Currently Reading – Season 8, Episode 11
"Book Bundles + Books That Zigged When You Thought They’d Zag"
October 13, 2025
Hosts: Kaytee Cobb & Roxanna Kasankara (filling in for Meredith)
EPISODE OVERVIEW
This week’s episode is a treat for readers who love the unpredictable. With Meredith away in the UK, Kaytee and Roxanna dive into "books that zig when you think they’ll zag"—stories full of surprises and genres that subvert your expectations. The discussion is packed with lively book recommendations, middle grade finds, and a deep dive on why some twisty reads delight while others disappoint. As always, there are spoiler-free discussions and plenty of bookish camaraderie.
BOOKISH MOMENTS OF THE WEEK
01:49 – Roxanna: Joyful Buddy Read of Catabasis by R.F. Kuang (with Meredith)
- Roxanna highlights the fun of returning to a semi-structured buddy read, especially with a complex book like Catabasis. She chats about how sharing notes and discussing chapters in real time deepens the reading experience.
Notable Quote:
"RF Kuang is so smart that sometimes I'm like, I don't know if I'm smart enough to read this book." – Kaytee (03:28)
“It’s just really brought joy back into my reading life. I forgot how much I missed this kind of, you know, slightly more structured buddy read.” – Roxanna (02:09)
04:28 – Kaytee: Themed Book Baskets for a Church Raffle
Kaytee shares her excitement and satisfaction over curating eight themed book bundles for a fall festival raffle—from "Gorgeous Historical Fiction" to "Creepy Crawlies" and "Beloved Middle Grade." She relishes transforming her outgoing books into community joy.
Notable Quote:
"I'm always so excited to see how many tickets get put into the book baskets. It makes me so happy." (05:49)
CURRENT READS & RECOMMENDATIONS
- The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lyon by Beth Brower
06:41 – Roxanna
- Epistolary historical fiction set in 1883 London. Emma, an independent but impoverished woman, chronicles her eccentric new neighborhood with wit and heart.
- Roxanna calls it, “Gilmore Girls meets 84, Charing Cross Road meets Veronica Speedwell.”
- She loved the platonic male friendships, snappy journal format (especially in audio), and depth beneath the story’s charm.
- Roxanna describes it as her favorite reading experience of the year—warm, joyful, and emotionally charged.
Notable Quote:
"Her journals sparkle with humor and heart. I was laughing out loud from the first page." (09:51)
“Every chapter is like its own little adventure. But she does really tackle harder issues that Emma is dealing with underneath it all.” (11:37)
- Zero Stars Do Not Recommend by MJ Wassmer
14:45 – Kaytee
- Satirical, witty, and absurd. A slacker finds himself trapped at a vacation resort after the sun explodes, with lines of social class appearing among the remaining guests.
- Inspired by a listener press, Kaytee loved the absurd premise and social dynamics. The protagonist isn’t especially likable, but the cleverness and humor shine through.
Notable Quote:
"I was laughing so hard just at the title. I was like, sun explode. Zero stars. Got it. I'm so smart. It's hilarious." (15:37)
- The Mystery of Morrigan Crow (Nevermoor #4) by Jessica Townsend
19:32 – Roxanna
- The long-awaited fourth book in the magical Nevermoor series. This entry brings a tightly plotted murder mystery with deeper character growth and a more intricate story arc.
- Roxanna praises Townsend’s decision to delay publication to get the mystery just right, saying the payoff is enormous, both in terms of plot and emotional maturity.
Notable Quote:
"This is a mystery that's satisfying and purposeful, but it moves the series arc forward and deepens Morrigan’s growth." (21:08)
“If you want to recapture your love of Harry Potter from when you were young, this is the series to do it.” (23:56)
- Minor Feelings by Cathy Park Hong (Nonfiction)
27:28 – Kaytee
- A standout essay collection on race, identity, and the “minor feelings” of shame and melancholy as the daughter of Korean immigrants in America.
- Kaytee lauds the razor-sharp language and emotional honesty, recommending it for buddy reads or slow, thoughtful consumption.
Notable Quote:
“Each word is razor sharp and precisely chosen.” (28:07)
“If there are still readers… who have not been convinced that trying an essay collection…let this one be the place you start.” (29:32)
- The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest by Aubrey Hartman
31:00 – Roxanna
- Roxanna calls this "the fallest fall book that ever falled.”
- Cozy, quest-driven middle grade fantasy about a misunderstood fox who guides animal souls to rest. A fresh take on friendship, death, and transformation—with lots of twists.
Notable Quote:
“This is a 10 star book. It actually might be my favorite of the year…This is cozy fantasy at its best, but it becomes something bigger. It's unexpected and deeply satisfying.” (32:48)
"You don't know where the story is going. You don't know exactly how it's going to end." (33:56)
- Audrey and Bash Are Just Friends by Tia Williams
36:17 – Kaytee
- YA debut from a popular adult romance author. Audrey is junior class president running an unofficial therapy gig and recruits new classmate Bash to help her live bigger.
- Fun, closed-door romance with echoes of Sex Education, themes of ambition, and found family. Good for readers seeking feel-good, lighthearted stories.
Notable Quote:
"I super loved getting into this book and getting to know these young adults…It's a feel good story that will hit all the right notes for lovers of The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang that want a closed door book they can hand to their teenagers." (39:02)
DEEP DIVE
Books That Zig When You Thought They’d Zag
41:27 – Discussion begins
Kaytee and Roxanna unpack what it means for a book to “zig” and subvert expectations—not just via an “OMG twist,” but consistent, surprising choices in character, plot, or theme. They swap examples, debate why these stories are exciting, and note when the effect feels masterful vs. random.
Key Points:
- Not about one big twist, but about books defying reader expectations all the way through
- Indie press and backlist finds often “zig” because they’re chosen outside reader comfort zones
- Masterful execution comes from authors who build trust, maintain an emotional through line, and anchor surprises in character and theme (not just shock value)
- Joy in the unexpected: “It's not always about where you get to in the end, but it's even just the plot choices that are made by the author through it, where you're like, wow, I didn't see that coming." – Roxanna (41:49)
- Discussed titles:
- Piranesi by Susanna Clarke (44:41)
- Light from Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki
- The Unseen World by Liz Moore
- Hazel Says No by Jessica Berger Gross
- Margot’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe
- I Keep My Worries in My Teeth by Anna Cox
- Mouth to Mouth by Antoine Wilson
- Our Hideous Progeny by C.E. McGill
- Hench by Natalie Zena Wallshots
- The Gurkha and the Lord of Tuesday by Saad Z. Hossain
- Wicked Nix by Lena Coakley
Notable Quotes:
"For me, a book that really works is a book that subverts expectations... It's not always about where you get to in the end, but it's even just the plot choices that are made by the author through it." – Roxanna (41:49)
"When that works, I find it so thrilling. I find it so satisfying. And it's like sitting back and watching a master at work." – Roxanna (42:25)
THE FOUNTAIN – BOOKISH WISHES
53:42
Roxanna’s Wish: Try The Ghoul of Windy Down Vale by Jake Burt
- Middle-grade but genre-defiant—a strange, atmospheric “Dickens in the Wild West with horror elements.” Shocking, heartfelt, and perfect for October.
Notable Quote:
“My wish is that everyone would try the first chapter and see if it gives you that same mix of shivers and heart that it gave me.” (55:25)
Kaytee’s Wish: Bring Back "Deliver Later" in the Libby App
- Laments the demise of the Deliver Later feature in Libby, pleading for its return for all hold-management aficionados and super-readers.
Notable Quote:
"Libby, hear our plea. Reintroduce Deliver Later, please, and thank you." (57:47)
MEMORABLE & FUNNY MOMENTS
- [15:45] – The group cracks up over the title, “Zero Stars Do Not Recommend,” realizing the sun explodes, so yes—zero stars.
- [58:18] – Roxanna’s authentic shock and dismay on hearing Libby removed “Deliver Later" plays out candidly live on mic: “Why did you have to let me know this on air? It just ruined my day.”
- [12:31] – Kaytee wants “more backbone than money” engraved on her tombstone; “Because if that’s not my life, I don’t know what is.”
QUICK REFERENCE TIMESTAMPS
- 01:49 Bookish moments of the week
- 06:41 Roxanna: The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lyon
- 14:45 Kaytee: Zero Stars Do Not Recommend
- 19:32 Roxanna: The Mystery of Morrigan Crow
- 27:28 Kaytee: Minor Feelings
- 31:00 Roxanna: The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest
- 36:17 Kaytee: Audrey and Bash Are Just Friends
- 41:27 Deep Dive: Books that Zig/Zag
- 53:42 The Fountain (Bookish Wishes)
TONE & STYLE
- Warm, lively, and chatty with good-natured ribbing and candid opinions.
- Both hosts are enthusiastic about digging beyond the surface of genres, sharing practical tips for fellow readers, and championing unexpected finds.
- Language is friendly, informal, and peppered with humor and relatable quips.
CONCLUSION
"Books that zig when you thought they’d zag" isn’t about tricks or shock—it's about the thrill of unpredictability and the satisfaction of reading a story that constantly surprises, but always lands true. Kaytee and Roxanna share a dynamic, engaging partnership this week, brimming with earnest recommendations, laughter, and deep reflections on what makes certain books truly unputdownable.
Happy reading!