Podcast Summary: Reading Glasses - Ep 392: 2025 Reader Resolutions!

Introduction and Overview

In the kickoff episode for 2025, hosts Brea Grant and Mallory O’Meara reflect on their reading journeys from the previous year and set the stage for their 2025 Reader Resolutions. Released on January 2, 2025, this episode delves into personal reading habits, listener feedback, and practical strategies to enhance the reading experience in the new year.

Current Reads

The episode begins with a discussion of the books both hosts are currently engaged with:

• Bria Grant shares her interest in non-fiction, specifically mentioning "Why We Remember: Unlocking Memory's Power to Hold on to What Matters" by Charan Ranganath. She highlights insights about how memory retention varies based on reading environments, stating, “...you would retain different information because the location you're reading in is different, even though it's the same book.” ([00:40])

• Mallory O’Meara discusses her engagement with "The City in Glass" by Nghi Vo, describing it as an “epic” mythological fantasy that intertwines themes of love, memory, and transformation. She enthuses, “It's like Circe, but not a retelling of anything” ([02:22]).

Listener Feedback

The hosts take time to acknowledge and respond to listener feedback:

• Jessica writes in to reassure a fellow reader (referred to as a "glasser") about using library facilities, emphasizing the library's role as a community resource. Mallory summarizes Jessica's sentiment: “Reading Glasses is signaling to the city that the library is worth your tax dollars.” ([04:09])

• Morgan, a librarian, reinforces these points, advocating for the use of library restrooms and highlighting additional resources available, such as free menstrual products and first aid supplies. She encourages library patrons to “...use the restroom for whatever you need. We love when people see the library as a safe space to just exist.” ([05:24])

• Vanessa shares her struggle with a reading slump and seeks advice. Brea and Mallory recommend exploring a diverse range of books available on platforms like Libby, stressing the importance of finding books that match one's current mood. ([06:07])

Review of 2024 Reading Goals

Brea and Mallory reflect on their 2024 reading resolutions, discussing their successes and challenges:

• Bria notes a shift towards lighter and non-fiction reads, moving away from her usual apocalyptic genres. She mentions an increase in audiobook consumption, stating, “I just do it automatically.” ([11:35])

• Mallory shares a tumultuous 2024, marked by personal upheavals that disrupted her reading goals. Despite a strong start, life events led her to drastically reduce her reading pace. She acknowledges the importance of maintaining a reading habit for her mental health, saying, “I hate it... not having a regular reading habit negatively affects my mental health.” ([12:19])

StoryGraph Insights

The hosts explore their reading statistics from the StoryGraph app:

• Emotional and Dark Themes: Both Bria and Mallory find that their top reading moods are "mysterious," "emotional," and "dark," with Bria questioning, “Are all books emotional?” ([13:45])

• Pacing and Page Counts: Bria notes that 63% of her books are medium-paced and 51% have fewer than 300 pages. Mallory reflects on her similar distribution, emphasizing the prevalence of longer books (“honkers”) ([14:08]).

• Genre Preferences: Bria’s favorites are horror and science fiction, closely followed by fantasy and LGBTQ+ themes. Mallory's reading is dominated by fantasy, horror, queer books, and romance ([15:38]).

• Format and Author Demographics: Bria indicates a preference for ebooks (70%) over print and audio formats, while Mallory shares her split among print (56%), digital (31%), and audio (13%). Both highlight a significant portion of their readings by women and authors of color ([16:43], [19:21]).

2025 Reader Resolutions

Setting the stage for the new year, Bria and Mallory unveil their 2025 reading goals:

• Bria's Resolutions:

  1. Continue Using Cawpile: Bria plans to maintain her detailed reading tracking using the updated Cawpile spreadsheet, incorporating new categories like "appeal factors" and "doorways." ([28:12])
  2. Read Profession-Related Books: As a filmmaker without formal training, Bria aims to read three books related to her profession, down from her previous goal of six.
  3. Participate in the Reading Glasses Challenge: To stay motivated and diversify her reading list, Bria commits to the annual challenge that encourages stepping out of her comfort zone. ([28:35])

• Mallory's Resolutions:

  1. Set Monthly Reading Goals: Instead of annual targets, Mallory opts for flexible, monthly numerical goals to avoid end-of-year cramming and foster a sustainable reading habit. ([29:07])
  2. Enhance Audiobook Usage: Mallory intends to dedicate regular time to selecting new audiobooks through Libby, merging her leisure activities with reading. ([30:46])
  3. Read Outside the Home: She resolves to utilize outdoor spaces, such as her patio and local parks, to cultivate a more enjoyable and varied reading environment.
  4. Attend More Author Events: With a desire to reconnect with the literary community, Mallory plans to attend three author events throughout the year, particularly in her new locale, Los Angeles. ([35:09])

Listener Question and Rulings

A listener, BDL, poses a dilemma: after gifting a bookstore gift card to a high school girl, the recipient purchases "Icebreaker" by Hannah Grace, deemed inappropriate by the mother. Brea and Mallory address the issue with empathy and practical advice:

• No Liability: Both hosts affirm that BDL is not at fault for the daughter’s book choice. Mallory states, “This is not your fault” ([36:31]).
• Parental Responsibility: They emphasize that parents should guide their children’s reading choices and communicate openly about book content. Brea suggests, “Maybe include a few book recommendations” with the gift card to steer selections.
• Publishing Industry’s Role: The hosts highlight the need for clearer signaling of book content, such as a “spiciness” rating, to help readers make informed choices. Mallory notes, “I wish there was some sort of chili rating” ([43:06]).
• Personal Experiences: Sharing their own stories, Brea and Mallory relate to the complexities of navigating book content and parental expectations, reinforcing that gifting a book is generally a positive gesture.

Conclusion

As the episode wraps up, Bria and Mallory encourage listeners to share their own reader resolutions and engage with the podcast community. They reiterate the importance of setting achievable reading goals and maintaining a balance that supports both personal growth and mental well-being. The hosts express gratitude towards their listeners and promote their upcoming projects, including a new book and merchandise available in their store.

Notable Quotes:

• Bria Grant ([00:40]): “...you would retain different information because the location you're reading in is different, even though it's the same book.”
• Mallory O’Meara ([02:22]): “It's like Circe, but not a retelling of anything.”
• Bria Grant ([05:24]): “We love when people see the library as a safe space to just exist and to spend as much or as little time as they want without having to do or buy anything.”
• Mallory O’Meara ([12:19]): “I hate it... not having a regular reading habit negatively affects my mental health.”
• Mallory O’Meara ([35:09]): “This doesn't stress me out. It just gives me the satisfaction of like, oh, I have this thing to do.”

This episode of Reading Glasses offers a comprehensive look into the hosts' reading habits, personal growth, and strategies for a fulfilling 2025 reading experience, all while fostering a supportive community for book lovers.