Podcast Summary: Currently Reading Season 7, Episode 33: The Perfect Reading Ambiance + Finding Hidden Gems Release Date: March 24, 2025
Hosts:
- Meredith Monday Schwartz – A mom of four, CEO based in Austin, Texas, with a passion for horror books.
- Roxanna Kasamkara – A mom, marketer, and mood reader from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, with a knack for uncovering hidden literary gems.
Introduction
In this engaging episode of Currently Reading, hosts Meredith Monday Schwartz and Roxanna Kasamkara delve into creating the perfect reading ambiance and share their strategies for discovering hidden literary treasures. Episode 33 of Season 7 offers a blend of personal reading experiences, detailed book discussions, and insightful tips for avid readers seeking their next great read.
Bookish Moments of the Week
Roxanna’s Reading Ambiance ([01:46])
Roxanna paints a serene picture of her nightly reading routine amidst a snowy Maine backdrop. She describes:
“I lie down in the dark with all the windows on... with the blinds drawn open... and all the light turns pink. It’s the most beautiful kind of sensory deprivation experience after a day of extroverting.”
Roxanna's setup emphasizes tranquility, combining ambient light and snowfall to create an ideal environment for unwinding and immersing in her books.
Book Discussions
1. Frozen River by Ariel Loughton ([05:43] - [13:31])
Roxanna’s Review: Roxanna introduces Frozen River as her first five-star book of the year, highlighting its departure from her usual historical fiction preferences. Set in 1789 Maine, the story follows Martha Ballard, a midwife drawn into a mysterious murder case. Roxanna praises Martha as a strong, intelligent female protagonist:
“Martha isn't just a passive observer... She is a force.”
She appreciates the book's atmospheric portrayal of frontier life and its beautifully written narrative, noting its blend of violence, betrayal, and moral dilemmas.
Notable Quote:
“Here we are in the twilight years of a long love affair... I’m determined not to fear that day whenever it arrives.” ([11:22])
Meredith’s Reaction: Meredith empathizes with Roxanna’s experience, expressing concern over Roxanna’s “book hangover” post-reading. She eagerly anticipates diving into Frozen River next.
2. Agatha of Little Neon by Claire Luquette ([14:07] - [22:27])
Meredith’s Review: Meredith discusses Agatha of Little Neon, a debut novel that initially presents as a light, humorous narrative about four nuns managing a halfway house in Woonsocket. However, the tone shifts dramatically in the final quarter, leaving readers emotionally affected.
“The first 75% is very simple... but in the last quarter, the tone changes a lot... I felt like I was going on a strange journey with each other.”
She commends Luquette for seamlessly transitioning between vignettes and complex emotional landscapes, making the novel both surprising and memorable.
Roxanna’s Reflection: Roxanna echoes Meredith’s sentiments, marveling at Luquette’s ability to portray character growth and unexpected plot developments without feeling manipulative.
“It's seamless... but you see why.”
3. Ruin Road by Lamar Giles ([22:27] - [26:22])
Roxanna’s Review: Roxanna introduces Ruin Road, a blend of horror and thriller, exploring themes of race, fear, and power dynamics. The protagonist, Cade Webster, a high school football star, inadvertently wishes away society’s fear of him, leading to unforeseen chaos.
“When fear disappears, so does self-preservation. And the consequences spiral fast.”
She appreciates the book's social commentary and its balance between unsettling themes and engaging storytelling.
Meredith’s Connection: Meredith relates Ruin Road to her appreciation for Lamar Giles’ previous work, The Getaway, and anticipates reading it alongside Giles' other YA horror novels.
4. When the Moon Hits Your Eye by John Scalzi ([26:22] - [36:37])
Meredith’s Preview: Meredith eagerly anticipates discussing When the Moon Hits Your Eye by John Scalzi, set to release the following day. The novel's premise involves the moon literally turning into cheese, and humanity grappling with this bizarre event. The story unfolds over a lunar cycle, showcasing diverse characters from astronauts to billionaires.
“John Scalzi has done it again... he makes dialogue almost better than anyone out there.”
Meredith praises Scalzi's ability to handle a "bonkers premise" with humor and interconnected storytelling, making the absurd concept engaging and thought-provoking.
Roxanna’s Insight: Roxanna admires Scalzi’s unique approach and humor, noting the challenge of handling such an unconventional plot. She appreciates Meredith’s advice to give the book at least 30% before making judgments.
5. The Baddest Bee in the Room by Sophia Chang ([32:41] - [36:32])
Roxanna’s Review: Roxanna explores The Baddest Bee in the Room, a memoir chronicling Sophia Chang’s diverse life—from managing hip-hop legends like the Wu-Tang Clan to becoming a kung fu master. Chang’s unapologetic and bold narrative inspires readers to embrace their power and command their spaces.
“She makes you believe in your own ability to command a room.”
Roxanna highlights Chang’s candid discussion of racism, sexism, and personal choices, emphasizing the memoir’s empowering message despite its controversial elements.
Meredith’s Reaction: Meredith commends Chang’s vibrant voice and recommends listening to the audiobook version, narrated by Chang herself.
6. The Unseen World by Liz Moore ([36:38] - [43:53])
Meredith’s Enthusiasm: Meredith raves about The Unseen World, positioning it as a top ten book of the year. The novel features Ada Sebelius, a homeschooled science prodigy, navigating life in 1980s Boston with her eccentric father. The story seamlessly blends literary fiction, dystopian elements, mystery, and family drama.
“It's a genre mashup... It makes you feel really deeply, it keeps you turning the pages.”
Roxanna’s Agreement: Roxanna shares Meredith’s high praise, noting the book’s intricate plot and deeply drawn characters. She appreciates Liz Moore’s ability to evoke profound emotions without feeling manipulative.
“Liz Moore can completely take me from one place to another. It didn't feel manipulative at all.”
Deep Dive: Finding Hidden Gems ([44:29] - [57:35])
Meredith and Roxanna transition into an in-depth discussion on uncovering hidden literary gems. Roxanna reveals her strategy of focusing on backlist titles, leveraging sources like old book podcasts, Goodreads reviews, and international book awards. She emphasizes listening to podcasts during daily activities as a seamless way to discover underrated books.
Key Strategies Discussed:
- Backlist Exploration: Roxanna prefers older titles to avoid the hype and expectations surrounding new releases.
- Podcast Listening: Tapping into defunct and established book podcasts such as Get Booked, Murderful, and Katie Reads Too Much to find recommendations.
- Goodreads as a Resource: Utilizing Goodreads ratings and reviews to identify quality reads.
- International Awards and Lists: Exploring global book awards and curated lists to find diverse and unique offerings.
- Publisher Emails: Subscribing to publisher newsletters (e.g., Penguin Random House) to discover less-known titles that resonate personally.
Meredith’s Method: Meredith shares her own approach, which involves physically exploring library shelves and engaging in a “book flight” strategy—borrowing large quantities of books based on instinct and selecting favorites once home.
“I let myself. I just let the books call to me.”
She underscores the joy of serendipitous discovery and the satisfaction of finding books that speak directly to her interests without predetermined expectations.
Wishes at the Fountain ([57:35] - [62:23])
Roxanna’s Wish: Initially aiming to wish for an easier way to find books set in diverse settings by various authors, Roxanna discovers existing resources like TripFiction.com and Strong Sense of Place podcast. She shares these as valuable tools for listeners seeking hidden gems.
Meredith’s Wish: Meredith urges listeners to read God of the Woods by Liz Moore, lauding it as a must-read masterpiece:
“If you haven't read God of the Woods, read it. No matter who you are, what your taste is.”
She highlights the book’s universal acclaim and its capacity to resonate with a wide audience, reinforcing Liz Moore’s exceptional storytelling prowess.
Conclusion
Meredith and Roxanna wrap up the episode by encouraging listeners to explore backlist titles and utilize various discovery methods to find hidden gems. They emphasize the value of diverse reading experiences and the joy of uncovering underrated books that enrich one’s literary journey.
Final Thoughts:
“May your coffee be hot and your book be unput-downable.” – Meredith Monday Schwartz ([62:19])
Connect with the Hosts:
- Meredith Monday Schwartz: Instagram
- Roxanna Kasamkara: Instagram
- Show Producer: Megan Putam Evans – Instagram
- Website: currentlyreadingpodcast.com
- Email: currentlyreadingpodcast@mail.com
Support the Podcast: Join as a bookish friend on Patreon for exclusive content, community access, and to help keep the show commercial-free.
Notable Quotes:
- Roxanna on Frozen River: “Martha isn't just a passive observer... She is a force.” ([05:43])
- Roxanna on The Baddest Bee in the Room: “She makes you believe in your own ability to command a room.” ([34:03])
- Meredith on The Unseen World: “It's a genre mashup... It makes you feel really deeply, it keeps you turning the pages.” ([36:38])
Highlighted Books Mentioned:
- Frozen River by Ariel Loughton
- Agatha of Little Neon by Claire Luquette
- Ruin Road by Lamar Giles
- When the Moon Hits Your Eye by John Scalzi
- The Baddest Bee in the Room by Sophia Chang
- The Unseen World by Liz Moore
- God of the Woods by Liz Moore
This episode of Currently Reading is a treasure trove for book lovers seeking atmospheric reads and the thrill of discovering underrated literary works. Whether you're into historical fiction, memoirs, thrillers, or genre-blending novels, Meredith and Roxanna provide insightful recommendations and practical tips to enhance your reading experience.
Happy reading!