Podcast Summary: Hoy por Hoy

Episode: “La última y nos vamos | El ciclo de la vida de nuestros libros”

Host: Àngels Barceló & team
Date: November 26, 2025
Duration Summarized: [00:00 – 06:42]

Episode Overview

This episode of “Hoy por Hoy” dives into the quirky and often complicated cycle of books within their radio station and homes, exploring what happens to the countless books that arrive, are discussed, archived, and eventually discarded. The conversation playfully examines attachment to books, the challenges of letting them go, and the often surprising fates they encounter. Listeners and collaborators weigh in, sharing personal anecdotes, frustrations with donation logistics, and creative solutions for redistributing unwanted tomes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Lifecycle of Radio Books ([00:33–02:32])

• Book Arrivals and Redistribution

  • Eva Pasco and other hosts detail how books sent to the program are sorted: some are archived for future use, others are placed in a “take one” zone for colleagues.
  • “Es una zona que está habilitada para eso. Pero ¿Qué pasa? Desahogamos nuestro armario y hay un señor que se llama Pascual Donate que los vuelve a coger y los vuelve a meter en el armario para sus libros estos que hace.” (Eva Pasco, [00:33])
  • Humorous account of books perpetually circulating as staff retrieve, abandon, and redistribute them—referring to this process as books eternally “saliendo y entrando”.

• Attachment & Reluctance to Discard

  • Pepe recounts his attachment to a hefty biography of San Agustín de Hipona and his belief that someone will eventually want it.
  • “Vamos a ver, un libro de tapa dura con 100 páginas solamente mi bibliografía, esto no se puede desechar.” (Pepe, [01:08])
  • Creative suggestions arise, like reading parts aloud during awkward studio moments.

The Dilemma of Unwanted Books ([02:32–04:16])

• The Accumulation at Home

  • Eva discusses overflowing home bookshelves, referencing children’s books that linger even after their use has passed.
  • “Tengo una estantería llena de un libro de un ratón que era periodista de los niños… Jerónimo Stilton… ¿Qué se hace?” (Eva Pasco, [02:32])

• Frustrations with Donations

  • A listener expresses the lack of options for properly donating books, lamenting public libraries’ increasing selectivity.
  • “Yo sobre esto quiero quejarme de la poca facilidad que existe para desprenderte de los libros… La biblioteca pública ya no te lo coge nadie.” (Listener/Caller, [02:50–03:08])
  • Eduardo shares the humiliation felt when a secondhand bookseller scorns donated books as “morraya” (junk).
  • Alternative attempts include leaving books atop recycling bins, with some success stories of passersby rescuing them.
  • “Los dejé a la vista y cuando volví con otra tanda de cosas de basura, había un señor que los estaba ojeando y se llevó más o menos la mitad.” (Listener/Caller, [03:45])

• Street Libraries and Proposals for Change

  • Suggestions include creating institutional mechanisms for book redistribution, highlighting the broader social value of making books accessible in public spaces.
  • Examples: leaving books in parks or street benches for random discovery.
  • “En algunos parques... hay pequeñas bibliotecas.” (Eduardo, [04:04])
  • Pepe humorously offers to receive books at the radio’s address.
  • “Me los puede mandar a mí a Gran Vía 32, ¿No?” (Pepe, [04:16])

Humorous Wrap-Up & Closing Anecdotes ([04:31–06:28])

• The hosts liken the show’s journey to a film thriller, with the relief that all storylines (and “characters”) have survived the day.
  • “Menuda película... Un bonito thriller de programa. No hemos tenido mucho, ha terminado bien.” (Manuel & Co-host, [04:33–04:42])
• A heartfelt listener story emerges about rural cinemas and sharing film reels between towns, ending in a lost movie reel and the suspense of finishing the film “mañana”.
  • “Ponían aquí las primeras bobinas. Mi tío las cogía, las llevaba para el otro pueblo... por el camino se le cayó la bobina... pero mañana venís por la mañana, que encontramos la bobina de día y seguimos.” (Dionisia, [05:03–05:45])
• The team closes in good spirits, grateful they didn’t “lose the final reel.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On book hoarding and forced redistribution:

  • “Se los guarda y se los da Pablo. Mira, Pablo, pensado en ti para este. Yo sé que Pablo tiene la casa pequeña, ¿No?” (Eva Pasco, [02:06])
  • “Lo deja en la otra zona que hay habilitada para abandono de libros, pero... saliendo de la redacción.” (Eduardo, [02:23])

• On the struggle to donate books:

  • “Una biblioteca lo que tiene que hacer es más que agrandarse y depurándose, tienes que ir quitando porque después es el que es.” (Listener/Caller, [03:08])
  • “Llegaba yo con las cajas de libros para desechar y me decí esta morraya.” (Eduardo, [03:15])

• On accidental public redistribution:

  • “Los dejé encima del contenedor. Porque pienso que a lo mejor pasa…” (Co-host, [03:33])
  • “Había un señor que los estaba ojeando y se llevó más o menos la mitad.” (Listener/Caller, [03:45])

• On the need for systemic solutions:

  • “Pero que debería haber una cosa institucional que agilizara eso para que al final...” (Listener/Caller, [04:09])

Important Segment Timestamps

• Book sorting conundrum: [00:33–01:03]
• Attachment to “unwanted” books: [01:08–01:43]
• Redistribution amongst staff: [02:06–02:27]
• Failings of current donation systems: [02:50–03:26]
• Impromptu street libraries and solutions: [03:33–04:16]
• Listener cinema anecdote: [05:03–05:45]

Overall Tone & Language

The tone is candid, lively, and often playful, with warm wit and gentle sarcasm about the absurdities of book hoarding and bureaucracy. There is camaraderie among colleagues and listeners as they laugh at their own habits and propose both practical and whimsical solutions.

This summary captures the spirit and substance of the episode, providing listeners with a clear map of the discussions and reflecting the humor, frustration, and communal wisdom that define “Hoy por Hoy.”