Book Riot - The Podcast Zero to Well-Read's 2025 Canon Contenders
Dec 29, 2025
Jeff and Rebecca dive into the potential canon contenders of 2025, discussing what makes a book enduring. They explore the rise and fall of literary fame, sing praises for award winners, and debate the lasting impact of audacious debuts. Popular titles like Omar El-Aqad’s nonfiction on Gaza and S.A. Cosby’s crime epic get considered for their cultural significance. The hosts also analyze generational sagas and AI-themed works, ultimately narrowing down their top picks while reflecting on the unpredictable nature of literature.
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Rarity Of Long-Term Literary Endurance
- Few contemporary books remain in public conversation after a decade despite yearly hype and awards.
- Jeff O'Neal and Rebecca Schinsky note endurance requires something distinct beyond momentary buzz.
No Single Book Dominated 2025
- 2025 lacked a single dominant book-of-the-year that unified attention across prizes and sales.
- Rebecca argues that this diffusion likely produces many
Flesh’s Spare, Distancing Narrative
- Rebecca describes Flesh by David Saloy as spare, distancing the reader from the protagonist.
- She notes the book won the Booker and has received notable best-of mentions but feels artistically risky.