Currently Reading
Season 8, Episode 16: "Losing Track of Time + Our Book Club Recs"
Released: November 17, 2025
Hosts: Meredith Monday Schwartz and Kaytee Cobb

Overview

In this lively episode, Meredith and Kaytee dive into the kinds of reading moments that make book lovers lose track of time, share what’s on their nightstands (with engaging, eclectic recommendations), and perform a deep dive on the perennial book club dilemma: what makes a great group read? From laugh-out-loud nonfiction to emotionally driven fantasy, the hosts offer their strongest reviews yet, culminating in a practical and generous list of book club picks. If you’re looking for your next great read—or hoping to liven up your book club—this episode is packed with inspiration, bookish revelations, and a few laughs.

Highlights and Key Discussion Points

Bookish Moments of the Week ([01:03]-[06:36])

• Meredith describes how she unexpectedly lost track of time while reading Snap by Belinda Bauer.

  • “I looked up and 35 minutes had gone. I was 15 minutes late to the thing that I was supposed to be going to. … The weirdness for me that is losing track of time in a book.” ([01:21])
  • Meredith and Kaytee reflect on how rare and delightful it is for busy moms to get so immersed in a book they forget the clock.

• Kaytee gushes about her new “READ1NG” Arizona license plate, which makes her feel connected to fellow book lovers everywhere.

  • “There are, like, millions of people in Arizona. But now ... every time I walk out to my car, … it says ‘reading’ on the license plate now. And it makes me so happy.” ([04:51])
  • The personalized plate even leads to dreams of “bookish friend” encounters in parking lots.

Current Reads

1. The Staircase in the Woods by Chuck Wendig (Meredith) ([06:36]-[11:52])

• Five friends discover a mysterious staircase in the woods; when one disappears, their lives are changed forever—and two decades later, the past resurfaces.
• Meredith extols Wendig’s blend of horror and deep character work:
  • “If you are someone who thinks horror is just slasher stuff for gore's sake, or maybe who isn't quite sure that horror has that much meaningful to say, you need to pick up this book … The horror is there to serve the story. And that story is about friendship, trauma, and the ways that our teenage selves continue to haunt us into adulthood.” ([07:38])
• Emphasizes how the book is “Gen X trauma brought to life” and masterfully toggles between timelines.
• Trigger and content warnings recommended.
• Endorsed as a dark, propulsive pick that worked great for Meredith’s new book club.

2. The Maid and the Crocodile by Jordan Ifueko (Kaytee) ([11:52]-[15:35])

• Set in a magical, West Africa-inspired city, a young woman with a clubfoot and the ability to eat curses finds herself bound to a crocodile god.
• Kaytee highlights the emotional depth and world-building:
  • “Small Sade is a complex character. She's fully drawn, but with this heart of gold, and she's easy to root for … The crocodile is complex and dark and a little villainous.” ([12:29])
  • Praises the found family theme and “emotionally charged fantasy with a consistently interesting plot.”
• Accessible even if you haven’t read Raybearer.
• Appeals to fans of Beauty and the Beast and Howl’s Moving Castle.

3. How to Be a Saint by Kate Sidley (Meredith, nonfiction) ([15:47]-[21:07])

• Investigates the Catholic sainthood process—with irreverence and humor.
• Meredith compares Sidley’s approach to “the sharp wit of Stephen Colbert” and Mary Roach:
  • “This book pulls back the curtain on the weirdest, most fascinating quirks of canonization … The delivery is comedy gold.” ([17:44])
  • “It’s laugh out loud funny from start to finish … I got sucked in and couldn’t stop. I found that flow state we were talking about, Katie.” ([19:38])
• Highly recommends the print edition for visuals; for readers who like to learn and laugh simultaneously.
• Lighthearted but well-researched; cautions for those sensitive to religious satire.

4. Of Time and Turtles by Sy Montgomery & Matt Patterson (Kaytee, nonfiction) ([21:07]-[26:27])

• Nature writing focused on turtle rescue, resilience, and the meaning of devotion.
• Kaytee discusses her personal attachment to animal nonfiction and how this book “changed her life”:
  • “I do not have any turtle tattoos. I will affectionately smile at turtles when I see them, but they have not become my new personality trait.” ([25:30])
• Explores time, loss, and connection through animal rescue.
• Recommended in print for color plates and photography.

5. The Black Wolf by Louise Penny (Meredith) ([26:38]-[34:02])

• 20th book in the Armand Gamache/Three Pines series, a direct sequel to The Gray Wolf.
• Meredith is candid about her conflicted feelings:
  • “The previous book … was a gut punch … It lacked all the things that make the Three Pines series my favorite book series ever.”
  • “By the time I was done, I felt the same way that I felt at the end of the Gray Wolf—I just wanted the book to be finished, and I was so tired that I needed a nap.” ([31:39])
  • Wishes the series would return to its roots: “What I want is for the series to go back to what it really is. A series about this detective, Armand Gamache and his team solving murders.” ([32:07])
• Even with criticisms, she’ll “read every word in the series all the way up until the end of time.”

6. The Bright Sword by Lev Grossman (Kaytee) ([34:06]-[38:23])

• Arthurian fantasy epic exploring the aftermath of King Arthur’s death, told from the perspective of a lesser-known knight.
• Kaytee calls this big book “perfect fall reading,” blending “levity and seriousness,” with a modern, inclusive touch.
• Audio version highly recommended.
  • “It’s not a satire like Monty Python, but it does start with a quote from the movies, and it brings a humor and levity and goofiness to certain scenes that I loved … A tale as old as time.” ([36:47])

Deep Dive: Best Books for Book Clubs ([38:48]-[52:31])

• Meredith and Kaytee reflect on their evolving relationship with book clubs, with Meredith recently launching her own “666 Book Club” for readers who love dark books.
  • “It's just been ... fun. I don't hate book clubs. I don't.” ([41:13])
  • Kaytee notes: “Of all the books in all the world, that's the one I'm not reading”—underscoring their past resistance to assigned reading. ([41:13])
  • Both highlight that there are “a million different ways to book club or to read in community.” ([42:32])

Listener Question: Book club organizer seeks a variety of genres (preferably backlist) with lots to discuss.

Book Club Picks & Recommendations

• Curfew by Jane Cowie (Meredith)
  • Premise: In a near-future UK, all men are tagged and given a strict curfew. What happens when a woman is murdered after midnight?
  • “This one gives you this really interesting premise to discuss. Is this what would you think about a world where men had to be at home between 7pm and 7am? Even if that's all we talk about, there's going to be a lot of discussion.” ([44:32])
• Castle of Water by Dane Hucklebridge (Kaytee)
  • Desert island survival and human connection. “Could you survive? What do you think about the ending? That type of discussion ... gets people into their feels over a book.” ([46:37])
• The Currently Reading Press List
  • Kaytee’s sister uses their list of “Pressed” books as a starting point for her work book club.
  • Possibility of a “KM” (Kaytee/Meredith) badge for notable book club picks. ([47:55])
• The Push by Ashley Audrain (Meredith)
  • Motherhood, postpartum experience, and ambiguous threat.
  • “This is the one where the mom … has a baby. ... She thinks that there's something wrong ... and then there's a tragedy. And there's so much to talk about here.” ([48:27])
• The Art Thief by Michael Finkel (Kaytee)
  • True story of a Paris art thief; highly topical and great for discussion: “It will make for great discussion in a book club situation.” ([49:56])
• One of the Boys by Jane Cowie (Meredith)
  • Near future, genetic testing for violent tendencies in boys; two sisters make opposite choices.
  • “No matter what ... you might be surprised where people stand on what they would do in their own life.” ([51:00])
• Chain Gang All Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah (Kaytee)
  • Dystopian novel about the prison industrial complex made into a televised gladiator sport.
  • “Even if you don't love it ... we had so much to discuss.” ([52:01])
• Historical Fiction Picks:
  • Homegoing, Washington Black, The Lion Women of Tehran, The Red Tent—all get nods as reliably rich discussion starters ([51:31]-[51:36]).
• Near-Future Sci-Fi:
  • John Marrs’ titles suggested for genre variety.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Meredith on being immersed in a book:

  • “I want to get sucked in. I want to get into a flow state. I don't want to be late to things. That is very unsettling to me.” ([03:27])

• Kaytee on her “reading” license plate:

  • “It's a mommobile. Yeah. It says reading on the license plate now. And it makes me so happy.” ([05:07])

• Meredith on How to Be a Saint:

  • “If you love books that make learning entertaining, or if you want something that'll make you laugh while teaching you things that you never even knew you needed to know, this book delivers on every level.” ([20:21])

• Kaytee on Of Time and Turtles:

  • “Our dear friend Elizabeth Barnhill sent me an arc of this book ... We dove into the worlds of turtle and turtle rescue ... They can be fully dead, no heartbeat and come back. They are miraculous in a lot of ways.” ([22:09])

• Meredith, on The Black Wolf and series evolution:

  • “That's the place where it just didn't. It was like square peg, round hole.” ([33:19])

Important Timestamps

• [01:03] Bookish Moments start
• [06:36] Current Reads: The Staircase in the Woods
• [11:52] The Maid and the Crocodile
• [15:47] How to Be a Saint
• [21:07] Of Time and Turtles
• [26:38] The Black Wolf
• [34:06] The Bright Sword
• [38:48] Deep Dive: Book Clubs & Best Picks
• [52:31] Fountain Wishes

Tone & Closing Thoughts

The episode is candid, playful, and deeply passionate about books, with spirited riffs on the pleasures and paradoxes of book clubs. Both hosts celebrate—and slightly roast—the rituals of group reading while providing actionable, thoughtful recommendations for all kinds of club dynamics. Their book talk is (as promised) spoiler-free but opinion-filled, helping listeners discover not only what to read next, but why those books will prompt conversation and connection.

Episode Takeaway

If you’ve ever struggled to choose a great book club selection or lost yourself completely in a compelling read, Meredith and Kaytee have your back—with wise, witty commentary and a bounty of new titles to try.