Disclosure: We are part of the Amazon Affiliate/LTK Creator programs. We will receive a small commission at no cost if you purchase a book. This post may contain links to purchase books.

Today’s episode is for every reader who dreams of Stars Hollow! I’m joined by Jules Buono of Friday Night Readers, a Gilmore Girls-inspired Substack and community. We delve into the cozy literary world of Rory and Lorelai, sharing six book recommendations that channel the same spirit—from small-town charm and quirky community vibes to poignant mother-daughter dynamics and autumnal settings. Whether you’re a longtime fan or discovering the magic of Gilmore Girls for the first time, these reads will hit all the right nostalgic notes.

This might be a little different from our usual romance-heavy episodes—but if you’re into cozy vibes, bookish themes, and heartfelt storytelling, this one’s for you. (Plus, Lauren Graham narrates one of the recs!)

📬 Subscribe to Jules' Substack: Friday Night Readers https://fridaynightreaders.substack.com/

Books Recommended in This Episode:

(Each of these books captures a different Gilmore-esque element—think cozy inns, complicated moms, or literary flair.)

• The City Baker’s Guide to Country Living by Louise Miller https://amzn.to/3TRu7v5
• Empire Falls by Richard Russo https://amzn.to/4m1xKdC
• One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle https://amzn.to/3IJ9a2Y
• Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez https://amzn.to/410gXQc
• Where’d You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple https://amzn.to/4lTkeck
• 
  

Bonus Mention:

• The Gilmore Girls Companion by A.S. Berman https://amzn.to/45f3qqq – a must-read oral history of the show for super fans!
• 
  

About Jules & Friday Night Readers:

Jules started with the Rory Gilmore Reading Challenge and has built a cozy, literary-loving community around Gilmore-inspired reads. Her new Substack, Friday Night Readers, is your go-to destination for fall books, small-town fiction, and a warm space to feel like you’re part of Stars Hollow.

📍 Follow Jules on Instagram: @fridaynightreaders

 📚 Subscribe to Friday Night Readers on Substack: fridaynightreaders.substack.com

💬 Let’s Chat:

Did you love this Gilmore Girls-inspired episode? Leave a rating and review—or DM me your favorite cozy read!

Join our What to Read Next Blog Community to get bonus book recommendations, listen to podcasts, and connect with other readers. As a podcast listener, you'll get 20% off your membership forever. Click here to sign up. (https://wtrnblog.substack.com/e3630d38)

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Today’s episode is a little different—it’s a deep dive into nonfiction and the wellness industry with journalist and author Amy Larocca. Amy’s new book, How to Be Well, unpacks the cultural obsession with self-optimization and wellness, touching on everything from fashion to functional medicine, detox diets to supplements, and the way our bodies are treated and perceived in society.

As someone who was deeply embedded in the wellness and life coaching world in the late aughts (fun fact: my first two podcasts were about personal development), this conversation felt personal and powerful. Amy brings curiosity and compassion as she explores the historical, political, and very personal impacts of wellness culture on women—especially those of us who came of age in the girlboss era.

We talk about:

• The blurred lines between wellness as care and wellness as commerce
• How our generation was sold “detoxes” and green powders instead of medical care
• Why so much of wellness is rooted in privilege, access, and aspirational marketing
• What happens when social media gurus replace doctors
• How the term "self-care" evolved from political activism to spa-day slogans

Whether you’re navigating your wellness journey or untangling old beliefs about body image, health, and healing—this episode will hit home.

This Book Is for You If…

You’ve ever done a juice cleanse, bought a moon dust supplement, or considered if celery juice could change your life. Or if you just want to understand the cultural forces shaping the wellness movement with a critical but empathetic lens.

📚 Want more reads like this?

Check out our book list Wellness Gone Wrong: 10 Books That Unpack the Dark Side of the Industry → https://whattoreadnextblog.com/wellness-gone-wrong/

Books + Links Mentioned:

→ How to Be Well by Amy Larocca — Available wherever books and audiobooks are sold

→ Audiobook lovers: Amy narrates it herself!

Connect with Amy:

📸 Instagram: @amylaroccaauthor

🌐 Website: https://www.amylarocca.com/

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In this episode of What to Read Next, Laura shares her personal journey of trying (and slightly failing) to create a Sunday reading retreat—and why a phone detox might be the key to getting back into a satisfying reading groove. From binge-watching Love Island UK to rediscovering how much joy a simple reading day can bring, Laura dives deep into creating your own reading retreat at home. She also dishes on Turkish TV drama, Dramione fanfic controversy, and why it might be time to rethink our relationship with social media.

Highlights:

• Laura’s attempt at a personal reading retreat and why it turned into a TV binge
• The joy of rewatching Love Island UK vs. disappointment with the USA version
• Updates on her Turkish TV Obsessed podcast, plus finishing As The Crow Flies on Netflix
• Latest bookish drama: Dramione fanfics being turned into books and the controversy around them
• Reflections on a past reading binge during a hurricane power outage — and why it was blissful without her phone
• How doomscrolling keeps us from reading (and how trauma can make stress feel "safe")
• Ideas to create your own reading retreat, including:
• Planning meals/snacks ahead
• Setting up a cozy space with candles, blankets, or ambiance music
• Trying a "try-on" session with different books — read first chapters and see what sticks
• Being okay with soft DNFs (“not right now”)
• Putting your phone on Do Not Disturb or out of sight
• Why it’s okay if your retreat means reading anything—from novellas to spicy books to cozy mysteries

Mentioned in This Episode:

📺 TV & Media:

• Love Island UK (and why Unseen Bits is the best)
• As The Crow Flies (Turkish series on Netflix)
• Early Birds Turkish novela fandom story

📚 Books & Bookish Talk:

• Rose in Chains (Dramione-inspired, darker political themes)
• Manacled and Alchemised (Dramione fanfics with heavy themes)
• Brief mention of Fourth Wing (not her favorite)

Favorite hurricane reading binge:

• Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood
• Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood
• Deep End (ARC) by Ali Hazelwood
• Only For One Night by Jessica James

Links & Resources:

👉 Visit whattoreadnextblog.com for daily updated book lists, from cozy mysteries to LGBTQ+ romances to beach reads for summer 2025.

👉 Sign up for the newsletter at whattoreadnextblog.com/newsletter to get even more book recs and updates.

Let’s Connect:

🎧 If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe—it helps others find the show!

📩 Have thoughts on reading retreats or your own phone detox? Message Laura at [email protected], she’d love to hear from you!

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If you’ve ever watched Bravo’s Summer House and wished you could join a messy friend group getting sunburnt in the Hamptons, this episode is for you! Laura shares her favorite books that capture the same summer vibes—from Hamptons scandals to Fire Island shares and cozy small-town beach escapes. Whether you’re lounging poolside or dreaming of a sandy getaway, these books will transport you straight into the ultimate summer mood.

• Hotter in the Hamptons by Tinx
• Elizabeth in East Hampton by Audrey Bellezza & Emily Harding
• Serendipity by Becky Chalsen
• Seven Summer Weekends by Jane L. Rosen
• Summer on Sag Harbor by Sunny Hostin
• In Good Company by Kat Singleton

Loved these recs? Sign up for the What to Read Next newsletter for even more book recommendations delivered straight to your inbox. wtrnblog.substack.com

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Disclosure: We are part of the Amazon Affiliate/LTK Creator programs. We will receive a small commission at no cost if you purchase a book. This post may contain links to purchase books.

In today’s off-the-cuff voice memo episode, I’m checking in with a life and reading update from the front seat of my car—literally. I talk about how my reading habits have shifted post-Kindle streak, what it’s been like to return to borrowing physical books, and how audiobooks are saving my reading life (and sleep schedule). I’m also sharing a few book recommendations, tips for using Audible and Amazon Music for less, and why rediscovering my local library has brought so much joy.

If you’re navigating a reading slump, trying to read more affordably, or just curious about how life changes impact reading, this one's for you.

• When She Unravels by Gabrielle Sands – Mafia romance with a runaway bride twist
• Rose in Chains by Julie Soto – A dark romantasy retelling rooted in Dramione fic
• My Favorite Bad Decision by Eleanor Rorke – A summery, angsty KU romance set on Mount Kilimanjaro

• Cancel and rotate Audible for credit deals
• Use Amazon Music’s included audiobook credit for pricey exclusives.
• Combine Kindle Unlimited with WhisperSync for discounted audiobooks
• Check your library for borrowable gear (cameras, ukuleles, even podcast equipment!)
• Visit your library’s “on order” page to place holds early
• Request book purchases through your local library (and yes, I’ve got a tutorial for that!)

🎧 Snag 4 Months of Audiobooks for FREE!

Amazon Music is offering 4 months FREE of Amazon Music Unlimited—and that includes 1 audiobook credit per month! Perfect for loading up on those pricey Audible exclusives.

👉 Claim Your Deal Here (https://www.tryamazonmusic.com/jeaX7v)

🕒 Offer ends July 11. New subscribers only. Cancel anytime.

• Why I stopped reading ebooks daily after a 2,000-day streak
• How getting a car changed my relationship with audiobooks
• Rediscovering libraries after years of digital-only reading
• Finally getting prescription glasses—and how that led to reading physical books again

Loved this episode? Rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

And if you’re a fellow library lover or audiobook bargain hunter, drop me a comment on Substack —I'd love to hear your hacks!

Substack: whattoreadnextblog.com/newsletter

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In this episode, I’m joined by Jason Blitman, host of the Gays Reading podcast, to spotlight stunning queer books that go far beyond your usual Pride Month roundups. Jason shares four queer literary fiction recommendations that are lyrical, emotionally resonant, and incredibly diverse, plus five must-read memoirs and essay collections written by LGBTQIA+ voices. Whether you’re looking for gothic slow burns, poetic introspection, or laugh-out-loud memoirs, this list has something for you.

• Martyr by Kaveh Akbar
• In Tongues by Thomas Grattan
• The Safe Keep by Yael Van der Wouden
• When the Harvest Comes by Denne Michel Norris

• The Dry Season by Melissa Febos
• Walk Like a Girl by Prabang Gurung
• This Is Your Mother by Erica J. Simpson
• Congratulations, The Best Is Over by R. Eric Thomas
• Here for It by R. Eric Thomas

00:00 – Intro and meet Jason Blitman

01:15 – Jason’s reading journey & Gays Reading podcast origins

02:00 – Queer literary fiction picks

06:00 – Transition to memoir & nonfiction recommendations

06:30 – Real stories and identity through memoir

10:00 – Where to find Gays Reading podcast and follow Jason Biltman

• Listen to the Gays Reading podcast: gaysreading.com
• Follow Jason on Instagram: @gaysreading
• Sign up for our newsletter for weekly book recs, library tips, and hot book tea: whattoreadnextblog.com/newsletter

Disclosure: We are part of the Amazon Affiliate/LTK Creator programs. We will receive a small commission at no cost if you purchase a book. This post may contain links to purchase books.

In today's episode of the What to Read Next Podcast, Laura dives deep into one of her favorite niche romance subgenres — Mafia Romance! Specifically, we’re focusing on the Captive/Captor trope where morally gray, alpha mafia heroes kidnap heroines... and somehow love follows. Laura shares six must-read recommendations that helped her break out of a reading slump, highlighting where you can find them, including through Kindle Unlimited and libraries.

If you love dangerous tension, alpha heroes, and high-stakes, forbidden love stories — this episode is for you!

• Dante by Sadie Kincaid https://amzn.to/3yrRggB
• Mafia Mistress by Mila Finelli https://amzn.to/3WIlST4
• Mafia Madman by Mila Finelli https://amzn.to/46GEojj
• Carnal Urges by J.T. Geissinger https://amzn.to/3SMoi1I
• The Brit by Jodi Ellen Malpas https://amzn.to/3Am7mIZ
• Run, Posy, Run by Cate C. Wells https://amzn.to/3AheQgk

• [00:00] Intro: Why Mafia Romance is a current obsession
• [01:00] How mafia romances helped overcome a reading slump
• [02:00] What is the Captive/Captor Trope?
• [02:20] Book #1: Dante by Sadie Kincaid
• [04:00] Book #2: Mafia Mistress by Mila Finelli
• [05:00] Book #3: Mafia Madman by Mila Finelli
• [06:00] Book #4: Carnal Urges by J.T. Geissinger
• [07:30] Book #5: The Brit by Jodi Ellen Malpas
• [08:30] Book #6: Run, Posy, Run by Cate C. Wells
• [10:00] Where to find even more Mafia Romance recommendations!

• 🔎 Search Mafia Romance at WhattoReadNextBlog.com
• 📬 Join the Newsletter for exclusive recommendations: https://wtrnblog.substack.com

If you loved today's recommendations and want even more niche mafia romance recs (think: surprise pregnancy, arranged marriage, mafia princesses!), head to WhattoReadNextBlog.com and join our newsletter community!

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Disclosure: We are part of the Amazon Affiliate/LTK Creator programs. We will receive a small commission at no cost if you purchase a book. This post may contain links to purchase books.

Today’s episode is all about big emotions — from tear-jerking reads to delightful monster romances! Laura is joined by frequent guest and BFF Becky, host of Too Stupid to Live. Together, they chat about unexpected tearjerker reads that had them sobbing and the perfect monster romance books that acted as fun, sexy palate cleansers. If you’re looking to feel all the feels — and then laugh and swoon — this episode is for you!

Tearjerkers:

• If He Had Been with Me by Laura Nowlin https://amzn.to/42RmIzK
• A Curse for the Homesick by Laura Brooke Robson https://amzn.to/4lNPrOy
• 
  

Monster Romance Palate Cleansers:

• No, Knot About It by Elliot Ason (Monster Resort Series #1) https://amzn.to/42z1d88
• Bass Desires by Elliot Ason (Monster Resort Series #2)https://amzn.to/4cQl9Xo

• [00:00] Welcome and Introductions
• [00:30] Becky’s Tearjerker Reading Streak
• [01:30] If He Had Been with Me — YA Tragedy and Sadness
• [03:00] A Curse for the Homesick — Unique Speculative Romance
• [05:30] Switching Gears: Monster Romance Palate Cleansers
• [06:00] The Monster Resort Series by Elliot Ason
• [07:00] OmegaVerse and Future Deep Dive Episode Teasers
• [08:00] Where to Find Becky and Outro

• Podcast: Too Stupid to Live (available on all podcast platforms)
• TikTok & Substack: @tstlpodcast (https://tstlpodcast.substack.com)

👉 Love today’s mix of emotional and fun reads? Make sure to subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss our upcoming OmegaVerse deep dive with Becky!

👉 Want even more bookish goodness? Sign up for Laura’s Substack (wtrnblog.substack.com) for bonus book recommendations and behind-the-scenes chats.

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Disclosure: We are part of the Amazon Affiliate/LTK Creator programs. We will receive a small commission at no cost if you purchase a book. This post may contain links to purchase books.

In today’s episode of What to Read Next, we're diving into four smart beach reads—books with substance, style, and serious escape vibes. Whether you're on a lounge chair or just daydreaming about it, these titles deliver compelling plots, sharp writing, and unforgettable characters. From OnlyFans journeys to literary ice dancers and secret identities, this list blends literary flair with binge-worthy storytelling.

💌 Want personalized book recs? Join the newsletter at whattoreadnextblog.com/newsletter

• [00:00] Intro + how this list was inspired by Bravo Cocktails community
• [04:50] Margot’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe
• [07:45] All the Other Mothers Hate Me by Sarah Harmon
• [09:45] The Favorites by Lane Fargo
• [11:00] The Three Lives of Cate Kay by Kate Fagan
• [12:30] Call to Action: Submit your recs + newsletter sign-up

• Margot’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe https://amzn.to/3RwSKMh
• All the Other Mothers Hate Me by Sarah Harman https://amzn.to/42Q60kr
• The Favorites by Layne Fargo https://amzn.to/3ExrFpq
• The Three Lives of Cate Kay by Kate Fagan https://amzn.to/3GpuBoy

🎙️ Like the episode? Share your favorite smart beach read in the comments or sign up at whattoreadnextblog.com for weekly recommendations!

Subscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)

Watch Novel Hour Live on Thursdays on YouTube at 12 PM ET.

Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read Next

Subscribe & leave a review!

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Disclosure: We are part of the Amazon Affiliate/LTK Creator programs. We will receive a small commission at no cost if you purchase a book. This post may contain links to purchase books.

In this special Women's History Month episode of What to Read Next, Victoria shares three powerful historical fiction novels spotlighting extraordinary women who defied expectations and shaped history. From courtroom drama in colonial America to feminist trailblazers rubbing shoulders with literary legends, these stories celebrate resilience, courage, and ambition. Whether you're a seasoned historical fiction fan or looking to branch out from WWII-era tales, this episode offers compelling reads with heart and substance.

• The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon https://amzn.to/42VglN0
• Becoming Madam Secretary by Stephanie Dray https://amzn.to/42VhdRM
• Finding Margaret Fuller by Allison Pataki https://amzn.to/4jNKPGA

• [00:00] Intro & What to Expect
• [01:00] The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon
• [03:00] Becoming Madam Secretary by Stephanie Dray
• [06:00] Finding Margaret Fuller by Allison Pataki
• [09:00] Bonus: More books by Stephanie Dray
• [10:00] Wrap-up & Support the Show

Subscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)

Watch Novel Hour Live on Thursdays on YouTube at 12 PM ET.

Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read Next

Subscribe & leave a review!

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