First Edition

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The "I Wish I Could Read All Day" Books of June Jun 05, 2025

Show notes

I am working on a permanent title for this episode format, where I just run through a bunch of books I am interested in that are coming out in the current month. You get the idea.

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Tailored Book Recommendations has the chops to find the right read for your loved one this Father’s Day. Gift TBR today starting at just $18!

Discussed in this episode:

The Book Riot Podcast

The Book Riot Podcast Live at Powell’s on July 9th, 2025

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Susan Choi on FLASHLIGHT & Damon Young on THAT'S HOW THEY GET YOU Jun 03, 2025

Show notes

June new releases are hopping. Jeff talks to Susan Choi about her new novel, Flashlight. Then, Damon Young comes on to talk about his new anthology, That's How They Get You: An Unruly Anthology of Black Humor.

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Tailored Book Recommendations has the chops to find the right read for your loved one this Father’s Day. Gift TBR today starting at just $18!

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Discussed in this episode:

The Book Riot Podcast

The Book Riot Podcast Live at Powell's on July 9th, 2025

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Wisdom, Aphorisms, and THE SECRETS OF ADULTHOOD with Gretchen Rubin May 29, 2025

Show notes

Gretchen Rubin returns to the show to talk about wisdom, aphorisms, and her new book, The Secrets of Adulthood. PLUS: a silent reading challenge coming in June that anyone can do.

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Email jeff at firstedition (at) bookriot (dot).com.

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Discussed in this episode:

The Secrets of Adulthood by Gretchen Rubin

Read 25 Day

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The "Hey I Just Might" Books of May PLUS: Books on the Blockchain May 08, 2025

Show notes

Jeff goes over a couple dozen May new releases that he definitely might consider thinking about reading. Then, Book.io co-founder and CEO Joshua Stone comes on to talk about what the blockchain could offer the world of books and reading.

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The Business of Being a Writer with Jane Friedman Apr 24, 2025

Show notes

Jeff talks to Jane Friedman about the new edition of her book, The Business of Being a Writer. She has been writing about the publishing industry for years (and Jeff has been reading her work for years as well), and this book is a guide for writers who don't just want to write, they want to try to make a living. It's a tremendous resource for early-career writers especially, but also has application and relevance for later-stage writers, creatives of all kinds, and people who are interested in how publishing works. The Business of Being a Writer (Second Edition) is out now.

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Links and Resources:

The Spring 2025 First Edition Giveaway

The Business of Being a Writer by Jane Friedman

Jane's website

And please do email me with feedback here: firstedition (at) bookriot (dot)com

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The Books of Marie-Helene Bertino...with Marie-Helene Bertino Apr 22, 2025

Show notes

Jeff is joined by one of his favorite writers, Marie-Helene Bertino, and the talk about all five of her books in order, including her new short story collection, Exit Zero.

Marie-Helene Bertino's Beautyland was named a best book of 2024 by Times, Esquire, Lit Hub and many others. Jeff included it on his list of the most recommendable books of the century so far. Her new book, Exit Zero, is available now.

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Trying to Make English Spelling EZ: Gabe Henry & ENOUGH IS ENUF Apr 17, 2025

Show notes

Jeff talks to Gabe Henry about his new book, Enough is Enuf: Our Failed Attempts to Make English Easier to Spell. For centuries, a series of thinkers, writers, politicians, and bankers have been advocating to make English easier to spell. It hasn't really worked. But the effort is fascinating.

Enough is Enuf is available now wherever books are sold.

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Jon Hickey & BIG CHIEF Apr 11, 2025

Show notes

Jeff talks to Jon Hickey about his debut novel, Big Chief.

Jon Hickey earned his MFA at Cornell University and was a Stegner Fellow at Stanford University. He has received scholarships from the Bread Loaf Writers Conference and the Sewanee Writers Conference, and he is an enrolled member of the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians. His short fiction has appeared in Massachusetts Review, Gulf Coast Online, Virginia Quarterly Review, Meridian, and The Madison Review. Jon lives in San Francisco with his wife and two sons.

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Katie Kitamura & AUDITION Apr 08, 2025

Show notes

Jeff talks to the great Katie Kitamura about her new novel, Audition (it is very, very good).

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