Podcast Summary: Currently Reading – Season 7, Episode 27: Booktube + Finishing A Book Well

Release Date: February 10, 2025
Hosts: Meredith Monday Schwartz (A) and Kaytee Cobb (B)

Introduction

In Season 7, Episode 27 of Currently Reading, hosts Meredith Monday Schwartz and Kaytee Cobb delve into their passionate discussions about books, offering listeners an insightful exploration of their current reads, bookish experiences, and strategies for finishing books thoughtfully. The episode, titled "Booktube + Finishing A Book Well," combines engaging book conversations with practical advice for avid readers.

Bookish Moment of the Week

Kaytee Cobb (B) opens the episode by highlighting the invaluable role of libraries in her reading journey. She shares her enthusiasm for utilizing library resources to explore various crochet books, emphasizing how libraries make diverse and specialized content accessible without financial burden.

B [01:39]: “…no matter what you're into, you can always find ways to deepen or broaden that knowledge for free in the shelves of your library.”

Meredith Monday Schwartz (A) echoes Kaytee’s sentiment, drawing parallels between crocheting and knitting, both of which are costly hobbies where library access proves beneficial. They discuss the joy of discovering unexpected books, such as coffee table books, through library visits.

A [03:08]: “…you want to be sure that it's going to be a good investment. …library is a great place to just go over there and be like, every time I go to the library, I'm just gonna get one of these, like, books that I wouldn't normally buy for myself.”

Current Reads

Kaytee’s Selections

1. All Along You Were Blooming by Morgan Harper Nichols

   Kaytee (B) introduces this poetry collection, praising its visually stunning illustrations and inspiring words. She highlights the book's suitability as a gift, especially for Galentine’s Day, and notes its Christian undertones.

   B [06:39]: “…she imagines the world as it could be. All along you Were Blooming would make an excellent gift book for any number of holidays, but especially Galentine's day.”

2. Whale Fall by Daniel Kraus

   Kaytee describes this speculative fiction novel as a "survivalist fever dream." She outlines the plot involving Jay Gardner's perilous underwater journey and his confrontation with a giant squid, leading to dire circumstances inside a sperm whale.

   B [13:09]: “…this is kind of magical realism, speculative fiction. …a thriller with that air countdown especially. But there's a lot of woo woo in here that makes that means it's not for readers of into the Drowning Deep, but more like something Laura Tremain would really love.”

3. Lunar New Year Love Story by Jean Luen Yang, illustrated by Lewin Pham

   This YA graphic novel blends dark romance with cultural traditions. Kaytee appreciates the book's unique take on Valentine's Day and its beautiful illustrations, connecting it to the Lunar New Year festivities.

   B [13:09]: “…it’s a great way to gain a bit of familiarity with the traditions around Chinese New Year. And as we're recording, we just entered the year of the Snake and that's what brought this book back to the top for me.”

Meredith’s Selections

1. Oscar Wars by Michael Shulman

   Meredith passionately reviews this non-fiction work, diving into the tumultuous history of the Academy Awards. She highlights intriguing behind-the-scenes conflicts and pivotal moments, such as the infamous 2017 Oscars mix-up between "Moonlight" and "La La Land."

   A [06:56]: “…Michael Shulman goes into the history of our little golden man and the conflicts that he has been creating going back to the very beginning of the Oscar of the Academy awards.”

2. A Drop of Corruption by Robert Jackson Bennett

   As the sequel to a beloved series, Meredith expresses her disappointment with this installment, noting that it lacks the charm and mystery-solving elements of the first book. She critiques the overly complex political plotline that detracts from the narrative's enjoyment.

   A [17:15]: “…but it does have the problem solving and the mystery solving of that first book. All it does have is 480 pages of taking itself way too seriously.”

3. Reappearance of Rachel Price by Holly Jackson

   Meredith enthusiastically recommends this thriller, praising its smart plot and compelling female protagonist. She details the story of Belle Price investigating her mother's mysterious disappearance, lauding Jackson's ability to craft an engaging and suspenseful narrative.

   A [25:14]: “…this book was a full four and a half stars for me. This is exactly the kind of book that I love from Holly Jackson. This is propulsive, fast.”

Deep Dive: Finishing a Book Well

Meredith and Kaytee transition into a profound discussion on the importance of concluding a book thoughtfully. They emphasize the value of not "finishing a book on the run," ensuring that readers can fully absorb and reflect on their reading experience.

Kaytee (B) shares her method of avoiding rushed endings by not completing books during potentially disruptive times, such as while driving. She underscores the necessity of savoring the final moments of a book to capture immediate impressions and emotions.

B [29:48]: “…I want to take stock of your reading experience. And so being out and doing that, being on the run and doing that is not an option for me.”

Meredith (A) complements this by detailing her personal rituals post-reading, including snapping a photo of the finished book with a timestamp and recording voice memos of her immediate thoughts. These practices help her maintain an organized and reflective reading log.

A [32:14]: “…I've grabbed that and just putting that into a simple spreadsheet and then I could grab. Then I knew exactly how many books I read. I could also search those notes.”

They also discuss the integration of tools like StoryGraph and Reading Tracker to enhance their reading habits and ensure consistent tracking, offering listeners practical solutions to manage their reading logs effectively.

Fountain Wishes

The hosts conclude the episode by sharing their personal wishes related to their reading lives.

Kaytee (B) expresses a desire for greater social acceptance of her curiosity about others' reading habits, likening it to a blend between perusing bookshelves and respecting privacy akin to an underwear drawer.

B [46:54]: “…I wish it was more socially acceptable to be nosy. That's my fountain wish this week.”

Meredith (A) shares her aspiration for everyone who loves to read to have a dedicated reading retreat on their calendars. She envisions these retreats as a perfect blend of solitude and camaraderie, fostering deeper connections with both books and fellow readers.

A [50:04]: “…my wish is that everyone would either plan a solo reading retreat and get it on the calendar for this year or take the leap, plan a reading retreat with a couple of friends.”

Conclusion & How to Connect

Meredith and Kaytee wrap up the episode by inviting listeners to connect with them on social media and participate in their growing bookish community. They highlight the benefits of becoming a "Bookish Friend" on Patreon, which offers additional content and exclusive features like the Reading Tracker.

Meredith (A):

“May your coffee be hot and your book be unput downable. Happy reading Katie Happy reading Meredith.”

Key Takeaways

• Utilizing Libraries: Both hosts emphasize the importance of libraries in accessing a wide array of books without financial strain, encouraging listeners to explore different genres and specialized content.

• Thoughtful Book Completion: They advocate for finishing books in a conducive environment, allowing readers to fully process and reflect on their reading experiences.

• Effective Tracking: Tools like StoryGraph and Reading Tracker are recommended for maintaining organized and reflective reading logs.

• Community Engagement: The introduction of monthly office hours aims to foster a collaborative and accountable reading community among listeners.

• Personal Aspirations: From social curiosity about others' reading habits to organizing personal reading retreats, the hosts share their heartfelt wishes to enrich their and their listeners' reading lives.

Notable Quotes

• Kaytee (B) [01:39]: “…no matter what you're into, you can always find ways to deepen or broaden that knowledge for free in the shelves of your library.”

• Meredith (A) [06:56]: “…Michael Shulman goes into the history of our little golden man and the conflicts that he has been creating going back to the very beginning of the Oscar of the Academy awards.”

• Kaytee (B) [29:48]: “…I want to take stock of your reading experience. And so being out and doing that, being on the run and doing that is not an option for me.”

• Meredith (A) [32:14]: “…I've grabbed that and just putting that into a simple spreadsheet and then I could grab. Then I knew exactly how many books I read.”

This episode of Currently Reading serves as both a celebration of diverse literary interests and a guide for readers aiming to enhance their reading habits. Whether you're seeking new book recommendations or looking to implement effective reading strategies, Meredith and Kaytee offer valuable insights to enrich your literary journey.