Book Riot - The Podcast

Vanessa Diaz, a Book Riot contributor and literary and media commentator, joins a lively discussion of AI’s growing role in publishing, from marketing and covers to disputed prizewinning fiction. They react to Greta Gerwig’s psychedelic Narnia trailer, celebrate a forthcoming James Baldwin biopic, and explore YouTube’s audiobook ambitions. Reading recommendations span church secrets, witchcraft, strange masculinity, and the volunteers keeping the internet running.

Vanessa Diaz, Book Riot contributor and commentator on reading culture and Latine literature, joins a lively tour of October’s literary zeitgeist. They celebrate Anne Carson’s Nobel Prize, romantasy’s chart domination, John Green’s adult-fiction return, celebrity memoirs, and adaptation-fueled sales spikes. They also spotlight overlooked Latine literature and preview major releases from Barbara Kingsolver, Yi-Yun Li, Bonnie Garmus, and Sarah J. Maas.

Jeff and Vanessa talk about Anne Carson's Nobel win, the NBA shortlists, Kirkus winners, recent reading, and much more. Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Join The Book Riot Podcast Patreon for bonus content and ad-free listening. Subscribe to The Book Riot Newsletter for regular updates to get the most out of your reading life. The Book Riot Podcast is a proud member of the Airwave Podcast Network. Ask us questions for the 15th mailbag! Also vote for Zero to Well-Read in The Signal Awards, in both Best New Podcast and best Arts & Culture Podcast! Discussed in this episode: Anne Carson awarded 2026 Nobel Prize in Literature National Book Award shortlists are out Oprah’s Book Club Announces Its 125th Reading Selection Half (and quarter) star ratings have arrived at Goodreads Is there anything to say about Alix Earle? I do not care for this. This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Thanks to our sponsor Warby Parker. Right now, buy one pair of glasses and get 20% off any additional pairs at WarbyParker.com/BOOKRIOT. Thanks to our sponsor Quince. Download the Quince app for app-exclusive offers, or go to Quince.com. Get free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada and the UK, too. Thanks to our sponsor Vinted. Download the Vinted app for free to start selling with no seller fees. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff and Rebecca take the occasions of Book Riot's 15th anniversary to look back at some stories from podcasts back, reflect on some favorite things we've made, and thank you all for listening. Ask us questions for the 15th mailbag! Also vote for Zero to Well-Read in The Signal Awards, in both Best New Podcast and best Arts & Culture Podcast! Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Join The Book Riot Podcast Patreon for bonus content and ad-free listening. Subscribe to The Book Riot Newsletter for regular updates to get the most out of your reading life. 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. Thanks to our sponsor Warby Parker. Right now, buy one pair of glasses and get 20% off any additional pairs at WarbyParker.com/BOOKRIOT. Thanks to our sponsor Quince. Download the Quince app for app-exclusive offers, or go to Quince.com. Get free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada and the UK, too. Thanks to our sponsor Vinted. Download the Vinted app for free to start selling with no seller fees Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff and Vanessa talk 15 years of Book Riot for a minute (and bring back the old episode naming for one episode), before going over some new awardees, AI book recs, and more pizza talk then they honestly thought would happen. Discussed in this episode: Ask us questions for the 15th mailbag! Also vote for Zero to Well-Read in The Signal Awards, in both Best New Podcast and best Arts & Culture Podcast! Macarthur genius grants Center for fiction nominees Chatbots giving recs Pizza Hut LFLs I just learned about National Book Tokens. We Should Have National Book Tokens. This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Thanks to our sponsor Warby Parker. Right now, buy one pair of glasses and get 20% off any additional pairs at WarbyParker.com/BOOKRIOT. Thanks to our sponsor Quince. Download the Quince app for app-exclusive offers, or go to Quince.com. Get free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada and the UK, too. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

October’s publishing contenders face off for It Book glory. The discussion explores surprise hits, debut essays, literary love stories, reservation horror, Booker visibility, campus fiction, and the challenges of post-apocalyptic fatigue. Big names including Barbara Kingsolver, M. John Harrison, Bonnie Garmus, and Sarah J. Maas enter the race, with one blockbuster fantasy title claiming the crown.

Jeff and Rebecca have listened to the first two episodes (chapters?) of Obama's book podcast (audiobook?) and are ready to talk about it. Plus, adaptation news, The Booker Prize shortlist, and more. Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Join The Book Riot Podcast Patreon for bonus content and ad-free listening. Subscribe to The Book Riot Newsletter for regular updates to get the most out of your reading life. The Book Riot Podcast is a proud member of the Airwave Podcast Network. Discussed in this episode: Call for questions for our 15th anniversary mailbag! Booker Prize shortlist (would be the 2nd win for Douglas or James; only 4 other authors have achieved this: JM Coetzee, Peter Carey, Hillary Mantel, Margaret Atwood) Meryl Streep cast as Aslan in Greta Gerwig’s Narnia Robert Eggers is directing a Romeo & Juliet adaptation Jonathan Franzen is almost done w/ the script for The Corrections New book from Michelle Zauner in April This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. For a limited time our listeners are getting a FREE full sized Mascara on their first purchase. Just head to Jonesroadbeauty.com and use code BOOKRIOT at checkout. Download the Quince app for app-exclusive offers, or go to quince.com/bookriot. Get free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada and the UK, too. Thanks to our sponsor Warby Parker. Right now, buy one pair of glasses and get 20% off any additional pairs at WarbyParker.com/BOOKRIOT. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vanessa Diaz, Book Riot managing editor and literary-history contributor, revisits Truman Capote’s dazzling rise from troubled childhood to literary celebrity. They explore his friendship with Harper Lee, the making of In Cold Blood, his glamorous “Swans,” and the explosive secrets behind Answered Prayers. It’s a story of ambition, betrayal, scandal, and a reputation that never recovered.

So much book news! Our most anticipated book/guest pairings for Obama's imminent book podcast, NBA fiction longlist continues to be head-scratching, it is remarkable how unremarkable B&N buying another indie is, recent reading, and more. Jeff and Rebecca run down the books that are selling, generating buzz, and otherwise making literary waves right now. Rebecca even impulse purchased something during the show. Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Join The Book Riot Podcast Patreon for bonus content and ad-free listening. Subscribe to The Book Riot Newsletter for regular updates to get the most out of your reading life. The Book Riot Podcast is a proud member of the Airwave Podcast Network. Discussed in this episode: RIP Annie Dillard Guests announced for Obama’s book podcast National Book Award longlists Winners of the 2026 Dayton Literary Peace Prize New Tara Westover memoir next spring Singapore launches 5-year campaign to nurture reading habits Barnes & Noble acquires Joseph-Beth Booksellers The Book Riot Podcast is brought to you by: For a limited time our listeners are getting a FREE full sized Mascara on their first purchase. Just head to Jonesroadbeauty.com and use code BOOKRIOT at checkout. Download the Quince app for app-exclusive offers, or go to quince.com/bookriot. Get free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada and the UK, too. Today's episode is sponsored by Vinted. Download the Vinted app for free to start selling with no seller fees, so you keep everything you earn. Thanks to our sponsor Warby Parker. Right now, buy one pair of glasses and get 20% off any additional pairs at WarbyParker.com/BOOKRIOT. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff and Rebecca run down the books that are selling, generating buzz, and otherwise making literary waves right now. Rebecca even impulse purchased something during the show. Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Join The Book Riot Podcast Patreon for bonus content and ad-free listening. Subscribe to The Book Riot Newsletter for regular updates to get the most out of your reading life. 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. Download the Quince app for app-exclusive offers, or go to quince.com/bookriot. Get free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada and the UK, too. Today's episode is sponsored by Vinted. Download the Vinted app for free to start selling with no seller fees, so you keep everything you earn. For a limited time our listeners are getting a FREE full sized Mascara on their first purchase. Just head to Jonesroadbeauty.com and use code BOOKRIOT at checkout. Thanks to our sponsor Warby Parker. Right now, buy one pair of glasses and get 20% off any additional pairs at WarbyParker.com/BOOKRIOT. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices