The Reading Culture

Host Jordan Lloyd Bookey speaks with authors and reading enthusiasts to explore ways to build a stronger culture of reading in our communities. They'll dive into their personal experiences, inspirations, and why their stories and ideas are connecting so well with kids.

The Reading Culture is a arts podcast hosted by Beanstack, with 86 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Beanstack hosts The Reading Culture, a arts show with 86 episodes published.

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  Episode #84

  The Reading Culture: Yearbook 2025

  Dec 23, 202543 minS0

  <p><br>Three years strong, y’all! We’re back with our favorite tradition: The Reading Culture Yearbook. </p><p><br>As we close out 2025, we’ve gathered superlatives and stories that celebrate some of the memorable authors who joined us on the show this year. </p><p>This year’s edition features awards such as “Most Revolutionary,” “Grandma’s Hands,” “Scariest Story,” and, of course, “Best Reading Advice.” </p><p>I’m also saying a brief farewell as we go on hiatus for the winter. But don’t worry, we’ll be back in 2026 with exciting things on the horizon!</p><p>***</p><p>Connect wi...

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  Episode #83

  No Wasted Sunshine: Sophie Blackall on the Meaning of Home

  Dec 10, 202533 minS0

  “When we are making books, we are making little homes for our readers that they can return to hopefully again and again and again, just as we return to books and find a sense of home, we return to the person we once were, when we were reading that book.” — Sophie Blackall<p><br></p><p>Home. It’s something we spend our whole lives building and rebuilding. Sometimes it’s made of walls and windows. Others, it’s made of words.</p><p><br>Sophie Blackall builds hers through imagination and community. The two-time Caldecott Medal-winning author and illustrator, known for wo...

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  Episode #82

  Joy to the People: Mychal Threets Live from AASL

  Nov 25, 202543 minS0

  “The library is where I felt, I'm safe here. I have friends in Encyclopedia Brown, Junie B. Jones, Amelia Bedelia, Stanley Yelnats, and all these various characters. I think that's the beauty. That's the sanctuary, the sacredness of that physical space.” – Mychal Threets<p><br>Mychal Threets grew up among the stacks and, from a young age, experienced the magic and shelter of the library. Today, he is a librarian, a social media sensation, a mental health advocate, and the new host of the beloved show Reading Rainbow. </p><p><br>In this episode, we take a trip to St. Louis...

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  Episode #81

  Expanding Woman: Nic Stone on Forgiveness and the Freedom to Change

  Nov 12, 202533 minS0

  “It's important that my perspective stays flexible because my perspective could need updating, it could need to be changed based on new information.” — Nic Stone<p><br></p><p>Nic Stone isn’t interested in staying in her lane. </p><p>A #1 New York Times bestselling author, her young adult novels—Dear Martin, Chaos Theory, and Clean Getaway—explore nuances of racism, power, and mental illness with clarity and compassion. </p><p>Now, she’s stepping into uncharted territory with Boom Town, her first adult novel. Set in a legendary Atlanta strip club, it’s a story about women, survival, and social power...

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  Episode #80

  You Can't Just Move On: Erin Entrada Kelly on Limbo

  Oct 29, 202538 minS0

  <p>“It’s that old expression that I love, which is ‘wherever you go, there you are.’ So you never really get out of the limbo, because the limbo is you.” — Erin Entrada Kelly</p><p>There are seasons when life slows down, even as our minds continue to race. When we find ourselves caught somewhere between motion and stillness, haunted by what came before and reaching for what’s next. </p><p><br>That tension has become deeply personal for Erin Entrada Kelly. After an aggressive cancer diagnosis, Erin found herself living in a space between who she was and who she was...

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