Podcast Summary: Ep 488: Reading Goals That Are Just Lofty Enough

What Should I Read Next? hosted by Anne Bogel delves into the perennial question faced by avid readers: What should I read next? In Episode 488, titled "Reading Goals That Are Just Lofty Enough," Anne welcomes Olivia Haber Greenwood from Barcelona to discuss her quest for novels featuring an ensemble cast with multiple points of view (POV) and strong, distinctive character voices.

Introduction to Olivia Haber Greenwood

[00:00 – 10:22]

Olivia Haber Greenwood introduces herself as a seasoned reader residing in Barcelona for the past seven years. Originally from Missoula, Montana, Olivia transitioned from aspiring to be a courtroom interpreter to becoming a copywriter and freelance journalist. She shares her love for reading, predominantly favoring fiction, essays, philosophy, and memoirs. Olivia emphasizes her preference for physical books but also utilizes her Kindle for accessing a broader range of English literature unavailable locally in Barcelona.

Olivia [10:26]: "Reading brings me a lot of peace, calms my mind, and helps me make sense of the world."

Olivia’s Reading Life and Habits

[10:22 – 13:30]

Olivia describes her meticulous approach to tracking her reading through a colorful spreadsheet, noting authors, titles, personal ratings, and vocabulary. She values the ability to recall and reflect on her reading experiences, which enhances her connection to the books she explores. Additionally, Olivia participates in a “red read” salon, a social gathering where members discuss books in depth over cocktails, fostering a communal reading experience.

Olivia [10:26]: "I keep track of my books, and writing a little paragraph about each helps me remember them better than just re-reading the synopsis."

The Quest for Multi-POV Novels with Distinctive Voices

[14:42 – 24:18]

The core of the episode revolves around Olivia’s pursuit of multi-POV novels that feature strong, unique character voices. She expresses frustration with existing multi-POV books, where the different perspectives often fail to present distinct, memorable voices. Olivia craves narratives where each character's voice is so vivid and authentic that it uniquely shapes the story.

Olivia [14:45]: "I just think it's so hard to do that multiple times in the book. I want each voice to carry its own personality and the whole story for a time."

Anne empathizes with Olivia’s predicament, acknowledging the challenge of maintaining distinct voices across multiple POVs without them blending into a uniform narrative tone.

Anne [24:21]: "If the distinctiveness is what you enjoy, then that's what you want to find."

Books Olivia Loves

[26:48 – 35:53]

Olivia shares her favorite books, highlighting what she admires about their narrative styles and character development:

1. Play It As It Lays by Joan Didion

   • Timestamp: [26:53]
   • Olivia praises Didion’s sharp, dry prose and the authentic voice of the protagonist, Marcia, who navigates personal turmoil in Los Angeles.

   Olivia [26:53]: "The sentences are just so sharp. They're like a knife through the heart."

2. The End of the Story by Lydia Davis

   • Timestamp: [29:55]
   • She appreciates Davis’s exploration of obsession through the protagonist’s internal struggles, likening it to a sub-genre of women's fiction.

   Olivia [29:55]: "Every phone call, every glimpse, every sighting... it's all so painful."

3. Colored Television by Danzie Senna

   • Timestamp: [32:47]
   • Olivia enjoys the protagonist Jane’s humorous and insightful observations about Los Angeles, connecting deeply with her unique narrative voice.

   Olivia [32:47]: "Her sense of humor about things is incredible. Just the way that she is able to observe how ridiculous Los Angeles is."

Book That Didn’t Resonate: The God of the Woods by Liz Moore

[35:54 – 43:07]

Olivia discusses The God of the Woods by Liz Moore, a multi-POV novel that failed to meet her expectations. While she acknowledges the book's merits, she felt that the distinct voices of the characters blurred, making them blend into each other rather than standing out as unique personalities.

Olivia [35:54]: "They kind of blended together for me. They didn't really seem like two very distinct people."

Anne summarizes Olivia’s concerns, emphasizing the importance of each character having a distinct voice to maintain reader engagement.

Recent Reads and Continued Exploration

[43:39 – 50:34]

Olivia shares her recent literary journeys, including:

• Sorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason
• Babel by RF Kuang
• Beloved by Toni Morrison (rereading)
• Vermout Si Barboots by Magda Mingit

She appreciates diverse genres and narrative styles, indicating her openness to exploring different storytelling methods while maintaining her quest for distinctive voices.

Recommendations and Solutions

[50:00 – 58:35]

Anne offers tailored recommendations to help Olivia expand her horizons in multi-POV novels with strong voices:

1. Kids Run the Show by Delphine de Vagan

   • Timestamp: [54:18]
   • A psychological thriller featuring a French influencer and a distinct narrative structure.

2. Trust by Erin Ahn

   • Timestamp: [54:18]
   • A historical fiction novel with multiple layers and POVs, blending mythological elements.

3. Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff

   • Timestamp: [47:24]
   • Though controversial for its spoiler-sensitive twist, Anne suggests it might align with Olivia’s interests in multi-POV narratives.

Anne also introduces the idea of exploring audiobooks as a potential solution, highlighting how different narrators can bring distinct voices to each character, enhancing the multi-POV experience.

Anne [56:57]: "Maybe audio could give you a little extra emphasis, a little extra oomph to distinguish the voices in a multiple POV novel."

Conclusion and Next Steps

[58:35 – End]

The conversation wraps up with Olivia expressing enthusiasm for the recommended titles, particularly Kids Run the Show. Both Anne and Olivia reflect on the insights gained during their discussion, reinforcing Olivia’s renewed hope in discovering multi-POV novels that meet her lofty reading goals.

Olivia [58:46]: "I am gonna read them all, I'm sure. I think I'm gonna start with Kids Run the Show."

Anne encourages listeners to explore Olivia’s journey and consider their own reading preferences, fostering a community of engaged and thoughtful readers.

Notable Quotes

• Olivia [10:26]:

  "Reading brings me a lot of peace, calms my mind, and helps me make sense of the world."

• Olivia [14:45]:

  "I just think it's so hard to do that multiple times in the book. I want each voice to carry its own personality and the whole story for a time."

• Anne [24:21]:

  "If the distinctiveness is what you enjoy, then that's what you want to find."

• Olivia [26:53]:

  "The sentences are just so sharp. They're like a knife through the heart."

• Anne [56:57]:

  "Maybe audio could give you a little extra emphasis, a little extra oomph to distinguish the voices in a multiple POV novel."

Final Thoughts

This episode of What Should I Read Next? offers a deep dive into the challenges and aspirations of finding multi-POV novels with distinctive voices. Olivia’s candid discussion, paired with Anne’s thoughtful recommendations, provides valuable insights for readers seeking their next compelling read. Whether you face similar challenges or simply enjoy exploring diverse narrative styles, this episode is a treasure trove of literary exploration and community support.

For more detailed discussions and to explore Olivia’s recommended reads, visit whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com.