Podcast Summary: Book Riot - The Podcast Episode Title: The New York Times 100 Notable Books of 2024, Goodreads Choice Winners, Spotify's Most-Listened Audiobooks, and more
Hosts: Jeff O'Neill & Rebecca Schinsky
Release Date: December 9, 2024

I. Navigating Personal Challenges

Timestamp: 01:00 - 07:58

Jeff and Rebecca kick off the episode with candid discussions about personal hardships. Jeff shares his recent battle with kidney stones, describing the excruciating pain and the daunting experience of hospital visits:

Jeff O'Neill [03:24]: "Kidney stones are the worst... I had something Thursday morning... this is the most uncomfortable I've ever been in."

Rebecca contributes with her own coping mechanisms, highlighting marijuana and meditation as her tools for managing stress:

Rebecca Schinsky [01:34]: "Marijuana and meditation. That's what I'm doing."

II. Cormac McCarthy's Controversial Legacy

Timestamp: 10:46 - 18:33

The hosts delve into the unsettling revelations surrounding acclaimed author Cormac McCarthy. Rebecca discusses a Vanity Fair article revealing McCarthy's inappropriate relationship with a 16-year-old, sparking a deep conversation about separating art from the artist:

Rebecca Schinsky [11:37]: "McCarthy was exercising terrible judgment as a 42-year-old who initiates this relationship and keeps it secret for decades."

Jeff expresses his conflicted feelings, acknowledging McCarthy's literary significance while grappling with the moral implications:

Jeff O'Neill [15:32]: "I'm really struggling with how to figure this out, to be honest with you."

They explore the broader societal shifts in understanding such relationships and the ongoing debate about McCarthy's place in literary canon. Rebecca emphasizes the complexity of individual experiences and the evolving cultural perspectives:

Rebecca Schinsky [13:25]: "She saw this as a way out of a difficult situation... It doesn't make it okay."

III. Costco's Year-Round Book Sales Decision

Timestamp: 23:56 - 31:01

Jeff and Rebecca analyze Costco's strategic move to maintain year-round book sales in 100 of its 600 locations. They discuss the logistical challenges, such as labor intensity and inventory management:

Jeff O'Neill [26:08]: "Books come in cartons of 12 or 24 and they have to be unloaded one at a time and stacked up on tables."

Rebecca adds that this decision aims to gather data on year-round sales viability, mirroring the practices of independent bookstores:

Rebecca Schinsky [26:34]: "They will keep them in a hundred stores... to provide helpful data to Costco about what the year-round sales can look like."

The conversation touches on the potential financial implications for both Costco and the publishing industry, pondering whether this limited expansion will lead to broader adoption or eventual retraction.

IV. Goodreads Choice Awards 2024

Timestamp: 34:26 - 38:46

The hosts review the latest Goodreads Choice Winners, expressing mixed reactions to the selections. Jeff critiques the list for its lack of diversity and prevalence of mainstream titles:

Jeff O'Neill [34:26]: "This list is an anomaly... it's almost entirely white."

Rebecca echoes concerns about representation, noting the disconnect between publishing efforts to diversify and the voting outcomes:

Rebecca Schinsky [38:12]: "The Goodreads Choice Awards is the sharpest reminder... that publishing is working hard to put out books by people from marginalized backgrounds."

They discuss specific winners, such as Emily Henry's Funny Story, highlighting its appeal among romance readers despite not aligning with their personal preferences.

V. Spotify's Most-Listened Audiobooks

Timestamp: 31:01 - 34:32

Jeff shares his observations on Spotify's top audiobooks, remarking on the dominance of romance and mainstream titles. He expresses disappointment over the lack of diverse and niche genres:

Jeff O'Neill [34:32]: "It's just a flattened list... the least interesting, lowest common denominator versions of things are the ones that get elevated."

Rebecca concurs, suggesting that algorithm-driven recommendations favor widely appealing content, limiting exposure to more varied literary works.

VI. The New York Times 100 Notable Books of 2024

Timestamp: 40:40 - 50:09

Jeff and Rebecca assess their predictions against the New York Times' list of 100 Notable Books. They reveal that out of 15 predictions, 11 made the cut, with 5 additional accurate selections from their secondary tier:

Jeff O'Neill [41:01]: "Five of those we did almost as well, actually. We did a higher hit rate on the B tier as percentage goes."

The hosts critique the list's structure, pointing out limitations such as the alphabetical ordering of the top 10 and the inclusion of books they deemed unworthy, like All Fours by Dolly Alderton:

Rebecca Schinsky [50:09]: "I just spent the whole season clicking on links to top books of the year lists from tons of publications and every one of them starts with all fours because that's the damn Alphabet."

They advocate for a more nuanced categorization, allowing for a clearer representation of the year's literary achievements.

VII. Featured Book Discussions

Timestamp: 55:39 - 73:12

Rental House by Wakey Wang

Jeff and Rebecca share their experiences reading Wakey Wang's Rental House, praising its dry humor and sharp commentary on marital dynamics:

Rebecca Schinsky [59:46]: "It's driven all... There's like a rage under it as well."

They discuss the novel's exploration of a couple navigating complex family interactions during rental stays, resonating with listeners who have experienced similar familial tensions.

Nightbitch by Rachel Yoder

Rebecca highlights Nightbitch as a standout, appreciating its bold narrative about motherhood and identity:

Rebecca Schinsky [56:15]: "It's a righteously ragey book about what happens to women in our society and especially in heterosexual relationships once they become mothers."

Jeff humorously compares the protagonist's metamorphosis into a dog to the titular All Fours:

Jeff O'Neill [56:10]: "Do you feel like you're turning into a dog?"

The West Wing Book by Mary McCormick and Melissa Fitzgerald

Jeff reviews The West Wing Book, expressing a desire for more in-depth discussions about the show's conclusion:

Jeff O'Neill [65:06]: "Why did the show end the way it did?"

Rebecca agrees, suggesting an oral history approach to better capture the show's legacy and behind-the-scenes insights.

VIII. Concluding Thoughts

Timestamp: 73:53 - 74:09

Jeff and Rebecca wrap up the episode by reflecting on the chaotic yet insightful conversations, acknowledging their tangents as part of the show's charm:

Jeff O'Neill [73:53]: "What are we doing here with our podcast if we're not occasionally going off tangent."

Rebecca encourages listeners to explore the discussed books, emphasizing the value of varied perspectives in literature.

Notable Quotes:

• Jeff O'Neill [03:24]: "Kidney stones are the worst... I had something Thursday morning... this is the most uncomfortable I've ever been in."

• Rebecca Schinsky [11:37]: "McCarthy was exercising terrible judgment as a 42-year-old who initiates this relationship and keeps it secret for decades."

• Jeff O'Neill [34:26]: "This list is an anomaly... it's almost entirely white."

• Rebecca Schinsky [56:15]: "It's a righteously ragey book about what happens to women in our society and especially in heterosexual relationships once they become mothers."

This episode of Book Riot - The Podcast offers a blend of personal anecdotes, critical literary discussions, and industry analysis, providing listeners with a comprehensive overview of the year's notable happenings in the literary world. Jeff and Rebecca's candid dialogue and thoughtful insights make the episode a valuable resource for avid readers and industry enthusiasts alike.