Book Riot – The Podcast

Episode: The It Book of April 2026

Hosts: Jeff O’Neal & Rebecca Schinsky
Release Date: April 1, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode is Book Riot's monthly "It Book" episode, where Jeff and Rebecca use a playful knockout tournament format to predict which new release will be April’s "It Book"—the title most likely to become the standout, buzziest book among literary circles and general readers alike. The show provides a lively deep-dive into a wide array of upcoming releases, from literary fiction to debuts, buzzy non-fiction, and genre-bending experiments. Along the way, the hosts discuss trends, adaptation buzz, and which authors are due for a breakout. The episode culminates with the crowning of Patrick Radden Keefe’s London Calling as April 2026's anticipated It Book.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Spring Book Buzz & Draft Teasers

• The hosts reflect on the energizing atmosphere of spring, noting it’s not necessarily stacked with "AAA"-level releases like the fall, but presents a lot of fresh book excitement.
• Rebecca hints at upcoming episodes and the internal process for curating summer picks.

Explaining the "It Book" Process

• Jeff explains the knockout round rules: 10 books are paired off, Rebecca decides which advances, and together they analyze each title’s buzzworthiness, literary merit, and sales/acclaim potential.
• “At the end of the year, we go back through the months and say, check our one. What do we get? A C plus? I mean, I guess we get a 70% hit rate.” – Jeff (03:39)

The Knockout Tournament Begins

Play-In Round: Maria Semple vs. TJ Klune

• Go Gentle by Maria Semple
  • “Her name is, believe it or not, Adora Hazard, which is maybe too clever by half, but also amazing.” – Jeff (08:23)
  • Stoic philosopher/divorcée protagonist with a coven of like-minded ladies in an iconic NYC building; black market art deal subplot.
  • “This is middle-aged ladycore, and I’m so here for it.” – Rebecca (08:32)
  • Anticipated as a return to form for Semple, whose Where’d You Go, Bernadette is a perennial Book Riot pick.
• We Burn So Bright by TJ Klune
  • Adult novel about a gay couple facing the end of the world (literal black hole incoming); cross-country road trip.
  • Rebecca predicts more sales for Klune, but Semple is “all over the place in interviews and has some literary bona fides” (12:45).
  • Semple advances for its perceived wider literary appeal and adaptation potential.

Short Stories Struggle: Rachel Kong

• My Dear You by Rachel Kong
  • Well-loved by both hosts, but as a short story collection it’s “a hard time in the It Books…so few people read them.” – Rebecca (16:30)
  • Semple’s Go Gentle advances due to genre and buzz factors.

The Emma Straub Face-off

• American Fantasies by Emma Straub
  • A boy band cruise nostalgia novel, sharply observed and commercial, with strong Today Show publicity potential.
  • Rebecca: “I feel like [Maria] Semple has a little more edge. There’s just more possibility of acclaim.” (20:45)
  • Semple's book edges out Straub for potential critical attention.

Xochitl Gonzalez Bright Spot

• Last Night in Brooklyn by Xochitl Gonzalez
  • Literary/social novel set in early 2000s Brooklyn amid gentrification.
  • Rebecca: “I just keep waiting for her to really break out.” (21:52)
  • Both authors on possible year-end lists, but Rebecca’s “spidey sense” tips the round to Gonzalez, who “is more likely to get an award nomination.” (22:55)

Tradwife Time-Travel: The High-Concept Challenger

• Yesteryear by Carol Claire Burke
  • Influencer-tradwife wakes up in 1855, must live the tradwife life for real; film rights pre-sold, Anne Hathaway attached (24:57).
  • Despite skepticism, adaptation heat and commercial buzz earns “Yesteryear” a pass through this round.

Ben Lerner Enters the Arena

• Transcription by Ben Lerner
  • High-concept, cerebral literary fiction; a writer’s tape recorder fails during interviews, narrative gets dreamlike. (28:09)
  • Huge literary anticipation: “If this is not on the long list for the National Book Award, I'll be shocked.” – Rebecca (31:30)
  • Easily advances over “Yesteryear.”

Debut Duel: Abigail Savage Liu

• Livonia Chow Main by Abigail Savage Liu
  • 100-year saga of a Chinese restaurant and family in Brooklyn.
  • Although praised, Ben Lerner’s prestige mows down the competition in this round.

International Booker Buzz: Marie NDiaye

• The Witch by Marie NDiaye (translated)
  • Mediocre witch, abusive marriage, feminist and satirical undercurrents; recently shortlisted for International Booker (35:37).
  • Translation status raises questions about “It Book” eligibility, but the recency of the English translation and TikTok’s openness to translated titles play in its favor.
  • Rebecca gives the edge to NDiaye’s “The Witch,” though with some hesitation (37:38).

Co-Written Genre Meta: Evelyn Clark (V.E. Schwab & Cat Clarke)

• The Ending Writes Itself by Evelyn Clark (V.E. Schwab & Cat Clarke)
  • Meta-mystery: best-selling novelist dies and six authors must finish his manuscript on a Scottish island; knives-out/locked room vibes.
  • “Huge print run…Once Schwab is out there talking about how it’s her, that will move the needle.” – Rebecca (40:22)
  • Both hosts dissect the pros and cons of co-authorship under a pseudonym, ultimately admitting that genre readers are used to pen names.

Memoir Mayhem: Lena Dunham’s Fame Sick

• Candid memoir on illness, fame, and sex. The hosts warily admit: “Lena Dunham sparks discourse just by existing.” – Rebecca (46:23)
• Uncertain on its mainstream appeal, and uneasy with its matchup against genre fiction.

Patrick Radden Keefe, Savoir

• London Calling by Patrick Radden Keefe
  • Narrative non-fiction centering on the mysterious death of a young man and explorations of power, money, and social realities in London.
  • “He’s so reliably good and…he could get some internet juice…He consistently appears on best books of the year lists.” – Rebecca (48:37)
  • Ultimately, London Calling is crowned the It Book of April 2026.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• “This is middle-aged ladycore, and I’m so here for it.” — Rebecca Schinsky, on Go Gentle (08:32)
• “Go gentle will become our first contender here, I think…Maria Semple rings more of the It Book bells.” – Rebecca (13:12)
• “Short story collections have a hard time in the It Books…so few people read them.” – Rebecca (16:30)
• “Emma Straub…her characters are smart. They talk like real people. This is an interesting pairing.” – Rebecca (19:14)
• “Sheil Gonzalez is more likely to get an award nomination.” – Rebecca (22:55)
• “Film rights were sold immediately…Anne Hathaway is attached to star and produce this flippin show.” – Jeff (24:57)
• “If this is not on the long list for the National Book Award, I’ll be shocked.” – Rebecca (31:30)
• “A book called The Witch with a great cover is gonna sell more copies probably than Transcription, though.” – Rebecca (37:21)
• “People love a book about books. Like, I’m tired because of course it’s about a writer, and he’s reclusive and was a genius. But…that’s my personal taste.” – Rebecca (40:39)
• “Hating on Lena Dunham is its own whole internet sport.” – Rebecca (46:28)
• “Patrick, save me.” – Rebecca, upon hearing Patrick Radden Keefe has a new book (47:18)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [03:03] — Launch of the Knockout Tournament explained
• [07:44] — Play-in Round: Maria Semple vs. TJ Klune
• [16:09] — Discussing Rachel Kong short stories
• [19:13] — Emma Straub’s American Fantasies
• [21:52] — Xochitl Gonzalez’s “Last Night in Brooklyn”
• [24:09] — Tradwife time-travel in Yesteryear (Carol Claire Burke)
• [28:09] — Ben Lerner’s Transcription
• [33:22] — Debut: Abigail Savage Liu
• [34:34] — International Booker: Marie NDiaye’s The Witch
• [38:51] — Meta-mystery: The Ending Writes Itself by Evelyn Clark (V.E. Schwab & Cat Clarke)
• [43:52] — Lena Dunham’s memoir
• [47:19] — London Calling by Patrick Radden Keefe
• [50:06] — Honorable Mentions
• [54:04] — Bookspotting: “Airport book queen” update

Honorable Mentions

• The Infinite Sadness of Small Appliances by Glenn Dixon – quirky AI literary fiction
• Ghost Town by Tom Perrotta – new release from a perennial favorite
• A Killer in the Family by Amin Ahmad – “Crazy Rich Asians as murder mystery”
• Dear Monica Lewinsky – genre-bending “saint’s biography” take on Lewinsky
• Ada Limón’s Against Breaking – poetry nonfiction
• Small Town Girl by Jane Ann Phillips – memoir-in-essays
• The Correspondent (deluxe edition)
• NOMA chef Rene Redzepi’s book — noted bad timing due to negative press

Trends and Fun Asides

• The ongoing challenge of short story collections and books in translation breaking out.
• “Tradwife” novels seen as a mini-trend, but not yet with breakout potential.
• The complex effectiveness of co-authored fiction and pseudonyms in the It Book sweepstakes.
• Patrick Radden Keefe seen as a reliable “It Book” author for “the dads—both literal and spiritual.”
• Airport book queen update: Theodora of Golden unseats Evelyn Hugo.

Conclusion

Book Riot’s April 2026 knockout round showcased the vibrancy and diversity of spring’s literary lineup, balancing highbrow award contenders, commercial genre hits, and quirky debuts. Despite genre stirrings and social media-fueled outliers, it’s narrative non-fiction icon Patrick Radden Keefe’s London Calling that takes the crown, promising wide cultural resonance, year-end best-of-list strength, and classic Book Riot “It Book” energy.

Next on Book Riot:

• Favorite debuts of the last 5–10 years (Patreon exclusive)
• More Zero to Well Read with a focus on Shakespearean comedies

For book recommendations, feedback, or to suggest your own It Book: podcast@bookriot.com