Book Riot - The Podcast: The IT Books of May 2025

Release Date: April 30, 2025
Hosts: Jeff O’Neill and Rebecca Schinsky

Introduction to IT Books of May

In this episode, Jeff O’Neill and Rebecca Schinsky delve into the highly anticipated book releases of May 2025, a month renowned for its significant literary contributions. Jeff introduces the concept of "IT Books of the Month," emphasizing May as one of the four crucial months (alongside June, September, and October) where the publishing industry sees a surge in notable releases.

Jeff O’Neill: “It's one of the four. It's one of the four. It's May, June, September, and October. It's an enormous month.” [01:13]

Rebecca and Jeff discuss their methodology for selecting the top 21 books they are interested in, acknowledging the challenge of narrowing down such a vast array of choices. They consider various factors, including popularity, buzz, personal interest, and the current cultural zeitgeist.

Exploring the 82-Book Pool

Jeff reveals that his long list includes 82 books that score a 6 or higher on his interest scale. The hosts brainstorm ideas on how to effectively cover these additional titles without overwhelming their audience or diluting the focus on the top contenders.

Jeff O’Neill: “These are the pool from which I will probably pull my book reading. Yeah, go ahead, Rebecca.” [01:55]

Rebecca expresses her concern about the sheer number of books, highlighting the difficulty in managing such an extensive list amidst her impending travel plans.

Rebecca Schinsky: “I have some big travel happening at the end of May and early June. And I'm starting to panic about how am I going to read all of the things in May and June that I want to read...” [03:50]

Featured IT Books of May

1. "Bad Friend" by Tiffany Watts Smith
   Release Date: May 6th
   Publisher: Celadon Books

   Jeff introduces "Bad Friend," a memoir, history, and cultural critique focusing on the complexities of female friendships. The hosts dissect the title's significance and speculate on its thematic connections to other works like Christy Tate's "The Group."

   Jeff O’Neill: “It is Shinsky Core to the Core How Women Revolutionized Modern Friendship.” [10:41]

   Rebecca shares her curiosity about the book's approach, particularly its potential exploration of famous female friendships and their socio-cultural impact.

   Rebecca Schinsky: “I think female friendships have taken on new social significance...” [11:12]

2. "Mark Twain" by Ron Chernow
   Release Date: May 13th
   Publisher: Penguin Press
   Length: 1,200 pages

   The discussion shifts to Ron Chernow's extensive biography of Mark Twain, questioning the necessity of its substantial length. They debate the value and challenges of engaging with such a hefty tome.

   Rebecca Schinsky: “I think a 1200-page biography can probably be shorter, but Ron Chernow probably has his reasons.” [15:07]

   Jeff highlights Chernow's previous successes with biographies of Washington and Grant, pondering Twain's enduring influence and the potential reception of this biographical project.

   Jeff O’Neill: “Mark Twain shows up on the edges of things... How Ulbricht did, like, this is the thing.” [15:35]

3. "Big Dumb Eyes: Stories from a Simpler Mind" by Nate Bargazzi
   Release Date: May 6th
   Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

   Jeff expresses excitement about Nate Bargazzi’s memoir, anticipating its appeal both as an engaging audiobook and a family-friendly listen. They discuss Bargazzi’s rise to fame and his potential impact on the literary and comedic landscapes.

   Jeff O’Neill: “I am really looking forward to listening to this with my family.” [21:02]

   Rebecca categorizes it as a pop culture IT book, emphasizing its broad appeal beyond traditional book enthusiasts.

   Rebecca Schinsky: “There's almost nothing better than a comedian memoir on audio.” [20:54]

4. "Run for the Hills" by Kevin Wilson
   Release Date: May 13th
   Publisher: Echo
   Genre: Literary Commercial Fiction

   Kevin Wilson’s novel is lauded for its sharp, zany, and entertaining storytelling. The plot centers around a woman discovering unexpected family ties and embarking on a road trip to uncover deeper familial connections.

   Rebecca Schinsky: “You should all be reading Kevin Wilson because I love him.” [22:33]

   The hosts commend Wilson’s ability to blend humor with poignant narratives, making his work a standout in the month’s lineup.

5. "Harmattan Season" by Tochi Onyebuchi
   Release Date: May 27th
   Publisher: Tor Books
   Genre: Hard-Boiled Fantasy Noir
   Length: 240 pages

   Jeff introduces Tochi Onyebuchi’s "Harmattan Season," describing it as a post-colonial West African fantasy with noir elements. The novel promises a blend of cultural depth and genre innovation.

   Jeff O’Neill: “Hard-boiled fantasy noir, Raymond Chandler-esque.” [36:28]

   Rebecca raises concerns about the title’s accessibility and its potential barrier to broader readership.

   Rebecca Schinsky: “I think A Harmattan Season is not a great title because people are gonna be like, what the hell is a Harmattan?” [37:22]

6. "My Name is Emilia Di Valle" by Isabel Allende
   Release Date: May 6th
   Publisher: Valentine
   Genre: Historical Novel

   Isabel Allende’s latest work follows a young writer’s journey in South America to uncover familial truths. Jeff and Rebecca discuss Allende’s consistent thematic presence and its implications for the novel’s reception.

   Jeff O’Neill: “She will probably do some interesting media. It's probably going to be quite good.” [41:30]

   Rebecca Schinsky: “If you didn't enjoy an Allende book before, it's unlikely this one will feel like a super sticky, relevant cultural thing.” [41:56]

7. "On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous" by Ocean Vuong
   Release Date: May 13th
   Publisher: Penguin Press
   Genre: Literary Fiction

   Ocean Vuong’s new novel is anticipated to resonate deeply with readers through its exploration of unconventional friendships and existential themes. The hosts predict significant acclaim and award nominations, given Vuong’s previous successes.

   Rebecca Schinsky: “It rings all the bells that you want an IT book to ring and it will be very well written and it could very reasonably be nominated for big awards.” [43:58]

   Jeff commends the book’s thematic depth and its potential to engage a wide audience.

   Jeff O’Neill: “It's about those kinds of heady issues. I think an unlikely friendship can pull at the heartstrings in a way that works for a lot of people.” [44:44]

Additional Highlights

• Sponsorship Breaks: Throughout the episode, sponsors like Nordstrom, Camcat Books, 8th Note Press, Bloom Books, and Eleven Labs are featured, promoting various book releases and services. These segments are seamlessly integrated without disrupting the core content discussion.

• Listener Engagement: Jeff and Rebecca encourage listeners to contribute ideas and feedback via email, fostering an interactive community around book discussions.

• Upcoming Releases and Anticipations: The hosts briefly touch upon other notable releases and anticipated books listed on Goodreads, hinting at future episodes that will explore these titles in depth.

Conclusion

Jeff O’Neill and Rebecca Schinsky successfully navigate the vast landscape of May 2025’s book releases, highlighting a diverse array of genres and authors poised to make significant impacts. From Ron Chernow’s extensive biography of Mark Twain to Ocean Vuong’s emotionally resonant novel, the episode provides listeners with a comprehensive guide to the month’s must-read books. Their insightful discussions, coupled with strategic selections, ensure that both casual readers and dedicated book enthusiasts find valuable recommendations to guide their reading choices.

Notable Quotes:

• Jeff O’Neill: “It's one of the four. It's one of the four. It's May, June, September, and October. It's an enormous month.” [01:13]

• Rebecca Schinsky: “I have some big travel happening at the end of May and early June. And I'm starting to panic about how am I going to read all of the things in May and June that I want to read...” [03:50]

• Jeff O’Neill: “We are content people. We got to use every part of the spreadsheet here.” [02:00]

• Rebecca Schinsky: “I think there's a couple I really, really want to get to and then I read some other, some potpourri, some debut novels, some stuff.” [04:03]

• Jeff O’Neill: “I was gonna say you want to buy your dad Mark Twain. Actually buy them big. Actually buy them big.” [21:11]

• Rebecca Schinsky: “There's almost nothing better than a comedian memoir on audio.” [20:54]

• Jeff O’Neill: “Kevin Wilson performs consistently well. He probably has a good shot at like, big New York Times Best of the Year list someday.” [25:35]

• Rebecca Schinsky: “I think A Harmattan Season is not a great title because people are gonna be like, what the hell is a Harmattan?” [37:22]

• Jeff O’Neill: “It's about those kinds of heady issues. I think an unlikely friendship can pull at the heartstrings in a way that works for a lot of people.” [44:44]

This episode serves as an essential guide for readers looking to navigate May 2025’s literary offerings, providing thoughtful analysis and engaging discussions on a curated selection of IT books.