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 Hart, author of the new book Once Upon a Prime, about the confluence of mathematics and literature. And finally, Professor Erica Williams on Nella Larsen, on the occasion of the new collection of her work: The Complete Fiction of Nella Larsen.
This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Relevant links!
Are Your There, God? It’s Me, Margaret by Judy Bloom
Once Upon a Prime by Sarah Hart
The Complete Fiction of Nella Larsen
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!
And please do email me with feedback here: firstedition@bookriot.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

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.

Society & Culture

Personal Journals

History

Philosophy

Places & Travel

Arts

Literature

Performing Arts

Design

Food

Fashion & Beauty

Visual Arts

Books

In this episode, Jeff talks with Claire Messud about her new novel, This Strange, Eventful History.
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

Claire Messud and THIS STRANGE, EVENTFUL HISTORY

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 these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

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

THE HOUSE ON MANGO STREET at 40

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

Anatomy of a Scene and Hardest/Easiest with Xochitl Gonzalez

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

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

Download our free app to listen on your phone