What Should I Read Next?

A lively live Q&A replay where Anne fields a wide range of reader questions from the Patreon community. They celebrate ten years of literary matchmaking, trace the podcast’s origins, and share behind-the-scenes stories about growing the site and team. Expect quick-fire reading habits, favorite surprising books, ARC life, managing book clutter, and cozy personal anecdotes.

Janae Mast, a stay-at-home mom from Kansas and audiobook enthusiast, shares her passion for immersive audio classics that capture her attention while balancing motherhood. She describes her journey back to reading through audiobooks and discusses the unique challenges of postpartum listening. The conversation explores which classics are best suited for audio, including favorites like 'Jane Eyre' and recommendations such as 'Watership Down' and 'Their Eyes Were Watching God,' all aimed at enriching her literary experience.

At the end of last year, you heard us ask for your help to create this celebratory episode. For ten years now, you've been telling us how this show has bolstered your reading life, and in some cases, completely transformed it. We don't just talk book titles here: we love diving deep into conversations that explore why we love what we love, why some books just don't work for us, and importantly, what it all means in our reading lives.  We firmly believe that the reason this format works, week in and week out, is that we are constantly together, finding the universal in the specific. While each week Anne gets granular with a reader about their highly unique and individual reading life, the conversation gives you a framework by which to think about your own reading life. For today's show, we wanted to celebrate what What Should I Read Next? has done for your reading lives, and specifically, we wanted to hear what good books you found through the show. With that in mind, we asked you to call in and tell us about a title you discovered, or finally made time to read, because of the show. Your messages poured in, and our team so enjoyed listening to and reading them. Today, you'll hear a collection of oft-repeated themes, a few surprises, and a whole bunch of delightful reading moments.  As always, we've collected all the titles, plus links to the episodes mentioned by our readers, you'll hear from today over on our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/509. If you didn't have a chance to call in with your title, or you'd like to share your reading memory, it's never too late to talk about a book you love. We would love it if you'd leave a comment with your best, favorite, most memorable books and moments at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com. A few weeks from now, we are airing a special episode of Ask Anne Anything, and we are inviting members of our Patreon community to submit their questions and join Anne live for this episode recording. If you'd like to be there as it happens and or share your burning questions in advance, you can do that by joining us over on Patreon, where you will also unlock immediate access to our full archive of bonus episodes, past summer and seasonal guides, and special membership events like our team's best books of the year. Find out more and join us at patreon.com/whatshouldireadnext. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Celebrate a year of literary gems as Anne shares her favorite books from 2025! Discover how she defines 'best' reads with surprising emotional depth. Enjoy highlights like the unconventional structure of 'Ling' and the soulful reflections in 'A Physical Education.' From heartwarming family sagas to laugh-out-loud titles, there's something for every reader. Get a sneak peek of exciting 2026 releases and join the discussion about what made this past year unforgettable in the world of books.

The team reflects on their reading journeys from the past year, sharing surprises like a vampire book streak and unexpected favorites that reignited their literary passion. They discuss the challenges of buddy reads and how personal circumstances, such as recovery from cancer, influenced their choices. Tips like prioritizing TBR lists and matching book formats to personal preferences emerge. The excitement for new authors leads to a treasure trove of five-star reads, setting a hopeful tone for the future.

Join Callie Dean, a children’s book author and violinist from Shreveport, Louisiana, as she shares her creative reading challenge for 2026. Callie details her plan to read one book for each letter of the alphabet, diving into the intriguing rules and challenges this presents. She explores how structured limits can enhance reading experiences, while also maintaining a flexible approach to her selections. The conversation sparkles with exciting book recommendations and insights into her favorite reads, like 'Station Eleven' and cozy fantasies.

Kate Mosesso, a Chicago-based reader and improv comedian, shares her unique journey of reading books recommended by loved ones since 2021. She reflects on the power of connections through literature and considers adding a new twist to her project for 2026, potentially involving celebrity recommendations. Kate faces the challenge of finding 'best in class' books amidst genre saturation, all while desiring stories that resonate with her tastes. Dive into her favorites, distinctive recommendations, and the joys of community-inspired reading!

Laura Howard, an Atlanta faculty developer and part-time professor, reveals her journey in discovering her preference for factual historical narratives over historical fiction. She shares her reading habits, which include audiobooks and engaging with her book club. Discussing her desire to fill gaps in her historical knowledge, Laura expresses a keen interest in concise nonfiction. The conversation includes exciting recommendations like 'The Ghost Map' and 'Tunnel 29,' both exploring captivating historical moments.

Breaking into a new genre can feel intimidating. Today Anne is talking with a reader who is keen to explore cozy mysteries, but isn't sure where to begin. Amber Richcreek lives in Bellingham, Washington with her family, where she’s a pre-k teacher and enjoys baking and photography in her spare time. She’s also a lifelong reader and a fan of emotional, character-driven contemporary fiction.  Lately Amber’s been intrigued by the cozy mystery genre, but when she turns to the internet for tips on where to start, she’s quickly overwhelmed. Amber would love to get acquainted with this genre and better understand how to navigate it as a new reader in this space, and Anne is here to help. We also know that many readers are drawn to cozy titles this time of year, so it feels like a great time to explore the various subgenres of cozy mystery. Find the titles mentioned today and leave your recommendations for Amber on our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/503. Our shop is full of both new and returning favorites right now. Our much-loved tote bag makes a great gift—or gift-wrapping—for your favorite reader. Plus we have our new collection of Leuchtturm 1917 embossed journals in custom colors selected by our team along with t-shirts and stickers, signed copies of Anne's books, buttons and pencils, and more. Check it all out at modernmrsdarcy.com/shop and if you’re ordering for holiday delivery, please place your order as early as you can. There's still time to call and share your stories for our upcoming episode. To tell us about a favorite title you discovered thanks to What Should I Read Next, please call us by November 23 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 listen to your messages. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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.