Podcast Summary: "Our Summer Reading Challenge Roundup"

All Of It – WNYC
Host: Kushan Avadar (in for Alison Stewart)
Guest: Jordan Lof (Producer)
Date: August 29, 2024

Episode Overview

This lively episode of All Of It celebrates the end of WNYC's Summer Reading Challenge by sharing a wealth of listener reviews, favorite picks, and reading experiences. Host Kushan Avadar sits with producer Jordan Lof—who spearheaded the challenge—to showcase the diverse array of books enjoyed by New Yorkers and listeners nationwide. They share memorable calls, listener texts, and written reflections, creating a collage of literary enthusiasm and community spirit.

Key Discussion Points & Highlights

The Summer Reading Challenge: Purpose and Progress

• The challenge encouraged listeners to read four (or more!) books by Labor Day, with nearly 200 having already finished and written in (01:06).
• Jordan Lof shares her own progress—initially planning for seven books, she “made a fatal error” by choosing the nearly 900-page 2666 by Roberto Bolaño as her translation pick, and is “in the final 30 [pages]” but unsure if she’ll finish (03:23).
  • "If anyone has a good recommendation for anything under 200 pages, please, please call in." – Jordan Lof (04:00)

Listener Recommendations & Popular Picks

Most Popular Reads Across the Challenge (04:55)

• Long Island by Colm Tóibín
  • “It's got a really fun love triangle. That’s a good one.” — Jordan Lof (05:14)
• Tom Lake by Ann Patchett
• In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
• My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante (“a lot of people picked it as their translation” due to NYT recognition).

Direct Listener Reflections

1. The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley

• Listener Bob from Manhattan: “I really liked it. Found the plot intriguing and well executed. I liked the style. I could really visualize the action as it unfolded. Could see this as a limited miniseries.” (06:06)
  • Jordan confirms: It's being adapted by A24 into a miniseries.
• Special author message:
  • "It's truly an extraordinary privilege and a real dream beyond a dream to know that so many of you felt moved to pick it up... If I get got by a ghost, please know I died happy and good luck finishing the challenge this weekend." — Kaliane Bradley (07:05)

2. Erasure by Percival Everett

• Listener Esther: “Interesting to read the book after seeing the [Oscar-nominated] movie... recommend for anyone who saw the movie or who would rather read the book than see the movie.” (08:27)
• Discussion on Everett’s James (his retelling of Huck Finn from Jim’s perspective), including a memorable correction:
  • “Jim is a diminished version of the name James.” — Percival Everett (paraphrased by Kushan, 09:16)

Standout Caller Moments

Nestlings by Nat Cassidy

• John from Manhattan: “Basically it's a horror book... a very chilling vampire tale. But I really loved it. It's a fast read, so recommend for anyone who's looking for that. Anyone who's a fan of horror.” (10:22)

All Fours by Miranda July

• Chambers from LA: “Everywhere you go, women are reading that book like crazy… And then they get this look on their face like, 'This is really for women.' Which made me really want to read the book… It is amazing. And I see why women don’t want you to read it because it’s like looking inside the brain of a woman. It’s incredible. It’s beautiful and very sexy.” (11:13, 11:51)

One of Our Kind by Nicola Yoon

• “Get Out meets the Stepford Wives. It was an excellent book and I would recommend that everyone read it. I'd also love people to read it so I can talk about that ending with them.” — Cecil from Manhattan (12:49)
• Kushan: “A great thriller for me accelerates the further in you go, and this happened. But at the same time, there was this loss of agency... It made me like, mad, but also just a little bewildered. I thought I knew what was going to happen and I didn't.” (13:17)

Unexpected Delights & Literary Surprises

Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar

• Laura from Mount Vernon: “Every page, I loved it more and more... I hope he writes more novels. That was an unexpected, awesome joy of my summer reading.” (15:24)
• Angela from Grand Rapids adds:
  • “...the time I spent with [the] book made me feel better, particularly the end. I don’t want to spoil anything, but in its way it is an incredibly uplifting book, especially when you’re grappling with mortality.” (16:09)
• Jordan Lof: “He’s a poet—you can tell in his word choice and the way he talks.” (16:09)

The Power Broker by Robert Caro

• Dylan in Brooklyn: “I’ve been trying to finish The Power Broker... for well over a year now. It was dense to say the least, but so incredibly well researched, it feels like required reading living in New York.” (17:27)
  • “Just know that I did get made fun of by roommates for saying it’s starting to get really good at around page 900.” — Dylan (18:06)

Texts & Additional Recommendations (19:05+)

• The God of the Woods by Liz Moore — praised by a texter for being gripping
• Wandering Stars by Tommy Orange — “Worth the effort.”
• Stolen by Ann-Helén Laestadius — coming-of-age tale of indigenous Arctic peoples

Further Caller & Listener Book Shoutouts

• The Secret Lives of Baba Segi by Lola Shoneyin (Nigeria, polygamy, and women’s agency) — Valerie from Teaneck (19:47)
• Too Much Happiness by Alice Munro — Alexander from Brooklyn: “Each story was beautifully devastating in a new way and just a delightful read.” (20:47)
• A Promised Land by Barack Obama — Mary Beth from Jones Beach: “It’s a marvelous book... not a struggle to get through; highly recommend it, no matter your politics.” (21:33)
• Wicked by Gregory Maguire — Brad from New Rochelle: “A revelation... hope the upcoming movie can cover the book more fully than the musical does.” (22:22)
• Diary of a Void by Emi Yagi — Allegra from West Orange: “As a childless woman, I liked the way she worked the system... I will absolutely recommend this book to friends. I need to find one willing to discuss and help me unpack.” (23:15)
• You Dreamed of Empires by Álvaro Enrigue — Elga from East Brunswick: “A creative melange of historical fiction and psychedelic fantasia. It’s funny and dark and puts a whole new spin on the tales of conquistadors.” (24:20)

Community, Gratitude, and Next Steps

• Jordan is compiling all these responses to share on ALL OF IT’s Instagram. Listeners can still submit their post-reading reviews at wnyc.org/summerreading. (25:31)
• Listeners praised Jordan’s efforts keeping the community engaged, and Kushan voiced his gratitude as he prepares to leave the show.
  • "Since I am leaving soon from this show as well, I just wanted to say I am personally grateful for all of the work and partnership you've given to me to help do this show every day." — Kushan Avadar (26:25)
  • "It's been an absolute joy working with you and we'll miss having you here." — Jordan Lof (26:37)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Challenge Motivation

  • "If my listeners and our readers are trying, I got to make a good faith effort." — Jordan Lof (03:23)

• On Literary Discovery

  • "I underestimated our readers. People wrote these really awesome, moving book reviews and it was so lovely looking at them." — Jordan Lof (04:12)

• On the Power of Community Reading

  • "It just has been a true joy to see how much this, how much fun people had with this over the summer.” — Jordan Lof (26:18)

Episode Timeline

| Timestamp | Segment / Highlight | |-----------|----------------------| | 01:06 | Challenge status & listener engagement | | 03:23 | Jordan’s personal reading journey & request for novella recs | | 04:55 | Popular titles & reading trends | | 06:06 | Listener Bob praises The Ministry of Time | | 07:05 | Author Kaliane Bradley’s special message | | 08:27 | Esther’s review of Erasure by Everett | | 09:16 | Discussion of James & Everett’s language note | | 10:22 | John recommends Nestlings by Nat Cassidy | | 11:13 | Chambers describes All Fours by Miranda July | | 12:49 | One of Our Kind by Nicola Yoon recommendation | | 15:24 | Laura from Mount Vernon on Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar | | 17:27 | Dylan conquers The Power Broker | | 19:47 | Valerie from Teaneck recommends The Secret Lives of Baba Segi | | 20:47 | Alexander recommends Too Much Happiness by Alice Munro | | 21:33 | Mary Beth highlights A Promised Land by Barack Obama | | 22:22 | Brad from New Rochelle on Wicked | | 23:15 | Allegra shouts out Diary of a Void | | 24:20 | Elga recommends You Dreamed of Empires | | 25:31 | Jordan’s plan to share community feedback online | | 26:18 | Host/producer mutual appreciation & sign-off |

Tone and Energy

The episode is thoughtful, witty, and highly interactive. The hosts exude warmth, humility, and genuine excitement about both books and their community of readers. Listener voices and stories are at the heart of the show, making for an engaging literary celebration that feels both expansive and personal.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This episode is a treasure trove of book recommendations and community spirit. The hosts and listeners celebrate the joys of reading, the serendipity of literary discovery, and the quirky challenges of tackling long tomes—all while sharing practical tips, cultural commentary, and heartfelt gratitude. Whether you want to know what New York (and beyond) is reading this summer, or seek inspiration for your next literary adventure, this is a must-listen and a must-reference episode.