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Artwork for Book Riot

Book Riot - The Podcast

Book Riot
Romance
Books
Hot 50 List
Colson Whitehead
Cultural Perception Of Romance
The Bear
Poker Face
Word Of Mouth
Trends
Texas Reader Act
The Intuitionist
Barnes & Noble
LA Public Library
Reservation Dogs
Slow Horses
Book Riot
Winter 2024 New Releases
Publishing Seasons
Covenant Of Water
Barack Obama

News in the world of books and reading, including hot industry releases, adaptations, publishing industry events, and more with Book Riot’s Jeff O’Neal and Rebecca Schinsky. Book Riot is the largest independent editorial book site in North America and home to a host of media, from podcasts to newsletters to original content, all designed around diverse readers and across all genres.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes872Founded13 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ArtsBooksTV & Film

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Artwork for Book Riot

Latest Episodes

Vanessa sits down with director Kim A. Snyder and librarians Martha Hickson and Carolyn Foote to discuss the film The Librarians: how it came to be, where to watch it, and why its message is such an urgent one for our times.

Follow the podcast via R... more

Jeff and Rebecca consider 10 finalists for the title It Book of February.

Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify.

Subscribe to The Book Riot Newsletter for regular updates to get the most out of your reading life.

The Book Riot Po... more

Jeff and Rebecca try to make sense of a bunch of adaptation news before talking about recent reads, Don DeLillo's hockey smut, and more.

Subscribe to The Book Riot Newsletter for regular updates to get the most out of your reading life.

The Book Ri... more

Jeff and Rebecca talk about George Saunders' new novel, Vigil.

Subscribe to The Book Riot Newsletter for regular updates to get the most out of your reading life.

The Book Riot Podcast is a proud member of the Airwave Podcast Network.

Discussed in... more

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Erica Ezefedi
Director of Content at Book Riot, has a passion for historical fiction.
Book Riot
Episode: UPDATED - Our Favorite Books of 2025
Vanessa Diaz
Managing Editor at Book Riot, specializing in literary history
Book Riot
Episode: What is Magical Realism?
Dhonielle Clayton
Chair of We Need Diverse Books
We Need Diverse Books
Episode: Checking in with We Need Diverse Books
Caroline Richmond
Executive Editor of We Need Diverse Books
We Need Diverse Books
Episode: Checking in with We Need Diverse Books
David Shelley
CEO of Hachette Book Group in the US and Hachette UK
Hachette
Episode: The 2025 Nobel Prize in Literature, NBA Finalists, and more award season news. PLUS: Hachette CEO David Shelley
Kelly Jensen
Senior editor at Book Riot
Book Riot
Episode: Zero to Well-Read: TWILIGHT by Stephenie Meyer
Diane Johnson Feelings
Professor of English at the University of South Carolina, studied the history of African American children's books.
University of South Carolina
Episode: The Books That Matter: THE SNOWY DAY
Meg Medina
Writer of books for teens and kids, former National Ambassador for Young People's Literature.
Library of Congress
Episode: The Books That Matter: THE SNOWY DAY
Matt de la Peña
Author of YA books and picture books, recognized for his contributions to diversity in literature.
Episode: The Books That Matter: THE SNOWY DAY

Hosts

Jeff O'Neal
Co-host known for his engaging banter and humorous critiques about books, particularly in genres like literary fiction and historical narratives.
Rebecca Schinsky
Co-host known for her thoughtful insights and personal anecdotes about reading, as well as addressing themes of diversity and representation in literature.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 1.4k ratings
  • This is it!

    Book Riot has easily become my favorite podcast over the past 5 years. The best part is the chemistry between the hosts, Jeff and Rebecca. I would listen to them talk about literally anything, and I LOVE that it always feels so much less scripted and performative than other podcasts. There’s so many other podcasts out there that are formulaic or scripted, and that’s fine too, but this isn’t one of them. I love that I feel like I’m just sitting at a table with these two as they talk/debate/banter... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kelsey Hoisington
    United Statesa month ago
  • A bit snobbish

    While the hosts are engaging, they constantly mock genre fiction, with some intense derision aimed at anything primarily enjoyed by and popular with young women. Both hosts laud Dan Browm though.

    The male host has repeatedly doubled down on calling history and science books “dad books”. Given he insists on only having female cohosts on his shows and the talks over them, there is definitely a lot of underlying sexism in this show.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Pmffn
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • I love Book Riot!

    I’ve learned so much about the publishing industry and broadened my reading life in the decade I’ve been listening to this show.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kara Pods
    United States3 months ago
  • A great substitute for the news, in at least two ways!

    First, you get to be on the inside of the bookish world and this fun and satisfying and nerdy with Rebecca and Jeff. By second, book news is news news and I learn enough to know what is going on, mostly, without watching the Grim Big News:

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Michele from Maine
    United States3 months ago
  • Popping Ps

    Please Jeff - get a filter or move away from the microphone. Just listen to yourself. The puffs of air on the microphone is so grating. Also, quit talking over Rebecca!

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Doodie Noods
    United States4 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the engaging and informative discussions, particularly about new book releases and literary trends.
There are contrasting views on the hosts' dynamic, with some feeling that one host dominates the discussion, while others appreciate the banter.
Many enjoy the humorous commentary and personal anecdotes shared by the hosts, making the podcast feel relatable and approachable.
Some express frustration with the hosts' conversational style, noting that interruptions can detract from the overall listening experience.
Comments reveal a mix of positive feedback regarding the content and criticism about perceived snobbishness towards genre fiction.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#46
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#140
United States/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#74
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#98
United Kingdom/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#192
Canada/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#232
United Kingdom/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The 2025 Holiday Recommendation Show, Part 2
Q: What's something that you learned in history class that you feel like wasn't the whole truth?
The podcast touches upon constructions of historical narratives, especially concerning less-discussed historical fiction themes.
Checking in with We Need Diverse Books
Q: Does your program react differently in this changing environment?
Yes, we launched the 'Book Save Lives' initiative to advocate for educators and help them keep their libraries inclusive despite administrative challenges.
Checking in with We Need Diverse Books
Q: Can someone give me an overall view of the programs that We Need Diverse Books offers?
We serve three communities: diverse creators, the publishing industry, and educators/readers to enact change across the entire reading pipeline.
Deep into that Darkness Peering
Q: What is your relationship to Poe?
Listeners discuss their experiences reading Poe in high school and how it impacted them.
Summer 2025 Mailbag
Q: What books should someone read if they have never read a novel by Thomas Pynchon?
The hosts recommend starting with 'Violent' and 'Inherent Vice', noting that his novels are generally complex but rewarding.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Book Riot

What is Book Riot about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A vibrant exploration of the book industry unfolds through engaging discussions about new releases, adaptations, and trends within the literary world, led by seasoned hosts who share personal insights and anecdotes. Listeners can expect deep dives into a variety of genres, including historical fiction and literary memoirs, as well as compelling conversations on pertinent themes such as diversity in literature and the challenges of censorship. The podcast is characterized by its lively banter and humorous commentary, making it a unique blend of informative and entertaining content that resonates with book lovers looking to stay updated on the latest in reading and publishing.

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How many listeners does Book Riot get?

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How many subscribers and views does Book Riot have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Book Riot has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Book Riot?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Book Riot:

1. Book Talk, etc.
2. Sarah's Bookshelves Live
3. Currently Reading
4. Reading Glasses
5. From the Front Porch

How many episodes of Book Riot are there?

Book Riot launched 13 years ago and published 872 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Book Riot?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Book Riot?

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What guests have appeared on Book Riot?

Recent guests on Book Riot include:

1. Erica Ezefedi
2. Vanessa Diaz
3. Dhonielle Clayton
4. Caroline Richmond
5. David Shelley
6. Kelly Jensen
7. Diane Johnson Feelings
8. Meg Medina

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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