Zero to Well-Read

Rebecca and Jeff reflect on what they've learned during the whirlwind first season of the show, answer listener questions, and discuss ideas for the future. Subscribe to our free newsletter, and become a member for access to early, ad-free listening and bonus content. Follow Zero to Well-Read on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Email us: [email protected] Zero to Well-Read is a proud member of the Airwave Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff and Rebecca revisit Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol, a story so familiar it’s often mistaken for simple. They consider its moral stakes, its enduring influence on readers and society, and why Scrooge's redemption still resonates. Subscribe to our free newsletter, and become a member for access to early, ad-free listening and bonus content. Follow Zero to Well-Read on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Email us: [email protected] Zero to Well-Read is a proud member of the Airwave Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff and Rebecca get into Maggie O'Farrell's best-selling, critically-acclaimed, and now feature film, Hamnet. How does a book loosely based on the life of William Shakespeare not even use the name once? It's a deft, moving, and complicated novel--and makes for terrific discussion. Subscribe to The Book Riot Newsletter for regular updates to help you get the most out of your reading life. Email us: [email protected] Zero to Well-Read is a proud member of the Airwave Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jeff and Rebecca discuss the award-winning books, pop culture phenomena, book club picks, and crossover hits of 2025 and attempt to identify the ones that might someday join the canon. Subscribe to The Book Riot Newsletter for regular updates to help you get the most out of your reading life. Email us: [email protected] Zero to Well-Read is a proud member of the Airwave Podcast Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hello Zero to Well-Read listeners! We've got a recommendation for you today: Origin Stories is a fantastic new podcast for anyone curious about the workings of the creative mind. It's hosted by veteran journalist Matthew Shaer, and explores the behind-the-scenes of your favorite book, magazine article, TV show, podcast, or movie — from the initial spark of curiosity to the long sessions in front of a white board. We thought you'd enjoy this episode where Matthew Shaer interviews Stephanie Foo, a veteran radio producer and longtime staffer at shows like Snap Judgment and This American Life. She talks about the creation of her NYT best-selling memoir, WHAT MY BONES KNOW, which explores her early childhood trauma and her more recent diagnosis of complex PTSD. Take a listen by searching for Origin Stories wherever you listen to podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices