What Should I Read Next?
Episodes
Ep 318: You can fix your reading life
08 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Readers, our guest today is sharing a struggle that feels increasingly common: she's finding herself easily distracted when reading, and she's not hap...
Ep 317: Myth, murder, and a massive book hangover
01 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In today's episode, Anne's not the only one giving the recommendations: guest Shreyasi Desai, who also goes by Cece, passes on her own suggestions for...
Ep 316: Books we loved in 2021
25 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Here at What Should I Read Next? and Modern Mrs Darcy HQ, our team of bibliophiles talks books all year long, and today our whole team is chiming in t...
Ep 315: A life-changing bag of books
18 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Over the past six years of talking books with our guests, we've heard about life-changing reading experiences, but today's guest has a unique twist on...
Ep 314: Your reading life is in good hands
11 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
We love reconnecting with previous guests to get an update on their reading life, and today's conversation with Tara Nichols is no exception! Since Ta...
Ep 313: Books that stand the test of time
04 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
With a fresh new year ahead of us and so much reading to look forward to, today's conversation brings back a listener favorite and sets the stage for ...
Ep 312: Everyone needs a book box
21 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Do you have a favorite holiday reading tradition? We recently asked our WSIRN Patrons this question, and we loved one response so much, we had to shar...
Ep 311: Reading is LIFE!
14 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
When it comes to picking what to read next, many of us live by our to-be-read (TBR) list, but today's guest has a different approach! Danielle Callend...
Ep 310: Big books that are worth the effort
07 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Between the WSIRN team and many of the guests we've had on this show, we definitely see a trend of readers who consider themselves introverts, and fin...
Ep 309: I don't know what I like to read!
30 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Our guests on this show are united in a love of reading, but sometimes that joy can get lost as life, work, and other obligations take center stage. T...
Ep 308: The crowd goes wild for these perennial favorites
23 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Readers, this show is all about helping you discover your next read—which means we talk each week not only about the books our guests love and Anne'...
Ep 307: Writers start as readers
16 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
If you've ever dreamed about becoming a writer, you're not alone. Writers begin as readers, after all, whether they're grounded in a love of memoir, f...
Ep 306: You don't read in a vacuum
09 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today's guest is a dedicated reader who appreciates reading as both a leisure activity and a way to learn about other perspectives and experiences. Bu...
Ep 305: Read yourself like a book
02 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Deciding what to read next is so much easier when you know what you love to read—and what you don't. In today's episode, Anne shares a behind-the-sc...
Ep 304: Your trusty list of bookish gifts
26 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Readers, it's time for our sixth annual holiday recommendations episode! We're back with this much anticipated gift giving guide for the readers in yo...
Ep 303: Reading for thrills and chills
19 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This time of year, so many readers are looking to tip-toe (or sometimes, to sprint) into scary stories, but finding the right spooky read can be trick...
Ep 302: Books you can believe in
12 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
If you love books that make you think or spark a spirited discussion, you're on the same page as today's guests! Christine Pride and Jo Piazza have a ...
Ep 301: Ask Anne Anything
28 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Readers, as we continue our celebration of 300 episodes of What Should I Read Next, today we are bringing your voices to the stage as Anne and WSIRN t...
Ep 300: How good it is to be among people who are reading!
21 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
If you've listened in to any—or all!— of our past 300 episodes, you've heard conversations with readers and authors, booksellers and book club mem...
Ep 299: Playing genre hopscotch
14 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Readers, we know it can be tricky to break out of a reading rut, and sometimes it takes a nudge from a friend to try something new. Michael Clark has ...
Ep 298: A reading life without regrets
07 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today's guest loves Jane Austen, but that's just the beginning for our conversation today. Cristina Griffin's work life as an English professor often ...
Ep 297: Right book, wrong time
31 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Readers, today’s guest is on the hunt for complex, thought-provoking, and timeless books that have something to say about topics she cares about tod...
Ep 296: Backlist and brunch
24 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Readers, today’s guest knows that she’s overlooked some amazing books over the last ten years, but she needs a little help to figure out which one...
Ep 295: Unleash your pent-up book energy
17 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Readers, after a move today’s guest craved community and an outlet for her “pent-up book energy.” She started a book club in her new neighborhoo...
Ep 294: Dickens ruined my reading life
10 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
It’s been a long time since we’ve had a teenager on the show—and today’s guest isn’t here to talk about YA. Katie Guenthner has long been re...
Ep 293: Streamline your (digital) TBR
03 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
As a city planner in Calgary, Caylee Dyck knows how to problem solve and prioritize in order to create better communities and a more liveable cities–...
Ep 292: A life-changing library trip
27 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Regular listeners know good book talk often blends the heavy and the light—and that is certainly true for today's show. Today's episode is tons of f...
Ep 291: The best books of summer (so far)
20 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Behind the scenes at What Should I Read Next? and Modern Mrs. Darcy, we have a team of readers who are bursting with bookish enthusiasm. Our producer ...
Ep 290: Fiction is my oldest friend
13 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s guest describes herself as a serial starter who might have started up to 10 books before finishing one. She even keeps moving through severa...
Ep 289: A ridiculous plan to read more books
29 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s guest created a unique plan to help him tackle the books one “must read before they die,” but now he’s looking for less planning and m...
Ep 288: Looking for that WOW! factor
22 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Are you a book collector? Today's guest has a bookshelf full of vintage beauty guidebooks, and though she considers this a separate part of her booki...
Ep 287: I want to be where the readers are
15 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today's guest loves discussing books just as much as she enjoys reading them. She's ready to swap spicy opinions and share book recommendations with h...
Ep 286: How to find those hidden gems
08 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
If you've been listening to podcasts or tearing through a new series on Netflix instead of picking up a book, we're here to cheer you on (really)! Dif...
Ep 285: Books that leave you speechless
01 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Even though reading is a solitary activity, you’re never truly alone as a reader. You’re never the only reader who prefers dog-eared pages to book...
Ep 284: I need an irresistible read this summer
25 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Over the last year, we’ve talked to readers who voraciously devour romance, mystery, and graphic novels to escape real life—and readers who strugg...
Ep 283: Don't save the good stuff
18 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This episode has literally been years in the making: today I'm thrilled to welcome Ginger Horton, our Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club community manage...
Ep 282: I’m a little bit obsessed with reading
11 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
I think many of you will relate when you hear today's guest say he’s “a little bit obsessed with books.” This is definitely a good thing for Jer...
Ep 281: Authors who make you feel seen
04 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Lecturer, author, and researcher Heather Williams has left trails of books across the globe as she travels for work, but today she’s bringing us thr...
Ep 280: Epic journeys, untold stories & guaranteed great reads
27 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
After becoming an avid WSIRN listener, today's guest realized she was watching less TV and reading more books. To keep her momentum going, she connect...
Ep 279: Read these books when you need a good cry
20 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Over the years Ahtoosa Dale sent in multiple submissions to be on What Should I Read Next, each one reflecting her ever-evolving reading taste. Since ...
Ep 278: The Art of cheat reading
13 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Mindy Mejia enjoys propulsive, fast-paced books with strong characters—and she writes them, too! Mindy writes thrillers, or as she calls them “mur...
Ep 277: Books that feel like a vacation for your brain
06 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today Anne is talking with Jake Sloofman, an arborist living in Brooklyn. They discuss his big reading goal, the pressure to read “serious literatur...
Ep 276: Exquisite, evocative novels
23 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Podcast producer and PhD student Sara Aeder always finds time for reading, thanks to audiobooks and a passion for turning the pages. She has a special...
Ep 275: How many book clubs is too many book clubs?
16 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
How do you manage your reading life when you have many books you NEED to read, and many more you'd LIKE to read, just for you? In today's episode we'r...
Ep 274: #Bookstagram made me do it
09 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Readers, the origin story for today’s episode might make you swoon. It all started with a conversation on Instagram, where Anne got a message from o...
Ep 273: Realism, redemption, and reading across generations
02 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Readers, today’s show is a de-light. We have had mother-daughter duos on the show and even a father-daughter duo with Ashley and Brent from episode ...
Ep 272: I loved the library before it was cool
23 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today Anne's guest is an Alabama teacher whose love of reading has touched every aspect of his life—from where he met his wife to the theme of his c...
Ep 271: Because sometimes a 4.75 star rating feels right
16 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
How do you track your reading life? Today's guest has a whole new system of book tracking and reviewing to share. Anne is talking with Nadia Odunayo, ...
EP 270: When you NEED a season of low-stress reading
09 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Readers, in today's podcast episode, I’m talking with graphic memoirist and comic creator Lucy Knisley. We chat about her overflowing bookshelves, t...
Ep 269: Your friendly neighborhood literary society
02 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s guest is Tiffany Patterson, a Florida reader who created a new kind of literary get-together that is convincing her not-so-readerly friends ...
Ep 268: Our team's best books of the year
26 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
At the end of last year we hosted a virtual book party in the Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club to celebrate our favorite books of the year. The whole What ...
Ep 267: Lush, beautiful, and a pleasure to read
19 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Our guest today is an economist and literature enthusiast based in London, England. A well-traveled reader in every sense, Stephanie De Mel has lived ...
Ep 266: Ask Anne Anything: Re-reads, reviews, and recommendation regrets
12 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Readers, it’s the 5th anniversary of What Should I Read Next! Today I'm answering YOUR questions about WSIRN's behind-the-scenes, my personal readin...
Ep 265: 10 questions to ask yourself about your reading life
05 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Readers, we’re kicking off the new year with a special episode to help you set the right tone for your reading life in 2021. My friend Laura Tremain...
Ep 264: Compulsively readable literary fiction
22 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Anne's challenge today is to share recommendations for books with unique and artful structures. Today's guest is a Chicago-based mood reader with a co...
Ep 263: It's okay to quit reading
15 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s guest also loves giving recommendations—to her boss, to her mom, and to strangers standing in the book aisle at Target. For Jenica Salazar...
Ep 262: Books that deliver a little depth, a little distraction
08 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s guest tells a familiar story: he loved reading as a kid, but as an adult without a Scholastic book fair to look forward to, he fell into the...
Ep 261: Huggable comfort reads for a cozy reading season
01 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Readers have asked us for “comfort reads” over and over again this year — and it's totally understandable. “Comfort read” means something di...
Ep 260: A little free library with a life of its own
24 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Sara Jones takes her role as “neighborhood library curator” seriously. In addition to selecting books for her own reading life, Sara Jones careful...
Ep 259: The formula for a 5-star read
17 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The sci-fi genre feels like home, but Emily Van Ark also enjoys books in any genre that deliver on a fabulous premise. In her day job as a data scient...
Ep 258: Reading for peace, joy, and escapism
10 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Reading for pure escapism means something different for every reader. Some of us turn to puzzle-like mysteries, some of us immerse ourselves in fantas...
Ep 257: Let’s build your holiday book list
03 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Our annual holiday recommendations episode is here! A few weeks ago, you called us with your bookish gift buying questions and dilemmas, and today Ann...
Ep 256: The perks and pitfalls of omnivorous reading
27 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 a...
Ep 255: Spine-tingling reads for a confirmed scaredy-cat
20 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Valencia Taylor is self-proclaimed book-pusher looking for reads that fall on the line between just-spooky-enough and way-too-scary, compelling storie...
Ep 254: A plethora of political(ish) book recs
13 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Anne is joined by Sarah Stewart Holland & Beth Silvers of Pantsuit Politics podcast to discuss fiction and nonfiction recommendations that have shaped...
Ep 253: A whole bunch of book recs, from our team of readers to you
29 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Ep 252: Books that send you racing to Google
22 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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?”...
Ep 251: I love books and books love me back
15 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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. Grette...
Ep 250: I want a book that reads like a love letter
08 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 1920...
Ep 249: Who would read the dictionary for fun? (we would)
01 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 m...
Ep 248: Reading on island time
25 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today I’m talking with Jennifer Cordeiro, who lives in Bermuda, a small island with two bookstores and one library. Jennifer has encountered her fai...
Ep 247: Finding the common thread in two friends' wildly different TBRs
18 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today's episode is all about the joy of reading in relationships. Our guests Emma Gorin and Dinah Fay have been friends since 9th grade—that’s ove...
Ep 246: Does your reading life need a mid-year checkup?
11 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode Anne helps Courtney Wallace, a Cincinnati reader, with a reading practice we hear surprisingly little about—her recent mid-year c...
Ep 245: Finding the right mix for your reading life
04 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Over the years, Anne has been called many thing–podcaster, author, and now... Book Yoda, a name bestowed upon her by today's guest and Lazy Genius ...
Ep 244: You love to read–don’t ruin it
28 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today's guest is looking for brain candy. That’s Elizabeth Cooper's delightful term for books that are FUN, with a killer premise, pages that pract...
Ep 243: Predicting the next great American classic
21 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Charlandra Jenkins is a Florida reader on the hunt for stories that reflect her life, love, grief, and humanity back to her. For Charlandra, new book ...
Ep 242: Sharing Good Reads with good friends
14 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Anne is joined by Suzanne Skyvara, Goodreads VP of Marketing & Editorial, and Danny Feekes, Goodreads Managing Editor, to have an in-depth chat about ...
Ep 241: Memoirs, milk cows, and reading on horseback
30 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Raelene Bradley has let books be her guide as she and her husband fulfill their longtime dream of living off the land with a family farm. Raelene’s ...
Ep 240: Saving the world, one series at a time
23 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Reader and author KJ Dell’Antonia picked up a lot of the wrong books during a difficult time in her life, and those experiences changed her perspect...
Ep 239: The read-alike problem
16 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Chris Abi Zeid is counting down the days before a big life event that will significantly alter his reading life. But for a few more weeks he still has...
Ep 238: Windows, mirrors, and why We Need Diverse Books
09 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Today’s guest Lamar Giles credits his love of reading to his mom who was always willing to buy him a book. Today Anne and Lamar chat about children’...
Ep 237: When the library is closed, what's a reader to do?
02 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 f...
Ep 236: What SHOULDN'T I read next?
26 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Ep 235: A crate full of summer reads
19 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 cha...
Ep 234: The recipe for a delicious summer read
12 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 n...
Ep 233: Escaping into someone else's story
05 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Anne chats with education navigator Hanan Al-Zubaidy about literacy in the justice system, and how her work with incarcerated students has been affect...
Ep 232: Really good fiction is about EVERYTHING
28 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 co...
Ep 231: Lush literary novels with page-turning appeal
21 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 p...
Ep 230: Don't overthink your reading life
07 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 s...
Ep 229: Works of literary fabulousness
31 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Why do some books with heavy topics leave you feeling uncomfortable, while other books tackling difficult subject matter make you feel understood and ...
Ep 228: HELP! I can't stop quitting books
24 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Ep 227: Putting your money where your literary values are
17 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 thi...
Ep 226: Dig in to a feast for your literary senses
10 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 ch...
Ep 225: What your neighborhood should read next
03 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Ep 224: Confronting the Bookshelf of Shame
25 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Ep 223: Five stars for negative book reviews
18 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 read...
Ep 222: Ordinary lives make extraordinary books
11 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 M...
Ep 221: Swipe right for book love
04 Feb 2020
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 220: The books that keep pulling me back
28 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 t...
Ep 219: Required reading revisited
21 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 t...