Book Riot - The Podcast: Episode Summary

Release Date: March 17, 2025
Episode Title: "The GILEAD Adaptation is Real, Meta Streisands Itself, Powells Event Debrief and More of the Week's Book News"
Hosts: Jeff O'Neil and Rebecca Schinsky

1. Powell's Bookstore Live Event Debrief

Jeff and Rebecca kick off the episode by reflecting on their recent live event at Powell's Books in Portland. They share their experiences of interacting with long-time listeners and newcomers alike.

• Behind the Scenes: Rebecca recounts their time on local TV, describing the professionalism of the Powell's team. "The host was incredibly prepared. They really turned it into a machine" ([02:25]).

• Audience Engagement: The hosts highlight the community vibe of the event, noting moments when attendees shared their own book recommendations. Rebecca mentions, "There was such a nice, I think, community feeling to the event."

• Future Events: Jeff and Rebecca express enthusiasm about hosting future live events, particularly in New York. They invite listeners to express interest, stating, "We're thinking about something for the fall... maybe a Saturday night or something so people could travel for the weekend" ([06:25]).

2. Martin Scorsese Adapting the Gilead Series

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to discussing the high-profile adaptation of the Gilead series by renowned director Martin Scorsese.

• Adaptation Details: The hosts reveal that Scorsese is adapting all four books of the series, with Leonardo DiCaprio set to star as Jack Boughton. "It's going to have all of the cachet of a Scorsese film" ([14:10]).

• Potential Challenges: Jeff expresses concerns about the longevity of the project, humorously noting, "biology is real and Scorsese is not 48 years old" ([15:00]).

• Narrative Style: They speculate on how the books, written as letters, will translate to film, anticipating a blend of vignettes and voiceovers to capture the narrative essence. Rebecca reflects, "It'll have to be a voiceover for a lot of it because the whole thing is written as letters."

3. Meta's Efforts and the "Meta Effect"

The hosts delve into recent developments involving Meta Platforms Inc. and their impact on the literary world.

• Book Looks Shutdown: Rebecca discusses the sudden closure of Book Looks, a site associated with Moms for Liberty, highlighting possible ulterior motives. "We sort of have to call this Dry Sand Effect, the Meta Effect" ([26:55]).

• Sarah Wynn Williams' Lawsuit: They examine the lawsuit Meta filed against Sarah Wynn Williams to halt the promotion of her memoir, Careless People. Jeff summarizes, "It sounds like the a judge did put a temporary halt on the promotion of the book."

• Public Reaction: The hosts note the immediate surge in the book's popularity due to Meta's actions, observing, "People are rallying to this... it's a very readable and engaging [book]."

4. Spotify's Audiobook Publishing Initiative

Jeff introduces Spotify's new program aimed at audiobook publishing, targeting self-published authors.

• Program Details: Spotify is seeking "novelettes, approximately 10,000 to 20,000 words," across genres like romance, mystery, thriller, sci-fi, and fantasy. "They're looking for books in these genres, romance, mystery or thriller and sci-fi or fantasy" ([37:15]).

• Opportunity for Authors: Rebecca emphasizes the potential for emerging authors: "If you are trying to break into traditional publishing and get your first book deal... this could be a really interesting opportunity."

5. We Need Diverse Books Reading Day

Highlighting the importance of inclusive reading, Jeff and Rebecca discuss the inaugural We Need Diverse Books Reading Day scheduled for April 3rd.

• Purpose: The event aims to "highlight the importance of access to inclusive reading" by encouraging readers to select books featuring marginalized communities.

• Call to Action: The hosts urge listeners to participate by visiting local libraries, buying books from bookstores, and sharing their experiences on social media using the hashtag #DiverseBooksDay. "It's an opportunity for just talking to people in your life who care about books and who care about these kinds of political issues" ([40:19]).

6. Book Recommendations and Excerpts

Jeff and Rebecca share their current reads and upcoming releases, offering listeners a glimpse into their literary interests.

• Last Twilight in Paris by Pam Jenoff: An excerpt from the audiobook is featured towards the end of the episode, showcasing a gripping narrative set in 1953 Paris, blending mystery with historical elements.

• White Light by Jack Lowman: Jeff introduces this poetic exploration of phosphorus, highlighting its crucial role in biology and geopolitics. He remarks, "It's a short, poetic book... it's very readable and engaging" ([46:46]).

Notable Quotes

• Rebecca Schinsky ([02:25]): "The host was incredibly prepared. They really turned it into a machine."

• Rebecca Schinsky ([06:25]): "We had a great time... We'd like to do a live event, keep dialing in our methods and technology for live shows and get to meet more of y'all."

• Jeff O'Neill ([14:10]): "We can hope it's popular enough where it becomes a thing where it's like actually the home series..."

• Jeff O'Neill ([26:55]): "If you are theoretically interested in a New York kind of event, please raise your hand digitally."

• Rebecca Schinsky ([37:15]): "They're encouraging cross genre works like Romantasy, dark romances, mystery, sci-fi, psychological thrillers."

Conclusion

In this engaging episode, Jeff and Rebecca navigate through a spectrum of timely topics, from major literary adaptations and corporate maneuvers impacting book promotion to emerging opportunities for authors in the audiobook space. Their candid discussions provide valuable insights for avid readers and industry enthusiasts alike, all while fostering a sense of community among Book Riot's diverse audience.

For more information and to listen to the full episode, visit bookriot.com or check out their Patreon.