First Edition

By Book Riot

What's First Edition about?

BookRiot.com co-founder Jeff O'Neal explores the wide bookish world. Interviews, lists, rankings, retrospectives, recommendations, and much more, featuring people who know and love books.

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First Edition episodes:

05.02.2024
Connection, The Alchemy of Happiness, and Office Parties with Rachel Khong, author of REAL AMERICANS
In this episode, Jeff talks with Rachel Khong about her new novel, Real Americans. Subscribe to First Edition via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. For episode extras, subscribe to the First Edition Substack. This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through...
04.25.2024
THE HOUSE ON MANGO STREET at 40
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,...
03.08.2024
Anatomy of a Scene and Hardest/Easiest with Xochitl Gonzalez
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...
03.06.2024
The State of Ereaders
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...
12.21.2023
How to Bring Back a Book
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...
12.06.2023
The It Books of the Year
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,...
11.16.2023
THE SISTERHOOD with Prof. Courtney Thorsson
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...
11.02.2023
The It Books of November
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...
10.19.2023
The Making of the Modern Publishing Industry
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,...
10.05.2023
October 2023 “It Book” Knockout Round
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,...
09.27.2023
How the Publishing Phenomenon of the Year Was Made
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...
09.06.2023
September 2023 It Book Knockout & The History of Women's Words
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...
08.23.2023
Modern Indie Bookselling with Josh Cook
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,...
08.16.2023
How to Make an Anthology & Reading Shakespeare in the Context of Race
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...
08.09.2023
The Reading Life of James McBride
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...
07.26.2023
"It" Book Knockout For August 2023
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...
07.13.2023
15 Ways of Talking to an Author
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...
07.01.2023
July It-Book Knockout
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,...
06.14.2023
15 Years of the Audiobook Boom & Science Fiction & Fantasy "Insta-Buys"
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...
05.31.2023
June "It" Book Knockout & Reading Stories with S.A. Cosby
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...
05.17.2023
Khaled Hosseini on the 20th Anniversary of THE KITE RUNNER
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...
05.03.2023
May It Book Knockout Round & the Premiere of “Reading Stories”
Rebecca Schinsky is back to help Jeff figure out what the It book of May will be. And Book Riot editor Erica Ezeifedi comes on to debut a new First Edition segment, Reading Stories. Check out First Edition on Twitter, on...
04.19.2023
On ARE YOU THERE GOD? IT’S ME, MARGARET, Mathematics & Literature, and Why You Should Care about Nella Larsen
In this episode, Book Riot editors Vanessa Diaz and Kelly Jensen come on to talk about the long legacy of Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret in anticipation of the big new adaptation. Then Jeff talks to Professor Sarah...
04.05.2023
Choosing the “It” Book of April, Talking Publishing with Yahdon Israel, and Sarah Bakewell on Humanism
In this kick-off episode, Jeff O’Neal plays a game to determine the “it” book of April with Rebecca Schinksy, talks about what it means to put a book into the world with Simon & Schuster Senior Editor Yahdon Israel, and...
03.17.2023
Announcing FIRST EDITION: A New Book Riot Podcast
Announcing FIRST EDITION: BookRiot.com co-founder Jeff O'Neal explores the wide bookish world. Interviews, lists, rankings, retrospectives, recommendations, and much more, featuring people who know and love books. Follow on Instagram @FirstEdPod and Twitter @FirstEdPod. And also sign up for the free companion newsletter! Learn...

What's First Edition about?

Download our free app to listen on your phone

First Edition episodes:

Connection, The Alchemy of Happiness, and Office Parties with Rachel Khong, author of REAL AMERICANS

THE HOUSE ON MANGO STREET at 40

Anatomy of a Scene and Hardest/Easiest with Xochitl Gonzalez

The State of Ereaders

How to Bring Back a Book

The It Books of the Year

THE SISTERHOOD with Prof. Courtney Thorsson

The It Books of November

The Making of the Modern Publishing Industry

October 2023 “It Book” Knockout Round

How the Publishing Phenomenon of the Year Was Made

September 2023 It Book Knockout & The History of Women's Words

Modern Indie Bookselling with Josh Cook

How to Make an Anthology & Reading Shakespeare in the Context of Race

The Reading Life of James McBride

"It" Book Knockout For August 2023

15 Ways of Talking to an Author

July It-Book Knockout

15 Years of the Audiobook Boom & Science Fiction & Fantasy "Insta-Buys"

June "It" Book Knockout & Reading Stories with S.A. Cosby

Khaled Hosseini on the 20th Anniversary of THE KITE RUNNER

May It Book Knockout Round & the Premiere of “Reading Stories”

On ARE YOU THERE GOD? IT’S ME, MARGARET, Mathematics & Literature, and Why You Should Care about Nella Larsen

Choosing the “It” Book of April, Talking Publishing with Yahdon Israel, and Sarah Bakewell on Humanism

Announcing FIRST EDITION: A New Book Riot Podcast