Book Riot - The Podcast: Episode Summary
"ONYX STORM Rolls In, It's a Very Bookish Oscars, and Making Your Own Book Fair"
Release Date: January 27, 2025
Introduction
In this episode of Book Riot - The Podcast, hosts Jeff O'Neal and Rebecca Schinsky delve into the latest happenings in the literary world. From the tumultuous release of the highly anticipated Onyx Storm at Target to the buzz surrounding the National Book Critics Circle (NBCC) Awards and the Oscars’ focus on book adaptations, the duo covers a spectrum of topics relevant to avid readers and industry enthusiasts alike.
Onyx Storm Release and Target Editions
The episode kicks off with a discussion about the recent release of Onyx Storm, a book that has become a focal point due to its limited edition releases at Target. Jeff shares his firsthand experience attending multiple Onyx Storm events at Target's Pals section, noting the retailer's unique approach this time around.
Key Points:
- Onyx Storm was available in both standard and deluxe limited editions, priced at $27 and $32 respectively.
- Unlike previous releases, Target introduced exclusive artwork, sparking backlash from the BookTube community.
- The high demand caused technical issues, mirroring the challenges Target faced during the Taylor Swift book launch.
Notable Quotes:
- Jeff O'Neill (04:06): “A $32 like 600 page hardcover is kind of standard now for some of the big [titles].”
- Rebecca Schinsky (05:11): “There are folks who are mad about the exclusive art in the Target-only edition.”
The hosts analyze the logistical shortcomings Target faced, contrasting it with their handling of the Taylor Swift release. They speculate whether Target underestimated the demand for Onyx Storm, leading to website crashes and consumer frustration.
National Book Critics Circle (NBCC) Awards
Transitioning to awards season, Jeff and Rebecca discuss the NBCC Awards, highlighting the finalists and their potential impact on the literary community.
Key Points:
- James and the Beauty Land and Another Land are among the prominent nominees.
- Hanif Abdurraqib’s The Devil in America is a favorite in the criticism category.
- The NBCC’s Prize for First Book, a genre-agnostic category, celebrates debut authors across various formats.
Notable Quotes:
- Rebecca Schinsky (13:53): “I think this is the only just first book. And let's throw them all into the Jambalaya and see that.”
- Jeff O'Neill (11:32): “I read his Another Land a million years ago... probably the first book I read because I read a book blogger write about it.”
The conversation underscores the NBCC’s role in recognizing diverse voices and innovative works, praising its inclusivity and the unique prestige it holds within the literary awards landscape.
Oscar Nominations for Adapted Screenplays
The discussion shifts to the Oscars, focusing on the Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Picture categories. The hosts evaluate nominated films adapted from books, offering insights into their potential success at the awards.
Key Points:
- Nickel Boys emerges as a standout adaptation, commended for its faithful and impactful screenplay.
- Other nominees include Conclave, Emilia Perez, and Sing Sing, each presenting unique challenges and strengths.
- They express skepticism towards Emilia Perez’s wide acclaim, questioning its depth and representation accuracy.
Notable Quotes:
- Rebecca Schinsky (16:24): “Nickel Boys is phenomenal.”
- Jeff O'Neill (19:30): “I think Conclave would be a fun one to read. That's... a pulpy [story].”
The hosts anticipate a competitive race, particularly praising Nickel Boys for its storytelling and adaptation quality, while expressing curiosity about lesser-known nominees' performances.
Book Recommendations: Front List Foyer
In their regular segment, Front List Foyer, Jeff and Rebecca share their current reading lists, recommending books that range from whimsical to intellectually stimulating.
Jeff's Picks:
- "The Language of Mathematics" by Raul Rojas: A collection of mini-histories about mathematical symbols, which Jeff found engaging despite the challenging content.
- Quote (30:05): “It's basically a bunch of mini histories about the symbols in math.”
Rebecca's Picks:
- "I Heard Her Call My Name" by Lucy Son: An audiobook that Rebecca praises for its compelling narrative and exploration of late-life transitioning.
- Quote (25:41): “Her voice is so just like mesmerizing. As soon as she started speaking, I was like, oh, here we go. I'm just. I'm in.”
- "A Love Story" by Maggie Sue: A novel Rebecca describes as entertaining and imaginative, highlighting its wild premise involving a sentient blob.
- Quote (28:36): “The rest of it is completely bonkers.”
Guest Interview: Jamie Attenberg on A Thousand Words of Summer and Book Fair Project
In the latter half of the episode, Rebecca interviews author Jamie Attenberg, who shares her inspiring initiatives to promote literacy and community engagement through writing projects and book fairs.
Key Topics:
- A Thousand Words of Summer: A community writing project encouraging participants to write a thousand words daily over the summer, now expanded to a Substack platform with around 40,000 participants.
- Book Fair Sponsorship: Utilizing proceeds from her writing project, Jamie sponsors book fairs in New Orleans schools, ensuring every student receives a book.
- Collaboration with Scholastic: Jamie collaborates with Scholastic to facilitate book fairs, emphasizing equity and accessibility for all students.
Notable Quotes:
- Jamie Attenberg (37:35): “It's something that exists for everyone to encourage them to write. So I'm always just trying to make this... free and available and accessible to people because I love writing and reading and books.”
- Rebecca Schinsky (50:55): “It doesn't have to have some, like, secondary agenda to it.”
Jamie elaborates on the seamless partnership with Scholastic, the logistics of organizing equitable book fairs, and the profound joy of witnessing students engage with literature. Her passion underscores the impact of grassroots efforts in fostering a love for reading among youth.
Conclusion
Book Riot - The Podcast wraps up with a heartfelt endorsement of Jamie Attenberg’s work, encouraging listeners to participate in her writing project and support her book fairs. Jeff and Rebecca highlight the importance of community-driven initiatives in promoting literacy, leaving listeners with actionable ways to get involved and make a difference.
Additional Resources:
- Jamie Attenberg’s Substack: Craft Talk for insights on writing and community projects.
- A Thousand Words of Summer: Upcoming event starting May 31st for participants to engage in daily writing.
- Jamie’s Book: A Reason to See You Again, endorsed by Book Riot.
For more detailed information and links, listeners are encouraged to visit the Book Riot website and refer to the show notes for direct access to resources mentioned in the episode.