Episode Summary: Reading Glasses - Ep 419: Mid-Year Goal Check-In and G from Book Roast Talks CAWPILE!

In this engaging episode of Reading Glasses, hosts Brea Grant and Mallory O’Meara conduct their first mid-year reading goals check-in. The episode also features a special interview with G from Book Roast, the creator of the popular Cawpile spreadsheet, which Brea and Mallory frequently use to track and rate their books.

Welcome and Episode Overview [00:00 - 00:54]

Brea and Mallory kick off the episode with excitement about their guest, G from Book Roast, highlighting the significance of the Cawpile system in their reading routines.

Brea Grant [00:30]: "We have G from Book Roast on the podcast today who is the creator of our beloved Cawpile spreadsheet."

Current Reads [00:57 - 04:14]

The hosts share the books they are currently immersed in:

• Brea Grant is delving into Audition by Katie Kitamura, describing it as a mind-bending novel with an unreliable narrator that keeps her guessing.

  Brea Grant [01:11]: "If you like an unreliable narrator, if you like when a story takes a sharp left turn... it's very weird fiction, very surreal."

• Mallory O’Meara is captivated by Best of All Worlds by Kenneth Oppel, a YA horror novel that she read in one sitting.

  Mallory O'Meara [02:22]: "This is a YA horror. And it is about this teenage boy... I can't stop talking about this book. I'm so obsessed with it."

Listener Feedback [04:14 - 07:22]

Brea and Mallory share heartfelt feedback from listeners:

• Jody expresses gratitude for the podcast's advice on engaging with authors, sharing her positive experience attending a library event.

  Mallory O'Meara [04:22]: "This is bulletproof advice for talking to most people."

• Cat discusses challenges with audiobooks on Spotify, highlighting the 15-hour monthly listening limit and the frustration of being cut off mid-climax.

  Cat [05:21]: "I never remember to switch the speed back to normal before listening to a new episode of Reading Glasses."

Bria thanks Cat for her long-time support and shares her own appreciation for the podcast's role in her personal and professional life.

Bria Grant [07:14]: "I've been listening since 2019 and YouTube got me through Covid... It's the highlight of my week."

Mid-Year Reading Goals Check-In [12:36 - 25:12]

The hosts delve into their personal reading goals, assessing progress and sharing insights:

• Brea Grant aims to read three books related to her profession. She has completed one and is progressing through the second, which aids her screenwriting efforts.

  Brea Grant [18:12]: "It's helpful because sometimes I am too tired to do actual work at the end of the day... It makes me feel better about my reading life."

• Mallory O’Meara set a numerical goal per month instead of per year to maintain consistency. She expresses satisfaction with surpassing her goals and incorporating audiobooks into her routine.

  Mallory O'Meara [14:26]: "I feel like a Viagra commercial... I just feel great."

Both hosts discuss the positive impact of decluttering their reading lists by dropping books that don't resonate, enhancing their overall reading experience.

Bria Grant [17:26]: "It feels like I'm free from that feeling of like, well, I think I was really gonna like this book... Nope, Dumping it."

Interview with G from Book Roast [25:12 - 50:40]

The highlight of the episode is an in-depth conversation with G from Book Roast, the mastermind behind the Cawpile spreadsheet. G shares the origins, features, and evolution of Cawpile, emphasizing its role in gamifying and tracking reading habits.

Origins and Purpose of Cawpile [31:11 - 33:10]

G explains that Cawpile was born out of her need to make reading tracking enjoyable and organized.

G from Book Roast [31:36]: "It's either that or some sort of withdrawals from my study times. I studied psychology and I was in the spreadsheets a lot."

Features and Community Influence [34:38 - 35:09]

The spreadsheet includes various categories like genre, format, and pages read, tailored to the community's feedback.

G from Book Roast [35:09]: "All of the additions throughout the years were genuinely someone else's idea."

Setting and Achieving Reading Goals [40:17 - 41:44]

G discusses her approach to setting flexible reading goals, focusing on quantity and genre preferences without overwhelming herself.

G from Book Roast [40:25]: "I really like a list that I can tick off."

Impact on Reading Habits [42:50 - 43:42]

Cawpile not only tracks books but also influences reading choices, encouraging readers to explore diverse genres and avoid getting stuck in slumps.

G from Book Roast [43:22]: "A lot of the other things are not as informative to me, I guess until the end."

Favorite Genres and Recommendations [45:31 - 48:42]

G shares her wheelhouse preferences, gravitating towards time travel, speculative fiction, and unreliable narrators. She recommends titles like Bunny and Rouge by Mona Awad.

G from Book Roast [45:49]: "Time travel is almost an immediate buy for me whenever I see that."

Mallory and Brea commend G’s taste in books, noting their similar preferences and enthusiasm for her recommendations.

Conclusion and Community Engagement [50:39 - End]

The episode wraps up with acknowledgments:

• Brea and Mallory encourage listeners to support their community through Discord, Facebook, and by purchasing merchandise.

  Mallory O'Meara [50:39]: "A worker owned network of artist owned shows supported directly by you."

• They express gratitude to G for her insights and participation, highlighting the collaborative spirit of the reading community.

Notable Quotes

• Brea on Decluttering Books:

  "It feels like I'm free from that feeling of like... I was literally looking at my cawpile sheet this morning and I was like, wow, I've been reading a lot of really good books." [17:26]

• Mallory on Overcoming Grief Through Reading:

  "One day I woke up and I was like, am I happy?... I just feel like I'm back to myself. And it's great." [14:26]

• G on the Evolution of Cawpile:

  "It was either that or some sort of withdrawals from my study times." [31:36]

• G on Her Reading Wheelhouse:

  "Time travel is almost an immediate buy for me whenever I see that." [45:49]

This episode provides valuable insights into maintaining and adjusting reading goals, the benefits of organized tracking through tools like Cawpile, and fosters a supportive community for avid readers. Whether you're aiming to declutter your TBR pile or seeking new reading strategies, Brea, Mallory, and their guest offer inspiration and practical advice to enhance your literary journey.