What Should I Read Next? Ep 486: Setting-driven stories, accidental reading themes, and winning characters
Jul 22, 2025
Ellen Heath, a retired urban planner from Atlanta, dives deep into her love for immersive settings and characters. She shares her creative method for choosing her next read on her eReader and her intention to abandon more books in 2025. The duo explores the emotional connections we have with stories, touching on memorable reads like 'Clear' by Carys Davies and the humor of 'Mr. Loverman.' They also discuss how urban planning influences literature, revealing the intricacies of character development in captivating narratives.
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Episode notes
Ellen's Unique Reading System
- Ellen chooses her next read by cycling through about 100 books on her Kindle in a systematic order.
- She balances genres and alternates between her e-reader and physical books to keep variety.
Reading as Escape from Reality
- Reading is an escape that transports Ellen out of her life into a new, different world.
- She prefers books that offer contrast rather than seasonal or location-based reading choices.
When to DNF a Book
- If a book's world is too dark or unpleasant, consider that a sign to DNF it.
- Reflect on whether the reading experience is worth your time before continuing.
