What Should I Read Next?

Bestselling author Lucy Foley joins the conversation, sharing intriguing insights about her latest thriller, The Midnight Feast. She reveals the real-life inspirations for her atmospheric settings and discusses her fascination with unlikable characters. Foley also dives into the blending of horror and justice in modern murder mysteries, highlighting societal tensions in rural landscapes. With humor emerging in her character dialogues, she reflects on her writing journey from historical fiction to thrillers, influenced by her favorite authors.

Shannan Malone joins for a lively midyear reading check-in. Both reflect on how their reading habits have evolved and share insights on connecting with literary choices. They discuss the importance of aligning reading intentions with current preferences and embrace the idea of 'quitting' books that don't resonate anymore. They explore how personal life impacts reading, rate upcoming titles, and recommend a mix of emotional reads and lighter escapism. This uplifting conversation invites listeners to reassess their own reading journeys.

Brigid Misselhorn, MMD Book Club Community Administrator, shares tips on managing multiple book clubs, benefits of audiobooks, and balancing personal reading. They discuss her book club addiction, reading strategies, and book recommendations. An insightful conversation for book club enthusiasts.

Shannan Malone, Alabama reader turned co-host and contributor, joins the host to discuss eclectic reading tastes, struggling to pinpoint dislikes in popular books, endearing awkward characters, and more. They explore book club selections, recommend beloved books like Circe and The Shadow of the Wind, and navigate managing long TBR lists with compelling storytelling.

Donna Hetchler plans an epic 50th birthday road trip to West Coast bookstores, discussing book purchases, friends joining, and trip details. Listeners inspired to plan milestone book projects. Reflecting on classics beyond school syllabus and personal reading preferences with diverse recommendations and preferences on literary mysteries and classic novels.

Leigh Kramer, an editor and social media manager for Modern Mrs. Darcy, shares her candid love for books and the challenges of being a bookworm. She reflects on her journey as a reader, discussing the perfectly wrong novel for her and the books that shaped her life. Leigh opens up about personal reading goals, especially exploring spiritual memoirs and diverse authors. Their engaging conversation tackles nostalgic book interactions, the impact of literature on identity, and the joys and dilemmas of summer reading.

Guest Corinne Yan, a book restorer at Bibliothèque Mazarine, seeks audiobook recommendations for a road trip. They discuss balancing TBR lists, historical manuscript restoration, and the joy of reading during travel.

A bookseller and marketing director shares her love for hospitality in books, seeking welcoming stories. They discuss selecting comforting reads, setting attainable goals, and exploring literature on hospitality, comfort, and exceptional experiences. Recommendations include cozy English hotel tales and memoirs about transformative journeys.

Stephanie Van Parys, an audiobook lover and gardener, discusses pairing audiobooks with gardening, exploring international authors, and embracing lengthy reads. They delve into immersive experiences combining literature with gardening, review '10,000 Doors of January' and 'Oh Beautiful', and explore translated works. The podcast showcases a charming Victorian fairy novel, an intriguing tale of Jacob Frank, the self-proclaimed Messiah, and the impact of books on listeners.

Lauren Groff, recognized on Time 100 list, discusses her new bookstore in Florida with Anne. Topics include short stories, writing process, music's influence on writing, challenging stereotypes, and book recommendations. They touch on connections to Florence Welch and Taylor Swift's 'Florida!' song.