The It Books of April 2026

In this lively April 2026 episode of Book Riot Podcast, hosts Jeff O'Neill and Rebecca Shinsky dive into the month’s most anticipated releases with their signature 'It Books' knockout tournament. Starting with a playful sponsor break for Sourcebooks Landmark’s *The Mountains We Call Home*, they launch into a spirited debate over 10 standout titles, including Maria Semple’s *Go Gentle*, a literary novel about a stoic philosopher and middle-aged woman navigating life with a 'coven' of friends; T.J. Klune’s *We Burn So Bright*, a novella about two lovers on a road trip as a black hole approaches Earth; and Ben Lerner’s *Transcription*, a short, high-concept literary mystery. The hosts weigh factors like acclaim, awards potential, adaptation likelihood, and marketing momentum, ultimately crowning Patrick Radden Keefe’s *London Calling*—a narrative nonfiction account of a young man’s mysterious death in London—as the predicted It Book of the Month. The episode is filled with humor, pop culture references, and deep dives into author reputations, genre trends, and the quirks of book publishing. The hosts also highlight debuts, translations, memoirs, and genre-bending concepts, celebrating April as a vibrant, unpredictable month for readers. Key takeaways include: 1) Literary fiction with high concept and strong author brand (like Ben Lerner or Patrick Radden Keefe) often dominates the It Book race; 2) Short story collections and translations face uphill battles despite quality; 3) Co-written books using pseudonyms can generate buzz but may struggle with credibility; 4) Memoirs by culturally polarizing figures (like Lena Dunham) can spark conversation but aren’t guaranteed bestsellers; 5) High-concept genre hybrids (e.g., *The Ending Writes Itself*) have strong commercial potential. The episode ends on a reflective note, acknowledging the chaos of the knockout format and the joy of discovering new voices in a crowded literary landscape.