007: Reading Into It: The Books That Shape Us

This week, Callie, Cole and Mecca dive into their love of reading, sharing personal stories about the books and genres that have shaped them. From childhood favorites to life-changing memoirs, they discuss the power of perspective, the allure of fiction and why reading remains a cornerstone of their lives. Expect some laughs, revelations and even a little rundown of the best (and worst!) books they've encountered.

10,000-Foot View of this Episode:

• The Roots of Reading: Discover how family influences shaped the trio’s love for books, from childhood trips to the library to the traditions of gifting novels during the holidays. Mecca’s lifelong reading habits left an indelible mark on both Callie and Cole, fostering a family culture of storytelling and exploration.
• Genres and Perspectives: Each host shares their go-to reads and what draws them in. Mecca adores witty, feel-good romances and deeply reflective novels. Cole escapes into the intricate worlds of sci-fi and fantasy, while Callie gravitates toward memoirs and historical fiction, drawn by their ability to offer new perspectives on life.
• Books That Left a Mark: From Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes to Alas, Babylon by Pat Frank, the hosts highlight books that shaped their values, broadened their horizons, or simply brought joy. They also reflect on the surprising emotional connections forged through fiction and memoir.
• Reading Styles and Rituals: Physical books, Kindles, or audiobooks? The trio debates the best formats and shares the quirks of their reading habits, like Cole's love for audiobooks during long drives and Mecca's fondness for reading with music in the background.
• Debating the Best and Worst Reads: The hosts hilariously critique their least favorite books (watch out, Catcher in the Rye and The Secret History) and gush over their favorites. Their varied tastes lead to lively discussions on everything from fantasy epics to Gossip Girl novels.
• The Legacy of Books: Books aren’t just entertainment—they’re tools for connection, learning, and even philanthropy. Mecca shares a heartwarming story of donating books to a juvenile detention center, underscoring the power of reading to inspire and uplift.

Memorable Quotes:

• "More than anything for me, I like reading because I like having a better understanding of other perspectives beyond my own." – Callie
• "Spaceships and laser beams or swords and knights and dragons, like either one, I'm happy." – Cole
• "I'm sitting here looking at the two of you thinking both of your names came from books." – Mecca

Callie’s Book Mentions

• Gossip Girl series by Cecily von Ziegesar
• Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes
• The End of Normal by Stephanie Madoff Mack
• The Last Thing He Told Me by Laura Dave
• Devolution by Max Brooks (Audiobook)
• The Survivalist Series (Going Home is Book 1) by A. American 
• Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore
• All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
• A Return to Common Sense by Leigh McGowan
• The Pumpkin Plan by Mike Michalowicz
• The Questioneers Series by Andrea Beaty (e.g., Rosie Revere, Engineer; Sophia Valdez, Future Prez; Iggy Peck, Architect)
• The Secret History by Donna Tartt (Callie hated this book!)
• The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Cole’s Book Mentions

• Legacy of Ashes by Tim Weiner
• To Start a War by Robert Draper
• Galaxy’s Edge series by Jason Anspach and Nick Cole
• Chronicles of the Unhewn Throne series by Brian Staveley
• Dune by Frank Herbert (Audiobook)
• Legionnaire by Jason Anspach and Nick Cole
• A Song of Fire and Ice Series (Game of Thrones is Book 1) by George R.R. Martin
• Alas, Babylon by Pat Frank
• The Guardians of Ga’Hoole series by Kathryn Lasky
• Pendragon series by D.J. MacHale
• Johnny Tremain by Esther Forbes
• Go, Dog. Go by P.D. Eastman
• Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger (Cole's least favorite book!)
• King's League by Jason Anspach
• Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

Mecca’s Book Mentions

• The Mother Road by Meghan Quinn
• Mitford series by Jan Karon
• Mr. God, This is Anna by Fynn
• James by Percival Everett (a National Book Award winner, written from Jim’s perspective in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn)
• The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
• Olivetti by Allie Millington
• The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
• My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry by Fredrik Backman
• Being Mortal by Atul Gawande
• Robert E. Lee and Me by Ty Seidule
• Men Explain Things to Me by Rebecca Solnit (Mecca disliked!)
• Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

Other Resources Mentioned:

• Meagan's Book Club Instagram

Call to Action:

We want to hear from you! What book has had the biggest impact on your life? Have any that you chose not to finish? What have you read and loved? Share your recommendations with us on social media or in the comments. And don’t forget to subscribe, rate and review our podcast to help us reach more listeners!