What Should I Read Next?

Latest Episodes:

Ep 197: Rebuilding a bookshelf in Paradise Aug 20, 2019

Show notes

Today’s guest, Amelia Mattingly, went through a gut-wrenching experience that ripped her book collection away from her – shelves and all – along with countless other precious signifiers of home. As a result of this experience, the books she craves are different now, and every book purchase feels weighty.

Anne is connecting Amelia with three books that will hopefully take some of that heaviness off her shoulders and let her choose a different world to escape into, just for a few hours.

CONTENT WARNING: Amelia tells her story of surviving an enormous natural disaster in heartbreaking detail, and it might be too much for anxious or sensitive listeners. If you need to skip the detailed descriptions, our book discussion starts about 20 minutes in, and mentions of the traumatic events are less detailed after that point.

Click over to the podcast website for a list of books mentioned in this episode: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/197

You can find information about the Paradise, CA mobile clinic, MedSpire, at http://www.medspire.org, and contribute a tax-deductible donation at http://www.medspire.org/donate

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Ep 196: What the cool kids are reading Aug 13, 2019

Show notes

Today you’ll get to know Anudeep Reddy, a reader who grew up in a competitive school environment where engaging books were in short supply, so he had to get creative with his reading from a young age. He’s an imaginative reader who appreciates the escapist quality of a good novel, but has struggled lately to find books that call out for him to live between their pages.

Fantastic escapist reading can be found in any genre, so today Anne recommends three books to Anudeep that you’d find on completely different bookstore shelves. They're also exploring books that combine adventure and philosophy stories, streamlining reading decisions, and what it’s like to date a librarian.

Click over to the podcast website for a list of books mentioned in this episode: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/196

Catch up on all of the episodes in Volume II of One Great Book, Anne's short-form podcast where she recommends just one great book in 10 minutes or less.

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Ep 195: Wanted: book enthusiast at large Aug 06, 2019

Show notes

Today’s guest Mary Laura Philpott is an essayist, bookseller, and a big fan of memoirs of people living “everyday lives”. She certainly has experience with an interesting “everyday life” as a Book Enthusiast at Large—yes, that is her job title—for Parnassus Books in Nashville.

Anne and Mary Laura chat about the reading and writing life, working through her readerly guilt of hating beloved childhood classics, and the delight of a book flight (or as Mary Laura would say, "reading symphonies").

Click over to the podcast website for a list of books mentioned in this episode: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/195

Connect with Mary Laura: Website | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook

Catch up on all of the episodes in Volume II of OGB my short-form podcast where we explore just one great book in 10 minutes or less.

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Ep 194: No plot, no problem! Jul 30, 2019

Show notes

For Nicole Mattke, a clear and driving plot isn’t the most important thing. She loves beautiful, introspective writing that makes her think about everyday emotions. She also spent a year roaming a hotel, doing a job that sounds like it belongs in the pages of a novel. Today Nicole shares some of the stories she heard during her time there, and the literary community-building project she started and has continued to this day.

Click over to the podcast website for a list of books mentioned in this episode: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/194

Follow Nicole and her sister's reading lives on Instagram @bibliosisters.

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Ep 193: Rolling the dice on your next read Jul 23, 2019

Show notes

Keren Form is a self-professed mega nerd who loves everything from LOTR, and board games, and epic science fiction. Today, Keren and Anne chat about what it really means to be a nerd, and how her wholehearted enthusiasm has sent her on many life-enriching adventures. If you hear “science fiction” or “fantasy” and think “nope, not for me,” you might still find something to love in this episode — Anne's recommendations could just as easily be recommendations of a history lover, or a crime drama fanatic, or a romance-loving YA fan.

Click over to the podcast website for a list of books mentioned in this episode: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/193

You can follow Keren’s travels and gaming enthusiasm on Instagram.

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Ep 192: Wherever you read, I will follow Jul 16, 2019

Show notes

Rita and Xoe Amer are a mother-daughter duo who have bonded over books since Xoe was young. She’s all grown up now, but the shared love of reading remains. Today Anne, Rita & Xoe discuss their reading and writing roots, hidden literary gems from the past, and the great conversations that come from bad books.

Click over to the podcast website for a list of books mentioned in this episode: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/192

You can check out Rita and Xoe's mother-daughter podcast, Foibles, at foibles.podbean.com or by searching "Foibles" on your favorite podcast app.

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Ep 191: When a great book wrecks your reading life Jul 09, 2019

Show notes

Have you ever finished a GREAT book, then realized it left behind a hole no other book will ever be able to fill?

Today’s guest is Andy Serrato, a reader who fell into the arms of a mega-popular series with a welcoming fandom and enough pages to smother yourself in… and ever since, she’s struggled to break her obsession and pick up new books in different genres.

Anne's doing her best to get to the core of what delights Andy about this series, and open a portal to other reading worlds that will be just as satisfying in new and exciting ways.

Click over to the podcast website for a list of books mentioned in this episode: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/191

You can find Andy on Instagram @Andyserratom.

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Ep 190: There's nothing like a little bookish momentum Jul 02, 2019

Show notes

Today’s guest has reached a crossroads in her reading life, and she’s come to Anne looking for a jump start for this new season.

Beth Wallen describes herself as a lifelong learner, and she’s about to have more time open up in her schedule to challenge herself, learn new things, and dive deeper into topics that already fascinate her. This is truly a precious opportunity, and Beth really has the guts to go against the grain of her usual reading taste, which makes for interesting and exciting literary matchmaking!

Click over to the podcast website for a list of books mentioned in this episode: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/190

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Ep 189: Our favorite genre is chapter books Jun 25, 2019

Show notes

Today’s guests Brenna Sherrill & Ryan Pait describe themselves as platonic soulmates, book-loving best friends who grew up together, went to school together, read together (sometimes out loud!) and even live together.

Today Anne, Brenna, and Ryan chat about a truly magical college class, Ryan’s most embarrassing moment meeting a literary icon, the book Ann Patchett thinks EVERYONE should read, and of course Anne recommends three books she think they’ll enjoy reading together and discussing to death, because that’s their style.

Becoming a WSIRN patron means LOADS of additional audio content, including weekly bonus episodes of One Great Book, monthly behind-the-scenes episodes, audio of certain live events, like Anne's recent conversation with Celeste Ng, and now we can add FREE AUDIOBOOKS to that list! For a limited time we’ve partnered with Libro.fm to give all Hardback-tier supporters a free audiobook! Summer is made for audiobook listening, so this is the perfect time for you to become a new patron. Go to patreon.com/whatshouldIreadnext to join in the fun!

Click over to the podcast website for a list of books mentioned in this episode: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/189

You can find Brenna and Ryan on Instagram, @ryanpait and @brennasherrill. You can find Ryan’s writing at The Houstonian and the Chautauquan Daily.

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Ep 188: Books, plants, and literal bibliotherapy Jun 18, 2019

Show notes

Today, we meet Michelle Moreno, who I hope will inspire anyone out there who wants to make their bookstore dreams a reality. Anne got to talk to Michelle right after her very first pop-up shop, while she was still on the high of her first time putting books directly into the hands of her community. Anne and Michelle are discussing the books she chose for her first foray into handselling, the high of putting books directly into the hands of her community, the connection she finds between reading and plant care, and the moment she found her identity - on a bookshelf.

Click over to the podcast website for a list of books mentioned in this episode: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/188

You can browse Michelle's book-and-plant shop on Instagram @la.maceta.store

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