Book Riot - The Podcast
Episodes
Alien Jazz Hands for PROJECT HAIL MARY
25 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Vanessa Diaz joins Rebecca for a conversation about the new adaptation of Project Hail Mary. They talk about what the filmmakers kept from the book an...
Wait, How Many Books Were Published in 2025? PLUS: Louise Erdrich!
23 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff and Rebecca talk about book-adjacent Oscar news, the staggering number of books published in 2025, adaptation news, and more. Then, they are join...
The Hot List March 2026
18 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
We bring the Hot List out to the main feed to talk about what books are trending, selling, being talked about, being awarded, and in other ways have s...
Blume is a Big "No Comment" on her biography, ACOTAR adaptation takes a step backward, and more.
16 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff and Rebecca try to read the tea-leaves from Judy Blume's biography silence, ACOTAR rights reversion, and more of the week's book news. Follow th...
Markus Zusak on THE BOOK THIEF at 20
11 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Book Riot Senior Editor Kelly Jensen talks to author Markus Zusak on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of The Book Thief. Follow the podcast via R...
UPDATED The Audiobook Wars Rage On, Big ACOTAR Announcement, and More
09 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff and Rebecca talk about the big ACOTAR update, Audible dropping the price on its standard product, market trends, recent reading, and much more. ...
The Audiobook Wars Rage On, Big ACOTAR Announcement, and More
09 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff and Rebecca talk about the big ACOTAR update, Audible dropping the price on its standard product, market trends, recent reading, and much more. ...
The It Books of March 2026
04 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff and Rebecca dive in to uncover the It Book of March 2026. Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Join The Book Riot Podcast Pa...
A Proposed Nationwide Book Ban, The NYPL's Most Checked Out Books of All-Time, and more
02 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff and Sharifah talk about a new sweeping federal book ban law that was introduced in Congress, The New York Public Library's 10 Most Checked-Out Bo...
How Much Are You Like The Characters You Read About?
25 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Prof. Laura McGrath returns to talk with Jeff and Rebecca about statistics that show just how much readers read what they are. Mostly. For some reader...
DNF Shelves Coming to Goodreads and The War For Your Ears Continues
23 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff and Rebecca talk about the news that Goodreads is rumored to be launching an official Did Not Finish category, Audible and Spotify innovations, r...
Ranking Amazon's Best Books of the Century
18 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff and Rebecca power rank the top 10 of Amazon's 25 Book of the Year picks from the last 25 years. Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and ...
Another Book Section Bites the Dust and A Romance Writer Dances with the AI Devil
16 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff and Rebecca talk about The Washington Post Books section shutting down, a NYT profile of a romance writer diving into AI with both feet, recent r...
Power Ranking the Books of 2016
11 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff and Rebecca power rank the 10 most important, influential, and otherwise impactful books of 2016. Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, an...
Librarians on the Front Lines
09 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Vanessa sits down with director Kim A. Snyder and librarians Martha Hickson and Carolyn Foote to discuss the film The Librarians: how it came to be, w...
The It Books of February 2026
04 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff and Rebecca consider 10 finalists for the title It Book of February. Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Subscribe to The ...
Making Sense of Franchise Adaptation News
02 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff and Rebecca try to make sense of a bunch of adaptation news before talking about recent reads, Don DeLillo's hockey smut, and more. Subscribe to...
VIGIL by George Saunders
28 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff and Rebecca talk about George Saunders' new novel, Vigil. Subscribe to The Book Riot Newsletter for regular updates to get the most out of your ...
The Best-Selling Publishers of the Year, NBCC Finalists, Adapted Screenplay Oscar Noms, and more.
26 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff and Rebecca talk about the National Book Critics Circle Award Finalists, which publishers had the most best-sellers in 2025, Katie Couric's book ...
Lit History Corner: Christopher Marlowe
21 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Vanessa returns with another surprise topic from literary history: Christopher Marlowe: Playwright, lover, thinker, spy (?). Subscribe to The Book R...
How Are We Feeling About Book Sales Right Now?
19 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff and Rebecca look at some 2025 sales numbers, are astounded by the rise of Heated Rivalry, applaud a new subscription box, have some harsh words f...
2026 Adaptation Preview
14 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff and Rebecca run through the notable adaptations coming this year (at least the ones we know about). Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, ...
The Latest in American Reading Habits, 2026 Adaptations, and More
12 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Vanessa and Sharifah sit in for Jeff and Rebecca to discuss a poll on American reading habits, this year's most anticipated books and adaptations, and...
The Winter 2026 New Release Draft [Teaser]
09 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
This is a bonus preview of our Patreon-only episode in which Rebecca and Jeff compete to compile the best basket of 10 new rel...
The It Books of January 2026
07 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff and Rebecca consider 10 finalists for the title It Book of January. Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Subscribe to The B...
Our Most Anticipated Books of 2026
05 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff and Rebecca look at what we know of the 2026 publishing calendar to pick 10 books we are most excited about (with some quibbling and caveats). Lo...
Zero to Well-Read's 2025 Canon Contenders
29 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff and Rebecca discuss the award-winning books, pop culture phenomena, book club picks, and crossover hits of 2025 and attempt to identify the ones ...
AI Was The Story of the Year
22 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff and Rebecca talk about how the story of the year in books was that there really wasn't a story. Except the big one. AI. Plus, NBCC longlists, get...
The Books We Missed in 2025 [Teaser]
19 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This is a bonus preview of our Patreon-only episode in which Jeff and Rebecca talked about the books they wanted to read but didn't,...
The Best of the Rest of 2025 [Teaser]
18 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This is a bonus preview of our Patreon-only episode in which Jeff and Rebecca talk about their favorite non-book things of 2025. To liste...
UPDATED - Our Favorite Books of 2025
17 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff and Rebecca list their favorite books of the year, and then are joined by a series of Book Riot editors to share their picks: Kelly Jensen, Danik...
Our Favorite Books of 2025
17 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff and Rebecca list their favorite books of the year, and then are joined by a series of Book Riot editors to share their picks: Kelly Jensen, Danik...
The 2025 Read Harder Challenge, How Publishing People Feel about Publishing, and more
15 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff and Rebecca talk about Book Riot's 2025 Read Harder Challenge, PW's 2025 Salary & Job Survey, a new Gen Z book club, and resurrect the spirit of ...
So, How's the Hamnet Adaptation?
10 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Rebecca sits down with Vanessa Diaz to discuss the adaptation of Hamnet, in wide theatrical release this week. They talk about the film as a standalon...
Goodreads Choice Winners, NYT 10 Best, and Spotify Wrapped for Audiobooks
08 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff and Rebecca talk about the Goodreads Choice Winners, the NYT's 10 Best of the Year, NPR's excellent year-end round-up before talking to Katie del...
2025 It Books Scorekeeping and December New Releases
03 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff and Rebecca look back on their It Books selections from 2025 to see what they got right and wrong. But first, take a look at a pretty uninspiring...
The 2025 Holiday Recommendation Show, Part 2
01 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff and Rebecca wrap up the 2025 Holiday Recommendations. Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Subscribe to The Book Riot Newsl...
The 2025 Holiday Recommendation Show, Part 1
26 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff and Rebecca are back with another holiday recommendation show. Part 2 coming on Monday. Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify....
Books Of The Year Season Peaks
24 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff and Rebecca inhale a slew of best books of the year lists. Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Subscribe to The Book Riot ...
What is Magical Realism?
19 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Vanessa Diaz is back to talk with Jeff and Rebecca about what magical realism is, where it comes from, and how to talk about it. Follow the podcast v...
On Putting Together a Best Books of the Year List
17 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Vanessa Diaz sits in for Rebecca this week and talks to Jeff about the challenges of making a best books of the year list before getting into the news...
Fall Media Diet Check-In (Plus Other Life Pursuits) [Teaser]
14 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This is a bonus preview of our Patreon-only episode in which Jeff and Rebecca talk about what they've been doing with their lives recently, outs...
The Books We Still Want to Read in 2025
12 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff and Rebecca talk about the books they still want to get to before 2026 gets here. Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Subs...
Speculating on The Book of the Year and the Impacts of AI on Writing
10 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We're in a lull of current publishing industry news, so Jeff and Rebecca speculate about upcoming book awards, year-end announcements, and the book of...
What We Want from Essays: DEAD & ALIVE by Zadie Smith
05 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff and Rebecca talk Zadie Smith's Dead & Alive. Check out Zero to Well-Read! Subscribe to The Book Riot Newsletter for regular updates to get the ...
Checking in with We Need Diverse Books
03 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff talks to Dhonielle Clayton and Caroline Richmond of We Need Diverse Books about censorship, book bannings, and the ongoing drive to diversify boo...
The It Books of November 2025
29 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff and Rebecca consider 10 contenders for the title of It Book of November. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. The Boo...
The Eye of the Best Books of the Year Storm Approaches
27 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff and Rebecca put on their rain gear as the best books of the year storm approaches. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify...
Deep into that Darkness Peering
22 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Book Riot's managing editor, Vanessa Diaz, returns to re-examine the strange and influential life of Edgar Allan Poe. Follow the podcast via RSS, App...
National Book Award Announces Host, B&N Discover Prize, and more book news.
19 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff and Rebecca applaud the news that Jeff Hiller will be hosting the National Book Awards in November before talking about more book news from the w...
The Seventeen Year-Old Who Invented Science Fiction
17 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
With Guillermo del Toro's Netflix adaptation of Mary Shelley's Frankenstein in the news, we thought we would bring out an episode we did for Annotated...
How Much Does Genre Matter to Readers?
15 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Prof. Laura McGrath joins Jeff and Rebecca to talk about what some studies can tell us about just how much readers care (and don't) about genre. Subs...
The 2025 Nobel Prize in Literature, NBA Finalists, and more award season news. PLUS: Hachette CEO David Shelley
13 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sharifah Williams joins Jeff to talk about the 2025 Nobel for Literature, National Book Award finalists and more award season news. Then, Hachette CEO...
Zero to Well-Read: TWILIGHT by Stephenie Meyer
08 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A drop-in of the most recent episode of Zero to Well-Read, in which Jeff O'Neal and Rebecca Schinksy are joined by Book Riot editors Vanessa Diaz and ...
Anthropic Settlement Portal Shows All. Mostly.
06 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff and Rebecca talk about the opening of the portal to submit claims against the $1.5 Billion Anthropic settlement, Reading Rainbow's relaunch, One ...
The It Books of October 2025
01 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff and Rebecca consider 10 candidates for the title, It Book of October 2025. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. The B...
The Booker Prize Finalists, Judge Shades Trump's Lawsuit Against PRH, and More Book News
29 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff and Rebecca talk about The Booker Prize finalists, a judicial brow-beating, soft book sales, and more. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple P...
The Books That Matter: THE SNOWY DAY
24 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today we have for you an episode from the Brooklyn Public Library’s Borrowed & Returned podcast series, looking back on Ezra Jack Keats' trailblazin...
Trump Sues PRH, The National Book Award Fiction Longlist, and More Book News
22 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff and Rebecca talk about the week's book news, from Trump flimsy lawsuit against PRH and The New York Times (and why it matters, flimsy as it is), ...
Book Club: THE SECRET OF SECRETS by Dan Brown
17 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff, Rebecca, and Vanessa gather in a secret chamber to discuss the wonderfully absurd mysteries of Dan Brown's latest, The Secret of Secrets. Check...
National Book Awards Longlists, a Journey Into Literary History, and More
15 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Book Riot's managing editor Vanessa Diaz joins Rebecca for a discussion about the National Book Awards longlists, authors' big settlement from Anthrop...
Introducing Zero to Well-Read, a New Podcast from Book Riot
10 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff and Rebecca introduce their new podcast, Zero to Well-Read, with its inaugural episode about The Great Gatsby. We dig into what makes Gatsby a cl...
Obama's Summer Reading List, B&N Buys Another Indie & More
08 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff and Rebecca announce a couple of new projects before talking about authors settling with Anthropic, Obama's summer reading list, the Kirkus Prize...
The It Books of September 2025
03 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff and Rebecca crown the It Book of September 2025. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Sign up for the Book Riot Podca...
Deals Deals Deals for August 2025 [Teaser]
29 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This is a bonus preview of our Patreon-only episode: Deals Deals Deals for August 2025, in which Jeff presents interesting book deals for Rebecca's co...
KATABASIS by R.F. Kuang
27 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff, Rebecca, and Vanessa talk about Katabasis by R.F. Kuang. Spoiler-free discussion for the first bit, with warning when we wade into deeper plot w...
American are Reading for Pleasure Less. A Lot Less.
25 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff and Rebecca talk about a big new survey of American reading habits, the Polari Prize closing up shop for the year, Katabasis getting an adaptatio...
Fall Adaptation Preview
20 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff and Rebecca preview a huge season of literary adaptations. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Sign up for the Book ...
We Need a Book Review Revolution
18 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
An encouraging court win, thoughts on book reviews, direct to Kanopy films, and more of the week's book news. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple...
"Well-Read" is Hard to Define. But Real.
11 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff and Rebecca process some public comments about the idea of being "well-read," a big influencer book club, a study on the gender of animals in kid...
The 2025 Booker Longlist Is Here
04 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff and Rebecca break down the 2025 longlist for the Booker Prize, digest the news of a new book from Kamala Harris, lament the demise of class (beha...
The It Books of August
30 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff and Rebecca decide what the It Book of August will be. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Sign up for the Book Riot...
Making a Case for Supporting Independent Media, Way Early Award Nominations, and More
28 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Vanessa Diaz joins Jeff as he workshops a couple of takes, before they dive into IMAX scalping, way early award longlists, and more of the week's book...
Power Ranking the Books of 1995
23 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It's as far back as we go with these historical rankings--30 years to 1995. Strange year, that sees Jeff pick a single copy of an individual book in h...
Mid-Year Check-in Time. PLUS: Rodney Freeman on ARE YOU A LIBRARIAN?
21 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff and Rebecca talk about a bunch of mid-year lists: best-ofs, best-selllers, and more. Then Erica Ezeifedi talks to Rodney Freeman, former libraria...
The Top Ten Books to Read to Be Well-Read
16 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff and Rebecca try to answer the fun but impossible question of what are the top 10 books someone might read first on their path to becoming well-re...
The Best Books of the Year So Far: Live at Powell's!
14 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff and Rebecca are joined by Book Riot's Managing Editor Vanessa Diaz and Powell's Book Buyer Keith Mosman to talk about their favorite books of the...
Summer 2025 Mailbag
09 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff and Rebecca answer listener questions. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Sign up for the Book Riot Podcast Newslet...
Project Hail Mary Gets a Trailer, AI Is Fair Use (for now), and more book news of the week
07 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff and Rebecca talk about several notable adaptations news items, legal rulings in AI and LBGTQ titles, recent reading, and more. Subscribe to the ...
The It Books of July 2025
02 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff and Rebecca try to figure out what the It Books of July will be. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Sign up for the...
NetGalley Launches Booktrovert Consumer Marketing Platform, BookTok's Obsession with Marginalia, and More
30 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Danika Ellis joins Rebecca to talk about NetGalley's new consumer marketing platform, the latest decision in an AI copyright lawsuit, BookTok's obsess...
The Books of the Year So Far
25 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff and Rebecca compare their lists of the biggest, buzziest, most newsworthy books of 2025 so far. Looking for the best books of the year so far? Jo...
Richard Linklater's BEFORE Trilogy [Teaser]
24 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff and Rebecca talk about their shared love for Richard Linklater's Before Trilogy (Before Sunrise, Before Sunset, Before Midnight). This is a bonu...
TikTok's Publishing Imprint Folds, BookCon Returns, and More Book News
23 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Vanessa Diaz joins Rebecca to discuss the demise of 8th Note Press, the resurrection of BookCon, a recent win in the fight against book bans, and more...
The Most Recommendable Books of the Century (So Far)
18 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We are bringing our special live recording of The Most Recommendable Books of the Century So Far out from behind the Patreon wall for all listeners to...
E. Lockhart on the WE WERE LIARS Adaptation
17 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It's a Book Riot podiverse crossover event! The adaptation of E. Lockhart's YA sensation We Were Liars debuts later this week. Kelly Jensen sat down w...
Late Show Book Clubs, An Anti-Book Ban Lawsuit Wins, and More Book News. PLUS: How You Make a Best Books of the Year So Far List
16 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff and Rebecca talk about recent reading, why late night talk shows might be interested in doing book clubs, a victory in court against book bans, a...
So...Is it Good?: BURY OUR BONES IN THE MIDNIGHT SOIL by V.E. Schwab
11 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Rebecca Schinksy, Vanessa Diaz, and Danika Ellis go deep on V.E. Schwab's highly anticipated new book to answer the question: So, is it good? Subscri...
AI Disasters, Amazon's Best Books of the Year So Far, and More Book News
09 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Danika Ellis joins Jeff to talk about a spate of book-related AI disasters, Amazon's list of the best books of the year, Michelle Obama's recently-ann...
Jeff’s “I Wish I Could Read All Day” Books of June 2025
06 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This episode comes over from the First Edition feed: Jeff solos his way through listing a bunch of books coming in June that, were time and space no o...
The Beach Read Episode
04 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff is joined by Book Riot editors Danika Ellis and Erica Ezeifedi to talk about what makes a beach read, beach reads picks, and memorable beach read...
Recent Reading and Some Media Diet Updates [Teaser]
03 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This is a bonus preview of the Book Riot Podcast's most recent Patreon-only episode. Jeff and Rebecca catch up with each other's recent reading and gi...
Talking Audiobooks with Spotify & FLASHLIGHT by Susan Choi
02 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff and Rebecca talk to Spotify's Associate Director for Audiobooks Editorial Katie del Rosario about curating audiobooks for Spotify, getting people...
The It Books of June 2025
28 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff and Rebecca consider a loaded roster of June books to pick the It Book of the month. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spoti...
Deals Deals Deals for May 2025 [Teaser]
23 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Time again to look at interesting, lucrative, exciting, strange, or otherwise notable book deal announcements. Always a good time. This is a bonus pr...
Power Ranking the Books of 2005
21 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff and Rebecca look back a couple of decades to power-rank the books of 2005. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Sign ...
The Latest BookTok Conspiracy, What the Library of Congress Actually Does, and More Book News
19 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Book Riot's managing editor Vanessa Diaz joins Rebecca for a conversation about the latest romantasy BookTok conspiracy, what's going on with the Trum...
The 2025 Book Riot Fantasy League Book Draft
14 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff and Rebecca are joined by Sharifah Williams and Prof. Laura McGrath to conduct the first ever Book Riot fantasy book draft. We explain the rules,...
The JeffCore Books of May 2025 [Teaser]
13 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This is a bonus preview of the our most recent Patreon-only episode, The JeffCore Books of May 2025. To listen to the full episode and get access to ...
The Pulitzer Drama Was Real and Other Book News PLUS: A Mini-Book Club for RUN FOR THE HILLS by Kevin Wilson
12 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Jeff and Rebecca continue to lap up with extreme interest scuttlebutt about James's Pulitzer win before talking about Lithgow's underwhelming reaction...