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.A debut romcom inspired by Bollywood, built around one of the most delicious twists on fake dating you'll ever read — fake NOT dating. If you love big Indian weddings, chaotic families, and slow-burn tension between two people who desperately want each other but have to pretend they've never met, this episode is your sign to add Leave and Come Back to your TBR immediately.Debut author Lavanya Lakshmi joins the show to talk about her journey from Twilight fanfiction to landing a publishing deal, the Bollywood film that inspired her novel, and why she made the bold choice to get her characters together at the start of the book. We also dig into her reading life and the books she returns to again and again — including a romance she calls her holy grail.📚 Books MentionedLeave and Come Back by Lavanya Lakshmi — Buy on Amazon | Romcom / South Asian Romance | Audio ✅Seven Days in June by Tia Williams — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance / Literary | Audio ✅The View Was Exhausting by Mikaellla Clements & Onjuli Datta — Buy on Amazon | Celebrity Fake Dating Romance | Audio ✅Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin — Buy on Amazon | Literary Fiction / Women's Fiction | Audio ✅ (highly recommended on audio per guest)Summer Sisters by Judy Blume — Buy on Amazon | Women's Fiction / Coming-of-Age | Audio ✅Refuse to Be Done by Matt Bell — Buy on Amazon | Craft / WritingNora Goes Off Script by Annabel Monaghan — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance | Audio ✅Summer Romance by Annabel Monaghan — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance | Audio ✅It's a Love Story by Annabel Monaghan — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance | Audio ✅Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance⏱️ Timestamps[00:00] Welcome & introducing Lavanya Lakshmi[00:01] Growing up across 4 countries & life in Toronto[00:02] Writing journey: from casual writer to Twilight fanfiction[00:04] Getting an agent early — and walking away from writing[00:05] How a best friend's publishing deal reignited the dream[00:06] Leave and Come Back — the "fake NOT dating" concept explained[00:07] Why the characters get together at the START of the book[00:08] The Bollywood movie that inspired the story (DDLJ)[00:10] Building an Indian wedding timeline & structuring the plot[00:12] Lavanya's reading life — what she reads and why[00:13] Summer Sisters by Judy Blume — a summer re-read tradition[00:14] Book recs begin: Seven Days in June by Tia Williams[00:16] The View Was Exhausting — celebrity fake dating & public life[00:18] Craft tip: retyping your draft to change POV (first → third person)[00:19] Refuse to Be Done by Matt Bell — a craft book recommendation[00:20] Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin[00:22] Annabel Monaghan — and how she got a blurb from a favorite author[00:23] Where to find Lavanya online + wrap-upJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.What if your thriller author and your meditation teacher turned out to be the same person? That's exactly how this conversation started — and it only gets better from there.Laura sits down with author Jaclyn Goldis, whose upcoming novel The Last Time We Saw Her follows a group of former campers who return to the volcanic Azores Islands a decade after one of their own vanished — only for another death to shatter the reunion. It's a twisty, sun-drenched thriller full of unreliable narrators and cold-case documentary vibes, perfect for summer reading. They also dig into Vedic meditation, the creative benefits of boredom, and a stack of thriller and mystery recommendations you'll want to add to your TBR immediately.📚 Books MentionedThe Last Time We Saw Her by Jaclyn Goldis — Buy on Amazon | Thriller My Husband's Wife by Alice Feeney — Buy on Amazon | Psychological Thriller We Solve Murders by Richard Osman — Buy on Amazon | Cozy MysteryMagpie Murders (series, Book 1) by Anthony Horowitz — Buy on Amazon | Mystery Rewilding by Jane Green — Buy on Amazon | Memoir / Nonfiction ⏱️ Timestamps[00:00] Welcome & how Laura and Jaclyn know each other[01:00] Jaclyn's background: lawyer turned novelist, life in Tel Aviv[02:00] The Last Time We Saw Her — summer camp, the Azores, cold case documentary[04:00] Vedic meditation — what it is and why Jaclyn swears by it[08:30] The creative benefits of boredom & phone-free walks[10:00] Jaclyn's reading tastes — thrillers, rom-coms, nonfiction[10:30] My Husband's Wife by Alice Feeney[11:30] The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman[12:00] Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz[13:00] Rewilding by Jane Green — memoir, Jane Green's reinvention[15:30] Where to find Jaclyn onlineJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.If politics feels overwhelming, chaotic, or just plain exhausting right now — this episode is for you. Emily Amick, the attorney-turned-Instagram creator behind Emily in Your Phone, joins the show to talk about her book Democracy in Retrograde (co-authored with Sami Sage) and why civic action doesn't have to feel hopeless.From calling your actual representative (not Chuck Schumer) to showing up for your local library board, Emily breaks down the concrete, manageable things readers can do to engage with democracy right now — including a real talk about the 2026 midterms. If you've been doom-scrolling and wondering what to do, this conversation is your next step.📚 Books MentionedDemocracy in Retrograde by Emily Amick & Sammy Sage — Buy on Amazon | Nonfiction / Civics / Political Education | Audio ✅ Note: This episode focuses on a single title. The paperback edition is currently available.⏱️ Timestamps[00:00] Welcome & intro — what this episode is about[00:45] Emily introduces herself: Senate counsel, lawyer, Instagram creator[01:30] Why Democracy in Retrograde was written — answering "I feel hopeless"[02:30] How Emily started Emily in Your Phone during the first Trump term[05:00] What actually works: calling your representative (and why it has to be yours)[07:30] Other ways to engage: town halls, letters to the editor, local Facebook groups[08:45] Local elections matter — school boards, library boards, running for office[10:00] Becoming a poll worker: what it involves and why it matters[11:00] Staying focused: how to pick your one issue and advocate for it[12:00] Auditing your news diet — from the workbook section of the book[13:00] Laura on libraries, Medicaid, and using your expertise as advocacy[14:00] Why library boards need people who actually love books[15:30] Libraries as third spaces — more than just books[16:30] The 2026 midterms: what's at stake (House, Senate, Supreme Court)[17:30] Swing Left, Vote Forward, and relational organizing explained[19:00] Having hard political conversations — and why most people aren't as extreme as you think[20:30] Where to find Emily onlineJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.What happens when a beloved actress becomes a storyteller of forgotten Black history? Karyn Parsons — yes, the Hilary Banks from Fresh Prince of Bel-Air — joins us to talk about her powerful historical fiction for young readers, her nonprofit Sweet Blackberry, and why books like hers matter more in 2026 than ever.In this episode, we dig into Blue Beach, a YA murder mystery set on a segregated Black beach in 1929 that is equal parts page-turning thriller and gut-punch history lesson. We also talk about Clouds Over California, Karyn's middle grade novel set in the 1970s that reframes the story of the Black Panthers. Whether you're a longtime reader of YA or someone who thinks "that's not for me" — this conversation will change your mind. Adults: these books are absolutely for you.Plus: Karyn shares what she's been reading lately, including a deeply unsettling thriller about smell, murder, and obsession, a darkly funny book that involves... cannibalism (?!), and why Kindred by Octavia Butler is a required read for every human.📚 Books MentionedBlue Beach by Karyn Parsons — Buy on Amazon | YA Historical Fiction / Mystery | Set in 1929 on a segregated Black beach; a murder mystery with powerful themes of race, community, and colorismClouds Over California by Karyn Parsons — Buy on Amazon | Middle Grade Historical Fiction | 1970s California; reframes the Black Panthers through the eyes of a young Black girlPerfume: The Story of a Murderer by Patrick Süskind — Buy on Amazon | Literary Thriller | A man with a preternatural sense of smell pursues an obsession with devastating consequences — dark, rich, and unforgettableKindred by Octavia Butler — Buy on Amazon | Speculative/Historical Fiction | A modern Black woman is pulled back in time to the antebellum South — a masterclass in writing and a required readA Certain Hunger by Chelsea G. Summers — Buy on Amazon | Dark Satire / Literary Fiction | A witty, darkly funny novel about a food critic with a very particular appetite — not for the faint of heart (cannibalism warning, delivered with humor)A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas — Buy on Amazon | Fantasy / Romantasy | Book 1 of the ACOTAR seriesA Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas — Buy on Amazon | Fantasy / Romantasy | Book 2 — where the series truly takes offPet Sematary by Stephen King — Buy on Amazon | Horror | A meditation on mortality and grief as much as a horror novel — deeply unsettlingFemme Feral by Sam Beckbessinger — Buy on Amazon | Horror / Dark Fiction | Female rage, perimenopause, and werewolves — Laura's current read⏱️ Timestamps[00:00] Welcome & intro — Karyn Parsons, aka Hilary Banks from Fresh Prince of Bel-Air[01:00] How Karyn became a historical fiction author and the origin of Sweet Blackberry nonprofit[04:00] Why she writes truthfully — empathy, history, and what literature can do[05:00] Blue Beach — the real story of Bruce's Beach that inspired the novel[07:00] Growing up in Santa Monica on a beach that had been segregated — and not knowing it[10:00] Elevator pitch for Blue Beach: the setup, the murder, the stakes[12:00] Colorism, community, and the paper bag test in the story[13:00] Clouds Over California — reframing the Black Panthers for middle grade readers[16:00] The parallels between the 1970s, Black Lives Matter, and today[18:00] Karyn's reading life: what she reaches for and why[19:00] Perfume: The Story of a Murderer — obsession, scent, and murder[22:00] Pet Sematary and revisiting Stephen King; Misery memory[24:00] Kindred by Octavia Butler — why it's a masterclass and a required read[27:00] A rec for A Court of Thorns and Roses and the ACOTAR series[28:00] Femme Feral — female rage, perimenopause, and horror as a new genre for Laura[29:00] A Certain Hunger — a darkly funny, very specific rec (you'll know when you hear it)[31:00] Where to find Karyn online and info about Sweet BlackberryJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.If you've been sleeping on sports romance, this episode is your wake-up call. Tennis romance is officially having its moment in publishing — and the author who was writing it a decade before anyone else is finally getting her flowers.In this episode, Laura chats with Jennifer Iacopelli, author of Game Set Match and its sequel Wild Card — new adult tennis romances newly re-released through Little Brown's Requited imprint after Jennifer's YA novel Finding Her Edge was adapted into a Netflix series. They dig into Jennifer's 15-year publishing journey, the ensemble cast storytelling structure of the Game Set Match series, the road from canceled Olympics to Netflix, and why tennis provides the perfect natural force-proximity setup for romance. Plus, Jennifer shares her top sports romance recs (including a few you can grab right now) and a YA F1 romance that's coming in 2027 that you'll want to add to your TBR immediately.Perfect for fans of Challengers, sports romance, and anyone who loves a resilience arc — in fiction and in real life.📚 Books MentionedGame Set Match by Jennifer Iacopelli — Buy on Amazon | New Adult Romance / Sports Romance / Tennis | KU ✅ (backlist) | Audio ✅ (check availability)Wild Card by Jennifer Iacopelli — Buy on Amazon | New Adult Romance / Sports Romance / Tennis | (sequel to Game Set Match; releasing June 2026)Finding Her Edge by Jennifer Iacopelli — Buy on Amazon | YA Romance / Sports Fiction / Olympic Figure Skating | Now a Netflix series ✅Break the Fall by Jennifer Iacopelli — Buy on Amazon | YA Romance / Sports Fiction / Olympic Gymnastics | Audio ✅ (check availability)Thirty Love by Tom Vellner — Buy on Amazon | Adult Romance / Sports Romance / Tennis | MM Romance | (recently released)The Open Era by Edward Schmit — Buy on Amazon | Adult Romance / Sports Romance / Tennis | (recently released)The Fast Track by Angelica Chang — Buy on Amazon | YA Romance / Sports Fiction / F1 Racing | (releases summer 2026 — add to your TBR now!)The Someday Garden by Ashley Poston — Buy on Amazon | Adult Romance | Secret Garden vibes | (upcoming — release date June 2026)⏱️ Timestamps[00:00] Welcome & intro — Jennifer Iacopelli joins the show[00:45] Jennifer's background: YA and new adult sports romance author[01:30] Game Set Match debut in 2013 — the pre-BookTok era of publishing[02:30] How the 2008 financial crisis led Jennifer to write her debut novel[04:30] Publishing journey: aging the book down, small digital publishers, and a closed imprint[06:00] Break the Fall — writing in response to the USA Gymnastics scandal[07:30] The COVID Olympics cancellation and its impact on her publishing career[08:30] Finding Her Edge and the road to Netflix[10:00] Little Brown's Requited imprint and bringing Game Set Match back as new adult[11:30] Tennis romance having its moment — the publishing landscape then vs. now[13:00] The ensemble, serialized storytelling structure of the Game Set Match series[14:30] The tennis calendar as a natural force-proximity story engine[15:30] What's next: could a US Open book be coming?[16:00] Jennifer's involvement in the Finding Her Edge Netflix adaptation[19:00] Writer's room, ensemble TV storytelling, and the evolution of teen drama[21:30] The non-linear reality of publishing careers[23:00] The book format conversation: mass market paperbacks, special editions & reading culture[25:00] Book Recs: Thirty Love by Vellner— tennis rivalry MM romance[26:00] Book Recs: The Open Era by Edward Schmit — tennis romance[26:30] Book Recs: The Fast Track by Angelica Chang — YA F1 romance (2027)[27:30] Book Recs: The Someday Garden by Ashley Poston — Secret Garden vibes[29:00] The rise of women's sports and niche sports fandoms[31:00] Where to find Jennifer online[31:30] Wrap-upJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.What happens when the first openly gay man competes in a Grand Slam — and falls for his opponent across the net? Debut author Eddie Schmit joins the show to talk about The Open Era, his queer tennis romance that's equal parts heart-racing competition and sweet slow-burn love story.Eddie shares how a mental health journey led him to tennis, how tennis led him to a book deal with Penguin Random House, and why the US Open — right in his Queens backyard — became the perfect backdrop for a story about identity, anxiety, and falling in love at exactly the wrong time. We also dig into his reading list: the Andre Agassi memoir that gripped him from page one, a practical mental health survival guide, a quirky queer literary novel about a mountain lion in the LA hills, and a cozy paranormal romance that reads like a warm hug.📚 Books MentionedThe Open Era by Edward Schmit — Buy on Amazon | Queer Romance / Sports Romance | Audio ✅ Open by Andre Agassi — Buy on Amazon | Memoir / Sports Nonfiction | Audio ✅Where to Start by Mental Health America, illus. Gemma Carrell — Buy on Amazon | Nonfiction / Mental Health | Young Adult crossover; also available in SpanishThe Inner Game of Tennis by W. Timothy Gallwey — Buy on Amazon | Nonfiction / Sports Psychology | 50th Anniversary Edition | Audio ✅Dearly Departed by Chip Pons — Buy on Amazon | Queer Paranormal Romance / Mythology Romance Open Throat by Henry Hoke — Buy on Amazon | Queer Literary Fiction | Short / great for gifting | Audio ✅⏱️ Timestamps[00:00] Welcome & introducing Eddie Schmit[00:30] Eddie's background: acting, PR, and New York City life[02:00] Finding tennis as a mental health tool[04:30] How tennis became a full personality — and a book[06:00] The Open Era: plot, characters & what makes it special[08:00] Anxiety, masking, and representing mental health realistically in fiction[10:00] The messy, non-linear journey of managing anxiety[12:00] How Eddie ended up writing romance[14:30] Why romance is the perfect genre for character arcs and high stakes[16:00] Nonfiction rec: Open by Andre Agassi[18:30] Nonfiction rec: Where to Start by Mental Health America[20:30] Nonfiction rec: The Inner Game of Tennis by W. Timothy Gallwey[23:30] Fiction rec: Dearly Departed by Chip Pons[24:30] Fiction rec: Open Throat by Henry Hoke[25:30] Where to find Eddie + The Open Era release dateJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.If you loved YA but drifted away — or if you're a YA fan wondering where to start in adult fiction — this episode is your permission slip to do both. School librarian and book lover Kelly Mayfield joins Laura to talk about the YA authors crossing over into adult fiction, and why the YA genre has been ahead of the curve on diversity, representation, and storytelling for years.From Rainbow Rowell's slow-burn adult romances to Jesse Q. Sutanto's cozy mysteries with unforgettable ensemble casts, Kelly shares four authors you'll want on your radar — whether you're coming from YA or discovering them fresh. It's also National Library Week, so we're talking about why school libraries matter more than ever and the real-world impact they have on literacy and access.📚 BOOKS MENTIONEDRainbow RowellEleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary YA / Romance | Audio ✅Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary YA | Audio ✅Slow Dance by Rainbow Rowell — Buy on Amazon | Adult Contemporary Romance | Audio ✅Cherry Baby by Rainbow Rowell — Buy on Amazon | Adult Contemporary Romance | Audio ✅ (new release)Jesse Q. SutantoThe Obsession by Jesse Q. Sutanto — Buy on Amazon | YA Thriller | Audio ✅You Will Never Be Me by Jesse Q. Sutanto — Buy on Amazon | Adult Thriller | Audio ✅Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers by Jesse Q. Sutanto — Buy on Amazon | Cozy Mystery | Audio ✅Mrs. Mabel Goes Back to the Chopping Block by Jesse Q. Sutanto — Buy on Amazon | Cozy Mystery | Audio ✅ (check KU availability)T. Kingfisher (also writes as Ursula Vernon)A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher — Buy on Amazon | Fantasy / Fairy Tale Retelling | Audio ✅Snake Eater by T. Kingfisher — Buy on Amazon | Fantasy / Suspense | Audio ✅Wolfworm by T. Kingfisher — Buy on Amazon | Fantasy | Audio ✅ (newest release)Melissa de la CruzThe Five Stages of Courting Dalisay Ramos by Melissa de la Cruz — Buy on Amazon | Adult Contemporary Romance | Audio ✅Blue Bloods series by Melissa de la Cruz — Buy on Amazon | YA Paranormal / Vampire | Audio ✅Also Referenced (briefly mentioned):The Secret History by Donna TarttTomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin⏱️ TIMESTAMPS[00:00] Welcome & guest intro — Kelly Mayfield, school librarian and book lover[00:01] National Library Week: why school libraries matter[02:00] Book banning, funding gaps & the 40% of schools without a trained librarian[03:00] Laura's reading history: growing up in Puerto Rico without public libraries[05:00] What makes YA different — happy endings, diverse representation, and being ahead of the curve[07:00] Novels in verse and other formats YA pioneered before adult fiction[10:00] Book Rec #1: Rainbow Rowell — Eleanor & Park, Fangirl, Slow Dance, Cherry Baby[12:30] Book Rec #2: Jesse Q. Sutanto — The Obsession, You Will Never Be Me, Vera Wong series, Mrs. Mabel[16:00] Book Rec #3: T. Kingfisher — A Sorceress Comes to Call, Snake Eater, Wolfworm; horror light vs. true horror[18:30] Book Rec #4: Melissa de la Cruz — Blue Bloods, The Five Stages of Courting Dalisay Ramos[21:00] Bonus mentions: Ashley Poston, Amy Spalding, and other YA-to-adult crossover authors[23:00] Kelly's Substack + the joy of backlist reading and breakout hits💌CONNECT WITH KELLY MAYFIELDhttps://kellymayfield.substack.com/Join the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.She wrote her debut novel at 18, self-published it, went viral on TikTok — and now she's a Simon & Schuster author with a dramatized audiobook. Lauren Roberts is living proof that passion plus scrappiness can take you very, very far.In this episode, Lauren breaks down the wild origin story behind Powerless — from pitching the idea live on TikTok to Googling her way through ISBN numbers and copyright filings. We talk about what makes the Powerless trilogy so addictive (enemies to lovers! forbidden romance! high-stakes trials!), the incredible new dramatized audiobook of Powerless, and the literary fiction authors who are quietly shaping Lauren's writing voice.Whether you're a romantasy superfan or just looking for your next unputdownable series, this one's for you.📚 Books MentionedPowerless by Lauren Roberts — Buy on Amazon | Romantasy / YA Fantasy | Audio ✅(Dramatized Audiobook available!)Reckless by Lauren Roberts — Buy on Amazon | Romantasy / YA Fantasy | Audio ✅ Fearless by Lauren Roberts — Buy on Amazon | Romantasy / YA Fantasy | Audio ✅ Alone With You in the Ether by Olivie Blake — Buy on Amazon | Literary Fiction / Romance | Audio ✅Masters of Death by Olivie Blake — Buy on Amazon | Literary Fiction / Fantasy | Audio ✅One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig — Buy on Amazon | Gothic Fantasy | Audio ✅Vicious by V.E. Schwab — Buy on Amazon | Dark Fantasy | Audio ✅Dance of Thieves by Mary E. Pearson — Buy on Amazon | Fantasy / Romantasy (Duology) | Audio ✅⏱️ Timestamps[00:00] Welcome & introducing Lauren Roberts[00:45] Lauren's background — writing at 18 and the TikTok origin story[02:30] Figuring out self-publishing from scratch (ISBNs, copyright, editors)[04:30] Simon & Schuster reaches out — the surreal moment it all changed[05:30] What drives Lauren: supporting other creatives and following your passion[06:30] Elevator pitch for Powerless — the plot, the world, the magic system[07:45] The romance: enemies to lovers, forbidden tropes, and sky-high stakes[08:30] The dramatized audiobook of Heartless — a movie for your ears[10:30] Behind the scenes: scripting, sound effects, music, and casting the voices[12:30] Lauren voices a character herself — and what it felt like to hear Powerless fresh[13:00] Lauren's reading life: the literary fiction curveball[14:00] Olivie Blake and V.E. Schwab — balancing lyrical prose with fantasy[15:00] Where Lauren's own writing is heading next[15:30] Book recommendations: Lauren's top picks for listeners[16:30] Where to find Lauren online (Instagram, TikTok, Substack)Join the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.What if your dream bookshop was hiding inside the pages of a book? This week's guest is making that fantasy feel very real.London-based bookworm and Substack newsletter writer Alicia joins us to share her love of a very specific and very delightful trope: woman quits job to open a bookshop. If you've ever fantasized about leaving it all behind for a life surrounded by shelves and the smell of old paper, Alicia has three gorgeous, lesser-known reads that will feed that daydream beautifully. From translated Japanese fiction to a moving Korean novel, these books explore healing, community, and the quiet courage it takes to build a life you actually want — even when you're not sure you're ready.📚 Books MentionedThe Bookshop Woman by Nanako Hanada — Buy on Amazon | Nonfiction / Memoir | A quiet, insightful look at the world of bookselling and how small changes create big impact.Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa — Buy on Amazon | Japanese Translated Fiction / Contemporary | A healing, character-driven story about a woman who finds herself — slowly — through books.Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-reum — Buy on Amazon | Korean Translated Fiction / Contemporary | A raw, courageous story about a woman who opens a bookshop from a place of grief and finds herself living her values anyway.⏱️ Timestamps[00:00] Welcome & introduction — meet Alicia from London[01:00] What Alicia reads: contemporary, literary, historical fiction & nonfiction[02:00] Alicia's nonfiction picks: memoirs, economics, music[03:30] What led Alicia to start Reads with Alicia on Substack[05:00] Building a bookish community online — Substack, BookTok & beyond[07:00] Alicia's Seasonal Reads with Friends collaboration series[08:30] The episode's trope: "Woman quits job to open a bookshop"[10:00] Book #1 — The Bookshop Woman by Nanako Hanada[13:00] Why book recommendations are an act of care[14:00] Book #2 — Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa[16:00] Book #3 — Welcome to the Hyunam-Dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-reum[19:30] Living your values even in hard times[20:00] Where to find Alicia online & wrap-upJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.What if your love stories came with secret societies, art forgery rings, and a twist you never saw coming? Author Ava Rani joins us to talk books, balance, and why she refuses to write a boring romance.Ava Rani is an author who does it all — indie publishing, traditional publishing, and somehow fitting it in between a medical career and motherhood. In this episode, she walks us through her Biotech Billionaires series (think Gossip Girl meets Succession, Scandal, and Crazy Rich Asians), her standalone Out of Her League (a surgeon, a soccer star, and a fake-dating trip to Paris — need we say more?), and her New Adult mystery-romance Poisoned Ivy, which she lovingly describes as Never Have I Ever meets Rory Gilmore's Yale years. If you love sharp heroines, enemies-to-lovers slow burns, and plots that actually keep you guessing, this episode is for you.📚 Books MentionedThe Spare by Ava Rani — Buy on Amazon| Contemporary Romance / Billionaire Romance | Biotech Billionaires #1The Heir by Ava Rani — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance / Billionaire Romance | Biotech Billionaires #2The Charmer by Ava Rani — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance / Billionaire Romance | Biotech Billionaires #3Out of Her League by Ava Rani — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance / Sports Romance / Fake Dating | Check KU & Audio availabilityPoisoned Ivy by Ava Rani — Buy on Amazon | New Adult Romance / Mystery | The Legacy Series #1 | Audio ✅ (available on Libro.fm/library apps)Gilded Lilly by Ava Rani — Forthcoming | New Adult Romance / Bodyguard Romance | The Legacy Series #2⏱️ Timestamps[00:00] Welcome & introducing Ava Rani[00:01] Ava's writing life, motherhood & Nancy Meyers goals[00:02] How she balances it all: schedules, productivity & the sloth era[00:05] Social media detox & the "Brick" app hack[00:06] Intro to the Biotech Billionaires series[00:07] The Heir — Henry, Selena & the PR romance[00:09] The Spare — Marcus, Sloan & the Darcy-coded runner[00:11] The Charmer — Xander, Penelope & the rewritten love story[00:13] The Gossip Girl comparisons (Succession, Scandal, Crazy Rich Asians)[00:14] Out of Her League — Issa the surgeon meets soccer star Austin Cade[00:16] The fake-dating setup: a wedding in Paris & one bed[00:19] Issa's career journey & the child-free storyline[00:22] Why Ava wrote a heroine grappling with being child-free[00:25] How career milestones deserve the same celebration as weddings[00:26] Poisoned Ivy — secret societies, campus chaos & a twist[00:27] Meet Malena: part Rory Gilmore, part Davy Vishwakumar[00:29] The masquerade, the catacombs & Conrad Hastings (aka Fixed Logan)[00:31] The art forgery mystery unravels[00:33] Gilded Lilly — Sabrina's book, a bodyguard & a suspicious Duke[00:35] Forbidden romance, yearning & Anastasia vibes[00:36] Where to find Ava Rani onlineJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.What if your perimenopause symptoms weren't just symptoms — what if you were turning into a werewolf? Author Sam Beckbessinger joins us to talk about her debut adult novel Femme Feral, and it might be the most cathartic book you read this year.Sam and I dive deep into why the medical industry has failed women at midlife, the reality of millennial burnout, and why female rage horror is having such a deserved moment. If you're a woman in your 30s, 40s, or beyond who has ever been dismissed by a doctor, told to "just lose some weight," or felt the crushing weight of doing 200% while getting zero credit — this episode is going to feel like a long exhale. We also get into Sam's reading life: from the buzzy Dungeon Crawler Carl series to feminist short story collections you need to know about.📚 BOOKS MENTIONEDFemme Feral by Sam Beckbessinger — Buy on Amazon | Horror / Women's Fiction | Audio ✅Dungeon Crawler Carl series by Matt Dinniman — Buy on Amazon | Sci-Fi / LitRPG / Adventure | KU ✅ | Audio ✅She's Always Hungry by Eliza Clark — Buy on Amazon | Dark Fiction / Short Stories / HorrorHer Body and Other Parties by Carmen Maria Machado — Buy on Amazon | Literary Horror / Short Stories | KU ✅ | Audio ✅Gods of Want by K-Ming Chang — Buy on Amazon | Literary Fiction / Short Stories / Queer FictionStag Dance by Torrey Peters — Buy on Amazon | Literary Fiction / Historical / Queer Fiction | Audio ✅⏱️ TIMESTAMPS[00:00] Welcome & introduction — Sam Beckbessinger joins the show[00:45] Why female rage and perimenopause inspired Femme Feral[02:00] How the medical industry gasligths women at midlife[03:00] The history of women being excluded from medical trials[04:30] The book's premise — Ellie, the werewolf, and repressed rage[06:30] What Femme Feral is (and isn't) — horror content notes[08:00] Millennial burnout, the "you can have it all" generation, and reckoning[10:00] Funny and dark: luring toxic bosses into alleyways[11:00] Generational work culture — Gen Z vs. Millennial vs. Gen X bosses[12:00] Writing Femme Feral as personal excavation and self-discovery[13:30] Healthcare, for-profit medicine, and the gynecologist problem[15:00] Laura's story: taking a demotion and finding freedom[16:00] The chapter headings — perimenopause symptoms as a buffet (and a doctor's checklist)[17:00] Sam's reading life — what genres she loves and why[18:00] Deep dive on Dungeon Crawler Carl — what it is and why you should read it[20:30] Horror short story recommendations: She's Always Hungry & Gods of Want[22:30] The indie bookshop trick: ask for the hidden gem that nobody buys[24:30] Stag Dance by Torrey Peters — a bridge book for historical fiction fans[25:30] Where to find Sam online + wrap-upJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.What if a rom-com could feel like a movie in your ears? That's exactly what debut novelist and TV screenwriter Ash Perez set out to create with Speak Now, and you are going to want to listen to this one.In this episode, Laura chats with Ash Perez about Speak Now, an audio-first queer rom-com published by Simon & Schuster featuring a full cast of actors, sound effects, and production that rivals a Hollywood film. Born out of the 2023 writer's strike, Speak Now blends Ash's screenwriting background with a lifelong love of 90s/early 2000s rom-coms. Think second-chance romance, Nancy Meyers vibes, a luxury hotel kitchen, and a HEA you absolutely deserve. This episode is perfect for audiobook lovers, rom-com fans, and anyone who's been sleeping on audio-first fiction.📚 Books MentionedSpeak Now by Ash Perez — Buy on Amazon | Queer Rom-Com | Audio ✅ (Audio-first/only; also available via Spotify Premium and library request)Poison for Breakfast by Lemony Snicket — Buy on Amazon | Literary Fiction/Novella | Audio ✅Murder Bot Diaries series by Martha Wells — Buy on Amazon | Science Fiction | Audio ✅Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston — Buy on Amazon | Queer Rom-Com | Audio ✅The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster — Buy on Amazon | Classic Fiction | Audio ✅⏱️ Timestamps[00:00] Welcome & introduction to Ash Perez[00:45] What is Speak Now? Audio-first rom-com explained[01:30] How the 2023 writer's strike led to this book[03:15] Why rom-coms & audio are a perfect pairing[05:00] Co-directing the production & what it felt like[05:45] The plot of Speak Now: queer second-chance romance, chef, boutique hotel[07:00] Casting a queer audio romance — voice tonality challenges[09:00] Why romance deserves the full audio-movie treatment[10:00] Rom-com influences: My Best Friend's Wedding & The Wedding Planner[12:00] Ash's reading life: from Harry Potter to self-help burnout[13:00] Poison for Breakfast & the novella that brought Ash back to fiction[13:45] Murder Bot series, Kevin R. Free & audiobook narrator fandom[14:30] Red, White & Royal Blue & reading outside your genre[15:30] Reading as a millennial: productivity guilt & reclaiming fiction as a hobby[16:30] Library love — how to request Speak Now at your local library[17:30] Spotify Premium audiobooks & accessibility[18:30] Reading before bed vs. doomscrolling — why books win[20:00] Where to find Ash Perez online & wrap-upConnect with Ash Perez Instagram: @itsashlyperezTikTok: @notashperezConnect with Simon AudioInstagram: @Simon.AudioTikTok: @Simon.AudioJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.She writes historical mysteries set in post-war Paris, Civil War Washington DC, 1930s England, AND Victorian London — and somehow, Colleen Gleason/Cambridge makes every single era feel like home.In this episode, Laura sits down with bestselling author Colleen Gleason (also writing as Colleen Cambridge) to talk about her four historical mystery series, what makes amateur sleuths compelling, why post-war Paris is basically its own character, and how Agatha Christie's housekeeper ended up solving murders. If you love richly atmospheric historical mysteries with a romantic thread, strong female leads, and satisfying endings — this one is for you.📚 Books MentionedThe Spirit of French Murder by Colleen Cambridge — Buy on Amazon | Historical Mystery | An American in Paris Mysteries #4Murder at Mallowan Hall by Colleen Cambridge — Buy on Amazon | Historical Mystery, Agatha Christie-inspired | Phyllida Bright Mysteries #1Lady Darling Inquires After a Killer by Colleen Gleason — Buy on Amazon | Historical Mystery, Victorian | Lady Darling Mysteries #1Lady Darling Vexes a Villain by Colleen Gleason — Pre-order on Amazon | Historical Mystery, Victorian | Lady Darling Mysteries #2Just One Damned Thing After Another by Jodi Taylor — Buy on Amazon | Historical Fiction, Time Travel, Humorous | Chronicles of St. Mary's #1A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers — Buy on Amazon | Hope Punk, Literary Science FictionThe Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman — Buy on Amazon | Cozy Mystery | Thursday Murder Club #1The Last Beekeeper by Julie Carrick Dalton — Buy on Amazon | Literary Fiction, Dystopian, NatureThe Resurrectionist by A. Rae Dunlap — Buy on Amazon | Historical Gothic Fiction, Victorian Scotland⏱️ Timestamps[00:00] Welcome & intro — Colleen in Michigan, Laura in Tampa[00:53] Writing under two names: Colleen Gleason vs. Colleen Cambridge — and why[02:45] The pen name strategy: getting on the shelf near Agatha Christie[03:45] Marketing background and the business of writing[04:15] What drew Colleen to historical mystery — history + murder + romance = her sweet spot[05:30] The four series at a glance: 1930s England, 1950s Paris, Civil War DC, Victorian London[06:30] What makes historical crime-solving uniquely fun — no DNA, no computers[08:00] The Quinn & Gates Mystery Series: Civil War Washington DC, Lincoln's inaugural ball[10:00] An American in Paris Mysteries deep dive — Tabitha Knight, Rosie the Riveter, and Julia Child[12:00] Tabitha's backstory: French mother, Michigan roots, Willow Run Bomber Plant[13:15] The Spirit of French Murder — the fourth book, the French Resistance, and the Nine Bluets[14:30] Why post-war Paris is its own character — and why locals didn't trust the police[16:00] Lady Darling Mysteries — a Victorian Dowager Marchioness, amateur sleuth, Sherlock-era London[18:30] Lady Danbury meets murder mysteries — the pitch for the Lady Darling series[20:00] Phyllida Bright Mysteries — Agatha Christie's fictional housekeeper solves murders[22:00] The Civil War series — all three books, dark themes, and romantic arc[23:30] The romantic thread in all of Colleen's historicals — slow burn, strong women, satisfying endings[24:00] What Colleen reads — book club pick philosophy, "This Is Not Oprah's Book Club"[25:30] Comfort reads: Nora Roberts, JD Robb, Elizabeth Peters/Barbara Michaels[27:00] Listener recs: Chronicles of St. Mary's, A Psalm for the Wild-Built, The Thursday Murder Club[28:30] The Last Beekeeper and The Resurrection — book club recent reads[31:30] Signature cocktails for the Paris series + book release parties[32:00] Where to find Colleen online + wrap-upJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.What if the Duke was a woman — and the courtesan trying to blackmail her was the love interest? If that premise just made you sit up straighter, this episode is for you.Anna Cowan joins us to talk about The Duke, her long-awaited second novel — a queer Regency romance that flips the classic historical hero archetype on its head. This one is for readers who love the lush world of Regency fiction but are hungry for something that feels fresh, politically charged, and unapologetically modern in its sensibilities. We dig into Anna's world-building process, the evolution of historical romance as a genre post-Bridgerton, and what it means to write a female Duke who's conceptually hot in exactly the way the brooding Regency hero always was.Anna also shares a stack of book recommendations spanning classic historicals, gay hockey romance, and Kindle Unlimited reads that will genuinely spark your brain.📚 Books MentionedThe Duke by Anna Cowan — Buy on Amazon | Queer Historical Romance / Regency | KU ✅Black Silk by Judith Ivory — Buy on Amazon | Classic Historical Romance | Backlist gemFool Me Twice by Meredith Duran — Buy on Amazon | Historical Romance | Beauty & the Beast vibesTempting the Bride by Sherry Thomas — Buy on Amazon | Historical Romance | Amnesia / enemies-to-loversGame Misconduct (Penalty Box #1) by Ari Baran — Buy on Amazon | Gay Hockey Romance | Audio ✅ — narrated by Cooper North⏱️ Timestamps[00:00] Welcome & Anna Cowan introduction[00:45] About The Duke — the premise: female Duke + French courtier blackmail romance[01:30] World-building a queer Regency where female nobles are the norm[03:00] Character deep-dive: the Duke of Howard vs. Céline — power dynamics & political intrigue[04:30] The romance hero archetype reimagined — what makes a character "conceptually hot"[06:00] Anna's history with romance reading — from Dolly Fiction to Julia Quinn & Lisa Kleypas[08:00] Historical romance in 2026: genre reckoning, post-Bridgerton, mass market decline[10:00] Writing modern sensibilities into historical fiction — Emma Alban, KJ Charles & beyond[12:00] The Kindle Unlimited rabbit hole — queer romance, omegaverse & niche reads[14:30] Anna's classic historical romance recommendations: Judith Ivory's Black Silk[15:30] Meredith Duran's Fool Me Twice & Sherry Thomas's Tempting the Bride[17:30] Gay hockey romance rec: Ari Barron's Game Misconduct + the audiobook[19:00] Sherry Thomas's Lady Sherlock series & the case for more historical romance[20:00] Where to find Anna Cowan onlineJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.A cozy mystery with a messy friendship, a locked-room setting, and just enough murder to keep things interesting? I’m in.In this episode, I sit down with Molly Harper to talk about her pivot from paranormal romance to murder mysteries and her newest release, A Cute Little Murder. We dive into millennial mysteries, toxic friendships, “final girl” energy, and why sometimes you just need a little murder in your reading life—without the gore.📚 Books MentionedA Cute Little Murder by Molly Harper — Buy on Amazon | Cozy Mystery / Millennial Mystery | Audio ✅A Proposal to Die For by Molly Harper — Buy on Amazon | Cozy Mystery / Millennial Mystery | Audio ✅The Farmhouse by Chelsea Conradt — Buy on Amazon | Domestic Horror | Audio ✅⏱️ Timestamps[00:00] – Introduction to Molly Harper[01:00] – Transition from romance to murder mysteries[02:30] – Inspiration behind A Cute Little Murder[04:00] – Final girl trope and character dynamics[05:00] – Locked-room mystery settings explained[06:30] – Toxic friendships and character growth[09:00] – Why this mystery feels cozy but modern[10:00] – Molly Harper’s writing journey[12:00] – From journalist to full-time author[14:00] – Audible originals and writing for audio[15:00] – Book recommendations (domestic horror)[16:00] – Where to find Molly Harper online Join the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.Looking for your next addictive summer thriller with rich people behaving badly vibes? This one set at the Cannes Film Festival delivers glam, secrets, and a murder you won’t see coming.In this episode, I sit down with Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau to talk about her transition from YA romance to twisty adult thrillers and her latest novel We Will Never Tell. We dive into how she crafts suspense, builds layered characters, and why she loves writing about “the people behind the people” in glamorous spaces. Plus, she shares some of her favorite recent reads—including thrillers and book club fiction you’ll want on your TBR ASAP.📚 Books MentionedWe Will Never Tell by Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau — Buy on Amazon | ThrillerThe French Honeymoon by Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau — Buy on Amazon | ThrillerGood People by Patnmeena Sabit — Buy on Amazon | Literary Fiction / Mystery ElementsSomebody Worth Killing by Jessica Payne — Buy on Amazon | Thriller / Domestic SuspenseBest Offer Wins by Marisa Kashino — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary / Thriller ElementsFinding Grace by Loretta Rothschild — Buy on Amazon | Literary / Thriller / Romance Blend⏱️ Time Stamps[00:00] — Intro + Anne-Sophie Jouhenneau returns to the podcast[01:00] — Transition from YA romance to thrillers[02:00] — How to write suspense, twists, and structure[05:00] — Inside We Will Never Tell + Cannes setting[06:30] — The “people behind the people” concept[09:00] — Cannes glam vs reality (parties, work, chaos)[11:30] — Why this is the perfect summer thriller[12:30] — Book recommendations begin[17:00] — Where to find Anne-Sophie Jouhanneau onlineLink to Anne-Sophie's previous WTRN episode on SpotifyJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.A chaotic wedding, secret crushes, and one very inconvenient almost-divorce—this episode is for rom-com lovers who live for messy, multi-POV drama.In today’s episode, I chat with Mallory Kass (also known as Kass Morgan) about her transition from YA to adult romance, her new book Save the Date, and why writing adult relationships hits differently than coming-of-age stories. We also get into rom-com tropes, ensemble casts, and even the possibility of adding a murder subplot (yes, really).If you love layered romantic stories, dreamy settings, and a little emotional chaos, this one’s for you.📚 Books Mentioned Save the Date by Mallory Kass — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance | Audio ✅Royal Summer by Kass Morgan — Buy on Amazon | YA Romance | Audio ✅The Trouble with Anna by Rachel Griffith — Buy on Amazon | Historical Romance | Audio ✅The Write Off by Kara McDowell — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance | Audio ✅Cross Your Heart and Hope He Dies by Jenny Elder Moke — Buy on Amazon | Mystery Romance | Audio ✅⏱️ Timestamps[00:00] – Intro + Meet Mallory Kass[01:00] – Transition from YA to adult romance[02:00] – Differences between YA and adult storytelling[05:00] – Breaking down Save the Date (multi-storyline rom-com)[06:30] – Writing challenges with multiple POVs[07:30] – Making character voices distinct[08:30] – Why romance needs emotional tension (not random chaos)[09:30] – The rise of mystery + romance mashups[10:30] – Jeopardy experience + fun behind-the-scenes moment[13:30] – Book recommendations you need to add to your TBR[15:00 – Where to find Mallory Kass online Join the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.What happens when the one that got away becomes the inspiration for your bestselling book boyfriend… and then walks back into your life?In this episode, I sit down with Kara McDowell to talk about her latest novel, The Write-Off—a second chance romance packed with college nostalgia, writer drama, and all the angst we love. We dive into dual timelines, messy twenties, and why sometimes love only works the second time around.We also chat about balancing writing and motherhood, the “glass vs. plastic balls” metaphor for life, and Kara shares her favorite contemporary romance reads right now.📚 Books Mentioned The Write-Off by Kara McDowell — Contemporary Romance | Audio ✅Is She Really Going Out With Him? by Sophie Cousens — Contemporary Romance | Audio ✅The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center — Romantic Comedy | Audio ✅Problematic Summer Romance by Ali Hazelwood — Contemporary Romance | Audio ✅If It Makes You Happy by Julie Olivia — Small Town Romance | Audio ✅Birding with Benefits by Sarah T. Dubb — Contemporary Romance | Audio ✅⏱️ Time Stamps[00:00] – Meet Kara McDowell & writing from the sidelines[01:00] – Balancing writing, motherhood & deadlines[02:00] – The “glass vs. plastic balls” life metaphor[03:00] – Inside The Write-Off (plot + inspiration)[05:00] – Book boyfriend inspired by real life[06:00] – Why second chance romance hits differently[07:00] – College vs adult love stories[08:00] – Kara’s reading habits & favorite genres[09:00] – Is She Really Going Out With Him? rec[10:00] – Why The Rom-Commers is a perfect romcom[12:00] – Ali Hazelwood & dual timeline romance[14:00] – Cozy small-town vibes in If It Makes You Happy[17:00] – Birding with Benefits & fake dating trope[18:00] – Where to find Kara online Join the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.I read 32 books in Q1 2026—and I’m breaking down the cozy mysteries, thrillers, romances, and standout 5-star reads you need on your radar.In this episode, I’m sharing my honest reading recap from the first quarter of the year, including what worked, what didn’t, and the books I’m still thinking about. From bingeing cozy mysteries in Puerto Rico to discovering new favorite romances and thrillers, this is your inside look at what’s worth adding to your TBR.📚 Books MentionedCozy Mysteries:Death al Dente by Leslie Budewitz The Rocky Road to Ruin by Meri Allen Catch Me If You Candy by Ellie AlexanderSticks and Scones by Ellie AlexanderKilling Me Soufflé by Ellie AlexanderThe Diva Takes the Cake by Krista DavisDeath of a Country Fried Redneck by Lee HollisDeath of the Kitchen Diva by Lee HollisThrillers:We Were Never Friends by Kaira Rouda The Storm by Rachel HawkinsAnatomy of an Alibi by Ashley ElstonRomance:The Grumpiest Billionaire by Pippa GrantStill Into You by Erin ConnorIt Seemed Like a Good Idea by Lauren BlakelyIn Her Spotlight by Amy SpaldingPicnics and Promises in the Strawberry Fields by Victoria WaltersThe Cherry Crush Flower Shop by Harper GrahamMistakes Were Made by Lucy ScoreMysteryThe Primrose Murder Society by Stacey HackneyNon-fictionAll Consuming by Ruby TandohParks and Rec by Jennifer Keishin Armstrong5⭐ Reads:Rachel West and the Fallen Starlet by Emma Mills (Mystery)Too Blessed to Stress by Alli Hoff Kosik (Women’s Fiction)The Heir by Sophia Travers (Romance - KU)Hunter’s Treasure by Olivia Jackson (Romance)Before We Wake by Sophia Glock (Graphic Novel)This Story Will Save Your Life by Tiffany Crum (Thriller)⏱️ Timestamps[00:00] – Intro + Q1 reading recap overview[01:00] – Cozy mystery binge in Puerto Rico[02:00] – Books that didn’t work for me[03:00] – 4-star cozy mysteries[03:30] – Thriller recommendations[04:30] – Cozy mystery series I loved[05:00] – Romance reads (billionaire, rockstar, small town)[07:00] – Cottagecore + flower shop romances[08:00] – Mother-daughter mystery rec[09:00] – Nonfiction reads[10:00] – Small town romance highlight[11:00] – 5-star reads overview[13:30] – First graphic novel experience[14:30] – Thriller with immersive audio[15:00] – Wrap up + final thoughtsJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.What happens when you’re forced to attend your ex-husband’s family wedding… in Paris? 😬✨ In this episode, I sit down with romance author Kate Clayborn to talk about her newest release The Paris Match and why messy adulthood makes the best love stories.We dive into second chances, complicated family dynamics, and what it really means to rebuild your life in your thirties. Kate also shares how she approached writing Paris as more than just a setting—and why romance readers keep coming back to stories that feel both grounded and emotionally rich.📚 Books Mentioned The Paris Match by Kate Clayborn — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance | Audio ✅Beginner’s Luck by Kate Clayborn — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance | Audio ✅Isola by Allegra Goodman — Buy on Amazon | Historical Fiction | Audio ✅Left of Forever by Tarah DeWitt — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance | Audio ✅⏱️ Time Stamps[00:00] – Introduction to Kate Clayborn[01:00] – Beginner’s Luck and pandemic reading memories[02:00] – Overview of The Paris Match[03:00] – Grumpy sunshine dynamic + character setup[04:00] – Writing Paris as a character[06:00] – Language, culture, and realism in Paris[07:00] – Layla’s career and emotional avoidance[08:00] – What a hospitalist does (and why it matters)[09:00] – Life in your 30s vs 20s vs 40s[11:00] – Griffin’s character and isolation[12:00] – Kate’s reading life (romance + beyond)[13:00] – Favorite romance subgenres and tropes[14:00] – Auto-buy authors and recommendations[15:00] – Where to find Kate onlineJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.Romantasy before it was cool? In this episode, I sit down with Elly Blake to talk about her journey writing fantasy romance—and how the genre has completely transformed over the years.We chat about the evolution from YA fantasy to adult romantasy, what readers really want (hint: it’s the romance), and how Elly built her newest Thirstwood series from fairy tales, folklore, and a haunting “bloodthirsty forest” idea. If you love enemies-to-lovers, forbidden romance, and magical worlds with high emotional stakes, this episode is for you.📚 Books Mentioned Frostblood by Elly Blake — Buy on Amazon | Fantasy Romance | Audio ✅Forest King’s Daughter by Elly Blake — Buy on Amazon | Romantasy, Fairy Tale Inspired | Audio ✅Curse Queen’s Daughter by Elly Blake — Buy on Amazon | Romantasy, Enemies-to-Lovers | Audio ✅Until the Clock Strikes Midnight by Alicia Dow — Buy on Amazon | YA Fantasy Romance, Fairytale | Audio ✅⏱️ Timestamps[00:00] Introduction to Elly Blake[01:00] Her journey into fantasy & romantasy[02:30] What “romantasy” really means[04:30] How romance reshaped the fantasy market[06:00] YA vs adult fantasy—what’s changing[08:00] Overview of Thirstwood series[10:00] The bloodthirsty forest concept[11:30] Book 1: friends-to-enemies-to-lovers setup[12:30] Book 2: Hades & Persephone vibes + mystery[14:30] Coming-of-age themes in fantasy[16:00] Reading habits: paper vs audiobooks[17:00] Book recommendation: Alicia Dow[19:30] Where to find Elly BlakeJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.Graphic novels aren’t just for kids—and this episode completely changed how I think about them.In this conversation, I sit down with cartoonist Sophia Glock to talk about her haunting and emotional graphic novel Before We Wake. We dive into how comics can explore big themes like grief in a way that feels accessible, immersive, and deeply personal—and why adults should absolutely be reading graphic novels.We also talk about nostalgia (hello early 2000s 👀), the creative process behind blending art and storytelling, and where to start if you’ve never picked up a graphic novel before.📚 Books Mentioned Before We Wake by Sophia Glock — Buy on Amazon | YA Graphic Novel | Grief, paranormal, friendshipMaus by Art Spiegelman — Buy on Amazon | Historical Graphic Novel | Holocaust, memoirPersepolis by Marjane Satrapi — Buy on Amazon | Graphic Memoir | Iran, coming-of-ageFun Home by Alison Bechdel — Buy on Amazon | Literary Graphic Memoir | Family, identityThis One Summer by Mariko Tamaki & Jillian Tamaki — Buy on Amazon | YA/Adult Graphic Novel | Coming-of-ageSpinning by Tillie Walden — Buy on Amazon | Graphic Memoir | Identity, adolescenceCharity and Sylvia by Tillie Walden — Buy on Amazon | Graphic Novel | Historical ⏱️ Timestamps[00:00] Intro + meeting Sophia Glock[01:00] Why graphic novels are underrated for adults[02:00] Writing about grief in Before We Wake[04:00] Sophia’s creative process (writing vs drawing)[05:30] Plot overview + lucid dreaming concept[07:00] Setting the book in early 2000s nostalgia[09:30] Nostalgia, pop culture, and generational memory[12:30] Where to start with graphic novels[15:00] YA vs adult tone in storytelling[16:00] Where to find Sophia online Join the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.From sorority sisters to bookish besties—this episode is all about finding your reading groove and building a community that keeps you turning pages.In this episode, I sit down with Nathalie Cañadas to talk about her reading glow-up—from occasional reader to devouring 200+ books a year. We chat about audiobooks, immersive reading, Kindle Unlimited, and how joining a book club completely changed her reading life. Plus, we dive into her favorite romance reads, dark twists, and underrated gems you need on your TBR.If you’ve ever struggled to find time to read—or didn’t know where to start—this episode is for you.📚 Books MentionedBroken Romeo by Leisa Rayven — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance | Audio ✅ Done and Dusted by Lyla Sage — Buy on Amazon | Cowboy Romance | Audio ✅ Pen Pal by J.T. Geissinger — Buy on Amazon | Romantic Suspense | Audio ✅ Carnal Urges by J.T. Geissinger — Buy on Amazon | Mafia Romance | Audio ✅ Bourbon Boys Series by Victoria Wilder — Buy on Amazon | Romantic Suspense Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance | Audio ✅⏱️ Timestamps[00:00] – Welcome + how Nathalie and I met[02:00] – What Latin sororities actually look like[05:30] – Nathalie’s reading journey (pre-2024 vs now)[07:30] – Discovering audiobooks + Libby + Hoopla[08:30] – What is immersive reading (and why it works)[09:30] – Finding your reading groove[10:30] – Romance genre deep dive + BookTok impact[13:00] – Library hacks + how to get multiple cards[15:30] – Supporting libraries + budget reading[16:00] – Book recommendations begin[16:30] – Broken Romeo discussion[17:30] – Cowboy romance (Lyla Sage)[18:30] – Dark twist reads (Pen Pal)[20:00] – Mafia romance recs[22:00] – Dark romcoms + Lights Out[23:00] – Bourbon Boys series[24:00] – Abby Jimenez spotlight[25:30] – Inside the Baddies Book Club[27:30] – Book club retreat + community building[28:30] – Nathalie’s Instagram + where to followFollow Nathalie on Instagram: Nats Next BookJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.What happens when romance meets real life—immigration, identity, and the courage to choose joy anyway?In this episode, I sit down with Sonali Dev to talk about her latest novel How Simi Got Her Groom Back—a deeply emotional story about sisterhood, love, and what it really means to belong. We dive into the themes behind the book (including immigration and chosen family), plus a powerful conversation about romance as a tool for healing, self-worth, and rewriting the rules we’ve been given.If you love romance with depth, second chances, and stories that make you feel something real—this episode is for you.📚 Books Mentioned How Simi Got Her Groom Back by Sonali Dev — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance / Women’s FictionThe Caste and the Star by Leylah Attar — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Romance / Second ChancePartners in Crime by Alisha Rai — Buy on Amazon | Romantic Comedy / Second Chance / Heist Romance⏱️ Timestamps00:00 – Welcome back Sonali Dev01:00 – Behind the scenes of her latest book release03:00 – Writing process & juggling multiple books04:30 – What How Simi Got Her Groom Back is about06:30 – Immigration, legality vs. morality, and storytelling08:00 – Why joy is an act of rebellion10:00 – How books build empathy11:00 – Romance novels and self-worth13:30 – Raising your standards in love & life15:00 – Choosing joy in everyday decisions17:00 – Visibility, bravery, and showing up authentically19:30 – What Sonali loves to read21:30 – Reading across genres vs. sticking to romance24:00 – Book rec: The Caste and the Star27:00 – Book rec: Partners in Crime30:00 – Where to find Sonali DevJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.What happens when a neuroscientist writes a romance set in academia? In this episode, I’m chatting with debut author Hannah Brohm about Love and Other Brain Experiments—a workplace romance inspired by the chaotic world of research labs, anonymous peer reviews, and the surprising ways love can show up when you least expect it.We talk about Hannah’s journey from cognitive neuroscience to romance writing, how academia shaped the story, and why romance became a comforting escape during grad school and the pandemic. Plus, we dive into her reading life—from workplace romcoms to cozy mysteries—and she shares a few book recommendations that belong on your TBR.If you love smart romcoms, STEM heroines, and enemies-to-lovers tension, this conversation is for you.📚 Books MentionedLove and Other Brain Experiments by Hannah Brohm — Contemporary Romance | STEM RomanceAll in Your Head by Sabina Norquist — Contemporary Romance | Fake Dating | Disability RepAnd Then There Was the One by Martha Waters — Cozy Mystery Rom-Com | HistoricalThe Friendship Fling by Georgia Stone — Romantic Comedy | Friends to Lovers | LondonThe Ex Talk by Rachel Lynn Solomon — Workplace Romance | MediaThe Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas — Fake Dating RomanceAnna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins — YA RomanceThe Hating Game by Sally Thorne — Enemies to Lovers | Workplace Romance⏱️ Timestamps[00:00] Introduction to Hannah Brohm and her debut romance[01:00] What cognitive neuroscience is and how it inspired the book[03:00] The realities of working in academia and postdoc life[05:00] The premise of Love and Other Brain Experiments[06:00] Hannah’s romance reading journey and early influences[07:00] Discovering adult romance during grad school and COVID[09:00] How peer review inspired the book’s enemies-to-lovers setup[10:00] Balancing academia, writing, and reading[12:00] Why writing romance can be cathartic[14:00] Hannah’s reading tastes and current reads[15:00] Fake dating romance recommendation: All in Your Head[16:00] Cozy mystery rom-com recommendation[17:00] Romcom set in London recommendation[20:00] Writing New York as a setting and personal connections to the city[21:00] Where to find Hannah onlineJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.If you love mystery-romance heroines who are juggling work, family, and the occasional international investigation, you’re going to love today’s episode. I’m joined by author Sam Tschida to talk about the latest installment in the Gabby Green series and the chaos that comes with writing spy-adjacent romantic mysteries.In this conversation, Sam shares how she built the second Gabby Green adventure—from tropical settings and Hollywood wellness culture to espionage twists and unexpected romance. We also talk about writing messy but lovable heroines, the reality of balancing motherhood with high-stakes careers, and why cozy mystery fans love returning to the same sleuth again and again.We also chat about writing inspiration, the real-life research behind spy stories, and the books we’ve been loving lately.⏱️ Episode Timestamps[00:00] Welcome & catching up with Sam Tschida[00:01] Writing the second Gabby Green mystery[00:03] The tropical investigation setting and spy elements[00:05] Researching espionage and consulting real sources[00:06] Why the book’s setting changed from Hawaii to the Azores[00:07] Plot twists, mystery pacing, and balancing romance[00:08] Delegation, chaos, and Gabby learning she can’t do everything[00:09] Possible movie adaptation news for Errands and Espionage[00:10] Why readers love returning to the same sleuth in mystery series[00:11] Cozy mysteries, baking mysteries, and comfort reads[00:12] Laura’s dream Puerto Rican cozy mystery series[00:16] Book recommendations from Sam[00:18] Where to find Sam online📚 Books MentionedGabby Green Who Knows Whodunit by Sam Tschida — Mystery Romance | Amateur Sleuth | SeriesErrands and Espionage by Sam Tschida — Mystery Romance | Travel Mystery | Amateur SleuthUndead and Unwed by Sam Tschida — Paranormal Romance | Vampire Comedy | Audio ✅Matchmaking for Psychopaths by Tasha Coryell — Dark Comedy Thriller | Mystery | Audio ✅Love Letters to a Serial Killer by Tasha Coryell — Thriller | Dark Romance | Audio ✅The ReDo List by Denise Williams — Contemporary Romance | Cinnamon Roll Hero | Audio ✅Pride and Protest by Nikki Payne — Romantic Comedy | Classic Retelling | Audio ✅Join the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.What happens when a rom-com meets a slasher movie? In this episode, I’m joined by debut author Shaylee Thompson to talk about her wildly fun genre-bending novel How to Kill a Guy in 10 Dates — a slasher rom-com set during a speed-dating event gone horribly wrong.We chat about how Shaylee blended two formula-driven genres, her journey from English teacher to full-time writer, and why sometimes the book that becomes your debut isn’t the first book you wrote. If you love horror movies, rom-coms, and stories that break the rules, this conversation is packed with behind-the-scenes insights.Plus, Shaylee shares a few book recommendations for readers who love horror comedy, meta storytelling, and genre-bending fiction.📚 Books Mentioned How to Kill a Guy in 10 Dates by Shailee Thompson — Slasher Rom-Com | Horror ComedyButcher and Blackbird by Brynne Weaver — Dark Romantic Comedy | Serial Killer Romance | KU ✅ | Audio ✅The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix — Horror | Slasher Film Tribute | Thriller | Audio ✅Long Live Evil by Sarah Rees Brennan — Fantasy | Villain Story | Meta Fantasy | Audio ✅Your Favorite Scary Movie by Ashley Cullins — Nonfiction | Horror Film Analysis | Pop CulturePersuasion by Jane Austen — Classic Romance | Literary Fiction | Audio ✅⏱️ Time Stamps[00:00] Introduction to Shaylee Thompson and her debut novel[01:00] The premise of How to Kill a Guy in 10 Dates[02:00] Combining rom-com and slasher genres[04:00] Why the book released around Valentine’s Day[05:00] Shaylee’s writing journey and early books[07:00] Signing with an agent and finding the right debut[08:00] Writing discipline and finishing a draft in four months[09:00] Becoming a full-time writer[11:00] Shaylee’s reading tastes and favorite genres[12:00] Book recommendations for horror and rom-com fans[14:00] Where to find Shaylee onlineJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.If you’ve ever masked your anxiety while looking wildly “high-functioning,” this episode is going to hit.Today I’m chatting with returning guest Cat Sebastian about her new contemporary romance Star Shipped — a slow-burn, forced-proximity love story between two actors on a long-running sci-fi show who “hate” each other in the most domestic way possible.We talk about why Cat took a risk moving from historical to contemporary romance, how fandom and sci-fi shaped this book, and why she wanted to write a character with anxiety, OCD, and migraines who doesn’t magically “heal” by the final chapter. This is a conversation about radical acceptance, surviving in a noisy world, and finding love without fixing yourself first.If you loved the emotional intensity of hockey romances but want celebrity PR chaos instead, this one’s for you.⏱️ Timestamps[00:00] Welcoming Cat back + what she’s been up to[00:01] Inside Star Shipped — enemies-to-lovers on a sci-fi set[00:02] The Gene Roddenberry letter that inspired the book[00:04] Taking the risk from historical to contemporary[00:06] Researching fandom vs. TV industry details[00:08] Writing invisible disability & high-functioning anxiety[00:12] No “pink cloud” healing — why incremental growth matters[00:16] Radical acceptance in romance[00:18] Romance recommendations with buttoned-up/chaos pairings[00:23] Where to find Cat + newsletter over social media📚 Books Mentioned Star Shipped by Cat Sebastian — Contemporary Romance | Celebrity | Enemies-to-Lovers | Anxiety Rep | Audio ✅Something Wild & Wonderful by Anita Kelly — LGBTQ+ Romance | Outdoors Setting | Neurodivergent Rep | Audio ✅With Love, from Cold World by Alicia Thompson — Workplace Romance | Opposites Attract | Slow Burn | Audio ✅Chef’s Kiss by TJ Alexander — Workplace Romance | Queer Romance | Polyamory Rep | Audio ✅A Gentleman’s Gentleman by TJ Alexander — Historical Romance | Queer Romance | Tender Slow Burn | Audio ✅

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.What happens when book bans aren’t just headlines — but federal law?In this episode, I’m chatting with historical fiction author Shelley Noble about The Sisters of Book Row, a novel set in 1915 New York during the height of the Comstock censorship laws. We talk about rare bookstores, banned poetry, Margaret Sanger, and why 100-year-old history feels… uncomfortably familiar today. If you care about protecting books, women’s voices, and literary legacy — this one will stay with you.We also dive into Shelley’s unexpected path to publishing (spoiler: it started with a dare), why she left mysteries for historical women’s fiction, and her favorite historical mystery comfort reads.⏱️ Timestamps[00:00] Shelley’s journey from dancer to published mystery author[03:00] Writing historical mysteries vs. women’s fiction[06:30] Discovering the Tiffany Girls & shifting genres[07:45] The Comstock Laws explained[09:30] Margaret Sanger and censorship in 1915[11:00] The Sisters of Book Row premise[14:30] Book banning today vs. 1915[18:30] Research process & using primary sources[22:00] Historical mystery & romantic suspense recommendations📚 Books Mentioned The Sisters of Book Row by Shelley Noble — Historical Women’s Fiction | Bookstore Drama | Women’s RightsThis Rough Magic by Mary Stewart — Romantic Suspense | Classic MysteryThe Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley — Time Slip Romance | Historical FictionCrocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters — Historical Mystery | Victorian Egypt | HumorJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.What happens when influencer culture, megachurch ambition, and algorithm-driven community collide?This week, I’m joined by longtime friend and fellow early-podcaster Alli Hoff Kosik to talk about her debut novel, Too Blessed to Stress — a sharp, nuanced story about faith, friendship, ambition, and the very online world we’re all living in.We talk about how her MFA journey led her here, why religion in fiction felt like a “risky” topic just a few years ago, and how influencer culture (hello Mormon wives and MomTok 👀) makes this story more relevant than ever. If you love messy friend groups, big institutions, powerful men, and complicated women trying to build something meaningful — this one is for you.🕒 Timestamps[00:00] Early podcast days & friendship origin story[02:00] Alli’s MFA journey and first abandoned manuscript[05:00] The Christian influencer rabbit hole[07:30] Influencer monetization & megachurch power[10:00] Religion, algorithms & modern politics[14:00] Community after the pandemic[21:30] Behind the Scenes podcast (BTS-TBTS)[24:00] Book recommendations: cults, ambition & satire[37:00] Where to find Alli & audiobook details📚 Books Mentioned Too Blessed to Stress by Alli Hoff Kosik — Book Club Fiction | Influencer Culture | Literary FictionLittle One by Olivia Muenter — Cult Fiction | Dual Timeline | Psychological DramaPaper Cut by Rachel Taff — Literary Fiction | Power & Family DynamicsTehrangeles by Porochista Khakpour — Satire | Reality TV Culture | Pandemic FictionGlossy by Marisa Meltzer — Nonfiction | Business Biography | Millennial CEOWorkhorse by Caroline Palmer — Literary Fiction | Publishing Industry | Ambitious Female LeadJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.Queer joy, Hollywood theater, and why romance doesn’t have to earn its happy ending.In this episode, I’m joined by returning guest Amy Spalding to talk about In Her Spotlight, her latest sapphic romance set at the intersection of celebrity culture, live theater, and second-chance love. We dig into why queer joy matters, how power dynamics shift when fame enters the room, and why it finally feels possible to tell coming-out stories without centering tragedy.We also chat about reading across genres, unexpected nonfiction rabbit holes, and Amy’s favorite sapphic and bisexual romances to add to your TBR—especially if you love stories about ambition, community, and women figuring it out together.📚 Books MentionedIn Her Spotlight by Amy Spalding — Sapphic Romance | Celebrity Romance | Second Chance | Theater SettingRooting Interest by Cat Dibasato — Sapphic Romance | Sports Romance | Career-Driven CharactersFlirting Lessons by Jasmine Guillory — Sapphic Romance | Contemporary Romance | Wine Country SettingWriters & Lovers by Lily King— Literary Fiction | Women’s Fiction | Writing & AmbitionAlice Rue Evades the Truth by Emily Zips — Bisexual Romance | Contemporary Romance | While You Were Sleeping Retelling⏱️ Episode Timestamps[00:00] Welcome back + first impressions of In Her Spotlight[01:00] Writing queer joy during bleak times[02:00] Why sapphic romance has changed so much[04:00] Coming-out stories with nuance and community[05:00] In Her Spotlight elevator pitch[06:00] Power, consent, and the #MeToo context[08:00] Celebrity culture vs. theater life[11:00] Companion standalones & the Out in Hollywood series[12:00] Reading across genres as a writer[13:00] Nonfiction deep dives & pop culture obsessions[15:00] Sapphic and bisexual romance recommendations[19:00] Where to find Amy onlineJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!Mentioned in this episode:Advertise with UsDo you have a book or service that you want to share with our engaged audience? Check out our opportunities to sponsor with us.Advertise With Us

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.Quick Note Before You Press Play: The audio quality on this episode isn’t my usual standard (thank you for your grace 😅). If you want the best experience, I highly recommend watching the video version — it includes captions and the sound is much clearer. You can find it on Spotify and YouTube.Thank you for being here and for always supporting the show. 💛--------------------------What happens when a virgin sex toy engineer asks her coworker for sex lessons… and ends up getting way more than she bargained for?This week, I’m chatting with author Alys Murray about her steamy new romance A Little Buzzed, why sex scenes need emotional arcs, and how the sex toy industry has completely transformed over the last decade. We talk mutual pleasure, power dynamics, writing for Hallmark vs. high-heat romance, and why “horny jail” only lasts so long.If you love workplace romance, sex-positive stories, mafia rom-coms, and books that balance spice with heart — this episode is for you.📚 Books MentionedA Little Buzzed by Alys Murray — Contemporary Romance | Workplace | Sex Lessons Trope | High HeatThe Seduction of Mr. Alfred Saintsbury by Lydia Lloyd — Regency Historical Romance | Power Dynamics | High SpiceDom Com by Adriana Anders — Workplace Romance | High Heat | Sex-Positive RomanceThe ReDo List by Denise Williams — Contemporary Romance | Second Chance at Life | Emotional GrowthLove Most Fatal by Kath Richards — Mafia Rom-Com | Female Mob Boss | Cinnamon Roll Hero⏱️ Timestamps[00:00] Welcome + why Alys and I have similar book taste[02:00] The premise of A Little Buzzed[03:30] Mutual “sex lessons” + flipping the virgin trope[04:30] How the sex toy industry has evolved[07:00] Virginity, pleasure, and agency in 2026[08:00] Why sex scenes need emotional arcs (Heated Rivalry reference 👀)[10:00] Screenwriting for Hallmark vs. writing spicy romance[14:00] Lydia Lloyd’s filthy Regency recommendation[16:00] Workplace spice: Dom Com[17:00] The Redo List by Denise Williams[17:30] Mafia rom-com obsession: Love Most FatalJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.What happens when you drop a retired serial killer into a luxury retirement home full of former investigators? You get chaos, secrets… and one very suspicious death.In this episode, I chat with British comedian-turned-mystery author Fergus Craig about his latest cozy crime novel, I’m Not the Only Murderer in My Retirement Home. We talk about writing a likable serial killer, the art of “cracked cozy” mysteries, and how parody crime novels unexpectedly launched his fiction career. If you love cozy mysteries with a dark twist — and characters who blur the line between wrong and relatable — this one’s for you.We also dive into his favorite reads (including a book he calls the best he’s ever read), and why sometimes escape fiction is exactly what readers need right now.📚 Books Mentioned I’m Not the Only Murderer in My Retirement Home by Fergus Craig — Buy on Amazon | Cozy Mystery | Dark Comedy | Serial Killer ProtagonistThe Bee Sting by Paul Murray — Buy on Amazon | Literary Fiction | Family DramaEast of Eden by John Steinbeck — Buy on Amazon | Classic Literary Fiction⏱️ Timestamps[00:00] Introduction to Fergus Craig[01:00] The premise behind I’m Not the Only Murderer in My Retirement Home[02:00] What is a “cracked cozy” mystery?[03:00] Writing a likable serial killer[05:00] Balancing flashbacks and present-day mystery[06:00] From comedian and actor to novelist[07:00] Parody crime novels and landing a book deal[08:00] Why readers want escape fiction right now[09:00] Fergus’s reading life and audiobook habits[10:00] The Bee Sting by Paul Murray recommendation[12:00] Literary fiction and reading widelyJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!Mentioned in this episode:Advertise with UsDo you have a book or service that you want to share with our engaged audience? Check out our opportunities to sponsor with us.Advertise With Us

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.What happens when a swoony rom-com set in Venezuela meets fake dating, music, and telenovela-level drama? I’m joined by debut author Maria José Morillo to talk about romance, bilingual reading, and writing against the odds.In this episode, I’m chatting with Maria José Morillo, a Venezuelan author making her Big Five debut with The Ex-Perimento. We talk about growing up bilingual, discovering romance through Harry Potter and Twilight, and what it means to write English-language romance from Venezuela.We also dive into celebrity rom-com tropes, Latin American pop culture (yes, Miss Universe matters), and how Maria José went from fanfiction to landing a traditional publishing deal. If you love high-concept rom-coms, global romance, or behind-the-scenes publishing journeys, this episode is for you.📚 Books Mentioned The Ex-Perimento by Maria José Morillo — Contemporary Romance | Celebrity RomanceYou Deserve Each Other by Sarah Hogle — Rom-Com | Enemies-to-LoversPeople We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry — Friends-to-Lovers | Travel RomanceHappy Place by Emily Henry — Second-Chance Romance | Emotional RomanceThe Sun and the Void by Gabriela Romero-Lacruz — Fantasy | Venezuelan FolkloreBochica by Carolina Florez-Cerchiaro — Gothic Horror | Latin American Folklore⏱️ Episode Timestamps[00:00] Welcome & why Venezuela pop culture feels familiar[02:00] Becoming a reader through Harry Potter[05:00] Switching from Spanish to English reading[07:00] E-reading vs physical books outside the U.S.[09:00] From fanfiction to writing original romance[12:00] Why writing in English opened publishing doors[15:00] The book that didn’t sell — and why that matters[17:00] The origin story of The Ex-Perimento[20:00] Miss Universe, telenovelas & Latin American fame[24:00] Romance recommendations & reading for joyJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.What happens when a pandemic side project turns into a full-time creative career? In this episode, I’m joined by fantasy romance author Kate Golden to talk about writing through uncertainty, leaving a stable career, and why urban fantasy is having a moment.We get into Kate’s journey from working as a studio executive in Hollywood to indie publishing A Dawn of Onyx, landing a traditional book deal with Berkley, and finally quitting her day job to write full-time. We also dive deep into Half City, her dark academia–meets–urban fantasy trilogy set in a reimagined New York City — complete with demon hunters, secret colleges, forbidden romance, and Buffy-level vibes.This conversation is for readers who love grounded fantasy, creative career pivots, and honest talk about monetizing passion projects without losing your mind.Join the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.Making adult friends is hard — but it doesn’t have to be lonely.In this Galentine’s Day special, I’m joined by my friend Jules from Friday Night Readers to talk about how we met as adults, how to build meaningful female friendships, and the six books that celebrate the complicated, beautiful, soul-shaping power of friendship.We share how sliding into DMs, podcast interviews, book communities, and even fitness classes can turn into real-life connection. If you’re craving community, feeling isolated, or just want book recommendations centered on female friendships (from literary fiction to cozy mysteries), this episode is for you.📚 Books Recommended My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante — Buy on Amazon | Literary Fiction |Audio ✅Truth and Beauty by Ann Patchett — Buy on Amazon | Memoir | Audio ✅Love & Saffron by Kim Fay — Buy on Amazon | Historical Fiction | Audio ✅Too Blessed to Stress by Alli Hoff Kosik — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Fiction | Audio ✅Rachel West and the Fallen Starlet by Emma Mills — Buy on Amazon | Contemporary Mystery | Audio ✅Murder by Cheesecake by Rachel Ekstrom Courage — Buy on Amazon | Cozy Mystery | Audio Audible Exclusive⏰ Timestamps[00:00] Why Galentine’s Day matters[02:00] How Laura and Jules became friends as adults[06:00] Loneliness vs. being alone[08:30] My Brilliant Friend & complex literary friendships[15:30] Truth and Beauty & unconditional friendship[19:00] Millennial mystery nostalgia (2008 tabloid era!)[23:00] Love & Saffron & long-distance friendships[26:00] Golden Girls cozy mystery vibes[30:00] Real-life ideas to build adult friendshipsJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.What happens when love, music, and unfinished business collide—20 years later?In this episode, I’m joined by novelist Lisa Peers to talk about Motor City Love Song, a sapphic second-chance romance set against Detroit’s indie music scene—then and now.We dive into the late ’90s Detroit garage-rock era, the rise and fall of live music venues, and what it means to revisit the love and choices that shape who we become. If you love music-driven novels, queer romance with emotional depth, and stories about creative communities surviving change, this one’s for you.📚 Books Mentioned Motor City Love Song by Lisa Peers — Queer Romance | Music FictionLife by Keith Richards — Memoir | Music HistoryJuliet, Naked by Nick Hornby — Literary Fiction | Music ObsessionA Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan — Literary Fiction | Music IndustryGirl in a Band by Kim Gordon — Memoir | Rock Music⏱️ Episode Timestamps[00:00] Meet Lisa Peers & the inspiration behind Motor City Love Song[02:00] Detroit’s ’90s indie music scene explained[06:30] Music, community, and surviving industry shifts[09:00] Second-chance love & dual timelines[14:00] Writing younger vs. older characters[16:00] Music memoirs Lisa loves[22:00] Final book recommendations for music loversJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.Cozy Mysteries 101: Finding the Series That Actually Works for YouIf you’ve ever wanted to get into cozy mysteries but didn’t know where to start — or bounced off one that just didn’t work — this episode is for you. Amy from Novel Gossip joins me to break down what actually makes a cozy mystery work (and why some beloved classics… don’t anymore).We talk about cozy mystery conventions, foodie cozies, long-running series vs. short arcs, seasonal reads, and the difference between nostalgic comfort and outdated, problematic storytelling. Plus, we compare three major cozy series we read together — including one we’re obsessed with and one we’re officially done with.This episode is perfect for readers who love low-stress mysteries, strong sense of place, found family vibes, and a little romance on the side.📚 Books & Series DiscussedLucy Stone Mysteries by Leslie MeierHannah Swensen Mysteries by Joanne FlukeBakeshop Mysteries by Ellie AlexanderBeacon Bakeshop Mysteries by Darci Hannah📚 Books Mentioned Lucy Stone Mysteries by Leslie Meier — Cozy Mystery | Small Town | Married Sleuth | Seasonal ReadsHannah Swensen Mysteries by Joanne Fluke — Cozy Mystery | Bakery Setting | Long-Running Series | Food-ForwardBakeshop Mysteries by Ellie Alexander — Cozy Mystery | Bakery | Found Family | Pacific NorthwestBeacon Bakeshop Mysteries by Darci Hannah — Cozy Mystery | Lakeside Setting | Animal Companion | Foodie Cozy⏱️ Episode Timestamps[00:00] Why we fell into cozy mysteries[02:00] Cozy mystery conventions & formulas[05:00] Foodie cozies and niche hobbies[08:00] Seasonal and holiday cozy reads[11:00] Lucy Stone series overview[14:00] Hannah Swensen: nostalgia vs. modern reads[18:00] Why Bakeshop Mysteries became our favorite[23:00] Long-running series, side characters & growth[29:00] Cozy mysteries vs. TV adaptations[34:00] Final thoughts & where to find AmyJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.What happens when a true-crime podcaster is forced to host a romance podcast… and a real murder hits close to home? In this episode, I’m joined by author Letizia Lorini to talk about her rom-com-meets-mystery debut A Killer Kind of Romance — a smart, funny love story with serial-killer vibes and a guaranteed happily ever after.We talk about Letizia’s journey from criminology to romance writing, how her background in white-collar and environmental crime shaped this story, and why mixing romance, comedy, and murder works better than you’d think. If you love rom-coms with a dark edge, true-crime energy, and an external mystery driving the romance, this one’s for you.📚 Books Mentioned A Killer Kind of Romance by Letizia Lorini — Romantic Mystery | Rom-Com with Murder | Small-Town Romance | True-Crime VibesBrave and Reckless by Dilan Dyer — Contemporary Romance | Cowboy Romance | Theme Park SettingHoax and Kisses by Elodie Colliard — Small-Town Romance | Fake Dating | Contemporary Rom-Com | Florist HeroPoisoned Ivy by Ava Rani — Romantic Mystery | Dark Academia Romance | External Mystery PlotWhiskey Business by Elliot Fletcher — Contemporary Romance | Scottish Romance | Small-Town VibesScotch on the Rocks by Elliot Fletcher — Contemporary Romance | Scottish Romance | Series Romance⏱️ Episode Timestamps[00:00] Meet Letizia Lorini & her criminology background[01:00] White-collar crime, environmental crime, and “victimless” myths[02:00] Falling back in love with romance (and starting to write)[03:00] Indie → traditional publishing & why hybrid works[03:30] A Killer Kind of Romance — rom-com + murder pitch[05:00] Balancing romance and mystery without overpowering either[06:00] Why dark themes pair perfectly with rom-com energy[07:00] Pantsing vs plotting & writing twists[08:00] Book recommendations & favorite rom-com reads[11:00] Where to find Letizia onlineJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.Coming out doesn’t always look the way we expect — especially when bisexuality, straight-presenting relationships, and queer community intersect in complicated ways. In this episode, I’m joined by novelist and journalist Jordyn Taylor to talk about her adult debut See You at the Summit and why bisexual representation in romance still matters.We dig into bi-erasure, “double discrimination,” and what it means to claim your identity even when the world reads you incorrectly. Jordyn also shares how her background as a sex and relationships editor shaped her fiction, why she chose Canada as the setting for her adult debut, and how fitness (yes, Hyrox!) fuels her creative life. Plus, we swap book recommendations that explore queer relationships, polyamory, and emotionally devastating love stories you’ll never forget.📚 Books Mentioned See You at the Summit by Jordyn Taylor — Queer Romance | Contemporary Rom-Com | Coming Out StoryTriple Sec by TJ Alexander— Polyamorous Romance | LGBTQ+ | ContemporaryAtmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid — Historical Fiction | Queer Love Story | Audiobook Favorite⏱️ Episode Timestamps[00:00] Jordyn Taylor’s writing journey and adult debut[02:30] Why bisexual representation needs nuance[05:30] Bi-erasure and “double discrimination”[08:00] Setting queer romance in Canada[10:30] Hyrox, fitness culture, and creative discipline[15:00] Polyamory in romance fiction (Triple Sec)[17:00] Emotional audiobooks and Atmosphere[18:45] Where to find Jordyn and what’s nextJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.Haunted lighthouses, bake shops, ghost hunters, and cozy mysteries with heart.In this episode, I’m joined by cozy mystery author Darci Hannah to talk about how she went from historical fiction to building three beloved cozy mystery series — including haunted lighthouses in Michigan, small-town bake shops, and a ghost-hunting food show gone very wrong.We dive into her Beacon Bakeshop Mysteries, the origin of her haunted lighthouse setting, how real Midwest ghost stories inspired Captain Willie Riggs, and why cozy mysteries are evolving into something funnier, smarter, and more emotionally rich. Plus, Darci shares her favorite cozy mystery reads and classic comfort authors.📚 Books Mentioned Murder at the Beacon Bakeshop by Darci Hannah — Cozy Mystery | Paranormal Lite Murder at the Lemonberry Tea by Darci Hannah — Cozy Mystery | Food-Forward Murder at the Pumpkin Pageant by Darci Hannah — Cozy Mystery | Halloween A Fatal Feast at Bransford Manor by Darci Hannah — Cozy Mystery | Food & GhostsA Spirited Supper at Dundoon Castle by Darci Hannah — Cozy Mystery | Scottish FolkloreThe Quiche of Death (Agatha Raisin) by M. C. Beaton — Cozy Mystery |The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie — Classic Cozy Mystery |⏱️ Episode Timestamps[00:00] Meeting Darci Hannah & her writing origin story[03:00] From historical fiction to cozy mysteries[05:00] Michigan lighthouses & real ghost lore[08:00] Beacon Bakeshop Mysteries setup[11:00] Murder at the Lemon Berry Tea[14:00] Halloween, ghost hunts & pumpkin pageants[18:00] Food & Spirits Mysteries concept[22:00] Writing cozy mysteries with humor[26:00] Darci’s favorite cozy mystery reads[30:00] Where to find Darci Hannah onlineJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.Some books don’t just retell a classic — they hold your hand through a hard season. In this episode, I’m joined by Virginia Kantra to talk about Anne of a Different Island, a modern homage to Anne of Green Gables set in the shadow of COVID, nostalgia, and finding your way forward when life doesn’t follow the script.We talk about why Anne Shirley still resonates more than a century later, how stories help us process collective trauma, and why comfort reads matter — especially for readers who came of age during the pandemic. This conversation is about resilience, imagination, chosen paths, and the quiet power of books to make us feel seen.📚 Books Mentioned Anne of a Different Island by Virginia Kantra — Contemporary women’s fiction | Romance elementsHow to Read a Book by Monica Wood — Literary fiction | Found familyFar and Away by Amy Poeppel — Contemporary women’s fictionThe Last Letter from Rachel Allworth by Barbara O’Neal — Emotional women’s fictionHow Simi Got Her Groove Back by Sonali Dev — Contemporary romance⏱️ Episode Timestamps[00:00] Welcome + Virginia Kantra’s writing journey[04:00] Why Anne of Green Gables still matters[08:30] Why Anne of a Different Island is set on Mackinac Island[16:45] Writing COVID into fiction — without retraumatizing readers[24:00] Healthy relationships vs. romanticized toxicity[33:00] Comfort reads, nostalgia, and emotional safety in books[41:00] Book recommendations for hard seasons[49:00] Classroom libraries, book bans, and why representation mattersJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.Bridgerton Season 4 Is Going Full Cinderella — Here’s What to Read While You WaitBridgerton Season 4 is officially heading into Cinderella territory, and I’m breaking down what that means — from class divide drama to why Benedict might finally be the Bridgerton brother we root for. Joined by returning guest Julia Diaz-Young, we talk book canon vs. show changes, why Sophie Beckett is such a compelling heroine, and which historical romances perfectly capture that upstairs-downstairs energy.If you love Bridgerton but don’t want to wait around for Netflix release schedules, we’ve got you covered with cozy, library-friendly historical romance recs you can borrow right now — no ballgown required.📚 Books Mentioned An Offer From a Gentleman by Julia Quinn — Historical Romance | Cinderella tropeThe Duchess Deal by Tessa Dare — Historical Romance | Marriage of convenienceBookshop Cinderella by Laura Lee Guhrke — Historical Romance | Class divideA Kiss at Midnight by Eloisa James — Historical Romance | Fairy tale retellingMarry Me at Midnight by Felicia Grossman — Historical Romance | Gender-swap Cinderella⏱️ Episode Timestamps [00:00] Bridgerton as a romance gateway & genre hopping[00:02] Cozy mysteries, historical mysteries & reading moods[00:05] Why Season 4 feels like “classic” Bridgerton[00:07] Cinderella, class divide & Sophie’s story[00:09] Netflix binge fatigue vs weekly releases[00:11] Bridgerton music, pop covers & iconic scenes[00:13] Benedict as a hero & Sophie’s strength[00:14] Cinderella-inspired historical romance recs[00:17] Where to find Julia & what she’s working onJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.Some historical figures feel larger than life — until you finally meet the woman behind the myth.In this episode, I’m joined by Lynn Cullen, an acclaimed historical fiction author who has spent decades uncovering the real people behind cultural legends. We dive into her latest novel about Marilyn Monroe, focusing on Marilyn’s deeply personal relationship with photographer Eve Arnold — the only woman Marilyn ever trusted to photograph her.We talk about trauma, fame, the female gaze, and what happens when a woman known entirely through images finally gets to be seen as herself. If you love feminist historical fiction, celebrity history, or stories that reclaim women’s narratives from the male gaze, this conversation is for you.📚 Books Mentioned When We Were Brilliant by Lynn Cullen — Historical Fiction | Women’s HistoryThe Woman with the Cure by Lynn Cullen — Historical Fiction | Medical HistoryWriters & Lovers by Lily King — Literary Fiction | Writers & RelationshipsEuphoria by Lily King — Literary Fiction | Anthropology & LoveThe Marriage Portrait by Maggie O’Farrell — Historical Fiction | Women’s LivesLife After Life by Kate Atkinson — Literary Fiction | Time & History⏱️ Episode Timestamps [00:00] Lynn Cullen’s journey from children’s books to historical fiction[02:00] Why history is never boring (and always connected)[05:00] Why Marilyn Monroe still fascinates us[07:00] Eve Arnold and the female gaze[10:00] Trauma, fame, and Norma Jeane vs. Marilyn[14:00] Sleep, self-doubt, and the cost of celebrity[18:00] Women artists, recognition, and late success[22:00] Literary fiction recommendations & influencesJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!Mentioned in this episode:Advertise with UsDo you have a book or service that you want to share with our engaged audience? Check out our opportunities to sponsor with us.Advertise With Us

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.If you love romance but want to dip your toes into mystery without gore, trauma, or thriller chaos—this episode is for you.In this conversation, I’m joined by Jenny Elder Moke, author of the millennial cozy mystery-romcom She Doesn’t Have a Clue and her upcoming release Cross Your Heart and Hope He Dies. We talk about why mystery is not the same as thrillers, how “millennial cozies” are changing the genre, and why her books are the perfect gateway for romance readers who want puzzles, banter, and emotional payoff—without nightmare fuel.We also dig into why Jenny chose to write standalone companion novels instead of a single sleuth series, the rise of cozy mysteries set in big cities, and the nonfiction rabbit holes (poison! art theft!) that inspire her storytelling.📚 Books Mentioned She Doesn’t Have a Clue by Jenny Elder Moke — Mystery-RomCom | Audio ✅Cross Your Heart and Hope He Dies by Jenny Elder Moke — Mystery-RomCom | Audio ✅The Art Thief by Michael Finkel — True Crime / Nonfiction | Audio ✅The Change by Kirsten Miller — Feminine Rage Thriller | Audio ✅Witch of These Wild Things by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland — Witchy Contemporary Fantasy | Audio ✅Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz — Meta Mystery | Audio ✅Under Lock & Skeleton Key by Gigi Pandian — Cozy Mystery | Audio ✅⏱️ Episode Timestamps [00:00] Why mystery-romcoms work for romance readers[03:00] Cozy mysteries vs thrillers (and why it matters)[06:00] The rise of “millennial cozy mysteries”[09:00] Standalone companion novels vs series sleuths[13:00] Romance-forward mysteries without trauma[15:00] Jenny’s nonfiction obsession & research rabbit holes[20:00] Book recommendations: fiction & nonfiction[27:00] Where to find Jenny Elder MokeJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!Mentioned in this episode:Advertise with UsDo you have a book or service that you want to share with our engaged audience? Check out our opportunities to sponsor with us.Advertise With Us

Before What to Read Next was a podcast… before author interviews, Kindle Unlimited lists, and mystery obsessions—there was one conversation that changed my reading life forever.In this throwback episode, I’m sharing a 2016 interview that quietly reshaped how I read, why I read, and eventually, why this podcast exists at all. We talk about losing your reading life in grad school, rediscovering books as an adult, and the joy of falling headfirst into stories again—without pressure, productivity, or obligation.This episode is for anyone who used to love reading, feels disconnected from it now, or wants permission to read purely for joy again.Say Yes episode was originally recorded in 2016. This episode was originally aired on WTRN on March 2021. EDITOR'S NOTE: The audio leveling is off. Unfortunately, I no longer have the raw audio from 2016 and 2021.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.What happens when you don’t give up on writing—even after a failed debut attempt, agent rejections, and a long detour through corporate life? In this episode, I’m joined by London-based author Rosie Storey, whose debut novel Dandelion Is Dead is finally making its U.S. release.We talk honestly about Rosie’s nonlinear publishing journey, the persistence it takes to keep writing after rejection, and why messy, mid-thirties lives deserve to be at the center of fiction. We also dive into Dandelion Is Dead—a sharp, emotionally layered novel about grief, identity, and the lies we tell when we’re trying to survive loss. Plus, Rosie shares three literary recommendations that balance humor and heartbreak beautifully.📚 Books Mentioned Dandelion Is Dead by Rosie Storey — Literary Fiction | Grief, IdentityThe First Bad Man by Miranda July — Literary Fiction | Unconventional WomenSelf-Help by Lorrie Moore — Short Stories | Humor & HeartbreakSorrow and Bliss by Meg Mason — Literary Fiction | Mental Health, Marriage⏱️ Episode Timestamps[00:00] Meeting Rosie Storey & debut novel introduction[01:00] Early writing life and corporate career detour[02:00] Quitting work, failed first novel, and starting again[03:00] Rejections, agents, and persistence[04:00] Dandelion Is Dead — premise and themes[05:00] Writing messy midlife stories[06:00] Why no life is neat and tidy[07:00] Book recommendation: The First Bad Man[09:00] Book recommendation: Self-Help[11:00] Book recommendation: Sorrow and Bliss[12:30] Where to find Rosie onlineJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!Mentioned in this episode:Advertise with UsDo you have a book or service that you want to share with our engaged audience? Check out our opportunities to sponsor with us.Advertise With Us

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.What if Indiana Jones, National Treasure, and a swoony rom-com had a bookish baby? That’s exactly what today’s episode delivers. I’m joined by Jo Segura, author of adventure rom-coms that bring danger, banter, and kissing back into the genre.We talk about why Hollywood stopped making true adventure romances, how Jo blends real archaeology research with rom-com pacing, and why her heroines are always smart, capable, and never damsels in distress. If you love romance with puzzles, mythology, librarians, lost treasure, and external stakes that actually matter, this episode is for you.📚 Books Mentioned Raiders of the Lost Heart by Jo Segura — Adventure RomanceTemple of Swoon by Jo Segura — Adventure RomanceThe Lust Crusade by Jo Segura — Adventure RomanceToe to Toe by Fallon Ballard — Contemporary RomanceWedding Dashers by Heather McBreen — Contemporary Romance What Is Love? by Jen Comfort — Contemporary Rom-Com ⏱️ Episode Timestamps[00:00] Meet Jo Segura & the rise of adventure rom-coms[01:30] Why Hollywood abandoned adventure romances[03:00] Real archaeology vs movie myths[05:00] Researching Aztec culture, the Amazon & Greek mythology[07:00] Librarians, archaeology & problem-solving heroines[09:00] Writing capable women (no damsels allowed)[10:30] What Jo reads while drafting romance[12:30] Romance & thriller recommendations[14:30] Where to find Jo onlineJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!Mentioned in this episode:Advertise with UsDo you have a book or service that you want to share with our engaged audience? Check out our opportunities to sponsor with us.Advertise With Us

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.What does it really look like to make a living as a romance author in today’s publishing landscape? In this episode, I’m joined by romance author Lauren Connolly for a candid conversation about hybrid publishing, creative sustainability, and her latest rom-com Love in Plane Sight.We talk about Lauren’s journey from libraries to publishing nearly 30 books, why diversifying income streams matters, and how she balances self-publishing with Big Five contracts without burning out. We also dive into pilot romances, found family, money trauma, and why a Gantt chart might just save your creative life.📚 Books MentionedLove in Plane Sight by Lauren Connolly — Contemporary Romance | Audio ✅The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna — Cozy Fantasy | Audio ✅A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna — Cozy Fantasy | Audio ✅Drawn Together by Juliana Smith — Contemporary Romance | Closed Door | Audio ✅Alanna: The First Adventure by Tamora Pierce — YA Fantasy | Classic | Audio ✅⏱️ Episode Timestamps[00:00] Welcome & Lauren’s publishing journey[01:30] From libraries to romance writing[03:00] Why hybrid publishing works[05:00] The reality of advances & author income[07:30] Diversifying revenue streams[08:45] Gantt charts & managing multiple deadlines[11:30] Negotiating realistic publishing timelines[13:30] Introducing Love in Plane Sight[16:00] Money trauma, people-pleasing & romance heroes[19:30] Audiobooks & narration talk[20:30] Cozy book recommendations[24:00] Little Free Libraries & nostalgia reads[25:30] Where to find Lauren + upcoming eventsJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.What My Reading Taste Actually Looks Like (and Why I Let Go of Goals)What happens when you stop chasing trends, ditch reading streaks, and finally admit what you don’t like to read? In this off-the-cuff solo episode, I’m talking honestly about my reading taste reset — what 2025 taught me, what I’m leaving behind, and how I’m shaping my reading life heading into 2026.I’m sharing how cozy mysteries pulled me out of burnout, why I stopped forcing genres that don’t work for me (hello, fantasy), and how setting gentle boundaries helped me read more — and actually enjoy it again. If you’ve been stuck in decision paralysis, overwhelmed by recommendations, or quietly falling out of love with reading, this episode is for you.📚 What I Talk About in This EpisodeWhy 2025 became a “taste discovery” year instead of a goal-driven oneLetting go of fantasy, high-stress thrillers, and reading guiltFalling hard for cozy mysteries, millennial mysteries, and mystery rom-comsWhy pop-culture nonfiction works when fiction doesn’tHow I use boundaries (not rules) to choose what to read nextWhy I broke up with Goodreads, streaks, and daily reading pressureReading like meditation: consistency over perfectionWhat you’ll see more (and less) of from me going forward⏱️ Episode Timestamps[00:00] Why I needed a reading reset[02:00] From romance burnout to cozy mysteries[04:00] Decision paralysis & setting reading boundaries[06:00] What romance still works for me (and what doesn’t)[08:00] Mysteries, millennial sleuths & cozy trends[10:00] Genres I’m stepping away from[12:00] Pop-culture nonfiction & reading curiosity[14:00] Letting go of Goodreads & reading streaks[16:00] Reading for joy, not numbers[18:00] How I plan my reading without overwhelm📣 Call to ActionWant the journal prompts I use to define my reading taste — plus curated Kindle Unlimited gems, library tips, and bonus podcast content?👉 Join my free Substack at whattoreadnextblog.com