Reading Glasses Podcast Episode 399 Summary: "How to Get into History Books + Daughter of Daring!"

Release Date: February 20, 2025

In this vibrant episode of Reading Glasses, hosts Brea Grant and Mallory O’Meara embark on an engaging journey through history books, celebrate Mallory's newly released biography Daughter of Daring, and explore practical tips for readers. They also share personal reading choices, listener feedback, and review a book-related gadget—a candle warmer—adding both depth and variety to the discussion.

1. Introduction: Celebrating Daughter of Daring

The episode kicks off with Brea and Mallory announcing the celebration of Mallory's new book, Daughter of Daring, a biography chronicling the life of Helen Gibson, America’s first stuntwoman. This segment sets the stage for an in-depth exploration of history books and their significance.

Notable Quote:

• Mallory O’Meara [00:13]: "It is a book about history… we test out a candle warmer."

2. Current Reads: Exploring Diverse Genres

Brea's Sci-Fi Adventure: Brea shares her current read, The Deep Sky by Yumi Kitase, a science fiction novel that intertwines murder mystery elements within a space voyage narrative. She highlights the book’s unique structure, combining literary fiction with intricate character development.

Notable Quote:

• Brea Grant [01:28]: "It's like murder mystery, literary fiction, two timelines, and you kind of just learn more and more about the people on the ship."

Mallory's Romantasy Finale: Mallory discusses the final installment of the Mead Mishaps trilogy by Kimberly Lemming, emphasizing its blend of romantasy and light-hearted storytelling. She praises the series for its engaging mix of romance, magic, and humor.

Notable Quote:

• Mallory O’Meara [03:06]: "It's so much fun. I love it. It's filthy. It's romantasy."

3. Listener Feedback: Building a Community of Readers

Connecting Through Books: Meredith shares a heartwarming experience where discussing books with her surgeon and resident led to meaningful connections during a hospital stay. This anecdote underscores the podcast’s role in fostering a sense of community among listeners.

Notable Quote:

• Meredith [05:18]: "Thanks for the podcast as it just fuels my reading life so much."

Embracing a Non-Tracking Approach: Doug expresses appreciation for the hosts’ advice on abandoning rigid book tracking systems in favor of personal note-taking, which enhances his reading experience without pressure.

Notable Quote:

• Doug [06:21]: "I just write what I think. And I don't record any info about the publisher or author information or even a rating."

4. Spotlight on Daughter of Daring

Unveiling Helen Gibson's Legacy: Mallory delves into her new book, Daughter of Daring, which not only narrates Helen Gibson’s adventurous life but also sheds light on the broader contributions of women in early Hollywood. She emphasizes the intertwining of personal stories with the historical context of the film industry.

Notable Quote:

• Mallory O’Meara [17:02]: "It's Helen's story, but it's also the whole story of the environment that produced her."

Bria’s Insight on Women's Roles: Bria complements Mallory’s insights by highlighting the often-overlooked historical presence of women in Hollywood, reinforcing the book’s importance in reclaiming these narratives.

Notable Quote:

• Bria Grant [17:54]: "It's weird that we've forgotten and erased a lot of those histories."

5. Women in Early Hollywood: A Historical Perspective

The Rise and Marginalization: The hosts discuss the significant roles women played in early Hollywood, from screenwriters to directors, before the industry shifted towards a male-dominated business model in the 1930s. They explore how economic changes led to the marginalization of women and other minorities in the film industry.

Notable Quote:

• Mallory O’Meara [20:45]: "Women were there from the beginning, got shoved out quite a bit, and shaped what we know of Hollywood now."

Bria’s Reflection on Modern Implications: Bria draws parallels between past and present, noting how understanding this history can inform current discussions about diversity and inclusion in the arts.

Notable Quote:

• Bria Grant [19:20]: "I just thought that was such a really poignant line."

6. Testing the Candle Warmer: A Practical Review

Initial Challenges: The conversation shifts to a practical review of a candle warmer sent by listener Trisha. Brea and Mallory share their initial struggles with the device, including issues with melting new candles and the device’s short cord length.

Notable Quote:

• Mallory O’Meara [41:24]: "I was like, oh, well, I should test it out as a mug too. And I opened it up and I was like, wow, this is a very short cord."

Constructive Feedback: Despite the mishaps, the hosts provide thoughtful feedback on how the product could be improved, suggesting longer cords or top-down warming mechanisms for better functionality.

Notable Quote:

• Brea Grant [40:58]: "I think the mug itself would get too hot. I think the handle would get hot."

7. Listener Question: Supporting Authors through Pre-ordering

Understanding the Impact: Sarah poses a question regarding the effectiveness of pre-ordering books through different retailers—Amazon versus indie bookstores like Bookshop.org—on supporting authors. The hosts address the nuances of this choice, acknowledging Amazon’s significant role in bestseller rankings while advocating for the benefits of supporting local and independent bookstores.

Notable Quote:

• Mallory O’Meara [47:13]: "Pre ordering is always going to help in some way. It's just up to you what path you're going to take if you order books from Amazon."

Bria’s Affirmation: Bria reinforces the message by emphasizing that any form of support is valuable, encouraging listeners to choose the option that best aligns with their values and circumstances.

Notable Quote:

• Bria Grant [48:02]: "Buying the book is what's important. Ordering the book from the library, that's what's important. Reading the book is what's important."

8. Conclusion: Embracing a Diverse Reading Life

Wrapping up, Brea and Mallory encourage listeners to explore a variety of history books tailored to their interests, share their passion for supporting authors through thoughtful purchasing choices, and stay connected through the podcast's community. They highlight upcoming events, such as book launches and collaborations, underscoring the ongoing commitment to enriching the reading lives of their audience.

Notable Quote:

• Mallory O’Meara [48:15]: "So if you wanted to solve your reader problem or answer your bookish question, you can send it to readingglassespodcast@gmail.com."

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the essence of Episode 399, providing listeners—both existing and new—with a clear overview of the discussions on history books, the celebration of Daughter of Daring, engaging listener stories, practical gadget reviews, and thoughtful insights into supporting authors. Brea and Mallory's dynamic conversation offers valuable perspectives for all book enthusiasts seeking to deepen their reading experiences.