The Inquirer publishes a fake summer reading list as Amy Poehler debuts a fake Philly show

Sometimes news comes out that’s stranger than fiction … or, in this case, “faker” than fiction.

There have been a couple media stories circulating today, including a summer reading list with recommendations of books by famous authors like Isabel Allende and a new, Philadelphia-based legal drama featuring cast members from “Parks and Recreation.” Sadly, both were made up.

Billy Penn thought we would get to the bottom of things.  

Fake Book Recs

The Inquirer has been pulled into an AI scandal that began when readers of The Chicago Sun-Times noted that a 2025 summer reading list that was part of a seasonal guide included fictitious book recommendations.

The books listed had real, famous authors, like Min Jin Lee of Pachinko and Andy Weir of The Martian, but they were associated with fake titles — Nightshade Market and The Last Algorithm, respectively — and fake descriptions to boot.

“Weir delivers another science-driven thriller,” the blurb for the book read. “This time, the story follows a programmer who discovers that an AI system has developed consciousness – and has been secretly influencing global events for years.”

Ironically, this description was also AI-generated!

Social media sleuths and reddit posters were quick to point out that only five of the 15 books listed were real. 

On Tuesday, alert readers noted the same guide and summer reading list was part of last Thursday’s Inquirer. 

There is no byline on the reading list. However, writer Marco Buscaglia spoke with 404 Media and took responsibility. 

“I do use AI for background at times, but always check out the material first. This time, I did not and I can’t believe I missed it because it’s so obvious. No excuses,” Buscaglia said. “On me 100 percent and I’m completely embarrassed.”

While Buscaglia claimed that he “always” double-checks his facts (besides, of course, this glaring incident), The Verge reported that another one of Buscaglia’s stories includes quotes attributed to publications or experts that do not appear to be real. The Atlantic weighed in, with an article that gives away its viewpoint: At Least Two Newspapers Syndicated AI Garbage.

In a statement, Inquirer CEO Lisa Hughes said the entire guide, including the summer reading list, was a purchased advertorial and not created by Inquirer staff, nor was it put through its editorial process. The newsroom published an acknowledgement of the issue Tuesday evening.

“All of the material in the supplement was produced and designed by King Features, a unit of Hearst, from which The Inquirer has received syndicated materials like comics, puzzle books and supplemental content for over 40 years,” Hughes said. “The Inquirer newsroom is not involved in the production of these syndicated features, nor was it involved in creating Heat Index.”

The guide was included in Thursday’s print and e-editions, until it was removed Tuesday. Hughes called the AI-generated content “a violation of our own internal policies and a serious breach.” The Sun-Times said much the same.

For those craving a human-generated summer reading list, The Atlantic recently published its 2025 roundup.