Ep 488: Reading goals that are just lofty enough

Aug 5, 2025

Olivia Haber Greenwood, a copywriter and freelance journalist based in Barcelona, dives into her passion for novels featuring multiple points of view. While she loves the concept, she's on the hunt for books where each character has a distinctive voice that truly resonates. The conversation explores the complexities and emotional connections in multi-POV narratives, highlighting works like Joan Didion's 'Play It As It Lays' and a psychological thriller featuring a missing child. It's a delightful quest for captivating storytelling that engages readers from various angles.

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ANECDOTE

Olivia's Multi-POV Reading Challenge

Olivia struggles to love multi-POV novels because the characters' voices often feel too similar.
She craves books where every character's unique voice carries their personality and story vividly.

insights

INSIGHT

Distinctive Voice Defines Enjoyment

Distinctive voice is key to Olivia's reading enjoyment in multi-POV novels.
Voice means interiority, unique rhythm of thoughts, and authentic character perspective.

question_answer

ANECDOTE

Play It As It Lays Impact

Olivia loves Joan Didion's Play It As It Lays for its sharp, dry prose and unique LA voice.
The narrator's voice confronts emotional pain with dry humor and authenticity.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Exploring Distinctive Voices in Literature

03:43 • 21min

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Exploring Distinctive Reading Preferences and Joan Didion's Craft

24:22 • 5min

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Exploring Literary Landscapes

29:23 • 13min

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Exploring Reader Preferences for Distinctive Narratives

42:02 • 3min

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The Complexity of Narratives

44:50 • 14min

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Exploring Literary Interests and Community Engagement

Fates and Furies is a deeply satisfying novel about love, art, creativity, and power. It tells the story of a marriage over twenty-four years, revealing the intricate dynamics between Lotto, a failed actor turned playwright, and Mathilde, his wife. The novel is divided into two parts: 'Fates' explores the marriage from Lotto's perspective, while 'Furies' delves into Mathilde's, exposing the secrets and complexities that underlie their relationship.

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Babel

Or the Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators' Revolution

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In this novel, R. F. Kuang explores a fantastical version of Oxford in the 1830s where Britain's dominance is fueled by magical silver bars that capture the power of 'lost in translation' between languages. The story follows four students at the Royal Institute of Translation, their growing awareness of the imperialist system they are part of, and their eventual rebellion against it. The book delves into themes of imperialism, academia, and the moral dilemmas faced by those caught in the system.

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Beloved

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Published in 1987, 'Beloved' is a work of historical fiction that delves into the aftermath of the American Civil War. The novel centers around Sethe, a Black woman who escaped from slavery in Kentucky and now lives in Ohio. However, her life is haunted by the ghost of her two-year-old daughter, whom she killed to prevent her from being taken back into slavery. The story is deeply intertwined with themes of mother-daughter relationships, the power of family and community, and the lasting impact of slavery on individuals and society. The novel introduces a mysterious figure named Beloved, who is the physical manifestation of Sethe's murdered daughter, and explores how this presence disrupts and ultimately transforms the lives of Sethe and her surviving daughter, Denver. Through a complex narrative that includes flashbacks, stream-of-consciousness monologues, and multiple voices, Morrison examines the trauma and resilience of those affected by slavery.

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Trust

The Social Virtues and the Creation of Prosperity

Francis Fukuyama

In this book, Francis Fukuyama argues that the level of trust within a society is a crucial factor in its economic success. He contends that societies with high levels of trust, such as Germany, Japan, and the United States, are more likely to create flexible and large-scale business organizations necessary for competing in the global economy. Fukuyama examines various national cultures to identify the underlying principles that foster social and economic prosperity, emphasizing the importance of social capital and the interconnectedness of economic and cultural life. He challenges both neoclassical and state-centered economic theories by highlighting the role of trust and social virtues in economic development.

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God of the Woods

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Play It As It Lays

Joan Didion

Set in the landscapes of Hollywood, Las Vegas, and the Mojave Desert, 'Play It As It Lays' is a searing portrait of a woman and a society in crisis. The novel follows Maria Wyeth, a former actress whose life is marked by her failed career, a troubled marriage, and the institutionalization of her daughter. Through sparse and haunting prose, Didion explores themes of nihilism, the superficiality of Hollywood culture, and the personal disintegration of Maria as she navigates a world that seems devoid of meaning and purpose.

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The end of history

Francis Fukuyama

In 'The End of History and the Last Man', Francis Fukuyama posits that with the ascendancy of Western liberal democracy following the Cold War and the dissolution of the Soviet Union, humanity has reached the end point of its ideological evolution. Fukuyama draws on the philosophies of Hegel and Marx, arguing that history is a linear progression towards liberal democracy, driven by the mechanisms of natural science and the human desire for recognition (thymos). He contends that liberal democracy satisfies every man’s thymotic longing for dignity and recognition, making it the final form of human government. However, Fukuyama clarifies that this does not mean the end of historical events or conflicts, but rather that all future developments will be within the framework of liberal democracy.

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Colored Television

Danzy Senna

Novels featuring an ensemble cast of characters and multiple points of view are a favorite for today's guest, and she'd love Anne's help in finding more of this particular type of reading experience.

Olivia Haber Greenwood is joining Anne from Barcelona, where she's lived for the past seven years working as a copywriter and freelance journalist. Olivia is a happy reader with an abundant reading life, but she's found herself stymied when it comes to novels featuring multiple points of view.

Olivia loves the concept of these books, and sometimes she'll find one that really works for her. But since voice is such a strong component of what she loves in a book, too many of the multiple point of view novels she's read fall a bit flat. She's on the hunt for a story told from multiple points of view where every character's distinctive, unmistakable voice elicits a big wow. It's a tall order. Can they do it? Anne and Olivia sure have fun trying in today's conversation.

Find the list of titles discussed today and leave your suggestions for Olivia at our show notes page, which you'll find at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/488.

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