Currently Reading – Season 7, Episode 26: Bookish Geese + Boss My TBR
Release Date: February 3, 2025
Meredith Monday Schwartz and Katie Cobb return for their 26th episode of Season 7 on the Currently Reading podcast, delving deep into their latest literary adventures, community updates, and TBR (To Be Read) management strategies. This episode, aptly titled "Bookish Geese + Boss My TBR," offers a rich tapestry of book recommendations, personal insights, and engaging discussions for avid readers.
Community Spotlight
Meredith and Katie kick off the episode by celebrating the vibrant communities they've cultivated. With nearly 3,000 patrons supporting them on Patreon, and active groups on Facebook (2,400 members) and Discord (600 members), the hosts emphasize the importance of these platforms in fostering meaningful connections among book enthusiasts.
Katie Cobb [02:00]: "Our Facebook group is always buzzing—asking advice, building relationships, and sharing their reads with kindness."
Meredith expresses her gratitude for the community's positive impact, especially highlighting how it has reshaped her perception of social media.
Meredith Monday Schwartz [04:15]: "The bookish friends group really is meaningful. I'm grateful to you, Katie, for bringing this group together."
Bookish Moments of the Week
In this segment, Meredith shares her newfound appreciation for Spotify Premium as a tool for accessing audiobooks without purchasing individual titles. She highlights the flexibility it offers, especially for short listening sessions.
Meredith Monday Schwartz [05:13]: "Spotify gives me the ability to just listen for an hour without having to buy the book or use a credit."
Katie discusses her meticulous TBR management system, emphasizing the importance of tracking recommendation sources to maintain an organized reading list.
Katie Cobb [07:24]: "I've come up with a few ways to keep track of my TBR, ensuring I know where each recommendation came from."
Current Reads
The heart of the episode revolves around their current reads, each accompanied by detailed reviews and personal reflections.
1. True Crime by Samantha Kolisnik
Meredith delves into this harrowing novel, describing it as one of the darkest books she's ever encountered. The story follows siblings Susie and Lim, who embark on a violent murder spree driven by their abusive upbringing.
Meredith Monday Schwartz [12:00]: "This book tackles a very difficult topic through the lens of horror, giving clarity to the horrors of sexual abuse."
Despite its heavy themes, Meredith praises the novel's writing quality and emotional depth, though she cautions potential readers about its intense content.
2. Sipsworth by Simon Van Buey
Katie introduces Sipsworth as a comforting read that serves as a perfect counterbalance to the darkness of True Crime. The story centers on Helen Cartwright, an elderly woman who forms an unlikely friendship with a mouse, symbolizing hope and connection.
Katie Cobb [19:30]: "It's a story of finding connection when you thought there was no one left to lean on."
Meredith echoes Katie's sentiments, recommending it as an "emergency break glass" book for moments of distress.
3. Getting Naked by Patrick Lencioni
Meredith, a CEO and avid follower of Patrick Lencioni’s work, discusses this business fable that explores client loyalty through shedding professional fears. She admires how Lencioni intertwines storytelling with practical business insights.
Meredith Monday Schwartz [22:10]: "This book gets into the nuts and bolts of building a client-focused service business, aligning closely with my ethos as a CEO."
4. The Night Ends With Fire by KX Song
Katie reviews this dark, feminist-inspired retelling of the Mulan legend. The protagonist, Maylene, challenges patriarchal norms by disguising herself as a man to join the army, infused with magical realism elements.
Katie Cobb [29:30]: "Maylene ends up being morally gray, adding depth and complexity to her character and the narrative."
Meredith expresses interest in the upcoming sequel, The Dragon Wakes With Thunder, slated for August 2025.
5. The Hike by Drew Magary
Meredith describes The Hike as a bizarre and imaginative adventure that defies conventional genres. The protagonist, Ben, embarks on a hike that leads him into an unpredictable and surreal journey filled with giants, killer crickets, and smoke monsters.
Meredith Monday Schwartz [29:53]: "The hike is incredibly imaginative, giving my brain something new to consider and let it fizz."
Katie eagerly anticipates reading it, highlighting its unique blend of fantasy and adventure.
6. The White Girl by Tony Burch
Katie introduces this historical fiction novel that sheds light on the Australian government's policies of child separation within Aboriginal communities during the 1960s. The story follows Odette Brown's fierce determination to protect her granddaughter from being taken by welfare authorities.
Katie Cobb [34:00]: "Odette is a fiercely protective grandmother who will do whatever it takes to save her granddaughter."
Meredith commends the novel for its powerful storytelling and its exploration of underrepresented historical injustices.
TBR Management and Community Picks
Meredith and Katie engage in their beloved "Bossing TBR victims" segment, where they assist members of their community in curating their reading lists. They discuss Mari and Judith's TBR selections, offering personalized recommendations based on their preferences and reading habits.
Katie Cobb [39:10]: "She tends to have five or six books going at a time, enjoying chunks of reading in different formats."
Meredith suggests a thematic approach for Mari, linking her selections with overarching narratives to enhance her reading experience.
Upcoming and Community Engagement
A Journey to Three Pines
Meredith announces the forthcoming recording of A Journey to Three Pines: The Beautiful Mystery, the eighth book in their beloved series, slated for release in late February 2025.
Meredith Monday Schwartz [49:16]: "Reading has commenced. We will record A Journey to Three Pines: The Beautiful Mystery in early February."
Community Read: Wicked by Gregory Maguire
As part of their community initiatives, Meredith shares her experience rereading Wicked, highlighting how her perspectives have evolved over time.
Meredith Monday Schwartz [50:44]: "I'm enjoying the experience of what I'm bringing to the book now as an older parent and woman."
Naming Inspector Goosemash
Katie delights in announcing the newly named porch goose, Inspector Goosemash, inspired by Louise Penny's character Inspector Gamache. This playful community interaction exemplifies the camaraderie within their bookish circles.
Katie Cobb [53:20]: "My real wish for this fountain is that somehow Louise Penny gets to see this, that she sees that Inspector Goosemash exists in the world."
Conclusion and Connect with Hosts
Meredith and Katie wrap up the episode by encouraging listeners to connect via Instagram, Patreon, and their website. They emphasize the importance of community support and invite new listeners to join their vibrant bookish family.
Meredith Monday Schwartz [55:26]: "The title of every book we mentioned in the episode and timestamps so you can zoom right to where we talked about can be found in our show notes and on our website @currentlyreadingpodcast.com."
Katie Cobb [56:06]: "Bookish friends are the best friends. Thank you all for helping us grow and keep our lives together and get closer to our goals."
The episode closes with their signature well-wishes:
Meredith Monday Schwartz [56:16]: "May your coffee be hot and your book be unput downable."
Katie Cobb [56:18]: "Happy reading, Meredith."
Connect with Meredith and Katie:
- Meredith Monday Schwartz: Instagram
- Katie Cobb: Notes on Bookmarks
- Podcast Show Notes & Website: currentlyreadingpodcast.com
- Patreon: Patreon – Currently Reading
Happy Reading and See You Next Week!