Podcast Summary: What Should I Read Next? Episode: Ep 452: Get a Little Taste of a Lot of Good Stuff
Release Date: October 29, 2024
Host: Anne Bogel

Introduction

In Episode 452 of What Should I Read Next?, host Anne Bogel delves into the nuanced world of short stories with her guest, Jessica Crockett. This episode, titled "Get a Little Taste of a Lot of Good Stuff," explores Jessica's ongoing struggle to fully engage with short story collections despite her love for the format.

Guest Introduction: Jessica Crockett

[05:09]
Anne Bogel: "Jessica Crockett is a French to English patent translator based in Chicago. Beyond her professional life, she enjoys ballroom dancing, board games, and, most importantly for today's discussion, reading."

[05:31]
Jessica Crockett: "I've been a patent translator for about 20 years. Translating from French to English has been my career, though I occasionally take breaks from interpretation work."

Jessica shares her background, highlighting how her day job influences her reading habits—particularly her shift away from reading French novels for pleasure, as it now feels like work.

The Reading Conundrum: Short Stories

[07:12]
Anne Bogel: "How do you notice the influence of your day job in your reading life?"

[07:48]
Jessica Crockett: "My work has made reading in French feel like work, deterring me from enjoying those novels. However, when it comes to books in translation, especially from French, I find joy in reverse engineering the translations."

Jessica reveals her primary challenge: despite her enthusiasm for short stories, she frequently abandons collections after reading one or two stories, feeling an incomplete sense of closure.

Understanding Jessica's Struggle

[13:08]
Jessica Crockett: "I like the idea of short story collections as they seem manageable alongside novels. However, after finishing a story, it feels like I've completed something, making it hard to return."

[15:50]
Anne Bogel: "Jessica feels short stories leave her with a premature sense of completion, making it difficult to maintain momentum through a collection."

The conversation delves into Jessica's disappointment with the fragmented nature of short stories, contrasting it with her desire for interconnected narratives that provide a continuous thread.

Reframing Expectations: Revelation vs. Resolution

[28:44]
Anne Bogel: "A short story is about a revelation, not a resolution. This fundamental difference might be why Jessica feels short stories are incomplete."

[31:50]
Jessica Crockett: "This helps me realize I was looking for resolution instead of revelation, similar to how I once misunderstood character-driven novels."

Anne emphasizes the importance of adjusting expectations when approaching short stories, focusing on moments of insight rather than complete narrative arcs.

Strategies for Engaging with Short Stories

1. Establish a Reading Rhythm:

   • [24:16]
     Jessica Crockett: "Weekly reading might work better for me instead of daily sessions."

   • Anne suggests considering a pace that complements Jessica's existing reading habits without replacing her novel time.

2. Maintain Momentum:

   • [37:02]
     Anne Bogel: "Try not stopping between stories. Perhaps pausing in different environments or using audiobooks can help."

   • Utilizing audiobooks to keep the reading experience fluid and continuous.

3. Embrace Variety and Experimentation:

   • Exploring different genres and styles within short story collections to find what resonates best.

Book Recommendations for Jessica and Readers

Anne provides a curated list of short story collections tailored to Jessica's preferences and challenges:

1. "So Late in the Day" by Claire Keegan

   • Description: Themes revolve around relationships between women and men, offering interconnected stories that provide a continuous narrative thread.
   • Why It Fits: Balances independent and connected stories, easing the transition for readers like Jessica.

2. "The Souvenir Museum" by Elizabeth McCracken

   • Description: Combines standalone stories with recurring characters Jack and Sadie across various interpersonal scenarios.
   • Why It Fits: Offers a bridge between interconnected and independent stories, fostering a sense of continuity.

3. "Seasonal Work" by Laura Lippman

   • Description: A crime fiction collection with intricate, psychologically driven narratives.
   • Why It Fits: Incorporates Jessica's love for the "weird" without delving into horror, providing engaging and thought-provoking stories.

4. "The Secret Lives of Church Ladies" by Deesha Philyaw

   • Description: Richly detailed stories that serve as character studies, exploring themes of love, sex, relationships, and personal growth.
   • Why It Fits: Exceptional prose and diverse settings maintain reader interest and momentum.

5. "Canoes" by Mylista Keringal

   • Description: A French collection translated by Jessica Moore, blending short stories and a novella centered on voices and personal narratives.
   • Why It Fits: Offers familiar language elements for Jessica and compelling narratives that resonate emotionally.

6. "Best American Short Stories 2024"

   • Description: An anthology featuring a curated selection of contemporary short stories edited by Lauren Groff.
   • Why It Fits: Provides a diverse range of styles and authors, allowing Jessica to sample widely without committing to a single author's collection.

Notable Quotes:

• Jessica Crockett:
  [21:03] "I would still love to figure out how to appreciate independent, non-interlinked short stories, but I could see using those linked short stories as sort of a stepping stone to get there."

• Anne Bogel:
  [40:34] "A short taste of a lot of good stuff. That's what an interest in short stories can do."

Conclusion: Embracing the Short Story Journey

Anne Bogel wraps up the episode by encouraging listeners to explore the recommended collections and adjust their reading strategies. She underscores the value of short stories in offering diverse narratives and honing one's literary appreciation. Jessica's journey serves as a relatable example for many readers grappling with similar challenges.

Final Takeaway: Short stories, with their brevity and variety, offer a unique opportunity to explore different genres, styles, and perspectives without the commitment of longer novels. By adjusting expectations and experimenting with reading routines, readers like Jessica can unlock the rich potential that short story collections hold.

[40:42]
Anne Bogel: "Happy reading, everyone."

Further Engagement

Listeners are invited to share their own experiences and recommendations via the show's website or social media channels. Connect with What Should I Read Next? on Instagram, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, and subscribe to the newsletter for more literary insights and updates.

Resources Mentioned:

• No Two Persons by Erica Bauermeister
• She and Her Cat by Kate Atkinson
• After Parties by Anthony Vesna
• Roman Stories by Jhumpa Lahiri
• Foster and Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
• The Souvenir Museum by Elizabeth McCracken
• Seasonal Work by Laura Lippman
• The Secret Lives of Church Ladies by Deesha Philyaw
• Canoes by Mylista Keringal
• Best American Short Stories 2024

All recommended books are available through various bookstores and can be explored further in the episode's show notes.

Join the Conversation: Engage with fellow readers and share your tips or favorite short story collections by visiting whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com and following the podcast on your preferred platform.

Quote to Remember: "Ah, how good it is to be among people who are reading." – Rainer Maria Rocha