Book Riot – The Podcast

Episode: The Eye of the Best Books of the Year Storm Approaches
Date: October 27, 2025
Hosts: Jeff O’Neill & Rebecca Schinsky

Overview

This lively episode delves into the kickoff of “Best Books of the Year” season, a much-anticipated time in the book industry. Jeff and Rebecca explore how lists from Amazon and Barnes & Noble are formulated, their implications, and what makes for a meaningful “Best of” pick. They also break down recent reading adventures, new literary adaptations, and industry legal battles, all while sharing their trademark wit and book nerd camaraderie.

Best Books of the Year Lists: Season Begins

[01:00–07:50]

• The hosts reflect on the growing wave of “Best Books of the Year” lists, noting the process starts earlier every year.
• Both feel better prepared this year due to more intentional frontlist reading, decreasing the feeling of being overwhelmed by unread major titles.
• Quote: “I’ve decided just to give myself to the existential vertigo and let this season happen. It’s the way of radical acceptance.”
  — Rebecca [01:13]
• Discuss how lists are created, focusing on Amazon’s approach of publishing their unvarnished Number One picks from the past 25 years, organized by category (e.g., sports, novels), without excuses or second-guessing.
• Both respect Amazon’s boldness in picking a #1 book each year (as opposed to the more demure, unranked Book Riot lists).
• Compare Amazon’s process (editor-driven) to Barnes & Noble (bookseller voting), highlighting surprising picks and the tension between curation and consensus.
• Quote: “Say what you will about the platform...these are real people picking these and they are not told by...the whatever to pick this book or do whatever. They have an actual lot amount of freedom over there.”
  — Jeff [05:50]
• Rebecca notes Amazon’s picks often balance upmarket literary fiction with narrative nonfiction; they’re not just “art awards” or popularity contests.
• The hosts appreciate the transparency and the range represented, even when disagreeing with specific selections.

Book Riot Content & Housekeeping

[07:50–13:45]

• Shoutouts to Book Riot’s flagship newsletter, with features like art heist book recommendations inspired by current Louvre “vibes” in popular culture.
  • Quote: “I love a heist book. It was such a good idea...I was just all caps, yes, do that one.”
    — Rebecca [07:22]
• Update on “Zero to Well Read,” their adjacent podcast which recently tackled "Hamlet" and will soon take on "A Christmas Carol" (thanks to enthusiastic listener ratings/reviews).
• Giddy discussion of podcast milestones and the evolving format, with requests for audience feedback on balancing historical context with book discussion.
  • Quote: “These episodes could be five hours long if we let ourselves.”
    — Rebecca [11:19]
• Hint at ambitious future plans, possibly diving into hefty books like “Lonesome Dove” or “Infinite Jest,” with community voting as a potential Patreon perk.

Dissecting B&N and Amazon Best Book Lists

[15:15–27:37]

Critiquing Barnes & Noble Lists

[15:15–20:39]

• Both critique Barnes & Noble’s many “Best of” lists by genre, wishing for one definitive overall list ("one list to rule them all").
• Noting the order of lists is revealing—fiction, gift books, and mystery/thriller are prioritized.
• In-depth reactions to the fiction list, with surprise at the top pick:
  • Surprise: “Mona’s Eyes” by Thomas Schlesser—a debut, in translation, at the top with little prior buzz.
    • Quote: “What a great day to be Thomas Schlesser. You wake up and you’re not just on the Barnes and Noble Best Fiction of the Year list, but you’re at the top of it for reasons that are undiscernable.”
      — Rebecca [19:39]
  • Least surprising: “Atmosphere” by Taylor Jenkins Reid, a known bestseller.

Deep Dive Into Select Categories

• Biography:

  • Surprise at the inclusion of the Kenny Chesney biography alongside more obvious picks (e.g., Paul McCartney, Patti Smith, Matthew McConaughey).
  • Discussion of how these choices blend true literary merit and commercial appeal.
  • Quote: “Poems and Prayers [by Matthew McConaughey] is a memoir. Sure, why not? You can just put them. Whatever. It’s a book by a famous person. That’s nonfiction, I think.”
    — Jeff [23:01]

• Gift Books:

  • Both pick potential gift books from the list, balancing personal preference and “Swiss army knife” utility.
    • Rebecca picks "Traveler’s Atlas of the World" and “Good Things” by Samin Nosrat.
    • Jeff opts for “Puzzlemania” for broad appeal and notes the enduring popularity of puzzle books.
  • Quote: “The beautiful thing about this is that these are books that are gifts for people who don’t have to like books. They just have to be interested in stuff.”
    — Rebecca [25:23]

News, Adaptations, & Legal Updates

[29:06–34:22]

Guillermo del Toro’s “Frankenstein” Receives Rave Reviews

• Discuss unexpected critical enthusiasm for del Toro’s adaptation starring Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi.
• Question Netflix’s decision to release it after Halloween.
  • Quote: “Why is Netflix on Halloween, you coward?”
    — Rebecca [30:35]
• Comment on cinematic timing, release strategy, and audience anticipation.

Texas Reader Act Ruled Unconstitutional

• Federal judge blocks law requiring vendors to rate and recall books for school libraries as unconstitutional.
• Bananas requirements like vendor ratings and recalls of “previous sales” were logistically impossible and likely designed to suppress access.
  • Quote: “Even in a Fahrenheit 451, like alternate universe...is it literally possible to do this?”
    — Jeff [33:29]
  • Rebecca speculates law’s impossibility was part of the intent.
• Direct readers to Kelly Jensen’s deep-dive coverage at Book Riot.

Recent Reading

[35:07–42:24]

Jeff's Pick:

• “Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” by George R.R. Martin
  • Prompted by news of HBO adaptation.
  • Praises the novellas as accessible, less violent, and standalone—invites people who want to try Martin without diving into the main series.
  • Quote: “If you’ve never read George R.R. martin, this is a really good...And you’ve been wanting to try, but you don’t want to go into the incomplete tales of Song of Ice and Fire.”
    — Jeff [35:34]
  • Makes peace with Martin’s “maybe someday” promises about writing more.

Rebecca's Picks:

• “Replaceable You” by Mary Roach (audio)

  • Entertaining and gross-out exploration of medical prosthetics—flaps, noses, and all.
  • Mary Roach’s conversational, weird science writing described as “radioactive” for dinner conversations.
    • Quote: “You almost need like a decompression chamber to encounter other people after meeting Mary Roach.”
      — Jeff [39:31]
  • Recommends Roach’s interview with Roman Mars on 99% Invisible for a taste.

• “The Unveiling” by Quan Barry (in progress)

  • Horror story, “Get Out”-esque, set in Antarctica with a young Black protagonist.
  • Rebecca is hooked: “I’m halfway through it and I have no idea where it’s going.” [41:21]

Final Thoughts & Looking Ahead

[42:24–43:44]

• As year-end looms, Jeff and Rebecca discuss making “opportunity cost” decisions about what to read before 2026.
• Teasing a future Patreon segment: books they most want to get to before “the flood is coming and the ship is sailing.”
• Thank listeners for their engagement, ratings, and feedback; excitement about Book Riot’s new podcast and newsletter projects.
  • Quote: “We’re having a great time and it feels really good to know that it’s landing with you all.”
    — Rebecca [43:44]

Notable Quotes, Moments, & Timestamps

• “Best Books of the Year season has begun. This is like a week earlier than it started last year...It’s the way of radical acceptance.” — Rebecca [01:13]
• “Say what you will about the platform...these are real people picking these.” — Jeff [05:50]
• “I love a heist book...I was just all caps, yes, do that one.” — Rebecca [07:22]
• “These episodes could be five hours long if we let ourselves.” — Rebecca [11:19]
• “What a great day to be Thomas Schlesser. You wake up and you’re not just on the Barnes and Noble Best Fiction of the Year list, but you’re at the top of it for reasons that are undiscernable.” — Rebecca [19:39]
• “Why is Netflix on Halloween, you coward?” — Rebecca [30:35]

Segment Timestamps

• Best Of Season kicks off: [01:00–07:50]
• Amazon/B&N List discussion: [15:15–27:37]
• B&N Fiction, Biography, Gift Books deep dives: [17:01–27:37]
• frankenstein adaptation reviews: [29:06–31:53]
• Texas Reader Act legal update: [32:09–34:22]
• Recent Reading: [35:07–42:24]

In this episode, Jeff and Rebecca provide a candid, humorous, and insightful look at the forces shaping book recommendations, how retailers and media “curate” taste, and what it means to make year-end book choices—as readers and as an industry. Their transparent, nerdy, and supportive dynamic makes for a delightful listen (or, in this case, read) for anyone who loves to talk books.