Book Riot - The Podcast
Episode: 2025 Moms, Dads, and Grads Recommendation Show, Part 1
Release Date: May 5, 2025

Introduction to the Recommendation Segment

In this episode of Book Riot - The Podcast, hosts Jeff O’Neill and Rebecca Schinsky dive into their beloved segment: the Moms, Dads, and Grads Recommendation Show. Launched as a platform to respond to listeners' book recommendation requests tailored for parents and recent graduates, the segment showcases the hosts' expertise in curating diverse and meaningful reads.

Listener Recommendations and Host Suggestions

1. Laura’s Midlife Milestone (00:49 - 07:59)

Listener Profile: Laura, turning 40, seeks books that provide perspective on entering midlife. She’s already read All Four Winds and is considering Women Were Birds and Gilead.

Jeff’s Recommendation:

• "4,000 Weeks" by Oliver Burkeman
  Jeff describes it as a "swift kick in the pants" that encourages readers to reassess how they spend their limited time, aligning daily actions with personal values (04:17).

• "Life in Three Dimensions" by Dr. Shigehiro Oishi
  This book explores living a meaningful life through happiness, meaning, and psychological richness—a concept Jeff refers to as "living an interesting life" with diverse experiences (04:40).

Rebecca’s Perspective:
Rebecca echoes Jeff’s enthusiasm, emphasizing how both books complement each other by providing frameworks for thoughtful living beyond conventional checklists (04:10).

2. Nikki’s Husband and the Love for "Project Hail Mary" (07:59 - 11:15)

Listener Profile: Nikki is looking for a book similar to Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir for her husband, who has recently developed an interest in reading.

Host Discussions:

• Jeff: Points out the unique challenge of finding a comparable read to Project Hail Mary, praising its blend of hard science, humor, and humanity (08:10).

• Rebecca’s Recommendations:

  • "Long Way to a Small Angry Planet" by Becky Chambers
    Described as a "celestial romp" with a found family dynamic.
  • "Dark Matter" by Blake Crouch
    A hard sci-fi puzzle box that delves into multiple realities and the protagonist's journey (08:32).

Jeff humorously notes the absence of perfect comps for Andy Weir, declaring Weir the "King of Weird" in modern sci-fi literature (10:43).

3. Elizabeth’s First-Time Mom Recommendation (16:35 - 19:44)

Listener Profile: Elizabeth, a first-time mom with a four-month-old, seeks books that can keep her engaged during middle-of-the-night feedings.

Jeff’s Recommendations:

• "Vanishing Half" by Brit Bennett
  A multifaceted novel that intertwines family drama, mystery, and historical elements, making it a versatile choice for varied tastes (16:36).

Rebecca’s Suggestions:

• "Kitchen Confidential" by Anthony Bourdain
  A gritty, humorous memoir that offers an unfiltered glimpse into the culinary world, perfect for someone needing engaging and relatable content during sleepless nights (16:35).

Jeff praises Vanishing Half for its broad appeal, while Rebecca highlights Bourdain’s "pure, uncut" narrative as a compelling read that holds up over time (17:35 - 19:44).

4. Ally’s Mom Seeking Similar Vibes to Specific Books (19:55 - 28:21)

Listener Profile: Ally is looking for books with a similar vibe to The House in the Cerulean Sea, Somewhere Beyond the Sea, and Under the Whispering Door, preferably with excellent audiobook narration.

Rebecca’s Recommendations:

• "Here We Do Not Part" by Han Kang
  A beautifully written, dreamlike novel that maintains clarity even in its ambiguity, perfect for fans of wistful, introspective narratives (22:16).

Jeff’s Suggestions:

• "Legends and Lattes" by Travis Baldry
  A cozy fantasy about an orc opening a coffee shop in a medieval setting, blending whimsical elements with heartfelt storytelling (20:10).

Jeff also recommends "John Dies at the End" by David Wong, noting its humorous yet scary narrative as a suitable alternative for a sarcastic, funny narrator (14:30).

Unique Book Recommendations for Specific Needs

5. Rachel’s Graduation Into Midlife (35:06 - 39:34)

Listener Profile: Rachel, graduating into her late 40s, seeks highly literary speculative fiction that challenges her intellectually while maintaining a strong plot.

Jeff’s Recommendations:

• "Victory City" by Salman Rushdie
  A rich, imaginative narrative that weaves supernatural elements with the power of language and storytelling (35:08).
• "Never Let Me Go" by Kazuo Ishiguro
  A compelling story that explores human connections and ethical dilemmas through a speculative lens (33:34).

Rebecca’s Suggestions:

• "Clara and the Sun" by Kazuo Ishiguro
  A near-future tale from an AI’s perspective, emphasizing empathy and the essence of humanity (35:08).
• "The Fraud" by Zadie Smith
  A profound character study that delves into literary disputes and moral complexities (45:18).

Jeff and Rebecca emphasize the literary prowess of these authors, highlighting their ability to blend complexity with engaging storytelling (35:32 - 44:10).

6. Melissa’s Advocacy for Public Libraries (49:02 - 52:26)

Listener Profile: Melissa, a nurse and library enthusiast, seeks guidance on saving her local public library without venturing into public office.

Hosts' Advice:

• Jeff’s Idea:
  Recommends "The Proactivist" by Dan Chiarello as a guide to activism, encouraging practical involvement like forming a Friends of the Library group (50:35).

• Rebecca’s Guidance:
  Suggests volunteering with local political groups, particularly the Democratic party, to channel efforts effectively without running for office. Emphasizes reaching out to library boards and leveraging volunteer networks for support (51:38 - 52:26).

Audiobook Recommendations for New Parents

7. Rachel’s Request for Compelling Audiobooks (52:26 - 56:59)

Listener Profile: Rachel seeks a well-narrated audiobook for her new dad partner who enjoys investigative and tech-related histories.

Jeff’s Recommendations:

• "Midnight, Chernobyl" by Adam Higginbotham
  A harrowing account of the Chernobyl meltdown, praised for its detailed and engaging narration.

• "One Giant Leap" by Charles Fishman
  Chronicles NASA's journey leading up to the moon landing, suitable for listeners who appreciate comprehensive historical narratives (53:02).

Rebecca’s Suggestions:

• "Blood, Bones and Butter" by Gabrielle Hamilton
  A classic food memoir that offers a deep dive into the culinary world with engaging storytelling.

• "Black, White, and Gray" by Masha Mbailey and John O. Morrisano
  A dual memoir exploring the dynamics of a black chef and her business partner, highlighting unexpected friendships and the intricacies of running a Michelin-starred restaurant (53:02 - 56:28).

Excerpts and Additional Content

Towards the end of the episode, Rebecca and Jeff share excerpts from upcoming books, including "The Amalfi Curse" by Sarah Penner, providing listeners with a taste of the narrative style and engaging content awaiting them.

Notable Quote:
Rebecca enthusiastically endorses The Amalfi Curse, highlighting its "spellbinding tale" set against the Amalfi coast, filled with magic, peril, and romance (57:45).

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this comprehensive episode, Jeff and Rebecca demonstrate their knack for selecting books that resonate deeply with their listeners' varied needs. From midlife reflections and sci-fi adventures to culinary histories and advocacy guides, the hosts ensure that every recommendation is thoughtfully curated to inspire and engage. Their insightful discussions, coupled with memorable quotes and timestamps, make this episode a valuable resource for book lovers seeking their next great read.

Notable Quotes:

• "4,000 weeks is about how you get 4,000 weeks on average in your go round on this planet, time is a non-renewable resource." — Rebecca Schinsky (04:17)

• "Andy Weir shows up and I think we have some good comps for that." — Jeff O'Neill (08:10)

• "Anthony Bourdain wrote this book and made the world of food interesting and exciting and accessible for people who haven't worked in kitchens." — Rebecca Schinsky (16:35)

• "This is a zero cost program to create and share your audiobook directly with their 11 reader app." — Jeff O'Neill (46:57)

For those who haven't listened to this episode, Book Riot - The Podcast continues to be an invaluable source for diverse and enriching book recommendations, ensuring every reader finds something that speaks to their unique journey.