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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 fresh perspective to her re-reading.
Sarah Swarbrick joins Anne today from the outskirts of Sydney, Australia, to talk about the special project she's crafted in advance of her 53rd birthday. With her responsibilities shifting and her kids getting older, Sarah's finding more time for reading lately, and she's excited about having extra space to approach her books with a different kind of thoughtfulness and intention.
Sarah's decided to re-read a selection of her favorite books from childhood, and she's also trying to pair each childhood favorite with a more recent release. She's looking for books that have a lot to say to each other, that can really be in conversation with each other, and not just in the ways that are obvious on the surface. She and Anne discuss Sarah's project so far, and explore some unpaired re-reads to discover which new-to-her titles Sarah might enjoy matching with her long-standing favorites.
See the list of titles discussed today and leave your suggestions for Sarah on our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/470.
Our What Should I Read Next Patreon community makes a very real difference in our ability to do the work we do: as a way to say thank you for that ongoing financial support, we share weekly bonus episodes and invite our community members to join us for special events, like our upcoming Summer Reading Guide live unboxing. Thanks to everyone who is already a part of our Patreon community, we are so appreciative. If you would like to come join us, get the details at patreon.com/whatshouldireadnext.
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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's guest is here to help Anne take you behind the scenes! You may already know Ginger Horton, our MMD Book Club Community Manager, from her prior appearances here on the podcast or because you interact with her all the time in book club.
Today, Ginger and Anne dive into all things book club, like the nitty-gritty details of our approach to choosing the titles, which we have a finely honed philosophy for, to what kinds of books we hear that our readers love the most.
Along the way Anne and Ginger talk about specific books that really stand out to Ginger from her own book club experience over the years, plus some perks that our book club members enjoy, like access to our upcoming Summer Reading Guide and live unboxing experience.
Whether you're curious about book club or you're honestly not interested at all, we think you'll really enjoy today's conversation.
Find the titles and other resources mentioned today at our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/469.
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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, and mom who reads widely from middle-grade and picture books to romance, family dramas, and more.
Madelyn doesn't hate her pattern of falling into sometimes a rut, sometimes she actually quite enjoys it, but it can also be tough to break out and figure out which title to read next. She and Anne discuss that struggle today before changing their focus to Madelyn's upcoming road trip to the Grand Canyon and other National Parks.
Madelyn would love both fiction and non-fiction titles that will captivate her attention while also getting her ready for this big trip. Anne has so many ideas for her! Around here we think that the National Park Service is one of our nation's best ideas, and in addition to being super crowded the past few years they're now grappling with staffing issues. If you can't make to a park in person this summer for whatever reason, we think you'll especially enjoy today's show.
Please let us know if you have recommendations for Madelyn by leaving a comment on our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/468, where you'll also see the full list of titles mentioned.
This week also marks the fifth anniversary of Anne's book Don't Overthink It. This book is full of practical ideas on how to tame your inner questioner, stop second-guessing yourself, and bring more joy to your life. If your thinking feels repetitive, unhealthy, or unhelpful, if you're stuck in a cycle of what-ifs plagued by indecision or paralyzed by fear of getting it wrong, or if you could just use a boost of happy in your everyday rhythms, Don't Overthink It is for you. Pick up a copy at your favorite local or online bookseller.
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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 and avid book thrifter Phoebe Mellinger shared that she'd had pretty consistent reading tastes for her whole life, until last year when she noticed that her taste suddenly and vastly changed. Her go-to genres just were't working any more.
This experience led Phoebe to embark on a year of discovery: she read a bunch of books in a range of genres, but she's not really sure where to go from here. While Phoebe is getting a better feel for what she enjoys and understanding how to talk about what she's looking for with more clarity, she's also picked up quite a few books based on enthusiastic recommendations, only to find they weren't her cup of tea.
Today she's here to get Anne's help in figuring out how to discern the difference between what simply sounds good and what may actually be a good fit for her. Anne has ideas, of course!
Please let us know if you have recommendations for Phoebe by leaving a comment over on our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/467, where we've also collected the list of all the titles mentioned today.
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Today's guests excel in pairing the perfect read with worldwide destinations: joining Anne today are her friends, fellow book lovers, and podcasters Mel Joulwan and Dave Humphreys. You may know them as the literary minds behind Strong Sense of Place. They've also been guests on our show a handful of times across the years.
Today, Mel and Dave are back to help Anne load up her to-be-read list with an assortment of literary tourism reads from destinations they've been to together, destinations Anne knows are on many reader wishlists, and other places that might surprise you.
We have a long list of titles to share with you today. So pack your bags and get ready to add new stamps to your literary passport. You'll find the list of books mentioned and more on our show notes page, at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/466.
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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 Malone to talk about what's saving their reading lives lately.
Shannan is our What Should I Read Next Patreon community manager, and also our Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club co-host. Today, she and Anne explore the books and habits that are making their reading lives feel good at the moment.
While preparing for this conversation, we also reached out to our Patreon community members and invited them to share what's saving their reading lives right now. We loved reading all of those responses, and we've woven a few of those comments into this episode.
Shannan and Anne wrap up today by touching on what's saving their lives beyond their reading lives, too. We hope you'll hear an idea or two that helps support your reading life, or share your own observations by leaving a comment over at our show notes page. You'll find that at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/465.
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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 friend to mark big life milestones, Anne knew she wanted to talk about Barbara's upcoming European trip.
Barbara and her friend are passionate readers who rely on their libraries to help them plan and prepare for their trips. Barbara was eager to get Anne's recommendations for their upcoming destinations. Today, they talk about the place of reading in Barbara's life as well as what makes a great travel read in the first place. After narrowing down the list of possible destinations, Anne offers up a handful of recommendations for each one.
Whether you are planning a trip yourself, or are here for the armchair travel, we hope you come away from today's episode inspired to dig into a great story that will carry you away via the written word. Find the full list of titles mentioned today and leave your recommendations for Barbara at our show notes page, at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/464.
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Readers, today we're thrilled to share a delightful conversation with Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray, authors of The Personal Librarian.
This conversation originally took place over in our Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club community, where Marie and Victoria joined Anne, our MMD Book Club Community Manager Ginger Horton, our MMD Book Club Co-Host Shannan Malone, and a whole bunch of our Book Club Members for this live event.
Today, you'll hear that conversation too as Marie and Victoria bring us behind the scenes of their co-writing process. This conversation feels especially timely to share with you right now, because Marie’s new book The Queens of Crime is out February 11, and Victoria’s new book Harlem Rhapsody—her first solo-written historical novel—is out February 4.
Whether you’ve read The Personal Librarian or not, we think you’ll really enjoy today’s spoiler-free discussion. Let us know if you have a favorite title by either author to recommend to your fellow readers, or if there's a book you’d love to read in Book Club, by sharing a comment on our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/463. That's also where you'll find the full list of titles mentioned today.
And if you loved today's conversation with Marie and Victoria, you'll love our library of author talks in the Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club. Along with other events, classes, and programs, we host monthly talks just like this with a wide range of favorite authors. We’d love to have you join us—find out more at modernmrsdarcy.com/club.
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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 reading appetite!
In this sneak peek at our Spring Book Preview live event, you'll hear Anne tell you about 3 of the 35 titles included in the preview.
Spring Book Preview is one of our marquee events that we host for our Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club and Patreon Community members. Our community members provide tangible, financial support for our show and our team of readers, and we love to say thank you by sharing special events like this one.
If you like what you hear today and want to get your hands on the full Spring Book Preview booklet and video event replay we'd love for you to join us either by becoming a member of one of our communities or by purchasing your ticket for a la carte access. Click here for more information and to get your Spring Book Preview.
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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: Nell Cavallo is joining Anne today from midsummer in Sydney, Australia.
When Nell sent in her guest submission for the show, she told us that as a southern hemisphere reader, winter meant reading the shiny and new titles that are summer releases here in the U.S. For Nell, her summer reading was all about backlist titles.
Nell loves reading backlist, but she agonizes over choosing what older books to read next, because there are just so many good backlist books to read. She wants to make careful choices, she wants them to be the right ones, and it can leave her feeling stuck. Today we'll talk about that and Anne recommends titles that provide her with that brain-fizzy feeling she loves, especially books that are emotionally resonant and intellectually stimulating.
Find the list of titles mentioned today and share your suggestions for Nell by leaving a comment on our show notes page, at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/461.
It's a new reading year and that makes it a great time to start a new journal: keeping track of what you're reading has a big impact on your reading satisfaction. Anne's reading journal, My Reading Life, is the perfect companion for your year of reading. Get yours at modernmrsdarcy.com/shop or at your local bookstore.
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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 week here on the show, we take a personal approach to the reading life, really digging into what readers love, what they don't, and why. Our conversations are about individual readers and their individual taste, so it's not often Anne shines a spotlight on what she loves and why.
But Anne doesn't work in a vacuum: her own reading life plays a role in her recommendations, and today she's sharing some insights into her taste as she shares the books that she loved most last year, and why she loved them.
Find the list of the titles discussed today on our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/460, where we'd love to hear from you in the comments section, too.
Our Spring Book Preview is just around the corner, on January 16th at 8:30 PM EST. This is an annual event that invites our Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club and Patreon members to join us: we've also got a la carte tickets on sale if you're not currently part of one of those communities. There are so many incredible titles coming out this season, and Anne will be talking about her most anticipated selections with all of you. Find out more and sign up to join us at modernmrsdarcy.com/sbp.
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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, Anne is here to help if you're also facing this situation.
Caroline Hines lives on a Christmas tree farm, which is not really related to today's book-talk, but feels like the perfect setting for our final episode of the year. When she wrote in to get Anne's help, Caroline mentioned that since she started tracking her reading against a numerical goal, she's felt an unwelcome shift in her reading life. Rather than reaching for the heftier reads she suspects she'll love, even though they take her longer to finish, she finds herself dashing through fast-paced thrillers because she knows she'll read them quickly, not because she thinks they're perfect for her.
Today she and Anne discuss the pros and cons of using a numerical reading goal, and how Caroline might enjoy that glorious feeling of falling headfirst into a book more often.
Find the full list of titles mentioned and share your suggestions for Caroline by leaving a comment on our show notes page, at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/459.
A quick note: our team will be taking the next two weeks off to enjoy good books and good times with our loved ones. We'll be back in January with a brand new episode—Anne's Best Books of 2024! In the meantime, enjoy our archives, or explore all of our bonus episodes, author chats, and more in our Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club and our Patreon community.
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When Anne was invited to speak at WriterFest, a creative gathering for aspiring writers, published authors, screenwriters, poets, and songwriters in Nashville, we couldn't wait to share that conversation with all of you.
Today we're sharing Anne's conversation with WriterFest co-founder Ami McConnell. From books and reading to the common themes they've heard people are experiencing in their creative lives right now, it's a conversation to spark your own creative spirit.
Thank you again to WriterFest co-founders Ami McConnell and Sara Wigal and to their their amazing teams and volunteers who made this event happen.
Let us know if you have a book or a creative moment you'd like to share by leaving a comment on our show notes page, where you'll also find the list of titles mentioned today. That's at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/458.
We're so looking forward to sharing our annual Team's Best Books of the year! This has become a tradition, and this year, we'll be gathering for this live party on December 19th. Members of our Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club and our Patreon Community are invited: this fun event is just one of many ways we say thank you for your financial support. Find out more and become a member at patreon.com/whatshouldireadnext.
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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 experience when she's nearly always listening to audiobooks on the go?
Lauren Worley is joining Anne today from Virginia. Lauren's work keeps her in the car and on the road quite a bit, so Lauren’s fully embraced audiobooks. But she doesn't just want to listen while she's driving: she's curious how she could create a cozier reading experience in her car.
Today she and Anne talk about what Lauren's looking for, from small tweaks to make car listening feel more cozy, to the titles she defines as cozy audiobooks (which might not be what you'd expect.) Anne shares titles that might fit Lauren’s criteria, as well as ways she can invite that cozy reading atmosphere into her experience, even when she’s on the road.
Share an audiobook you've found cozy or a reading tip for Lauren by leaving a comment on our show notes page, where you'll find the full list of titles mentioned today. That's at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/457.
If you are on the hunt for perfect gifts to give the tough-to-shop-for readers in your life, my reading journal makes a great gift. My Reading Life is the perfect companion for any adult, with 100 blank entries to record what they've read, a place to keep track of their to-be-read list, and lots of book lists to help them pick what to read next. I also have a version for kids and the young-at-heart: My Reading Adventures has the same elements as well as features that will appeal kids and teenagers. Or, check out my I'd Rather Be Reading bundle, which includes my book, I'd Rather Be Reading, a matching sticker, button, and exclusive bookmark. Shop now wherever you get your new books or at our shop, ModernMrsDarcy.com/shop.
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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 Ginger Horton figure out the answer to a reading question that's been plaguing her.
Ginger recently came to Anne with a conundrum: she loves books set in New England, but not every book set in New England. She loves books set in New England autumn, but not every New England autumn book. What is the particular combination of bookish ingredients that makes a New England story a win for Ginger?
She was stumped, and wanted Anne's help in diagnosing what exactly is going on in this part of her reading life. Today Anne and Ginger explore what goes into Ginger's winning reading formula and share a long list of New England inspired titles.
Find that list of books mentioned on our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/456. And while you're there, tell us about a New England book you love by leaving a comment.
If you're shopping for gifts to bring readerly delight to your holidays, our shop has you covered. From sweatshirts to our buttons, book darts, and stickers, there's a pick for any recipient on your list. Our tried and true "To Be Read" tote also makes perfect packaging for a bookish holiday gift. Find these goodies and more at ModernMrsDarcy.com/shop.
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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 much in a specific time and place, yet they also feel so inclusive. Elif's stories explore universal themes like home and belonging, exile and displacement. She also leverages her Turkish heritage and accesses storytelling traditions that are sometimes unfamiliar to Western readers.
Elif is one of Anne's favorite writers working right now, in large part because she attempts things no other writer would think of. Today, they talk about that as well as the mythologies and metaphors that make her books so engrossing.
Find the list of titles mentioned in today's show at our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/455.
If today's episode delivered the type of bookish conversation you'd love more of, come check out our Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club. In this vibrant community space, we enjoy live author talks, classes, and special events like the upcoming Our Team's Best Books of the Year event. Sign up or purchase a gift membership for your favorite reader at modernmrsdarcy.com/club.
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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-giving ideas for the readers in your life. Thanks to all of our listeners who sent in their questions: we loved sharing our best recommendations for the readers you love.
Whether you hear your request in today's episode or you didn't get around to submitting a question, we're confident you'll walk away with some great gifting ideas today. We've gathered the long list of titles shared in the show notes, which you'll find at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/454.
Looking for something to pair with a book (or a book-inspired gift)? Our merchandise shop is full of good stuff for the readers in your life. Check out what's available at ModernMrsDarcy.com/shop.
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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."
Since we can't all gather at Dana's house this season, we thought we'd do the next best thing and have her on the podcast. Today, Anne is chatting with Dana about her delightful concept for this gathering. You'll hear how Dana creates richly textured, immersive reading experiences, both for herself in her own reading life and in times like these when she seeks to offer other friends and readers a sense of community and belonging in a season that could use a little boost of coziness. Plus, Dana and Anne will each share a selection of books with cozy vibes.
Find the list of titles mentioned and leave a comment to share your cozy readers gathering tips at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/453
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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 was the perfect opportunity to explore this literary topic in conversation.
Jessica Crockett is joining Anne today from Chicago, where she works as a French-to-English patent translator. When she's not enjoying board games or ballroom dancing, she'll often be found reading. And today, she'd love Anne's help in untangling her relationship with short stories.
Jessica really wants to love short stories: she's read a few collections that really work for her, but she's also found she keeps buying short story collections that she either never picks up or wanders away from. Jessica is wondering whether she's missing something in her short story reading experience, if she needs a change in approach. Today she and Anne dive into her situation and talk about what makes short story collections shine.
Find the full list of titles mentioned and other links from today's conversation on our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/452.
If you are interested in short stories like today's guest, this is the perfect time to join our Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club, because this November we are reading short stories together. Come join our Book Club to enjoy a full year of author talks, classes like Greek mythology for readers, and big events like Fall Book Preview and our upcoming Team Best Books of the Year. Join us for short stories by signing up at ModernMrsDarcy.com/club.
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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 especially intrigued by this because Mansfield Park is the novel of Jane Austen's that seems most overlooked when it comes to retellings.
Today, Anne has questions, and Nikki May has answers. Among some of the gems you will hear are Nikki's personal connection to Jane Austen generally and Mansfield Park in particular, the personal experiences that informed This Motherless Land, and the complexity of belonging and not belonging as explored in these pages.
Anne and Nikki also discover their shared appreciation for family novels, especially complicated, messy families, and Nikki shares some of her favorites today.
Find the full list of titles mentioned at our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/451.
Our annual traditional holiday gift-giving episode is just around the corner. If you'd like to give a bookish gift to a reader in your life and you'd like our team's help, please email [email protected] with the subject line "Gift Help". In your email, please include details about who are you shopping for, a little bit about their reading life, and any ideas you have or the direction you'd prefer to go. We'll read some of your requests and answer lots of reader inquiries on our upcoming episode.
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