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What Should I Read Next?

422 EpisodesProduced by Anne BogelWebsite

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,… read more

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Farewell

February 22nd, 2024

0:39

An important message from RadioPublic

Ep 421: Go ahead, judge that book by its cover

March 12th, 2024

55:12

Today’s guest's love of reading was reignited in late 2022 when she found a path into the bookish zeitgeist by reading a super-popular series. Around …

Ep 420: Soul-changing reads with staying power

February 27th, 2024

46:48

Today, Anne talks with Courtney Dezahd about discovering themes in her reading and finding novels that will stick with her long after she turns the last page. 

Courtney is a marketing professional and a mom whose reading …

Ep 419: Romance is my entire personality

February 20th, 2024

58:00

Today's guest Farrah Rochon is passionate about the romance genre, Disney, and the city of New Orleans (among other things), and today Farrah and …

Ep 418: Swipe right for book love

February 13th, 2024

48:49

Amy Rohn joins Anne to talk about literal literary matchmaking: the ups and downs of her life as a reader in search of real-life romance. We’re exploring what she looks for in a partner, whether they’re a reader or not, …

Ep 417: Hygge books for cozy winter reading

February 6th, 2024

1:01:33

Wintry books and seasonally inspired reads are a common passion for readers worldwide, whether you're currently in our northern hemisphere winter, or you're experiencing another season right now.

Today's guest has a deep …

Ep 416: Compelling, emotionally honest storytelling

January 30th, 2024

56:36

In today's conversation, Anne helps Reagan Jackson find compelling reads that tell good stories.

Reagan is a Seattle-based journalist and co-executive director of Young Women Empowered. She’s also the author of the …

Ep 415: Reading + wintering

January 23rd, 2024

50:49

Natalie Nava's guest submission caught our team's eye as a particularly timely topic for January: she was eager to talk to Anne about reading as it …

Ep 414: Reading on a budget and thriving

January 16th, 2024

1:02:03

Today’s guest reached out seeking help with a specific reading dilemma. We loved her request, and we’re sure it's something many readers have experienced.

Amy's joining Anne on the show today from her Vermont home on 11 …

Ep 413: Literary trends and publishing predictions for 2024

January 9th, 2024

44:57

You're likely familiar with the work of today's guest: literary agent Elisabeth Weed, of the boutique literary agency The Book Group. Elisabeth has …

Ep 412: Anne's best books of 2023

January 2nd, 2024

56:46

Last year, we had so much fun putting together an episode featuring Anne's favorite reads, and it was a listener favorite, too! We're back today with the 2023 edition: Anne is again joined by her husband and show …

Ep 411: Super-seasonal reading, all year long

December 19th, 2023

1:12:23

Today, Anne is joined by Kim Hewlett to talk about creating a year of seasonal reading. Kim and her family relocated to Iowa a few years back, which led Kim to realize just how much she enjoys pairing books with the …

Ep 410: Building a TBR for a bucket list trip

December 12th, 2023

58:59

We all know that travel and reading go really well together. Today's guest, Dana Prescott, is looking for books to help prepare for her upcoming bucket list trip: she and her husband are taking ten weeks to travel to …

Ep 409: Stories you can't stop thinking about

December 5th, 2023

51:39

Our guest today may be familiar to many of you: Ariel Lawhon was one of Anne's early guests, back in Episode 15, and Anne recently recommended Ariel's new book The Frozen River in Episode 393.

Today, Ariel is joining …

Ep 408: Reading around the world

November 28th, 2023

59:13

We love a creative reading project, so when Allison Virtue told us about her global reading project, we couldn’t wait to hear more.

Allison lives in …

Ep 407: Knitting unraveled my reading life

November 21st, 2023

50:06

Today's guest loves to read, but she also loves to knit: how can she find the books to hold her attention so she's not tempted to pick up her …

Ep 406: Holiday gift picks from our team

November 14th, 2023

58:35

Each year, we recommend books for the readers on your holiday season gift list. While it's become one of our favorite annual traditions, this year …

Ep 405: Books that pair with pumpkin spice

November 7th, 2023

57:29

If you enjoy your fall reading with a dose of magic, villainy, and self-discovery, you're not alone. For today's guest, fall reading is all about the …

Ep 404: The art of discovering go-to authors

October 31st, 2023

1:01:25

Knowing what you enjoy on the page can feel simple, but finding new books to deliver that reading experience isn't always so easy.

In today's episode, Anne is talking with Katherine Kwong. Katherine lives in Nashville, …

Ep 403: I feel lost when it comes to fiction

October 24th, 2023

56:34

A devoted nonfiction reader is struggling to find her way in the fiction section, and Anne is here to help.

Amye Day Ong, who lives in Dallas, Texas, with her husband and young children, knows how to find the nonfiction …

Ep 402: Reading for escape and adventure

October 17th, 2023

58:01

Our guest today is looking for immersive, transportive reading experiences that she can get lost in.

Ellen Harry, who lives in North Carolina with her …

Ep 401: Exploring spine-tingling and scary reads

October 10th, 2023

49:14

Seasonal reading means different things to different readers, and today's guest is searching for spine-tingling, scary reads for her fall selections.

Ep 400: A special episode to celebrate our 400th

October 3rd, 2023

56:35

Today we are celebrating our 400th episode by sharing a collection of your questions, stories, and favorite What Should I Read Next? moments.

A few …

Ep 399: The DNA of different book clubs

September 26th, 2023

58:13

Each of Sonya Dutta Choudhury's three book clubs fills a unique space in her reading life, and today she's joining Anne to chat about her home library, what she's looking for in her books these days, and what she calls …

Ep 398: A reading life that shifts with the seasons

September 19th, 2023

51:55

After a satisfying summer of reading the twisty thrillers and entertaining books she really enjoys when the temperatures rise, Melanie Steimle is ready to discover some transitional books for the fall reading season.

Ep 397: The ingredients for a favorite read

September 12th, 2023

49:16

Today's conversation will whet your appetite for a good read, as Anne talks cookbooks and culinary reading with cookbook author and book lover Bri …

Ep 396: Dear Book Therapist + how bestseller lists are compiled (and why it matters)

September 5th, 2023

48:09

You're invited to experience a taste of our Patreon community! For today's episode, we've selected two recent bonus episodes that our patrons especially enjoyed, and bundled them together for you to hear.

Our bonus …

Ep 395: A little touch of magic never hurts

August 29th, 2023

58:59

Today's guest grew up with a deep love for science fiction and fantasy. While his reading tastes have broadened as an adult, he's still drawn to …

Ep 394: Our team's best books of summer

August 22nd, 2023

1:08:45

In what's become a bit of a tradition, members of our team are pairing up on today's episode to share the summer reads we've loved this year and talk about what summer reading means to each of us.

From the titles we …

Ep 393: What makes you a "real" reader?

August 15th, 2023

51:14

Today Anne is joined in conversation with Shana Ferguson, a NYC-based stage manager with a particularly bookish concern: she doesn't often feel like …

Ep 392: Insightful and entertaining memoirs

August 8th, 2023

1:02:22

Memoir is a well-loved genre for so many readers, and today Anne is joined by R. Eric Thomas to talk about the wise, sobering, hilarious, and heartbreaking sketches in his own works, as well as some of the memoirs they …

Ep 391: Habits of a happy reader

August 1st, 2023

55:38

For many guests, picking three favorite reads is a struggle, but today's guest Annie McCloskey has a unique way of tracking her all-time favorites.

Between her beloved book clubs and her well-stocked home library, Annie …

Ep 390: Audiobooks for the longest flight of your life

July 25th, 2023

47:34

Today's guest has a big move on the horizon and is eager to find books that will ease that transition.

Nadia Sussman has always lived in New Zealand, but this summer she's moving to Michigan to pursue a master's degree. …

Ep 389: Anne and Will’s European reading adventures

July 18th, 2023

55:58

A long-delayed family trip to Europe doubles as an opportunity to explore the literary landscape of three incredible destinations. Today, Anne and Will are here to tell you all about it.

Anne, Will, and their kids …

Ep 388: Books that take you off the beaten path

July 11th, 2023

48:24

If you've ever felt the weight of a to-be-read list, today's conversation may be just the permission slip your reading life needs.

Today Anne's …

Ep 387: Books that feel like a vacation for your brain

July 4th, 2023

39:03

Striking that perfect balance between "serious literature" and light reading can be tricky, and today Anne's talking all about it with guest Jake Sloofman.

Jake, an arborist living in Brooklyn, NY, has big reading goals, …

Ep 386: Your ticket to unexplored genres

June 27th, 2023

55:51

Diving into an unfamiliar genre is a great way to expand your reading identity, but it can also feel pretty intimidating. Today, Anne's here to help curious reader Caitlin Moran explore easy entry points for unfamiliar …

Ep 385: A summer of European reading

June 20th, 2023

47:00

Today's guest has a standing interest in books that deliver a strong sense of atmosphere, and Anne's got some new recommendations to share.

Corin Cook lives and works in Rhode Island, where she makes the most of New …

Ep 384: Reading for pleasure, not productivity

June 13th, 2023

58:53

Today's guest grew up reading fiction for fun, but as she got older, she felt the pressure to read for work and self-improvement. Today, Effie …

Ep 383: Juicy, big-hearted family novels

June 6th, 2023

57:17

You may know Anne's favorite novels feature complicated family relationships, and today's guest, author Amy Jo Burns, shares Anne's appreciation for …

Ep 382: How your favorite books become shows and movies

May 30th, 2023

1:05:10

If you've ever wondered about the process of adapting books for the screen, you'll want to tune in to today's episode.

Joining Anne on the show is Kat Ramsburg, who has what some might call a dream job: she reads YA …

Ep 381: Past and Present Summer Reading Guide favorites

May 23rd, 2023

1:05:43

Even for dedicated readers, it can be tricky to find the right summer reading formula. Our Summer Reading Guide is here to help, and today Anne is …

Ep 380: Behind the Scenes of the Summer Reading Guide

May 16th, 2023

51:32

Our 12th annual Summer Reading Guide releases this week!

We put so much time and effort into this big, big project. This year, we decided it would be …

Ep 379: An "impossible" travel reading project

May 9th, 2023

49:11

Today's guest loves to travel, and since she hasn't been doing quite as much of that in recent years, she's relied on books to take her to a wide range of destinations.

Laurel Korwin is a wife, toddler mom, and software …

Ep 378: (Mostly) YA books that surprise and stretch me

May 2nd, 2023

55:40

Today's guest Michelle Acierno Loftus loves her work as a veterinary radiologist, but the demanding training that her career required meant that her …

Ep 377: What NOT to read next

April 25th, 2023

53:25

Today's guest loves collecting books she finds at library sales or used bookstores, and she's ended up with a shelf full of titles that have caught …

Ep 376: Bookstore confidential

April 18th, 2023

58:56

If you loved Episode 369: State of the bookstore, you're in luck: we're back today with three more fabulous conversations with independent …

Ep 375: Short novels that contain whole worlds

April 11th, 2023

50:15

There’s something particularly enticing about a short book that delivers an incredible reading experience. Today's guest Vanessa A. Bee joins Anne to …

Ep 374: Gripping, page-turny narrative nonfiction

April 4th, 2023

46:53

Alberta-based Sarah Bramley knows what she likes when it comes to fiction, but lately she's been more and more intrigued by the nonfiction side of the bookstore. Sarah knows there's a ton of good stuff out there she'll …

Ep 373: Intentional steps for unlimited lifelong learning

March 28th, 2023

52:02

Two sisters with a lifelong love of reading join Anne to talk about the many ways books have framed their lives.

Anne first met Laura Gerald-Simms and Ramona Gavin in 2019 at an event at Bookmarks NC, where their passion …

Ep 372: Books that change the way you see your city and your world

March 21st, 2023

54:01

Today's guest Jeff Speck is a familiar name around here! Anne's referred to his book Walkable City in a bunch of past podcast episodes, because it's a great example of how books can invite us to see and understand the …

Ep 371: What should Anne read next?

March 14th, 2023

46:19

Every week, Anne does a little literary matchmaking with one guest, but today we're flipping the mic and helping Anne discover some books she just might love reading next.

The last time we asked our listeners what Anne …

Ep 370: Books so nice you'll want to read them twice

March 7th, 2023

48:19

With so many books to choose from, committing to re-reading books you've already enjoyed can feel like a particular challenge. Today's guest, …

Ep 369: State of the Bookstore

February 28th, 2023

53:23

Here at WSIRN HQ, we love a great independent bookstore, and it's always especially fun when an indie bookseller joins Anne to talk books and bookstore business. Today, the book party is bigger than ever: Anne is …

Ep 368: Learning to trust your reading instincts

February 21st, 2023

53:30

What's a reader to do with a stack of book recommendations that have left her feeling dissatisfied? Today Anne is talking with Mollie Hedgecock …

Ep. 367: Books that check all your boxes + what should Anne read next?

February 14th, 2023

1:03:10

Today Anne is in conversation with Keren Form, a self-professed nerd, dedicated board gamer and a fan of fast-moving stories with big themes.

This …

Ep. 366: Great books spur great conversations

February 7th, 2023

52:22

When authors and readers come together, it's always a good time, and today's episode is no exception.

Today, we're sharing our recent Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club conversation with Brendan Slocumb, who joined us in January …

Ep 365: Pitch perfect endings and laugh-out-loud rom coms

January 31st, 2023

1:03:06

Today's guest has a superpower we've never heard before: she can smell a book and know whether it was published in the U.S. or the U.K.!

London-based Claire Handscombe (she/her) spent a decade in Washington DC as a …

Ep 364: Great books you may have missed in 2022

January 24th, 2023

51:19

With so many books to choose from, it's easy to miss out on some stellar titles. Today, Anne is joined by Andrew Limbong (he/him) to talk about some of the best books you may have missed in 2022.

When he's not reading, …

Ep 363: Fast-paced, plot-driven novels to get you reading again

January 17th, 2023

1:00:27

What do you do when you're used to reading dozens of books a year, but lately you've barely managed a handful of titles each year?

Texas-based pilot …

Ep 362: Our seventh birthday celebration

January 10th, 2023

59:18

Knox McCoy and Jamie Golden from The Popcast join Anne to celebrate the 7th anniversary of What Should I Read Next!

Since Anne started What Should I …

Ep 361: Anne's Best Books of 2022

January 3rd, 2023

53:35

Choosing the best books of a year is always a fun challenge, so today we're flipping the focus and shining a light on Anne's reading life in 2022.

In today’s episode, Anne's talking about a selection of the books she …

Ep 360: A high-stakes family reading competition

December 20th, 2022

45:30

When your family has a fierce annual reading competition, it's more important than ever to choose your books wisely! Today's guest, Courtney Haggerty, is here to talk about how her family reads together, and to get a …

Ep 359: Making big reading goals a reality

December 13th, 2022

50:18

A new reading year is right around the corner, and today's episode is full of perspective to help you plan for your best reading year yet.

Laura …

Ep 358: Book-to-film adaptations and seasonal reading vibes

December 6th, 2022

1:01:06

Readers, we know many of you love to find the perfect books for each season, whether that's a summer beach read or a spooky fall novel. Today's guest is on the hunt for her winter reading vibe, which has eluded her so …

Ep 357: Welcome to Three Pines

November 29th, 2022

44:57

Anne is talking with beloved author Louise Penny in today's episode! Their conversation explores Penny's Inspector Gamache mystery series, the world of Three Pines, the upcoming television adaptation, and so much more.

Ep 356: Sink into your next cozy read

November 22nd, 2022

50:51

Today's guest loves a good mystery, but could do without the murder, and Anne is here to help!

Gina House loves cozy, comforting books that are often …

Ep 355: Highly giftable picks for your favorite readers

November 15th, 2022

1:01:35

If you've got a book-lover on your holiday shopping list, get ready for an episode full of recommendations you can rely on.

Every year, Anne and a …

Ep 354: Book festivals for beginners

November 8th, 2022

46:11

When a devoted reader attends her very first literary festival, bookish delight is on the menu!

Today Anne is in conversation with Christina …

Ep 353: Sad Girl Lit Fic and other burnout busters

November 1st, 2022

51:08

A registered nurse on the night shift is looking for ways to battle burnout and what it's done to her reading life, and Anne is here to help.

We know so many of you have been impacted by the stress of the past few years, …

Ep 352: Bookish gifts to delight kids and teens

October 25th, 2022

1:04:24

Finding the perfect titles for young readers can be tricky, so today we're answering your questions and suggesting books (and bookish gifts) for the kids and teens in your lives!

Every year we ask our audience to write …

Ep 351: Book Club Favorites: LIVE from Bookmarks!

October 18th, 2022

44:35

Four dynamic authors gathered to speak on a Book Club Favorites panel last month at the Bookmarks Festival of Books & Authors—and Anne was the …

Ep 350: Book mail keeps us together

October 11th, 2022

47:11

An octogenarian world traveler and her book-loving daughter join Anne to discuss how reading continues to play a vital role in their relationship.

Ep 349: Cancelling Netflix rebooted my reading life

October 4th, 2022

41:04

As a young reader, today's guest discovered the power of books to make her feel less alone, and she's happy to be back to reading regularly …

Ep 348: Don't read widely (right now)

September 20th, 2022

1:01:23

Today's guest has been suffering through a book slump over the past few years, and Anne's here to help them reconnect with their love of reading.

Aimz Rushton (they/them) is a senior lecturer in the United …

Ep 347: A reader's guide to tricky transitions

September 13th, 2022

47:01

Today’s guest is feeling stuck between two chapters of her reading life, and she needs a guide!

13 year old Noa Hewlett knows what she's …

Ep 346: Once upon a bookshelf

September 6th, 2022

52:26

Today's guest has a lengthy to-be-read list, and she's not sad about it!

Saadia Shafati Shamsie balances her work as a travel company owner, Department of Defense employee, and Indian Dance teacher with her …

Ep 345: Thank Oprah for my reading life

August 30th, 2022

56:57

Readers, today Anne is joined in bookish conversation by reading advocate, author, and creator of @hereweeread Charnaie Gordon.

Charnaie's passion is encouraging young readers and supporting families in …

Ep 344: Our team's favorite summer reads

August 23rd, 2022

1:04:09

Readers, we're back with the 2022 edition of our team's favorite summer reads!

This tradition started with a Patreon bonus episode back in 2020, and it's continued since then right here on our podcast feed. As a …

Ep 343: No shame in our book game

August 16th, 2022

58:00

While we love sharing book recommendations each week, we also take great pleasure in helping our guests overcome whatever reading-related struggle they're facing at the moment. Today, Anne's talking to a guest …

Ep 342: Everyday reading magic

August 9th, 2022

56:46

Readers, today's guest shares a common reader struggle: finding the time to read!

Today, Mattie James—a successful business owner and new …

Ep 341: Growing up bookish: your favorite reading memories

August 2nd, 2022

25:37

Around here, we love celebrating reading memories and creating new ones, and today's show does just that!

Anne's newest book journal for young readers, My Reading Adventures​, is out today—and to celebrate the …

Ep 340: The secret life of an audiobook narrator w/ Julia Whelan

July 26th, 2022

51:57

In today's episode, Anne is chatting with author, actress, and audiobook narrator Julia Whelan.

You may know Julia from her novel My Oxford …

Ep 339: I'm not that reader anymore

July 19th, 2022

52:22

Adrien Kordas has always identified as a reader, and in the past few years she's been excited about completing grad school so she could …

Ep 338: This episode is Overdue

July 12th, 2022

58:27

Readers, we're so excited to share today's collaboration with you. Anne is joined on the show today by Craig Getting and Andrew Cunningham, …

Ep 337: TBR solutions for an extreme mood reader

July 5th, 2022

46:51

Our guest today, Chicago-area reader Rebecca Freeman, struggles with a reading challenge we hear about often from guests and community members: how to balance being a mood reader with maintaining any kind of …

Ep 336: Find your audiobook formula

June 21st, 2022

41:08

Readers, June is audiobook month, and in today's conversation, Anne talks with a dedicated audiophile who wants to discover the formula for …

Ep 335: My best friends are fictional characters

June 14th, 2022

37:13

Readers, our guest today is on the hunt for overlooked titles and compelling characters that feel like friends.

Andrea Medina lives in Mexico, where she reads in both Spanish and English to expand the range of …

Ep 334: Floundering with fiction no more

June 7th, 2022

1:06:57

Today's guest knows what he likes on the nonfiction shelf, but he's feeling lost when it comes to finding his next fiction read, and Anne is here to help.

Wes Martin's developed a love of nonfiction in both his …

Ep 333: Vacation reading

May 31st, 2022

49:33

Readers, a good book makes a perfect vacation companion, and today we're pairing a cross-section of titles with three fabulous summery …

Ep 332: Beach Reads for Book Lovers

May 24th, 2022

48:21

Readers, today we're thrilled to welcome Emily Henry to the show! You may recognize her from the 2021 Summer Reading Guide, where we featured her book People We Meet on Vacation, or our Modern Mrs Darcy book …

Ep 331: Strong sense of summer

May 17th, 2022

52:48

Readers, it's almost summer reading season (our 2022 Summer Reading Guide releases next week!), and today's conversation is just filled with …

Ep 330: Fascinating lives, fascinating stories

May 10th, 2022

45:08

Readers, today's guest came later in life to a career that she now loves, and one of her favorite parts of the job? Nurturing budding readers!

As a third and fourth-grade teacher, Katrina Fleming has a plan for …

Ep 329: Make your reading hours count

May 3rd, 2022

52:16

Our first Norwegian guest, Lisa Sølvberg is a lifelong reader who loves a complicated family saga. She also has a particular appreciation …

Ep 328: Reading is a lifestyle

April 26th, 2022

34:35

Readers, if you've ever dreamed of opening a bookstore, this episode is for you!

Today, Anne's in conversation with Abbigail Glen, the owner of Shelves, an online and pop-up bookstore based in Charlotte, North …

Ep 327: Brilliant books that ask big questions

April 19th, 2022

45:13

Today's guest is both an avid leisure reader and a professional word nerd.

Gary Robinaugh has always been fascinated with the role language …

Ep 326: Fiction is my first love

April 12th, 2022

42:52

Today's guest is an author whose books are regularly discussed in our online community, and she's here to talk with Anne today about the …

Ep 325: Reading makes me feel like myself

April 5th, 2022

43:09

Readers, today’s guest is preparing for the arrival of her second child in a particularly bookish way—she's looking for some titles she can …

Ep 324: Gems across all genres

March 22nd, 2022

46:33

Readers, last week's guest told us about her grandmother signing her up for her first library card, and today's guest is a grandmother who …

Ep 323: Series to cure your Louise Penny hangover

March 15th, 2022

47:16

Readers, if you love a good mystery series, you'll definitely want to tune in for today's episode.

Our guest today has been a reader since …

Ep 322: The art of a great reading experience

March 8th, 2022

45:21

Today’s guest is an oil and watercolor painter with a deep appreciation for the storytelling power of both art and writing.

As a child, Gina …

Ep 321: The greatest hits of your reading life

March 1st, 2022

44:31

Today’s guest discovered the joy of reading as a child listening to audiobooks on 45s. As an adult, she still turns to audiobooks …

Ep 320: Book buddies-in-law

February 22nd, 2022

44:07

Readers, today's guests were already linked through legal and family ties, and since discovering their mutual love of reading, they've become even closer.

Father-in-law and daughter-in-law Verne and Gabby …

Ep 319: A grumpy man whisperer on a literary mission

February 15th, 2022

43:32

When Erin Fagan sent in her guest submission describing herself as a “grumpy man whisperer” who turns to books to create connections, we just had to invite her onto the show.

Erin works as an airline pilot and …

Ep 318: You can fix your reading life

February 8th, 2022

46:23

Readers, our guest today is sharing a struggle that feels increasingly common: she's finding herself easily distracted when reading, and she's not happy about it!

Hannah Gorrie has always loved reading and has a …

Ep 317: Myth, murder, and a massive book hangover

February 1st, 2022

44:27

In today's episode, Anne's not the only one giving the recommendations: guest Shreyasi Desai, who also goes by Cece, passes on her own suggestions for our reading community.

Cece grew up in India, where her …

Ep 316: Books we loved in 2021

January 25th, 2022

50:56

Here at What Should I Read Next? and Modern Mrs Darcy HQ, our team of bibliophiles talks books all year long, and today our whole team is …

Ep 315: A life-changing bag of books

January 18th, 2022

39:35

Over the past six years of talking books with our guests, we've heard about life-changing reading experiences, but today's guest has a …

Ep 314: Your reading life is in good hands

January 11th, 2022

50:21

We love reconnecting with previous guests to get an update on their reading life, and today's conversation with Tara Nichols is no …

Ep 313: Books that stand the test of time

January 4th, 2022

56:24

With a fresh new year ahead of us and so much reading to look forward to, today's conversation brings back a listener favorite and sets the …

Ep 312: Everyone needs a book box

December 21st, 2021

42:36

Do you have a favorite holiday reading tradition? We recently asked our WSIRN Patrons this question, and we loved one response so much, we …

Ep 311: Reading is LIFE!

December 14th, 2021

50:16

When it comes to picking what to read next, many of us live by our to-be-read (TBR) list, but today's guest has a different approach!

Danielle Callendar is a lifelong bookworm, a library devotee, and a mood …

Ep 310: Big books that are worth the effort

December 7th, 2021

42:08

Between the WSIRN team and many of the guests we've had on this show, we definitely see a trend of readers who consider themselves introverts, and find the quiet act of reading a book the perfect complement to …

Ep 309: I don't know what I like to read!

November 30th, 2021

48:05

Our guests on this show are united in a love of reading, but sometimes that joy can get lost as life, work, and other obligations take center stage. Today's guest is looking for some suggestions that will help …

Ep 308: The crowd goes wild for these perennial favorites

November 23rd, 2021

54:59

Readers, this show is all about helping you discover your next read—which means we talk each week not only about the books our guests love and Anne's recommendations, but about the authors behind the books. …

Ep 307: Writers start as readers

November 16th, 2021

42:27

If you've ever dreamed about becoming a writer, you're not alone. Writers begin as readers, after all, whether they're grounded in a love of memoir, fantasy, or any other genre on the shelf. Today's guest has …

Ep 306: You don't read in a vacuum

November 9th, 2021

48:20

Today's guest is a dedicated reader who appreciates reading as both a leisure activity and a way to learn about other perspectives and experiences. But over the past few years, the stress of her work in the …

Ep 305: Read yourself like a book

November 2nd, 2021

37:55

Deciding what to read next is so much easier when you know what you love to read—and what you don't. In today's episode, Anne shares a behind-the-scenes look at her new reading journal, My Reading Life.

Created …

Ep 304: Your trusty list of bookish gifts

October 26th, 2021

48:44

Readers, it's time for our sixth annual holiday recommendations episode! We're back with this much anticipated gift giving guide for the …

Ep 303: Reading for thrills and chills

October 19th, 2021

52:08

This time of year, so many readers are looking to tip-toe (or sometimes, to sprint) into scary stories, but finding the right spooky read can be tricky.

Today’s guest Margaret Prinzing knows what she likes to …

Ep 302: Books you can believe in

October 12th, 2021

59:32

If you love books that make you think or spark a spirited discussion, you're on the same page as today's guests!

Christine Pride and Jo Piazza have a shared passion for books where the stakes are high and the …

Ep 301: Ask Anne Anything

September 28th, 2021

40:42

Readers, as we continue our celebration of 300 episodes of What Should I Read Next, today we are bringing your voices to the stage as Anne …

Ep 300: How good it is to be among people who are reading!

September 21st, 2021

52:18

If you've listened in to any—or all!— of our past 300 episodes, you've heard conversations with readers and authors, booksellers and book club …

Ep 299: Playing genre hopscotch

September 14th, 2021

57:03

Readers, we know it can be tricky to break out of a reading rut, and sometimes it takes a nudge from a friend to try something new.

Michael Clark has a good handle on what he loves to read. From beach reads that don't …

Ep 298: A reading life without regrets

September 7th, 2021

55:54

Today's guest loves Jane Austen, but that's just the beginning for our conversation today.

Cristina Griffin's work life as an English professor often overlaps with her personal love of reading for pure fun! …

Ep 297: Right book, wrong time

August 31st, 2021

37:37

Readers, today’s guest is on the hunt for complex, thought-provoking, and timeless books that have something to say about topics she cares about today.

Maria Carrera lives in Spain, where she teaches English …

Ep 296: Backlist and brunch

August 24th, 2021

49:04

Readers, today’s guest knows that she’s overlooked some amazing books over the last ten years, but she needs a little help to figure out which ones to pick up now. 

Amber Burns loves discovering something new in …

Ep 295: Unleash your pent-up book energy

August 17th, 2021

41:41

Readers, after a move today’s guest craved community and an outlet for her “pent-up book energy.”

She started a book club in her new neighborhood and quickly discovered getting started wasn’t as hard as she …

Ep 294: Dickens ruined my reading life

August 10th, 2021

38:34

It’s been a long time since we’ve had a teenager on the show—and today’s guest isn’t here to talk about YA. Katie Guenthner has long been reading classics, historical nonfiction, and the most formidable books …

Ep 293: Streamline your (digital) TBR

August 3rd, 2021

52:19

As a city planner in Calgary, Caylee Dyck knows how to problem solve and prioritize in order to create better communities and a more liveable

Ep 292: A life-changing library trip

July 27th, 2021

49:27

Regular listeners know good book talk often blends the heavy and the light—and that is certainly true for today's show. Today's episode is …

Ep 291: The best books of summer (so far)

July 20th, 2021

55:40

Behind the scenes at What Should I Read Next? and Modern Mrs. Darcy, we have a team of readers who are bursting with bookish enthusiasm.

Our …

Ep 290: Fiction is my oldest friend

July 13th, 2021

45:54

Today’s guest describes herself as a serial starter who might have started up to 10 books before finishing one. She even keeps moving through several books at once by reading different genres at different times …

Ep 289: A ridiculous plan to read more books

June 29th, 2021

49:01

Today’s guest created a unique plan to help him tackle the books one “must read before they die,” but now he’s looking for less planning and more bookish serendipity. 

Author, blogger, and podcaster Neil …

Ep 288: Looking for that WOW! factor

June 22nd, 2021

44:55

Are you a book collector? Today's guest has a bookshelf full of vintage beauty guidebooks, and though she considers this a separate part of …

Ep 287: I want to be where the readers are

June 15th, 2021

49:33

Today's guest loves discussing books just as much as she enjoys reading them. She's ready to swap spicy opinions and share book recommendations with her fellow readers, but she hasn't found those fellow readers …

Ep 286: How to find those hidden gems

June 8th, 2021

44:37

If you've been listening to podcasts or tearing through a new series on Netflix instead of picking up a book, we're here to cheer you on (really)! Different forms of art and storytelling can be a refreshing …

Ep 285: Books that leave you speechless

June 1st, 2021

51:48

Even though reading is a solitary activity, you’re never truly alone as a reader. You’re never the only reader who prefers dog-eared pages …

Ep 284: I need an irresistible read this summer

May 25th, 2021

46:12

Over the last year, we’ve talked to readers who voraciously devour romance, mystery, and graphic novels to escape real life—and readers who struggle to pick up a single book, even if they know it’s one they’ll …

Ep 283: Don't save the good stuff

May 18th, 2021

56:14

This episode has literally been years in the making: today I'm thrilled to welcome Ginger Horton, our Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club community manager, to the show!

The 2021 Summer Reading Guide is about to drop, …

Ep 282: I’m a little bit obsessed with reading

May 11th, 2021

52:52

I think many of you will relate when you hear today's guest say he’s “a little bit obsessed with books.” This is definitely a good thing for Jeremy Anderberg because not only is reading a source of enjoyment …

Ep 281: Authors who make you feel seen

May 4th, 2021

55:57

Lecturer, author, and researcher Heather Williams has left trails of books across the globe as she travels for work, but today she’s …

Ep 280: Epic journeys, untold stories & guaranteed great reads

April 27th, 2021

41:40

After becoming an avid WSIRN listener, today's guest realized she was watching less TV and reading more books. To keep her momentum going, she connected with other listeners, found her favorite reading …

Ep 279: Read these books when you need a good cry

April 20th, 2021

43:41

Over the years Ahtoosa Dale sent in multiple submissions to be on What Should I Read Next, each one reflecting her ever-evolving reading …

Ep 278: The Art of cheat reading

April 13th, 2021

52:45

Mindy Mejia enjoys propulsive, fast-paced books with strong characters—and she writes them, too! Mindy writes thrillers, or as she calls …

Ep 277: Books that feel like a vacation for your brain

April 6th, 2021

36:50

Today Anne is talking with Jake Sloofman, an arborist living in Brooklyn. They discuss his big reading goal, the pressure to read “serious literature,” and how to alternate light and heavy reads for a balanced reading …

Ep 276: Exquisite, evocative novels

March 23rd, 2021

48:29

Podcast producer and PhD student Sara Aeder always finds time for reading, thanks to audiobooks and a passion for turning the pages. She has a special fondness for books that explore the “exquisite pain of a …

Ep 275: How many book clubs is too many book clubs?

March 16th, 2021

48:42

How do you manage your reading life when you have many books you NEED to read, and many more you'd LIKE to read, just for you? In today's episode we're diving into that question with Brigid Misselhorn, a …

Ep 274: #Bookstagram made me do it

March 9th, 2021

38:41

Readers, the origin story for today’s episode might make you swoon. It all started with a conversation on Instagram, where Anne got a message from one incredibly intentional boyfriend hoping to make some …

Ep 273: Realism, redemption, and reading across generations

March 2nd, 2021

47:14

Readers, today’s show is a de-light. We have had mother-daughter duos on the show and even a father-daughter duo with Ashley and Brent from episode 155, but today Anne talks with Rebekah and Beverly, our first …

Ep 272: I loved the library before it was cool

February 23rd, 2021

38:04

Today Anne's guest is an Alabama teacher whose love of reading has touched every aspect of his life—from where he met his wife to the theme of his classroom today. Derek is a MATH teacher but he puts his …

Ep 271: Because sometimes a 4.75 star rating feels right

February 16th, 2021

52:36

How do you track your reading life? Today's guest has a whole new system of book tracking and reviewing to share. Anne is talking with Nadia …

EP 270: When you NEED a season of low-stress reading

February 9th, 2021

41:19

Readers, in today's podcast episode, I’m talking with graphic memoirist and comic creator Lucy Knisley. We chat about her overflowing bookshelves, the pleasures and pitfalls of the creative process, what makes …

Ep 269: Your friendly neighborhood literary society

February 2nd, 2021

44:19

Today’s guest is Tiffany Patterson, a Florida reader who created a new kind of literary get-together that is convincing her not-so-readerly friends to give books and reading a chance. She breaks down all the …

Ep 268: Our team's best books of the year

January 26th, 2021

51:52

At the end of last year we hosted a virtual book party in the Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club to celebrate our favorite books of the year. The …

Ep 267: Lush, beautiful, and a pleasure to read

January 19th, 2021

53:42

Our guest today is an economist and literature enthusiast based in London, England. A well-traveled reader in every sense, Stephanie De Mel …

Ep 266: Ask Anne Anything: Re-reads, reviews, and recommendation regrets

January 12th, 2021

59:37

Readers, it’s the 5th anniversary of What Should I Read Next! Today I'm answering YOUR questions about WSIRN's behind-the-scenes, my …

Ep 265: 10 questions to ask yourself about your reading life

January 5th, 2021

1:11:56

Readers, we’re kicking off the new year with a special episode to help you set the right tone for your reading life in 2021. My friend Laura Tremaine is joining me to guide us in some readerly introspection. …

Ep 264: Compulsively readable literary fiction

December 22nd, 2020

44:07

Anne's challenge today is to share recommendations for books with unique and artful structures.

Today's guest is a Chicago-based mood reader …

Ep 263: It's okay to quit reading

December 15th, 2020

46:23

Today’s guest also loves giving recommendations—to her boss, to her mom, and to strangers standing in the book aisle at Target. For Jenica Salazar, nothing is more satisfying than recommending the right book to …

Ep 262: Books that deliver a little depth, a little distraction

December 8th, 2020

46:21

Today’s guest tells a familiar story: he loved reading as a kid, but as an adult without a Scholastic book fair to look forward to, he fell …

Ep 261: Huggable comfort reads for a cozy reading season

December 1st, 2020

51:14

Readers have asked us for “comfort reads” over and over again this year — and it's totally understandable. “Comfort read” means something different to every reader, but if you’re looking for books that slow …

Ep 260: A little free library with a life of its own

November 24th, 2020

53:33

Sara Jones takes her role as “neighborhood library curator” seriously. In addition to selecting books for her own reading life, Sara Jones …

Ep 259: The formula for a 5-star read

November 17th, 2020

53:35

The sci-fi genre feels like home, but Emily Van Ark also enjoys books in any genre that deliver on a fabulous premise. In her day job as a …

Ep 258: Reading for peace, joy, and escapism

November 10th, 2020

53:27

Reading for pure escapism means something different for every reader. Some of us turn to puzzle-like mysteries, some of us immerse ourselves …

Ep 257: Let’s build your holiday book list

November 3rd, 2020

1:01:28

Our annual holiday recommendations episode is here! A few weeks ago, you called us with your bookish gift buying questions and dilemmas, and …

Ep 256: The perks and pitfalls of omnivorous reading

October 27th, 2020

50:30

Reader Cliff Cullen was in the middle of his best reading year ever when...the pandemic hit. His one-time favorite reading habits, like …

Ep 255: Spine-tingling reads for a confirmed scaredy-cat

October 20th, 2020

57:14

Valencia Taylor is self-proclaimed book-pusher looking for reads that fall on the line between just-spooky-enough and way-too-scary, compelling stories that teach her something new about the world, and a way to …

Ep 254: A plethora of political(ish) book recs

October 13th, 2020

1:08:01

Anne is joined by Sarah Stewart Holland & Beth Silvers of Pantsuit Politics podcast to discuss fiction and nonfiction recommendations …

Ep 253: A whole bunch of book recs, from our team of readers to you

September 29th, 2020

45:54

Hey readers! Get your TBRs ready, because today’s episode contains a TON of book titles for a wide array of reading tastes, from a few voices which might sound familiar if you’ve been a long-time WSIRN listener.

Ep 252: Books that send you racing to Google

September 22nd, 2020

40:38

Today's guest wants surprising books with unique story structures, new information, and plot twists that will make her say, “what did I just read?” Shelly Akins is a proud Arizonian who is always reading. And …

Ep 251: I love books and books love me back

September 15th, 2020

48:37

Today’s guest is a self-proclaimed “book glutton” who reads in between everyday moments at home, at work, and even while she’s walking. Grettel Castro is a biostatistician living in Miami, Florida. She …

Ep 250: I want a book that reads like a love letter

September 8th, 2020

48:55

Today’s guest has a story that sounds like the beginning of a juicy historical fiction novel.

As a teenager, Liz Maguire came across a batch of 1920s love letters at a flea market. This launched an obsession …

Ep 249: Who would read the dictionary for fun? (we would)

September 1st, 2020

54:38

An encounter with The Baby-Sitters Club #4 Mary Anne Saves the Day launched today's guest into a lifelong love of reading AND a special fondness for middle grade novels. Afoma Umesi is a freelance writer, …

Ep 248: Reading on island time

August 25th, 2020

48:16

Today I’m talking with Jennifer Cordeiro, who lives in Bermuda, a small island with two bookstores and one library. Jennifer has encountered her fair share of #bookwormproblems, both in her own reading life and …

Ep 247: Finding the common thread in two friends' wildly different TBRs

August 18th, 2020

1:00:03

Today's episode is all about the joy of reading in relationships. Our guests Emma Gorin and Dinah Fay have been friends since 9th grade—that’s over 20 years. They haven’t always kept in touch as much as they'd …

Ep 246: Does your reading life need a mid-year checkup?

August 11th, 2020

59:18

On today's episode Anne helps Courtney Wallace, a Cincinnati reader, with a reading practice we hear surprisingly little about—her recent mid-year checkup on her reading goals. Lots of people talk about goals …

Ep 245: Finding the right mix for your reading life

August 4th, 2020

1:02:07

Over the years, Anne has been called many thing–podcaster, author, and now... Book Yoda, a name bestowed upon her by today's guest and Lazy …

Ep 244: You love to read–don’t ruin it

July 28th, 2020

46:45

Today's guest is looking for brain candy. That’s Elizabeth Cooper's delightful term for books that are FUN, with a killer premise, pages …

Ep 243: Predicting the next great American classic

July 21st, 2020

50:06

Charlandra Jenkins is a Florida reader on the hunt for stories that reflect her life, love, grief, and humanity back to her. For Charlandra, new book releases and recent bestsellers by Black authors are a joy, …

Ep 242: Sharing Good Reads with good friends

July 14th, 2020

58:02

Anne is joined by Suzanne Skyvara, Goodreads VP of Marketing & Editorial, and Danny Feekes, Goodreads Managing Editor, to have an in-depth chat about how star ratings, reviews, and other nuggets of …

Ep 241: Memoirs, milk cows, and reading on horseback

June 30th, 2020

59:28

Raelene Bradley has let books be her guide as she and her husband fulfill their longtime dream of living off the land with a family farm. …

Ep 240: Saving the world, one series at a time

June 23rd, 2020

44:36

Reader and author KJ Dell’Antonia picked up a lot of the wrong books during a difficult time in her life, and those experiences changed her …

Ep 239: The read-alike problem

June 16th, 2020

35:01

Chris Abi Zeid is counting down the days before a big life event that will significantly alter his reading life. But for a few more weeks he still has precious reading hours. All he needs is his next read–and listeners, …

Ep 238: Windows, mirrors, and why We Need Diverse Books

June 9th, 2020

47:45

Today’s guest Lamar Giles credits his love of reading to his mom who was always willing to buy him a book. Today Anne and Lamar chat about children’s books, horror novelist Stephen King, great novels where the setting …

Ep 237: When the library is closed, what's a reader to do?

June 2nd, 2020

47:03

Elyssa Gould is an academic librarian and “recovering English major”, whose goal is to get caught up on her own backlist while she’s separated from …

Ep 236: What SHOULDN'T I read next?

May 26th, 2020

50:09

It’s a weird time to be in the market for a new book. When it’s safer to stay home, and many libraries and bookstores have temporarily shut their doors to the public, what’s a reader to do… but turn to their home …

Ep 235: A crate full of summer reads

May 19th, 2020

4:20

Today we continue our celebration of Summer reading with Zibby Owens, host of the podcast Moms Don’t Have Time To Read Books. Anne and Zibby are chatting about what they’re excited to read this Summer, whether those …

Ep 234: The recipe for a delicious summer read

May 12th, 2020

44:14

Readers, summer reading is so close you can almost taste it. Anne has been investigating upcoming summer releases for months now, on the lookout for …

Ep 233: Escaping into someone else's story

May 5th, 2020

44:15

Anne chats with education navigator Hanan Al-Zubaidy about literacy in the justice system, and how her work with incarcerated students has been affected by social distancing. Hanan came to WSIRN looking for an escapist

Ep 232: Really good fiction is about EVERYTHING

April 28th, 2020

44:58

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 …

Ep 231: Lush literary novels with page-turning appeal

April 21st, 2020

44:47

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 …

Ep 230: Don't overthink your reading life

April 7th, 2020

45:13

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 …

Ep 229: Works of literary fabulousness

March 31st, 2020

41:20

Why do some books with heavy topics leave you feeling uncomfortable, while other books tackling difficult subject matter make you feel understood and …

Ep 228: HELP! I can't stop quitting books

March 24th, 2020

53:45

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 …

Ep 227: Putting your money where your literary values are

March 17th, 2020

41:11

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 …

Ep 226: Dig in to a feast for your literary senses

March 10th, 2020

48:36

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 …

Ep 225: What your neighborhood should read next

March 3rd, 2020

43:50

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 …

Ep 224: Confronting the Bookshelf of Shame

February 25th, 2020

52:19

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, …

Ep 223: Five stars for negative book reviews

February 18th, 2020

43:31

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, …

Ep 222: Ordinary lives make extraordinary books

February 11th, 2020

47:31

Today we listen in on Anne's recent event in Huntsville, Alabama in collaboration with Snail On the Wall and the Rocket City Moms Book Club. Shannan …

Ep 221: Swipe right for book love

February 4th, 2020

48:28

Amy Rohn joins Anne to talk about literal literary matchmaking, the ups and downs of her life as a reader in search of real-life romance. We’re exploring what she looks for in a partner, whether they’re a reader or not, …

Ep 220: The books that keep pulling me back

January 28th, 2020

42:51

Every week, we promise to give you the information you need to choose your next read. Sometimes, that means information about a specific title (like the premise, interesting backstory, or a sense of the atmosphere.) But …

Ep 219: Required reading revisited

January 21st, 2020

52:27

You might remember way back in Ep 60, guest Mel Joulwan and I talked about her love for books with a "strong sense of place". Mel realized she loves …

Ep 218: A WSIRN Marriage Story

January 14th, 2020

56:56

It’s always fun to read through your guest applications. You fill our inbox with stories, goals, hilarity, and so much heart. One particularly …

Ep 217: Making up for lost time in your reading life

January 7th, 2020

55:59

Around here we believe that when you improve your reading life, it does good things for the rest of your life. Today’s guest Pamela Hernandez has …

Ep 216: A sneak peek at Don't Overthink It

December 31st, 2019

24:42

The new year is here and that means another milestone is just around the corner. Anne's newest book Don't Overthink It: Make Easier Decisions, Stop Second-Guessing, and Bring More Joy Into Your Life comes out on March …

Ep 215: Finding the right way to track YOUR reading

December 24th, 2019

44:44

Today we’re revisiting a topic near and dear to our hearts here at WSIRN HQ, and a PERFECT conversation for this time of the year, when the best-of …

Ep 214: Deconstructing your best reading year yet

December 17th, 2019

52:45

Today you get to hear from a guest who is very near and dear to the show, Anne's husband Will.

Will has been involved with What Should I Read Next …

Ep 213: Art, fear, and discovering great books

December 10th, 2019

55:04

Anne chats with reader and children’s book writer Kate DiCamillo about the books that inspired her to dream up stories, the hopeful work of writing …

Ep 212: Book gifts for your hardest-to-buy-for loved ones

December 3rd, 2019

55:08

Hopefully you haven’t put that wrapping paper away yet… because today we’re bringing you even MORE bookish gift-giving ideas!

This episode is …

Ep 211: Good reads from the Great North

November 26th, 2019

1:01:44


Anne has a delightful & deep conversation with guest Sarah Bessey about writing personal nonfiction, and what might spur an author to write a …

Ep 210: Book gifts are the BEST gifts

November 19th, 2019

57:07

Break out the wrapping paper, because our yearly WSIRN holiday recommendation episode is here! Listeners wrote and called in to let us know …

Ep 209: Cracking the audiobook code

November 12th, 2019

48:23

Today’s guest is Jamie Freeman, a reader who was led to audiobooks by her favorite true crime podcasts… and has since made serious space in her life to read with her earbuds in. 

Anne and Jamie chat about …

Ep 208: The underappreciated art of literary forgery

November 5th, 2019

50:04

Charlie Lovett joins Anne to discuss the enduring power of not only stories but the books themselves, how books connect people of all ages, and of all times, how we can preserve literature for future …

Ep 207: An all-you-can-read buffet

October 29th, 2019

45:48

This week's guest is Jennifer Pai, a reader with a particular soft spot for anything that could might be called spooky. Whether it’s …

Ep 206: How to bypass the book hangover

October 22nd, 2019

44:11

Jerrell Everett is serious about creating her ideal reading life. When Jerrell had kids and found herself picking up books less and less, she took action to maintain her reading life by enforcing a routine. And …

Ep 205: Books that won’t let you stop reading

October 15th, 2019

35:39

Readers, sometimes podcasting doesn’t go as planned. Schedules conflict, last-minute emergencies strike, the flu sneaks up on us, Anne loses …

Ep 204: Nonfiction that reads like a thrilling novel

October 8th, 2019

42:12

Today Anne talks books with David Krohse, an Iowa reader who’s woven a love of literature into all aspects of his life — the waiting room of his chiropractic practice, the bar with a group friends, and quality time …

Ep 203: What happens in book club stays in book club

October 1st, 2019

43:35

In today’s episode, Anne talks with Emily Carter about a genre they both used to think they were too smart to be reading. When Emily entered a season when she was busy and stressed, and she discovered that the …

Ep 202: The art (and awfulness) of the cliffhanger

September 24th, 2019

55:53

In today's double-feature, Anne chats books with sisters Mia & Micah. But unlike most of our episodes with multiple guests, they aren’t …

Ep 201: The hidden value of a terrible reading experience

September 17th, 2019

46:01

Today, Brian Eichenberger dives straight into a hotly debated issue, discussing horrible books that taught him and Anne lessons they still think about allllll the time. Brian is the kind of reader who wants to …

Ep 200: The good, the bad, and the unread

September 10th, 2019

58:48

In today's milestone 200th episode, Anne and her producer Brenna catch up with the guests of 8 fan-favorite episodes to see what recommendations were hits, which flopped, and what changed in their reading lives after …

Ep 199: The perils of public book recommendations

September 3rd, 2019

52:25

The WSIRN intro sounds straightforward enough - Anne chats with a reader about books they love, books they hate, and books they could pick …

Ep 198: Reading for the FUN of it

August 27th, 2019

48:00

Ever since Anne visited today’s guest, Annie F. Downs, on her podcast That Sounds Fun a little while ago to talk about Summer Reading, she's been wanting to talk all things books and reading with Annie on What …

Ep 197: Rebuilding a bookshelf in Paradise

August 20th, 2019

47:48

Today’s guest, Amelia Mattingly, went through a gut-wrenching experience that ripped her book collection away from her – shelves and all – along with …

Ep 196: What the cool kids are reading

August 13th, 2019

49:29

Today you’ll get to know Anudeep Reddy, a reader who grew up in a competitive school environment where engaging books were in short supply, …

Ep 195: Wanted: book enthusiast at large

August 6th, 2019

53:16

Today’s guest Mary Laura Philpott is an essayist, bookseller, and a big fan of memoirs of people living “everyday lives”. She certainly has experience with an interesting “everyday life” as a Book Enthusiast at …

Ep 194: No plot, no problem!

July 30th, 2019

47:31

For Nicole Mattke, a clear and driving plot isn’t the most important thing. She loves beautiful, introspective writing that makes her think …

Ep 193: Rolling the dice on your next read

July 23rd, 2019

51:56

Keren Form is a self-professed mega nerd who loves everything from LOTR, and board games, and epic science fiction. Today, Keren and Anne …

Ep 192: Wherever you read, I will follow

July 16th, 2019

54:29

Rita and Xoe Amer are a mother-daughter duo who have bonded over books since Xoe was young. She’s all grown up now, but the shared love of reading remains. Today Anne, Rita & Xoe discuss their reading and …

Ep 191: When a great book wrecks your reading life

July 9th, 2019

33:04

Have you ever finished a GREAT book, then realized it left behind a hole no other book will ever be able to fill?

Today’s guest is Andy …

Ep 190: There's nothing like a little bookish momentum

July 2nd, 2019

44:36

Today’s guest has reached a crossroads in her reading life, and she’s come to Anne looking for a jump start for this new season.

Beth Wallen describes herself as a lifelong learner, and she’s about to have more …

Ep 189: Our favorite genre is chapter books

June 25th, 2019

53:24

Today’s guests Brenna Sherrill & Ryan Pait describe themselves as platonic soulmates, book-loving best friends who grew up together, …

Ep 188: Books, plants, and literal bibliotherapy

June 18th, 2019

41:05

Today, we meet Michelle Moreno, who I hope will inspire anyone out there who wants to make their bookstore dreams a reality. Anne got to talk to Michelle right after her very first pop-up shop, while she was …

Ep 187: Traveling the world without leaving your hometown

June 4th, 2019

50:54

Hannah Christmas is a stay at home mom whose reading life changed forever when she had a baby. Not only how much she read, or when she read, but the big-picture long-term-plan way she wanted to share her love …

Ep 186: Finding the book that feels like it was written just for you

May 28th, 2019

48:01

Lamar Giles joins Anne to chat about his two great literary loves: children’s books, and... horror novelist Stephen King? If you don’t think those things go together, Lamar is prepared to talk you into changing …

Ep 185: What should you read this summer?

May 21st, 2019

49:41

Most weeks on What Should I Read Next, I’ll do a little literary matchmaking with one guest… but this week, I’m joined by the show's …

Ep 184: You’ll never conquer your TBR—and that’s a good thing

May 14th, 2019

48:15

Today’s guest is Will Schwalbe, devoted reader and host of the But That's Another Story podcast. Will believes if we all asked the question …

Ep 183: Baking, books, and other everyday magic

May 7th, 2019

55:44

Karuna Riazi, is here to talk about magic. The magic of carrying a book in your bag that can teleport you to another world, the magic of a …

Ep 182: Matching the right (audio)book to the right listener

April 30th, 2019

50:59

A request we hear a lot at WSIRN is “can we have another episode about audiobooks??” So today, Anne is bringing in Michele Cobb, publisher at Audiofile magazine, to not only help recommend audiobooks for YOU, …

Ep 181: Taking your reading life from good to great

April 23rd, 2019

55:30

Today’s guest Holli Petersen has created a very special family book club that might inspire you to pick up the phone and call a bookish …

Ep 180: Rearranging your life to read 600 books a year

April 16th, 2019

55:57

Today’s guest is reading speed-demon Liberty Hardy, professional book nerd and host of Book Riot’s All the Books podcast. Together, Liberty …

Ep 179: Life is short & my TBR is way too long

April 9th, 2019

45:12

Alabama reader Shannan Malone has broad taste and high standards, and when it comes to new releases, even authors she’s loved in the past don’t get a free pass… the new book has to earn her love. So today’s episode goes …

One Great Book Trailer

April 2nd, 2019

4:19

We have a new podcast!

WSIRN is about helping readers find their next read. In each episode, the recommendations are geared toward a …

Ep 178: The Next Right Thing for your reading life

April 2nd, 2019

56:02


Decision-making is a HUGE part of WSIRN's purpose. Podcaster and author Emily P. Freeman is an expert in the art of decision-making (she’s …

Ep 177: When your reading life is a roller coaster

March 26th, 2019

45:35

Many listeners and past guests on WSIRN have shared their stories of reading dry spells due to chronic illness, anxiety, and disability. …

Ep 176: Books in the freezer, & other horror stories

March 19th, 2019

52:10

WSIRN often helps readers get out of their comfort zones, but today’s guest Mallory O’Meara is taking Anne out of hers. Her wheelhouse is everything bizarre, paranormal, and downright scary. But digging past …

Ep 175: Your library called and they want their books back

March 12th, 2019

43:27

Michelle Wilson has noticed a specific character type that is missing from her bookshelves... and she is on the hunt for more. She and Anne chat about characters age 50+ in possession of NO magical powers, …

Ep 174: The heart wants to read what the heart wants to read

March 5th, 2019

39:25

Guest Kate Daley is a house painter from New South Wales, Australia, who has been living for the past two and a half years... in a camper van! Today she chats with Anne about the genre that sent her into an …

Ep 173: Clocking in at the reading factory

February 26th, 2019

48:53

After a year of focusing on reading over 100 books while recovering from a running injury, today’s guest Natalie Van Waning is sprinting enthusiastically toward many readers’ worst nightmare: Looooooong books. We're …

Ep 172: How many re-reads is too many re-reads?

February 19th, 2019

47:39

Sean Larkin is a self-proclaimed “slow reader”, stay-at-home-parent, and freelance photographer. If you don’t relate to 100-book reading goals or refreshing your feed for the latest book news, Sean is the kindred …

Ep 171: A podcaster, a barrister, and a joiner walk into a bookstore

February 12th, 2019

45:08

Ready for a trip to Scotland? Today Anne sits down in-person with Ruth Andersen, a brand new bookseller in Wigtown, Scotland, to chat about what it's …

Ep 170: Fascinating fiction for the relentlessly practical reader

February 5th, 2019

47:46

This week Anne chats with Anna LeBaron, author of the memoir The Polygamist’s Daughter, about how literacy kept her going through a …

Ep 169: Books that mess you up in all the right ways

January 29th, 2019

54:21

Meet Phimy Truong and Erika Thi Benjamin, best friends who share both a passion for work that creates positive change in the world AND practically identical reading taste (as you’ll hear, one of their favorites …

Ep 168: A century of good books (in a single year)

January 22nd, 2019

49:22

Today’s guest Tara Nichols is giving herself an eagle-eye view of the last century’s literary landscape. Her mission is to read one book …

Ep 167: Reading is supposed to be FUN

January 15th, 2019

42:37

Today’s guest, Erin Morris, is tackling a book challenge with her child this year, and the impact on his imaginative life and her literary life has been no less than remarkable. If you have little ones, this …

Ep 166: Just don't call it a book club

January 8th, 2019

45:54

Today's guest Tiffany Patterson is a small-town reader who has created a new kind of literary get-together that is convincing her friends to give books a shot, even if they didn’t consider themselves “readers” …

Ep 165: 1000 Books to read before you die

January 1st, 2019

56:15

If you entered the new year dreaming of a fresh approach to your reading life, today’s guest Jim Mustich is sharing decades of wisdom to help kick off your best reading year ever.

Anne and Jim chat about his new …

Ep 164: The couple that reads together ... needs to find books they'll both LOVE

December 18th, 2018

45:13

Chelsey and Curtis are childhood sweethearts looking to connect over a good book… and possibly, across an ocean. But their reading taste might not be as compatible as their personalities. Today they get …

Ep 163: Wonderful, wonder-filled reading in the great outdoors

December 11th, 2018

33:00

Ashley Gossens created a nature-driven Seattle book club that brings the page to life in an adventurous, completely unique way. Today, Ashley and Anne talk about the wildlife encounter that made brought a book …

Ep 162: The best bad ending you'll ever read

December 4th, 2018

53:55

Today’s guest Traci Thomas has had a hard time finding her niche in the online bookish community, because, as she puts it, she “reads like a dad”. But I have a hunch lots of listeners will relate to her …

Ep 161: Books on the Nightstand and on your wishlist

November 27th, 2018

1:10:03

Literary podcast nerds rejoice–Ann Kingman of Books On The Nightstand fame is behind the mic once more! We asked you to call and write in about the people you want to give the gift of a good read this year… and WOW, you …

Ep 160: Books that capture the magic of everyday life

November 20th, 2018

39:16

Have you ever read a book that made the world around you feel just a little bit… magical? Today Anne welcomes author Jon Cohen on the show to chat about the magic of the mundane life in fiction, his unorthodox …

Ep 159 : How to cope with the longest book hangover ever

November 13th, 2018

47:11

Shawntaye Hopkins discovered Jane Austen’s books for the first time as an adult - and after that initial discovery, she dove in DEEP. Today, …

Ep 158: The life-changing magic of clearing your unread shelf

November 6th, 2018

56:28

If you have a gigantic pile of books that you own but haven’t yet read looming somewhere in your house, today's guest Whitney Conard totally gets you. Anne is chatting with Whitney about the Instagram …

Ep 157: The stories behind the stories we love to read

October 30th, 2018

51:06

Today Anne chats with a reader who turned her family’s difficult story into a book that has brought joy and hope to countless readers.

Ep 156: Expert tips for a pretty, peaceful, practical bookshelf

October 23rd, 2018

43:50

Clear your calendars -- today’s episode might inspire you to rethink and rearrange your whole home library. Myquillyn Smith, author of home …

Ep 155: When stolen audible credits spur a beautiful bookish relationship

October 16th, 2018

41:01

Today’s guests ask Anne to bridge the divide between an imaginative-fiction lover and a scientific-NONfiction lover. Ashley and Brent are a father-daughter reading duo who share an Audible account and a love …

Ep 154: Books so inspiring you might be afraid to read them

October 9th, 2018

56:17

Today, guest RuthAnn Deveney lead Anne into the world of special-interest reading, discussing how her passion for victim advocacy brought …

Ep 153: Revolutionizing your reading life, 10 minutes at a time

October 2nd, 2018

42:06

Kari Sweeney is a working mom of four who has developed a VERY unique system to keep her reading life running like clockwork. Kari and Anne chat about wishy washy star ratings, the right season for the right …

Ep 152: Under-appreciated books that may be perfect for your TBR

September 25th, 2018

52:58

Get ready for a serious TBR-filler. Today’s guest Elham Ali flips the script to recommend Canadian literature to Anne… but turnabout is fair play, and Anne won't let her leave without some of HER favorite …

Ep 151: Knockout books for a recovering completionist

September 18th, 2018

58:05

Today's guest populates the “candy aisle” of the bookstore. Maria Ribas is a literary agent who specializes in gorgeous full-color cookbooks …

Ep 150: I have a confession... I'm not a reader

September 11th, 2018

47:32

Until recently, reading was a means to an end in language arts teacher Julie Mushkin's life - and the type of book that totally turned …

Ep 149: Ask Anne Anything

September 4th, 2018

48:25

WSIRN’s producer Brenna Frederick is in the virtual studio today, and she’s bringing an armload of YOUR questions to the table, gathered from email, instagram, and the comment section.

What did Anne do with her …

Ep 148: Rebuilding your life (and your library)

August 28th, 2018

47:06

We’ve talked more than once on WSIRN about how the power of reading aloud forges family bonds… and today’s guest, Laura Summerhill, puts that thought into action in a brilliant and life-affirming way. But she’s …

Ep 147: Ruining your childhood one book at a time

August 21st, 2018

51:18

Anne chats with Marines Alvarez and Nicole Sweeney, bookworm best friends who like to keep their reading life SOCIAL. Together they host the …

Ep 146: Refugee camps, civil war, and the triumph of a library card

August 14th, 2018

58:17

Today, Anne has an incredible conversation with Chatti Phal-Brown about how war, family, trauma, joy, and hope for the future have shaped her reading life. Chatti requests recommendations from a genre almost …

Ep 145: Confess Your Literary Sins

August 10th, 2018

16:49

Today we have a special bonus episode for you! Anne's new book I'd Rather Be Reading: The Delights and Dilemmas of the Reading Life comes out in a little less than a month. Today she's reading you the first …

Ep 144: Wanna read more? Quit your job.

August 7th, 2018

53:40

Today, Anne tackles guest Travis Meserve's bookstore anxiety - where should you look in the store to find your next read? How do you get …

Ep 143: The quest for the perfect coffeeshop read

July 31st, 2018

46:20

If both Netflix and the bookshelf hold equal value in your heart, you’ll totally relate to today’s guest. Patience Randle loves a book with …

Ep 142: The moment you became a reader

July 24th, 2018

35:25

In episode 138, we met NYPL librarians Gwen and Frank, who filled WILDLY different roles despite working within the same library system. …

Ep 141: The Enneagram of your favorite book

July 17th, 2018

51:41

Anne chats with Ian Morgan Cron, noted Enneagram teacher, psychotherapist, author of The Road Back to You and host of the Typology podcast, …

Ep 140: What IS literary fiction, anyway?

July 10th, 2018

52:00

Today’s guest Cindy Wang-Brandt has gone through a lot of shifts in her life - spiritual, political, familial… which around here, begs a …

Ep 139: Snooping other people’s bookshelves + the patron saint of WSIRN

July 3rd, 2018

50:54

Anne chats with Eric Zimmer, host of The One You Feed podcast, which features interviews with thoughtful people who have big ideas about …

Ep 138: The Librarians Are In!

June 26th, 2018

54:19

Gwen Glazer and Frank Collerius work in unique roles at the New York Public Library system, and together host the wonderful podcast The …

Ep 137: Bibliotherapy for the toughest times

June 19th, 2018

43:17

Leigh Kramer is a former medical social worker, and the author of a brand new novel about life, love, and loss called A Storied Life. Today Anne digs deep with former social worker and current author Leigh …

Ep 136: One Great Book

June 12th, 2018

14:32

Readers, welcome to our first impromptu and improvised episode of What Should I Read Next!

Today Anne tells you a little about our new class, …

Ep 135: When your reading life is nothing like people expect

June 5th, 2018

50:31

Guest and author Jen Hatmaker is known for speaking publicly about a LOT of things, but reading isn’t one of them! At least, not the books she’s really reading on her own time—and today you’re going to hear how …

Ep 134: Audiobooks for the whole family to binge

May 29th, 2018

31:15

Ben Huntington is a young audiobook fanatic who chews through stories at an exhilarating rate - we’re talking reading the Hobbit in one week! Today, Anne recommends a ton of great audiobook series to keep his …

Ep 133: Authors who get where you're coming from

May 22nd, 2018

56:00

Guest Sachi Argabright discovered a rich vein of books by Asian American authors who inspire her, and it’s given her reading life wings. In today's episode, Anne tops up her list with unique and …

Ep 132: The books we can't wait to read this summer

May 15th, 2018

52:33

It’s time to get your library holds all set up for a long summer of reading! Whether you’re looking for a contemporary page-turner, …

Ep 131: Living in the land of Jane Austen

May 8th, 2018

50:17

Jane Austen devotees will get a big kick out of today’s guest - Clara Breitenmoser is originally from New Zealand, currently lives in England, and now spends her days smack in the middle of a favorite literary …

Ep 130: Must-read books by women writers

May 1st, 2018

43:54

Pop quiz - what is true of only 14 of the 110 Nobels awarded for Literature since the category's founding in 1901? Answer: only 14 women have received the honor.

Today’s guests Kendra Winchester and Autumn …

Ep 129: Tips and tricks for distracted readers (and listeners)

April 24th, 2018

50:16

Between her 2016 appearance on WSIRN and today, reader Osheta's Moore's creative projects have blossomed in beautiful ways. Today, Anne is …

Ep 128: When contemporary fiction feels like a crapshoot

April 17th, 2018

44:26

If the word “biography” doesn’t fill you with excitement, maybe today’s guest Tracie Haddock’s enthusiasm can convince you to give them another shot. She even calls one famous biographer her “adopted …

Ep 127: Seeking professional help (for quitting books)

April 10th, 2018

44:33

Everything’s upside down this week - WSIRN guest Jordan Bradley needs help QUITTING books! Years of higher education taught him to just push through a bad reading experience - but now it’s time to recalibrate.

Ep 126: Books that appeal to your head AND your heart

April 3rd, 2018

42:25

Today's guest is Roxanne Coady, proprietor of RJ Julia bookstore in Madison, Connecticut and host of the Just The Right book podcast. Years …

Ep 125: Gateway books to hook a Netflix addict

March 27th, 2018

35:05

Do you ever feel a little out of place in the world of online readers? Perhaps you're more of a dabbler? You might relate to today's guest! 

Ep 124: The challenge of making your reading life your own

March 20th, 2018

1:00:53

Today’s episode is a FESTIVAL of book recommendations for all ages. You might recognize children’s lit enthusiast extraordinaire Sarah Mackenzie from Episode 49 during our Reading for a Lifetime series, when …

Ep 123: Books that will totally make you cry (with laughter)

March 13th, 2018

39:41

Today’s guest is a reader who loves to laugh. Rissie Lundberg wrote in to the show to tell us she’s been a listener from the very beginning, but has NEVER heard her favorite titles discussed on the air. We knew …

Ep 122: This AMAZING episode will have you RACING to the library

March 6th, 2018

1:01:23

You might recognize today’s guest if you’re a reality tv buff - Scott Flanary WON season 29 of The Amazing Race! But he also happens to be a huge book nerd, and that’s what we get to talk about today. Scott …

Ep 121: “The Secret” to a great self help book

February 27th, 2018

53:32

Today’s guests take getting lost in a good book to a TOTALLY different level. Kristen Meinzer and Jolenta Greenberg host By The Book …

Ep 120: Books that make you feel big things

February 20th, 2018

52:14

Today's guest Elizabeth Smith is an English Major lives a life that will inspire envy in a a lot of WSIRN listeners. She and her family …

Ep 119: A book snob breakthrough

February 13th, 2018

56:16

Today's guest Carly Friedman is a working mom, an advisor at her local university, and has a totally unique goal for her 2018 reading life. We'll give you one hint: backlist.

Today Anne and Carly chat about …

Ep 118: The rhythm of a reading family

February 6th, 2018

1:01:10

Anne and today's guest Dena Abramson Babb have a lot in common. Both were the girl in class who loved to choose the heftiest books possible …

Ep 117: Literary fiction over US Weekly

January 30th, 2018

41:54

Today’s guest Rachael Robinson lives in Southern California, but Anne met her for the very first time in her own kitchen. (They'll get to that in the episode). Rachael describes herself as an “extreme” book …

Ep 115: Books that bridge two worlds

January 23rd, 2018

54:18

Readers, if you're intrigued by the behind-the-scenes of the publishing industry, this one's for you. In today's new episode I chat with John August, a screenwriter, devoted reader, and author of a brand-new …

Ep 114: Missed bookstore connections

January 16th, 2018

1:09:05

Time FLIES when you're reading a good book... and, turns out, when you're podcasting. 

Today marks WSIRN's second anniversary! We thought it …

Ep 113: The next best thing to reading: how 14 WSIRN listeners organize their bookshelves

January 9th, 2018

33:23

We asked 14 different podcast listeners how they organize their bookshelves … and we're sharing their ideas with you. (Some readers even …

Ep 112: Your best reading year yet

January 2nd, 2018

53:14

"I want to read more" is a common refrain in January, so here's some good news: today's episode is full of tips and tricks to help you …

Ep 111: A lifetime mother-daughter book club

December 26th, 2017

56:34

Today's episode is a cozy family affair! Anne chats with Emily and Daniela Loose, a mother-daughter duo from New Hampshire who have been …

Ep 110: When your life resembles Big Little Lies

December 19th, 2017

1:03:36

It's our first guest from Down Under! Today Anne talks books with Fiona Thoms, a party-planning, paleo cooking, PTA president mum of three kids who lives in Sydney, Australia. You may recognize Fiona’s voice …

Ep 109: Reading slumps are the worst

December 12th, 2017

49:07

Today's guest is Annie Spence, author of Dear Fahrenheit 45: Love and Hate in the Stacks, a collection of breakup notes and love letters to …

Ep 108: What Should I Read Next LIVE from Asheville

December 5th, 2017

34:59

Anne kicked off her first visit to Malaprop's Bookstore in Asheville, NC in a big way - a WSIRN liveshow! You can read more details about what the show was like in this Modern Mrs. Darcy post.

This episode is a …

Ep 107: Bookish gifts for everyone on your list

November 28th, 2017

50:16

Holland Saltsman from the Novel Neighbor in St Louis joins Anne to talk about their favorite books of the year, supporting local bookstores, …

Ep 106: The anatomy of an excellent reading experience

November 21st, 2017

32:29

Shannon Navin is a Columbus mom and technology professional who came to Anne with a specific request: to recommend great books that Shannon …

Ep 105: Reading makes the whole day better

November 14th, 2017

1:01:41

Today Anne chats with Rider Strong, a director & screenwriter (you might know him from Boy Meets World) who spends free time reuniting …

Ep 104: Books that don't hold anything back

November 7th, 2017

46:34

Alexandra Rodriguez is an English teacher and grad student in the Indianapolis area whose reading life underwent a big change a few years …

Ep 103: Accidental book theft & other bookworm crimes

October 31st, 2017

48:41

Today Anne chats with Katherine Riling, a mom, math teacher, and new Alaska resident whose go-to genre is historical fiction — but she doesn’t want to read it ALL the time. Katherine's three favorites are …

Ep 102: A new way to think about fictional characters

October 24th, 2017

51:23

Anne is joined by a familiar voice -- Gretchen Rubin, author of The Happiness Project and, most recently, The Four Tendencies, a new personality framework in which she investigates how different people—or in …

Ep 101: What Anne wishes she'd known (100 episodes later)

October 17th, 2017

1:08:33

Anne and WSIRN's producer Brenna Frederick take a look back at memorable moments from the first 100 episodes of What Should I Read Next. …

Ep 100: When everyone loves that book but you

October 10th, 2017

57:02

This week Anne chatts with Keith Watts, a Seattle resident who credits Star Wars with making him a reader, and Top Gun for making him a history major. Keith and Anne discuss what it’s like to grow up in a house …

Ep 99: Nobody hates a beautiful book (or a handwritten letter)

October 3rd, 2017

1:00:57

Today's guest, Caroline Weaver, is known as The Pencil Lady, because by day she owns and operates CW Pencil Enterprise, a shop dedicated …

Ep 98: Loving that literary lifestyle

September 26th, 2017

54:27

This week Anne chats with Rikki and Michaela, two Seattle area friends and serious book lovers who knew each other for YEARS before they discovered they shared a love of reading.

In today’s episode Anne, Rikki, …

Ep 97: How a book REALLY gets made, from idea to the bookstore shelves

September 19th, 2017

25:56

Today Anne takes you behind the scenes of how her book Reading People came into being. Guided by questions from newsletter subscribers, we're delving into the intricacies of how the book was made, from working …

Ep 96: Listen to Anne read Chapter 1 of her new book Reading People!

September 15th, 2017

36:27

We’re in serious countdown mode: Anne's book Reading People: How Seeing the World Through the Lens of Personality Changes Everything comes out on Tuesday, September 19.

This is the story of how Anne's long …

Ep 95: Really weird stories you should totally read

September 12th, 2017

53:09

In today's episode, Anne and guest Nicholas Siegel cover a lot of ground. MFA fiction is a phrase that has been thrown around on the podcast …

Ep 94: Paris epiphanies (and other bookish destinations)

September 5th, 2017

47:00

In today's episode, Anne looks for small business owner Esther Dairiam's origin story. Like so many great plots, Esther’s turns on an epiphany she had on a trip to Paris five years ago. She left convinced that …

Ep 93: Books to help you manage anxiety + a book brunch that will have you drooling

August 29th, 2017

46:55

Today’s guest, Kristin Economos, has an incredible story to tell, one many people will resonate with. After experiencing a season of severe anxiety, Kristin says her return from a decade-long reading sabbatical

Ep 92: When you feel betrayed by the bestseller list

August 22nd, 2017

46:29

Today’s guest pointed out that we haven’t talked to an abundance of East Coast readers, and today we’re making amends. Karen Weiss is a nurse practitioner in Maine who gets many of her best book recommendations …

Ep 91: The books you can't stop recommending

August 8th, 2017

46:41

Today’s guest is Bethany Armstrong, a lifelong reader who describes herself as the kind of kid who always had a book in her hand. After …

Ep 90: Immersive books that make you want to read them again (for the first time)

August 1st, 2017

44:55

Today, Anne chats with Mary Gaertner, a listener of the show she met at the Popcast Live pre-party. Mary drove to the Louisville show from …

Ep 89: Ask Anne Anything!

July 25th, 2017

47:04

Today is a What Should I Read Next milestone - our very first mailbag episode! We invited our newsletter subscribers and Instagram followers …

Ep 88: Overlooked books that deserve to shine

July 18th, 2017

48:36

Today's guest is Amena Brown, a spoken-word poet who writes all her poems to jazz music. When she was a little girl, Amena dreamed of becoming a stand-up comedian, and that doesn’t seem like a stretch! Amena …

Ep 87: Popcorn books, page-turning thrills, and reader regret

July 11th, 2017

46:00

Today Anne chats with Aaron White, a runner, content developer, INTJ, and married father of two who lives in Minnesota. Aaron's lifetime favorite book will make some of you jump up and cheer, and maybe make …

Ep 86: Eclectic tastes, slow readers, and talking about books with strangers

July 4th, 2017

47:54

Promoting literacy is a both a paycheck and a free-time passion for today's guest. Emily Kinard comes from a family where it’s completely normal for her grandmother and mom to give her book recommendations, and for her …

Ep 85: When your best friend hates your favorite book (and you hate hers)

June 27th, 2017

1:00:12

WSIRN goes international once more! Today's guest is Charity Dušíková, an art teacher and mother residing in a small town in the Czech Republic*.

Anne and Charity talk about the impact of big life changes on …

Ep 84: You know you're a Serious Reader when...

June 20th, 2017

47:38

Anne first met today's guest Shawn Smucker and his wife Maile while they were on an epic cross-country road trip with the whole family, in a …

Ep 83: An epic birthday bookstore road trip

June 13th, 2017

47:26

If you’re a longtime listener, you’ve heard from today's guest Donna Hetchler before—she hopped on episode 64 and chatted with Anne about the unconventional way she tracks what she reads, in our special episode …

Ep 82: Obsessive readers and bookish kindred spirit angels

June 6th, 2017

54:35

Today's guest is That-Reader-Who-Is-Impossible-To-Recommend-Books-To... because it seems she's read it EVERYTHING! Claire Diaz Ortiz has a very specific favorite genre that makes her go "crazy with excitement", …

Ep 81: The suspense is thrilling me

May 30th, 2017

45:47

In today’s episode, Anne chats with Chelsea Humphrey about what a surprisingly broad category "suspense/thriller" actually is. Of course there's some Gone Girl chatter - but they're going deeper, talk about how …

Ep 80: Books that make you want to skip dinner, work, and the rest of your life

May 23rd, 2017

47:28

Why is it SO HARD to describe a book you REALLY LOVE? Anne tries to figure it out with today's guest Cori Jara, a case worker in Eureka CA. Cori is a lifelong reader who loved the written word so much she …

Ep 79: The books we can't wait to read this summer

May 16th, 2017

40:06

WARNING: today's episode might make you long for a warm sandy beach, a cozy cabin, or a French villa... wherever your heart longs to vacation, that's where you'll want to be. That's right, Anne is talking …

Ep 78: Super-relevant (super-enjoyable) fiction for our time

May 9th, 2017

46:12

Today's conversation won't go the direction you're expecting - and we think you're going to love it for just that reason. The guest is Kathleen Grissom, author of the hugely bestselling books The Kitchen …

Ep 77: How to save The Shop Around the Corner

May 2nd, 2017

49:20

If YOU have ever dreamed of opening your own bookstore, you’re about to learn exactly how another reader is making that dream come true. Meet Alison Frenzel, a reader from Waco Texas who is in the process of …

Ep 76: Book people are the best people (LIVE!)

April 25th, 2017

1:34:10

WSIRN just hosted our first LIVE event at the fabulous bookstore The Novel Neighbor in St Louis. (Many thanks to shop owner Holland Saltsman …

Ep 75: If Google wrecked your brain, here's what you should read

April 18th, 2017

1:02:27

Today's guest is Dave Harrity, a writer, college professor, and real-life friend of Anne's in Louisville. But there's something else you …

Ep 74: Finally falling in love with reading - at 30!

April 11th, 2017

41:41

Today's guest hails from Austin, TX, and enjoys the simple things in life: wine, books, chips & salsa. As host of The Happy Hour podcast, it might be fair to say Jamie Ivey is a happiness "professional."

Ep 73: Don't judge a person by their (book) cover

April 4th, 2017

52:14

Have you ever been at a bus stop, on a train, or in a waiting room, and casually craned your neck trying to peek the title of a stranger's book? Going a step further - have you ever straight-up ASKED a stranger …

Ep 72: Embarrassing bookworm confessions

March 28th, 2017

49:40

Happy Tuesday, readers! Meet Madeleine Riley, a 24-year-old special education teacher in New England who runs a colorful bookstagram …

Ep 71: A super-elegant apocalypse

March 21st, 2017

44:10

Today’s guest is an early member of the WSIRN family. If you were a listener back at the veeeery beginning of our show, you have Knox to thank for getting the first 11 episodes into your ears as our …

Ep 70: The book Anne can't shut up about

March 14th, 2017

45:19

We're delighted to welcome Jessie Weaver on the show for episode 70! Jessie is a married mother of two who loves to read, which sounds pretty normal, right? She lives in the Chattanooga area with her family... …

Ep 69: The library is running my life

March 7th, 2017

52:57

Today we welcome the marvelous Carolyn McCready to the show! As an acquisitions editor, reading is truly Carolyn's job. In this episode, …

Ep 68: Plot summaries are the WORST

February 28th, 2017

42:41

You may know Laura Tremaine from her former blog Hollywood Housewife... or the Sorta Awesome podcast... or The Smartest Person In The Room …

Ep 67: Just the right book at just the right time

February 21st, 2017

39:19

Today’s guest, Eli Sykes, is a food scientist who describes his job as “getting to eat snacks all day,” so it’s safe to say Eli is living the dream. We’ve had a lot of English majors on the show, but this episode …

Ep 66: Books that glitter, sparkle, and pop

February 14th, 2017

48:20

Today's completely awesome guest is Megan Tietz, host of Sorta Awesome podcast. Some things to know about Megan - she’s an enneagram 9 (just like Anne) and a textbook ENFP, she LOVES The Great Gatsby, and she …

Ep 65: The joy of buying books on someone else’s dime

February 7th, 2017

41:12

Today’s guest is Graylin Porter, World-Lit-major-with-a-Masters-in-Modern-&-Contemporary-Lit-turned-children’s-librarian who is expecting a new addition to her family very very soon (hint: it’s a baby!). …

Ep 64: The next best thing to reading

January 31st, 2017

1:00:22

It's time for something a bit different - in today's "from the mailbag" episode, Anne discusses the myriad ways readers track their book …

Ep 63: Books so good you'll forget you have a phone

January 24th, 2017

48:14

Today's guest is Elise Blaha Cripe, who you may know as the creative professional behind the Get to Work Book planner, or the host of podcast Elise Gets Crafty. Most importantly, Elise is one of those people …

Ep 62: Your TBR will never be the same ...

January 17th, 2017

1:02:29

Hello readers, it's a very special Tuesday! We have officially reached What Should I Read Next's Anniversary episode. It's been a full year …

Ep 61: When the plot comes full circle...

January 10th, 2017

41:52

Today we’re catching up with the very first guest of What Should I Read Next! Even if you're a longtime listener, you still might not …

Ep 60: The last page can make it or break it

January 3rd, 2017

51:16

Happy 2017, listeners! We have a DYNAMIC episode to kick off the WSIRN New Year. Today’s guest is Melissa Joulwan. If you already know …

Ep 59: Prescribing books for what ails you

December 27th, 2016

49:04

Our guest this week is Danielle Mayfield. Danielle lives in Portland, OR with her husband and two small children. You may know her as the author of Assimilate or Go Home: Notes from a Failed Missionary on …

Ep 58: "You've hit your hold limit" and other disasters

December 20th, 2016

51:47

Today's guest is Jamie Durham, a full-time missionary living in Tijuana, Mexico. Jamie and her well-traveled family of 5 have to cross an …

Ep 57: What's your reading personality?

December 13th, 2016

31:29

Today’s guest is Shaney Swift, a massage therapist and social justice advocate from Chicago, Illinois. If you’ve been around What Should I …

Ep 56: There's nothing like a bookstore at the holidays

December 6th, 2016

49:46

This is a WSIRN first— a repeat guest! Today Anne chats with friend of the show and bookstore owner Holland Saltsman about everything you …

Ep 55: Choosing contemporary novels with staying power (for Jane Austen's 5x great niece)

November 29th, 2016

32:09

Around here, we don’t think you need an excuse to love Jane Austen, but boy does today's guest Rebecca Smith have a great one -- she is Jane Austen's great great great great great niece! Rebecca is a longtime …

Ep 54: What Should I LISTEN to Next?

November 22nd, 2016

45:15

Today we're back to literary matchmaking, with listener Melodee Skiles here to representing all the avid audiobook lovers who want to know what to LISTEN to next! 

Melodee is a stay-at-home mom who owns an …

Ep 53: The best of literary heroines (Reading For A Lifetime Pt 5)

November 18th, 2016

25:09

Here to help close out the Reading For A Lifetime week is Jenny Williams, who illustrates beloved literary heroines for a living as the charming artist and entrepreneur behind Carrot Top Paper Shop.

In this …

Ep 51: Gateway books to lifetime reading (Reading For A Lifetime, Pt 3)

November 16th, 2016

35:53

Day 3 of our special Reading For A Lifetime series is all about "guilty pleasure" kid lit - the series we read and re-read not because they were Great Literature, but because they were gosh-darn fun!

Here to …

Ep 50: Growing up with the help of a good book (Reading for a Lifetime, Pt 2)

November 15th, 2016

38:00

Day 2 of our Reading For A Lifetime series is about encouraging middle school and young adult kids to indulge in great books, and our guest …

Ep 49: How to help kids fall in love with reading (Reading for a Lifetime, Pt 1)

November 14th, 2016

44:32

Today kicks off our special WSIRN 5-day miniseries: What Should I Read Next for Kids, and Kids at Heart. We’re focusing on a variety of …

Ep 48: It's good to be a Special Readerly Snowflake

November 8th, 2016

47:09

This week guest Maxwell Dunn (WellDoneBooks on YouTube) introduces Anne to a whole new wonderful world of book lovers online—the Booktube …

Ep 47: Needing books, with a capital "N"

November 1st, 2016

30:25

It's bibliotherapy time! Today's guest is Erin Swann, is an attorney who lives in Greenville, South Carolina with her family. Erin's always …

Ep 46: What DID they read next (and how did they feel about it?)

October 25th, 2016

24:21

Today we have a special episode: we're revisiting seven guests from previous episodes of the show to find out what they actually did read next. What are they reading now? What did they love? And what did they, …

Ep 45: Heartwarming books for dire situations

October 18th, 2016

46:40

Today's guest is Ana Salazar. Ana is a Columbian who’s now living in Peru, and she’s been, as she says, "absolutely obsessed” with reading …

Ep 44: Like speed dating, but with authors

October 11th, 2016

56:54

Today we meet a indie bookstore owner and kindred bookish spirit, Annie Jones. In this episode, Anne and Annie talk about her wildly unlikely path to bookstore ownership, her love of dysfunctional family …

Ep 43: Fiction FOMO and curing Hamilton hangover

October 4th, 2016

46:54

Today we're happy to welcome reader and podcaster Sarah Stewart Holland to the show. You may already know Sarah from her blog Bluegrass …

Ep 42: Life's too short to waste on bad books

September 27th, 2016

46:09

Today we fellow podcaster Erik Fisher to the show! Erik is known as the productivity guru because of his wonderful podcast Beyond the To Do …

Ep 41: The books we can't wait to read this fall

September 21st, 2016

20:51

Today's bonus podcast episode of What Should I Read Next is focused on fall's hot new releases. Bookstore owner Holland Saltsman of …

Ep 40: Spouses of Readers Anonymous

September 20th, 2016

43:52

When Anne first thought of starting a podcast, her bookstore-owning friend Holland Saltsman was one of the very first people she wanted to …

Ep 39: Judging a book by its first sentence

September 13th, 2016

48:01

Today we welcome Melody Warnick to the show! She’s a Blacksburg-based author, who  has been tracking her reading in an excel spreadsheet since 2004. If you find that intimidating, don’t worry—Melody’s not …

Ep 38: Secrets, cheap tricks, and paradigm-shifting books

September 6th, 2016

42:15

Today Anne chats with Anissa Davis, a family physician who lives with her family in California. She likes smart, funny, contemporary fiction with diverse protagonists, and she wants to be blown away by more …

Ep 37: Reading as a couple + the best books YOU read this summer

August 30th, 2016

50:51

Kurt and Kristin are a husband and wife who want to read more together. Their question for Anne is a fun twist on a familiar theme — “What …

Ep 36: Comfort food, but with books

August 23rd, 2016

36:44

It's Tuesday, and time for a new episode of What Should I Read Next!

Our guest today is Tiffany King, a dear friend you might know from her …

Ep 35: Internet brain, redemption stories, and books with terrible elevator pitches

August 16th, 2016

27:30

Our guest today is Katherine Willis Pershey. Katherine is a friend whose taste Anne trusts: she's recommended several excellent titles to …

Ep 34: Books that marry fiction and reality

August 9th, 2016

46:53

Our guest today is Rose Booth, a technology merchandising director and cinephile who sometimes "feels like she's dating books." Rose …

Ep 33: What DID they read next (and what did they think about it?

August 2nd, 2016

36:47

Today we have a very special episode: Anne is chatting again with seven guests from the first twenty-three episodes of the show to find out what they actually did read next. What books did they read? What did …

Ep 32: Literature as fun escape and daily companion

July 26th, 2016

29:38

Today Anne chats with Julie Smith, who you may know from her delightful travel blog Drive on the Left. Julie is an enthusiastic reader. …

Ep 31: Lifetime favorite books and reading for a living

July 19th, 2016

46:50

Today Anne chats with Adam Verner. Adam reads for a living -- literally. When he was a kid and people asked him what he wanted to do when he grew up he’d say read books. So Adam grew up and turned his …

Ep 30: 4-star books with 4-star endings for an ISTJ Type A Upholder

July 12th, 2016

47:20

Today Anne chats with Amy Johnson, who grew up in a big family in a small town in rural Colorado. (Amy says there were literally more books …

Ep 29: Work, money, love, and mystery

July 5th, 2016

41:59

Today Anne chats with Stacey Loscalzo, a mother of two girls, book reviewer for Great New Books, and former reading specialist in New Jersey, just outside New York City. Stacey always has a book going, and …

Ep 28: Books that no one's writing about in Entertainment Weekly

June 28th, 2016

41:21

Today Anne chats with Andrea Griffith, a former medical librarian, mom of two daughters, and independent bookstore owner, and she came to me with a plea: she misses reading at whim, is craving depth, and …

Ep 27: Books good enough to make you turn off the tv (even if you love tv)

June 21st, 2016

39:14

Today Anne chats with Kendra Adachi, who you may know from her blog, The Lazy Genius Collective, or her Lazy Genius podcast. She’s a mom of …

Ep 26: Great adventure books

June 14th, 2016

22:21

Today’s guest is Tim Gardner. Tim's wife Emily contacted Anne and asked if she could do a little literary matchmaking for Tim. They'd both realized …

Ep 25: Very personal stories

June 7th, 2016

35:42

Today I'm talking with Breanne Mosher, a self-described history nerd and travel lover who lives in Nova Scotia with her family. She …

Ep 24: Life-changing books

May 31st, 2016

24:55

Today’s guest is Malisa Price, a mom of two who lives in Raleigh, and she’s a regular reader who does it for the love of it, not for her …

Ep 23: Honeymoon reading

May 24th, 2016

27:34

Today Anne chats with Mallory Rees, who's getting married next month and is looking for good books to take on her honeymoon.

Regardless of your marital status, you'll enjoy this one if you love a good …

Ep 22: What DID they read next (and how did they like it?)

May 17th, 2016

31:24

It's finally happening! Today we have a very special episode: Anne is chatting again with six guests from the first ten episodes of the show to find out what they actually did read next. What books did they …

Ep 21: The books that made you fall in love with reading

May 13th, 2016

19:30

For today’s bonus episode we have a very special guest: Anne chats with her 8-year-old daughter Lucy. Lucy lives in Louisville, Kentucky …

Ep 20: Sweeping sagas and strong female leads

May 10th, 2016

21:47

Today's guest is Sarah Russell Giglio. Sarah lives in Shreveport, Louisiana: she’s a newlywed who loves cooking and The Bachelor and Bachelorette, and by day she’s a criminal defense attorney. In this episode, …

Ep 19: Great literary fiction, inspirational favorites, and high school English

May 3rd, 2016

37:07

Today Anne chats with Brian Sztabnik, an English teacher, basketball coach, and podcaster who lives on Long Island with his wife and two sons.

Anne and Brian discuss great literary fiction, books about creative pursuits, …

Ep 18: Compelling, character-driven books steeped in time and place

April 26th, 2016

41:44

Today Anne chats with Jessica Turner, author of The Fringe Hours and My Fringe Hours. Jessica lives in Nashville with her family, where she …

Ep 17: Smart, slightly eccentric, diverse books

April 19th, 2016

34:40

Today Anne talks with Andrea Cumbo-Floyd, a writer, teacher, editor, and farmer based in Charlottesville, Virginia. ("Sometimes more of one of those than the other," she says.) Andi is the author of Steele …

Ep 16: Fascinating premises in dystopian fiction

April 12th, 2016

29:58

Today Anne chats with Grace Martin, a 12-year-old bibliophile who lives with her family outside Chicago.

Grace loves Harry Potter, dystopian novels, …

Ep 15: The audacity to tell people what to read

April 9th, 2016

39:31

Anne chats with Marybeth Whalen and Ariel Lawhon of SheReads.org, an online reading site and book club for women. Under Marybeth and Ariel's leadership, She Reads does a terrific job of highlighting excellent …

Ep 14: A snob-free approach to reading

April 5th, 2016

47:07

Today Anne chats with Caroline Starr Rose. Caroline is a mom, former teacher, and children's author of the novels May B. and Blue Birds. …

Ep 12: Life is hard - but reading doesn't have to be

March 21st, 2016

30:41

In this episode Anne chats with Cara Strickland, a writer, food critic, and anxious cook who lives in the Pacific Northwest. This episode covers a lot of ground: Anne and Cara discuss singleness, sense of …

Ep 11: What's going on beneath the surface

March 15th, 2016

39:31

In this episode Anne chats with Meredith Schwartz, a self-described Type A, INFJ, and unapologetic listmaker who is trying desperately (and …

Ep 10: You can be a Serious Reader and still love Matt Damon

March 8th, 2016

41:13

In this episode Anne chats with Janssen Bradshaw, creator of the blog Everyday Reading, former children's librarian, and modern mother who's raising her three kids to be readers.

In this episode Anne and …

Ep 9: The reality of bookworm problems

March 1st, 2016

28:42

In this episode Anne chats with fellow bookworm Leigh Kramer. In addition to being a full-time book nerd, Leigh is a San Francisco resident, …

Ep 8: The power of books, English major favorites, and what makes a great YA novel

February 23rd, 2016

26:06

Anne talks to Preston Yancey about the power of reading, English major favorites, his deep and abiding love for chick lit, and what makes a great YA …

Ep 7: Books that uplift and inspire, the books that "hook" you, and filling the Brown Girls' Bookshelf

February 16th, 2016

33:40

Anne talks to Osheta Moore about falling down the rabbit hole of reading recommendations, her really weird interest in fanfiction, and the …

Ep 6: Books for book nerds, author backstories, and simple stories told well

February 9th, 2016

39:12

Anne talks to Tsh Oxenreider about the importance of where she reads, author stories on and off the page, books for book nerds, and her love of …

Ep 4: Reading as escape, hating lots of books, and finding new fiction

January 26th, 2016

33:31

Anne talks with attorney, blogger, and author Seth Haines, whose first work, Coming Clean.

Anne and Seth have a great conversation about reading as escape, how they both hate so many books, first editions clubs, reading …

Ep 3: Books that "smart" people like, books you truly love, and books that embrace the grey

January 19th, 2016

29:13

Today's guest is Jacey Verdicchio from the Around The Table podcast.

Anne and Jacey discuss books that make you feel smart / not-so-smart, and the inner battle between reading what you love vs. reading what you feel like …

Ep 2: The perils of high expectations and characters you can root for

January 10th, 2016

20:25

Anne chats with Sarah Kohrnak of the Brilliant Business Moms about the perils of high expectations, characters that you can root for, and what she …

Ep 1: Books that inspire crying jags and sleepless nights (in the best sense)

January 10th, 2016

25:52

Anne chats with Jamie Golden about books that provoke visceral reactions, books that inspire blissful crying jags and sleepless nights, and what …

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