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Artwork for Book Riot

Book Riot - The Podcast

Book Riot
Romance
Books
Hot 50 List
Colson Whitehead
The Bear
Poker Face
Word Of Mouth
Trends
Texas Reader Act
The Intuitionist
Barnes & Noble
LA Public Library
Reservation Dogs
Slow Horses
Book Riot
Winter 2024 New Releases
Publishing Seasons
Barack Obama
Covenant Of Water
January 2024

News in the world of books and reading, including hot industry releases, adaptations, publishing industry events, and more with Book Riot’s Jeff O’Neal and Rebecca Schinsky. Book Riot is the largest independent editorial book site in North America and home to a host of media, from podcasts to newsletters to original content, all designed around diverse readers and across all genres.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes877Founded13 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
BooksTV & FilmArts

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Artwork for Book Riot

Latest Episodes

Prof. Laura McGrath returns to talk with Jeff and Rebecca about statistics that show just how much readers read what they are. Mostly. For some readers. Most readers. But not all. It's complicated.

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Jeff and Rebecca talk about the news that Goodreads is rumored to be launching an official Did Not Finish category, Audible and Spotify innovations, recent reading, and more book news.

Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Join Th... more

Jeff and Rebecca power rank the top 10 of Amazon's 25 Book of the Year picks from the last 25 years.

Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Join The Book Riot Podcast Patreon for bonus content and ad-free listening.

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Jeff and Rebecca talk about The Washington Post Books section shutting down, a NYT profile of a romance writer diving into AI with both feet, recent reading, and more. Then Rebecca and Vanessa talk about seeing Wuthering Heights.

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Key Facts

Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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People also subscribe to these shows.

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Recent Guests

Kim Snyder
Director of the documentary 'The Librarians', Peabody award-winning filmmaker
Episode: Librarians on the Front Lines
Martha Hickson
Participant in 'The Librarians', recipient of the 2022 Lemony Snicket Prize for Noble Librarians Faced with Adversity
Episode: Librarians on the Front Lines
Carolyn Foote
Retired Texas school librarian, co-founder of the Texas Freedom Fighters
Episode: Librarians on the Front Lines
Erica Ezefedi
Director of Content at Book Riot, has a passion for historical fiction.
Book Riot
Episode: UPDATED - Our Favorite Books of 2025
Kelly Jensen
Senior Editor at Book Riot, expert in genre fiction.
Book Riot
Episode: UPDATED - Our Favorite Books of 2025
Dhonielle Clayton
Chair of We Need Diverse Books
We Need Diverse Books
Episode: Checking in with We Need Diverse Books
Caroline Richmond
Executive Editor of We Need Diverse Books
We Need Diverse Books
Episode: Checking in with We Need Diverse Books
Laura McGrath
Assistant Professor at Temple University and Data Correspondent
Temple University
Episode: How Much Does Genre Matter to Readers?
David Shelley
CEO of Hachette Book Group in the US and Hachette UK
Hachette
Episode: The 2025 Nobel Prize in Literature, NBA Finalists, and more award season news. PLUS: Hachette CEO David Shelley

Hosts

Jeff O'Neal
Co-host known for his engaging banter and humorous critiques about books, particularly in genres like literary fiction and historical narratives.
Rebecca Schinsky
Co-host known for her thoughtful insights and personal anecdotes about reading, as well as addressing themes of diversity and representation in literature.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 1.4k ratings
  • Love the discussions between Jeff and Rebecca!

    The banter between Jeff and Rebecca is the highlight of the entire podcast. My only complaint is that the past few episodes this year haven’t included any of the links to books that were discussed in the show. I understand that the IT book list is for Patreon only, but I wish they included other books, especially those in Frontlist Foyer since I usually enjoy the recommendations from Jeff.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    John-Economist
    Canada9 days ago
  • Audio control

    Omg! Jeff moving in and out from the microphone is so distracting. I couldn’t concentrate on what you were saying listening to your voice sounding close and far away.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    jmzbelle
    United Statesa month ago
  • What a great podcast!

    I’m a podcast addict and this is the first one I remember reviewing. So happy that I found you!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Wnz7
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • This is it!

    Book Riot has easily become my favorite podcast over the past 5 years. The best part is the chemistry between the hosts, Jeff and Rebecca. I would listen to them talk about literally anything, and I LOVE that it always feels so much less scripted and performative than other podcasts. There’s so many other podcasts out there that are formulaic or scripted, and that’s fine too, but this isn’t one of them. I love that I feel like I’m just sitting at a table with these two as they talk/debate/banter... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kelsey Hoisington
    United States2 months ago
  • A bit snobbish

    While the hosts are engaging, they constantly mock genre fiction, with some intense derision aimed at anything primarily enjoyed by and popular with young women. Both hosts laud Dan Browm though.

    The male host has repeatedly doubled down on calling history and science books “dad books”. Given he insists on only having female cohosts on his shows and the talks over them, there is definitely a lot of underlying sexism in this show.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Pmffn
    United Kingdom3 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the engaging and informative discussions, particularly about new book releases and literary trends.
There are contrasting views on the hosts' dynamic, with some feeling that one host dominates the discussion, while others appreciate the banter.
Many enjoy the humorous commentary and personal anecdotes shared by the hosts, making the podcast feel relatable and approachable.
Some express frustration with the hosts' conversational style, noting that interruptions can detract from the overall listening experience.
Comments reveal a mix of positive feedback regarding the content and criticism about perceived snobbishness towards genre fiction.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#35
United States/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#102
United States/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#43
Canada/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#73
United Kingdom/Arts/Books
Apple Podcasts
#99
Canada/Arts
Apple Podcasts
#196
United Kingdom/Arts

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The 2025 Holiday Recommendation Show, Part 2
Q: What's something that you learned in history class that you feel like wasn't the whole truth?
The podcast touches upon constructions of historical narratives, especially concerning less-discussed historical fiction themes.
Checking in with We Need Diverse Books
Q: Does your program react differently in this changing environment?
Yes, we launched the 'Book Save Lives' initiative to advocate for educators and help them keep their libraries inclusive despite administrative challenges.
Checking in with We Need Diverse Books
Q: Can someone give me an overall view of the programs that We Need Diverse Books offers?
We serve three communities: diverse creators, the publishing industry, and educators/readers to enact change across the entire reading pipeline.
Deep into that Darkness Peering
Q: What is your relationship to Poe?
Listeners discuss their experiences reading Poe in high school and how it impacted them.
Summer 2025 Mailbag
Q: What books should someone read if they have never read a novel by Thomas Pynchon?
The hosts recommend starting with 'Violent' and 'Inherent Vice', noting that his novels are generally complex but rewarding.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Book Riot

What is Book Riot about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A vibrant exploration of the book industry unfolds through engaging discussions about new releases, adaptations, and trends within the literary world, led by seasoned hosts who share personal insights and anecdotes. Listeners can expect deep dives into a variety of genres, including historical fiction and literary memoirs, as well as compelling conversations on pertinent themes such as diversity in literature and the challenges of censorship. The podcast is characterized by its lively banter and humorous commentary, making it a unique blend of informative and entertaining content that resonates with book lovers looking to stay updated on the latest in reading and publishing.

Where can I find podcast stats for Book Riot?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Book Riot. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Book Riot and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Book Riot get?

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What are the audience demographics for Book Riot?

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How many subscribers and views does Book Riot have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Book Riot has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Book Riot?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Book Riot:

1. The Currently Reading Podcast
2. Zero to Well-Read
3. What Should I Read Next?
4. NPR's Book of the Day
5. All the Books!

How many episodes of Book Riot are there?

Book Riot launched 13 years ago and published 877 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Book Riot?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Book Riot?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Book Riot from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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What guests have appeared on Book Riot?

Recent guests on Book Riot include:

1. Kim Snyder
2. Martha Hickson
3. Carolyn Foote
4. Erica Ezefedi
5. Kelly Jensen
6. Dhonielle Clayton
7. Caroline Richmond
8. Laura McGrath

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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