What Should I Read Next?

Latest Episodes:

Ep 257: Let’s build your holiday book list Nov 03, 2020

Show notes

Our annual holiday recommendations episode is here! A few weeks ago, you called us with your bookish gift buying questions and dilemmas, and today Anne is answering those questions alongside Beth Buss, the general bookstore manager at Bookmarks, a literary arts nonprofit in downtown Winston-Salem North Carolina.

Beth and Anne will help you find just the right gifts for their loved ones of all ages and reading tastes, from classic kid lit to science fiction… and everything in between.

Visit the podcast website at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/257 to see the full list of titles we discussed, an episode transcript, and more.

Learn more about Bookmarks, including the Book Build project Beth mentions, on their websit bookmarksnc.org. If none of our recommendations fit the reader in your life their Signed First Editions Club or their Kids’ Club would also make great gifts. And keep an eye on their events page as they continue to have great online events and are looking forward to the next Bookmarks Festival–a bookish bucket list event.

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Ep 256: The perks and pitfalls of omnivorous reading Oct 27, 2020

Show notes

Reader Cliff Cullen was in the middle of his best reading year ever when...the pandemic hit. His one-time favorite reading habits, like listening to audiobooks during his commute, have had to change—but his voracious appetite for books remains the same. Today, Anne recommends books in a wide variety of genres to suit Cliff’s eclectic reading taste and push the boundaries of his typical book selections. Also discussed: “themed” reading based on seasons or settings, reading your cookbooks, and the special accomplishment of reading every single book by your favorite author.

Visit the podcast website at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/256 to see the full list of titles we discussed, an episode transcript, and more.

You can follow Cliff’s cookbook adventures on Instagram @cookingwithclifton.

Our next livestream with our Patreon members is this Thursday. Join Brenna and Anne to ask them anything and to participate in a little live literary matchmaking. Find out more at patreon.com/whatshouldireadnext.

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Ep 255: Spine-tingling reads for a confirmed scaredy-cat Oct 20, 2020

Show notes

Valencia Taylor is self-proclaimed book-pusher looking for reads that fall on the line between just-spooky-enough and way-too-scary, compelling stories that teach her something new about the world, and a way to keep track of her reading life. Of course, as a fellow book-pusher, Anne has plenty of recommendations and practical tips to share...

Visit the podcast website at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/255 to see the full list of titles we discussed, an episode transcript, and more.

You can follow Valencia’s reading life on Instagram @vtaylor42

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Ep 254: A plethora of political(ish) book recs Oct 13, 2020

Show notes

Anne is joined by Sarah Stewart Holland & Beth Silvers of Pantsuit Politics podcast to discuss fiction and nonfiction recommendations that have shaped their understanding of politics, history, and what it means to be a human in this world. They're each sharing "political" books they personally love and often recommend, because they are fascinating, thought-provoking, and sometimes surprisingly page-turning.

Visit the podcast website at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/254 to see the full list of titles we discussed, an episode transcript, and more.

Readers, the holidays are fast approaching and around here we’re of the opinion books make the perfect gift, whether you’re shopping for friends, family, coworkers, or teachers. But choosing the right title can be tough, so it’s become a tradition on WSIRN to have a special guest join me on the show to help us match YOUR loved one with the perfect readerly gift. If you want our help building your bookish shopping list, there are two ways to participate:

Leave me a voicemail from your phone or computer at speakpipe.com/whatshouldireadnext ‬sharing who you’d like a gift recommendation for, a couple of books they love, a book or genre you know they don’t like, and any little details you think are useful. Please make sure to keep your message under 1 minute!

You can also email our producer Brenna at brenna@modernmrsdarcy.com with the same details - who your giftee is, their favorites, their least favorites, and whatever else you think would be helpful

We’ll squeeze as many submissions as we can into the upcoming holiday episode, and hook you up with the perfect bookish gifts!

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Ep 253: A whole bunch of book recs, from our team of readers to you Sep 29, 2020

Show notes

Hey readers! Get your TBRs ready, because today’s episode contains a TON of book titles for a wide array of reading tastes, from a few voices which might sound familiar if you’ve been a long-time WSIRN listener.

A few weeks ago, we asked the Modern Mrs Darcy and What Should I Read Next team to share their own summer reading recaps for a special Patreon bonus episode. Today, as we honor the change of the seasons (or perhaps cling fiercely to our page-turning beach reads), we’re sharing the full audio of that bonus episode here.

If you’re a patreon member who’s already listened—well, first of all, thank you! And KEEP LISTENING, because today you’ll hear Brenna and Anne will be sharing some of our favorite summer reads as well, a brand new addition to the original bonus episode.

Visit the podcast website at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/253 to see the full list of titles we discussed, an episode transcript, and more.

We share bonus episodes like this one every week on Patreon – there’s over 20 hours of bonus audio waiting for you. Our community members get those regular extra doses of book talk, plus bonus content like our printable Summer Reading Guide and our new Fall Book Preview digital magazine, PLUS our video Unboxing events and member-only Ask Us Anything sessions. We’d love to have you join our community of avid readers: Become a member today at Patreon.com/WHATSHOULDIREADNEXT!

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Ep 252: Books that send you racing to Google Sep 22, 2020

Show notes

Today's guest wants surprising books with unique story structures, new information, and plot twists that will make her say, “what did I just read?” Shelly Akins is a proud Arizonian who is always reading. And when she isn’t reading, she loves attending the Tuscon Festival of Books, a huge literary festival where both book talk and fangirling are welcomed.

We eagerly await the day we can gather for book festivals again, but in the meantime, Shelly finds community in her Book Challenge Group, which is not a traditional book club. Talking books with fellow readers has helped Shelly hone in on her personal reading taste and decide what she wants more of in her reading life. Today, Anne's recommending three titles to surprise and delight this avid reader!

Visit the podcast website at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/252 to see the full list of titles we discussed, an episode transcript, and more.

You can follow Shelly's reading life on Instagram @shellyreads.stuff.

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Ep 251: I love books and books love me back Sep 15, 2020

Show notes

Today’s guest is a self-proclaimed “book glutton” who reads in between everyday moments at home, at work, and even while she’s walking. Grettel Castro is a biostatistician living in Miami, Florida. She emigrated to the United States from Cuba at the age of 14, but her voracious appetite for reading started much earlier. Readers, I’m sure many of you will relate to Grettel’s story of falling in love with books as a young reader, as well as her current mixed feelings on big literary award-winning novels.

Grettel loves backlist books, or as she says, older novels that have “simmered” for a while, and has mixed feelings on which books take home the big literary awards... so today, in addition to getting tips on reading with an open novel in my hands, I’m recommending three great books with literary staying power.

Visit the podcast website at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/251 to see the full list of titles we discussed, an episode transcript, and more.

You can snoop on Grettel's reading life on Instagram @6wordsbookreviews

We're going back to Book School! This season we’re learning to read better, together—excessively nerdy and super enjoyable classes that will help you go deeper with your books, brighten your book talk, and have more fun in your reading life!

Book School is part of the Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club, so you’ll get to pair what you’re learning with the books we’re reading and the authors we’re chatting with this fall.

Book school is under way so join now.

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Ep 250: I want a book that reads like a love letter Sep 08, 2020

Show notes

Today’s guest has a story that sounds like the beginning of a juicy historical fiction novel.

As a teenager, Liz Maguire came across a batch of 1920s love letters at a flea market. This launched an obsession with collecting vintage letters and preserving people’s personal correspondence as a piece of history. Of course, this project has had a marked affect on her reading life, so Liz has come to Anne looking for books that measure up to the detailed, intimate depictions of the real stories found in her vintage letters.

Visit the podcast website at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/250 to see the full list of titles we discussed, an episode transcript, and more.

You can learn all about Liz’s project at fleamarketloveletters.com and see the letters yourself on Instagram @fleamarketloveletters

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Ep 249: Who would read the dictionary for fun? (we would) Sep 01, 2020

Show notes

An encounter with The Baby-Sitters Club #4 Mary Anne Saves the Day launched today's guest into a lifelong love of reading AND a special fondness for middle grade novels. Afoma Umesi is a freelance writer, editor, and children’s book blogger living in Nigeria. Anne has her work cut out for her to recommend middle grade books Afoma hasn’t read yet, plus selecting an adult title to suit her taste.

Visit the podcast website at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/249 to see the full list of titles we discussed, an episode transcript, and more.

Make sure to visit Afoma's website: http://afomaumesi.com

And give her a follow on Twitter: http://twitter.com/afomaumesi

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Ep 248: Reading on island time Aug 25, 2020

Show notes

Today I’m talking with Jennifer Cordeiro, who lives in Bermuda, a small island with two bookstores and one library. Jennifer has encountered her fair share of #bookwormproblems, both in her own reading life and in her job at her small island bookstore where hurricanes, tourism, shipping dilemmas, and special orders mean you never know which books you’ll see on the shelves.

Jennifer's personal bookshelves are currently overstuffed with more than ONE THOUSAND unread titles, and today my job is to help her choose what to read next. Plus, we talk about the occupational hazards of working in a bookstore, the joys of mood reading, and a surprising hometown connection.

Visit the podcast website at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/248 to see the full list of titles we discussed, an episode transcript, and more.

Follow Jennifer on Instagram @bdajen1.

Our Fall Book Preview is coming up on September 1! Join us live when I share 42 (get it?) of this season’s eagerly-anticipated new releases, featuring a mix of titles I’ve read and loved, titles I can’t wait to read, and titles the book industry is abuzz about for the season to come. This year for the first time you'll also get the companion Fall Book Preview magazine. This event and companion magazine are exclusively for our MMD Book Club members and WSIRN Patreon "Book Lover" members. If you're not already a WSIRN member, now is a great time to join. Click here to find out more.

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