Podcast Summary: Currently Reading – Season 7, Episode 43: Bookish Get Togethers + Virtual Reading Retreats
Release Date: June 2, 2025
Hosts: Meredith Monday Schwartz and Mary Heim
1. Bookish Moments of the Week
a. Mary Heim’s First Bookish Friends Meetup [03:46]
Mary Heim shares her delightful experience hosting her inaugural Bookish Friends meetup in Madison, Wisconsin. The event took place at her husband’s favorite bookstore, Mystery, a charming shop known for its excellent mystery and murder-filled recommendations. Mary recounts:
“We had a great little crew of bookish friends all shopping and chatting... it was such a blast.” [04:30]
Highlights of the meetup included:
- Store Atmosphere: Mystery bookstore, renowned for its curated selection and post-it note shelf talkers.
- Community Engagement: The store owner, Hillary, personalized the event by decorating books with curated notes, enhancing the interactive experience.
- Personal Fulfillment: Mary felt a profound sense of joy and connection, affirming her extroverted side and her love for community gatherings.
b. Meredith Monday Schwartz’s Connection Event at Here Comes the Guide [06:03]
Meredith discusses a recent connection event hosted by her company, Here Comes the Guide. As a fully distributed team without a physical office, these events are crucial for maintaining team cohesion. Recently, they held a bookish connection event where team members:
- Shared Reading: Participants exchanged favorite books within selected genres.
- Interactive Activities: Included coloring bookmarks and engaging in genre-specific discussions.
- Community Building: Facilitated a deeper connection among team members through shared literary interests.
“It was such a great time to talk to people... how do we convince them to maybe try something?” [06:17]
Meredith highlights the success of this event in fostering a sense of community and shared literary enthusiasm among her colleagues.
2. Current Reads
a. Girl and the Galdurian Lightfall by Tim Prabert [10:00]
Mary introduces Girl and the Galdurian Lightfall, a graphic novel series that has quickly become one of her top reads of 2025. The story follows Bea, the granddaughter of the Pig Wizard, as she teams up with Cad, a member of the ancient Galdurians, to prevent eternal darkness from engulfing their world.
“I’m chomping at the bit for book four to release. If you need a reset or an escape, please give these a go.” [13:02]
Highlights:
- Cozy Fantasy: A comforting and adventurous narrative with beautifully detailed artwork.
- Allegorical Depth: Subtle reflections on contemporary issues, providing both escapism and meaningful commentary.
- Accessible Reading: Available on Kindle Unlimited, making it easy for readers to dive into the series.
b. The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science by Kate McKinnon [16:58]
Meredith shares her enthusiasm for this middle-grade novel, brought to life through an exceptional audio production featuring Kate McKinnon narrating multiple characters. The story centers on the Porch sisters who escape a stifling etiquette school to join Millicent Quibb’s mad science institution, leading to heroic adventures against nefarious scientists.
“I giggled at their antics... it was perfect summer beach reading.” [17:10]
Highlights:
- Engaging Audio Format: Kate McKinnon’s performance adds depth and humor to the characters.
- Empowering Themes: Focuses on nerdy STEM girls as heroes, promoting female empowerment.
- Illustrative Support: Accompanied by a useful PDF with illustrations that enhance the storytelling experience.
c. Lord Edgware Dies by Agatha Christie [25:21]
Meredith discusses her journey to becoming an Agatha Christie completist, highlighting Lord Edgware Dies. Set in 1933, the novel features Hercule Poirot solving the murder of Lord Edgware, who is found dead under mysterious circumstances.
“This is a glittering example of Agatha Christie’s brilliant brain.” [27:59]
Highlights:
- Classic Mystery: A quintessential Agatha Christie puzzle with multiple suspects and motives.
- Character Depth: Hercule Poirot shines as he navigates the intricate web of clues.
- Pacing and Execution: Short, fast-paced narrative perfect for a summer read.
d. Three Apples Fell from the Sky by Naren Avgarian [29:05]
Mary delves into this Russian novel, translated beautifully into English. The story is set in the Armenian village of Meron, where Anatolia, a lifelong resident, believes she is dying until an unexpected visitor proposes a life-altering opportunity.
“It is so hopeful and so beautiful and so full of life.” [31:22]
Highlights:
- Emotional Healing: Provides solace and hope during Mary’s personal loss.
- Cultural Richness: Offers a glimpse into Armenian village life with elements of magic and realism.
- Compelling Translation: The translation preserves the magical quality of the original text, making it accessible and engaging.
e. The Farm by Tom Rob Smith [33:01]
Meredith shares her unexpected enjoyment of this psychological thriller, where Daniel grapples with conflicting accounts of his mother’s mental state and potential danger. Set between London and a mysterious farm in Sweden, the novel is a gripping exploration of trust and conspiracy.
“It was a roller coaster ride and it takes us from London to this farm on a beautiful river in Sweden.” [37:07]
Highlights:
- Intriguing Setup: A mother’s claim of being in danger versus her father’s assertion of her mental breakdown.
- Engaging Narrative: Told through intense conversations, maintaining suspense throughout.
- Critical Acclaim: Despite mixed reviews on Goodreads regarding the ending, Meredith praises its pacing and depth.
3. Deep Dive: Virtual Reading Retreats [38:16]
Mary and Meredith explore the concept of virtual reading retreats, an innovative approach to dedicating uninterrupted time for reading without the need for physical travel or significant planning.
Key Points:
- Accessibility: Virtual retreats eliminate the need for budgeting, extensive scheduling, or travel, making them feasible for everyone.
- Personalization: Participants can tailor the experience with cozy items, themed playlists, and planned reading sessions.
- Shared Experience: Reading the same book simultaneously enhances the connection between participants, fostering real-time discussions and shared milestones.
- Community Building: Virtual retreats can be conducted one-on-one or with larger groups, supporting diverse schedules and preferences.
“The intentionality of taking the day... felt like such a special day in my life was such a joy.” [42:30]
Implementation Tips:
- Set a Date: Choose a day that works for all participants and block it on the calendar.
- Share Goodies: Send each other small treats like cozy socks, tea, or stickers to enhance the experience.
- Create Ambiance: Use ASMR rooms, instrumental playlists, or themed activities to create a relaxing reading environment.
- Engage in Discussion: Allocate time for conversations about the book to deepen the reading experience.
Mary emphasizes the importance of intentionality and creating a special, guilt-free time dedicated solely to reading.
4. Fountain: Wishes from the Hosts [51:29]
a. Mary Heim’s Wish: Buddy Read with an Unexpected Partner [51:29]
Mary expresses her desire for listeners to step outside their usual buddy reading circles and engage in book discussions with unexpected partners, such as family members or individuals outside their regular reading groups.
“My wish this week is that our friends consider stepping outside of your buddy reader comfort zone...” [52:10]
Personal Example: Mary recounts buddy reading Bletchley Riddle with her 11-year-old nephew, deepening their bond and enriching her reading experience through his fresh perspectives.
b. Meredith Monday Schwartz’s Wish: Schedule a Virtual Reading Retreat [54:24]
Meredith urges listeners to proactively schedule a virtual reading retreat, emphasizing the benefits of dedicating time solely to reading and fostering community connections.
“I want you to think about putting a virtual reading retreat on your calendar...” [54:24]
Call to Action: Meredith encourages listeners to pause the podcast and set a date for their own reading retreat, highlighting it as a form of self-care and community building.
Conclusion
In this episode of Currently Reading, Meredith and Mary delve into the joys of bookish gatherings, share their current favorite reads, and provide a comprehensive guide to organizing virtual reading retreats. Their discussions not only offer valuable book recommendations but also inspire listeners to create meaningful literary experiences within their communities, whether locally or virtually.
Notable Quotes:
- Meredith on Virtual Reading Retreats: “It’s about creating the experience and giving ourselves permission to say I’m devoting this time to reading.” [45:54]
- Mary on Community: “This is just such a beautiful way to really create an enforced community... It speaks to the part of me that we don’t have to…” [46:32]
Connect with Hosts:
- Meredith: Meredith Monday Schwartz on Instagram
- Mary: Mary Reads and Makes on Instagram
- Show Notes & More: currentlyreadingpodcast.com
Join as a Bookish Friend: Support the podcast and gain access to exclusive content by becoming a patron at patreon.com/forward/currentlyreading.
May your coffee be hot and your book be unputdownable. Happy reading!