Book Riot - The Podcast: The It Books of July 2025 Release Date: July 2, 2025
Hosts: Jeff O’Neill and Rebecca Schinsky
Description: In this episode, Jeff O’Neill and Rebecca Schinsky delve into the standout "It" books of July 2025, reflecting on their selections for the first half of the year and anticipating trends for the upcoming months. They provide insightful commentary on various genres, authors, and anticipated releases, offering listeners a comprehensive overview of the summer's literary landscape.

1. Introduction to July 2025 “It” Books

The episode kicks off with Jeff and Rebecca expressing their anticipations and uncertainties regarding July's book releases. Rebecca mentions the scarcity of standout titles for July and August, indicating a quieter period compared to the bustling May and June releases. Jeff echoes this sentiment, noting that July doesn't seem as monumental as previous months, yet they remain optimistic about the selections.

Notable Quote:

• Jeff O’Neill [01:08]: "July, we really jump off, you know, jump off the dock, into the pond."

2. Upcoming Best Books of the Year Panel

Before delving into July's selections, the hosts promote an upcoming panel event scheduled for July 9th in Portland, Oregon. This event will feature Jeff, Rebecca, Vanessa Diaz, and Keith Mossman discussing the best books of the year so far. Tickets are available through a link in the show notes.

Notable Quote:

• Jeff O’Neill [02:57]: "Tickets will be available. There'll be a link in the show notes there. 7pm Beautiful downtown Portland, Oregon."

3. July’s Top Selections

a. Daniel Krause – Angel Down

Jeff and Rebecca highlight Daniel Krause’s Angel Down as their leading pick for July. The book, published by Atria Books on July 29th, has already garnered starred reviews and is described as a blend of science fiction and speculative fiction set during World War I. The plot revolves around soldiers who encounter what they believe to be a fallen angel, leading to profound consequences.

Notable Quotes:

• Jeff O’Neill [08:38]: "Daniel Krause has a new book coming out July 29th called Angel Down from Atria Books."
• Rebecca Schinsky [09:19]: "I think Daniel Krause is gonna carry on."

b. Hannah Pittard – Let It Kill You

Hannah Pittard’s Let It Kill You is discussed as a messy yet compelling narrative based on her real-life experiences portrayed in her ex-husband's debut work. The book delves into themes of marriage, betrayal, and literary rivalry, offering a raw and unfiltered look into complex relationships.

Notable Quotes:

• Jeff O’Neill [12:02]: "This is a huge month."
• Rebecca Schinsky [13:40]: "A man and woman walk into a bar by Katie Yee."

c. Sylvia Moreno Garcia – The Bewitching

Sylvia Moreno Garcia’s The Bewitching is acknowledged for its unique take on multi-generational witchcraft narratives. Set in Massachusetts, it involves a grad student researching horror literature who uncovers more than she bargained for when reading a mysterious manuscript.

Notable Quotes:

• Jeff O’Neill [17:53]: "She manages to do a different thing in every book, which I think is a really special magic trick."
• Rebecca Schinsky [19:22]: "I think witches are kind of in the same zone that we're talking about Sylvia Moreno Garcia being in as well."

d. Gary Steingart – Vera, Faith

Gary Steingart’s Vera, Faith is highlighted as a satirical contemporary novel focusing on a family’s struggles, seen through the eyes of their precocious daughter. The book promises sharp social commentary wrapped in humor and relatable family dynamics.

Notable Quotes:

• Jeff O’Neill [20:35]: "Is anyone you trust more than Steingart to do a comic satire, contemporary, dealing with real things going on right now?"
• Rebecca Schinsky [21:07]: "It's like David Foster Wallace meets Jesse Eisenberg is kind of the Gary."

e. Katie Yee – Maggie or A Man and a Woman Walk into a Bar

Katie Yee’s debut novel explores the emotional journey of a woman diagnosed with cancer, personifying her tumor as "Maggie." The narrative employs vignettes to depict her coping mechanisms, blending humor with poignant reflections on marriage and personal struggle.

Notable Quotes:

• Jeff O’Neill [23:31]: "She starts to create this document called Guide to My Husband."
• Rebecca Schinsky [24:44]: "I feel like I'm either going to make it 20 pages in or I'll read the whole thing in one sitting."

f. Chuck Hogan – Carpool Detectives

Chuck Hogan’s Carpool Detectives is a true crime narrative featuring a group of moms who take it upon themselves to solve a double homicide in their hometown. Given Hogan’s background in crime fiction, this book is expected to appeal to true crime enthusiasts.

Notable Quotes:

• Jeff O’Neill [25:54]: "They find out that they all love true crime and that there was a double homicide in their hometown."
• Rebecca Schinsky [26:24]: "I do think Daniel Kraus is going to win this month in December when we're reviewing the second six months of the year on it books."

g. Sophie Elmhurst – Marriage at Sea

Sophie Elmhurst’s Marriage at Sea is a nonfiction account of a couple who quit their jobs to sail together, only to face a turbulent ocean and the ensuing challenges of survival. The book promises an engaging blend of relationship dynamics and adventurous survival.

Notable Quotes:

• Jeff O’Neill [27:38]: "These two people are kind of an odd couple and they're afraid of wasting their lives."
• Rebecca Schinsky [28:05]: "That sounds great. That sounds great."

4. Reflection on First Half of 2025

The hosts take a moment to review their selections from January to June 2025, acknowledging both successes and missteps. They candidly discuss books that didn't quite hit the mark, citing marketing mismatches and unforeseen popularity of certain titles.

Notable Quotes:

• Jeff O’Neill [39:30]: "January was easy. February was a rough look for us."
• Rebecca Schinsky [40:07]: "February was a rough look for us."

5. Highlights of Past Picks

• January: Onyx Storm was a successful pick.
• February: Faced challenges with Takes Me by Christina Rivera Garcia, deemed abstruse by the hosts.
• March: The Dream Hotel by Leila Lalami didn't meet expectations.
• April: Heartwood by Amity Gage received a big book club push but had mixed reviews.
• May: Successful with Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong.
• June: Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid and Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil performed well, with Bury Our Bones expected to have longevity.

Notable Quotes:

• Rebecca Schinsky [43:30]: "May we nailed Emperor of Gladness by Ocean Vuong."
• Jeff O’Neill [44:34]: "Maybe regression to the mean because it's also been a while since woman in cabin 10."

6. Anticipated Releases Beyond July

While the focus remains on July’s offerings, anticipation builds for August 2025 with Nicholas Boggs’s Baldwin: A Life, set to release on August 19th. The hosts express excitement over its extensive length and the inclusion of new archival material, positioning it as a potential award contender.

Notable Quotes:

• Jeff O’Neill [32:22]: "It's a 720-page book. I myself would love to say I would get to this."

7. Conclusion and Upcoming Events

Jeff and Rebecca wrap up the discussion by reiterating their top picks for July and reflecting on the year's trajectory. They encourage listeners to attend the upcoming best books panel in Portland and highlight the continued relevance of their selections.

Notable Quotes:

• Jeff O’Neill [47:05]: "BookRiot.com Listen for show notes. Check out the Patreon there."
• Rebecca Schinsky [47:34]: "I have no apologies. Eye mask, earplugs, white noise machine."

8. Audiobook Excerpt

The episode concludes with an excerpt from "A Bookseller in Madrid" by Mario Escobar, narrated by Lauren Etso. This historical audiobook transports listeners to 1930s Spain, following Barbara Spiel, a German refugee who opens a bookstore amidst the Spanish Civil War. The excerpt beautifully sets the stage for the narrative, emphasizing the power of literature and resilience in the face of tyranny.

Key Takeaways:

• Daniel Krause’s Angel Down is the standout book for July 2025, blending historical and speculative fiction with strong critical acclaim.
• Hannah Pittard’s Let It Kill You offers a raw, introspective look into personal and literary conflicts.
• Sylvia Moreno Garcia’s The Bewitching continues to captivate with its multi-generational witchcraft narrative.
• Gary Steingart’s Vera, Faith and Katie Yee’s Maggie or A Man and a Woman Walk into a Bar highlight strong debut voices in contemporary and innovative fiction.
• Chuck Hogan’s Carpool Detectives and Sophie Elmhurst’s Marriage at Sea provide diverse genres from true crime to adventurous nonfiction.
• The hosts candidly reflect on their curated selections for the first half of 2025, acknowledging both hits and misses.
• Anticipation builds for future releases, particularly Nicholas Boggs’s extensive biography on James Baldwin.

Upcoming Events:

• Best Books of the Year Panel: July 9th, 7 pm, Downtown Portland, Oregon. Hosts and panelists include Jeff O’Neill, Rebecca Schinsky, Vanessa Diaz, and Keith Mossman. [02:57]

Additional Resources:

• Patreon: Access the running list of discussed titles and a back catalog of bonus content. [39:31]
• Show Notes: Available at BookRiot.com, including links to event tickets and book details.

Stay Connected: For more updates, book recommendations, and exclusive content, visit BookRiot.com and follow the podcast on your favorite streaming platforms.