Jeff and Rebecca talk about the best-selling books of 2020, Eat a Peach follow-up, how the publishing industry fared last year, and much more. Discussed in this episode: Publishing did all right in 2020 Print book sales rose 8.2% in 2020 NYT bestsellers of 2020 We have to talk about this bonkers phishing scam in publishing Response to Eat a Peach More on American Dirt See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Jan 11, 2021•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 424
Jeff and Rebecca share their favorite things from 2020 that were not books. Discussed in this episode: Summer Camp Island Making of Frozen 2 The Magic of Disney’s Animal Kingdom The Vast of Night Over the Moon Soft Baked Pretzel recipe from Tasty Carto Overcooked 2 Legend of Zelda, The Breath of the Wild Work at Home with Blossom Dearie Playlist Christmas tree stand The Velvelettes Printfresh robe Makers of Wax Goods candles Gaslighter by The Chicks Hearts Town by The War & Treaty The Book o...
Jan 04, 2021•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 423
Jeff and Rebecca recount their favorite reads of 2020. Discussed in this episode: Intimations by Zadie Smith Eat a Peach by David Chang The Beauty in Breaking by Michele Harper The Deficit Myth by Stephanie Kelton We Ride Upon Sticks by Quan Barry Group by Christie Tate The Switch by Beth O’Leary The Wisdom of Finance by Mihir Desai Deacon King Kong by James McBride Blacktop Wasteland by S.A. Crosby The Lost Man by Jane Harper Weather by Jenny Offill See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy infor...
Dec 21, 2020•50 min•Ep. 422
Jeff and Rebecca talk about PRH buying Simon & Schuster, survey best books of the year lists, and much more. Discussed in this episode: The 2021 Read Harder Challenge is here! PRH buys Simon & Schuster Opposition to the PRH purchase Reed retires BEA and BookCon Amazon Best Books of 2020 NYT top 10 Book biz supply chain doing OK so far Bob Woodward writing the book about Trump’s last days in the white house See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choi...
Dec 14, 2020•56 min•Ep. 421
Jeff and Rebecca their 2020 Holiday book recommendations. Discussed in this episode: Force of Nature by Jane Harper The Secret History by Donna Tartt Idaho by Emily Ruskovich A Separation by Katie Kitamura The Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard How to Do Nothing by Jenny Odell Radical Dharma Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb Hieroglyphics by Jill McCorkle Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan Intimations by Zadie Smith Station Eleven by Emily Mandel Find Me by Laura van den Berg ...
Dec 07, 2020•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 420
Jeff and Rebecca give book recommendations in response to reader requests. Discussed in this episode: In Other Lands by Sarah Rees Brennan Kings Queens & In-Betweens by Tanya Boteju This Is What It Feels Like by Rebecca Barrow Paper Girls by Brian Vaughn and Cliff Chiang Ways to Make Sunshine by Renee Watson Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer Heart Berries by Therese Marie Mailhot House Made of Dawn by M Scott Momaday The Surrounded by D’Arcy McNickle Ceremony by Leslie Marmon Silko ...
Nov 30, 2020•48 min•Ep. 419
Jeff and Rebecca go over some A Promised Land sales numbers, look over the National Book Award winners, check in with the sale of Simon & Schuster, and much more. This episode is sponsored by: This episode is sponsored by The Orchard by David Hopen, HarperCollins Children’s Books/Quill Tree Books, TBR, Book Riot’s subscription service. Discussed in this episode: Ugh Chimamanda Listener query: Any uplifting YA books you can recommend for a “new” non-binary/genderqueer to have during free time...
Nov 23, 2020•56 min•Ep. 418
Jeff, Amanda, and Rebecca return to The West Wing. At least for the pilot. This episode is sponsored by: This episode is sponsored by Yen Press, One Night Two Souls Went Walking by Ellen Cooney , TBR, Book Riot’s subscription service, and The Magic Ingredient by Lindy Miller. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 18, 2020•59 min•Ep. 417
Jeff and Rebecca talk about the lead up to A Promised Land, authors you know by just their first names, a very real literary puzzle, and much more. This episode is sponsored by: This episode is sponsored by Just the Two of Us by Ryu Hyang, Bombas, TBR, Book Riot’s subscription service, and Emporia State University’s School of Library & Information Manageme Discussed in this episode: A Promised Land by Barack Obama Oprah & Brad Pitt’s companies adapting The Water Dancer UK children’s book...
Nov 16, 2020•57 min•Ep. 416
Jeff and Rebecca play a round of Buy/Sell/Hold with some of 2020’s most notable books. This episode is sponsored by: This episode is sponsored by Henry Holt & Co., Spalding University, TBR, Book Riot’s subscription service, and Miami Book Fair Books discussed in this episode: Caste by Isabel Wilkerson Weather by Jenny Offill The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett Topics of Conversation by Miranda Popkey Jack by Marilynne Robinson The Lying Life of Adults by Elena Ferrante Transcendent Kingdom by...
Nov 11, 2020•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 415
Jeff and Rebecca try to remain focused while doing a bunch of listener follow-up, wonder about HMH’s trade business being for sale, admire PW’s Best Books of 2020 list (mostly), and preview upcoming topics. This episode is sponsored bY This episode is sponsored by Instant Karma by Marissa Meyer, Spellbreaker by Charlie N. Holmberg, TBR, Book Riot’s subscription service, and Emporia State University’s School of Library & Information Management Discussed in this episode: 92Y podcast PW best bo...
Nov 09, 2020•57 min•Ep. 414
Jeff and Rebecca list their most-wished for bookish adaptations. This episode is sponsored by: This episode is sponsored by Zikora by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Whatbook, TBR, Book Riot’s subscription service, and Book Riot Insiders Discussed in this episode: The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien Paradise by Toni Morrison Dust Tracks on a Road by Zora Neale Hurston The Arrangements by Maggie Shipstead Maine by J. Courtney Sullivan Zone One by Colson Whitehead Wild Game by Adrienne Brodeur Maybe ...
Nov 04, 2020•57 min•Ep. 413
Jeff and Rebecca talk about a call for help and a weird stock purchase at The Strand, more encouraging hires in publishing, an ugly fight at B&N goes away, and how much we really don’t like Audible-only things. This episode is sponsored by: This episode is sponsored by Fallen Queen (Mariposa Book 1) by Y. R. Shin, Emporia State University’s School of Library & Information Management, TBR, Book Riot’s subscription service, and The Unspoken by Ian K. Smith. Discussed in this episode: Shout...
Nov 02, 2020•55 min•Ep. 412
Jeff and Rebecca discuss Jack by Marilynne Robinson. This episode is sponsored by: This episode is sponsored by Book Trip, by C.J. Duarte, Penguin Random House Audio, TBR, Book Riot’s subscription service, and Book Riot Insiders. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 28, 2020•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 411
Jeff and Rebecca mostly respond to listener ideas for bonus episodes. Some of it is even about books. This episode is sponsored by: This episode is sponsored by Macmillan Podcasts, Book Trip by C.J. Duarte, Mexican Gothic by Sylvia Moreno-Garcia, and Book Riot Insiders. Discussed in this episode: First Underground Railroad teaser trailer Toni Morrison’s apartment See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Oct 26, 2020•52 min•Ep. 410
Jeff and Rebecca discuss the recent adaptations of Little Fires Everywhere, High Fidelity, and Enola Holmes. This episode is sponsored by: This episode is sponsored by Yen Press, Nothing Like I Imagined by Mindy Kaling, Penguin Random House Audio, and Book Riot Insiders. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 21, 2020•1 hr•Ep. 409
Jeff and Rebecca ask for ideas for post-election episode topics, go over what is going on with book sales, float the idea of making author “retirements” a bigger deal, and much more. This episode is sponsored by: This episode is sponsored by Sips by: Experience the joy of personalized tea discovery. , A Drop of Midnight by Jason Diakité, Watch Over Me by Nina LaCour, and Book Riot Insiders. Discussed in this episode: New YorkTimes profile of Madeline McIntosh Unit sales of print books up 6.4% in...
Oct 19, 2020•46 min•Ep. 408
Jeff and Rebecca talk about the life and work of 2020 Nobel Laureate Louise Glück, plus an extended discussion of her 1993 poem, “Vespers.” This episode is sponsored by: This episode is sponsored by Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse , Amazon Publishing, Read or Dead, and TBR. Discussed in this episode: The Collected Poems of Louise Glück “The Body Artist” by Dan Chiasson “Vespers” by Louise Glück See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone....
Oct 14, 2020•1 hr 4 min•Ep. 407
Jeff and Rebecca tease their special 2020 Nobel Prize episode, look at the National Book Award longlist, consider an interesting new position at Simon & Schuster, and respond to listener feedback on their half-baked ideas, and more. This episode is sponsored by: This episode is sponsored by She Come By It Natural by Sarah Smarsh , The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab, Rural Voices: 15 Authors Challenge Assumptions About Small-Town America edited by Nora Shalaway Carpenter, and B...
Oct 12, 2020•52 min•Ep. 406
Jeff and Rebecca pitch ideas that are not quite ready for prime-time. This episode is sponsored by Grand Central Publishing and Iris Johansen’s CHAOS , Daddy Daughter Day by Jeff Bridges and Isabelle Bridges-Boesch, Welcome to the United States of Anxiety by Jen Lancaster, and Book Riot’s mystery thriller podcast, Read or Dead. Discussed in this episode: Half-Baked Ideas, Volume 1 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Oct 07, 2020•1 hr•Ep. 405
Jeff and Rebecca talk about Amazon’s apparent discount decline, a new Executive Editor at Random House, another major James Patterson donation, and much more. This episode is sponsored by: This episode is sponsored by Bombas , Skyhunter by Marie Lu, Witches of Brooklyn by Sophie Escabasse, and Book Riot’s mystery thriller podcast, Read or Dead . Discussed in this episode: Jamia Wilson named Exec Editor at Random House Follow-up: Phoebe Robinson announces first books for her Tiny Reparations impr...
Oct 05, 2020•52 min•Ep. 404
Liberty Hardy of All the Books! and Rincey Abrams of Read or Dead join Jeff to talk about Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi. THIS EPISODE IS SPONSORED BY: This episode is sponsored by The Return by Nicholas Sparks , Fence: Striking Distance by Sarah Rees Brennan, TBR, and Book Riot Insiders See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 30, 2020•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 403
Jenn Northington joins Jeff to talk about listener reactions to the Dune trailer, the launch of Publishers Weekly in Spanish, the National Book Foundation’s 5 Under 35 Nominees, an indie bookstore diversity reading initiative, and more. This episode is sponsored by: This episode is sponsored by White Fox by Sara Faring , These Vengeful Hearts by Katherine Laurin, Standoff by Jamie Thompson, and Book Riot Insiders Discussed in this episode: National Book Foundation’s 5 Under 35 Honorees New Engla...
Sep 28, 2020•43 min•Ep. 402
Jeff and Rebecca discuss Eat a Peach by David Chang. Then Jenn Northington comes on to talk to Jeff about that Dune trailer. This episode is sponsored by Solutions and Other Problems by Allie Brosh , Chaos by Iris Johansen, and Book Riot Insiders. DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE Eat a Peach by David Chang SFF Yeah with Ausma Zehanat Khan Dune and Middle Eastern representation Dune and gender See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adcho...
Sep 23, 2020•59 min•Ep. 401
Jeff and Rebecca talk about the CEO of Macmillan leaving, Obama’s presidential memoir release date and cover reveal, the DOJ looking to press charges against John Bolton, and much more. This episode is sponsored by: Book Riot Insiders A Drop of Midnight by Jason Diakité Athena’s Choice by Adam Boostrom These Vengeful Hearts by Katherine Laurin Discussed in this episode: Obama’s next memoir dropping Nov 17 John Sargent leaving Macmillan Ongoing: DOJ pursuing criminal charges re: Bolton book Hache...
Sep 21, 2020•54 min•Ep. 400
Jeff and Rebecca talk about the book and the movie versions of The Princess Bride. This episode is sponsored by: See Her Die by Melinda Leigh Interference by Brad Parks Book Riot Insiders, the digital hangout spot for the Book Riot community Harper Paperbacks Books discussed in this episode: The Princess Bride by William Goldman As You Wish by Carey Elwes See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices...
Sep 16, 2020•1 hr 27 min•Ep. 399
Jeff and Rebecca discuss rumors of PRH trying to buy Simon & Schuster, a bankrupt printer causing havoc in publishing, more cringe-inducing Dan Brown…stuff, a hero of the week, and much more. This episode is sponsored by: The Insomniacs by Marit Weisenberg Before She Was Helen by Caroline B. Cooney Now That I’ve Found You by Kristina Forest Book Riot Insiders Discussed in this episode: Serious issues w/ book printers set industry behind for the season This amazing Dan Brown profile Bertelsma...
Sep 14, 2020•45 min•Ep. 398
Jeff presents Rebecca with a host of recently announced book deals of varying interest. This episode is sponsored by: Don’t Ever Forget by Matthew Farrell One by One by Ruth Ware Find Layla by Meg Elison Book Riot Insiders Books discussed in this episode: A Country You Can Leave by Asale Angel-Ajani Queen of Thieves by Erin Bledsoe Beasts of Prey by Ayana Gray The Moon and the Stars by Kia Cothron The Verifiers by Jane Pek My Monticello by Nicole Johnson Twice as Hard by Raphael Sofoluke and Ope...
Sep 09, 2020•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 397
Jeff and Rebecca highlight the most interesting, noteworthy, and exciting books being released this fall. This episode is sponsored by; Book Riot Insiders Now That I’ve Found You by Kristina Forest, with Fierce Reads Blue Box Press and 1001 Dark Nights His Only Wife by Peace Adzo Medie, now available from Algonquin Books Books mentioned in this episode: The Lying Life of Adults by Elena Ferrante Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi Just Us by Claudia Rankine If Then by Jill Lepore Can’t Even by Ann...
Sep 02, 2020•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 396
Jeff and Rebecca follow-up about the Future Library, are surprised by the NBCC vote, get excited for Enola Holmes, and much more. This episode is sponsored by: TBR The Switch by Beth O’Leary Place at the Table by Saadia Faruqi, Laura Shovan Lobizona by Romina Garber Discussed in this episode: Let’s make sounds about the Enola Holmes trailer NBCC fails to vote out Carlin Romano Audible rolls out cheaper subscription plan for access to exclusive podcasts & audio content Pride and Less Prejudic...
Aug 30, 2020•49 min•Ep. 395