What Should I Read Next?
Anne Bogel
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books
May 12, 2026 • 57min
Ep 525: Get ready for a reading retreat
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.
13 snips
May 5, 2026 • 54min
Ep 524: Short books that still feel substantial
Lee Weick, a former teacher and grandmother from Michigan who loves long reads, seeks shorter books that still feel rich. She and Anne discuss balancing hefty tomes with layered novellas, character-driven memoirs, and punchy essay collections. Recommendations include intimate, thoughtful titles that pack emotional and thematic depth into under 300 pages.
40 snips
Apr 28, 2026 • 1h 3min
Ep 523: Some people read the Great Books, so why not me?
Cheryl Drury, a Charleston reader and writer who completed an immersive Great Books project, reflects on where to take her reading next. She recounts discoveries from Don Quixote, Huck Finn, and One Hundred Years of Solitude. The conversation explores mixing structured classics with lighter modern reads, travel-inspired choices for England, and playful mini-project ideas to keep momentum.
Apr 21, 2026 • 1h 1min
Ep 522: Keeping things light in my reading life
Angela Frith, a K-12 curriculum developer from Lexington, NC and active book-club member, talks about leaning into “light” reads this year. She describes warm, found-family stories, gentle historical fiction, and comforting nature essays. They discuss format mixes, books that felt too heavy, and picks like Shop Girls and The Comfort of Crows as cozy, uplifting options.
Apr 14, 2026 • 1h 6min
Ep 521: Everything L.M. Montgomery and how to build a deeper reading roster
Kate Scarth, chair of L.M. Montgomery Studies at UPEI and Montgomery scholar, talks about building a deep reading roster. She explores books about literary women, detective-style investigations, haunted houses, magical realism, and nonfiction on creative women. Short, lively recommendations and reading goals pepper the conversation.
14 snips
Apr 7, 2026 • 55min
Ep 520: Why are so many promising-sounding titles not working for me?
Kelly Krause, a first-grade teacher and avid reader from Northwest Arkansas, wants more four- and five-star picks. She talks about trusting seasonal reading rhythms, trying verse novels and hopeful, emotionally participatory stories. They discuss writing reviews as a way to reflect and sharpen future choices, plus tailored recommendations in historical and character-driven fiction.
5 snips
Mar 24, 2026 • 1h 4min
Ep 519: Let's plan a Read the USA project
Mary Pogue, a St. Louis digital marketing strategist and avid reader, is tackling a Read the USA challenge to read a book from or set in every state. She discusses her rules, library-forward approach, love of historical fiction, and hard-to-find states on her list. The conversation highlights recommendations from Maine to Montana and strategies for finding state-specific titles.
9 snips
Mar 17, 2026 • 53min
Ep 518: Striking a feel-good balance in your reading life
Nakia (Nikkya), owner of Abodo/Obodo Serendipity Books and community organizer, reads widely for work and runs local book clubs. She talks about balancing professional reading with pleasure reading. They explore gentle ways to branch into historical fiction, romance, and thrillers. Specific approachable title recommendations and strategies for fitting personal reading into a busy life are discussed.
Mar 10, 2026 • 53min
Ep 517: Seeking contemporary novels to complement Jane Austen classics
Tzipi Turner, director of special education in Phoenix and aspiring Jane Austen completist, shares her project to read all of Austen and her habit of getting distracted by new releases. She explores pairing each Austen classic with a contemporary novel to spark motivation. They discuss which Austen titles remain, pairing ideas for Mansfield Park and Northanger Abbey, and a fresh reading plan to get started.
Mar 3, 2026 • 50min
Ep 516: Don't overthink your buddy reads
Ruth Werwai is a Vancouver-born reader living in Germany who co-runs a two-person buddy-read club with her sister. They talk about staying close across distance, which sister-focused novels and memoirs have worked for them, and the books that flopped. The conversation centers on emotional resonance, sister stories, and picks that spark good conversation.
