Podcast Summary: Book Riot - The Podcast Episode: The It Books of June 2025
Release Date: May 28, 2025
Hosts: Jeff O’Neill and Rebecca Schinsky

Introduction to the IT Books of June 2025

In this episode, Jeff O’Neill and Rebecca Schinsky delve into the highly anticipated books releasing in June 2025. Dubbed the "IT Books," this segment highlights ten standout titles selected from thousands of publications, aiming to identify the most compelling reads for the month. The hosts employ a knockout round style to narrow down the contenders, discussing each book's potential impact, literary merit, and buzz within the reading community.

Book Discussions and Analysis

1. King of Ashes by S.A. Cosby

Timestamp: [07:13]

Jeff introduces "King of Ashes," praising its rising popularity and upcoming adaptation by Obama's production company. Rebecca describes it as Cosby's grittiest and most violent crime novel to date, highlighting its complex characters and potential as the start of a series.

Jeff O’Neill ([07:56]): "It really is the most violent and the most like the grittiest and most straightforward crime novel of Cosby's so far."

2. The Girls Who Grew Big by Layla Motley

Timestamp: [10:07]

Lauren Motley's sophomore novel explores the lives of teenage mothers in Padu Beach, Florida. Rebecca appreciates its ambitious portrayal of young women navigating motherhood and building community, noting its potential for book club discussions despite its challenging subject matter.

Rebecca Schinsky ([10:27]): "It has some cool elements about young women who have kids and are trying to make their way in the world and finding community."

3. Flashlight by Susan Choi

Timestamp: [14:05]

Susan Choi's "Flashlight" is a literary mystery set in Japan during the 1970s, revolving around a father’s disappearance. Jeff acknowledges its length and complex narrative, while Rebecca argues for its stronger candidacy due to Choi's established reputation and critical acclaim.

Jeff O’Neill ([14:07]): "It's quite, quite long. It could have been 70 or 80 pages shorter and I don't think it would have been worse for the wear."

4. Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V.E. Schwab

Timestamp: [18:06]

V.E. Schwab’s latest work intertwines the lives of three women vampires across different historical periods. Rebecca finds the narrative engaging and notes its seamless blend of speculative fiction with deep character development, while Jeff remarks on Schwab's ability to maintain reader interest despite being non-romantasy.

Rebecca Schinsky ([19:22]): "Each of them are women who are attracted to other women, and it explores their lives in different historical contexts."

5. Great Black Hope by Rob Franklin

Timestamp: [24:48]

Rob Franklin's debut novel tackles themes of race and class in modern America through the story of Smith, a queer black Stanford graduate entangled in the court system. Jeff and Rebecca discuss its bold exploration of societal issues, though they express skepticism about its commercial viability compared to more established titles.

Jeff O’Neill ([26:03]): "This would be like this year's Martyr, which although I think Martyr really benefited from coming out in January."

6. The Dry Season by Melissa Febos

Timestamp: [27:10]

Melissa Febos’s memoir chronicles a year of celibacy as she reevaluates her relationships and personal patterns. The hosts praise its introspective depth and literary quality, recognizing its potential for critical acclaim despite likely limited mainstream appeal.

Rebecca Schinsky ([28:33]): "She's a hell of a writer. Like their literary references. There's a lot of really personal, intricate stuff that she's unearthing."

7. How to Dodge a Cannonball by Denard Dale

Timestamp: [29:08]

Denard Dale's debut novel is a satirical take on race set during the Civil War, drawing comparisons to authors like Colson Whitehead. Jeff anticipates its humorous yet poignant examination of historical and racial themes, eager to see how it resonates with audiences.

Jeff O’Neill ([30:52]): "It's going to have a biting, funny, satirical bite to it at the same time."

8. Homework by Jeff Dyer

Timestamp: [31:07]

"Homework" is a memoir by Jeff Dyer, reflecting on his upbringing in working-class England and his journey into the literary world. The hosts express mixed feelings, appreciating the narrative yet questioning its commercial appeal against more dynamic contenders.

Jeff O’Neill ([32:10]): "He is an English person who's written wonderfully just for his whole life in sort of the top tier magazines and newspapers."

9. Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Timestamp: [32:41]

Taylor Jenkins Reid's "Atmosphere" continues her streak of bestsellers, focusing on a woman in the space industry. Jeff and Rebecca debate its standing against genre-heavy books, ultimately favoring Reid for her strong book club presence and widespread appeal.

Rebecca Schinsky ([41:36]): "I think I'm going to give the edge to Taylor Jenkins Reid because it seems to me more likely for her to get a big book club pick."

10. Tony at Random by Dana A. Williams

Timestamp: [43:01]

Dana A. Williams' "Tony at Random" is a significant biographical work on Toni Morrison's tenure at Random House. The hosts highlight its historical importance and potential for critical acclaim, discussing its in-depth portrayal of Morrison’s influence in the literary world.

Rebecca Schinsky ([46:35]): "This feels like a Pulitzer biography finalist."

Selection Process and Final Decision

After thorough discussions, Jeff and Rebecca evaluate each book's strengths, marketability, and potential for awards or adaptations. They consider factors such as established author reputation, thematic depth, and reader engagement.

Final Decision:
Rebecca and Jeff ultimately advance Taylor Jenkins Reid's "Atmosphere" as the IT Book of June 2025, citing its broad appeal, strong book club potential, and the author's consistent success in capturing readers' attention.

Rebecca Schinsky ([41:07]): "I am going to give the edge to Taylor Jenkins Reid because it seems to me more likely for her to get a big book club pick and that kind of real escape velocity than for V.E. Schwab."

Additional Highlights

• Upcoming Content: The hosts tease future episodes, including in-depth discussions on "Flashlight" by Susan Choi and an interview with Spotify Audiobooks.
• Patreon Exclusives: They mention upcoming Patreon-exclusive content, such as special episodes and first editions releases.
• Listener Engagement: Jeff and Rebecca encourage listeners to submit their favorite June reads and participate in their selection process.

Conclusion

Jeff O’Neill and Rebecca Schinsky provide an insightful and engaging exploration of June 2025's most anticipated books. Through detailed discussions and thoughtful considerations, they successfully highlight "Atmosphere" by Taylor Jenkins Reid as the standout title, promising an enriching reading experience for Book Riot’s diverse audience.

Notable Quotes:

• Jeff O’Neill ([07:56]): "It really is the most violent and the most like the grittiest and most straightforward crime novel of Cosby's so far."
• Rebecca Schinsky ([10:27]): "It has some cool elements about young women who have kids and are trying to make their way in the world and finding community."
• Rebecca Schinsky ([46:35]): "This feels like a Pulitzer biography finalist."
• Rebecca Schinsky ([41:07]): "I am going to give the edge to Taylor Jenkins Reid because it seems to me more likely for her to get a big book club pick."

For More Information:
Visit Book Riot’s website to listen to the full episode and explore additional content, including interviews and exclusive podcast episodes available to Patreon supporters.