What Should I Read Next?

Guest Sarah Butler, a librarian in Brooklyn, talks with the host about her love for all things hygge and winter. They discuss wintry books, the Scandinavian approach to the cold months, and creating cozy atmospheres at home. They also explore deep dives into children's literature authors and books with unique settings and character interactions.

Seattle-based journalist Reagan Jackson, co-executive director of Young Women Empowered, talks about her search for emotionally honest romance, her dislike for a popular classic, and the memoirs she can't get enough of. From exploring new genres like graphic novels to delving into diverse storytelling, Reagan seeks fresh book recommendations in this compelling and emotionally honest podcast conversation.

Natalie Nava, who experienced burnout, talks with Anne about reading as it relates to wintering and recovery. They discuss techniques for recovering from burnout and Anne suggests winter reading titles. They explore books with traumatic backstories, societal routines, complex relationships, and time travel.

Amy seeks help with her reading choices due to a budget change. They discuss reframing her selections, challenges in borrowing from libraries, and Amy's favorite books. They also explore a captivating young adult book about an extended Cherokee family, books that were not a good fit, and author Connie Willis. Finally, they discuss horror literature and recommend books from various genres.

You're likely familiar with the work of today's guest: literary agent Elisabeth Weed, of the boutique literary agency The Book Group. Elisabeth has had a hand in bringing you many recent popular titles, and today she and Anne talking about the current literary landscape.From the trends Elisabeth is seeing (and what they mean for readers and writers) to how TikTok continues to influence the book trade, they cover a lot of ground in today's conversation. Elisabeth also shares her predictions for 2024 and a few of the titles she’s most excited about for late 2023 and early 2024.Listen in for a good behind-the-scenes look at the factors shaping today’s literary offerings, plus a few choice book recommendations on titles you might otherwise miss.Find the full list of books mentioned today on our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/413.Our big Spring Book Preview is happening Thursday January 25 at 8:30pm EST. Access this fun live event by becoming a Patron, joining our Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club, or purchasing your a la carte ticket at modernmrsdarcy.com/sbp. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Anne shares her best books, favorite reads, and most memorable reading experiences of 2023. They discuss delightfully weird and offbeat books, dark humor in Silver Nitrate by Sylvia Moreno-Carcia, emotionally resonant memoirs, the dilemma of loving art despite troubling creator biographies, enjoyable audiobook experiences featuring Irish accents, and books like 'The Rachel Incident' by Caroline O'Donahue and 'Ensemble' by Asia Gable.

Guest Kim Hewlett, an avid reader who enjoys pairing books with the seasons, discusses her goal of reaching for the right books at just the right time. Anne recommends a whole bunch of books that take place during specific seasons and key moments, milestones, and holidays throughout the year. They explore time travel themes in books and discuss Richard Russo's novels. The episode also includes recommendations for summer reads and books perfect for different seasons.

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.