We all know that travel and reading go really well together. Today's guest, Dana Prescott, is looking for books to help prepare for her upcoming bucket list trip: she and her husband are taking ten weeks to travel to Australia and Southeast Asia next spring.Dana loves to travel, and she'll often learn more about her destinations beforehand by reading books that represent the countries in question. We got doubly excited about Dana's project here at What Should I Read Next? because not only does it sound amazing, but we also have a team member who is perfectly positioned to support Dana's reading request. Our media production specialist, Holly Wielkoszewski, has spent the last six months traveling through the very same countries Dana is making her big plans for. I invited Holly to join me today as guest recommender, and she has book ideas galore for Dana.Listen in to hear which books Dana will load her pre-travel to-be-read list with, and find the full list of titles mentioned at our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/410.If you're still on the hunt for a perfect gift for your favorite reader, gifting a reading journal might be just the ticket. We have two in our shop and out on bookshelves everywhere: My Reading Life, which is created for adults, and My Reading Adventures, designed for kids ages 8 to 12 (but used and loved by readers of all ages.) Order your copy of one or both journals wherever you like to buy your books, or order signed and even personalized copies from modernmrsdarcy.com/shop.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Author Ariel Lawhon joins Anne to discuss her new release The Frozen River and how her books have aligned with literary trends. They explore the challenges of writing biographical fiction, the importance of stories with seasoned female protagonists, and share their favorite captivating books.

Allison Virtue, a book lover from Los Angeles, aims to read a book written by an author from every country. She discusses her global reading project with Anne, who offers tips and recommendations. They also explore a magical murder mystery book called 'Alatsoa' and discuss global science fiction and fantasy books. The podcast also mentions bookish merch and sponsors like Purina and Rakuten.

Patty Brown loves knitting and reading but struggles to find books that capture her attention. Anne helps her find the right books and techniques to feel more comfortable in bookstores. They discuss Patty's love for knitting, outdoor activities in Bend, Oregon, and the impact of knitting on her reading habits. They also talk about supporting bookstores, making informed book choices, and Patty's favorite books and reading experiences. Anne recommends a fun spy novel and discusses cycling books.

In this holiday gift picks episode, the team recommends books for kids of different ages, young readers, and for gift exchanges. There are also recommendations for fantasy, sci-fi, and YA fantasy series, as well as suggestions for US history books and classics. The speaker shares book recommendations on World War II and the Holocaust, introduces sponsors, and discusses cookbooks and nature-focused books.

Grace, an avid reader who enjoys fall reading with a dose of magic, talks about her love for books with a darker twist or magical flair. The podcast explores the pleasure of reading about struggles and discovering oneself. They discuss specific books, genres like dark academia and fantasy, and the desire to find great audiobooks for a long commute.

Katherine Kwong, a reader from Nashville, wants to discover go-to authors and explore outside her comfort zone. Anne helps her with fresh perspectives on reading choices and shares relevant book titles. They discuss the joy of German longsword, the importance of go-to authors, and analyze books like 'The World We Make' and 'Piranesi'. Katherine's desire to find consistent authors and explore lesser-known works is addressed with book recommendations in various genres.

A devoted nonfiction reader is struggling to find her way in the fiction section, and Anne is here to help.Amye Day Ong, who lives in Dallas, Texas, with her husband and young children, knows how to find the nonfiction titles that she won't be able to put down. But when it comes to fiction, Amye feels lost.Amye would love to better understand why she might like or dislike a certain fiction title before she picks it up. She's hoping to gain some insight so that she can better tell in advance which titles will turn out to suit her readerly taste, instead of her current approach of hauling a whole range of titles home from the library.Amye and Anne take a closer look at common elements of the fiction picks that have worked well for Amye in the past, and Anne offers some tips for the future, along with recommendations for specific fiction titles Amye might enjoy reading next.Find the full list of titles discussed today at our show notes page, whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/403. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ellen Harry, a lover of immersive reading experiences and adventures, discusses with Anne stories that provide escape and adventure. Anne suggests riveting reads that satisfy Ellen's adventurous spirit.

Jenea Lyles, a full-time graduate student and horror movie fan, joins the show discussing her interest in spine-tingling and scary reads for the fall. They explore different genres, including fantasy horror, and recommend books like 'The Haunting of Hill House' and 'The Library at Mount Char'. They also discuss Octavia Butler's 'Parable of the Sower' and share their enthusiasm for the Halloween season. The episode concludes with book recommendations and gratitude towards the guest.