Reading Glasses Podcast Summary
Episode: Ep 395 - Tracking Your Reading with Traci Thomas!
Release Date: January 23, 2025
Hosts: Brea Grant and Mallory O'Meara
Guest: Tracy Thomas from The Stacks podcast

Introduction to Tracking Reading in 2025

In Episode 395 of Reading Glasses, hosts Brea Grant and Mallory O'Meara delve into the topic of tracking reading habits in 2025. Joining them is special guest Tracy Thomas from The Stacks podcast, who shares her extensive experience with various reading tracking methods.

Guest Introduction: Tracy Thomas

Tracy Thomas, a seasoned podcaster from The Stacks, brings her expertise in reading tracking to the conversation. Her involvement adds depth to the discussion, as she has been an avid reader and tracker for years.

Current Reads

Bria Grant is currently reading The Survivalists by Kashana Collie, a novel about a lawyer entangled with doomsday preppers. She describes it as a timely choice given the year’s challenges:

"It's about a lawyer who starts dating a guy involved with doomsday preppers, leading her into a world obsessed with how the world might end."
[01:24]

Mallory O'Meara discusses her read, Unsettled Ground by Claire Fuller:

"It's about siblings who have never left their home and are forced to navigate the modern world after their mother's death. It's a mix of sadness, humor, and insightful commentary on family decay."
[02:18]

Tracy Thomas is juggling two reads: Pure Innocent Fun by Ira Madison III and Alligator Tears by Edgar Gomez. She highlights their blend of memoir and pop culture nostalgia:

"Ira's essays on pop culture moments like Tom Cruise jumping the couch, and Edgar's memoir on being queer and Latino in Florida, offer a rich tapestry of personal and cultural insights."
[03:12]

Listener Feedback: Bookstore Gift Cards and Parental Responsibility

A significant portion of the episode addresses listener questions about the responsibility of gift givers when teens purchase books with bookstore gift cards. A listener, Sarah, asks whether she's obliged to return books to the same little free library or any library:

"Am I obliged to bring these books back to the same little free library to return them, or would it be okay to drop them off at any little free library?"
[46:51]

The hosts collectively advise that:

"You're not responsible for how others use gift cards. It's the parent’s responsibility to monitor their child’s reading choices."
[05:22]

Tracy reinforces this by stating:

"Parents are ultimately responsible for what their kids read. If you’re concerned, it’s your job to monitor their bookstore visits and purchases."
[06:09]

Listener Jennifer supports this by sharing her experience as an elementary librarian:

"Parents are ultimately responsible. Do not send your child unaccompanied to a book fair with $50 and expect someone else to do that job for you."
[07:01]

Tracking Reading Methods: Digital vs. Physical

The discussion shifts to various methods of tracking reading habits, emphasizing the pros and cons of each.

Digital Tracking:

Tracy Thomas prefers using a comprehensive spreadsheet:

"I track titles, authors, genres, publication details, and even personal metrics like average pages read per day and money saved by borrowing from libraries."
[15:58]

She elaborates on the complexity and utility of her system:

"My spreadsheet includes tabs for genres, authors, publication years, and even specific metrics like audiobook minutes and money spent versus saved."
[21:54]

Bria Grant utilizes both Goodreads and StoryGraph but leans towards spreadsheets for their simplicity:

"I use Goodreads for quick ratings and StoryGraph for tracking, but primarily rely on spreadsheets like Cawpile for detailed organization."
[18:52]

Mallory O'Meara shares her preference for using Book Buddy, a simple app:

"Book Buddy is just a list app where I can rate books and view comprehensive statistics at the end of the year. It's been my go-to for seven years."
[28:11]

Physical Journaling:

Mallory maintains a physical journal for its meditative benefits:

"I started using an A4 lined Rhodia notebook in 2022, which allows me to track titles, authors, letter grades, and specific 'wheelhouse' items for each book."
[31:25]

Bria also appreciates the romanticism of a physical journal:

"I enjoy filling out a physical journal with the name, author, and a letter grade for each book. It helps me reflect on my reading habits and personal growth."
[30:40]

Recommendations for Listeners: Starting Your Tracking Journey

The hosts offer advice for listeners interested in tracking their reading but unsure where to begin:

Bria Grant suggests starting with a simple physical journal:

"Write down the name and your thoughts about each book. It’s an easy way to start without feeling overwhelmed."
[43:01]

Tracy Thomas recommends digital options for those who enjoy structured tracking:

"If tracking sounds appealing, go for a spreadsheet or an app like StoryGraph or Book Buddy. Choose what fits your style to avoid it becoming a chore."
[42:02]

Mallory O'Meara emphasizes flexibility:

"Tracking can help you understand your preferences and read more intentionally. Whether it’s through a journal, an app, or a spreadsheet, find what works best for you."
[44:02]

Listener Problem Solved: Little Free Libraries

Sarah’s question about little free libraries sparks an engaging conversation on the ownership and responsibility of donated books. The consensus among the hosts is that marked books can be returned to any little free library:

"You can drop the books wherever you want because they’re part of the public little free library system. Don’t stress about returning them to the exact spot."
[48:57]

Tracy adds:

"If someone misuses the library by adding inappropriate items like newspapers or DVDs, it’s okay to move those books to another location. The intent is to share books freely without strict restrictions."
[52:04]

Guest Promotion: The Stacks Podcast

Tracy Thomas promotes her own podcast, The Stacks, where she interviews authors and readers, and hosts a monthly book club:

"Our book club pick for January is The Ministry of Time by Colleen Bradley. It’s a great place to explore honest opinions and engage with diverse perspectives."
[52:31]

Upcoming Releases and Community Engagement

Mallory shares exciting news about her upcoming books:

"Both Bria and I are releasing The No Pressure Book Journal next month. We're hosting a launch party at Skylight Books in Los Angeles on February 5th."
[13:20]

Listeners are encouraged to join their Slack community for active discussions and to participate in reading challenges:

"Our Slack channel has a 'now reading' tab that's very active. It's a great place to get book recommendations and engage with the community."
[30:11]

Conclusion

Brea Grant and Mallory O'Meara wrap up the episode by reminding listeners to send in their book tracking preferences and questions to readingglassespodcastmail.com. They also highlight their merchandise store and request listeners to rate and review the podcast to help reach more book lovers.

Notable Quotes:

• Bria Grant on The Survivalists:

  "It's a book about doomsday preppers and modern dating leading into a bunker scenario."
  [01:25]

• Tracy Thomas on Tracking Responsibility:

  "Parents are ultimately responsible for what their kids read. If you’re concerned, it’s your job to monitor their bookstore visits and purchases."
  [06:09]

• Mallory O'Meara on Physical Journals:

  "I love my fountain pens, and tracking in a physical journal feels very meditative to me."
  [33:26]

• Tracy Thomas on Wheelhouse Items:

  "I categorize books by themes like institutional failings or cult nonfiction, which helps me make personalized recommendations."
  [37:16]

For more insights and to join the community, visit Reading Glasses Podcast or email readingglassespodcastmail.com.