What to Read Next Podcast l Book Recommendation Show

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.What does it really look like to make a living as a romance author in today’s publishing landscape? In this episode, I’m joined by romance author Lauren Connolly for a candid conversation about hybrid publishing, creative sustainability, and her latest rom-com Love in Plane Sight.We talk about Lauren’s journey from libraries to publishing nearly 30 books, why diversifying income streams matters, and how she balances self-publishing with Big Five contracts without burning out. We also dive into pilot romances, found family, money trauma, and why a Gantt chart might just save your creative life.📚 Books MentionedLove in Plane Sight by Lauren Connolly — Contemporary Romance | Audio ✅The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna — Cozy Fantasy | Audio ✅A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna — Cozy Fantasy | Audio ✅Drawn Together by Juliana Smith — Contemporary Romance | Closed Door | Audio ✅Alanna: The First Adventure by Tamora Pierce — YA Fantasy | Classic | Audio ✅⏱️ Episode Timestamps[00:00] Welcome & Lauren’s publishing journey[01:30] From libraries to romance writing[03:00] Why hybrid publishing works[05:00] The reality of advances & author income[07:30] Diversifying revenue streams[08:45] Gantt charts & managing multiple deadlines[11:30] Negotiating realistic publishing timelines[13:30] Introducing Love in Plane Sight[16:00] Money trauma, people-pleasing & romance heroes[19:30] Audiobooks & narration talk[20:30] Cozy book recommendations[24:00] Little Free Libraries & nostalgia reads[25:30] Where to find Lauren + upcoming eventsJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.What My Reading Taste Actually Looks Like (and Why I Let Go of Goals)What happens when you stop chasing trends, ditch reading streaks, and finally admit what you don’t like to read? In this off-the-cuff solo episode, I’m talking honestly about my reading taste reset — what 2025 taught me, what I’m leaving behind, and how I’m shaping my reading life heading into 2026.I’m sharing how cozy mysteries pulled me out of burnout, why I stopped forcing genres that don’t work for me (hello, fantasy), and how setting gentle boundaries helped me read more — and actually enjoy it again. If you’ve been stuck in decision paralysis, overwhelmed by recommendations, or quietly falling out of love with reading, this episode is for you.📚 What I Talk About in This EpisodeWhy 2025 became a “taste discovery” year instead of a goal-driven oneLetting go of fantasy, high-stress thrillers, and reading guiltFalling hard for cozy mysteries, millennial mysteries, and mystery rom-comsWhy pop-culture nonfiction works when fiction doesn’tHow I use boundaries (not rules) to choose what to read nextWhy I broke up with Goodreads, streaks, and daily reading pressureReading like meditation: consistency over perfectionWhat you’ll see more (and less) of from me going forward⏱️ Episode Timestamps[00:00] Why I needed a reading reset[02:00] From romance burnout to cozy mysteries[04:00] Decision paralysis & setting reading boundaries[06:00] What romance still works for me (and what doesn’t)[08:00] Mysteries, millennial sleuths & cozy trends[10:00] Genres I’m stepping away from[12:00] Pop-culture nonfiction & reading curiosity[14:00] Letting go of Goodreads & reading streaks[16:00] Reading for joy, not numbers[18:00] How I plan my reading without overwhelm📣 Call to ActionWant the journal prompts I use to define my reading taste — plus curated Kindle Unlimited gems, library tips, and bonus podcast content?👉 Join my free Substack at whattoreadnextblog.com

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.What happens when a former newspaper crime reporter turns her real-life investigative instincts into pulse-pounding fiction? In this episode, I sit down with Laura Griffin to talk about crime fiction, small-town mysteries, and the real-world research that makes her thrillers feel terrifyingly real.We dig into Laura’s journey from journalism to romantic suspense and thrillers, how she researches police work and cold cases, and why setting Innocence Road in a remote West Texas town inspired by Marfa added an entirely new layer of tension. If you love smart thrillers, layered investigations, and books that reward close readers, this episode is for you.📚 Books Mentioned Innocence Road by Laura Griffin — Crime Thriller | Cold Case | Small-Town MysteryWe Are All Guilty Here by Karin Slaughter — Psychological ThrillerWhile It Was Snowing by Julia London — Holiday Rom-ComAtmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid — Literary Suspense / Emotional Drama⏱️ Episode Timestamps[00:00] Laura Griffin’s journalism background[01:30] Researching police work & crime scenes[03:00] Why West Texas inspired Innocence Road[06:30] Pacing suspense & planting clues[09:00] Romantic suspense vs. thrillers[12:00] What Laura Griffin loves to read[14:00] Book recommendations for thriller fansJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!Mentioned in this episode:Advertise with UsDo you have a book or service that you want to share with our engaged audience? Check out our opportunities to sponsor with us.Advertise With Us

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.What happens when a romance author leans fully into the dark, twisty world of thrillers—but keeps the emotional payoff readers crave? In this episode, I’m joined by Mia Sheridan to talk about her evolution from emotional romance to romantic thrillers—and why this hybrid genre works so well for readers who want suspense and heart.We dig into her latest release The Fix, how she builds layered mysteries with romantic soft landings, and why trauma-forward stories can still be deeply comforting when handled with care. We also rewind to some unforgettable ’90s reading staples that shaped her as a reader and writer.If you love popcorn thrillers, romantic suspense, or books that push you forward while still offering hope, this episode is for you.📚 Books Mentioned The Fix by Mia Sheridan — Romantic Thriller | KU ✅ The Road by Cormac McCarthy — Literary Dystopian FictionThe Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough — Epic Romance / Family Saga The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver — Literary FictionAngela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt — Memoir / Literary Nonfiction⏱️ Episode Timestamps[00:00] Welcome & Mia Sheridan’s genre journey[02:00] What defines a romantic thriller[03:30] Inside The Fix (spoiler-free premise)[06:00] Writing trauma-heavy stories as an author[08:30] Why romance provides a “soft place to land”[09:30] Reading tastes & genre flexibility[12:00] ’90s books that shaped a reader[18:30] Where to find Mia onlineJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!

Reading should be fun… so why does choosing your next book sometimes feel impossible? In this Group Chat episode, I’m joined by Amy and Sarah for an honest conversation about how our reading lives have evolved — and how we actually choose what to read now.We talk about reading paralysis, juggling ARCs and backlist titles, the joy of cozy mysteries, why Goodreads ratings don’t tell the whole story, and how libraries, audiobooks, and Kindle Unlimited completely changed the way we read. If you’ve ever stared at your TBR feeling overwhelmed instead of excited, this episode is for you.⏱️ Episode Timestamps[00:00] Welcome + reading apps & Pagebound[01:00] Reading paralysis & year-end overwhelm[02:00] Short holiday audiobooks that actually work[05:00] Reading before Bookstagram[07:00] Cozy mysteries & Chick Lit nostalgia[10:00] Finding reading community online[13:00] Virgin River & audiobook obsession[16:00] Trusting reading taste (not star ratings)[19:00] When a 3-star book is perfect[22:00] Mood reading vs forcing yourself[26:00] Backlist reading as burnout recovery[29:00] Why fantasy doesn’t work for everyone[32:00] How we organize (or don’t) our TBRs[36:00] Library browsing as self-care[38:00] Letting go of “must finish” reading guiltJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!

What if Goodreads and Reddit had a baby—and it was actually fun to use?In this episode, I’m joined by Lucy Zhao and Jennifer Dobak, the co-founders of Pagebound, a beautifully designed, reader-first book tracking app that brings back the joy of talking about books while you’re reading them.We talk about why they built Pagebound as a community—not an algorithm—how anonymous discussion makes reading feel safer and more fun, and why gamified reading challenges (hello, sparkly badges ✨) are helping readers rediscover their love of books. If you’ve ever felt burned out by Goodreads, overwhelmed by BookTok, or just want real conversations with other readers, this episode is for you.🔗 Try PageboundWeb: https://pagebound.coApp: Search Pagebound – Social Book Tracker in your app store⏱️ Episode Timestamps[00:00] Why I broke up with Goodreads[02:00] Meet the Pagebound founders[04:30] What makes Pagebound different[06:00] Talking about books while reading[08:00] Mood reading & finding reading twins[10:00] Lists, human recs, and no algorithms[11:30] Quests, badges & gamification[13:00] Importing Goodreads & StoryGraph[14:30] Supporting Pagebound & Royalty[15:30] Why Pagebound uses Substack[17:00] How to get started with PageboundJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!

This episode originally aired September 21, 2020. Yes, this was Rachel Reid's very first podcast interview. This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.What happens when you take one of the most toxic masculinity sports cultures in the world—and rewrite it with tenderness, queer joy, and emotional honesty? 🏒💖In this retro What to Read Next author interview, I’m joined by my friend Amanda (from Escape from a Book) to chat with romance author Rachel Reid, the creator of the beloved Game Changers hockey romance series.We talk about Rachel’s lifelong love of hockey, why she wanted to challenge toxic masculinity in sports romance, and how Heated Rivalry broke every romance “rule” and somehow became a fan favorite anyway. Rachel also opens up about writing sex scenes with purpose, representing mental health and anxiety on the page, and what’s coming next—including Common Goal, Role Model, and the long-awaited sequel to Heated Rivalry.📚 Books Mentioned Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid — Rivals-to-lovers | Sports Romance | QueerGame Changer by Rachel Reid — Hockey Romance | QueerTough Guy by Rachel Reid — Hockey Romance | Mental Health RepCommon Goal by Rachel Reid — Hockey Romance | Bisexual RepRole Model by Rachel Reid — Hockey Romance | Redemption ArcThe Long Game by Rachel Reid — Sequel to Heated Rivalry | Established CoupleTwo Rogues Make a Right by Cat Sebastian — Historical Queer RomanceThe Last Kiss by Sally Malcolm — WWI Historical Queer Romance | KU ✅Spellbound by Allie Therin — Historical Fantasy Romance⏱️ Episode Timestamps[00:00] Welcome & intro to Rachel Reid[02:00] From hockey fan to published romance author[06:00] Why queer hockey romance matters[09:00] Writing Heated Rivalry & breaking romance rules[13:00] Mental health & toxic masculinity in sports[15:00] Crafting unforgettable sex scenes[17:00] Upcoming books: Common Goal & Role Model[19:00] The Heated Rivalry sequel (The Long Game)[24:00] Rachel’s favorite books & reading recsJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.Tropical Christmas romance, but make it mermaids + bartenders + island chaos. In this episode, I’m chatting with Lizzie Stanley, Natalie Parker, and Christina Berry about their Merry Mermaids holiday novella series—aka the underserved niche of Christmas reads where nobody is pretending it’s snowing.We get into how they built a shared rom-com universe around The Salty Palms (a bar where “Happy Mermaid Hour” is absolutely a thing), plus what makes each novella hit: insta-love-turned-slow-burn injuries, reverse grumpy/sunshine with a town “bitch” heroine, and a marriage of convenience featuring ace-spectrum rep and a yacht-owning boat captain. 📚 Books Mentioned Seas & Greetings by Christina Berry — Buy on Amazon | Holiday Rom-Com | KU ✅Tropical Tidings by Natalie Parker — Buy on Amazon | Holiday Rom-Com |  KU ✅Jingle Shells by Lizzie Stanley — Buy on Amazon | Holiday Romance | KU ✅Fast and Dirty by Natalie Parker — Buy on Amazon | Small Town Rom-Com | KU ✅Lavender Moon by Natalie Parker — Buy on Amazon | Emotional Small Town Romance | KU ✅Hearts of Texas (series) by Christina Berry — Buy on Amazon | Small Town Firefighter Rom-Com | KU ✅Lost in Austin (series) by Christina Berry — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance | KU ✅ / Audio ✅ (mentioned upcoming)That Perfect Fit by Lizzie Stanley — Buy on Amazon | Short Rom-Com | KU ✅Wishbone Tattoo (series) by Lizzie Stanley — Buy on Amazon | Emotional Romance Series | KU ✅Still by Lizzie Stanley — Buy on Amazon | Romance (Wishbone world spinoff) | KU ✅⏱️Time Stamps[00:00] Welcome + why tropical Christmas is underrated[00:01] Meet the authors + how they all became writing besties[00:04] Building the shared universe: The Salty Palms + Happy Mermaid Hour[00:06] Seas & Greetings pitch (insta-love → slow burn via injuries)[00:08] Tropical Tidings pitch (reverse grumpy/sunshine + sheriff crush)[00:10] Jingle Shell pitch (marriage of convenience + ace-spectrum rep)[00:14] Where to start in Natalie’s backlist (Fast and Dirty + more)[00:18] Where to start in Christina’s backlist (Hearts of Texas, Lost in Austin)[00:19] Where to start in Lizzie’s backlist (That Perfect Fit, Wishbone Tattoo)[00:26] Writing friendship + character crossovers + future collab ideas[00:29] Where to find each author onlineJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.Small-town Christmas chaos + rom-com hijinks? Yes, please. In this episode, I’m joined by romance author Erin Nicholas to talk holiday books, audio “girlie” life, and her newest festive romcom, Merry Mayhem.Erin’s been publishing since 2009/2010 (and has 70–80+ books… she’s lost count in the best way). We get into how the romance industry has shifted from the “dark ages” of early ebooks to today’s audio boom, plus why small towns hit peak magic at Christmas.📚 Books Mentioned Merry Mayhem by Erin Nicholas — Buy on Amazon | Holiday Romcom, Small Town | KU ✅ Boys of the Bayou Gone Wild by Erin Nicholas — Buy on Amazon | Small Town Romcom Series | KU ✅ / Audio ✅In a Rush by Kate Canterbary — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance | KU ✅ / Audio ✅Shucked by Kate Canterbary — Buy on Amazon | Small Town Romance, Fish-Out-of-Water | KU ✅ / Audio ✅Copper Valley Thrusters by Pippa Grant — Buy on Amazon | Hockey Romcom Series | KU ✅ / Audio ✅Fangirl Down by Tessa Bailey — Buy on Amazon | Sports Romance (Golf) | Audio ✅Dream Girl Drama by Tessa Bailey — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance | Audio ✅My Favorite Kidnapper by Melanie Moreland — Buy on Amazon | Romcom | KU ✅ / Audio ✅A Love Most Fatal by Kath Richards — Buy on Amazon | Mafia Rom-Com | KU ✅ ⏱️ Timestamps [00:00] Meet Erin Nicholas + 16 years in romance[00:01] Industry shifts: early ebooks → Kindle → 2020 romance boom[00:02] Erin’s origin story: writing since childhood + first publishing path[00:07] Audio “girlie” life + cozy mysteries at bedtime[00:08] Merry Mayhem setup: holiday competition + romcom chaos[00:09] Writing Christmas in September (peppermint mocha + Mariah)[00:10] Why small towns feel extra magical at Christmas[00:12] Where to start with Erin’s backlist + Boys of the Bayou Gone Wild[00:14] Erin’s romcom recs (Kate Canterbary, Pippa Grant, Tessa Bailey, etc.)[00:18] The wildest rec: My Favorite Kidnapper[00:19] Mafia romcom chat + A Love Most Fatal[00:22] Where to find Erin onlineJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review! Mentioned in this episode:Advertise with UsDo you have a book or service that you want to share with our engaged audience? Check out our opportunities to sponsor with us.Advertise With Us

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.A holiday romance for people who hate the holidays? Yes, please. In this episode, I’m hanging out with romance author Natasha Madison to talk messy Christmas travel, big-family chaos, and why a happily-ever-after matters—even in true crime.Natasha and I also get into how romance trends have shifted (alpha heroes, golden retrievers, dark romance, and the whole “tropes-everywhere” era), plus the comfort reads she’ll never stop recommending. If you’ve ever wanted a holiday book that doesn’t feel like a Hallmark script—or you’ve got thoughts about how romance marketing has changed—this one’s for you.📚 Books Mentioned Holiday Unscripted by Natasha Madison — Buy on Amazon | Holiday romance | KU ✅ / Audio ✅Golden Trail by Kristen Ashley — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary romance (second chance vibes) | KU ✅ / Audio ✅ This Man by Jodi Ellen Malpas — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary romance (alpha hero) | KU ✅ / Audio ✅ ⏱️ Timestamps [00:00] Welcome + “wait… people read my books?!”[00:05] Romance covers then vs. now (Fabio era!)[00:06] True crime rules: it MUST be solved[00:06] Reality TV chat: TLC, Sister Wives, Love Island[00:13] Holiday Unscripted setup: stranded heroine + forced proximity[00:16] Writing Christmas in May (and hating every second)[00:17] Holiday expectations, big family logistics, and gift burnout[00:22] Natasha’s comfort read: Golden Trail by Kristen Ashley[00:24] Alpha heroes vs. golden retrievers vs. dark romance extremes[00:29] Trope-ification + writing ahead of trends[00:34] Where to find Natasha onlineJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.What happens when a former Harlequin author turns indie, builds a direct sales empire, and writes an entire series about small-town single dads? In this episode, I sit down with contemporary romance author Amy Knupp to talk about the business of romance and her cozy, Christmasy small-town world.We chat about Amy’s journey from writing category romance for Harlequin to going fully indie, how she uses direct sales and Shopify to connect with readers, and why she loves writing emotional, character-driven small-town stories. Then we dive into her Single Dads of Dragonfly Lake series and her new Christmas romance Single Wish, featuring a grumpy Christmas tree farmer, a reformed mean girl, and a delicious second-chance enemies-to-lovers arc set in a Tennessee lake town.📚 Books MentionedSingled Out by Amy Knupp — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance, Small-Town Romance | Audio ✅Single All the Way by Amy Knupp — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance, Holiday Romance, Friends-to-Lovers |  Audio ✅Single Wish by Amy Knupp — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance, Small-Town Romance, Holiday Romance, Enemies-to-Lovers | Audio ✅Bootleg Springs (series) by Lucy Score & Claire Kingsley — Buy on Amazon | Small-Town Romance, Romantic Comedy, Light Mystery Threads | KU ✅ / Audio ✅🕒 Timestamps[00:00] – Meet Amy Knupp[02:00] – From Llamas to Harlequin[02:30] – What Category Romance Really Is[05:00] – Learning to Revise Like a Pro[07:00] – Going Indie & Finding Creative Freedom[08:30] – The Indie Boom She Missed[10:00] – Treating Publishing Like a Business[11:30] – Why Amy Publishes Wide[12:00] – Direct Sales 101[15:00] – Audiobooks Beyond Audible[16:00] – Why Buying Direct Helps Everyone[18:30] – How to Find Authors Who Sell Direct[19:30] – Signed Books & Pretty Packaging[20:30] – Welcome to Dragonfly Lake[22:00] – Inside Single Wish[23:30] – Enemies to Lovers + Secret Pasts[24:30] – Reading Order & More Holiday Books[25:30] – Book Recs from Amy[27:00] – Where to Find Amy OnlineJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.A royal Christmas ball, a mischievous rescue dog, and a dog trainer who drives the princess up the palace walls—what could possibly go wrong? In this feel-good holiday episode, I’m chatting with Christmas romcom queen Karen Schaler, writer of A Christmas Prince, Christmas Camp, and her new royal romance A Ruff Royal Christmas.Karen shares how she went from war correspondent and hard-hitting journalist to writing the cozy, comforting Christmas stories so many of us binge every December. We talk about the inspiration behind A Ruff Royal Christmas (including the real-life “devil dog” who inspired Stormy), how she stays in a Christmas mood all year even while living in the desert, and why she’s built a portfolio career across movies, books, audio, travel shows, and even real-life Christmas Camp retreats. We also go behind the scenes of filming Christmas Camp for Hallmark, talk about the power of comfort watches/reads, and get a sneak peek at what she’s working on next.📚 Books MentionedA Ruff Royal Christmas by Karen Schaler — Buy on Amazon | Royal RomCom, Christmas Romance | KU ✅ / Audio ✅Christmas Camp by Karen Schaler — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Christmas Romance, Hallmark Movie Tie-In | KU ✅ / Audio ✅Every Day Is Christmas by Karen Schaler — Buy on Amazon | Christmas Romance, A Christmas Carol–inspired | KU ✅ / Audio ✅Once Upon a Christmas Carol by Karen Schaler — Buy on Amazon | Christmas Romance, Full-Cast Audio Original | Audible Exclusive ✅⏰Timestamps[00:00] Meet Karen Schaler & why she literally breathes Christmas[02:00] From war zones to Christmas romcoms: Karen’s journalism background[06:00] Inside A Ruff Royal Christmas: royal hijinks, rescue dogs & a big twist[11:00] Writing Christmas all year long (from the Arizona desert!)[16:00] Portfolio creative life: movies, books, audio & Christmas Camp IRL[21:00] Behind the scenes of the Christmas Camp Hallmark movie[27:00] New non-Christmas series, TV ideas & future Christmas specials[33:00] Where to find Karen online & holiday well-wishesJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.When life feels heavy, sometimes you just need a cozy small town, a perfect pumpkin spice latte, and a YA romance that feels like a warm sweater. In this episode, I’m chatting with author Katie Cicatelli-Kuc about the comfort reads that got her through some of the hardest seasons of her life—and how they might help you, too.Katie and I talk about her YA novels Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice and Mint to Be, how Pumpkin Spice unexpectedly went viral on TikTok, and what it was like to write through chemo and recovery. We also get into cozy, low-gore spooky reads (perfect if you’re squeamish or easily triggered), plus YA and middle grade recommendations that balance heart, hope, and just the right amount of chills. If you’re craving comfort, holiday vibes, and gentle escape, this is the episode for you.📚 Books MentionedQuarantine by Katie Cicatelli-Kuc — Buy on Amazon | Young Adult Contemporary It’s Going Viral by Katie Cicatelli-Kuc — Buy on Amazon | Young Adult Contemporary Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice by Katie Cicatelli-Kuc — Buy on Amazon | Young Adult Romance, Cozy Fall | Audio ✅Mint to Be by Katie Cicatelli-Kuc — Buy on Amazon | Young Adult Holiday Romance, Small Town | Audio ✅Murder Road by Simone St. James — Buy on Amazon | Mystery, Supernatural Thriller | Audio ✅Zyla & Kai by Kristina Forest — Buy on Amazon | Young Adult Romance | Audio ✅Short Story Collection by Leonora Carrington — Buy on Amazon | Surrealism, Magical Realism | Audio ✅Tales to Keep You Up at Night by Dan Poblocki — Buy on Amazon | Middle Grade Horror, Spooky Stories | Audio ✅More Tales to Keep You Up at Night by Dan Poblocki — Buy on Amazon | Middle Grade Horror, Spooky Stories | Audio ✅⏱️ Timestamps[00:00] Meet YA author Katie Cicatelli-Kuc & her book lineup[00:01] The wild story of Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice going viral[00:02] Writing through chemo and finding escape in cozy YA worlds[00:04] Inside Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice and the town of Briar Glen[00:05] Holiday vibes, boarding school, and first love in Mint to Be[00:07] Why we need comfort reads in weird, heavy times[00:08] Spooky-but-not-gory recs: Simone St. James, Agatha Christie audios[00:09] YA romance, therapy-positive characters, and Zyla & Kai[00:10] Leonora Carrington’s surreal short stories & middle grade spooky picks[00:11] More Dan Poblocki recs and where to find Katie onlineJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.Forty is not the end of your love story—it might be the beginning of your best one yet. In this episode, I’m chatting with romance author L.B. Dunbar all about love over 40, menopause, midlife reinvention, and why Christmas romances are the perfect escape when life feels like… a lot.We dig into how L.B. pivoted her career to write romance with characters in their 40s and 50s, what makes second-chance love hit different in midlife, and why today’s Gen X and Millennial readers are craving stories that reflect their real lives—kids, divorce, therapy, hormones and all. Then we switch into full holiday mode to talk about her grumpy/sunshine Christmas romances (including a sexy maybe-Santa), plus a few cozy cowboy recs if you love a small-town escape.📚 Books Mentioned Scroogish by L.B. Dunbar — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance, Holiday Romance, Second Chance | KU ✅ / Audio ✅Naughty-ish by L.B. Dunbar — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance, Holiday Romance | KU ✅ / Audio ✅Grouch-ish by L.B. Dunbar — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance, Holiday Romance |  KU ✅ / Audio ✅Elf-ish by L.B. Dunbar — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance, Holiday Romance, Grumpy/Sunshine |  KU ✅ / Audio ✅The Holiday Post by L.B. Dunbar — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance, Holiday Romance, Forced Proximity | KU ✅ / Audio ✅The Holiday Whoopi by Sarah L. Hudson — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance, Holiday Romance, Steamy |KU ✅ / Audio ✅Between the Pines by Amber Palmer — Buy on Amazon | Cowboy Romance, Small-Town Romance | KU ✅ / Audio ✅Dust Storm by Maggie Gates — Buy on Amazon | Cowboy Romance, Grumpy/Sunshine |KU ✅ / Audio ✅⏱️ Time Stamps[00:00] Meet L.B. Dunbar & why she writes romance over 40[03:00] Millennials, Gen X, and outgrowing 20-something romances[06:00] Menopause, hormones & not giving a f*ck in midlife[10:00] How L.B. started writing Christmas romances[13:00] Scroogish, Naughty-ish, Grouch-ish & Elf-ish: her holiday series[16:00] Sexy Santa energy & The Holiday Post[18:00] Current reads, Hideaway Harbor & The Holiday Whoopi[19:30] Cowboy romance recs: Between the Pines & Dust Storm[21:00] Where to find L.B. Dunbar online and final thoughtsJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.Curl up with a blanket, a warm drink, and a stack of Christmas classics—Victoria from BiblioLifestyle is back to help us build a cozy, low-pressure December reading plan. In this episode, we go beyond A Christmas Carol and talk about beginner-friendly classics, emotional reads, and the magic of reading aloud at the holidays.We chat about why classics hit differently in our hyper-busy lives, how to pick approachable reads if you’re intimidated, and why some stories just land better in December. Victoria walks us through a four-week Christmas classics challenge (with lots of public-domain options), child and adult read-aloud ideas, and her own tradition of reading Letters from Father Christmas every year. I also share a bit about my childhood Christmases, Disney trips, and why I always reach for comfort reads this time of year.Whether you’re craving something short and heart-squeezing like The Gift of the Magi or want to finally tackle Little Women or Persuasion, this episode is your invitation to slow down, pick one classic, and actually enjoy it—no pressure to rush or “keep up.📚 Books MentionedA Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens — Buy on Amazon | Classic Christmas novella, redemption arc, ghosts of Christmas past/present/future | Audio ✅Little Women by Louisa May Alcott — Buy on Amazon | Classic coming-of-age, March sisters, family + generosity at Christmas |  Audio ✅Persuasion by Jane Austen — Buy on Amazon | Second-chance romance, quiet heroine, emotional restraint | Audio ✅Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen — Buy on Amazon | Iconic enemies-to-lovers, witty social commentary, regency classic | Audio ✅Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier — Buy on Amazon | Gothic suspense, eerie mansion, atmospheric classic | Audio ✅Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë — Buy on Amazon | Gothic romance, governess heroine, broody hero | Audio ✅The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry — Buy on Amazon | Short story, bittersweet gift-giving, ultimate Christmas sacrifice |  Audio ✅*The Birds’ Christmas Carol by Kate Douglas Wiggin — Buy on Amazon | Short heart-squeezer, sick child planning Christmas for neighbors, bittersweet | Audio ✅The Little Match Girl by Hans Christian Andersen — Buy on Amazon | Classic fairy tale, heartbreaking winter story, emotional | Audio ✅*The Tailor of Gloucester by Beatrix Potter — Buy on Amazon | Animal classic, Christmas Eve sewing, quiet redemption | Audio ✅*The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg — Buy on Amazon | Picture book, magical train to the North Pole, Christmas wonder | Audio ✅How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss — Buy on Amazon | Rhyming picture book, grumpy-to-softie arc, holiday fun | Audio ✅The Night Before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore — Buy on Amazon | Classic Christmas Eve poem, Santa visit, family tradition staple | Audio ✅*Mr. Willoughby’s Christmas Tree by Robert Barry — Buy on Amazon | Picture book, one tree shared by many, charming and clever |  Audio ✅*The Tomten by Astrid Lindgren — Buy on Amazon | Nordic classic, quiet winter farm night, cozy snow-globe vibes | Audio ✅*The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree by Gloria Houston — Buy on Amazon | Appalachian Christmas story, mother-child bond, love & sacrifice | Audio ✅*A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote — Buy on Amazon | Memoir-style story, fruitcake tradition, nostalgic and bittersweet | Audio ✅*In the Bleak Midwinter by Christina Rossetti — Buy on Amazon | Classic Christmas poem, reflective and meditative | Audio ✅*A Timbered Choir: The Sabbath Poems by Wendell Berry — Buy on Amazon | Poetry collection, stillness, nature, gratitude | Audio ✅*Letters from Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkien — Buy on Amazon | Illustrated letters from “Father Christmas” to Tolkien’s kids, polar bear mishaps, perfect December nightly read-aloud | Audio ✅**Many of these classic/older texts are in the public domain and may be available in free ebooks and assorted audio editions.⏱️ Time Stamps[00:00] Catching up with Victoria & why classics hit differently now[02:00] Christmas staples: A Christmas Carol, Little Women & Persuasion[06:00] Emotional short classics: The Gift of the Magi & The Birds’ Christmas Carol[10:00] Childhood Christmas memories, Disney trips & reading as escape[14:00] Adult read-aloud tradition: Capote, Dickens, poetry & Tolkien[18:00] Cozy comfort reads, Florida “bubble,” and a 4-week Christmas classics challenge[21:00] Where to find Victoria (BiblioLifestyle), winter reading guide & outroJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review! Mentioned in this episode:Advertise with UsDo you have a book or service that you want to share with our engaged audience? Check out our opportunities to sponsor with us.Advertise With Us

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.What if your romance career didn’t hinge on going viral—but on quietly writing your way to 118 books and counting? In this episode, I’m chatting with holiday romance queen Samantha Chase about sustainable careers, Christmas comfort reads, and why she’ll always write a Christmas book.We talk about what it really looks like to treat writing like a job (in the best way), how Samantha built a wide, library-friendly backlist instead of relying on Kindle Unlimited, and why she’s more interested in consistency than fame. Then we dive into her newest holiday romance, A Holly Brown Christmas, plus a whole sleigh-full of her backlist Christmas books and a couple of festive recs from Lauren Blakely.🎄Holiday Books by Samantha ChaseHolly Brown Christmas by Samantha Chase  The Christmas Cottage Series by Samantha ChaseSilver Bell Falls Series by Samantha ChaseMistletoe Between Friends by Samantha Chase Mistletoe Between Friends Snowflake Inn Duo by Samantha ChaseMoonlight in Winter Park by Samantha ChaseThe Snowflake Inn by Samantha ChaseWaiting for Midnight by Samantha ChaseHis for the Holidays by Samantha ChaseMoonlight in Winter Park Waiting for Midnight Duet by Samantha ChaseBaking it Merry by Samantha Chase🕒 Timestamps[00:00] – Intro & catching up with Samantha’s current projects[03:00] – How she plans series, works with her assistant, and stays three books ahead[06:00] – Building a 118-book backlist & why your first book won’t define you[08:00] – KU vs wide: sweeter contemporary, libraries, and diversified income[10:30] – The “old” marketing formulas that stopped working and what she does now[13:00] – Virality, fame, and why writing is a job—not a shortcut to celebrity[15:00] – The origin story of The Christmas Cottage and its Hallmark adaptation[18:00] – A tour of Samantha’s Christmas backlist (Snowflake Inn, Silverbell Falls, Baking it Merry)[20:30] – All about A Holly Brown Christmas: office party chaos, divorce drama, and a Snoopy-coded pup Schmoop[23:00] – Holiday romance recs from Lauren Blakely: My Favorite Holidate & Merry Little Kissmas[26:00] – Where to find Samantha online + buying books directly from her siteJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review! Mentioned in this episode:Advertise with UsDo you have a book or service that you want to share with our engaged audience? Check out our opportunities to sponsor with us.Advertise With Us

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.Looking for a cozy, witchy holiday romance with world-building that feels like slipping into a warm sweater? Today I’m sitting down with debut author and longtime video-game writer Morgan Lockhart, whose background explains exactly why her book feels so immersive and magical.In this episode, we chat about her 20-year career in game writing, the pivot back to her “first love” of books, and how A Spell for Midwinter’s Heart blends cozy romance, magic-light vibes, and real-world emotional stakes. If you love Hallmark holiday romances but wish they had a touch of witchy charm, this is the perfect entry point into the cozy-paranormal space. We also dig into her craft, world-building, burnout, motherhood, and the comforting wave of cozy stories readers are reaching for right now. 📚 BOOKS MENTIONED A Spell for Midwinter’s Heart by Morgan Lockhart — Cozy Witchy Romance | Holiday | Magic-Light  | Audio ✅Holiday Movie Marathon by Matthew Norman — Contemporary Fiction | Christmas | Feel-Good | Audio ✅Good Spirits by B.K. Borison — Small Town Romance | Cozy | Holiday | Audio ✅The Peculiar Gift of July by Ashley Ream — Upmarket Contemporary | Emotional | Literary Lean | Audio ✅The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna — Cozy Fantasy | Found Family | Magic | Audio ✅The Witch’s Guide to Magical Inkeeping by Sangu Mandanna’s newest — Cozy Fantasy | Warm Magic | Found Family | Audio ✅🕒 TIMESTAMPS[00:00] – Meet Morgan Lockhart[00:20] – How she shifted from 20 years in video-game writing to novels[01:00] – What video-game writing actually looks like[02:00] – Narrative vs. action-driven game writing[03:00] – How game-writing worldbuilding shaped her debut novel[04:00] – Writing cozy as a response to the last five years[05:00] – Burnout, motherhood, and pivoting to books[07:00] – Elevator pitch for A Spell for Midwinter’s Heart[08:00] – Rivalry, curses, and the romance tension we love[10:00] – Why cozy-light magic works for contemporary romance readers[11:00] – What Morgan reads across genres[12:00] – Her must-read cozy & holiday recommendations[13:00] – Where to find Morgan onlineJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review! Mentioned in this episode:Advertise with UsDo you have a book or service that you want to share with our engaged audience? Check out our opportunities to sponsor with us.Advertise With Us

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.When your obsessive book boyfriends start looking a little… reasonable compared to real-life dating disasters, this episode is for you. Today I’m chatting with debut author Laura Bishop about her dark rom-com Love Me, Stalk Me—a twisty, funny, walking-red-flag romance that somehow still makes you root for the hero.We get into why so many of us stay in toxic relationships, what it means to choose the brave-but-scary option in life, and how an AI boyfriend app plus a secretly obsessed coworker turned into one of the buzziest dark rom-coms of the year. Laura also shares her whirlwind path from self-publishing plans to a traditional deal with Atria, her genius BookTok biker content strategy, and why putting yourself on camera is both terrifying and healing.📚 Books Mentioned Love Me, Stalk Me by Laura Bishop — Dark rom-com | Obsessive hero | Toxic relationship recovery📺 Other Media MentionedMr Inbetween (Australian dark dramedy TV series)⏱️ Timestamps[00:00] – Meet Laura Bishop: debut author, dark rom-com lover, caffeine girlie in Florida[00:01] – What Love Me, Stalk Me is about: obsessive coworker, AI boyfriend app, and a toxic relationship[00:02] – Writing a heroine who stays too long in a bad relationship (and why that’s real for so many of us)[00:03] – Being your own worst enemy, feeling “trapped,” and choosing the brave, uncertain option in life[00:04] – Laura’s personal connection to the book and how her own experiences shaped Izzy’s story[00:05] – When your coworker hijacks your AI boyfriend app: ethical red flags in a safe, fictional space[00:06] – Why we need people who see our worth before we do—and how that shows up in the romance[00:07] – Laura’s whirlwind publication journey: cover reveal, book scout, agent call, and Atria deal[00:09] – Darker, spicier rom-coms as an emerging trend and blending genres that “shouldn’t” go together[00:10] – Building buzz online: BookTok, bikers, and turning a fun idea into a full-on marketing hook[00:12] – Approaching bikers in Barnes & Noble, paying them in books and coffee, and making promo fun[00:14] – Body image, seeing yourself on camera, and pushing past perfectionism[00:15] – What Laura’s watching when she can’t read: Mr Inbetween and the power of long-form storytelling[00:17] – Where to find Laura online and follow her biker-filled book contentJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review! Mentioned in this episode:Advertise with UsDo you have a book or service that you want to share with our engaged audience? Check out our opportunities to sponsor with us.Advertise With Us

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.If you love cozy small-town romances, holiday charm, and stories that feel like emotional comfort food, this episode is for you. Today I’m chatting with fan-favorite author RaeAnne Thayne, whose Christmas novel Snow Kiss delivers all the warmth and heart of a Hallmark movie… with even deeper emotional layers.In our conversation, RaeAnne shares the inspiration behind Snow Kiss, her plotting process, why fake dating is her new favorite trope to write, and the joy of crafting holiday stories that remind readers to choose kindness. We also talk about her extensive backlist, her women’s fiction summer releases, and her 2025 novel The Lost Book of First Loves. Plus—double book recs from RaeAnne across two different interviews!📚 Books MentionedBy RaeAnne ThayneSnow Kiss — Fake dating, single mom, small-town Christmas Genre: Sweet Romance / Women’s Fiction | Audio: ✅Christmas at the Shelter Inn — “Return-to-town” holiday romance; sisterhood & community Genre: Holiday Romance | Audio: ✅The December Market — Best-friend’s-brother + holiday family drama Genre: Holiday Romance | Audio: ✅Haven Point Series — Cozy small town + emotional arcs Genre: Contemporary Romance  | Audio: ✅Hope’s Crossing Series — Community-centered romance; best place to start her interconnected world Genre: Contemporary Romance  | Audio: ✅Cape Sanctuary Women’s Fiction Books (standalone-friendly) The Cliff House · The Sea Glass Cottage · Summer at the Cape · The Path to Sunshine Cove · The Café at Beach End  | Audio: ✅15 Summers Later — Women’s fiction set in Idaho  Genre: Women’s Fiction | Audio: ✅The Lost Book of First Loves Dual-story women’s fiction about half-sisters, a missing manuscript, and family secrets. | Audio: ✅Book Recommendations From RaeAnne ThayneThe Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna — Cozy magical realism; found family  | Audio: ✅The Nature of Fragile Things by Susan Meissner — Historical fiction around the 1906 San Francisco earthquake (TW: domestic violence)  | Audio: ✅How to Know a Person by David Brooks — Nonfiction; empathy, connection & understanding  | Audio: ✅⏱️ Timestamps[00:00] Welcome + why I love having RaeAnne on during the holidays[00:01] RaeAnne shares what she’s been up to — writing cycles & travel[00:02] Elevator pitch for Snow Kiss[00:03] Fake dating, emotional arcs & why it’s a joy to write[00:04] RaeAnne’s Christmas series: Christmas at the Shelter Inn, The December Market, Snow Kiss[00:05] How her Christmas and summer/women’s fiction books connect[00:06] Virgin River vibes — small-town communities & emotional healing[00:06:30] Book recommendations from RaeAnne[00:07] How she writes Christmas books (yes, the tree stays up until March!)[00:17] Her plotting process, writing retreats, and collaborating with author friends[00:20] Teaser for her 2025 women's fiction release The Lost Book of First Loves[00:23] Navigating spice levels in her 75+ book backlist[00:24] Where to find RaeAnne onlineJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review! Mentioned in this episode:Advertise with UsDo you have a book or service that you want to share with our engaged audience? Check out our opportunities to sponsor with us.Advertise With Us

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.What happens when a Regency-era duke accidentally time-travels to 2025 Chicago? In today’s episode, Bryn Donovan joins me to talk about Her Time-Traveling Duke — a magically cozy, Chicago-set romcom that blends Regency charm, modern vibes, and a touch of science-meets-spellwork chaos.We chat about Bryn’s life as a former greeting-card writer, why the Art Institute of Chicago feels like pure magic, how she built a low-stakes, lightly-magical world, and the romance titles she’s loving right now. If you love Bridgerton, cozy fantasy, or romcoms with heart, spice, and smart heroines, this one’s for you.📚 BOOKS MENTIONED Her Time-Traveling Duke by Bryn Donovan — Contemporary Romance | Time Travel | Light Magic — Audio ✅Her Knight at the Museum by Bryn Donovan — Contemporary Romance | Light Magic | Museum Setting — Audio ✅Love Is an Open Book by Chandra Blumberg — Contemporary Romance | Slow Burn | Pining — KU  ✅ / Audio ✅When Grumpy Met Sunshine by Charlotte Stein — Contemporary Romance | Slow Burn | Steamy — KU  ✅ / Audio ✅The Accidental Pinup by Danielle Jackson — Contemporary Romance | Chicago-Set | Body Positivity — Audio ✅Payback’s a Witch (Thistle Grove #1) by Lana Harper — Paranormal Romance | Cozy Magic | Small Town — Audio ✅The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston — Contemporary Romance | Ghostly Twist | Grief & Healing — Audio ✅The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston — Magical Realism | Romance | Time Bend — Audio ✅The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst — Cozy Fantasy | Bookish Magic | Low Stakes — Audio ✅🕒 TIMESTAMPS[00:00] – Introduction to the episode & why this book is such a fun mashup [00:44] – Bryn’s background: greeting-card writer, Hallmark Channel, blogger [01:35] – Introducing Her Time-Traveling Duke and how it fits in the series [02:10] – Why this world blends Regency charm with modern Chicago [02:55] – Elevator pitch: magic meets science, sunshine meets grumpy [03:40] – The time-travel mistake: why the duke is not happy to be in 2025 [04:25] – The painting twist & how magical rules affect the museum [05:00] – Building a lightly magical world set in real Chicago locations [06:00] – The Art Institute of Chicago: why it feels like pure magic [07:10] – Laura and Bryn’s shared museum nostalgia [08:15] – Bryn’s reading tastes: romance, fantasy roots, poetry, history [09:20] – Discussing magic systems, research, and Regency details [10:15] – Romance recs: pining, slow burn, smart dialogue [11:00] – Chicago-set romance picks Bryn loves [11:45] – Cozy fantasy favorites (Ashley Poston, Lana Harper, Sarah Beth Durst) [12:50] – Why “low stakes” in fiction still feels high stakes in real life [13:40] – Talking about book one in the series & FBI/“low stakes-ish” chaos [14:25] – Where to find Bryn online + her upcoming YouTube reboot [15:00] – Closing + reminder to check out the blog for more recsJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review! Mentioned in this episode:Advertise with UsDo you have a book or service that you want to share with our engaged audience? Check out our opportunities to sponsor with us.Advertise With Us

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.If you love late-bloomer romances, sex-positive storytelling, and YA coming-of-age vibes, today’s episode is for you.In this conversation, I chat with debut author Zakiya N. Jamal about her two 2024 releases — the YA romcom If We Were a Movie and her upcoming adult romance Sparks Fly. We dive into the behind-the-scenes of book packaging, the realities of writing two debuts in one year, and why she wanted to flip the virgin-trope on its head. We also get into her writing process, K-drama obsession, telenovelas, Turkish dramas, and the book recs she’s currently loving.📚 Books Mentioned If We Were a Movie by Zakiya N. Jamal — YA Romcom | \Coming-of-Age | First Love| Audio ✅Sparks Fly by Zakiya N. Jamal — Contemporary Romance | Late Bloomer | Virgin Trope Flip | Sex-Positive | Audio ✅The Scammer by Tiffany D. Jackson — Thriller | Campus Drama | HBCU Setting  | Audio ✅Mate by Ali Hazelwood — Paranormal Romance | Werewolves | Steamy | Audio ✅🕒 Timestamps [00:00] — Intro + Overview of Zakiya’s debuts[01:00] — What If We Were a Movie is about[02:00] — How she ended up releasing two debuts in one year[03:00] — What book packaging is + how it works[06:00] — Transitioning to her adult debut Sparks Fly[07:00] — Rewriting the virgin trope: crafting a sex-positive late-bloomer heroine[09:00] — Dating culture, late blooming, and real-life parallels[10:00] — Plotting vs pantsing[11:00] — Writing under contract + deadlines[12:00] — Her favorite part of the writing process[13:00] — Self-care: K-dramas, sitcoms, telenovelas, Turkish shows[16:00] — Book recommendations she’s loving[17:30] — Romance recs + non-romance reads[18:00] — Where to find Zakiya onlineJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review! Mentioned in this episode:Advertise with UsDo you have a book or service that you want to share with our engaged audience? Check out our opportunities to sponsor with us.Advertise With Us

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.If you love contemporary romance with a dash of magic, messy feelings, and big conversations about art and identity, you’re going to love today’s episode.I’m joined by author duo Emily Wibberley & Austin Siegemund-Broka to chat about their newest novel Seeing Other People—a tender, paranormal-light romance about grief, connection, and rebuilding your life. We also dig into their love story (yes, they’re high school sweethearts!), how their writing evolved from YA to adult romance, and why exploring art, performance, and personal truth keeps showing up in their books. Plus: great recs for fall vibes, emotional reads, and cozy witchy stories.📚 BOOKS MENTIONED Seeing Other People by Emily Wibberley & Austin Siegemund-Broka — Romance | Paranormal-Light | Grief & Healing | Audio ✅The Breakup Tour by Emily Wibberley & Austin Siegemund-Broka — Contemporary Romance | Celebrity Romance | Second Chance | Audio ✅Everything She Does Is Magic by Bridget Morrissey — YA Romance | Witchy | Halloween Vibes | Audio ✅The Best Worst Thing by Lauren Okie — Contemporary Fiction | Marriage, Infidelity, Reinvention | Audio ✅🕒 TIMESTAMPS[00:00] — Welcome + Intro to Emily & Austin[00:30] — Their love story: high school sweethearts[01:30] — Writing YA vs adult romance[04:00] — Why they wrote Seeing Other People[05:00] — Ghosts, grief & gentle paranormal vibes[06:30] — Crafting The Breakup Tour[08:30] — How they think about art, identity & storytelling[09:15] — What they read & how becoming parents changed their TBR[10:00] — Two must-read book recommendations[11:20] — Where to find Emily & Austin onlineJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review! Mentioned in this episode:Advertise with UsDo you have a book or service that you want to share with our engaged audience? Check out our opportunities to sponsor with us.Advertise With Us

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.Looking for the perfect low-stakes escape this fall? Today I’m diving into cozy fantasy with debut author Emily Krempholtz, whose novel Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore blends plant magic, self-forgiveness, a grumpy alchemist next door, and cottagecore vibes that feel like a balm for a messy world.In this episode, Emily and I talk about reinventing yourself after a hard season, the rise of cozy fantasy since the pandemic, and why magic makes the perfect metaphor for emotional growth. We also get into identity shifts, nervous system regulation, and how fantasy can gently mirror the work we do in real life. And of course—Emily shares her must-read fall cozy fantasy picks.If you're craving comfort, whimsy, emotional depth, and a touch of magic (without the overwhelming high-stakes quests), this episode is for you.📚 Books Mentioned Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore by Emily Krempholtz — Cozy Fantasy, Cottagecore Romance | Audio  ✅This Princess Kills Monsters by Ry Herman — Queer Fairytale Retelling, Cozy Adventure | Audio  ✅A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna — Cozy Fantasy, Found Family, Witches | Audio ✅The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna — Cozy Fantasy, Romance | Audio ✅The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar — Lyrical Fairytale Fantasy | Audio ✅🕒 Timestamps [00:00] – Intro: Why Cozy Fall Fantasy is the perfect low-stakes escape[00:45] – What Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore is about[02:15] – Cozy fantasy as a genre & why it’s booming[04:10] – Low-stakes fantasy vs. high-stakes traditional fantasy[06:00] – Magic as a metaphor for emotional regulation[09:30] – Identity shifts & the “geographical cure”[11:20] – Writing characters who evolve beyond the outline[13:00] – Emily’s journey as a book coach + ghostwriter[17:30] – Real-life narrative arcs & finding meaning in your past[19:00] – Book recommendations for cozy fall vibes[24:00] – Where to find Emily onlineJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review! Mentioned in this episode:Advertise with UsDo you have a book or service that you want to share with our engaged audience? Check out our opportunities to sponsor with us.Advertise With Us

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.If you’ve ever picked up a Southern women’s fiction novel and thought, this feels like a warm hug, today’s episode is for you. I’m joined by author Grace Helena Walz, who writes heartfelt, community-centered stories set in the South—full of family, quirky characters, and deeply emotional themes.In this conversation, Grace and I dive into her two novels—Southern By Design and Good Hair Days—and chat about writing family-driven stories, magical realism, Southern settings, and what makes Southern women’s fiction feel so comforting. If you're curious where to start with this genre, Grace gives us a fantastic starter list featuring authors like Dorothea Benton Frank, Mary Kay Andrews, Kristy Woodson Harvey, and more.We also get into her writing process, her love for the low country, how family expectations shape her characters, and the surprising emotional depth behind her latest Steel Magnolias-esque novel.📚 Books Mentioned Southern By Design by Grace Helena Walz — Women’s Fiction, Southern Fiction | Community, family legacy | Audio ✅Good Hair Days by Grace Helena Walz — Women’s Fiction, Southern Fiction | Sisterhood, small-town charm | Audio ✅My Magnolia Summer by Victoria Benton Frank — Southern Fiction | Family, coastal setting | Audio ✅The Violet Hour by Victoria Benton Frank — Southern Fiction | Multi-generational, emotional depth | Audio ✅Midnight at the Blackbird Café by Heather Webber — Southern Magical Realism | Small town, heart + magic  | Audio ✅The Charmed Library by Jennifer Moorman — Southern Magical Realism | Books coming to life, cozy magic | Audio ✅Bees in June by Elizabeth Bass Parman — Southern Fiction + Magical Realism | Emotional, character-driven | Audio ✅When the Jessamine Grows by Donna Everhart — Southern Fiction | Historical notes + gothic touches | Audio ✅Beach House Rules by Kristy Woodson Harvey — Contemporary southern women’s fiction | Audio ✅Various Titles by Mary Kay Andrews — Southern fiction staples | Audio ✅Various Titles by Dorothea Benton Frank — Classic low-country southern fiction | Audio ✅🕒 Timestamps[00:00] — Welcome + introduction to Southern women’s fiction[00:55] — Meet Grace Helena Walz & her writing journey[02:00] — The path to publishing Southern By Design[03:15] — Writing two books in one year[05:00] — What to expect from Good Hair Days[07:00] — Sisterhood, family legacy & emotional heartbeats[08:30] — Why “coming home” is such a powerful theme[09:30] — What defines Southern women’s fiction[10:30] — Grace’s influences: Dorothea Benton Frank & more[12:00] — College of Charleston, southern charm & sense of place[13:00] — Community, meddling, and why Southerners make great characters[14:00] — Southern magical realism: book recs[16:00] — More Southern fiction authors you should know[17:30] — Building a supportive author community[18:00] — Why recommending authors matters for readers[19:00] — Author friendships & community in publishing[20:00] — Where to find Grace onlineJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review! Mentioned in this episode:Advertise with UsDo you have a book or service that you want to share with our engaged audience? Check out our opportunities to sponsor with us.Advertise With Us

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.If you’ve ever felt intimidated by literary fiction, this episode is your warm invitation in.I’m joined by reader and library advocate Laura Bird to talk about eight accessible, emotionally rich literary fiction novels — all written by women. We chat about what makes literary fiction “friendly” for beginners, why libraries are democracy’s secret weapon, and how you can support your local branch beyond borrowing books.Whether you love short, quiet novels that pack a punch or intergenerational stories about women’s resilience, Laura’s recommendations will expand your TBR and your heart.📚 Books MentionedMaggie, or A Man and a Woman Walk Into a Bar by Katie Yee — Buy on Amazon | Literary Fiction | Friendship, resilience, humorThe Most by Jessica Anthony — Buy on Amazon | Literary Fiction | Short novel, 1950s, marriage, secretsThe Correspondent by Virginia Evans — Buy on Amazon | Epistolary Literary Fiction | Letters, grief, found familyHazel Says No by Jessica Berger Gross — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Literary Fiction | Coming-of-age, feminism, social justiceTo the Moon and Back by Eliana Ramage — Buy on Amazon | Literary Fiction | Indigenous voices, ambition, family sagaHow to Read a Book by Monica Wood — Buy on Amazon | Literary Fiction | Redemption, chosen family, forgivenessPeople of Means by Nancy Johnson — Buy on Amazon | Historical Fiction | Civil rights, mother–daughter bond, social changeHeart, The Lover by Lily King — Buy on Amazon | Literary Fiction | College, young love, grief, intimacy🕒 Timestamps[00:00] — Welcome back, Laura Bird![02:00] — How to get involved in your local library[10:00] — Library hacks and hidden perks[11:00] — Literary fiction picks for readers who feel intimidated[12:00] — Maggie, or A Man and a Woman Walk Into a Bar[15:00] — The Most[18:00] — The Correspondent[22:00] — Hazel Says No[25:00] — To the Moon and Back[27:00] — How to Read a Book[31:00] — People of Means[36:00] — Heart, The Lover[40:00] — Where to find smart literary recommendationsJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review! Mentioned in this episode:Advertise with UsDo you have a book or service that you want to share with our engaged audience? Check out our opportunities to sponsor with us.Advertise With Us

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.Ever wish your favorite academic rivals-to-lovers romance felt real? Author and researcher Dr. Jodi McAlister joins me to prove it can be.In this episode, I chat with Australian author and romance scholar Dr. Jodi McAlister about her new novel The Academic Affair — a smart, funny rom-com set inside the cut-throat world of higher ed. We talk about how academia inspired her rivals-to-lovers + marriage-of-convenience story, what it’s like to study popular romance for a living, and how genres like New Adult and rom-coms have evolved. Jodi also shares her favorite Australian and New Zealand romance authors you need on your TBR.📚 Books Mentioned ListAn Academic Affair by Jodi McAlister — Buy on Amazon | Rom-Com · Rivals to Lovers · Marriage of Convenience | Audio ✅Here for the Right Reasons by Jodi McAlister — Buy on Amazon | Reality TV Rom-Com · Bachelor-style drama | KU ✅ / Audio ✅Battle Royal by Lucy Parker — Buy on Amazon | Rom-Com · Enemies to Lovers · Baking Show | Audio ✅A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske — Buy on Amazon | Historical Fantasy Romance · Queer | Audio ✅The Ornithologist’s Field Guide to Love by India Holton — Buy on Amazon | Cozy Historical Fantasy Rom-Com | Audio ✅Five Bush Weddings by Clare Fletcher — Buy on Amazon | Australian Rom-Com · Friends to Lovers | KU ✅Love Unleashed by Melanie Saward — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance · Indigenous Heroine | Paperback only ⏰ Timestamps [00:00] Intro + why I loved The Academic Affair[02:00] Jodi’s double life as author and academic[03:00] How romance genres evolve (+ New Adult deep dive)[07:00] Reality TV and The Bachelor franchise[14:00] Inside The Academic Affair setup and themes[19:00] Why the marriage of convenience trope still works[20:00] Australian & New Zealand romance recs[25:00] Where to find Jodi onlineJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review! Mentioned in this episode:Advertise with UsDo you have a book or service that you want to share with our engaged audience? Check out our opportunities to sponsor with us.Advertise With Us

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.What if the person you trusted most kept one last secret — a deadly one?In this episode, I chat with thriller author Elle Marr about her newest novel, The Lie She Wears — a tense, mother-daughter cat-and-mouse story perfect for fans of Gone Girl. Elle shares how she built a propulsive plot full of twists, why she cut the romance from her early drafts, and the moment every reader gasps halfway through her book.We also talk about her recent reads — from The Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins to twisty thrillers by Yasmine Ango and Brianna Labuskes — plus what makes a good surprise ending work.📚 Books Mentioned The Lie She Wears by Elle Marr — Buy on Amazon | Psychological Thriller | KU ✅ / Audio ✅ Not What She Seems by Yasmin Angoe — Buy on Amazon | Small-Town Thriller | Audio ✅ The Lies You Wrote by Brianna Labuskes — Buy on Amazon | Forensic Thriller | KU ✅ / Audio ✅ The Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins — Buy on Amazon | YA Dystopian Prequel | Audio ✅🕒 Timestamps[00:00] Intro + Why The Lie She Wears is a Gone Girl read-alike[01:00] Elle Marr on how she started writing thrillers[03:00] Crafting propulsive stories and balancing twists[06:00] The setup and themes of The Lie She Wears[09:00] Writing mother-daughter relationships and grief[10:00] Elle’s recent reads and thriller recs[12:00] Discussion of The Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins[16:00] Final thoughts + where to find Elle onlineJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review! Mentioned in this episode:Advertise with UsDo you have a book or service that you want to share with our engaged audience? Check out our opportunities to sponsor with us.Advertise With Us

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.Julia Diaz-Young is back on the pod! In this episode, we catch up on her new role in wellness nonfiction marketing and dive into why nonfiction can feel just as gripping as your favorite rom-com. Julia shares upcoming books she’s working on—from Anatomy of a Con Artist to Mundane Magic—plus her current romance and historical reads.We also talk about her favorite new reading app, Page Bound, breaking up with Goodreads, and why romance readers will fall in love with inclusive historicals and witchy self-help.If you love smart, joyful book talk with a publishing insider, this one’s for you.📚 Books Mentioned Anatomy of a Con Artist by Jonathan Walton — Buy on Amazon | True Crime | Nonfiction | Audio ✅ Mundane Magic by Molly Donlan — Buy on Amazon | Witchy Wellness | Self-Help | KU ✅ / Audio ✅ Daddy Issues by Kate Goldbeck — Buy on Amazon | Rom-Com | Contemporary Romance | Audio ✅ Along Came Amor by Alexis Daria — Buy on Amazon | Latina Romance | Audio ✅ Only Earl in the World by Amalie Howard — Buy on Amazon | Historical Romance | KU ✅/ Audio ✅ Problematic Summer Romance by Ali Hazelwood — Buy on Amazon | Vacation Rom-Com | Audio ✅ Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood — Buy on Amazon | STEM Rom-Com | Enemies to Lovers | Audio ✅⏱️ Time Stamps  [00:00] Catch-up + Julia’s new publishing role [02:45] Why nonfiction can feel like fiction [03:30] Anatomy of a Con Artist discussion [06:00] Mundane Magic and the witchy wellness trend [10:00] Taking what works from self-help books [11:00] How publishing verifies wellness info [12:00] Julia’s latest rom-com and historical romance recs [15:00] Breaking up with Goodreads + discovering Page Bound [18:00] Ali Hazelwood and Amalie Howard chat [22:00] Julia’s book club and publishing behind-the-scenesJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review! Mentioned in this episode:Advertise with UsDo you have a book or service that you want to share with our engaged audience? Check out our opportunities to sponsor with us.Advertise With Us

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.Ever wondered what happens when Bookstagram meets cosplay and orc romances? In this episode, I’m catching up with my longtime friend Katie from KSquaredReads, one half of the OG Bookstagram duo you’ve seen everywhere.We talk about her transition to BookTok, why cosplay has become her creative escape, and how the Orc Sworn series by Finley Fenn completely reignited her love of monster romance. We also chat about the evolution of romance heroes—from the red-flag alpha males of 2016 to today’s morally-gray men and golden retrievers. If you’ve ever defended your love of dark romance, this one’s for you.📚 Books MentionedThe Orc Sworn Series by Finley Fenn — Buy on Amazon | Monster Romance | KU ✅ / Audio ✅Bull Moon Rising by Ruby Dixon — Buy on Amazon | Shifter Romance | Audio ✅Ensnared (The Spider’s Mate Series) by Tiffany Roberts — Buy on Amazon | Sci-Fi / Monster Romance | KU ✅ / Audio ✅The Hating Game by Sally Thorne — Buy on Amazon | Enemies to Lovers / Contemporary Romance | Audio ✅Tell Me Lies by Carola Lovering — Buy on Amazon | Toxic Relationship / Domestic Fiction | Audio ✅Credence by Penelope Douglas — Buy on Amazon | Dark Romance |  KU ✅ / Audio ✅🕒 Timestamps [00:00] – Catching up with Katie from KSquaredReads[02:00] – Wedding chaos & friendship with Kellisa[05:00] – How cosplay became her creative escape[08:00] – Fanfic eras & new obsessions[10:00] – The evolution of romance heroes[14:00] – Orc Sworn & monster romance recommendations[16:00] – Other monster romances: Ruby Dixon & Tiffany Roberts[17:00] – Where to find Katie onlineJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review! Mentioned in this episode:Advertise with UsDo you have a book or service that you want to share with our engaged audience? Check out our opportunities to sponsor with us.Advertise With Us

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.This episode originally aired 9/3/2024 If you’ve ever burned yourself out trying to make the holidays perfect, this episode will hit home. A Bright Side of Christmas by Morgan Elizabeth reminded me that joy doesn’t come from doing it all — it comes from slowing down and setting boundaries.In this re-air from the What to Read Next vault, I revisit my conversation with author Morgan Elizabeth — queen of small-town, feel-good rom-coms with early-2000s movie vibes. Before our chat, I share my reflections on A Bright Side of Christmas, a story about Wren, a teacher who embodies the Christmas spirit but loses herself to people-pleasing and burnout. This one hit me hard because I’ve been there — learning that saying “no” can be an act of self-care.Then, Morgan joins me to talk about her journey from blogger to bestselling rom-com author, her signature “vibes only” writing style, and why her books feel like pumpkin-spice-scented serotonin. If you’re craving small-town romance, pop-culture nostalgia, and cozy holiday feels, this episode is for you.📚 Books MentionedA Bright Side of Christmas by Morgan Elizabeth — Buy on Amazon | Holiday Rom-Com | Small Town, Teacher/Grumpy Neighbor | KU ✅Tis the Season for Revenge by Morgan Elizabeth — Buy on Amazon | Holiday Rom-Com | Legally Blonde Vibes | KU ✅ / Audio ✅Cruel Summer by Morgan Elizabeth — Buy on Amazon | Rom-Com | Mean Girls Inspired | KU ✅ / Audio ✅Passenger Princess by Morgan Elizabeth — Buy on Amazon | Rom-Com | Grumpy Bodyguard / Road Trip | KU ✅ / Audio ✅If This Was a Movie by Morgan Elizabeth — Buy on Amazon | Holiday Rom-Com | Friends to Lovers, Hallmark Vibes | KU ✅ / Audio ✅Marriage and Masti by Nisha Sharma — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance | Enemies to Lovers | Audio ✅Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood — Buy on Amazon | STEMinist Romance | People-Pleaser Heroine | Audio ✅Only for the Week by Natasha Bishop — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance | Vacation Fling | Audio ✅Out on a Limb by Hannah Bonam-Young — Buy on Amazon | Emotional Contemporary | Grumpy/Sunshine, Single Mom | Audio ✅⏰ Timestamps & Topics[00:00] — Why I’m re-airing this episode & my reflection on A Bright Side of Christmas[02:00] — How Wren’s burnout reminded me of my own people-pleasing years[04:00] — Morgan’s rom-com universe and the comfort of her small-town worlds[06:00] — Morgan’s journey from mom blogger to full-time author[08:00] — How “vibes-only” writing keeps her stories fun and cozy[09:00] — Where new readers should start with Morgan’s books[12:00] — The story behind Passenger Princess[14:00] — Writing holiday romances with heart and humor[15:00] — Morgan’s recent reads and author friends[17:00] — Why both of us will defend New Jersey foreverJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.What happens when your mom spies on the neighbor—and he might be a murderer? Author Sheila Roberts joins me to chat about The Man Next Door, a cozy mystery–meets–women’s fiction read filled with humor, heart, and multigenerational relationships.In this episode, I sit down with longtime author Sheila Roberts to talk about her writing journey—from regency romances to her modern blend of women’s fiction and mystery. We chat about the joy of writing multi-generational women, the wisdom of aging, and how stories can help us face fears and grow stronger. Sheila also shares three books she’s loving right now, including a mouth-watering Italian escape and a thought-provoking AI thriller.📚Books Mentioned:The Man Next Door by Sheila Roberts — Buy on Amazon | Women’s Fiction / Mystery / HumorThe Secret of Orange Blossom Cake by Rachel Linden — Buy on Amazon | Magical Realism / Women’s Fiction | Audio ✅The Happy Life of Isadora Bentley by Courtney Walsh — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Fiction / Women’s Fiction | Audio ✅Culpability by Bruce Holsinger— Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Fiction / Thriller | Audio ✅⏰Time Stamps:[00:00] – Meet Sheila Roberts and how she became an author[03:00] – From regency romance to modern women’s fiction[06:00] – Writing strong heroines and facing fears[10:00] – How Sheila plots her stories (and keeps control!)[12:00] – The inspiration behind The Man Next Door[15:00] – Writing older women and multi-generational stories[18:00] – The joy and wisdom of aging[20:00] – Sheila’s current reading life[21:00] – Book recommendations you’ll want to add to your TBRJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review! Mentioned in this episode:Advertise with UsDo you have a book or service that you want to share with our engaged audience? Check out our opportunities to sponsor with us.Advertise With Us

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.I’m declaring the holiday season officially open—starting November 1. After a tough year and a long reading slump, I decided to chase joy early this year with one thing that never fails to cheer me up: holiday romances.In this kickoff episode of my holiday reading season, I share why I’m leaning hard into cozy Christmas books this November, how I’m rebuilding my relationship with joy (and Christmas itself), and what I’ve been reading on my own mini reading retreat. Then, bestselling author Lauren Blakely joins me to talk about her newest audio-first release Merry Little Kissmas and the fan-favorite My Favorite Holidate. We chat about her writing process, full-cast audiobooks, and why she loves creating spicy, escapist holiday romances that feel like “Hallmark movies with heat.”📚Books Mentioned:Merry Little Kissmas by Lauren Blakely — Buy on Amazon | Holiday Romance | KU ✅ / Audio ✅My Favorite Holidate by Lauren Blakely — Buy on Amazon | Holiday Romance | Audio ✅The Bright Side of Christmas by Morgan Elizabeth — Buy on Amazon | Holiday Romance | KU ✅The Holiday Hookup List by Alexis Daria — Buy on Amazon | Holiday Romance | Audio ✅Battle of the Bookstores by Ali Brady — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance | Audio ✅Boys of Riverside by Thomas Fuller — Buy on Amazon | Nonfiction / Sports | Audio ✅The Art Thief by Michael Finkel — Buy on Amazon | True Crime / Art Heist | Audio ✅⏰ Time Stamps [00:00] – Why I’m starting my holiday season early[01:00] – Rebuilding my relationship with Christmas and joy[03:00] – My holiday reading retreat and first books of the season[04:00] – Interview with Lauren Blakely begins[06:00] – Lauren’s backlist and audio-first process[10:00] – My Favorite Holidate and holiday escapism[12:00] – Merry Little Kissmas preview (grumpy hero, fake dating, hockey!)[15:00] – Lauren’s recent reads & audiobook recs[18:00] – Wrap-up and where to find Lauren onlineJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review! Mentioned in this episode:Advertise with UsDo you have a book or service that you want to share with our engaged audience? Check out our opportunities to sponsor with us.Advertise With Us

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.Toxic friendships, secret games, and deadly consequences. Alissa Lee’s debut takes domestic suspense into dark academia territory — and I couldn’t put it down, even at work.In this episode, I sit down with debut author Alissa Lee to chat about her upcoming novel — a twisty, character-driven story about five college friends whose secret game spirals into betrayal and murder. We talk about how her background working for the CIA, Capitol Hill, and Big Tech shaped her storytelling; why long-term friendships inspired her book; and how community and writing groups became her creative lifeline.If you love dark academia, female friendship drama, and slow-burn suspense, this conversation is for you.📚 Books MentionedWith Friends Like These by Alissa Lee — Buy on Amazon | Domestic Suspense / Dark Academia / Female Friendship | Audio ✅ (coming November 4, 2025)Sea Wife by Amity Gaige — Buy on Amazon | Domestic Suspense / Psychological Fiction | Audio ✅Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy — Buy on Amazon | Literary Thriller / Atmospheric Suspense | Audio ✅Broken Country by Claire Leslie Hall — Buy on Amazon | Suspense / Love Story / Gothic Vibes | Audio ✅🕰️ Timestamps[00:00] Meet debut author Alissa Lee[01:00] From CIA summers to Capitol Hill: her fascinating career path[05:00] How maternity leave reignited her passion for writing[07:00] The inspiration behind her debut: toxic friendships and authenticity[10:00] Her writing process and legal-minded plotting style[12:00] Why finding a writing community changed everything[14:00] What Alissa’s reading now — and her mini masterclass in suspenseJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review! Mentioned in this episode:Advertise with UsDo you have a book or service that you want to share with our engaged audience? Check out our opportunities to sponsor with us.Advertise With Us

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.This episode was originally published on March 11, 2023If your idea of a cozy night includes a glass of wine and a fictional murder—this episode’s for you.In this Thriller Starter Pack episode, I chat with Chelsea and Olivia from Thrillers by the Bookclub to help new readers dip their toes into the dark, twisty world of thrillers. From cults to cold cases, we share the best gateway thrillers—whether you love fast-paced mysteries, eerie slow burns, or a touch of romantic suspense. If you’ve been living on romance novels and want something that’ll make your heart race for a different reason, this is your essential starter guide.📚 Books Mentioned I’ll Be You by Janelle Brown — Buy on Amazon | Psychological Thriller | Audio ✅This Might Hurt by Stephanie Wrobel — Buy on Amazon | Cult Thriller | Audio ✅The Family Upstairs by Lisa Jewell — Buy on Amazon | Domestic Suspense | Audio ✅The Last Housewife by Ashley Winstead — Buy on Amazon | Dark Academia / Cult Thriller | Audio ✅Nothing Important Happened Today by Will Carver — Buy on Amazon | Literary Thriller / Cult | Audio ✅ The Overnight Guest by Heather Gudenkauf — Buy on Amazon | Psychological Thriller | Audio ✅Hello, Transcriber by Hannah Morrissey — Buy on Amazon | Romantic Suspense / Police Procedural | Audio ✅Beneath the Stairs by Jennifer Fawcett — Buy on Amazon | Paranormal Suspense | Audio ✅Catch Her When She Falls by Allison Buccola — Buy on Amazon | Mystery / Legal Thriller | Audio ✅Dead End Girl by L.T. Vargus & Tim McBain — Buy on Amazon | FBI Procedural / Crime Thriller | KU ✅ / Audio ✅⏱️Timestamps:[00:00] Meet Chelsea & Olivia[00:08] Why Thrillers by the Bookclub Exists[00:12] Laura’s Confession: New to Thrillers[00:13] Chelsea’s Cult-Themed Thriller Recs[00:21] Olivia’s Starter Thrillers for Every Reader[00:31] Final Thoughts & Where to Find ThemConnect with Thriller by the Book Club Podcast -https://www.instagram.com/thrillersbythebookclubpod/Join the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review! Mentioned in this episode:Advertise With UsWant to promote your book or service to our engaged audience? Check out our opportunities to sponsor. Advertise With Us

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.Pickleball is officially the new hotspot for meet-cutes—and now it’s getting the book-romance treatment it deserves.In this episode, I chat with author Ilana Long about how she brought one of the first traditionally published pickleball romances to life. We talk about her creative background in stand-up and Second City improv, why pickleball is the perfect sport for romance lovers, and what it was like narrating her own audiobook. Plus, Ilana shares the cozy, feel-good books she’s been reading lately—from Irish small-town romcoms to magical realism with a touch of travel escapism.📚 Books MentionedPickle Perfect by Ilana Long — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance, Second-Chance, Vacation Romance | Audio ✅ Pickleballers by Ilana Long — Buy on Amazon | Romantic Comedy, Small Town | Audio ✅ Love at First Book by Jenn McKinlay — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance | Cozy Village, Grumpy/Sunshine  | Audio ✅ The Wedding Dashers by Heather McBreen — Buy on Amazon | Romantic Comedy, Destination Wedding | Forced Proximity, Enemies to Lovers  | Audio ✅ The Secret of Orange Blossom Cake by Rachel Linden — Buy on Amazon | Magical Realism, Women’s Fiction | Travel Romance, Foodie Fiction  | Audio ✅ ⏱️ Timestamps[00:00] – Welcome Ilana Long, to the podcast[01:00] – Her creative journey from stand-up comedy to writing[05:30] – Finding joy in creative identity & persistence as a writer[09:00] – What makes pickleball the perfect social (and romantic!) sport[13:00] – How the pandemic grew the pickleball community[14:30] – Why pickleball meet-cutes are the new dating trend[17:00] – Writing Pickle Perfect and setting it in Costa Rica[18:30] – Narrating her own audiobook & audition process[20:30] – Ilana’s reading life and favorite genres[25:00] – Her book club picks & humorous mysteries[27:00] – Book recommendations for cozy fall escapes[31:00] – Where to find Ilana online🏓 Love this episode? Don’t miss my Pickleball Romance Book List, where I share even more laugh-out-loud, feel-good reads set on the court — from flirty doubles partners to small-town tournaments that turn into love stories. → https://whattoreadnextblog.com/pickleball-romance/Join the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review! Mentioned in this episode:Advertise with UsDo you have a book or service that you want to share with our engaged audience? Check out our opportunities to sponsor with us.Advertise With Us

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.This episode was originally published on August 29, 2022This episode was initially published in August 2022 — but lately, one book keeps coming up in nearly every author interview I record: A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna. It’s easily the top Fall 2025 book recommendation among authors, and after reading it myself, I completely understand why.So I’m pulling this conversation from the vault. In this interview, I chat with Sangu about how she built the whimsical, witchy world of The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, what inspired her to write for adults after years in YA and middle grade, and how her stories deliver the kind of cozy comfort we all crave when the world feels heavy.If you’ve already fallen in love with A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping, this episode gives you a deeper look at where it all began — straight from the author herself.📚 Books MentionedA Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna — Buy on Amazon | Cozy Fantasy, Witchy Romance | Audio ✅The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna — Buy on Amazon | Cozy Fantasy, Found Family | Audio ✅Babel by R.F. Kuang — Buy on Amazon | Dark Academia, Historical Fantasy | Audio ✅Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood — Buy on Amazon | STEM Romance, Enemies to Lovers | Audio ✅⏱️ Timestamps[00:00] – Welcome + why we’re revisiting this conversation[01:00] – The cozy, witchy vibes of A Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches[03:00] – Writing for adults after years in YA and middle grade[05:00] – Character-driven fantasy and how Sangu builds her worlds[07:00] – How she balances writing across genres and age categories[08:00] – Sangu’s favorite reads and upcoming projects[10:00] – Where to find Sangu onlineJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.In this new What to Read Next series, Laura reunites with her OG book besties — Amy from NovelGossip and Sarah from Really Into This — for an unfiltered, cozy group chat straight from their DMs to your ears.They dish on everything they’re really into right now: Dancing with the Stars drama, Real Housewives chaos, and the books they can’t stop reading (and recommending). Expect laughter, gossip, and plenty of book talk — because that’s what friends do best.📚 Books Mentioned Your Favorite Scary Movie by Ashley Cullins — Buy on Amazon | Horror/Thriller | Audio ✅Willing Prey by Allie Oleander — Buy on Amazon | Spicy Romance | Audio ✅Too Blessed to Stressed by Alli Hoff Kosik — Buy on Amazon | Upmarket Women’s Fiction (Upcoming 2026 Release)Half Light Harbor by Samantha Young — Buy on Amazon | Romantic Suspense | Audio ✅Save You by Mona Kasten (Maxton Hall #2) — Buy on Amazon | New Adult Romance  | Audio ✅Merry Christmas, You Filthy Animal by Meghan Quinn — Buy on Amazon | Holiday Rom-Com |KU✅/ Audio ✅Twelve Slays of Christmas by Jacqueline Frost — Buy on Amazon | Cozy Mystery | Audio ✅The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year by Ally Carter — Buy on Amazon | Cozy Mystery | Audio ✅Soulgazer by Maggie Rapier — Buy on Amazon | Fantasy Romance |Phantasma by Kaylie Smith — Buy on Amazon | Fantasy / Thriller Romance | KU ✅/ Audio ✅🕒 Timestamps[00:00] Intro to The Group Chat & Meet Amy & Sarah[04:00] About the Spice & Swoon Book Club[06:00] What We’re Watching: Dancing with the Stars & Housewives Gossip[14:00] What We’re Reading: Samantha Young, Maxwell Hall, and More[18:00] October Book Club Pick: Willing Prey[21:00] Upcoming Reads: Holiday Romances & Cozy Mysteries[26:00] Cozy Mystery Author Talk: Pseudonyms & Publishing[33:00] Fantasy Romance, Paranormal Light & What’s NextJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review! Mentioned in this episode:Advertise with UsDo you have a book or service that you want to share with our engaged audience? Check out our opportunities to sponsor with us.Advertise With Us

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.If you love Emily Henry, Annabel Monaghan, and Carley Fortune’s brand of emotional, character-driven romance, this episode is for you.This week, I sat down with Rena Rani, the brilliant writer behind the Substack Smart Romance, to talk about what makes a romance “smart” — from up-market rom-coms to Nora Roberts’ lasting influence. We went deep into the craft side of the genre: how authors balance humor with heartbreak, why line-level prose matters, and what defines the new wave of “elevated” romance that still gives you all the feels.Rena also shared her favorite under-the-radar reads and walked me through how she scouts new talent (hint: she loves digging through agent wishlists). If you’re craving thoughtful conversations about love stories that respect both the heart and the art, you’ll love this one.📚 Books Mentioned The Best Worst Thing by Lauren Okie — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary; infertility journey; emotionally realistic You Between the Lines by Katie Naymon— Buy on Amazon | Academia rivals-to-lovers; poetry as structure August Lane by Regina Black — Buy on Amazon | Music industry; mixed-media storytelling The Art of the Scandal by Regina Black — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary; scandal fallout, reinvention Heavy Hitter by Katie Cotugno — Buy on Amazon | Celebrity + athlete; ambition; messy, unflinching 32 Days in May by Betty Corrello — Buy on Amazon | Up-market contemporary; Smart Romance book club pick Backlist to Explore: Nora Roberts (romantic suspense & contemporary), Susan Elizabeth Phillips (sports romance), Julie James (career/office romance)⏱️ Time Stamps [00:00] Intro & Rena’s Substack origin[01:00] Nora Roberts: why the backlist matters[06:00] Craft chat: plots, subplots, interiority[09:00] Defining “up-market romance”[11:00] YA authors crossing into adult romance[13:30] Covers & market shifts since 2018[15:30] Genre history shoutouts (SEP, Julie James, McNaught)[16:45] Rena’s underrated romance picks[22:00] Finding gems via agent wishlists[24:00] Book club pick: 32 Days in May[25:00] What to expect at Smart Romance[26:30] Outro & future Nora Roberts episodeJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review! Mentioned in this episode:Advertise with UsDo you have a book or service that you want to share with our engaged audience? Check out our opportunities to sponsor with us.Advertise With Us

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.How do you actually use Libby to find hidden gems and save on books? Librarian Jenni Meyers and I break down everything—from advanced searches to borrowing across states—and share our personal Libby routines.As someone who proudly carries way too many library cards, I love helping readers get the most out of their local libraries—and this week’s guest, Jenni Meyers, knows all about that life. Jenni is a full-time librarian and co-host of the Buzzing About Romance podcast, and together we dig into how libraries really work, how to use Libby to its full potential, and why supporting your local branch matters more than ever.We also talk about the library’s hidden perks (from printing to streaming movies), how to request new releases before they hit shelves, and why non-resident cards are the best-kept secret for book lovers. Plus, Jenni shares her love for Penny Reid’s romance universe—and where to start if you’re new to her books.📚Books Mentioned:Truth or Beard by Penny Reid — Buy on Amazon | Small-Town Romance | Audio ✅Knitting in the City Series by Penny Reid — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance |  Audio ✅Beard Science (Cletus Winston) by Penny Reid — Buy on Amazon | Romantic Comedy | Audio ✅Engagement and Espionage by Penny Reid — Buy on Amazon | Cozy Romantic Mystery | Audio ✅Library Tips Covered:How to find digital lending platforms like Libby, Hoopla, and KanopyWhy your library’s Friends of the Library group mattersHow to request books before release dayHow to advocate for funding and stop book bansTricks for getting non-resident library cards in other states🕓 Time Stamps[00:00] — Meet Jenni Meyers & Buzzing About Romance[03:00] — Why libraries are the ultimate community hub[06:00] — How to find free events & resources near you[08:00] — Digital lending: Libby, Hoopla & Kanopy explained[10:00] — How to get multiple library cards & advocate for funding[16:00] — Requesting books from your library[21:00] — Tips for organizing your Libby tags & holds[22:00] — Getting started with Penny Reid books[27:00] — Final thoughts: Why everyone should get a library cardJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review! Mentioned in this episode:Advertise with UsDo you have a book or service that you want to share with our engaged audience? Check out our opportunities to sponsor with us.Advertise With Us

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.Bloodsuckers are back, baby. In this episode, Francesca joins Laura to dish on dark, gothic, funny, and YA vampire reads—with a special shout to Kindle Unlimited for budget-friendly bingeing.You’ll hear why vampires are resurging (thanks, romantasy!), what’s new beyond the Black Dagger era, and exactly where to start if you want broody politics, murder-mystery shenanigans, or campus drama. Plus a quick nonfiction detour for Vampire Diaries superfans.📚 Books MentionedA Bargain So Bloody by Vasilka Drake — Buy on Amazon | Paranormal Romance, Enemies-to-Allies | KU ✅Loving a Vampire’s Total Chaos by Aura Hayes — Buy on Amazon | Paranormal Romcom, Murder Mystery | KU ✅The Serpent’s Bride by Kathryn Ann Kingsley — Buy on Amazon | Gothic PNR, Mafia Politics, Dark Romance | KU ✅Nocture by Karina Halle — Buy on Amazon | Noir PNR, Historical (1947 LA) Blood Moon by Britney S. Lewis — Buy on Amazon | YA Paranormal, Vamps & Wolves, Campus Mystery A Cruel Thirst by Angela Montoya — Buy on Amazon | YA Paranormal, Forbidden Allies The Last Vampire by Romina Garber — Buy on Amazon | YA Paranormal, Boarding School, Pride&Prejudice-ish |I Accidentally Hooked Up with a Vampire by Jessica Cage — Buy on Amazon | PNR Romcom, Found Family | KU ✅Road Trip with a Vampire by Jenna Levine — Buy on Amazon | Light PNR, Amnesia, Road Trip Space Vampire by Ruby Dixon — Buy on Amazon | Sci-Fi PNR Novella, Forced Proximity | KU ✅I Was Feeling Epic (Oral History of The Vampire Diaries) — Buy on Amazon | Nonfiction/Audiobook | Audio ✅Paperback Crush by Gabrielle Moss — Buy on Amazon | Nonfiction, ‘80s/’90s Teen Lit |Your Favorite Scary Movie by Ashley Cullins — Buy on Amazon | Nonfiction/Audiobook, Scream Franchise | Audio ✅Welcome to the O.C. by Josh Schwatz, Stephanie Savage and Alan Sepinwall— Buy on Amazon | Nonfiction/Audiobook, TV Oral History | Audio ✅⏱️ Time Stamps (topics)[00:00] Intro & why Laura is a vampire-over-werewolf girly[02:00] Life updates + Francesca’s 2026 Romanceopoly plans[05:00] Why vampires are resurging (romantasy → PNR pipeline)[06:30] Rec #1: A Bargain So Bloody (witch x vampire, enemies-to-allies)[08:30] Rec #2: Loving a Vampire’s Total Chaos (romcom + murder case)[10:00] Rec #3: The Serpent’s Bride (gothic mafia, morally gray MMC)[13:00] Kindle Unlimited talk: borrowing limits & trad-to-KU notes[14:00] Rec #4: Torn (LA noir, Black Dahlia atmosphere)[16:00] YA lane & who actually reads it[18:00] Rec #5: Blood Moon (vamps/wolves, campus mystery)[20:00] Rec #6: Thirst (slayer + newly turned vamp)[21:00] Rec #7: The Last Vampire (P&P energy, boarding school)[21:30] Rec #8: I Accidentally Hooked Up with a Vampire (chaotic fun)[22:30] Rec #9: Road Trip with a Vampire (amnesia + travel)[23:30] Rec #10: Space Vampire (scared-sexy novella set)[24:30] Nonfiction: I Was Feeling Epic (TVD oral history)[26:00] More oral histories: Paperback Crush, Your Favorite Scary Movie, Welcome to the O.C.[27:30] Where to find Francesca (Under the Covers Book Blog)[27:50] Outro + blog CTAJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review! Mentioned in this episode:Advertise with UsDo you have a book or service that you want to share with our engaged audience? Check out our opportunities to sponsor with us.Advertise With Us

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.Ever wondered what Jane Austen would write if she lived online? Nikki Payne reimagines romance for our era—where identity, love, and culture collide.In this episode, Laura chats with romance author Nikki Payne, a cultural anthropologist and writer of Pride and Protest, Sex, Lies and Sensibility, and The Princess and the PI. They dive into why Nikki reimagines Austen’s classics through a modern, intersectional lens, how online personas shape our identities, and what makes “weird fic” and “out-of-pocket women” so irresistible. Plus, Nikki shares her must-read recommendations across romance, mystery, and literary fiction.📚 Books MentionedPride and Protest by Nikki Payne — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance | Audio ✅Sex, Lies and Sensibility by Nikki Payne — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance | Audio ✅The Princess and the PI by Nikki Payne — Buy on Amazon | Mystery Romance | KU ✅ / Audio ✅August Lane by Regina Black — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance | Audio ✅King of Ashes by S.A. Cosby — Buy on Amazon | Crime Thriller | Audio ✅The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow — Buy on Amazon | Fantasy | Audio ✅Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston — Buy on Amazon | Classic Fiction💌Where to Find Nikki:Instagram: @nikkipaynebooksTikTok: @nikkipayneromanceSubstack: The Painful Truth🕒 Time Stamps[00:00] Meet Nikki Payne: Cultural Anthropologist & Romance Author[00:03] Reimagining Jane Austen with Black & Asian Leads[00:06] The Princess and the PI: Reddit Sleuths & Modern Mysteries[00:10] Online Personas vs Real Life Identity[00:11] Exploring Body, Control, and Patriarchy in Fiction[00:13] Neuroplasticity, Healing, and Finding Love[00:14] What Nikki’s Reading: Weird Fic & Out-of-Pocket Women[00:15] Book Recommendations for After The Princess and the PI[00:16] Where to Find Nikki OnlineMentioned in this episode:Advertise with UsDo you have a book or service that you want to share with our engaged audience? Check out our opportunities to sponsor with us.Advertise With Us

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.Originally Published October 30, 2023Looking for fast-paced thrillers to binge this fall? In this replay episode from 2023, Amy from Novel Gossip joins me to share six twisty, addictive reads that are perfect for cozy nights in.If you love popcorn thrillers, domestic drama, or a touch of supernatural suspense, these backlist titles are easy to find at your local library or on audio.📚 Books MentionedThe September House by Carissa Orlando — Haunted Victorian home, dark humor, supernatural twist. | Audio ✅The Book of Cold Cases by Simone St. James — True crime blogger interviews a murder suspect from the 1970s. | Audio ✅Where the Blame Lies by Mia Sheridan — Romantic suspense duology with dark psychological tension. | KU ✅ / Audio ✅We’re All Lying by Marie Still — Popcorn domestic thriller full of secrets, lies, and messy marriages.  | Audio ✅The Wife Before by Shanora Williams — Fast, juicy thriller with soap-opera energy and short, bingeable chapters. | KU ✅ / Audio ✅Bonus mentions: Freida McFadden, Kiersten Modglin, A.R. Torre — for fans of quick, twisty thrillers available to borrow on Kindle Unlimited.🎧 Want to explore even more thrillers you can borrow without breaking your budget?Check out the post: Libraries that still offer non-resident cards in 2025⏱️ Timestamps[00:00] – Welcome and fall reading chat[02:00] – Why thrillers are hard to write[04:00] – The September House by Carissa Orlando[06:00] – The Book of Cold Cases by Simone St. James[08:00] – Where the Blame Lies by Mia Sheridan[11:00] – We’re All Lying by Marie Still[14:00] – The Wife Before by Shanora Williams[17:00] – Final thoughts & where to find AmyJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review! Mentioned in this episode:Advertise With UsWant to promote your book or service to our engaged audience? Check out our opportunities to sponsor. Advertise With Us

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.A high-heat, spooky-season romance with a heartbeat. Author Allie Oleander joins us to talk about Willing Prey—a primal-play, midlife-awakening romance where a 40-year-old lawyer proposes a “hunt” for 30 days… and catches real feelings.This episode is for readers who love darker vibes without trauma plots: think obsession, contracts, chase-in-the-woods tension, and the guaranteed safety of a romance HEA. We dig into Allie’s indie-to-trad journey, writing an “obsessed but tender” hero, and why horror and romance are emotional cousins.Books MentionedWilling Prey by Allie Oleander — Buy on Amazon | Dark Contemporary Romance, Primal Play, Age 35+ LeadsLittle Deaths by Nenia Campbell — Buy on Amazon | Erotic Romance/Horror-adjacent, Dub-Con/Non-Con Content, Ex-Horror Actress FMCWhere to find AllieWebsite: allieoleander.meInstagram/Threads: @allie.oleanderJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review! Mentioned in this episode:Advertise with UsDo you have a book or service that you want to share with our engaged audience? Check out our opportunities to sponsor with us.Advertise With Us

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.A career journalist turned thriller powerhouse, Hank Phillippi Ryan joins Laura to talk about the high-stakes cat-and-mouse ride of her latest novel, how book tour can turn terrifying, and why she writes smart women who fight for justice.In this episode, you’ll hear the real author-on-tour grind (airports, hotels, libraries, bookstores—only!), the secret that could upend everything for protagonist Tessa Calloway in All This Could Be Yours, and Hank’s philosophy on propulsive storytelling and triumphant endings. We also squeeze in a stellar “what to read next” pick.📚Books MentionedAll This Could Be Yours by Hank Phillippi Ryan — Buy on Amazon | Thriller, Cat-and-Mouse | Audio ✅ (narrated by Sarah Mollo-Christensen)Wrong Place Wrong Time by Gillian McAllister — Buy on Amazon | Time-twist Thriller | Book Club-worthy | Audio ✅ 💌Connect with Hank Phillipi RyanWebsite: https://hankphillippiryan.com/Join the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review! Mentioned in this episode:Advertise with UsDo you have a book or service that you want to share with our engaged audience? Check out our opportunities to sponsor with us.Advertise With Us

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.In this week’s preview episode, we’re going full Stars Hollow life—think Gilmore Girls banter, cozy small-town charm, and just the right amount of romance. If you love the feeling of a Hallmark fall movie in book form, this one’s for you. We kick things off with Fall I Want by Lyra Parish, a grumpy/sunshine small-town romance set against crisp autumn days, pumpkin spice lattes, and fake-dating swoons—all available on Kindle Unlimited.This is just a taste of what you’ll find inside our new community podcast on Substack. Along with bonus episodes, you’ll also get quarterly meetups, virtual author panels, and a weekly mood-reading curated daylist to help you build the perfect TBR.Right now, you can lock in a 20% off forever annual subscription—just $48 for the year. Join us for cozy recs, community vibes, and your next favorite read.Sign up here!Mentioned in this episode:Advertise with UsDo you have a book or service that you want to share with our engaged audience? Check out our opportunities to sponsor with us.Advertise With Us

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.Dreaming of your next Disney trip but not sure where to start? In this episode, I’m joined by Disney content creator and author Becky Gandillon, who blends her love of the parks with her background in data analytics to help travelers plan smarter, save money, and skip the overwhelm.Becky is the co-author of The Unofficial Guide to Disney World and shares insider tips on:Budget-friendly strategies for resorts and ticketsWhy the Disney Dining Plan isn’t worth it (and what to do instead)What’s new at the parks in 2025, from refreshed rides to new landsHow to enjoy Disney as a family, with friends, or even soloMust-read Disney books for fans of all ages📚 Books Mentioned (Disney Edition) The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2026 by Becky Gandillon with Bob Sehlinger and Len TestaThe Ride of a Lifetime by Bob Iger — Leadership lessons & behind-the-scenes at DisneyWomen of Walt Disney Imagineering by the Imagineers — Stories of 12 groundbreaking womenDream It! Do It! and Travels with Figment by Marty Sklar — Insights from a Disney legend⏰ Timestamps[00:00] Welcome & introduction to Becky Gandillon[02:00] How Becky got started with Disney + data[05:00] Disney trip planning made simple (budget + strategies)[08:30] Saving on resorts: Priceline, Airbnb, and DVC rentals[13:00] Dining at Disney: Why the Dining Plan doesn’t add up[16:00] Food & Wine Festival + new restaurant & parade updates[20:00] Beacon Barrel lounge opening at Magic Kingdom[21:00] Becky’s Disney book recommendations[24:00] Why Disney content creators make the parks more fun[25:00] Where to follow Becky online✨ Follow Becky: Instagram → @raisingminniemes  Blog → Touring Plans: Disney Data DumpJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review! Mentioned in this episode:Advertise with UsDo you have a book or service that you want to share with our engaged audience? Check out our opportunities to sponsor with us.Advertise With Us

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.Nonfiction doesn’t have to be intimidating—or boring. In this episode, I’m joined by Traci Thomas, host of The Stacks Podcast, to talk about the changing book landscape, how she built her long-running show, and why nonfiction can be just as binge-worthy as your favorite romcom.We dive into trends in publishing, the rise of BookTok, and why Traci believes there’s a nonfiction book for everyone. She shares practical tips for finding the right style of nonfiction for your taste, her favorite starter recommendations, and how to embrace memoirs, microhistories, and narrative nonfiction.📚 Books Mentioned A Marriage at Sea by Sophie Elmhurst — Genre: Survival Nonfiction | Reads like a novelAllow Me to Retort by Elie Mystal — Genre: Law, Politics | Audio ✅Bad Company by Megan Greenwell — Genre: Business, Private Equity | Audio ✅There Is No Place for Us by Brian Goldstone— Genre: Social Issues | Audio ✅Evicted by Matthew Desmond — Genre: Sociology, Housing | Audio ✅Open Book by Jessica Simpson — Genre: Memoir | Audio ✅The Woman in Me by Britney Spears (narrated by Michelle Williams) — Genre: Memoir | Audio ✅Heavy by Kiese Laymon — Genre: Memoir | Audio ✅Paved Paradise by Henry Grabar — Genre: Microhistory (Parking) | Audio ✅Shade by Michelle Nijhuis — Genre: Microhistory (Public Spaces) | Audio ✅Selling Sexy by Lauren Sherman and Chantal Fernandez — Genre: Business, Fashion History | Audio ✅The Kingdom of Prep by Maggie Bullock — Genre: Business, Fashion History | Audio ✅🕑 Time Stamps00:00 — Traci’s podcasting origin story and The Stacks03:00 — Shifts in publishing and BookTok trends06:00 — Diversity, representation, and trans authors09:00 — What to expect from The Stacks Podcast12:00 — How Traci picks book club selections14:00 — Publishers vs. audience-first book content18:00 — The role of influencers in book discovery22:00 — Why Traci champions nonfiction24:00 — How to pick a nonfiction book you’ll love27:00 — Keywords that reveal nonfiction styles28:00 — Starter nonfiction recommendations31:00 — Business, microhistories, and niche nonfiction33:00 — Gossip, culture, and memoirs35:00 — Where to find Traci online✨ Follow Traci Thomas:thestackspodcast.komi.io Join the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review! Mentioned in this episode:Advertise with UsDo you have a book or service that you want to share with our engaged audience? Check out our opportunities to sponsor with us.Advertise With Us

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.This interview was initially published February 14, 2022A moody island, missing girls, and a grumpy bard? Today, we revisit my 2022 chat with Rebecca Ross about her adult fantasy debut, River Enchanted, her writing journey, and the twisty books she loves.Recorded in February 2022 (before the release of Divine Rivals), this conversation is perfect if you’re curious about Rebecca’s path from YA to adult fantasy, immersive worldbuilding, multi-POV storytelling, and backlist recs you can snag from your library.📚 Books MentionedRiver Enchanted by Rebecca Ross — Buy on Amazon | Adult Fantasy | Audio ✅The Fifth Season (Broken Earth #1) by N.K. Jemisin — Buy on Amazon | Sci-Fi/Fantasy | Audio ✅Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary YA | Audio ✅Lumatere Chronicles (trilogy) by Melina Marchetta — Buy on Amazon | Fantasy | Audio ✅The Cruel Prince (The Folk of the Air #1) by Holly Black — Buy on Amazon | YA Fantasy | Audio ✅(Note: Episode recorded before Divine Rivals; not discussed in this interview.)⏳Time Stamps 00:00 – Why this replay + context01:00 – Rebecca’s origin story & love of fantasy02:00 – Life updates, routines, and creativity03:00 – The seamless shift: YA → Adult fantasy05:00 – Pitching River Enchanted in one line06:00 – Musical magic, rivals-to-partners, missing girls07:00 – The island as character: setting that drives plot08:00 – Multi-POV strategy & adding Adaira’s voice10:00 – Reading while drafting on deadlines11:00 – Theme: books with jaw-drop reveals12:00 – The Fifth Season: structure & scope13:00 – Jellicoe Road: dual narratives that click14:00 – The Cruel Prince: political intrigue masterclass15:00 – Where to follow Rebecca + playlists16:00 – Outro & next readsJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review! Mentioned in this episode:Advertise with UsDo you have a book or service that you want to share with our engaged audience? Check out our opportunities to sponsor with us.Advertise With Us

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.Star-crossed lovers, time loops, and letters that change everything. In this episode, Anastasia drops four recs where love defies lifetimes—perfect for readers craving angst, magic, and lyrical feels.We chat Bookstagram, Tampa’s Sip & Book Club, why libraries are a reader’s best friend, and a mini-tour through soulmate-through-time stories: from war-torn timelines to typewriter love letters and a cliffhanger-filled fairytale. Cozy-fantasy curious? YA at heart? Romance-first? There’s a book here for you.📚 Books Mentioned Our Infinite Fate by Laura Steven — Buy on Amazon | YA Fantasy, Reincarnation, Star-Crossed | Audio ✅ / KU ✅This Is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar & Max Gladstone — Buy on Amazon | Sci-Fi Novella, Enemies-to-Lovers, Epistolary | Audio ✅Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross — Buy on Amazon | Historical-tinged Fantasy Romance, Rivals-to-Lovers, Epistolary | Audio ✅/ KU ✅Once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber — Buy on Amazon | YA Fantasy, Dark Fairytale, Morally-Gray MMC | Audio ✅Timestamps00:00 — Meet Anastasia + Tampa Sip & Book Club (social + bookish vibes)02:00 — Reading tastes: seasonal cozies, thrillers, and mood-reading04:30 — Library love: audiobooks, holds, and hidden gems07:00 — Theme: “Soulmates Through Time” + Rec #1 Our Infinite Fate09:00 — Rec #2 This Is How You Lose the Time War (why audio shines)12:00 — Rec #3 Divine Rivals (rivals, typewriters, and gods at war)15:00 — Rec #4 Once Upon a Broken Heart (fast-paced, bingeable)17:00 — Adjacent vibes: lyrical, whimsical, a dash of darkness19:00 — Reading today vs. the dystopia era; picking palate cleansers20:30 — Where to find Anastasia + wrap-upJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review! Mentioned in this episode:Advertise with UsDo you have a book or service that you want to share with our engaged audience? Check out our opportunities to sponsor with us.Advertise With Us

Originally published July 21, 2022This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.What happens when a legendary romance author daydreams in church and accidentally plots a thriller? In this archival interview, Julie Garwood shares the surprising sparks behind fan-favorite books, her love of Scottish settings, and why she only ever kills the bad guys.We trace Julie’s start from a serendipitous Russian history class to medieval romances, the Buchanan family across centuries, and the real-life moment that inspired Heartbreaker. You’ll also hear how Grace Under Fire came together, plus the comfort-read philosophy that guided her work. Perfect for romance, romantic-suspense, and cozy-mystery readers who love HEAs and strong heroines.Note: This conversation was originally recorded in July 2022 while Julie was promoting her last published novel, Grace Under Fire. Julie Garwood passed away in the summer of 2023. We are honored to share her words and celebrate her legacy.📚 Books Mentioned Gentle Warrior by Julie Garwood — Buy on Amazon | Historical Romance (Medieval)For the Roses by Julie Garwood — Buy on Amazon | Western Historical RomanceHeartbreaker by Julie Garwood — Buy on Amazon | Romantic Suspense; Buchanan seriesThe Secret by Julie Garwood — Buy on Amazon | Historical Romance; Scottish HighlandsRansom by Julie Garwood — Buy on Amazon | Historical Romance; Scottish HighlandsThe Ideal Man by Julie Garwood — Buy on Amazon | Romantic SuspenseGrace Under Fire by Julie Garwood — Buy on Amazon | Romantic Suspense; Buchanan seriesA Girl Named Summer by Julie Garwood — Buy on Amazon | YA/Contemporary; family dynamicsWhere the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens — Buy on Amazon | Literary/Coming-of-Age Mystery (Julie’s TBR)⏱️ Time Stamps [00:00] – Welcome + co-host Addie; Julie’s early writing roots[01:00] – A Russian history class that sparked medieval romance love[04:00] – First sale: A Girl Named Summer and YA origins[07:00] – Western pivot with For the Roses; writing where the story fits[08:00] – London church “I know” sermon → the seed for Heartbreaker[11:00] – Buchanan family: from medieval (The Secret, Ransom) to modern RS[12:00] – The Ideal Man: opening scene, plotting while at T-ball games[14:00] – Football story, daydreaming → segue to Grace Under Fire[15:00] – Grace Under Fire: setup, Michael & Grace, Boston→Scotland stakes[17:00] – Writing joyful suspense; HEAs and only killing the bad guys[18:00] – Book recs & TBR: Where the Crawdads Sing, Jodi Picoult, Grisham, RobertsJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review! Mentioned in this episode:Advertise With UsWant to promote your book or service to our engaged audience? Check out our opportunities to sponsor. Advertise With Us