Podcast Summary: Live Wire with Luke Burbank

Episode: Open Book: Melissa Febos
Release Date: July 30, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of Live Wire with Luke Burbank, hosted by PRX, Luke Burbank engages in an insightful conversation with Melissa Febos, a celebrated writer and educator. The episode, titled "Open Book: Melissa Febos," delves deep into Febos's reading habits, her experiences as an author, and her latest memoir, The Dry Season. This summary captures the essence of their discussion, highlighting key points, notable quotes, and the overarching themes explored during the conversation.

Meet Melissa Febos

Melissa Febos, known for her acclaimed works such as Girlhood and Body Work, is a prominent figure in contemporary literature. She currently teaches writing at the University of Iowa and has recently published her memoir, The Dry Season, which chronicles a year of voluntary celibacy and the personal revelations that ensued.

Notable Quote:
"Books are without exaggeration my whole life. I even started a book club with my three cats, which is kind of frustrating because they never do the reading." — Melissa Febos [02:15]

Early Reading Habits

The conversation begins with a nostalgic look at Febos's and co-host John Good's childhood reading experiences. Both reflect on how reading served as a sanctuary during their formative years.

• John Good describes himself as a "crackhead reader," emphasizing his deep immersion in books from a young age.

  • "I read so much that in the beginning they were like, cool. She's a reader. She has a love of literature. It's so nice. And then they were like, ah, have you been outside today?" — John Good [04:01]

• Melissa Febos contrasts by focusing on her selective reading habits, particularly during her hiatus from writing.

  • "When I was celibate, I just would, like, I bought this rug, this white shag rug, and I would, like, lie on the rug with these pillows, and I would just read for, like, whole afternoons." — John Good [15:45]

Impact of Writing on Reading

Febos and Good delve into how their writing careers have influenced their reading patterns. Writing extensively, especially in genres requiring detailed research, has altered their approach to consuming literature.

• John Good mentions adopting a "mercenary reading" style for research, which contrasts with his pleasure reading.

  • "I have to have like a Sherpa with me. Like a book where I'm writing down the things that happen that I want to remember or I have to have like an auxiliary recording device." — John Good [07:30]

• Melissa Febos shares her struggle with maintaining a balance between academic reading and leisure, highlighting the cognitive shifts required to enjoy books outside her professional focus.

Pleasure Reading: Romantasy vs. Literary Mysteries

A significant portion of the discussion centers around the types of books Febos and Good turn to for relaxation and enjoyment.

• John Good candidly talks about his foray into the "airport romantasy" genre, acknowledging its escapist appeal despite previously considering it beneath his literary standards.

  • "I have like broken the seal on like hyper popular airport Romantasy series books... Sarah Moss. I'm sorry, if you're listening to this, I'm sure you're not, but it's... I feel better about myself reading these books." — John Good [10:08]

• Melissa Febos contrasts this by expressing her preference for mysteries, particularly those authored by women, emphasizing the depth and representation in the genre.

  • "I reread the Sound and the Fury a lot." — Melissa Febos [06:37]

Book Recommendations:

• Flynn Berry's Under the Harrow
  • "It's a good icebreaker... you bounce a quarter off this woman's sentences. But it brings all of the pleasures of a true mystery." — John Good [16:35]

Controversial Reading Opinions

The hosts explore unconventional viewpoints on reading practices, fostering a reflective discourse on personal reading autonomy and literary preferences.

• John Good advocates for the freedom to abandon books that no longer engage the reader without guilt.

  • "It's okay to stop reading a book at any point because you're bored. And never come back to it and never feel guilty." — John Good [17:30]

• He further critiques the predominance of male authors in literature, expressing a preference for female and marginalized voices, while making exceptions for authors like Jonathan Franzen.

  • "I just have like broken the seal on like hyper popular airport Romantasy series books... But I just feel like I spent the early years of my life growing up in the 80s and 90s reading almost entirely men." — John Good [17:40]

• Melissa Febos supports the idea of diversifying reading lists, emphasizing the importance of representation and varied narratives.

Favorite Sex Writing

The conversation takes a more personal turn as Febos and Good discuss literature that explores sexuality with depth and artistic merit.

• John Good highlights Jeanette Winterson’s Written on the Body as a pinnacle of sex writing that combines intellectual rigor with raw emotional expression.
  • "She is a gifted woman. She has had some sex. Yeah, I'm pretty certain. And she remembers it well." — John Good [20:54]

Conclusion

The episode wraps up with acknowledgments and final thoughts on the importance of diverse reading habits and the joy of sharing books with others. Febos's latest memoir, The Dry Season, is promoted, encouraging listeners to explore her honest and introspective narrative.

Notable Quote:
"Life is short. Everybody should read some books of the people. Like some super popular fun books. Like, it's humbling and it's pleasa." — John Good [17:40]

Final Thoughts

Open Book: Melissa Febos offers a compelling look into the intersection of writing and reading, showcasing how personal experiences and professional pursuits shape literary tastes. Melissa Febos's candid reflections, paired with John Good's thoughtful commentary, provide listeners with a nuanced understanding of contemporary reading culture and the enduring love for literature.