What Should I Read Next?

Latest Episodes:

Ep 237: When the library is closed, what's a reader to do? Jun 02, 2020

Show notes

Elyssa Gould is an academic librarian and “recovering English major”, whose goal is to get caught up on her own backlist while she’s separated from her natural habitat, the library. Today, Anne shuffles around Elyssa’s 100 or so unread books into a few smaller stacks, for a DIY literature "curriculum" that should keep her busy at home for as long as necessary.

Click over to the podcast website for the transcript and full list of books mentioned in this episode: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/237

You can admire Elyssa's handcrafts at Instagram.com/elyssamakes

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Ep 236: What SHOULDN'T I read next? May 26, 2020

Show notes

It’s a weird time to be in the market for a new book. When it’s safer to stay home, and many libraries and bookstores have temporarily shut their doors to the public, what’s a reader to do… but turn to their home bookshelves! Your TBR shelf's time has COME!

Today Annd chats with Karla Osorno, a WSIRN listener whose 600+ precious unread books have been weighing her reading life down. Not only is Karla searching for her next read in these stacks, but she wants to lighten the mental load by eliminating the titles that just aren’t right for her. You’ll come away from today’s episode with questions and ideas you can apply to your own book collections.

Everyone at WSIRN HQ hopes you are well, and that your bookshelves are a source of solace when the going gets tough.

Click over to the podcast website for the transcript and full list of books mentioned in this episode: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/236

You can connect with Karla on her website KarlaOsorno.com.

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Ep 235: A crate full of summer reads May 19, 2020

Show notes

Today we continue our celebration of Summer reading with Zibby Owens, host of the podcast Moms Don’t Have Time To Read Books. Anne and Zibby are chatting about what they’re excited to read this Summer, whether those books are brand new or quite old. Get ready for a slew of summer-ready non-fiction recommendations for your TBR.

Click over to the podcast website for the transcript and full list of books mentioned in this episode: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/235

You can visit Zibby at ZibbyOwens.com, and listen to Anne's episode of Moms Don’t Have Time to Read Books here: https://zibbyowens.podbean.com/e/anne-bogel-dont-overthink-it

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Ep 234: The recipe for a delicious summer read May 12, 2020

Show notes

Readers, summer reading is so close you can almost taste it. Anne has been investigating upcoming summer releases for months now, on the lookout for new and notable titles that should be on your summer reading list. Prepping for the Summer Reading Guide brings up an important question — what makes a book a “summer read”? What’s the perfect balance of frothy to grounded, fun to thought-provoking, or relatable to rich-people-problems?

Today we've brought in author Jennifer Weiner, proud author of several quintessential summer reads, to discuss her criteria for a great poolside book, the upside-down and backwards season the publishing world is about to have, and her appropriately-titled new book Big Summer.

Click over to the podcast website for the transcript and full list of books mentioned in this episode: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/234

You can learn more about Jen’s books at jenniferweiner.com, and keep up with her on Instagram @jenniferweinerwrites and on Twitter @jenniferweiner.

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Ep 233: Escaping into someone else's story May 05, 2020

Show notes

Anne chats with education navigator Hanan Al-Zubaidy about literacy in the justice system, and how her work with incarcerated students has been affected by social distancing. Hanan came to WSIRN looking for an escapist reading experience, but she didn’t mean happy endings and rainbows. She escapes her day to day life by submerging herself in someone else’s complex, difficult world (fiction or non!)

If you read lists of ‘escapist fiction’ that’s full of peppy romance and thrilling action thinking “ehhh that won’t do it for me,” maybe you’ll find what you’ve been looking for in Anne's picks for Hanan today. Happy reading!

Click over to the podcast website for the transcript and full list of books mentioned in this episode: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/233

You can follow Hanan's reading life on Instagram @hanansbookshelf: https://www.instagram.com/hanansbookshelf

Readers, the ninth annual Modern Mrs Darcy Summer Reading Guide comes out next week! The Summer Reading Guide is similar to WSIRN–it's about helping you cut down ALL of the new titles to the a manageable number and hopefully helping you decide on a winner.

Before the guide is officially released Anne and Brenna are doing a live video event with members of our Patreon community. I'll give you a preview of all of the books and what excites me about them.

The Summer Reading Guide Unboxing takes place May 12th at both noon and 7pm eastern (we're doing it twice to make it easier for you to attend).

This is one of the events our community looks forward to the most. The bookish enthusiasm is off the charts. If you’ve ever wondered about joining our readerly community over on Patreon this is the time. Go to Patreon to learn more about the unboxing event and even watch the video replay of last year’s unboxing. Then sign up and join us on May 12th.

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Ep 232: Really good fiction is about EVERYTHING Apr 28, 2020

Show notes

Anne is joined by Gaithersburg, Maryland mayor Jud Ashman to give you an insiders’ look at what goes into the planning and establishment of those community book events. At the time of recording, they were still crossing their fingers that they’d get to meet in person at the Gaithersburg Book Festival. Between then and now, that event has been canceled due to COVID-19. (There will be some online programming, so watch the website for more information if you're intrigued.)

We're also digging into Jud's eclectic personal reading life, from westerns to middle grade fiction to historical nonfiction, to a book he describes as JAW DROPPINGLY GOOD… and Anne recommends 3 books to him like a human, not an algorithm. That’s a joke, but also a totally real concern when literary matchmaking. Listen in to hear Anne explain the difference in the episode.

Click over to the podcast website for the transcript and full list of books mentioned in this episode: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/232

Readers, we send an email every Tuesday with 3 bookish things I love, 1 thing I don’t, and what I’m reading now. If you want fun, informative, and delightful links to all things books and reading with a little dose of my personal reading habits then sign up for the weekly newsletter.

And be sure to do that now because in 2 weeks we’re sending all subscribers my ninth annual Summer Reading Guide. This is THE answer to what you should read next this summer. So sign up now.

-Anne

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Ep 231: Lush literary novels with page-turning appeal Apr 21, 2020

Show notes

Today, Anne's exploring a genre that’s on the rise these days... ecofiction! Reader Katy Yocom is constantly on the hunt for absorbing novels with plots that not only incorporate the natural world, but ones in which the story absolutely depends upon it. Anne's challenge today is to pick 3 well-written titles for Katy that paint a lush portrait of natural life without losing that “page turning” appeal.

Click over to the podcast website for the transcript and full list of books mentioned in this episode: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/231

You can read more about Katy’s book Three Ways to Disappear at KatyYocom.com and follow her on Instagram @katyyocom1

Readers, this is an exciting time of year at WSIRN: Summer Reading Guide season is almost here!

Our email subscribers get the our ninth (!!!) annual guide when it comes out, but Patreon supporters get it first. They're invited to join us for our live “unboxing” on May 12. This year we're offering two times to make it easier for you to attend live. Our patrons also get the guide that day, two days before it's publicly available.

If you’ve ever wondered about joining our readerly community over on Patreon this is the perfect time. Visit patreon.com/whatshouldireadnext now to sign up. We’d love to see you there.

-Anne

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Ep 230: Don't overthink your reading life Apr 07, 2020

Show notes

A note from Anne — I’ve been soooo looking forward to sharing today’s episode with you. Today we’re sharing the live audio from my book tour stop at the Strand in New York City. This evening in their gorgeous rare books room was MAGICAL. The room was packed with avid readers (and quite a few What Should I Read Next alums, which is what we like to call our past guests). It couldn't have been a better night, and I am so happy and thankful that now you get to listen in in today's episode.

But. I can't talk about that night—or this episode—without telling you that sharing it feels bittersweet. This was my second—and last, for now—book tour stop for Don't Overthink It and one of the Strand's last events before closing their doors due to covid-19. My heart goes out to the Strand, its employees, and all of New York City. I hope to see you all again soon.

For the time being, it's a solace to be able to bring you the live audio from that night at the Strand. This episode is ALL ABOUT What Should I Read Next; I’m reflecting on the show in a way that I really haven’t done publicly. I hope you find it interesting, illuminating, and entertaining. In the next segment I’m joined by a Strand bookseller to do some on-the-fly literary matchmaking for our live audience.

Let us know how we did in the comments at: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/230

Visit The Strand online at www.strandbooks.com, and follow their gorgeous Instagram account @strandbookstore.

More What Should I Read Next Live:

As Anne mentions in this episode we have a special One Great Book style bonus episode that's available to everyone over on our Patreon page. Anyone can listen to that here.

But now would also be a great time to become a Patreon supporter. This week we're having our quarterly live stream with Patreon supporters. Join us as we chat about what's happening behind the scenes, what we're reading now, and give recommendations for what some of you should read next.

We'll do another live event next month as we kick off summer reading season with the Summer Reading Guide Unboxing. This is the most fun event we do all year.

We hope you will join us now over on Patreon.

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Ep 229: Works of literary fabulousness Mar 31, 2020

Show notes

Why do some books with heavy topics leave you feeling uncomfortable, while other books tackling difficult subject matter make you feel understood and connected to humankind? Today, guest Mandy Lambert and host Anne Bogel pick apart the ingredients of Mandy's favorite and least favorite books to discover the subtle difference between a hard book that pays off in the end, and a hard book that’s just… hard.

Click over to the podcast website for the transcript and full list of books mentioned in this episode: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/229

You can hear more from Mandy on her blog: thisbrightlife.home.blog

Bonus episodes for you:

Readers, it is a difficult and confusing time. So this past week, we released two bonus episodes on Patreon to meet you where you are, plus some special events.

The first bonus episode is available to everyone. It's a book recommendation that has helped Anne during times of great loss and grief, and we think a lot of readers could use it in their life right now. Give it a listen atpatreon.com/whatshouldireadnext/posts, and feel free to share it with readers and other loved ones in your life.

Second, a patron-exlusive episode recommending 5 happy, hopeful reads, something many of you have written in to tell us you need right now. You can find this exclusive episode at patreon.com/whatshouldireadnext/posts, along with 31 other bonus episodes and livestream replays!

Finally, if you are looking for bookish community during an isolated time, now is a wonderful time to check out everything happening in our Patreon community. We are holding our quarterly Spring livestream on April 9th, which is a community get-together with Anne and Brenna to chat about what we've been reading off our home bookshelves, and share recommendations with other readers. We hope you can will join us!

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Ep 228: HELP! I can't stop quitting books Mar 24, 2020

Show notes

So, you hate the book you’re reading. Or maybe you just feel blah about the book you’re reading. Or maybe the book you’re reading is good, but a different book on your shelf just looks so appealing, and you can’t help reaching for it… suddenly, you have a stack of 5 half-read books on your nightstand, and you’re still browsing the library catalog for something new. If you relate to any of those scenarios, today’s episode is for you. Guest Jamie Wright is a self-proclaimed “book quitter”, and she’s asked for Anne's help turning things around.

Click over to the podcast website for the transcript and full list of books mentioned in this episode: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/228

Readers, whether you are looking for an escape from the news or for something to entertain kids who are suddenly at home we, have Spotify playlists of back episodes of What Should I Read Next for all your binging, relaxing, or bibliotherapying needs. Find them all at https://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/spotify.

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