What Should I Read Next?

Latest Episodes:

Ep 227: Putting your money where your literary values are Mar 17, 2020

Show notes

Guest Sterling Hardaway values efficiency and growth in his reading life, which has led him to a hefty serving of nonfiction to learn new exciting things, fiction that sidesteps predictable tropes to deliver a truly unique reading experience, and seeking out authors whose perspectives have been historically underrepresented. Anne's challenge today is recommending 3 books that won’t tread the same old ground, and offer him something new.

Click over to the podcast website for the transcript and full list of books mentioned in this episode: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/227

You can keep up with what Sterling reads next on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ster724

Readers you know what we do here. Each week Anne helps a guest (and hopefully some of you) choose your next read. We hope this week you’re planning on making your next read Anne's new book Don’t Overthink It–which is out now!

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Ep 226: Dig in to a feast for your literary senses Mar 10, 2020

Show notes

As audiobooks have become more available and more popular over the years, they’ve become a bigger part so many of your daily routines. Today Anne chats with everyday expert Leanne Hunt about the history of audiobooks and her decades-long connection with the format. Leanne came looking for book recommendations that explore the inner life of characters, and lush sensory descriptions of setting and expression, so pull out those TBR lists if you are ready to be truly transported.

Click over to the podcast website for the transcript and full list of books mentioned in this episode: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/226

You can learn more about Leanne’s life and writing at blindhorsewoman.blogspot.com.

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Ep 225: What your neighborhood should read next Mar 03, 2020

Show notes

We're always hearing from listeners about connections made either on the show or in the blog or instagram comment sections. Today’s guest Elizabeth Barnhill had one of these delightful stories to share. She popped into Anne's DMs recently to say “Anne, I wanted to let you know that you are a bookstore matchmaker. I was listening to your show 2 years ago when you interviewed Alison Frenzel about opening up Fabled bookshop in my hometown…”

We'll can let Elizabeth and Alison share the rest of that story, as they both join Anne to chat about what it’s been like to open an indie in Waco, TX. Then Anne is setting Elizabeth up with 3 titles to read between all the advanced readers copies that she reads for a living now.

You can meet Anne at Fabled Bookshop on Tuesday March 24! Visit our events page to get tickets and get the lowdown on all Anne's spring travels.

Click over to the podcast website for the transcript and full list of books mentioned in this episode: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/225

You can follow Elizabeth on Instagram @wacoreads , and ogle the gorgeous Fabled bookshop @fabledbookshop. Visit Fabledbookshop.com to plan your own trip!

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Ep 224: Confronting the Bookshelf of Shame Feb 25, 2020

Show notes

Like many readers, today’s guest Lacey Yong is creative. But her writing hobby is beginning to clash with her book selections, so she came to WSIRN with the question “how do I pick books that inspire me to write, without being too influenced by authors who write in my genre?” It’s a tricky problem, but one we can work through.

Lacey is also ready to tackle the titles on what her husband jokingly calls her “bookshelf of shame.” Longtime listeners, you know Anne has thoughts about that phrasing...

Click over to the podcast website for the transcript and full list of books mentioned in this episode: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/224

Connect with Lacey Yong on Instagram @lacey.yong!

Readers you know what we do here. Each week I help a guest, and hopefully some of you choose your next read. Well I hope this week you’re planning on making your next read my new book Don’t Overthink It. Don’t Overthink It comes out March 3rd so right now you still have a chance to preorder yourself a copy and snag the bonuses we’ve put together for all those who preorder here.

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Ep 223: Five stars for negative book reviews Feb 18, 2020

Show notes

Anne has recommended books in translation to many guests in the past, but this week we’re venturing away from reading in English, with Parisian reader Florence Breuvart. Because she reads in both French and English, Florence often gets to choose between reading a work in translation, or reading an author’s words in their original language. Today, Anne's challenge is recommending Florence’s next reads in both languages. Anne and Florence also discuss a very precious personal book collection, what makes a classic a classic, and her ongoing quest to buy fewer books.

Click over to the podcast website for the transcript and full list of books mentioned in this episode: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/223

Connect with Florence on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shouldireadit

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Ep 222: Ordinary lives make extraordinary books Feb 11, 2020

Show notes

Today we listen in on Anne's recent event in Huntsville, Alabama in collaboration with Snail On the Wall and the Rocket City Moms Book Club. Shannan Malone hosts a conversation about Anne's new book, Don’t Overthink It, and Anne holds a LIVE literary matchmaking session with Erin, a reader from the event audience who loves books about the simple life. We hope you enjoy hearing what WSIRN is like — live and off the cuff.

Click over to the podcast website for the transcript and full list of books mentioned in this episode: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/222

Connect with Shannan on Instagram.

Connect with Erin on Instagram.

Learn more about The Snail on the Wall: website | Instagram

Learn more about Rocket City Mom: website | Facebook

Our next live stream with our Patreon supporters is this week! Join Anne and Brenna and ask them anything live and off the cuff just like today's episode. The livestream is February 13th, so become a supporter on Patreon and start thinking up your question. Read more about this event here.

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Ep 221: Swipe right for book love Feb 04, 2020

Show notes

Amy Rohn joins Anne to talk about literal literary matchmaking, the ups and downs of her life as areader in search of real-life romance. We’re exploring what she looks for in a partner, whether they’re a reader or not, and truly baffling stories from her attempts at talking to men on dating apps about books.

Plus, discussing Amy's newfound love affair with nonfiction after a lifetime of sticking to fantastical fiction, bookstore architecture, stylish prose, the book she had a huge grudge against in middle school. Of course, Anne plays matchmaker herself, recommending three titles Amy may enjoy reading next!

Click over to the podcast website for the transcript and full list of books mentioned in this episode: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/221

Give yourself the gift of more What Should I Read Next and become a supporter at Patreon.com/whatshouldireadnext! Supporters get bonus episodes, behind the scenes looks at how the podcasts are made, and and invites to our quarterly ask us anything live events. The next live stream is February 13th, so become a supporter on Patreon and start thinking up your question.

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Ep 220: The books that keep pulling me back Jan 28, 2020

Show notes

Every week, we promise to give you the information you need to choose your next read. Sometimes, that means information about a specific title (like the premise, interesting backstory, or a sense of the atmosphere.) But other times, the information you need is only discovered through thoughtful reflection on your reading patterns, and developing personalized adjustments.

Today’s guest Erin Schlesener spent a looooong time experimenting before she found a reading routine that fit her needs. Once she had the how locked in, the question shifted to what she should read. Those of you who consider yourselves “slow” readers, you know this struggle — you know you’ll only get through about a dozen books this year, how do you narrow them down to what will be most enjoyable to you? Well, we're tackling that problem today, and Anne is recommending 3 titles to Erin that won’t frustrate or disappoint.

Click over to the podcast website for the transcript and full list of books mentioned in this episode: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/220

Give yourself the gift of more What Should I Read Next andbecome a supporter atPatreon.com/whatshouldireadnext! Supporters get bonus episodes, behind the scenes looks at how the podcasts are made, and and invites to our quarterly ask us anything live events. The next live stream is February 5th, so become a supporter on Patreon and start thinking up your question.

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Ep 219: Required reading revisited Jan 21, 2020

Show notes

You might remember way back in Ep 60, guest Mel Joulwan and I talked about her love for books with a "strong sense of place". Mel realized she loves to travel in her literary life, and in the years since we chatted on WSIRN she’s made that the priority in big, delightful ways, along with her husband Dave Humphries. Mel and Dave are joining us today to chat about their reading journey together, fulfilling their long-time dream to move across the Atlantic, and their new destination-reading podcast aptly named Strong Sense of Place. Plus, they're recommending 3 books with great atmosphere they think I'll enjoy.

Click over to the podcast website for the transcript and full list of books mentioned in this episode: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/219

Hear more about Mel and Dave's new project Strong Sense of Place on their podcast that debuted this week, or via their website, Instagram, and Twitter!

Readers, on today’s episode we’re talking about travel reading. Well I have my own travel coming up and I want to make sure you’re in the loop. My book tour for Don’t Overthink It is booked. I’m going to wonderful bookstores I’ve been to in the past and I’m excited to say we have great events planned at new and new-to-me stores and cities, including New York City, Milwaukee, and Madison CT. Don’t Overthink It is out March 3rd and in-person events start that week. Get the details at modernmrsdarcy.com/events. I hope to see you live and in person at one of these book tour stops this spring!

Give yourself the gift of more What Should I Read Next and become a supporter on Patreon! Supporters get bonus episodes, behind the scenes looks at how the podcasts are made, and opportunities to help us make the show–like today's title which was chosen by our Patreon supporters.

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Ep 218: A WSIRN Marriage Story Jan 14, 2020

Show notes

It’s always fun to read through your guest applications. You fill our inbox with stories, goals, hilarity, and so much heart. One particularly memorable application didn’t come from today’s guest Anna Mittler — it came from one of her best friends, Charlotta, asking if we could make WSIRN a part of Anna’s upcoming bachelorette party. It took a full year to stitch the pieces together and get this episode to your ears, and we hope you love Anna’s story as much as we loved making it happen.

Click over to the podcast website for the transcript and full list of books mentioned in this episode: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/218

Give yourself the gift of more What Should I Read Next and become a supporter on Patreon! Supporters get bonus episodes, behind the scenes looks at how the podcasts are made, and livestreams with Anne and WSIRN's producer, Brenna.

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