Reading Glasses Podcast Summary

Episode: Ep 384 - How Long Should You Keep a Book on Your TBR?
Hosts: Brea Grant and Mallory O’Meara
Release Date: November 7, 2024

1. Introduction

In this episode of Reading Glasses, hosts Brea Grant and Mallory O’Meara delve into the topic of long-term "To-Be-Read" (TBR) books—those lingering on the list for years without being read. Inspired by a listener named Sandra, they explore the reasons why certain books remain on TBR for extended periods and discuss strategies for managing them effectively.

2. Current Reads

Bria's Current Read:
Bria is currently listening to The Life Impossible by Matt Haig, narrated by Joanna Lumley and Jordan Stevenson. She provides a synopsis of the novel, highlighting its magical and mysterious elements, such as the recurring olive jar in the protagonist's refrigerator and the exploration of life beyond perceived endings.

Bria Grant [00:42]: "Matt Haig wrote the Midnight Library, which was a lot of people's favorite book a couple of years ago. This is about a woman and retired math teacher who suddenly... discovers a jar full of weird water in a rundown house in Ibiza."

Mallory's Current Read:
Mallory is embarking on Absolution by Jeff VanderMeer, the fourth book in the Southern Reach series. She expresses excitement about the prequel nature of the novel and its potential to answer lingering questions from the original trilogy.

Mallory O’Meara [02:37]: "I love Jeff VanderMeer. I love his particular brand of weird, spooky sci-fi horror... Absolution is going to answer some questions."

3. Listener Feedback

Bob's Feedback [04:44]:
Bob shares his experience with book club assignments that don't align with his preferences. Mallory and Bria offer encouragement to continue participating for the social aspects, even if the books themselves aren't always appealing.

Bria Grant [04:53]: "Oh, what happens when you're getting assigned books that you don't want to read?"

Lindsay's Update [05:47]:
Lindsay thanks the hosts for their advice on focusing on reading appeal factors instead of creating a rigid wheelhouse. She shares her personalized reading appeals, which include elements like dark comedy and high stakes with calm vibes.

Mallory O’Meara [06:24]: "These are all appeal factors... a great base to pick new books from."

Tracy's Success Story [06:51]:
Tracy describes how the hosts' advice transformed her travel reading habits, leading her to explore public libraries and independent bookstores. Her positive experiences include discovering new authors and enjoying personalized recommendations.

Mallory O’Meara [07:45]: "Thanks for helping me be my best bookish self."

4. Horny Fairy Book Club Announcement

The hosts announce the formation of the "Horny Fairy Book Club," selecting A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas as its inaugural read. They encourage listeners to join the members-only Zoom meeting scheduled for the first week of December.

Mallory O’Meara [08:05]: "We're finally going to do it. The glasses have spoken. We're going to do A Court of Thorns and Roses."

5. Main Discussion: Long-term TBR Books

Sandra's Inspiration [12:26]:
The episode's main discussion revolves around books that have been on the hosts' TBR lists for years. They analyze why certain books resist being read and debate whether there should be a time limit for keeping books on TBR.

Bria’s Long-term TBR Example [13:02]:
Bria mentions having books on her TBR list for up to five years, primarily those by authors she admires or that have come up in conversations, such as works by Sally Rooney.

Bria Grant [14:14]: "It's the TBR list of my mind... I do want to read that, but they aren't really on the active lists."

Mallory’s Long-term TBR Example [15:06]:
Mallory discusses Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell, which has been on her list for about eleven years. She attributes its lingering presence to its complexity and iconic status in literature.

Mallory O’Meara [15:06]: "I have been meaning to read David Mitchell for so long... I have literally been carrying a copy of Cloud Atlas around for like 11 years."

Debate on Keeping Long-term TBRs [17:07]:
The hosts debate whether it's advisable to keep books on TBR indefinitely. They consider factors like the book's importance, difficulty level, and personal interest.

Mallory O’Meara [17:03]: "Any book that feels important or harder to read is going to take a while to come off the TBR."

Bria Grant [18:22]: "If there's a book you know you want to eventually read... it's okay to keep it on your TBR for that long."

6. Listener Problem: Audiobook Gifting and Recommendations

Kathleen’s Query [21:38]:
Kathleen reaches out with a two-part question: gifting audiobooks to her dyslexic and ADHD brothers and seeking recommendations for non-Marvel/DC superhero comics and manga suitable for teenagers.

Recommendations for Audiobook Gifting [22:31]:
Bria suggests Amazon Audible and Libro.fm subscriptions, highlighting their monthly credit systems and extensive libraries. Mallory emphasizes the benefits of setting up Libby for free access through public libraries.

Bria Grant [22:50]: "If you're willing to pay that $15 bucks every month, it could work."

Comic and Manga Recommendations [27:20]:
Bria recommends Local Man by Tim Seeley for non-Marvel/DC superhero comics, while Mallory suggests Hellboy by Mike Mignola. For manga, Bria lists titles like Blame!, Tokyo Ghoul, and Made in Abyss, and Mallory recommends Biomega for its engaging sci-fi action.

Mallory O’Meara [28:28]: "Hellboy is perfect for someone wanting to branch out from traditional superheroes."

7. Conclusion and Announcements

The episode wraps up with hosts encouraging listeners to submit their own long-term TBR experiences and promoting their merchandise store. They reiterate the importance of managing TBR lists to reduce stress and enhance the reading experience.

Mallory O’Meara [21:15]: "They're cozy. They're settled. They're helping other books that are new to the TBR show in the world."

They also invite listeners to rate and review the podcast to help grow the community.

Notable Quotes:

• Bria Grant [00:42]: "Matt Haig wrote the Midnight Library, which was a lot of people's favorite book a couple of years ago."

• Mallory O’Meara [17:03]: "Any book that feels important or harder to read is going to take a while to come off the TBR."

• Bria Grant [22:50]: "If you're willing to pay that $15 bucks every month, it could work."

Final Thoughts:

This episode offers valuable insights into managing long-term TBR lists, emphasizing the balance between personal interest and practicality. The hosts provide thoughtful recommendations for both managing TBRs and selecting suitable reading materials for diverse needs, making it a must-listen for dedicated book lovers seeking to optimize their reading habits.