We talk about the film and TV adaptations everyone is talking about.
It Was A Book First is a weekly podcast about new book-to-screen adaptations. Hosted by culture reporters and former colleagues Sophie Vershbow and Rudi Greenberg, IWABF dissects the TV and film adaptations that are all across your feeds, what you'll be reading and watching next, and the business behind what actually makes it off the page.
Your hosts
Sophie Vershbow
Reads the footnotes
Sophie Vershbow is a freelance journalist and former-Big 5 publishing employee writing about books, the publishing industry, tv/film, and internet culture. Her work has appeared in Esquire, New York Magazine, Elle, The Atlantic, Literary Hub, and beyond.
When she’s not reading or opining online, Sophie operates as an independent editorial and marketing consultant. She lives in New York City with her dog, Simon, the democratically elected Dog Mayor of NYC.
Rudi Greenberg
Watches the credits
Rudi Greenberg is a freelance journalist who writes about movies, television, music, and comedy. He spent a decade as an editor at The Washington Post, where he profiled filmmakers like Greta Gerwig and Seth Rogen and musicians like David Bryne and Aretha Franklin. His work has appeared in Relix, Washingtonian, Hour Detroit, The A.V. Club, and more.
He lives in Maryland with his wife, Lauren, and their cat, Althea.
Follow him on Letterboxd and Instagram.
Recent episodes
- 02 Margo's Got Money Troubles Rufi Thorpe · Jun 17, 2026 Apple Spotify YouTube
- 01 Project Hail Mary Andy Weir · Jun 17, 2026 Apple Spotify YouTube
- 00 Official Trailer Sophie Vershbow & Rudi Greenberg · Jun 10, 2026 Apple Spotify
The reading list
Every book we've covered, in one place →
Shop the full list on Bookshop.org and support independent bookstores.
