Book Riot's Most Anticipated Books of 2025, The Unbearable Whiteness of the Goodreads Choice Awards and...Jeff read ALL FOURS. And Jeff and Rebecca Both Read FOURTH WING
Book Riot - The Podcast
Deep Dive
What is the main topic discussed in the podcast regarding the Goodreads Choice Awards?
The podcast discusses the lack of diversity in the Goodreads Choice Awards, highlighting how the awards are dominated by white authors despite efforts to include more diverse nominees. The hosts express concern about the reading public's implicit biases and the role of algorithms in reinforcing these biases.
Why are the hosts concerned about the Goodreads Choice Awards?
The hosts are concerned because the Goodreads Choice Awards, which are publicly voted on, consistently favor white authors, even though the editorial staff tries to seed diverse nominees. This reflects broader issues in readerly attention and acquisition, where books by authors of color are often overlooked despite their quality.
What is the significance of the new imprint 'Storehouse Voices' by Crown?
Storehouse Voices is a new imprint by Crown focused on Black writers and authors. It represents a counter-narrative to recent layoffs of Black staff in publishing and aims to amplify diverse voices in the industry.
What is the hosts' opinion on the book 'Fourth Wing'?
The hosts found 'Fourth Wing' to be not for them. They felt it was not well-written, lacked innovation, and took too long to develop its plot, especially the romantic elements. They acknowledge that while they are open to the genre, this particular book did not resonate with them.
What is the hosts' take on the book 'All Fours' by Miranda July?
The hosts had mixed feelings about 'All Fours.' They appreciated its exploration of a woman's midlife crisis and sexual desire but felt the protagonist lacked self-awareness and the story didn't break new ground. They also found the sexual content to be more of a gimmick than a meaningful exploration of the character's existential needs.
What is the hosts' view on the current trend of witch-themed books?
The hosts discuss the rise in popularity of witch-themed books, questioning whether the genre has reached 'peak witch.' They note that while witches have always been a staple of fantasy, there has been a noticeable increase in witch-centric stories, often tied to themes of women's empowerment.
What is the hosts' opinion on the idea that men are not reading enough fiction?
The hosts are skeptical of the claim that men are not reading enough fiction, pointing out that men are over-indexed in nonfiction reading. They argue that the focus on men not reading fiction overlooks the broader issue of empathy and connection, which can be developed through various means, not just books.
What is the hosts' reaction to Jenna Bush Hager's new imprint with Random House?
The hosts are critical of the branding and initial slate of books for Jenna Bush Hager's new imprint, 'Thousand Voices x RHPG.' They note that all six initial titles are by white authors, which they find problematic given the current emphasis on diversity in publishing.
- Book Riot's most anticipated books of 2025 list features a wide range of genres and authors.
- The selection process involves a "mini gold rush" among contributors, leading to idiosyncratic choices.
- The list reveals trends in publishing, such as the popularity of witchy themes and the lack of representation of certain genres like horror.
Shownotes Transcript