Best Bury Libraries Podcasts (2025)

1
Why Can’t You Copyright a Chicken Sandwich? 31:22

4h ago31:22

31:22

In 2019, a new cache of works entered the public domain—from Charlie Chaplin to Jane Austen stories to Felix the Cat cartoons. But what does that really mean? Will and Mango dig into how Mickey Mouse changed copyright laws, why Woody Guthrie got foiled by his publishers, and why British clowns check a case of eggs before putting on their makeup. Th…

1
Black history, vividly told through the colour blue 56:19

18h ago56:19

56:19

From planting periwinkles on the graves of slaves, to the blues itself, the colour blue has been core to Black Americans’ pursuit of joy in the face of being dehumanized by slavery, argues Harvard professor Imani Perry. In her latest book, Black in Blues: How a Color Tells the Story of my People, she unpacks the deep, centuries-long connection betw…

1
How Indigenous ecology is reviving land destroyed by wildfires 54:07

2d ago54:07

54:07

What happens to the land after a brutal wildfire? IDEAS visited St'át'imc territory near Lillooet, B.C., to follow land guardians and scientists from the Indigenous Ecology Lab at the University of British Columbia, as they document the effects of wildfires and chart a new future based on Indigenous approaches to healing and balancing an ecosystem.…

1
So...Is it Good?: BURY OUR BONES IN THE MIDNIGHT SOIL by V.E. Schwab 1:04:24

2d ago1:04:24

1:04:24

Rebecca Schinksy, Vanessa Diaz, and Danika Ellis go deep on V.E. Schwab's highly anticipated new book to answer the question: So, is it good? Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Sign up for the Book Riot Podcast Newsletter and follow the show on Instagram and Bluesky. Get more industry news with our Today in Books daily n…

1
How brutal wildfires are 'killing' Indigenous ways of life 54:08

3d ago54:08

54:08

In 2021, a deadly heat dome produced a devastating wildfire season across British Columbia. While immediate media coverage often focuses on evacuations and the numbers of homes destroyed, many First Nations say what these fires do to the land in their territories — and the cultural lives of their communities — is often overlooked. "These fires are …

1
Inside the Fact Vault: Bird Drama and a Tormented Statue 32:19

3d ago32:19

32:19

Today producers Gabe and Mary are opening the top-secret PTG fact vault to share bonus stories from recent episodes, including an international seagull incident, a pioneering artist who painted chickens with eggs, and a novelty space song that must be heard to be believed. Plus: Breaking news about pennies and government puns. Listen to “The Ballad…

1
Grammar, Grit, and Girl Power: Confessions of a Grammar Queen Release Party 40:58

4d ago40:58

40:58

Join Eliza and guest host, Sophie Perinot, as we celebrate the launch of Confessions of a Grammar Queen, the bold, feminist, and delightfully bookish novel that proves copyediting is a revolutionary act. We’re talking red pencils, office politics, feminist book clubs, and what it means to rewrite the rules—one sentence (and sexist boss) at a time. …

1
The movement that unlocked a new masculinity – Dandyism 54:06

4d ago54:06

54:06

For over 200 years, the Dandy has been a provocateur, someone who pushes against the boundaries of culture, masculinity and politics. From Beau Brummell to Oscar Wilde to contemporary Black activists, IDEAS contributor Pedro Mendes tracks the subversive role the Dandy plays in challenging the status quo. *This episode originally aired on April 15, …

1
AI Disasters, Amazon's Best Books of the Year So Far, and More Book News 58:52

5d ago58:52

58:52

Danika Ellis joins Jeff to talk about a spate of book-related AI disasters, Amazon's list of the best books of the year, Michelle Obama's recently-announced book, and much more. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Sign up for the Book Riot Podcast Newsletter and follow the show on Instagram and Bluesky. Get more industry …

1
What's the Secret to Nintendo's Success? 42:22

7d ago42:22

42:22

From Nintendo's history with the Yakuza to its dabbling in the seedy motel business, the House of Mario has a much longer and stranger history than you might guess. Find out what happened when the company tried to make knitting popular, how America's obsession with robots helped them nudge their way into retailers, and why a grabber called the Ultr…

1
Jeff’s “I Wish I Could Read All Day” Books of June 2025 38:11

7d ago38:11

38:11

This episode comes over from the First Edition feed: Jeff solos his way through listing a bunch of books coming in June that, were time and space no object, would go on the TBR for sure. Subscribe to First Edition via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. For episode extras, subscribe to the First Edition Substack. Tailored Book Recommendations has the …

1
How Canadian nationalism died 54:08

7d ago54:08

54:08

In George Grant's famous 1965 essay, Lament for a Nation, the Red Tory philosopher argued that Canadian nationalism had died. He believed that when Canada was tied to the UK, the country was committed to a collective common good. But when it became integrated with the U.S., Grant says Canada abandoned this idea. Sixty years later, our relationship …

1
The famously polarizing father of capitalism 54:07

8d ago54:07

54:07

The 18th-century philosopher Adam Smith is often called “the father of economics,” and sometimes “the father of capitalism.” IDEAS contributor Matthew Lazin-Ryder examines how Smith’s name has been used and abused to both defend and attack free-market economics since his death.

1
What it’s like to discover you have ADHD after 50 54:08

9d ago54:08

54:08

When IDEAS contributor Sandra Bourque was diagnosed with ADHD in her early 50s, she was relieved. Finally, everything made sense to her. Bourque became obsessed with learning everything about how her brain worked. What she found was a mountain of information that focused on ADHD deficits and challenges, ways to "fit in better and be more normal." S…

1
The Beach Read Episode 58:30

9d ago58:30

58:30

Jeff is joined by Book Riot editors Danika Ellis and Erica Ezeifedi to talk about what makes a beach read, beach reads picks, and memorable beach reading moments. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Sign up for the Book Riot Podcast Newsletter and follow the show on Instagram and Bluesky. Get more industry news with our T…

1
Episode 57: Charlotte & Luke Giddings - from kitchen table to award-winning bakery – the Brownie and the Bean story 39:32

10d ago39:32

39:32

From tough beginnings and panicked late-night baking sessions to supplying top retailers and winning multiple awards, this is a heartfelt and frequently hilarious episode of true entrepreneurial grit, creativity, and really great brownies. Zanna sits down with Charlotte and Luke, the dynamic duo behind the award-winning Suffolk business, Brownie an…

1
What it means to fully embrace neurodiversity 54:08

10d ago54:08

54:08

Imagine a world without Mozart or Michelangelo, Einstein or Edison. Famous for their creativity, a "mysterious force" that psychiatrist and ADHD expert, Ed Hallowell, says is a commonality in neurodiverse people. Neurodiversity is a relatively new term, but the thinking behind it has been going on for a while. There’s increasing evidence that what …

1
Recent Reading and Some Media Diet Updates [Teaser] 5:40

10d ago5:40

5:40

This is a bonus preview of the Book Riot Podcast's most recent Patreon-only episode. Jeff and Rebecca catch up with each other's recent reading and give some non-book media takes. For example: Fountain of Youth. Woof. To listen to the full episode and get access to literally every Patreon-only thing we have done over the last three years, go to Pat…

1
9 Prime-Time Secrets of TV Guide 23:20

10d ago23:20

23:20

What do TV listings have to do with the arc of American history? Quite a lot, it turns out! From hard-hitting journalism that exposed fake news, to billion-dollar business deals, to a photo manipulation scandal that made Oprah very angry, Will and Mango uncover the many ways this little magazine has made a big impact on our lives. Thanks to Ken at …

1
Auntie Em’s Untold Story: Hazel Gaynor on Before Dorothy 38:12

11d ago38:12

38:12

I’m excited to be joined on the show today by guest author, Hazel Gaynor. On this episode we’re going to talk about her book, Before Dorothy. Long before Dorothy visits Oz, her aunt, Emily Gale, sets off on her own grand adventure, leaving gritty Chicago behind for Kansas and a life that will utterly change her. Paired with this episode: Hazel: Aun…

1
Do books have the power to heal us? 54:08

11d ago54:08

54:08

If you're someone who thinks reading is therapeutic, you aren’t alone. On the surface, bibliotherapy might sound like another personal wellness trend, but it definitely isn’t. In fact, it’s an approved form of mental health treatment in Canada. And it’s been around for at least a century. In this episode, researchers Sara Haslam and Edmund King dis…

1
Talking Audiobooks with Spotify & FLASHLIGHT by Susan Choi 57:43

12d ago57:43

57:43

Jeff and Rebecca talk to Spotify's Associate Director for Audiobooks Editorial Katie del Rosario about curating audiobooks for Spotify, getting people to try audiobooks, spotlighting special titles, and more. Then, Jeff and Sharifah talk about Flashlight by Susan Choi, one of the most anticipated releases of the summer. Subscribe to the podcast via…

1
Hallelujah! The transformative power of Black gospel music 54:34

14d ago54:34

54:34

When Darren Hamilton began university, he was shocked to find that there were no Black music courses and Black music professors. He grew up singing spirituals every Sunday in church. Now at the University of Toronto, Hamilton teaches Gospel Choir, U of T's first credit course in Black gospel music. Students of all backgrounds and ages come to learn…

1
Thanks, Canada! 9 Great Inventions from the Great White North 24:37

14d ago24:37

24:37

If you’ve ever taken out the trash, bought eggs, or gotten immersed in Avatar, you have Canada to thank for it. Pop on your toques and join Will and Mango for a deep dive into some fascinating Canadian inventions—and yes, hockey is mentioned. Twice. Got a question you’d like us to answer? An obscure rabbit hole you think we should explore? Send an …

1
Why we can’t live without the universal feeling of disgust 54:34

15d ago54:34

54:34

Disgust — an emotion that makes us human. It can keep us safe from drinking milk that's gone off, thanks to the revolting smell. And as Charles Darwin suggests, disgust serves as part of our core evolutionary function. But it also has a dark side. Disgust has been co-opted by culture, to religious and political divides. Scholars say we need to reck…

1
The philosophy behind why humans are so self-conscious 54:33

16d ago54:33

54:33

For centuries, Western philosophers have contemplated the question: “Who am I?” To get to the answer, 19th-century German philosopher Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel suggests, start by replacing the “I” with “we.” His philosophy looks at why we should care what others think of us because people’s perspectives play a huge part in how we see ourselves …

1
The It Books of June 2025 57:34

16d ago57:34

57:34

Jeff and Rebecca consider a loaded roster of June books to pick the It Book of the month. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. Sign up for the Book Riot Podcast Newsletter and follow the show on Instagram and Bluesky. Get more industry news with our Today in Books daily newsletter. Trust your reading list to the experts at…

1
How the fear of fire is taking control of us 54:08

17d ago54:08

54:08

Humans used fire as a tool. Now we fear its destruction. But we're responsible for changing the climate, argues John Vailliant, "in a way that favours fire way more than it favours us." The Vancouver author unpacks how fire made humans who we are — and how humans are changing fire in his award-winning book, Fire Weather: The Making of a Beast.*This…

1
Are Pigeons Smarter Than They Look? 30:01

17d ago30:01

30:01

Sure, they nuzzled their way into Mike Tyson's heart (and Nikola Tesla's, and Bert's from Bert and Ernie!), but how intelligent are pigeons? Have scientists really trained them to read? Did they actually play a role in discovering the Big Bang? And why are they so darn good at finding their way home? Plus: Are catfish their new nemesis? This episod…

1
Sisters, Summers, and Secrets: Brooke Lea Foster’s Timeless Tale 42:09

18d ago42:09

42:09

I’m excited to be joined on the show today by guest author, Brooke Lea Foster. On this episode we’re going to talk about her book, Our Last Vineyard Summer, a captivating new novel set in 1965 and 1978 about a graduate student who returns with her sisters to their family’s summer home on Martha’s Vineyard and begins to unravel old family secrets. P…

1
The unforgivable crime of being queer in Africa 54:34

18d ago54:34

54:34

Homosexuality is a crime in more than half of African countries — a crime punishable by prison sentences. Or in some cases: death. New laws in some states make it illegal for anyone to even advocate for LGBTQ rights. These laws bring up questions of foreign influence, neo-colonialism, and the role the international community could and should play i…

1
Bringing child sex abusers out of the shadows 54:38

21d ago54:38

54:38

No one likes talking about child sex abuse. But prevention experts say we need to bring pedophilia out of the shadows if we ever want to end abuse. They insist, it is not inevitable. CBC producer John Chipman explores an innovative new program in Kitchener, Ontario, that has sex offenders and abuse survivors working together to prevent future harm …

1
Deals Deals Deals for May 2025 [Teaser] 6:33

21d ago6:33

6:33

Time again to look at interesting, lucrative, exciting, strange, or otherwise notable book deal announcements. Always a good time. This is a bonus preview of our most recent Patreon-only episode. To listen to the full episode and our entire back catalog of bonus content, sign-up for the Book Riot podcast Patreon. Learn more about your ad choices. V…

1
Did a Volcano Eruption Really Help Invent the Bicycle? 28:44

21d ago28:44

28:44

Will and Mango dig into all the biggest bicycle questions: From how bikes seriously altered the dating scene, to how blind people ride bikes through traffic, to the ingenious way Kermit pedaled his Schwann in the Muppets Movie. Grab a helmet and join us! This episode originally aired on November 7, 2019. Got a bike we should see? Tag us on Instagra…

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