What Should I Read Next? Ep 494: Books brimming with creativity, philosophy, and grace
Sep 16, 2025
Join Sarah Kellogg, a talented cover designer at a Big Five publisher, as she dives into the fascinating world of book cover design. Discover the emotional connections designers forge with stories and the creative dance between designers, authors, and publishers. Sarah shares her personal reading journey, discussing classics like C.S. Lewis's 'Till We Have Faces' and the importance of rereading. They explore timeless themes of grace, creativity, and philosophy in literature, while also examining the powerful intersection between culinary writing and deep life insights.
59:49
Work Shapes Your Reading Mix
- Working with many manuscripts satisfies Sarah's appetite for new releases, while her personal reading tends toward backlist and classics.
- Her job shapes what she reads professionally versus personally.
A Favorite That Rewards Re-Reading
- Sarah's all-time favorite is Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis, a retelling of Cupid and Psyche from the sister's view.
- She repeatedly rereads it because its layers and symbolism deepen with each reading.
A Creativity Manual She Recommends
- Walking on Water by Madeleine L'Engle blends memoir and meditation on the creative process and deeply resonated with Sarah.
- She quotes its view that stories help us 'become more whole' and 'name' the cosmos.
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Intro
00:00 • 5min
A Reading Journey Unfolds
05:17 • 5min
The Art of Book Cover Design
10:39 • 18min
The Joy of Reading and Timeless Themes
28:43 • 7min
The Layers of Rereading
35:26 • 11min
Exploring Themes of Grace and Creativity in Literature
46:35 • 2min
Culinary Reflections and Literary Connections
48:27 • 15min
#95971
Our Souls at Night
Kent Haruf
'Our Souls at Night' tells the story of Addie Moore and Louis Waters, two elderly widowers living in the small town of Holt, Colorado.
Addie seeks companionship and proposes to Louis that they begin sleeping in the same bed, platonically, to alleviate their loneliness.
Their unconventional arrangement sparks gossip and disapproval in the community.
The novel explores themes of aging, loneliness, and the courage to defy societal expectations.
The characters create a poignant story about finding connection and comfort in the later stages of life.
#19061
• Mentioned in 3 episodes
The Memory Police
Yoko Ogawa
Yoko Ogawa's 'The Memory Police' is a dystopian novel set on an island where objects mysteriously disappear, and the residents gradually lose their memories of them.
A writer, aided by her editor, attempts to preserve these vanishing memories by hiding them from the Memory Police, who enforce the disappearances.
As more things vanish, the island's culture and sense of identity erode, leading to a haunting exploration of memory, control, and the power of resistance.
The novel is a chilling meditation on the importance of preserving history and culture in the face of authoritarianism.
#65793
Salty
Kate Myers
#45314
The Tide That Binds
Kent Haruf
#73985
Plainsong
Kent Haruf
Kent Haruf's 'Plainsong' is set in the high plains of eastern Colorado.
The story is of the interwoven lives of several residents: a high school teacher caring for his two adolescent daughters after their mother leaves, two elderly brothers eking out a living on their farm, and a pregnant teenager who is taken in by the brothers.
The novel explores their struggles, hopes, and the unexpected connections that bring them together.
Haruf's spare prose and compassionate portrayal of ordinary people create a powerful and moving narrative.
#65963
Eventide
Kent Haruf
#40633
Mrs Quinn's Rise to Fame
Olivia Ford
#69014
Benediction
Kent Haruf
#78959
The Neapolitan Quartet
Elena Ferrante
Elena Ferrante's 'Neapolitan Quartet' is a series of four novels that chronicle the complex and enduring friendship between Elena Greco and Lila Cerullo, two girls growing up in a poor neighborhood in post-World War II Naples.
The series spans their entire lives, from childhood to old age, exploring their individual struggles, ambitions, and the societal forces that shape their destinies.
The novels delve into themes of female identity, social class, education, and the ever-evolving landscape of Italy.
Ferrante's unflinching portrayal of the complexities of female friendship and the challenges faced by women in a patriarchal society has resonated with readers worldwide.
#51008
William
Mason Coile
#414
• Mentioned in 70 episodes
How to Read a Book
The Classic Guide to Intelligent Reading
Edward Holland
Mortimer J. Adler
Charles Lincoln Van Doren
Originally published in 1940 and revised in 1972, this book is a classic guide to intelligent reading.
It describes the art of reading as the process by which a mind elevates itself through its own operations on the symbols of readable matter.
The authors emphasize active reading, highlighting the importance of keen observation, available memory, range of imagination, and an intellect trained in analysis and reflection.
The book provides practical lessons on how to read books effectively, including inspectional reading, analytical reading, and syntopical reading, to achieve a deeper understanding of the material.
#5514
• Mentioned in 9 episodes
The Lamb's Supper
The Mass as Heaven on Earth
Scott Hahn
In this book, Scott Hahn reveals a long-lost secret of the Church: the early Christians' key to understanding the mysteries of the Mass was the New Testament Book of Revelation.
With its bizarre imagery, mystic visions of heaven, and end-of-time prophecies, Revelation mirrors the sacrifice and celebration of the Eucharist.
Hahn helps readers see the Mass with new eyes, pray the liturgy with a renewed heart, and enter into the Mass more fully, enthusiastically, intelligently, and powerfully than ever before.
#47108
The Myers
Tina Macareti
#49999
Where You Once Belong
Lorna Graham
#4083
• Mentioned in 12 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.
#43298
Housekeeper and the Professor
Yoko Ogawa
The novel follows the life of a brilliant mathematics professor who, due to a traumatic head injury, can only retain memories for 80 minutes.
Despite this, he maintains his profound understanding of mathematics.
The story revolves around his relationship with his new housekeeper and her ten-year-old son, Root.
As the housekeeper and her son learn to adapt to the professor's unique condition, they form a strong bond, with mathematics serving as a universal language that brings them together.
The book explores themes of memory, love, and the human connection in a poignant and touching manner.
#14343
• Mentioned in 4 episodes
Do This For You
Krissy Cela
In 'Do This for You', Krissy Cela offers a supportive approach to fitness and wellness, focusing on mental barriers and sustainable lifestyle changes.
The book encourages readers to shift their perspective from aesthetics to feeling confident and empowered, providing tools to overcome excuses and build healthy habits.
#96
• Mentioned in 182 episodes
The Brothers Karamazov
Larissa Volokhonsky
Fyodor Dostoevsky
Richard Pevear
Set in 19th-century Russia, 'The Brothers Karamazov' is a novel that delves into the lives of the Karamazov family, focusing on the three brothers—Dmitri, Ivan, and Alyosha—and their complex relationships with their father, Fyodor Pavlovich Karamazov.
The novel is a murder mystery, a courtroom drama, and an exploration of erotic rivalry, faith, doubt, and reason.
It examines the human psyche, moral dilemmas, and the search for meaning in a world fraught with suffering and uncertainty.
The story revolves around the murder of Fyodor Pavlovich and the subsequent trial of Dmitri, accused of the crime, while exploring deeper themes of Russian life, social and spiritual striving, and the clash between faith and reason.
#6535
• Mentioned in 8 episodes
On the soul
Aristotle
Aristotle's "On the Soul" is a significant work in the history of psychology and philosophy of mind.
It explores the nature of the soul, its relationship to the body, and its various functions.
The book examines different aspects of the soul, including its nutritive, sensitive, and rational capacities.
"On the Soul" has influenced philosophical and scientific discussions about consciousness, perception, and the mind-body problem for centuries.
Its enduring relevance lies in its insightful exploration of the nature of consciousness and the relationship between mind and body.
#10810
• Mentioned in 5 episodes
Bel Canto
Ann Patchett
Based on the Japanese embassy hostage crisis of 1996-1997 in Lima, Peru, the novel follows the relationships among a group of young terrorists and their hostages, mostly high-profile executives and politicians, over several months.
The story highlights how opera becomes a central theme, binding the characters together despite their diverse backgrounds.
As the hostage situation prolongs, unexpected bonds of friendship and love form between the captors and the hostages.
The novel culminates in a tragic ending when government forces intervene, and it concludes with an epilogue that reunites some of the characters years later.
#6331
• Mentioned in 8 episodes
Tom Lake
Ann Patchett
#6255
• Mentioned in 8 episodes
The Dutch house
Ann Patchett
The Dutch House is a narrative told by Danny Conroy, the son of a self-made real estate mogul, Cyril Conroy.
The story revolves around the Conroy family's life in the Dutch House, a lavish mansion in the suburbs of Philadelphia.
The house, bought by Cyril as a surprise for his wife Elna, becomes a central character in the story.
Elna's departure to India to serve the poor leaves Maeve and Danny in the care of household staff.
After Cyril's remarriage to Andrea, the siblings are exiled from their home and must rely on each other.
The novel spans five decades, exploring themes of sibling loyalty, loss, forgiveness, and the enduring impact of their childhood experiences on their adult lives.
#21
• Mentioned in 380 episodes
Harry Potter
J.K. Rowling
The Harry Potter series, written by J.K.
Rowling, follows the journey of Harry Potter, an orphan boy who discovers he is a wizard.
The series spans seven novels, each corresponding to one year of Harry's life at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Harry, along with his best friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, navigates the magical world, confronts various challenges, and ultimately faces off against the dark wizard Lord Voldemort, who murdered Harry's parents and seeks to dominate the wizarding world.
The series explores themes of friendship, love, and the struggle between good and evil.
#1819
• Mentioned in 24 episodes
A Wrinkle in Time
Madeleine L'Engle
In 'A Wrinkle in Time,' Madeleine L'Engle tells the story of 13-year-old Meg Murry, who is struggling to fit in at school and is deeply concerned about her father's mysterious disappearance.
Along with her brother Charles Wallace and friend Calvin O'Keefe, Meg is guided by the enigmatic Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Which on a journey through space and time to find her father.
Using a process called tessering, they travel to various planets, including Uriel and Camazotz, to confront the evil force known as The Black Thing.
The novel explores themes of good vs.
evil, conformity, and the power of love and family bonds.
#237
• Mentioned in 101 episodes
The Chronicles of Narnia
C.S. Lewis
#1365
• Mentioned in 30 episodes
Gilead
Marilynne Robinson
In 'Gilead', Marilynne Robinson crafts a deeply personal and introspective narrative through the eyes of John Ames, a 76-year-old pastor writing to his seven-year-old son in 1956.
The novel explores themes of faith, forgiveness, and redemption as Ames recounts his life, his family's history, and the tensions between his abolitionist grandfather and his pacifist father.
The book is a meditation on the human condition, highlighting the beauty in everyday moments and the profound bond between fathers and sons.
It won the 2005 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and the National Book Critics Circle Award.
#10552
• Mentioned in 5 episodes
Walking on water
reflections on faith and art
Madeleine L'Engle
In 'Walking on Water: Reflections on Faith and Art,' Madeleine L'Engle delves into the intricate relationship between faith and art.
She argues that creativity is not merely an artistic endeavor but a divine gift that springs from one's spirituality.
Through personal anecdotes, theological musings, and reflections on her own writing process, L'Engle illustrates how art can be a powerful expression of faith.
She challenges readers to view the act of creation as a holy, transformative practice and emphasizes the importance of seeing divine inspiration in everyday creative acts.
The book encourages artists to see their work as a spiritual exercise, one that requires dedication and openness to divine inspiration, and argues that good art, regardless of its creator's faith, speaks to the glory of God.
#940
• Mentioned in 39 episodes
Till We Have Faces
C.S. Lewis
This novel is a retelling of the ancient myth of Cupid and Psyche, narrated by Orual, the ugly and bitter older sister of the beautiful Psyche.
Orual's story is a complex exploration of envy, betrayal, loss, and the journey towards self-awareness and redemption.
The book delves into Orual's life as she grapples with her love for Psyche, her anger towards the gods, and her eventual realization of her own flaws and the true nature of her feelings.
The narrative is divided into two parts, reflecting Orual's transformation from a state of bitterness and self-deception to one of understanding and mercy.
Today we're diving into what feels like a particularly nerdy niche of the reading life as Anne is joined by an expert reader.
Sarah Kellogg is a cover designer at a big five publisher, and today she and Anne are exploring what goes into the art of cover design. Sarah answers many of our burning questions and sheds light on some of the lesser known aspects of her work.
Of course, they also discuss Sarah's reading life and her search for books that balance old and new while infusing creativity and grace into her reading experience. Anne recommends titles that Sarah may enjoy reading when she's not working on her latest book cover project.
Find the titles mentioned today at our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/494.
Our Fall Book Preview is here to help gently guide your reading all season long, and it's coming this week. In this seasonal preview, Anne shares her top recommendations for books releasing from September through the end of the year. Grab yours anytime this season by visiting ModernMrsDarcy.com/FBP.
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