Book Riot – The Podcast

Episode: "Blume is a Big 'No Comment' on her Biography, ACOTAR adaptation takes a step backward, and more"
Hosts: Jeff O’Neal & Rebecca Schinsky
Date: March 16, 2026

Episode Overview

This week, Jeff and Rebecca dive into a packed slate of book world happenings:

• The complicated story of Judy Blume’s new biography and her public silence about it
• The A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) adaptation hitting a major snag
• Notable adaptation news including a Bell Jar film with Billie Eilish
• Simon & Schuster’s new CEO and what that might mean for the industry
• Authors’ protests against AI use of their work
  They also share reading updates, listener feedback, and highlight exciting new and upcoming books.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Book Adaptations and the Oscars (01:25–07:09)

• Jeff and Rebecca open by speculating about Oscar results, focusing on "One Battle After Another" (adaptation of Vineland) vs. "Sinners" (an original film by Ryan Coogler).
  • They discuss the differing challenges and merits of original screenplays versus adaptations.
    • “As a sort of filmmaking achievement, One Bath or Another is just more ambitious. There’s just like a lot of stuff going on. Do we grade on the curve for best picture...?” – Jeff (02:48)
  • They reflect on the extra resonance of contemporary stories set in the present, as opposed to relying on the built-in poignancy of historical fiction.
    • “I give credit to... if it’s an original story, but also if you’re trying to speak in contemporary language with contemporary moments... that’s just harder to do.” – Jeff (05:33)

2. Warning about Phishing & Scams in the Book World (07:09–10:47)

• Book Riot is seeing an uptick in phishing scams impersonating staff, targeting authors with fake opportunities requiring payment.
  • Rebecca details how legitimate editorial coverage never involves asking authors for money.
    • “The email signature on this phishing scam impersonating me is way fancier than my actual email signature.” – Rebecca (08:37)
  • Advice for those targeted: always double-check sender addresses, don’t pay for unsolicited offers, and report fraud.
  • "If it looks like it might not be real, it's probably not real. Take a beat." – Rebecca (10:05)

3. Judy Blume Biography Drama (13:37–26:15)

Background on the Biography

• Mark Oppenheimer’s new Judy Blume biography (from Scribner) was written with initial cooperation from Blume herself—including interviews and access to personal documents.
• At some point, after reviewing a draft, Blume withdrew and is now completely silent—making “no comment” her default stance.

What Happened?

• Oppenheimer allowed Blume a lengthy opportunity for notes and corrections; some changes were made, but not all.
• No public details explain Blume’s change of heart; neither side is disclosing specifics.
• The New York Times speculates (softly) that medical information or highly personal details may have been a factor.

Hosts’ Takes

• Both hosts see this as a classic “complicated” situation for literary biographies.
  • “A good biography is not going to be 100% pleasing to the subject... none of us can come across as flattering all the time.” – Rebecca (16:10)
• The likely “Streisand Effect”: Judy Blume’s silence is fueling more interest in the book.
  • “This is the best publicity a book like this could possibly get at this moment.” – Jeff (20:29)
• Neither side owes anything to the other at this stage—but the incident highlights deep tensions between privacy, history, and literary legacy.
  • “If you agree to participate in a biography... you have to own some responsibility.” – Rebecca (21:36)
  • “Any individual person... shouldn’t be subject to the whole universe knowing everything about them. But at some point, for historical figures... it matters.” – Jeff (21:59)
• Notably, Judy Blume is supporting another, recent children's biography of herself (Otherwise Known as Judy the Great).

[TIMESTAMP HIGHLIGHT]

• [20:51] “Am I mad at the biographer? Or... do we feel bad for him because Judy Blume won’t promote this book that she participated in the making of. And I was like, nobody knows. And that's why…” – Rebecca

4. ACOTAR Adaptation Setback (26:15–31:07)

• The rights to adapt Sarah J. Maas’s A Court of Thorns and Roses have reverted back to the author after Hulu failed to move forward.
• In a recent “Call Her Daddy” interview, Maas indicated she wants more control if an adaptation ever happens but is focused on writing the series right now.
  • “This is all just code for it’s never happening.” – Rebecca (28:30)
• Discussion about why publishers break up long books (sales, physical size), and humor over the lengths of some famously long books.
• Listener feedback: some fans wrote in to say ACOTAR isn’t even Maas’s best work—prompting Jeff and Rebecca to joke about what adaptation they might cover next.

5. Adaptation News: Billie Eilish in The Bell Jar (32:43–35:57)

• Big headlines as Billie Eilish is announced to star in a new adaptation of The Bell Jar, directed by Sarah Polley.
  • “Sarah Polley directs an adaptation of The Bell Jar is a great sentence.” – Rebecca (32:50)
• The hosts express excitement for Polley’s involvement, some skepticism about Eilish’s acting—and relief that Emerald Fennell isn’t involved.
  • “Thank God Emerald Fennell didn’t get to it first.” – Rebecca (33:25)
  • Both hosts share curiosity about the enduring relevance of The Bell Jar for today’s young women.

6. Simon & Schuster Appoints New CEO (36:05–39:36)

• Greg Greeley, a business and tech executive (formerly Amazon, more recently Airbnb), is named Simon & Schuster’s new CEO.
• Reflects broader industry moves to bring in business-focused leadership, possibly indicating pending sale or strategic shifts.
  • “This is a competent, generically capable corporate executive... the kind of person you might get to usher your company into a transition.” – Jeff (38:14)
• KKR, private equity owner of S&S, likely sees Greeley's experience as key to maximizing future options.

7. Authors Protest AI With “Empty Book” (39:36–44:07)

• 10,000+ authors (including Kazuo Ishiguro, Richard Osman) published an “empty book,” Don’t Steal This Book, at the London Book Fair to protest AI companies using their work without permission.
• Hosts see mixed effectiveness: protest raises awareness, but real solutions will require legislation and legal action.
  • “I support protest in general... but this also feels to me like a failure... preaching to the choir.” – Rebecca (40:09)
• The protest specifically demands payment for authors and licensing arrangements, marking a shift in expectations:
  • “Has the Overton Window moved?... This is not actually about disallowing AI companies... it’s about making sure there’s a clearinghouse and calculation.” – Jeff (42:12)

8. Listener Feedback (44:07–49:49)

• Audible’s announced $8.99 price point is reportedly a temporary discount; ongoing rate will be higher but not full price.
• “Make your phone dumb” hacks: reader Molly suggests using grayscale to make apps less appealing.
  • “I tried grayscale... it made it too hard for me to use my phone.” – Rebecca (44:58)
• Shout-out to an Australian listener who encouraged greater diversity in Australian authors mentioned.
• Sophia’s monthly “IT Books” data update—ongoing Goodreads growth for various titles, noting which books remain buzzy long after release.

9. What They’re Reading (49:49–61:17)

Python’s Kiss by Louise Erdrich

• New collection of short stories, including some sci-fi/speculative pieces. Both hosts love it.
  • “The variability, the range is really on display.” – Jeff (52:59)

The Flower Bearers by Rachel Eliza Griffiths (Rebecca)

• Memoir by the poet and novelist, focused on her friendship with Camila Moon and the loss of that friend the night before her wedding to Salman Rushdie.
  • “It rang Watsui Stay True Bells... This is how these two women met, what it was like to connect…” – Rebecca (54:12)

In the Days of My Youth, I Was Told What It Means to Be a Man by Tom Junod (Jeff)

• Audiobook memoir by journalist Tom Junod about his complicated relationship with his father.
  • “As a memoir that’s about someone else... I don’t remember any experience quite like this about someone I have no reason to care about. But it’s quite good.” – Jeff (57:18)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “If it looks like it might not be real, it's probably not real. Take a beat.” – Rebecca (10:05)
• “This is the best publicity a book like this could possibly get at this moment.” – Jeff on Judy Blume’s ‘No Comment’ (20:29)
• “This is all just code for it’s never happening.” – Rebecca, on ACOTAR adaptation (28:30)
• “[Sarah] Polley directs an adaptation of The Bell Jar is a great sentence.” – Rebecca (32:50)
• “This is replacement level Big Five CEO talk.” – Rebecca, on Simon & Schuster’s new CEO (36:34)
• “I support protest in general... but this also feels to me like a failure... preaching to the choir.” – Rebecca (40:09)
• “Has the Overton Window moved?... This is not actually about disallowing AI companies... it’s about making sure there’s a clearinghouse and calculation.” – Jeff (42:12)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Segment | Start | |------------------------------------------------------|------------| | Oscar Predictions & Book-to-Film Adaptations | 01:25 | | Phishing/Scam Alert for Authors | 07:09 | | Judy Blume Biography Complications | 13:37 | | ACOTAR Adaptation News & Listener Feedback | 26:15 | | The Bell Jar Adaptation (Billie Eilish) | 32:43 | | Simon & Schuster CEO Appointment | 36:05 | | Authors’ AI Protest (“Don’t Steal This Book”) | 39:36 | | Listener Feedback & IT Books Data | 44:07 | | Recent Reading (Erdrich, Griffiths, Junod) | 49:49 |

Closing Notes

• Next week: An interview with Louise Erdrich about Python’s Kiss.
• Upcoming: New “Hotline List” segment to discuss trending books, adaptations, and major literary buzz.
• Zero to Well Read, Patreon, and more ongoing Book Riot content—find it all at bookriot.com/listen.

This episode offers keen book industry analysis, warm/funny banter, and thoughtful takes on headlines, adaptation drama, author rights, and the blurred lines between privacy and public record in literary history.