Episode Summary: "Well-Read" is Hard to Define. But Real.

In this thought-provoking episode of Book Riot - The Podcast, hosts Jeff O’Neill and Rebecca Schinsky delve deep into the nuanced concept of being "well-read." Released on August 11, 2025, the episode navigates through definitions, societal perceptions, and the evolving landscape of literary canon, all while addressing contemporary issues within the publishing world.

1. Defining "Well-Read": Beyond the Binary

The conversation kicks off around the [08:00] mark when Rebecca Schinsky discusses her recent Instagram video about three essential books for being well-read. She acknowledges the contentious nature of defining well-readness, stating, “I believe in the idea of being well read, that it means having a grounded understanding of the literature in which you like to work and exist.” ([09:02] Rebecca Schinsky)

Jeff O’Neill supports this view by emphasizing that being well-read is a continuum, not a binary state. He notes, “There is no one out there punching a card that's giving you your well read license.” ([02:09] Jeff O'Neill) This perspective underscores that well-readness is about intentional and diverse reading practices rather than ticking off a checklist of books.

2. The Literary Canon and Its Evolution

A substantial portion of the discussion revolves around the traditional literary canon, with both hosts reflecting on foundational texts like Homer, the Bible, and Shakespeare. Rebecca Schinsky mentions, “I wanted to have more diversity on my list of three books.” ([11:57] Rebecca Schinsky), highlighting the need to expand beyond the predominantly white, male authors historically emphasized in well-read lists.

Jeff O’Neill concurs, stating, “I think the canon of 50 years ago is not my canon.” ([20:20] Jeff O'Neill) This sentiment reflects a broader movement within the literary community to diversify reading lists and include voices from various backgrounds, cultures, and genres.

3. Gender Bias in Children's Literature

At around [41:00], the hosts introduce a fascinating study from The Pudding examining gender bias in children's books through the lens of anthropomorphized animals. The study reveals stark disparities, with animals like foxes, wolves, and frogs predominantly coded as male characters, while only a few, such as cats and ducks, are represented as female.

Rebecca Schinsky articulates the implications of these findings, noting, “A lot of children's books have animal characters, and if you're reading children's books with animal characters, more often than not, you're reading characters that are coded as boys than as girls.” ([44:45] Rebecca Schinsky) This bias perpetuates traditional gender roles and influences young readers' perceptions from an early age.

4. National Association of Black Bookstores: A New Initiative

The episode also spotlights the formation of the National Association of Black Bookstores, founded by Kevin Johnson, owner of Underground Books in Sacramento. Rebecca Schinsky explains, “It’s an effort to pull together black booksellers and stores in an overarching organization that would not just advocate but also partner with other aspects of the industry.” ([38:48] Rebecca Schinsky)

Jeff O’Neill adds, “There's a surge in the number of black entrepreneurs. This makes a ton of sense to me.” ([39:42] Jeff O'Neill) The association aims to foster community, resource sharing, and mutual advocacy, addressing the unique challenges faced by black-owned bookstores in the publishing landscape.

5. The Role of Influencers in Modern Book Clubs

The hosts critique the scalability and depth of modern online book clubs, using Jack Edwards’ Inklings Book Club as a case study. With Jack Edwards boasting over 3.7 million followers on social media, Rebecca Schinsky expresses skepticism: “I don't think discussion does not scale.” ([29:12] Rebecca Schinsky) They argue that meaningful book discussions require a level of interaction and nuance that large, online formats struggle to provide.

Jeff O’Neill reflects on the influence of personalities like Oprah in shaping reading habits: “Oprah has done a lot for books and reading.” ([35:44] Jeff O'Neill) However, he voices concerns about the narrowness of such influencers’ recommendations, which often feature a limited demographic, thereby reinforcing existing biases within literary consumption.

6. Personal Reading Updates and Recommendations

Towards the end of the episode, both hosts share personal updates and book recommendations. Rebecca Schinsky discusses her progress with the book "Book of Alchemy" by Salika Jawad, highlighting its unique approach to creative writing prompts: “I just thought it might be interesting to just like shake it up.” ([49:01] Rebecca Schinsky)

Jeff O’Neill shares his experience with "Clam Down" by Anneliese Chen, an autobiographical work that intertwines personal narrative with metaphors drawn from mollusk behavior. He remarks, “I think it for me frankly it counts as a memoir.” ([54:00] Jeff O'Neill) Additionally, he mentions "How to Be a Living Thing" by Mari Andrew, critiquing its oversimplified advice: “I don't think you're, like, a good book to recommend.” ([57:02] Jeff O'Neill)

7. Concluding Thoughts: The Future of Being Well-Read

In wrapping up, Rebecca Schinsky emphasizes the importance of diverse and intentional reading practices, stating, “Books are one of the ways that I do that.” ([22:15] Rebecca Schinsky) Both hosts advocate for a broadened literary horizon that includes a variety of voices and genres, challenging listeners to expand their definitions of what it means to be well-read.

Jeff O’Neill finalizes the discussion by reinforcing that engagement with literature should be purposeful and enriching, rather than constituting a mere accumulation of titles: “What I get out of books is intimately what I want out of books, intimately related to the definition of well read.” ([17:41] Jeff O'Neill)

This episode offers a comprehensive exploration of the complexities surrounding the notion of being well-read, advocating for a more inclusive and intentional approach to literature. By addressing gender biases, expanding the literary canon, and highlighting new initiatives like the National Association of Black Bookstores, Book Riot - The Podcast encourages listeners to thoughtfully engage with the evolving world of books.