
Book Riot - The Podcast
News in the world of books and reading, including hot industry releases, adaptations, publishing industry events, and more with Book Riot’s Jeff O’Neal and Rebecca Shinsky.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.
Latest episodes

Sep 12, 2022 • 58min
A Mist of Possibility
Jeff and Rebecca talk about the Booker Prize shortlist, Nora Roberts making it rain for a Michigan library, Virginia’s obscenity case against Gender Queer getting kicked to the curb, interesting new trailers, nerd TV, and more.Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. The show can also be found on Stitcher.For more industry news, sign up for our Today in Books daily newsletter!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 PatreonLiberty Hardy’s PatreonRIP Barbara Ehrenreich And Peter Straub Booker Prize ShortlistAJ Fikry trailerTheir efforts have failed: VA obscenity case over Gender Queer is dismissedNora Roberts saves Michigan library defunded over LGBTQ titles Baker & Taylor’s systems were down for multiple weeks due to a ransomware attack the weekend of Aug 20-21 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 29, 2022 • 57min
Where the Slugs Dwell
Jeff and Rebecca follow-up about stocking changes at Barnes & Noble, a Texas school district bans the word “transgender,” a slate of new book clubs, and more.Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. The show can also be found on Stitcher.For more industry news, sign up for our Today in Books daily newsletter!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 PatreonShoutout to Kelly Jensen on PBS News Hour Texas school district bans the word “transgender” from district, along w/ sweeping policy around discussions of gender & sexuality Amazon is now sponsoring the TikTok Book Club Chemistry Lessons by Bonnie GarmusHidden Pictures by Jason RekulakThe Hacienda by Isabel Canas Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 22, 2022 • 1h 13min
Go Kill a Watchman
Jeff and Rebecca talk about the horrible attack on Salman Rushdie, a maybe consequential change to what Barnes & Noble stocks in its physical stores, a quick Confidence Index on DEVIL IN THE WHITE CITY starring Keanu Reeves, and much more.Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. The show can also be found on Stitcher.For more industry news, sign up for our Today in Books daily newsletter!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 PatreonSalman Rushdie on the long road to recovery after being stabbed during event Dallas area librarians told to remove every book that was challenged last year from shelves, even those that were approvedBarnes & Noble making a change to what it stocks and how it stocksThis GRRM profile in Vanity FairKeanu Reeves starring in Hulu’s Devil in the White City adaptation Joan is Okay by Weike WangHome Waters by John MacleanWe Were Dreamers by Simu Lu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 15, 2022 • 1h 10min
The Tipping Point Was a Tipping Point
Jeff and Rebecca talk about the passing of David McCullough, who holds the Dad Book crown, seeing the Colleen Hoover phenomenon in the wild, rubber-neck the PRH/S&S trial, and much more.Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. The show can also be found on Stitcher.For more industry news, sign up for our Today in Books daily newsletter!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 PatreonIs this the Colleen Hoover profile we have been looking for? Day Five of the Penguin Random House/S&S Trial Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 8, 2022 • 59min
A Novel Trial
Rebecca and Sharifah discuss the salacious history of Go Ask Alice, the antitrust trial against Penguin Random House’s merger with Simon & Schuster, and more.Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. The show can also be found on Stitcher.For more industry news, sign up for our Today in Books daily newsletter!This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.Links discussed in the show:The Book Riot PatreonHow a Mormon Housewife Turned a Fake Diary Into an Enormous Best-SellerNew York Times announces Gilbert Cruz as Books EditorLouisiana Librarian Seeks Legal Action After Harassment by Far-Right GroupMichigan Library May Close Due to Conservative PropagandaBackground on the PRH-Simon & Schuster antitrust trialOpening Arguments & Day One TestimonyS & S CEO Jonathan Karp’s TestimonyWhy the Penguin Random House – Simon & Schuster Merger is About Amazon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Aug 1, 2022 • 1h 7min
Millions of Canadians Cranking
Jeff and Rebecca talk about Obama’s summer reading picks, Canadian reading habits, another take on “self-censorship,” and more.Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. The show can also be found on Stitcher.For more industry news, sign up for our Today in Books daily newsletter!This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.Discussed in this episode:We’re still taking applications for Editorial Ops Associate Utah State board of education policy opens door to book bans Half of all Canadians read a book a week?!Pamela Paul has a take Barack Obama’s summer reading list The Gillian Flynn Gone Girl…Danube River cruise? Perish by LaToya WatkinsThe Church of Baseball by Ron Shelton Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 26, 2022 • 2min
Book Riot Matches Donations to the National Network of Abortion Funds
Book Riot is running a campaign to match donations to the National Network of Abortion Funds from July 25th through August 1st. Feminism, gender equality, and inclusivity are all core tenants of our values at Book Riot, and we know there is no gender equality without reproductive freedom and bodily autonomy.We hope that you'll be able to participate in this match campaign. If you are able to support it financially, you can get information at https://bookriot.com/book-riot-matching-donations-to-national-network-of-abortion-funds/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 25, 2022 • 54min
Save It For the Message Boards
Jeff and Rebecca talk trailers (She Said, Rings of Power, House of the Dragon), a HarperCollins walk-out, Michelle Obama’s new book, and much more.Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. The show can also be found on Stitcher.For more industry news, sign up for our Today in Books daily newsletter!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 PatreonFollow-up: HarperCollins union workers hit the picket line New Michelle Obama book The Boys by Katie Hafner Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 18, 2022 • 1h 3min
Catch-451
Jeff and Rebecca talk the best-selling books of the year, Book Riot’s own best books of the year so far, a very suspect reality show idea, and much more.Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. The show can also be found on Stitcher.For more industry news, sign up for our Today in Books daily newsletter!DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE:The Book Riot PatreonBook Riot’s Best of 2022 so farAda Limon named next Poet LaureateBookstores are booming & becoming more diverseA reality show about authors? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 11, 2022 • 1h 1min
Good Job, Matt
Jeff and Rebecca talk about Jesmyn Ward winning the Library of Congress Fiction Prize, a major publisher getting hijacked (?), labor at publishing houses, The New York Times understanding BookTok just about as well as they do, and much more.Discussed in this episode:The Book Riot PatreonWe’re hiring!Jesmyn Ward wins of Congress Prize for Fiction Macmillan security breachHarperCollins’s union authorizes strike if publisher does agree to fair contract Penguin Classics adds Marvel to the Canon NYT on BookTokPublic service story: if you work in any kind of library setting and have student loans, see if you eligible for student loan forgivenessThe Fox & I by Catherine Raven Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices