First Edition

40 years ago, Sandra Cisneros published what would become a contemporary classic: The House on Mango Street. To mark the occasion, Everyman's Library has released a new edition. The introduction to that edition was written by Professor John Philip Santos, a fellow writer and long-time friend of Cisneros. He joins me on this episode to talk about the origin, meaning, and legacy of this modern masterpiece. This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Discussed in this episode: The House on Mango Street (Everyman's Library) by Sandra Cisneros, introduction by John Philip Santos Places Left Unfinished at the Time of Creation by John Philip Santos Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Xochitl Gonzalez, author of Anita de Monte Laughs Last, joins Jeff to debut two new First Edition segments: Anatomy of a Scene and Hardest/Easiest. In the first segment, they each pick a scene to dissect from Anita de Monte Laughs Last. In the second, Gonzalez talks about what part of the book was the easiest to write....and which was the hardest. Subscribe to First Edition via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. For episode extras, subscribe to the First Edition Substack. Want to make your book club the best club? Sign up for our In the Club newsletter. In the Club will deliver recommendations for the best books to discuss in your book clubs. From buzzy new releases to brilliant throwbacks, the books highlighted in this newsletter will drive your book club discussions. We’ll also share some book club-friendly recipes and interesting bookish updates from all over. If you become a paid subscriber, you get even more recommendations plus community features. In other words, we’ll keep you well-met, well-read, and well-fed. Sign up today! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Discussed in this episode: Anita de Monte Laughs Last The First Edition Newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jason Snell of sixcolors.com, and ereader connoisseur, joins Jeff to talk about the state of ereaders, what makes a good ereader, a couple of interesting, oddball new devices, and more. Check out sixcolors.com and The Incomparable. Want to make your book club the best club? Sign up for our In the Club newsletter. In the Club will deliver recommendations for the best books to discuss in your book clubs. From buzzy new releases to brilliant throwbacks, the books highlighted in this newsletter will drive your book club discussions. We’ll also share some book club-friendly recipes and interesting bookish updates from all over. If you become a paid subscriber, you get even more recommendations plus community features. In other words, we’ll keep you well-met, well-read, and well-fed. Sign up today! Discussed in this episode: Two e-readers that made me reconsider why I use e-readers by Jason Snell Subscribe to First Edition via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. For episode extras, subscribe to the First Edition Substack. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joshua Bodwell of Godine & Black Sparrow Press talks to Jeff about a book they both love, The Orchard by Adele Crockett Robertson, and the process of reissuing it as part of Godine's Nonpareil series. It's happening, readers — we're bringing paperbacks! Whether you (or a reader you know and love) hate carrying around bulky hardcovers, you're on a budget, you want a wider range of recommendations, or all of the above, you can now get a paperback subscription from TBR, curated just for you by one of our Bibliologists. The holidays are here, and we've got three different levels for gifting to suit every budget. Get all the details at mytbr.co. Discussed in this episode: The Orchard by Adele Crockett Robertson Godine's Nonpareil Series Subscribe to First Edition via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. For episode extras, subscribe to the First Edition Substack. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff and Rebecca sit down to determine the It Books of the Year. From 24 finalists, they will whittle down to twelve. The last cut is the deepest. Subscribe to First Edition via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. For episode extras, subscribe to the First Edition Substack. It's happening, readers — we're bringing paperbacks! Whether you (or a reader you know and love) hate carrying around bulky hardcovers, you're on a budget, you want a wider range of recommendations, or all of the above, you can now get a paperback subscription from TBR, curated just for you by one of our Bibliologists. The holidays are here, and we've got three different levels for gifting to suit every budget. Get all the details at mytbr.co. This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. The It Books of the Year Finalists The Woman in Me by Britney Spears The Guest by Emma Cline Tom Lake by Ann Patchett Prophet Song by Paul Lynch The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters The Wager by David Grann Doppelganger by Naomi Klein Spare by Prince Harry Big Fiction by Dan Sinykin Lone Women by Victor LaValle The Biography of X by Catherine Lacey Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros Heaven & Earth Grocery Story by James McBride Poverty by Matthew Desmond The Covenant of Water by Abraham Verghese Yellowface by R. F. Kuang Blackouts by Justin Torres Chain Gang All Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah The Fraud by Zadie Smith The Vaster Wilds by Lauren Groff How to Say Babylon by Safiya Sinclair Let Us Descend by Jesmyn Ward Pageboy by Elliot Page The Country of the Blind by Andrew Leland Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I talk to Prof. Courtney Thorsson about her new book, The Sisterhood: How a Network of Black Women Writers Changed American Culture. Over the course of two years, a group of remarkable black women writers met to discuss their work, connect with each other, and ultimately influence the next decades of American cultural life. The Sisterhood documents the meetings of the group, their motivations for gathering, and the wider intellectual and artistic world they helped create. Subscribe to First Edition via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. For episode extras, subscribe to the First Edition Substack. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's the last big month for new releases, so Jeff O'Neal and Rebecca Schinsky saddle up for one more It Book Knockout Round for 2023. Subscribe to First Edition via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. For episode extras, subscribe to the First Edition Substack. It's happening, readers — we're bringing paperbacks! Whether you hate carrying around bulky hardcovers, you're on a budget, you want a wider range of recommendations, or all of the above, you can now get a paperback subscription from TBR, curated just for you by one of our Bibliologists. You can also gift it (and the holidays, they are coming). Get all the details at mytbr.co. This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Books mentioned in this episode: The Future by Noami Alderman Class by Stephanie Land Breaking Twitter by Ben Mezrich The Mystery Guest by Nita Prose Day by Michael Cunningham Same Bed, Different Dreams by Ed Park The Vulnerables by Sigrid Nunez My Name is Barbra by Barbra Streisand The Liberators by E.J. Koh To Free the Captives by Tracy K. Smith Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros Email in with questions, comments, and ideas: firstedition@bookriot.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff talks to Prof. Dan Sinykin about his new book, Big Fiction: How Conglomeration Changed Book Publishing and American Literature. Subscribe to First Edition via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. For episode extras, subscribe to the First Edition Substack. Email in with questions, comments, and ideas: firstedition@bookriot.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's time for the October "It Book" Knockout Round! Plus, a special mini-roundup of notable celebrity memoirs coming out this fall. Subscribe to First Edition via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. For episode extras, subscribe to the First Edition Substack. Autumn is here, which means it's time to curl up with a great read and get cozy — whatever your version of cozy looks like. Whether it's romance, creepy reads, modern classics, or escapist reads you crave, TBR can help you find the perfect books for your fall reading, with options curated to your specific reading tastes. Visit mytbr.co to find out more and sign up — it only takes a few minutes! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Discussed in this episode: Brooklyn Crime Novel by Jonathan Lethem Going Infinite by Michael Lewis Hidden Potential by Adam Grant Blackouts by Justin Torres Family Meal by Bryan Washington A Man of Two Faces by Viet Thanh Nguyen Extremely Online by Taylor Lorenz Roman Stories by Jhumpa Lahiri America Fantastica by Tim O'Brien Let Us Descend by Jesmyn Ward How to Say Babylon by Safiya Sinclair Worthy by Jada Pinkett Smith Being Henry by Henry Winkler My Name is Barbra by Barbra Streisand Making It So by Patrick Stewart The Woman in Me by Britney Spears Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros has taken the book world by storm. It is the first book (!) out from the new imprint Red Tower, and on today's episode, Molly Majumder (Editorial Director) and Stacy Abrams (V-P of Operations) talk to me about how it came to be, what it was like to be a part of the book's amazing success, and what they've learned. Subscribe to First Edition via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. For episode extras, subscribe to the First Edition Substack. Book Riot's editorial team is writing for casual and power readers alike over at The Deep Dive! During the month of September, all new free subscribers will be entered to win Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler, plus 5 mystery books from The Deep Dive. To enter, simply start a free subscription to The Deep Dive. No payment method required! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Discussed in this episode: Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros Red Tower Books Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer Check out First Edition on Twitter, on Substack, and on Instagram. And if you have a moment to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, please and thank you! Email First Edition at firstedition@bookriot.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Rebecca Schinsky helps me decide on the "it" book of the month after much consternation. Then, Professor Jenni Nuttall comes on to discuss her new book, Mother Tongue: The Surprising History of Women's Words. Subscribe to First Edition via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. For episode extras, subscribe to the First Edition Substack. Book Riot's editorial team is writing for casual and power readers alike over at The Deep Dive! During the month of September, all new free subscribers will be entered to win Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler, plus 5 mystery books from The Deep Dive. To enter, simply start a free subscription to The Deep Dive. No payment method required! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Discussed in this episode: Holly by Stephen King How to Say Babylon by Safiya Sinclair The Pole by J.M. Coetzee The Devil Makes Three by Ben Fountain The Fragile Threads of Power by V.E. Schwab Land of Milk and Honey by C Pam Zhang The Unsettled by Ayana Mathis The Wolves of Eternity by Karl Ove Knausgaard Doppelganger by Naomi Klein The Book of (More Delights) by Ross Gay The Fraud by Zadie Smith The Vaster Wilds by Lauren Groff Mother Tongue: The Surprising History of Women's Word by Jenni Nuttall Check out First Edition on Twitter, on Substack, and on Instagram. And if you have a moment to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, please and thank you! Email First Edition at firstedition@bookriot.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the occasion of his new book, The Art of Libromancy: Selling Books and Reading Books in the 21st Century, Josh Cook of Porter Square books joins Jeff for a conversation about modern indie bookselling. Subscribe to First Edition via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. For episode extras, subscribe to the First Edition Substack. Wanna escape the Dog Days of summer with purrfect book recommendations? Let Tailored Book Recommendations pick awesome books to keep you entertained. Touch grass, grab some lemonade, and enjoy TBR's picks. Discussed in this episode: Check out First Edition on Twitter, on Substack, and on Instagram. And if you have a moment to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, please and thank you! Email First Edition at firstedition@bookriot.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, my colleagues Jenn Northington and Sharifah Williams talk to me about what it is like to make an anthology, specifically their new co-edited anthology, Fit for the Gods: Greek Mythology Reimagined. Then, Professor Karim Farah-Cooper joins me to talk about reading Shakespeare through in the context of race. Her new book is called The Great White Bard: How to Love Shakespeare While Talking About Race. Check out First Edition on Twitter, on Substack, and on Instagram. And if you have a moment to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, please and thank you! Email First Edition at firstedition@bookriot.com This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Discussed in this episode Fit For the Gods: Greek Mythology Reimagined, edited by Jenn Northington and S. Zainab Williams The Great White Bard: How to Love Shakespeare While Talking About Race by Prof. Farah Karim-Cooper Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the occasion of the publication of his new novel, The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store, James McBride comes on to talk about his life as a reader, what books can do, and what writing means to him. Check out First Edition on Twitter, on Substack, and on Instagram. And if you have a moment to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, please and thank you! Email First Edition at firstedition@bookriot.com This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Discussed in this episode: The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison Beverly Cleary The Autobiography of Malcolm X The Power Broker by Robert Caro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rebecca Schinsky is back to help Jeff pick the "it" book for August 2023. Check out First Edition on Twitter, on Substack, and on Instagram. And if you have a moment to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, please and thank you! Email First Edition at firstedition@bookriot.com This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Discussed in this episode: Anansi's Gold by Yepoka Yeebo Family Lore by Elizabeth Acevedo Half-Life of a Stolen Sister by Rachel Cantor The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride Learned by Heart by Emma Donoghue Pulling the Chariot of the Sun by Shane McCrae The Invisible Hour by Alice Hoffman The Bee Sting by Paul Murray Tom Lake by Ann Patchett Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Liberty Hardy helps Jeff workshop some ideas for talking to authors because interviewing authors is hard. Or at least Jeff thinks so. Discussed in this episode: Check out First Edition on Twitter, on Substack, and on Instagram. And if you have a moment to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, please and thank you! The All The Books! Podcast The New Books! Newsletter What's My Page Again? (Liberty's Patreon) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rebecca and Jeff consider ten finalists for the "It Book" of July and pick a winner. This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Discussed in this episode: Check out First Edition on Twitter, on Substack, and on Instagram. And if you have a moment to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, please and thank you! Somebody's Fool by Richard Russo Prom Mom by Laura Lippman Crook Manifesto by Colson Whitehead Silver Nitrate by Silvia Moreno-Garcia Strip Tees by Kate Flannery Star Bringer by Craft and Wolf Goodbye, Earl by Leesa Cross-Smith The Librarianist by Patrick DeWitt Vanishing Maps by Cristina Garcia The Light Room by Kate Zambreno  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kendra Winchester comes on to commemorate the 15th anniversary of two events that heralded the modern audiobook boom: Amazon buying Audible and Apple allowing third-party apps on the iPhone. Then, Sharifah Williams, Book Riot's Director of Content and co-host of our SFF Yeah! podcast, joins me to debut a new segment: The Insta-Buys. Check out First Edition on Twitter, on Substack, and on Instagram. And if you have a moment to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, please and thank you! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Discussed in this episode: Better Than Nothing? Exploring the Limitations of AI-Narrated Audiobooks from a Disabled Person’s Perspective 10 Audiobook Narrators You Need to Follow on TikTok The Untold History of the Talking Book by Matthew Rubery Check out Kendra's podcast, Read Appalachia. You can also follow her on Substack, Winchester Ave, and posting photos of her Corgis on Instagram and Twitter @kdwinchester. Sharifah Williams co-hosts our SFF Yeah! podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rebecca Schinsky is back to help Jeff pick the "it" book of June, and S.A. Cosby, author of the forthcoming All the Sinners Bleed, tells a reading story. This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Discussed in this episode: Check out First Edition on Twitter, on Substack, and on Instagram. And if you have a moment to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, please and thank you! I Am Homeless If This is Not My Home by Lorrie Moore The 272 by Rachel Swarns All the Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby Five Star Weekend by Elin Hilderbrand Be Mine by Richard Ford The Puzzle Master by Danielle Trussoni The Wind Knows My Name by Isabel Allende Pageboy by Eliot Page Watch Us Dance by Leila Slimani Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the occasion of the 20th Anniversary of The Kite Runner, author Khaled Hosseini joins Book Riot CEO Jeff O’Neal to talk about the creation, publication, and long-life of the literary phenomenon. Check out First Edition on Twitter, on Substack, and on Instagram. And if you have a moment to rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts, please and thank you! This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices