Episode Summary: Ep 482 – "Diving into Evocative Ocean Reads"
In Episode 482 of What Should I Read Next?, host Anne Bogel engages in a heartfelt and insightful conversation with Noelle Leong, a science and medicine-focused librarian with a passion for marine science. This episode delves deep into the world of ocean-themed literature, exploring Noelle’s reading habits, favorite books, and the unique methods she employs to manage her ever-growing to-be-read (TBR) list.
1. Introduction and Guest Welcome [00:00 – 02:19]
Anne Bogel opens the episode by introducing Noelle Leong, setting the stage for a discussion centered around ocean-themed books. Anne highlights Noelle’s love for the ocean, both in her professional life and personal hobbies, creating anticipation for the literary recommendations to come.
Notable Quote:
"I'm talking with a guest who'd love to see her real-life love of the ocean mirrored in the pages of her books." – Anne Bogel [00:00]
2. Noelle’s Background and Passion for Marine Science [02:19 – 06:16]
Noelle introduces herself as a science librarian at a small liberal arts college in Northern California. She shares her deep-rooted passion for marine science and oceanography, which extends beyond her professional duties to her personal life—spending time with students on trails and exploring tide pools.
Notable Quote:
"I'm really passionate about, like, open educational resources, accessibility in the library... I've somehow convinced the marine botany professor to let me teach it because I was like, well, I've done seaweed pressing and I used to take biology classes." – Noelle Leong [02:48]
3. Exploring Noelle’s Reading Life and TBR Management [06:13 – 10:21]
Noelle recounts her lifelong love of reading, influenced by her voracious-reading parents. She discusses her academic background in English and environmental science, which led her to explore a diverse range of genres. Managing her TBR list is a significant theme, where she introduces her unique approach to curating and decluttering her reading queue.
Notable Quote:
"I have a healthy TBR list that I've managed through. I don't know if you call it the Ann Method." – Noelle Leong [00:00]
"I have my like physical and metaphorical bucket that I've been carrying around from apartment to apartment... I read the first, I don't know, 60 pages or so of each book. And then if I was like, it's not hitting by then, donating it." – Noelle Leong [08:32]
4. Favorite and Least Favorite Books [10:21 – 24:29]
Noelle shares her top three favorite books and one that didn’t resonate with her. Her selections reflect her diverse taste, spanning from rich character studies to philosophical essays and atmospheric mysteries.
Favorite Books:
- "Homegoing" by Yaa Gyasi – Appreciated for its rich character studies and tender narrative.
- "The Anthropocene Reviewed" by John Green – Enjoyed for its realistic yet hopeful essays.
- "Piranesi" by Susanna Clarke – Loved for its atmospheric mystery and fantastical elements.
Least Favorite Book:
- "All Fours" by Miranda July – Didn't meet her expectations due to flat character development in the latter half.
Notable Quotes:
"I love this book...a short novel, but I knew each character so well and it was still a page turner." – Noelle Leong on "Homegoing" [16:24]
"John Green's essays are, you know, both non-cynical, realistic, grounded. And I like that about it quite a bit." – Noelle Leong on "The Anthropocene Reviewed" [17:30]
"It's an unreliable narrator, unknown mystery... the ocean being its own kind of character." – Noelle Leong on "Piranesi" [19:50]
5. Current Reading and What Noelle Seeks [24:31 – 27:37]
Noelle discusses her recent read, "Immaculate Conception" by Ling Ling Huang, highlighting its exploration of female friendship and artistic obsession within a dystopian setting. She emphasizes her shift towards being more selective with her reading choices, focusing on quality over quantity.
Notable Quote:
"I'm still working on being okay with, you know, dnfing, not finishing a book that I'm not happy with." – Noelle Leong [25:46]
6. Ocean-Themed Book Recommendations [27:37 – 45:57]
Anne Bogel presents Noelle with a curated list of ocean-themed books, both nonfiction and fiction, tailored to her interests and preferences. Each recommendation is accompanied by a brief synopsis and Noelle’s enthusiastic reactions.
Nonfiction Recommendations:
-
"The Blue How: How the Ocean Works" by Helen Zersky (2023)
- Explores the physics behind ocean systems, emphasizing the integral role of oceans in human culture and environmental health.
- Noelle’s Reaction: Intrigued by the enthusiastic depiction of ocean science, despite her previous struggles with physics. "I'm excited to start with the one I said, but I'm equally excited to go in other directions with the books that you gave me too." [31:44]
-
"The Perfect Storm" by Sebastian Junger (1997)
- Chronicles the 1991 "Perfect Storm" off Nova Scotia, intertwining meteorological data with gripping personal stories of those caught in the storm.
- Noelle’s Reaction: Drawn to the multi-perspective narrative and the raw portrayal of the ocean's might. "I'm excited about that one." [33:47]
Fiction Recommendations:
-
"The Love of My Life" by Rosie Walsh
- A psychological thriller centered around a marine biologist whose husband discovers unsettling truths while writing her obituary.
- Noelle’s Reaction: Interested in the intersection of personal relationships and academic life. "I feel like that might be fun for me to read." [36:44]
-
"Sea Wife" by Amity Gage (2020)
- A relational thriller about a middle-aged couple who sail the Caribbean to mend their failing marriage, only to face unforeseen dangers.
- Noelle’s Reaction: Resonates with her own struggles of reintegrating into society and the challenges of maintaining relationships. "This feels like something I'm really interested in reading about." [39:16]
-
"Sharkheart" by Emily Habeck (2023)
- Blends magical realism with fantasy, telling the story of a man transforming into a great white shark and exploring themes of marriage and identity.
- Noelle’s Reaction: Enthusiastic about the magical elements and the emotional depth of the narrative. "I'm excited. This might be the call." [41:47]
-
"Our Wives Under the Sea" by Julia Armfield (2022)
- A harrowing tale of a marine biologist stranded at the ocean’s depths, returning home with haunting changes that strain her marriage.
- Noelle’s Reaction: Captivated by the blend of horror and relational drama, comparing it to "Annihilation" by Jeff Vandermeer. "I love that, like the beginning, it sounded like annihilation." [44:52]
Notable Quotes:
"As citizens of the Earth, we cannot escape the influence of oceans." – Helen Zersky, "The Blue How" [28:02]
"This is definitely a thriller, like relational thriller." – Anne Bogel on "Sea Wife" [37:36]
"It’s not horror, but the kind of unreliable narrator, unknown mystery." – Noelle Leong on "Piranesi" [19:50]
7. Closing Thoughts and Next Steps [45:37 – End]
Anne summarizes the recommended books, reaffirming Noelle’s excitement to explore these oceanic narratives. The episode concludes with Anne encouraging listeners to engage with the show’s community, share their reading experiences, and subscribe for future recommendations.
Notable Quote:
"I'm so excited to start with the one I said, but I'm equally excited to go in other directions with the books that you gave me too." – Noelle Leong [45:50]
Conclusion: This episode of What Should I Read Next? offers a deep dive into ocean-themed literature through the lens of a passionate marine science librarian. Noelle’s thoughtful insights and Anne’s tailored recommendations provide listeners with a rich selection of books that beautifully encapsulate the vastness and mystery of the ocean. Whether you're a seasoned reader or looking to branch out into new genres, this episode serves as a compelling guide to finding your next aquatic adventure.
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Final Quote:
"Ah, how good it is to be among people who are reading." – Rainer Maria Rilke
Happy reading!