The Currently Reading Podcast

Season 8, Episode 30: Weekly Buddy Reading + Organizing Our Bookshelves

Release Date: March 2, 2026
Hosts: Meredith Monday Schwartz (absent this episode) & Kaytee Cobb, with guest co-host Mary Heim

Overview

This episode centers on the joys of weekly buddy reading and the art—and challenge—of organizing a growing book collection. Kaytee and Mary open up about their recent reads, share favorite bookish moments, and offer practical, creative advice for bookshelf organization. The tone is warm, honest, and bookish, encouraging listeners to find what works for their own reading lives.

The episode also features a deep-dive on organizational strategies for bookshelves, answers a real listener's query, and highlights the supportive nature of the Currently Reading Bookish Friends community.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Bookish Moments of the Week (02:46)

• Mary: Shares her ongoing buddy read experience with Ashton: A Comfort of a Backyard Year by Margaret Renkl. They savor one essay a week together, voice memo their reactions, and find the process "grounding" and deeply rewarding.
  • "This has been a really, really grounding way for me to disconnect from like the world of humans... and connect with just the natural world for just a few moments a week." (03:28, Mary)
  • Mary encourages others to read it slowly, week by week, for a more meaningful experience but notes it works in other formats too.
• Kaytee: Delights in a custom Kindle lock screen, designed by listener Alex Cox, adorned with her favorite romance tropes and labeled "Katie's Kindle."
  • "It's just like this little bit of happy joy that I get to see my E reader there and just be like that. Makes me joyful." (07:51, Kaytee)
  • Discussion includes practical tips about ad-free Kindle devices and whether similar options exist for Kobo/Nook.

Current Reads (09:18)

Mary:

1. Agnes Aubert’s Mystical Cat Shelter by Heather Fawcett (09:23)

   • Cozy standalone mystery set in 1920s magical Montreal.
   • Praises its warm, vivid world and complex characters—especially the cats.
   • Note: Less silly than it sounds, with emotional resonance and cozy stakes.
   • "Heather Fawcett paints such a vivid picture of 1920s Montreal and man, I just really loved being in this world." (11:34, Mary)
   • One qualm: “Not fully resolved,” despite being a standalone.

2. Before I Forget by Tori Henwood Hoen (17:44)

   • 26-year-old Cricket returns home to care for her father with Alzheimer’s, who may be able to predict the future.
   • Hoped for more grief focus but found it more of a “coming of quarter age” and redemption story.
   • "It's a really unique and interesting, lovely reflection on all sorts of loss and change." (19:48, Mary)
   • Recommended with managed expectations.

3. The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar (25:47)

   • A short, lyrical fantasy about sisters, family, and magic on the edge of faerie.
   • Emphasizes tandem reading (audio + print); recommends it for the immersive experience.
   • "It felt... like being present for a theatrical performance. It is a stunning sister story above all else." (28:41, Mary)
   • Notes the beauty of the physical book and its illustrations; one of her early favorites of 2026.

Kaytee:

1. Mate by Ali Hazelwood (13:25)

   • Companion to Bride—paranormal romance featuring a human/werewolf hybrid protagonist.
   • Mixes political maneuvering with steamy romance (4-chili pepper level).
   • "I devoured this one, pun intended, in a single weekend." (16:04, Kaytee)
   • Slightly preferred Bride but found this enjoyable; recommended for Hazelwood/Romantasy fans.

2. One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This by Omar El Akkad (20:59)

   • Award-winning nonfiction blending memoir, reporting, and commentary on Middle East conflict, social media, and Western politics.
   • Hard but necessary read—Kaytee describes it as "razor sharp," “heartsick,” and profoundly clarifying.
   • "This is a hard read. I was stricken by not only El Akkad's razor sharp writing, but his really crisp depictions of scenes..." (22:49, Kaytee)
   • Stresses the political nature of reading and the impact of books on empathy.

3. Honey by Imani Thompson (29:52)

   • Debut academic thriller: A disaffected PhD student seeks “feminist revenge,” morphing from accidental killer to serial vigilante.
   • Appreciated the “antagonist’s perspective,” but notes pacing issues, possibly fixed pre-release.
   • "It was deliciously sticky and sweet. Like the title." (33:15, Kaytee)
   • Out in April; recommends preorder/waitlisting.

Deep Dive: Organizing a Newly Expanded Bookshelf (35:55)

Listener Question from Emily

Emily emails for help after moving her overflowing collection into a new home library. She asks: “What are some different ways to organize bookshelves? How do you have yours organized?”

Mary’s Approach (36:26)

• Moved from chaos (books two layers deep) to a more intentional system post-renovation.
• Upstairs built-ins: Organized by “favorites,” accessible TBR shelf for herself and husband, and a dedicated ARC (advance copy) shelf.
• Includes family photo books and children’s encyclopedias for reference—wants shelves to bring both joy and function.
• “I feel like I am uniquely poised to talk about this with you today, Katie..." (36:39)
• Basement shelves: Still chaotic—process of planning next steps.

Kaytee’s Approach (40:40)

• Multiple bookshelves with different purposes: a vintage family-built shelf for homeschooling/kids’ reference; YA section by the entry for visiting children; a large industrial-style main shelf for favorites, TBR, and thematically grouped reads.
• Color organizes her TBR shelf ("for serendipity"), favorites by author.
• Asserts the key is knowing how you seek/find your books: genre, mood, cover memory, or planned reading.
• “Our shelves and our books and our reading lives are supposed to serve us, not the other way around.” (49:07, Kaytee)

Organizational Methods Discussed

• By genre, mood, or vibe
• Read vs. unread (top vs. bottom, or newest to oldest on shelf)
• By color (especially for TBR/visual thinkers)
• By author or title (best for favorites or quick recall)
• Fiction vs. nonfiction
• Rotating/seasonal TBR shelf
• Additional tips: organize by book size for aesthetics; don’t overthink, try different systems, and adjust as needed
• The only “wrong” method? Spines in! (53:37, both laugh)

Takeaway Advice

• Think about your own workflow and how you pick books: what system makes browsing most enjoyable and accessible to you?
• Don’t be paralyzed: try a system, and change it if it doesn’t work.
• Make your bookshelves both beautiful and functional for how you read.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Grounding is the best word. It is really grounding to me." (03:28, Mary)
• "This is one of the authors from This Is How You Win the Time War. This book was accessible, but it needed me to start it well.” (28:20, Mary)
• "Reading is political. It shapes us through information and empathy, both..." (23:59, Kaytee)
• "Our shelves... are supposed to serve us, not the other way around." (49:07, Kaytee)
• "The only wrong answer here is spines in." (53:37, Kaytee/Both)

Bookish Friends Community Highlight & Before We Go Segment

Bookish Friend of the Week: Charlotte (53:43)

• Charlotte posts a hyper-specific query for book club recommendations: historical fiction (not WWI/II, no sanatoriums), by/about women, obscure but discussable.
• The community (34 thread participants!) delivers a wealth of niche suggestions, illustrating the value of a broad, diverse community of book lovers.
• "A computer could never take such a specific request and give the perfect recommendation. But 34 people are like, let me tell you..." (55:46, Mary)

Before We Go Picks (56:15)

• Mary: Recommends a "sleeper hit" newsletter: Looking at Picture Books by Jon Klassen and Mac Barnett.
  • A delightful deep-dive (often funny, always insightful) into kidlit for curious readers of any age.
  • "Even if you don't think this is of any interest to you... just go read one installment and tell me you weren't entertained." (58:11, Mary)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 02:46 – Bookish Moments of the Week
• 09:18 – Current Reads (books discussed in detail for next 30+ minutes)
• 35:55 – Deep Dive: Bookshelf Organization
• 53:43 – Bookish Friend of the Week
• 56:15 – Before We Go Picks

Conclusion

The episode is a blend of warmth, practical advice, and rich bookish community spirit. Kaytee and Mary encourage all listeners: know your own reading style, organize your shelves your way, and don't be afraid to experiment. Also, never underestimate the power of buddy reads, a well-organized bookshelf, or a supportive bookish community.

Connect:

• Find Kaytee at @notesonbookmarks on Instagram
• Mary at @maryreadsandmakes
• Full show notes, book lists, and timestamps at currentlyreadingpodcast.com
• Join the community/support at patreon.com/currentlyreadingpodcast

Closing Blessing:
"Until next week, may your coffee be hot and your book be unputdownable." (60:32)