In short
Promotional intro for Zero to Well Read, celebrating its first anniversary (September) and Book Riot’s 15th birthday (October), plus a Patreon membership pitch (25% off annual; ad-free, early access, exclusive read-alongs/bonus; no AI). The hosts explain the show’s premise: discuss widely talked-about books people feel they “should” have read, breaking down why they matter, what to know, and what’s weird/fun.
Key claims
over a million downloads; built without corporate/publisher subsidies; supported by paid memberships.
Notable examples
“Twilight” (Jeff finally reading it) and the first season starting September 9 with “party old sport.”
Guests
none mentioned; only hosts Rebecca Shinsky and Jeff O’Neill.
Written by AI. May contain mistakes. Listen to the episode to check what was said.
Chapters
Tap a time to open that second in VOWhat to Expect from the Show
1:49 to 2:54
Get an overview of the podcast's structure and the books they will cover.
“We've been talking about books on the internet together for almost 15 years.”
Transcript
Automatic transcript. May contain errors.0:00Jeff O'Neal:Hey Chicago, class it up with Crocs. You know back to school is coming in fast. So why wait to find your new fave footwear? Step into a local Crocs store and step into your new look. Try it. Style it. Make it yours. Because the right pair doesn't just show up, it shows off. First day fits, handled. Walk out ready for whatever's next. Visit your nearest Crocs store today. Hey folks, it's a big moment here at Zero to Well Read, and I'm here to tell you about a couple of things we're celebrating. First up, we're going to be marking the first anniversary of this podcast in September with more than a million downloads on conversations about dozens of the great books.
0:46Jeff O'Neal:That's huge. And Book Riot is turning 15 in October. A lot of things have changed in the 15 years that we've been doing this work, but one thing remains true. The independent media landscape is wild and it's ever-changing. We're so proud that we've been able to build Book Riot and Zero to Well Read without any corporate investments or publisher subsidies, and we couldn't be more grateful for the readers and the listeners like you who help make it possible through paid memberships. Right now, you can get 25 % off an annual membership to the Zero to Well Read Patreon, which includes ad-free listening, early access to new episodes, and exclusive read-alongs and bonus content.
1:25Jeff O'Neal:Plus, you get the satisfaction of knowing you're supporting human creators who read all the books with our brains and who make everything you read, watch, and listen to by hand. There's no AI in any of our content. Go to patreon.com slash zero to well read to start your annual membership for 25 % off today. That's patreon.com slash zero to well read. Welcome to Zero to Well Read. I'm Rebecca Shinsky.
1:51Rebecca Schinsky:And I'm Jeff O 'Neill. We've been talking about books on the internet together for almost 15 years. Along the way, we've heard from a lot of people who feel like they missed the window to read the so-called important books, or who just never wanted to slog through them by themselves.
2:04Jeff O'Neal:And that's where we come in. This podcast is all about the books people talk about like everyone's read them, even though many of us haven't.
2:11Rebecca Schinsky:Each episode, we take on one of those books. We read the big ones, the weird ones, the ones you were supposed to read in school, and break them down so you don't have to pretend anymore.
2:21Jeff O'Neal:We'll tell you why these books are great, what you should know about them, what makes them weird and fun and strange, and why they matter.
2:27Rebecca Schinsky:It's the literary cocktail party you always wanted to go to, as long as nobody asked you what you thought of Ulysses.
2:34Jeff O'Neal:And it won't be all old books all the time. Every season will feature an eclectic lineup of classics and award-winning titles, alongside modern sensations and some social media faves. It's taken more than a decade, but I have finally found a way to get Jeff to read Twilight.
2:47Rebecca Schinsky:Which, frankly, I think may be the purpose of the show. So but anyway, the first season drops September 9th and we're starting with a party old sport.
From the publisher
Introducing Zero to Well-Read, a new podcast from Book Riot that’s part book club, part English class, and all fun. Join your hosts Jeff O’Neal and Rebecca Schinsky as they tackle the books you've always wanted to read but maybe never got around to.
This isn't your stuffy college lit course. We believe being well-read is about more than just the classics. We're putting English class staples like The Great Gatsby on the same syllabus as modern sensations and social media faves like Twilight and Anthony Bourdain’s Kitchen Confidential.
In each episode, we'll give you everything you need to know about a must-read book, including:
What it's about: The basics of the plot and characters.
Vibe-check: What it feels like to read this book and whether it’s for you.
The Discourse: Diving into the commentary and controversies surrounding the book.
Hot takes: Our honest, unfiltered opinions.
Cocktail Party Crib Sheet: Three key takeaways to make you sound well-read at your next dinner party.
The first semester of Zero to Well-Read kicks off on Tuesday, September 9, 2025. New episodes will drop every Tuesday, so subscribe now to be ready for the first class!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
