Podcast Summary: Currently Reading
Season 7, Episode 25: Reading Resolutions + The Art Of The DNF
Release Date: January 27, 2025

Hosts: Meredith Monday Schwartz and Kaytee Cobb
Description: "Currently Reading" delves into the love of books and reading, with hosts discussing their current reads, timeless favorites, and various readerly topics. Expect abundant book recommendations each week.

Introduction

Meredith Monday Schwartz [00:00]:
“Hey, readers, welcome to the Currently Reading podcast. We are bookish best friends who spend time every week talking about the books that we've read recently. And you should know we do not shy away from having strong opinions. So get ready.”

Kaytee Cobb [00:24]:
“We are learning light on the chit chat, heavy on the book talk, and our descriptions will always be spoiler free.”

Hosts Meredith and Kaytee reacquaint listeners after a brief hiatus, emphasizing a return to their in-depth book discussions and promise of spoiler-free conversations.

Bookish Moment of the Week

Kaytee Cobb [02:04]:
Shares a personal anecdote about getting color added to her octopus tattoo—a beautiful yet painful experience. Despite the discomfort, she finds solace in reading during the process, highlighting the comfort stories provide during challenging times.

Meredith Monday Schwartz [04:30]:
Discusses her own tattoos, comparing the pain levels and artistic differences. Highlights the therapeutic role of reading during intense personal moments, such as labor.

Current Reads and Reviews

1. Letters from Cuba by Ruth Behar

Kaytee Cobb [11:21]:
“Letters from Cuba” is an epistolary novel based on the author’s grandmother’s immigration story. The protagonist, Esther, writes letters to her sister Malka while striving to reunite her family amidst rising tensions in 1930s Poland and her father's relocation to Cuba.

Children’s Review [14:27]:
“We loved this story. It was emotional and sometimes sad. We enjoyed the format, the short chapters, the budding friendships, and the resistance to fascism.”

• Rating: 4.75 stars

Meredith appreciates the collaborative reading experience with her children, enhancing their understanding and articulation of the book's themes.

2. Murder Road by Simone St. James

Meredith Monday Schwartz [11:21]:
A supernatural crime novel set in 1995, following newlyweds April and Eddie who become suspects in a murder investigation after picking up a mysterious hitchhiker on the eerie Atticus Line. The book excels in character depth and atmospheric setting but feels somewhat disorganized in its plot construction.

Notable Quote [22:59]:
"Murder Road" is an interesting one because it hits right in the middle. So there were some things that I really, really liked and some things that I didn't like as much."

Rating: 4 stars

Meredith commends Simone’s mastery of ghost characters but notes the plot felt messy, leading to a somewhat conflicted ending.

3. The Invisible Husband of Frick Island by Colleen Oakley

Kaytee Cobb [23:05]:
A contemporary romance set on Frick Island where cell phones don’t work. Piper Parish copes with her husband Tom’s disappearance by pretending he’s still alive, while journalist Anders Caldwell arrives to cover a local event, seeking a compelling story. The book explores themes of grief and widowhood, with a balance of humor and emotional depth.

Notable Quote [26:58]:
“This book also deals with grief and widowhood in a pretty tender way... I was pretty annoyed with Anders and that part was hard to read. But I came out the other side... I enjoyed it by the end.”

Rating: 4 stars

Kaytee appreciates the emotional nuances and character development despite initial frustrations with the protagonist’s actions.

4. A Bit Much by Lindsay Rush

Meredith Monday Schwartz [33:49]:
A poetry collection aimed at millennials, featuring humor and wordplay to explore the female experience. While Meredith acknowledges the book’s resonance with its target audience, she personally finds it less relatable due to generational differences.

Notable Quote [35:49]:
“I have to have some hard things, some work things, some crap things in order to enjoy the good things, the joyful things. This is not about right or wrong. It's just about the fact that this is a collection that is perfect for millennial women to feel seen.”

Rating:
No rating given; Meredith expresses appreciation for its intended audience despite personal disconnect.

Meredith grapples with the millennial-coded themes, seeking poetry that resonates more with her Gen X perspective.

5. Orbital by Samantha Harvey

Kaytee Cobb [36:32]:
A Booker Prize-winning novel set on a space station orbiting Earth, following six astronauts over a single day. The book blends scientific detail with meditative reflections on mundane yet significant lives.

Notable Quote [37:11]:
“It was really lovely and at only 207 pages there's basically no reason not to try it. Just give it a try and see if you are interested in mundane but profoundly significant lives.”

Rating:
No specific rating provided; Kaytee recommends it based on personal enjoyment.

Kaytee balances differing reviews, highlighting the book’s appeal to those who appreciate contemplative, character-driven narratives.

6. Beautiful Ugly by Alice Feeney

Meredith Monday Schwartz [40:04]:
A locked island suspense thriller featuring Grady Green, an author facing personal and professional turmoil. Sent to a remote Scottish island for a writing retreat, he encounters mysterious occurrences and uncanny sightings of his missing wife.

Notable Quote [45:11]:
“…this book has all the things that I love about an Alice Feeney novel. It’s got, of course, this great Scottish island setting... The ending itself was, I think, really satisfying and very clever.”

Rating:
Meredith gives it four and a half stars, noting a slightly mushy middle but praises the evocative setting and satisfying conclusion.

Alice Feeney’s mastery of suspense and setting is evident, though Meredith notes minor pacing issues.

Discussion on DNFs (Did Not Finish)

Meredith Monday Schwartz [01:23]:
Introduces the topic of DNFs, expressing curiosity about Kaytee’s perspective and experiences.

Definitions and Distinctions:

1. Sample vs. DNF:

   • Meredith [48:21]: Emphasizes that a sample involves reading merely 10-20% of a book without committing, while a DNF involves actively deciding to discontinue reading after meaningful engagement.
   • Kaytee [48:48]: Agrees, advocating for distinguishing between merely sampling and formally DNFing.

2. Categories of DNF:

   • Meredith’s Approach:
     • DNF without Prejudice: Temporarily setting a book aside, open to revisiting in the future.
     • DNF with Prejudice: Deciding permanently that the book isn’t for her.
   • Kaytee’s Approach:
     • DNF without Prejudice: Acknowledging the book isn’t right at the moment but may be later.
     • DNF with Prejudice: Concluding the book isn’t suitable at all.

Notable Quotes:

• Meredith [34:35]:
  “Like, our whole team at Currently Reading. I think maybe only you and Roxanna are not millennials.”

• Meredith [55:22]:
  “If you are reading my book and it's not working for you in any way, shape or form, please set it down rather than pushing it through.”

Hosts’ Personal Strategies:

• Meredith:
  Utilizes systems like "DNF without Prejudice" and "DNF with Prejudice" to categorize and manage books she chooses not to finish.

• Kaytee:
  Prefers setting print books aside visually to trigger the decision to DNF and acknowledges being more discerning with audio formats.

Key Insights:

• Understanding and differentiating between sampling and DNFing enhances reading efficiency and enjoyment.
• Setting clear personal criteria for DNFs prevents the misuse of the term and fosters a healthier reading relationship.
• Utilizing tools like reading trackers and dedicated shelves (physical or digital) aids in organizing and decision-making.

Wish at the Fountain

Kaytee Cobb [60:05]:
“I wish to hang out with attendees at the Tucson Festival of Books in March. I am thrilled to say that I will be spending the weekend in Tucson again this March for the Tucson Festival of Books... We will have a Currently Reading listener dinner together on the evening of March 15th.”

An annual tradition, Kaytee expresses excitement about interacting with the book community in person, inviting listeners to join her at the festival for author events and signings.

Recommended Apps and Resources

Meredith Monday Schwartz [61:34]:
Introduces the Agatha Christie Reading List app, a tool for tracking and organizing Agatha Christie’s works. Features include synopses, tracking read/purchased books, and filtering by detective. The app enhances the reading experience by providing historical context and organizational tools.

Notable Quote [63:02]:
“This is the Agatha Christie Reading List app and if you are trying to make your way through her works like I am, you will find it. Really, really easy and so satisfying to be able to check those things off. I love it.”

Kaytee also appreciates Meredith’s personal touch in integrating the app into her reading tracker, highlighting the satisfaction derived from tracking progress.

Conclusion

Meredith and Kaytee offer a comprehensive exploration of their current literary journeys, blending personal anecdotes with in-depth book reviews. Their candid discussion on reading resolutions and DNFs provides valuable insights for listeners aiming to refine their reading habits. The episode concludes with a heartfelt invitation to engage with the book community and practical recommendations for enhancing the reading experience.

Meredith [64:15]:
“Happy reading, Katie. Happy reading.”

Kaytee Cobb [64:18]:
“Meredith.”

Connect with Hosts:

• Meredith Monday Schwartz: Instagram
• Kaytee Cobb: Instagram
• Email: currentlyreadingpodcast@mail.com
• Website: currentlyreadingpodcast.com
• Join as a Bookish Friend: Support the show for $5/month to access exclusive content and community benefits.

Producer/Editor: Megan Putalong Evans
Social Media: Follow Megan on Instagram for show notes and timestamps.

May your coffee be hot and your book be unputdownable.