Book Riot - The Podcast The 2025 Holiday Recommendation Show, Part 1
Nov 26, 2025
Join Jeff and Rebecca as they dive into a festive tradition of holiday book recommendations! They explore children's classics like 'Little Blue Truck,' perfect for tots. For dads, they highlight gripping reads from Charlotte McConaghy and Jane Harper. Sci-fi and dark academia fans will delight in 'Piranesi' and 'The Mountain in the Sea.' Plus, mysterious tales featuring trans leads, unique short stories, and thought-provoking literary picks for a dynamic family book club are on the list. Get ready to discover your next great read!
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Suggest High-Impact Contemporary SF
- For sci-fi lovers who’ve read widely, recommend standout contemporary works like The Mountain in the Sea and The Broken Earth trilogy if unfamiliar.
- Jeff O'Neal suggests those two as strong, fresh entry points for discerning sci-fi readers.
Choose Narrative Nonfiction That Bridges Tastes
- For mixed nonfiction tastes between history/politics and business narratives, pick narrative nonfiction with strong storytelling like The Wright Brothers or Bad Blood.
- Rebecca Schinsky and Jeff O'Neal recommend readable history and investigative books that satisfy both conversational and analytical readers.
Gift Weighty, Well-Written Nonfiction
- Give ambitious, well-researched nonfiction like The Emperor of All Maladies for intellectually curious gift recipients despite heavy subject matter.
- Rebecca Schinsky says Mukherjee's biography of cancer is compelling, humane, and rewarding on audio.