Reading Glasses Podcast Summary: Episode 387 - December Most Anticipated Books!

In Episode 387 of the Reading Glasses podcast, hosts Mallory O’Meara and Bria Graham delve into the most anticipated books set to release in December 2024. This comprehensive discussion not only highlights their personal favorites but also incorporates valuable listener feedback and insights into innovative book technologies.

Current Reads

Bria Graham kicks off the conversation by sharing her current read, "The Pairing" by Casey McQuiston. She describes it as a delightful romance featuring two bisexual protagonists, Theo and Kit, who reconnect on a European food and wine tour after years of separation.

[00:41] Bria Graham: "It's really enjoyable. Very fun, nice romance, and there's a food and travel element."

Meanwhile, Mallory O’Meara is immersed in "A Court of Thorns and Roses" by Sarah J. Maas. She expresses excitement about the upcoming Horny Fairy Book Club set for December 6th, designed exclusively for members.

[02:20] Mallory O’Meara: "I'm really excited to talk to the Glassers about this book."

Listener Feedback

The episode features insightful tips from listeners:

1. Carolyn offers a solution for mood readers struggling with library holds:

   [04:10] Carolyn: "On Libby, you can browse by available now ebooks, ones that you can start reading immediately."

2. Sarah shares a handy method for Kindle users to transfer library books without Wi-Fi:

   [04:11] Sarah: "You can get new library books on your Kindle without ever turning the Wi-Fi back on... download the book to your computer, connect to your Kindle via USB and move the file over."

December’s Most Anticipated Books

The heart of the episode revolves around the hosts' picks for December releases across various genres:

1. Bria’s Picks:

   • "Rental House" by Wakey Wang
     A nuanced exploration of marriage through the lens of family vacations, focusing on characters Nate and Kiryu navigating familial and personal dynamics.

     [15:35] Bria Graham: "It's about a marriage seen through the lens of two different family vacations."

   • "Woo Woo" by Ella Baxter
     An eccentric novel delving into the life of a conceptual artist striving to make impactful art amidst personal challenges.

     [17:56] Bria Graham: "It's about being creative, getting advice from others, and infused with humor and empathy."

   • "The Shutouts" by Gabrielle Korn
     A dystopian narrative set in a perilous world for women, intertwining political tensions and personal quests for redemption.

     [19:49] Bria Graham: "It's a little bit of a clifi dystopia, but also a political dystopia with road trip elements."

   • "Mechanize My Hands to War" by Aaron K. Wagner
     A sci-fi debut depicting the rise of android laborers in Appalachia, sparking conflicts with human farmers and emerging militias.

     [22:37] Bria Graham: "It's about androids used as labor in a near-future Appalachia causing problems with human farmers."

2. Mallory’s Picks:

   • "Kingdom of No Tomorrow" by Fict Fabian Yosefat
     This historical fiction novel set in the 1960s explores a woman's involvement with the Black Panther Party, highlighting the intersection of social movements and gender dynamics.

     [16:35] Mallory O’Meara: "It explores how social movements leave people behind, especially the misogyny within the Black Panther Party."

   • "My Darling Boy" by Helen Cooper
     A gripping thriller about two mothers whose sons are entangled in a violent altercation, leading to a mysterious disappearance.

     [17:37] Mallory O’Meara: "It's a thriller about two mothers dealing with the fallout of their sons' conflict and the ensuing mystery."

   • "Private Rights" by Julia Armfield
     A queer retelling of Shakespeare’s King Lear, focusing on three sisters managing their late father's architectural legacy amidst emerging family secrets.

     [20:47] Mallory O’Meara: "It's about three sisters navigating loss, love, and the secrets unearthed from their father's will."

   • "Stuck in the Country with You" by Zuri Day
     A romantic escapade where a woman inherits a farm and reconnects with a past lover, blending country life with heartfelt romance.

     [26:28] Mallory O’Meara: "She's inheriting a farm next to a man she once dated, leading to an engaging country romance."

Book Technology Spotlight: Book's E-Reader

In addition to book discussions, Bria and Mallory review the Book's E-Reader, a sophisticated device blending the functionalities of an iPad and a Kindle with an E Ink display.

Key Features Discussed:

• Large, E Ink Display: Resembles the size of an iPad, offering a comfortable reading experience.
• Stylus Compatibility: Allows for annotation and note-taking, enhancing the reading and studying process.
• Multi-functionality: Supports various apps, making it suitable for both reading and work-related tasks.

[31:21] Bria Graham: "It comes with a pen. It's basically like a cross between an iPad and a Kindle, but on E Ink."

Both hosts commend the device's elegance and potential to replace multiple gadgets, despite noting a learning curve for those less tech-savvy.

[36:52] Mallory O’Meara: "Being able to annotate stuff by actually writing is cool as fuck."

Bookish Query: Are Audible Originals Considered Books?

The episode addresses a listener Becky’s question regarding the classification of Audible Originals. Becky wonders if an Audible Original audiobook, not available in print or other formats, qualifies as a book in the eyes of librarians and archivists.

Hosts’ Perspectives:

• Mallory asserts that Audible Originals are indeed books, emphasizing that they fit the Merriam-Webster definition of a "long written or printed literary composition."

  [38:04] Mallory O’Meara: "It is a book to me. It's a long written literary composition... What the author typed out is a book."

• Bria agrees, despite acknowledging the complications arising from platforms like Amazon withholding Audible Originals from traditional book catalogs like Goodreads.

  [37:58] Bria Graham: "I agree with you. I do have concerns that when are podcasts just books? Like, are we gonna get to that?"

The discussion highlights the evolving landscape of literary formats and the importance of recognizing diverse mediums as legitimate forms of books.

Conclusion

Episode 387 of Reading Glasses offers a vibrant exploration of December’s literary offerings, enriched by personal anecdotes, proactive listener engagement, and thoughtful discourse on emerging book technologies and industry standards. Whether you're looking to update your TBR list with compelling new releases or seeking advice on navigating modern reading tools, this episode serves as an invaluable resource for all book enthusiasts.

Notable Quotes:

• “It's really enjoyable. Very fun, nice romance, and there's a food and travel element.”
  — Bria Graham ([00:41])

• “I'm really excited to talk to the Glassers about this book.”
  — Mallory O’Meara ([02:20])

• “It’s a cross between an iPad and a Kindle, but on E Ink.”
  — Bria Graham ([31:21])

• “It is a book to me. It’s a long written literary composition.”
  — Mallory O’Meara ([38:04])

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Note: This summary excludes advertisement segments and non-content discussions to focus solely on the informative and engaging aspects of the episode.