Currently Reading Podcast: Season 7, Episode 48 – Our 2025 Group Show!

Release Date: July 7, 2025

Hosts:

• Meredith Monday Schwartz: A mom of four and full-time CEO from Austin, Texas.
• Kaytee Cobb: A homeschooling mom of four from Arizona.
• Mary: A dedicated reader and organizer.
• Roxanna: An avid reader with a penchant for unique book selections.

1. Introduction to the Group Show

In this special group episode of Currently Reading, hosts Meredith and Kaytee are joined by Mary and Roxanna, expanding the usual dynamic of the show. The episode kicks off with the hosts expressing their excitement about having all four participants together, setting the stage for a lively and engaging discussion.

Meredith [00:33]: "I'm Meredith Monday Schwartz, a mom of four and full-time CEO living in Austin, Texas. And if two hosts is great, four hosts is better."

2. Unique or Shared: A New Icebreaker Game

Kaytee introduces a new game called "Unique or Shared," designed to uncover whether their personal statements are genuinely unique or if they share common traits among the group. This playful activity aims to highlight both their individuality and shared experiences as avid readers.

Kaytee [01:58]: "Each of us has come up with some things, some statements about ourselves that we think are unique and precious and special, so different from everybody else. And then we're going to see if that's actually true."

3. Roxanna's Admission: Struggling with Library Fines

Roxanna opens up with a candid confession about her struggles with library fines, setting a humorous yet relatable tone for the episode.

Roxanna [02:57]: "I am the worst, worst library patron ever, and I have no qualms about it. I rack up regularly. Like, weekly 20 to $40 fines. Like, regularly."

Meredith empathizes, sharing her experience with Roxanna's daughter, Kieran, whose constant reading habits contribute to the accumulation of overdue books.

Meredith [04:31]: "Only in that now that I've gotten to spend a week with Kieran, your daughter, your youngest, and I got to experience the fact that she literally has a book in her hands 24/7."

4. Managing Library Fines and Supporting Local Libraries

The conversation evolves into a broader discussion about the role of library fines and the importance of supporting local libraries. Roxanna explains her approach to handling fines, including increasing her library donations when fines are removed.

Roxanna [06:21]: "TPL Toronto Public Library has removed fines. So from this year, I have not paid any fines. I just increased my library donation at the end of the year because I feel like I do all this traffic at the budget for it so well."

Mary chimes in with her organized approach to returning library books on time, showcasing responsible library patronage.

Mary [06:51]: "We have fines. And I am not the oldest daughter, but I have oldest daughter energy. And I am raising an oldest daughter, and we don't return library books late."

5. The Buzzy Book Moment: Mary’s Love for Shared Reading Experiences

Mary shares her passion for participating in "buzzy book moments," where she engages with books that are trending online, fostering a sense of community and shared discourse among readers.

Mary [12:28]: "I love a buzzy book moment. I love a shared moment in time with readers. I love reading a book that everyone is talking about online."

6. Book Selection Preferences: Popular vs. Unique Choices

Roxanna discusses her tendency to avoid highly popular books, preferring instead to seek out more obscure or unique titles. This strategy helps her avoid the disappointment that sometimes accompanies highly anticipated releases.

Roxanna [13:42]: "If there is a book that everyone else in the world is reading, I'm gonna go find the most backlisted, weird, strange book, and I'm gonna read that one because I'm cool and different."

Meredith contrasts this with her love for discovering hidden gems within the library's collection, emphasizing her preference for older or overlooked books.

Meredith [18:00]: "That absolutely delights me so much to find that book even just for myself. It's magnified by being able to share it with others."

7. Filtering Book Choices: The Role of Goodreads Ratings

The hosts delve into how they use Goodreads ratings to filter their reading lists, with Roxanna explaining her strict adherence to selecting books with high ratings to avoid wasting time on poorly received titles.

Roxanna [25:58]: "I use Goodreads as a filter to cut out all the bookish noise of books I don't want in my life."

Mary offers a nuanced perspective, using Goodreads as a reference rather than a strict gatekeeper, allowing for exceptions based on personal anticipation or author loyalty.

Mary [30:34]: "It's not a decider for me. But I will take a look. If it's a 3.5, I'll see if it's something that might still intrigue me."

Kaytee shares her approach of occasionally bypassing ratings when browsing in a library setting, preferring to explore books based on cover appeal or curiosity.

Kaytee [32:02]: "At the library, I am more likely to grab a book based on the cover or a quick glance, then decide later."

8. Organizing the To-Be-Read (TBR) List

The discussion shifts to how each host organizes their TBR lists. Kaytee uniquely organizes her physical TBR in a rainbow order based on book spine colors, a method that caters to her visual memory.

Kaytee [53:08]: "I keep my TBR in rainbow order. It makes it easy for me to remember what color the spine is for whatever books I put on there."

Roxanna prefers a digital approach, managing her TBR through Goodreads with categorized sections based on recommendation sources.

Roxanna [54:29]: "I categorize them by recommended by Currently Reading, Bookish Friends, etc., so I know where I got it from."

Mary utilizes a seasonal approach, organizing her TBR based on the time of year, although she admits it remains somewhat chaotic.

Mary [56:16]: "I gather books that feel summery, autumnal, etc., and make a shelf based on what season I'm interested in reading."

Meredith embraces a more spontaneous method, allowing books to "come to her" without a fixed organizational system, finding joy in the unpredictability.

Meredith [57:07]: "I have no desire to fix it because it's so unknowable. Books come to me when they're supposed to."

9. Overcoming Book Slumps: Genre Pivots and Strategies

To combat reading slumps, the hosts share their strategies, primarily revolving around genre pivots. They discuss the effectiveness of switching genres to reignite interest and enjoyment in reading.

Mary [37:05]: "I make myself go read a nonfiction book or a mystery, something completely different from my favorite genre to reset my reading streak."

Meredith and Roxanna echo similar sentiments, advocating for stepping outside one's usual preferences to overcome stagnation.

Meredith [38:39]: "Genre pivot is a useful practice when your reading is feeling 'meh.' I'll pick up something completely different to refresh my reading experience."

10. Skimming and Audiobook Strategies

The conversation turns to reading techniques like skimming and handling audiobooks. Meredith introduces her method of "experiencing" a book without fully committing to it, allowing her to gauge its worth without investing too much time.

Meredith [46:26]: "I'm going to take 20 or 30 minutes and I'm going to experience this book. I'm not going to read it. I'm going to experience it."

Kaytee discusses her approach to audiobooks, often abandoning them if they don't immediately capture her interest, and utilizing speed adjustments to maximize listening efficiency.

Kaytee [50:54]: "I listen at 2.8x speed. If I'm not interested, I'll skip to the end and move on."

Roxanna shares her admiration for Meredith's skimming technique and expresses a desire to adopt similar strategies to enhance her reading habits.

Roxanna [48:54]: "I love that. I wish I could get there. It seems so liberating."

11. Conclusion and Takeaways

The episode wraps up with the hosts reflecting on their unique methods and shared experiences, emphasizing the importance of finding personalized approaches to reading that cater to individual preferences and lifestyles. They encourage listeners to experiment with different strategies to enrich their own reading journeys.

Meredith [52:05]: "It can be a useful tool in your toolbox. And I will never feel guilty about what starts my engine."

Katie [57:14]: "Happy reading, friends."

Key Insights:

• Personalized Reading: Each host emphasizes the importance of tailoring reading habits to individual preferences, whether through TBR organization, genre selection, or filtering methods.

• Community Engagement: Sharing in "buzzy book moments" fosters a sense of community and shared excitement among readers.

• Strategic Filtering: Utilizing platforms like Goodreads serves as an effective tool for managing book choices, though flexibility allows for exceptions based on personal affinity.

• Overcoming Slumps: Genre pivots and strategic skipping help maintain a dynamic and enjoyable reading experience, preventing stagnation.

Notable Quotes:

• Roxanna [02:57]: "I am the worst, worst library patron ever, and I have no qualms about it."

• Mary [12:28]: "I love a buzzy book moment. I love a shared moment in time with readers."

• Meredith [46:26]: "I'm going to take 20 or 30 minutes and I'm going to experience this book. I'm not going to read it. I'm going to experience it."

• Katie [32:02]: "At the library, I am more likely to grab a book based on the cover or a quick glance, then decide later."

Final Thoughts:

Season 7, Episode 48 of Currently Reading offers a deep dive into the varied and personalized reading strategies of four passionate book lovers. From managing library fines to organizing vast TBRs, each host brings unique perspectives that resonate with a wide audience of readers. The episode underscores the joy of reading, the importance of community, and the value of adapting one's habits to maintain a fulfilling and engaging reading life.