Live Wire with Luke Burbank – Episode Summary: Open Book with Sachi Cole

Released on June 25, 2025

Introduction

In this engaging episode of Live Wire with Luke Burbank, host Elena Passarello delves into a heartfelt conversation with acclaimed writer Sachi Cole. Sachi, a senior writer at Slate and co-host of the Ambie Award-winning podcast Scamfluencers, shares insights from her latest collection of essays, Sucker Punch. The discussion navigates through Sachi's reading habits, her influences, experiences with book lending, and her perspectives on writing and acknowledgments.

Sachi Cole's Reading Habits

Sachi Cole opens up about her ambitious yet often unmet reading goals. When asked if she sets reading goals, she candidly admits:

“Every year I say I'm going to read a book a week, and I never do it. I get into the 30s, so that's.” (02:49)

Despite these lofty aims, Sachi typically reads around two books a month, though she faces challenges, especially in the early months of the year:

“This year it's been January, February and March that I have been completely incapable of reading.” (03:06)

Her commitment to reading is meticulous—she meticulously records every book she reads and maintains lists of upcoming reads, highlighting her organized approach:

“I write every book down that I read. I write down lists of books I want to read in my notebook.” (03:27)

Favorite Books and Influences

When discussing her current reading list, Sachi mentions several noteworthy titles, including Omar Al Akkad’s Martyr and a novel with an intriguing cover featuring an old Indian drawing. Her preference leans heavily toward fiction, a genre she finds refreshing compared to the nonstop nonfiction grind of her professional writing:

“I mostly read fiction. Because I write nonfiction and I don't wanna hear anybody else do it.” (04:00)

Sachi reflects on her literary upbringing, recalling how her mother's reading choices influenced her own. A pivotal moment was when, at age 12, she attempted to read A Fine Balance after her mother introduced her to it. Although she found it challenging, the experience left a lasting impression:

“She has cancer. That's how it starts, is she's sick. And I so distinctly remember reading that and being like, oh, cool, that's so cool. I want to do that.” (06:32)

Her admiration for authors like David Sedaris, Jhumpa Lahiri, and David Rakoff is evident. She appreciates their confessional and experimental writing styles, which have shaped her own approach:

“There’s something, like, effervescent about the way that they were writing that was different than a lot of the other kind of confessional work I had read.” (13:09)

Anecdotes about Book Lending and Ownership

Sachi shares her unique stance on book lending and ownership, emphasizing her dislike for others marking her books. She is particularly strict about dog-earing pages or writing in books:

“I'm offended by the decision making to dog eared the book. You can burn the book. I don't really care what happens to it.” (08:37)

This sentiment extends to her general treatment of books. She enjoys the carefree aspects of book ownership, such as forgetting where she left off or subjecting books to the elements, like dropping one in a pool:

“I like carrying one around. I like dropping it in the pool. I like having to dry it out later.” (07:50)

Sachi also recounts a humorous struggle with book signings. She narrates how she reacts when someone returns a signed book with unwanted notes:

“What would you do if somebody brought you back a book that said overall disappointing in it? [...] We people are happy to tell me that they don't like my writing.” (09:59)

Writing and Acknowledgments

The conversation transitions to the nuances of writing, particularly focusing on acknowledgment sections in books. Sachi reveals her habit of first reading acknowledgments to glean insights into an author's network and relationships:

“I like to see if I recognize anybody, because that's like. When you're a writer, you get the privilege of being like, oh, they know that guy.” (17:11)

She criticizes overly effusive or forced acknowledgments, advocating for a straightforward approach:

“Just a list of names. Keep it moving.” (17:58)

Sachi also touches upon how acknowledgment sections evolve across her books, hinting at changes in her personal and professional relationships:

“I hope somebody, somewhere who is sick, a mentally ill person, compares who I thanked in my first book and my second.” (18:21)

Book Titles and Controversial Opinions

Sachi showcases her knack for compelling book titles, both praising others and reflecting on her own experiences. She discusses the evolution of her book titles, sharing the challenges she faced in naming her works:

“It was called all these different things for a long time. I was calling it I hope Lightning Falls on you.” (16:01)

Her controversial book opinion surfaces when she humorously critiques the physical and content aspects of the Bible:

“I think the pages in the Bible are too thin and I think it makes for kind of an odious reading experience. And that's probably my main issue with the Bible, other than all the raping.” (19:04)

This bold stance underscores her fearless approach to literary critique, blending humor with honesty.

Conclusion

Throughout the episode, Sachi Cole provides a candid and insightful look into her life as a writer and reader. Her reflections on reading habits, literary influences, and personal anecdotes about books offer listeners a deeper understanding of her creative process and personal philosophies. The conversation is peppered with humor and authenticity, making it both engaging and relatable.

Sachi's latest work, Sucker Punch, is highlighted as a compelling exploration of how unexpected life changes can alter one's trajectory. Her dedication to storytelling and her unique perspectives solidify her standing as a prominent voice in contemporary literature.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• On unmet reading goals: “Every year I say I'm going to read a book a week, and I never do it. I get into the 30s, so that's.” (02:49)

• On fiction vs. nonfiction: “I mostly read fiction. Because I write nonfiction and I don't wanna hear anybody else do it.” (04:00)

• On dog-earing books: “I'm offended by the decision making to dog eared the book. You can burn the book. I don't really care what happens to it.” (08:37)

• On acknowledgments: “I like to see if I recognize anybody...” (17:11)

• On controversial opinions: “I think the pages in the Bible are too thin...” (19:04)

For more insightful conversations and literary discussions, tune in to future episodes of Live Wire with Luke Burbank.