Ep 525: Get ready for a reading retreat

May 12, 2026

Ginger Horton, community manager for the Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club who curates reader events and the Summer Reading Guide, returns to talk summer reading. They preview the 15th annual Guide and the live unboxing events. Conversation covers the guide’s magazine-style design, this year’s reading retreat theme, reader-focused features like Genius Moves, and three highlighted monthly picks.

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ADVICE

Use A Curated Guide To Guard Reading Time

Use the Summer Reading Guide to protect your precious reading time by choosing vetted books rather than scanning everything published this year.
Anne reads every guide book cover-to-cover so she can tell you tone, content, and which reader will enjoy each title before you commit time.

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ADVICE

Attend The Unboxing For Deeper Context

Join an unboxing event to hear Anne unpack each title's tone, comps, and reading experience beyond the blurb.
Ticket holders get a PDF guide and live Q&A access at two live times or via recording.

insights

INSIGHT

Trusted Taste Beats Marketing Noise

Marketing noise means many hyped books may not fit your taste; a trusted selector helps filter what's actually right for you.
Ginger looks for staff- or taste-matches just like she seeks specific bookstore recommender cards.

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Summer Reading Guide launch and unboxing events

00:19 • 2min

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What to expect at the Unboxing

02:32 • 1min

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Meet Ginger Horton and her role

03:56 • 1min

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Ginger on summer reading habits

05:08 • 1min

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Guide structure and categories

06:14 • 4min

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Why Anne reads every guide book

09:54 • 1min

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Guide design, theme, and reading retreat

11:01 • 10min

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Genius Moves team feature

21:14 • 2min

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Preview of three book club picks

23:43 • 2min

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June pick: Dolly All the Time

25:44 • 53sec

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July pick: Sisters of a Halved Heart

26:38 • 2min

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August pick: The Great Wherever

28:30 • 1min

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Ginger's planned summer reads and themes

29:46 • 2min

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Guide stats and variety highlights

31:45 • 2min

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Community events and bonus episodes

33:42 • 3min

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Editorial values and AI stance

37:00 • 5min

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How to get the guide and purchase options

41:34 • 5min

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Physical guide details and shipping

46:58 • 53sec

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Favorite guide moments and design credits

Shannon Sanders' debut novel is an evocative family saga that explores inheritance, legacy, and the dynamics of a family tied to a farm. The narrative includes a supernatural element: gossipy, judgmental family ghosts who haunt the property and comment on the living relatives' choices. Through multiple generations, the book examines how family history shapes identity and relationships, using both realism and magical or ghostly details to enrich the story. The setting and characters provide a strong sense of place and emotional depth, offering readers both drama and atmospheric storytelling. As a debut, it establishes Sanders' voice and signals an interest in blending the domestic with the uncanny.

#91126

Sisters of a Halved Heart

Nayantara Roy

Nayantara Roy's novel is an immersive family drama centered on complicated relationships and the entanglements of love, rivalry, and literary life. The protagonist works at a prestigious literary magazine and discovers an unsolicited manuscript that propels a mystery about authorship and motive throughout the story. The book balances emotionally fraught scenes, a vibrant supporting cast, and moments of humor or tenderness, culminating in a satisfying resolution. Its tone is described as messy in the best way, offering plenty to discuss, including a notable epilogue that prompts debate. Readers can expect a richly drawn narrative with strong character dynamics and a literary backdrop.

#47439

Dolly All the Time

Annabel Monaghan

Annabel Monaghan's novel is a character-driven seaside story that follows a devoted protagonist navigating relationships and the search for a happy ending. The book emphasizes warmth, loyalty, and the comforts of community, making it a breezy, immersive summer read. Monaghan's work typically balances emotional stakes with accessible, engaging prose that readers find satisfying and comforting. This title is positioned as an easy-to-read romantic-leaning novel that still offers depth of character and emotional resonance. It aims to deliver both escapism and heartfelt payoff for readers seeking a comforting, page-turning experience.

#3969

• Mentioned in 13 episodes

The secret garden

Frances Hodgson Burnett

The Secret Garden tells the story of Mary Lennox, a young girl who is sent to live with her reclusive uncle in Yorkshire after the death of her parents. At Misselthwaite Manor, Mary discovers a secret garden that has been locked away for ten years following the death of her uncle's wife. With the help of a friendly robin, Martha Sowerby, and her brother Dickon, Mary sets out to restore the garden. This journey transforms Mary from a spoiled and ill-tempered girl into a kinder and more independent person. The garden also has a rejuvenating effect on her sickly cousin Colin, and ultimately brings healing and reconciliation to the entire family.

#801

• Mentioned in 46 episodes

Winnie-The-Pooh

A. A. Milne

Published in 1926, Winnie-the-Pooh is a beloved children's book written by A.A. Milne and illustrated by E.H. Shepard. The book follows the adventures of Winnie-the-Pooh, a honey-loving bear, and his friends including Christopher Robin, Piglet, Eeyore, Owl, Rabbit, Kanga, and Roo in the fictional Hundred Acre Wood. The stories are simple yet full of comic moments and insights into human behavior, making it a classic that appeals to readers of all ages.

I am delighted to welcome our Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club Community Manager, Ginger Horton, back to the show to talk about this year's 15th annual Summer Reading Guide and dive into all things summer reading.

Ginger has been collaborating on the Guide for many years now, and she played an integral role in selecting our 2026 reading retreat theme. As you'll hear today, she's also the reason we started hosting our annual Unboxing live events. We're going to get into that in detail.

Ginger is also a co-discoverer with readers, though, because just a few hours before we recorded, she saw the first draft of this year's Summer Reading Guide. She and I talk about what we love most about this year's Guide and how you can make sure you get a copy. We hope you'll enjoy this conversation and it sparks your excitement for this week's release of our 15th annual Guide.

Find the list of titles mentioned today at our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/525.

If you are already a member of our Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club or our What Should I Read Next? Patreon communities, or you purchased your à la carte ticket, you are all set to get the Guide on Thursday and attend Thursday's Unboxing events at either 1:00 PM or 8:00 PM. And if neither time works for you, never fear: we'll have the recording available not too long after the events. During the Unboxing, Anne goes through all the titles in the Guide one by one, sharing more about why she chose each title, what the reading experience is like, and what kind of reader may most enjoy each book. Find out all the details you need to know at modernmrsdarcy.com/srg.

Chapters:

02:27 What to expect at the Summer Reading Guide Unboxing Event

26:09 Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan

26:54 Sisters of a Halved Heart by Nayantara Roy

28:36 The Great Wherever by Shannon Sanders

41:40 How to get the Summer Reading Guide

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