Reading Glasses Podcast Episode 409 Summary
Release Date: May 1, 2025
In Episode 409 of Reading Glasses, hosts Brea Grant and Mallory O'Meara dive deep into their most anticipated book releases for May and June, while also addressing the ever-relatable phenomenon of book hangovers. This episode is a treasure trove for book enthusiasts looking to expand their TBR (To-Be-Read) lists and seeking advice on rekindling their reading passion after finishing a beloved series.
Current Reads & Recommendations
Bria's Pick: The Day the World Stops Shopping by J.B. McKinnon
Bria shares her enthusiasm for The Day the World Stops Shopping, a thought-provoking exploration of consumerism's impact on the environment. She describes the book as a "you book" that delves into the implications of ceasing consumer activities and how it would affect global economies and personal lifestyles.
Bria Grant [00:54]: "It's basically about consumerism, but also the author posits this idea of, what if there was one day we all just stopped shopping."
Mallory's Pick: Why I Love Horror Edited by Becky Spratford
Mallory discusses her excitement for Why I Love Horror, an anthology curated by her friend Becky Spratford. The collection features essays from prominent horror authors, offering insights into their passion for the genre.
Mallory O'Meara [05:43]: "It's essentially an Avengers team of love letters to horror, wonderfully edited by Becky."
Listener Feedback & Community Highlights
Emma’s Library Passport Initiative
Listener Emma shares her excitement about her local library system's new "library passport" program, encouraging others to explore all 41 libraries in her county.
Emma [07:32]: "My local library system started a library passport. You can pick up a passport at any branch and visit every library in the county to get it."
Mackenzie’s TBR Overload
Mackenzie humorously reports that the podcast has significantly expanded her TBR pile, adding an astonishing 10,900 books.
Mackenzie Ronan [07:42]: "I just started listening to your podcast and have single-handedly added 10,900 books to my TBR already."
Krista’s Reading Smut in Public
Krista shares her experience of reading Ice Planet Barbarians publicly and facing playful teasing from coworkers, reinforcing the podcast's stance on embracing one's reading choices.
Krista [09:34]: "Alien smut is the only thing giving me the tiniest bit sane in these unprecedented times."
Upcoming Events
Stack the Shelves Event
The hosts announce their participation in "Stack the Shelves," a benefit event organized by Tracy Thomas at the Stacks in LA. The event aims to support families affected by the recent Los Angeles fires by repopulating their book collections.
Mallory O'Meara [10:28]: "We’re doing Stack the Shelves on May 4th from 10 am to 4 pm. It's a great cause supporting families who lost their books in the LA fires."
May Readathon Announcement
Brea and Mallory introduce their first seasonal readathon scheduled for May 18th. Participants will join an Instagram Live session from 10 am to 5 pm PT, dedicating seven hours to reading spring-themed books.
Mallory O'Meara [27:14]: "Our May Readathon is happening on May 18th. Join us on Instagram Live from 10 am to 5 pm PT for a seven-hour reading marathon."
Most Anticipated Books for May and June
May Picks
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Starving Saints by Caitlin Starling
A medieval horror novel centered around three women—a nun-turned-sorceress, a formidable lady knight, and a serving girl—trapped in a besieged castle descending into madness.
Mallory O'Meara [18:06]: "There's a castle that's been under siege and it's descending into madness as they're running out of food. It’s a blend of cannibalism, horniness, and surrealness."
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Run for the Hills by Kevin Wilson
A literary fiction piece about Madeline, whose mundane life in Tennessee is disrupted when a man claiming her half-sibling drags her into a quest to find their estranged father and other siblings.
Bria Grant [19:20]: "It's a literary fiction book about a road trip where a man thinks Madeline is his half-sister and convinces her to join him on an adventurous quest."
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Disappoint Me by Nicola Dinan
This novel follows a 30-year-old trans woman who adopts a traditional lifestyle after a fall prompts her to reassess her life, only to discover her partner harbors dark secrets.
Mallory O'Meara [20:21]: "A trans woman falls in love with a corporate man's son, trying to live a trad wife life, but discovers he has his own secrets."
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Titan of The Stars by E.K. Johnson
A YA horror-sci-fi hybrid about two individuals trapped on a spaceship after sabotage, leading to thrilling and terrifying circumstances.
Bria Grant [22:00]: "It's about two people on a spaceship facing sabotage and being trapped, combining horror and space elements."
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Summertime by Yajit K. Amir
A speculative mystery where a technology allows people to relive moments from their past, leading to unforeseen consequences when users get stuck in time.
Bria Grant [24:11]: "Strangers use a technology to time travel back to pivotal moments, but accidentally get stranded while uncovering company secrets."
June Picks
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Cosmic Love at the Multiverse Hair Salon by Annie [An Author's Last Name]
A queer romantic sci-fi novel where two women from parallel worlds separated by five months fall in love through a magical hair salon that serves as a nexus between their timelines.
Bria Grant [32:30]: "It's a sapphic romance about two women from different but similar worlds connected by a hair salon, trying to find the right timeline to be together."
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Strange Houses by Uketsu
A Japanese mystery horror where a writer discovers unsettling anomalies in a Tokyo house, leading him and an architect friend to uncover dark secrets tied to the former owners.
Bria Grant [33:05]: "It feels like House of Leaves, with a haunted house that has hidden dead spaces and mysterious disappearances."
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Meet Me at the Crossroads by Megan Giddings
A portal fantasy novel following twin black Midwestern teens navigating seven mysterious doors appearing in their town, each leading to different worlds with varied consequences.
Bria Grant [34:32]: "Two twin teens explore seven doors that lead to other worlds, each with its own challenges and paradises."
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A Girl Walks into the Forest by Madeline Rue
A horror-fantasy tale of a young woman chosen to marry a count, embarking on a journey through a supernatural forest filled with monsters, ultimately battling for her empowerment.
Mallory O'Meara [35:44]: "It's a horror fairy tale about a girl navigating a dangerous forest to reach a count, blending female empowerment with classic horror elements."
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Wearing the Lion by John Maxwell
A sweet and humanizing retelling of the Hercules myth, offering a fresh perspective on the legendary hero's story with a focus on emotional depth and character development.
Bria Grant [37:16]: "A Hercules retelling that's sweet and humanizes the legendary hero, focusing on his personal struggles and growth."
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Best of All Worlds by Kenneth Oppel
A young adult novel where a family becomes stranded inside a dome-covered cabin, forcing them to navigate mysteries and interpersonal dynamics over three years.
Bria Grant [38:07]: "A YA thriller about a family trapped inside a dome cabin, uncovering secrets and striving to escape after three years."
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The Poppy Fields by Nikki Ehrlich
A speculative fiction novel set in a California desert treatment center offering an experimental cure for heartache through prolonged slumber, with potential dark side effects.
Bria Grant [40:20]: "It's about a controversial center that helps people sleep through their pain, but comes with mysterious and possibly sinister consequences."
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El Dorado Drive by Megan Abbott
A female-centric thriller set in Detroit, focusing on wealthy housewives embroiled in a pyramid scheme that tests their friendships amidst rising crimes.
Mallory O'Meara [41:00]: "A Megan Abbott thriller where housewives in Detroit get caught up in a pyramid scheme, leading to intense interpersonal conflicts and crimes."
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Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Set against the 1980s space shuttle program, this novel explores profound human connections and love set within the high-stakes environment of space exploration.
Bria Grant [42:20]: "It's a novel about relationships and love within the backdrop of the 1980s space shuttle program, capturing the spirit of exploration and human emotion."
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The Dry Season by Melissa Fabos
A memoir detailing Fabos' year of celibacy following a painful breakup, exploring self-discovery, historical figures who embraced celibacy, and finding joy beyond romantic pursuits.
Mallory O'Meara [42:35]: "It's a memoir about a year of celibacy that transforms her life, intertwined with historical insights on women who embraced solitude and self-discovery."
Tackling the Book Hangover: "Book Ache"
Listener Trisha reaches out with a heartfelt struggle of feeling detached after finishing a sprawling seven-book series, termed as a "book hangover." She describes it as a sense of literary loss, akin to homesickness for the world of the series.
Trisha [00:00]: "Since I finished the series, I've been sad to be away from my book friends and have struggled to read any other book."
Brea and Mallory brainstorm alternative terms, suggesting playful and fitting options like "bookache," "book gust," and "book sick." They conclude with "bookache" as the most fitting term to describe the emotional void left by ending a beloved series.
Brea Grant [45:24]: "Bookache's the best one."
They offer practical advice for overcoming this literary void:
- Dive into a New Series: Engage with a different series that offers its own immersive world.
- Find a Community: Connect with other readers through book clubs, social media, or the podcast's Slack channel to share experiences and recommendations.
- Start a Creative Project: Channel the longing into writing, drawing, or other creative outlets related to the favorite series.
Mallory O'Meara [48:46]: "Find something that's buzzy so you can connect with a community and get wrapped up in the excitement of a new series."
Conclusion
Episode 409 of Reading Glasses is a comprehensive guide for readers looking to navigate their TBR lists and regain their reading mojo after a series conclusion. With a robust selection of anticipated books across genres and thoughtful community engagement, Brea and Mallory provide both inspiration and practical solutions for every book lover.
Listeners are encouraged to share their reading experiences and join upcoming events, fostering a vibrant and supportive literary community.
For more details on the discussed books and upcoming events, visit the Reading Glasses Podcast website and follow them on Instagram @ReadingGlassesPodcast.