Reading Glasses Ep 453 – “Permission to Read – Why We Love Readathons” (March 12, 2026)

Episode Overview

In this episode, hosts Brea Grant and Mallory O’Meara focus on the concept of readathons—setting aside significant chunks of time for reading, often in the company of others (virtually or physically). They tick off the “Participate in a Readathon” box in their 2026 Reading Glasses Challenge, discuss why readathons improve your reading life, and share their personal experiences. The episode also features practical advice for hosting your own readathon, listener feedback, and tailored book recommendations, including romance novels featuring protagonists who use wheelchairs.

What We're Reading

[00:28–04:43]

• Brea: Reinventing Love by Mona Chollet

  • Explores how the patriarchy can sabotage heterosexual relationships, examining power imbalances and broader social structures.
  • “Can you have a successful heterosexual relationship when you’re living in a patriarchy and there’s going to be a power imbalance?” [01:07]
  • Not prescriptive, but reflective—covers dynamics in pop culture, literature, and even extreme cases like women marrying men in prison. Brea highlights the book’s non-judgmental, thought-provoking tone.

• Mallory: Metropolitan Life by Fran Lebowitz

  • A collection of humorous essays from the 1970s, read by Lebowitz herself in the audiobook.
  • “She’s just so funny. I had to stop listening … while I was driving because she’s just so funny.” [04:02]
  • Praises Lebowitz's voice, wit, and ability to turn mundane observations into sharp, memorable commentary.

Listener Feedback & Community

[04:43–09:05]

• A follow-up from the “anonymous book sinner,” who confessed to logging unfinished books as “read” on Goodreads for closure. They clarify they rarely do it, never leave reviews, and feel “absolved” by Mallory and Brea.

  • “I feel absolved enough of my sins to continue on with my devilish ways.” [06:28]

• Chantal from Australia shares that she discovered Reading Glasses by first buying their reading journal and is now hooked on both the show and reading more. Chantal also shares her “wheelhouse” of bookish preferences, which the hosts delight in.

  Chantal’s Wheelhouse Includes:

  • Small town with a secret, female MC on a journey, “science that feels real” in sci-fi, inheritances with strings attached, storylines involving elephants, magical bookstores, and ragtag found families. [08:39]

Main Topic: Why We Love Readathons

Defining a Readathon

[11:34–13:03]

• Must be a period significantly longer than one’s usual reading time—if you usually read for 10 minutes, do an hour; if you do an hour, aim for several hours or a whole day.
• Can be done solo or with a community; may involve reading at unusual times.

Mallory:

“It has to be doing nothing but reading for a portion of time that is significantly longer than your regular reading time.” [12:08]

Brea:

“Setting aside a specific time… I loved the idea: read for a few hours, you check off a box, something cool you did!” [12:31]

Why Put Readathons in the Challenge?

[13:03–13:49]

• Many need “permission” to indulge in something so luxurious.
• Readathons create community, motivation, and celebration of reading.
• “We're here to give you permission to sit in your jammies and read for five hours.” [13:42]

How Readathons Improve Your Reading Life

[13:54–14:41]

• Accelerated TBR reduction—great for sampling and finishing books.
• Deep, immersive experience helps retention and connection to books.
• Sparks momentum: “It really gives your habits a little Mario Kart star.” [14:41]

How to Prepare for a Readathon

[15:41–17:54]

• Preparation is part of the fun: plan your reading, snacks, drinks, and cozy setting.
• “Charge your e-reader!” [16:53] – a practical tip for the digital reader.
• Don’t forget cozy clothes and background music if preferred.
• You could even start your readathon in a bath: “This is like the bookish equivalent of overpreparing a bathtub.” [17:08]

Personal Readathon Experiences

[18:02–18:51]

• Mallory and Brea often host readathons together, sometimes in unconventional places (hot tubs, pools).

• They stress that a readathon can be any length and tailored to personal schedules.

• Community elements: Instagram Lives, sharing progress, Discord snack channel, and mutual encouragement.

  Memorable Moment:

  • On completing a four-hour readathon: “You can set aside a little chunk of a day and it’s still a readathon and it still counts.” [19:19]

Bookish Problem: How to Find Novellas

Listener Question from Ally [20:23–24:32]

• Ally seeks advice on finding shorter, physically small books (novellas) during travel, beyond random bookstore browsing.

Tips:

• Shout-out to Tor.com, which publishes a renowned novella line spanning genres, especially speculative fiction. [21:47]
• “They really cornered the market for a long while on the novella.” [22:48]
• Search for “novellas” in quotes along with your genre of interest, as many websites and libraries do roundup lists.
• Physical browsing tip: scan shelves for tiny spines!

Romance Recs: Wheelchair-Using Protagonists

Request from Max [24:32–26:39]

• Max seeks romance novels with protagonists who use wheelchairs, ideally by disabled authors.

Recommendations:

1. Not My Type by Evie Mitchell

   • Wheelchair-using sexologist falls for a carpenter/BDSM rope rigger.
   • Mallory: “I started hitting myself on the head with a mallet when I heard about this book … so sexy, I’m very pumped.” [26:01]

2. The Year We Fell Down by Sabrina Bowen

   • College romance; main character uses a wheelchair after a leg injury. Includes hockey players (Mallory’s wheelhouse).

3. Unbroken: 13 Stories Starring Disabled Teens (ed. Marie K. Nightcamp)

   • YA anthology with a sapphic romance featuring a protagonist who uses a wheelchair. “Seems like glasser-nip in general.” [26:39]

Notable Quotes

• Mallory: “We’re here to give you permission to sit in your jammies and read for five hours.” [13:42]
• Brea: “Preparing is part of the fun. That’s what they say about vacations… figuring it out is part of the fun.” [15:41]
• Mallory: “This is like the bookish equivalent of overpreparing your bathtub.” [17:08]
• Mail-in Listener: “I feel absolved enough of my sins to continue on with my devilish ways.” [06:28]

Episode Highlights by Timestamp

• [00:28–04:43] – What We’re Reading
• [04:43–09:05] – Listener Feedback & Wheelhouses
• [11:34–19:19] – Readathon Deep Dive: Definitions, Benefits, and Personal Stories
• [20:23–24:32] – Bookish Problem: Finding Novellas
• [24:32–26:39] – Romance Recommendations: Wheelchair-Using Protagonists
• [13:42, 15:41, 17:08, 26:01] – Notable Quotes

Tone & Style:
Conversational, humorous, inclusive, and supportive—reflecting the warm, witty, community-oriented spirit Reading Glasses is known for.

For further info, book lists, and community events (including future readathons), sign up for the Reading Glasses newsletter or join their Discord server.