Currently Reading Podcast
Season 7, Episode 20: Book Superlatives + Fitting In Reading Around The Holidays
Release Date: December 16, 2024
Hosts: Meredith Monday Schwartz and Kaytee Cobb

Introduction

In Season 7, Episode 20 of the Currently Reading podcast, hosts Meredith Monday Schwartz and Kaytee Cobb delve into their favorite books, share memorable bookish moments, and offer insightful strategies for integrating reading into the bustling holiday season. True to their style, Meredith and Katie provide a rich, spoiler-free exploration of their current reads, complemented by engaging discussions and personal anecdotes.

Bookish Moments Of The Week

Meredith’s Mistletoe Horror

Meredith introduces her latest reading obsession, which she humorously terms "Mistletoe Horror." She discusses Mistletoe Horror by Per Jacobson, an advent-style horror novel designed to be read one chapter per day during December. Despite Meredith's candid critique of the book's writing quality, she appreciates the engaging plot and the habit-forming structure it provides.

Meredith [04:04]: "I'm Meredith Monday Schwartz... I might be into Mistletoe Horror."

Meredith [05:27]: "It's not well written. But it is fun for the pure plot sake and also the doing it."

Katie’s Excitement for Book-to-Screen Adaptations

Katie shares her enthusiasm for recent book-to-screen adaptations, highlighting Wicked, The Salt Path by Rainer Wynn starring Gillian Anderson, and Night Bitch starring Amy Adams. She expresses delight over the improving quality of adaptations and their faithful representation of source material.

Katie [08:34]: "There is so much exceeding my expectations with regard to book to screen adaptations lately that it's thrilling me no end."

Meredith [10:42]: "Yes."

Current Reads

Meredith’s Selections

1. "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes" by Caitlin Doughty
   A compelling memoir blending Meredith’s personal experiences with Caitlin Doughty’s insights into the funeral industry. Meredith appreciates the book’s humor and heartfelt exploration of death and mortality.

   Meredith [11:05]: "Caitlin Doughty does a really good job of protecting my heart."

2. "Blood Oath" by Christopher Farnsworth
   An urban fantasy novel featuring a 140-year-old vampire bound to protect the President, paired with a cocky young political liaison. Meredith praises the book’s engaging plot and dynamic characters.

   Meredith [25:01]: "This is the bookish equivalent of, of an action movie."

3. "Murder on the Links" by Agatha Christie
   A Hercule Poirot mystery set in a northern French seaside town. While Meredith enjoys the detective work, she finds the mystery overly complex and Captain Hastings' antics frustrating.

   Meredith [31:24]: "I always love any Hercule novel... but Captain Hastings in this one drove me crazy."

Katie’s Selections

1. "The Weight of Blood" by Tiffany D. Jackson
   A YA horror thriller unraveling the mystery surrounding a prom night tragedy in a small Georgia town. Katie lauds the book’s gripping narrative and masterful storytelling.

   Katie [16:19]: "Tiffany D. Jackson is a master of her craft."

2. "Many Things Under a Rock" by David Scheele
   A nonfiction exploration of octopuses, blending scientific research with indigenous myths. While Katie appreciates the informative content and illustrations, she finds the book's structure somewhat disjointed.

   Katie [26:42]: "This was middling, except for the fact that it was about octopuses."

3. "The Spell Shop" by Sarah Beth Durst
   A cozy, magical fantasy about a librarian and her talking spider plant navigating challenges with spellbooks. Katie describes it as the perfect comfort read, likening it to beloved classics with elements of overgrown gardens and inanimate companions.

   Katie [33:55]: "It felt like I had been hugged by this author and this story."

Deep Dive: Fitting Reading Around The Holidays

With the holiday season often packed with obligations, Meredith and Katie offer practical strategies to ensure reading remains a joyous and manageable part of the festivities.

1. Prioritize Quiet Time

Meredith emphasizes the importance of blocking out dedicated reading time, likening it to self-care that ensures one remains cheerful and present for holiday activities.

Meredith [37:02]: "The holidays bring so many tasks and events... the first thing for many of us that goes is anything that brings us joy."

2. Communicate with Loved Ones

Having open conversations with family members about the necessity of personal reading time helps set expectations and maintain boundaries.

Katie [38:22]: "It's a necessity to continue to fill your cup up."

3. Schedule Reading Periods

Integrating reading into the calendar as an official event, complete with reminders, ensures consistency. Katie suggests setting aside specific times daily, much like appointments.

Katie [40:53]: "Making it an actual event in my calendar with, and this is key, a reminder 15 minutes beforehand."

4. Prepare for Interruptions

Meredith shares humorous tactics for securing uninterrupted reading time, such as creatively managing children's nap times.

Meredith [44:43]: "I lied into my mother's face about every one of my children and their napping abilities... and shove my Kindle in my bra."

5. Embrace Audiobooks

For those not accustomed to audiobooks, Meredith and Katie advocate trying them during the holidays when multitasking is inevitable. They suggest having a robust TBR list to prevent stalls.

Katie [48:10]: "Holiday time is a great time to try audiobooks again if you have not fully embraced them into your reading life."

6. Engage in Holiday Book Exchanges

Replacing traditional holiday exchanges with book-centric ones can foster a community of readers and expand one’s literary horizons.

Katie [54:43]: "Holiday book exchange... it's a delight. This is what I want for all of us."

Visit the Fountain: Wishes for the Year Ahead

Meredith’s Wish: Superlative-Style Book Reviews

Meredith expresses a desire for more nuanced year-end book reviews, inspired by a bookish friend who categorized her annual reads with unique superlatives.

Meredith [51:40]: "I wish that more of us had the time and the inclination to... read these in the bookish friends group."

Katie’s Wish: Holiday Book Exchange

Katie envisions replacing traditional holiday exchanges with book exchanges, fostering a community where members share their favorite reads.

Katie [53:52]: "I'm going to wish to have a holiday book exchange instead of a cookie exchange."

Conclusion

In this heartfelt episode, Meredith and Katie not only share their current literary treasures but also provide invaluable tips for maintaining a healthy reading habit amidst the holiday chaos. Their blend of humor, personal stories, and practical advice makes this episode a must-listen for book lovers striving to keep their reading lives vibrant during the busiest time of the year.

Notable Quotes:

• Meredith [04:04]: "I'm Meredith Monday Schwartz... I might be into Mistletoe Horror."
• Katie [08:34]: "There is so much exceeding my expectations with regard to book to screen adaptations lately that it's thrilling me no end."
• Meredith [05:27]: "It's not well written. But it is fun for the pure plot sake and also the doing it."
• Katie [16:19]: "Tiffany D. Jackson is a master of her craft."
• Meredith [37:02]: "The holidays bring so many tasks and events... the first thing for many of us that goes is anything that brings us joy."
• Katie [40:53]: "Making it an actual event in my calendar with, and this is key, a reminder 15 minutes beforehand."
• Katie [48:10]: "Holiday time is a great time to try audiobooks again if you have not fully embraced them into your reading life."
• Katie [54:43]: "Holiday book exchange... it's a delight. This is what I want for all of us."

For more detailed show notes, timestamps, and resources mentioned in this episode, visit the Currently Reading Podcast website or follow them on Instagram at @currentlyreadingpodcast.

Happy Reading!