Podcast Summary: Reading Glasses Episode 398 – "Library Newsletter and Helping Picky Readers"

Release Date: February 13, 2025
Hosts: Brea Grant and Mallory O’Meara

Introduction

In Episode 398 of Reading Glasses, hosts Brea Grant and Mallory O’Meara delve into two primary topics: the importance of subscribing to library newsletters as part of their 2025 Reading Glasses Challenge, and strategies for assisting listeners who identify as picky readers struggling to find new authors that align with their preferences.

Current Reads and Listener Feedback

The episode kicks off with Bria sharing her latest audiobook experience:

• Bria Grant discusses her engagement with Iron Flame by Rebecca Yara, highlighting the complexities of navigating different versions of the audiobook:

  “The dramatized version is abridged… I kind of feel like that was a little bit of a trick.” ([00:50])

• Mallory O'Meara provides her recent read, Build Your House Around My Body by Violet Cooper Smith, describing its dreamy and surreal narrative encompassing historical and supernatural elements. She emphasizes its appeal to fans of language-forward and epic storytelling.

Listener feedback is also addressed, focusing on the concept of three-star reads:

• Mallory shares comments from listeners like JN and Micah, who appreciate the flexibility of rating books based on personal circumstances, allowing a three-star read to feel like a five-star read when it fits perfectly into a listener’s current life situation:

  "These books give you what you need at that moment… it scratches the itch." ([05:27])

• Bria echoes this sentiment, highlighting Micah’s perspective that books should be rated on their individual merits rather than compared across different genres:

  “Any book that hits at the right moment and that I love reading is a five-star read.” ([06:26])

Upcoming Projects and Announcements

The hosts announce exciting upcoming projects:

• Mallory reveals the imminent release of her new book, a "love letter to women in the film industry in Los Angeles," featuring Helen, America’s first stuntwoman. She provides details on how listeners can obtain signed copies and support her work through Skylight Book.

• The introduction of their sister show, Reading Smut, is also announced, set to launch on Valentine's Day. Bria and Mallory outline the show's focus on romance and erotica, including book reviews and discussions on popular tropes within the community.

Reading Glasses Challenge: Sign Up for a Library Newsletter

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to encouraging listeners to subscribe to library newsletters as part of the 2025 Reading Glasses Challenge. The benefits discussed include:

• Stay Informed: Subscribing to newsletters from local libraries like the Los Angeles Public Library or Burbank Library provides updates on events, author readings, workshops, and new book arrivals.

• Support Libraries: Increased subscriptions help libraries secure more funding and expand their services, which are crucial community resources, especially in challenging times:

  “The more you use the library, the more funding they actually get.” ([16:36])

• Discover New Content: Newsletters offer curated recommendations and insights into trending books, enabling readers to explore beyond their current selections:

  “Librarians have their finger literally on the pulse of what people are checking out.” ([17:21])

Mallory emphasizes the critical role libraries play in community support, particularly during emergencies and in providing free educational resources.

Solving a Listener’s Bookish Problem: Helping Picky Readers

The episode features a comprehensive response to a listener’s intricate dilemma:

Listener Concern:
Andrea shares her frustration with finding new urban fantasy books after her favorite author went on hiatus. Her specific challenges include:

• Struggling to find books with chemistry in love interests, avoiding constant trauma without humor, and navigating overbuilt secret worlds.

• Identifying as panromantic and asexual, Andrea expresses discomfort with explicit sex scenes, preferring innuendo and fade-to-black moments.

She questions whether her expectations are too high, her wheelhouse too specific, and contemplates taking a break from urban fantasy.

Host Responses:

• Bria advises Andrea to give herself a break and consider exploring adjacent genres like magical realism or cozy fantasy to diversify her reading experience:

  “Try some magical realism. Try some cozy fantasy, something that you feel like is still in the same genre, but you aren't trying to match it.” ([25:31])

• Mallory concurs, suggesting that while Andrea’s wheelhouse is specific, expanding her horizons slightly can help:

  “A three-star read can be elevated when it's the right time for it.” ([05:27])

• They jointly recommend titles that align with Andrea’s preferences, such as Psalm for the Wild by Becky Chambers and The Spell Shop by Sarah Beth Durst, highlighting their mild romantic elements and appealing fantasy settings.

• Mallory issues a public service announcement (PSA) advocating for the use of the terms mild and spicy instead of “clean” and “dirty” to describe romance novels, aiming to eliminate moral judgments associated with such labels:

  “I really fucking hate when people call romances clean or not.” ([32:52])

The hosts encourage Andrea and other listeners in similar situations to experiment with different subgenres and remain open to new experiences, emphasizing that highly specific expectations can sometimes hinder the discovery of enjoyable reads.

Conclusion

Episode 398 of Reading Glasses offers listeners not only insightful discussions on optimizing their reading habits through library engagement but also compassionate guidance for those navigating the challenges of finding books that resonate with their unique preferences. Brea Grant and Mallory O’Meara continue to foster a supportive community for all book lovers, ensuring that every reader can find joy and fulfillment in their literary journeys.

Notable Quotes

• Bria Grant:
  “The dramatized version is abridged… I kind of feel like that was a little bit of a trick.” ([00:50])

• Mallory O’Meara:
  “These books give you what you need at that moment… it scratches the itch.” ([05:27])

• Bria Grant:
  “Any book that hits at the right moment and that I love reading is a five-star read.” ([06:26])

• Mallory O’Meara:
  “The more you use the library, the more funding they actually get.” ([16:36])

• Mallory O’Meara:
  “I really fucking hate when people call romances clean or not.” ([32:52])

Stay Connected:
For more personalized recommendations or to share your progress with the Reading Glasses Challenge, email the hosts at readingglassespodcast@gmail.com. Follow Reading Glasses on Instagram @ReadingGlassesPodcast for updates and community interactions.