Podcast Summary: Reading Glasses – Ep 394: How to Handle Book Snobs

Release Date: January 16, 2025
Hosts: Brea Grant and Mallory O’Meara

Introduction

In Episode 394 of Reading Glasses, hosts Brea Grant and Mallory O’Meara delve into the nuanced topic of dealing with book snobs—individuals who disparage others' reading choices. Alongside this primary discussion, they provide insights into their current reads, share listener feedback, offer book recommendations, and review the latest reading gadgets.

Current Reads

Brea Grant and Mallory O’Meara kick off the episode by sharing their current literary pursuits:

• Bria Grant is engrossed in Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik. She describes it as a "beautifully written fiction" and a "reimagining of Rumpelstiltskin" that intertwines multiple perspectives and characters in a sprawling 465-page fantasy retelling. Bria appreciates the wintery themes, making it an ideal cold-season read. (02:19)

  “It's another fantasy... beautifully written fiction. I’m really enjoying it... really great to read this time of year where I had a lot of downtime and I could just sit around and think about living in a cold fairy fantasy world.” – Bria Grant (02:19)

• Mallory O’Meara is diving into Heart of Blood and Ashes by Millivane, a smutty fantasy novel featuring strong female protagonists with disabilities. She highlights the book's intricate plot involving political intrigue, revenge, and unconventional romance, emphasizing its appeal to readers seeking representation and complex character development. (03:32)

  “There's nothing wrong with reading literary fiction. Both Bri and I read tons of literary fiction... All books are real books. All genres have merit.” – Mallory O’Meara (32:21)

Listener Feedback

The hosts engage with their audience by addressing listener comments and feedback:

• Al's Feedback (06:05): Al appreciates a previous episode on "Non Number Book Goals," expressing that the concept resonated with her personal approach to reading rather than adhering to strict numerical targets.

  “Hitting a specific number has never been my thing.” – Al

• Hannah's Comment (07:32): Hannah thanks the hosts for sending her an Edgar Allan Poe candle and shares her preference for buying candles from small businesses, suggesting themed scents related to her travel experiences.

  “Some of the small businesses I don't think are going to be on Amazon... I'm glad you enjoyed it.” – Hannah

• Allison's Input (09:51): Allison, a librarian, discusses her library's book subscription service for kids and recommends Whichbook.net as a resource for personalized book recommendations based on mood, emotion, and other criteria.

  “Whichbook.net... you can search for a book by mood and emotion, character and plot, or country.” – Allison

Main Discussion: How to Handle Book Snobs

Inspired by listener Fee's message, the core of the episode addresses strategies to cope with family members, particularly parents, who may be book snobs—those who judge or devalue others' reading preferences.

Listener's Concern:

• Fee's Dilemma (16:01): Fee expresses embarrassment about curating a Christmas book list filled with fantasy and genre novels that her book-snob mother might deem "not smart enough." She seeks advice on handling potential judgment during gift-giving seasons.

  “I'm feeling a little embarrassed this year. Putting together a Christmas list with lots of books that I know she'll think aren't, quote, smart enough.” – Fee

Hosts' Experiences and Insights:

• Bria Grant shares her challenges balancing her identity as a filmmaker and a long-time podcaster, noting how some acquaintances are surprised by her diverse interests and reading habits.

  “Seven years of doing a podcast... seven years.” – Bria Grant (18:03)

• Mallory O’Meara recounts her own experiences with feeling judged for her reading choices, especially in public settings where she fears her genre preferences might stereotype her.

  “Even the ladies of reading glasses are not immune to book shame. It happens.” – Mallory O’Meara (20:46)

Advice and Strategies:

1. Mind Your Own Business:
   Bria emphasizes that others should respect individual reading choices without imposing their preferences.

   “People should mind their own damn business.” – Bria Grant (23:05)

2. Selective Sharing:
   Hosts suggest being vague about book details when necessary, avoiding the need to defend genre-specific content.

   “You don't have to defend it... You can be vague.” – Bria Grant (23:15)

3. Assert Your Preferences:
   Mallory recommends gently challenging the snob's assumptions by questioning the criteria they use to deem certain genres superior.

   “Gently pushing books snoots to actually articulate why they think certain genres are, quote, better than others.” – Mallory O’Meara (28:34)

4. Embrace the Value of All Genres:
   Both hosts advocate for recognizing the literary merit across all genres, debunking the notion that only "literary fiction" holds artistic value.

   “What makes something smart? Romance books are some of the best books out there for characters.” – Mallory O’Meara (28:34)

5. Personal Enjoyment Over External Validation:
   They stress the importance of reading for personal happiness and fulfillment rather than seeking approval from others.

   “If something makes you happy and entertains you, it cares.” – Mallory O’Meara (30:07)

Notable Quotes:

• “All books are real books. All genres have merit.” – Mallory O’Meara (32:21)

• “There's nothing wrong with reading literary fiction. Both Bri and I read tons of literary fiction.” – Mallory O’Meara (32:21)

Book Recommendations

Addressing listener Eddie's request for historical fiction to overcome a reading slump, the hosts offer tailored suggestions:

• Bria's Recommendation:
  Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders – A historical fiction novel exploring President Abraham Lincoln's grief over the death of his son, narrated by the spirits in a cemetery. (46:17)

  “It's told from the point of view of... the ghosts in the cemetery, watching Lincoln’s war and his son.” – Bria Grant

• Mallory's Recommendation:
  The Alienist by Caleb Carr – A historical thriller set in 1896 New York City, following a reporter and a doctor utilizing forensic profiling to catch a serial killer, featuring real historical figures like Theodore Roosevelt. (47:30)

  “So he’s a character in the book... it's a great read. There is a good series that got made out of it.” – Mallory O’Meara

Gadget Review: Stanley Cup Snack Tray

In addition to literary discussions, Bria and Mallory review the Stanley Cup Snack Tray, a silicone accessory designed to attach to Stanley cups for holding snacks alongside beverages.

Key Points:

• Functionality:
  The tray features separate compartments for different snacks and accommodates the straw, allowing users to enjoy snacks without leaving their drink.

• Hosts’ Opinions:
  Both hosts find the tray impractical for reading purposes. Bria appreciates the cold retention of Stanley cups but feels the tray compromises convenience. Mallory echoes this sentiment, citing concerns about spilling and the awkwardness of eating while reading.

  “I do not mind the bowl... I'm just thinking about why didn't I just use a regular bowl?” – Mallory O’Meara (44:23)

  “It's a cute idea. We'll post photos. It's a cute idea. It's funny. It's a very funny idea. It's real silly.” – Bria Grant (39:03)

• Conclusion:
  While recognizing the tray's novelty, the hosts conclude that it doesn't add significant value to their reading experience and prefer traditional methods of holding snacks separate from their drinks.

Conclusion

Episode 394 of Reading Glasses offers a comprehensive exploration of navigating social judgments within the literary world. Brea Grant and Mallory O’Meara empower listeners to embrace their unique reading tastes, assert their preferences confidently, and find joy in all genres without succumbing to external pressures. Through relatable anecdotes, practical advice, and engaging discussions, the hosts reaffirm that every book holds intrinsic value and that personal happiness should always take precedence in one's reading journey.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• “People should mind their own damn business.” – Bria Grant (23:05)
• “You don't have to defend it... You can be vague.” – Bria Grant (23:15)
• “Gently pushing books snoots to actually articulate why they think certain genres are, quote, better than others.” – Mallory O’Meara (28:34)
• “All books are real books. All genres have merit.” – Mallory O’Meara (32:21)
• “If something makes you happy and entertains you, it cares.” – Mallory O’Meara (30:07)

For more insights and discussions on enhancing your reading life, tune into Reading Glasses every week with Brea Grant and Mallory O’Meara.