Podcast Summary: Currently Reading – Season 7, Episode 44: Sick Reading + To Skim Or Not To Skim

Release Date: June 9, 2025

Hosts:

• Meredith Monday Schwartz: A mom of four and full-time CEO based in Austin, Texas.
• Katie Cobb: A homeschooling mom of four residing in Arizona, passionate about organizing her life with spreadsheets.

Episode Overview: In Season 7, Episode 44 of Currently Reading, Meredith and Katie delve into their recent literary adventures, share personal bookish moments, review a selection of both fiction and nonfiction titles, and address a listener's query about the art of skimming in reading. The episode, titled "Sick Reading + To Skim Or Not To Skim", seamlessly weaves personal anecdotes with insightful book discussions, offering listeners a rich and engaging experience.

1. Bookish Moments of the Week

Meredith's Moment: Meredith shares a personal update about her recent battle with the flu, which left her bedridden for three and a half days. Contrary to her usual preference for watching TV when sick, Meredith found solace in reading, including a particularly "exquisitely smutty romance" that provided her much-needed comfort during her recovery. She highlighted how reading can serve as a therapeutic escape even in challenging times.

"Sick reading, sometimes it can be fun when it works. When your body will let you do it."
— Meredith Monday Schwartz [02:50]

Katie's Moment: Katie reminisces about her birthday weekend in Mexico, where she indulged in extensive reading sessions under the sun. She also discusses her exciting plans for an upcoming summer road trip with her children, meticulously planned with spreadsheets to accommodate numerous audiobooks and paper books.

"I am stoked for sure. All right, let's get into what we have been reading, though."
— Katie Cobb [05:32]

2. Book Reviews

A. Meredith's Selections

1. "The Compound" by Aisling Ra

   • Synopsis: The story revolves around Lily, a contestant on a dystopian reality show set in a remote desert compound. Contestants must complete daily challenges and wake up with someone new each day or face banishment. As more contestants join, the competition becomes increasingly intense and dark.
   • Review Highlights:
     Meredith appreciates the book's "page-turner" quality and its blend of reality TV satire with dystopian elements. However, she expresses disappointment with the protagonist, Lily, whom she finds unengaging and lacks depth. Despite this, Meredith acknowledges the book's gripping premise and suitability for fans of twisted reality show narratives.

     "It's a book that plays heavily on the themes of consumerism and the performative culture of television and social media."
     — Meredith Monday Schwartz [08:13]

2. "How to Order the Universe" by Maria Jose Ferrata

   • Synopsis: Set in 1980s Chile, the novel follows seven-year-old M as she accompanies her traveling hardware salesman father. Together, they navigate small towns until a mysterious photographer disrupts their orderly life, revealing cracks in M's meticulously categorized world.
   • Review Highlights:
     Meredith praises the book's unique narrative style and emotional depth, highlighting M's precociousness and the complex interplay of personal and political turmoil in Chile. She recommends it as a thought-provoking read suitable for book clubs.

     "The entire story is from her very limited perspective, and that contradiction made this book very interesting."
     — Meredith Monday Schwartz [23:23]

3. "Blood Over Bright Haven" by ML Wong

   • Synopsis: In the magical industrial city of Tirin, Siona Frainen strives to become the first woman admitted to the high magistrate at the University of Magics and Industry. Facing sexism and uncovering dark mysteries about magic, Siona teams up with an unlikely janitor to challenge the status quo.
   • Review Highlights:
     Meredith is thoroughly impressed by Wong's intricate world-building and the emotional complexity of the characters. She commends the book for its intelligent fantasy elements and impactful storytelling, noting it as a departure from her initial expectations.

     "It was what it was by the time I finished it. I will not forget it."
     — Meredith Monday Schwartz [32:15]

B. Katie's Selections

1. "The Guilt Pill" by Soumya Dave

   • Synopsis: Maya Patel, a successful entrepreneur and influencer, grapples with overwhelming guilt stemming from personal and professional pressures. She tries a supplement, the "Guilt Pill," which initially boosts her confidence but eventually leads to destructive behavior.
   • Review Highlights:
     Katie finds the premise intriguing and appreciates the multimedia format that interweaves timelines and various narrative elements. However, she criticizes the book for its preachiness and unsatisfying conclusion, feeling that the social commentary lacked depth.

     "The concept is so interesting to me. It felt a little bit like a novelized version of Taylor Swift's song 'The Man'."
     — Katie Cobb [16:41]

2. "Everything is Tuberculosis" by John Green

   • Synopsis: John Green explores the history and impact of tuberculosis, blending personal narratives with factual information to shed light on the disease's persistence and global health inequities.
   • Review Highlights:
     Katie praises Green's ability to turn a seemingly dry topic into an engaging and heartfelt narrative. She commends his accessible writing style and the book's informative nature, making it a standout nonfiction pick.

     "John Green allows his laser focus and accessible writing to guide us through the history and persistence of the world's worst disease."
     — Katie Cobb [24:12]

3. "King of Ashes" by S.A. Cosby

   • Synopsis: Roman Carruthers returns to his small hometown after his father's mysterious car accident, uncovering deep-seated family secrets and battling local drug dealers while dealing with his family's dark past.
   • Review Highlights:
     Katie is captivated by Cosby's masterful storytelling, vivid descriptions of violence, and complex characters. She lauds his ability to create a gripping and horrifying narrative that keeps readers hooked.

     "SA Cosby can write the goriest, most horrifically detailed scenes of torture and violence, but the characters, the plot, and the absolute mastery of his craft will keep me coming back for more."
     — Katie Cobb [33:17]

3. Deep Dive: To Skim Or Not To Skim

Listener Question:
Cindy asks, "When is it okay to power through and skim a book? Like when? When is that okay?"

Hosts' Discussion: Meredith and Katie explore the nuances of skimming, emphasizing that it's a personal choice dependent on individual reading goals and circumstances. They agree that skimming is acceptable when:

• Keeping Up with a Reading Group: To stay aligned with peers without getting bogged down by less engaging sections.
• Assessing Interest: Quickly scanning to determine if a book resonates with the reader's interests.
• Time Constraints: When needing to grasp the ending or essential plot points without reading every detail.
• Genre Preferences: Some genres or specific content (e.g., excessive violence or lengthy descriptions) might prompt skimming to maintain enjoyment.

Notable Quotes:

"There is no reading police, right. There's nobody ever that's going to come back and give you a quiz on it... but you're allowed to skim when the book calls for it, when your reading life calls for it, when your mental aptitude calls for it, or whenever you freaking want to."
— Katie Cobb [47:28]

"Skimming does come into play. I think that it has a place in your reading repertoire, being able to skim."
— Meredith Monday Schwartz [44:00]

Conclusion of Deep Dive:
The hosts reaffirm that skimming is a valid reading strategy when it enhances the reader's experience or aligns with their current needs. They encourage listeners to be mindful of why they're skimming to ensure it serves their reading journey effectively.

4. Fountain Section: Wishes for the Week

Meredith's Wish: Meredith expresses a whimsical desire for Instagram notifications to include message previews, helping her manage her social media interactions more efficiently.

"I wish that Instagram would include what you said and their response in the notification. That would really help me."
— Meredith Monday Schwartz [50:52]

Katie's Wish: Katie shares her wish for listeners to embrace "The House in the Cerulean Sea" by T.J. Klune, describing it as a heartwarming and magical antidote to more intense reads. She praises its cozy fantasy elements and endearing characters, recommending it as a perfect summer escape.

"It is a cozy fantasy of sorts, filled with improbable characters and an unlikely middle-aged normal dude hero."
— Katie Cobb [51:27]

5. Closing Remarks

Meredith and Katie wrap up the episode by inviting listeners to connect with them on Instagram, access show notes on their website, and support the podcast through Patreon. They encourage rating and reviewing the show to help it reach more book enthusiasts.

"Until next week, may your coffee be hot and your book be unputdownable."
— Meredith Monday Schwartz & Katie Cobb [54:37]

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• "Sick reading, sometimes it can be fun when it works." — Meredith [02:50]
• "I am stoked for sure." — Katie [05:32]
• "It's a book that plays heavily on the themes of consumerism and the performative culture of television and social media." — Meredith [08:13]
• "The entire story is from her very limited perspective, and that contradiction made this book very interesting." — Meredith [23:23]
• "John Green allows his laser focus and accessible writing to guide us through the history and persistence of the world's worst disease." — Katie [24:12]
• "SA Cosby can write the goriest, most horrifically detailed scenes... will keep me coming back for more." — Katie [33:17]
• "There is no reading police, right... but you're allowed to skim when the book calls for it." — Katie [47:28]
• "I wish that Instagram would include what you said and their response in the notification." — Meredith [50:52]
• "It is a cozy fantasy of sorts, filled with improbable characters and an unlikely middle-aged normal dude hero." — Katie [51:27]

Connect with the Hosts:

• Meredith: @meredithmondayschwartz
• Katie: @notesongbookmarks
• Show Notes & More Info: currentlyreadingpodcast.com
• Email: currentlyreadingpodcast@gmail.com
• Patreon: Support the show and gain access to exclusive content.

Whether you're battling the flu like Meredith or planning an epic road trip like Katie, this episode offers valuable insights into navigating your reading journey with flexibility and passion. From intense thrillers to heartwarming fantasies, Currently Reading continues to be your go-to podcast for diverse and engaging book discussions.