Hot List Check in for January 2025 [Teaser]

Summary

Book Riot - The Podcast: Hot List Check-In for January 2025 [Teaser]

Release Date: January 21, 2025
Hosts: Jeff O'Neal and Rebecca Schinsky
Podcast Description: Book Riot's Jeff O'Neal and Rebecca Schinsky navigate the latest happenings in the literary world, discussing new releases, adaptations, publishing events, and more. As North America's largest independent editorial book site, Book Riot offers a diverse range of media tailored for readers across all genres.

---

Introduction to the Hot List Check-In

In the teaser for the January 2025 episode of Book Riot - The Podcast, hosts Jeff O'Neal and Rebecca Schinsky set the stage for their annual Hot List Check-In. They delve into the current literary landscape, highlighting the most anticipated releases and trending titles that have captivated readers over the past year.

---

Categorizing the Hot List

Jeff:
"It's time for our first hot list check-in of the year. Transitional shoulder season when it comes to hot lists and check-ins and zeitgeist on the whole." [00:23]

Jeff introduces the concept of categorizing books into two distinct groups: those they are confident will resonate with audiences (“I'm pretty sure they count”) and those that are still under consideration (“I wonder”). This nuanced approach allows them to spotlight both guaranteed hits and intriguing newcomers.

Rebecca:
"So let's wonder about them together." [00:56]

Rebecca emphasizes the collaborative nature of evaluating the potential of the latter category, suggesting a dynamic and interactive discussion ahead.

---

Spotlight on Anticipated Releases

Onyx Storm

Jeff:
"The bar has been raised. Right. Like in a high jump competition. So we're gonna have fewer candidates but maybe, maybe all these contenders can get over." [00:58]
"Onyx Storm. Coming out. It's gonna be huge. We don't need to talk about this anymore." [01:12]

Onyx Storm emerges as a standout title with substantial pre-order numbers, especially in Canada where Indigo reported higher pre-orders than previous installments. This indicates growing readership and anticipation surrounding its release.

Rebecca:
"No press release from Indigo in Canada said they have more pre-orders for this one than for the previous ones. So it seems like readership continues to build." [01:18]

Rebecca underscores the momentum building for Onyx Storm, highlighting its sustained popularity and the publisher's confidence in its success.

James: A Year-Long Favorite

Jeff:
"James, number one hardcover fiction last week picking up Steam and the year list I think really help people and all this stuff going on with that." [01:28]

The book "James" continues to make waves, securing the top spot in hardcover fiction and maintaining its presence on year-end lists. Its enduring appeal suggests it remains a favorite among readers and critics alike.

Rebecca:
"I'm gonna stay in the zeitgeist at least until Pulitzer season." [01:41]

Rebecca anticipates that "James" will remain relevant and widely discussed, especially leading up to the Pulitzer Awards, indicating its literary significance.

---

Top Women's Books of 2024

Jeff and Rebecca then shift focus to highlight the top three women's books that have left a significant mark in 2024.

Intermezzo and The Ringovers

Jeff:
"I've got Intermezzo, the Ringovers. I see some people picking it up. I've seen Pete continues to sell. It's on recommended. I don't know Pretty sure. But it's still a Rooney and people are finding it." [02:12] [02:22]

Intermezzo and The Ringovers are praised for their compelling narratives and strong recommendations, indicating their popularity and critical acclaim within the literary community.

Rebecca:
"Yeah. I haven't seen much chatter about it, but if it's still selling." [02:34]

Rebecca notes the steady sales of these titles, even if they aren't generating widespread conversation, highlighting their consistent appeal.

God of the Woods

Jeff:
"And then God of the woods people are going to be buying that book into this." [02:37]
"It's mainstream, but like there's a lot of books that are published with the intention of being mainstream, right?" [02:55]

God of the Woods is gaining mainstream traction, surpassing the usual expectations for a book intended for a broader audience. Its success is attributed to its engaging storytelling and relatable themes.

Rebecca:
"My mom read God of the Woods. It's going mainstream." [02:50]

Rebecca shares a personal anecdote to illustrate the book's growing popularity, suggesting its themes resonate across different readerships.

---

Additional Noteworthy Titles

Rental House

Jeff:
"I'm putting rental house in here. A lot of people love this book." [03:04]

Rental House is recognized for its widespread appeal, with readers expressing strong affection for its narrative and characters.

Rebecca:
"I support this." [03:24]

Rebecca's endorsement emphasizes the book's quality and its importance within the current literary conversation.

---

Emerging Trends: Let Them

Jeff:
"Let Them by. What's her name? I can't remember. It just flies out of my brain." [04:23]
"It's selling like hotcakes." [04:26]

The book Let Them by an author whose name slips Jeff's mind is experiencing significant sales traction. Its popularity is fueled by its practical approach to personal development and empowerment.

Jeff's Anecdote:
"I was looking at the recommended books and a woman came up to the counter and asked... We're getting that a lot, but we're all sold out..." [04:26 – 05:53]

Jeff recounts an encounter at a Los Angeles bookstore where a fellow customer inquired about Let Them, highlighting its high demand and widespread recognition. This personal story underscores the book's impact and relevance in everyday conversations.

Rebecca:
"This one has gone to the people who read four to six books a year category at this point." [02:59]

Rebecca comments on the book's appeal to avid readers, suggesting that its themes and content resonate deeply with those who frequently engage with literature.

---

Conclusion and Call to Action

The teaser concludes with a prompt for listeners to access the full content:

Rebecca:
"Thanks so much for listening. Join [e-mail] Book Riot podcast to hear the rest of this episode and get access to our full back catalog of premium content. That's patreon.com bookriotpodcast." [05:59]

Listeners are encouraged to join the Book Riot Podcast's Patreon community to gain full access to the detailed Hot List Check-In and other premium content, enhancing their literary experience.

---

Notable Quotes:

• "Onyx Storm. Coming out. It's gonna be huge. We don't need to talk about this anymore." – Jeff [01:12]
• "No press release from Indigo in Canada said they have more pre-orders for this one than for the previous ones. So it seems like readership continues to build." – Rebecca [01:18]
• "God of the woods. It's mainstream, but like there's a lot of books that are published with the intention of being mainstream, right?" – Jeff [02:55]
• "Let Them is selling like hotcakes." – Jeff [04:26]

---

This teaser episode offers a sneak peek into the dynamic discussions and expert insights that Jeff and Rebecca bring to the literary world each month. From anticipating blockbuster releases to uncovering hidden gems, Book Riot - The Podcast serves as an essential guide for readers seeking to stay informed and engaged with the ever-evolving landscape of books and reading.

Transcript

[A]

Foreign.

[B]

You're listening to a teaser for book Riot podcast premium content. If you want to hear the rest, join [e-mail] bookriotpodcast for just $10 a month, get access to our full library of premium content in addition to receiving early ad free access to the regular episodes you hear in the show. Here we go.

[A]

All right, it's time for our first hot list check in of the year. Transitional shoulder season when it comes to hot lists and check ins and zeitgeist on the whole. So I've got two categories here. There's the first category which is I'm pretty sure they count.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

And the next are I wonder and Rebecca. You might say. Well if you wonder then they're not, which I understand. But I the. The whole I only have 17 total titles so this is not a 50 situation.

[B]

So let's wonder about them together.

[A]

The bar is the bar has been raised. Right. Like in a. In a high jump competition. So we're gonna have fewer candidates but maybe, maybe all these contenders can get over. So the ones I'm pretty sure about. Onyx Storm.

[B]

Huh?

[A]

Coming out. It's gonna be huge. We don't need to talk about this anymore.

[B]

Yeah. No press release from Indigo in Canada said they have more pre orders for this one than for the previous ones. So it seems like readership continues to build.

[A]

Terrific. For. For all of them. Yeah. James, number one hardcover fiction last week picking up Steam and the year list I think really help people and all this stuff going on with that.

[B]

Yeah. I'm gonna stay in the zeitgeist at least until Pulitzer season.

[A]

Which is what? April?

[B]

March. April. Yeah.

[A]

Yeah. It's going to be. Yeah. It's again, often a book like this does carry into the next year. Yeah.

[B]

And you know, I haven't gone and checked yet if they've got a paperback release scheduled because it's done well enough.

[A]

They shouldn't if they do. Yeah.

[B]

Right.

[A]

Stop that. Don't do that.

[B]

Right. It's been going well enough that they could justify keeping this in hardcover for a while. It's just now occurring to me that maybe they're thinking about paperback, but seems.

[A]

Too soon, I guess. While we're on the James tip, I've got a category of big books of 2024 that I still think matter. I've got the women top three.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

I've got Intermezzo, the Ringovers. I see some people picking it up. I've seen Pete continues to sell. It's on recommended. I don't know Pretty sure. But it's still a Rooney and people are finding it.

[B]

Yeah. I haven't seen much chatter about it, but if it's still selling.

[A]

Yeah. And then God of the woods people are going to be buying that book into this.

[B]

My mom read God of the Woods. It's going mainstream.

[A]

It's going mainstream. So those are.

[B]

The God of the woods started out mainstream and it's just getting mainstream early.

[A]

It's mainstream, but like there's a lot of books that are published with the intention of being mainstream, right?

[B]

Yes. And that don't actually break out. Yeah, that one has gone.

[A]

Yeah, it's. It's. To the people who read four to six books a year category at this point.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

I don't think it's gone to the book the one or two year or it needs to be crawdads or fourth wing, frankly. But yeah, it could. All right. And then a late two December releases. I'm putting rental house in here. A lot of people love this book.

[B]

Do it. I support this.

[A]

Sharifa read it. She really loved it. I'm seeing a lot of. A lot of our readers, frankly. I'm seeing people that, that we talked about and they've picked up our listeners, I guess. So I'll reserve for a Riverhead literary crossover title.

[B]

Yeah. And I will predict a more commercial paperback cover for this with some marketing around summer reading at some point.

[A]

Yeah. That's interesting.

[B]

I wonder if that doesn't feel like a December book.

[A]

Well, no, because it's. It's family vacation. Yeah. That's an interesting point. I think getting together with your family around the holidays. Maybe that's what they were thinking. Maybe the same idea. I don't know. It's a. It's. It's a. It's a short lit fic title with no spec fic hook. It feels like the kind of thing you maybe read before of like families doing stuff to each other, but it's different and cool and Wang has her own voice. And then this book, I don't know. Have you heard of this book called Let Them Rebecca?

[B]

Oh, yes, the Mel Robbins self help situation.

[A]

So I'm putting this on here. It's selling like hotcakes. And I had an experience. I was in LA over break and I was at a local bookstore poking around and I did something I don't normally do. Let me tell you my little anecdote here mostly because I think you'll like it. This is anecdote of par excellence. So I was looking at the recommended books and A woman came up to the counter and asked. And I only heard the part of the. The. The cashier or the worker, whoever, saying, you know what? We're getting that a lot, but we're all sold out, and I don't even know when we're getting more from the warehouse. He's like, this is one of the few times I might tell you to check the big guy. Right. And. And she was like, okay, thanks. I wondered. I was like, huh, what could it be? What book is that? And I did a. I did like 10 seconds of game, and I had no idea. I really had no idea.

[B]

This would have been surprising to me if you're gonna say that it was the melt.

[A]

Yeah. And so I. And this is something I never do is talk to strangers, like, proactively.

[B]

Like, that is the most surprising part of this story.

[A]

Well, and she was browsing. I don't. I don't mean to be voiced, but I heard you talk. Could you let me know what book that was? I'm just curious. And she's like, it's a book called Let Them by. What's her name? I can't remember. It just flies out of my brain. It was like, Let Them was like, oh, I haven't heard that. And she's like, yeah, it's about. And here's a summary. Let me. I think. Let me wrote this down. Hold on. I made a note for myself, right?

[B]

Yeah. Because I can summarize the. What I've picked up about it for you, too.

[A]

She said it's about letting people off if they're going to say things about it, basically. Is that right?

[B]

Thanks so much for listening. Join [e-mail] Book Riot podcast to hear the rest of this episode and get access to our full back catalog of premium content. That's patreon.com bookriotpodcast.