Reading Glasses Ep 461 - Walking into Trees - Multitasking with Books + Mike Chen!!
May 7, 2026
Mike Chen, a science fiction author known for character-forward space opera, talks about his new book The Photonic Effect and his creative process. Conversations cover worldbuilding challenges, centering relationships amid spectacle, music influences like Rilo Kiley, and crafting distinct POVs. Short takes also include touring events and testing a walking pad for audiobook multitasking.
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Audiobooks Make Passive Time Readable
- Audiobooks enable layered activities like walking and driving, serving as a practical way to add listening time to short trips.
- Mallory lists driving, walking, and long neighborhood walks as prime audiobook windows.
Tried Miniatures Then Wanted Crafting For Audiobooks
- Mallory tried pandemic miniatures and Jeremy Lambert painted Warhammer while listening to audiobooks, but she found crafting time scarce post-pandemic.
- She contemplates learning crochet or needlepoint specifically to pair with audiobooks.
Why Intent Determines If Multitasking Ruins Reading
- Whether multitasking while reading is healthy depends on intent: using reading as reward or escape differs from forcing extra productivity.
- Mallory and Brea stress reading shouldn't become another productivity task; it should be allowed as relaxation.