
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

Nov 25, 2019 • 60min
Clutching Intensifies
Jeff and Rebecca talk about the National Book Awards, more about the terrible Nobel year, some adaptation news, and more.
This episode is sponsored by:
The Read Harder Journal
American Dirt by Jeanine Cummins
Sips By
Links discussed in this episode:
Holy bad looks, Batman: Nobel jurors gave prize to Handke after falling for a conspiracy theory
2019 National Book Awards Announced
Author responds after West Virginia library removes LGBT book from shelves
And locals are upset b/c the decision has been delayed
Memphis Public Libraries joins the overdue fines cancellation trend
We have a Daisy Jones!
Lord of the Rings series at Amazon already greenlit for Season 2
David! Chang! Memoir!
2019 Publishing Salary Survey
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Nov 18, 2019 • 49min
Nerd Nuggets
Jeff and Rebecca talk BN getting on the award train, Amazon releases its best books of the year list, and a weird amount of action in Virginia.
This episode is sponsored by:
Imaginary Friend by Stephen Cbhosky
Eye for Eye by J.K. Franko
The Read Harder Journal
Links discussed in this episode:
Virginia libraries join Macmillan ebook boycott
Amazon’s best books of the year list is out, and it is wrong
Barnes & Noble introduces Book of the Year Award
And a redesigned Barnes & Noble store in Virginia Beach is book-focused
Angry parents protest LGBTQ books in Loudon County, Virginia classroom libraries
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Nov 14, 2019 • 1h 5min
BONUS: Adaptation Nation
Jeff and Rebecca discuss three big new TV adaptions: His Dark Materials (HBO), Watchmen (HBO), and Dickinson (Apple TV+).
This episode is sponsored by:
Mrs. Everything by Jennifer Weiner
This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger
The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell
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Nov 11, 2019 • 1h 3min
A Smaller But Messier Problem
This week, Jeff and Rebecca watch OverDrive jump into the Macmillan embargo fray, pass along a correction about The Little Free Library story, assess the nominees for the Goodreads choice awards, and ridicule some worse-than-clowns in Florida.
This episode is sponsored by:
Make New Mistakes
The Great Courses Plus
The Stationery Shop by Marjan Kamali
Enter to Win $50 to Your Favorite Indie Bookstore!
Links discussed in this episode:
OverDrive wades into the Macmillan ebook fray
Library unsubscribes from NYT because of Trump calling it Fake News
Correction re: Little Free Library (thank you, Margret Aldrich)
Nashville Public Library suspends macmillan ebook purchases
Indianapolis Public Library adjusts ebook circulation limits
Goodreads Choice Awards are live
Heroes of the week: 650 people form a human chain to move books
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Nov 7, 2019 • 1h 26min
BONUS: Baz Luhrmann's ROMEO + JULIET
Jeff and Rebecca talk about Baz Luhrmann's 1996 adaptation of ROMEO + JULIET.
This episode is sponsored by:
The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell
Where to Begin by Cleo Wade
Mrs. Everything by Jennifer Weiner
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Nov 4, 2019 • 1h 5min
Ice Cream Divergent
Jeff and Rebecca assess the updates to the Game of Thrones spin-offverse, close-read the CEO of Macmillan's letter about their ebook embargo, wade briefly into a battle over Little Free Libraries, and much more.
This episode is sponsored by:
Book Riot's YA Instagram
The Great Courses Plus
The Make New Mistakes Podcast
The Escape of Light by Fred Venturini
Links discussed in this episode:
Macmillan CEO writes letter to libraries as embargo takes effect
First of HBO’s GoT spinoffs is dead
And one is ordered to series
Little Free Library, Founder’s Family, Clash Over Future Direction
Little more info about Bookshop
New! Marie! Kondo!
Book returns increased by 240% since Chicago libraries eliminated late fees
Boston Public Library eliminates fines for people under 18
Self-publishers making big money on blank books
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Oct 30, 2019 • 1h 14min
BONUS: THE WATER DANCER by Ta-Nehisi Coates
Jeff and Rebecca talk about The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates.
This episode is sponsored by:
The Doll Factory by Elizabeth Macneal
The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell
Where to Begin by Cleo Wade
Relevant Link:
The Beautiful Power of Ta-Nehisi Coates
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Oct 28, 2019 • 1h 16min
Ducks! Geese! Sheep!
Jeff and Rebecca talk about the ALA's report on anti-competitive practices in the digital library market, exciting adaptation casting news, additional agita about the Booker prize, and much more.
This episode is sponsored by:
Win a Blind Date with a Book!
Moxie by Jennifer Mathieu
Spalding University
Into the Crooked Place by Alexandra Christo
Links discussed in this episode:
NYT Book Review launching first-chapter excerpt thing
Leander, TX library director fired over pride story hour
Congress looking into anti-competitive behavior in digital library market
Mackenzie Davis is starring in Station 11 on HBO Max and now I’m mad that I really will have to get HBO Max
Foundation Casting
More agita re: Split Booker
Hero of the week: Patagonia to stop printing galleys
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Oct 24, 2019 • 52min
BONUS: Half-Baked Ideas
Jeff throws half-baked ideas about things that should exist in the world of books and reading at Rebecca to see which, if any, aren't horrible.
This episode is sponsored by:
This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger
The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell
Where to Begin by Cleo Wade
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Oct 21, 2019 • 1h 12min
Flailing, Floundering, and Sinking
Jeff and Rebecca lament the double Booker prize and, to be honest, are just sort of bummed out by it and other stories this week.
This episode is sponsored by:
Win a Blind Date with a Book!
Quantum by Patricia Cornwell
Imaginary Friend by Stephen Chobsky
Best American Short Stories 2019 on Audio
Links discussed in this episode:
The double Booker..and the backlash
George college students burn books by Latina author
Major library system says it will boycott Macmillan ebooks
Stephen King’s pad to be open for visitors
Some Australian book outlets refusing to sell Ronan Farrow book b/c of legal threats
Interesting #metoo followup in classrooms w/ some sales data re: Diaz & Alexie
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