Live Wire with Luke Burbank — Episode Summary: Open Book with Karen Russell

Release Date: June 11, 2025
Host: Elena Passarello
Guest: Karen Russell, Award-Winning Author

Introduction

In the "Open Book" episode of Live Wire with Luke Burbank, host Elena Passarello engages in an insightful conversation with the acclaimed author Karen Russell. Known for her imaginative storytelling and critically acclaimed works like Swamplandia!, Karen delves into her reading habits, the evolution of her literary tastes, and her perspectives on the interplay between books and other forms of media.

Karen Russell's Reading Journey

Karen opens up about her profound relationship with books, emphasizing how literature has been a lifeline for her.

• Books as Salvation:
  "It is not hyperbole to say that book saved my life." [03:11]

• Diverse Literary Influences:
  Karen shares her eclectic taste, ranging from "The Heart is a Lonely Hunter" by Carson McCullers to Stephen King's horror novels. She reflects on how her mother's skepticism towards genre books influenced her reading choices:

  "I really started to question as a very young person why certain things are categorized as they are." [05:12]

• Challenging Literary Taxonomies:
  Karen discusses the arbitrary nature of genre classifications, pondering why classics like Jane Eyre aren't shelved alongside horror novels like Cujo.

Embracing Technology in Reading

The conversation shifts to the role of technology in modern reading habits, with both Elena and Karen sharing their preferences.

• Audiobooks for the Busy Parent:
  As a sports mom, Karen appreciates audiobooks for their convenience:

  "Now that I have become to my own incredulity, a sports mom... it's great to have audiobooks." [05:40]

• Balancing Audio and Print:
  While audiobooks are practical, Karen acknowledges the unique experience of reading print, especially for fiction where sentence-level engagement is crucial:

  "Fiction, audiobooks... I get more engaged with the on-ramp being audio." [07:35]

• E-Readers on the Go:
  Karen highlights the practicality of e-readers during travel, allowing her to carry multiple books without the bulk:

  "It's good to have a Kindle for that reason." [07:33]

• Author-Read Audiobooks:
  She expresses a preference for author-read audiobooks, citing Louise Erdrich’s renditions as enriching:

  "It's sort of like hearing the music composed on the original instrument." [09:04]

Evolution as a Writer and Reader

Karen reflects on how her growth as a writer has transformed her approach to reading.

• Shift Towards Nonfiction:
  "I think I'm more interested in nonfiction than I was as a young person." [10:12]

• Impact of Writing on Reading Habits:
  Engaging deeply with writing has made Karen a more critical and selective reader, often seeking books that align with her current projects and interests.

• Changing Preferences:
  Middle-aged Karen finds herself gravitating towards short stories and dense, weighty books that demand sustained attention:

  "I have really noticed how are you a different reader? ... I've noticed there's been some real erosion of my own attention." [19:28]

Vacation Reads and Recommendations

Karen passionately discusses her favorite "vacation reads" and offers recommendations to listeners.

• Favorite Vacation Reads:
  Karen relishes reading works by friends and admired authors, finding joy in discovering exceptional literature:

  "There's no better feeling than when someone you know and love wrote a book." [12:37]

• Top Recommendations:

  • Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann: A murder mystery narrated by a flock of sheep.

    "It's like, a very German existential sheep murder mystery." [13:12]

  • Elizabeth McCracken’s Works: Universally appealing for their humor and depth.

    "All of them actually. Like her memoir, her novel, her stories." [14:43]

  • The Autobiography of Red by Anne Carson: A novel in verse about a little red-winged dragon.

    "It's an evangelical book for a certain kind of reading." [15:23]

• Personal Connection:
  Karen shares how "Their Eyes Were Watching God" by Zora Neale Hurston holds personal significance due to its vivid portrayal of natural disasters:

  "Our house was flooded in Hurricane Andrew... it's so much about how that hurricane... shapes and unmakes people's lives." [16:31]

Controversial Opinions on Literature and Media

Karen doesn't shy away from expressing strong opinions about the current state of literature and its comparison to other media.

• Books vs. Film and Television:
  Karen boldly states that she believes books surpass other forms of media in literary merit:

  "Books are better than film and television." [17:16]

• Critique of Modern Fiction Layouts:
  She voices concern over the excessive use of white space in contemporary fiction, advocating for more sustained narrative focus:

  "I think in us, the readers and the writers of fiction, let's just keep trying to have sustained focus for a little longer." [18:15]

• Impact of Technology on Attention:
  Acknowledging her own challenges with attention span, Karen emphasizes the need for readers and writers to cultivate deeper focus:

  "I've really noticed... there has been some real erosion of my own attention." [19:56]

Conclusion

Elena expresses gratitude to Karen for her candid and engaging discussion, highlighting the mutual appreciation they share for literature and attentive reading. Karen leaves listeners with a heartfelt endorsement of the importance of sustained attention in reading, underscoring its impact on experiencing the depth and beauty of complex narratives.

Final Thoughts

This episode of Live Wire offers a compelling glimpse into Karen Russell's literary world, her evolving relationship with reading, and her thoughtful critiques of modern literary trends. Listeners are encouraged to explore the recommended reads and reflect on their own reading habits in light of Karen's insightful perspectives.

Notable Quotes:

• On Books Saving Lives:
  "It is not hyperbole to say that book saved my life." — Karen Russell [03:11]

• On Reading Genres:
  "I really started to question as a very young person why certain things are categorized as they are." — Karen Russell [05:12]

• On Audiobooks and Parenting:
  "It's great to have audiobooks." — Karen Russell [05:40]

• On Books vs. Media:
  "Books are better than film and television." — Karen Russell [17:16]

• On Sustained Focus:
  "Let's just keep trying to have sustained focus for a little longer." — Karen Russell [18:15]

For more engaging conversations and literary insights, subscribe to Live Wire with Luke Burbank on your preferred podcast platform.