Reading Glasses Podcast Summary: Ep 386 - Fable + Are Social Media Apps Worth It?

Release Date: November 21, 2024

Hosts: Brea Grant and Mallory O'Meara
Title: Ep 386 - Fable + Are Social Media Apps Worth It?

1. Episode Overview

In Episode 386 of Reading Glasses, hosts Brea Grant and Mallory O’Meara embark on an in-depth exploration of Fable, a multifaceted bookish social media app. They delve into whether such specialized social platforms enhance the reading experience or simply add to the digital clutter. Additionally, the episode features book recommendations centered around folklorist protagonists, catering to readers with niche interests.

2. Current Reads

Bria Grant shares her excitement about starting "A Better World" by Sarah Langan. She praises Langan's ability to craft a "creepy suburbia" narrative, describing the novel as a "really fun dystopian, near future" story (00:37). Bria highlights the plot's focus on automation gone awry, leading to societal collapse where humans cannot interact with automated systems, resulting in dire consequences for ordinary families.

"It's a lot of things. And we decide whether bookish social media apps are worth using. Wow. Stick around for that." — Bria Grant (00:12)

Mallory O'Meara discusses her choice to take it easy with her reading this year, opting for a mix of new releases and beloved backlist titles. She introduces "Confessed" by Rob Halford, an audiobook memoir by the legendary Judas Priest frontman. Mallory commends Halford's candid storytelling about his life, music career, and his journey in reconciling his sexuality within the traditionally homophobic metal scene.

"He's super funny. He's a great narrator. In the introduction, he says that he is the stately homosexual of heavy metal. And I was like, oh, hell yeah." — Mallory O'Meara (04:14)

3. Listener Feedback

The hosts engage with feedback from their listeners, discussing personal strategies for enhancing the reading experience.

• Cali shares her method of rating books over time using a spreadsheet, noting that her initial ratings tend to be higher and often adjust after reflection. She emphasizes the importance of context in rating scales to maintain consistency.

  "Using a spreadsheet is really helpful to me for rating books because I can compare to other books I've rated." — Cali (05:23)

• Mitch Rodin offers tips for searching within audiobooks, suggesting the use of Google Books for finding specific quotes by pausing and jotting down memorable phrases.

  "Sometimes listening to a dense nonfiction book is a lot easier than reading it because you can zone out on the boring stuff anyway." — Mitch Rodin (06:16)

• Emily recommends crowdsourcing solutions on platforms like Reddit or Discord when searching for specific audiobook content, highlighting community support as a valuable resource.

  "How do you navigate this? You might need to find someone who owns the book and can help out." — Emily (07:39)

4. Deep Dive into Fable: A Bookish Social Media App

The core of this episode revolves around Fable, a comprehensive social media platform tailored for book enthusiasts. Brea and Mallory dissect its features, usability, and how it compares to other reading apps like Goodreads and StoryGraph.

• App Features: Fable allows users to log readings, join book clubs, manage To-Be-Read (TBR) lists, review books, add friends, and share book-related photos. It combines elements of StoryGraph, Litzy, and Instagram into a single platform.

  "It's sort of like a mashup of StoryGraph and Litzy and Goodreads, all kind of wrapped up into one Instagram." — Bria Grant (13:36)

• Usability Challenges: Both hosts note limitations, such as the inability to search for past book clubs and the ineffectiveness of the book recommendation feature, which is currently in its beta phase.

  "I tried the book recommendation part, which is technically just in beta, and they let you know that. But it was not very effective at all." — Bria Grant (15:42)

• Social Dynamics: While Fable excels in fostering a community-centric environment, allowing users to engage deeply with book clubs and share experiences, it falls short for those seeking robust tracking and recommendation systems.

  "If you are looking for a social media app that is just bookish, this is exactly what you're looking for." — Mallory O'Meara (17:17)

5. Are Bookish Social Media Apps Worth It?

Brea and Mallory engage in a thoughtful debate sobre the value versus distraction offered by specialized bookish social media apps.

• Pros: Enhanced sense of community, access to diverse book clubs, sharing and discovering book-related content.

• Cons: Potential for increased screen time, redundancy with existing apps, and possibility of distraction from actual reading.

  "If it relaxes you, if it makes you happy and you find community there, I don't think there's any problem with that." — Bria Grant (25:01)

• Personal Reflections: Both hosts express a need to streamline their app usage to prioritize reading and personal time. Mallory contemplates reducing the number of apps to minimize distractions, while Bria favors maintaining a balance between social interaction and personal reading habits.

  "If you're looking for that community, that kind of activity, I don't think Fable is bad. It just depends on what you already have in your life." — Mallory O'Meara (21:37)

6. Solving a Listener’s Problem: Using Library Bathrooms

Amanda poses a practical question about using public library restrooms during her training runs. Bria and Mallory offer reassuring advice, emphasizing the library as a public resource meant to be accessible to all.

*"Yes. Duh. Yes, you can. You can." — *Bria Grant (32:40)

They advocate for respectful and considerate usage, highlighting the importance of public facilities for community members.

7. Recommendation Request: Books with a Folklorist Protagonist

Ella seeks recommendations for books featuring a folklorist protagonist, aligning with her academic background in folklore studies. The hosts provide insightful suggestions:

• "Emily Wilde" by Heather Fawcett: Follows a folklorist studying fairies in a small town, blending research with magical discoveries.

  "It's a really great book. There's two in the series." — Bria Grant (38:15)

• "The Fair Folk" by Sue Bristow: A historical fantasy exploring the consequences of accepting a fairy bargain, with academia intertwined in the narrative.

• "Fruiting Bodies" by Katherine Harlan: A short story collection featuring a folklorist delving into fairy lore and engaging in magical card games.

Mallory adds a bonus recommendation:

"It's a historical fantasy book about a young girl who gets offered a fairy bargain when she's a little kid and she takes it and she gets gifts." — Mallory O'Meara (39:08)

8. Community and Resources

The episode concludes with acknowledgments to their listeners and community, encouraging engagement through various channels like their newsletter and merchandise store. They emphasize the importance of reader communities and support systems in enhancing the literary experience.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• "If you are looking for that community, that kind of activity, I don't think Fable is bad. It just depends on what you already have in your life." — Mallory O'Meara (21:37)

• "She's super funny. She's a great narrator. In the introduction, he says that he is the stately homosexual of heavy metal. And I was like, oh, hell yeah." — Mallory O'Meara (04:14)

• "You're looking for recommendations. That's the big thing, is that you join these clubs, you get along with these people and they're like, we're gonna read this next. Great." — Bria Grant (28:31)

Final Thoughts:

Episode 386 of Reading Glasses offers a comprehensive examination of Fable and the role of social media in the literary community. Through candid discussions and listener interactions, Brea Grant and Mallory O’Meara provide valuable insights for book lovers navigating the digital landscape of reading. Whether enhancing community engagement or streamlining personal reading habits, the episode fosters a reflective approach to integrating technology with literary passion.

For more details, book recommendations, and to engage with the community, visit Reading Glasses Podcast.