Book Riot - The Podcast

Rebecca and Jeff dive into one of the most interesting Best Books of the Year lists, the utter embarrassment that is Elon Musk's AI-generated adaptation of The Odyssey, Dictionary.com's word of the year, 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:

PW’s best books of 2026

Macmillan threw a welcome party for an AI assistant

Dictionary.com’s word of the year

Reading may help you live longer

A24 producing TV series based on Art of Fielding and The Brightness

Redemption by Lawrence Wright

The Best American Food and Travel Writing 2026, edited by José Andrés

Vibe by Adam Grant

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Jeff and Rebecca talk about recent watches, listens, and yes a few reads from the last few months.

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.

Thanks to our sponsor Quince. Download the Quince app for app-exclusive offers, or go to https://www.quince.com/. Get free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada and the UK, too.

Thanks to our sponsor Vinted. Download the Vinted app for free to start selling with no seller fees.

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Jeff and Rebecca catch up on a whole bunch of news, from Fourth Wing casting to Supreme Court recusals, plus recent reading and a very cool study from a podcast listener.

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:

Okay, the Fourth Wing show has casting

We were right to be worried about Klara & the Sun

Barnes & Noble’s Best Books of 2026 came out on October 1, and no one said anything

Finalists for Barnes & Noble Book of the Year

Pod listener crunched the data on series drop-off

Authors Guild issues AI guidelines for publishers

SCOTUS can’t hear copyright cases related to PRH

That James Daunt profile

RhymeHamster

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Thanks to our sponsor Vinted. Download the Vinted app for free to start selling with no seller fees.

Thanks to our sponsor Quince. Download the Quince app for app-exclusive offers, or go to https://www.quince.com/. Get free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada and the UK, too.

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Rebecca and Vanessa discuss a so-called exposé of the publishing industry's use of AI and yet another prize-winning story that seems to have been written by AI. They also react to the first trailer for Greta Gerwig's Narnia, news of a James Baldwin biopic, and break down their recent reading.

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:

The first Narnia trailer

AI is already everywhere in publishing

Higher Ground is producing a James Baldwin movie

Another prize-winning story appears to be written by AI

YouTube is looking to expand into audiobooks

Black Bag by Luke Kennard

The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman by Deesha Philyaw

Magic Lessons by Alice Hoffman

"The People Holding Up the Internet"

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Thanks to our sponsor Quince. Download the Quince app for app-exclusive offers, or go to https://www.quince.com/. Get free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada and the UK, too.

Thanks to our sponsor Vinted. Download the Vinted app for free to start selling with no seller fees.

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Rebecca and Vanessa talk about the books that are climbing the charts, picking up trophies, and powering the literary zeitgeist this month.
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.

Thanks to our sponsor Warby Parker. Right now, buy one pair of glasses and get 20% off any additional pairs at https://WarbyParker.com/BOOKRIOT.

Thanks to our sponsor Quince. Download the Quince app for app-exclusive offers, or go to https://www.quince.com/. Get free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada and the UK, too.

Thanks to our sponsor Vinted. Download the Vinted app for free to start selling with no seller fees.

For a limited time our listeners are getting a FREE full sized Mascara on their first purchase. Just head to ⁠Jonesroadbeauty.com⁠ and use code BOOKRIOT at checkout.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff and Vanessa talk about Anne Carson's Nobel win, the NBA shortlists, Kirkus winners, recent reading, and much 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.

Ask us questions for the 15th mailbag!

Also vote for Zero to Well-Read in The Signal Awards, in both Best New Podcast and best Arts & Culture Podcast!

Discussed in this episode:

Anne Carson awarded 2026 Nobel Prize in Literature

National Book Award shortlists are out

Oprah’s Book Club Announces Its 125th Reading Selection

Half (and quarter) star ratings have arrived at Goodreads

Is there anything to say about Alix Earle?

I do not care for this.

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Thanks to our sponsor Warby Parker. Right now, buy one pair of glasses and get 20% off any additional pairs at https://WarbyParker.com/BOOKRIOT.

Thanks to our sponsor Quince. Download the Quince app for app-exclusive offers, or go to https://www.quince.com/. Get free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada and the UK, too.

Thanks to our sponsor Vinted. Download the Vinted app for free to start selling with no seller fees.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff and Rebecca take the occasions of Book Riot's 15th anniversary to look back at some stories from podcasts back, reflect on some favorite things we've made, and thank you all for listening.

Ask us questions for the 15th mailbag!

Also vote for Zero to Well-Read in The Signal Awards, in both Best New Podcast and best Arts & Culture Podcast!

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.

Thanks to our sponsor Warby Parker. Right now, buy one pair of glasses and get 20% off any additional pairs at https://WarbyParker.com/BOOKRIOT.

Thanks to our sponsor Quince. Download the Quince app for app-exclusive offers, or go to https://www.quince.com/. Get free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada and the UK, too.

Thanks to our sponsor Vinted. Download the Vinted app for free to start selling with no seller fees

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff and Vanessa talk 15 years of Book Riot for a minute (and bring back the old episode naming for one episode), before going over some new awardees, AI book recs, and more pizza talk then they honestly thought would happen.

Discussed in this episode:

Ask us questions for the 15th mailbag!

Also vote for Zero to Well-Read in The Signal Awards, in both Best New Podcast and best Arts & Culture Podcast!

Macarthur genius grants

Center for fiction nominees

Chatbots giving recs

Pizza Hut LFLs

I just learned about National Book Tokens. We Should Have National Book Tokens.

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Thanks to our sponsor Warby Parker. Right now, buy one pair of glasses and get 20% off any additional pairs at https://WarbyParker.com/BOOKRIOT.

Thanks to our sponsor Quince. Download the Quince app for app-exclusive offers, or go to https://www.quince.com/. Get free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada and the UK, too.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff and Rebecca return to take stock of the books of the month and crown an It Book of the month.

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.

Use code BOOKRIOT at ⁠jonesroadbeauty.com⁠ to get a Free Gift with your first purchase!

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Jeff and Rebecca have listened to the first two episodes (chapters?) of Obama's book podcast (audiobook?) and are ready to talk about it. Plus, adaptation news, The Booker Prize shortlist, 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:

Call for questions for our 15th anniversary mailbag!

Booker Prize shortlist (would be the 2nd win for Douglas or James; only 4 other authors have achieved this: JM Coetzee, Peter Carey, Hillary Mantel, Margaret Atwood)

Meryl Streep cast as Aslan in Greta Gerwig’s Narnia

Robert Eggers is directing a Romeo & Juliet adaptation

Jonathan Franzen is almost done w/ the script for The Corrections

New book from Michelle Zauner in April

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

For a limited time our listeners are getting a FREE full sized Mascara on their first purchase. Just head to https://jonesroadbeauty.com and use code BOOKRIOT at checkout.

Download the Quince app for app-exclusive offers, or go to https://quince.com/bookriot. Get free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada and the UK, too.

Thanks to our sponsor Warby Parker. Right now, buy one pair of glasses and get 20% off any additional pairs at https://WarbyParker.com/BOOKRIOT.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vanessa Diaz joins Rebecca for another trip back into literary history. This time, they discuss a writer whose proximity to fame and wealth defined his career, for better and for (much, much) worse.

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.

For a limited time our listeners are getting a FREE full sized Mascara on their first purchase. Just head to https://jonesroadbeauty.com and use code BOOKRIOT at checkout.

Download the Quince app for app-exclusive offers, or go to https://quince.com/bookriot. Get free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada and the UK, too.

Thanks to our sponsor Warby Parker. Right now, buy one pair of glasses and get 20% off any additional pairs at https://WarbyParker.com/BOOKRIOT.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

So much book news! Our most anticipated book/guest pairings for Obama's imminent book podcast, NBA fiction longlist continues to be head-scratching, it is remarkable how unremarkable B&N buying another indie is, recent reading, and more.

Jeff and Rebecca run down the books that are selling, generating buzz, and otherwise making literary waves right now. Rebecca even impulse purchased something during the show.

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:

RIP Annie Dillard

Guests announced for Obama’s book podcast

National Book Award longlists

Winners of the 2026 Dayton Literary Peace Prize

New Tara Westover memoir next spring

Singapore launches 5-year campaign to nurture reading habits

Barnes & Noble acquires Joseph-Beth Booksellers

The Book Riot Podcast is brought to you by:

For a limited time our listeners are getting a FREE full sized Mascara on their first purchase. Just head to https://jonesroadbeauty.com and use code BOOKRIOT at checkout.

Download the Quince app for app-exclusive offers, or go to https://quince.com/bookriot. Get free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada and the UK, too.

Today's episode is sponsored by Vinted. Download the Vinted app for free to start selling with no seller fees, so you keep everything you earn.

Thanks to our sponsor Warby Parker. Right now, buy one pair of glasses and get 20% off any additional pairs at https://WarbyParker.com/BOOKRIOT.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff and Rebecca run down the books that are selling, generating buzz, and otherwise making literary waves right now. Rebecca even impulse purchased something during the show.

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.

Download the Quince app for app-exclusive offers, or go to https://quince.com/bookriot. Get free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada and the UK, too.

Today's episode is sponsored by Vinted. Download the Vinted app for free to start selling with no seller fees, so you keep everything you earn.

For a limited time our listeners are getting a FREE full sized Mascara on their first purchase. Just head to https://jonesroadbeauty.com and use code BOOKRIOT at checkout.

Thanks to our sponsor Warby Parker. Right now, buy one pair of glasses and get 20% off any additional pairs at https://WarbyParker.com/BOOKRIOT.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff and Rebecca dive into a busy start to fall in books: 2026 book sales, Emily Wilson's new translation of The Odyssey, Lonesome Dove adaptation news, and much 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:

the queer community is having fun with “performative males” (s/o to Danika)

Publishing industry sales up in the first half of 2026

LONESOME DOVE ADAPTATIONNNNNNN

Lincoln in the Bardo casting news and more casting news

Emily Wilson is writing a whole new translation of The Odyssey

Study shows library ebook lending damages industry sales

Ron Charles’s response: Libraries Are Not the Problem

Google has launched an AI tool for ebook interactivity

Nonfiction sales have transformed radically this decade

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Go to https://quince.com/bookriot for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada and the UK, too.

For a limited time our listeners are getting a FREE full sized Mascara on their first purchase. Just head to https://jonesroadbeauty.com and use code BOOKRIOT at checkout.

Today's episode is sponsored by Vinted. Download the Vinted app for free to start selling with no seller fees, so you keep everything you earn.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff and Rebecca have gone through the lists, awards, and vibes to power rank the top 10 books of 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.

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.

Today's episode is sponsored by Vinted. Download the Vinted app for free to start selling with no seller fees, so you keep everything you earn.

Download the Quince app for app-exclusive offers, or go to https://quince.com/bookriot. Get free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada and the UK, too.

For a limited time our listeners are getting a FREE full sized Mascara on their first purchase.Just head to https://jonesroadbeauty.com and use code BOOKRIOT at checkout.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff and Rebecca tackle the most difficult It Books month yet.

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.

Today's episode is sponsored by Vinted. Download the Vinted app for free to start selling with no seller fees, so you keep everything you earn.

Use code BOOKRIOT at jonesroadbeauty.com to get a Free Gift with your first purchase!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff and Rebecca note the passing of Dolly Parton and Tim Curry before talking about a data analysis of men in literature, bookstore etiquette, recent reading (including The Book of M by Rachel Cusk) 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:

Last call for 25% off annual memberships. Join today (8/31) for access to the 60+ book fall preview episode.

The OG Book Riot hoodie is back for a limited time

Dan Sinykin puts data to the fears that men are disappearing from the literary landscape

Kirkus Prize finalists

RJS PSA: “Mary Oliver: Saved by the Beauty of the World” is on PBS now

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Today's episode is sponsored by Vinted. Download the Vinted app for free to start selling with no seller fees, so you keep everything you earn.

Go to https://quince.com/bookriot for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada and the UK, too.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff and Rebecca do a temperature check on the books that are topping charts, winning awards, getting adaptations, stirring discussion, and otherwise in the mix this month.

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:

The Book Riot Podcast Patreon

Book Riot Hoodies are Back

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Today's episode is sponsored by Vinted. Download the Vinted app for free to start selling with no seller fees, so you keep everything you earn.

Go to https://quince.com/bookriot for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada and the UK, too.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rebecca and Vanessa discuss news of a Theo of Golden adaptation, the results of our audience survey about what counts as AI-written, a new platform for finding local literary events, 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:

Tom Hanks in talks to star in Theo of Golden adaptation

Titles & covers for ACOTAR 6 and 7 revealed

Former bookseller launches book event platform

How one professor re-engaged students in an age of AI

Results of our survey about what counts as AI-written

Amazon is buying and destroying used books to train AI

Life of M looks to be all sizzle, no steak

The Intrigue by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Go Gentle by Maria Semple

The True Confessions of First Lady Freeman by Deesha Philyaw

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Today's episode is sponsored by Vinted. Download the Vinted app for free to start selling with no seller fees, so you keep everything you earn.

Go to https://quince.com/bookriot for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada and the UK, too.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff and Rebecca open the show by discussing President Obama's forthcoming book podcast, before digging into the ramifications of Libro.fm selling ebooks, triaging 2025's book sales, talking some more about AI. And then in Frontlist Foyer, Jeff workshops his INSIDE OUT theory of reading personalities.

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:

Final number: publishing sales increased 2.5% in 2025

Libro.fm to introduce ebooks

Barack Obama is releasing a books podcast

An interesting data point: AI use is not disqualifying for the Pulitzer, provided it is disclosed and assistive -- and5 of the 2026 winners disclosed it

And Hank Green has rolled out a personal AI policy that is very reasonable

Study shows AI-generated stories have bias to male characters

Claude is rolling out watermarks on AI-generated text

Certified human writing panopticon gymnastics

A 30-day protocol/bootcamp for reading more

NYT tests Pangram in a serious way

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Go to https://quince.com/bookriot for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada and the UK, too.

Today's episode is sponsored by Vinted. Download the Vinted app for free to start selling with no seller fees, so you keep everything you earn.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://megaphone.fm/adchoices