What Should I Read Next?

Podcast producer and PhD student Sara Aeder always finds time for reading, thanks to audiobooks and a passion for turning the pages. She has a special fondness for books that explore the “exquisite pain of a teenage crush” and let her live vicariously through fictional drama, but Sara’s taste in books goes way beyond young adult lit. Today on the podcast, Sara shares three books she loves that cover the main themes of her reading taste, and I recommend several titles that I think she'll love. We mention over 40 titles in today’s episode, from all-time favorites to books that fell flat. Listen in to find out which book Sara threw across the room and be sure to check out the full list of every single book we talk about on our website. You can follow Sara on Instagram or check out her work at Tablet Podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do you manage your reading life when you have many books you NEED to read, and many more you'd LIKE to read, just for you? In today's episode we're diving into that question with Brigid Misselhorn, a self-described "book club addict" who offers insight into this highly relatable question. Bonus: Brigid describes herself as a "naturally slow" reader; we know many of you love it when our guest's reading life mirrors your own in this specific way. From graphic novels to gothic mysteries, today’s titles are a lot of fun. This is one of those episodes where I have to try several times to find the right titles that Brigid hasn't read yet! Be sure to visit the podcast website at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/275 for today's complete book list–it's a long one. To see her latest buddy read follow Brigid on Instagram. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Readers, the origin story for today’s episode might make you swoon. It all started with a conversation on Instagram, where Anne got a message from one incredibly intentional boyfriend hoping to make some bookish dreams come true. After learning more, we invited his girlfriend Ashley on the show, and I’ll let her tell the whole story today. Ashley Parrish is a book lover and self-proclaimed TV junkie who enjoys scrolling bookstagram but wants to find more backlist titles instead of picking up every book that garners a lot of buzz on social media—we know many of you can relate. Today, Anne is sharing three (or maybe a few more) titles to satisfy Ashley’s love of page-turning fiction and books that revolve around the performing arts. Visit the podcast website to see all the books discussed in this episode or to follow along with a transcript of the show. You can follow Ashley on Instagram, where she shares her recent reads. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Readers, today’s show is a de-light. We have had mother-daughter duos on the show and even a father-daughter duo with Ashley and Brent from episode 155, but today Anne talks with Rebekah and Beverly, our first grandmother-granddaughter pair — and Beverly is our first nonogenarian! When Rebekah sent in a guest submission she included three books she and Beverly both love, but then she put her own fun twist on the rest. She told us one book that Beverly loved and Rebekah hated, and another Rebekah loved but Beverly hated. Anne's tricky task is to find three books they’ll both enjoy reading together. As you'll hear, it turns out the options were plentiful. In fact they get a few bonus recommendations. All of the books Beverly, Rebekah and Anne discuss are on our podcast website at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/272 as well as a full transcript of today's episode. Beverly is not on social media, but you can find Rebekah on Twitter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today Anne's guest is an Alabama teacher whose love of reading has touched every aspect of his life—from where he met his wife to the theme of his classroom today. Derek is a MATH teacher but he puts his reading right there on the wall for his students to see and he loves talking books with fellow teachers. You're going to love this conversation about his early library adventures, the books he’s passing down to his son, and the gorgeous engagement photos he and his wife took in the library where they met. Derek knows his go-to AND the font that tells him this book is right for him–but he’s challenging himself to try and push some boundaries and not be quite so carefully curated. Anne's challenge is to recommend three books that are right for where he is in his reading life right now. Visit the show page for a list of all of the books discussed and to leave your own recommendations for Derek. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How do you track your reading life? Today's guest has a whole new system of book tracking and reviewing to share. Anne is talking with Nadia Odunayo, the reader and entrepreneur behind The Storygraph, a brand new website full of tracking tools and detailed rating systems to help readers go beyond a book’s jacket copy and filter through information to find what they’re really looking for. We love hearing behind the scenes stories and it was fascinating to hear Nadia explain how this creative endeavor came to be. We also mention a bunch of books that have never made it on the podcast before and Anne recommends a couple of genres that haven't gotten much attention on the podcast. We can't wait to hear which titles end up on your TBR lists. Visit the podcast website at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/271 for the full list of titles Nadia and Anne discuss. Find Nadia and The Storygraph on Instagram, Twitter or The Storygraph website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Readers, in today's podcast episode, I’m talking with graphic memoirist and comic creator Lucy Knisley. We chat about her overflowing bookshelves, the pleasures and pitfalls of the creative process, what makes the perfect pandemic stress read, and how to cope with your kids’ evolving reading tastes. Lucy is looking for distraction in her reading life right now and needs some low-stress books to read before bed; I have plenty of recommendations to suit her taste (and fill your to-be-read lists). We’ve never talked about graphic memoirs and comics in-depth on the podcast before. I can’t wait for you to hear Lucy’s enthusiasm for comics, graphic novels, and what those terms even mean. The audio for this episode comes from a live event that we hosted in the Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club. We read Lucy’s graphic food memoir Relish as a bonus book club pick last month, and this What Should I Read Next-style event was an extra sprinkle of bookish joy for our book club members. Join us for a Patreon livestream! Readers, it’s time for our quarterly Patreon livestream! Next week, we'll be hosting a virtual chat in our Patreon community. We’ll hang out, answer your questions, and (of course) share a bunch of book recommendations. To learn more about our community or to join us for our livestream on Tuesday February 16th at 1 pm click here. If you can’t make it live, we’ll record the event so members can watch it at any time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s guest is Tiffany Patterson, a Florida reader who created a new kind of literary get-together that is convincing her not-so-readerly friends to give books and reading a chance. She breaks down all the details of her brilliant idea so that you can steal it and start your own group. This episode was recorded in 2019 and aired as Episode 166: Just don’t call it book club. That means this was pre-Covid, so we talk about getting together as actually getting together. It also means that some of you have already heard this and told us that you’ve borrowed Tiffany's format for your own use, and it’s vastly improved your reading life and your relationships. If you're one of them or you find the idea of a neighborhood literary society intriguing, let us know in the comments of today's show notes post. You can follow Tiffany reading life on Instagram. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

At the end of last year we hosted a virtual book party in the Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club to celebrate our favorite books of the year. The whole What Should I Read Next and Modern Mrs Darcy teams shared their top books of 2020 and we all walked away with a longer To Be Read list. Our team is made up of a bunch of bookworms with very different reading tastes, but that doesn’t stop us from swapping book recommendations all the time. We recorded that event (as we do with all of our Book Club events), and WSIRN producer Brenna worked her editing magic to create this episode for you. Head to our website to see the list of everyone's recommendations. If you’d like to see us talk about these books, the video recording of this event is available in the Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club, our member community devoted to bookish community, classes, and conversation. In addition to events like these and classes on the reading life, every month we read one main book together and meet to discuss it on video—often with the author—including recent book club discussions with Anne Mah, Elizabeth Acevedo, Tayari Jones. Join today to catch up on all of our past events and to participate in our upcoming live discussion with author Louise Miller or our next class Clean Out the Bookish Clutter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our guest today is an economist and literature enthusiast based in London, England. A well-traveled reader in every sense, Stephanie De Mel has lived on multiple continents and combines her love of travel and books in her Reading the World Challenge. Steph’s sense of curiosity informs her book choices and her broad reading tastes challenge Anne to recommend three books to suit. Steph also shares how she applies her analytical tendencies to her reading life–looking at her bookish data while focusing on quality over quantity. Visit the podcast website at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/267 for a full transcript of the show and to see the list of titles mentioned. Connect with Stephanie on Instagram @thebookisheconomist. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Readers, it’s the 5th anniversary of What Should I Read Next! Today I'm answering YOUR questions about WSIRN's behind-the-scenes, my personal reading life, and so much more. Thank you for submitting such thoughtful and fun questions! I did my best to answer as many as possible, and you can find answers to frequently asked questions linked in the show notes below. Happy reading! -Anne Visit the podcast website at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/266 to see the full list of titles discussed, an episode transcript, and more. Where to find Anne online: • The What Should I Read Next newsletter • What Should I Read Next on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram • Anne on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram • Anne's blog Modern Mrs Darcy • What Should I Read Next Patreon community • Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club • What Should I Read Next Youtube Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Readers, we’re kicking off the new year with a special episode to help you set the right tone for your reading life in 2021. My friend Laura Tremaine is joining me to guide us in some readerly introspection. Laura hosts the Ten Things to Tell You podcast, where she shares guided questions and prompts to help listeners reflect on different aspects of their lives. Laura brings her expert skills as a conversation-starter to our literary therapy session today. Here at WSIRN, we love thinking about books almost as much as we love reading them, so today we’re sharing 10 questions to ask yourself about your reading life. These questions are meant to help you read with purpose and create a reading life that YOU love. Of course, we can’t help but share our own answers and offer advice along the way. Whether you’re too easily distracted by shiny new bestsellers, or simply in need of a new reading routine, I hope you enjoy this intentional time to reflect on and recharge your reading life. Visit the podcast website at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/265 to see the full list of titles discussed, an episode transcript, and more. Where to find Anne online: • The What Should I Read Next newsletter • What Should I Read Next on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram • Anne on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram • Anne's blog Modern Mrs Darcy • What Should I Read Next Patreon community • Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club • What Should I Read Next Youtube Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anne's challenge today is to share recommendations for books with unique and artful structures. Today's guest is a Chicago-based mood reader with a contagious love of books. When Anna Morton isn't working or volunteering for the Art Institute of Chicago, she's reading “compulsively readable literary fiction,” a term Anne fondly coined for books with the perfect combination of page-turning plot and stunning prose. Reading is also a family affair for Anna, who proudly plays the role of “literary commissioner” for their Literary Christmas tradition, which Anne eager to implement with her family now — and maybe you will too! Visit the podcast website at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/264 to see the full list of titles discussed, an episode transcript, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s guest also loves giving recommendations—to her boss, to her mom, and to strangers standing in the book aisle at Target. For Jenica Salazar, nothing is more satisfying than recommending the right book to the right reader. But today, she’s here for a little bit of literary therapy for herself. Anne chats with Jenica about a common bookworm problem: the guilt of giving up on a book that’s just not keeping your attention. They're also working out reading routines and making Jenica's reading life run more smoothly. Visit the podcast website at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/263 to see the full list of titles discussed, an episode transcript, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s guest tells a familiar story: he loved reading as a kid, but as an adult without a Scholastic book fair to look forward to, he fell into the habit of rereading or staying in his “safe zone” of sci-fi and fantasy. Geologist Max Lemoine needed just the right book to pull him out of his reading rut. He’s eager to uncover more titles that are outside of his reading comfort zone, so today Anne is recommending books with depth that also offer distraction from everyday life and books with immersive world-building. Visit the podcast website at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/262 to see the full list of titles discussed, an episode transcript, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Readers have asked us for “comfort reads” over and over again this year — and it's totally understandable. “Comfort read” means something different to every reader, but if you’re looking for books that slow your heart rate, soothe your soul, and make you want to travel to a quiet English village, this episode is for you. Today’s guest Gina House appreciates cozy, comforting reads that feel like a warm hug. She adores cozy mysteries like Agatha Christie novels, but she could do without the murder. So today, Anne recommends charming books that pair well with a comfy chair and a cup of tea. Visit the podcast website at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/261 to see the full list of titles discussed, an episode transcript, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sara Jones takes her role as “neighborhood library curator” seriously. In addition to selecting books for her own reading life, Sara Jones carefully curates her Little Free Library collection to reflect the reading tastes and needs of her community. She likes to feature a healthy mix of books for kids and adults, and she’s always on the lookout for fiction that her neighbors will find irresistible as they’re walking by. Today, Anne helps Sara stock her Little Free Library with crowd-pleasing books her neighbors will love, from charming picture books to unputdownable contemporary fiction. If you’ve ever strolled by a Little Free Library and wondered how it works or how to start your own, this episode is for you. Visit the podcast website at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/260 to see the full list of titles discussed, an episode transcript, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The sci-fi genre feels like home, but Emily Van Ark also enjoys books in any genre that deliver on a fabulous premise. In her day job as a data scientist, Emily nalyzes data in order to find patterns and make recommendations for improving people’s lives... and Anne's job this week is to do some helpful data analysis for her reading life (with less math and more conversation). Emily also shared a bunch of sci-fi recommendations to expand Anne's reading horizons. Visit the podcast website at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/259 to see the full list of titles we discussed, an episode transcript, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Reading for pure escapism means something different for every reader. Some of us turn to puzzle-like mysteries, some of us immerse ourselves in fantastical worlds. Today’s guest stays away from doom scrolling by reading lots and lots and lots of romance. “Recovering English major” Jenna Lowenstein still enjoys the occasional literary fiction read, but these days she’s picking up the books she wants to read instead of forcing the books she feels like she should read. From spicy romance novels to thrillers with deep themes, books help Jenna set aside her high-pressure job in politics and engage with the world ...without looking at her news app. Visit the podcast website at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/258 to see the full list of titles we discussed, an episode transcript, and more. You can follow Jenna on Twitter & Instagram @just_jenna Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our annual holiday recommendations episode is here! A few weeks ago, you called us with your bookish gift buying questions and dilemmas, and today Anne is answering those questions alongside Beth Buss, the general bookstore manager at Bookmarks, a literary arts nonprofit in downtown Winston-Salem North Carolina. Beth and Anne will help you find just the right gifts for their loved ones of all ages and reading tastes, from classic kid lit to science fiction… and everything in between. Visit the podcast website at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/257 to see the full list of titles we discussed, an episode transcript, and more. Learn more about Bookmarks, including the Book Build project Beth mentions, on their websit bookmarksnc.org. If none of our recommendations fit the reader in your life their Signed First Editions Club or their Kids’ Club would also make great gifts. And keep an eye on their events page as they continue to have great online events and are looking forward to the next Bookmarks Festival–a bookish bucket list event. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Reader Cliff Cullen was in the middle of his best reading year ever when...the pandemic hit. His one-time favorite reading habits, like listening to audiobooks during his commute, have had to change—but his voracious appetite for books remains the same. Today, Anne recommends books in a wide variety of genres to suit Cliff’s eclectic reading taste and push the boundaries of his typical book selections. Also discussed: “themed” reading based on seasons or settings, reading your cookbooks, and the special accomplishment of reading every single book by your favorite author. Visit the podcast website at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/256 to see the full list of titles we discussed, an episode transcript, and more. You can follow Cliff’s cookbook adventures on Instagram @cookingwithclifton. Our next livestream with our Patreon members is this Thursday. Join Brenna and Anne to ask them anything and to participate in a little live literary matchmaking. Find out more at patreon.com/whatshouldireadnext. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Valencia Taylor is self-proclaimed book-pusher looking for reads that fall on the line between just-spooky-enough and way-too-scary, compelling stories that teach her something new about the world, and a way to keep track of her reading life. Of course, as a fellow book-pusher, Anne has plenty of recommendations and practical tips to share... Visit the podcast website at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/255 to see the full list of titles we discussed, an episode transcript, and more. You can follow Valencia’s reading life on Instagram @vtaylor42 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anne is joined by Sarah Stewart Holland & Beth Silvers of Pantsuit Politics podcast to discuss fiction and nonfiction recommendations that have shaped their understanding of politics, history, and what it means to be a human in this world. They're each sharing "political" books they personally love and often recommend, because they are fascinating, thought-provoking, and sometimes surprisingly page-turning. Visit the podcast website at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/254 to see the full list of titles we discussed, an episode transcript, and more. Readers, the holidays are fast approaching and around here we’re of the opinion books make the perfect gift, whether you’re shopping for friends, family, coworkers, or teachers. But choosing the right title can be tough, so it’s become a tradition on WSIRN to have a special guest join me on the show to help us match YOUR loved one with the perfect readerly gift. If you want our help building your bookish shopping list, there are two ways to participate: Leave me a voicemail from your phone or computer at speakpipe.com/whatshouldireadnext ‬sharing who you’d like a gift recommendation for, a couple of books they love, a book or genre you know they don’t like, and any little details you think are useful. Please make sure to keep your message under 1 minute! You can also email our producer Brenna at [email protected] with the same details - who your giftee is, their favorites, their least favorites, and whatever else you think would be helpful We’ll squeeze as many submissions as we can into the upcoming holiday episode, and hook you up with the perfect bookish gifts! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hey readers! Get your TBRs ready, because today’s episode contains a TON of book titles for a wide array of reading tastes, from a few voices which might sound familiar if you’ve been a long-time WSIRN listener. A few weeks ago, we asked the Modern Mrs Darcy and What Should I Read Next team to share their own summer reading recaps for a special Patreon bonus episode. Today, as we honor the change of the seasons (or perhaps cling fiercely to our page-turning beach reads), we’re sharing the full audio of that bonus episode here. If you’re a patreon member who’s already listened—well, first of all, thank you! And KEEP LISTENING, because today you’ll hear Brenna and Anne will be sharing some of our favorite summer reads as well, a brand new addition to the original bonus episode. Visit the podcast website at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/253 to see the full list of titles we discussed, an episode transcript, and more. We share bonus episodes like this one every week on Patreon – there’s over 20 hours of bonus audio waiting for you. Our community members get those regular extra doses of book talk, plus bonus content like our printable Summer Reading Guide and our new Fall Book Preview digital magazine, PLUS our video Unboxing events and member-only Ask Us Anything sessions. We’d love to have you join our community of avid readers: Become a member today at Patreon.com/WHATSHOULDIREADNEXT! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's guest wants surprising books with unique story structures, new information, and plot twists that will make her say, “what did I just read?” Shelly Akins is a proud Arizonian who is always reading. And when she isn’t reading, she loves attending the Tuscon Festival of Books, a huge literary festival where both book talk and fangirling are welcomed. We eagerly await the day we can gather for book festivals again, but in the meantime, Shelly finds community in her Book Challenge Group, which is not a traditional book club. Talking books with fellow readers has helped Shelly hone in on her personal reading taste and decide what she wants more of in her reading life. Today, Anne's recommending three titles to surprise and delight this avid reader! Visit the podcast website at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/252 to see the full list of titles we discussed, an episode transcript, and more. You can follow Shelly's reading life on Instagram @shellyreads.stuff. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s guest is a self-proclaimed “book glutton” who reads in between everyday moments at home, at work, and even while she’s walking. Grettel Castro is a biostatistician living in Miami, Florida. She emigrated to the United States from Cuba at the age of 14, but her voracious appetite for reading started much earlier. Readers, I’m sure many of you will relate to Grettel’s story of falling in love with books as a young reader, as well as her current mixed feelings on big literary award-winning novels. Grettel loves backlist books, or as she says, older novels that have “simmered” for a while, and has mixed feelings on which books take home the big literary awards... so today, in addition to getting tips on reading with an open novel in my hands, I’m recommending three great books with literary staying power. Visit the podcast website at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/251 to see the full list of titles we discussed, an episode transcript, and more. You can snoop on Grettel's reading life on Instagram @6wordsbookreviews We're going back to Book School! This season we’re learning to read better, together—excessively nerdy and super enjoyable classes that will help you go deeper with your books, brighten your book talk, and have more fun in your reading life! Book School is part of the Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club, so you’ll get to pair what you’re learning with the books we’re reading and the authors we’re chatting with this fall. Book school is under way so join now. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s guest has a story that sounds like the beginning of a juicy historical fiction novel. As a teenager, Liz Maguire came across a batch of 1920s love letters at a flea market. This launched an obsession with collecting vintage letters and preserving people’s personal correspondence as a piece of history. Of course, this project has had a marked affect on her reading life, so Liz has come to Anne looking for books that measure up to the detailed, intimate depictions of the real stories found in her vintage letters. Visit the podcast website at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/250 to see the full list of titles we discussed, an episode transcript, and more. You can learn all about Liz’s project at fleamarketloveletters.com and see the letters yourself on Instagram @fleamarketloveletters Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An encounter with The Baby-Sitters Club #4 Mary Anne Saves the Day launched today's guest into a lifelong love of reading AND a special fondness for middle grade novels. Afoma Umesi is a freelance writer, editor, and children’s book blogger living in Nigeria. Anne has her work cut out for her to recommend middle grade books Afoma hasn’t read yet, plus selecting an adult title to suit her taste. Visit the podcast website at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/249 to see the full list of titles we discussed, an episode transcript, and more. Make sure to visit Afoma's website: http://afomaumesi.com And give her a follow on Twitter: http://twitter.com/afomaumesi Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today I’m talking with Jennifer Cordeiro, who lives in Bermuda, a small island with two bookstores and one library. Jennifer has encountered her fair share of #bookwormproblems, both in her own reading life and in her job at her small island bookstore where hurricanes, tourism, shipping dilemmas, and special orders mean you never know which books you’ll see on the shelves. Jennifer's personal bookshelves are currently overstuffed with more than ONE THOUSAND unread titles, and today my job is to help her choose what to read next. Plus, we talk about the occupational hazards of working in a bookstore, the joys of mood reading, and a surprising hometown connection. Visit the podcast website at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/248 to see the full list of titles we discussed, an episode transcript, and more. Follow Jennifer on Instagram @bdajen1. Our Fall Book Preview is coming up on September 1! Join us live when I share 42 (get it?) of this season’s eagerly-anticipated new releases, featuring a mix of titles I’ve read and loved, titles I can’t wait to read, and titles the book industry is abuzz about for the season to come. This year for the first time you'll also get the companion Fall Book Preview magazine. This event and companion magazine are exclusively for our MMD Book Club members and WSIRN Patreon "Book Lover" members. If you're not already a WSIRN member, now is a great time to join. Click here to find out more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's episode is all about the joy of reading in relationships. Our guests Emma Gorin and Dinah Fay have been friends since 9th grade—that’s over 20 years. They haven’t always kept in touch as much as they'd like to, but books have always given them an easy way to reconnect. Emma and Dinah put in their submission to be on WSIRN with the explicit goal of connecting over a great read that they’ll both enjoy—which is a bit of a challenge because while they both love to read, their reading tastes are quite different. With two guests today we cover a lot of readerly ground, chatting about English class in the age of Covid-19, a book-gifting tradition, queer YA romances, and rich audiobook experiences. We also cover A LOT OF TITLES. To see that full list of titles, be sure to visit the podcast website at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/247 where we have a list of all the books we discussed, a transcript of the episode and more. Follow Emma on Instagram @Emma.g_sings123. On September 1st we're hosting a Fall Book Preview live for members of the What Should I Read Next patreon community. Parties like this are so much fun as Anne shares books she's read and loved, ones she's looking forward to, and some titles book world is abuzz about for the season to come. All in all we’ll preview 42 books so you can preorder some titles, place your library holds, and load up your TBR for the cooler nights to come. Become a member today at patreon.com/whatshouldireadnext and mark your calendars for September 1st. It’s gonna be great. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode Anne helps Courtney Wallace, a Cincinnati reader, with a reading practice we hear surprisingly little about—her recent mid-year checkup on her reading goals. Lots of people talk about goals for the reading life—both numerical and content goals—at the start of every year. And we all see plenty of year-in-review summaries from readers. But when Courtney's guest submission mentioned her mid-year assessment we realized how rarely we stop to take stock of how our reading life has been thus far, while there’s still plenty of time to work on those reading goals before years’ end. So today we review Courtney’s reading year so far and discuss what she hopes the rest of the year holds, giving you plenty of reading reflection inspiration along the way. We also discuss the importance of the book community, and particularly in-person events, as well as one simple thing she’s doing to slow down and appreciate what she’s reading. Back-to-school season is similar to the New Year for many of us; it’s a time of new beginnings and fresh starts. Hopefully you'll pull some inspiration from Courtney’s mid-year checkup to evaluate your own reading year so far and make any course corrections you need heading into this new season. Connect with Courtney on Instagram @IncessantBookworm. Speaking of back-to-school, as we're turning our attention to fall we want to look head to what books are coming out this fall. And this fall is loaded with great titles. September 1st we'll be giving our patreon community a little preview of the top 40 titles I've loved, the ones I'm looking forward to, and the titles that have the book industry abuzz. Join our community to take part in the Fall Book Preview live on September 1st. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Over the years, Anne has been called many thing–podcaster, author, and now... Book Yoda, a name bestowed upon her by today's guest and Lazy Genius blogger Kendra Adachie. You remember Kendra from all the way back in Episode 27: Books good enough to make you turn off the tv (even if you love tv), over FOUR years ago. Her reading life has changed a lot since then, in no small part because of her first visit to WSIRN. That first visit did wonders for her reading life and gave her new insight into what kinds of books she loves, and WHY. Lately though, her reading life has felt like a roller coaster—you might relate—and we’re gonna talk about WHY, and what to do about it. They discuss winnowing your TBR list, being a Lazy Genius in your reading life, and the unique method Kendra uses to pick her books. Plus, as always, Anne delivers three book recommendations that will hopefully pull Kendra out of her current reading rut. If you've been feeling the strain of decision fatigue, lack of focus, or just not being able to finish a book lately, I hope you'll find some helpful tips in this episode to refresh and restore your reading life. Find out more about Kendra and her Lazy Genius Way (her philosophy and the title of her new book) on her website thelazygeniuscollective.com. Visit our website for a full list of the books we talked about and to read along with a transcript of the show. Our next livestream for our Patreon community is coming up. Join us September 1st for our Fall Book Preview–similar to the Summer Reading Guide Unboxing event we did in May, but instead of sharing all the titles I have read and loved, I’m sharing the books that publishers, booksellers, and other book people–including me–are excited about for the fall season. Now is the perfect time to join our community. Head to patreon.com/whatshouldireadnext to download our printable highlight reel, set up you bonus feed, and get ready for the Fall Book Preview. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's guest is looking for brain candy. That’s Elizabeth Cooper's delightful term for books that are FUN, with a killer premise, pages that practically turn themselves, and totally satisfying endings. Elizabeth’s past as a reader holds some surprising twists and turns itself — including a plot twist you're probably not expecting. Plus her method for choosing what to read next, is definitely a What Should I Read Next first. And of course Anne recommends three books that hopefully provide that brain candy reading experience Elizabeth is looking for. Visit the podcast website at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/244 for the full list of titles we discussed. Follow Elizabeth on Instagram: https://instagram.com/flutterandsprout_elizabeth Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Charlandra Jenkins is a Florida reader on the hunt for stories that reflect her life, love, grief, and humanity back to her. For Charlandra, new book releases and recent bestsellers by Black authors are a joy, but she’s also yearning for some history… backlist titles by women of color that say “hey! we’ve always been here, we’ve always existed”. Today, Anne recommend 3 backlist titles suited to Charlandra’s taste for complex, fully-realized female characters finding their way through life, and finding themselves along the way. They discuss Charlandra’s enduring love for Zora Neale Hurston, novels that carry the reader through grief... and you’ll definitely want to hear about the book Charlandra expects will become a classic of our time. Click over to the podcast website for a list of books mentioned in this episode: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/243 Follow Charlandra's reading adventures on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rantiesnplanties Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anne is joined by Suzanne Skyvara, Goodreads VP of Marketing & Editorial, and Danny Feekes, Goodreads Managing Editor, to have an in-depth chat about how star ratings, reviews, and other nuggets of information we share online help connect our fellow readers to their next great read, support the authors we love, and change the way we see the world. Anne, Suzanne, and Danny went so overboard with book recommendations that we had to cut 5 or 6 books to keep this episode a manageable length! We’re releasing all those extra recommendations as a bonus episode this Friday for our Patreon supporters. If you want to hear what recommendations ended up on the cutting room floor, become a patron today: patreon.com/whatshouldireadnext As you'll hear in the episode Anne has become a much more active Goodreads user in the past year, click here to follow her there. Click over to the podcast website for a list of books mentioned in this episode: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/242 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Raelene Bradley has let books be her guide as she and her husband fulfill their longtime dream of living off the land with a family farm. Raelene’s stories of reading in the fields with her horse as a child, and audiobooks to accompany milking time are stuff of readerly dreams. Today, Anne and Raelene chat about the surprising disappointments from Raelene’s biggest reading year ever, and I’m helping her on her journey away from quantity and toward quality, by recommending she read a touching memoir, lush historical fiction, and a little something… unexpected. Click over to the podcast website for a list of books mentioned in this episode: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/241 Become a patron now to gain access to a huge archive of bonus episodes, and join Brenna and Anne during our upcoming livestream on July 2nd: patreon.com/whatshouldireadnext Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Reader and author KJ Dell’Antonia picked up a lot of the wrong books during a difficult time in her life, and those experiences changed her perspective on a hotly debated literary topic: trigger warnings. She talks with Anne about that shift, moving beyond bedtime reading, covert audiobook operations, and how mystery novels could save your local bookstore... Content warning — in this episode, KJ and Anne talk about cancer, specifically breast cancer. It’s not the whole episode, and the conversation doesn’t go into detail, but we want you to be aware before diving in. Click over to the podcast website for a list of books mentioned in this episode: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/240 Anne had the pleasure of joining KJ and her cohost Jess Lahey recently on their podcast #AmWriting KJ’s new novel The Chicken Sisters comes out on July 28. KJ's website: kjdellantonia.com Readers, right now our Patreon community is a veritable celebration of summer reading. We’ve shared some wonderful bonus episodes recently, on topics like fantastic new romance novels, absorbing summer nonfiction, and our publicly-available episode covering spectacular books by Black authors. Our latest bonus episode is a casual home library chat with Anne and her husband Will about what summer reading is like for each of them this year. Become a patron now to gain access to a huge archive of bonus episodes, and join Brenna and Anne during our upcoming livestream on July 2nd: patreon.com/whatshouldireadnext Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris Abi Zeid is counting down the days before a big life event that will significantly alter his reading life. But for a few more weeks he still has precious reading hours. All he needs is his next read–and listeners, he has one huge requirement. He needs a book with a big, beefy, juicy plot. Complicated characters are great, but they need to go somewhere and do something for Chris to be satisfied. Anne's challenge today is finding the three perfect titles that will carry Chris toward his next big adventure. Click over to the podcast website for a list of books mentioned in this episode: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/239 Follow Chris on Instagram @chrisabzz. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s guest Lamar Giles credits his love of reading to his mom who was always willing to buy him a book. Today Anne and Lamar chat about children’s books, horror novelist Stephen King, great novels where the setting is a character in its own right, and the importance of mirrors on the bookshelf. This episode was recorded and aired last year as Episode 186: Finding the book that feels like it was written just for you. This is the perfect listen for early summer, when you might have young readers at home looking for something to keep them busy. But it’s also a great time to revisit this one as we also have a deep conversation about We Need Diverse Books the non-profit of which Lamar’s a founding member, and the important work that’s still to be done in the literary world. Click over to the podcast website for a list of books mentioned in this episode: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/238 In this episode, Lamar talks about juggling two book releases in 2019. He’s back at it again this year with another 2 releases: Not So Pure And Simple, a YA book came out in January and The Last Mirror on the Left a sequel to last year’s middle grade novel The Last Last-Day-of-Summer is due out in October. You can discover more about Lamar’s books at www.lamargiles.com, follow him on Twitter @LRGiles. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Elyssa Gould is an academic librarian and “recovering English major”, whose goal is to get caught up on her own backlist while she’s separated from her natural habitat, the library. Today, Anne shuffles around Elyssa’s 100 or so unread books into a few smaller stacks, for a DIY literature "curriculum" that should keep her busy at home for as long as necessary. Click over to the podcast website for the transcript and full list of books mentioned in this episode: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/237 You can admire Elyssa's handcrafts at Instagram.com/elyssamakes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s a weird time to be in the market for a new book. When it’s safer to stay home, and many libraries and bookstores have temporarily shut their doors to the public, what’s a reader to do… but turn to their home bookshelves! Your TBR shelf's time has COME! Today Annd chats with Karla Osorno, a WSIRN listener whose 600+ precious unread books have been weighing her reading life down. Not only is Karla searching for her next read in these stacks, but she wants to lighten the mental load by eliminating the titles that just aren’t right for her. You’ll come away from today’s episode with questions and ideas you can apply to your own book collections. Everyone at WSIRN HQ hopes you are well, and that your bookshelves are a source of solace when the going gets tough. Click over to the podcast website for the transcript and full list of books mentioned in this episode: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/236 You can connect with Karla on her website KarlaOsorno.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today we continue our celebration of Summer reading with Zibby Owens, host of the podcast Moms Don’t Have Time To Read Books. Anne and Zibby are chatting about what they’re excited to read this Summer, whether those books are brand new or quite old. Get ready for a slew of summer-ready non-fiction recommendations for your TBR. Click over to the podcast website for the transcript and full list of books mentioned in this episode: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/235 You can visit Zibby at ZibbyOwens.com, and listen to Anne's episode of Moms Don’t Have Time to Read Books here: https://zibbyowens.podbean.com/e/anne-bogel-dont-overthink-it Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Readers, summer reading is so close you can almost taste it. Anne has been investigating upcoming summer releases for months now, on the lookout for new and notable titles that should be on your summer reading list. Prepping for the Summer Reading Guide brings up an important question — what makes a book a “summer read”? What’s the perfect balance of frothy to grounded, fun to thought-provoking, or relatable to rich-people-problems? Today we've brought in author Jennifer Weiner, proud author of several quintessential summer reads, to discuss her criteria for a great poolside book, the upside-down and backwards season the publishing world is about to have, and her appropriately-titled new book Big Summer. Click over to the podcast website for the transcript and full list of books mentioned in this episode: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/234 You can learn more about Jen’s books at jenniferweiner.com, and keep up with her on Instagram @jenniferweinerwrites and on Twitter @jenniferweiner. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anne chats with education navigator Hanan Al-Zubaidy about literacy in the justice system, and how her work with incarcerated students has been affected by social distancing. Hanan came to WSIRN looking for an escapist reading experience, but she didn’t mean happy endings and rainbows. She escapes her day to day life by submerging herself in someone else’s complex, difficult world (fiction or non!) If you read lists of ‘escapist fiction’ that’s full of peppy romance and thrilling action thinking “ehhh that won’t do it for me,” maybe you’ll find what you’ve been looking for in Anne's picks for Hanan today. Happy reading! Click over to the podcast website for the transcript and full list of books mentioned in this episode: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/233 You can follow Hanan's reading life on Instagram @hanansbookshelf: https://www.instagram.com/hanansbookshelf Readers, the ninth annual Modern Mrs Darcy Summer Reading Guide comes out next week! The Summer Reading Guide is similar to WSIRN–it's about helping you cut down ALL of the new titles to the a manageable number and hopefully helping you decide on a winner. Before the guide is officially released Anne and Brenna are doing a live video event with members of our Patreon community. I'll give you a preview of all of the books and what excites me about them. The Summer Reading Guide Unboxing takes place May 12th at both noon and 7pm eastern (we're doing it twice to make it easier for you to attend). This is one of the events our community looks forward to the most. The bookish enthusiasm is off the charts. If you’ve ever wondered about joining our readerly community over on Patreon this is the time. Go to Patreon to learn more about the unboxing event and even watch the video replay of last year’s unboxing. Then sign up and join us on May 12th. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anne is joined by Gaithersburg, Maryland mayor Jud Ashman to give you an insiders’ look at what goes into the planning and establishment of those community book events. At the time of recording, they were still crossing their fingers that they’d get to meet in person at the Gaithersburg Book Festival. Between then and now, that event has been canceled due to COVID-19. (There will be some online programming, so watch the website for more information if you're intrigued.) We're also digging into Jud's eclectic personal reading life, from westerns to middle grade fiction to historical nonfiction, to a book he describes as JAW DROPPINGLY GOOD… and Anne recommends 3 books to him like a human, not an algorithm. That’s a joke, but also a totally real concern when literary matchmaking. Listen in to hear Anne explain the difference in the episode. Click over to the podcast website for the transcript and full list of books mentioned in this episode: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/232 Readers, we send an email every Tuesday with 3 bookish things I love, 1 thing I don’t, and what I’m reading now. If you want fun, informative, and delightful links to all things books and reading with a little dose of my personal reading habits then sign up for the weekly newsletter. And be sure to do that now because in 2 weeks we’re sending all subscribers my ninth annual Summer Reading Guide. This is THE answer to what you should read next this summer. So sign up now. -Anne Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, Anne's exploring a genre that’s on the rise these days... ecofiction! Reader Katy Yocom is constantly on the hunt for absorbing novels with plots that not only incorporate the natural world, but ones in which the story absolutely depends upon it. Anne's challenge today is to pick 3 well-written titles for Katy that paint a lush portrait of natural life without losing that “page turning” appeal. Click over to the podcast website for the transcript and full list of books mentioned in this episode: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/231 You can read more about Katy’s book Three Ways to Disappear at KatyYocom.com and follow her on Instagram @katyyocom1 Readers, this is an exciting time of year at WSIRN: Summer Reading Guide season is almost here! Our email subscribers get the our ninth (!!!) annual guide when it comes out, but Patreon supporters get it first. They're invited to join us for our live “unboxing” on May 12. This year we're offering two times to make it easier for you to attend live. Our patrons also get the guide that day, two days before it's publicly available. If you’ve ever wondered about joining our readerly community over on Patreon this is the perfect time. Visit patreon.com/whatshouldireadnext now to sign up. We’d love to see you there. -Anne Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A note from Anne — I’ve been soooo looking forward to sharing today’s episode with you. Today we’re sharing the live audio from my book tour stop at the Strand in New York City. This evening in their gorgeous rare books room was MAGICAL. The room was packed with avid readers (and quite a few What Should I Read Next alums, which is what we like to call our past guests). It couldn't have been a better night, and I am so happy and thankful that now you get to listen in in today's episode. But. I can't talk about that night—or this episode—without telling you that sharing it feels bittersweet. This was my second—and last, for now—book tour stop for Don't Overthink It and one of the Strand's last events before closing their doors due to covid-19. My heart goes out to the Strand, its employees, and all of New York City. I hope to see you all again soon. For the time being, it's a solace to be able to bring you the live audio from that night at the Strand. This episode is ALL ABOUT What Should I Read Next; I’m reflecting on the show in a way that I really haven’t done publicly. I hope you find it interesting, illuminating, and entertaining. In the next segment I’m joined by a Strand bookseller to do some on-the-fly literary matchmaking for our live audience. Let us know how we did in the comments at: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/230 Visit The Strand online at www.strandbooks.com, and follow their gorgeous Instagram account @strandbookstore. More What Should I Read Next Live: As Anne mentions in this episode we have a special One Great Book style bonus episode that's available to everyone over on our Patreon page. Anyone can listen to that here. But now would also be a great time to become a Patreon supporter. This week we're having our quarterly live stream with Patreon supporters. Join us as we chat about what's happening behind the scenes, what we're reading now, and give recommendations for what some of you should read next. We'll do another live event next month as we kick off summer reading season with the Summer Reading Guide Unboxing. This is the most fun event we do all year. We hope you will join us now over on Patreon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why do some books with heavy topics leave you feeling uncomfortable, while other books tackling difficult subject matter make you feel understood and connected to humankind? Today, guest Mandy Lambert and host Anne Bogel pick apart the ingredients of Mandy's favorite and least favorite books to discover the subtle difference between a hard book that pays off in the end, and a hard book that’s just… hard. Click over to the podcast website for the transcript and full list of books mentioned in this episode: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/229 You can hear more from Mandy on her blog: thisbrightlife.home.blog Bonus episodes for you: Readers, it is a difficult and confusing time. So this past week, we released two bonus episodes on Patreon to meet you where you are, plus some special events. The first bonus episode is available to everyone. It's a book recommendation that has helped Anne during times of great loss and grief, and we think a lot of readers could use it in their life right now. Give it a listen at patreon.com/whatshouldireadnext/posts, and feel free to share it with readers and other loved ones in your life. Second, a patron-exlusive episode recommending 5 happy, hopeful reads, something many of you have written in to tell us you need right now. You can find this exclusive episode at patreon.com/whatshouldireadnext/posts, along with 31 other bonus episodes and livestream replays! Finally, if you are looking for bookish community during an isolated time, now is a wonderful time to check out everything happening in our Patreon community. We are holding our quarterly Spring livestream on April 9th, which is a community get-together with Anne and Brenna to chat about what we've been reading off our home bookshelves, and share recommendations with other readers. We hope you can will join us! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

So, you hate the book you’re reading. Or maybe you just feel blah about the book you’re reading. Or maybe the book you’re reading is good, but a different book on your shelf just looks so appealing, and you can’t help reaching for it… suddenly, you have a stack of 5 half-read books on your nightstand, and you’re still browsing the library catalog for something new. If you relate to any of those scenarios, today’s episode is for you. Guest Jamie Wright is a self-proclaimed “book quitter”, and she’s asked for Anne's help turning things around. Click over to the podcast website for the transcript and full list of books mentioned in this episode: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/228 Readers, whether you are looking for an escape from the news or for something to entertain kids who are suddenly at home we, have Spotify playlists of back episodes of What Should I Read Next for all your binging, relaxing, or bibliotherapying needs. Find them all at https://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/spotify. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Guest Sterling Hardaway values efficiency and growth in his reading life, which has led him to a hefty serving of nonfiction to learn new exciting things, fiction that sidesteps predictable tropes to deliver a truly unique reading experience, and seeking out authors whose perspectives have been historically underrepresented. Anne's challenge today is recommending 3 books that won’t tread the same old ground, and offer him something new. Click over to the podcast website for the transcript and full list of books mentioned in this episode: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/227 You can keep up with what Sterling reads next on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ster724 Readers you know what we do here. Each week Anne helps a guest (and hopefully some of you) choose your next read. We hope this week you’re planning on making your next read Anne's new book Don’t Overthink It–which is out now! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices