The Currently Reading Podcast

Season 8, Episode 34: Books That Grow + Our Reading Traditions
Hosts: Meredith Monday Schwartz and Kaytee Cobb
Date: March 30, 2026

Episode Overview

In this energetic, bookish episode, Meredith and Kaytee dive deep into the growth of reading habits, the traditions that shape their reading lives, and the delights—and challenges—of long books. The hosts each bring three notable reads (ranging from comforting dual-timeline mysteries to divisive, brain-bending novellas and timey-wimey romances) and candidly explore how literary traditions sustain their joy of reading. Listeners also get tips for creating their own rewarding reading rituals, plenty of unforgettable quotes, and insight into upcoming releases. Spoiler-free, honest book talk throughout!

Bookish Moments & Festival Serendipity

Timestamps: 00:35–07:51

• Meredith’s Bookish Moment: The existential confusion about long books—how even an enjoyable, immersive read can start to drag and feel endless.
  • Quote: “A book is only as long as a book is. Why? Why?” (B, 02:17)
  • Book referenced: Red Winter by Annette Marie, which took longer to finish than expected, despite being enjoyable.
• Kaytee’s Bookish Moment: Recaps the overwhelming but joyous Tucson Festival of Books.
  • Quote: “This year, it felt more like a lot than it has in years past... but we had a great Saturday night dinner with 15 bookish friends and listeners.” (A, 03:54)
  • Emphasizes the magic found in “book festival serendipity,” when unplanned session pivots lead to the best experiences (notably with authors like Kathryn Newman).

Current Reads

Timestamps: 08:04–40:01

Meredith’s Reads:

1. The Inn at Penglass Cove by Lauren Westwood

   • Light, breezy dual-timeline romantic mystery set on the Cornish coast.
   • Compares it to “Kate Morton light”—all the cozy, atmospheric elements with less emotional wringing and a shorter length.
   • Quote: “It's just nice. And sometimes when the world isn’t feeling nice, it feels good to have it in your ears or on the pages.” (B, 12:46)
   • Rating: ★★★★☆

2. The Extra by Annie Neugebauer

   • Novella with a mind-bending premise: 10 campers go out, 11 return.
   • Meredith deeply conflicted over discussing it, noting the ending is wildly divisive.
   • Quote: “I went back and forth... I was mad when I finished it... but I can’t stop thinking about it.” (B, 21:04)
   • Highlights subsequent podcast episode ("Talking Scared") about the book.
   • Caution: Be prepared for a “WTF” ending, and let it simmer before messaging Meredith.
   • Rating: Implied positive, but highly personal and divisive.

3. Murder at World’s End by Ross Montgomery

   • Historical (1910 Cornwall) locked-room mystery with comedic flair and an unlikely duo: a wrongly accused under-butler and a razor-sharp octogenarian matriarch (Ms. Decima).
   • Quote: “Stephen’s unlikely partner... Ms. Decima Stockingham, an 80-year-old family matriarch who is foul-mouthed, razor sharp and absolutely giddy with delight at all of the chaos.” (B, 29:49)
   • Loves the balance of humor and tight, fair-play mystery. Compares the duo to “the Tainted Cup” dynamic.
   • “By the time I got to the ending... there may have been tears and we are never going to speak of this again.” (B, 34:28)
   • Rating: ★★★★★ (One of Meredith’s favorite mysteries of the year)

Kaytee’s Reads:

1. The Man Who Died Seven Times by Yasuhiko Nishizawa (trans. Jesse Kirkwood)

   • Japanese Groundhog Day-ish mystery, originally published in 1995, about a teen who relives days nine times, uses his time loops to solve a murder in the family.
   • Compared to Stuart Turton and Gillian McAllister, with a “1995-era misogyny” caveat.
   • Quote: “There’s a large family inheritance at stake, a number of aunties and cousins who cast side eye at each other.” (A, 16:06)
   • Rating: ★★★★☆

2. Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara

   • Hospitality/business memoir by the restaurateur behind Eleven Madison Park (featured in 'The Bear').
   • Applies lessons on “the remarkable power of giving people more than they expect” to community-building and friendship.
   • Quote: “What I found inside was much more applicable to my day to day life than what I expected… it applies universally to interpersonal relationships, being in community, and it can be read by anyone.” (A, 27:30)
   • Meredith highlights its influence on her business, and Kaytee keeps it on her “keeper shelf.”
   • Rating: Enthusiastic recommendation from both.

3. The Everlasting by Alix Harrow

   • Epic, time-twisting romance with a scholar and a mythic “lady knight,” full of looping timelines and metafictional adventures.
   • Noted as “divisive,” but worked perfectly for Kaytee—citing its complete, satisfying ending and beautiful writing.
   • Quote: “The way that Alix Harrow writes her characters and her settings and her plots, it just works for me... This book for me was perfect.” (A, 39:04)
   • Rating: Top book of the year for Kaytee.

Deep Dive: Reading Traditions

Timestamps: 40:01–48:44

• Listener Question (Sophie): Invites a discussion about reading traditions—rereading on special dates, location-based picks, and new rituals inspired by the podcast (like participating in a Jolabokaflod-style book exchange).
• Meredith: Not naturally a celebrator; few traditions, but some, especially around new Louise Penny releases (paper copy, no ARCs, rereading the previous book). Annual reading retreat, and wintertime rereads of childhood or favorite comfort books (ie. Harry Potter, Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Beauty).
  • Quote: “I always read the previous Louise Penny right before the new one comes out...I have to read the previous one right before.” (B, 44:28)
• Kaytee: Loves “low-stakes” traditions. Annual trip to the Tucson Festival of Books is now a ritual (even if not always defined by reading there, but by preparations and community connections). Starts the year with nonfiction and “books I think I’m really going to love.” Avoids carrying books over to the new year.
  • Also has an ongoing co-reading tradition with her friend Katie for book finishing, and looks forward to “freeball” July reading during the summer podcast break.
• Both hosts express aspiration for more traditions—possibly for grandchildren or new family rituals.

Community Highlights & Pressed Books

Timestamps: 49:18–53:40

• Bookish Friend of the Week: Nicole Stringer Steagall, for her compelling “Bookish Friend” recommendation of The Better Mother by Jennifer Vandercloot, praised for psycho-thriller “popcorn” suspense.
• Book Presses:
  • The Gift of Fear by Gavin de Becker
    • Nonfiction classic on trusting your instincts to stay safe—especially vital for young women and universally recommended by both hosts.
    • Quote: “The information in it I am positive has absolutely saved my life.” (B, 51:13)
    • Quote (Kaytee): “I’m positive it has kept me safe in situations... I’m really glad that I’ve got this one in my back pocket.” (A, 53:16)
  • Reminder: This is a perennial recommendation by the hosts.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On long books: “A book is only as long as a book is. Why? Why?” (Meredith, 02:17)
• On festival serendipity: “That’s where the magic actually happened. And I love that because we couldn’t have planned the magic. It just happened.” (Kaytee, 06:35)
• On Murder at World’s End: “I never once checked how many pages I had left... and as we talked about with Red Winter, this is a high compliment for me.” (Meredith, 34:03)
• On Unreasonable Hospitality: “The stories, especially about the legends... were the ones that really impacted me.” (Kaytee, 27:31)
• On reading traditions: “It could be personal growth or something with parenting or homeschooling... something that I want to work on for myself, organization, whatever it is... I like to start the year right.” (Kaytee, 46:29)

Key Timestamps

• 00:35–07:51 Bookish moments & Tucson Festival serendipity
• 08:04–40:01 Current reads (with in-depth reviews and reactions)
• 40:01–48:44 Deep Dive: Reading Traditions
• 49:18–53:40 Bookish Friend of the Week & Book Presses (The Gift of Fear)
• 53:40–end Community reminders and podcast signoff

Closing Thoughts

This episode offers honest, heartfelt, and humor-filled reflections about reading—how books challenge, comfort, and connect us, and how even the quirkiest little reading rituals can add joy and meaning to our lives. Perfect listening for anyone building their own reading traditions or hunting for their next favorite book.