Book Riot - The Podcast

Book Riot

4.4 (1K)
Books
Updated Weekly

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 Schinsky. 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.

2d ago

What 20,000 AI-Generated Stories Have in Common

Rebecca and Vanessa discuss recent research that reveals surprising commonalities between 20,000 AI-generated stories, the winners of the Lambda Literary Awards and the Women's Prize for Fiction, and the most exciting 2027 book announcement so far. Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Join The Book Riot Podcast Patreon for bonus content and ad-free listening. Subscribe to The Book Riot Newsletter for regular updates to get the most out of your reading life. This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Right now, Merit Beauty is offering our listeners their Signature Makeup Bag with your first order at ⁠meritbeauty.com⁠. Thanks to our sponsor, Quince! Go to ⁠Quince.com/bookriot ⁠for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! The Book Riot Podcast is a proud member of the Airwave Podcast Network. Discussed in this episode: Kazuo Ishiguro wrote a WWII spy novel! What 20,000 LLM-generated stories have in common Google Play launches in-book AI chatbot The Correspondent wins The Women’s Prize for Fiction 2026 Lambda Literary Award winners Maggie Gyllenhaal to adapt Rachel Kushner’s Creation Lake The Love Hypothesis adaptation to hit Prime Video on Sept 23 Netflix is getting in on the horny hockey fun Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

40 min
2d ago · Bonus

You Might Also Like: Mind If We Talk?

Introducing Embracing Queer Identity & Healing from Bullying with Margaret Cho from Mind If We Talk?. Follow the show: Mind If We Talk? How does bullying shape the way we see ourselves, connect with others, and move through the world? In this episode, host Sreela Roy-Greene sits down with trailblazing comedian Margaret Cho and her younger comedian friend, Dylan Adler. Together, they reflect on their distinct journeys with queer identity, childhood bullying, and finding acceptance as adults. Plus, they reflect on a key mechanism of using humor to transform pain and shame. Later, Sreela is joined by organizer, author, and activist Hope Giselle. Hope breaks down the profound psychological impact of positive representation, how bullying shapes the nervous system, and how to start healing from the things we were taught to never talk about.If you or someone you love is struggling with bullying, sexual assault, or suicidal ideation, you can find resources at https://www.betterhelp.com/gethelpnow/. 00:00 Introduction: Identity, Representation, and Belonging 02:31 Margaret Cho on Growing Up Queer and Feeling Like an Outsider 09:31 Dylan Adler on Bullying and Finding Community 12:48 Finding Hope Through LGBTQ+ Representation 14:45 Building Confidence and Reclaiming Your Story 19:34 Therapy, Humor, and the Healing Process 21:53 Margaret and Dylan’s Advice for Navigating the Coming Out Journey 26:43 The Importance of Visibility and Community 27:31 Hope Giselle on the Importance of Representation 32:08 Creating Safe Spaces for LGBTQ+ Youth 42:16 Creativity as a Tool for Healing and Self-Expression 44:53 Processing Shame and Seeking Validation 48:09 Closing Reflections: Self-Worth, Resilience, and Belonging Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to team@podroll.fm.
6d ago

The Hot List for June 2026

Rebecca and Vanessa break down the books topping the best-of and bestseller lists as we near the halfway point of the year. Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Join The Book Riot Podcast Patreon for bonus content and ad-free listening. Subscribe to The Book Riot Newsletter for regular updates to get the most out of your reading life. The Book Riot Podcast is a proud member of the Airwave Podcast Network. This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Right now, Merit Beauty is offering our listeners their Signature Makeup Bag with your first order at meritbeauty.com. Thanks to our sponsor, Quince! Go to Quince.com/bookriot for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

43 min
Jun 15

The Publishing Pie is Getting Bigger, But Not Enough to Keep Up with The Slices

Jeff and Rebecca talk about the growth of the number of books (and authors) vying for reader dollars, continue to lament the long 2025 award season, wonder about the expansion of PRH's audio initiatives, talk about recent reading, and more. Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Join The Book Riot Podcast Patreon for bonus content and ad-free listening. Subscribe to The Book Riot Newsletter for regular updates to get the most out of your reading life. The Book Riot Podcast is a proud member of the Airwave Podcast Network. Discussed in this episode: Amazon’s best of the year so far US audiobooks sales increased 9% in 2025 j/k we weren’t done with 2025 book awards - Stoker Award winners and Nebula Award winners And we’re also starting this year’s: The 2026 Barnes & Noble Discover Award finalists Authors Guild survey looks at why author income is declining Reese’s Book Club launches Fan Fest event series The Marriage Plot is getting an adaptation This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Right now, Merit Beauty is offering our listeners their Signature Makeup Bag with your first order at meritbeauty.com. Thanks to our sponsor, Quince! Go to Quince.com/bookriot for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1h 3m
Jun 10

The Messy Power Couple of the Harlem Renaissance

Vanessa Diaz returns to regale Rebecca with the messy tale of the marriage between a well-known Harlem Renaissance poet and the daughter of a famous public thinker. Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Join The Book Riot Podcast Patreon for bonus content and ad-free listening. Subscribe to The Book Riot Newsletter for regular updates to get the most out of your reading life. The Book Riot Podcast is a proud member of the Airwave Podcast Network. This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Right now, Merit Beauty is offering our listeners their Signature Makeup Bag with your first order at meritbeauty.com. Thanks to our sponsor, Quince! Go to Quince.com/bookriot for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

47 min
Jun 8

Best Books of the Year So Far Lists Have Begun. PLUS: Dr. Maria McCauley of the ALA

Jeff and Rebecca talk about some new best books of the year so far lists, adaptation news, recent reading, and more before talking with the new President of the American Library Association, Dr. Maria McCauley. Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Join The Book Riot Podcast Patreon for bonus content and ad-free listening. Subscribe to The Book Riot Newsletter for regular updates to get the most out of your reading life. Discussed in this episode: Barnes & Noble’s best books of the year so far Amazon’s picks for best book of the year so far from the last 10 years Goodreads users’ hit new books of the year so far Open Road to publish Choose Your Own Adventure ebooks New Franzen short story is an excerpt from his novel in progress Anna Kendrick to direct Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo adaptation for Netflix Netflix announces new book-to-screen hub God of the Woods casting news This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Right now, Merit Beauty is offering our listeners their Signature Makeup Bag with your first order at meritbeauty.com. Thanks to our sponsor, Quince! Go to Quince.com/bookriot for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1h 11m
Jun 3

The It Books of June 2026

Jeff and Rebecca select the It Book of June 2026. Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Join The Book Riot Podcast Patreon for bonus content and ad-free listening. Subscribe to The Book Riot Newsletter for regular updates to get the most out of your reading life. This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Right now, Merit Beauty is offering our listeners their Signature Makeup Bag with your first order at meritbeauty.com. Thanks to our sponsor, Quince! Go to Quince.com/bookriot for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

55 min
Jun 1

The Summer Slowdown is Here

Jeff and Rebecca talk about a relatively sleepy week in book news, but James Daunt bails us out by not shutting up about AI books that don't exist. To show our appreciation for your time, everyone who completes the survey will be entered for a chance to win a $50 USD ThriftBooks Gift Card. Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Join The Book Riot Podcast Patreon for bonus content and ad-free listening. Subscribe to The Book Riot Newsletter for regular updates to get the most out of your reading life. Discussed in this episode: James Daunt clarifies B & N’s position on AI GoFundMe for Gladys Books & Wine Spotify’s audiobooks play is working Audiobooks on YouTube are publishing’s latest piracy problem People are not happy about publishers updating YA books w/ timely references This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Thanks to our sponsor, Merit Beauty. Right now, Merit Beauty is offering our listeners their Signature Makeup Bag with your first order at meritbeauty.com. Head to quince.com/bookriot for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1 hr

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Trailer

Welcome to the Book Riot Podcast!

The Book Riot Podcast is a bi-weekly news and talk show about what's new, cool, and worth talking about in the world of books and reading, brought to you by Jeff O'Neal and Rebecca Schinsky of Book Riot. Listen as we break down industry news, lists, recommendations, power rankings, and more. Plus, bonus episodes air regularly on Patreon, digging into everything from adaptations to book clubs to interviews and more: https://www.patreon.com/bookriotpodcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

04/11/2020

•

2 min

Jeff O'Neal

Host
Rebecca Schinsky

Host

4.4

out of 5

1,040 Ratings

Popping Ps

10/24/2025

Doodie Noods

Please Jeff - get a filter or move away from the microphone. Just listen to yourself. The puffs of air on the microphone is so grating. Also, quit talking over Rebecca!
Correction pu Pulitzer episode parentheses the correspondent

May 13

Hikingreader

Rebecca mentioned that the correspondent has received no awards or recognition. That is not correct. It is a finalist for the women’s prize for fiction. It won the pin Hemmingway debut novel of the year. There’s no comparison between the correspondent and Theo of Golden. I agree Theo is right contrite. With weak writing, but that is certainly not the case with the correspondent she is a serious talented writer. It would certainly be worth your time to read it.
My bookish friends

May 8

dianabolical

I’m more into books than most of the people I know- and I work in a library, so I know a lot of bookish people. I’m so into books that recently, after a gummy when I randomly opened Goodreads, I let the FEELINGS of so many books I’ve loved wash over me for awhile. I’m so into books that I’m still angry that my favorite book reviewer, Ron Charles, was fired by The Washington Post, and I signed up for his Substack about a minute after I found out about his firing. I discover a book by a favorite author is going to be coming out and I positively stalk Netgalley and Edelweiss until I find and download it. So Jeff and Rebecca are my people. I’m a fairly recent listener. I first knew I liked this podcast when they were talking about their most anticipated books of 2026, and they were all MY most anticipated- Lauren Groff, Tayari Jones, Louise Erdrich. When they love a book, I can hear in their voices that they share my excitement. On another podcast they do, Zero to Well Read, they talked about Gilead, a book that means so much to me, and Go Tell It on the Mountain, a book I only read for the first time recently that I found electrifying. Then - this was the coup de grace- in talking about Pulitzer winners, they shared their love of A Visit from the Goon Squad, Kavalier and Clay, The Known World, The Night Watchman, other books that are lodged in my heart and psyche. They spoke about these books with vivid precision and reverence. They care about reading diversely, too, as I do. This is one of my favorite podcasts now. I’m going back and listening to episodes from last year, too.
Ep March 39 — professional malpractice and waste of time

Mar 31

Tsundokuchan

Why on earth would you discuss books you haven’t read (the Don DeLillo discussion). Why have on a host who hasn’t read the book(s)? Just comes across as disrespectful of both subject and audience. Ugh.

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 Schinsky. 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.