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 communities.

As she considers her reading life this year, Angela is hoping for titles that feature the warmth she loves, without the chaos that also sometimes marks titles in her favorite genres of memoirs, found family stories, historical fiction, or fantasy.

Anne has ideas to share. You'll find the full list of titles mentioned on our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/522.

Our Patreon community is full of exciting ways to get more books in your life, from our weekly bonus episodes on a variety of themes to seasonal events like our upcoming Summer Reading Guide. Your monthly or annual support helps us pay our team and keep the lights on around What Should I Read Next? HQ. We are so grateful to all of you who are or have been Patreon members. If you're not a current member of our community, this is a great time of year to join. Find out more at patreon.com/whatshouldireadnext.

Chapters

03:49 Meet Angela

09:06 Angela’s reading dilemma

18:52 I Miss You When I Blink by Mary Laura Philpott

21:22 Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness

23:04 The First Ladies by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray

26:10 Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier

40:12 Eddie Winston Is Looking for Love by Marianne Cronin

45:48 Shopgirls by Jessica Anya Blau

50:34 The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year by Margaret Renkl

55:18 What will Angela read next?

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