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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.

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#544
Yesterday · 1 hr 19 min
Ep. 544: Supremely talk-about-able books to fuel your book club conversations
Anne is back with the latest episode in a new-ish series in which she invites a team member to join her in recommending titles for a guest. Today Anne is joined by Patreon community manager Shannan Malone as they chat with Lindsey Bloodworth. Lindsey is a mom to two boys who lives in Homewood, Alabama. She's found joy and community in a mom's workout group that she's managed to turn into a book club, as well as through another book club at her local indie bookstore. Lindsey would love to hear ideas for books her community of moms would enjoy reading and discussing together. Lindsey's found that having other moms to chat with through all of life's small and big moments has been really important to her, and she's enjoyed using books to spark these conversations. Shannan also lives in Alabama and in a prior life ran the Rocket City Mom Virtual Book Club for 10 years, where they read over 60 books together. So when she saw Lindsey's query, Shannan knew she had ideas to share. Today, she and Anne will see what types of books they can put on Lindsey's reading radar that might make for great conversations with either one of her book clubs. Find the list of titles discussed today and share your suggestions for Lindsey by leaving a comment on our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com. We’ve had some big changes lately over on Patreon. We launched our new Ad-Free Episodes Tier, which delivers weekly episodes of What Should I Read Next? without the ads. We also rolled out our Patreon All-Inclusive Tier, which includes everything we do on Patreon: our weekly bonus episodes, live events like our Fall Book Preview and Summer Reading Guide Unboxing, and weekly ad-free episodes of WSIRN. If you’re a patron: thank you! If not, consider joining us: check out the options and sign up for a monthly or annual membership at patreon.com/whatshouldireadnext. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#543
September 22 · 44 min
Ep. 543: Behind the scenes of Fall Book Preview 2026
Today, Anne is talking all things fall books with our executive producer, Will Bogel. They'll discuss the 2026 Fall Book Preview, which came out last Thursday, September 17th. In their conversation, Will and Anne will bring you behind the scenes as they talk about where the idea came from, when it started, how it's changed, what's happening this year, and why. Find out more and share your comments on our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com. Our Fall Book Preview was released last Thursday, which means you can now get yours at modernmrsdarcy.com/FBP. Members of our Patreon community in the Bonuses & Events or All-Inclusive tiers get the Fall Book Preview as an included membership perk. This is a great time to become a member, not only for the Fall Book Preview, but also our upcoming bonus episodes and our team's Best Books of the Year, coming up in just a few months. Find out more at modernmrsdarcy.com/FBP. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#542
September 15 · 1 hr 7 min
Ep 542: The delight of a reading rabbit hole
Today's guest wants to experience the satisfaction of engaging in what she calls meaningful reading more often, but she finds herself easily distracted by the new and shiny. Jane Baldwin has ideas for different reading projects but has gotten overwhelmed by the possible options, and would love Anne's help navigating these roadblocks. Jane lives with her husband and two dogs in St. Louis, where she's an accounting manager by day and a devoted gardener and Dungeons & Dragons regular by night. Lately, Jane is attempting to fill some gaps she's identified in her American literature reading to date, but she's finding herself stalling out. In hopes of boosting her enthusiasm for this project, Jane would love to identify clusters of books that can be in conversation with each other. Today Anne will aim to identify both contemporary and classic options that will provide interest and context to some of Jane's older picks. Along the way, they notice how much some of Jane's chosen shiny and new books have in common with these older titles she's been less excited to read. Share your ideas for Jane and find the list of titles mentioned today on our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com. Readers, the coming fall weather means sweatshirts will soon be back in our team's wardrobe rotation, and we're especially partial to our MMD Sorority Sweatshirt, tailor-made for your fall activities on or off campus. Choose from a crimson or blue jean colored comfort color sweatshirt adorned with navy felt applique letters and white stitching. Order your fall sweatshirt and shop our refreshed for fall collection of bookish merch at modernmrsdarcy.com/shop. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#541
September 8 · 1 hr 5 min
Ep 541: Books that foster a sense of warmth and good conversation
When today's guest felt something shift in her reading life, she found herself turning to other forms of entertainment instead of the books she typically enjoys. Jacquelyn Duggan isn't thrilled with this substitution, and came to Anne for help in figuring out what's changed and what she can do about it. Jacquelyn is joining Anne from her home in Richmond, Virginia. In addition to reading, she enjoys being outside and working in her flower garden, with a special appreciation for her zinnias and roses. Today Jacquelyn and Anne explore what’s going on with her reading life right now, and Anne shares ideas to help Jacquelyn get back to reading the types of books she's been missing lately. They also discuss the one element of Jacquelyn's reading life that hasn't changed throughout this experience: her love for a great coffee table book. Find the list of titles discussed today on our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com. Our Fall Book Preview is coming up soon on September 17, and this year we’re featuring a new option to purchase a compact printed booklet to complement your Fall Book Preview experience. We’re calling it our lookbook. It's been thoughtfully designed in a small format and is pleasantly packed with bookish goodness for the literary season to come along with backlist recommendations perfect for fall from our team. If you’ve already purchased your a la carte ticket, or you’re a member of our Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club, Patreon All-Inclusive, or Patreon Bonuses & Events Tiers, then you’re all set to receive the digital guide and attend our live Unboxing. If you’d enjoy a little analog delight along with, or instead of, those digital experiences, we think you’ll really love the lookbook. Find out more and select the Fall Book Preview experience that’s right for you at modernmrsdarcy.com/fbp Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#540
September 1 · 1 hr 3 min
Ep 540: Please save me from my library holds
Today's guest is recently retired and is excited to have more time to read in this chapter of life. She wants to find good books and, in particular, long books that she can really sink into, but her library holds keep wreaking havoc with her well-laid plans. When Amy Czuba wrote into our submissions page with this plea for help, Anne could not say no. After wrapping up her career as a global HR leader, Amy said goodbye to Massachusetts after living there for nearly 40 years and moved to Charleston, South Carolina, where she's now enjoying soaking up the history of her new hometown. Amy is here today seeking ideas for those long books that she's craving. She would especially enjoy a book that teaches her about a topic she might not otherwise learn about. Amy also has a goal to read more books from her as-yet-unread pile of titles that she already owns, but she cannot resist a shiny new library book that's available for checkout at her local branch, and this is keeping her from reading through her owned titles. Anne has ideas to share. Find the list of titles discussed today and share your tips for Amy on our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/540. Our eighth annual Fall Book Preview releases on Thursday, September 17th to members of Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club and our Patreon All-Inclusive and Bonuses & Events tiers, plus our a la carte ticket holders. The Fall Book Preview experience includes our 12-page digital PDF lookbook and an invitation to our live Unboxing event happening at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time on September 17th. This year we are also offering a printed, delivered by snail mail lookbook that is available as an add-on to your Fall Book Preview experience order or as a standalone purchase. Mark your calendars, get your a la carte ticket or professionally printed lookbook, or just get more information at modernmrsdarcy.com/fbp. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#539
August 25 · 59 min
Ep 539: Our team's best books of summer (Part 2)
Last week you heard part one of our team’s selections for their best books of summer. And as promised, today we’re back with another round of book talk. In today’s episode, you’ll hear from Executive Producer Will Bogel, Community Coordinator Brigid Misselhorn, Community Manager Shannan Malone, and Media Production Specialist Holly Wielkoszewski. As with last week, today’s team members represent a cross-section of the bookstore. Today’s conversation features sci-fi and fantasy picks that range from cozy to dystopian, thrillers and stories with non-stop action, memoir, and nonfiction. Find the list of titles discussed today and tell us more about your favorite summer reads on our show notes page. Today we’re talking about summer books we’ve loved, but fall is just around the corner and that means it’s almost (or already!) sweatshirt season. Our shop is freshly stocked with all colors and sizes of our MMD Sorority Sweatshirt. We spent literal years finding just the right source for this sweatshirt: after a long, painstaking process, we're thrilled with how it came together. Based on our original sales from our limited spring release, so were you. Order yours now and shop all our merch, including our newly available Fall Book Preview print lookbook, at modernmrsdarcy.com/shop. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#538
August 18 · 50 min
Ep 538: Our team's best books of summer (Part 1)
For years now, our team members have joined Anne on the podcast in late summer to share the books they’ve been loving most this season. Last year, we split this conversation into two episodes: we heard really positive feedback, so that’s what we’re doing again this year. In today’s episode, the first in our two part series, Anne is in conversation with three of our team members: our Resident Spreadsheet Queen Donna Hetchler, our Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club Community Manager Ginger Horton, and Modern Mrs Darcy Editor and Social Media Manager Leigh Kramer. Next week, you'll hear from the rest of our team. Our reading lives vary widely and we read across a range of genres that reflect the reading world at large. Today you’ll hear about true crime and books in translation, a backlist novel that inspired an award-winning musical, a literary mystery from a fan favorite author, romantasy and thriller titles that captured our team’s imagination this season, and more. Find the list of titles discussed today and leave a comment to share your best book of the summer on ⁠our show notes page.⁠ Fall reading is just around the corner and if you’re curious about the titles that you may be hearing about in the weeks ahead, or what new releases might be suited to your TBR list, our Fall Book Preview was designed to help with those answers. We’ll be gathering for our 8th annual Fall Book Preview on Thursday, September 17. A la carte ticketholders and eligible community members will receive a downloadable digital preview, as well as an invitation to the live Unboxing event happening that night at 8pm EDT. We’re also offering a printed booklet edition of the digital preview: it’s smaller and in a different format than our printed magazine-style Summer Reading Guide, and priced accordingly. Find out more and join us at modernmrsdarcy.com/fbp. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#537
August 11 · 51 min
Ep 537: Tackling a tower of unread ebooks
We hear from many readers who set reading goals informed by their to-be-read stacks, whether physical or digital. Today's guest has a specific and relatable goal of making progress through her library of already purchased ebooks. Danielle Petrie lives and works in the Canadian prairies, where she enjoys swing dancing, outdoor activities, and reading. Historically, it's been important to Danielle to keep her ebook library at about 50% read, with the other half ready to enjoy. But lately, Danielle's balance has tipped heavily towards the purchased but not yet read end of the spectrum. When she reached out as a potential guest, she was currently sitting at 36% read, and shared her desire to create a reading challenge to bring that ratio back into balance and focus on reading from her unread library of titles. Today, she and Anne take a look at Danielle's reading life, see what's on her Kindle and how it got there, and make a plan for her to experience reading satisfaction on several different levels. Find the titles discussed today and leave your suggestions for Danielle on our show notes page. For many years now in the Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club, we mark the month of August by reading an Austen novel. This year, we're reading Pride and Prejudice. We'll enjoy reading through the annotated edition together, gathering for a watch party of the 1995 BBC edition, and enjoying all things Austen all month long. We'd love to have you join us and stick around into the fall for more bookish connection and conversation. Get all the details or join us now at modernmrsdarcy.com/club. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#536
August 4 · 1 hr 13 min
Ep 536: Classic novels ripe for discussion (and excursions to pair with them)
If you’ve ever felt intimated by old books, or haven’t been sure you’re reading them “correctly”, it is NOT just you. We regularly hear from readers seeking tips and advice on how to read the classics. Earlier this season New Yorker Lizzey McFarlin sent us her guest submission asking for help to approach the classics in a different way. She’d been trying to read them the way she’d approach any other book—late at night, hoping to sink in and quickly turn the pages—but was too often growing so bored she would abandon them. She knew that strategy wasn’t working, but she wasn’t sure what to do instead. Lizzey would appreciate some fresh ideas, and Anne has those to share today. You'll also hear about Lizzey's local book club and the themed excursions they pair with the classics they read each quarter. We hope you’ll find this conversation inspiring and empowering. Find the list of titles mentioned today and share your ideas for excursions over on our show notes page. We’re excited to share that beginning today, August 4, we are adding a new option to enjoy our weekly What Should I Read Next? episodes without ads. When you sign up for our new ad-free tier on our Patreon platform and add your personal subscriber link to your favorite podcast player, you’ll get an ad-free version of our weekly episode automatically each week. Learn more about our Patreon options and join us at patreon.com/whatshouldireadnext. Chapters: 04:00 Meet Lizzey 15:26 How Lizzey's reading habits have changed recently 19:54 East of Eden by John Steinbeck 22:38 The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde 24:30 A Room with a View by E.M. Forster 27:14 The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoevsky 35:35 What Lizzey is hoping for in today’s conversation 54:46 Passing by Nella Larsen 58:01 The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton 1:03:26 Home Cooking by Laurie Colwin 1:08:27 What will Lizzey read next? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#535
July 28 · 1 hr 12 min
Ep 535: Branching out thanks to a book bingo challenge
Today's guest is a Kentucky neighbor who has both a specific reading project and a dilemma we know is shared by many readers. Emily Holladay is a pastor in Frankfort, Kentucky, where she lives with her family. As a newish mom, Emily is still finding her outside-of-parenthood hobbies, but reading has been a constant throughout her life. Emily's a member of a book club at Carmichael's Bookstore, which happens to be Anne's local bookstore. When Emily completed her guest submission form and told us about her struggles with completing her Carmichael's bingo card, Anne couldn't wait to talk about this reading challenge with Emily. Emily also often finds herself browsing Libby for her next read. She often feels like every book that's top of mind for her is also on everyone else's mind, and suspects she would be happier if she had an assortment of backlist books on her radar that might be available on Libby right when she wants them. Anne has ideas for Emily, and we'd love to hear your suggestions too: please share the titles and tips you'd like to share with Emily by leaving a comment on our show notes page, where you'll also find the list of titles discussed today. Every week here on the podcast, we share an hour of enthusiastic book talk, and our podcast stays free for all to enjoy. A lot goes into crafting this hour of free bookish entertainment every week, and while we love what we do, that's why we value your support so much. Not only does it help the finances work, it's a huge morale booster to hear that you value what we do here every week. If you want to help us keep producing high-quality, human-made work like we do every week, there are many ways to support us, and we hope you can find one or even several that are right for you. If you'd like to support us financially, that's easy to do by joining our Patreon community, becoming a member of the Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club, visiting our shop, or buying Anne's books. To everyone who has already supported us in any of these ways, thank you so much. And if financial support isn't an option for you right now, or even if you're already a financial supporter, there are great free ways that support us as well. Simple actions make a big difference, like subscribing to our email list, subscribing to or following our podcast on your favorite app or player, sharing a post, a story, or an episode on social media, or by telling a friend to listen in. No matter which of these actions you take, know that our team is grateful. We truly couldn't do this without you. Thank you for listening, and thank you for supporting our show. Chapters 05:49 Meet Emily 14:48 Emily’s search for books to fill her book bingo card 33:28 The Guncle by Steven Rowley 37:02 Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell 39:47 The Almost Sisters by Joshilyn Jackson 42:52 My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh 48:18 Returns and Exchanges by Kayla Rae Whitaker 55:02 Marce Catlett: The Force of a Story by Wendell Berry 57:11 Everything Sad Is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri 1:03:02 Open Throat by Henry Hoke 1:06:43 What will Emily read next? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#534
July 21 · 58 min
Ep 534: Writing stories of hope, and a timely Odyssey discussion
Today we're sharing a conversation with an author who has been discussed often here on the podcast: William Kent Krueger. We originally held this author talk over in Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club, and which we're sharing with you today as we explore Krueger's book This Tender Land. This conversation feels especially timely and has been on our minds and on our tongues, as This Tender Land was inspired by Homer's The Odyssey, a timeless story that many of you tell us you're looking forward to seeing on screen this summer in the new blockbuster adaptation film. Today's conversation and your enjoyment of it does not hang on whether you know anything at all about The Odyssey, or whether you've read anything by Kent Krueger yet. Join us as we explore the power of a good story well told, how authors make creative decisions, and the backstories behind Krueger's beloved series and his decidedly different standalone novels. You'll also hear the story behind his favorite pair of boots. Let us know if you're looking forward to seeing (or reading) The Odyssey this summer in the comments section. Find that along with the list of titles discussed on our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/534. For more conversations like this one, join us over in the Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club, where we're excited about our upcoming annual observance of Austen in August, followed by our Fall Book Preview in mid-September. We'd love to have you join us for our live events. Members also enjoy our robust community featuring dedicated book forums, buddy reads, classes, and more happenings. We hope you'll find your book people in Book Club. Find out more and join us at modernmrsdarcy.com/club. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#533
July 14 · 57 min
Ep 533: Midyear reading check-in
Today Anne is joined by our Patreon Community Manager, Shannan Malone for a third year as they dive into their reading lives for a midyear check-in. We know this is a conversation that many of you have come to look forward to every year. Anne has been reflecting and planning for this episode for a long time, and she's excited about what Shannan is bringing to share today. You'll hear about what's been happening so far in each of their reading lives and where recalibration or adjustment may be called for as they head into the second half of 2026. We'd love to hear your midyear reflections: please leave a comment on our show notes page to share an answer to any of the questions Shannan and Anne discuss today. You'll find that link along with the list of all of the titles discussed today at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/533. Our Patreon community features more conversations with Anne and our team. We rely on our Patreon community members to keep everything running: their financial support is a critical part of how we create our episodes and pay our team. A huge thank you to everyone who is already a paid supporter, and if you're interested in more conversations like today's or want to be part of making What Should I Read Next? happen each week, we would love it if you'd consider joining us as a monthly or annual member on Patreon. Find out more at patreon.com/whatshouldireadnext. Chapters 05:46 What Anne and Shannan are discussing in this episode 06:30 Shannan’s reading intentions for 2026 09:34 Anne’s intentions for 2026 18:33 Making space in your life (and your reading life) 20:08 Shannan’s previous five-star reads 34:45 Anne and Shannan explore midyear review questions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#532
July 7 · 48 min
Ep 532: Backlist gems: still the wildest way we've heard to choose what to read next
We often talk about backlist books around here because there is a wealth of delight to be found in titles that aren't getting the buzz and attention of recent releases. In fact, one of our most frequent requests from listeners and prospective guests is "help me find backlist gems." We are riffing on that theme by sharing a backlist episode with you: today Anne is resurfacing a conversation that we still talk about and hear about all the time, in part because of the guest's absolutely unique way of choosing her next read. Today Anne is chatting with reader Elizabeth Cooper, in an episode we originally aired in July 2020 as Episode 244, You Love to Read, Don't Ruin It. Elizabeth came here looking for books she described as brain candy: books with a killer premise, pages that practically turn themselves, and totally satisfying endings. This is a great conversation, and we're excited for you to hear it again or for the first time. Find the list of titles mentioned today at our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/532. Reflecting on our reading lives is an endless source of joy and discovery, and over the past few years, What Should I Read Next? Patreon community manager Shannon Malone has joined Anne for a mid-year reading check-in. They're doing that again this year, and that brand-new episode will be landing in your podcast apps next week. If you're new to this idea, check out our conversations from 2024 and 2025: those are both linked on our show notes page. Chapters 03:27 Meet Elizabeth 10:24 Kings of the Wyld by Nicholas Eames 12:54 Mistress of Rome by Kate Quinn 17:42 The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow 32:03 Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse 36:49 Sex and Vanity by Kevin Kwan 40:13 Strike Me Down by Mindy Mejia 43:48 What will Elizabeth read next? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#531
June 23 · 1 hr
Ep 531: Seeking light but not fluffy summer reads for a good escape
Today's guest is navigating a tough season, and as a result she is looking forward to a summer of books with heart that won't be too emotionally draining. Kayla Crum is searching for what she calls light but not fluffy reads, and she's not exactly sure where to find the types of titles she's looking for. Kayla's an RN and freelance writer living in Grand Haven, Michigan, where she enjoys making the most of her Lake Michigan proximity by spending time outside with her family and reading on the beach when she can fit it into her schedule. When it comes to her summer reading quest, Kayla's identified a specific type of story that is really working well for her. Today, Kayla is hoping Anne can help her understand why this specific setting is working so well, because she'd love to discover more books that satisfy in the same way. You'll find the list of titles mentioned today on our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/531. Early summer is our busy season around here, and we know that's the case for many of you as well. Our team will be taking next week off, but we will be back in your podcast players the following week. In the meantime, we hope you enjoy exploring our archives of over 500 episodes. Visit us at modernmrsdarcy.com/podcast to explore both recent and backlist episodes. Chapters: 04:29 Meet Kayla 07:38 Kayla’s search for books with heart during a season of grief 19:55 The Ice Cream Queen of Orchard Street by Susan Jane Gilman 22:04 Same As It Ever Was by Claire Lombardo 26:10 The Correspondent by Virginia Evans 28:02 Havoc by Christopher Bollen 32:28 A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna 36:45 Make Nice by Ryan Effgen 41:28 Lies and Weddings by Kevin Kwan 45:02 The Inn at Lake Devine by Elinor Lipman 48:32 Road Ends by Mary Lawson 54:43 What will Kayla read next? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#530
June 16 · 43 min
Ep 530: Nothing holds my attention like a romance
Anne dives into the world of beach reads with Kristina Forest, contemporary romance writer and author of the 2026 MMD Summer Reading Guide title, The Summer Girlfriend. In the Guide, Anne described it as a sweet summer romance bursting with bookishness and baked goods. The beach setting was inspired by a handful of real places and Kristina's deep and abiding love for the Jersey Shore. Anne and Kristina chat all about that today, along with some of Kristina's very favorite titles for beach reading season. Whether you need a paperback to toss in your beach bag, or you won't be going anywhere near the beach anytime soon and would welcome a vicarious vacation, today's conversation has titles you may enjoy. Find the list of books mentioned on our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/530. Chapters 02:29 Meet Kristina Forest 05:46 Kristina’s journey to becoming an author 17:19 Kristina on writing a beach read 20:10 The Summer Girlfriend by Kristina Forest 32:46: Kristina’s favorite beach reads Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#529
June 9 · 58 min
Ep 529: A short summer project to rebuild reading stamina
We love a summer reading project of any style, and when Anne read the submission from today's guest and her quest for what she is calling a short summer of reading, she wanted to talk about it on the show. Emily Henderson is a mom of four, writer, and runner with a passion for home design, and she loves a project. While Emily came to reading later in life, she's found through trial and error what really works for her, and these days that's often books in an audio format. This summer, though, Emily would love to prioritize daily reading on the page. She's looking for short reading experiences that will not only get her reading more in print, but also serve as a satisfying substitute for social media that she wants to spend less time on. Emily is looking for short stories, essay collections, memoirs and essays, and micro histories that deliver the quick bite-sized reading experience she is hoping to log every day of summer break. And she'd especially appreciate stories that leave her breathless or make her think about them long after she finishes. Anne has ideas she can't wait to share. Find the list of titles mentioned and leave your suggestions for Emily on our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/529. Our 2026 MMD Summer Reading Guide, the 15th edition, is available now. Buy your 38-page Summer Reading Guide PDF digital copy at modernmrsdarcy.com/shop, and you'll also get access to the Unboxing event recording. This is also the second year we are offering a beautifully printed edition of the Guide, which you'll also find at modernmrsdarcy.com/shop. At this time, we are only able to ship to U.S. addresses. Chapters: 04:05 Meet Emily 13:24 Emily’s short summer reading project 20:36 The History of Sound by Ben Shattuck 24:01 The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green 27:28 This is a Story of a Happy Marriage by Ann Patchett 30:58 Girl on Girl: How Pop Culture Turned a Generation of Women Against Themselves by Sophie Gilbert 39:35 Seasonal Work by Laura Lippman 43:08 So Late in the Day by Claire Keegan 45:53 World of Wonders by Aimee Nezhukumatathil 48:12 Small Town Girls by Jayne Anne Phillips 53:51 What will Emily read next? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#527
June 2 · 1 hr
Ep 528: What should I read this summer?
Every year we remind readers that our Summer Reading Guide isn't a list of books you should read, it's a list of books you could read. Today's guest knows that reading is personal, and that's why she's here to get Anne's help figuring out which titles from the 2026 Guide she should prioritize. Ashley Cornelius lives in Santa Barbara with her family, where she's a high school science teacher. Ashley reached out to tell us about the books she's loved and one she didn't from past Summer Reading Guides, and wondered if Anne could help her select books from this year's Guide that might fit her desired summer vibe. Today, Anne is helping one particular reader decide what to read next. But more than that, she's walking you through the thought process of considering what to read next in light of what you already know about your reading life. Find the list of titles discussed today on our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/528. Chapters: 02:58 Meet Ashley 07:13 What brings Ashley to What Should I Read Next? 12:44 The River by Peter Heller 16:27 The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty 19:57 The God of the Woods by Liz Moore 22:34 The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd 38:35 Fair Chase by Travis Mulhauser 43:54 Enormous Wings by Laurie Frankel 50:39 Country People by Daniel Mason 55:29 What will Ashley read next? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#527
May 26 · 53 min
Ep 527: The perfect books for readers fascinated by museums, art, and the creative process
Today's book lover is seeking a literary doorway into the creative world of art and museums. Kristine Parsons doesn't have an art background. She works as a county road commission manager in Michigan, yet she is fascinated by art and museums, and finds herself drawn to immersive and engaging stories that incorporate one or both elements into the story. Kristine loves to travel and visit museums in person, but her day-to-day life between work and two active pre-teens means that in this season, these visits are more likely to occur on the page. Today, Kristine and Anne explore stories featuring art and the creative process. If Anne has recommendations that are actually set in museums, well, so much the better. We'd love to hear your ideas for Kristine, too: please tell us by leaving a comment on our show notes page, where you'll also find the list of titles mentioned today. That's at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/527. We're so happy to announce that our long-awaited MMD sorority style sweatshirt is available for pre-order. A mid-weight Comfort Colors crew, choose from two shades: a soft blue called blue jean and a soft red called crimson. Both feature an MMD applique in deep navy. These are cute and comfortable, and our team is excited to wear them on cool summer nights and into the colder months of the year. We also have a new hat style and other restocked favorites: find everything at modernmrsdarcy.com/shop. Chapters: 03:43 Meet Kristine 09:06 What brings Kristine to What Should I Read Next? 14:31 The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai 17:55 The Unseen World by Liz Moore 21:47 Heart the Lover by Lily King 24:47 A Marriage at Sea by Sophie Elmhirst 31:14 The Fine Art of Lying by Alexandra Andrews 36:52 Lightbreakers by Aja Gabel 43:07 Dear Monica Lewinsky by Julia Langbein 48:08 What will Kristine read next? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#526
May 19 · 22 min
Ep 526: Anne unboxes the 2026 Minimalist Summer Reading Guide
This week, Anne is sharing an excerpt from our 2026 Summer Reading Guide Live Unboxing. To mark our 15th Guide, we’re inviting you to listen in as she tells you all about this year's Minimalist Picks. During our Summer Reading Guide Unboxing, Anne goes through every book and tells you why out of the hundreds of books she considered for the Guide that year, these are the ones she landed on. What makes them interesting, what is each story like, what kinds of readers might they appeal to? In today’s excerpt, we're sharing what Anne had to say about the six titles in this year’s Minimalist Guide. We hope this gives you an exciting preview of our 15th Summer Reading Guide. For the list of titles mentioned today and more, visit our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/526. This year's complete Guide includes 35 new-for-2026 releases, our popular “For fans of” backlist recommendations, Awesome on Audio picks, reading retreat best practices from our team, and a splashy anniversary feature looking back on 15 years of the SRG. If you’ve not yet gotten your Guide, you can do that now or anytime with instant digital delivery. Your a la carte purchase or membership also grants you access to our video Unboxing of the entire Guide. We’re also offering a professionally printed guide, delivered straight to your mailbox in the U.S. These are shipping now: visit our shop at modernmrsdarcy.com/shop to order yours. That's where you'll also find retreat-worthy merch, like our cozy new sorority sweatshirt, a brand new hat that I hope brings a smile to your face, restocked book darts, stickers, totes, and more more. Chapters 03:05 What’s in the 2026 Summer Reading Guide? 04:52 The One Day You Were My Husband by Rosie Walsh 07:23 Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan 9:48 Sisters of a Halved Heart by Nayantara Roy 12:10 Land by Maggie O’Farrell 13:54 The Great Wherever by Shannon Sanders 15:38 Whistler by Ann Patchett 17:58 How to get the complete 2026 Summer Reading Guide Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#525
May 12 · 56 min
Ep 525: Get ready for a reading retreat
I am delighted to welcome our Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club Community Manager, Ginger Horton, back to the show to talk about this year's 15th annual Summer Reading Guide and dive into all things summer reading. Ginger has been collaborating on the Guide for many years now, and she played an integral role in selecting our 2026 reading retreat theme. As you'll hear today, she's also the reason we started hosting our annual Unboxing live events. We're going to get into that in detail. Ginger is also a co-discoverer with readers, though, because just a few hours before we recorded, she saw the first draft of this year's Summer Reading Guide. She and I talk about what we love most about this year's Guide and how you can make sure you get a copy. We hope you'll enjoy this conversation and it sparks your excitement for this week's release of our 15th annual Guide. Find the list of titles mentioned today at our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/525. If you are already a member of our Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club or our What Should I Read Next? Patreon communities, or you purchased your à la carte ticket, you are all set to get the Guide on Thursday and attend Thursday's Unboxing events at either 1:00 PM or 8:00 PM. And if neither time works for you, never fear: we'll have the recording available not too long after the events. During the Unboxing, Anne goes through all the titles in the Guide one by one, sharing more about why she chose each title, what the reading experience is like, and what kind of reader may most enjoy each book. Find out all the details you need to know at modernmrsdarcy.com/srg. Chapters: 02:27 What to expect at the Summer Reading Guide Unboxing Event 26:09 Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan 26:54 Sisters of a Halved Heart by Nayantara Roy 28:36 The Great Wherever by Shannon Sanders 41:40 How to get the Summer Reading Guide Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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