Jeff and Rebecca talk about recent reading, why late night talk shows might be interested in doing book clubs, a victory in court against book bans, and more book news. Then, Jeff talks to Al Woodworth, Managing Editor of the Amazon Books team, about their picks for the Best Books of 2025 so far and how their team makes those selections.

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Discussed in this Episode:

 St. Francis, MN school district drops book banning policy & returns books to shelves in respond to lawsuit

Carla Hayden speaks out about firing

Stephen Colbert launches the Late Show Book Club

The Book Riot Live at Powell’s July 9th: The Best Books of the Year (so far)

Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy

The Book of Alchemy of Suleika Jaouad

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