
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

Jan 7, 2025 • 49min
More of Our Most Anticipated Books of 2025
Jason Blitman of the Gays Reading podcast joins Jeff and Rebecca to talk about more books to watch for in 2025. Jeff and Rebecca also joined Jason on Gays Reading for more picks in this episode.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:Book Riot’s TBRThe Book Riot Podcast on InstagramThe Book Riot Podcast Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 6, 2025 • 38min
The It Books of January 2025
Jeff and Rebecca ring in the new year with another It Book knockout round. A storm gathers. Can anyone sail through it?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:Book Riot’s TBRThe Book Riot Podcast on InstagramThe Book Riot Podcast PatreonThe 2025 Read Harder Challenge is liveWitchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady HendrixBeautiful Ugly by Alice FeeneyWe Do Not Part by Han KangGood Dirt by Charmaine WilkersonThe Loves of My Life by Edmund WhiteDare I Say It by Naomi WattsThree Wild Dogs and the Truth by Markus ZusakDeath of the Author by Nnedi OkoraforThe Crash by Frieda McFaddenOnyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 4, 2025 • 6min
The 2025 Winter Preview Draft [Teaser]
A preview of our 2025 Winter Preview Draft on our Patreon. Jeff and Rebecca draft 10 books each and then ask listeners to vote on which list they want to win, for whatever reason they like.Join us on Patreon for access to early, ad-free listening and all bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/bookriotpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jan 3, 2025 • 44min
NIGHTBITCH is in the Wild. Is it Good?
Rebecca sits down with Book Riot's managing editor Vanessa Diaz to discuss Marielle Heller's adaptation of Nightbitch starring Amy Adams and Scoot McNairy. Nightbitch is streaming now on Hulu.Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.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:Marielle Heller Explores the Feral Side of Motherhood Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 30, 2024 • 50min
The Books To Watch for in 2025
Get ready for 2025 with a peek at the most buzzworthy upcoming titles! Discover anticipated books like 'Onyx Storm' and 'Wild Dark Shore,' along with the themes of climate and family secrets. Dive into dark academia with 'Katabasis,' a thrilling quest that showcases rivalry and sacrifice. Explore insights on major releases, including Tina Knowles' memoir, while the hosts share their excitement and thought processes behind their top picks. Plus, hear about the dynamics of Fantasy Author League and Taylor Swift's rise.

Dec 27, 2024 • 7min
The Best of the Rest of 2024 [Teaser]
A little teaser for our Best of the Rest of 2024 episode over on the Book Riot podcast Patreon. Rebecca and Jeff talk about their favorite non-book things from 2024, a few of which might be of interest to other humans.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

Dec 24, 2024 • 2min
Emergency Podcast: On Obama's Favorite Books of 2024 [Teaser]
A preview of the first-ever EMERGENCY bonus episode for Patreon subscribers. Obama released his favorite books of 2024. Let's just say there were surprises.Join us on Patreon for access to early, ad-free listening and all bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/bookriotpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 23, 2024 • 54min
The Year in Review
Jeff and Rebecca look back at the books & stories that defined 2024.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:Book Riot’s TBRThe Book Riot Podcast on InstagramThe Book Riot Podcast PatreonThe 2025 Read Harder Challenge is live_________________________The dust settled as publishing’s earnings rebound in H1Barnes & Noble is back, baby, and they bought a beloved indieThe Discourse:
Remember the moment when some people thought Taylor Swift wrote Argylle?
PRH dismisses Reagan Arthur & Lisa Lucas
NYT’s top 100 books of the century so far
NaNoWriMo’s PR fail with AI
only 20k serious readers of lit fic?
Coming Attractions:
Spielberg in talks to produce James adaptation directed by Taika Waititi
Liz Moore signs Sony deal for Long Bright River & God of the Woods
Meryl Streep in adaptation of The Corrections
Florence Pugh in East of Eden for Netflix
The Black List expands to fiction & highlights publishing’s most-wanted adaptations,
Book banning news:
Idaho library to become adults-only
High school shuts down library due to book banning law
Big Five and Authors Guild sue over Florida law
PRH hires a public policy role
Many states have banned book bans
In memoriam:
Daniel Kahneman
John Gierach
Edna O’Brien
Francine Pascal
Nikki Giovanni
Paul Auster
The #metoo trifecta of Cormac McCarthy, Alice Munro, and Neil GaimanThe robots are coming:
authors sue Anthropic
Roxane Gay & Margaret Atwood among authors helping create AI reading guides
Number go up: US audiobook sales hit $2 billion in 2023 One to watch: ByteDance’s 8th Note Press to publish print books in 2025This is why literacy matters: Florida dept of education recommends Pride & Prejudice as a book about American prideListener feedback award: the surprising origins of publishing’s seasons, Sophia’s It Books tracker Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 18, 2024 • 6min
The Books We Missed This Year [Teaser]
A preview of our most recent Patreon-only episode about the books we missed this year (though, maybe we will get to a few of them? maybe?).Join us on Patreon for access to early, ad-free listening and all bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/bookriotpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 18, 2024 • 51min
Taking Stock of the Year in Adaptations
Jeff and Rebecca take a look at the hits, misses, and favorites from the year in literary adaptations.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:Book Riot’s TBRThe Book Riot Podcast on InstagramThe Book Riot Podcast Patreon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices