Podcast Summary: Reading Glasses – Episode 413: Award-Winning Books and Reading Grease
Release Date: May 29, 2025
In Episode 413 of Reading Glasses, hosts Brea Grant and Mallory O'Meara dive into the vibrant world of award-winning literature by BIPOC authors and explore innovative bookish technology. This episode is a treasure trove for book enthusiasts seeking to expand their literary horizons and enhance their reading environments.
1. Taking on the 2025 Reading Glasses Challenge
The episode kicks off with Brea and Mallory introducing the latest box from the 2025 Reading Glasses Challenge: "Read an award-winning book by a BIPOC author." This challenge aims to encourage listeners to explore diverse voices in literature, providing both enrichment and broadening of perspectives.
Brea Grant [01:05]: "It's so wonderful. It really scratched an itch for me of like, you know, obviously she's not the, you know, it's not a normal wish, but you kind of want it to happen for her."
2. Current Reads
Brea Grant shares her excitement about reading "Sky Daddy" by Kate Folk, a novel that delves into unconventional relationships with a fantastical twist. The story revolves around a woman who believes she's destined to marry a plane, leading to profound and surreal developments.
Brea Grant [00:47]: "It's about a woman who really, in our heart of hearts, believes that she is meant to marry a plane."
Meanwhile, Mallory O'Meara discusses her recent audiobook, "Why We Love and Hate Twilight" by Sarah Elizabeth Gallagher, highlighting its insightful exploration of the phenomena surrounding the Twilight series and its cultural impact.
Mallory O'Meara [02:26]: "It's such a huge part of a lot of people's romance and smut journeys that I feel like I should know about it. It was a really, really fascinating book."
3. Listener Feedback and Discussions
Goodreads Volunteer Librarian Program
A listener named Sarah voices her frustration with Goodreads' reliance on unpaid volunteer librarians. She critiques Amazon's ownership of Goodreads and its implications for volunteer labor.
Sarah [04:32]: "With Amazon's track record of exploiting labor, I'm not surprised that they would extend this to exploiting people who want to do this labor of love."
Brea and Mallory engage in a robust discussion, agreeing with Sarah's stance while acknowledging the personal attachment volunteers may have to the platform.
Mallory O'Meara [05:35]: "I think Sarah's right. It is kind of nuts for Amazon to be like, ah, yes, please, this really important service, do it for free."
Brea Grant [06:34]: "I think it's fine to judge Goodreads and Amazon and totally agree with that."
Road Trip Book Club
Listener Nikki shares her experience of turning a road trip from New York to Florida into a two-person book club, facilitated by discovering a podcast episode. She praises the podcast for reigniting her love for reading post-COVID.
Nikki [06:40]: "Your podcast has given so much joy back to my reading life. Thank you so much."
Audiobook Speed Tips
Listener Rosie offers a valuable tip for audiobook listeners aiming to use audiobooks as a sleep aid. She suggests slowing down the playback speed to help calm the mind and facilitate better sleep.
Rosie [08:38]: "Instead I choose a more sedate book or podcast and listen to it slow down. You can slow your books to about 0.75 speed and I find this helps me to slow my brain and drift off to sleep."
4. Diving into Award-Winning Books
Brea and Mallory discuss the significance of reading award-winning books by BIPOC authors, emphasizing the diversity and quality these works bring to the literary landscape.
Brea's Pick: "Natural Beauty" by Ling Ling Wong
Brea introduces "Natural Beauty", a Lambda Award-winning novel that offers a dark, language-rich exploration of the beauty industry through the lens of a child prodigy pianist.
Brea Grant [15:46]: "It's really hot right now, a woman at the center who is a child prodigy pianist... there's just a lot of interesting twists on this one in particular that I thought were really good."
Mallory's Pick: "The Nickel Boys" by Colson Whitehead
Mallory chooses "The Nickel Boys", a Pulitzer Prize-winning novel that delves into the harrowing experiences within a segregated reform school. She praises Whitehead's ability to handle dark subjects with engaging narrative finesse.
Mallory O'Meara [16:22]: "I'm finally gonna read the Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead. It's a dark book, but Colson Whitehead's writing makes it engaging."
5. Book Tech: Reviewing a 5-Tier Plastic Book Cart
Transitioning to bookish technology, Brea and Mallory evaluate a 5-tier plastic book cart sent to them by a listener. The cart, priced at $27 on Amazon, features tapered shelves and cup holders, aiming to blend functionality with style.
Pros:
- Portability: Lightweight and easy to move around.
- Design: Slim and aesthetically pleasing with practical features like cup holders.
Cons:
- Stability: The plastic build makes it wobbly, especially when empty.
- Shelf Depth: Limited space on lower shelves restricts storage capacity.
Brea Grant [22:13]: "I found it a little confusing and I may have done it wrong. It is a bit wobbly."
Mallory O'Meara [23:58]: "I don't think this is a good cart to store books in, but I think this would be a good cart if you kept it right next to your reading chair."
Ultimately, they conclude that while the cart may not be ideal for heavy book storage, it serves well for organizing reading essentials like teas, lotions, and current reads.
Mallory O'Meara [26:02]: "If you're looking for something to just like keep all of your reading accoutrement, this I think would be great."
6. Solving a Bookish Problem: Handling Battered Books
Listener Felix seeks advice on managing a collection of damaged paperback books, grappling with the emotional attachment versus the practicality of storage.
Felix [28:04]: "Do I turn replacing them into a long term project and recycle them? Do I keep treasuring them?"
Brea and Mallory empathize with Felix's dilemma, offering thoughtful solutions:
- Repairing: Suggesting gluing pages back together to preserve them.
- Displaying: Recommending shadow boxes or creative displays to honor their sentimental value.
- Selective Keeping: Advising to curate the collection based on emotional attachment and aesthetic preference.
Mallory O'Meara [31:33]: "I think they should display them. Like maybe even framed if you want to like preserve them a little."
Brea Grant [32:22]: "If you want to keep them and you like them, it's okay."
Conclusion
Episode 413 of Reading Glasses seamlessly blends literary discussions with practical advice, engaging listeners through relatable content and interactive segments. Brea and Mallory continue to foster a dynamic community for book lovers, encouraging exploration, preservation, and thoughtful discourse around reading habits and book culture.
For more insights, book recommendations, and to participate in future challenges, listeners are encouraged to connect via email at readingglassespodcast@gmail.com or follow them on Instagram at Reading Glasses Podcast.