Book Riot - The Podcast

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 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff and Rebecca discuss Klara & the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro. This post contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Book Riot may earn a commission. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices