What Should I Read Next?

We hear about all different kinds of reading challenges around here, and today's guest is seeking titles to help mark the 250th anniversary of the United States. Mary Pogue lives in St. Louis with her family, where she enjoys her work as a digital marketing strategist and her hobbies like coaching field hockey, traveling, and of course, reading. This year, Mary's embarking on a challenge she is calling Read the USA. Her goal is to read a book set in or written by an author from every U.S. state. While Mary has made great progress already at this point in the year, she is hoping for Anne's help in picking books for a handful of states Mary has yet to visit, either in person or on the page, and is having a hard time finding options for. Mary would be thrilled if these books could do double duty. She especially enjoys learning about each state's history and culture through works of historical fiction, and she has a preference for titles she'll find at her local library. But as you'll hear today, Mary is open to all kinds of options. Today we'll tackle her list of outstanding states and discover titles she might want to add to this reading road trip. Find the list of the books discussed today and leave your suggestions for Mary on our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/519. Chapters: 03:56 Meet Mary 08:32 Mary's Read the USA reading project 16:56 The Huntress by Kate Quinn 20:44 The Secret Book of Flora Lee by Patti Callahan Henry 23:05 The Library Book by Susan Orlean 25:47 Maine Characters by Hannah Orenstein 41:11 The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich 44:57 The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver 49:15 Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse 51:22 Montana 1948 by Larry Watson 56:04 Groundskeeping by Lee Cole 57:56 What will Mary read next? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Indie bookstore owner Nikkya joins Anne today to talk about the pain points in her reading life. Nikkya reads widely for her work as owner of Obodo Serendipity Books in Stratford, Connecticut. She is most at home as a reader in her go-to nonfiction spaces, where she knows what she likes and is able to find it. After having a real aha moment six months ago, Nikkya has been trying to strike a delicate balance between her professional reading and reading for pleasure. And it's only going okay. She's especially feeling the friction of seeking to push into genres she's less familiar with, like historical fiction, romance, and mysteries and thrillers. Today she and Anne explore what successful branching out might look like, with specific title recommendations that may feel like doable, pleasurable steps in a new direction. Find the list of titles mentioned and leave a comment sharing your suggestions for Nikkya at our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/518. Around here we believe in the power of understanding your reading life, and our Patreon community is designed for readers like you. It's a space to enjoy more conversations about the books we love and why we love them. Our Friday bonus episodes are grouped around themes, like Industry Insights, our Starter Guide series, One Great Book episodes, ongoing episodes of Mini Matchmaking, and more. On top of enjoying these bonus episodes and big events like our Spring Book Library Chat and Summer Reading Guide, the financial contributions of our Patreon members are a significant part of how we pay our team, continue to create the show each week, and keep the bookish conversations flowing. To everyone who's already a member, thank you. If you're not yet, we'd love to invite you to join us. Find out more at patreon.com/whatshouldireadnext. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's no secret that we are fans of Jane Austen, completist author aspirations, and reading projects of all stripes. So when Tzipi Turner's guest submission landed in our What Should I Read Next? inbox, we could not wait to invite her on and talk about her project to become a Jane Austen completist herself. Tzipi lives in Phoenix, Arizona, where she works as the director of special education for a local school district and is a new grandmother. Tzipi decided to mark Jane Austen's recent 250th birthday by finally making progress towards, or maybe even actually reaching, her goal to complete all of Austen's works. But Tzipi's identified her tendency to get distracted by shiny new releases, which has inspired her to consider a book-flight kind of approach to help her kindle some enthusiasm for reading the remaining Austen titles on her list. Tzipi imagines pairing each Austen classic with a contemporary book, but what should those modern picks be? Tzipi isn't sure about that, but she and Anne will talk about it today. Find the list of titles discussed and leave your recommendations for Tzipi on our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/517. This week we are also celebrating the sixth anniversary of Anne's book, Don't Overthink It. Since its release in 2020, new readers continue to find their way to it and find it interesting and helpful when they do. If you have not yet picked up Don't Overthink It, we would love to invite you now to add it to your 2026 reading list. Find out more and get your copy of Don't Overthink It wherever you like to buy your books. We're also having a little sale in honor of the book's sixth anniversary, and that discount is reflected in our shop. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's guest is looking for titles to help bridge the large geographic gap between her and her sister. Ruth Werwai hails from Vancouver, Canada, but she's lived in Germany with her family for over a decade. Recently, she and her sister have created a book club of two. They've found that reading books together helps them feel close even while they're physically far apart. But when it comes to finding the right books, Ruth is feeling a bit stymied. A few recent selections have been, in Ruth's words, flops, and she's worried she's overthinking it. Ruth would love to feel more confident about recommending books that both she and her sister will enjoy. And since they use these books to spark conversation, it's important that the selected titles not only reflect their diverse reading tastes, but also give them plenty to talk about. Today, Ruth and Anne will try to suss out where their reading tastes overlap, and Anne hopes to recommend titles that will make for ideal sister book club picks. Find the list of titles discussed today on our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/516. Anne's book Don't Overthink It came out exactly six years ago today! If you haven't yet read it, we are happy to report: it holds up, and offers real, grounded ideas juggling both the small and big questions in our lives. In honor of its sixth anniversary, we’re putting the paperback on sale in our shop for $13. You can get it signed and personalized from Anne herself if you include how you’d like it inscribed in the special instructions box during checkout. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bookshelf overwhelm is a common concern around here, so we know today's conversation will resonate with many readers. Our guest today is Holly Dyer, whose name might be familiar if you're a member of our book club or Patreon communities, because Holly is an active member of both. Holly's a mom and classical musician from Massachusetts, and she's no stranger to a good book. Lately, though, Holly has been feeling stressed out about all the books she could be reading. This year, she'd like to refocus her reading time in order to read fewer books, spend more time with those titles, and both explore longer books and devote time to rereading books she's loved before. Holly is excited about her 2026 goals, and Anne is excited to hear more and help her in any way she can. They'll explore Holly's hope to better vet the titles she's interested in reading before actually deciding to read them. She'd also appreciate talking through how she might pare down all her ideas for her reading goals and projects. Anne has ideas, and we'd love to hear yours, too: please leave a comment by visiting our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/515, where you'll also find the list of titles discussed today. It's been a great season in the Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club: lately, we've been reading Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers, a title that's shown up here on the podcast, both as a recommendation and a past guest favorite, because Jesse Q. Sutanto is joining us for our February author talk. In addition to monthly author chats like this one, we host a variety of events to deepen your reading life and connect with your fellow readers, like our Reader's Day which just took place on February 7th. Our members also lead the way in activities like our community picks, titles selected by our members for a smaller group to read together. We often describe book club as a buffet. There's so much to offer. Come on over and check it out at ​modernmrsdarcy.com/club​. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We often hear from book club members who are interested in finding the right picks for their reading groups. Today Anne explores a deliciously fun twist on this idea with guest Madeline Janney, an early intervention speech therapist with a unique community-based hobby you'll hear more about today. This year, Madeline and her mom are forming a book club of two in their hometown of New Orleans. And, they'd love to pair their to-be-read list with discussions at the local restaurants they've been dying to try. Madeline would love Anne's help to find books they can enjoy reading together every month, and is especially hoping for ideas on how to slightly structure their conversations. She and Anne explore books that suit the small space where Madeline's reading tastes overlap with her mom's. We hope you enjoy listening in today—find the list of titles mentioned and share your recommendations for Madeline at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/514. We'd love to make sure that you're only getting the emails you really want from us, and not missing out on any that you would enjoy. You may already receive the Tuesday morning emails about this show: we also send out our Modern Mrs Darcy newsletter, which includes Anne's weekly "Links I Love" posts, occasional personal newsletters not readable via the blog, and new posts from Anne and members of our team. You're also invited to sign up for our popular eBook deals digest. When you visit modernmrsdarcy.com/subscribe, you can check any or all of the boxes to sign up for emails you'd love to see in your inbox each week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Readers, we have a special episode for you today: Anne is talking with one of her favorite authors, Maggie O'Farrell. They're not just talking about one book, one film, or one story today; instead, their conversation explores the creative process, and why certain stories resonate both broadly and individually. They discuss emotional resonance and joy and sorrow and pain, and bringing worlds to life in a way that feels real and true and urgent. We hope this episode will help you think about what you enjoy, on the page and on the screen, and why you enjoy it. Find the list of titles mentioned and continue the conversation by leaving a comment on our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/513. Because of the way Anne and Maggie O'Farrell recorded their conversation today, we are able to share a video as a bonus over in our Patreon community. If you'd like to see them talk books on the screen, join us at ​patreon.com/whatshouldireadnext​ to see that recording and access our full archive of other bonus episodes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's guest has been on a long run of three or three-and-a-half-star reads. This isn't bad, but it's not what she's looking for, so she and Anne dive into this conundrum together. Meredith Wiggins works in library services from her hometown of Lawrence, Kansas, which means she is well-versed in recommending books to readers and finding great titles for herself. Lately, though, Meredith has struggled to find the five-star reads that leave her in the best kind of tears at book's end. She's already tried a few solutions that haven't much helped, so she and Anne will dig deeper into what's going on and what tactics might put Meredith back on track to find these standout titles she's seeking. Anne hopes to leave Meredith with more insight into what exactly is going on here, plus ideas for titles and techniques that might just turn this trend around in the year to come and find plenty of stunners that she'll be glad she read. Find the list of titles discussed today at our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/512. We are always happy to welcome new listeners to our show. Whether you've recently found our show or you've been listening for all 10 years, we have so many good bookish conversations to bolster your reading life. Our What Should I Read Next? homepage is a great place to start. For more insight into past conversations, consider joining our Patreon community and you'll get access to our super secret spreadsheet, which lists every episode, every book recommended, and a quick summary of each episode's focus. Find us there at patreon.com/whatshouldireadnext. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Across the years, we've periodically hosted Ask Anne Anything events in our Patreon community, and today you're hearing a replay of our latest gathering. These live events invite our Patreon community members to submit their burning questions, and Anne does her best to answer as many of them as she can. As we continue to mark 10 years of this podcast and all the books and reading talk we've enjoyed across those years, we thought a live AMA would be a fun way to celebrate. You'll get to hear the range of questions and Anne's answers in this replay of a casual, fun, unscripted event that really represents the feel of our Patreon community. We hope you'll enjoy listening. Find the list of titles and links mentioned today at our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/511 Our Patreon community is an intimate corner of the book universe, where we get the chance to periodically gather in smaller groups for events like the one you're hearing today. Our community is gathering next on February 7th for our Reader's Day Spring Preview Library Chat. This is a relaxed and laid back virtual get together where Anne will talk about the spring releases she's most excited about. Members of our Patreon and Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club communities are invited, so if you'd like to join us for that event, weekly bonus episodes, and other upcoming good stuff, like our 2026 Summer Reading Guide, check out the details and join us over at patreon.com/whatshouldireadnext. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our guest today is searching for classics in audio format, with narration that brings stories and characters alive. Janae Mast lives in small town, Kansas, where she's a stay-at-home mom to her young son and looking forward to the arrival of her second child this spring. Janae's found that the audio format works especially well for her in this season of life, and she's here to get ideas for classics on audio that offer immersive reading experiences, that prompt curiosity, and that teach her new things about a moment in time or significant historical event. We love this quest for Janae. Today, she and Anne explore titles that may fit Janae's listening criteria this spring. For the full list of titles discussed and to share your suggestions for Janae, visit our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/510. Here at What Should I Read Next? and Modern Mrs Darcy, we have lots of tools you can use to keep your reading life on track as you start a fresh year of reading. Explore our collection of Leuchtturm journals as well as Anne's reading journals, My Reading Life and My Reading Adventures. Find the reading journal of your choice and more bookish accessories at ModernMrsDarcy.com/shop. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At the end of last year, you heard us ask for your help to create this celebratory episode. For ten years now, you've been telling us how this show has bolstered your reading life, and in some cases, completely transformed it. We don't just talk book titles here: we love diving deep into conversations that explore why we love what we love, why some books just don't work for us, and importantly, what it all means in our reading lives. We firmly believe that the reason this format works, week in and week out, is that we are constantly together, finding the universal in the specific. While each week Anne gets granular with a reader about their highly unique and individual reading life, the conversation gives you a framework by which to think about your own reading life. For today's show, we wanted to celebrate what What Should I Read Next? has done for your reading lives, and specifically, we wanted to hear what good books you found through the show. With that in mind, we asked you to call in and tell us about a title you discovered, or finally made time to read, because of the show. Your messages poured in, and our team so enjoyed listening to and reading them. Today, you'll hear a collection of oft-repeated themes, a few surprises, and a whole bunch of delightful reading moments. As always, we've collected all the titles, plus links to the episodes mentioned by our readers, you'll hear from today over on our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/509. If you didn't have a chance to call in with your title, or you'd like to share your reading memory, it's never too late to talk about a book you love. We would love it if you'd leave a comment with your best, favorite, most memorable books and moments at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com. A few weeks from now, we are airing a special episode of Ask Anne Anything, and we are inviting members of our Patreon community to submit their questions and join Anne live for this episode recording. If you'd like to be there as it happens and or share your burning questions in advance, you can do that by joining us over on Patreon, where you will also unlock immediate access to our full archive of bonus episodes, past summer and seasonal guides, and special membership events like our team's best books of the year. Find out more and join us at patreon.com/whatshouldireadnext. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're kicking off 2026 and a year of exciting milestones today! On January 12th, we are celebrating 10 years of our podcast: we'll be sharing a few special podcast episodes to mark this moment. And as you'll hear today, as we move into the rest of 2026, there is plenty more to celebrate. While today's episode isn't technically part of our anniversary celebrations, it's become an annual tradition over the past few years. Today, Anne is joined by her husband and our executive producer Will Bogel to talk about her favorite reads of the past year. Find the list of titles mentioned today and chime in with your 2025 favorites at our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/508. Thank you so much to everyone who has listened, supported our show in all the ways, and been a crucial part of our community of readers. We look forward to celebrating the joy of a good book with you all year long. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As we wrap up our ninth year together, Anne invites our What Should I Read Next? team members to join her and share insight into what the past twelve months have meant in each of their reading lives. This episode borrows from a long-time tradition on Modern Mrs Darcy, the blog where every year Anne asks herself what worked and what didn't. Our team is answering those questions today here, from the unexpected wins to what's decidedly not worked in everyone's reading lives. You'll hear from each of our team members today for a lightning round of book talk. We love talking books as a team, and it's so fun to get to do it with the microphones on for once. We hope you'll enjoy listening to today's episode as much as we enjoyed recording it. Find the full list of titles mentioned today on our show notes page, and chime in with your own comments on what worked and didn't in your reading life this year. You'll find that page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/507. This is our last episode for 2025. It's been an incredible year and we are looking to so many exciting things in 2026. Thanks to everyone who helps make this show happen: our whole team, our episode guests, our Patreon community, and each and every listener. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's guest has been participating in reading challenges for nearly a decade, and she's putting a unique spin on this tradition in 2026 that you'll hear about today. Callie Dean lives in Shreveport, Louisiana, where in addition to reading she enjoys playing the violin in the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra, writing children's books, and running and baking. Reading challenges aren't for every reader, but Anne wanted to talk about Callie's 2026 project because it sounds like fun and might help get you thinking about what you want from your own reading life in the year to come. Callie's challenge is both highly structured and incredibly flexible: in the new year, Callie's hoping to read one book that starts with each letter of the alphabet. Today she and Anne talk about the surprisingly difficult challenge parameters and the books Callie's already identified. Then, Anne fills in some of Callie's gaps in her 2026 reading alphabet, aiming to help her strike a delightful balance of topics, genres, and authors. The long list of titles mentioned today is collected over on our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/506. The Modern Mrs. Darcy shop is full of great last-minute gifts. Treat your favorite reader to a present inspired by your shared love of reading, like our sturdy tote, gorgeous journals, or reading accessories. Anne's book journals My Reading Life and My Reading Adventures—designed with the young reader in mind—make a great gift for any style of reader, any time of year, but especially with the new year upon us. And for a truly last-minute gift with no shipping required, give a membership to the Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club. Find out more and shop our in-stock selection at modernmrsdarcy.com/shop. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices