What Should I Read Next?

Latest Episodes:

Ep 307: Writers start as readers Nov 16, 2021

Show notes

If you've ever dreamed about becoming a writer, you're not alone. Writers begin as readers, after all, whether they're grounded in a love of memoir, fantasy, or any other genre on the shelf. Today's guest has built a career around coaching people from all backgrounds to embrace the joy of writing.

Allison Fallon (Ally) is a Nashville-based writing coach and author of The Power of Writing it Down. She's seen firsthand the benefits that people experience when they begin to write, whether it's in a personal journal or a draft of a future publication. Ally's also a lifelong reader who has struggled to find as much time to read as she'd like since starting a family.

Join Anne and Ally today in a conversation about how writing impacts us, the power of reading to transform us, and our shared appreciation for stories about complex human relationships. Anne has a few suggestions to help Ally re-discover her reading rhythm, and recommends some lyrical stories that we hope she'll love.

Connect with Ally at her website or on Instagram @allyfallon.

Listen in and see the full list of titles discussed today at our website: whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/307.

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Ep 306: You don't read in a vacuum Nov 09, 2021

Show notes

Today's guest is a dedicated reader who appreciates reading as both a leisure activity and a way to learn about other perspectives and experiences. But over the past few years, the stress of her work in the healthcare industry has impacted her reading life as she's found herself more easily distracted from her usual reads.

Corinne Miller turned to poetry collections, finding joy and inspiration in shorter stints of reading and appreciating the elegant artistry of words on the page. Her exploration of the genre has given her energy to push through difficult times and led her to reconnect with the joy of reading.

Anne and Corinne chat about why found family plots resonate with her, our shared appreciation for an artful structure on the page, and how poetry has helped re-energize her over the past year. Anne is recommending books and poetry collections that hopefully Corinne will love, and that would serve as wonderful entry points for anyone looking to sprinkle some poetry into their reading life.

See all of the books and poetry collections discussed today at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/306, and let us know if you've read anything you think Corinne would enjoy!

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Ep 305: Read yourself like a book Nov 02, 2021

Show notes

Deciding what to read next is so much easier when you know what you love to read—and what you don't. In today's episode, Anne shares a behind-the-scenes look at her new reading journal, My Reading Life.

Created to help you achieve your best reading life, Anne's journal is thoughtfully designed to help you understand what you love, and what you don't, about what you've read lately. My Reading Life is the result of hundreds of conversations and years of gathering knowledge, and the result is the reading journal that so many of our listeners have asked for!

Listen in to enjoy this deep dive of My Reading Life. If you're ready to grab your copy, you can order one here, or ask your local independent bookstore to order it for you.

If you're already using and loving your new book journal, be sure to tag @whatshouldireadnext in your Instagram posts, so we can celebrate along with you.

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Ep 304: Your trusty list of bookish gifts Oct 26, 2021

Show notes

Readers, it's time for our sixth annual holiday recommendations episode! We're back with this much anticipated gift giving guide for the readers in your lives, and as always, it’s been a treat to create.

Over the past few weeks, you called and emailed us with your bookish gift questions, and today Anne is teaming up with Valerie Koehler of Houston's Blue Willow Bookshop to help match the loved ones in your life with books we think they'll love. Whether you're looking for the best in board books or something that feels fresh in the world of thrillers & non-fiction, today's episode has you covered.

Catch the full list of all the books recommended in today's episode at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/304.

Be sure to check out Blue Willow Bookshop on Instagram at @bluewillowbooks. For extra treats like information on their amazing (in-person & virtual) events and their 2021 Best Of list, visit their website.

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Ep 303: Reading for thrills and chills Oct 19, 2021

Show notes

This time of year, so many readers are looking to tip-toe (or sometimes, to sprint) into scary stories, but finding the right spooky read can be tricky.

Today’s guest Margaret Prinzing knows what she likes to read in her preferred genres, but she's recently embarked on a journey to read more thrilling books and is eager to discover some new reads to help her find her way. But we don't just talk ghost stories and haunted houses—we discuss some of the challenges of breaking into a new genre of any kind, and Anne shares some top tips for readers looking to try something new without feeling totally disconnected from what they know the love.

We hope you'll enjoy the conversation with Margaret today, and will walk away feeling inspired about what you hope to read next!

You can see the full list of recommendations for Margaret at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/303, and leave a comment to suggest your favorite spooky reads you think she might enjoy.

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Ep 302: Books you can believe in Oct 12, 2021

Show notes

If you love books that make you think or spark a spirited discussion, you're on the same page as today's guests!

Christine Pride and Jo Piazza have a shared passion for books where the stakes are high and the story is personal. From intimate memoirs to books featuring strong female friendships, they are looking for books that will show them something unique while evoking a strong reaction.

Christine and Jo have a unique and long-lasting relationship of their own: they've worked together for years as editor & writer, and they recently embarked on a new stage of their bookish journey, jointly penning the brand-new release We Are Not Like Them.

Listen in to today's conversation with Jo and Christine about books they've loved and stories that have moved them. See the full list of books we discussed on our website at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/302, and leave a comment with any books you think Christine and Jo would love to read and discuss!

Connect with Christine on Instagram and her website; Find Jo on Instagram and Twitter.

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Ep 301: Ask Anne Anything Sep 28, 2021

Show notes

Readers, as we continue our celebration of 300 episodes of What Should I Read Next, today we are bringing your voices to the stage as Anne and WSIRN team member Leigh Kramer tackle your burning questions!

We always enjoy our Ask Anne Anything episodes and the chance to hear what you’re curious about. We hope today's conversation and our answers give you a little more insight into the world of WSIRN. Thank you so much to everyone who sent in a question!

Be sure to check out this episode's show notes for a list of all the books we discussed today.

And sure you don't miss out on the final stage of our 300th episode celebration. We'll be hosting a special LIVE event for our Patreon community with interviews and conversations with three of WSIRN's most recommended authors, and we'd love to have you join us. Learn more at our Patreon site.

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Ep 300: How good it is to be among people who are reading! Sep 21, 2021

Show notes

If you've listened in to any—or all!— of our past 300 episodes, you've heard conversations with readers and authors, booksellers and book club members, and of course a whole lot of literary matchmaking. Today, after more than five years of creating bookish delight, we’re taking a moment to celebrate the people and process behind our weekly podcast and explore the many layers of WSIRN!

Listen in today to hear from some of our original voices as we talk about how the show began, how it's grown over time, and peek behind the scenes of how we do what we do here at WSIRN HQs. We'll also hear from some of you about how this podcast has changed your reading lives!

You can find our show notes, including a list of all the episodes mentioned in today's discussion, at our website! And for more 300th celebration, check out our Patreon community, where we're hosting an upcoming special event featuring some of WSIRN's most beloved authors.

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Ep 299: Playing genre hopscotch Sep 14, 2021

Show notes

Readers, we know it can be tricky to break out of a reading rut, and sometimes it takes a nudge from a friend to try something new.

Michael Clark has a good handle on what he loves to read. From beach reads that don't get the respect they deserve, to stories that acknowledge their literary heritage, he reaches across genres when he's picking up his next book and he's not afraid to put down a book that's not right for him. But today, he's feeling stuck in a bit of a reading drought.

Michael's hoping to reinvigorate his reading life by discovering some books that deliver on his love of well-developed characters while delving into genres he typically ignores, like science fiction.

Be sure to listen all the way through to hear Anne's picks for Michael, including a special bonus selection at the end of the episode today.

Read this episode's show notes, including the full list of books we discussed, at our website. And if you're interested in seeing what Michael reads next, connect with him on Instagram.

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Ep 298: A reading life without regrets Sep 07, 2021

Show notes

Today's guest loves Jane Austen, but that's just the beginning for our conversation today.

Cristina Griffin's work life as an English professor often overlaps with her personal love of reading for pure fun! She's drawn to atmospheric stories with brilliant endings and compelling characters, and she's read all the way through many an author's backlist.

Anne recommends books that fit Cristina's desire for contemporary novels that are fun to read and a new-to-her series she can slowly devour. We hope today's episode might inspire you to break down some boundaries in your reading life and find a new, immersive read you'll enjoy.

Visit our website to see the (long) list of books we discussed during this episode!

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