Book Riot - The Podcast

Jeff and Rebecca check-in on the rolling reckoning, talk about dedicated e-readers, Murakami’s thsirt line, and more. Haruki Murakami’s t-shirt line is live Follow up: Open letter from publishing professionals against book deals for any member of Trump Administration Follow up: Norton pulls Roth biography out of print Big NYT coverage of the rolling reckoning Big snaps to Ron Charles Follow-up: Amazon giving 500,000 workers raises as unionizing efforts increase See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff and Rebecca follow up about Simon & Schuster’s relationship with Post Hill Press, a employee petition at Simon & Schuster (and the CEO’s response), Norton pulling a major book, listener feedback, and more. Discussed in this episode: The Book Riot giveaway featuring Noise by Daniel Kahneman Follow-up: S & S refuses to distribute book by officer involved in Breonna Taylor’s death And S & S employees protest Mike Pence book deal The CEO responded Bigger context piece about how this represents a new challenge for publishers Multiple alllegations of sexual misconduct surface against Blake Bailey, Norton pull his Roth biography See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff and Rebecca do listener feedback, interrogate what a podcast “read-a-long” does/could mean, stand in awe of Amanda Gorman’s book sales, talk a little George R.R. Martin, and much more. Discussed in this episode: Amanda Gorman is first poet to claim #1 spot on USA Today bestsellers Amazon workers in Bessemer, AL vote against unionization Unpublished Richard Wright novel about police brutality to be released Officer involved in Breonna Taylor’s death gets a book deal, S & S will distribute See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special, live-streamed episode, Jeff and Rebecca continue to argue about/refine a “Should I Read This?” segment/special episode series, are a little surprised at the Mike Pence book deal, perform their annual lament at the most challenged books of the year, and much more. Discussed in this episode: ALA releases most challenged books of 2020 Guardian coverage includes some author responses Dana Canedy acquires two Mike Pence memoirs for S & S New book contains a puzzle that, if solved, reader will win a golden casket See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff and Rebecca note the passing of Beverly Cleary and Larry McMurtry, talk more Amazon/Big 5 anti-trust litigation, a Tennessee law that breaks new ground in terribleness, and much more. Discussed in this episode: Scholastic pulls Captain Underpants spinoff because of passive racism Tennessee bill seeks to ban any books that “promote, normalize, support, or address” LGTBQ issues Amazon & Big 5 face anti-trust lawsuit from booksellers HarperCollins buying HMH See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff and Rebecca discuss Klara & the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro. This post contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Book Riot may earn a commission. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff and Rebecca have their minds boggled at the sales of Seuss titles, pay fealty to the queen of book clubs, survey a few recent book challenges, and look forward to Klara and the Sun. Discussed in this episode: Oprah picks the Gilead SERIES as the next book club selection Follow-up: Leander, TX English teachers rally against graphic novels being removed from reading lists Austin, TX school calls in counselors after elementary school students are read a book about  a trans character Amazon no longer sells books that frame LGBTQ+ identity as mental illness Michael’s pulls feminist cross-stitch book because of curse words See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff and Rebecca do some Seuss follow-up, evaluate upcoming adaptations that should be in their wheelhouse, talk about a particularly graphic effort to get some books out of a school classroom, and much more. Discussed in this episode: Farewell, Norman Juster Follow-up: Nice historical context for publishers removing racism from other books The Day Children’s Literature Died Follow-up: Amazon workers in other states inspired by unionizing efforts in Alabama Leander, TX school district removes 6 books from optional reading lists because of “inappropriate” content Peacock plans Robert Langdon spinoff series George C Wolf to adapt Song of Solomon See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff and Rebecca talk about the Seuss Enterprise’s decision to stop publishing a half-dozen books, continue ruminating on a “is it good?” segment, admire Murakami’s evasive accessibility, get into some labor talk, and finally discuss the current state of podcasting. Discussed in this episode: 6 Dr Seuss books ceasing publication because of racist imagery Seuss Enterprise’s statement Murakami’s t-shirt line Spotify podcast listeners forecasted to top Apple this year Union booksellers protesting at Strand Biden expresses support for Alabama workers attempting to unionize Amazon warehouse Great long piece about recent PoC hires poised to lead publishing in a new direction See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff and Rebecca talk about another format they might want to try for talking about books, whether 2020 means we can finally stop confusing the fate of bookstores with the fate of publishing, catch up with some listener feedback, and much more. Discussed in this episode: Bookstore sales fell 28.3% in 2020 Big-picture look at the possible impact of PRH/S&S Charles Yu establishes prize for Taiwanese American writers Underground Railroad teaser trailer Hillary Clinton writing novel w/ Louise Penny Coming Soon: Sword, Stone, Table edited by Jenn Northington and Swapna Krishna See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff and Rebecca talk about what books actually get read, emotionally manipulative novels, tackle a couple of listener question, and try another guessing game. Discussed in this episode: While nothing we talked about today was newly linkable, I did promise to provide footage of Rebecca after her incredible showing last week. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff and Rebecca discuss the winner of the Spring Preview draft, Hachette getting out of the right-wing publishing game, the Obamas adaptation-heavy Netflix slate, and Jeff inadvisedly challenges Rebecca to a new game. Discussed in this episode: Big 5 named as co-defendants in ebook price fixing suit Hachette fired last remaining editor who would publish conservative BS Obamas ink 6-project deal with Netflix, including adaptation of Exit West See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff and Rebecca reflect on the end of Jeff Bezos’ tenure as CEO of Amazon, the launch of the Reese Witherspoon Book Club app, and comment on a commendation for LeVar Burton. Discussed in this episode: Bezos stepping down as Amazon CEO Reese’s Book Club has an app LeVar Burton named first PEN/Faulkner Literary Champion See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jenn Northington joins Jeff to talk about a new ebook price-fixing lawsuit, the meteoric rise of Amanda Gorman, the high degree of difficulty of adapting The Sparrow, and much more. This post contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Book Riot may earn a commission. Discussed in this episode: Update: Hawley’s book pick up by Regnery The Amanda Gorman phenomenon Ebook Price Fixing Lawsuit Queen’s Gambit creator to adapt The Sparrow See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff and Rebecca preview the interesting new Spring releases in the form of a draft! They each drafted 10 books to make a basket with the intended audience of a generally interested reader. And they need your help to decide who won! Take a look at the lists below, and then email podcast@bookriot.com with your vote for who drafted the best all-around basket. This post contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Book Riot may earn a commission. Rebecca’s List: Long Time Coming by Michael Eric Dyson Good Company by Cythnia d’Aprix Sweeney Aftershocks by Nadia Owusu No One is Talking About This by Patricia Lockwood How Beautiful We Were by Imbolu Mbue Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir How to Change by Katy Milkman The Kitchen Front by Jennifer Ryan Nine Nasty Words by John McWhorter Soul of a Woman by Isabelle Allende   Jeff’s List: The Survivors by Jane Harper My Year Abroad by Chang-rae Lee Think Again by Adam Grant Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro The Secret to Superhuman St

Jeff and Rebecca talk about Simon & Schuster pulling Josh Hawley’s book, Powell’s getting heat for carrying a title, discuss how to structure their spring 2020 preview, and much more. This post contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Book Riot may earn a commission. Discussed in this episode: S & S cancels Josh Hawley’s book contract MTV Books is coming back Bridgerton books get that Netflix bump Powell’s caught in stocking controversy See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

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 on Pie by Erin Jeanne McDowell Left Right Center podcast Michelle Obama podcast You and Me Both (Hillary Clinton) podcast 60 Songs That Explain the 90s Insecure Babysitters Club The Politician Pen15 Soulmates See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

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 choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices