
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

Jul 15, 2019 • 1h 6min
Troubling the Dan Brown Meridian
Jeff and Rebecca talk about the best-selling books of the year, follow up about THE STARLESS SEA, go over the ethics of ARCs, and much more.
This episode is sponsored by:
Libro.fm
The Great Courses Plus
Book Riot Insiders
Links discussed in this episode:
PW breaks down the bestsellers of the year so far
Ongoing: Iowa man accused of burning LGBTQ books loses motion to dismiss
Follow-up: if an HP tv show is going to happen it will be here
Amazon is making a LoTR MMO
Annotated #21: Viral
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Jul 8, 2019 • 1h 1min
Value Over Replacement Barfing
This week's topics include the faintest rumblings of a Harry Potter television show, Book Riot's favorite books of 2019 so far, a ridiculously though plausibly effective pair of motion-sickness reducing glasses, and more.
This week's episode is sponsored by:
Libro.fm
Finale by Stephanie Garbar
The Van Apfel Girls Are Gone by Felicity McLean
Links discussed in this episode:
Warner Brothers developing a Harry Potter TV show
Book Riot’s Best Books of the Year So Far
Another bookstore asks for community support, this time with a clear message
Texas school district banned an LGBT-themed book and covered it up
Crazy motion-sickness fighting glasses
Closure of Microsoft bookstore shows fundamental problem with ebooks and DRM
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Jul 1, 2019 • 51min
No Nuance Whatsoever
Jeff and Rebecca talk about divergent solutions to the same indie bookstore problem, Scribd's new digest feature, joining libraries to other social services, and much more.
This episode is sponsored by:
Some Like it Scandalous by Maya Rodale
The Share Triumph Virtual Conference
Libro.fm
Links discussed in this episode:
Ongoing: Prisons now banning books that teach how to code
Another story from that BN-sponsored fellowship
Chicago Finds a Way to Improve Public Housing
Scribd launches “Snapshots” providing 15-minute summaries
Indie Bookstore Sankofa Wins Tax Break
Book Culture makes public plea for….help?
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Jun 24, 2019 • 53min
#318: The Will to Prequel
Jeff and Rebecca talk about the announced HUNGER GAMES prequel, Amazon's best books of the year so far list, and much more.
This episode is sponsored by:
Fix Her Up by Tessa Bailey
FKA USA by Reed King
Amazon Publishing's Summer Reading Initiative
Links discussed in this episode:
Follow up: Nicholas Sparks is sorry he appeared intolerant
Amazon’s 10 best books of the year so far
Joy Harjo becomes first Native American US Poet Laureate!
Suzanne Collins announces 2020 Hunger Games prequel
Harry Potter Pokemon-Go style game launches (a day early)
Petition to Cancel Good Omens petitions wrong company
Controversy over displaying gay books in Maine library, with a side of “good job, trustees” for supporting the library
This week in bananapants: A secret fellowship funded by the Riggios
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Jun 16, 2019 • 52min
#317: Chaotic Neutral
This week, Rebecca and Amanda discuss Barnes & Noble's buyout options, Goodreads's list of the hit books of 2019 so far, damning allegations against Nicholas Sparks, and more.
This episode sponsored by:
Fall or Dodge in Hell by Neal Stephenson
Turtles All the Way Down by John Green
In at the Deep End by Kate Davies
Bombas
Links Discussed:
Bidding War for Barnes & Noble?
Progressive church steps in to host Drag Queen Story Hour
Nicholas Sparks accused of harassment, racism, and anti-LGBT actions
Goodreads reveals the hit books of 2019 so far
Study finds increasing marginalization of female and PoC characters in children's books
Hero of the Week: Kentucky teacher partners with barber shop to reward kids for reading
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Jun 10, 2019 • 59min
#316: NCIS: Vatican
Barnes & Noble gets sold! The Obamas join the podcasting revolution! Robert Langdon is coming to TV!
This episode is sponsored by:
All the Books!
Patsy by Nicole Dennis-Benn
Book of the Month Club
This Time Will Be Different by Misa Sugiura
Links discussed in this episode:
Barnes & Noble selling to private equity firm
Obamas strike exclusive podcast deal with Spotify
NBC gives commitment for Robert Langdon Lost Symbol series
Hero of the Week: Founder of nonprofit who engages prisoners w/ books, poetry, and writing
Annotated Episode #25: Books Behind Bars
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Jun 3, 2019 • 1h 3min
#315: Hold the Needle
Jeff and Rebecca talk about Book Expo America, Mindy Kaling doing an Amazon exclusive, breaking the Scripps Spelling Bee, and more.
This episode is sponsored by:
All the Books
Rebel by Beverly Jenkins
The Summer We Lost Her by Tish Cohen
Patsy by Nicole Dennis-Benn
Links discussed in this episode:
Mindy Kaling to publish new essay collection w/ Amazon Publishing summer 2020
8 Kids Break the Scripps Spelling Bee
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May 27, 2019 • 53min
#314: Business Class Elite Diamond Platinum Plus
This week, Jeff and Rebecca follow-up about podcast platforms, worry about George RR Martin's new deadline, admire and critique Bill Gates' new book recommendation video, and much more.
This episode is sponsored by:
Birthday by Meredith Russo
The Guest Book by Sarah Blake
Links discussed in this episode:
New Bill Gates summer reading recs video
GRRM sets March 2020 deadline for Winds of Winter
Barnes & Noble brings Nook back with a bigger screen
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May 20, 2019 • 1h 3min
#313: The Hierarchy of Socks is Real
This week, Jeff and Rebecca talk music streaming services, the wider podcast landscape, and even some talk about books.
This episode is sponsored by:
PodX
Only Ever her by Marybeth Mayhew Whalen
Bombas
We Hunt the Flame by Hafsah Faiza
Links discussed in this episode:
Roxane Gay’s Luminary exclusive
Michael Wolff has a Trump sequel called SIEGE coming out June 4
Barack’s latest reading list
First Audible Originals in partnership w/ Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine revealed
Jimmy P bringing back bookseller bonuses for a 6th year
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May 13, 2019 • 51min
#312: 2019 Moms, Dads, and Grads Recommendation Show, Part 2
The second part of our 2019 Moms, Dads, and Grads recommendation show.
This episode is sponsored by:
BookCon
Again, but Better by Christine Riccio
Exhalation by Ted Chiang
Books recommended in this episode:
Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan
The Wangs vs the World by Jade Chang,
The Ensemble by Aja Gabel
Men We Reaped by Jesymn Ward.
Fashion Climbing by Bill Cunningham
An American Marriage by Tayari Jones
Daisy Jones and the Six
I Miss You When I Blink by Mary Laura Philpott
Matterhorn by Karl Marlantes
We Cast a Shadow by Maurice Carlos Ruffin,
Soon the Light Will Be Perfect by Dave Patterson
The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai
The Devil in Silver by Victor LaValle
IQ by Joe Ide
Sing Unburied Sing by Jesmyn Ward
Saints for All Occasions by J Courtney Sullivan
Daring Greatly by Brene Brown Also LOVE, HATE,
When Dimple Met Rishi by Sadhya Menon
Geek Love by Katherine Dunn
Swamplandia by Karen Russell
Water for Elephants by Sarah Gruen
You Don’t Have to Like Me by Alida Nugent
Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed
This Is How It Feels by Rebecca Barrow
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