Ep 531: Seeking light but not fluffy summer reads for a good escape episode artwork

EPISODE · Jun 23, 2026 · 1H

Ep 531: Seeking light but not fluffy summer reads for a good escape

from What Should I Read Next? · host Anne Bogel

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 the most of her Lake Michigan proximity by spending time outside with her family and reading on the beach when she can fit it into her schedule. When it comes to her summer reading quest, Kayla's identified a specific type of story that is really working well for her. Today, Kayla is hoping Anne can help her understand why this specific setting is working so well, because she'd love to discover more books that satisfy in the same way. You'll find the list of titles mentioned today on our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/531. Early summer is our busy season around here, and we know that's the case for many of you as well. Our team will be taking next week off, but we will be back in your podcast players the following week. In the meantime, we hope you enjoy exploring our archives of over 500 episodes. Visit us at modernmrsdarcy.com/podcast to explore both recent and backlist episodes. Chapters: 04:29 Meet Kayla 07:38 Kayla’s search for books with heart during a season of grief 19:55 The Ice Cream Queen of Orchard Street by Susan Jane Gilman 22:04 Same As It Ever Was by Claire Lombardo 26:10 The Correspondent by Virginia Evans 28:02  Havoc by Christopher Bollen 32:28 A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna 36:45 Make Nice by Ryan Effgen 41:28 Lies and Weddings by Kevin Kwan 45:02 The Inn at Lake Devine by Elinor Lipman 48:32 Road Ends by Mary Lawson 54:43 What will Kayla read next? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 the most of her Lake Michigan proximity by spending time outside with her family and reading on the beach when she can fit it into her schedule. When it comes to her summer reading quest, Kayla's identified a specific type of story that is really working well for her. Today, Kayla is hoping Anne can help her understand why this specific setting is working so well, because she'd love to discover more books that satisfy in the same way. You'll find the list of titles mentioned today on our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/531. Early summer is our busy season around here, and we know that's the case for many of you as well. Our team will be taking next week off, but we will be back in your podcast players the following week. In the meantime, we hope you enjoy exploring our archives of over 500 episodes. Visit us at modernmrsdarcy.com/podcast to explore both recent and backlist episodes. Chapters: 04:29 Meet Kayla 07:38 Kayla’s search for books with heart during a season of grief 19:55 The Ice Cream Queen of Orchard Street by Susan Jane Gilman 22:04 Same As It Ever Was by Claire Lombardo 26:10 The Correspondent by Virginia Evans 28:02  Havoc by Christopher Bollen 32:28 A Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna 36:45 Make Nice by Ryan Effgen 41:28 Lies and Weddings by Kevin Kwan 45:02 The Inn at Lake Devine by Elinor Lipman 48:32 Road Ends by Mary Lawson 54:43 What will Kayla read next? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

NOW PLAYING

Ep 531: Seeking light but not fluffy summer reads for a good escape

0:00 1:00:01

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

LIGHTS, CAMERA, SMILE! Creatives Club Media Lights, Camera, Smile, is a podcast for anyone with a dream to share something with the world, out of the overflow of themselves - be it their mind, their heart, their personalities, and much more. Each of us are alive in this moment in time, with an innate ability to have ideas and create various things to benefit both ourselves and the people around us for a reason, and here, you will find the encouragement, the inspiration, and the motivation to do just that. Hosted by Cicily, founder of Creatives Club, she dives into various topics surrounding creativity and business. Exploring entrepreneurship for creatives in a corporate reality, sharing tips and tricks in a media centered company, answering questions regarding what a creative actually is are just a few of the things discussed on this podcast. Be encouraged to create for yourself as Cicily gets vulnerable by pivoting the camera to herself for the first time.To submit questions for Cicily to answer, or have her address certain t Solving for Change MOBIA Technology Innovations Solving for Change welcomes business and technology leaders to share stories of bold business transformation within complex organizations. In an era when technology and markets are changing around businesses, the key to staying competitive is to evolve in response to those changes.  MOBIA’s Mike Reeves and Marc LeBlanc investigate business transformation, deconstructing the challenges, ambitions, and market disruptions that drive companies to embark on transformation journeys, and exploring their unique approaches to achieving meaningful outcomes.  What sparks leaders to pursue business transformation? How do they overcome the challenges along the way? What are the keys to creating enduring change?  Through in-depth conversations with business and technology leaders, Mike and Marc answer these questions and explore how businesses evolve by pulling four key transformation levers: people, process, technology, and culture. The Lee Olsen Show Lee Olsen CJF I want to help you improve all areas of your life by 3 types of podcasts!👉Blood, Sweat & Blessings-Interviews of normal people that have achieved BIG things!👉Series!!! For Love of the Horse- Brad Jackman DVM & Lee Olsen CJF, how to help your horse!👉Business Tips- Proven Life Changing Business Strategies with Lee Olsen The Field Priest Methodius Chwastek The Field is a place of cultivation and of battle. In the Church, we learn to cultivate a life pleasing to God. This life is shaped in the spiritual battle. This series examines, chapter by chapter, the Christian classic The Field, by Saint Ignatius Brianchaninov. Please join me as I explain this great work in terms the modern Orthodox Christian can understand. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of What Should I Read Next??

This episode is 1 hour and 0 minutes long.

When was this What Should I Read Next? episode published?

This episode was published on June 23, 2026.

What is this episode about?

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...

Can I download this What Should I Read Next? episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.
URL copied to clipboard!