Season 7, Episode 29: "Series Completist + Non Tragic Bookish Tragedies"

Release Date: February 24, 2025

In this engaging episode of Currently Reading, hosts Meredith Monday Schwartz and Katie Kopp delve deep into their latest literary adventures, share insightful critiques, and explore the myriad minor frustrations that come with the love of reading. The episode is thoughtfully structured into three main segments: Current Reads, Bookish Deep Dive, and Visiting the Fountain. Below is a comprehensive summary capturing the essence of their discussions, complete with notable quotes and timestamps.

1. Current Reads

Katie Kopp:

• "Earth" by John Boyne

  Katie begins by discussing "Earth," the second novella in the Elements series by John Boyne. She expresses mixed feelings about the book, highlighting its difficult subject matter and complex characters.

  "This book is very hard to read, not just because of the content, but because of the characters themselves... [John Boyne] makes us want to throw him a blanket party and beat him up." (09:13)

  Despite her critiques, Katie remains enthusiastic about continuing the series, especially anticipating the next installment, "Fire," even in the face of mixed reviews from peers.

• "Four Books" Series

  She also touches upon her commitment to becoming a "series completist," passionately consuming every installment of beloved series, though she humorously admits to facing criticism for not finishing others, like Sarah J. Maas's Throne of Glass.

  "I will not be reading that same exact series of events. No. For 700 pages. Absolutely not. So I just bowed out." (17:15)

Meredith Monday Schwartz:

• "Ask for Andrea" by Noel W. Ely

  Meredith shares her enthusiasm for this independently published crime fiction thriller that has garnered significant attention on Goodreads.

  "The strong focus on female friendship and this undercurrent of feminist rage propels the story forward... This is a perfect palette cleanser." (14:00)

  She praises the book for its compelling narrative and the seamless integration of paranormal elements, recommending it highly to fans of strong, character-driven stories.

• "The Kingdom, the Power and the Glory" by Tim Alberta

  Shifting to non-fiction, Meredith discusses Tim Alberta's exploration of the American Evangelical movement, appreciating its balanced perspective and the empathy it fosters towards its subjects.

  "I walked away from this book a lot more knowledgeable about several questions that I'd had about how we have arrived at the place where we are with the American Evangelical Church." (25:29)

  She emphasizes the book's ability to tackle difficult topics with compassion and insight, making it a valuable read for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of religious and political intersections.

• "A Winter's Promise" by Christelle Dabos

  Meredith rounds out her current reads with a five-star fantasy novel that captivated her with its intricate magical system and rich world-building.

  "This hits all of my fantasy sweet spots. A richly drawn world that doesn't require a PhD to understand, political machinations, full of trust and betrayal and murder and character development that left me genuinely invested." (34:43)

  She commends the book for its compelling protagonist, Ophelia, and the seamless blend of fantasy elements without relying on romance clichés, making it a standout in the genre.

2. Bookish Deep Dive: Non Tragic Bookish Tragedies

In this segment, Meredith and Katie explore the minor yet aggravating frustrations that book lovers often encounter. They categorize these annoyances as "non tragic tragedies," situations that may not be dire but deeply irk avid readers.

Katie Kopp:

• Mismatched Book Series Releases

  Katie vents her frustration over inconsistent book releases within a series, specifically citing the Court of Thorns and Roses series where the paperback volumes vary in size and design.

  "My copies of the Court of Thorns and Roses series all match in paperback... No, it does not match. It's three quarters of an inch taller and it has this kind of like tattoo pattern on the side." (37:43)

• Audiobook Narration Changes

  She laments when audiobook narrators switch partway through a book, disrupting the listening experience.

  "When the narrator's tone of voice changes... they say one sentence. Let me give you the first line, right? 'The first time I was stoned to death by an angry mob...' That's a great line." (39:05)

• Kindle Reading Issues

  Katie discusses the challenges of reading mixed-media books on Kindle, where images require manual zooming, breaking the reading flow.

  "It's like the text message thread and it takes up a whole page, so you have to hold click so that you can zoom in... It just breaks the flow." (42:33)

Meredith Monday Schwartz:

• Unwanted Interruptions While Reading

  Meredith shares a personal anecdote about being interrupted with only 5% left in a book, highlighting how such interruptions can momentarily dampen the reading experience.

  "I was like, no, no. And now Johnny's good about giving. Like as soon as I said to him, like, I've got 5% left on this, he's totally good with that. But it did break my rhythm a little bit." (40:12)

• Pre-Order Confusion

  She elaborates on the frustration of forgetting where a book was pre-ordered from, resulting in multiple copies and unnecessary expenses.

  "I had not brought this to the show. Here we go. Done and dusted... So my copies of the Court of Thorns and Roses series... it's just that kind of like, really annoying." (46:53)

Both hosts agree that while these issues aren't catastrophic, they significantly impact the reading experience, resonating deeply with their shared bookish sensibilities.

3. Visiting the Fountain: Wishes

In the final segment, Meredith and Katie share their literary wishes, adding a personal and aspirational touch to the episode.

Katie Kopp:

• Direct Communication with Indie Bookstore Owners

  Katie expresses a heartfelt desire to engage directly with indie bookstore owners, underscoring the importance of supporting independent businesses.

  "I wish that I always got to speak directly with indie bookstore owners... She was like, what?... We've built such great partnerships with so many stores across the country." (49:15)

  She shares a touching story of a bookstore owner who was thrilled to join their Indie Press List, highlighting the positive impact of their collaborative efforts.

Meredith Monday Schwartz:

• Insight into the Publishing Industry's Recognition of Reader Loyalty

  Meredith poses a thought-provoking question to Sarah Dickinson from Sarah's Bookshelves Live regarding whether publishers are acknowledging the trend of readers purchasing multiple editions of beloved books.

  "Does it seem like publishers are finally cottoning on to this element of things?... I just feel like it's possible that publishers are realizing... we will buy it in more than one version or we will buy more than one copy if you give us something special." (52:47)

  She advocates for more special editions and reissues, drawing parallels to other industries like LEGO that have successfully expanded their market by catering to adult enthusiasts.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• "This book is very hard to read, not just because of the content, but because of the characters themselves."
  — Katie Kopp, 09:13

• "I walked away from this book a lot more knowledgeable about several questions that I'd had..."
  — Meredith Monday Schwartz, 25:29

• "When the narrator's tone of voice changes... 'The first time I was stoned to death by an angry mob...'"
  — Katie Kopp, 39:05

• "We're a dramatic set of folks."
  — Katie Kopp, 49:04

• "I wish that I always got to speak directly with indie bookstore owners."
  — Katie Kopp, 49:15

Final Thoughts

Throughout the episode, Meredith and Katie maintain a lively and relatable conversation, balancing book recommendations with honest critiques and shared experiences. Their chemistry shines as they navigate through personal anecdotes and broader industry observations, making the episode both informative and entertaining for listeners.

Whether you're seeking your next great read, interested in the intricacies of the publishing world, or simply empathizing with the small woes of being an avid reader, this episode of Currently Reading offers something for every book lover.

Connect with Currently Reading:

• Meredith Monday Schwartz: Instagram
• Katie Kopp: Notes on Bookmarks
• Show Production: Megan Puttivong Evans Instagram
• Show Notes & Listen: currentlyreadingpodcast.com
• Support as a Bookish Friend: Join Bookish Friends for exclusive content and community access.

Happy Reading! 📚✨

Timestamps Overview

• 00:00 - 01:14 — Episode Introduction (Skipped)
• 01:14 - 05:15 — Hosts Introduce Current Bookish Moments
• 05:15 - 35:35 — Detailed Discussions on Current Reads
• 35:35 - 49:07 — Bookish Deep Dive: Non Tragic Tragedies
• 49:07 - 57:08 — Visiting the Fountain: Making Wishes
• 57:08 - End — Episode Conclusion (Skipped)

Note: Timestamps referenced correspond to the transcript for precise content location.