Ep 173: Clocking in at the reading factory

Ep 184: You’ll never conquer your TBR—and that’s a good thing

Today’s guest is Will Schwalbe, devoted reader and host of the But That's Another Story podcast. Will believes if we all asked the question “what are you reading” more often, it could change the world, and has a few absolutely delightful literary superstitions... Anne and Will chatting all about the downside of conquering your TBR, misremembering poetry, bookstore serendipity, and Will’s attempt to convince ANNE to read a super ambitious classic she just haven’t had the nerve to pick up yet.  Click over to the podcast website for a list of books mentioned in this episode: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/184 Check out But That's Another Story on the podcast platform of your choice! Connect with Will on his website: http://willschwalbe.com/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/WillSch Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/will.schwalbe Thanks to today's sponsor:Openfit is a brand new, super simple streaming service that allows you to work-out from the comfort of your living room in as little as 10 minutes a day. WSIRN listeners get a special extended 30-day free trial membership to Openfit, when you text READ to 303030.

Ep 182: Matching the right (audio)book to the right listener

Anne and guest Michele chat about the delightful experience of "reading with your ears", and recommend audiobooks to WSIRN listeners.

Ep 180: Rearranging your life to read 600 books a year

Today’s guest is reading speed-demon Liberty Hardy, professional book nerd and host of Book Riot’s All the Books podcast. Together, Liberty and Anne are going deep into a book labyrinth, discussing truly committed bookworm questions like “how do you avoid back strain while reading for hours on end?”, “how do I smuggle 1000 books out of my house safely?” and “what does Kate Atkinson’s grocery list look like?” They're also playing a Tom Stoppard-inspired literary game that miiiight destroy your TBR. Check out Anne's brand new podcast One Great Book. New episodes drop on Fridays! If one episode per week isn't enough, our Patreon community will get exclusive weekly bonus episodes. To sign up for bonus episodes, and all sorts of other WSIRN behind-the-scenes goodness visit http://patreon.com/whatshouldireadnext. Click over to the podcast website for a list of books mentioned in this episode: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/180 You can check out Liberty's writing at Book Riot, follow her super-bookish and super-kitten-filled Instagram @FranzenComesAlive, and see what books she's talking about on Twitter @MissLiberty. Watch the clip from Rosencrantz & Guildenstern are Dead that inspired our game. Thanks to today's sponsors:With Prep Dish, you shop once, prep once—Then enjoy delicious home cooked meals for the whole week in just 20-30 minutes a day. WSIRN listeners can get a free 2-week trial at PrepDish.com/READNEXT.ThirdLove knows there’s a perfect bra for everyone, so right now they are offering WSIRN listeners 15% off your first order at ThirdLove.com/READNEXT.

One Great Book Trailer

We have a new podcast! WSIRN is about helping readers find their next read. In each episode, the recommendations are geared toward a particular reader’s style, and Anne always looks for titles they haven’t read before. Our new podcast is a short format show called One Great Book. In every episode, Anne pulls one standout selection off her personal bookshelves and tell you all about it. She's highlighting books she loves that you may have missed or forgotten about, but that you’ll be glad to discover—again, or for the first time. We have 8 books planned for this first volume (commonly known as a season, on podcasts that are not of the bookish variety), and the first two books are available now in your favorite podcast player. New episodes drop on Fridays starting this week.

Ep 177: When your reading life is a roller coaster

Many listeners and past guests on WSIRN have shared their stories of reading dry spells due to chronic illness, anxiety, and disability. Today’s guest Kate Mitchell has experienced polar opposites in her reading life, going from a period of time when reading was literally her job, to stretches where reading was literally impossible because of chronic illness. Kate is sharing some of the wisdom she’s gained on her roller coaster of a reading life with us all, including practical tips for how to accept reality and adapt your reading life if you’re having a rough go of it yourself. Anne and Kate also chat about what realism looks like in the fantasy genre, books wayyyy too big to keep in your purse, and Kate gives Anne the student-debt-free cheat sheet to reading like you’ve got a Masters degree in literature. Click over to the podcast website for a list of books mentioned in this episode: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/177 Hear more from Kate about her reading life and chronic illness at katethealmostgreat.com. Get closer to the creative process by joining WSIRN’s behind-the-scenes family on Patreon. Visit https://patreon.com/whatshouldireadnext for bonus episodes, outtakes, exclusive booklists, livestream chats with Anne, and more. Thanks to today's sponsors:You can find new and archival episodes of WSIRN, completely ad-free, on Stitcher Premium. Get a free month of Stitcher Premium with the code WONDERY.With Prep Dish, you shop once, prep once—Then enjoy delicious home cooked meals for the whole week in just 20-30 minutes a day. Check out PrepDish.com/READNEXT for a free 2-week trial.

Ep 175: Your library called and they want their books back

Michelle Wilson has noticed a specific character type that is missing from her bookshelves... and she is on the hunt for more. She and Anne chat about characters age 50+ in possession of NO magical powers, yelling at characters who make terrible decisions, reading as broadly as possible, and what it's like to be in not one, not two, but THREE book clubs (mmmmmaybe more.) Click over to the podcast website for a list of books mentioned in this episode: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/175 What Should I Read Next is now on Patreon to bring you bonus episodes, outtakes, peeks behind the scenes, printable goodness, livestream chats, and access to the epic master spreadsheet holding the loves, hates, and recommendations from each episode. Get closer to the creative process by heading over to https://patreon.com/whatshouldireadnext now and joining WSIRN’s behind-the-scenes family. Thanks to today's sponsors:You can find new and archival episodes of WSIRN, completely ad-free, on Stitcher Premium. For a free month of Stitcher Premium, go to stitcherpremium.com/wondery and use promo code WONDERY.For $20 off a suitcase, visit awaytravel.com/READNEXT and use promo code READNEXT during checkout!Get unlimited access to thousands of lectures and courses with The Great Courses Plus. Visit TheGreatCoursesPlus.com/READNEXT to start your free trial today!Blinkist distills the best nonfiction books into 15 minute chunks so you from great authors on the go. Go to Blinkist.com/READNEXT to start your free 7 day trial.

Ep 173: Clocking in at the reading factory

After a year of focusing on reading over 100 books while recovering from a running injury, today’s guest Natalie Van Waning is sprinting enthusiastically toward many readers’ worst nightmare: Looooooong books. We're talking doorstop, tweak your wrist getting them off the shelf, 40-hours-on-Audible long books. Natalie asked Anne to help her focus on quality instead of quantity, so get ready for sweeping multi-generational sagas, tour-guide novels, and heart-tugging family stories. Click over to the podcast website for a list of books mentioned in this episode: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/173 You can connect with Natalie on her blog: http://imchattynatty.blogspot.com/ Apply to be a guest on WSIRN: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/guest Thanks to today's sponsors:PrepDish is the healthy, whole food based meal planning subscription that delivers weekly meal plans right to your inbox. Go to PrepDish.com/READNEXT to check out all of the meal plans and to start your free 2-week trial.

Ep 171: A podcaster, a barrister, and a joiner walk into a bookstore

Scottish bookseller Ruth Anderson takes Anne behind the scenes - in person - of her newly opened used bookshop, and describes life in Scotland's National Book Town.

Ep 169: Books that mess you up in all the right ways

Best friends Phimy and Erika ask Anne to pick three possible next picks for their democracy-driven LA book club, and discuss the book that taught them radical self-care.

Ep 167: Reading is supposed to be FUN

A mom shares how reading has helped her child feel safer in the world, and asks Anne to match her with whimsical fiction to pry her out of a nonfiction rut.

Ep 165: 1000 Books to read before you die

Author Jim Mustich chats about reading on a whim, the year it took him over a decade to write, and recommends books Anne should prioritize in 2019.

Ep 163: Wonderful, wonder-filled reading in the great outdoors

Anne recommends books to a nature lover who takes her reading on the trail.

Ep 161: Books on the Nightstand and on your wishlist

Ann Kingman of Books on the Nightstand joins Anne to recommend literary gifts for listener's loved ones.

Ep 159 : How to cope with the longest book hangover ever

Jane Austen superfan Shawntaye talks literary dinner parties, her 10 years of book journaling, and Anne recommends a book you've definitely never heard of.

Ep 157: The stories behind the stories we love to read

Today Anne chats with a reader who turned her family’s difficult story into a book that has brought joy and hope to countless readers. Georgia Hunter got curious about her family history, and a few questions put to the right relatives uncovered something she didn’t expect—a sweeping multi-generational drama just begging to be written down. So, she did. That story became We Were the Lucky Ones, a historical fiction novel Anne discussed with Clara Breitenmoser in Ep 131, and at WSIRN Live! from The Novel Neighbor in Ep 76. Click over to the podcast website for a list of books mentioned in this episode, and leave a comment telling us what YOU think Georgia should read next: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/157 Connect with Georgia:  Website: http://www.georgiahunterauthor.com Instagram: http://instagram.com/georgiahunter Goodreads: http://goodreads.com/georgiahunter Apply to be a guest on WSIRN: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/guest

Ep 155: When stolen audible credits spur a beautiful bookish relationship

Today’s guests ask Anne to bridge the divide between an imaginative-fiction lover and a scientific-NONfiction lover. Ashley and Brent are a father-daughter reading duo who share an Audible account and a love for an untold story. Anne, Ashley, and Brent cover everything from Ashley’s mega-popular most HATED book, how they survive differing tastes to make reading a family affair, and the story of who stole whose Audible credits... Click over to the podcast website for a list of books mentioned in this episode, and leave a comment telling us what YOU think Ashley and Brent should read together next: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/155 Follow Ashley's reading life on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bigworld_books Apply to be a guest on WSIRN: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/guest Join the Modern Mrs. Darcy book club at www.members.modernmrsdarcy.com

Ep 153: Revolutionizing your reading life, 10 minutes at a time

Kari Sweeney is a working mom of four who has developed a VERY unique system to keep her reading life running like clockwork. Kari and Anne chat about wishy washy star ratings, the right season for the right book, reading at the grocery store... and Kari is sharing her secret to getting the hottest new books the week they release -- for FREE. Click over to the podcast website for a list of books mentioned in this episode, and leave a comment telling us what YOU think Kari should read next: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/153 If you'd like to be on the show you can apply to be a guest at: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/guest

Ep 151: Knockout books for a recovering completionist

Today's guest populates the “candy aisle” of the bookstore. Maria Ribas is a literary agent who specializes in gorgeous full-color cookbooks and snappy self-help! So yes, she totally has it covered in the nonfiction department, but her fiction game could use a little freshening… and that’s where Anne comes in. Whether you like exploring the stories behind a great recipe, letting a lush historical novel sweep you away, or pumping yourself up with a snarky self-help book, today’s episode will nourish your readerly soul. Click over to the podcast website for a list of books mentioned in this episode, and leave a comment telling us what YOU think Maria should read next: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/151 Connect with Maria: Blog: http://cooksplusbooks.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/maria_ribas Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariaribas00 If you'd like to be on the show you can apply to be a guest at: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/guest

Ep 149: Ask Anne Anything

WSIRN’s producer Brenna Frederick is in the virtual studio today, and she’s bringing an armload of YOUR questions to the table, gathered from email, instagram, and the comment section. What did Anne do with her life before she became a blogger and podcaster? What movie is TOTALLY better than the book it’s based on? How do guests get themselves on the show? Are audiobooks really considered “reading”? They're answering all these questions and more, plus dropping a bunch of book recommendations straight from their bookish heart to yours. Click over to the podcast website for a list of books mentioned in this episode, and leave a comment telling us what YOU'RE thinking about reading next: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/149 Drop our producer a friendly note at brenna@modernmrsdarcy.com If you'd like to be on the show, you can apply to be a guest at: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/guest

Ep 147: Ruining your childhood one book at a time

Anne chats with Marines Alvarez and Nicole Sweeney, bookworm best friends who like to keep their reading life SOCIAL. Together they host the podcast Snark Squad, where they rehash books, tv, and movies with a sharp eye and a lot of laughs. True to character, Marines and Nicole brought the giggles to WSIRN -- they're about how the internet has changed reading forever, destroying their childhood favorites, controversial star rating opinions, books that really sucker punch you in the feels, and more. Click over to the podcast website for a list of books mentioned in this episode, and leave a comment telling us what YOU think Marines and Nicole should read together next: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/147 Make sure to give Snark Squad Pod a listen: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/snark-squad-pod/id1331049036?mt=2 And snoop around the Snark Squad blog archives: https://www.snarksquad.com/ Connect with Marines:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/mynameismarines  Twitter: @mynameismarines Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/7013001-mari Connect with Nicole:  YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/SweeneySays Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/sweeneysays If you'd like to be on the show you can apply to be a guest at: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/guest

Ep 145: Confess Your Literary Sins

Today we have a special bonus episode for you! Anne's new book I'd Rather Be Reading: The Delights and Dilemmas of the Reading Life comes out in a little less than a month. Today she's reading you the first chapter. And YOU get to play along in a fun, social, and bibliotherapeutic way. The first essay is titled Confess Your Literary Sins, and in it, Anne shares how (and why) readers somehow feel compelled to reveal all the guilty secrets of their reading lives—to her. But she's learned over the years that it feels so much better—and is so much more fun—to get these secrets out into the open. So listen to the short episode, download the intro and first chapter, and get ready to spill YOUR bookish secrets with the hashtag #confessyourliterary sins. Click here to visit Anne's blog for more info (and to see her favorite illustration from her new book). And psst—that preorder deadline is August 14: don't miss it! Get the lowdown right here. Happy listening, and happy reading!

Ep 143: The quest for the perfect coffeeshop read

If both Netflix and the bookshelf hold equal value in your heart, you’ll totally relate to today’s guest. Patience Randle loves a book with cinematic appeal, especially if it comes with a comfy chair and a great cup of coffee. Today, Patience and Anne chat about books that would make great screenplays, Patience's favorite places to enjoy a good book and a brew, future novel-writing dreams, what would happen if the apocalypse came to their hometowns, and so much more! Click over to the podcast website for a list of books mentioned in this episode, and leave a comment telling us what YOU think Patience should read next: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/143 Check out Patience's blog, and make sure to follow her gorgeous bookish Instagram @inkandfable! Blog: http://www.patiencerandle.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inkandfable

Ep 141: The Enneagram of your favorite book

Anne chats with Ian Morgan Cron, noted Enneagram teacher, psychotherapist, author of The Road Back to You and host of the Typology podcast, about how their favorite literary characters (and maybe a few movie characters) fit into the framework of the super-hot-right-now Enneagram personality system. From Hermione Granger to Jay Gatsby to Marianne Dashwood to Samwise Gamgee... today we cover a LOT of literary ground.  If you don’t know anything about the Enneagram personality framework, don’t worry! This episode is totally newbie-friendly. Click over to the podcast website for a list of books mentioned in this episode, a friendly comment section, and helpful Enneagram resources: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/141 Ian's website: http://www.iancron.com Subscribe to Ian's show Typology.

Ep 139: Snooping other people’s bookshelves + the patron saint of WSIRN

Anne chats with Eric Zimmer, host of The One You Feed podcast, which features interviews with thoughtful people who have big ideas about making a “conscious, creative effort toward a life worth living.” Anne and Eric talk about his favorite comic strip character, embarrassing library visits, books for the meditative reader, the patron saint of WSIRN, noir detective novels, and much much more. Click over to the podcast website to tell Eric what YOU think he should read next, or tell us about your own favorite comic strip character: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/139 Follow Anne on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AnneBogel  Follow WSIRN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whatshouldireadnext Connect with Eric at www.oneyoufeed.net.

Ep 137: Bibliotherapy for the toughest times

Leigh Kramer is a former medical social worker, and the author of a brand new novel about life, love, and loss called A Storied Life. Today Anne digs deep with former social worker and current author Leigh Kramer to discuss a tough, nuanced topic: grief. From instructive texts, to descriptive fiction, to tales-of-caution, the bookshelf has a lot to say about this universal human emotion. This is a great conversation, but you should know that some of the books we discuss grapple with things like cancer, death, miscarriage, and other trauma. If these topics are triggering for you, or if you are currently recovering from a loss, please take care of yourself by listening with caution, or simply putting this episode aside for a later time. Connect with Leigh: Book | Blog | Instagram Click over to the podcast website for the full list of titles discussed in this episode, or to leave a comment letting Jen know what YOU think she should read next: http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/137