What Should I Read Next?
Episodes
Ep 507: Our team recaps our 2025 reading year
16 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As we wrap up our ninth year together, Anne invites our What Should I Read Next? team members to join her and share insight into what the past twelve ...
Ep 506: A new way to think about your reading in the coming year
09 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today's guest has been participating in reading challenges for nearly a decade, and she's putting a unique spin on this tradition in 2026 that you'll ...
Ep 505: Recs for a reader in search of "best in class" books
02 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We love unique reading projects around here, and today's guest has maintained hers since 2021. We're going to hear all about it and explore how she's ...
Ep 504: Niche and nerdy narrative nonfiction
25 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Historical fiction is a popular genre among many, but today's guest learned a lot about her reading life when she realized this genre wasn't for her! ...
Ep 503: Which cozy mysteries are right for me?
18 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Breaking into a new genre can feel intimidating. Today Anne is talking with a reader who is keen to explore cozy mysteries, but isn't sure where to be...
Ep 502: Choosing book gifts your friends will love
11 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We all know that book gifts are the best gifts, and today Anne is talking with a devoted reader who's come to the show looking for guidance on selecti...
Ep 501: Crafting a personal curriculum for a lifelong learner
04 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When she discovered the idea of a personal curriculum, today's guest couldn't wait to apply this concept to her reading life. Amy St. Amand, a primar...
Ep 500: The little things that add up to a rich reading life
28 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today marks a major milestone: the 500th episode of What Should I Read Next! To celebrate, Anne is joined by two guests today. First, you'll hear her...
Ep 499: Weird, nerdy, and totally delightful: our conversation with Kevin Wilson
21 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
One of our favorite things to do in our Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club is connect with the authors we all love. Every so often we have the opportunity to ...
Ep 498: Books that feel like your favorite comfort TV shows
14 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Returning to favorite TV shows is a common stress management strategy. Today’s guest would love to find books that deliver the same soothing feeling...
Ep 497: The magic of bringing book lovers together
07 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Book events and festivals are always a favorite around here. Today's conversation dives deep into the art and craft of creating an engaging literary f...
Ep 496: Warm and inviting stories of hearth and home
30 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When the world feels heavy, many of us reach for books. Today's guest is looking for a specific style of comfort reads. Jemima Welsh is joining Anne...
Ep 495: Fall Book Preview sneak peek
23 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
,The team at MMD HQ has always been enthusiastic about fall reading. We shared our first Fall Book Preview back in 2019, and last week we released the...
Ep 494: Books brimming with creativity, philosophy, and grace
16 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today we're diving into what feels like a particularly nerdy niche of the reading life as Anne is joined by an expert reader. Sarah Kellogg is a cove...
Ep 493: Books that take you on an epic journey
09 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today's guest is facing a shift in her reading life now that she's an empty nester. Candice Brown-Murray lives in South Florida with her husband, ch...
Ep 492: Reflective nonfiction about finding your path
02 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We love fielding very specific readerly requests that will also appeal to a wide range of readers, and today's episode is just that. Lynn Bain desc...
Ep 491: Our team's best books of summer (Part 2)
26 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today we're sharing Part 2 of our summer superlatives episode, featuring four more of our team members talking about the books they've loved most this...
Ep 490: Our team's best books of summer (Part 1)
19 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Readers, we’re back today with an annual tradition we know so many of you look forward to, as our team joins Anne to talk about their favorite books...
Ep 489: The satisfaction of sinking into a good book
12 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today's guest isn't only a reader with a specific readerly conundrum, she is also a beloved author. Anne has recommended Julie Berry's work to several...
Ep 488: Reading goals that are just lofty enough
05 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Novels featuring an ensemble cast of characters and multiple points of view are a favorite for today's guest, and she'd love Anne's help in finding mo...
Ep 487: Sci-fi, fantasy, and a sense of possibility
29 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today's guest has joined Anne in conversation on the podcast before, but now our media production specialist Holly Wielkoszewski is in the spotlight a...
Ep 486: Setting-driven stories, accidental reading themes, and winning characters
22 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Ellen Heath, a reader from the Atlanta area, shares Anne's passion for urban planning, but that's not all they talk about today. Ellen is looking for...
Ep 485: A midyear reading check-in
08 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
A midyear reading check-in has become a small tradition around here, and today Anne is welcoming team member Shannan Malone back to the podcast. Tod...
Ep 484: A summer to slow down and sink into what you love
01 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today's guest is looking for ways to slow down and sink into what she loves most as she plans her summer of reading. Chelsea Siler is an early childh...
Ep 483: Help me find my new go-to summer author!
24 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We often discuss auto-buy authors and completist authors around here, and today's guest is a completist on a mission to discover her new favorite summ...
Ep 482: Diving into evocative ocean reads
17 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We always love reading on a theme, and today's guest would love to see her real-life love of the ocean mirrored in the pages of her books. Noelle L...
Ep 481: A reading life that comes in waves
10 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Nonfiction books often change the way that readers see the world, and today's guest Evan Carlson is on the hunt for fiction that packs the same punch ...
Ep 480: Branching out with escapist, emotionally resonant novels
03 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Feeling more confident about finding the right reads is a common bookish goal. In today's conversation, Anne welcomes Tynisha Coleman to the show to t...
Ep 479: Balancing backlist with shiny new releases
27 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Every year we get some variation of this question: how can a reader like today’s guest, Elise Brancheau, balance all the shiny new books of summe...
Ep 478: A snippet from the 2025 Summer Reading Guide
20 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We're taking you behind the scenes of our 2025 Summer Reading Guide and sharing an excerpt from our live Unboxing party. Our 2025 Guide includes 35 bo...
Ep 477: A summer reading road trip
13 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We're kicking off Summer Reading Season with our fourteenth annual Summer Reading Guide, coming this Thursday! Today on the podcast Anne is joined by ...
Ep 476: Offbeat, intricately plotted books for an ambitious reading project
06 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Reading projects take all shapes and sizes, and today's guest has set a goal to read all the Women's Prize for Fiction shortlists and winners. Today,...
Ep 475: Help for a fiction lover who wants to read more nonfiction
29 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today's guest is an avid reader, retired social worker, and What Should I Read Next? completist who lives in New Jersey. Jill Jaclin has a reading con...
Ep 474: Burnout and the reading life
22 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Readers, if you are feeling burned out right now, you are not alone. In our team meeting last week, we talked about the fact that things are hard righ...
Ep 473: Refining an out-of-date TBR system
15 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When the world feels heavy, many of us look to books for distraction, inspiration, or reassurance. Today's guest has a unique spin on what she's seeki...
Ep 472: Literary + Genre = match made in heaven
01 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Finding highly discussable books for book clubs often feels like a full-time job, especially if you're a member of multiple long-standing book clubs l...
Ep 471: Don't let perfectionism ruin your reading life
25 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Over the past few years, today's guest has been on a journey of self-discovery. Florida reader Casey has been working on coming to terms with her perf...
Ep 470: Revisiting childhood favorites for a nostalgic reading project
18 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Re-reading is a practice fits into every reader's life in a different way, and today's guest has embarked on a unique reading challenge that brings a ...
Ep 469: Book Club is for discussing, discovering, and dissenting
11 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Readers, we often receive questions from you about our Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club and what actually goes on in our online reading community, and today...
Ep 468: Books for an adventure out West
04 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today's guest is a mood reader who often finds herself falling down a reading rabbit hole. Madelyn Kresinske is an elementary school librarian, wife...
Ep 467: I love literary fiction... don't I?
25 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today's guest has a common readerly dilemma: what to do when reading tastes change? In her submission to join Anne on the show, Philadelphia dweller...
Ep 466: New stamps for your literary passport
18 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today's guests excel in pairing the perfect read with worldwide destinations: joining Anne today are her friends, fellow book lovers, and podcasters M...
Ep 465: What's saving your reading life?
11 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Every year on the Modern Mrs Darcy blog, Anne shares a post about what's saving her life right now, and today she's joined by team member Shannan Malo...
Ep 464: Travel-minded books for a fantastic European adventure
04 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Today's guest has a bookish birthday trip in the works. When Barbara Andrade DuBransky told us about her tradition of taking big trips with her best f...
Ep 463: Remarkable stories that demand to be told
28 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Readers, today we're thrilled to share a delightful conversation with Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray, authors of The Personal Libraria...
Ep 462: LISTEN: Spring Book Preview excerpt
21 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We hosted our Spring Book Preview last week, and if you missed out on that event you're in luck: today we're sharing an excerpt to whet your spring re...
Ep 461: Backlist books that make your brain fizz
14 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Many of the readers we talk to tune into the seasons to inspire their next read, and today's guest has a twist on the usual seasonal reading dilemma: ...
Ep 460: Anne's best books of 2024
07 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We're kicking off 2025 with a special episode: today Anne is joined by her husband Will Bogel to discuss Anne's best books of the past year. Every w...
Ep 459: Reading for quality over quantity
17 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today's guest is feeling stuck between quality and quantity in her reading life. With all of the end-of-year reading reflections happening lately, Ann...
Ep 458: Live from Nashville: good conversation about creativity and community with readers and writers
10 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When Anne was invited to speak at WriterFest, a creative gathering for aspiring writers, published authors, screenwriters, poets, and songwriters in N...
Ep 457: Immersive audiobooks for cozy reading anywhere
03 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Cozy reading season is nearly here in the northern hemisphere, and today's guest wrote in with a unique question: how can she create a cozy reading ex...
Ep 456: Timeless meets timely: Anne diagnoses why Ginger loves New England books
26 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Diagnosing readerly dilemmas is one of our favorite things to do around here, and today Anne is helping Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club Community Manager G...
Ep 455: Elif Shafak on the resilience of literature
19 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today's guest is the beloved author, Elif Shafak, whose latest title was a 2024 Summer Reading Guide pick. Elif's works are so particular and set very...
Ep 454: Holiday gift recommendations from our team
12 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Our annual gift recommendation episode is here! Today, Anne is joined by members of the Modern Mrs Darcy team to respond to your requests for gift-giv...
Ep 453: How to host a cozy reader retreat
05 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When today's guest, Dana Reams, told us about the cozy reader's gathering she intends to hold later this month, our team instantly wanted to RSVP "yes...
Ep 452: Get a little taste of a lot of good stuff
29 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We've been wanting to talk short stories for awhile here on the podcast. When today's guest wrote in with a readerly conundrum on just this topic, it ...
Ep 451: Digging into Nikki May's delicious Mansfield Park reimagining
22 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today we are thrilled to welcome Nikki May to the show. Her new book This Motherless Land is a reimagining of Jane Austen's Mansfield Park. Anne was e...
Ep 450: Asheville on our minds + my favorite NC authors
15 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Readers, like so many of you, we have such fondness for Asheville and the Blue Ridge mountain region, which is desperately hurting in the wake of Hurr...
Ep 449: Haunting (but not horrifying) page-turners
08 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ontario reader Emma Sweeney wants to explore books that incorporate elements from the horror genre. She's not interested in books that give her nightm...
Ep 448: Recommend me a thriller, but make it literary
01 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This fall, we were excited to hear from you about the books that haunt you. and today's guest sent in a submission that caught everyone on our team's ...
LISTEN: Fall Book Preview excerpt
24 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Last week we hosted our sixth annual Fall Book Preview, and today we're sharing a taste of that event with you. In today's mini-episode, you'll hear A...
Ep 447: How to fix a chronic three-star situation
17 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Our reading community truly spans the globe: today Anne is in conversation with Evie, who is joining us from northern Greece. Evie grew up in Boston a...
Ep 446: How to balance print books with screen reading
10 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
If you love a good campus novel for fall, you'll love today's conversation between Anne and academic dean Karen Gold. Karen works at the oldest indepe...
Ep 445: Startlingly beautiful sentences and perfect last lines
03 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Get your to-be-read lists ready because today's episode is packed full of recommended titles. In today's show, Anne is hosting Hunter, a fan of litera...
Ep 444: Our team's best books of summer
27 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today we're back with the 2024 installment of our popular summer reading roundup, where members of our team pair up to talk about their favorite summe...
Ep 443: Backlist picks for immediate library hold gratification
20 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A limited reading selection often leads to delightful serendipity, and today Anne's chatting with a guest who has had just that experience. Rachel Ela...
Ep 442: Your TBR is not a to-do list
13 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Readers, we have celebrated birthday milestones here on the podcast before, and today Anne is talking with a guest who designed the ultimate book part...
Ep 441: Lucy Foley talks secrets, lies, murder, and mystery writing
06 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today we're excited to share Anne's recent conversation with author Lucy Foley, from a live event hosted by Carmichael's Bookstore in Louisville, Kent...
Ep 440: Anne's midyear reading check-in
30 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
With the year just over half way through, Anne is stepping back to see how her reading year is going. Today, she and Shannan Malone are doing a little...
Ep 439: How many book clubs is too many book clubs?
23 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In today's episode from the WSIRN vault, Anne is sharing her very first podcast conversation with Brigid Misselhorn. Like so many of our guests, Brigi...
Ep 438: Life is short & my TBR is way too long
16 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today we're excited to continue our mid-summer series featuring our team members! Learning more about our team members and who shares your tastes may ...
Ep 437: An epic birthday bookstore roadtrip
09 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome back to our July series brought to you by the What Should I Read Next? time machine. This month, we're going back in our archives to share epi...
Ep 436: The reality of bookworm problems
02 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today we are kicking off a summer series from the What Should I Read Next? archives: we're sharing the first episodes and sometimes the very first con...
Ep 435: A deep dive through a massive TBR
18 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today's guest is a native Parisian who is planning a road trip this summer to the northern Alps of Italy to escape the Summer Olympics. Corinne Yan i...
Ep 434: Hospitable books with a strong sense of welcome
11 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Reading offers a wide range of vicarious experiences, and today's guest is looking for books that make her feel warmly welcome. Adrianne Carnes is a b...
Ep 433: I'm not afraid of a fifty-hour audiobook
04 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Audiobook lovers, today's conversation will help you make the most of your audiobook credits, whether you love short or long listens. Stephanie Van P...
Ep 432: Live from Word of South: Lauren Groff talks Time 100, her new bookstore, and Florida!
28 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Joining Anne today in a live conversation from the recent Word of South festival is listener favorite Lauren Groff! This conversation happened in the ...
Ep 431: Live from The Bookshelf: Let's talk summer books!
21 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join us today for the second in a series of three live events! While Anne was on the road recently, she had the opportunity to stop by fantastic indep...
Ep 430: Summer Reading Guide 2024: We're going to Book Camp!
14 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week is all about summer reading, because our 2024 Summer Reading Guide is out this Thursday! Our Summer Reading Guide is one of the highlights o...
Ep 429: Live from Word of South: the books we can't stop recommending
07 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Anne recently attended Tallahassee’s recent Word of South Festival of Literature and Music, and today we're sharing her live conversation about all...
Ep 428: Recreating the magic of your first reading experience
30 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today's guest enjoys tackling heavy topics in her reading, but today she's here for Anne's help to bring more levity to her reading rotation. As a Sou...
Ep 427: The collaborative act of reading
23 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Connecting with authors is always a treat, and today we're bringing you a recent conversation between Anne and author Thao Thai. Thao joined us in the...
Ep 426: A fresh outlook for your reading life
16 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When big changes happened in Caleb Wilson-Johnson's life, his reading life shifted, too. Today, he's eager for Anne's suggestions after two exciting c...
Ep 425: We're all mood readers
09 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
A recent career shift has opened up more reading time for today's guest, and Tara Bañuelos is looking to make the most of this abundance by exploring...
Ep 424: Books that amaze, amaze, amaze
02 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Recovering from a reading slump can be challenging, and today's guest credits a book subscription box for saving her reading life. In today's episod...
Ep 423: Quiet, compelling, and wildly popular novels
26 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s guest is Susan Meissner, a historical fiction author based in the Pacific Northwest. You might know Susan from books like Only the Beautiful...
Ep 422: Fiction and memoir, but make it travel
19 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today's bookish goal: finding the right books to fuel a reader's wanderlust. Georgia-based Joy has traveled extensively and even lived abroad, but now...
Ep 421: Go ahead, judge that book by its cover
12 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s guest's love of reading was reignited in late 2022 when she found a path into the bookish zeitgeist by reading a super-popular series. Aroun...
Ep 420: Soul-changing reads with staying power
27 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today, Anne talks with Courtney Dezahd about discovering themes in her reading and finding novels that will stick with her long after she turns the la...
Ep 419: Romance is my entire personality
20 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today's guest Farrah Rochon is passionate about the romance genre, Disney, and the city of New Orleans (among other things), and today Farrah and Anne...
Ep 418: Swipe right for book love
13 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Amy Rohn joins Anne to talk about literal literary matchmaking: the ups and downs of her life as a reader in search of real-life romance. We’re expl...
Ep 417: Hygge books for cozy winter reading
06 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Wintry books and seasonally inspired reads are a common passion for readers worldwide, whether you're currently in our northern hemisphere winter, or ...
Ep 416: Compelling, emotionally honest storytelling
30 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In today's conversation, Anne helps Reagan Jackson find compelling reads that tell good stories. Reagan is a Seattle-based journalist and co-executive...
Ep 415: Reading + wintering
23 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Natalie Nava's guest submission caught our team's eye as a particularly timely topic for January: she was eager to talk to Anne about reading as it re...
Ep 414: Reading on a budget and thriving
16 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s guest reached out seeking help with a specific reading dilemma. We loved her request, and we’re sure it's something many readers have expe...
Ep 413: Literary trends and publishing predictions for 2024
09 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
You're likely familiar with the work of today's guest: literary agent Elisabeth Weed, of the boutique literary agency The Book Group. Elisabeth has ha...
Ep 412: Anne's best books of 2023
02 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Last year, we had so much fun putting together an episode featuring Anne's favorite reads, and it was a listener favorite, too! We're back today with ...
Ep 411: Super-seasonal reading, all year long
19 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Today, Anne is joined by Kim Hewlett to talk about creating a year of seasonal reading. Kim and her family relocated to Iowa a few years back, which l...
Ep 410: Building a TBR for a bucket list trip
12 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We all know that travel and reading go really well together. Today's guest, Dana Prescott, is looking for books to help prepare for her upcoming bucke...
Ep 409: Stories you can't stop thinking about
05 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Our guest today may be familiar to many of you: Ariel Lawhon was one of Anne's early guests, back in Episode 15, and Anne recently recommended Ariel's...