Currently Reading – S8E9: “Car-cuteries + Narrative POVs”

Hosts: Meredith Monday Schwartz & Kaytee Cobb
Release Date: September 29, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of Currently Reading dives deep into the world of narrative points of view (POVs) in fiction, exploring how first, second, and third person narration affect the reading experience—and what makes a novel “voicey.” Meredith and Kaytee also share their current reads, ranging from deliciously soapy royal YA to haunting literary fiction and compelling non-fiction. The episode is packed with book recommendations for the new season (think witchy, cozy, and atmospheric for autumn), alongside an engaging discussion about how personal preferences for POVs shape our bookish decisions.

Bookish Moments of the Week

[03:31] Kaytee:

• Kaytee shares excitement about her DIY renovation—a new bookshelf in her kitchen, perfectly housing her beloved cookbooks and moving one step closer to her goal of having books in every room.
  • Notable exchange:
    • “That's where happiness lives. Books in every room.” – Kaytee [03:11]
    • “Even the bathroom? Because I think a bathroom shelf sounds great.” – Meredith [03:24]

[03:50] Meredith:

• Meredith recounts attending Jen Hatmaker’s book launch ("Awake") in Austin, beginning with a delightful “car-cutery” (car picnic) organized by her friend Betsy.
  • The event was deeply moving, combining humor, vulnerability, and plenty of Kleenex.
  • “Ten minutes in, I am like, where are those Kleenexes?... It starts out with a gut punch like no other and then goes from there to be filled with so much authenticity.” – Meredith [06:48]

Current Reads

1. American Royals by Katharine McGee

[09:47] Kaytee

• An alt-history YA imagining an American monarchy descended from George Washington.
• Kaytee enjoyed the soapy, fun drama among Beatrice, Samantha, and Jefferson—the royal siblings.
• Highlights the cliffhanger ending and recommends it especially for teens looking for an accessible, slightly romantic royal read.
  • “It is soapy YA deliciousness. It is milkshakey and fun. I love this book.” – Kaytee [12:28]

2. A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandana

[14:43] Meredith

• Cozy, magical fantasy set in Lancashire; the MC, Sarah, a witch stripped of her powers, runs an enchanted inn.
• Lovingly praises the book’s emotional honesty, well-drawn romance, and “sweet without being syrupy” tone.
  • “It’s predictable in the best way—like your favorite comfort food. You know what you’re getting, but that’s why you ordered it.” – Meredith [16:47]
• Audio edition gets a strong recommendation as a perfect autumn listen.

3. These Truths: A History of the United States by Jill Lepore

[19:57] Kaytee

• Massive but engrossing 800-page history, tracing the ideals and contradictions of America from 1492 onward.
• Kaytee champions Lepore’s engaging, accessible style—making complex history relatable through stories of real people from all walks of life.
  • “Lepore reminds us that the past is an inheritance, a gift, and a burden.” – Kaytee [22:35]
• Assures listeners the book maintains objectivity and balance, covering modern political eras without partisanship.

4. The Hounding by Zenobi Purvis

[24:49] Meredith

• Atmospheric, feminist literary fiction about five motherless sisters accused of witchcraft in an 18th-century English village.
• Notably, the sisters’ perspective is never directly given—building tension by seeing them only through others’ eyes.
  • “What makes this book really brilliant is that we never get the sisters’ point of view. We see them entirely through other people’s lenses... such a smart narrative choice.” – Meredith [26:47]
• Highly recommended for fall and book clubs.

5. Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

[29:29] Kaytee

• Pulitzer- and Women’s Prize-winning novel that reimagines David Copperfield as the story of a boy growing up amid poverty and addiction in contemporary Appalachia.
• Kaytee is deeply moved by the vivid voice and humanity of Demon, the narrator.
  • “Over and over again I wanted to grab Demon by both shoulders, this fictional character, and hold him close...” – Kaytee [31:29]
• Recognizes it as challenging but rewarding, predicting it will end up on her yearly favorites list.

6. The Carpool Detectives: A True Story of Four Moms, Two Bodies, and One Mysterious Cold Case by Chuck Hogan

[34:05] Meredith

• Real-life crime: four ordinary moms form an amateur sleuth team during the pandemic and solve a 15-year-old disappearance.
• Praises the themes of female friendship, reclaiming identity beyond motherhood, and the satisfying conclusion.
  • “They fundamentally change how cold cases will be approached in the future. This is what happens when you combine determination, intelligence, and the kind of friendship where someone will literally dig through a ravine at midnight with you.” – Meredith [37:31]

Deep Dive: Narrative POVs & The Power of Voice

[40:01] Discussion begins, prompted by listener question from "Kylie"

Key Points:

• POV Basics Recap:

  • First Person: “I/we”; can be single or multiple narrators (“Greek chorus” discussed).
  • Second Person: “You/your”; often appears as confessional or letter format. Nearly universally disliked by both hosts for feeling forced or “lazy,” especially in thrillers.
  • Third Person: “He/she/they”; can be limited (external actions/thoughts of focal character) or omniscient (all characters’ minds, “god-like” narrator).

• Voice vs. POV:

  • Both hosts agree voice—how a book feels in its narration—is far more important than the technical POV.
  • “There’s point of view, and that’s kind of an objective thing... The voice comes from within.” – Kaytee [50:19]

• “Voicey” Novels:

  • Sarah Dickinson’s concept of “voicey novels” is discussed—books where the narrator’s personality shines so brightly it hooks the reader regardless of POV.

  • Notable Voicey Examples:

    • Piranesi by Susanna Clarke — “the voice hooks you right away” [49:59, Meredith]
    • Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver
    • Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
    • The Color Purple by Alice Walker
    • Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
    • Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson

  • Meredith on “book flights”—reading samples of several books to see which voice grabs you most—is the best way to find the right book, since reading preferences can be so personal.

• POV Resources:

  • No great database for searching by POV; Goodreads/Storygraph reviews may mention it, but mostly you need to sample the writing yourself.

• Takeaway:

  • “They’re not going to remember if you were first or third person, sister, but they’re going to remember if you were voicey, because they’re going to remember how you made them feel.” – Meredith [52:11]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “What are we doing there? And it feels like... you know, that space always screamed patriarchy to me.” – Meredith [02:30]
• “I love the way they split up the work based on their individual skills, their working geniuses, and they collaborated through late night group text threads...” – Meredith, re: The Carpool Detectives [36:03]
• “Voicey novels... that element is a huge element in a book being successful for me.” – Meredith [53:29]

Book Flight: Choosing Your Next Read

[56:25] Meredith’s Wish at the Fountain:

• Encourages listeners to try a “book flight”—sampling a few books before committing—to let your heart and the narrator’s voice guide you.

“If you have not tried it, just give it a try. Take five books, read a little bit of each one and see if one of them grabs you... My heart wants what my heart wants.” – Meredith [57:00]

Wishes at the Fountain

[53:54] Kaytee:
Recommends Starling House by Alix Harrow—a “voicey,” atmospheric, gothic haunted house story perfect for October:

“It’s atmospheric and haunting and you do run the risk, I’m sorry to say, of making it your entire personality for the rest of the year.” – Kaytee [55:41]

[56:25] Meredith:
Wants everyone to try a book flight as a way to find their next great read.

Key Timestamps

• Bookish Moments: [01:31] – [07:52]
• Current Reads: [09:47] – [40:01]
• Deep Dive (Narrative Points of View): [40:01] – [53:54]
• Wishes at the Fountain: [53:54] – [57:06]

Tone & Style

The episode is warm, witty, and conversational, with both hosts unapologetically opinionated, reader-friendly, and deeply passionate about the mechanics of storytelling as well as the joy of the reading life.

Useful for New Listeners

This summary covers readerly recommendations for autumn, helps demystify narrative point of view, and offers practical strategies for discovering your next favorite book—highlighting the value of strong narrative voice over rigid technicalities. Whether you’re seeking a “soapy” royal romp, a cozy magical inn, wrenching literary fiction, or discussion of how to match your mood to a book’s narrative style, this episode delivers.

Happy reading!