Podcast Summary: Episode 476 - Offbeat, Intricately Plotted Books for an Ambitious Reading Project

What Should I Read Next?
Host: Anne Bogel
Guest: Katherine
Release Date: May 6, 2025
Episode Title: Ep 476: Offbeat, Intricately Plotted Books for an Ambitious Reading Project

Introduction

In Episode 476 of What Should I Read Next?, Anne Bogel welcomes Katherine, a dedicated reader from Okinawa, Japan, who is embarking on an ambitious reading project. The episode delves into Katherine's unique approach to literature, her love for intricately plotted and offbeat books, and the challenges she faces with her extensive reading goal.

Guest Introduction: Katherine’s Reading Life

Katherine introduces herself as a resident of Okinawa, Japan, where she lives with her military husband and their golden retriever, Milo. She works full-time for a globally distributed nonprofit and enjoys activities like reading, knitting, and beach walks. Katherine’s reading routine is methodical:

• Downstairs Book: A physical, often more substantial book read in the mornings.
• Upstairs Book: An eBook on her Kindle, which she reads to sleep.

Katherine shared, “[07:14] I read myself to sleep most nights, so that helps me keep track of my pages because otherwise if I'm reading a physical book, it's falling on my face.”

She maintains subscriptions with Brilliant Books, an independent bookstore, which provides her with hand-selected monthly books, enriching her diverse reading life.

Katherine’s Ambitious Reading Project: The Women’s Prize for Fiction Challenge

Katherine is undertaking a significant project: reading all the shortlists and winners of the Women’s Prize for Fiction before she turns 40, giving her until December 2030. This project encompasses approximately 170 books, spanning from the prize's inception in 1996 up to the current year.

Origins of the Project: Katherine’s reading goals have evolved over time. Initially focused on quantity, she shifted towards quality after a summer reading bingo challenge broadened her literary horizons. Inspired by YouTuber Lena Norms, who reads and summarizes the Women’s Prize longlists annually, Katherine decided to immerse herself in this prestigious list.

“As Katherine explained at [09:45], I'm never going to finish these before the end of the year. I'm going to say I want to read them before I turn 40, which is giving me until December of 2030.”

Books Katherine Loves

Katherine shares three standout books from her reading journey, each celebrated for their unique narratives and intricate plotting:

1. Life After Life by Kate Atkinson

   • Description: A novel where the protagonist, Ursula, experiences multiple lives through time loops, living through significant historical events like the Spanish Flu and both World Wars.
   • Impact: Initially dismissed by a friend, Katherine later found immense value and fell in love with Atkinson’s writing.
   • Quote: “[25:36] I loved it. It was so good. I couldn't stop thinking about it.”

2. Beautyland by Marie Helene Bertino

   • Description: Follows Adina, an alien sent to Earth to report on human life, navigating the mundanity and profundity of everyday experiences in Philadelphia.
   • Impact: The book moved Katherine deeply, evoking uncontrollable emotions and highlighting the distinct experiences of the protagonist.
   • Quote: “[32:14] It had me uncontrollably sobbing at one point I was reading and my husband looked at me and he said, I thought you said this wasn't a sad book. I said, it's not a sad book, it's about the human condition.”

3. The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton

   • Description: An 800+ page novel set during the New Zealand gold rush, structured in 12 parts with decreasing lengths, weaving complex narratives from multiple perspectives.
   • Impact: Katherine admired the book’s construction and intricate plotting, though found its length daunting.
   • Quote: “[32:14] I think it's one of the wildest, most interesting books I think I've ever read.”

A Book That Didn’t Resonate: Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

Despite its popularity, Katherine found Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow unenjoyable due to its heavy character-driven narrative and perceived toxic relationships among characters. She struggled with the book’s dynamics, leading her to abandon it quickly despite recognizing the quality of Zevin’s writing.

Quote: “[36:33] These people are not nice to each other. And I don't know if you're familiar with this show on Apple TV called Mythic Quest. It’s a workplace comedy about people who write video games... They’re just... No, it was not for me.”

Anne’s Recommendations for Katherine’s Project

Understanding Katherine’s preference for thoughtfully constructed and unconventional narratives, Anne suggests specific books from the Women’s Prize shortlist that align with Katherine’s taste:

1. Hotel World by Ali Smith

   • Description: Features five first-person narratives, including a ghostly chambermaid, exploring themes of humanity and interconnected lives.
   • Reason for Suggestion: Its unique narrative structure and varied perspectives might resonate with Katherine’s love for intricate plots.

2. The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood

   • Description: A multi-layered narrative intertwining the life of an older woman with a novel within the novel, exploring themes of love, loss, and the human condition.
   • Reason for Suggestion: Aligns with Katherine’s appreciation for methodical plotting and literary complexity.

3. Small Island by Andrea Levy

   • Description: Set in post-war England, it follows the lives of two couples confronting racism, colonialism, and personal struggles, offering diverse perspectives.
   • Reason for Suggestion: Balances character-driven storytelling with broader social themes, providing depth without overwhelming character focus.

Quote: “[49:07] That feels pretty accurate, I think. I try not to look at book reviews too much before I read the book... […] This is a character driven story, but also there's a lot going on here.”

Final Book Selections and Project Planning

After discussing, Katherine decides to prioritize The Blind Assassin as it is readily available in her local bookstores and sits prominently on her shelf. She expresses excitement about delving into the 2001 shortlist and exploring the rich narrative depths of the suggested books.

Quote: “[71:53] I think I'm going to go with the Blind Assassin because it's sitting on my bookshelf right now. It's like calling to me.”

Anne reiterates her support, highlighting how these selections will provide Katherine with a solid foundation for her project, blending intricate plotting with meaningful themes.

Conclusion

The episode wraps up with Anne expressing her enthusiasm for Katherine’s project and the community's support. Listeners are encouraged to engage with Katherine’s journey and share their thoughts on what she should read next.

Final Quote from Katherine: “[72:10] I feel even more excited about it than I did before... It's like the thrill of the hunt of finding the books too. So it feels like very much a win-win.”

Key Takeaways:

• Katherine’s Project: Reading all Women’s Prize for Fiction shortlists and winners by age 40.
• Preferred Reading Style: Methodical and structured, favoring intricately plotted and unconventional narratives.
• Books She Loves: Life After Life, Beautyland, The Luminaries.
• Books She Doesn’t Like: Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow.
• Recommendations: Hotel World by Ali Smith, The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood, Small Island by Andrea Levy.
• Challenges: Balancing her extensive reading list without experiencing project fatigue, and adapting to evolving reading tastes.

Notable Quotes:

• Katherine on Reading Routine: “[07:14] I read myself to sleep most nights, so that helps me keep track of my pages because otherwise if I'm reading a physical book, it's falling on my face.”

• Katherine on Beautyland's Impact: “[32:14] It had me uncontrollably sobbing at one point I was reading and my husband looked at me and he said, I thought you said this wasn't a sad book. I said, it's not a sad book, it's about the human condition.”

• Katherine on Completing Projects: “[72:10] I feel even more excited about it than I did before... It's like the thrill of the hunt of finding the books too. So it feels like very much a win-win.”

This episode offers valuable insights into curating a meaningful and enjoyable reading journey, especially when tackling large-scale literary projects. Katherine’s methodical approach and Anne’s tailored recommendations provide a roadmap for readers seeking to enrich their literary lives with purpose and passion.