First Edition

BookRiot.com co-founder Jeff O'Neal explores the wide bookish world. Interviews, lists, rankings, retrospectives, recommendations, and much more, featuring people who know and love books.

From Mourning to Making Art: A Conversation With Peter Mendelsund

Peter Mendelsund is a writer, book designer, musician, novelist, and painter. And he has two books coming out within just a couple of weeks of each other: Exhibitionist and Weepers. We talk about both in deep, wide-ranging conversation. This is a good one.

An Agent’s View on Publishing and Writing a Book

Kate McKean joins Jeff to talk about her new book, Write Through It: An Insider's Guide to Publishing and the Creative Life. Kate is a literary agent at the Howard Morhaim Literary Agency and writes the extremely interesting and popular Agents + Books newsletter.

The “I Wish I Could Read All Day” Books of June

Jeff talks about a bunch of books coming out in June he wants to read. That's it. That's the episode.

Susan Choi on FLASHLIGHT & Damon Young on THAT’S HOW THEY GET YOU

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.

Wisdom, Aphorisms, and THE SECRETS OF ADULTHOOD with Gretchen Rubin

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.

The “Hey I Just Might” Books of May PLUS: Books on the Blockchain

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.

The Business of Being a Writer with Jane Friedman

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.

The Books of Marie-Helene Bertino…with Marie-Helene Bertino

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.

Trying to Make English Spelling EZ: Gabe Henry & ENOUGH IS ENUF

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.

Jon Hickey & BIG CHIEF

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