What Should I Read Next?

Anne is joined by Gaithersburg, Maryland mayor Jud Ashman to give you an insiders’ look at what goes into the planning and establishment of those community book events. At the time of recording, they were still crossing their fingers that they’d get to meet in person at the Gaithersburg Book Festival. Between then and now, that event has been canceled due to COVID-19. (There will be some online programming, so watch the website for more information if you're intrigued.)We're also digging into Jud's eclectic personal reading life, from westerns to middle grade fiction to historical nonfiction, to a book he describes as JAW DROPPINGLY GOOD… and Anne recommends 3 books to him like a human, not an algorithm. That’s a joke, but also a totally real concern when literary matchmaking. Listen in to hear Anne explain the difference in the episode. Click over to the podcast website for the transcript and full list of books mentioned in this episode: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/232Readers, we send an email every Tuesday with 3 bookish things I love, 1 thing I don’t, and what I’m reading now. If you want fun, informative, and delightful links to all things books and reading with a little dose of my personal reading habits then sign up for the weekly newsletter.And be sure to do that now because in 2 weeks we’re sending all subscribers my ninth annual Summer Reading Guide. This is THE answer to what you should read next this summer. So sign up now.-Anne Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today, Anne's exploring a genre that’s on the rise these days... ecofiction! Reader Katy Yocom is constantly on the hunt for absorbing novels with plots that not only incorporate the natural world, but ones in which the story absolutely depends upon it. Anne's challenge today is to pick 3 well-written titles for Katy that paint a lush portrait of natural life without losing that “page turning” appeal. Click over to the podcast website for the transcript and full list of books mentioned in this episode: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/231You can read more about Katy’s book Three Ways to Disappear at KatyYocom.com and follow her on Instagram @katyyocom1Readers, this is an exciting time of year at WSIRN: Summer Reading Guide season is almost here!Our email subscribers get the our ninth (!!!) annual guide when it comes out, but Patreon supporters get it first. They're invited to join us for our live “unboxing” on May 12. This year we're offering two times to make it easier for you to attend live. Our patrons also get the guide that day, two days before it's publicly available.If you’ve ever wondered about joining our readerly community over on Patreon this is the perfect time. Visit patreon.com/whatshouldireadnext now to sign up. We’d love to see you there.-Anne Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A note from Anne — I’ve been soooo looking forward to sharing today’s episode with you. Today we’re sharing the live audio from my book tour stop at the Strand in New York City. This evening in their gorgeous rare books room was MAGICAL. The room was packed with avid readers (and quite a few What Should I Read Next alums, which is what we like to call our past guests). It couldn't have been a better night, and I am so happy and thankful that now you get to listen in in today's episode.But. I can't talk about that night—or this episode—without telling you that sharing it feels bittersweet. This was my second—and last, for now—book tour stop for Don't Overthink It and one of the Strand's last events before closing their doors due to covid-19. My heart goes out to the Strand, its employees, and all of New York City. I hope to see you all again soon.For the time being, it's a solace to be able to bring you the live audio from that night at the Strand. This episode is ALL ABOUT What Should I Read Next; I’m reflecting on the show in a way that I really haven’t done publicly. I hope you find it interesting, illuminating, and entertaining. In the next segment I’m joined by a Strand bookseller to do some on-the-fly literary matchmaking for our live audience.Let us know how we did in the comments at: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/230Visit The Strand online at www.strandbooks.com, and follow their gorgeous Instagram account @strandbookstore.More What Should I Read Next Live:As Anne mentions in this episode we have a special One Great Book style bonus episode that's available to everyone over on our Patreon page. Anyone can listen to that here.But now would also be a great time to become a Patreon supporter. This week we're having our quarterly live stream with Patreon supporters. Join us as we chat about what's happening behind the scenes, what we're reading now, and give recommendations for what some of you should read next.We'll do another live event next month as we kick off summer reading season with the Summer Reading Guide Unboxing. This is the most fun event we do all year.We hope you will join us now over on Patreon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why do some books with heavy topics leave you feeling uncomfortable, while other books tackling difficult subject matter make you feel understood and connected to humankind? Today, guest Mandy Lambert and host Anne Bogel pick apart the ingredients of Mandy's favorite and least favorite books to discover the subtle difference between a hard book that pays off in the end, and a hard book that’s just… hard.Click over to the podcast website for the transcript and full list of books mentioned in this episode: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/229You can hear more from Mandy on her blog: thisbrightlife.home.blogBonus episodes for you:Readers, it is a difficult and confusing time. So this past week, we released two bonus episodes on Patreon to meet you where you are, plus some special events.The first bonus episode is available to everyone. It's a book recommendation that has helped Anne during times of great loss and grief, and we think a lot of readers could use it in their life right now. Give it a listen at patreon.com/whatshouldireadnext/posts, and feel free to share it with readers and other loved ones in your life.Second, a patron-exlusive episode recommending 5 happy, hopeful reads, something many of you have written in to tell us you need right now. You can find this exclusive episode at patreon.com/whatshouldireadnext/posts, along with 31 other bonus episodes and livestream replays!Finally, if you are looking for bookish community during an isolated time, now is a wonderful time to check out everything happening in our Patreon community. We are holding our quarterly Spring livestream on April 9th, which is a community get-together with Anne and Brenna to chat about what we've been reading off our home bookshelves, and share recommendations with other readers. We hope you can will join us! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

So, you hate the book you’re reading. Or maybe you just feel blah about the book you’re reading. Or maybe the book you’re reading is good, but a different book on your shelf just looks so appealing, and you can’t help reaching for it… suddenly, you have a stack of 5 half-read books on your nightstand, and you’re still browsing the library catalog for something new. If you relate to any of those scenarios, today’s episode is for you. Guest Jamie Wright is a self-proclaimed “book quitter”, and she’s asked for Anne's help turning things around. Click over to the podcast website for the transcript and full list of books mentioned in this episode: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/228Readers, whether you are looking for an escape from the news or for something to entertain kids who are suddenly at home we, have Spotify playlists of back episodes of What Should I Read Next for all your binging, relaxing, or bibliotherapying needs. Find them all at https://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/spotify. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Guest Sterling Hardaway values efficiency and growth in his reading life, which has led him to a hefty serving of nonfiction to learn new exciting things, fiction that sidesteps predictable tropes to deliver a truly unique reading experience, and seeking out authors whose perspectives have been historically underrepresented. Anne's challenge today is recommending 3 books that won’t tread the same old ground, and offer him something new. Click over to the podcast website for the transcript and full list of books mentioned in this episode: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/227You can keep up with what Sterling reads next on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ster724Readers you know what we do here. Each week Anne helps a guest (and hopefully some of you) choose your next read. We hope this week you’re planning on making your next read Anne's new book Don’t Overthink It–which is out now! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As audiobooks have become more available and more popular over the years, they’ve become a bigger part so many of your daily routines. Today Anne chats with everyday expert Leanne Hunt about the history of audiobooks and her decades-long connection with the format. Leanne came looking for book recommendations that explore the inner life of characters, and lush sensory descriptions of setting and expression, so pull out those TBR lists if you are ready to be truly transported.Click over to the podcast website for the transcript and full list of books mentioned in this episode: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/226You can learn more about Leanne’s life and writing at blindhorsewoman.blogspot.com. Readers you know what we do here. Each week Anne helps a guest (and hopefully some of you) choose your next read. We hope this week you’re planning on making your next read Anne's new book Don’t Overthink It–which is out now! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're always hearing from listeners about connections made either on the show or in the blog or instagram comment sections. Today’s guest Elizabeth Barnhill had one of these delightful stories to share. She popped into Anne's DMs recently to say “Anne, I wanted to let you know that you are a bookstore matchmaker. I was listening to your show 2 years ago when you interviewed Alison Frenzel about opening up Fabled bookshop in my hometown…” We'll can let Elizabeth and Alison share the rest of that story, as they both join Anne to chat about what it’s been like to open an indie in Waco, TX. Then Anne is setting Elizabeth up with 3 titles to read between all the advanced readers copies that she reads for a living now. You can meet Anne at Fabled Bookshop on Tuesday March 24! Visit our events page to get tickets and get the lowdown on all Anne's spring travels.Click over to the podcast website for the transcript and full list of books mentioned in this episode: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/225You can follow Elizabeth on Instagram @wacoreads , and ogle the gorgeous Fabled bookshop @fabledbookshop. Visit Fabledbookshop.com to plan your own trip!Readers you know what we do here. Each week Anne helps a guest (and hopefully some of you) choose your next read. We hope this week you’re planning on making your next read Anne's new book Don’t Overthink It–which is out March 3rd! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Like many readers, today’s guest Lacey Yong is creative. But her writing hobby is beginning to clash with her book selections, so she came to WSIRN with the question “how do I pick books that inspire me to write, without being too influenced by authors who write in my genre?” It’s a tricky problem, but one we can work through.Lacey is also ready to tackle the titles on what her husband jokingly calls her “bookshelf of shame.” Longtime listeners, you know Anne has thoughts about that phrasing...Click over to the podcast website for the transcript and full list of books mentioned in this episode: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/224Connect with Lacey Yong on Instagram @lacey.yong!Readers you know what we do here. Each week I help a guest, and hopefully some of you choose your next read. Well I hope this week you’re planning on making your next read my new book Don’t Overthink It. Don’t Overthink It comes out March 3rd so right now you still have a chance to preorder yourself a copy and snag the bonuses we’ve put together for all those who preorder here.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Anne has recommended books in translation to many guests in the past, but this week we’re venturing away from reading in English, with Parisian reader Florence Breuvart. Because she reads in both French and English, Florence often gets to choose between reading a work in translation, or reading an author’s words in their original language. Today, Anne's challenge is recommending Florence’s next reads in both languages. Anne and Florence also discuss a very precious personal book collection, what makes a classic a classic, and her ongoing quest to buy fewer books.Click over to the podcast website for the transcript and full list of books mentioned in this episode: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/223Connect with Florence on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shouldireadit Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices