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Ep 460: Anne's best books of 2024

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Jan 7, 2025

Guest

Will Bogel

In this engaging discussion, Anne is joined by her husband, Will Bogel, who often shares his insights on books. They dive into Anne's top reads of the past year, revealing how her personal journey influences her recommendations. Highlights include a captivating exploration of international literature, such as 'The Last Tree on Easter Island,' and a humorous take on Danzy Senna's 'Colored Television.' The conversation underscores the emotional connections readers can forge with diverse genres, making this a treasure trove for book lovers.

58:32

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ANECDOTE

A Gritty Alaskan Adventure

Anne read The North Line, a gritty thriller about a college kid working on a dangerous Alaskan fishing boat.
Though outside her typical genre, she found the immersive setting and intense plot captivating.

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ADVICE

Exploring Your Musical Identity

This Is What It Sounds Like encourages active listening and exploring diverse musical tastes.
Anne recommends the book, but notes its framework for identifying a 'musical profile' could be stronger.

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ANECDOTE

Fantasy with Contemporary Relevance

Anne, not a frequent fantasy reader, enjoyed A Song to Drown Rivers.
The book's exploration of fame and notoriety resonated with contemporary issues, adding depth to the historical fantasy.

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Celebrating Personal Favorites and the Art of Book Discussion

04:59 • 3min

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Exploring Literary Treasures: A Journey Through International Books

08:24 • 3min

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The Intersection of Literature and Life’s Comforts

11:19 • 4min

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Exploring Unique Reading Journeys

15:14 • 16min

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Literary Laughs and Lessons

31:34 • 14min

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Excitement for Author's Return and Winter Fashion Finds

45:12 • 3min

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Literary Journeys: Diverse Reads and Emotional Connections

48:15 • 14min

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#12700

• Mentioned in 4 episodes

Black Cake

Charmaine Wilkerson

#33101

• Mentioned in 2 episodes

Lost Man's Lane

Scott Carson

#14803

• Mentioned in 3 episodes

• Mentioned in 5 episodes

Sandwich

Katherine Newman

#14433

• Mentioned in 4 episodes

This Is What It Sounds Like

Ogie Ogis

Susan Rogers

#12576

• Mentioned in 4 episodes

Good Dirt

Charmaine Wilkerson

#4531

• Mentioned in 11 episodes

• Mentioned in 2 episodes

• Mentioned in 7 episodes

The Wedding People

Alison Esbach

#89814

The Last Tree on Easter Island

A Song to Drown Rivers

Anne Leong

#15674

• Mentioned in 3 episodes

The Interestings

Meg Wolitzer

The novel begins at Camp Spirit-in-the-Woods in 1974, where six teenagers, including Jules, Ethan, Ash, Goodman, Cathy, and Jonah, form a tight-knit group they call 'The Interestings'. The story spans over 40 years, tracing their lives as they navigate careers, relationships, and personal struggles. It delves into themes such as the pursuit of artistic ambitions, the challenges of feminism, and the complexities of long-term friendships. The characters face various life events, including successes, failures, and personal crises, all while maintaining a deep connection with each other despite their diverging paths.

• Mentioned in 6 episodes

The Plot

The Political Assassination of Boris Johnson

Nadine Dorries

The Plot is a detailed and controversial account of the events leading to Boris Johnson's ousting as Prime Minister. The book, written by Nadine Dorries, a former Culture Secretary and close ally of Johnson, suggests that his downfall was orchestrated by a secretive cabal known as the Movement, involving key figures like Dr No, Michael Gove, and Dominic Cummings. The narrative is based on interviews with multiple inside sources, although the credibility and anonymity of some sources raise questions about the veracity of the claims. The book paints a picture of a complex web of deceit and power struggles within the Conservative Party, but its lack of clear narrative and reliance on unverified sources make it challenging to discern fact from speculation.

#411

• 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.

#17132

• Mentioned in 3 episodes

Long Island

Colm Tóibín

In 'Long Island', Colm Tóibín continues the story of Eilis Lacey, a character from his earlier novel 'Brooklyn'. Eilis, now in her forties and living on Long Island with her husband Tony and their two teenage children, faces a crisis when she learns that Tony has fathered a child with another woman. This revelation prompts Eilis to return to her hometown in Ireland, where she reconnects with old friends and acquaintances, including Jim Farrell, the man she once loved. The novel delves into themes of unfulfilled desires, the search for identity, and the complex nature of home, as Eilis grapples with her feelings for Tony, her responsibilities to her children, and the future she desires for herself. The story is marked by its exploration of human emotions, the weight of secrets, and the intricate web of relationships that define Eilis's life.

#31196

• Mentioned in 2 episodes

• Mentioned in 11 episodes

Colored Television

Danzy Senna

#4182

• Mentioned in 12 episodes

You Are Here

David Nicholls

#4109

• Mentioned in 12 episodes

God of the Woods

Liz Moore

#13365

• Mentioned in 4 episodes

Blue Sisters

Coco Mellors

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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