Book Riot - The Podcast: "The Books of the Year So Far" Release Date: June 25, 2025

Hosts: Jeff O’Neill and Rebecca Schinsky
Description: A deep dive into the standout books released in the first half of 2025, exploring their impact, reception, and potential to be crowned as the year's best.

Introduction

In this episode of Book Riot - The Podcast, hosts Jeff O’Neill and Rebecca Schinsky embark on an exploration of the most influential and talked-about books released so far in 2025. Steering clear of their personal favorites, they focus on titles that have garnered significant attention, sales, and critical discourse within the literary community.

Featured Books and Discussions

1. Hunger Games Prequel: Sunrise at the Reaping

Timestamp: [8:42]

Rebecca introduces Sunrise at the Reaping, a prequel to the beloved Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins. The book has not only reignited interest in the franchise but has also achieved impressive sales figures, with "1.5 million copies worldwide in its first week, 1.2 million of which were in the U.S." This resurgence is attributed to Collins' enduring fan base and the book’s strategic positioning within mainstream pop culture.

Rebecca Schinsky ([12:33]): "The Hunger Games fandom is enduring. We're now on, I think, like the third generation of readers that are feeling a connection to it."

Despite its success, Jeff and Rebecca ponder whether Sunrise at the Reaping can truly claim the title of "Book of the Year," especially considering its "ineligible" status for certain awards due to its late December release.

2. Onyx Storm

Timestamp: [13:35]

Onyx Storm by an unnamed author made a significant impact upon its January release, selling "2.7 million copies in the first week," positioning it as "the fastest adult selling novel in 20 years." However, its momentum has waned due to mixed reviews and its placement in the middle of a five-book series, a point Rebecca refers to as the "series slump."

Jeff O'Neill ([13:35]): "It's a tough place to be. It's a tough place to get excited about and long."

3. Jake Tapper's Original Sin

Timestamp: [18:06]

Jake Tapper's Original Sin stands out as a significant non-fiction release, delving into political discourse and social justice themes. While it has "generated a ton of buzz" and sits at "number seven on the PW hardcover nonfiction list," both hosts express skepticism about its longevity on bestseller lists, attributing its popularity more to media promotion than sustained reader interest.

Rebecca Schinsky ([19:16]): "Everyone has a take on whether the book should have been written, how the book was written, what the book contains, and then how Tapper has been promoting it..."

4. *House of My Mother by Shari Franke

Timestamp: [19:53]

House of My Mother has carved a niche in the "religious cults" category, inspired by its Hulu docu-series adaptation. The book explores the harrowing experiences of a woman within a cult, resonating with readers seeking memoirs of survival and resilience. Although Jeff admits limited personal engagement with the book, its strong sales and positive ratings underscore its impact.

5. Ezra Klein's Abundance

Timestamp: [21:07]

Ezra Klein's Abundance tackles complex political concepts, earning its spot on the bestseller list through "a ton of conversation" and extensive media coverage. Despite being a "pretty wonky politics book," its placement at "number seven on the PW hardcover nonfiction list" highlights its ability to engage readers interested in societal structures and governance.

Rebecca Schinsky ([22:18]): "Nobody seems to be able to agree, but there's a ton of that. It's just generated a ton of buzz and that seems to be enduring."

6. Charlotte McConaughey’s Wild Dark Shore

Timestamp: [23:08]

Wild Dark Shore emerges as a dark horse candidate for Book of the Year, lauded for its "literary fiction with a mystery element." Recognized by Amazon as their "Best Book of the Year," it combines engaging plot twists with profound character connections, making it both a critical and commercial success.

Rebecca Schinsky ([24:16]): "It's so timely for where we are right now. You know, the government is constructing a massive database about citizens. That's just non fictional information. Right. It's incredibly prescient."

Despite its success, the hosts discuss the challenges of marketing literary fiction to a broad audience, pondering whether a more commercial presentation could amplify its reach.

7. Other Notable Mentions

• Katie Kitamura’s Upcoming Novel: Anticipated to break into the "book club world" with themes of love and loss interwoven with thriller elements.
• Broken Country by Claire Leslie Hall: Gaining traction in book clubs for its family-oriented narrative and suspenseful twists.
• Ocean Vuong’s Continued Rise: Transitioning from poet to acclaimed novelist, Vuong's work garners increasing attention and accolades.

Themes and Trends

Impact of Social Media Platforms

A significant portion of the discussion revolves around the influence of platforms like TikTok and Instagram on a book's popularity. Jeff shares an anecdote about contrasting engagement on Instagram versus TikTok, highlighting how certain books, such as Charlotte McConaughey’s Wild Dark Shore, receive disproportionate attention based on the platform.

Jeff O'Neill ([27:30]): "Just saying no to stuff. Or the year of yes. I guess that's the opposite."

Author Platform and Marketing Strategies

The hosts delve into how an author's existing platform—like that of Jake Tapper or Ocean Vuong—can drive a book's success, sometimes irrespective of the book's intrinsic qualities. They debate whether marketing strategies, such as making a book appear more commercial versus literary, significantly impact sales and reader engagement.

Jeff O'Neill ([31:06]): "What was the first novel? Novel now but on earth we're briefly gorgeous. That was just long."

Literary vs. Commercial Fiction

A recurring theme is the balance between literary craftsmanship and commercial appeal. Wild Dark Shore is cited as an example of a book that successfully bridges these realms, offering both depth and accessibility. Conversely, the discussion touches on challenges faced by purely literary works in achieving mainstream success without overt hooks or plot-driven narratives.

Personal Insights and Reflections

Jeff and Rebecca share their personal experiences and preferences, providing candid reflections on the books discussed. Jeff expresses admiration for Wild Dark Shore but critiques the overtness in some literary works, while Rebecca appreciates the balance Charlotte McConaughey strikes between subtlety and accessibility. Their discussions reveal a nuanced understanding of reader preferences and market dynamics.

Rebecca Schinsky ([35:18]): "I'm here to yuck that. Yum."

Audience Engagement and Buzz

The hosts acknowledge the role of audience feedback and social media buzz in shaping the conversation around each book. They discuss how fan-driven platforms can amplify a book's reach, sometimes overshadowing critical reception. The anecdote about Instagram comments significantly favoring Wild Dark Shore over its TikTok counterpart underscores the varying impacts of different social media mediums.

Jeff O'Neill ([27:55]): "It's selling like hotcakes. And I think actually some of the things that made it that are making it work for such a broad audience are things that, like, I'm personally not super into right now."

Final Thoughts and Conclusions

As the episode wraps up, Jeff and Rebecca reflect on the evolving landscape of the publishing industry, emphasizing the importance of both literary merit and strategic marketing in a book's success. They anticipate that Wild Dark Shore and Sunrise at the Reaping will continue to dominate conversations as the year progresses, while remaining open to surprises as new titles emerge.

Jeff O'Neill ([38:18]): "She is writing more about something at least overtly than King is."

They conclude by expressing excitement for upcoming releases and the potential for standout books to leave a lasting impression on readers and the industry alike.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Rebecca Schinsky ([12:33]): "The Hunger Games fandom is enduring. We're now on, I think, like the third generation of readers that are feeling a connection to it."

• Jeff O'Neill ([13:35]): "It's a tough place to be. It's a tough place to get excited about and long."

• Rebecca Schinsky ([19:16]): "Everyone has a take on whether the book should have been written, how the book was written, what the book contains, and then how Tapper has been promoting it..."

• Rebecca Schinsky ([22:18]): "Nobody seems to be able to agree, but there's a ton of that. It's just generated a ton of buzz and that seems to be enduring."

• Rebecca Schinsky ([24:16]): "It's so timely for where we are right now. You know, the government is constructing a massive database about citizens. That's just non fictional information. Right. It's incredibly prescient."

• Rebecca Schinsky ([35:18]): "I'm here to yuck that. Yum."

Conclusion

Jeff and Rebecca provide a comprehensive overview of the literary landscape in 2025's first half, blending critical analysis with personal insights. Their discussions illuminate the complexities of book popularity, the interplay between author platforms and marketing, and the enduring appeal of both literary and commercial fiction. As listeners, the episode offers valuable takeaways on navigating and appreciating the diverse world of contemporary literature.

Listen to the full episode here.