439 episodes

What Should I Read Next? is the show for every reader who has ever finished a book and faced the problem of not knowing what to read next. Each week, Anne Bogel, of the blog Modern Mrs Darcy, interviews a reader about the books they love, the books they hate, and the books they're reading now. Then, she makes recommendations about what to read next. The real purpose of the show is to help YOU find your next read. To learn more or apply to be on the show visit whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com.

What Should I Read Next‪?‬ Anne Bogel

    • Arts
    • 4.8 • 4.9K Ratings

What Should I Read Next? is the show for every reader who has ever finished a book and faced the problem of not knowing what to read next. Each week, Anne Bogel, of the blog Modern Mrs Darcy, interviews a reader about the books they love, the books they hate, and the books they're reading now. Then, she makes recommendations about what to read next. The real purpose of the show is to help YOU find your next read. To learn more or apply to be on the show visit whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com.

    Ep 439: How many book clubs is too many book clubs?

    Ep 439: How many book clubs is too many book clubs?

    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, Brigid came to the show through our WSIRN guest submission form. But these days she works on our team as our MMD Book Club Community Administrator. 
    This is fitting, because as you’ll hear in today’s episode, Brigid is totally addicted to book clubs. At the time of this episode, she was an active member of seven book clubs. She really enjoys how participation in these communal reading groups invites memorable conversation and a structured reading life.
    Brigid describes herself as a naturally slow reader, and today she's sharing a bunch of tips for finishing all those book club picks on time. She and Anne also discuss the origins of her book club addiction, the benefits of audiobooks, and balancing personal reading with book club reading, before Anne recommends titles Brigid might enjoy reading next.
    You'll find the full list of titles mentioned as well as a round-up of other places you can connect with Brigid at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/439.
    This episode wraps up our summer series featuring members of our team, but throughout the month of July we've also been catching up with each team member to hear about their reading life now. That's all happening over on our Patreon page. Podcasting from a business standpoint has been especially wonky lately, and the financial support from our patrons is a huge part of what keeps our show on the air each week. Bonus episodes like these team follow-ups are just one way we say thanks. And if you're interested in even more insight into how the publishing world all works, we think you'll especially enjoy our latest bonus episode, where Anne is taking you behind the scenes to talk all things book advances and royalties. Find this bonus episode and so many more at patreon.com/whatshouldireadnext.
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    • 57 min
    Ep 438: Life is short & my TBR is way too long

    Ep 438: Life is short & my TBR is way too long

    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 help you identify some good books in a way that might not land on your radar otherwise. We hope you love this conversation.
    Anne is revisiting her very first conversation with Alabama reader Shannan Malone in today's conversation. Since this episode originally aired, Shannan has joined our team as our co-host and contributor, but in today's show, Shannan and Anne go back to where it all began. Shannan has broad taste and high standards, as you will hear. Even authors that she's loved in the past don't get a free pass, and maybe not even the benefit of the doubt. So today's episode goes out to all you eclectic readers who love hopping between genres. Anne and Shannan discuss the struggle of pinpointing what you dislike about a book that everyone else thinks is amazing, awkward characters that are endearing to introverted readers, and much, much more.
    You'll find the full list of titles mentioned today, along with links to other episodes, blog posts, or features contributed by Shannan and other team members at our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/438.
    If you're curious about Shannan's reading life now, be sure to join us over in Patreon where Anne is catching up with the team members whose voices you are hearing for the month of July and hearing all about how their reading lives have changed since they were first featured on the show. Those conversations are a lot of fun—find them at Patreon.com./whatshouldireadnext.
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    • 50 min
    Ep 437: An epic birthday bookstore roadtrip

    Ep 437: An epic birthday bookstore roadtrip

    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 episodes with four of our team members. When these episodes were originally recorded, no one involved had any idea that these readers would be on our team eventually, so it's especially fun to re-listen knowing everything that happened after Anne and these guests first spoke on the podcast.
    Today we are revisiting Anne's conversation with Donna Hetchler, which was originally Episode 83. In this episode Donna and Anne dive into Donna's then-developing plans for the epic 50th birthday bookstore road trip she had in the works. As Donna says, the planning is half the fun, and she brings us into her planning details from the specific West Coast bookstore she wants to visit, the books she wants to purchase, and the friends who will join her along the way.
    This episode has become a listener favorite and continues to inspire many of you to plan your own book projects for big milestones. We think you'll love this chance to listen to Donna share about the trip that started it all.
    And if you're curious what Donna and our other team members are reading lately, be sure to check out our corresponding Patreon series, where Anne will be hosting follow-ups to hear from each team member about how they feel about re-listening to their episode, and what their reading life is like now. Find that and so much more happening over at Patreon.com/whatshouldireadnext.
    We have that link along with all of the links to the titles Donna mentioned today and other places you'll hear from Donna and our team over at our show notes page. That's at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/437.
    What Should I Read Next? is sponsored by BetterHelp.
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    • 52 min
    Ep 436: The reality of bookworm problems

    Ep 436: The reality of bookworm problems

    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 conversations Anne had with readers that are now members of our team.
    Many of you know our team members by name, and you have a good sense of their reading tastes, too. But we also know that many of you are new around here, or haven't yet had the chance to listen to all 400-plus episodes, so you don't know our team members as well. 
    Whether you've heard these episodes before or you're hearing them for the first time, we're certain you'll enjoy these introductions to some of the people who help make the book magic happen around here.

    The first episode in our team series originally aired as Episode 9 from all the way back in 2016 as Anne talks with now-Modern Mrs. Darcy editor and social media manager, Leigh Kramer. At that time, Leigh was living in San Francisco, where she identified herself as a full-time book nerd, fried pickle connoisseur, and lifetime White Sox fan. While Leigh lives in Chicago now, she still has strong opinions about her books, which makes for a delightful conversation. 
    In this episode, Leigh and Anne discuss the nearly perfect novel that she adored and happened to be all wrong for Anne. Leigh also shares the books she read at just the right time and a variety of very real bookworm problems, before Anne recommends titles for Leigh's next read.
    This episode was a really interesting time capsule because Leigh and Anne discuss some books that Leigh wouldn't choose and Anne wouldn't recommend for her today. We'll discuss those changes in her reading life more over on Patreon.
    Find the full list of titles mentioned today, along with links for other places you'll find Leigh and our team, over on our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/436.
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    • 36 min
    Ep 435: A deep dive through a massive TBR

    Ep 435: A deep dive through a massive TBR

    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 is here today to get Anne's help in discovering great audiobooks to pair with this long drive.
    But before diving into recommendations, Anne and Corinne chat about Corinne's dreamy book job: she works as a book restorer at the oldest French public library, the Bibliothèque Mazarine. Corinne's work allows her to restore a wide range of documents, from 78 CE papyri to Middle Age religious manuscripts to 19th century Napoleon caricatures.
    In addition to crafting Corinne's summer audiobook list, she and Anne chat about Corinne's To Be Read list, which has more than 1,700 titles on it right now. Anne has ideas for how Corinne might be able to balance the occasional reread of beloved books with the intentional pursuit of new-to-her reading experiences as she strikes some titles off of this massive list.
    Find the full list of titles mentioned today and connect with Corinne at the link in our show notes page, at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/435.
    If you're still planning your summer reading, there's still time to get your 2024 Summer Reading Guide if you haven't already devoured your copy. Buy your guide a la carte, or join one of our reading communities, and your guide (as well as all of the archives from past years!) is included. Choose the best option to unlock your summer reading at modernmrsdarcy.com/srg.
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    • 59 min
    Ep 434: Hospitable books with a strong sense of welcome

    Ep 434: Hospitable books with a strong sense of welcome

    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 bookseller and marketing director for a local independent bookstore in Texas, where she loves to create an inviting space for the readers who frequent her shop. Adrianne's interest in hospitality started in her youth, when she traveled often with her parents and was charmed by her experiences.
    These days, Adrianne enjoys finding inviting books as well as stories set in a hotel or restaurant, but finding the right titles feels overwhelming. Today Anne helps Adrianne navigate the massive availability of interesting books and discuss how to know she's found a title that feels worth spending time on. Anne closes with recommendations of books that offer a sense of hospitality and welcome.
    Find the full list of titles mentioned today and share your recommendations for Adrianne on our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/434.

    What Should I Read Next? is sponsored by BetterHelp.
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    • 48 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
4.9K Ratings

4.9K Ratings

Jen12021202 ,

Great Variety

I appreciate this podcast for the variety and the depth and Brad the novels they recommended. The show notes are very helpful on the website. I’ve been a long time listener and haven. Haven’t been listening to the weekly episodes as much. I really enjoy googling the podcast with a book title and then listening back to episodes that reference books. I’m interested in or books. I’ve just read and enjoyed, listen to most episodes and will finish them all day. I also think Anne has a very unique vocal quality with her pacing and somewhat breath voice, which I find interesting. To listen to, and I can’t sleep at night. I’ll pop on and episode. She referenced how she produced the plosive sounds for audiobook and I feel like this training probably let her to have a really clear voice.

queenivanka ,

I am obsessed with WSIRN!

Tuesdays & Fridays (Patreon) just got a lot more exciting, so thankful for this podcast, it’s making my 2024!

Brookipye ,

Wonderful conversations, great recommendations

I have enjoyed listening to Anne’s conversations and many book recommendations. She has such a gift of listening and understanding what her guests would like to read next!

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