Reading Glasses

Episode 433 – Epistolary Novels and Upsetting Libby Changes!

Hosts: Brea Grant & Mallory O’Meara
Date: October 16, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Brea and Mallory tackle the penultimate box on their 2025 Reading Glasses Challenge: reading an epistolary novel. They dive deep into what makes epistolary storytelling so unique and how it can revitalize your reading life, sharing their own recent picks in the genre. The episode also addresses the recent controversial change to Libby’s suspend hold system, with the hosts candidly discussing their feelings and the broader impact for both readers and librarians. Listener feedback and bookish problem-solving round out the lively, insightful discussion.

What We’re Reading

• Both Hosts: Play Nice by Rachel Harrison
  • [00:44] A rare moment: both Brea and Mallory are reading the same book simultaneously—only the second time in almost ten years of the podcast. Previous time: Cassandra Peterson's (Elvira) memoir.
• Summary of the book: A haunted house story with female-centric family dynamics. Three sisters inherit a house after their estranged mother’s death, each handling the trauma and memories differently.
  • [01:28] “Mallory started sweating.” (Brea)
  • [01:34] “Her eyes were like, I’m hitting myself on the head with a mallet. Like, there’s steam coming out of my ears, you know?” (Brea)
• Comparisons: Black Sheep (Rachel Harrison’s prior work), A Head Full of Ghosts (Paul Tremblay)

Listener Feedback & Reading Tips

Kindle in the Rain Hack

• [04:44] Listener Melissa shared how the podcast’s tip to use a plastic baggie protected her Kindle from rain while in line at Auschwitz, making waiting time meaningful and bearable.
  • “This helped the time in line go faster. Plus... learning more about the Holocaust from the book.” (Melissa, [04:44])

“Aging Up" Your Reading Tastes

• [05:28] Listener Kimberly describes transitioning from younger-skewing adventure books with a librarian’s help—using anthologies as “sample packs” for adult genres.
  • “It’s like buying a sample pack of a genre.” (Mallory, [06:36])
• [06:36] Anne shares a holiday tradition of receiving a “bag of literature” from her librarian grandmother: “It was one of those highlights of the holidays for me...” (Anne, [07:24])

Epistolary Novels: The Challenge Deep Dive

What’s an Epistolary Novel?

• [11:16] Defined as a novel told through correspondence and documents (letters, emails, articles, telegrams, obituaries, journals).

Why Include It in the Challenge?

• [12:29] “Epistolary novels are one of those things that a lot of people love and don't really realize it… we're hoping that this connects the dots for some Glassers and encourages folks to find more epistolary books and put it in their wheelhouse.” (Mallory)

Hosts’ Picks & How They Completed the Challenge

• Brea: Death of an Author by Nnedi Okorafor (though only half-epistolary); The Strange Case of Jane O by Karen Thompson Walker (therapist notes format)
  • “We both like these kinds of books. If it says, like, told in letters, I’m interested.” (Brea, [13:20])
• Mallory: A Letter from the Lonesome Shore by Sylvie Cathral
  • “It’s epistolary to the max… You get lots of emails and letters and journal entries from four characters. It’s like, ultra-epistolary.” (Mallory, [14:13])

Why Are Epistolary Novels Great?

• [14:41-16:23]
  • Great for overcoming reading slumps: The changing structure keeps attention and offers “manageable chunks.”
    • “Epistolary is the ultimate manageable chunk book.” (Mallory, [15:26])
  • Feels lighter and more accessible: “All we do is read email... it's just a little bit easier. It's more approachable.” (Brea, [15:54])
  • They move quickly: Plot-forward narration (“You won’t believe what happened today!”), different voices, and interesting structures.
    • “No one’s going to sit down and write in their journal entry about how they stared at a wall for 15 hours.” (Mallory, [16:33])
• Mallory is writing an epistolary novel herself and enjoys the variety: “It’s been really fun to write because I get to jump into first person, different things…” (Mallory, [14:54])

Timestamps for Notable Quotes & Moments

| Timestamp | Notable Moment / Quote | |-----------|------------------------| | 01:28 | “Mallory started sweating.” (Brea, on haunted house excitement) | | 04:44 | “I put the baggie over my Kindle and kept reading in the rain.” (Melissa, listener hack) | | 06:36 | “It’s like buying a sample pack of a genre.” (Mallory, on anthologies) | | 12:29 | “One of those things that a lot of people love and don’t really realize it.” (Mallory, on epistolary novels) | | 14:41 | “Epistolary is the ultimate manageable chunk book.” (Mallory) | | 15:54 | “All we do is read email... it’s just a little bit easier. It’s more approachable.” (Brea) | | 16:33 | “No one’s going to sit down and write in their journal entry about how they stared at a wall for 15 hours.” (Mallory) | | 24:51 | “Sometimes what I like as an individual is not better for the community.” (Brea, on Libby changes) | | 25:20 | “I think bitching is a very important thing... to get that annoyance out.” (Mallory) |

Libby’s Suspend Hold System: The Controversial Change

What Changed?

• [18:35+] Libby, the library e-book app, changed its suspend hold feature. Previously, users set the delay period (7-180 days), after which the hold auto-resumed. Now, suspending a hold keeps it suspended until the user manually unsuspends it, resuming at their place in line.

Why the Change?

• [19:22] According to Overdrive (parent company), motivated by librarian feedback to address long wait times, budget issues, and unclaimed holds. The goal: fairer and more efficient circulation.
  • “The new hold suspension system ensures readers only receive titles when they're ready, while also moving copies more efficiently through waitlists.”

Listener and Librarian Perspectives

• [20:25] Many listeners dislike it—biggest complaint: “they’re just not going to remember to unsuspend a hold.” (Mallory)
• [20:59] Quoting a librarian:
  • “Trust me when I say that every librarian in the sub has watched copies bouncing between deliver later people for weeks on end without being checked out... This update... helps us to actually move the wait list and put the onus on you, the user...” ([20:59] Brea, quoting librarian)

Hosts’ Candid Reactions

• [21:50+] Brea: Not a fan, struggles with decision fatigue and feels overwhelmed by the responsibility to manually unsuspend holds.
  • “I have decision fatigue every day. So I don't want to decide. I already made the decision when I put it on hold.” (Brea, [23:01])
• [24:44] Mallory: Acknowledges it will help, even though it’s annoying. Forced to reconsider her holds list, be more mindful, and avoid “kicking things down the road.”
  • “It forced me to look at my holds list and be like, what do I actually want to read here?” (Mallory)
• [25:20] Mallory: Emphasizes that it’s okay to vent about changes but recognize when something benefits the larger community.

Pros and Cons Summed Up

• Pro (library): Shorter wait times, more efficient circulation, reduced languishing titles.
• Con (user): Requires more active management, loss of “let the system decide” convenience, adds pressure/decision fatigue for some.
• [29:28] “Pour one out for the delay hold system. You were a real one.” (Mallory)

Book Tech Problem: Physical vs. Digital Reading With Wrist Pain

• [31:12+] Listener Stephanie asks whether to stick to Kindle or juggle with the heavy physical copy, citing arthritis and the difficulty of lugging around “honkers.”
• Advice:
  • Brea: End sessions at a chapter break if switching formats to avoid confusion. Embraces mixed media for reading comfort.
  • Mallory: Prioritize comfort—don't force yourself to read in pain for sentimental reasons. Celebrate e-books for accessibility and make fancy editions trophies if desired. Advocates using book tech (pillows, stands) to make digital reading more enjoyable.
  • “If reading a big physical book is causing you actual literal pain, it's time to switch.” (Mallory, [32:47])

Memorable Quotes

• “Mallory started sweating.” (Brea, [01:28])
• “Epistolary is the ultimate manageable chunk book.” (Mallory, [15:26])
• “Sometimes what I like as an individual is not better for the community...” (Brea, [24:51])
• “Pour one out for the delay hold system. You were a real one.” (Mallory, [29:28])
• “If reading a big physical book is causing you actual literal pain, it's time to switch.” (Mallory, [32:47])

Key Timestamps by Topic

• [00:44] – Hosts reading the same book
• [04:44] – Listener hack: Kindle in a baggie
• [10:58] – Launching into epistolary novels challenge
• [13:17] – Brea & Mallory’s challenge picks
• [14:41] – The appeal of epistolary novels
• [18:35] – Libby’s suspend hold change explained
• [19:22], [20:59] – Librarian explanations
• [21:50-24:51] – Hosts’ emotional reactions and community perspective
• [31:12] – Book tech advice on physical vs. digital reading with arthritis

For the Glassers

• Email your feedback or book problem: readingglassespodcast@gmail.com
• Support the show and score “Void Merch” (and horror-themed goodies) via the merch link in the show notes.
• Leave a review on Apple Podcasts to help reach the 2,000 goal and unlock a fun AMA episode.

This episode balances bookish camaraderie, practical tech and reading tips, and honest, nuanced discussion about adapting to changes that affect the whole reading community—all while keeping the tone punchy, supportive, and on-brand!