Currently Reading Podcast
Season 8, Episode 18: "Re-Reading + How We've Changed For Good"
December 1, 2025

Episode Overview

In this heartfelt episode, hosts Meredith Monday Schwartz and Kaytee Cobb explore how their reading lives—and themselves—have evolved over the years through friendship, podcasting, and all things bookish. The main theme revolves around transformation: how re-reading, changing tastes, buddy reading, community, and vulnerability have shaped them “for good.” Along the way, they share standout current reads, a moving bookish deep dive inspired by a listener, and plenty of laughs, tears, and memorable moments—plus, they discuss the launch of their 2026 reading tracker.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Reading Tracker Excitement (01:09–07:42)

• 2026 Reading Tracker Launch: Kaytee unveils new features, including:
  • Comparing personal ratings to those on Goodreads/Storygraph
  • Multiple selections for time settings and locations
  • New “spicy” and “murder” scales, visually represented with chili peppers and knives
  • Tab to track personal top 10 lists year over year
• Customization: Meredith emphasizes the tracker works for every reader—whether you want to track five things or fifty.
  • Notable Quote: “One of the best things about the spreadsheet is that you can track so many things, but...you can also track very few things.” – Meredith (06:08)
• Live Tours: December-only walkthroughs for bookish friends on Patreon
  • “It is just such an exciting spreadsheet season.” – Kaytee (07:42)

Bookish Moments of the Week (08:16–14:09)

Meredith: The Bookish Advent Calendar (08:16–11:18)

• Inspired by a listener, Meredith shares an idea: use ChatGPT prompts to select 12 TBR books for an Advent-style countdown.
• “It’s a fun way to make the holiday season bookish, and just a nice little treat for ourselves.” – Meredith (11:03)

Kaytee: Woodworking Bookends Adventure (11:18–14:09)

• Kaytee buys live edge olive wood from a local seller to craft custom bookends—a hobby inherited from her dad.
• “Getting new wood for new bookends is my bookish moment.” – Kaytee (13:25)

Current Reads (14:09–46:27)

1. North Sun or the Voyage of the Whaleship Esther by Ethan Rutherford (Meredith, 14:15–20:16)

• Historical whaling, Arctic peril, and haunting horror.
• Notable for its fragmentary style, perfect pacing, and dark, brutal themes (including animal violence).
• “It was such a ‘WTF did I just read?’ book. But also, I think it’s going to be on my top 10.” – Meredith (19:47)
• Audio note: Structure may not translate well—sample the audiobook first.

2. Wrong Place, Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister (Kaytee, 21:16–26:17)

• Time-travel mystery/thriller about a mother trying to prevent her son’s crime by reliving days in reverse.
• “This was exceptional… such a great way to deliver a mystery slash thriller. First of all, I regularly love time travel. It is a catnip trope for me, and this one worked so well for me.” – Kaytee (24:26)

3. And the World Spins Anyway by Georgie Jones (Meredith, 26:19–32:21)

• Modern British poetry, accessible and emotionally resonant, especially for millennials.
• Meredith reads the poem “Worst Case Scenario” (28:02–30:43), evoking tender reactions from both hosts.
• “It feels like poetry that you would write yourself if you had a gift for poetry.” – Meredith (31:02)

4. Awake by Jen Hatmaker (Kaytee, 32:49–36:55)

• Memoir about surviving public divorce, family, and chosen community.
• Kaytee’s “tandem read” (audio + print) led to emotional tears.
• “Jen here is more than she’s ever been. And I’m so glad she shared that moreness with us.” – Kaytee (36:36)
• “The tears I cried were infinity and the stars I’d give if I could would also be infinity.” – Kaytee (36:51)

5. Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hockhauser (Meredith, 37:26–42:16)

• Coming 2026: A Cinderella retelling from the “villain’s” point-of-view, exploring motherhood, power, and feminine rage.
• “Completely gutted in the best possible way… The last line of this book had me high-kicking, but also seriously asking, do I have enough room on my arms for another tattoo?” – Meredith (39:23)
• Darker, violent than typical fairy tales – content warning for visceral horror elements.
• “If you want a book that takes fairytale logic and exposes all the ways it has failed women…this book is for you.” – Meredith (41:12)

6. A Wish in the Dark by Christina Suntornvat (Kaytee, 42:33–46:27)

• Thai-inspired, middle grade retelling of Les Misérables; themes of justice, power, and revolution.
• Kaytee’s family read-aloud, sparking deep discussions with her kids.
• “Having four kiddos of different ages all take something deeply impactful from this book shows what a phenomenal storyteller Christina Suntornvat is.” – Kaytee (45:36)

Bookish Deep Dive: “Changed for the Better” (46:27–59:06)

Based on a listener's suggestion, the hosts reflect on how they've changed each other as readers and as people. Inspired by the Wicked song “For Good,” this is an emotional, vulnerable, sometimes tearful conversation with these key highlights:

Ways Meredith Changed Because of Kaytee (49:33–55:05)

• Buddy Reading: Initially baffled, now a favorite part of her reading life.
• Meeting Authors: Previously uninterested in meeting or hearing from authors at events; now considers it “one of my favorite things to do.”
• Bookish Community: Formerly community-averse; now finds deep joy and meaning in their podcast’s bookish community and Facebook group.

Ways Kaytee Changed Because of Meredith (50:04–54:37)

• Broadened Taste: Willingness to try literary fiction, horror, and be more challenged by books.
• Valuing Multiple Experiences: Understanding that previous, current, and other readers’ experiences with a book are all “right”; rereads and shifting tastes are valid.
• Personal Growth: Meredith’s friendship and partnership helped Kaytee value her own voice and self-worth, especially amid criticism. (“I would not be the person that I am today without you.” – Kaytee, 57:36)

Mutual Reflections

• Both acknowledge how “seasons” matter, how growing and changing together has shaped their reading, and how being in partnership has brought about the best in themselves and their community.
• “In a great partnership or a great friendship, you are changing each other for good. Really grateful for that.” – Meredith (58:55)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• “It is just such an exciting spreadsheet season.” – Kaytee (07:42)
• “If our worst case scenario culminates in coffee always brewing and music always on, well, I think that sounds quite nice, actually.” – Georgie Jones’s poem read by Meredith (30:33)
• “I did read it right around Halloween and it was perfect timing… It captivated me completely from beginning to end. I could not stop listening.” – Kaytee on Wrong Place, Wrong Time (25:09)
• “You, Meredith, started me on this path of valuing myself, my actual physical voice, my opinions, my contributions more.” – Kaytee (57:36)
• “We have to be willing to embrace all of our… becoming, Katie.” – Meredith (54:59)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Launch of Reading Tracker / Patreon: 01:09–07:42
• Bookish Moments: 08:16–14:09
• Current Reads:
  • North Sun: 14:15–20:16
  • Wrong Place, Wrong Time: 21:16–26:17
  • And the World Spins Anyway: 26:19–32:21
  • Awake: 32:49–36:55
  • Lady Tremaine: 37:26–42:16
  • A Wish in the Dark: 42:33–46:27
• Bookish Deep Dive: Changed for the Better: 46:27–59:06

Section: Fountain Wishes (59:06–62:52)

• Meredith: Invites listeners interested in business/bookish crossovers to her new limited series podcast with her brother, Monday Next (launching January 5, 2026).
• Kaytee: Wishes for herself (and listeners) to end the year “strong”—reading with intention and joy, embracing both structure and grace.

Takeaways for Book Lovers

• Reading evolves: Both hosts demonstrate how reflecting with a friend and re-reading can transform what you love and how you read.
• Community matters: Even skeptics find huge value in bookish community—don’t hesitate to join and participate!
• It’s OK to change: Your reading taste, your favorites, even your feelings about “meeting authors” and “buddy reads” can—and should—be allowed to evolve.
• Give yourself grace: It’s normal if your reading year is “up, down, sideways, backwards, diagonal.”
• Track your reading, but customize it: The best tools are the ones you make your own.

Episode Mood & Tone

Supportive, emotional, funny, honest, and warmly encouraging. The hosts create a safe space for deep readerly introspection and foster a contagious enthusiasm for both spreadsheets and stories.

For New Listeners

“Currently Reading” offers so much more than book reviews—it’s a community, a source of practical and emotional reading wisdom, and a celebration of how books and friendship change us, year after year.

Book recommendations, joy, tears, and transformation—this episode has it all.