First Edition

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 RobertsonGodine's Nonpareil SeriesSubscribe to First Edition via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.For episode extras, subscribe to the First Edition Substack. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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. Subscribe to First Edition via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.For episode extras, subscribe to the First Edition Substack.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.This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.The It Books of the Year FinalistsThe Woman in Me by Britney SpearsThe Guest by Emma ClineTom Lake by Ann PatchettProphet Song by Paul LynchThe Berry Pickers by Amanda PetersThe Wager by David GrannDoppelganger by Naomi KleinSpare by Prince HarryBig Fiction by Dan SinykinLone Women by Victor LaValleThe Biography of X by Catherine LaceyFourth Wing by Rebecca YarrosHeaven & Earth Grocery Story by James McBridePoverty by Matthew DesmondThe Covenant of Water by Abraham VergheseYellowface by R. F. KuangBlackouts by Justin TorresChain Gang All Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-BrenyahThe Fraud by Zadie SmithThe Vaster Wilds by Lauren GroffHow to Say Babylon by Safiya SinclairLet Us Descend by Jesmyn WardPageboy by Elliot PageThe Country of the Blind by Andrew Leland Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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.Subscribe to First Edition via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.For episode extras, subscribe to the First Edition Substack. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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.Subscribe to First Edition via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.For episode extras, subscribe to the First Edition Substack.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 AldermanClass by Stephanie LandBreaking Twitter by Ben MezrichThe Mystery Guest by Nita ProseDay by Michael CunninghamSame Bed, Different Dreams by Ed ParkThe Vulnerables by Sigrid NunezMy Name is Barbra by Barbra StreisandThe Liberators by E.J. KohTo Free the Captives by Tracy K. SmithIron Flame by Rebecca YarrosEmail in with questions, comments, and ideas: firstedition@bookriot.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff talks to Prof. Dan Sinykin about his new book, Big Fiction: How Conglomeration Changed Book Publishing and American Literature.Subscribe to First Edition via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.For episode extras, subscribe to the First Edition Substack.Email in with questions, comments, and ideas: firstedition@bookriot.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's time for the October "It Book" Knockout Round! Plus, a special mini-roundup of notable celebrity memoirs coming out this fall.Subscribe to First Edition via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.For episode extras, subscribe to the First Edition Substack.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!This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.Discussed in this episode:Brooklyn Crime Novel by Jonathan LethemGoing Infinite by Michael LewisHidden Potential by Adam GrantBlackouts by Justin TorresFamily Meal by Bryan WashingtonA Man of Two Faces by Viet Thanh NguyenExtremely Online by Taylor LorenzRoman Stories by Jhumpa LahiriAmerica Fantastica by Tim O'BrienLet Us Descend by Jesmyn WardHow to Say Babylon by Safiya SinclairWorthy by Jada Pinkett SmithBeing Henry by Henry WinklerMy Name is Barbra by Barbra StreisandMaking It So by Patrick StewartThe Woman in Me by Britney Spears Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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.Subscribe to First Edition via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.For episode extras, subscribe to the First Edition Substack.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!This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.Discussed in this episode:Fourth Wing by Rebecca YarrosRed Tower BooksAssistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole MaehrerCheck out First Edition on Twitter, on Substack, and on Instagram.And if you have a moment to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, please and thank you!Email First Edition at firstedition@bookriot.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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.Subscribe to First Edition via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.For episode extras, subscribe to the First Edition Substack.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!This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.Discussed in this episode:Holly by Stephen KingHow to Say Babylon by Safiya SinclairThe Pole by J.M. CoetzeeThe Devil Makes Three by Ben FountainThe Fragile Threads of Power by V.E. SchwabLand of Milk and Honey by C Pam ZhangThe Unsettled by Ayana MathisThe Wolves of Eternity by Karl Ove KnausgaardDoppelganger by Naomi KleinThe Book of (More Delights) by Ross GayThe Fraud by Zadie SmithThe Vaster Wilds by Lauren GroffMother Tongue: The Surprising History of Women's Word by Jenni NuttallCheck out First Edition on Twitter, on Substack, and on Instagram.And if you have a moment to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, please and thank you!Email First Edition at firstedition@bookriot.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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.Subscribe to First Edition via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.For episode extras, subscribe to the First Edition Substack.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:Check out First Edition on Twitter, on Substack, and on Instagram.And if you have a moment to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, please and thank you!Email First Edition at firstedition@bookriot.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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.Check out First Edition on Twitter, on Substack, and on Instagram.And if you have a moment to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, please and thank you!Email First Edition at firstedition@bookriot.comThis content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.Discussed in this episodeFit For the Gods: Greek Mythology Reimagined, edited by Jenn Northington and S. Zainab WilliamsThe Great White Bard: How to Love Shakespeare While Talking About Race by Prof. Farah Karim-Cooper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices