Currently Reading — Season 8, Episode 10

"Squeeze Your Tenders + When Reading Gets Dangerous"

Release Date: October 6, 2025
Hosts: Meredith Monday Schwartz & Kaytee Cobb

Main Theme / Purpose

In this lively episode, Meredith and Kaytee bring their signature mix of deep book talk and playful banter. The central discussion explores both the figurative and literal dangers of being an avid reader — everything from paper cuts to existential transformations — all sparked by Kaytee’s recent and comically “dangerous” injury. The episode features detailed book recommendations across genres, a spirited chat about bookish communities, and their regular deep dive (this week: "When Reading Gets Dangerous"), complete with listener participation encouragement.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Power of Bookish Community (00:57–04:45)

• Kaytee hypes the "Bookish Friends" communities (Facebook & Discord) open to Patreon supporters: "We cultivated it very carefully, but then it has turned into kind of a self-feeding garden... It's a group of people that love each other well, that always have amazing recommendations." [01:46]
• Meredith shares how personal friendships have emerged from the community, emphasizing its kindness and low-maintenance moderation needs.

2. Bookish Moments of the Week (05:05–09:21)

• Meredith: Receives confirmation that Louise Penny is actively writing the next Three Pines book:
  "My eyes watered up... I just was filled with so much gratitude that we are going to continue to get more Three Pines books." [06:37]
• Kaytee: Shares her excitement about recording with Stephanie Skees for the Indie Press List and recommends the delightful children’s book Don't Trust Fish by Neal Sharpson (illustrated by Dan Santat).

3. Current Reads — In-Depth Book Recommendations

a. The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, Volumes 1 & 2 by Beth Brower (09:37–15:00)

• Meredith: Enthusiastic about these audiobooks' witty, character-driven Victorian charm.
  • “Think Jane Austen meets Gilmore Girls with a dash of magical realism...” [10:27]
  • Highlights: journal-entry format, exceptional narration by Genevieve Gaunt ("a masterclass in character work"), quirky cast, magical setting.
  • Warning: Highly bingeable; perfect “puttering book.”

b. Game of Lies by Clare Mackintosh (15:51–19:46)

• Kaytee: A “reality TV show-based thriller” set in the Welsh mountains.
  • “Their secrets are threatened to be exposed live to the entire nation. And on night one, a contestant disappears.” [16:35]
  • Strengths: Behind-the-scenes reality TV intrigue, strong UK setting, enjoyable guessing game.
  • Note: Many characters introduced, but manageable as the plot thins out.
  • Rating: 4 stars

c. 44 Poems for Being With Each Other by Pádraig Ó Tuama (19:46–24:54)

• Meredith: Finds the poetry collection “like a gentle, very self-paced college class...with a professor you adore.” [21:02]
  • Accessible, deeply insightful, “like having a really good flashlight in a beautiful but dimly lit room."
  • Each poem receives a 3-part treatment: conversational intro, the poem itself, and reflective commentary.

d. The Secret of Secrets by Dan Brown (25:24–32:28)

• Kaytee: Returns to the Robert Langdon series and finds it lacking.
  • “I was rolling my eyes at the italicized inner dialogue, the ways he repeated himself, the fact that he switched storylines and points of view five, seven times in a chapter.” [28:19]
  • Critiques overlength (700 pages), repetitive writing, and lack of character/plot development.
  • Overall: 2–2.5 stars — “a giant whompsy doozy.”

e. Wilding Hall by Elizabeth Hand (32:29–37:55)

• Meredith: Perfect novella for spooky season.
  • Set in a haunted English manor; told via documentary-style interviews (Daisy Jones meets Shirley Jackson).
  • “Elizabeth Hand is not holding your hand...She trusts you to piece it together." [36:12]
  • Evocative, atmospheric, ambiguous in the best way. Great on audio.

f. Best Hex Ever by Nadia El-Fassi (38:03–41:58)

• Kaytee: “Witchy, but not spoopy” romance set in London.
  • Features: magical pastries, cursed love life, excellent fall setting, and solid spice (“three and a half to four chili peppers”).
  • Fun, spicy, cozy — recommended for seasonal vibes.

Deep Dive: "When Reading Gets Dangerous" (42:19–50:59)

Kaytee leads a humorous exploration of actual physical dangers of reading:

• Classic paper cuts, tendonitis, carpal tunnel, nearsightedness.
• Risk of book concussions from overhead shelves in earthquake zones or heavy tomes:
  “You could develop Popeye arms from holding a heavy book in one hand...” [44:32]
• Audiobook speed-users risk “broken brains and ears.”
• Dropping books on your face in bed (risk of a broken nose).
• Emotional “injuries” — laughter, tears, existential crises.
• The horror of mismatched series books.
• Memorable contribution from Kaytee’s 12-year-old:
  “If you close a book too fast, you could squeeze your tenders.” [46:38]

Meredith’s Actual Reading-Related Injuries:

• Strained back muscles reaching for a Kindle.
• Stepping on a bent metal page flag (“really, really painful”).
• One-sided eye strain from reading on her side (“Read with both your eyes, people.”).

Conclusion:
Reading is “dangerous” in all sorts of amusing and earnest ways — and listeners are encouraged to share their own book-related injuries on Instagram.

The Fountain: Wishes & Press (51:07–54:39)

• Meredith’s Wish:
  More books in “volumes” rather than conventional series.

  “I just really like this, this volume concept and I wish more authors would play around with it.” [52:11]

• Kaytee’s Press:
  An Immense World by Ed Yong

  “He was able to take sensations and perceptions that human beings will never experience or understand and make it possible to get a grasp on them — astonishing.” [53:19]
  She wishes more people would discover its accessible, mind-expanding science writing.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Bookish Community:
  “It has turned into kind of a self-feeding garden...always have amazing recommendations.” —Kaytee [01:36]

• On Returning Authors:
  “I just was filled with so much gratitude that we are going to continue to get more Three Pines books.” —Meredith [06:37]

• On The Unselected Journals:
  “Think Jane Austen meets Gilmore Girls with a dash of magical realism and you will be getting close...” —Meredith [10:27]

• On Dan Brown’s Latest:
  “It feels like I've either outgrown Dan Brown or he has not grown.” —Kaytee [30:08]

• On Book Injuries:
  “You could break a toe if you drop a bookend on your foot...But man, those suckers are heavy and toes are unforgiving.” —Kaytee [44:42]

• 12-Year-Old Wisdom:
  “If you close a book too fast, you could squeeze your tenders.”
  —Kaytee’s son [46:38]

• On Spooky, Subtle Horror:
  “This is not body horror. This is creeping dread that something is fundamentally wrong with this place...” —Meredith [36:33]

Important Timestamps

• Bookish Community discussion: 00:57–04:45
• Bookish Moments of the Week: 05:05–09:21
• Current Reads:
  • Emma M. Lion: 09:37–15:00
  • Game of Lies: 15:51–19:46
  • 44 Poems: 19:46–24:54
  • The Secret of Secrets: 25:24–32:28
  • Wilding Hall: 32:29–37:55
  • Best Hex Ever: 38:03–41:58
• Deep Dive – Reading Hazards: 42:19–50:59
• The Fountain: 51:07–54:39

Tone & Style

The episode is upbeat, witty, and packed with practical asides, solid book recommendations, and affectionate ribbing. Kaytee’s irreverent humor (“squeeze your tenders”) and Meredith’s infectious enthusiasm keep the listener engaged, while the spoiler-free, reader-centric format ensures a broad appeal.

Listener Invitation

• Share your reading injuries! The hosts want to hear your stories on Instagram—look for the official post to comment.

This episode is an ideal blend of bookish celebration, practical advice, and just the right dose of silliness, perfect for any reader wanting camaraderie and great recommendations.