What Should I Read Next?

The hosts reflect on their midyear reading journeys, discussing what’s worked and what hasn’t in their literary lives. They emphasize the importance of intentional reading goals and the emotional connections books create. Personal anecdotes about life changes, like welcoming a puppy, blend with insights on balancing reading with self-care. Notable titles and unexpected favorites are spotlighted, along with practical tips for summer gatherings. Listeners are encouraged to evaluate their reading preferences and share their experiences.

Chelsea Siler, an early childhood special education teacher from Tacoma, shares her quest for the perfect summer reads that bring joy and escape. She discusses her love for immersive, character-driven stories and how childhood experiences shape her reading preferences. The conversation dives into the balance of teaching and outdoor adventures like bike camping, emphasizing the transformative power of deeply engaging narratives. Recommendations for impactful books highlight themes of identity, relationships, and the beauty of slow, mindful reading.

We often discuss auto-buy authors and completist authors around here, and today's guest is a completist on a mission to discover her new favorite summer author.  Stephanie Edwards-Gass is a seventh-grade English teacher and an Elin Hilderbrand completist. For years, she's turned to Hilderbrand's novels for summer reading satisfaction. She's read (and reread) every book in Hilderbrand's catalog, but now that there aren't any new Nantucket books to look forward to, Stephanie's on the hunt for a new go-to summer author that scratches the same itch. She's looking for stories with complex characters, a strong sense of place, lots of juicy details, and often salacious scandals.  Stephanie's already done a lot of legwork here and has a really good idea of what has and hasn't worked for her so far. Today she and Anne talk about which author (or authors) might fill this gap in Stephanie's summer reading plan. See the long list of titles mentioned today and leave your suggestions for Stephanie at our show notes page, at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/483. Thanks to all of you who have joined us lately in our Patreon community: we could not make this show without you. If you haven't joined us yet, it's an easy way to show your support for our show and financially support the work we're doing. When you sign up, you get immediate access to the 2025 Summer Reading Guide, our unboxing video, and bonus episodes like the books Anne read and really loved but didn't include in the Guide, and of course all of our archives and the new bonus episodes we're creating this summer. To sign up and get started, go to patreon.com/whatshouldireadnext. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Noelle Leong, a science and medicine-focused librarian with a passion for marine science, dives into the world of ocean-themed literature. She shares her love for books that capture the essence of the sea, exploring everything from pop science to narratives featuring complex relationships set against oceanic backdrops. The conversation also touches on the transformative power of reading, emotional connections to ocean motifs, and insightful recommendations that highlight both fiction and nonfiction related to the vast and mysterious ocean.

Join Evan Carlson, a Chicago-based actor and poet, as he dives into the search for fiction that resonates like the nonfiction he adores. He shares his unique relationship with reading and challenges he's faced to find engaging narratives. From poetry's transformative power to the intersection of storytelling and performance, Evan reflects on his artistic journey and the impacts of modern distractions on reading habits. The conversation also spotlights thought-provoking titles like 'Poetry, a Survivor's Guide' and 'Bluettes,' bridging emotions and reflections.

Tynisha Coleman, a leadership development coach and sci-fi/fantasy enthusiast from New Jersey, dives into her desire for emotionally resonant and escapist reads. She discusses how books that tackle tough themes must serve a purpose without overwhelming readers. Tynisha shares her journey as a reader and her involvement in the Morristown Festival of Books. The conversation also highlights captivating titles like 'The Night Circus' and emphasizes the magic of storytelling while seeking literature that encourages personal growth and connection.

Elise Brancheau, a New Jersey-based classical singer and reading-planning enthusiast, chats about the fine art of balancing new releases with timeless backlist gems. She shares her strategies for incorporating shiny summer titles without derailing her meticulously crafted reading plans. The conversation also highlights managing anxiety through literature and offers a treasure trove of summer book recommendations, from lesser-known backlist reads to contemporary family sagas, all while reflecting on the evolving landscape of personal literary tastes.

Discover the highlights of the upcoming Summer Reading Guide! Delve into heartfelt family sagas with unique narratives like 'The Bright Years' and 'Run for the Hills.' Enjoy a whimsical road trip adventure featuring quirky half-siblings on a journey of self-discovery and humor. The guide promises 35 diverse books, complete with must-read releases and a road trip theme, perfect for planning your summer reads. Tune in for insights and behind-the-scenes fun from a lively unboxing celebration!

Will Bogel, Anne's husband and fellow book lover, joins the discussion to share behind-the-scenes insights into the creation of the 2025 Summer Reading Guide. They reflect on the guide's evolution and the joy of curating seasonal reading lists. The conversation dives into how summer reading ideas blossomed from a road trip and the importance of community feedback in shaping their selections. With playful banter, they express excitement for this summer's anticipated reads and innovative approaches to exploring diverse storytelling.

Reading projects take all shapes and sizes, and today's guest has set a goal to read all the Women's Prize for Fiction shortlists and winners. Today, Anne is talking books with Kathryn, who lives on the island of Okinawa, Japan, with her military husband and energetic golden retriever. Kathryn works for a nonprofit and spends her leisure time reading, knitting, or walking on the beach close to their home. Since Kathryn's project is an ambitious one, she's come up with a strategy of reading one year at a time, though not necessarily in chronological order. Today she and Anne talk about which years or titles she may want to bump to the top of her read-next list. They also touch on reading project fatigue and ways Kathryn can truly enjoy the process of reaching her reading goal. Find the list of titles mentioned today and share your reading and project recommendations for Kathryn by leaving a comment over at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/476. Our 2025 Summer Reading Guide is nearly here: we'll be gathering on May 15th for our live unboxing party. Get your RSVP and digital guide by joining our Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club or Patreon community, or purchase an a la carte ticket. Join us to kick of summer reading season: get the details at modernmrsdarcy.com/srg. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices