Book Riot - The Podcast: "The IT Books of April" Summary

Release Date: April 2, 2025

Hosts:

• Jeff O’Neill
• Rebecca Schinsky

Introduction

After returning from a vacation, Jeff and Rebecca kick off the episode with enthusiasm for the spring season, highlighting the blossoming of new book releases and the excitement surrounding the reading community.

Jeff O’Neill [00:46]: "It is April, the sun is shining, the flowers are blooming here and I've got a pretty good list of books today to get started, I think."

Programming Notes

The hosts discuss their ongoing initiatives and upcoming episodes, encouraging listeners to participate by submitting recommendations for moms, dads, and graduates.

• Submission Process: Listeners can email their recommendations to podcastbookriot.com with "Moms, Dads and Grads request" in the subject line. Priority is given to Wheelhouse members on Patreon.

Rebecca Schinsky [01:09]: "Like we are into new release season is feeling exciting now."

• Upcoming Episodes:
  • Midweek Episode: Discussion on "Audition" by Katie Kitamura, fresh from release.
  • Week After Next: Dedicated episode on bibliotherapy with Emily Rumble, a clinical social worker from the Bronx.
  • First Edition Contributions: Interviews with authors like Katie Kitamura and Emma Petit.

IT Books of April

Jeff introduces the concept of the "IT Book of the Month," aiming to identify books that stand out in various ways beyond mere popularity.

Jeff O’Neill [07:30]: "Every month I make a selection of generally 10, but for this month, 11 books that I think are interesting and candidates for the IT book of the month."

Selection Criteria:

• Impact: Books that generate significant buzz and discussions.
• Quality: Exceptional writing and storytelling.
• Recognition: Potential for critical acclaim and awards.

Current Contenders:

1. "Girl on Girl" by Sophie Gilbert Colon [10:44]

   • Synopsis: Cultural criticism examining how early 2000s pop culture negatively influenced young women.
   • Notable Quote:

     Rebecca Schinsky [12:27]: "A whole group of women really got done dirty by the media and pop culture in the 90s..."

2. "Heartwood" by Peter Heller [13:55]

   • Synopsis: A 42-year-old woman vanishes on a hike, leading to a collaborative search effort.
   • Notable Quote:

     Jeff O’Neill [13:58]: "So, someone goes missing and then we get the Scooby gang together..."

3. "Authority" by Andrea Long Chu [19:01]

   • Synopsis: A collection of critical essays challenging established literary figures and trends.
   • Notable Quote:

     Jeff O’Neill [21:08]: "The book is called Authority... it's a great discourse machine in certain corners of the literary Internet."

4. "The Road to Tender Hearts" by Annie Hartnett [24:03]

   • Synopsis: PJ Halladay, a lottery winner, embarks on a cross-country journey to reconnect with his deceased daughter's romantic rival.
   • Notable Quote:

     Rebecca Schinsky [24:48]: "A love story that feels weird enough with a bit of gummy bear stuff."

5. "Julie Chan is Dead" by Lian Zhang [26:00]

   • Synopsis: A debut thriller where a young woman assumes her influencer twin's life after her untimely death.
   • Notable Quote:

     Jeff O’Neill [26:33]: "A buzzy kind of fun, voyeuristic send-up take down of social media influencers."

6. "Open Heaven" by [Author’s Name Unknown] [28:12]

   • Synopsis: Set in a remote English village, two teenage boys navigate their relationship over a year.
   • Notable Quote:

     Rebecca Schinsky [28:40]: "A quiet, lovely situation with the prose of a poet."

7. "Where the Axe is Buried" by Valhini Vara [34:03]

   • Synopsis: A high-tech thriller about rebel spies and scientists aiming to thwart a tyrannical autocrat.
   • Notable Quote:

     Jeff O’Neill [34:16]: "A political element ties it into the current moment, making it timely."

Book Selection Process:

• The candidates compete in a knockout-style bracket.
• Each book advances if it resonates more strongly with the hosts compared to its competitors.
• The final selection aims to embody the essence of an "IT Book" with significant cultural or literary impact.

Sponsored Book Segments

While advertisements are skipped, sponsored book segments are integrated as part of the content, providing insights into specific titles.

1. "Heartbreaker" by Mike Campbell [03:19]

• Overview: A rock and roll memoir recounting Campbell's life as the lead guitarist of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.
• Notable Quote:

  Mike Campbell [46:19]: "The Heartbreakers started in Los Angeles in 1976, but we all came from Gainesville, Florida."

2. "A Dagger of Lightning" by Meredith R. Lyons [04:37]

• Overview: A genre-bending science fiction and fantasy novel featuring an alien prince and a steamy romance.
• Description: Combines beloved tropes with a unique romantic twist, appealing to romantasy fans.

3. "Vera Wong's Guide to Snooping on a Dead Man" by Jesse Q. Setanto [04:37]

• Overview: A feel-good mystery following Vera Wong as she investigates the death of Xander, a social media influencer.
• Notable Quote:

  Jeff O’Neill [05:00]: "Vera is determined to solve Xander's murder after all."

4. "I'll Never Call Him Dad Again" by Carolyn Darian [30:54]

• Overview: An international bestseller recounting the abuse Dominique Pellico inflicted on his wife, Giselle Pellico.
• Description: More than a true crime story, it's a call to action supporting survivors.

5. "Bleeding Roses" by April Savage [28:54]

• Overview: A historical fantasy set in Dacia, featuring battles against ancient beasts with transformative powers.
• Notable Quote:

  Jeff O’Neill [31:08]: "Dacia has hidden an ancient power able to turn humans into something that's not so human."

Upcoming Programming and Book Picks

Jeff and Rebecca discuss additional book picks and their thoughts on various titles, considering factors like potential for adaptations, critical reception, and alignment with their selection criteria.

Additional Contenders:

• "Searches" by Valhini Vara [31:08]

  • Synopsis: A memoir exploring the impact of textbook technology on human connections.
  • Notable Insight:

    Jeff O’Neill [31:52]: "It's a fleshing out, wider consideration of how these technologies can get in our feelings."

• "Talented and Gifted" by Olivia Blake [40:56]

  • Synopsis: A speculative fiction novel about a family with superpowers navigating corporate power struggles.
  • Notable Quote:

    Rebecca Schinsky [41:44]: "It's got succession... It feels like Succession plus X-Men."

Final Selection: Jeff and Rebecca deliberate on advancing their top picks through another round of evaluation, emphasizing books like "Heartwood" and "Where the Axe is Buried" for their potential impact and resonance with broader audiences.

Interviews and Author Insights

The hosts share their excitement regarding upcoming interviews with authors, notably Katie Kitamura, highlighting her adeptness at balancing complex narratives within concise storytelling.

Rebecca Schinsky [38:42]: "Katie Kitamura's project as a writer... something cohesive there."

Jeff reflects on the depth of Kitamura's work, praising her ability to juggle multiple thematic elements seamlessly.

Jeff O’Neill [38:09]: "Her response, restraint is unbelievable. Short, sharp, and deadly means so many things."

Conclusion

Jeff and Rebecca wrap up the episode by encouraging listeners to engage with the podcast, submit their book recommendations, and anticipate the insightful discussions in upcoming episodes. They express enthusiasm for the new reading season and the dynamic lineup of books that promise to captivate and inspire diverse readers.

Jeff O’Neill [46:16]: "We're back in the saddle, Rebecca. It's a good way to come back. There's always a good time."

Notable Excerpt

The podcast concludes with an excerpt from the audiobook edition of "Heartbreaker" by Mike Campbell, providing listeners with a firsthand glimpse into Campbell's experiences with Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

Mike Campbell [46:19]: "When I had nowhere else to go and I didn't know what to do with my life... Time after time, he heard things in me that I couldn't hear in myself."

Listen to the full episode BookRiot.com.

Note: The names of the books are not listed in the show notes to encourage listening to the episode for the complete experience.