Shannan Malone, Alabama reader turned co-host and contributor, joins the host to discuss eclectic reading tastes, struggling to pinpoint dislikes in popular books, endearing awkward characters, and more. They explore book club selections, recommend beloved books like Circe and The Shadow of the Wind, and navigate managing long TBR lists with compelling storytelling.
Valuing unique reading experiences and revisiting past connections formed through books.
Preferring plot-driven narratives with conclusive resolutions and enjoying well-rounded stories.
Deep dives
Past memories revisited and deep connections through books
The podcast episode delves into revisiting past memories and deep connections forged through books, highlighting the importance of unique literary experiences. Shannon's personal encounters with classic favorites like "Eat, Pray, Love", "Quiet", and "Pride and Prejudice" demonstrate the lasting impact of stories that resonate on a profound level. She values plot-driven narratives that resolve conclusively, illustrating a preference for engaging and well-told tales.
Mysterious family dynamics unraveling with suspense
A recommendation for "The Mother-in-Law" by Sally Hepworth is proposed, offering a thrilling exploration of family dynamics amidst a suspicious death. The plot intricately intertwines past and present relationships, creating a captivating story filled with unexpected twists and engaging character perspectives. This domestic mystery promises a blend of serious themes and lighthearted moments, aligning with Shannon's appreciation for well-rounded narratives.
Adventurous sibling journey filled with humor and heart
Shannon is intrigued by "The Unlikely Adventures of the Shergill Sisters" by Balli Kaur Jaswal, which follows three siblings on an unconventional journey spurred by their mother's final wish. This delightful tale promises a mix of humor, zany escapades, and grounded realities, presenting an entertaining narrative of sisterhood, personal growth, and unexpected encounters. With a focus on fun and whimsical storytelling, this novel offers a light-hearted exploration of familial bonds and individual journeys.
Today we're excited to continue our mid-summer series featuring our team members! Learning more about our team members and who shares your tastes may help you identify some good books in a way that might not land on your radar otherwise. We hope you love this conversation.
Anne is revisiting her very first conversation with Alabama reader Shannan Malone in today's conversation. Since this episode originally aired, Shannan has joined our team as our co-host and contributor, but in today's show, Shannan and Anne go back to where it all began. Shannan has broad taste and high standards, as you will hear. Even authors that she's loved in the past don't get a free pass, and maybe not even the benefit of the doubt. So today's episode goes out to all you eclectic readers who love hopping between genres. Anne and Shannan discuss the struggle of pinpointing what you dislike about a book that everyone else thinks is amazing, awkward characters that are endearing to introverted readers, and much, much more.
You'll find the full list of titles mentioned today, along with links to other episodes, blog posts, or features contributed by Shannan and other team members at our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/438.
If you're curious about Shannan's reading life now, be sure to join us over in Patreon where Anne is catching up with the team members whose voices you are hearing for the month of July and hearing all about how their reading lives have changed since they were first featured on the show. Those conversations are a lot of fun—find them at Patreon.com./whatshouldireadnext.