First Edition

Latest Episodes:

How to Bring Back a Book Dec 21, 2023

Show notes

Joshua Bodwell of Godine & Black Sparrow Press talks to Jeff about a book they both love, The Orchard by Adele Crockett Robertson, and the process of reissuing it as part of Godine's Nonpareil series.

It's happening, readers — we're bringing paperbacks! Whether you (or a reader you know and love) hate carrying around bulky hardcovers, you're on a budget, you want a wider range of recommendations, or all of the above, you can now get a paperback subscription from TBR, curated just for you by one of our Bibliologists. The holidays are here, and we've got three different levels for gifting to suit every budget. Get all the details at mytbr.co.

Discussed in this episode:

The Orchard by Adele Crockett Robertson

Godine's Nonpareil Series

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The It Books of the Year Dec 06, 2023

Show notes

Jeff and Rebecca sit down to determine the It Books of the Year. From 24 finalists, they will whittle down to twelve. The last cut is the deepest.

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The It Books of the Year Finalists

The Woman in Me by Britney Spears

The Guest by Emma Cline

Tom Lake by Ann Patchett

Prophet Song by Paul Lynch

The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters

The Wager by David Grann

Doppelganger by Naomi Klein

Spare by Prince Harry

Big Fiction by Dan Sinykin

Lone Women by Victor LaValle

The Biography of X by Catherine Lacey

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

Heaven & Earth Grocery Story by James McBride

Poverty by Matthew Desmond

The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese

Yellowface by R. F. Kuang

Blackouts by Justin Torres

Chain Gang All Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah

The Fraud by Zadie Smith

The Vaster Wilds by Lauren Groff

How to Say Babylon by Safiya Sinclair

Let Us Descend by Jesmyn Ward

Pageboy by Elliot Page

The Country of the Blind by Andrew Leland

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THE SISTERHOOD with Prof. Courtney Thorsson Nov 16, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, I talk to Prof. Courtney Thorsson about her new book, The Sisterhood: How a Network of Black Women Writers Changed American Culture.

Over the course of two years, a group of remarkable black women writers met to discuss their work, connect with each other, and ultimately influence the next decades of American cultural life.

The Sisterhood documents the meetings of the group, their motivations for gathering, and the wider intellectual and artistic world they helped create.

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The It Books of November Nov 02, 2023

Show notes

It's the last big month for new releases, so Jeff O'Neal and Rebecca Schinsky saddle up for one more It Book Knockout Round for 2023.

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It's happening, readers — we're bringing paperbacks! Whether you hate carrying around bulky hardcovers, you're on a budget, you want a wider range of recommendations, or all of the above, you can now get a paperback subscription from TBR, curated just for you by one of our Bibliologists. You can also gift it (and the holidays, they are coming). Get all the details at mytbr.co.

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

Books mentioned in this episode:

The Future by Noami Alderman

Class by Stephanie Land

Breaking Twitter by Ben Mezrich

The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose

Day by Michael Cunningham

Same Bed, Different Dreams by Ed Park

The Vulnerables by Sigrid Nunez

My Name is Barbra by Barbra Streisand

The Liberators by E.J. Koh

To Free the Captives by Tracy K. Smith

Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros

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The Making of the Modern Publishing Industry Oct 19, 2023

Show notes

Jeff talks to Prof. Dan Sinykin about his new book, Big Fiction: How Conglomeration Changed Book Publishing and American Literature.

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October 2023 “It Book” Knockout Round Oct 05, 2023

Show notes

It's time for the October "It Book" Knockout Round! Plus, a special mini-roundup of notable celebrity memoirs coming out this fall.

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Autumn is here, which means it's time to curl up with a great read and get cozy — whatever your version of cozy looks like. Whether it's romance, creepy reads, modern classics, or escapist reads you crave, TBR can help you find the perfect books for your fall reading, with options curated to your specific reading tastes. Visit mytbr.co to find out more and sign up — it only takes a few minutes!

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Discussed in this episode:

Brooklyn Crime Novel by Jonathan Lethem

Going Infinite by Michael Lewis

Hidden Potential by Adam Grant

Blackouts by Justin Torres

Family Meal by Bryan Washington

A Man of Two Faces by Viet Thanh Nguyen

Extremely Online by Taylor Lorenz

Roman Stories by Jhumpa Lahiri

America Fantastica by Tim O'Brien

Let Us Descend by Jesmyn Ward

How to Say Babylon by Safiya Sinclair

Worthy by Jada Pinkett Smith

Being Henry by Henry Winkler

My Name is Barbra by Barbra Streisand

Making It So by Patrick Stewart

The Woman in Me by Britney Spears

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How the Publishing Phenomenon of the Year Was Made Sep 27, 2023

Show notes

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros has taken the book world by storm. It is the first book (!) out from the new imprint Red Tower, and on today's episode, Molly Majumder (Editorial Director) and Stacy Abrams (V-P of Operations) talk to me about how it came to be, what it was like to be a part of the book's amazing success, and what they've learned.

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Book Riot's editorial team is writing for casual and power readers alike over at The Deep Dive! During the month of September, all new free subscribers will be entered to win Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler, plus 5 mystery books from The Deep Dive. To enter, simply start a free subscription to The Deep Dive. No payment method required!

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Discussed in this episode:

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

Red Tower Books

Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer

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September 2023 It Book Knockout & The History of Women's Words Sep 06, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, Rebecca Schinsky helps me decide on the "it" book of the month after much consternation. Then, Professor Jenni Nuttall comes on to discuss her new book, Mother Tongue: The Surprising History of Women's Words.

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Discussed in this episode:

Holly by Stephen King

How to Say Babylon by Safiya Sinclair

The Pole by J.M. Coetzee

The Devil Makes Three by Ben Fountain

The Fragile Threads of Power by V.E. Schwab

Land of Milk and Honey by C Pam Zhang

The Unsettled by Ayana Mathis

The Wolves of Eternity by Karl Ove Knausgaard

Doppelganger by Naomi Klein

The Book of (More Delights) by Ross Gay

The Fraud by Zadie Smith

The Vaster Wilds by Lauren Groff

Mother Tongue: The Surprising History of Women's Word by Jenni Nuttall

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Modern Indie Bookselling with Josh Cook Aug 23, 2023

Show notes

On the occasion of his new book, The Art of Libromancy: Selling Books and Reading Books in the 21st Century, Josh Cook of Porter Square books joins Jeff for a conversation about modern indie bookselling.

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Wanna escape the Dog Days of summer with purrfect book recommendations? Let Tailored Book Recommendations pick awesome books to keep you entertained. Touch grass, grab some lemonade, and enjoy TBR's picks.

Discussed in this episode:

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How to Make an Anthology & Reading Shakespeare in the Context of Race Aug 16, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, my colleagues Jenn Northington and Sharifah Williams talk to me about what it is like to make an anthology, specifically their new co-edited anthology, Fit for the Gods: Greek Mythology Reimagined.

Then, Professor Karim Farah-Cooper joins me to talk about reading Shakespeare through in the context of race. Her new book is called The Great White Bard: How to Love Shakespeare While Talking About Race.

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Email First Edition at firstedition@bookriot.com

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