: The Complete History of Aviation
The Bomber Mafia by Malcolm Gladwell
How to Build a Car by A. Newey
World of Wonders
In the Dream House
How to Do Nothing
The Night Tiger
The Book of Delights
Rich and Pretty
Bring Your Baggage and Don’t Pack Light
Friends & Strangers
Sweetbitter by Stephanie Danler
Summer of Jordi Perez
The Wedding Date
Malibu Rising
The Barbarian Nurseries by Hector Tobar
Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke
Real Life by Brandon Taylor
Notes on a Nervous Planet
See No Stranger
Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid
The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch
Louise Penny’s Inspector Gamache series
The Thursday Murder Club
While Justice Sleeps by Stacey Abrams
Bluebird, Bluebird by Attica Locke
Do Not Say We Have Nothing
Wild Women and the Blues
Sharks in the Time of Saviors
Dreaming in Cuban by Cristina Garcia
The House of Spirits by Isabelle Allende
Susan Gregg Gilmore
Megan Mayhew Bergman
Jesmyn Ward
The Kingkiller Chronicles by Patrick Rothfuss
How Much of These Hills is Gold by C Pam Zhang
Now My Heart is Full by Laura June
Lexicon by Max Barry
The Gilded Wolves
Finding Meaning
H is for Hawk by Helen Macdonald
Blue Nights by Joan Didion
The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion
The Emperor of All Maladies
Who Ate the First Oyster?
Maybe You Should Talk to Someone
The Group
In the Time of Butterflies by Julia Alvarez
Trace by Lauret E. Savoy
Earth Keeper by N Scott Momaday
Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby
Your House Will Pay
When No One is Watching
Deacon King Kong by James McBride
Klara & the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
Manhood for Amateurs by Michael Chabon
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01:44:4305/05/2021
The Train is People
Jeff and Rebecca check-in on the rolling reckoning, talk about dedicated e-readers, Murakami’s thsirt line, and more.
Haruki Murakami’s t-shirt line is live
Follow up: Open letter from publishing professionals against book deals for any member of Trump Administration
Follow up: Norton pulls Roth biography out of print
Big NYT coverage of the rolling reckoning
Big snaps to Ron Charles
Follow-up: Amazon giving 500,000 workers raises as unionizing efforts increase
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01:00:5203/05/2021
The Rolling Reckoning
Jeff and Rebecca follow up about Simon & Schuster’s relationship with Post Hill Press, a employee petition at Simon & Schuster (and the CEO’s response), Norton pulling a major book, listener feedback, and more.
Discussed in this episode:
The Book Riot giveaway featuring Noise by Daniel Kahneman
Follow-up: S & S refuses to distribute book by officer involved in Breonna Taylor’s death
And S & S employees protest Mike Pence book deal
The CEO responded
Bigger context piece about how this represents a new challenge for publishers
Multiple alllegations of sexual misconduct surface against Blake Bailey, Norton pull his Roth biography
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01:08:1326/04/2021
Several Trepidations
Jeff and Rebecca do listener feedback, interrogate what a podcast “read-a-long” does/could mean, stand in awe of Amanda Gorman’s book sales, talk a little George R.R. Martin, and much more.
Discussed in this episode:
Amanda Gorman is first poet to claim #1 spot on USA Today bestsellers
Amazon workers in Bessemer, AL vote against unionization
Unpublished Richard Wright novel about police brutality to be released
Officer involved in Breonna Taylor’s death gets a book deal, S & S will distribute
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01:08:3819/04/2021
Piñata of Lies
In this special, live-streamed episode, Jeff and Rebecca continue to argue about/refine a “Should I Read This?” segment/special episode series, are a little surprised at the Mike Pence book deal, perform their annual lament at the most challenged books of the year, and much more.
Discussed in this episode:
ALA releases most challenged books of 2020
Guardian coverage includes some author responses
Dana Canedy acquires two Mike Pence memoirs for S & S
New book contains a puzzle that, if solved, reader will win a golden casket
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01:07:0712/04/2021
Georgia Sunrise
Jeff and Rebecca note the passing of Beverly Cleary and Larry McMurtry, talk more Amazon/Big 5 anti-trust litigation, a Tennessee law that breaks new ground in terribleness, and much more.
Discussed in this episode:
Scholastic pulls Captain Underpants spinoff because of passive racism
Tennessee bill seeks to ban any books that “promote, normalize, support, or address” LGTBQ issues
Amazon & Big 5 face anti-trust lawsuit from booksellers
HarperCollins buying HMH
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01:06:1005/04/2021
Klara & the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro
Jeff and Rebecca discuss Klara & the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro.
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01:26:1029/03/2021
Vox Biblioi
Jeff and Rebecca have their minds boggled at the sales of Seuss titles, pay fealty to the queen of book clubs, survey a few recent book challenges, and look forward to Klara and the Sun.
Discussed in this episode:
Oprah picks the Gilead SERIES as the next book club selection
Follow-up: Leander, TX English teachers rally against graphic novels being removed from reading lists
Austin, TX school calls in counselors after elementary school students are read a book about a trans character
Amazon no longer sells books that frame LGBTQ+ identity as mental illness
Michael’s pulls feminist cross-stitch book because of curse words
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01:10:5222/03/2021
Emotional Senioritis
Jeff and Rebecca do some Seuss follow-up, evaluate upcoming adaptations that should be in their wheelhouse, talk about a particularly graphic effort to get some books out of a school classroom, and much more.
Discussed in this episode:
Farewell, Norman Juster
Follow-up: Nice historical context for publishers removing racism from other books
The Day Children’s Literature Died
Follow-up: Amazon workers in other states inspired by unionizing efforts in Alabama
Leander, TX school district removes 6 books from optional reading lists because of “inappropriate” content
Peacock plans Robert Langdon spinoff series
George C Wolf to adapt Song of Solomon
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01:00:4715/03/2021
Loyal to the Bit
Jeff and Rebecca talk about the Seuss Enterprise’s decision to stop publishing a half-dozen books, continue ruminating on a “is it good?” segment, admire Murakami’s evasive accessibility, get into some labor talk, and finally discuss the current state of podcasting.
Discussed in this episode:
6 Dr Seuss books ceasing publication because of racist imagery
Seuss Enterprise’s statement
Murakami’s t-shirt line
Spotify podcast listeners forecasted to top Apple this year
Union booksellers protesting at Strand
Biden expresses support for Alabama workers attempting to unionize Amazon warehouse
Great long piece about recent PoC hires poised to lead publishing in a new direction
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58:1308/03/2021
Wiki in Shame
Jeff and Rebecca talk about another format they might want to try for talking about books, whether 2020 means we can finally stop confusing the fate of bookstores with the fate of publishing, catch up with some listener feedback, and much more.
Discussed in this episode:
Bookstore sales fell 28.3% in 2020
Big-picture look at the possible impact of PRH/S&S
Charles Yu establishes prize for Taiwanese American writers
Underground Railroad teaser trailer
Hillary Clinton writing novel w/ Louise Penny
Coming Soon: Sword, Stone, Table edited by Jenn Northington and Swapna Krishna
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01:09:3201/03/2021
Southern Belles with Benefits
Jeff and Rebecca talk about what books actually get read, emotionally manipulative novels, tackle a couple of listener question, and try another guessing game.
Discussed in this episode:
While nothing we talked about today was newly linkable, I did promise to provide footage of Rebecca after her incredible showing last week.
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01:04:5722/02/2021
Pyrrhic Victory
Jeff and Rebecca discuss the winner of the Spring Preview draft, Hachette getting out of the right-wing publishing game, the Obamas adaptation-heavy Netflix slate, and Jeff inadvisedly challenges Rebecca to a new game.
Discussed in this episode:
Big 5 named as co-defendants in ebook price fixing suit
Hachette fired last remaining editor who would publish conservative BS
Obamas ink 6-project deal with Netflix, including adaptation of Exit West
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01:06:0215/02/2021
Arrogance with Shine
Jeff and Rebecca reflect on the end of Jeff Bezos’ tenure as CEO of Amazon, the launch of the Reese Witherspoon Book Club app, and comment on a commendation for LeVar Burton.
Discussed in this episode:
Bezos stepping down as Amazon CEO
Reese’s Book Club has an app
LeVar Burton named first PEN/Faulkner Literary Champion
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01:09:5308/02/2021
Buy Stock in Amanda Gorman
Jenn Northington joins Jeff to talk about a new ebook price-fixing lawsuit, the meteoric rise of Amanda Gorman, the high degree of difficulty of adapting The Sparrow, and much more.
This post contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Book Riot may earn a commission.
Discussed in this episode:
Update: Hawley’s book pick up by Regnery
The Amanda Gorman phenomenon
Ebook Price Fixing Lawsuit
Queen’s Gambit creator to adapt The Sparrow
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01:11:1701/02/2021
2021 Spring Preview
Jeff and Rebecca preview the interesting new Spring releases in the form of a draft!
They each drafted 10 books to make a basket with the intended audience of a generally interested reader. And they need your help to decide who won! Take a look at the lists below, and then email [email protected] with your vote for who drafted the best all-around basket.
This post contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Book Riot may earn a commission.
Rebecca’s List:
Long Time Coming by Michael Eric Dyson
Good Company by Cythnia d’Aprix Sweeney
Aftershocks by Nadia Owusu
No One is Talking About This by Patricia Lockwood
How Beautiful We Were by Imbolu Mbue
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
How to Change by Katy Milkman
The Kitchen Front by Jennifer Ryan
Nine Nasty Words by John McWhorter
Soul of a Woman by Isabelle Allende
Jeff’s List:
The Survivors by Jane Harper
My Year Abroad by Chang-rae Lee
Think Again by Adam Grant
Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro
The Secret to Superhuman Strength by Alison Bechdel
Sure, I’ll Be Your Black Friend by Ben Philippe
The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah
Whereabouts by Jhumpa Lahiri
The Wild Silence by Raynor Winn
Caul Baby by Morgan Jerkins
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01:08:3925/01/2021
A Picnic Basket for the Mind
Jeff and Rebecca talk about Simon & Schuster pulling Josh Hawley’s book, Powell’s getting heat for carrying a title, discuss how to structure their spring 2020 preview, and much more.
This post contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Book Riot may earn a commission.
Discussed in this episode:
S & S cancels Josh Hawley’s book contract
MTV Books is coming back
Bridgerton books get that Netflix bump
Powell’s caught in stocking controversy
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55:4418/01/2021
There's a Caboose Coming
Jeff and Rebecca talk about the best-selling books of 2020, Eat a Peach follow-up, how the publishing industry fared last year, and much more.
Discussed in this episode:
Publishing did all right in 2020
Print book sales rose 8.2% in 2020
NYT bestsellers of 2020
We have to talk about this bonkers phishing scam in publishing
Response to Eat a Peach
More on American Dirt
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01:12:5911/01/2021
Best of the Rest: Our Favorite Non-Book Things of 2020
Jeff and Rebecca share their favorite things from 2020 that were not books.
Discussed in this episode:
Summer Camp Island
Making of Frozen 2
The Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom
The Vast of Night
Over the Moon
Soft Baked Pretzel recipe from Tasty
Carto
Overcooked 2
Legend of Zelda, The Breath of the Wild
Work at Home with Blossom Dearie Playlist
Christmas tree stand
The Velvelettes
Printfresh robe
Makers of Wax Goods candles
Gaslighter by The Chicks
Hearts Town by The War & Treaty
The Book on Pie by Erin Jeanne McDowell
Left Right Center podcast
Michelle Obama podcast
You and Me Both (Hillary Clinton) podcast
60 Songs That Explain the 90s
Insecure
Babysitters Club
The Politician
Pen15
Soulmates
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01:14:5504/01/2021
Our Favorite Reads of 2020
Jeff and Rebecca recount their favorite reads of 2020.
Discussed in this episode:
Intimations by Zadie Smith
Eat a Peach by David Chang
The Beauty in Breaking by Michele Harper
The Deficit Myth by Stephanie Kelton
We Ride Upon Sticks by Quan Barry
Group by Christie Tate
The Switch by Beth O’Leary
The Wisdom of Finance by Mihir Desai
Deacon King Kong by James McBride
Blacktop Wasteland by S.A. Crosby
The Lost Man by Jane Harper
Weather by Jenny Offill
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52:5421/12/2020
Serrated Crescendo
Jeff and Rebecca talk about PRH buying Simon & Schuster, survey best books of the year lists, and much more.
Discussed in this episode:
The 2021 Read Harder Challenge is here!
PRH buys Simon & Schuster
Opposition to the PRH purchase
Reed retires BEA and BookCon
Amazon Best Books of 2020
NYT top 10
Book biz supply chain doing OK so far
Bob Woodward writing the book about Trump’s last days in the white house
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59:2014/12/2020
2020 Holiday Recommendations, Part 2
Jeff and Rebecca their 2020 Holiday book recommendations.
Discussed in this episode:
Force of Nature by Jane Harper
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
Idaho by Emily Ruskovich
A Separation by Katie Kitamura
The Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard
How to Do Nothing by Jenny Odell
Radical Dharma
Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb
Hieroglyphics by Jill McCorkle
Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan
Intimations by Zadie Smith
Station Eleven by Emily Mandel
Find Me by Laura van den Berg
Blindness by Jose Saramago
The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai
Sweet Magnolias series by Sherryl Woods
Spice by Seressia Glass
100 Must-Read Books: Food in Fiction
Little French Bistro by Nina George
The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat by Oliver Sacks
The Undoing Project by Michael Lewis
The Alchemy of Us by Anissa Ramirez
Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari
The 99% Invisible City
Saga by Brian K Vaughn and Fiona Staples
Atlas Obscura
Born a Crime by Trevor Noah
Stalking God by Anjali Kumar
A Beginner’s Guide to Japan by Pico Iyer
From Scratch by Tembi Locke
Cleoptra VII: Daughter of the Nile by Kristiana Gregory (part of The Royal Diaries series)
The Broken Earth Trilogy by NK Jemisin
The Sleeping Giants by Sylvain Neuvel
Octavia Butler
The Baker’s Secret by Stephen Kiernan
52 Loaves by William Alexander
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01:16:1307/12/2020
2020 Holiday Recommendations, Part 1
Jeff and Rebecca give book recommendations in response to reader requests.
Discussed in this episode:
In Other Lands by Sarah Rees Brennan
Kings Queens & In-Betweens by Tanya Boteju
This Is What It Feels Like by Rebecca Barrow
Paper Girls by Brian Vaughn and Cliff Chiang
Ways to Make Sunshine by Renee Watson
Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
Heart Berries by Therese Marie Mailhot
House Made of Dawn by M Scott Momaday
The Surrounded by D’Arcy McNickle
Ceremony by Leslie Marmon Silko
Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys
The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead
Wake Siren by Nina McLaughlin
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
Circe by Madeline Miller
World of Wonders by Aimee Nezhukumatathil
Big Friendship by Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman
Storied Life of AJ Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin
The Woman Next Door by Yewande Omotoso
Deacon King Kong by James McBride
2 AM at the Cat’s Pajamas by Marie Helen-Bertino
Debbie Macomber’s Blossom Street series
How to Knit a Love Song by Rachel Herron
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50:3130/11/2020
Null Hypothesis Feedback
Jeff and Rebecca go over some A Promised Land sales numbers, look over the National Book Award winners, check in with the sale of Simon & Schuster, and much more.
This episode is sponsored by:
This episode is sponsored by The Orchard by David Hopen, HarperCollins Children’s Books/Quill Tree Books, TBR, Book Riot’s subscription service.
Discussed in this episode:
Ugh Chimamanda
Listener query: Any uplifting YA books you can recommend for a “new” non-binary/genderqueer to have during free time?
Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang
Felix Ever After by Kacen Callendar
Dreadnought by April Daniels
Brightsiders by Jen Wilde
One in Every Crowd by Ivan Coyote
Euphoria Kids by Allison Evans
Obama memoir breaks first-day sales record..or does he?
National Book Awards
Ongoing: Chicago Public Library says eliminating late fees has paid off
PRH and HC are top bidders for Simon & Schuster
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59:1623/11/2020
THE WEST WING, Reconsidered
Jeff, Amanda, and Rebecca return to The West Wing. At least for the pilot.
This episode is sponsored by:
This episode is sponsored by Yen Press, One Night Two Souls Went Walking by Ellen Cooney , TBR, Book Riot’s subscription service, and The Magic Ingredient by Lindy Miller.
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01:02:1418/11/2020
Spiritual Cheese
Jeff and Rebecca talk about the lead up to A Promised Land, authors you know by just their first names, a very real literary puzzle, and much more.
This episode is sponsored by:
This episode is sponsored by Just the Two of Us by Ryu Hyang, Bombas, TBR, Book Riot’s subscription service, and Emporia State University’s School of Library & Information Manageme
Discussed in this episode:
A Promised Land by Barack Obama
Oprah & Brad Pitt’s companies adapting The Water Dancer
UK children’s books 8 times more likely to feature animals than characters of color
Literary mystery has 32 million possible solutions, has only been solved 3 times
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59:3216/11/2020
Buy, Sell, Hold: 2020's Notable Books
Jeff and Rebecca play a round of Buy/Sell/Hold with some of 2020’s most notable books.
This episode is sponsored by:
This episode is sponsored by Henry Holt & Co., Spalding University, TBR, Book Riot’s subscription service, and Miami Book Fair
Books discussed in this episode:
Caste by Isabel Wilkerson
Weather by Jenny Offill
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
Topics of Conversation by Miranda Popkey
Jack by Marilynne Robinson
The Lying Life of Adults by Elena Ferrante
Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins
Midnight Sun by Stephanie Meyer
A Promised Land by Barack Obama
The Mirror and the Light by Hilary Mantel
Real Life by Brandon Taylor
Eat a Peach by David Chang
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01:12:3211/11/2020
One Hour of Podcasting
Jeff and Rebecca try to remain focused while doing a bunch of listener follow-up, wonder about HMH’s trade business being for sale, admire PW’s Best Books of 2020 list (mostly), and preview upcoming topics.
This episode is sponsored bY
This episode is sponsored by Instant Karma by Marissa Meyer, Spellbreaker by Charlie N. Holmberg, TBR, Book Riot’s subscription service, and Emporia State University’s School of Library & Information Management
Discussed in this episode:
92Y podcast
PW best books 2020
HMH exploring sale of trade group
Parents sue NC charter school calling novel POET X “an assault on Christianity”
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01:00:2409/11/2020
Adaptation Wish List
Jeff and Rebecca list their most-wished for bookish adaptations.
This episode is sponsored by:
This episode is sponsored by Zikora by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Whatbook, TBR, Book Riot’s subscription service, and Book Riot Insiders
Discussed in this episode:
The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien
Paradise by Toni Morrison
Dust Tracks on a Road by Zora Neale Hurston
The Arrangements by Maggie Shipstead
Maine by J. Courtney Sullivan
Zone One by Colson Whitehead
Wild Game by Adrienne Brodeur
Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb
Billion Dollar Whale by Bradley Hope
A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab
The Wangs V. The World by Jade Chang
Shadowshaper by Daniel Jose Older
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
We Ride Upon Sticks by Quan Barry
The Woman Next Door by Yewande Omotoso
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59:4604/11/2020
You Need Three for a Parade
Jeff and Rebecca talk about a call for help and a weird stock purchase at The Strand, more encouraging hires in publishing, an ugly fight at B&N goes away, and how much we really don’t like Audible-only things.
This episode is sponsored by:
This episode is sponsored by Fallen Queen (Mariposa Book 1) by Y. R. Shin, Emporia State University’s School of Library & Information Management, TBR, Book Riot’s subscription service, and The Unspoken by Ian K. Smith.
Discussed in this episode:
Shouts to Bernard Schwartz at the 92nd Street Y – check out their recording of Ethan Hawke reading Gilead
Babysitters Club gets season 2
And Cheryl Strayed is bringing back Dear Sugar as a newsletter
Hachette launches BIPOC imprint
Litigation b/t Barnes & Noble & former CEO ends abruptly
Strand owner buys 6-figures of Amazon stock
And then the Strand got 25,000 orders
Email us! [email protected]
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57:3402/11/2020
JACK by Marilynne Robinson
Jeff and Rebecca discuss Jack by Marilynne Robinson.
This episode is sponsored by:
This episode is sponsored by Book Trip, by C.J. Duarte, Penguin Random House Audio, TBR, Book Riot’s subscription service, and Book Riot Insiders.
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01:08:4028/10/2020
Gird Your Whatevers
Jeff and Rebecca mostly respond to listener ideas for bonus episodes. Some of it is even about books.
This episode is sponsored by:
This episode is sponsored by Macmillan Podcasts, Book Trip by C.J. Duarte, Mexican Gothic by Sylvia Moreno-Garcia, and Book Riot Insiders.
Discussed in this episode:
First Underground Railroad teaser trailer
Toni Morrison’s apartment
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55:1626/10/2020
Adaptation Nation: Little Fires Everywhere, High Fidelity, and Enola Holmes
Jeff and Rebecca discuss the recent adaptations of Little Fires Everywhere, High Fidelity, and Enola Holmes.
This episode is sponsored by:
This episode is sponsored by Yen Press, Nothing Like I Imagined by Mindy Kaling, Penguin Random House Audio, and Book Riot Insiders.
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01:03:1421/10/2020
Word of Mouth for Robots
Jeff and Rebecca ask for ideas for post-election episode topics, go over what is going on with book sales, float the idea of making author “retirements” a bigger deal, and much more.
This episode is sponsored by:
This episode is sponsored by Sips by: Experience the joy of personalized tea discovery. , A Drop of Midnight by Jason Diakité, Watch Over Me by Nina LaCour, and Book Riot Insiders.
Discussed in this episode:
New YorkTimes profile of Madeline McIntosh
Unit sales of print books up 6.4% in first 9 months of 2020
Indie bookstore sales down 40% on average
Bill Bryson says he’s retiring
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48:3519/10/2020
(Re)Introducing Ourselves to Louise Glück
Jeff and Rebecca talk about the life and work of 2020 Nobel Laureate Louise Glück, plus an extended discussion of her 1993 poem, “Vespers.”
This episode is sponsored by:
This episode is sponsored by Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse , Amazon Publishing, Read or Dead, and TBR.
Discussed in this episode:
The Collected Poems of Louise Glück
“The Body Artist” by Dan Chiasson
“Vespers” by Louise Glück
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01:07:1114/10/2020
30 Dirty Spoons
Jeff and Rebecca tease their special 2020 Nobel Prize episode, look at the National Book Award longlist, consider an interesting new position at Simon & Schuster, and respond to listener feedback on their half-baked ideas, and more.
This episode is sponsored by:
This episode is sponsored by She Come By It Natural by Sarah Smarsh , The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab, Rural Voices: 15 Authors Challenge Assumptions About Small-Town America edited by Nora Shalaway Carpenter, and Book Riot’s mystery thriller podcast, Read or Dead.
Discussed in this episode:
Sad nerd news: Dune is delayed to 2021
Tressie McMillan Cottom, NK Jemisin, and Jacqueline Woodson among MacArthur scholars
Sienna Farris named director of multicultural marketing at S & S
NBA finalists
Women’s Prize excluding trans & nonbinary writers on basis of “sex as defined by law”
Lumberjanes in development at HBO Max!
Fox News starting book line at HarperCollins
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55:1612/10/2020
Half Baked Ideas, Volume 2
Jeff and Rebecca pitch ideas that are not quite ready for prime-time.
This episode is sponsored by Grand Central Publishing and Iris Johansen’s CHAOS , Daddy Daughter Day by Jeff Bridges and Isabelle Bridges-Boesch, Welcome to the United States of Anxiety by Jen Lancaster, and Book Riot’s mystery thriller podcast, Read or Dead.
Discussed in this episode:
Half-Baked Ideas, Volume 1
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01:02:5807/10/2020
A Mighty Hrrumpff
Jeff and Rebecca talk about Amazon’s apparent discount decline, a new Executive Editor at Random House, another major James Patterson donation, and much more.
This episode is sponsored by:
This episode is sponsored by Bombas , Skyhunter by Marie Lu, Witches of Brooklyn by Sophie Escabasse, and Book Riot’s mystery thriller podcast, Read or Dead
. Discussed in this episode:
Jamia Wilson named Exec Editor at Random House
Follow-up: Phoebe Robinson announces first books for her Tiny Reparations imprint
Ongoing: publishers worry as ebook library checkouts soar
James Patterson donates $2.5 million to teachers during covid
First look at Underground Railroad looks gooooood
Money by Jacob Goldstein
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55:1005/10/2020
It Book: TRANSCENDENT KINGDOM by Yaa Gyasi
Liberty Hardy of All the Books! and Rincey Abrams of Read or Dead join Jeff to talk about Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi.
THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY:
This episode is sponsored by The Return by Nicholas Sparks , Fence: Striking Distance by Sarah Rees Brennan, TBR, and Book Riot Insiders
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01:08:3130/09/2020
Sand Forward
Jenn Northington joins Jeff to talk about listener reactions to the Dune trailer, the launch of Publishers Weekly in Spanish, the National Book Foundation’s 5 Under 35 Nominees, an indie bookstore diversity reading initiative, and more.
This episode is sponsored by:
This episode is sponsored by White Fox by Sara Faring , These Vengeful Hearts by Katherine Laurin, Standoff by Jamie Thompson, and Book Riot Insiders
Discussed in this episode:
National Book Foundation’s 5 Under 35 Honorees
New England Booksellers Announce Major Diversity Reading Initiative
Artist’s Relief Distributes $13.5 Million in Pandemic Grants
Dana Canedy talking about why diversity is good business
Find Jenn on the SFF Yeah Podcast
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46:2528/09/2020
EAT A PEACH by David Chang and DUNE Trailer Talk
Jeff and Rebecca discuss Eat a Peach by David Chang. Then Jenn Northington comes on to talk to Jeff about that Dune trailer.
This episode is sponsored by Solutions and Other Problems by Allie Brosh , Chaos by Iris Johansen, and Book Riot Insiders.
DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE
Eat a Peach by David Chang
SFF Yeah with Ausma Zehanat Khan
Dune and Middle Eastern representation
Dune and gender
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01:00:3123/09/2020
German Flotilla
Jeff and Rebecca talk about the CEO of Macmillan leaving, Obama’s presidential memoir release date and cover reveal, the DOJ looking to press charges against John Bolton, and much more.
This episode is sponsored by:
Book Riot Insiders
A Drop of Midnight by Jason Diakité
Athena’s Choice by Adam Boostrom
These Vengeful Hearts by Katherine Laurin
Discussed in this episode:
Obama’s next memoir dropping Nov 17
John Sargent leaving Macmillan
Ongoing: DOJ pursuing criminal charges re: Bolton book
Hachette releases diversity & inclusion progress report
Monique Patterson is as VP of acquisition outreach at St Martin’s
Harper Collins sues Lindsay Lohan for taking $365k advance and not writing book
Most diverse Booker shortlist ever
Stanley Crouch, Dead at Age 74
Skyhorse Publishing’s House of Horrors
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56:3521/09/2020
Book Nerd Movie Club: The Princess Bride
Jeff and Rebecca talk about the book and the movie versions of The Princess Bride.
This episode is sponsored by:
See Her Die by Melinda Leigh
Interference by Brad Parks
Book Riot Insiders, the digital hangout spot for the Book Riot community
Harper Paperbacks
Books discussed in this episode:
The Princess Bride by William Goldman
As You Wish by Carey Elwes
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01:30:1316/09/2020
The Tyranny of Khaki
Jeff and Rebecca discuss rumors of PRH trying to buy Simon & Schuster, a bankrupt printer causing havoc in publishing, more cringe-inducing Dan Brown…stuff, a hero of the week, and much more.
This episode is sponsored by:
The Insomniacs by Marit Weisenberg
Before She Was Helen by Caroline B. Cooney
Now That I’ve Found You by Kristina Forest
Book Riot Insiders
Discussed in this episode:
Serious issues w/ book printers set industry behind for the season
This amazing Dan Brown profile
Bertelsmann interested in buying Simon & Schuster
PRH workforce diversity report
Madhulika Sikka in as VP at Crown
And Gerry Howard retiring from Doubleday
Heroes of the Week: Parents created Liberation Station when their son wanted to see more Black boys in books
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48:1514/09/2020
Deals Deals Deals
Jeff presents Rebecca with a host of recently announced book deals of varying interest.
This episode is sponsored by:
Don’t Ever Forget by Matthew Farrell
One by One by Ruth Ware
Find Layla by Meg Elison
Book Riot Insiders
Books discussed in this episode:
A Country You Can Leave by Asale Angel-Ajani
Queen of Thieves by Erin Bledsoe
Beasts of Prey by Ayana Gray
The Moon and the Stars by Kia Cothron
The Verifiers by Jane Pek
My Monticello by Nicole Johnson
Twice as Hard by Raphael Sofoluke and Opeyemi Sofoluke
Systemic Exclusion by Kirsty Dunan
The Talk by Darrin Bell
Say Their Names by Cottman, Bunn, Charles, Gaines, Harriston, and Robinson-Jacob
Untitled Covid Book by Mclean and Nocera
The Next Wave by John Barry
What Just Happened by Charles Finch
Untitled Covid Medical Student Book by Emma Goldberg
A Dozen Dresses That Changed the World by Kimberly Chrisman-Campbell
Shade by Sam Bloch
Bite by Bill Schutt
The Pockets Book by Hannah Carlson
The Axe by Jonny Diamond
Llama Drama by Jennifer Kingson
Treasure in Wasteland by Bryn Nelson
Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro
His Truth is Marching On by John Meacham
The Six by Loren Grush
Cherish Farrah by Bethany Morrow
Crying in the Bathroom by Erika Sanchez
The Beautiful Struggle by Ta-Nehisis Coates
Bittman Bread by Mark Bittman and Kerri Conan
Bibliophile: Diverse Spines by Jane Mount and Jamise Harper
The Prince of the Skies by Antonio Itrube
Pathological: A (Punctuated) Memoir by Sarah Fay
Black Bodies Swinging by Robin Kelley
A Light by Amanda Oliver
Editing by Adam Moss
Tread of Angels by Rebecca Roanhorse
Ramon and Julieta by Alana Viramontes Albertson
The Wild Sisters by Jessica Weisberg
It’s OK to Use the Tissues by Tori Press
Blush by Jamie Brenner
Don’t Cry for Me by Daniel Black
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
Inclusion Revolution by Daisy Auger-Dominguez
Untitled 1921 Tulsa Massacre YA Novel by Brandy Colbert
The Half Moon by Mary Beth Keane
Pulling the Chariot Out of the Sun by Shane McCrae
The Big Hurt by Erika Schickel
Trapped in, Dining Out by Osayi Endolyn
Secret Santa by Andrew Shaffer
Harriet Tubman: Live in Concert by Bob the Drag Queen
In the Company of Witches by Auralee Wallace
Thistlefoot by GennaRose Nethercott
The Tale of the Mandarin Duck by Bette Milder with photographs by Michiko Kakutani
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01:15:4009/09/2020
2020 Fall Preview
Jeff and Rebecca highlight the most interesting, noteworthy, and exciting books being released this fall.
This episode is sponsored by;
Book Riot Insiders
Now That I’ve Found You by Kristina Forest, with Fierce Reads
Blue Box Press and 1001 Dark Nights
His Only Wife by Peace Adzo Medie, now available from Algonquin Books
Books mentioned in this episode:
The Lying Life of Adults by Elena Ferrante
Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi
Just Us by Claudia Rankine
If Then by Jill Lepore
Can’t Even by Anne Helen Petersen
Jack by Marilynne Robinson
Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam
Office of Historical Corrections by Danielle Evans
Mediocre by Ijeoma Oluo
Sweat: A History of Exercise by Bill Hayes
Memorial by Bryan Washington
Piranesi by Susanna Clarke
That Time of Year by Marie Ndiaye
The Man Who Ate Too Much by John Birdsall
Having and Being Had by Eula Biss
The Story of Life in 10 ½ Species by Marianne Taylor
Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse
The Silence by Don DeLillo
Eat a Peach by David Chang
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01:09:3002/09/2020
A Very Quiet Heist
Jeff and Rebecca follow-up about the Future Library, are surprised by the NBCC vote, get excited for Enola Holmes, and much more.
This episode is sponsored by:
TBR
The Switch by Beth O’Leary
Place at the Table by Saadia Faruqi, Laura Shovan
Lobizona by Romina Garber
Discussed in this episode:
Let’s make sounds about the Enola Holmes trailer
NBCC fails to vote out Carlin Romano
Audible rolls out cheaper subscription plan for access to exclusive podcasts & audio content
Pride and Less Prejudice
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52:0630/08/2020
Our Favorite Summer Reads of 2020
Jeff and Rebecca review their favorite reads from the most unusual summer of 2020.
This episode is sponsored by:
TBR
The Morning Flower by Amanda Hocking
The Haunting of Gillespie House by Darcy Coates
Editorial Arts Academy for Freelance Book Editing 101
Books discussed in this episode:
Intimations by Zadie Smith
The Idea Factory by John Gertner
Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
I Hold a Wolf by the Ears by Laura van den Berg
Friends and Strangers by J. Courtney Sullivan
What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami
Deacon King Kong by James McBride
The Beauty in Breaking by Michele Harper
Burn the Place by Iliana Regan
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51:3326/08/2020
Me No Likey
This week, Rebecca and Vanessa go deep into all things Stephenie Meyer, as well as more Trump books, Amazon, and a new Netflix series featuring Marley Dias.
This episode is sponsored by:
TBR, Book Riot’s subscription service offering reading recommendations personalized to your reading life
Vault Comics and #1 New York Times Bestselling author Brandon Sanderson’s new, original hardcover graphic novel DARK ONE!
“With the Bark Off: Conversations from the LBJ Presidential Library,”
Del Rey, publishers of THE SPACE BETWEEN WORLDS.
Discussed in this episode:
Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Twitter thread about people stumbling into Twilight tourist destinations
Stephenie Meyer planning 2 more Twilight books
Bob Woodward has another Trump book
Major book industry groups call on House Antitrust Subcommittee to investigate Amazon
Marley Dias Netflix series
The Future Library is still a thing, and Ocean Vuong is in
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56:0124/08/2020