What Should I Read Next? Ep 502: Choosing book gifts your friends will love
Nov 11, 2025
In this lively discussion, wedding photographer and book club leader Meredith Amadee shares her journey of starting a book club during the pandemic. She delves into what sparks engaging conversations, highlighting the importance of thought-provoking reads. Meredith passionately discusses her book exchange traditions and seeks the perfect literary gifts for her club members. Alongside insightful recommendations tailored for different tastes, this conversation brims with inspiration for anyone looking to gift a book this season.
01:01:19
Book Club Began As A Birthday Gift
- Meredith started her book club in February 2022 as a birthday gift for a friend and it became a lasting community.
- The club grew to about 10 intentional members who meet monthly and discuss books deeply.
Intentional Membership Drives Deeper Talk
- Meredith designs her club around intentional membership to foster deeper conversations and commitment.
- That structure yields richer, vulnerability-ready discussions rather than casual attendance.
Choose Discussable, High-Concept Books
- Pick books with discussable high-concept premises to spark varied personal perspectives.
- Use members' lived experience to deepen conversation by choosing books that prompt real-life comparisons.
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Intro
00:00 • 25min
Why Meredith Started a Book Club
25:22 • 5min
What Sparks Deep Book Club Discussions
30:30 • 3min
The Book Club's Holiday Traditions and Gift Idea
33:02 • 8min
Mini-Matchmaking: Choosing Gifts for Lucy
41:07 • 10min
Mini-Matchmaking: Choosing Gifts for Steph
51:18 • 6min
Mini-Matchmaking: Choosing Gifts for Vicki
56:48 • 5min
Outro
01:02:00 • 2min
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Miller's Valley
Anna Quindlen
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Betty
Tiffany McDaniel
Set in the Appalachian Mountains during the 1950s and 60s, 'Betty' tells the story of a young girl growing up in a family marked by secrets and trauma.
The novel delves into themes of identity, resilience, and the power of storytelling.
McDaniel's evocative prose and vivid imagery bring the world of Betty and her family to life.
As Betty navigates the challenges of her childhood, she discovers the strength within herself to confront the darkness around her.
The novel explores the complexities of family relationships and the enduring bonds that can sustain us through even the most difficult times.
'Betty' is a poignant and powerful exploration of hope, healing, and the transformative power of love.
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The Cherry Robbers
Sarai Walker
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The bandit queens
Parini Shroff
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It's A Love Story
null
Annabelle Monaghan
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Shiner
Amy Jo Burns
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The Favorites
null
Lane Fargo
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The Priory of the Orange Tree
Samantha Shannon
Jorge Rizzo
The Priory of the Orange Tree is a fantasy novel by Samantha Shannon, set in a world where dragons are either revered or feared.
The story follows four main characters across different regions as they navigate political intrigue, magic, and the looming threat of the Nameless One, an ancient dragon.
The novel explores themes of feminism, power, and the complexities of human relationships in a richly detailed world.
#13122
• Mentioned in 3 episodes
The big change
America Transforms Itself, 1900-1950
Frederick Lewis Allen
The Big Change is a comprehensive history that charts the progressive evolution of American life over the first half of the twentieth century.
The book covers significant events such as World War I, the Progressive Era, the Great Depression, World War II, and the early Cold War. It details the impact of technological advancements, mass production, organized labor, and social changes on American society.
Allen also explores the growth of a strong, centralized government, the expansion of the middle class, and the widespread economic prosperity that emerged by the end of the period.
#77141
Stargirl
Jerry Spinelli
Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli is a novel that explores themes of conformity, kindness, and identity through the story of Stargirl Caraway, a unique and free-spirited girl who attends high school for the first time after being homeschooled.
The book follows her relationship with Leo, a shy student who struggles with the societal pressures of being associated with Stargirl.
As Stargirl navigates her new environment, she faces both admiration and rejection, ultimately teaching Leo valuable lessons about being true to oneself.
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All My Knotted-Up Life
Beth Moore
In 'All My Knotted Up Life', Beth Moore intimately recounts her personal history, marked by both profound struggles and unwavering faith.
She explores themes of abuse, mental health, and spiritual transformation, offering a candid look into her vulnerabilities and resilience.
Moore reflects on the complexities of family relationships, the search for identity, and the process of finding healing and purpose amidst life's challenges.
The memoir reveals the stories behind her public persona, inviting readers to witness the unvarnished truth of her experiences.
Ultimately, it's a story about finding peace in the midst of life's tangled threads, and trusting in God's ability to bring beauty from brokenness.
#70345
How High We Go in the Dark
Sequoia Nagamatsu
#24102
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
CLEAR
None
Victoria English
#1120
• Mentioned in 26 episodes
Demon Copperhead
Barbara Kingsolver
Demon Copperhead is a powerful and emotionally engaging novel that tells the story of Damon Fields, a boy born to a teenage single mother in a trailer home in the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia.
The novel, inspired by Charles Dickens' 'David Copperfield', follows Demon's journey through the challenges of foster care, child labor, derelict schools, athletic success, addiction, and disastrous loves.
Kingsolver vividly portrays the opioid epidemic's impact on rural communities and explores themes of love, survival, and the transformative power of storytelling.
The narrative is delivered through Demon's unsparing and authentic voice, which brings to life the harsh realities and the resilience of the people in Appalachia.
#63977
Flight behavior
Barbara Kingsolver
In *Flight Behavior*, Barbara Kingsolver tells the story of Dellarobia Turnbow, a restless farm wife in rural Tennessee who gave up her plans for college after becoming pregnant at seventeen.
Her life takes a dramatic turn when she encounters a valley filled with millions of monarch butterflies, a phenomenon that sparks various interpretations from scientists, religious leaders, and the media.
As Dellarobia works with a Harvard-educated biologist, Ovid Byron, she begins to understand the implications of climate change and its impact on her community and the world.
The novel explores themes of faith, science, poverty, and the complexities of human relationships, all set against the backdrop of a global environmental crisis.
#18402
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Wayward
Blake Crouch
#22134
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Wild Dark Flowers
null
Charlotte McConaghy
#8061
• Mentioned in 5 episodes
Tell me more
Stories About the 12 Hardest Things I'm Learning to Say
Kelly Corrigan
In 'Tell Me More', Kelly Corrigan delves into the twelve hardest things she is learning to say, examining phrases that make love and connection possible.
The book includes chapters such as 'I Don’t Know,' 'No,' 'Tell Me More,' and 'I Was Wrong,' where Corrigan reflects on her life with a preoccupied husband, two mercurial teenage daughters, and profound observations on love and loss.
With her signature warmth and honesty, Corrigan explores the importance of the right words at the right moment to change everything.
#14329
• Mentioned in 3 episodes
The Road to Tender Hearts
null
Annie Hartnett
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Family Family
Laurie Frankel
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Silver Sparrow
Tayari Jones
Silver Sparrow is a poignant exploration of family secrets, deception, and sisterhood.
The story revolves around James Witherspoon, a bigamist with two families: one public and one secret.
His daughters, Dana and Chaurisse, form a friendship unaware of their true relationship, leading to a dramatic revelation of secrets and shattered illusions.
The novel delves into themes of identity, class, and the complexities of human relationships.
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Spinning Silver
Naomi Novik
'Spinning Silver' reimagines the tale of Rumpelstiltskin, weaving a story of wealth, power, and sacrifice in a harsh, wintry landscape.
Miryem, a young woman from a moneylending family, inadvertently boasts she can turn silver into gold, attracting the attention of fantastical and dangerous creatures.
As she becomes entangled with the King of the Staryk and a cursed duke, she must use her wits and courage to navigate treacherous bargains and save her family and kingdom.
Novik crafts a rich tapestry of folklore, blending elements of Jewish tradition with Russian fairy tales.
The novel explores themes of economic hardship, female agency, and the transformative power of choices.
#25465
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
The Shadow of the Wind
Carlos Ruiz Zafón
The novel is set in 1945 Barcelona and revolves around Daniel Sempere, a young boy who discovers a mysterious book titled 'The Shadow of the Wind' by Julián Carax in the Cemetery of Forgotten Books.
As Daniel delves deeper into the book, he becomes obsessed with finding out what happened to Carax and his works, which have been systematically destroyed.
The story unfolds into a complex tale of love, tragedy, and mystery, involving a cast of characters including Daniel's friends and mentors, and the enigmatic figure of Lain Coubert.
The novel explores themes of literature, love, and the power of stories to shape lives.
#964
• Mentioned in 29 episodes
Twilight
Dean Koontz
Twilight Eyes follows Slim Mackenzie, a 17-year-old on the run after killing his uncle, who possesses 'twilight eyes' that allow him to see evil beings called Goblins.
Slim joins the Sombra Carnival and becomes embroiled in a plot to prevent a catastrophic event involving the carnival and a town infested with Goblins.
The novel is divided into two parts, with the first half set in the carnival and the second half focusing on Slim and his allies investigating and battling the Goblins.
#618
• Mentioned in 39 episodes
The Hunger Games
Suzanne Collins
Set in a post-apocalyptic North America known as Panem, The Hunger Games follows Katniss Everdeen, a 16-year-old girl from District 12, who volunteers to participate in the 74th Hunger Games to save her younger sister Prim.
Alongside Peeta Mellark, the other tribute from District 12, Katniss must use her hunting skills and wits to survive the arena.
The Games are a tool of oppression by the Capitol to remind the districts of their defeat in a past rebellion.
As Katniss and Peeta navigate the treacherous arena, they also manipulate the audience and sponsors to gain advantages, while sparking the beginnings of a rebellion against the Capitol's tyrannical rule.
#2900
• Mentioned in 12 episodes
Hamnet
Lolita Chakrabarti
Maggie O’Farrell
The novel is set in Warwickshire in the late 16th century and revolves around the life of Agnes, the wife of William Shakespeare, and their children.
It fictionalizes the events surrounding the death of their son Hamnet, who died of the plague in 1596 at the age of eleven.
The story delves into the grief and emotional turmoil faced by the family, especially Agnes, and how this tragedy influenced Shakespeare's writing, including his play 'Hamlet'.
The narrative alternates between different timelines, exploring Agnes's early life, her marriage, and the years following Hamnet's death.
The book is a poignant study of motherhood, childhood, and the depths of grief, offering a vivid portrayal of family life during the Tudor period.
#62860
The Postcard
Anne Berest
The Postcard begins in 2003 when Anne Berest's family receives an anonymous postcard listing the names of her maternal great-grandparents and their children, all killed at Auschwitz.
This sets off a journey to discover who sent the postcard and why, leading Anne to uncover the story of her ancestors' flight from Russia, their journeys through Latvia, Palestine, and Paris, and the devastating impact of the Holocaust on her family.
The novel is a meticulous account of the Rabinovitch family's life, involving detectives, handwriting analysts, and a powerful exploration of the occupation of France and systemic antisemitism during World War II.
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Shark Heart
null
Emily Hayback
#2197
• Mentioned in 16 episodes
Orbital
Samantha Harvey
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The Sentence
Louise Erdrich
The novel follows Tookie, an Ojibwe woman who, after being released from prison, works at a small independent bookstore haunted by the ghost of Flora, the store's most annoying customer.
The story spans from November 2019 to November 2020, incorporating the COVID-19 pandemic and the aftermath of George Floyd's murder.
It delves into issues of race, colonialism, the prison system, and the power of literature, while maintaining a balance of humor, warmth, and profound emotional depth.
#93
• Mentioned in 144 episodes
James
Percival Everett
Percival Everett's "James" is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that reimagines the classic tale of Huckleberry Finn from the perspective of Jim. Everett's writing is both sharp and witty, blending humor and pathos to create a compelling narrative.
The novel explores themes of race, freedom, and identity in a way that is both timely and timeless.
Everett's unique voice and perspective offer a fresh take on a familiar story, challenging readers to reconsider their assumptions about race and American history.
The novel's unexpected twists and turns keep readers engaged until the very end, leaving a lasting impression long after the final page is turned.
#5245
• Mentioned in 7 episodes
No Ordinary Time
Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, The Home Front in World War II
Doris Kearns Goodwin
Edward Herrmann
This book masterfully weaves together the story lines of Eleanor and Franklin’s marriage, Eleanor’s life as First Lady, and FDR’s White House, highlighting their impact on America and the world during World War II. It provides an intimate portrait of the Roosevelts and the era in which a new, modern America was born.
The book also explores their remarkable partnership, FDR’s political tactics, and the significant social and political changes they championed, including New Deal programs and steps toward racial equality.
#57745
The Assassin's Apprentice
Robin Hobb
We all know that book gifts are the best gifts, and today Anne is talking with a devoted reader who's come to the show looking for guidance on selecting great bookish gifts for the season to come.
Meredith Amadee lives in Tucson, Arizona, where she works as a wedding photographer and hosts a book club that's come to play a big part in her life. Every year, this book club hosts a book exchange for its members, and today Meredith would love recommendations that will be perfect for these special readers in her life.
She's on the hunt for backlist selections for her fellow members, and is looking for help in choosing the specific titles. She and Anne also talk more broadly about what makes a good literary gift. We hope this conversation might be just the inspiration and empowerment you need to find great gifts for the readers in your life, too.
Find the list of titles mentioned today and leave your ideas for Meredith's book club at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/502.
We've recently restocked our shop with our popular totes, hats, and our new custom journals in a variety of beautiful colors. We also have our usual selection of t-shirts, copies of my books that are always signed when you order from us, great stickers, buttons, and more. Check out what's new and what's back in stock at modernmrsdarcy.com/shop.
Help us celebrate a major milestone coming up in the new year by lending your voice and stories to a future episode. By November 23rd, please give us a call and tell us about a favorite book that you found through What Should I Read Next. To participate, call us at 502-627-0663 and leave us a short voicemail. Please call from a quiet place so we can hear everything you have to say and our listeners can hear you well on the show. We can't wait to learn about your literary discoveries.
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