Currently Reading Podcast: Season 7, Episode 41 – Poolside Reading + Bookish Friends' Best Books Of 2024
Release Date: May 19, 2025
Hosts: Meredith Monday Schwartz and Katie (Kaytee) Cobb
Introduction
In Season 7, Episode 41 of the Currently Reading podcast, hosts Meredith Monday Schwartz and Katie Cobb dive into a vibrant discussion centered around poolside reading and unveil their community's top books of 2024. As always, the dynamic duo brings their passion for literature to the forefront, offering insightful commentary and engaging conversations for book enthusiasts.
Bookish Moments of the Week
Before delving into their current reads, Meredith and Katie share personal "bookish moments" that highlight the importance of having friends who genuinely understand your reading tastes.
Katie Cobb shares her poolside reading bliss:
"I have everything else [for poolside reading], so the water is above 80 degrees... it's the perfect time for swimming. Drying off a little bit, reading on the couch for a while, getting back in the pool to cool off... that's why summer reading season is my favorite."
[02:33]
Meredith reflects on the value of thoughtful book recommendations:
"Morgan Tallman is that friend for me. She is an Enneagram One, like I am... friends who know your taste can save you time and effort and disappointment from reading books you should not read."
[05:35]
Current Reads
1. "Tempest" by Beverly Jenkins
Katie Cobb
Katie introduces "Tempest" from Beverly Jenkins, a celebrated author in the black historical romance genre. The novel explores the arranged marriage trope with a strong, independent female protagonist.
"Regan Carmichael has been ordered out west to Wyoming to marry Dr. Colton Lee... sparks start to fly between them... Reagan breaks the mold by wearing jeans, absolutely not allowed in the Old West, right? She's perfect but out of the ordinary for Old West culture."
[07:52]
Meredith muses on expanding her romance horizons:
"I feel like maybe this kind of historical romance might be another win for me."
[09:50]
2. "Careless People, A Story of Where I Used to Work" by Sarah Wynn Williams
Meredith Monday Schwartz
Meredith reviews Sarah Wynn Williams' memoir, offering a candid look into the inner workings of Facebook (now Meta) from her perspective as a former Global Policy Director.
"This memoir gives us a front-row seat to the tech world's equivalent of the Gatsby era... it's not all free snacks and inspirational posters. Facebook is definitely not doing any good."
[12:00]
Despite appreciating the book's readability and thought-provoking content, Meredith expresses criticism about the author's lack of self-reflection.
"I was annoyed that the author describes herself as being aghast at the decisions being made, yet continues to execute those plans for years. It rubbed me the wrong way."
[16:30]
3. "The Dark Maestro" by Brendan Slocum
Katie Cobb
Katie explores Brendan Slocum's "The Dark Maestro," a departure from his typical historical fiction thrillers. The story follows Curtis Wilson, a cello prodigy entangled in a web of crime and witness protection.
"This book was personal for Brendan. He had a kidney transplant last year, and it shows in the story's emotional depth."
[19:32]
While Katie appreciates the cello elements and connections to Slocum's previous works, she notes some pacing issues regarding Curtis's childhood portrayal.
4. "Campfires and Corpses" by Nikki Weber
Meredith Monday Schwartz
Meredith highlights Nikki Weber's cozy mystery, introducing Noelle Cooper, an event planner who returns to her family's campground in Maine and stumbles upon a murder.
"This is a super fun book with a great cast of supporting characters... it was a very enjoyable palette cleanser."
[24:00]
Inspired by her own interactions with Nikki Weber, Meredith praises the author's debut and eagerly anticipates the sequel.
5. "Woodworking" by Emily St. James
Katie Cobb
Emily St. James' "Woodworking" delves into the life of Erica Skyberg, a recently divorced and trans woman navigating small-town life while forging an unexpected friendship with a high school student.
"The title 'Woodworking' is a Brazilian Portuguese word about passing so well one blends into the woodwork. Emily beautifully portrays Erica and Abigail's journey."
[28:13]
Katie commends the thoughtful portrayal and the book's timely themes, making it a standout in contemporary fiction.
Deep Dive: Bookish Friends' Best Books Of 2024
Meredith and Katie unveil the Currently Reading community's top 24 books of 2024, highlighting the most beloved and least favored titles among their listeners.
Top Highlights:
- "Margot's Got Money Troubles" by Rufi Thorpe
- "All the Colors of the Dark" by Chris Whitaker
- "Frozen River" by Ariel Loughun
- Tied for Fourth Place:
- "Women" by Kristin Hannah
- "God of the Woods" by Liz Moore
- "A Dark Horse, Draco Malfoy, and the Mortifying Ordeal of Being in Love" by Is This Self Care (Fanfiction)
"Here you are listening to Currently Reading, Bookish Friends, and this is the place for you. We love that 'Margot's Got Money Troubles' was included, as it had broad appeal."
[40:58]
Meredith adds her perspective on the prominence of certain titles:
"Last year, there were about 20 books that seemed to be everything everywhere all at once... This list feels different, with no overlapping titles between favorites and least favorites."
[43:20]
Least Favorites:
- "Ministry of Time" by Kellyanne Bradley
- "The Fury" by Alex Michaelidis
- Tied for Third Place:
- "Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone" by Benjamin Stevenson
- "Heaven and Earth Grocery Store" by James McBride
- Additional Titles Include:
- "Yellowface" by R.F. Kuang
- "Starling House"
- "I'm Thinking of Ending Things"
- "Butcher and Blackbird"
- "The Husbands" by Holly Grima
- "All This and More" by Pong Shepherd
- "Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels" by Janice Howlett
"It's a weird episode... All the movers are on the same top list, which had lower response rates."
[39:36]
Katie highlights the unique aspects of this year's list:
"There are no titles that overlap between the favorite and least favorite lists, which is out of the ordinary for us."
[42:50]
Fountain Wishes
Each host shares a heartfelt wish related to their reading journey.
Katie's Wish:
She passionately recommends "This Is Not a Book About Benedict Cumberbatch" by Tabitha Carvin, emphasizing the importance of embracing and validating one's unique interests.
"Whatever your thing is, enjoy it. Dive in with both feet, love it with your whole heart."
[50:09]
Meredith's Wish:
Struggling with a personal reading slump, Meredith wishes for overcoming distractions and rekindling her love for reading.
"I'm in the worst book slump. Every time I go to read, I feel like I can't sink in. Do you ever have that feeling?" [54:16]
Conclusion
Meredith and Katie conclude the episode by encouraging listeners to connect with them on social media, share their thoughts, and support the podcast through reviews and their Patreon community.
"Until next week, may your coffee be hot and your book be unputdownable."
[58:55]
Listeners are reminded to visit their website for full show notes, including the complete list of top and least favorite books of 2024.
Connect with Currently Reading:
- Meredith Monday Schwartz: Instagram
- Katie Cobb (Notes on Bookmarks): Instagram
- Show Producer Megan Putamong Evans: Instagram
- Website: currentlyreadingpodcast.com
- Email: currentlyreadingpodcast@mail.com
- Patreon: Support the show and join the Bookish Friends community for exclusive content.
Happy Reading!