Podcast Summary: Currently Reading – Season 7, Episode 21: A Look Back - Our Top Reads of 2020!

Release Date: December 30, 2024
Hosts: Meredith Monday Schwartz and Kaytee Cobb

1. Introduction to the Episode Theme

In this special episode of Currently Reading, hosts Meredith Monday Schwartz and Kaytee Cobb delve into their top ten favorite books of the tumultuous year 2020. Recognizing 2020 as an "amazing outlier" influenced by the global pandemic, the hosts aim to reflect on how the year's unique circumstances shaped their reading habits and choices.

Meredith (00:53): "We have a theme for a really good reason, Katie. [...] 2020 was that amazing outlier of a year."

2. Reflecting on Reading Habits During 2020

Both Meredith and Kaytee discuss how the pandemic impacted their reading patterns. Meredith, residing in Austin, Texas, benefited from having fewer family obligations as only one of her four children was at home. This afforded her the luxury to delve deeply into books she might not have otherwise prioritized.

Meredith (02:03): "I was lucky enough to go through 2020, the lockdown, which is pretty much all of 2020 for us. [...] I didn't have a Baby at home at the time."

Conversely, Kaytee, based in Arizona, balanced homeschooling four children, leading to shifts in her reading as community activities were curtailed.

Kaytee (03:29): "We had moved in 2019, so we were still trying to build community and then all that community got taken away."

3. Overview of Top 10 Lists Preparation

The hosts emphasize the meticulous process behind selecting their top ten books, highlighting the challenge of narrowing down vast reading lists. They postponed finalizing their lists until after December 31st to ensure no late-year reads were overlooked.

Meredith (04:12): "We want to make absolutely sure that a five-star top 10 book didn't sneak in right at the very end of the year."

4. Detailed Discussion of Top 10 Books

Meredith's Top 10 of 2020

1. Greenwood by Michael Christie (40:17)

   • A sweeping family saga that intertwines story and plot, spanning from 2038 back to the early 1900s.
   • "This book is that intersection of story and plot."

2. The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins (13:05)

   • An inventive horror novel that captivated Meredith with its unique narrative.
   • "I can't to this day tell you exactly what this book is about. [...] It's impossible to describe."

3. Moonflower Murders by Anthony Horowitz (23:00)

   • A complex mystery within a series, praised for its well-drawn characters and engaging plot.
   • "It's a very long brick of a book, but it's brilliantly executed."

4. All the Devils Are Here by Louise Penny (30:55)

   • The 16th installment in the Inspector Gamache series, lauded as possibly the best in the series.
   • "She just does family relationships so well and there are some gut-punch moments."

5. Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes (19:41)

   • A middle-grade novel addressing police brutality from multiple perspectives, including that of a deceased boy.
   • "This book is a book that should be taught in all classrooms at the fourth and fifth grade level."

6. Lazy Genius Way by Kendra Adachi (26:16)

   • A nonfiction guide on productivity and prioritization, resonating deeply with Meredith's personal and professional life.
   • "It's all about doing instead of working harder, working smarter."

7. The Midnight Library by Matt Haig (32:18)

   • Explores themes of choice and redemption through a metaphysical library where each book represents a different life path.
   • "It's full of hope and full of redemption. It's really, really a very happy book at the end."

8. Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam (36:01)

   • A polarizing short novel about two families navigating an unexplained crisis, praised for sparking engaging discussions.
   • "It's a book that should be read by book clubs all across the country."

9. Know My Name by Chanel Miller (24:34)

   • A powerful memoir recounting the author's experience in the Stanford rape case, delivered poignantly in her own voice.
   • "The emotion in her voice as she reads. It’s absolutely vital to listen to her read it."

10. Here for It by R. Eric Thomas (39:11)

    • A humorous collection of essays exploring the intersectionality of being Black and gay in America.
    • "It's hysterically funny. It's absolutely wonderful."

Kaytee's Top 10 of 2020

1. Pride by Ibi Zoboi (42:20)

   • A contemporary retelling of Pride and Prejudice set in a gentrifying New York City neighborhood with Black teenage protagonists.
   • "It's a Pride and Prejudice retelling YA set in New York City. [...] I cannot talk about it without a smile on my face."

2. Caste by Isabel Wilkerson (43:56)

   • An explorative nonfiction work comparing American racism to the caste systems of India and Nazi Germany.
   • "It's a super palatable package. [...] It’s that kind of accessible and digestible."

3. Lobisona by Romina Garber Russell (31:55)

   • A YA fantasy novel blending werewolves, immigration, and magical sports, celebrated for its rich world-building.
   • "It has everything I want in a book and didn't even know I needed it."

4. Saving Ruby King by Katherine Adele West (11:57)

   • A thriller featuring the church as a character, blending mystery and suspense.
   • "It had the church as a character in the book as a point of view, which I just thought was so interesting."

5. With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo (15:47)

   • A YA novel focusing on a teen mom aspiring to be a chef, lauded for its vivid culinary descriptions.
   • "The food, you just can't not love the food in this book."

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   (Note: The transcript doesn’t provide all ten books for Kaytee, but this placeholder indicates continuation.)

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(Due to the transcript's focus on Meredith’s list and partial coverage of Kaytee’s list, only five of Kaytee's top ten are detailed here.)

5. Reflections and Conclusions

Meredith and Kaytee reflect on the significance of their chosen books, many of which remain influential and beloved beyond 2020. They acknowledge the lasting impact of their top picks, noting how certain books continue to resonate with them and their audiences.

Meredith (46:08): "It is that intersection of story and plot. [...] It's written in a way that you just forget that you're reading."

Kaytee highlights the surge in social justice themes within her top ten, mirroring the broader societal focus of 2020.

Kaytee (45:35): "There are a goodly number of these [...] Cast is the second book by Isabel Wilkerson."

Both hosts express gratitude for the opportunity to revisit their favorite reads, emphasizing the enduring value of these literary works in their lives and communities.

Katie (49:02): "Happy reading, Meredith."

6. Notable Quotes

• Meredith (02:58): "2020 I needed much more escape."
• Kaytee (05:02): "There was weeping and gnashing of teeth it was very, very upsetting for me."
• Meredith (15:10): "It's not safe. There's a lot of stuff in there that we really, you know, can't talk about on the show."
• Kaytee (10:05): "Once I hit those top 10 [...] it got really sweaty and anxious at my house."
• Meredith (32:18): "It was carried through the story from start to finish."

7. Episode Highlights

• Reading Quantities: Kaytee astonishingly read 316 books in 2020, while Meredith read 116, though both note significant growth in their reading habits.
• Genre Diversity: Both hosts showcase a range of genres, from YA and middle-grade to horror, mystery, and nonfiction.
• Influence of 2020 Events: The global pandemic and social justice movements heavily influenced their reading choices, with many books reflecting themes of resilience, identity, and societal change.
• Book Recommendations: Numerous titles are highlighted as must-reads, often accompanied by personal anecdotes and reasons for their lasting impact.

8. Final Thoughts

The episode serves as both a nostalgic look back and a curated guide for listeners seeking their next great read. By sharing their top ten lists and the stories behind their selections, Meredith and Kaytee offer insightful recommendations shaped by a year of unprecedented global events.

For more book recommendations and community discussions, listeners are encouraged to connect with Meredith and Kaytee on Instagram and join their patron community to support the show.