Book Riot - The Podcast

Celebrate 30 years of The Shawshank Redemption as the hosts dive into its origins in Stephen King’s novella. They explore the profound themes of hope, friendship, and rehabilitation within a prison setting. Discover the contrast between the novella and film adaptations, including character dynamics and societal impacts. Emotional connections between Andy and Red underscore the narrative's depth. Reflect on the film’s legacy and its enduring cultural significance while unpacking the realism of prison life and the transformative power of storytelling.

Vanessa joins Jeff to stare slack-jawed at a list of the best-selling books from the last five decades in the UK, talk about recent book-banning news, wince at some PR pack-ins, and more. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.For more industry news, sign up for our Today in Books daily newsletter!Check out the Book Riot Podcast Book Page on Thriftbooks!Discussed in this episode:The Book Riot Podcast PatreonThe 100 bestselling books of the past 50 years High school shuts down its library because of book-banning state law One Year After DeSantis Takeover, Florida’s New College Throws Out Hundreds of LGBTQ+ BooksWalmart Celebrates Emily Henry Adapter Yulin Kuang’s Spicy Debut Novel With Limited-Edition Hot SauceBlake Lively and Justin Baldoni Highlight Domestic Violence in It Ends With Us After Backlash Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rebecca is joined by Book Riot's intrepid managing editor Vanessa Diaz for a conversation about the new adaptation of Colleen Hoover's It Ends With Us, starring Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni.Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.For more industry news, sign up for our Today in Books daily newsletter!Join us on Patreon for access to early, ad-free listening and bonus content.This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Looking back at one of the great movie years for book lovers: 1999.Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.For more industry news, sign up for our Today in Books daily newsletter!Check out the Book Riot Podcast Book Page on Thriftbooks! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff and Rebecca tour the week in books, check in with Project 2025's dastardly plans and Spotify's continued growth, enjoy a little rant time, and much more.Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.For more industry news, sign up for our Today in Books daily newsletter!Check out the Book Riot Podcast Book Page on Thriftbooks!This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.Discussed in this episode:The Book Riot Podcast PatreonWhat is Going on with Book Sales? Episode of First EditionCourt approves Barnes & Noble purchase of Tattered CoverFare thee well, Edna O’BrienRIP Francine PascalLiz Moore signs Sony deal for Long Bright River and God of the WoodsThe Booker Prize longlistSpotify adds 1,000 audiobooks from publishers distributed by IngramJennifer Wilson’s tweetProject 2025’s impact on libraries, books, and readingThe Bear by Julia PhillipsLiars by Sarah MangusoGreat Expectations by Vinson CunninghamState of Paradise by Laura Van Den Berg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff and Rebecca consider 10 contenders for the It Book of August.Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.For more industry news, sign up for our Today in Books daily newsletter!Check out the Book Riot Podcast Book Page on Thriftbooks!This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.Discussed in this episode:What is Going on with Book Sales? Episode of First EditionMina's Matchbox by Yoko OgawaThere Are Rivers by Elif ShafakApprentice to the Villain by Hannah Nicole MaehrerThe Art of Power by Nancy PelosiHouse of Bone and Rain by Gabino IglesiasBurn by Peter HellerHum by Helen PhillipsAll That Glitters by Orlando WhitfieldThe Pairing by Casey McQuistonPeggy by Rebecca Godfrey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff and Rebecca respond to some listener feedback, talk about the sales spike of Kamala Harris books, some truly amateur hour cheating in the Hugo Awards, and nerd out about some specific sales data related the the NYT 100 Best Books of the 21st Century List.Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.For more industry news, sign up for our Today in Books daily newsletter!Check out the Book Riot Podcast Book Page on Thriftbooks!Discussed in this episode:What is Going on with Book Sales? Episode of First Edition***We’re hiring***The NYT list is moving unitsKamala Harris book sales soaringHugo Awards reveal (poorly executed) scheme to get fraudulent votes for one authorNickel Boys adaptation will open the New York Film Festival, hits theaters 10/25 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff and Rebecca are joined by Sharifah Williams to discuss the books they selected for in The New York Times's 100 best books of the 21st century, how they picked, and their reactions to the final list.Join us on Patreon for access to early, ad-free listening and bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/bookriotpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the film release of The NeverEnding Story, Jeff, Rebecca, and Sharifah talk about the book, movie, and its place in pop and nerd culture.Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.For more industry news, sign up for our Today in Books daily newsletter!Check out the Book Riot Podcast Book Page on Thriftbooks!This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.Discussed in this episode:The NeverEnding Story by Michael EndeThe NeverEnding Story Oral HistoryThe Book Riot Podcast Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff and Rebecca are back to do more discussion of The New York Times's list of the Best Books of the 21st Century, go over the reader version of the list, predict what books we think are the most likely to make Obama's summer reading list, talk about their recent reading, and more. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.For more industry news, sign up for our Today in Books daily newsletter!Check out the Book Riot Podcast Book Page on Thriftbooks!This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.Discussed in this episode:The Book Riot Podcast PatreonThe 100 Best Books of the 21st CenturyNYT reveals readers’ top 100Slow Productivity by Cal NewportState of Paradise by Laura Van Den BergThe Coin by Yasmin ZaherThe Bright Sword by Lev GrossmanThere's Always This Year by Hanif AbdurraquibJames by Percival EverettFire Exit by Morgan TaltyThe Demon of Unrest by Erik LarsonThe Women by Kristin HannahThe Searcher by Tana French Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices