EPISODE · Aug 20, 2025 · 25 MIN
If You Love Romance, Try These Literary Fiction Gems
from What to Read Next Podcast l Book Recommendation Show
This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.This episode originally aired in March 30, 2023. Craving literary fiction that still scratches your romance itch? This episode is your cozy bridge between genres.Laura Anne Bird joins Laura to share beautifully written, emotionally satisfying novels with unforgettable heroines, deep friendships, and just enough love to keep romance readers turning pages.You’ll hear why these picks feel approachable (not intimidating!), how they honor big feelings and found family, and where they overlap with today’s rom-dram trends. Expect nuanced characters, heart-healing endings, and book-club-ready discussion vibes.📚 Books MentionedAll This Could Be Different by Sarah Thankam Mathews — Buy on Amazon | Literary Fiction, Friendship, Millennial Life | Audio ✅Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin — Buy on Amazon | Literary, Friendship Epic, Creativity | Audio ✅The Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell — Buy on Amazon | Historical Literary, Power, Survival | Audio ✅The Sentence by Louise Erdrich — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Literary, Indigenous MC, Bookstore | Audio ✅This Time Tomorrow by Emma Straub — Buy on Amazon | Time Travel, Family, Second Chances | Audio ✅Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus — Buy on Amazon | Women-in-STEM, 1960s, Found Family | Audio ✅Crossing the Pressure Line by Laura Ann Bird — Buy on Amazon | Middle Grade, Adventure, Outdoors⏱️ Time Stamps 00:00 Welcome back + midlife pep talk03:00 Why lit fic works for romance readers (representation, big feelings)05:00 All This Could Be Different — messy 20s & found family09:00 Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow — love without romance12:00 The Marriage Portrait — historical stakes + female friendship15:00 The Sentence — bookstore life, 2020, tender marriage core18:00 This Time Tomorrow — time travel, father–daughter heart21:30 Lessons in Chemistry — women-in-STEM sparkle24:00 Where to follow Laura Bird + show wrapJoin 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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https://www.whattoreadnextblog.com/affiliate (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 and you can read ourhttps://www.whattoreadnextblog.com/affiliate ( affiliate disclosure here. )In this episode, I explore the world of literary fiction and romance, focusing on engaging stories with strong, passionate, and relatable female protagonists. We discuss the evolution of both genres to include more diverse representation and the importance of embracing challenges and personal growth in midlife. We delve into captivating novels like https://rstyle.me/+DEJDlB9LbDDzaLPPNgOmcA (All This Could Be Different by Sarah Thankam Matthews)*, https://rstyle.me/+DOaVuSs25Sd-DXHUmh-ysg (Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin)*, and https://rstyle.me/+FSeG6kvQqdhHYn_x6hpwCw (The Sentence by Louis Erdrich)*. If you're a fan of romance or literary fiction, you won't want to miss this episode filled with compelling stories and unforgettable characters!*Affiliate LinksSHOWNOTES AND BOOK LINKShttp://www.whattoreadnextblog.com (http://WhattoReadNextBlog.com)Check out our YouTube Channel;https://www.whattoreadnextblog.com/youtube (https://www.whattoreadnextblog.com/youtube)Music from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):https://uppbeat.io/t/hartzmann/sunnyLicense code: 0RDRBKGH6NGQCAXRBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/what-to-read-next-podcast-l-book-recommendation-show--5263998/support?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=rss (https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/what-to-read-next-podcast-l-book-recommendation-show--5263998/support).
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If You Love Romance, Try These Literary Fiction Gems
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