Podcast Summary: Currently Reading Season 7, Episode 12: New Furry Friends + Retaining What We Read
Release Date: October 21, 2024
Hosts: Meredith Monday Schwartz and Katie Cobb

1. Welcome and Episode Overview

Meredith Monday Schwartz and Katie Cobb kick off Season 7, Episode 12 of Currently Reading, setting the stage for a discussion centered around new additions to their families and the intricate topic of memory retention in reading.

Meredith (00:00): "We are bookish best friends who spend time every week talking about the books that we've read recently. And as you know, we won't shy away from having strong opinions. So get ready."

2. Bookish Moments of the Week

2.1. Introducing a New Puppy

Katie enthusiastically shares the heartwarming addition of a new puppy to her family, Penny Parker Cobb, detailing the challenges and joys of integrating a young dog into a busy household.

Katie (01:30): "Penny Parker Cobb as the newest member of our family. She's shiny red like a lucky penny... She was just a disaster. But she's quickly settling into a new normal."

Meredith empathizes with Katie's experience, highlighting the unexpected yet timely arrival of Penny.

Meredith (03:23): "Sometimes things that seem to be happening at exactly the wrong time do end up happening at the right time."

2.2. Meredith's Reading Struggles

Meredith opens up about her current difficulty in maintaining a steady reading rhythm, attributing it to increased responsibilities and shifting interests.

Meredith (03:36): "I'm having trouble with a smooth momentum in my reading... I'll have finished two books, like one on audio and one in print, and then I'll be like, I just have no idea what I want to read next."

Katie relates to Meredith's experience, describing her own challenges with selecting the next read.

Katie (05:45): "I identify so much with what you just said as we discussed this week off mic...It's like flailing from one book to another."

3. Deep Dive: Current Reads

3.1. Death at Morning House by Maureen Johnson

Meredith passionately reviews Death at Morning House, praising its dual-timeline narrative and the depth of its characters.

Meredith (14:13): "This book has a mystery involving not one, but two siblings dying in one day... Maureen Johnson has redeemed herself for me."

Katie draws parallels between the setting of Meredith's book and the famous Winchester Mystery House, appreciating the organic feel of Morning House.

Katie (19:58): "As a former resident of the Bay Area, were you picturing the Winchester Mystery House?... It's very stuck in time."

3.2. Devil in Winter by Lisa Kleypas

Meredith shares her enthusiasm for Devil in Winter, a Regency romance that incorporates a marriage of convenience trope with compelling character development.

Meredith (26:11): "It has a real focus on a business being rehabilitated...I gave it 4.5 stars."

Katie connects Devil in Winter to similar tropes in other romance novels, highlighting its appeal.

Katie (31:13): "This sounds very tailor-made for Meredith in so many ways."

3.3. Love in the Time of Serial Killers by Alicia Thompson

Katie discusses her mixed feelings about Love in the Time of Serial Killers, criticizing its portrayal of the protagonist while appreciating other aspects.

Katie (21:03): "Phoebe brings the paranoia and self-sabotage to the relationship... I wanted more."

Meredith concurs, noting how the character's portrayal impacted the overall experience.

Meredith (25:46): "Because it sounds like a lot of the things about her are not the way that a thinking, intelligent woman would process."

3.4. Bad Cree by Jessica Johns

Katie introduces Bad Cree, an indigenous horror novel that intertwines family bonds with supernatural elements, praising its depth and cultural integration.

Katie (32:23): "Bad Cree by Jessica Johns did it for me in a big way and I loved it."

Meredith adds that the book aligns perfectly with the season, enhancing its appeal.

Meredith (35:47): "I've heard really good things about it and also I heard a lot about it because I listened to Canada Reads 2024."

3.5. Ending Things by Ian Reid

Meredith delves into Ending Things, describing it as an unforgettable horror novel that explores unsettling themes without relying on gore.

Meredith (36:10): "This book begs for an immediate reread... It’s disorienting, strange, weird, unsettling, disturbing, and uncomfortable."

Katie expresses interest in the recommendation, intrigued by Meredith's vivid description.

Katie (42:14): "Hey, I'm interested. I'm interested."

4. Retaining What We Read

The hosts transition into a thoughtful discussion about memory retention in reading, reflecting on how much detail they remember from books and the factors influencing this.

Meredith (43:40): "I am okay with it... sometimes it's really wonderful to be able to reread something and have it be largely new to you."

Katie explains her own memory strengths, emphasizing her ability to recall book details years later.

Katie (44:18): "For a book that I didn't even read, I just heard you discuss it with me... I have a pretty good memory."

Meredith shares her struggles with remembering deep plot points, especially in complex series like Louise Penny's Three Pines.

Meredith (47:08): "It's my favorite book series of all time... I still going, oh, my gosh, I'd totally forgotten that person was the killer."

Katie introduces an insightful article from the New York Times discussing changing memory capacities and information digestion in the modern era.

Katie (53:25): "The author talks about how not only does our memory capacity change as we get older, but we're also in this era of hyper digestible information."

5. Fountain Wish

5.1. Katie's Wish: Mrs. Wordsmith Storyteller's Word a Day Calendar

Katie recommends a creative word calendar designed to enhance vocabulary and inspire storytelling, ideal for both children and adults.

Katie (55:51): "It's called Mrs. Wordsmith Storyteller's Word a Day... It adds a new depth to their writing, their speech, their vocabulary."

Meredith expresses enthusiasm for incorporating daily word exercises into her routine.

Meredith (57:30): "I love anything a day... that sounds like a lot of fun."

5.2. Meredith's Wish: New Louise Penny Book

Meredith shares her anticipation for the upcoming Louise Penny novel, The Gray Wolf, highlighting her eagerness and the anticipation surrounding its release.

Meredith (58:00): "I just wish it would come sooner... I've had to go for, I think, ever in the series."

Katie comments on the audiobook's narration changes, acknowledging Penny's support for diverse voices.

Katie (59:21): "They did switch the audio narrator again... He's a third person that we have never met before."

6. Conclusion and Connections

Meredith and Katie wrap up the episode by sharing where listeners can connect with them and access additional content, including show notes and recommended products.

Meredith (60:13): "You can follow us on Instagram... full show notes with the title of every book we mentioned in the episode and timestamps."

Katie (60:45): "Our show is produced and edited every week by Megan Putovong Evans... you can buy some fantastic mugs, coffee mugs that are very bookish and very beautiful."

Both hosts encourage listeners to engage through various platforms and support the podcast community.

Katie (61:15): "Bookish friends are the best friends. Thank you for helping us grow and get closer to our goals."

Meredith (61:16): "May your coffee be hot and your book be unforgettable."

Notable Quotes:

• Katie on Penny's Arrival:
  "She was just a disaster. But she's quickly settling into a new normal." (01:30)

• Meredith on Reading Struggles:
  "I'm having trouble with a smooth momentum in my reading... I just have no idea what I want to read next." (03:36)

• Meredith on Death at Morning House:
  "Maureen Johnson has redeemed herself for me." (14:13)

• Katie on Love in the Time of Serial Killers:
  "Phoebe brings the paranoia and self-sabotage to the relationship... I wanted more." (21:03)

• Meredith on Ending Things:
  "This is disorienting, strange, weird, unsettling, disturbing, and uncomfortable." (36:10)

• Katie on Memory Retention:
  "I have a pretty good memory... I can usually tell you the title and author." (44:38)

• Meredith on Re-reading:
  "Sometimes it's really wonderful to be able to reread something and have it be largely new to you." (43:40)

This episode of Currently Reading offers a heartfelt blend of personal anecdotes, book recommendations, and introspective discussions on how we engage with and remember the stories we consume. Whether you're seeking your next great read or contemplating your own reading habits, Meredith and Katie provide thoughtful insights and relatable experiences to enrich your literary journey.