Book Riot - The Podcast: The 2025 Winter Preview Draft [Teaser]

Release Date: January 4, 2025

In this teaser episode of Book Riot's "The 2025 Winter Preview Draft," hosts Jeff O'Neal and Rebecca Schinsky delve into their triannual Winter Draft process. This segment offers listeners a glimpse into how the duo curates and selects books for their community, the challenges they face, and their anticipation for the upcoming reading season.

1. Introduction to the Winter Draft

The episode kicks off with Rebecca humorously revealing her turning 42 and the ensuing conversations about life and the universe during her holiday party (00:32). Jeff introduces the concept of the Winter Draft, highlighting its unique position as a triannual event—the only term Jeff uses humorously to describe something happening three times a year (00:44).

Notable Quote:

"It's a winter draft, a triannual. There's no word for three times a year." — Jeff (00:44)

2. The Selection Process

Jeff and Rebecca outline their method for selecting books each season. Both hosts independently pick ten books, ensuring there are no overlaps between their choices. These selections are then presented to the Book Riot Podcast Patreon community, who vote to determine the final list.

Jeff explains the democratic yet flexible nature of the voting process:

"This is one thing I've learned about voting. It doesn't have to make any sense. The voters’ choices are as their own and they can vote for any kind of reason they want." (01:31)

Rebecca adds that the voting often reflects individual preferences, leading to a diverse array of selections rather than a consensus on the "best" books.

Notable Quote:

"Our 10 books are then offered unto the Book Riot Podcast Patreon voting body to pick which list they want to vote for." — Jeff (01:31)

3. Challenges in Choosing Books

Navigating publishing catalogs poses significant challenges for Jeff, especially when trying to balance releases across different seasons. The inundation of titles from January to April complicates the selection for the Winter Draft.

Jeff candidly shares his frustrations:

"I'm gonna put on my grief Mount Rushmore up with ebook pricing and audiobook bundling membership." (01:06)

Rebecca echoes these sentiments, noting the difficulty in pinpointing standout titles amidst a sea of releases:

"I was out with my chorus people last night for our holiday party and I mentioned that it was my birthday and I'm turning 42 and I knew that I was in the right place when multiple people at the table made references to life, the universe and everything." (00:32)

4. Reflecting on Previous Voting Results

The hosts reflect on the outcomes of the previous Fall Draft, where Rebecca's selections secured 60% of the votes. Jeff recognizes the diversity in voter preferences, with titles like Osman, Clune, Rooney, and Powers resonating strongly with the audience.

Rebecca mentions additional favorites from Jeff's list that garnered votes, including "Wakey Wang" and "Murakami," indicating the collaborative and varied tastes of their listeners.

Notable Quote:

"I know because of how I know filtered edelweiss differently trying to find things that are coming out between January and April." — Rebecca (01:31)

5. Prospects for the 2025 Winter Draft

Turning attention to the current season's draft, Jeff expresses a mix of confidence and uncertainty. While he has a substantial list of potential picks, he's unsure how they will resonate with voters.

Rebecca is optimistic about the upcoming selections, anticipating sleeper hits and expressing interest in both established authors and intriguing debuts. She notes the absence of overwhelmingly big names, suggesting a season ripe for undiscovered gems.

Notable Quotes:

"If I were GM here, like in football, I would trade if I had a top pick I would trade down." — Jeff (05:13)

"It looks like it could be a pretty satisfying reading season." — Rebecca (04:49)

6. Conclusion and Call to Action

The teaser concludes with Jeff and Rebecca encouraging listeners to join their Patreon community to access the full episode and additional premium content. They emphasize the collaborative nature of the Winter Draft and the excitement surrounding the upcoming book selections.

Notable Quote:

"Thanks so much for listening. Join us at patreon.com/bookriotpodcast to hear the rest of this episode and get access to our full back catalog of premium content." — Rebecca (05:13)

Timestamp Key:

• 00:32: Rebecca discusses her birthday and conversations at her holiday party.
• 00:44: Jeff introduces the Winter Draft as a triannual event.
• 01:06: Jeff expresses frustration with ebook pricing and audiobook bundling.
• 01:31: Jeff explains the voting process for the Winter Draft.
• 04:00: Rebecca shares her thoughts on the current selection pool.
• 04:49: Rebecca anticipates a satisfying reading season.
• 05:13: Jeff and Rebecca invite listeners to join their Patreon for more content.

This teaser episode offers a strategic overview of Book Riot’s Winter Draft, highlighting the thoughtful curation process, the interactive voting system, and the hosts' enthusiasm for discovering and sharing diverse literary works. For comprehensive insights and full discussions, listeners are encouraged to subscribe to the premium content on Patreon.