# Meredith Schwartz on Building a Reading Life You Actually Love

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/what-fresh-hell-laughing-in-the-face-of-motherhood-parenting-tips-from-funny-moms-853259/meredith-schwartz-on-building-a-reading-life-you-actually-love
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/what-fresh-hell-laughing-in-the-face-of-motherhood-parenting-tips-from-funny-moms-853259/meredith-schwartz-on-building-a-reading-life-you-actually-love.md
Podcast: [What Fresh Hell: Parenting, Relationships, and Making Life Better, with Two Funny Moms](https://stenobird.com/podcast/what-fresh-hell-laughing-in-the-face-of-motherhood-parenting-tips-from-funny-moms-853259)
Published: 2026-04-03T05:30:00+00:00
Episode link: https://pdst.fm/e/tracking.swap.fm/track/JhoQDAATtO1l0y8tdKNa/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADL9354182756.mp3?updated=1775072534
Audio file: https://pdst.fm/e/tracking.swap.fm/track/JhoQDAATtO1l0y8tdKNa/traffic.megaphone.fm/ADL9354182756.mp3?updated=1775072534
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Duration seconds: 2295

## Resource

Why is it so hard to read more—even when we want to, even when we have stacks of books awaiting us on our bedside tables? We sit down with Meredith Monday Schwartz—co-host of the The Currently Reading Podcast—to talk about how to reconnect with reading in a way that feels joyful, flexible, and realistic. If you’ve ever felt obliged to finish a book you hated, or berate yourself for the time you spend scrolling instead of reading, this conversation is for you. It’s not that there aren’t good books out there. It’s that our phones are designed to win. Picking up a book requires focus and intention—two things that feel increasingly scarce. But reading offers a deeper kind of satisfaction than screens. Books can provide immersion, rest, perspective, and even emotional connection. Meredith argues that reading isn’t just a habit. It's a form of meaningful self-care. Stepping away—even briefly—can leave you more refreshed, focused, and able to engage with the world when you return. Meredith also argues for “delicious reads” over "should reads." Forcing yourself through something that doesn’t work for you can lead to burnout—and even stop you from reading altogether. Reader, Know Thyself A central theme of the conversation is learning what kind of reader you are. (Take the "What Kind of Reader Are You?" quiz here!) Understanding your preferences helps you: Choose books you’ll actually finish Avoid common “deal breakers” Create a reading routine that fits your life Permission to Not Finish (DNF) Books If you’ve ever forced yourself to finish a book you weren’t enjoying, this is your official permission slip to stop. Meredith is a strong advocate for DNF (“Did Not Finish”), with a twist: sometimes it’s not a “no,” it’s a “not right now.” A book that doesn’t resonate today might b…

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