Frequently asked questions
These are the questions we hear most about Currently Reading, the weekly, ad-free, spoiler-free book podcast from bookish best friends Meredith Monday Schwartz and Kaytee Cobb.
If you're brand new to the show, our What Is Currently Reading page gives you the full picture.
About the Show
Is the Currently Reading podcast ad-free?
Yes. Currently Reading is 100% ad-free and has been since its first episode in 2018. The show is funded entirely by its listeners through Patreon, so you'll never hear a sponsor read or a mid-episode interruption.
That independence also keeps every book recommendation unbiased.
Does Currently Reading spoil the books it discusses?
No, never. Every Currently Reading episode is strictly spoiler-free, including the Patreon bonus shows.
The hosts describe a book's genre, tone, pacing, and content considerations in enough detail for you to decide whether it's right for you, while protecting every twist of the actual reading experience. This is something we care a lot about doing right for you!
What does "Reader Know Thyself" mean?
Reader Know Thyself is Currently Reading's core philosophy: understanding yourself as a reader is the key to a more satisfying reading life. Instead of declaring books universally good or bad, the show helps you learn your own preferences and dealbreakers so you can choose better books for you.
Is Currently Reading sponsored by publishers or bookstores?
No. Currently Reading is independently owned by its hosts and funded entirely by listeners. Recommendations are never sponsored. When the Indie Press List features an independent bookstore, 100% of those book sales go directly to the store, and the show takes no cut.
Listening to the Show
What order should I listen to Currently Reading in?
Any order you like. Currently Reading episodes stand alone, so you can start with this week's episode and never feel lost. If you'd like a hand-picked entry point, The New York Times suggested the episode "Reader Roulette + Our Assigned Summer Reading" as a starter.
How long is a Currently Reading episode?
A typical Currently Reading episode runs about an hour. The structure is consistent every week: a bookish moment, three current reads from each host, a deep dive into one reading-life topic, and a quick closer called Before We Go. Patreon bonus shows vary in length.
Where can I find the books mentioned in each episode?
Every episode has a show notes page listing each book mentioned, with links to purchase through Bookshop.org, which supports independent bookstores. Show notes are organized by season and episode number, so a book you half-remember from the car is always easy to find.
Patreon, Bonus Shows, and Community
What do Patreon members get?
Patreon members get a bonus catalog of more than 250 episodes across several exclusive shows: the Indie Press List, All Things Murderful, Love and Chili Peppers, and From the Editor's Desk, plus the private Facebook community and an annual rollout of its robust reading tracker.
What is the difference between Bookish Friends and Super Friends?
Bookish Friends ($5/month) get every bonus show, the Facebook community, and the reading trackers. Super Friends ($10/month) get all of that plus extended Indie Press List recommendations, meaning more curated picks from each featured independent bookstore every month. Both tiers directly fund the ad-free main show.
What is the Indie Press List?
The Indie Press List is a monthly Patreon episode where a featured independent bookstore hand-picks under-the-radar books and the hosts discuss them. It spotlights indie presses and indie bookstores, and 100% of Indie Press List sales go directly to the partner store. Currently Reading takes no cut of anything.
How do I join the Currently Reading Facebook community?
The Currently Reading Facebook community, more than 2,700 bookish friends strong, is a benefit of Patreon membership. Join at either tier and you'll get access right away. It's an active, kind corner of the bookish internet where members swap recommendations and reading wins daily.
Books and Recommendations
Does Currently Reading cover new releases or older books?
Both, deliberately. Currently Reading covers new releases alongside beloved backlist titles, because a great book doesn't stop being great when its publication year passes.
If you're tired of book content that only chases what's new, our show's backlist love is one of its defining traits.
How can I get a personalized book recommendation?
Currently Reading's rotating Boss My TBR segment tackles listeners' to-be-read piles on air, and Patreon members can ask for recommendations anytime in the Facebook community, where the hosts and 2,700+ fellow readers weigh in. The Reader Type quiz is a fun place to start, too.