
Reading Glasses
Want to learn how to make the most of your reading life? Join Brea Grant and Mallory O’Meara every week as they discuss tips and tricks for reading better! Listeners will learn how to vanquish their To-Be-Read piles, get pointers on organizing their bookshelves and hear reviews on the newest reading gadgets. Brea and Mallory also offer advice on bookish problems. How do you climb out of a reading slump? How do you support authors while still getting books on the cheap? Where do you hide the bodies of the people who won’t stop talking while you’re trying to read? Mallory and Brea engage in a weekly discussion geared towards all kinds of book lovers -- no matter what you read or how you read it.
Latest episodes

May 30, 2024 • 47min
Ep 361 - Ep 361 - How to Budget Your Book Money + Alonso Duralde & Hollywood Pride!
Brea and Mallory talk about budgeting your book money! Plus, they interview fellow MaxFunyun Alonso Duralde about his new book Hollywood Pride, and solve a problem about requesting author events! Email us at readingglassespodcast at gmail dot com!Reading Glasses MerchRecommendations StoreSponsors -Hello Comicshttps://www.hellocomics.net/readingglassesLinks -Reading Glasses Facebook GroupReading Glasses Goodreads GroupAmazon Wish ListNewsletterLibro.fmTo join our Slack channel, email us proof of your Reading-Glasses-supporting Maximum Fun membership!Rex Party - June 14th, 6pm PT - email for invite!Mallory’s Book!Alonso DuraldeHollywood PrideBooks Mentioned - Rebel Girl by Kathleen HannaSleepaway Camp by BJ and Harmony ColangeloTCM Underground by Millie de Chirico and Quatoyiah Murry

May 23, 2024 • 35min
Ep 360 - Overcoming Content Warnings and Crappy Stickers
Brea and Mallory give advice on overcoming content warnings, discuss book subscription boxes, and recommend sci fi noir. Email us at readingglassespodcast at gmail dot com!Reading Glasses MerchRecommendations StoreSponsors -Microdose Gummieswww.microdose.comCODE: GLASSESMiracle Madewww.trymiracle.com/GLASSESCODE: GLASSESLinks -Reading Glasses Facebook GroupReading Glasses Goodreads GroupAmazon Wish ListNewsletterLibro.fmSilicon CoastersTo join our Slack channel, email us proof of your Reading-Glasses-supporting Maximum Fun membership!Books Mentioned - Your Shadow Half Remains by Sunny MoraineLady Macbeth by Ava ReidTitanium Noir by Nick HarkawayThis Body Isn’t Big Enough for the Both of Us by Edgar Cantero

May 16, 2024 • 33min
Ep 359 - A Date with Bugs: Tips for Reading in Public
Brea and Mallory give their hottest tips for reading in public, test to see if those viral cups are good for reading, and recommend non-memoir non-fiction. Email us at readingglassespodcast at gmail dot com!Reading Glasses MerchRecommendations StoreSponsors -Dipseawww.dipseastories.com/GLASSESMiracle Madewww.trymiracle.com/GLASSESCODE: GLASSESLinks -Reading Glasses Facebook GroupReading Glasses Goodreads GroupAmazon Wish ListNewsletterLibro.fmTo join our Slack channel, email us proof of your Reading-Glasses-supporting Maximum Fun membership!Library ExtensionSimple Modern TumblrGlasser Zoom Party - 6/14 at 6pm PTEmail for link!Books Mentioned - Fifty Beasts to Break Your Heart by Gennarose NethercottThe Night Guest by Hildur Knutsdottir, translated by Mary Robinette KowalArtemis Awakened by Jane LindskoldThe Nineties by Chuck KlostermanThe Museum of Whales You Will Never See by A. Kendra Greene

May 9, 2024 • 41min
Ep 358 - Debut Novels and Shopping for an eReader!
Brea and Mallory tick off a box on the 2024 Reading Glasses Challenge: read a debut novel. Plus, they discuss what to look for when buying an ereader, and solve a grief related book problem. Email us at readingglassespodcast at gmail dot com!Reading Glasses MerchRecommendations StoreSponsors -Pair Eyewearwww.paireyewear.comCODE: GLASSESEarthbreezewww.earthbreeze.com/GLASSESLinks -Reading Glasses Facebook GroupReading Glasses Goodreads GroupAmazon Wish ListNewsletterLibro.fmJapan FoundationTo join our Slack channel, email us proof of your Reading-Glasses-supporting Maximum Fun membership!Mallory’s New Book!Books Mentioned - The Age of Magical Overthinking by Amanda MontellDinner on Monster Island by Tania de RozarioPatrica Wants to Cuddle by Samantha AllenAnnie Bot by Sierra GreerA Letter to the Luminous Deep by Sylvie Cathrall

May 2, 2024 • 42min
Ep 357 - Angry Robots and Queerd Fiction - the Hottest Books for Summer!
Brea and Mallory pick their most anticipated books for June and July. Plus, they discuss books they love that aren’t in their wheelhouses. Email us at readingglassespodcast at gmail dot com!Reading Glasses MerchRecommendations StoreSponsors -Factorwww.factormeals.com/GLASSES50CODE: GLASSES50Microdose Gummieswww.microdose.comCODE: GLASSESLinks -Reading Glasses Facebook GroupReading Glasses Goodreads GroupAmazon Wish ListNewsletterLibro.fmTo join our Slack channel, email us proof of your Reading-Glasses-supporting Maximum Fun membership!Mallory’s New Book!Books Mentioned - Stagtown by PunkoPuzzleheart by Jenn ReeseBook Lovers by Emily HenryLong Division by Kiese LaymonJuneThe Stardust Grail by Yume KitaseiComing back for one last job, art heist in spaceFire Exit by Morgan TaltyLiterary, Maine, family, small town secretsOne Star Romance by Laura HankinRomance, enemies to lovers, publishing, academiaNot in Love by Ali Hazelwood - Romance, women in STEM, business, secret affairDaughter of the Merciful Deep by Leslye PenelopeHistorical fantasy, gods and myths, woman on a journey, ancient magicEnlightenment by Sarah PerryLiterary, romance, astronomy, friendship, mystery, scienceLady Eve’s Last Con by Rebecca FraimowQueer sci fi romance, be gay do space crimesDancers of the Dawn by Zulekha A. AfzalYA fantasy, dance magic, desert setting, dancer assassins, adventureTidal Creatures by Seanan McGuireSequel to MiddlegameThe Pecan Children by Quinn ConnorSmall town horror, Southern US setting, sisters, folkloreWe Speak Through the Mountain by Premee MohamedSequel to The Annual Migration of CloudsThe Unrelenting Earth by Kritika H. RaoBook 2 of The Rages TrilogyThe Phoenix Ballroom by Ruth HoganLiterary, elderly widow reviving a community and her heartMoonbound by Robin SloanSci fi and fantasy, AI narrator, magic, journeyThe Girl Who Kept the Castle by Ryan GraudinMiddle grade fantasy, dragons, magic castles, cat character, magic competitionRakesfall by Vajra ChandrasekeraSci fi, reincarnation, friendship, time stuffThe Cautious Traveler’s Guide to the Wastelands by Sarah BrooksHistorical fantasy, train trip, magic, monsters, friendsCraft: Stories I Wrote for the Devil by Ananda LimaShort stories, speculative fiction, strangeDarkness and Demon Song by M.R. FounetMiddle grade horror, monsters, forbidden spells, moms, Southern US settingPlease Stop Trying to Leave by Alana SaabLiterary, surreal, lesbian, mental illness, healingHombrecito by Santiago Jose SanchezLiterary, queer, coming of age, immigrant story, mother relationshipHot Summer by Elle EverheartLesbian romance, reality show, comedyThe Lion’s Den by Iris MwanzaHistorical queer legal thrillerSix of Sorrow by Amanda LismeirQueer YA horror, small town, friendships, Yellowjackets compUnexploded Remnants by Elaine GallagherQueer sci fi, space, AI, woman on a journeyA Shore Thing by Joanna LowellTrans historical romance on the British seasideAnnie LeBlanc is Not Dead Yet by Molly MorrisQueer literary fiction, ghosts, resurrection, friendship, CaliforniaAll Friends are Necessary by Tomas MonizQueer literary fiction, queer community, found family, WashingtonDirector’s Cut by Carlyn GreenwaldLesbian romance, Hollywood, academia, rivals to loversThe Sons of El Rey by Alex EspinozaGay luchadores!!!!!, family, Mexico City, Los Angeles, 1980s, literaryMake It Count by Cece TelferTrans sports memoir, running, OlympicsCicada Summer by Erica McKeenLiterary, queerd (queer + weird) fiction, book about a book, griefThe Ballad of Jacquotte Delahaye by Briony CameronHistorical fiction, queer lady pirateBut How Are You Really by Ella DawsonRomance, disaster bisexuals, found familyTriple Sec by TJ AlexanderQueer poly romance, cocktail bars, NYCWe Could Be Heroes by Philip EllisGay romance, Hollywood, drag, actingThe Future Was Color by Patrick NathanGay historical fiction, 1950s Hollywood, LA, NYC, Las VegasBlessings by Chukwebuka IbehLiterary fiction, gay, new adult, coming of age, Nigeriayouthjuice by E.K. SathueHorror, satire, NYC, beauty industryThe Eyes Are the Best Part by Monica KimHorror, female serial killerI’m Mostly Here to Enjoy Myself by Glynnis MacNicholMemoir, female pursuit of pleasureTraveling by Ann PowersJoni Mitchell biographySwimming Pretty by Vicki ValosikHistory of women and swimmingFour Eids and a Funeral by Faridah Abike Iyimide and Adiba JaigirdarRomance, ex-best friends to lover, holiday celebrationBirding with Benefits by Sarah T. DubbRomance, bird bookCurvy Girl Summer by Danielle AllenRomance, fat protagonist, funnyHow to Age Disgracefully by Claire PooleySenior romance, funny, communityThe Lonely Hearts Trivia Night by Lauren FarnsworthRomance, London, friendship, triviaA Daughter of Fair Verona by Christina DoddHistorical romance, Romeo and Juliet reimaginingSwift River by Essie ChambersLiterary, new adult, 1980s, New England, family saga, mother and daughter, family secretsBright and Tender Dark by Joanna PeasonLiterary, murder, college campus, urban legends, debutBear by Julia PhilipsLiterary, sisters, family, mysterious creature in the woodsSame As It Ever Was by Claire LombardoLiterary, family dramaHorror Movie by Paul TremblayHorror, multiple timelines, surreal, filmmakingOnce Upon a Fever by Angharad WalkerYA sci fi thriller, world where emotions are thought to cause diseaseLooking for Smoke by K.A. CobellYA thriller, murder, debutSuch a Bad Influence by Olivia MuenterThriller, debut, sister’s disappearance, social media, dark corners of the internetThe Unwedding by Ally CondieThriller, White Lotus meets Agatha ChristieOne of Our Kind by Nicola YoonThriller, Get Out meets The Stepford WivesWhat Fire Brings by Rachel Howzell HallThriller, writer searching for missing friend, Los AngelesThe Midnight Feast by Lucy FoleyThriller, locked room murder mystery, luxury resortDeath in the Air by Ram MuraliMystery, debut, locked room, Knives Out meets Crazy Rich AsiansThat Night in the Library by Eva JurczykLocked room mystery in a library, college, dark academiaIcon and Inferno by Marie LuYA mystery romance, secret agentsIncidents Around the House by Josh MalermanHorror, family, motherhoodMoral Injuries by Christie WatsonPsychological thriller, friendships, medicine, revengeLove Letters to a Serial Killer by Tasha CoryellDebut thriller, serial killerJulyI Was a Teenage Slasher by Stephen Graham JonesHorror, slasher, 1980s, TexasThe Night of Baba Yaga by Akira OtaniQueer thriller, Kill Bill meets Thelma and LouiseThe Ghost Keeper by Johanna TaylorQueer YA graphic novel, gothic horror romance, ghostsExes and Foes by Amanda WoodyYA queer romance, competitionSo Witches We Became by Jill BaguchinskyQueer YA horror, witches, female rageNo Road Home by John FramQueer thriller, Texas, family secretsQueen B by Juno DawsonNext in Her Majesty’s Royal CovenYou Had Me At Happy Hour by Timothy JanovskyGay romance, mixology, PennsylvaniaNicked by M.T. AndersonDebut, queer historical fantasy, medieval heistCursed Boys and Broken Hearts by Adam SassYA gay romance, vineyard summer job, rose festivalEvenings and Weekends by Oisin McKennaQueer literary fiction, London, new adult, sexy, funnyA Rose by Any Other Name by Mary McMyneQueer fantasy, Shakespeare retelling, occult romanceToward Eternity by Anton HurQueer sci fi, bio tech, nano-tech, meaning of lifeBury Your Gays by Chuck TingleQueer horror, HollywoodMisrecognition by Madison NewboundQueer new adult literary fiction, funny, debut, sexualityPortrait of a Shadow by Meriam MetouiYA horror romance, mystery, family secretsOur Wicked Histories by Amy GoldsmithYA horror, Ireland, estranged friends, creepy houseThe Road to the Salt Sea by Samuel KolawoleLiterary, hotel, man on a journey, class, immigrationHouse of Shades by Lianne DillsworthHistorical fiction, Victorian London, female doctor, secretsThe Ornithologist’s Field Guide to Love by India HoltonHistorical fantasy, romance, magic, birds, rom com, competition, EnglandThe Lost Boy of Santa Chionia by Juliet GramesHistorical thriller, Italy, 1960s, village full of secrets, romanceThe Haunting of Hecate Cavendish by Paula BrackstonHistorical fantasy, Victorian England, ghosts, libraryA Lethal Lady by Nekesa AfriaHistorical mystery, Paria, perfume, murderThe Scandalous Life of Ruby Devereaux by M.J. RobothamHistorical fiction, Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo readalikeMy Lady’s Secrets by Katy MoranHistorical fiction, regency England, spies, romanceMasquerade by O.O. SangoyomiHistorical fantasy, Persephone retelling, court intrigueTeddy by Emily DunlayDebut historical fiction, Mad Men meets Lessons in ChemistryThey Dream in Gold by Mai SennaarLiterary fiction, epic family saga, family and identityLiars by Sarah MangusoLiterary fiction, motherhood, marriage, artWelcome to Glorious Tuga by Francesca SegalLiterary fiction, heart warming, island in the South Atlantic, funny, quirky, communityThe Coin by Yasmin ZaherLiterary fiction, NYC, teacher, a woman unravelingLet Me Liberate You by Andie DavisLiterary fiction, satire about activism and privilegeTell It to Me Singing by Tita RamirezLiterary fiction, Cuban American family drama, debut, secrets, twistySmothermoss by Alisa AleringLiterary, 1980s, Appalachia, sisters, monsters, weird fictionMysterious Setting by Kazushige Abe, translated by Michael EmmerichJapanese novella, funny and dark, sibling competitionThe Losts Souls of Benzaiten by Kelly MurashigeYA sci fi, Japanese mythology, mental health, robot vacuum cleanerIn the Shadow of the Fall by Tobi OgundiranEpic fantasy novella, visions, priestesses, cosmic warA Certain Kind of Starlight by Heather WebberFantasy, magic, small town, friendshipThe Dissonance by Shaun HamillEpic contemporary fantasy, Texas, magic, monsters, friendshipThe Mirror of Beasts by Alexandra BrackenSequel to Silver in the BoneMy Mother Cursed My Name by Anamely Salgado ReyesMagical realism, generational trauma, grief, family sagaOne Year Ago in Spain by Evelyn SkyeMagical realism romance, second chance romance, ghosts and soulsNavigational Entanglements by Aliette de BodardFound family space opera romanceDaughters of Chaos by Jen FawkesQueer historical fantasy, Civil War era Nashville, female rage, powers, cultThe Lost Story by Meg ShafferRomantasy, magical world, disappearancesThe Melancholy of Untold History by Minsoo KangEast-Asian inspired fantasy saga, gods and mythsThe Second Son by Adrienne TooleySequelGrief in the Fourth Dimension by Jennifer YuSpec fic YA, death and afterlifeThe Book of Elsewhere by China Mieville and Keanu ReevesGenre bendy spec ficPrimal Mirror by Nalini SinghRomantasy, family secrets, telepathsAll This and More by Peng ShepardChoose your own adventure fantasyThe Sky on Fire by Jenn LyonsHigh fantasy, heist with dragonsQuickly, While They Still Have Horses by Jan CarsonSpec fic short storiesThe Dallergut Dream Department Store by Miya Lee, translated by Sandy Joosun LeeCozy Korean fantasyThe Great Hemisphere by Mateo AskaripourSci fi, invisible protagonistIllustrated Girl by Josephine AngelinYA cozy fantasyWomen in the Valley of the Kings by Kathleen ShepardFeminist Egyptology historyMeet the Neighbors by Brandon KeimScience of animal intelligenceJewel Me Twice by Charish ReidSteamy heist romance, second chances, Europe tripThe Widow on Dwyer Court by Lisa KuselSexy psychological thriller, writer protagonistBody Check by Elle KennedySpicy hockey rom-comJust Playing House by Farah HeronRomance, forced proximity, second chances, celebrity romanceLook in the Mirror by Catherine SteadmanThriller, inheritance with a cost, mansion in the British Virgin IslandsThe Woman in the Garden by Jill JohnsonBotanical poison murder mystery, plants, LondonBright Objects by Ruby ToddThriller, debut, astronomy, romance, murder, a cometThe Astrology House by Carinn JadeThriller, astrology, debut, wealthy retreat, secretsThe Bang Bang Sisters by Rio YouersThriller, all girl vigilante rock bandThe Wilds by Sarah PearseChilling thriller, vanish twin, Portuguese national park, mysterious mapIt’s Elementary by Elise BryantMystery romance, missing principal, elementary school politicsThe Hollywood Assistant by May CobbThriller, Hollywood, murder, famous family and their secretsSummer’s End by Juneau BlackNext Shady Hollow bookDocile by Hyesseung SongMemoir about being a daughter of Korean immigrants, mental illness, subverting model minority mythDateable by Jessica Slice and Caroline CuppGuide to dating for disabled people

Apr 25, 2024 • 34min
Ep 356 - Tips and Tricks for Managing Your Giant TBR
Brea and Mallory give tips on managing your TBR, solve a problem about buying too many books, and recommend sci-fi books with space archaeology. Email us at readingglassespodcast at gmail dot com!Reading Glasses MerchRecommendations StoreSponsors -Dipseawww.dipseastories.com/GLASSESMiracle Madewww.trymiracle.com/GLASSESCODE: GLASSESLinks -Reading Glasses Facebook GroupReading Glasses Goodreads GroupAmazon Wish ListNewsletterLibro.fmTo join our Slack channel, email us proof of your Reading-Glasses-supporting Maximum Fun membership!Books Mentioned - The Heartbreak Bakery by A.R. CapettaCastle of the Cursed by Romina GarberBlind Sight by Peter WattsSleeping Giants by Sylvain NeuvelGods Monsters and the Lucky Peach by Kelly Robson

Apr 18, 2024 • 40min
Ep 355 - Manageable Chunk Style - Books with Short Chapters
Brea and Mallory recommend books with short chapters, test out an eReader stand, and solve a problem about reading the classics. Email us at readingglassespodcast at gmail dot com!Reading Glasses MerchRecommendations StoreSponsors -Earthbreezewww.earthbreeze.com/GLASSESMiracle Madewww.trymiracle.com/GLASSESLinks -Reading Glasses Facebook GroupReading Glasses Goodreads GroupAmazon Wish ListNewsletterLibro.fmTo join our Slack channel, email us proof of your Reading-Glasses-supporting Maximum Fun membership!Bed eReader StandBooks Mentioned - Sociopath by Patric GagneThe Manicurist’s Daughter by Susan LieuAs She Climbed Across the Table by Jonathan LethemMy Sister the Serial Killer by Oyinkan BraithwaiteSplit Tooth by Tanya TagaqHeating and Cooling: 52 Micro-Memoirs by Beth Ann FennellyUgly Girls by Lindsay HunterLincoln in the Bardo by George SaundersDept. of Speculation by Jenny OffillCat’s Cradle by Kurt VonnegutWe Spread by Iain Reid

Apr 11, 2024 • 31min
Ep 354 - Library Browsing Can Improve Your Reading Life
Brea and Mallory tick off a box on the 2024 Reading Glasses Challenge - go book browsing at the library! Plus, they review a viral copper bookmark and recommend romantic historical fiction. Email us at readingglassespodcast at gmail dot com!Reading Glasses MerchRecommendations StoreSponsors -Microdose Gummieswww.microdose.comCODE: GLASSESPair Eyewearwww.paireyewear.comCODE: GLASSESLinks -Reading Glasses Facebook GroupReading Glasses Goodreads GroupAmazon Wish ListNewsletterLibro.fmCopper BookmarkTo join our Slack channel, email us proof of your Reading-Glasses-supporting Maximum Fun membership!Books Mentioned - Green Valley by Louis GreenbergParasol Against the Axe by Helen OyeyemiThe Little Village of Book Lovers by Nina GeorgeCity of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert

Apr 4, 2024 • 37min
Ep 353 - Check Yourself Before You Rex Yourself - Book Friend Dilemmas and Gay Cowboys!
Brea and Mallory solve all your bookish friend dilemmas! Plus, a review of a magnetic ribbon bookmark, and recommendations for gay cowboy books. Email us at readingglassespodcast at gmail dot com!Reading Glasses MerchRecommendations StoreSponsors -Factorwww.factormeals.com/GLASSES50CODE: GLASSES50Dipseawww.dipseastories.com/GLASSESLinks -Reading Glasses Facebook GroupReading Glasses Goodreads GroupAmazon Wish ListNewsletterLibro.fmMagnetic Bookmark RibbonTo join our Slack channel, email us proof of your Reading-Glasses-supporting Maximum Fun membership!Books Mentioned - Fangs by Sarah AndersenThe Hunter by Tana FrenchRiver of Teeth by Sarah GaileyDays Without End by Sebastian Barry

4 snips
Mar 28, 2024 • 52min
Ep 352 - Books to Get You Into EVERY Genre!
Discover recommended gateway books in various genres such as horror, science fiction, fantasy, and romance. Explore intriguing titles like 'Desert Creatures', 'Mirror Lake', 'American Gods', and 'The Twisted Ones'. Learn about listener's detailed book organization system and the benefits of supporting Maximum Fun. Uncover insights on mystery, thriller, historical fiction, literary fiction, and poetry genres. Delve into the dilemma of when to buy a book near the end of reading and the value of supporting authors.