Reading Glasses Podcast Episode Summary
Episode: Ep 406 - Dumb Butts - Pick a Book Based on the Title!
Release Date: April 10, 2025
Hosts: Brea Grant and Mallory O'Meara
Introduction and Episode Overview
In Episode 406 of Reading Glasses, hosts Brea Grant and Mallory O’Meara delve into a variety of engaging topics tailored for avid readers. This episode features a mix of personal reading updates, listener feedback, interactive challenges, and thoughtful discussions on navigating bookish dilemmas. The primary theme centers around the "Pick a Book Based on the Title" challenge, encouraging listeners to select books solely based on intriguing or amusing titles.
Current Reads and Listening Selections
Bria Grant and Mallory O’Meara kick off the episode by sharing their current literary pursuits:
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Bria’s Selection:
Bria is engrossed in Everything is Tuberculosis: The History and Persistence of Our Deadliest Infection by John Green, highlighting its deep dive into the pervasive impact of tuberculosis on various facets of society. She notes, “He constantly is bringing up tuberculosis... It shapes the way we see the world” (00:56). -
Mallory’s Selection:
Mallory is participating in the Trans Rights Readathon, currently reading Woodworking by Emily St. James. She describes it as a heartwarming narrative about a trans teacher forming a meaningful friendship with a trans teenage girl in a small town (02:56).
Listener Feedback and Community Engagement
The hosts take time to appreciate listener contributions, sharing heartfelt stories and valuable resources:
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Abby’s Speed Dating Story:
Abby recounts her experience at a fantasy-themed bookstore speed dating event, expressing disappointment that none of the attendees shared her literary interests. Mallory empathetically responds, “I really get this. And this would make me so grumpy” (05:52). -
Sage’s Recommendation - Romance IO:
Sage introduces Romance IO, a website offering spice ratings for romance novels, which Bria enthusiastically endorses. She explains, “You can look up any romance and some non-romance books and it'll give you a Spice rating out of five... It’s a game changer for me” (06:21). -
Ashley’s Reading Glasses Challenge Success:
Ashley shares her triumph in completing the Les Misérables reading challenge by adopting a disciplined approach of reading one chapter per day. She credits the Reading Glasses Challenge for enhancing her reading experience: “It has been the exact prompt I needed to make it through Les Mis” (07:30).
"Pick a Book Based on the Title" Challenge
A central feature of this episode is the introduction and exploration of the "Pick a Book Based on the Title" challenge. The hosts discuss the rules and benefits of selecting books purely on their titles as a means to diversify reading habits and discover unexpected gems.
Key Points Discussed:
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Rules of the Challenge:
- “You do not have to finish the book. All you have to do is try.” - Mallory (13:31)
- Selecting a book based solely on its title without prior knowledge of its content or author.
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Benefits:
- Encourages exploration beyond familiar genres and authors.
- Sparks curiosity and a sense of adventure in reading choices.
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Hosts’ Approaches:
- Bria plans to select a book from her To-Be-Read (TBR) list based on intriguing titles like The Spirit Collection of Thornhall.
- Mallory shares her history of choosing books by title and the excitement it brings, citing examples such as The Library of the Dead and My Sister the Serial Killer (15:25).
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Notable Quotes:
The hosts also entertain the idea of listeners participating by sending book titles for Bria to choose from, adding an interactive layer to the challenge.
Solving a Bookish Problem: Reading Graphic Novels in Public
The episode addresses a listener's query about the appropriateness and etiquette of reading graphic novels with explicit content in public spaces, such as airplanes.
Listener's Question:
Tim Wrightson asks, “Is it okay to read graphic novels on a plane where several people can see the content clearly?” (26:00)
Hosts’ Advice:
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Mallory’s Perspective:
Emphasizes personal comfort levels and the discretion needed when reading potentially explicit material around children or in confined public spaces. She suggests practical solutions like adjusting font size to minimize visibility (31:14). -
Bria’s Perspective:
Acknowledges the importance of respecting others’ comfort while asserting that reading behavior shouldn’t impose on others. She humorously advises, “Maybe they like it. Like, maybe, like, you should enjoy this. This sexy comic.” (27:30) -
Key Takeaways:
- Discretion is Key: Ensure that explicit content isn’t easily visible to unintended viewers, especially children.
- Respect Public Spaces: Consider the setting and the potential audience before choosing reading material.
- Personal Comfort: Ultimately, prioritize your own comfort while being mindful of those around you.
Notable Quotes:
- Mallory: “Don’t make yourself uncomfortable is what we’re saying.” (32:25)
- Bria: “Use your discretion... Keep to yourself.” (28:15)
Book Recommendation Request: Supporting a Spouse Facing Cancer
A heartfelt segment where a listener, Rachel, seeks book recommendations to support her spouse who is battling cancer. She specifies a preference for "Hope Punk" books—stories centered around inherent goodness and positivity.
Rachel’s Request:
“My beloved spouse of eight years is facing what may turn out to be a battle with cancer... I want to read books with the idea of goodness at their core. Hope Punk.” (33:00)
Hosts’ Recommendations:
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Bria’s Suggestion:
Recommends Beginning at the End by Mike Chen, describing it as a post-pandemic hopeful narrative about rebuilding society and forming meaningful relationships. Bria notes, “It has an element of adventure and is a found family positive book.” (34:11) -
Mallory’s Suggestion:
Suggests Exit West by Mohsen Hameedi, a magical realism novel that tells the story of a couple in a war-torn Middle Eastern country who discover magical doors that allow them to escape to different parts of the world. Mallory praises its themes of love, hope, and resilience: “It’s literally about a couple in this very terrifying situation having hope and getting through it.” (35:15)
Notable Quotes:
- Bria: “Mike Chen has a ton of books in the hope punk genre... You can’t really go wrong in a nice way.” (34:14)
- Mallory: “It is really beautiful and... it's such a great book.” (35:56)
Conclusion and Community Engagement
The episode wraps up with the hosts encouraging listeners to engage with the podcast community:
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Newsletter and Book Lists:
Listeners can sign up for the Reading Glasses newsletter to receive monthly book recommendations and updates. -
Merchandise Support:
Brea and Mallory mention their Void merch store, highlighting that purchases support them directly, allowing them to continue creating content and caring for their pets. -
Call to Action:
The hosts urge listeners to rate and review the podcast to help expand their audience and foster a growing community of “glassers.”
Notable Closing Remark:
Mallory shares her appreciation, “Thanks for reading and supporting the show.” (36:46)
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
- “You continue picking a book based on the title and see if you like it.” - Mallory O’Meara (14:01)
- “This is a fun experiment for me as a person who likes spoilers.” - Bria Grant (15:14)
- “You don’t have to finish the book. All you have to do is try.” - Mallory O’Meara (13:51)
- “If you're next to a child and you're reading an illustrated Kama Sutra... don’t do that.” - Bria Grant (27:33)
- “Don't make yourself uncomfortable is what we’re saying.” - Mallory O’Meara (32:25)
This episode of Reading Glasses offers a blend of personal anecdotes, community involvement, and practical challenges designed to enrich listeners’ reading lives. From tackling speed dating mishaps to navigating the nuances of public reading, Bria and Mallory provide insightful and relatable content for book enthusiasts seeking to expand their literary horizons.