99% Invisible – Episode Summary: "What We're Reading"
In the March 11, 2025 episode of 99% Invisible titled "What We're Reading," host Roman Mars invites listeners into a personal and engaging discussion about the books that inspire and entertain the show's creative team. This bonus episode, exclusive to Sirius XM Podcast Plus subscribers, offers a window into the diverse literary tastes and thoughtful reflections of the producers behind the acclaimed design and architecture-focused podcast. Below is a detailed summary capturing the key points, discussions, insights, and conclusions from the episode.
Introduction: Sharing Literary Inspirations
Roman Mars kicks off the episode by reflecting on the positive feedback from listeners on Discord, who expressed interest in the team's current reading habits. This prompted the creation of a special Zoom session where each team member presents their favorite books, providing both personal insights and potential gift ideas for fellow book enthusiasts.
Lashma Madonna: "Usha's Pickle the Perfect Pickle Recipe Book"
Timestamp: [02:14]
Lashma Madonna shares her unique relationship with reading, balancing multiple books across genres from short fiction to oral histories. She highlights a standout book, Usha's Pickle the Perfect Pickle Recipe Book, which has remained on her shelf for four years without being read cover to cover. Instead, she revisits it periodically, drawing inspiration for her work on the show.
Notable Quote:
"I will pickle anything I find in my house. It's like a distraction mechanism to stop getting anxious about how my editor is reacting to my script." — [03:48] Lashma Madonna
Usha's Pickle is a self-published compilation of over a thousand pickle recipes by Usha, known as the Pickle Queen of India. Initially intended as a personal collection for friends and family, the book gained a cult following, distributed mainly through free copies and PDFs shared via email. Lashma admires the book's comprehensive and authentic approach, likening it to "an extremely comprehensive Google Doc passed around by an auntie who just wants you to know how to make things taste good."
Recommendation: Lashma recommends Usha's Pickle the Perfect Pickle Recipe Book as a charming and practical gift, noting its availability online after years of limited distribution.
Chris Perube: "What It Takes" by Richard Ben Kramer
Timestamp: [08:31]
Producer Chris Perube discusses his reading journey with The Power Broker by Robert Caro, a seminal work on urbanism and political history. Building on this, he recommends What It Takes by Richard Ben Kramer—a comprehensive account of the 1988 presidential race.
Chris delves into the political dynamics of the late 1980s, contrasting the Republican candidates George H.W. Bush and Bob Dole. He underscores the contemporary relevance of the book by highlighting shifts within the Republican Party and drawing parallels to current political landscapes.
Notable Quote:
"Next time you hear Ronald Reagan, the great Republican president, just remember what Bob Dole said about supply siders going over a cliff in a bus." — [10:30] Chris Perube
Through What It Takes, Chris explores themes of political ambition, personality flaws, and the evolving nature of political parties, offering readers a nuanced understanding of electoral politics.
Recommendation: For readers interested in in-depth political analysis, Chris highly recommends What It Takes as an engaging and informative read, especially for those fascinated by electoral history and political strategy.
Vivian Le: Diverse Literary Selections
Timestamp: [13:13]
Vivian Le presents a varied selection of books, reflecting her eclectic taste despite self-professing as "not a very literate person." Her current reads include:
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"Orbital" by Samantha Harvey
- A meditative novel set aboard an international space station, blending science with poetic reflections on life and nature.
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"Martyr" by Kaveh Akbar
- A fiction narrative exploring themes of sobriety, artistry, and the search for meaning through interwoven character perspectives.
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"Amusing Ourselves to Death" by Neil Postman
- An influential critique of how television and electronic media transform serious discourse into entertainment, impacting politics and society.
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"How to End a Love Story" by Yulin Kuang
- A smutty romance novel delving into familial conflicts and the reconciliation between Asian American individuals and their parents.
Notable Quote:
"Reading about space in this way makes you feel very big and very small at the same time. It's just a nice way to set my morning." — [14:42] Vivian Le on "Orbital"
Vivian emphasizes the meditative quality of Orbital as a morning ritual and lauds Martyr for its fresh, humorous take on existential themes. She revisits Neil Postman's classic to gain perspective on contemporary political discourse and recommends How to End a Love Story for its authentic portrayal of Asian American familial dynamics.
Recommendations: Vivian's curated list caters to a wide range of interests, from poetic meditations and thoughtful political critiques to engaging fiction and heartfelt romance, offering something for every type of reader.
Jason De Leon: From Children's Tales to Poetry
Timestamp: [21:44]
Jason De Leon balances his reading between his young child and his personal literary interests:
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"Hoppity Frog"
- A beloved children's book that he reads nightly to his one-year-old, enjoying the repetitive and soothing nature of the story.
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"Scattered Snows to the North" by Carl Phillips
- A poetry collection that engages Jason with its profound exploration of knowledge and the obsession with the past. He likens reading poetry to "doing sports while sitting still," highlighting the active mental engagement it requires.
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"Blackouts" by Justin Torres
- An emerging novel that resonates with Jason, drawing parallels to his favorite classic, Pedro Paramo by Juan Rulfo—a short yet masterful work inspiring Gabriel Garcia Marquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude.
Notable Quote:
"Reading Poetry is doing sports while sitting still. You have to... wrestle this dynamic in your head." — [24:08] Jason De Leon
Jason appreciates Carl Phillips's conversational style in poetry, which transforms each poem into a dynamic mental exercise. He also expresses his anticipation for Blackouts and its alignment with his literary preferences.
Recommendation: Jason encourages listeners to explore poetry as an intellectually stimulating pastime and recommends Scattered Snows to the North for its contemplative nature, alongside Blackouts for fans of richly crafted narratives.
Joe Rosenberg: "Plunkett of Tammany Hall"
Timestamp: [30:48]
Joe Rosenberg brings historical insight with Plunkett of Tammany Hall, a 1905 book detailing the life of George Washington Plunkett, a prominent figure in New York's Tammany Hall political machine. The book offers a candid portrayal of political corruption and the workings of one of America's most infamous political organizations.
Joe reflects on the casual nature of corruption among politicians, drawing parallels to contemporary political scandals. He highlights Plunkett's unabashed defense of the spoil system—the practice of rewarding political supporters with public office—and his disdain for civil service reforms aimed at meritocracy.
Notable Quote:
"Tammany is the spoil system. And when we go in, we fire every anti-Tammany man from office that can be fired under the law." — [35:20] Joe Rosenberg
Through Plunkett's eyes, Joe explores themes of power, loyalty, and the ethical compromises inherent in political machinations. He underscores the historical context of Tammany Hall's influence and its eventual decline, offering listeners a reflection on the enduring nature of political corruption.
Recommendation: Joe recommends Plunkett of Tammany Hall for its unfiltered look at political strategy and corruption, making it a compelling read for those interested in political history and the dynamics of power.
Roman Mars: "Pine Barrens" by John McPhee
Timestamp: [36:06]
Roman Mars concludes the literary discussion by sharing his personal read, Pine Barrens by John McPhee, a masterful example of creative nonfiction. The book is an essayistic exploration of New Jersey's Pine Barrens—a paradoxical landscape within the state's dense population.
Roman admires McPhee's ability to blend factual depth with poetic narrative, creating a nonlinear tapestry that captures the essence of the Pine Barrens. He appreciates the book's capacity to transport readers through its vivid descriptions and intricate details, highlighting McPhee's prowess in turning a seemingly barren region into a canvas for storytelling.
Notable Quote:
"Pine Barrens allows for a certain kind of poetry in the writing of it." — [36:06] Roman Mars
Recommendation: For fans of in-depth, beautifully written nonfiction, Roman endorses Pine Barrens as an essential read that exemplifies the art of blending factual reportage with narrative elegance.
Conclusion: A Tapestry of Thought and Creativity
The "What We're Reading" episode of 99% Invisible offers a rich and diverse array of book recommendations from the show's creative team. From historical analyses and political critiques to poetic meditations and engaging fiction, each contributor provides unique insights into their literary preferences and the reasons these books resonate with them.
Listeners gain not only a list of must-read titles but also an intimate glimpse into the minds that shape 99% Invisible, underscoring the podcast's commitment to thoughtful exploration and the appreciation of design and architecture in everyday life.
Featured Book Recommendations:
- Usha's Pickle the Perfect Pickle Recipe Book by Usha
- What It Takes by Richard Ben Kramer
- Orbital by Samantha Harvey
- Martyr by Kaveh Akbar
- Amusing Ourselves to Death by Neil Postman
- How to End a Love Story by Yulin Kuang
- Scattered Snows to the North by Carl Phillips
- Blackouts by Justin Torres
- Plunkett of Tammany Hall by William Reardon
- Pine Barrens by John McPhee
Listeners are encouraged to explore these diverse works to gain deeper insights into the themes of design, politics, culture, and personal growth that 99% Invisible passionately delves into each week.