Soman Chainani wants reading to feel irresistible. The bestselling author of "The School for Good and Evil," series and the recently released graphic novel, "Coven," shares how his own reading life began—powered by Anne Rice, Michael Crichton, and a complete lack of adult supervision—and how those early obsessions shaped his belief that stories should be bold, boundary-pushing, and personal.
In this episode, Soman explains why middle grade books can (and should) feel dangerous, how his grandmother’s glamorous storytelling shaped his imagination, and what a book needs to do in its first ten pages to hook a reader. He also unpacks the “moral grayness” that defines his favorite novels and his own writing, and makes a compelling case for why kids need more honesty, not less, in the stories we give them.
Tune in for a fast-paced episode that includes Madonna, hot takes, and tips for breaking (all) the rules.
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Soman’s reading challenge, Immersive, is all about getting lost in a story. The books he curated blur the line between fiction and reality, pulling the reader in so completely you forget the world around you.
Learn more and download Soman’s recommended reading list at threadingculturepod.com/soman-chainani
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This week’s featured librarian is Jasmine Haverly from Aldine Independent School District in Texas. Jasmine shares how competitions and “book tastings” are growing the reading culture in her library.
Show Chapters
Chapter 1 - Florida Man
Chapter 2 - Well, That Escalated Quickly
Chapter 3 - The Picture of Dorian Gray
Chapter 4 - The Rules Are Made Up
Chapter 5 - Main Character Energy
Chapter 6 - Use Your Imagination
Chapter 7 - Express Yourself
Chapter 8 - Reading Challenge
Chapter 9 - Beanstack Featured Librarian
Links
Host and Production Credits
Host: Jordan Lloyd Bookey
Producers: Mel Webb and Lower Street Media
Script Editors: Josia Lamberto-Egan, Mel Webb, Jordan Lloyd Bookey