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What Should I Read Next?: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Anne Bogel
What Should I Read Next? is the show for every reader who has ever finished a book and faced the problem of not knowing what to read next. Each week, Anne Bogel, of the blog Modern Mrs Darcy, interviews a reader about the books they love, the books they hate, and the books they're reading now. Then, she makes recommendations about what to read next. The real purpose of the show is to help YOU find your next read.
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- Yesterday1h 13m
Ep 548: Reading more broadly in order to give better book recommendations
Today's guest is living out a reality many in our audience have dreamed of. Jeff Wheeldon is on the path to bookstore ownership, and will soon be the proud owner of Brighton, Ontario's Lighthouse Books. Jeff is thrilled about this new career path, but as an avid reader of science fiction and fantasy, he is feeling a little bit nervous about recommending titles in genres he doesn't often reach for. Jeff's an involved member of his community and an active councilman in Brighton, where he lives with his librarian wife and two kids. Like many readers, Jeff turned to comfort reading as a way to recover from burnout during the pandemic, and since then he's been hesitant to dip his toes back into the kinds of literary fiction that, as he wrote in his submission, just doesn't feel safe right now. Jeff wants to read more broadly, but without making the world feel harder. He also wants to be able to connect with readers who enter his bookstore about books that exist in a wide range of genres, and he'd love to find a few new right-for-him reads that might be categorized as literary, contemporary, or upmarket fiction. Jeff is thinking there must be a way to expand his reading into these genres in a way that still feels comfortable. Today Anne aims to recommend specific titles that will help him do so. Find the list of titles discussed today at our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com. Whether you're starting to think about end-of-year gifting or you're shopping for the perfect gift for any occasion, we always think a reading journal makes a perfect selection. Our shop is full of a wide assortment of colors of our Leuchtturm 1917 custom ampersand journal, as well as Anne's reading journals that are custom-created for readers of all ages. Our Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club members save 10% off all shop orders. Find out more and see all of our accessories, books, and apparel at modernmrsdarcy.com/shop. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- 2 weeks ago1h 0m
Ep. 547: The life cycle of the publishing calendar and how our team buys books
Today we're shining a light on our Patreon community and the types of conversations that happen over there every Friday, as we feature three popular Patreon bonus episodes that give you a taste of what we do every week in that community. We're kicking off today's episode with a fan favorite bonus from our ongoing Industry Insight series, before sharing a recent bonus conversation among members of our Modern Mrs. Darcy and What Should I Read Next? team. Our team members often pair up to talk about readerly topics of interest in our Patreon community, and this fascinating and delightfully detailed conversation about how our team members approach buying books sparked a lot of great conversations. Finally, we'll close with a favorite episode of One Great Book, a series where either Anne or a member of our team tells you all about a book we love from our own shelves, usually in about 10 minutes or less. If you'd like more bookish conversations and bonus episodes like the ones you heard today, come and join us on Patreon. Our members at the Bonuses & Events or All-Inclusive tiers enjoy weekly bonus episodes like these, as well as access to our marquee events, like our recent Fall Book Preview Unboxing, and our upcoming Team's Best Books of the Year event coming in January 2027. Find out more and sign up at patreon.com/whatshouldireadnext. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- 3 weeks ago1h 6m
Ep 546: What does it mean to be well-read?
Today Anne is joined by two readers to discuss what it means to be well-read these days, and why it’s a concept worth exploring. Rebecca Schinsky and Jeff O’Neal of the Book Riot podcast Zero to Well-Read are Anne's guests today. Together with Anne, they explore how each of them thinks about what it means to be well-read, and how their personal working definitions have evolved over the years. The reading life is a journey, and today's conversation goes beyond what being well-read and reading well means: it also explores the ways that deciding what well-read means to you can help you cultivate readerly satisfaction, combat distraction, and even build community. Find out more and see the links and titles mentioned today on our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com. Our new Patreon Ad-Free Episodes tier makes it possible for you to receive ad-free episodes right in your regular podcast feed for just $5 a month. We’d love to have you join us on Patreon: find out more and sign up today at patreon.com/whatshouldireadnext. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- 4 weeks ago56 min
Ep. 545: Books that just WORK for me
Reading in retirement has given today’s guest more time to explore what makes a book "click" for her, and she's joining Anne today to talk all about it. Debbie Day lives in the Nashville area, where she’s enjoying settling into retirement and empty nesting. This chapter of life is giving her more time for travel, dancing, cooking, spending time with friends and family, and of course, reading. The extra time to reflect on her reading life has led Debbie to discover an unexpected common thread among her favorite books: an interesting structure. Now that she’s homed in on this element, Debbie is on the hunt for more such books—but she’s not sure where to look. As a fellow structure nerd, Anne has ideas for Debbie. Find the list of titles discussed today and leave your suggestions for Debbie on our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com. We’ve been thrilled to hear from so many of you that you’re loving this year’s Fall Book Preview lookbook. This smaller-format, analog booklet invites you to dig into Anne's selections for this season’s most anticipated books. Find out more and get your copy while supplies last at modernmrsdarcy.com/fbp. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- Sep 29, 20261h 19m
Ep. 544: Supremely talk-about-able books to fuel your book club conversations
Anne is back with the latest episode in a new-ish series in which she invites a team member to join her in recommending titles for a guest. Today Anne is joined by Patreon community manager Shannan Malone as they chat with Lindsey Bloodworth. Lindsey is a mom to two boys who lives in Homewood, Alabama. She's found joy and community in a mom's workout group that she's managed to turn into a book club, as well as through another book club at her local indie bookstore. Lindsey would love to hear ideas for books her community of moms would enjoy reading and discussing together. Lindsey's found that having other moms to chat with through all of life's small and big moments has been really important to her, and she's enjoyed using books to spark these conversations. Shannan also lives in Alabama and in a prior life ran the Rocket City Mom Virtual Book Club for 10 years, where they read over 60 books together. So when she saw Lindsey's query, Shannan knew she had ideas to share. Today, she and Anne will see what types of books they can put on Lindsey's reading radar that might make for great conversations with either one of her book clubs. Find the list of titles discussed today and share your suggestions for Lindsey by leaving a comment on our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com. We’ve had some big changes lately over on Patreon. We launched our new Ad-Free Episodes Tier, which delivers weekly episodes of What Should I Read Next? without the ads. We also rolled out our Patreon All-Inclusive Tier, which includes everything we do on Patreon: our weekly bonus episodes, live events like our Fall Book Preview and Summer Reading Guide Unboxing, and weekly ad-free episodes of WSIRN. If you’re a patron: thank you! If not, consider joining us: check out the options and sign up for a monthly or annual membership at patreon.com/whatshouldireadnext. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- Sep 22, 202644 min
Ep. 543: Behind the scenes of Fall Book Preview 2026
Today, Anne is talking all things fall books with our executive producer, Will Bogel. They'll discuss the 2026 Fall Book Preview, which came out last Thursday, September 17th. In their conversation, Will and Anne will bring you behind the scenes as they talk about where the idea came from, when it started, how it's changed, what's happening this year, and why. Find out more and share your comments on our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com. Our Fall Book Preview was released last Thursday, which means you can now get yours at modernmrsdarcy.com/FBP. Members of our Patreon community in the Bonuses & Events or All-Inclusive tiers get the Fall Book Preview as an included membership perk. This is a great time to become a member, not only for the Fall Book Preview, but also our upcoming bonus episodes and our team's Best Books of the Year, coming up in just a few months. Find out more at modernmrsdarcy.com/FBP. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- Sep 15, 20261h 7m
Ep 542: The delight of a reading rabbit hole
Today's guest wants to experience the satisfaction of engaging in what she calls meaningful reading more often, but she finds herself easily distracted by the new and shiny. Jane Baldwin has ideas for different reading projects but has gotten overwhelmed by the possible options, and would love Anne's help navigating these roadblocks. Jane lives with her husband and two dogs in St. Louis, where she's an accounting manager by day and a devoted gardener and Dungeons & Dragons regular by night. Lately, Jane is attempting to fill some gaps she's identified in her American literature reading to date, but she's finding herself stalling out. In hopes of boosting her enthusiasm for this project, Jane would love to identify clusters of books that can be in conversation with each other. Today Anne will aim to identify both contemporary and classic options that will provide interest and context to some of Jane's older picks. Along the way, they notice how much some of Jane's chosen shiny and new books have in common with these older titles she's been less excited to read. Share your ideas for Jane and find the list of titles mentioned today on our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com. Readers, the coming fall weather means sweatshirts will soon be back in our team's wardrobe rotation, and we're especially partial to our MMD Sorority Sweatshirt, tailor-made for your fall activities on or off campus. Choose from a crimson or blue jean colored comfort color sweatshirt adorned with navy felt applique letters and white stitching. Order your fall sweatshirt and shop our refreshed for fall collection of bookish merch at modernmrsdarcy.com/shop. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
- Sep 8, 20261h 5m
Ep 541: Books that foster a sense of warmth and good conversation
When today's guest felt something shift in her reading life, she found herself turning to other forms of entertainment instead of the books she typically enjoys. Jacquelyn Duggan isn't thrilled with this substitution, and came to Anne for help in figuring out what's changed and what she can do about it. Jacquelyn is joining Anne from her home in Richmond, Virginia. In addition to reading, she enjoys being outside and working in her flower garden, with a special appreciation for her zinnias and roses. Today Jacquelyn and Anne explore what’s going on with her reading life right now, and Anne shares ideas to help Jacquelyn get back to reading the types of books she's been missing lately. They also discuss the one element of Jacquelyn's reading life that hasn't changed throughout this experience: her love for a great coffee table book. Find the list of titles discussed today on our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com. Our Fall Book Preview is coming up soon on September 17, and this year we’re featuring a new option to purchase a compact printed booklet to complement your Fall Book Preview experience. We’re calling it our lookbook. It's been thoughtfully designed in a small format and is pleasantly packed with bookish goodness for the literary season to come along with backlist recommendations perfect for fall from our team. If you’ve already purchased your a la carte ticket, or you’re a member of our Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club, Patreon All-Inclusive, or Patreon Bonuses & Events Tiers, then you’re all set to receive the digital guide and attend our live Unboxing. If you’d enjoy a little analog delight along with, or instead of, those digital experiences, we think you’ll really love the lookbook. Find out more and select the Fall Book Preview experience that’s right for you at modernmrsdarcy.com/fbp Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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About What Should I Read Next?
What Should I Read Next? is the show for every reader who has ever finished a book and faced the problem of not knowing what to read next. Each week, Anne Bogel, of the blog Modern Mrs Darcy, interviews a reader about the books they love, the books they hate, and the books they're reading now. Then, she makes recommendations about what to read next. The real purpose of the show is to help YOU find your next read.
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