Podcast Summary: Currently Reading — Season 7, Episode 38: Crying Over Books + A Book That Surprised Us

Release Date: April 28, 2025

Hosts: Meredith Monday Schwartz and Katie Cobb

Episode Overview: In Season 7, Episode 38 of Currently Reading, hosts Meredith Monday Schwartz and Katie Cobb delve into their latest literary adventures. This episode focuses on the emotional depth of their reading experiences, unexpected book surprises, and offers insightful recommendations for fellow book enthusiasts. The conversation is enriched with personal anecdotes, critical analyses, and heartfelt reflections, making it a must-listen for anyone passionate about books.

1. Bookish Moments of the Week

Meredith’s Moment: Enhancing Focus by Silencing Notifications Meredith begins by sharing her recent strategy to improve her reading focus. Recognizing that constant notifications were disrupting her concentration, she took proactive steps to silence them.

“I set about turning off notifications on my phone because I realized there are a few issues related to focus in our reading.” [00:43]

She explains how having her phone or iPad within her line of sight, even when reading a physical book, led to frequent distractions. By adjusting her device placement and silencing alerts, Meredith enhanced her ability to engage deeply with her reading material, achieving longer, more focused reading sessions.

Katie’s Moment: Emotional Read-Aloud with the Amari Series Katie recounts a touching experience from her homeschooling session where she read aloud from the third book in the Amari series by V.B. Alston. The emotional resonance of the story led her and her children to tears, highlighting the power of literature to evoke deep emotional responses.

“Three of the five of us bawled our eyes out to book three... It just made me so happy.” [05:50]

She emphasizes the importance of allowing children to witness and express emotions through shared reading, fostering empathy and emotional intelligence.

2. Current Read Stacks

Meredith’s Reads:

• "Death on Ocean Boulevard" by Caitlin Rother Meredith delves into this true crime narrative, commending Rother’s meticulous investigation into an unsolved case involving Rebecca Zaha. The book scrutinizes the influence of wealth and power on the pursuit of justice, drawing parallels to real-life experiences in Coronado, California.

  “Caitlin Rother leaves you to judge. She is not there to judge, but she makes a very compelling case.” [12:50]

• "From Strength to Strength" by Arthur C. Brooks This nonfiction work explores transitioning from professional success to personal fulfillment in the later stages of life. Meredith appreciates Brooks’ practical roadmap for finding happiness and purpose beyond traditional career achievements, despite noting its privileged perspective.

  “The single biggest benefit for me of reading this book was just the feeling of not being alone.” [22:50]

Katie’s Reads:

• "Good Dirt" by Charmaine Wilkerson Katie reviews this multi-generational novel, highlighting its rich narrative structure and central mystery. While she praises the book’s ambition, she felt it fell short compared to its predecessor, "Black Cake."

  “I went into it with high hopes... but this one felt really disjointed to me.” [16:34]

• "she Came to Slay: The Life and Times of Harriet Tubman" by Erica Armstrong Dunbar This historical biography offers a fresh perspective on Harriet Tubman’s life, enriched with visual elements like photos and maps. Katie commends the book’s depth and visual enhancements, making it a valuable addition to her homeschooling resources.

  “I'd give it 4.75 stars. This is going to go on my homeschool bookshelf.” [26:17]

• "Wives Like Us" by Plum Sykes Meredith expresses her surprise and delight with this contemporary British novel, appreciating its charming portrayal of female friendships and the unique perspective of the main character’s butler, Ian Palmer.

  “348 pages of absolute frothy delight. I loved it so much that I hugged it to my chest when I finished it.” [27:20]

• "A Most Agreeable Murder" by Julia Seales Katie highlights this murder mystery as a delightful blend of Regency-era romance and Agatha Christie-like intrigue. The book’s witty narrative and engaging characters kept her thoroughly entertained.

  “It's a murder mystery for you if you enjoyed Pride and Prejudice.” [34:17]

3. Deep Dive: Books That Surprised Us

Meredith’s Pick: "In This House of Breed" by Rumer Gauden Meredith discusses her unexpected enjoyment of this 1969 release, emphasizing the value of exploring older books through buddy reads. Initially hesitant due to its character-driven description and unfamiliar author, the book ultimately captivated her with its rich character development and enduring themes.

“I now realize people use 'character driven' differently than I was using it.” [43:32]

Katie’s Pick: "Crowtalk" by Eileen Garvin Katie shares her pleasant surprise upon reading "Crowtalk," which defied her initial categorization as a romance novel. The book’s complex characters and intricate plot twists exceeded her expectations, reaffirming the joy of trusting past reading choices and embracing diverse genres.

“I was constantly surprised by the characters, the development, the plot decisions...” [47:08]

Actionable Insights:

• Trust Past Choices: Allow previously enjoyed books to resurface for new reading experiences.
• Diving In Without Preconceptions: Start reading without overanalyzing the blurb to discover unexpected delights.
• Explore Indie Press Lists: Discover hidden gems by exploring outside mainstream recommendations.

4. The Fountain: Making Wishes

Meredith’s Wish: Seeking Listener Engagement for Deep Dive Topics Meredith candidly shares her struggle with generating new deep dive ideas and solicits listeners' suggestions to keep the content fresh and engaging.

“If you want us to keep doing deep dives, can you send us emails on the deep dives that you want?” [51:22]

Katie’s Wish: Responding to Listener Recommendations Katie discusses her wish to revisit a listener-recommended book, "The Novel Cure" by Ella Berthoud and Susan Elderkin, alongside "Bibliotherapy" by Molly Masters. These books offer structured approaches to finding literature that addresses various personal "ailments," enhancing the therapeutic aspect of reading.

“Reading ailments index. Like children requiring attention. That is an ailment for sure.” [55:15]

Listener Engagement:

• Email Suggestions: Meredith encourages listeners to email their deep dive ideas to currentlyreading podcastmail.com for future episodes.
• Book Recommendations: Katie highlights "The Novel Cure" and "Bibliotherapy" as tools for personalized reading journeys.

5. Conclusion and How to Connect

Meredith and Katie wrap up the episode by reminding listeners of the various ways to connect and support the podcast:

• Social Media: Follow Meredith (@MeredithMondaySchwartz) and Katie (@KatieOates on Instagram and Bookmarks).
• Email: Share feedback and deep dive ideas at currentlyreading podcastmail.com.
• Patreon: Become a bookish friend for exclusive content at just $5 a month.
• Show Notes: Access full show notes, including book titles and timestamps, on their website currentlyreadingpodcast.com.

“May your coffee be hot and your book be unput downable. Happy reading!” [59:04]

Notable Quotes:

• “I am finding it increasingly hard with the deep dives.” — Meredith [51:22]
• “Everyone in the world needs an Ian.” — Katie [33:45]
• “Buddy reading will get me to commit to something for longer and maybe that's enough time for it to capture me.” — Katie [49:28]

Key Takeaways:

• Emotional Engagement: Deep emotional connections with books enhance the reading experience.
• Flexibility in Reading Habits: Adapting reading strategies, such as silencing notifications and engaging in buddy reads, can lead to greater focus and unexpected enjoyment.
• Exploration Beyond New Releases: Delving into older or indie publications can uncover hidden literary treasures.
• Community Input: Listener engagement can provide fresh perspectives and ideas for podcast content.

This episode of Currently Reading not only provides a wealth of book recommendations but also encourages listeners to reflect on their reading habits and explore new literary avenues. Whether you're seeking a gripping true crime narrative, an emotional family saga, or a charming British novel, Meredith and Katie offer insightful perspectives to guide your next great read.