What Should I Read Next?
What Should I Read Next? is a weekly podcast hosted by Anne Bogel, author of the blog Modern Mrs Darcy. Each episode features an interview with a reader about their reading tastes, including books they love, hate, and are currently reading. Anne then provides personalized book recommendations to help listeners discover their next great read. The show aims to solve the common problem of not knowing what to read after finishing a book.
Episodes
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.
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.
T
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
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 commen
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 sh
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 enj
Ep 540: Please save me from my library holds
Today's guest is recently retired and is excited to have more time to read in this chapter of life. She wants to find good books and, in particular, long books that she can really sink into, but her library holds keep wreaking havoc with her well-laid plans. When Amy Czuba wrote into our submissions page with this plea for help, Anne could not say no.
After wrapping up her career as a globa
Ep 539: Our team's best books of summer (Part 2)
Last week you heard part one of our team’s selections for their best books of summer. And as promised, today we’re back with another round of book talk.
In today’s episode, you’ll hear from Executive Producer Will Bogel, Community Coordinator Brigid Misselhorn, Community Manager Shannan Malone, and Media Production Specialist Holly Wielkoszewski.
As with last week, today’s team members represent
Ep 538: Our team's best books of summer (Part 1)
For years now, our team members have joined Anne on the podcast in late summer to share the books they’ve been loving most this season. Last year, we split this conversation into two episodes: we heard really positive feedback, so that’s what we’re doing again this year.
In today’s episode, the first in our two part series, Anne is in conversation with three of our team members: our R
Ep 537: Tackling a tower of unread ebooks
We hear from many readers who set reading goals informed by their to-be-read stacks, whether physical or digital. Today's guest has a specific and relatable goal of making progress through her library of already purchased ebooks.
Danielle Petrie lives and works in the Canadian prairies, where she enjoys swing dancing, outdoor activities, and reading. Historically, it's been important to Danielle
Ep 536: Classic novels ripe for discussion (and excursions to pair with them)
If you’ve ever felt intimated by old books, or haven’t been sure you’re reading them “correctly”, it is NOT just you. We regularly hear from readers seeking tips and advice on how to read the classics.
Earlier this season New Yorker Lizzey McFarlin sent us her guest submission asking for help to approach the classics in a different way. She’d been trying to read them the way she’d approach any
Ep 535: Branching out thanks to a book bingo challenge
Today's guest is a Kentucky neighbor who has both a specific reading project and a dilemma we know is shared by many readers. Emily Holladay is a pastor in Frankfort, Kentucky, where she lives with her family. As a newish mom, Emily is still finding her outside-of-parenthood hobbies, but reading has been a constant throughout her life.
Emily's a member of a book club at Carmichael's Bookstore, wh
Ep 534: Writing stories of hope, and a timely Odyssey discussion
Today we're sharing a conversation with an author who has been discussed often here on the podcast: William Kent Krueger.
We originally held this author talk over in Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club, and which we're sharing with you today as we explore Krueger's book This Tender Land.
This conversation feels especially timely and has been on our minds and on our tongues, as This Tender Land was
Ep 533: Midyear reading check-in
Today Anne is joined by our Patreon Community Manager, Shannan Malone for a third year as they dive into their reading lives for a midyear check-in.
We know this is a conversation that many of you have come to look forward to every year. Anne has been reflecting and planning for this episode for a long time, and she's excited about what Shannan is bringing to share today. You'll hear about wh
Ep 532: Backlist gems: still the wildest way we've heard to choose what to read next
We often talk about backlist books around here because there is a wealth of delight to be found in titles that aren't getting the buzz and attention of recent releases. In fact, one of our most frequent requests from listeners and prospective guests is "help me find backlist gems."
We are riffing on that theme by sharing a backlist episode with you: today Anne is resurfacing a conversation that w
Ep 531: Seeking light but not fluffy summer reads for a good escape
Today's guest is navigating a tough season, and as a result she is looking forward to a summer of books with heart that won't be too emotionally draining. Kayla Crum is searching for what she calls light but not fluffy reads, and she's not exactly sure where to find the types of titles she's looking for.
Kayla's an RN and freelance writer living in Grand Haven, Michigan, where she enjoys making t
Ep 530: Nothing holds my attention like a romance
Anne dives into the world of beach reads with Kristina Forest, contemporary romance writer and author of the 2026 MMD Summer Reading Guide title, The Summer Girlfriend.
In the Guide, Anne described it as a sweet summer romance bursting with bookishness and baked goods. The beach setting was inspired by a handful of real places and Kristina's deep and abiding love for the Jersey Shore. Anne and Kr
Ep 529: A short summer project to rebuild reading stamina
We love a summer reading project of any style, and when Anne read the submission from today's guest and her quest for what she is calling a short summer of reading, she wanted to talk about it on the show.
Emily Henderson is a mom of four, writer, and runner with a passion for home design, and she loves a project. While Emily came to reading later in life, she's found through trial and error what
Ep 528: What should I read this summer?
Every year we remind readers that our Summer Reading Guide isn't a list of books you should read, it's a list of books you could read. Today's guest knows that reading is personal, and that's why she's here to get Anne's help figuring out which titles from the 2026 Guide she should prioritize.
Ashley Cornelius lives in Santa Barbara with her family, where she's a high school science teacher. As
Ep 527: The perfect books for readers fascinated by museums, art, and the creative process
Today's book lover is seeking a literary doorway into the creative world of art and museums.
Kristine Parsons doesn't have an art background. She works as a county road commission manager in Michigan, yet she is fascinated by art and museums, and finds herself drawn to immersive and engaging stories that incorporate one or both elements into the story.
Kristine loves to travel and visit museums
Ep 526: Anne unboxes the 2026 Minimalist Summer Reading Guide
This week, Anne is sharing an excerpt from our 2026 Summer Reading Guide Live Unboxing. To mark our 15th Guide, we’re inviting you to listen in as she tells you all about this year's Minimalist Picks.
During our Summer Reading Guide Unboxing, Anne goes through every book and tells you why out of the hundreds of books she considered for the Guide that year, these are the ones she landed on. What m
Ep 525: Get ready for a reading retreat
I am delighted to welcome our Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club Community Manager, Ginger Horton, back to the show to talk about this year's 15th annual Summer Reading Guide and dive into all things summer reading.
Ginger has been collaborating on the Guide for many years now, and she played an integral role in selecting our 2026 reading retreat theme. As you'll hear today, she's also the reason we star
Ep 524: Short books that still feel substantial
Today Anne is talking books with Lee Weick, a Michigan-dwelling former teacher and grandmother who knows that variety keeps her reading life going.
Lee loves big, long books and is most satisfied with her reading life when she's reading those big books on a regular basis. But as you will hear, Lee has learned that the rhythms of her reading life also require a nice, steady supply of books on the
Ep 523: Some people read the Great Books, so why not me?
After completing a classics reading project, today's guest really wants to keep her reading momentum while also bringing more non-classics back into her reading life.
Today we're trying something new and inviting a team member alongside Anne to help tackle one reader-specific reading dilemma. As you'll hear today, Anne couldn't help but notice that guest Cheryl Drury's tastes and recent reading
Ep 522: Keeping things light in my reading life
We often hear from readers who wish to avoid heavier topics in their reading lives, and today Anne is talking with a guest hunting for books that feel light, warm, and stimulating, but not overly stressful.
Angela Frith hails from Lexington, North Carolina, where she works as a K-12 curriculum developer and is a member of our Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club and What Should I Read Next? Patreon commun
Ep 521: Everything L.M. Montgomery and how to build a deeper reading roster
Many of you will well understand our team's excitement when we saw today's guest submission land in our inboxes. Today, Anne is talking with Kate Scarth, chair of L.M. Montgomery Studies at the University of Prince Edward Island.
They discuss Kate's work as well as some of Kate's favorite Montgomery retellings and homages, but their main focus today is on Kate's reading life. She's interested in
Ep 520: Why are so many promising-sounding titles not working for me?
Today's guest would love to add more four and five-star picks to her reading list and she's curious about techniques that might help get her there.
Kelly Krause is a first grade teacher who lives in Northwest Arkansas with her family. When Kelly discovers a winning author, it feels like a slam dunk to read the rest of their work. But when it comes to branching out in new directions, Kelly is no
Ep 519: Let's plan a Read the USA project
We hear about all different kinds of reading challenges around here, and today's guest is seeking titles to help mark the 250th anniversary of the United States.
Mary Pogue lives in St. Louis with her family, where she enjoys her work as a digital marketing strategist and her hobbies like coaching field hockey, traveling, and of course, reading.
This year, Mary's embarking on a challenge she i
Ep 518: Striking a feel-good balance in your reading life
Indie bookstore owner Nikkya joins Anne today to talk about the pain points in her reading life.
Nikkya reads widely for her work as owner of Obodo Serendipity Books in Stratford, Connecticut. She is most at home as a reader in her go-to nonfiction spaces, where she knows what she likes and is able to find it.
After having a real aha moment six months ago, Nikkya has been trying to strike a del
Ep 517: Seeking contemporary novels to complement Jane Austen classics
It's no secret that we are fans of Jane Austen, completist author aspirations, and reading projects of all stripes. So when Tzipi Turner's guest submission landed in our What Should I Read Next? inbox, we could not wait to invite her on and talk about her project to become a Jane Austen completist herself.
Tzipi lives in Phoenix, Arizona, where she works as the director of special education for a
Ep 516: Don't overthink your buddy reads
Today's guest is looking for titles to help bridge the large geographic gap between her and her sister.
Ruth Werwai hails from Vancouver, Canada, but she's lived in Germany with her family for over a decade. Recently, she and her sister have created a book club of two. They've found that reading books together helps them feel close even while they're physically far apart. But when it comes to fi
Ep 515: I can't read all the books, and that's okay
Bookshelf overwhelm is a common concern around here, so we know today's conversation will resonate with many readers.
Our guest today is Holly Dyer, whose name might be familiar if you're a member of our book club or Patreon communities, because Holly is an active member of both. Holly's a mom and classical musician from Massachusetts, and she's no stranger to a good book.
Lately, though, Holl
Ep 514: Seeking heartwarming, oh-so-discussable reads
We often hear from book club members who are interested in finding the right picks for their reading groups. Today Anne explores a deliciously fun twist on this idea with guest Madeline Janney, an early intervention speech therapist with a unique community-based hobby you'll hear more about today.
This year, Madeline and her mom are forming a book club of two in their hometown of New Orleans. And
Ep 513: Maggie O’Farrell on writing for the page and screen
Readers, we have a special episode for you today: Anne is talking with one of her favorite authors, Maggie O'Farrell.
They're not just talking about one book, one film, or one story today; instead, their conversation explores the creative process, and why certain stories resonate both broadly and individually. They discuss emotional resonance and joy and sorrow and pain, and bringing worlds to l
Ep 512: I'm looking for 5-star stunners
Today's guest has been on a long run of three or three-and-a-half-star reads. This isn't bad, but it's not what she's looking for, so she and Anne dive into this conundrum together.
Meredith Wiggins works in library services from her hometown of Lawrence, Kansas, which means she is well-versed in recommending books to readers and finding great titles for herself.
Lately, though, Meredith has str
Ep 511: Ask Anne Anything: 10 Year Anniversary Edition
Across the years, we've periodically hosted Ask Anne Anything events in our Patreon community, and today you're hearing a replay of our latest gathering. These live events invite our Patreon community members to submit their burning questions, and Anne does her best to answer as many of them as she can.
As we continue to mark 10 years of this podcast and all the books and reading talk we've enjoy
Ep 510: Finding classics that shine on audio
Our guest today is searching for classics in audio format, with narration that brings stories and characters alive.
Janae Mast lives in small town, Kansas, where she's a stay-at-home mom to her young son and looking forward to the arrival of her second child this spring. Janae's found that the audio format works especially well for her in this season of life, and she's here to get ideas for class
Ep 509: Your favorite book discoveries from 10 years of WSIRN
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, w
Ep 508: Anne's Best Books of 2025
We're kicking off 2026 and a year of exciting milestones today! On January 12th, we are celebrating 10 years of our podcast: we'll be sharing a few special podcast episodes to mark this moment. And as you'll hear today, as we move into the rest of 2026, there is plenty more to celebrate.
While today's episode isn't technically part of our anniversary celebrations, it's become an annual tradition
Ep 507: Our team recaps our 2025 reading year
As we wrap up our ninth year together, Anne invites our What Should I Read Next? team members to join her and share insight into what the past twelve months have meant in each of their reading lives.
This episode borrows from a long-time tradition on Modern Mrs Darcy, the blog where every year Anne asks herself what worked and what didn't. Our team is answering those questions today here, from t
Ep 506: A new way to think about your reading in the coming year
Today's guest has been participating in reading challenges for nearly a decade, and she's putting a unique spin on this tradition in 2026 that you'll hear about today.
Callie Dean lives in Shreveport, Louisiana, where in addition to reading she enjoys playing the violin in the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra, writing children's books, and running and baking.
Reading challenges aren't for every re
Ep 505: Recs for a reader in search of "best in class" books
We love unique reading projects around here, and today's guest has maintained hers since 2021. We're going to hear all about it and explore how she's adding a new twist for 2026.
Kate Mosesso is a reader and improv comedian who lives and works in Chicago. She's a lifelong reader, and while she loves the stories on the page, she's an even bigger fan of the connections that reading fosters.
Since
Ep 504: Niche and nerdy narrative nonfiction
Historical fiction is a popular genre among many, but today's guest learned a lot about her reading life when she realized this genre wasn't for her!
Today Anne is talking with Laura Howard, an Atlanta-area faculty developer and part-time university professor. She’s always seen reading as both a personal joy and a form of connection, whether with the fellow members of her longstanding book club o
Ep 503: Which cozy mysteries are right for me?
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.
Late
Ep 502: Choosing book gifts your friends will love
We all know that book gifts are the best gifts, and today Anne is talking with a devoted reader who's come to the show looking for guidance on selecting great bookish gifts for the season to come.
Meredith Amadee lives in Tucson, Arizona, where she works as a wedding photographer and hosts a book club that's come to play a big part in her life. Every year, this book club hosts a book exchange for
Ep 501: Crafting a personal curriculum for a lifelong learner
When she discovered the idea of a personal curriculum, today's guest couldn't wait to apply this concept to her reading life.
Amy St. Amand, a primary care clinical pharmacist from Rhode Island, wants to know a little bit about a whole lot of things. She's working to build a personal learning plan that encompasses a variety of her assorted interests, and she's here today for Anne's help in develo
Ep 500: The little things that add up to a rich reading life
Today marks a major milestone: the 500th episode of What Should I Read Next!
To celebrate, Anne is joined by two guests today. First, you'll hear her in conversation with our What Should I Read Next Patreon Community Manager Shannan Malone as they explore what's new in our Patreon community space. Then, Anne welcomes one of our previous guests back to the show to talk about how her reading life h
Ep 499: Weird, nerdy, and totally delightful: our conversation with Kevin Wilson
One of our favorite things to do in our Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club is connect with the authors we all love. Every so often we have the opportunity to share one of those conversations with all of you, too.
Today you'll be hearing from Kevin Wilson, author of our 2025 Summer Reading Guide selection Run for the Hills and a writer we've long looked forward to hosting in this space. Our conversation c
Ep 498: Books that feel like your favorite comfort TV shows
Returning to favorite TV shows is a common stress management strategy. Today’s guest would love to find books that deliver the same soothing feelings she gets from re-watching her favorite comfort shows.
Kayla King lives on a small-scale dairy and hobby farm in Spartansburg, Pennsylvania. A lifelong reader, Kayla's recently started to branch out from her usual genres of mysteries, thrillers, and
Ep 497: The magic of bringing book lovers together
Book events and festivals are always a favorite around here. Today's conversation dives deep into the art and craft of creating an engaging literary festival as Anne welcomes Sarah Moriarty, the Executive Director of the Charleston Literary Festival, to the show.
They talk about what goes into curating such a festival, what you may be glad to know before attending a literary festival yourself, an
Ep 496: Warm and inviting stories of hearth and home
When the world feels heavy, many of us reach for books. Today's guest is looking for a specific style of comfort reads.
Jemima Welsh is joining Anne today all the way from Brisbane, Australia, where she lives with her family and her pets, including four chickens named for the March sisters.
Right now, Jemima is specifically looking for books that feel, quite literally, close to home. She's loo
Ep 495: Fall Book Preview sneak peek
,The team at MMD HQ has always been enthusiastic about fall reading. We shared our first Fall Book Preview back in 2019, and last week we released the seventh annual edition. Today, we’re sharing a sneak peek into this year's event that concludes with Anne describing the first three books in our literary and contemporary fiction category.
Our Fall Book Preview offers the gentle guidance you’re l
Ep 494: Books brimming with creativity, philosophy, and grace
Today we're diving into what feels like a particularly nerdy niche of the reading life as Anne is joined by an expert reader.
Sarah Kellogg is a cover designer at a big five publisher, and today she and Anne are exploring what goes into the art of cover design. Sarah answers many of our burning questions and sheds light on some of the lesser known aspects of her work.
Of course, they also discus
Ep 493: Books that take you on an epic journey
Today's guest is facing a shift in her reading life now that she's an empty nester.
Candice Brown-Murray lives in South Florida with her husband, children, and dogs. Her career in public relations keeps her very busy along with her hobbies like kayaking, travel, renovating a historic home, and of course, reading.
Candice has always been a reader. She describes herself as a sucker for a good sto
Ep 492: Reflective nonfiction about finding your path
We love fielding very specific readerly requests that will also appeal to a wide range of readers, and today's episode is just that.
Lynn Bain describers herself as an accidental entrepreneur. While she loves to read a wide range of genres and styles, she's here today to get Anne's help in identifying good business books to read alongside her beloved stack of fiction.
Lynn's tried a bunch of b
Ep 491: Our team's best books of summer (Part 2)
Today we're sharing Part 2 of our summer superlatives episode, featuring four more of our team members talking about the books they've loved most this season.
Our executive producer Will Bogel joins Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club Community Manager Ginger Horton to talk about their favorite summer reads. Then, you'll hear from Modern Mrs Darcy Editor and Social Media Manager Leigh Kramer and What Sho
Ep 490: Our team's best books of summer (Part 1)
Readers, we’re back today with an annual tradition we know so many of you look forward to, as our team joins Anne to talk about their favorite books of the summer and what’s happening in their reading lives right now.
As always, our team’s range of reading tastes ensures we share titles from a wide range of genres and styles that will appeal to all kinds of readers. You’ll hear titles that might
Ep 489: The satisfaction of sinking into a good book
Today's guest isn't only a reader with a specific readerly conundrum, she is also a beloved author. Anne has recommended Julie Berry's work to several past guests, and Julie also joined us over in the Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club back in 2020.
Today, she's here to talk with Anne about writing and discovering smart books with big heart. They also dive into conversation about Julie's independent bo
Ep 488: Reading goals that are just lofty enough
Novels featuring an ensemble cast of characters and multiple points of view are a favorite for today's guest, and she'd love Anne's help in finding more of this particular type of reading experience.
Olivia Haber Greenwood is joining Anne from Barcelona, where she's lived for the past seven years working as a copywriter and freelance journalist. Olivia is a happy reader with an abundant reading
Ep 487: Sci-fi, fantasy, and a sense of possibility
Today's guest has joined Anne in conversation on the podcast before, but now our media production specialist Holly Wielkoszewski is in the spotlight as they explore her evolving reading tastes and her favorite genres of science fiction and fantasy.
Holly splits her time between New Mexico, where she and her husband are building an Earthship, and traveling internationally for several months each y
Ep 486: Setting-driven stories, accidental reading themes, and winning characters
Ellen Heath, a reader from the Atlanta area, shares Anne's passion for urban planning, but that's not all they talk about today.
Ellen is looking for immersive settings, characters she can connect with, and books that might even teach her something, and Anne has ideas!
Ellen and Anne also talk about her Ellen's interesting and unique method for choosing her next read on her eReader, and her desi
Ep 485: A midyear reading check-in
A midyear reading check-in has become a small tradition around here, and today Anne is welcoming team member Shannan Malone back to the podcast.
Today, you'll hear Anne and Shannan dive into the history of this practice before exploring how this year’s been going so far, what they're each excited about, and what’s working (and not working) in each of their reading lives.
With so many books to
Ep 484: A summer to slow down and sink into what you love
Today's guest is looking for ways to slow down and sink into what she loves most as she plans her summer of reading.
Chelsea Siler is an early childhood special education teacher in Tacoma, Washington. She's often found reading to be a source of joy, escape, and growth, and she'd like these positive experiences to be reflected in her reading selections this summer.
Chelsea's always searching for
Ep 483: Help me find my new go-to summer author!
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, b
Ep 482: Diving into evocative ocean reads
We always love reading on a theme, and today's guest would love to see her real-life love of the ocean mirrored in the pages of her books.
Noelle Leong is a science and medicine-focused librarian at a small liberal arts college. She especially loves her work for the opportunities it provides her to join the students on trails and visiting tidepools.
So it’s perhaps unsurprising she’d love Anne'
Ep 481: A reading life that comes in waves
Nonfiction books often change the way that readers see the world, and today's guest Evan Carlson is on the hunt for fiction that packs the same punch as the nonfiction works he loves.
Evan's joining Anne from Chicago, where he lives and works as an actor and poet. He's found that reading poetry and nonfiction helps him challenge his ways of thinking, and he really enjoys this experience.
While
Ep 480: Branching out with escapist, emotionally resonant novels
Feeling more confident about finding the right reads is a common bookish goal. In today's conversation, Anne welcomes Tynisha Coleman to the show to talk about her current reading goals.
Tynisha is a leadership development coach, university lecturer, and sci-fi and fantasy lover from New Jersey. She doesn't shy away from books that tackle tough plot points, which often feature in the emotionally
Ep 479: Balancing backlist with shiny new releases
Every year we get some variation of this question: how can a reader like today’s guest, Elise Brancheau, balance all the shiny new books of summer with the backlist titles that are already patiently waiting on her to-be-read list?
Elise is a New Jersey-based professional classical singer who describes herself as a huge reading-planning nerd. We know Elise is in good company here! But with all of
Ep 478: A snippet from the 2025 Summer Reading Guide
We're taking you behind the scenes of our 2025 Summer Reading Guide and sharing an excerpt from our live Unboxing party. Our 2025 Guide includes 35 books across a range of genres which we've grouped into six categories. Today you'll hear Anne's commentary of three books from the first category, Family Sagas.
Our Summer Reading Guide and Unboxing are designed to give you an idea of what your own
Ep 477: A summer reading road trip
We're kicking off Summer Reading Season with our fourteenth annual Summer Reading Guide, coming this Thursday! Today on the podcast Anne is joined by a special guest who is particularly well qualified to go behind the scenes of our 2025 Summer Reading Guide with her: Will Bogel!
Many of you consider Anne's husband Will to be your book twin, and today they're diving into the project and pleasure t
Ep 476: Offbeat, intricately plotted books for an ambitious reading project
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 th
Ep 475: Help for a fiction lover who wants to read more nonfiction
Today's guest is an avid reader, retired social worker, and What Should I Read Next? completist who lives in New Jersey. Jill Jaclin has a reading conundrum: she really wants to read more nonfiction, but she's struggled to find a way to incorporate it into her reading life.
As she told Anne, she also knows that there are nonfiction books out there that will educate her if only she would take the
Ep 474: Burnout and the reading life
Readers, if you are feeling burned out right now, you are not alone. In our team meeting last week, we talked about the fact that things are hard right now. That's why this feels like a great time to revisit a favorite past episode from another time not so long ago when we were also feeling burned out.
Today we're sharing Anne's May 2021 conversation with journalist Anne Helen Petersen, which ori
Ep 473: Refining an out-of-date TBR system
When the world feels heavy, many of us look to books for distraction, inspiration, or reassurance. Today's guest has a unique spin on what she's seeking and would love Anne's help in figuring out how the types of reads she wants right now fit into her existing to-be-read (TBR) system.
Émilie Weidl lives in Wales, where she's taken a year off before starting her PhD. When she's not reading or volu
Ep 472: Literary + Genre = match made in heaven
Finding highly discussable books for book clubs often feels like a full-time job, especially if you're a member of multiple long-standing book clubs like today's guest, Lara.
Today, Lara joins Anne to talk about her constant search for fiction that explores the human condition in all its messy glory. She loves these sorts of books because they give her so much to talk about with her fellow reade
Ep 471: Don't let perfectionism ruin your reading life
Over the past few years, today's guest has been on a journey of self-discovery. Florida reader Casey has been working on coming to terms with her perfectionism and along the way, she's been noticing what it means for her reading life.
Casey's noticed she tends to save highly anticipated books for later: some uncertain time down the road when circumstances make the timing at long last completely p
Ep 470: Revisiting childhood favorites for a nostalgic reading project
Re-reading is a practice fits into every reader's life in a different way, and today's guest has embarked on a unique reading challenge that brings a fresh perspective to her re-reading.
Sarah Swarbrick joins Anne today from the outskirts of Sydney, Australia, to talk about the special project she's crafted in advance of her 53rd birthday. With her responsibilities shifting and her kids getting
Ep 469: Book Club is for discussing, discovering, and dissenting
Readers, we often receive questions from you about our Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club and what actually goes on in our online reading community, and today's guest is here to help Anne take you behind the scenes! You may already know Ginger Horton, our MMD Book Club Community Manager, from her prior appearances here on the podcast or because you interact with her all the time in book club.
Today, Gin
Ep 468: Books for an adventure out West
Today's guest is a mood reader who often finds herself falling down a reading rabbit hole.
Madelyn Kresinske is an elementary school librarian, wife, and mom who reads widely from middle-grade and picture books to romance, family dramas, and more.
Madelyn doesn't hate her pattern of falling into sometimes a rut, sometimes she actually quite enjoys it, but it can also be tough to break out and
Ep 467: I love literary fiction... don't I?
Today's guest has a common readerly dilemma: what to do when reading tastes change?
In her submission to join Anne on the show, Philadelphia dweller and avid book thrifter Phoebe Mellinger shared that she'd had pretty consistent reading tastes for her whole life, until last year when she noticed that her taste suddenly and vastly changed. Her go-to genres just were't working any more.
This exp
