Episode Summary: Reading Glasses – Ep 393 "Why 3 Star Reads Are Important"
In Episode 393 of Reading Glasses, hosts Brea Grant and Mallory O’Meara delve into the nuanced role of "three-star reads" in a reader’s literary journey. Released on January 9, 2025, this episode explores whether mediocre books hold value, how they fit into diverse reading habits, and addresses listener questions on book selection and library content.
Current Reads
Bria’s Pick: Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix (00:34) Bria shares her excitement about Grady Hendrix’s latest work, Witchcraft for Wayward Girls. Set in 1970s Florida, the novel follows girls sent to a home for wayward girls after becoming pregnant out of wedlock. The story takes a supernatural turn when a mysterious book from a bookmobile introduces occult elements, sparking Bria’s enthusiasm for Hendrix’s consistently top-tier releases.
Mallory’s Choice: A Room of One's Own by Virginia Woolf (02:03) Mallory embarks on a deliberate reading pace with Woolf’s seminal essay. She appreciates its exploration of women's need for financial independence and personal space to foster creativity. Despite being a fast reader, Mallory plans to savor the book over a month, reflecting her commitment to absorbing its profound feminist insights.
Listener Feedback on Reading Goals
Kira’s Resolution: Reading Fewer Audiobooks (04:18) Listener Kira shares her goal to reduce audiobook consumption after realizing that the rapid pace left her with fragmented memories of the books. Mallory relates, noting her own shift from audiobooks to physical and eBooks to enhance retention and enjoyment.
Alice’s Quarterly Check-in Questions (05:54) Alice contributes a structured approach to maintaining a healthy reading life with quarterly check-in questions:
- Do my yearly goals still align with what I want my reading life to look like?
- How close am I to reaching my goals?
- Have I found joy in reading recently?
- Has reading felt like a chore?
- Have I been learning new things in my reading life and felt more in touch with my imagination?
This framework encourages readers to periodically assess their engagement and satisfaction with their reading habits.
Chariot’s Additional Insights (06:50) Chariot echoes the trend of desiring to "do less," emphasizing quality over quantity. Both hosts affirm that focusing on enjoyment and meaningful engagement can enhance the reading experience.
Main Discussion: The Importance of Three-Star Reads (12:05)
Brea and Mallory engage in a thoughtful debate about the role of mediocre books—referred to as "three-star reads"—in a reader’s library. They explore whether such books are worthy of time or should be discarded.
Defining Three-Star Reads
- Bria’s Perspective: Defines three-star reads as books that aren’t captivating but serve a purpose, such as background reading during mundane tasks (14:01).
- Mallory’s Take: Considers a three-star read as sufficiently interesting to warrant skimming rather than complete engagement (20:10).
When to Keep or Dump
- Bria: Suggests keeping three-star reads if they fulfill specific current needs, like aiding in productivity without being overly consuming (16:39).
- Mallory: Advises that frequent readers might benefit from three-star reads to prevent burnout, whereas occasional readers should prioritize more engaging books (18:20).
Balancing Reading Habits The hosts discuss the importance of aligning book choices with personal circumstances and mental bandwidth. They agree that three-star reads have their place when they complement a reader’s current lifestyle without overwhelming them.
Notable Quotes:
- Bria: “Sometimes it’s nice to breeze through a book you don't care about that much.” (12:14)
- Mallory: “As long as you want to get through it and it doesn’t get you into a slump, it’s fine.” (20:50)
Solving a Listener’s Bookish Problem: Harmful Content in Library Books (23:01)
Listener Sarah’s Concern: Sarah, a new mom with a master’s in public health, raises an issue about a library book on infant nutrition that includes a potentially harmful DIY infant formula recipe using raw milk. She contemplates whether to address this with her librarian and seeks advice on handling the situation responsibly.
Hosts’ Advice:
- Bria: Encourages Sarah to discuss her concerns directly with the librarian, suggesting that armed with credible research, she can advocate for either the removal of the harmful content or the addition of warning notes.
- Mallory: Emphasizes the importance of presenting evidence from authoritative sources to support her concerns, recommending actionable steps like suggesting the library place informative stickers near the problematic recipe.
Key Insights:
- Balancing censorship with the preservation of historical and factual accuracy.
- The role of librarians in curating and maintaining safe, reliable library collections.
Book Recommendations
For Typography Enthusiasts:
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Bria recommends Remember, You Will Die by Eden Robbins (29:24) A novel told entirely through obituaries and letters, intertwining mystery elements with unique narrative structures. Despite its graphic content, Bria finds it a fitting recommendation for readers interested in innovative storytelling techniques.
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Mallory recommends Lmnop by Mark Dunn (31:04) A literary fiction piece that creatively circumvents the Pangram "The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog." Through epistolary storytelling, the novel explores language and communication in a fictitious setting, aligning with readers who appreciate wordplay and structural experimentation.
Notable Quotes:
- Mallory: “I am an expert book skimmer.” (13:57)
- Bria: “Sometimes the best peanut butter and jelly sandwich is the one you made at home.” (17:37)
Conclusion
In this episode, Reading Glasses thoughtfully examines the place of three-star reads within a balanced and fulfilling reading life. By integrating listener experiences, the hosts advocate for a personalized approach to book selection—embracing both highly engaging and moderately enjoyable reads to enrich one’s literary palette. Additionally, they responsibly address concerns about library content, underscoring the significance of community engagement in maintaining trustworthy resources.
For more insights and book discussions, listeners are encouraged to connect via email or social media, continuing the conversation beyond the episode.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps:
- Bria Grant: “Sometimes it's nice to breeze through a book you don't care about that much.” (12:14)
- Mallory O'Meara: “As long as you want to get through it and it doesn’t get you into a slump, it’s fine.” (20:50)
- Bria Grant: “Sometimes the best peanut butter and jelly sandwich is the one you made at home.” (17:37)
- Mallory O'Meara: “If a book sends you into a book slump, it's a two-star book.” (20:10)