Book Riot - The Podcast: The Best Books of the Year So Far – Live at Powell's!

Release Date: July 14, 2025

Event Overview

On July 14, 2025, Book Riot - The Podcast hosted a live event at Powell's Books titled "The Best Books of the Year So Far." The event featured Book Riot's Jeff O’Neill and Rebecca Schinsky, along with guest panelists Vanessa Diaz, Managing Editor, and Keith Mossman, Powell's esteemed Purchasing and Publisher Relations Coordinator. The session revolved around each panelist presenting their top five book picks for the year, engaging in lively discussions, and offering insights into their selections.

Interview with Keith Mossman

The episode began with Jeff O’Neill introducing Keith Mossman and delving into his role at Powell's. Keith humorously clarified his title as "Purchasing and Publisher Relations Coordinator," explaining that his responsibilities extend beyond typical buying duties to include featuring books in promotions and various communications.

Notable Quote:

Jeff O’Neill [02:34]: "Keith Mossman is our book buyer extraordinaire."

Keith elaborated on his daily tasks, emphasizing his extensive reading regimen, estimating that he reads approximately 250 books annually. He highlighted the challenges of selecting books that resonate with Powell's diverse customer base and the strategic considerations involved in featuring certain titles.

Notable Quote:

Keith Mossman [05:22]: "I'm probably going to hit 250 this year. I mean, that's like format agnostic."

Book Picks

Each panelist presented their top five book selections, providing detailed reviews and personal reflections.

Jeff O’Neill’s Top Picks

1. "Believe It or Not: A Memoir in 30 Cats" by Courtney Gustafson

   • A heartfelt memoir about caring for a feral cat colony in Tucson, Arizona.
   • Notable Quote:

     Jeff O’Neill [15:37]: "It's one of my favorite things I've read this year."

2. "Pronoun Trouble" by John McWhorter

   • An exploration of the history and usage of English pronouns.
   • Notable Quote:

     Jeff O’Neill [24:03]: "Each chapter is about one of the pronouns, a history of it."

3. "This American Woman" by Zorna Garg

   • A comedic memoir of an Indian woman’s journey from Mumbai to stand-up comedy in America.
   • Notable Quote:

     Jeff O’Neill [33:04]: "This book does that. So that's something you can use."

4. "Exit Zero" by Marie Helene Bertino

   • A collection of short stories blending whimsy with profound emotional truths.
   • Notable Quote:

     Jeff O’Neill [35:57]: "I'm never sad. These are also short."

5. "The Institute" by Stephen King (Mentioned Promotional Content)

   • A chilling new original series from MGM discussed briefly in the closing segments.

Rebecca Schinsky’s Top Picks

1. "We Do Not Part" by [Author Unspecified]

   • A quiet, lovely novel exploring the blurred lines between reality and illusion.
   • Notable Quote:

     Rebecca Schinsky [18:11]: "This novel is really quiet and lovely."

2. "Life in Three Dimensions" by Dr. Shigehiro Oishi

   • A psychological exploration of happiness, meaning, and psychological richness.
   • Notable Quote:

     Rebecca Schinsky [26:40]: "It's a philosophy. More like here's how to think about your life."

3. "Happyland" by Dolan Perkins Balditz

   • A fantastical story intertwining personal family history with the legacy of a free black kingdom in North Carolina.
   • Notable Quote:

     Rebecca Schinsky [28:04]: "She tells her this very fantastical story about a kingdom that used to exist in North Carolina."

4. "Stone Yard Devotional" by Charlotte Wood

   • A meditative novel set in the Australian outback, chronicling the daily lives and inner turmoil of a woman in a monastery.
   • Notable Quote:

     Rebecca Schinsky [44:08]: "It's really beautiful and lovely. I found myself not wanting to put it down."

5. "Searches" by Vahini Vara

   • An innovative exploration of AI and art, juxtaposing human and machine-generated narratives.
   • Notable Quote:

     Rebecca Schinsky [55:08]: "She set out to ask a question... it proves that books are going to be fine."

Vanessa Diaz’s Top Picks

1. "Everything Is Poison" by Joy McCullough

   • A YA novel intertwining historical elements with contemporary issues through the lens of Artemisia Gentileschi’s fictional daughter.
   • Notable Quote:

     Vanessa Diaz [12:41]: "If you haven't read any of Joy McCullough, again, she does these really fantastic things with real people who existed."

2. "Harlem Rhapsody" by Victoria Christopher Murray

   • A historical narrative focusing on Jessie Redmond Faust and her pivotal role in the Harlem Renaissance.
   • Notable Quote:

     Vanessa Diaz [20:08]: "It tells you all about her, how she came to New York right before the Renaissance was about to pop."

3. "Malinally" by Veronica Chapae

   • A reimagining of La Malinche’s life, offering a nuanced perspective on her role in Mexican history.
   • Notable Quote:

     Vanessa Diaz [36:05]: "It's about a woman who serves as translator for Hernan Cortes when he came and conquered Mexico."

4. "Warm and Safe" by Marie Helene Bertino (Honorable Mention)

   • A delightful foray into magical realism through the lenses of middle-reader protagonists.
   • Notable Quote:

     Vanessa Diaz [58:35]: "A detective auntie... something about women becoming a certain age."

5. "Is the River Alive" by Robert Macfarlane (Favorite)

   • An evocative nature writing piece exploring river ecosystems and their significance to communities.
   • Notable Quote:

     Keith Mossman [51:17]: "It’s transportive in the best way, and it covers a lot of ground."

Keith Mossman’s Top Picks

1. "Spent" by Alison Bechdel

   • A graphic novel exploring the complexities of life in a troubled TV adaptation.
   • Notable Quote:

     Keith Mossman [14:07]: "It's full of whimsy, but it's also about living in this terrible moment."

2. "Tilt" by Emma Patit

   • A gripping debut novel set against the backdrop of a catastrophic earthquake in Portland.
   • Notable Quote:

     Keith Mossman [22:37]: "This book made me think seriously about what you do in the days after an emergency."

3. "Murder at the Museum" by Alastair Beckett King

   • A middle-reader mystery featuring a young detective and her grandfather solving high-stakes crimes.
   • Notable Quote:

     Keith Mossman [29:46]: "There is an actual murder in a middle reader book. It's full of one-liners and great jokes."

4. "Flashlight" by Susan Choi

   • A profound narrative delving deep into familial relationships and personal healing.
   • Notable Quote:

     Keith Mossman [38:01]: "Her mastery of prose is totally transfixing."

5. "Women Seated" by Zane Guran (Coming Attraction)

   • A translated novel from Chinese, offering a suspenseful character study within an autocratic regime.
   • Notable Quote:

     Keith Mossman [72:19]: "It's a thriller, but really it comes down to a wonderful character study."

Honorable Mentions

• "Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil" by V. E. Schwab
• "The Dream Hotel" by Leila Lalami
• "Detective Auntie" by USMA Jalaluddin
• "Murder by Cheesecake" by Rachel Ekstrom
• "A Murder for Miss Hortense" by Mel Pennant
• "New and Collected Hell" by Shane McCrae
• "The Museum of Unnatural Histories" by Annie Weinstrub
• "Love and Exile" by Shan Fay
• "The Doorman" by Chris Pavone

Coming Attractions

Keith Mossman highlighted several upcoming releases:

• "Likeness" by Samson Knight (University of Iowa Press): A novella exploring intricate narratives in a compact form.
• "Women Seated" by Zane Guran (Riverhead): A translated Chinese novel focusing on personal and political upheavals.
• "Mona's Eyes" by Thomas Schlesser (Europa): A novel intertwining art history with personal discovery during a young girl's bout with blindness.
• "Tuck Me In!" by Nathan W. Pyle: A whimsical picture book that blends humor with imaginative storytelling.

Conclusion

The live podcast event at Powell's offered a comprehensive look into the panelists' literary tastes, showcasing a diverse array of genres and themes. From nature writing and historical narratives to innovative explorations of AI and art, the selections reflect the multifaceted world of contemporary literature. The engaging discussions, enriched with personal anecdotes and expert insights, provided listeners with a curated roadmap to some of the year's most compelling reads.

Notable Quotes from the Event

• Keith Mossman [05:22]: "I'm probably going to hit 250 this year. I mean, that's like format agnostic."
• Jeff O’Neill [15:37]: "It's one of my favorite things I've read this year."
• Rebecca Schinsky [26:40]: "It's a philosophy. More like here's how to think about your life."
• Vanessa Diaz [12:41]: "If you haven't read any of Joy McCullough, again, she does these really fantastic things with real people who existed."

Timestamp Highlights

• [02:34] Introduction of Keith Mossman
• [05:22] Keith discusses his reading habits
• [12:41] Vanessa Diaz introduces her first book pick
• [18:11] Rebecca Schinsky reviews "We Do Not Part"
• [28:04] Rebecca discusses "Happyland"
• [44:08] Rebecca introduces "Stone Yard Devotional"
• [55:08] Rebecca presents "Searches"
• [72:19] Keith introduces "Women Seated"

Final Thoughts

The panelists not only shared their favorite books but also provided deep dives into the narratives and themes that make each selection standout. Whether you're a seasoned reader or new to Book Riot, this episode serves as an invaluable guide to navigating the best literary offerings of the year.