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First Edition

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May 23, 2024 • 35min

Claire Messud and THIS STRANGE, EVENTFUL HISTORY

In this episode, Jeff talks with Claire Messud about her new novel, This Strange, Eventful History.Subscribe to First Edition via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.For episode extras, subscribe to the First Edition Substack. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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May 2, 2024 • 48min

Connection, The Alchemy of Happiness, and Office Parties with Rachel Khong, author of REAL AMERICANS

In this episode, Jeff talks with Rachel Khong about her new novel, Real Americans. Subscribe to First Edition via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.For episode extras, subscribe to the First Edition Substack.This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Apr 25, 2024 • 28min

THE HOUSE ON MANGO STREET at 40

40 years ago, Sandra Cisneros published what would become a contemporary classic: The House on Mango Street. To mark the occasion, Everyman's Library has released a new edition. The introduction to that edition was written by Professor John Philip Santos, a fellow writer and long-time friend of Cisneros. He joins me on this episode to talk about the origin, meaning, and legacy of this modern masterpiece.This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.Discussed in this episode:The House on Mango Street (Everyman's Library) by Sandra Cisneros, introduction by John Philip SantosPlaces Left Unfinished at the Time of Creation by John Philip Santos Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Mar 8, 2024 • 44min

Anatomy of a Scene and Hardest/Easiest with Xochitl Gonzalez

Xochitl Gonzalez, author of Anita de Monte Laughs Last, joins Jeff to debut two new First Edition segments: Anatomy of a Scene and Hardest/Easiest. In the first segment, they each pick a scene to dissect from Anita de Monte Laughs Last. In the second, Gonzalez talks about what part of the book was the easiest to write....and which was the hardest.Subscribe to First Edition via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.For episode extras, subscribe to the First Edition Substack.Want to make your book club the best club? Sign up for our In the Club newsletter. In the Club will deliver recommendations for the best books to discuss in your book clubs. From buzzy new releases to brilliant throwbacks, the books highlighted in this newsletter will drive your book club discussions. We’ll also share some book club-friendly recipes and interesting bookish updates from all over. If you become a paid subscriber, you get even more recommendations plus community features. In other words, we’ll keep you well-met, well-read, and well-fed. Sign up today!This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.Discussed in this episode:Anita de Monte Laughs LastThe First Edition Newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Mar 6, 2024 • 42min

The State of Ereaders

Jason Snell of sixcolors.com, and ereader connoisseur, joins Jeff to talk about the state of ereaders, what makes a good ereader, a couple of interesting, oddball new devices, and more. Check out sixcolors.com and The Incomparable.Want to make your book club the best club? Sign up for our In the Club newsletter. In the Club will deliver recommendations for the best books to discuss in your book clubs. From buzzy new releases to brilliant throwbacks, the books highlighted in this newsletter will drive your book club discussions. We’ll also share some book club-friendly recipes and interesting bookish updates from all over. If you become a paid subscriber, you get even more recommendations plus community features. In other words, we’ll keep you well-met, well-read, and well-fed. Sign up today!Discussed in this episode:Two e-readers that made me reconsider why I use e-readers by Jason SnellSubscribe to First Edition via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.For episode extras, subscribe to the First Edition Substack. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Dec 21, 2023 • 36min

How to Bring Back a Book

Joshua Bodwell of Godine & Black Sparrow Press talks to Jeff about a book they both love, The Orchard by Adele Crockett Robertson, and the process of reissuing it as part of Godine's Nonpareil series.It's happening, readers — we're bringing paperbacks! Whether you (or a reader you know and love) hate carrying around bulky hardcovers, you're on a budget, you want a wider range of recommendations, or all of the above, you can now get a paperback subscription from TBR, curated just for you by one of our Bibliologists. The holidays are here, and we've got three different levels for gifting to suit every budget. Get all the details at mytbr.co.Discussed in this episode:The Orchard by Adele Crockett RobertsonGodine's Nonpareil SeriesSubscribe to First Edition via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.For episode extras, subscribe to the First Edition Substack. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Dec 6, 2023 • 1h 5min

The It Books of the Year

Jeff and Rebecca sit down to determine the It Books of the Year. From 24 finalists, they will whittle down to twelve. The last cut is the deepest. Subscribe to First Edition via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.For episode extras, subscribe to the First Edition Substack.It's happening, readers — we're bringing paperbacks! Whether you (or a reader you know and love) hate carrying around bulky hardcovers, you're on a budget, you want a wider range of recommendations, or all of the above, you can now get a paperback subscription from TBR, curated just for you by one of our Bibliologists. The holidays are here, and we've got three different levels for gifting to suit every budget. Get all the details at mytbr.co.This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.The It Books of the Year FinalistsThe Woman in Me by Britney SpearsThe Guest by Emma ClineTom Lake by Ann PatchettProphet Song by Paul LynchThe Berry Pickers by Amanda PetersThe Wager by David GrannDoppelganger by Naomi KleinSpare by Prince HarryBig Fiction by Dan SinykinLone Women by Victor LaValleThe Biography of X by Catherine LaceyFourth Wing by Rebecca YarrosHeaven & Earth Grocery Story by James McBridePoverty by Matthew DesmondThe Covenant of Water by Abraham VergheseYellowface by R. F. KuangBlackouts by Justin TorresChain Gang All Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-BrenyahThe Fraud by Zadie SmithThe Vaster Wilds by Lauren GroffHow to Say Babylon by Safiya SinclairLet Us Descend by Jesmyn WardPageboy by Elliot PageThe Country of the Blind by Andrew Leland Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Nov 16, 2023 • 43min

THE SISTERHOOD with Prof. Courtney Thorsson

In this episode, I talk to Prof. Courtney Thorsson about her new book, The Sisterhood: How a Network of Black Women Writers Changed American Culture.Over the course of two years, a group of remarkable black women writers met to discuss their work, connect with each other, and ultimately influence the next decades of American cultural life.The Sisterhood documents the meetings of the group, their motivations for gathering, and the wider intellectual and artistic world they helped create.Subscribe to First Edition via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.For episode extras, subscribe to the First Edition Substack. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Nov 2, 2023 • 53min

The It Books of November

It's the last big month for new releases, so Jeff O'Neal and Rebecca Schinsky saddle up for one more It Book Knockout Round for 2023.Subscribe to First Edition via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.For episode extras, subscribe to the First Edition Substack.It's happening, readers — we're bringing paperbacks! Whether you hate carrying around bulky hardcovers, you're on a budget, you want a wider range of recommendations, or all of the above, you can now get a paperback subscription from TBR, curated just for you by one of our Bibliologists. You can also gift it (and the holidays, they are coming). Get all the details at mytbr.co.This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.Books mentioned in this episode:The Future by Noami AldermanClass by Stephanie LandBreaking Twitter by Ben MezrichThe Mystery Guest by Nita ProseDay by Michael CunninghamSame Bed, Different Dreams by Ed ParkThe Vulnerables by Sigrid NunezMy Name is Barbra by Barbra StreisandThe Liberators by E.J. KohTo Free the Captives by Tracy K. SmithIron Flame by Rebecca YarrosEmail in with questions, comments, and ideas: firstedition@bookriot.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Oct 19, 2023 • 43min

The Making of the Modern Publishing Industry

Jeff talks to Prof. Dan Sinykin about his new book, Big Fiction: How Conglomeration Changed Book Publishing and American Literature.Subscribe to First Edition via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.For episode extras, subscribe to the First Edition Substack.Email in with questions, comments, and ideas: firstedition@bookriot.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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