Ep 457 - Introduction to the Show + Retired Book Hall of Fame!
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In this foundational episode of Reading Glasses, hosts Mallory O'Meara and Brie Graham introduce themselves and the show's mission: helping listeners read better, not more or faster, by fostering joy, reducing guilt, and embracing all forms of reading. They break down the show’s core tenets—reader wheelhouse, doghouse, doorways, and the radical act of 'dumping' books that aren’t working—while sharing personal anecdotes, including Brie’s chocolate-covered mishap and Mallory’s Shrek-like fridge. The hosts also reveal their long-running inside jokes, such as calling listeners 'Sarahs,' labeling long books 'honkers,' and dismissing bookish jerks as 'trash babies.' The highlight of the episode is the unveiling of the newly updated 'Retired Book Hall of Fame,' featuring titles like *Mexican Gothic*, *Priest Daddy*, and *The Adventures of Mina al-Sarafi*, which have been retired due to over-recommendation. The episode concludes with an invitation to join the Reading Glasses community via Maximum Fun membership and a call to support the show through reviews and social media engagement.
Reading is about joy and connection, not guilt or performance—drop books you don’t like without shame.
Define your 'reader wheelhouse' and 'doghouse' to guide your reading choices and avoid burnout.
Use 'doorways'—plot, character, setting, or language—to identify what draws you to a book, not just genre.
The 'honker' label (books over 500 pages) and 'trash baby' jargon are part of the show’s playful, inclusive culture.
Join the Reading Glasses community by supporting Maximum Fun and emailing a membership screenshot for Discord access.
Welcome to Reading Glasses: Meet the Hosts
“We're not trying to set huge number goals every year. We're trying to help you fall back in love or fall in love for the first time with books.”
Core Tenets of Reading Glasses: Wheelhouse, Doghouse & Doorways
“If you are not liking a book, it doesn't matter if you're one chapter in... stop reading it, dump it.”
The Reading Glasses Hall of Fame: Retired Book Recommendations
“We recommended that a lot. Psalm for the Wild Built... also, if you're looking, if you're like, hey, am I, will I like this show? Maybe go look at this retired list.”
Community, Culture & Call to Action
The hosts invite listeners to join their vibrant community through Maximum Fun membership and Discord access. They emphasize the show’s values: inclusivity, support for marginalized voices, and anti-book snobbery. They also promote listener engagement through feedback, reviews, and merch, closing with gratitude for the audience.
“If you have a problem with us talking about a book by a trans author, I really think maybe you should go walk into the sea and not come back out again.”
“If you are not liking a book, it doesn't matter if you're one chapter in... stop reading it, dump it.”
“We're not trying to set huge number goals every year. We're trying to help you fall back in love or fall in love for the first time with books.”
Hosts
Reading Glasses
media
Mallory O'Meara
person
Brie Graham
person
Maximum Fun
organization
ZocDoc
brand
Ingram Spark
brand
Tina Horne
person
Cassandra
person
Slin Jung
person
Li Anwa
person
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