What to Read Next Podcast l Book Recommendation Show

Laura R Yamin
  • 4.0 (62)
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What to Read Next Podcast is a book recommendation podcast for mood readers who are always looking to add new books to their TBR. In each episode, Laura Yamin shares quick book recommendations so you can topple your TBR. This podcast is perfect for Romance and Mystery readers with the occasional romantasy episode.

  1. Can a Serial Killer Be “Cozy”? Dark Comedy Meets Cozy Mystery | Fergus Craig

    1D AGO

    Can a Serial Killer Be “Cozy”? Dark Comedy Meets Cozy Mystery | Fergus Craig

    This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. What happens when you drop a retired serial killer into a luxury retirement home full of former investigators? You get chaos, secrets… and one very suspicious death. In this episode, I chat with British comedian-turned-mystery author Fergus Craig about his latest cozy crime novel, I’m Not the Only Murderer in My Retirement Home. We talk about writing a likable serial killer, the art of “cracked cozy” mysteries, and how parody crime novels unexpectedly launched his fiction career. If you love cozy mysteries with a dark twist — and characters who blur the line between wrong and relatable — this one’s for you. We also dive into his favorite reads (including a book he calls the best he’s ever read), and why sometimes escape fiction is exactly what readers need right now. 📚 Books Mentioned I’m Not the Only Murderer in My Retirement Home by Fergus Craig — Buy on Amazon | Cozy Mystery | Dark Comedy | Serial Killer Protagonist The Bee Sting by Paul Murray — Buy on Amazon | Literary Fiction | Family Drama East of Eden by John Steinbeck — Buy on Amazon | Classic Literary Fiction ⏱️ Timestamps[00:00] Introduction to Fergus Craig [01:00] The premise behind I’m Not the Only Murderer in My Retirement Home [02:00] What is a “cracked cozy” mystery? [03:00] Writing a likable serial killer [05:00] Balancing flashbacks and present-day mystery [06:00] From comedian and actor to novelist [07:00] Parody crime novels and landing a book deal [08:00] Why readers want escape fiction right now [09:00] Fergus’s reading life and audiobook habits [10:00] The Bee Sting by Paul Murray recommendation [12:00] Literary fiction and reading widely Join the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com) Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read Next Subscribe & leave a review! Mentioned in this episode: Advertise with Us Do you have a book or service that you want to share with our engaged audience? Check out our opportunities to sponsor with us. Advertise With Us

    15 min
  2. Writing Romance from Venezuela with Maria José Morillo | Celebrity RomCom

    3D AGO

    Writing Romance from Venezuela with Maria José Morillo | Celebrity RomCom

    This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. What happens when a swoony rom-com set in Venezuela meets fake dating, music, and telenovela-level drama? I’m joined by debut author Maria José Morillo to talk about romance, bilingual reading, and writing against the odds. In this episode, I’m chatting with Maria José Morillo, a Venezuelan author making her Big Five debut with The Ex-Perimento. We talk about growing up bilingual, discovering romance through Harry Potter and Twilight, and what it means to write English-language romance from Venezuela. We also dive into celebrity rom-com tropes, Latin American pop culture (yes, Miss Universe matters), and how Maria José went from fanfiction to landing a traditional publishing deal. If you love high-concept rom-coms, global romance, or behind-the-scenes publishing journeys, this episode is for you. 📚 Books Mentioned The Ex-Perimento by Maria José Morillo — Contemporary Romance | Celebrity Romance You Deserve Each Other by Sarah Hogle — Rom-Com | Enemies-to-Lovers People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry — Friends-to-Lovers | Travel Romance Happy Place by Emily Henry — Second-Chance Romance | Emotional Romance The Sun and the Void by Gabriela Romero-Lacruz — Fantasy | Venezuelan Folklore Bochica by Carolina Florez-Cerchiaro — Gothic Horror | Latin American Folklore ⏱️ Episode Timestamps[00:00] Welcome & why Venezuela pop culture feels familiar [02:00] Becoming a reader through Harry Potter [05:00] Switching from Spanish to English reading [07:00] E-reading vs physical books outside the U.S. [09:00] From fanfiction to writing original romance [12:00] Why writing in English opened publishing doors [15:00] The book that didn’t sell — and why that matters [17:00] The origin story of The Ex-Perimento [20:00] Miss Universe, telenovelas & Latin American fame [24:00] Romance recommendations & reading for joy Join the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com) Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read Next Subscribe & leave a review!

    30 min
  3. Buffy Meets Dark Academia: Inside Half City with Kate Golden

    5D AGO

    Buffy Meets Dark Academia: Inside Half City with Kate Golden

    This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. What happens when a pandemic side project turns into a full-time creative career? In this episode, I’m joined by fantasy romance author Kate Golden to talk about writing through uncertainty, leaving a stable career, and why urban fantasy is having a moment. We get into Kate’s journey from working as a studio executive in Hollywood to indie publishing A Dawn of Onyx, landing a traditional book deal with Berkley, and finally quitting her day job to write full-time. We also dive deep into Half City, her dark academia–meets–urban fantasy trilogy set in a reimagined New York City — complete with demon hunters, secret colleges, forbidden romance, and Buffy-level vibes. This conversation is for readers who love grounded fantasy, creative career pivots, and honest talk about monetizing passion projects without losing your mind. Join the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com) Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read Next Subscribe & leave a review!

    27 min
  4. How to Make Adult Friends (Plus 6 Book Recs!) | Friday Night Readers

    6D AGO

    How to Make Adult Friends (Plus 6 Book Recs!) | Friday Night Readers

    This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Making adult friends is hard — but it doesn’t have to be lonely. In this Galentine’s Day special, I’m joined by my friend Jules from Friday Night Readers to talk about how we met as adults, how to build meaningful female friendships, and the six books that celebrate the complicated, beautiful, soul-shaping power of friendship. We share how sliding into DMs, podcast interviews, book communities, and even fitness classes can turn into real-life connection. If you’re craving community, feeling isolated, or just want book recommendations centered on female friendships (from literary fiction to cozy mysteries), this episode is for you. 📚 Books Recommended My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante — Buy on Amazon | Literary Fiction |Audio ✅ Truth and Beauty by Ann Patchett — Buy on Amazon | Memoir | Audio ✅ Love & Saffron by Kim Fay — Buy on Amazon | Historical Fiction | Audio ✅ Too Blessed to Stress by Alli Hoff Kosik — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Fiction | Audio ✅ Rachel West and the Fallen Starlet by Emma Mills — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Mystery | Audio ✅ Murder by Cheesecake by Rachel Ekstrom Courage — Buy on Amazon | Cozy Mystery | Audio Audible Exclusive ⏰ Timestamps[00:00] Why Galentine’s Day matters [02:00] How Laura and Jules became friends as adults [06:00] Loneliness vs. being alone [08:30] My Brilliant Friend & complex literary friendships [15:30] Truth and Beauty & unconditional friendship [19:00] Millennial mystery nostalgia (2008 tabloid era!) [23:00] Love & Saffron & long-distance friendships [26:00] Golden Girls cozy mystery vibes [30:00] Real-life ideas to build adult friendships Join the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com) Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read Next Subscribe & leave a review!

    36 min
  5. Second-Chance Love, Queer Romance, and ’90s Music Nostalgia | Lisa Peers

    FEB 11

    Second-Chance Love, Queer Romance, and ’90s Music Nostalgia | Lisa Peers

    This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. What happens when love, music, and unfinished business collide—20 years later? In this episode, I’m joined by novelist Lisa Peers to talk about Motor City Love Song, a sapphic second-chance romance set against Detroit’s indie music scene—then and now. We dive into the late ’90s Detroit garage-rock era, the rise and fall of live music venues, and what it means to revisit the love and choices that shape who we become. If you love music-driven novels, queer romance with emotional depth, and stories about creative communities surviving change, this one’s for you. 📚 Books Mentioned Motor City Love Song by Lisa Peers — Queer Romance | Music Fiction Life by Keith Richards — Memoir | Music History Juliet, Naked by Nick Hornby — Literary Fiction | Music Obsession A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan — Literary Fiction | Music Industry Girl in a Band by Kim Gordon — Memoir | Rock Music ⏱️ Episode Timestamps[00:00] Meet Lisa Peers & the inspiration behind Motor City Love Song [02:00] Detroit’s ’90s indie music scene explained [06:30] Music, community, and surviving industry shifts [09:00] Second-chance love & dual timelines [14:00] Writing younger vs. older characters [16:00] Music memoirs Lisa loves [22:00] Final book recommendations for music lovers Join the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com) Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read Next Subscribe & leave a review!

    24 min
  6. Cozy Mystery Starter Guide: Series We Loved (and Quit) | Honest Thoughts on Hannah Swansen Series

    FEB 9

    Cozy Mystery Starter Guide: Series We Loved (and Quit) | Honest Thoughts on Hannah Swansen Series

    This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Cozy Mysteries 101: Finding the Series That Actually Works for YouIf you’ve ever wanted to get into cozy mysteries but didn’t know where to start — or bounced off one that just didn’t work — this episode is for you. Amy from Novel Gossip joins me to break down what actually makes a cozy mystery work (and why some beloved classics… don’t anymore). We talk about cozy mystery conventions, foodie cozies, long-running series vs. short arcs, seasonal reads, and the difference between nostalgic comfort and outdated, problematic storytelling. Plus, we compare three major cozy series we read together — including one we’re obsessed with and one we’re officially done with. This episode is perfect for readers who love low-stress mysteries, strong sense of place, found family vibes, and a little romance on the side. 📚 Books & Series DiscussedLucy Stone Mysteries by Leslie MeierHannah Swensen Mysteries by Joanne FlukeBakeshop Mysteries by Ellie AlexanderBeacon Bakeshop Mysteries by Darci Hannah 📚 Books Mentioned Lucy Stone Mysteries by Leslie Meier — Cozy Mystery | Small Town | Married Sleuth | Seasonal Reads Hannah Swensen Mysteries by Joanne Fluke — Cozy Mystery | Bakery Setting | Long-Running Series | Food-Forward Bakeshop Mysteries by Ellie Alexander — Cozy Mystery | Bakery | Found Family | Pacific Northwest Beacon Bakeshop Mysteries by Darci Hannah — Cozy Mystery | Lakeside Setting | Animal Companion | Foodie Cozy ⏱️ Episode Timestamps[00:00] Why we fell into cozy mysteries [02:00] Cozy mystery conventions & formulas [05:00] Foodie cozies and niche hobbies [08:00] Seasonal and holiday cozy reads [11:00] Lucy Stone series overview [14:00] Hannah Swensen: nostalgia vs. modern reads [18:00] Why Bakeshop Mysteries became our favorite [23:00] Long-running series, side characters & growth [29:00] Cozy mysteries vs. TV adaptations [34:00] Final thoughts & where to find Amy Join the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com) Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read...

    36 min
  7. Rom-Com Meets Murder: A Killer Kind of Romance with Letizia Lorini | Romantic Mystery

    FEB 6

    Rom-Com Meets Murder: A Killer Kind of Romance with Letizia Lorini | Romantic Mystery

    This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. What happens when a true-crime podcaster is forced to host a romance podcast… and a real murder hits close to home? In this episode, I’m joined by author Letizia Lorini to talk about her rom-com-meets-mystery debut A Killer Kind of Romance — a smart, funny love story with serial-killer vibes and a guaranteed happily ever after. We talk about Letizia’s journey from criminology to romance writing, how her background in white-collar and environmental crime shaped this story, and why mixing romance, comedy, and murder works better than you’d think. If you love rom-coms with a dark edge, true-crime energy, and an external mystery driving the romance, this one’s for you. 📚 Books Mentioned A Killer Kind of Romance by Letizia Lorini — Romantic Mystery | Rom-Com with Murder | Small-Town Romance | True-Crime Vibes Brave and Reckless by Dilan Dyer — Contemporary Romance | Cowboy Romance | Theme Park Setting Hoax and Kisses by Elodie Colliard — Small-Town Romance | Fake Dating | Contemporary Rom-Com | Florist Hero Poisoned Ivy by Ava Rani — Romantic Mystery | Dark Academia Romance | External Mystery Plot Whiskey Business by Elliot Fletcher — Contemporary Romance | Scottish Romance | Small-Town Vibes Scotch on the Rocks by Elliot Fletcher — Contemporary Romance | Scottish Romance | Series Romance ⏱️ Episode Timestamps[00:00] Meet Letizia Lorini & her criminology background [01:00] White-collar crime, environmental crime, and “victimless” myths [02:00] Falling back in love with romance (and starting to write) [03:00] Indie → traditional publishing & why hybrid works [03:30] A Killer Kind of Romance — rom-com + murder pitch [05:00] Balancing romance and mystery without overpowering either [06:00] Why dark themes pair perfectly with rom-com energy [07:00] Pantsing vs plotting & writing twists [08:00] Book recommendations & favorite rom-com reads [11:00] Where to find Letizia online Join the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com) Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to...

    11 min
  8. Queer Romance, Bi Identity, and Being Seen with Jordyn Taylor | Winter Queer RomCom

    FEB 4

    Queer Romance, Bi Identity, and Being Seen with Jordyn Taylor | Winter Queer RomCom

    This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Coming out doesn’t always look the way we expect — especially when bisexuality, straight-presenting relationships, and queer community intersect in complicated ways. In this episode, I’m joined by novelist and journalist Jordyn Taylor to talk about her adult debut See You at the Summit and why bisexual representation in romance still matters. We dig into bi-erasure, “double discrimination,” and what it means to claim your identity even when the world reads you incorrectly. Jordyn also shares how her background as a sex and relationships editor shaped her fiction, why she chose Canada as the setting for her adult debut, and how fitness (yes, Hyrox!) fuels her creative life. Plus, we swap book recommendations that explore queer relationships, polyamory, and emotionally devastating love stories you’ll never forget. 📚 Books Mentioned See You at the Summit by Jordyn Taylor — Queer Romance | Contemporary Rom-Com | Coming Out Story Triple Sec by TJ Alexander— Polyamorous Romance | LGBTQ+ | Contemporary Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid — Historical Fiction | Queer Love Story | Audiobook Favorite ⏱️ Episode Timestamps[00:00] Jordyn Taylor’s writing journey and adult debut [02:30] Why bisexual representation needs nuance [05:30] Bi-erasure and “double discrimination” [08:00] Setting queer romance in Canada [10:30] Hyrox, fitness culture, and creative discipline [15:00] Polyamory in romance fiction (Triple Sec) [17:00] Emotional audiobooks and Atmosphere [18:45] Where to find Jordyn and what’s next Join the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com) Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read Next Subscribe & leave a review!

    19 min
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4
out of 5
62 Ratings

About

What to Read Next Podcast is a book recommendation podcast for mood readers who are always looking to add new books to their TBR. In each episode, Laura Yamin shares quick book recommendations so you can topple your TBR. This podcast is perfect for Romance and Mystery readers with the occasional romantasy episode.

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