Reading Glasses

Film critic and author Alonso Duralde joins to share insights on his updated book, Have Yourself a Movie Little Christmas. He discusses beloved holiday movie adaptations, including his favorite, the 1970 musical *Scrooge*. Brea and Mallory unveil their favorite book covers of 2025, exploring categories from horror to cute designs. They also recommend gifts for digital readers and dig into fun bookish anecdotes, making this conversation a festive treat for book and movie lovers alike!

Join Meredith Borders, Senior Editor at Fangoria and author of First and Fright, as she dives into her horror-fantasy reading preferences and discusses her new compendium and its Kickstarter campaign. The conversation explores how to create impactful best-of book lists, balancing cultural significance with personal taste. Meredith also highlights the unique advantages of magazines in reading, including their immediacy and diverse perspectives. Tune in for great book recommendations and insights into the evolving world of literary magazines!

Dive into a lively debate on the perfect size of your reading wheelhouse. Discover libraries that offer international membership options, making it easier to access books from anywhere. Enjoy visceral book recommendations, including a relentless WWI narrative and a thought-provoking tale of ambition. Learn how to refine your wheelhouse by assessing your reading themes and consolidating genres. Lastly, ponder whether having a wheelhouse can be too big or too small in the journey to find your ideal reading focus!

Join Brea and Mallory as they dive into their favorite fictional cafes, bars, and hotels! Discover the cozy charm of Joe's cafe from Shady Hollow and the magical ambiance of Legends & Lattes. Experience the quirky vibe of a robot-run ramen shop and a gothic amusement park that feels straight out of a Tim Burton film. They also explore the intriguing mapping tool StoryTerra and tackle a library dilemma. With whimsical settings and a sprinkle of mystery, this conversation is a book lover's delight!

Kim A. Snyder, an Oscar-nominated documentary filmmaker, joins to discuss her impactful film, The Librarians, which highlights the fight against book bans and censorship. She dives into the importance of defending the freedom to read, particularly how bans impact LGBTQ+ and Black narratives. Kim shares her journey in filmmaking, moving from gun violence to censorship, and explains her film's community engagement initiatives. Additionally, she discusses her love for libraries and the crucial role graphic novels play in providing access to young readers.

Alma Katsu, acclaimed horror novelist and author of the chilling book FIEND, joins the conversation. She delves into the complex dynamics of family power struggles and the uncanny blend of real-world violence and human evil that make her characters terrifying. Alma also shares her experience of writing contemporary horror, revealing how it differs from her historical work. The hosts recommend spooky reads featuring human monsters, like slashers and mad scientists, perfect for the Halloween season!

Discover how writing styles can resonate differently with readers' brains. The hosts break down the importance of cadence and even explore the phenomenon of 'book pH'—finding the right rhythm for reading. They tackle a listener's public reading dilemma with practical noise solutions. Plus, dive into recommendations for novels about banned books, including *Upright Women Wanted* and *The Banned Bookshop of Maggie Banks*. Tune in for insights on making reading more enjoyable!

Brea and Mallory dive into the world of epistolary novels, exploring how these letter-based stories can enhance focus and revive reading enthusiasm. They share their favorite epistolary picks and discuss the latest changes to Libby's suspend hold system, sparking a lively debate on its pros and cons. Additionally, they tackle a listener's concern about balancing big books and wrist pain, offering practical advice for e-readers and preserving beloved physical copies. Tune in for laughs and insights on the reading journey!

Adam Sokol, a debut author and longtime friend of the hosts, shares insights on his novel, *The Ballad of Bonaventure Palmier*, which intertwines magical realism and themes of found family. He opens up about the challenges of writing while parenting, emphasizing the shift to audiobooks and fitting reading time into small pockets amidst the chaos. Adam also discusses his decision to self-publish after traditional rejections, alongside his favorite genres like YA horror and gothic fiction, making for a captivating conversation about creativity and parenthood.

Brea and Mallory discuss a new way to sort out your dumped books, give advice for reluctant book dumpers, and recommend sister books. Email us at readingglassespodcast at gmail dot com!Reading Glasses MerchRecommendations StoreThe Reading Glasses Book!Sponsors -GreenChefwww.greenchef.com/50GLASSESCODE: 50GLASSESLinks -Reading Glasses Facebook GroupReading Glasses Goodreads GroupWish ListNewsletterLibro.fmTo join our Discord channel, email us proof of your Reading-Glasses-supporting Maximum Fun membership!www.maximumfun.org/joinSci Fi Rex for Dads and HusbandsBooks Mentioned -Best of All Worlds by Kenneth OppelFiend by Alma KatsuOnce There Were Wolves by Charlotte McConaghyThe Girls at the Kingfisher Club by Genevieve Valentine