Podcast Summary: Currently Reading – Season 7, Episode 45: "Send Your Listener Press + Summer Is For The Youths"

Release Date: June 16, 2025
Hosts: Meredith Monday Schwartz and Kaytee Cobb

Introduction

In Season 7, Episode 45 of the Currently Reading podcast, hosts Meredith Monday Schwartz and Kaytee Cobb delve into their latest book adventures, introduce their seventh annual Listener Press initiative, and embark on a deep exploration of summer reading within the Young Adult (YA) and Middle Grade (MG) genres. The episode blends personal anecdotes, insightful book discussions, and engaging community interactions, all tailored to ignite the passion for reading among their listeners.

Listener Press Initiative

Early in the episode, Katie Kub enthusiastically introduces the Listener Press segment, encouraging listeners to actively participate by submitting their own book recommendations:

Katie Kub [02:17]: "Here's your chance to do the same. It's so easy we absolutely love hearing about what you've loved forever or has recently changed you for the better."

Meredith Heim echoes the excitement, highlighting the positive impact listener submissions have had over the years:

Meredith Heim [03:42]: "I can't wait. I'm so excited. I love that episode."

The Listener Press invites fans to record brief voice memos recommending their favorite books, fostering a vibrant community of shared literary experiences. This year's initiative promises to enrich the podcast’s selection of recommended reads, further expanding listeners' TBR (To Be Read) lists.

Bookish Moments of the Week

The hosts share their personal Bookish Moments, spotlighting recent reading experiences that reignited their love for books.

Meredith’s Moment:

Meredith discusses overcoming a reading slump by diving into "God of the Woods," a 500-page novel that captivated her with its immersive storytelling:

Meredith Heim [04:13]: "I absolutely inhaled this book. It felt so good and so fun to be so into a book that was so immersive, so well written."

Katie’s Moment:

Katie shares her anticipation for attending the inaugural Taphouse Library Get Together, a community event combining local bookstores and breweries for a "read and sip" experience:

Katie Kub [06:02]: "They are pairing local bookshops and local breweries for a read and sip event... it's a perfect melding of interest."

The event promises a delightful mix of socializing and reading, embodying the podcast’s celebration of bookish camaraderie.

Current Reads Reviewed

The core of the episode features an in-depth discussion of the hosts' current reads, spanning both fiction and non-fiction across various genres.

Meredith’s Selections:

1. "Green Teeth" by Molly O’Neill

   • Synopsis: A historical fantasy steeped in Celtic British folklore, following Jenny Greenteeth’s unexpected alliance with a village witch, Temperance.
   • Meredith’s Insight:

     Meredith Heim [08:00]: "This story is true Celtic mythology... it's cozy, but there are real stakes here."

   • Katie’s Reaction:

     Katie Kub [09:43]: "Gosh, I love like mythology from cultures that I'm not familiar with."

2. "Roland Rogers Isn't Dead Yet" by Samantha Allen

   • Synopsis: A spectral movie star enlists a writer to ghostwrite his true story, blending supernatural elements with a heartfelt coming-out narrative.
   • Meredith’s Insight:

     Meredith Heim [14:06]: "It's a fun and completely improbable reading experience... their trajectory of self love, self acceptance, and forgiveness through the process."

   • Katie’s Enthusiasm:

     Katie Kub [16:29]: "It sounds perfectly quirky and just right for me right now."

3. "Scholar and the Last Fairy Door" by H.G. Perry

   • Synopsis: Set in a magical British university during the 1920s, Clover’s quest to save her brother intertwines with dark secrets that threaten both the fairy and human worlds.
   • Meredith’s Insight:

     Meredith Heim [22:38]: "If you like Divine Rivals too, if you are a Rebecca Ross Best reader, this would land in your wheelhouse."

   • Katie’s Reaction:

     Katie Kub [25:03]: "Yeah, I'm getting some of those vibes there for sure."

Katie’s Selections:

1. "Ace of Spades" by Farida Abike Aymide

   • Synopsis: A dark academia YA mystery where senior prefects Devin and Chiamaka navigate anonymous threats that jeopardize their academic futures.
   • Katie’s Insight:

     Katie Kub [10:04]: "The fast pace, the unknown villain, and the almost but not quite multimedia nature of the book... just went down so easy."

   • Meredith’s Decision:

     Meredith Heim [13:16]: "I'll go pull it out of the recesses of my Kindle."

2. "24 Seconds from Now" by Jason Reynolds

   • Synopsis: Told in a reverse timeline, the novel explores the intimate moments leading up to Neon and Aria’s first time together, interwoven with parental guidance on sensitive topics.
   • Katie’s Insight:

     Katie Kub [28:48]: "I feel like this book is a great step in maintaining that supportive and protective conversation between us."

   • Meredith’s Reaction:

     Meredith Heim [29:34]: "I love that this exists. It sounds so good."

3. "Deaf Utopia" by Nyle DiMarco

   • Synopsis: A memoir celebrating Deaf culture and American Sign Language, recounting DiMarco’s journey from childhood to stardom, including his experiences on "America’s Next Top Model" and "Dancing with the Stars."
   • Katie’s Insight:

     Katie Kub [17:11]: "It's astonishing the way... he got so good at timing that... it was mind blowing."

   • Meredith’s Addition:

     Meredith Heim [51:07]: "Dreamland Burning by Jennifer Latham... an excellent doorway for me into reading around this piece of art history."

Deep Dive: Summer Is For The Youths

The episode's highlight is the Deep Dive segment titled "Summer Is For The Youths," where Meredith and Katie explore the merits of reading YA and Middle Grade (MG) books during the summer months.

Importance of YA and MG Reading in Summer

Meredith emphasizes the accessibility and emotional resonance of YA/MG books as perfect summer companions:

Meredith Heim [30:43]: "They are books that don't necessarily require all of my brain cells, but they still have so much merit."

Katie complements this by highlighting the manageable length and engaging nature of YA/MG books, making them ideal for summer reading without the overwhelm of adult fiction:

Katie Kub [35:59]: "Middle grade are like a super rich dessert... the perfect way to describe a middle grade book."

Recommendations for Middle Grade

Meredith’s Recommendations:

1. "The Summer of Jordi Perez and the Best Burger in Los Angeles" by Amy Spaulding
2. "Fat Chance Charlie Vega" by Crystal Maldonado
   • Both books celebrate joyful redemption arcs for teens facing challenges related to identity and acceptance.

Katie’s Recommendations:

1. "A Wish in the Dark" by Christina Suntornvat
   • A Thai retelling of Les Misérables, offering a culturally rich alternative to classic literature.
2. "Swim Team" by Johnny Christmas
   • A graphic novel about a young black girl learning to swim amidst historical segregation.
3. "Starfish" by Lisa Phipps
   • A novel in verse tackling body shaming, encouraging self-acceptance.

Additional Recommendations by Meredith:

• Kelly Barnhill’s Middle Grade Novels:
  • "The Girl Who Drank the Moon"
  • "The Ogress and the Orphans"
    • These books excel in weaving strong narratives with allegorical depth, making complex themes accessible to younger readers.

Katie’s YA and Middle Grade Recommendations:

• "Scythe" by Neil Schusterman
• "A Curse So Dark and Lonely" by Brigid Kemmerer
  • Both are high-stakes novels with minimal world-building, ideal for quick, engaging reads.
• Spooky Middle Grade & YA Novels:
  • "The Sinister Summer" series by Kiersten White
  • "The Pumpkin Princess and the Forever Night" by Stephen Banbury

Non-Fiction and Poetic Recommendations:

• "The Sun Does Shine" by Anthony Ray Hinton (Young Readers’ Edition)
• "Stamped" by Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds
• "Punching the Air" by Ibi Savoy and Yusuf Salaam
• "Black Flamingo" by Dean Atta
• "Dreamland Burning" by Jennifer Latham
• "Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science" by Kate McKinnon

Meredith and Katie advocate for the therapeutic and enriching potential of YA/MG literature, citing their ability to address profound themes with a comforting touch.

Fountain: Wishes for the Week

Concluding the episode, Meredith and Katie share their Fountain Wishes, projecting hopes and dreams tied to their reading journeys and personal lives.

Meredith’s Wish:

Encourages listeners to incorporate YA/MG books into their summer TBR lists to expand their literary horizons:

Meredith Heim [53:04]: "I wish that everyone would add a new to them middle grade or YA book to their TBR this summer."

Katie’s Wish:

Expresses a desire for a Bookish Roadmap, a metaphorical guide to finding the perfect book companions for life’s crossroads:

Katie Kub [54:33]: "I would like a bookish roadmap... to give me the perfect companion for my journey."

These wishes embody the podcast’s mission to foster a vibrant, inclusive, and supportive reading community.

Notable Quotes

• Katie Kub [01:00]: "Making me happy too."
• Meredith Heim [03:42]: "I can't wait. I'm so excited. I love that episode."
• Meredith Heim [08:00]: "This story is true Celtic mythology... it's cozy, but there are real stakes here."
• Katie Kub [35:59]: "Middle grade are like a super rich dessert... the perfect way to describe a middle grade book."
• Meredith Heim [53:04]: "I wish that everyone would add a new to them middle grade or YA book to their TBR this summer."

Conclusion

Season 7, Episode 45 of Currently Reading masterfully balances community engagement through the Listener Press with thoughtful discussions on current reads and the hidden gems within the YA and Middle Grade genres. Meredith Monday Schwartz and Kaytee Cobb not only share their personal literary journeys but also inspire their audience to explore diverse narratives, fostering a rich and inclusive book-loving community. Whether you're a seasoned reader or new to the world of YA/MG literature, this episode offers valuable insights and recommendations to enhance your summer reading experience.

For more book recommendations and to submit your Listener Press, visit currentlyreadingpodcast.com or email currentlyreading@podcast.com. Follow the podcast on Instagram @currentlyreadingpodcast.