Podcast Summary: Currently Reading

Season 7, Episode 16: Wrapper Bookmarks + Spreading Bookish Love
Release Date: November 18, 2024
Hosts: Meredith Monday Schwartz and Katie Cobb

1. Bookish Moment of the Week

Meredith's Bookish Moment: Kindle Color Soft Disappointment
Meredith kicked off the episode by sharing her recent frustration with Amazon’s Kindle Color Soft. She expressed disappointment with its color display and battery life compared to her beloved Kindle Oasis.

“Big fat bummer, Jeff Bezos.” (02:44)
“The screen doesn’t look yellow to me, but that could definitely be a part of what’s happening.” (05:30)

Katie's Bookish Moment: The Three Musketeers Wrapper Bookmark
Katie recounted a humorous mishap where she used a candy wrapper as a bookmark for her hardcover copy of The Three Musketeers. Realizing her mistake, she promptly replaced it with a proper bookmark.

“I put an empty candy Wrapper in as a bookmark on a book that has a dust jacket with flaps. Who does that? An animal, that’s who.” (07:15)

2. Current Reads

Meredith's Current Reads:

• The Killing Season by Mason Cross
  Meredith delved into this action-packed thriller featuring Caleb Wardle, the Chicago sniper escaping death row, and Carter Blake, the relentless mercenary. She appreciated the book's fast pace and cliffhanger chapters, likening it to her favorite action movies.

  “This was a fun three hours of reading. It was a perfect little palette cleanser between two much darker and more literary books.” (12:45)

• The Grip of It by Jack Jims
  Shifting gears to horror, Meredith reviewed this novel about a young couple experiencing supernatural disturbances in their new home. While she found the premise intriguing and the writing self-aware, she felt the character development fell short.

  “The book pushes our suspension of disbelief so far like to my absolute limits.” (22:30)

Katie's Current Reads:

• The Love of My Afterlife by Kirsty Greenwood
  Katie explored this romantic thriller where Delphi, a recently deceased woman, must find her soulmate within ten days to avoid eternal death. Although she found the premise charming and appreciated the book's frenetic pace, she noted a mid-book lull that impacted her overall enjoyment.

  “By the time the big twisty reveals at the end started happening, I was enjoying myself.” (17:10)

• Where Sleeping Girls Lie by Farida Abike Iyomide
  Katie reviewed this YA mystery set in a prestigious boarding school where the disappearance of her roommate thrusts the protagonist, Sade, into a web of secrets and danger. She praised the book’s ability to maintain suspense but cautioned potential readers about its mature themes.

  “Secrets continue to swirl around Sade, who’s trying to keep her own secrets under wraps as well.” (26:00)

• Non-Fiction Picks:

  • Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara
    Meredith highly recommended this business memoir, highlighting how Guidara transformed Eleven Madison Park into the world’s top restaurant by exceeding customer expectations. She emphasized the book’s universal principles applicable beyond the culinary world.

    “There are a lot of things that I would use in my own business.” (31:50)

  • Better Living Through Birding by Christian Cooper
    Katie lauded this memoir that intertwines bird watching with personal narratives, including Cooper's viral Central Park encounter. She appreciated the book’s heartfelt storytelling and practical birding tips.

    “He invites us into his remarkable story through a common language, that of our feathered friends.” (34:10)

3. Deep Dive: Spreading Bookish Love on the Internet

Meredith and Katie explored the vibrant world of Bookstagram, highlighting influential accounts, bookstores, and content creators that enrich the bookish community.

Bookstagrammers to Follow:

• Elizabeth Barnhill (Waco Reads):
  Meredith praises Elizabeth for her reliable book recommendations and engaging content.

  “Elizabeth Barnhill is my number one recommendation source.” (37:00)

• Jesse Lynn Weaver (Joy in a Book):
  Katie highlights Jesse’s fun and nerdy niche, noting her thoughtful book selections.

  “Joy Stallworth, who is a great reader and really has this fun, kind of nerdy niche.” (38:05)

• Unlikely Story & Jean Auel:
  Both hosts appreciate the diverse recommendations and authentic voices presented by these creators.

Bookstores with Stellar Social Media Presence:

• Birdrain Books (Holly):
  Meredith commends Holly for her insightful recommendations and resemblance to her own reading style.

  “Holly is often throwing light on books that I need to drop everything and read this now.” (39:30)

• Fabled Bookshop (Waco Reads):
  Katie mentions this store for its phenomenal Instagram content that inspires followers to support independent bookstores.

Notable Content Creators:

• Jason Headley (EZ Cat):
  Katie shares her admiration for Jason’s joyful and engaging content, regardless of the book topics he discusses.

  “Jason’s visceral joy makes my feed better. I love those videos and they make my world better.” (40:50)

• Monsieur Marple:
  Meredith recommends this account for mystery enthusiasts, especially those who enjoy cozy and British-themed books.

  “She does a great feed that’s mostly mystery based but a lot of British and a lot of cozy.” (41:10)

Community Engagement:

Both hosts emphasized the importance of following authors and podcasters who align with their reading preferences, while also appreciating those who challenge their tastes. They encouraged listeners to engage thoughtfully with their Bookstagram feeds to enhance their reading experiences.

“The take-home here is be really thoughtful about like the 10 accounts that you consistently know.” (46:00)

4. The Fountain Wish

Meredith's Fountain Wish: Podcast Recommendation
Meredith wished listeners to explore the "Best Books Lately with Sophie Hudson" episode on Laura Tremaine's podcast. She highlighted the engaging discussion and valuable book recommendations shared in the episode.

“If you haven’t heard it already and you love good bookish conversation, you’re going to want to listen.” (47:15)

Katie's Fountain Wish: Plan Your Holiday Reading
Katie echoed a previous reminder, urging listeners to organize their holiday reading lists to ensure a fulfilling December. She suggested a variety of genres, from diverse holiday romances to cozy mysteries and snowy-themed books.

“Pick up Christmas in Rose Bend by Naima Simone... or maybe you want the afterlife of Holly Chase that we mentioned earlier.” (48:35)

5. Concluding Remarks

Meredith and Katie wrapped up the episode by reiterating the importance of community within the bookish world and encouraging listeners to connect with them and each other through various platforms. They invited listeners to share their favorite Bookstagram accounts and holiday reading plans, fostering a sense of camaraderie among fellow readers.

“Happy reading, Meredith.” (51:47)

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Meredith on Kindle Color Soft:
  “Big fat bummer, Jeff Bezos.” (02:44)

• Katie on Wrapper Bookmark Mishap:
  “Who does that? An animal, that’s who.” (07:15)

• Meredith on The Killing Season:
  “This was a fun three hours of reading. It was a perfect little palette cleanser between two much darker and more literary books.” (12:45)

• Katie on The Grip of It:
  “It never delivers on the experimental horror or the deep character study that it seems to be trying to attempt.” (23:50)

• Meredith on Unreasonable Hospitality:
  “There are a lot of things that I would use in my own business.” (31:50)

• Katie on Better Living Through Birding:
  “He invites us into his remarkable story through a common language, that of our feathered friends.” (34:10)

Final Thoughts

Season 7, Episode 16 of Currently Reading offers a rich tapestry of book reviews, personal anecdotes, and community-focused discussions. Meredith and Katie blend their personal experiences with insightful critiques, making the episode both engaging and informative for listeners seeking their next great read. Whether delving into action-packed thrillers, heartfelt memoirs, or exploring the dynamic world of Bookstagram, this episode encapsulates the essence of a true bookish friendship.

For those seeking in-depth book recommendations and a sense of connection within the literary community, this episode is a must-listen. Happy reading!