POPULARITY
64 episodes with summer reading guide
39 episodes with summer reading guide
50 episodes with summer reading guide
14 episodes with summer reading guide
15 episodes with summer reading guide
7 episodes with summer reading guide
4 episodes with summer reading guide
3 episodes with summer reading guide
2 episodes with summer reading guide
In this interview, I chat with Thao Thai about The Seekers of Deer Creek, her inspiration for the story, incorporating Vietnamese art and culture, creating a strong sense of place, the stunning cover, and much more. Thao's recommended reads are: Son of Nobody by Yann Martel Between You a River by Kimberly Garza Understory by Chloe Benjamin Looking for some great summer reads? Check out my printable 18-page Summer Reading Guide here for a tip of your choice or for a set price here via credit card with over 45 new titles vetted by me that will provide great entertainment this summer - a number of books you will not see on other guides. So many fabulous books are coming out in 2026, and you can learn about a bunch of them in my guide. Thanks so much to those of you who have donated to the show. Donate to the podcast here or on Venmo. Want to know which new titles are publishing in June - October of 2026? Check out our sixth Literary Lookbook which contains a comprehensive but not exhaustive list all in one place so you can plan ahead, and we color-code by genre in this one! Looking for something new to read? Here is my monthly Buzz Reads column with five new recommendations each month. Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Threads. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Kelly joins me for July's Real Time Reading episode where we discuss our current, past, and upcoming reads. Kelly's Selections: Last: The Great Wherever by Shannon Sanders Under Story by Chloe Benjamin Now: The Five Star Weekend by Elin Hilderbrand It's Not Her by Mary Kubica Next: The Things You'll Never Know by Ashley Audrain The Natural Order by Matthew Aldrich DNFs: Land by Maggie O'Farrell Book Mail highlights: I Never Knew You at All by Christine Pride and Jo Piazza It's Not What You Think by Clare Mackintosh Cindy's Selections: Last: Whale Harbor by Mary Beth Keane Between You a River by Kimberly Garza Now: Leave and Come Back by Lavanya Lakshmi State of Wonder by Ann Patchett Next: Little Wonder by Sophie Chen Keller Some People by Parini Shroff Didn't Work/DNFs: Hysteria by LJ Ross Book Mail highlights: Brimstone Hollow by Archer Sullivan Punk in Fifty Pieces by Kevin Dettmar Connect with Kelly Hooker on Instagram. Looking for some great summer reads? Check out my printable 18-page Summer Reading Guide here for a tip of your choice or for a set price here via credit card with over 45 new titles vetted by me that will provide great entertainment this summer - a number of books you will not see on other guides. So many fabulous books are coming out in 2026, and you can learn about a bunch of them in my guide. Thanks so much to those of you who have donated to the show. Donate to the podcast here or on Venmo. Want to know which new titles are publishing in June - October of 2026? Check out our sixth Literary Lookbook which contains a comprehensive but not exhaustive list all in one place so you can plan ahead, and we color-code by genre in this one! Sign up for my literary salon in Virginia. Looking for something new to read? Here is my monthly Buzz Reads column with five new recommendations each month. Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Threads. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Thao Thai returns to Book Gang with The Seekers of Deer Creek—a lush, moving novel about sisters, art, and the inherited secrets that bind and break families. I'm delighted to welcome Thao Thai back to Book Gang as she takes us behind the scenes of The Seekers of Deer Creek. Thao's work is immersive, atmospheric, and deeply tender, and her newest novel is a testament to the power of art and family history. Today, we explore Thao's writing process, the evolution from Banyan Moon to this new work, and her approach to language, research, and the changing landscape of literary fiction. The Seekers of Deer Creek tells the story of two estranged sisters, Calla and Vivi, reunited by their father's passing and an inheritance that could reshape their futures. Their journey is sparked by a mysterious sketch and a journal entry, launching them into a search for family truth that spans Wisconsin, France, and Vietnam. Thao unpacks generational secrets, Vietnamese artistic legacy, and the longing to be seen and understood—inviting us to revisit the stories we inherit and the ones we choose to live. In this week's fascinating episode, we discuss:
Today's episode is a collaboration between Deanna Allbrittin, host of the podcast All About Books, and me about my literary salon here in Richmond, Virginia. We talk about how it originated, what it looks like now, and the future of the salon. Deanna Allbrittin is the main evening anchor and Development and Engagement Manager at WRIC - 8News. That means she leads station community engagement initiatives and special projects, while mentoring early-career journalists in investigative and community-centered reporting. In addition to wearing all those hats, Deanna has earned regional Murrow, Emmy and Associated Press awards. Looking for some great summer reads? Check out my printable 18-page Summer Reading Guide here for a tip of your choice or for a set price here via credit card with over 45 new titles vetted by me that will provide great entertainment this summer - a number of books you will not see on other guides. So many fabulous books are coming out in 2026, and you can learn about a bunch of them in my guide. Thanks so much to those of you who have donated to the show. Donate to the podcast here or on Venmo. Want to know which new titles are publishing in June - October of 2026? Check out our sixth Literary Lookbook which contains a comprehensive but not exhaustive list all in one place so you can plan ahead, and we color-code by genre in this one! Sign up for my literary salon in Virginia. Looking for something new to read? Here is my monthly Buzz Reads column with five new recommendations each month. Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Threads. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode, Kelly and I chat about our favorite books that published in April through June 2026. Our shared top reads: Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke Mad Mabel by Sally Hepworth The Burning Side by Sarah Damoff Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan The Top of the World by Ethan Joella Kelly's remaining top reads: Start at the End by Emma Grey Cleo Dang Would Rather Be Dead by Mai Nguyen Good Joy, Bad Joy by Mikki Bramer The Fine Art of Lying by Alexandra Andrews Five by Ilona Bannister The Brunswick by Callie Murray Leave and Come Back by Lavanya Lakshmi Keep Them Close by David Ellis Cindy's remaining top reads: Land by Maggie O'Farrell Whistler by Ann Patchett Retro by Jessica M. Goldstein The Yankee Sphinx by Mark Frost The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout The Midnight Show by Lee Kelly and Jennifer Marie Thorne Last One Out by Jane Harper The Queen and Her Presidents by Susan Page Connect with Kelly Hooker on Instagram. Looking for some great summer reads? Check out my printable 18-page Summer Reading Guide here for a tip of your choice or for a set price here via credit card with over 45 new titles vetted by me that will provide great entertainment this summer - a number of books you will not see on other guides. So many fabulous books are coming out in 2026, and you can learn about a bunch of them in my guide. Thanks so much to those of you who have donated to the show. Donate to the podcast here or on Venmo. Want to know which new titles are publishing in June - October of 2026? Check out our sixth Literary Lookbook which contains a comprehensive but not exhaustive list all in one place so you can plan ahead, and we color-code by genre in this one! Sign up for my literary salon in Virginia. Looking for something new to read? Here is my monthly Buzz Reads column with five new recommendations each month. Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Threads. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Amy DuBois Barnett draws on her editorial career for If I Ruled the World—a vibrant novel of magazine publishing, ambition, and reinvention in 1990s media. I'm honored to warmly welcome Amy DuBois Barnett to Book Gang as she shares the story behind her debut novel, If I Ruled the World. Drawing on her groundbreaking career in magazine publishing, Amy brings us a vibrant, sometimes gritty, and always honest exploration of ambition, identity, and reinvention in 1990s print media. Today we explore Amy's decades-in-the-making fiction journey, what inspired her to finally tell this story, and how her editorial background influenced her process as a novelist. If I Ruled the World follows Nikki, a thirty-something woman navigating the cutthroat world of late-90s print media after bravely reporting a powerful colleague's misconduct. As she hustles to revive a struggling hip hop magazine, Nikki's journey is marked by career chaos, personal missteps, and a search for her true voice amid shifting alliances and expectations. With wit and candor, Amy unpacks the complexities of identity, representation, and legacy as she crafts a story that is both an insider's look at magazine publishing and a deeply personal tale of transformation. In this week's fascinating episode, we discuss:
Mary Webber O'Malley and Pamela Klinger-Horn join me to recommend their favorites reads of the third quarter of 2026. Mary's Titles: July Everything Was Beautiful and Nothing Hurt by Ben Reeves Dad, Love, Me by Matthew Quick People Watching in the Desert by Cali Adeline Man Overboard by Kathleen Rooney August The Cruelest Game by Matthew Futterman The Wild Beneath by Kelly Anderson Fallen for France by Elizabeth Letter September The Vanishing Family by Robert Kolker The Pirate Queen by Ariel Lawhon Pamela's Titles: July The Half Life by Rachel Beanland Make Nice by Ryan Effgen Last Night Was a Killer by Mary Pauline Lowry August The Amateur by Chris Bohjalian Majestic Hills by Dawn Turner Plant Lady by Minyoung Kang September The Truth About Ruby Cooper by Liz Nugent The Birthing Tree by Amanda Peters Hollow Bones by Jodi Picoult Looking for some great summer reads? Check out my printable 18-page Summer Reading Guide here for a tip of your choice or for a set price here via credit card with over 45 new titles vetted by me that will provide great entertainment this summer - a number of books you will not see on other guides. So many fabulous books are coming out in 2026, and you can learn about a bunch of them in my guide. Thanks so much to those of you who have donated to the show. Donate to the podcast here or on Venmo. Want to know which new titles are publishing in June - October of 2026? Check out our sixth Literary Lookbook which contains a comprehensive but not exhaustive list all in one place so you can plan ahead, and we color-code by genre in this one! Sign up for my literary salon in Virginia. Looking for something new to read? Here is my monthly Buzz Reads column with five new recommendations each month. Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Threads. Mary's social media handles: Instagram, Facebook, Threads, and Twitter. Pamela's social media handles: Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Amy Chozick discusses her debut, With Friends Like You—a twisty thriller set in New York that explores friendship, motherhood, and reinvention. Editor's Note: Today's episode is marked as explicit. We're kicking off a truly special Book Gang episode with Amy Chozick, who brings both warmth and wit to the conversation around her fiction debut thriller, With Friends Like You. This intimate story is set in New York City's hidden corners—a story of friendship, motherhood, and the reinvention that comes after everything changes. Today we explore Amy's transition from political reporting to penning a propulsive, confessional thriller about the high-wire act of modern motherhood and the secrets that shape our closest friendships. In With Friends Like You, Emily is still reeling from a harrowing birth experience and struggling to find solid ground as a new mother in Manhattan. Missing the woman she was before, she is drawn into a search for her enigmatic former roommate, Daisy. When Daisy reappears with plans for an exclusive wellness center, old wounds are reopened, and the cracks in their friendship threaten to unravel Emily's fragile world. Together, they create a space for New York moms—complete with IV vitamin infusions, nap rooms, and communal childcare—as they navigate secrets, betrayals, and the longing for connection. With raw honesty and a fiercely contemporary lens, Amy unpacks her real-life inspiration, the transition from journalism to fiction, and the emotional terrain of motherhood, friendship, and ambition. In this juicy conversation, we discuss:
Molly Fader joins us to discuss Lady X, her soapy and subversive 1970s historical novel blending female-driven mystery, revenge, and legacy. This week on Book Gang, I'm thrilled to welcome returning guest Molly Fader, an acclaimed voice in historical fiction and romance, for a deep-dive conversation about her latest soapy novel, Lady X. It blends the revenge vibes of The Change with the emotional punch of Husbands & Lovers. Readers meet Margot, whose husband's humiliating scandal sends her back to her childhood home just as her mother's memory fades. An attic discovery—a photo linking her mother to the infamous 1970s vigilante group Lady X—launches Margot and her daughter into a cross-generational mystery that's as much about rage and legacy as it is about revenge. With wicked graffiti, oodles of secrets, and a freshly fierce examination of what women inherit when they stop apologizing, we unbox Molly's real-life inspiration, reading life, and the demands of a mixed-media reading experience. In this thought-provoking conversation, we discuss:
Eve J. Chung joins our July Book Club to discuss Daughters of Shandong, a gripping historical novel of survival, resilience, and family during wartime China. This week on Book Gang, Eve J. Chung—acclaimed human rights lawyer, debut novelist, and storyteller inspired by her family's extraordinary past—joins us for a riveting conversation about her powerful historical novel, Daughters of Shandong. Eve brings a deep personal history to the page, exploring the cost of survival during China's 1948 Communist Revolution. In this episode, we'll talk about turning family history into fiction, the ethical challenges of writing about trauma, and how Eve researched and structured a sweeping historical novel that moves with the urgency of a thriller. Eve reveals how her experience as a human rights lawyer challenged her writing process, the unique struggles of portraying women who both resist and uphold patriarchy, and the responsibility of illuminating lesser-known history for the next generation of readers. In this thought-provoking conversation, we discuss:
In this interview, I chat with Ethan Joella about The Top of the World, how this story came about, setting a book in the 1970s, handing Chip's death, his research, the stellar cover, Bookstagram, writing this book and how much it changed over the years, our love for nostalgia, and much more. Ethan's recommended reads are: The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout Heart the Lover by Lily King When the Cranes Fly South by Lisa Ridzen Looking for some great summer reads? Check out my printable 18-page Summer Reading Guide here for a tip of your choice or for a set price here via credit card with over 45 new titles vetted by me that will provide great entertainment this summer - a number of books you will not see on other guides. So many fabulous books are coming out in 2026, and you can learn about a bunch of them in my guide. Thanks so much to those of you who have donated to the show. Donate to the podcast here or on Venmo. Want to know which new titles are publishing in June - October of 2026? Check out our sixth Literary Lookbook which contains a comprehensive but not exhaustive list all in one place so you can plan ahead, and we color-code by genre in this one! Looking for something new to read? Here is my monthly Buzz Reads column with five new recommendations each month. Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Threads. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Kelly joins me for June's Real Time Reading episode where we discuss our current, past, and upcoming reads. Kelly's Selections: Last: Whistler by Ann Patchett Station 11 by Emily St. John Mandel Now: All the Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby The Under Story by Chloe Benjamin Next: No Exit by Taylor Adams Hollow Bones by Jodi Picoult DNFs: Land by Maggie O'Farrell Book Mail highlights: Sunlight Finds You by Liane Moriarty Dead Batteries by Kate Maupin Cindy's Selections: Last: Few and Far Between by Jan Carson Dissection of a Murder by Jo Murray Now: Rising Thunder by Neal Shusterman Hysteria by LJ Ross Next: Leave and Come Back by Lavanya Lakshmi Singles Girls by John Searles Didn't Work/DNFs: The Gulf of Lions by Caitlin Shetterly Book Mail highlights: Peck and Peck by Bonnie Garmus The Butterfly Season: What 64 Butterflies Taught Me about Nature's Great Mysteries and the Meaning of Life by Lea Korsgaard Connect with Kelly Hooker on Instagram. Kelly and I recorded a fabulous conversation for my Patreon community about our Summer Reading Guides. How we decide what goes on it, our processes, and much more. You can purchase it here. Looking for some great summer reads? Check out my printable 18-page Summer Reading Guide here for a tip of your choice or for a set price here via credit card with over 45 new titles vetted by me that will provide great entertainment this summer - a number of books you will not see on other guides. So many fabulous books are coming out in 2026, and you can learn about a bunch of them in my guide. Thanks so much to those of you who have donated to the show. Donate to the podcast here or on Venmo. Want to know which new titles are publishing in June - October of 2026? Check out our sixth Literary Lookbook which contains a comprehensive but not exhaustive list all in one place so you can plan ahead, and we color-code by genre in this one! Looking for something new to read? Here is my monthly Buzz Reads column with five new recommendations each month. Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Threads. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this interview, I chat with Jessica Goldstein about Retro, why readers are fascinated by time travel stories, what inspired her to write this novel, the sense of foreboding she creates on the page, choosing the time periods her characters would travel to, our love for nostalgia, and much more. Jessica's recommended reads are: The Children by Melissa Alpert Books by Robert Caro The Fountain by Casey Scieszka Looking for some great summer reads? Check out my printable 18-page Summer Reading Guide here for a tip of your choice or for a set price here via credit card with over 45 new titles vetted by me that will provide great entertainment this summer - a number of books you will not see on other guides. So many fabulous books are coming out in 2026, and you can learn about a bunch of them in my guide. Thanks so much to those of you who have donated to the show. Donate to the podcast here or on Venmo. Want to know which new titles are publishing in June - October of 2026? Check out our sixth Literary Lookbook which contains a comprehensive but not exhaustive list all in one place so you can plan ahead, and we color-code by genre in this one! Looking for something new to read? Here is my monthly Buzz Reads column with five new recommendations each month. Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Threads. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Elisa Faison joins Book Gang to discuss Skin Contact, her debut exploring the impact of an open marriage on a couple and their circle. This week on Book Gang, Elisa Faison—acclaimed short story writer, debut novelist, and someone living openly in a nontraditional marriage—joins us for an unflinching conversation about her novel, Skin Contact. Elisa brings rare firsthand insight to the page, drawing from her own experience to challenge stereotypes and misconceptions about open marriage that have long been absent in our fiction stacks. In this episode, we'll talk about writing from the inside of creative work and what it means to craft intimacy and connection in this refreshing story that hits all the romance story beats. Elisa reveals how she built the intricate structure of Skin Contact, her approach to nontraditional relationships on the page, and the craft of weaving multiple storylines into a resonant whole. In this rich conversation, we discuss:
In this interview, I chat with Portia Elan about Homebound, her publishing journey, having Homebound selected as Scribner's Lead Read for spring, marketing in the publishing world, her research, what the editing process was like and how it changed the story, and much more. Portia's recommended read is Unlikely Animals by Annie Hartnett. Looking for some great summer reads? Check out my printable 18-page Summer Reading Guide here for a tip of your choice or for a set price here via credit card with over 45 new titles vetted by me that will provide great entertainment this summer - a number of books you will not see on other guides. So many fabulous books are coming out in 2026, and you can learn about a bunch of them in my guide. Thanks so much to those of you who have donated to the show. Donate to the podcast here or on Venmo. Want to know which new titles are publishing in June - October of 2026? Check out our sixth Literary Lookbook which contains a comprehensive but not exhaustive list all in one place so you can plan ahead, and we color-code by genre in this one! Looking for something new to read? Here is my monthly Buzz Reads column with five new recommendations each month. Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Threads. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this interview, I chat with Lauren Oliver about The Girl in the Lake, UVA's Division of Perceptual Studies, her research, incorporating reincarnation into the story, creating a strong sense of place, what the rest of the series will look like, what surprised her the most when writing this one, and much more. Lauren's recommended reads are: God of the Woods by Liz Moore The Dublin Murder Squad series by Tana French The Anniversary by Alex Finlay Looking for some great summer reads? Check out my printable 18-page Summer Reading Guide here for a tip of your choice or for a set price here via credit card with over 45 new titles vetted by me that will provide great entertainment this summer - a number of books you will not see on other guides. So many fabulous books are coming out in 2026, and you can learn about a bunch of them in my guide. Thanks so much to those of you who have donated to the show. Donate to the podcast here or on Venmo. Want to know which new titles are publishing in June - October of 2026? Check out our sixth Literary Lookbook which contains a comprehensive but not exhaustive list all in one place so you can plan ahead, and we color-code by genre in this one! Looking for something new to read? Here is my monthly Buzz Reads column with five new recommendations each month. Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Threads. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Kia Abdullah joins Book Gang to discuss Next of Kin, her gripping backlist thriller about sisterhood laced with a high-stakes courtroom drama you won't forget. This week on Book Gang, we're joined by Kia Abdullah, award-winning novelist and founder of Asian Booklist, for a deeply engaging conversation about her acclaimed thriller Next of Kin. We'll dig into Kia's unique journey from a career in tech to her bold work as a full-time author, and explore how her advocacy is changing the landscape for British-Asian writers in publishing. Kia share more behind the art of writing high-stakes suspense, the impact of BookTok on the thriller genre, and the real-life inspirations behind Next of Kin's unforgettable courtroom drama. Discover the secrets to building authentic tension, crafting twisty plots, and what she hopes readers will take away from her exploration of sisterhood, responsibility, and the complexities of motherhood. In this informative conversation, we discuss:
Kelly joins me for May's Real Time Reading episode where we discuss our current, past, and upcoming reads. Kelly's Selections: Last: Both Can Be True by Jessica Guerrieri The One Day You Were My Husband by Rosie Walsh Now: Abby Offsides by Anna McCallie The Forgotten Midwife by Laura Anthony Next: The Gulf of Lions by Caitlin Shetterly Dissection of a Murder by Jo Murray DNFs: The Au Pair by Teddy Wayne Book Mail highlights: Breathing Under Water by Jaqueline Friedland Great and Unfortunate Things by Jason Arday Cindy's Selections: Last: Black Out Loud: The Revolutionary History of Black Comedy from Vaudeville to ‘90s Sitcoms by Geoff Bennett Everything Was Beautiful and Nothing Hurt by Ben Reeves Now: Wisdom Corner by David Heska Wanbli Weiden The Gulf of Lions by Caitlin Shetterly Next: Under Story by Chloe Benjamin The Silent Appeal by Janice Hallett Didn't Work/DNFs: A Harlem Wedding by Tiffany Warren The Unknown by Riley Sager Book Mail highlights: Agatha Christie's Murder at the Grand Alpine Hotel by Lucy Foley Pollock's Last Lover by Stephen Kiernan Connect with Kelly Hooker on Instagram. Looking for some great summer reads? Check out my printable 17-page Summer Reading Guide here for a tip of your choice or for a set price here via credit card with over 45 new titles vetted by me that will provide great entertainment this summer - a number of books you will not see on other guides. So many fabulous books are coming out in 2026, and you can learn about a bunch of them in my guide. Thanks so much to those of you who have donated to the show. Donate to the podcast here or on Venmo. Want to know which new titles are publishing in June - October of 2026? Check out our sixth Literary Lookbook which contains a comprehensive but not exhaustive list all in one place so you can plan ahead, and we color-code by genre in this one! Looking for something new to read? Here is my monthly Buzz Reads column with five new recommendations each month. Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Threads. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Pour Over is a Christ-first, politically neutral news podcast. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, we cover the day's biggest stories in ~10 minutes, and pair the biggest headlines with brief biblical reminders. Looking to support us? You can choose to pay here. Get the free newsletter at thepourover.org. Check out our Summer Reading Guide here. Text LISTEN to 71989 to sign up for our Praying the News Texts On today's episode: House Votes to Withdraw U.S. Troops From Iran SpaceX Declares Share Price Ahead of IPO Debut Hostages in California Siege Released Unharmed OSU Settles Decades-Old Sexual Abuse Case Protests in UK Over Police Murder of 18-Year-Old Student Scott Pelley Fired From 60 Minutes Annual Release of Fortune 500 Rankings New Tariffs Levied on 60 Countries Thanks to our sponsors: Cru: Give Bibles all over the world | text POUR to 71326 Wild Alaskan: $35 off your first box | code: TPO Quince: Free shipping | quince.com/tpo Qualia Life: additional 15% off your order | code: TPO CCCU: Apply for the Harvest Bundle | mycccu.com/pourover Upside: extra 25 cents back for every gallon on your first tank of gas | code: TPO LMNT: free 8-pack with purchase | https://links.thepourover.org/LMNT_Podcast The Missing Messiah: Learn more | missingmessiah.com Compelled Podcast: Listen now | CompelledPodcast.com Mosh: 25% off first variety pack + 20% off subscription | code: TPO25 MORE FROM TPO: Free newsletter Watch TPO on YouTube Download the TPO App Unless otherwise noted, all scripture references are from the Christian Standard Bible (CSB) translation.
In this interview, I chat with Christina Baker Kline about The Foursome, her personal connection to this story, her research and trying to learn more about the sisters who marry Cheng and Eng, having Sarah narrate the story, telling the tale without sensationalizing it, drawing on today's divisions to inform the past, The Foursome's publishing journey, and much more. Christina's recommended read is The Original by Priya Parmar. Looking for some great summer reads? Check out my printable 17-page Summer Reading Guide here for a tip of your choice or for a set price here via credit card with over 45 new titles vetted by me that will provide great entertainment this summer - a number of books you will not see on other guides. So many fabulous books are coming out in 2026, and you can learn about a bunch of them in my guide. Thanks so much to those of you who have donated to the show. Donate to the podcast here or on Venmo. Want to know which new titles are publishing in June - October of 2026? Check out our sixth Literary Lookbook which contains a comprehensive but not exhaustive list all in one place so you can plan ahead, and we color-code by genre in this one! Looking for something new to read? Here is my monthly Buzz Reads column with five new recommendations each month. Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Threads. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Travel to Ireland with Charleen Hurtubise to celebrate her US debut, Saoirse—a moving story of art, memory, and reinvention set on Donegal's wild Atlantic coast. Book Gang welcomes Charleen Hurtubise, novelist and artist, to discuss her sweeping and quietly powerful novel, Saoirse. Charleen draws on her transatlantic life, her creative work as an artist, and her deep ties to Ireland and Michigan to bring this immersive story to life. Set in 1990s Donegal, this immersive novel follows Saoirse Byrne, an artist whose life is transformed when she unexpectedly wins the prestigious Margaret Dowling Art Prize. As fame threatens to uncover long-buried secrets from her Michigan past, Saoirse must navigate a world shaped by Ireland's social and political change, Catholic influence, and her own search for freedom. In this layered and moving conversation, we discuss:
In this interview, I chat with Annabel Monaghan about Dolly All the Time, choosing Rhode Island as the setting for the book, why she invented a fictional town, her favorite male love interest that she has created, serving as a caregiver and honoring that role, designing a suitable breakup, and much more. Annabel's recommended reads are: The Day You Were My Husband by Rosie Walsh Down With the Shipmans by Meg Mitchell Moore Leave and Come Back by Lavanya Lakshmi Fossil Feud by Maggie North Looking for some great summer reads? Check out my printable 17-page Summer Reading Guide here for a tip of your choice or for a set price here via credit card with over 45 new titles vetted by me that will provide great entertainment this summer - a number of books you will not see on other guides. So many fabulous books are coming out in 2026, and you can learn about a bunch of them in my guide. Thanks so much to those of you who have donated to the show. Donate to the podcast here or on Venmo. Want to know which new titles are publishing in June - October of 2026? Check out our sixth Literary Lookbook which contains a comprehensive but not exhaustive list all in one place so you can plan ahead, and we color-code by genre in this one! Looking for something new to read? Here is my monthly Buzz Reads column with five new recommendations each month. Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Threads. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Every year we remind readers that our Summer Reading Guide isn't a list of books you should read, it's a list of books you could read. Today's guest knows that reading is personal, and that's why she's here to get Anne's help figuring out which titles from the 2026 Guide she should prioritize. Ashley Cornelius lives in Santa Barbara with her family, where she's a high school science teacher. Ashley reached out to tell us about the books she's loved and one she didn't from past Summer Reading Guides, and wondered if Anne could help her select books from this year's Guide that might fit her desired summer vibe. Today, Anne is helping one particular reader decide what to read next. But more than that, she's walking you through the thought process of considering what to read next in light of what you already know about your reading life. Find the list of titles discussed today on our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/528. Chapters: 02:58 Meet Ashley 07:13 What brings Ashley to What Should I Read Next? 12:44 The River by Peter Heller 16:27 The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty 19:57 The God of the Woods by Liz Moore 22:34 The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd 38:35 Fair Chase by Travis Mulhauser 43:54 Enormous Wings by Laurie Frankel 50:39 Country People by Daniel Mason 55:29 What will Ashley read next? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Pour Over is a Christ-first, politically neutral news podcast. Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, we cover the day's biggest stories in ~10 minutes, and pair the biggest headlines with brief biblical reminders. Check out our Summer Reading Guide here. Looking to support us? You can choose to pay here. Get the free newsletter at thepourover.org. On today's episode: President Trump Takes a Red Pen to Proposed Iran Deal Federal Courts Rule on Kennedy Center and “Anti-Weaponization” Fund NBA Sets Finals and Champions League Crowns Winners United Airlines Flight Makes Emergency Landing President Trump to Headline Great American State Fair Shrey Parikh Wins Scripps National Spelling Bee Blue Origin's Rocket Explodes During Ground Test Meteor Enters Atmosphere Off East Coast Thanks to our sponsors: Cru: Give Bibles all over the world | text POUR to 71326 Wild Alaskan: $35 off your first box | code: TPO Quince: Free shipping | quince.com/tpo Qualia Life: additional 15% off your order | code: TPO CCCU: Apply for the Harvest Bundle | mycccu.com/pourover Upside: extra 25 cents back for every gallon on your first tank of gas | code: TPO LMNT: free 8-pack with purchase | https://links.thepourover.org/LMNT_Podcast The Missing Messiah: Learn more | missingmessiah.com Compelled Podcast: Listen now | CompelledPodcast.com Mosh: 25% off first variety pack + 20% off subscription | code: TPO25 MORE FROM TPO: Free newsletter Watch TPO on YouTube Download the TPO App Unless otherwise noted, all scripture references are from the Christian Standard Bible (CSB) translation.
My Socials: https://linktr.ee/ShawnacischroederMy Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/160741281Love You Most Instagram: https://instagram.com/loveyoumostpod?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
Blair Fell joins Book Gang to discuss The Sign for Home, exploring the DeafBlind experience and a moving journey of autonomy and connection in this backlist feature. Book Gang welcomes Blair Fell, acclaimed playwright, television writer, essayist, and ASL interpreter, to discuss his heartfelt and eye-opening novel, The Sign for Home. Fell's unique life experience—including decades as an ASL interpreter for the Deaf and DeafBlind communities—shapes this deeply immersive story. Longlisted for The Center for Fiction First Novel Prize, The Sign for Home is a funny, moving, and transformative read that will leave you curious and inspired. I'm thrilled to celebrate this unforgettable debut as part of this year's Summer Reading Guide backlist feature and to honor the community it serves. Don't miss how Blair's story left such an impression on a reader that they changed their will after reading it. In this rich, humorous, and moving conversation, we discuss:
We are Traci and Ellie, two bookish friends who read in any spare minute that we have. This week we are sharing our Summer Reading Guide for 2026! To shop the books listed in this episode, visit our shop at bookshop.org. Care to join us on Patreon with even more content? We would love to have you join us at From the Bookstacks of Literally Reading! If you want more summer reading content, check out our past summer reading guides: 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, and 2020. Ellie: The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson Then She was Gone by Lisa Jewell Beezus and Ramona by Beverly Cleary Traci: These Summer Storms by Sarah MacLean God of the Woods by Liz Moore Liar's Girl by Catherine Ryan Howard The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
Step inside a 1980s Kentucky department store as Kayla Rae Whitaker shares the family secrets and ambition behind her novel Returns & Exchanges. Book Gang welcomes acclaimed author Kayla Rae Whitaker to discuss her much-anticipated new novel, Returns & Exchanges. Whitaker's immersive storytelling and meticulous research bring the 1980s era and its consumer culture to vibrant life. Set in Kentucky during the 1980s, this sweeping family drama follows Fred and Fran, a couple whose rags-to-riches ascent as department store owners brings both fortune and unexpected turmoil. As their business thrives, the family's personal lives become increasingly complicated in this messy family saga. Through multiple perspectives and intricate subplots, the novel explores themes of identity, desire, mental health, and the complexities of the American dream in this page-turning story. In this warm and insightful conversation, we discuss:
In Episode 225, Sarah and Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books catch up on the 12 new releases they shared in the Spring 2026 Book Preview, now that they've read them — or at least tried to! They share their reading stats and discuss which books worked and which didn't…and why. This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Get the 2026 Summer Reading Guide This year's Summer Reading Guide is bigger than ever — and now available as a full PDF with in-depth write-ups on every book. Here's how to access it: Full PDF Guide (with write-ups): Available to current paying members on Patreon or Substack Start a free trial (Patreon: 7 days | Substack: 30 days) *Be sure to use the link above to access your free trial on Substack. Free Cheatsheet (no write-ups): Available to everyone on the blog Free Trials close: Friday, May 22 (Memorial Day weekend) When you sign up, you'll also get: 2–3 bonus podcast episodes per month Full back catalog of bonus content Weekly reading updates + more All the details in the recent IMPORTANT DETAILS bonus podcast episode and post. Highlights This time last year, Catherine was rocking a 100% success rate — this year's was "armageddon" Sarah had really successful spring with one 5-star book and only 1 DNF with a total average star rating of 4.15. They name their best and worst books picks for spring! Books We Read Before the Preview April Sarah's Pick The Midnight Show by Lee Kelly and Jennifer Thorne (April 7) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [3:07] Spring 2026 Circle Back April Sarah's Picks Into the Blue by Emma Brodie (April 7) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [8:33] Leave Your Mess At Home by Tolani Akinola (April 14) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [16:27] Catherine's Picks American Fantasy by Emma Straub (April 7) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [5:45] Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke (April 7) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [12:25] Like This, But Funnier by Hallie Cantor (April 7) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [19:23] Other Books Mentioned All the World Can Hold by Jung Yun (2026) [7:59] The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood (1985) [14:24] August Lane by Regina Black (2025) [16:32] Seven Days in June by Tia Williams (2021) [16:39] Best Offer Wins by Marisa Kashino (2025) [20:24] May Sarah's Picks The Mediator (Max Ringo, 1) by Robert Bailey (May 12) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [22:10] The Burning Side by Sarah Damoff (May 19) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [29:39] Returns and Exchanges by Kayla Rae Whitaker (May 19) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [39:25] Catherine's Picks The Liar's Playbook by Leslie Bradford-Scott (May 5) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [25:20] The Last Mandarin by Louise Penny and Mellissa Fung (May 12) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [34:35] The Tapestry of Fate (Amina al-Sirafi, 2) by Shannon Chakraborty (May 12) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [41:16] Other Books Mentioned The Boomerang by Robert Bailey (2025) [22:17] Nowhere Girl by Cheryl Diamond (2021) [26:30] The Bright Years by Sarah Damoff (2025) [29:43] Culpability by Bruce Holsinger (2025) [33:24] The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi (Amina al-Sirafi, 1) by Shannon Chakraborty (2023) [42:06]
This week, Anne is sharing an excerpt from our 2026 Summer Reading Guide Live Unboxing. To mark our 15th Guide, we're inviting you to listen in as she tells you all about this year's Minimalist Picks. During our Summer Reading Guide Unboxing, Anne goes through every book and tells you why out of the hundreds of books she considered for the Guide that year, these are the ones she landed on. What makes them interesting, what is each story like, what kinds of readers might they appeal to? In today's excerpt, we're sharing what Anne had to say about the six titles in this year's Minimalist Guide. We hope this gives you an exciting preview of our 15th Summer Reading Guide. For the list of titles mentioned today and more, visit our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/526. This year's complete Guide includes 35 new-for-2026 releases, our popular “For fans of” backlist recommendations, Awesome on Audio picks, reading retreat best practices from our team, and a splashy anniversary feature looking back on 15 years of the SRG. If you've not yet gotten your Guide, you can do that now or anytime with instant digital delivery. Your a la carte purchase or membership also grants you access to our video Unboxing of the entire Guide. We're also offering a professionally printed guide, delivered straight to your mailbox in the U.S. These are shipping now: visit our shop at modernmrsdarcy.com/shop to order yours. That's where you'll also find retreat-worthy merch, like our cozy new sorority sweatshirt, a brand new hat that I hope brings a smile to your face, restocked book darts, stickers, totes, and more more. Chapters 03:05 What's in the 2026 Summer Reading Guide? 04:52 The One Day You Were My Husband by Rosie Walsh 07:23 Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan 9:48 Sisters of a Halved Heart by Nayantara Roy 12:10 Land by Maggie O'Farrell 13:54 The Great Wherever by Shannon Sanders 15:38 Whistler by Ann Patchett 17:58 How to get the complete 2026 Summer Reading Guide Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sarah Damoff joins Book Gang to discuss The Burning Side, a powerful family saga of marriage, memory, and the secrets that bind generations. This week's Book Gang conversation welcomes back acclaimed author Sarah Damoff, whose new novel, The Burning Side, delivers a gripping book club premise: a multigenerational family forced to rebuild after tragedy, now under one roof. Opening with a house fire, readers witness the unraveling of the tangled lives of April and Leo, who must seek shelter with April's parents—only to discover old wounds and new truths simmering beneath the surface of Deb and Billy's life as they navigate carrying a heavy secret of their own. Damoff draws on her experience as a social worker to craft heart-wrenching, compassionate scenes of family struggle, childhood trauma, and the hard choices that shape marriage and parenthood. In this inviting and deeply immersive conversation, we discuss:
In Episode 224, Sarah, Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) and Chrissie (@ChrissieWhitley) celebrate the release of the 2026 Summer Reading Guide with a special behind-the-scenes conversation about putting this year's guide together. Catherine and Chrissie share what it was like participating in the guide for the first time, from the reading process to narrowing down their final picks, while Sarah talks about how much more fun her spring reading felt with the guide becoming a team effort. Together, they reveal their secret books from the guide, share what's still sitting on their summer TBRs, and reflect on the kinds of books they found themselves gravitating toward while reading for summer. This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Get the 2026 Summer Reading Guide This year's Summer Reading Guide is bigger than ever — and now available as a full PDF with in-depth write-ups on every book. Here's how to access it: Full PDF Guide (with write-ups): Available to current paying members on Patreon or Substack Start a free trial (Patreon: 7 days | Substack: 30 days) *Be sure to use the link above to access your free trial on Substack. Free Cheatsheet (no write-ups): Available to everyone on the blog Free Trials close: Friday, May 22 (Memorial Day weekend) When you sign up, you'll also get: 2–3 bonus podcast episodes per month Full back catalog of bonus content Weekly reading updates + more All the details in the recent IMPORTANT DETAILS bonus podcast episode and post. The Secret Picks for the 2026 Summer Reading Guide Catherine Two Kinds of Stranger (Eddie Flynn, 9) by Steven Cavanagh (US: March 24, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [18:13] The Windsor Affair by Melanie Benjamin (June 2, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [26:04] The Favorite Sister by Jessica Knoll (2018) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [36:15] Chrissie Celestial Lights by Cecile Pin (March 24, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[20:33] Honeysuckle by Bar Fridman-Tell (March 24, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[30:45] Stranger Things Have Happened by Kasie West (April 14, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [39:47] Sarah Dissection of a Murder by Jo Murray (May 5, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[23:29] Heather by Caitlin Mullen (June 9, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [33:53] The Shark House by Sara Ackerman (January 13, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [42:18] Other Books Mentioned Presumed Innocent by Scott Turow (1987) [24:29] The Swans of Fifth Avenue by Melanie Benjamin (2016) [26:20] The God of the Woods by Liz Moore (2024) [34:24] Long Bright River by Liz Moore (2020) [34:29] Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll (2023) [39:27] Jaws by Peter Benchley (1974) [43:28] The Devil's Teeth by Susan Casey (2005) [44:42] Shark Heart by Emily Habeck (2023) [45:34] More From Summer TBRs Catherine You with the Sad Eyes by Christina Applegate (March 3, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [46:22] The Crown in Crisis by Alexander Larman (2021) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [47:19] Waiting on a Friend by Natalie Adler (May 26, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [47:45] Sarah Lost Lambs by Madeline Cash (January 13, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [52:48] Celestial Lights by Cecile Pin (March 24, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[53:01] Brawler by Lauren Groff (February 24, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [52:28] The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett (May 5, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [53:46] The Unseen World by Liz Moore (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [54:46] Porcupines by Fran Fabriczki (April 14, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [55:04] Chrissie Nonesuch by Francis Spufford (March 10, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [48:51] Tom's Crossing by Mark Z. Danielewksi (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [49:25] The Unicorn Hunters by Katherine Arden (June 2, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [50:24] Whistler by Ann Patchett (June 2, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [50:39] A Deadly Episode (Hawthorne & Horowitz, 6) by Anthony Horowitz (April 28, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [51:18] Daughter of Crows (The Academy of Kindness, 1) by Mark Lawrence (March 24, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [51:29] Other Books Mentioned The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai (2018) [48:12] Tuesday Nights in 1980 by Molly Prentiss (2016) [48:14] House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski (2000) [50:02] Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry (1985) [50:17] Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy (1985) [50:18] The Bear and the Nightingale (Winternight Trilogy, 1) by Katherine Arden (2017) [50:33] The Wanderers by Meg Howrey (2017) [53:10] The Help by Kathryn Stockett (2009) [53:49]
I am delighted to welcome our Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club Community Manager, Ginger Horton, back to the show to talk about this year's 15th annual Summer Reading Guide and dive into all things summer reading. Ginger has been collaborating on the Guide for many years now, and she played an integral role in selecting our 2026 reading retreat theme. As you'll hear today, she's also the reason we started hosting our annual Unboxing live events. We're going to get into that in detail. Ginger is also a co-discoverer with readers, though, because just a few hours before we recorded, she saw the first draft of this year's Summer Reading Guide. She and I talk about what we love most about this year's Guide and how you can make sure you get a copy. We hope you'll enjoy this conversation and it sparks your excitement for this week's release of our 15th annual Guide. Find the list of titles mentioned today at our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/525. If you are already a member of our Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club or our What Should I Read Next? Patreon communities, or you purchased your à la carte ticket, you are all set to get the Guide on Thursday and attend Thursday's Unboxing events at either 1:00 PM or 8:00 PM. And if neither time works for you, never fear: we'll have the recording available not too long after the events. During the Unboxing, Anne goes through all the titles in the Guide one by one, sharing more about why she chose each title, what the reading experience is like, and what kind of reader may most enjoy each book. Find out all the details you need to know at modernmrsdarcy.com/srg. Chapters: 02:27 What to expect at the Summer Reading Guide Unboxing Event 26:09 Dolly All the Time by Annabel Monaghan 26:54 Sisters of a Halved Heart by Nayantara Roy 28:36 The Great Wherever by Shannon Sanders 41:40 How to get the Summer Reading Guide Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Christina Baker Kline joins Book Gang to discuss The Foursome, a novel inspired by her family ties to the descendants of conjoined twins Chang and Eng Bunker. This week's Book Gang conversation welcomes #1 New York Times bestselling author Christina Baker Kline, whose new novel The Foursome delivers a captivating book club premise inspired by the true story of Chang and Eng Bunker. Kline's narrative follows the conjoined twins from their international stardom to settling in North Carolina, where they seek love and family, culminating in an unexpected and unforgettable love story with sisters Adelaide and Sarah. Kline invites readers into her flourishing career, where she reflects on Orphan Train's success and what's changed since she began in the 1990s. For writers and readers alike, she offers compelling advice on weathering publishing changes. In this inviting and deeply immersive conversation, we discuss:
The 2026 MomAdvice Summer Reading Guide is here! Discover 70 must-read titles and 57 pages of fresh picks for your best summer yet. It's time for one of my favorite episodes: the official reveal of the 2026 MomAdvice Summer Reading Guide! This year's edition showcases 70 carefully curated titles spanning every genre, so you can find the perfect read for every summer mood. In this special Book Gang episode, I'm sharing this year's reading challenges with the buzziest books that didn't deliver but ultimately changed my sails towards the unexpected, from magical days at the library for backlist fun to under-the-radar gems like the ones I'm debuting today. Out of the 114 books I read to prepare for this one, I'm spotlighting five unforgettable novels that deserve a spot on your TBR. These new voices captured my heart, and I hope you'll fall in love with them, too. Grab your notebook (or open your Libby app!)—let's dive into the WHY behind this year's selections and get ready to build your summer reading stack. GET THE GUIDE: Browse the 2026 MomAdvice Summer Reading Guide (with ads) or receive the 57-page reading guide download ($7) to support our show. If you are a show patron, check your inbox for your copy as part of your member benefits- thank you for supporting my small business! Meet Amy Allen Clark Amy Allen Clark is the founder of MomAdvice.com, a vibrant online community she has nurtured since 2004. Through this platform, Amy shares practical advice on recipes, DIY projects, and book recommendations for her readers. In 2013, Amy authored The Good Life for Less, published by Penguin, and offered families tips for running their households on a shoestring budget. Amy launched the Book Gang Podcast in 2021. The book podcast celebrates debut authors, explores backlist titles, and highlights under-the-radar book selections. Through engaging conversations with writers and fellow book enthusiasts, Amy aims to connect you with your new favorite book. Mentioned in this episode: NEW: Buy the 2026 Summer Reading Guide (help our show stay on air) 2026 MomAdvice Book Club Books (All 12 Selections) Join the May Book Club 4/30 at 8 PM ET (What Kind of Paradise) Ellery Adams talks Invasive Species: Horror in the Neighborhood Substack on Yesteryear (the religious perspective) Stormy Daniels Isn't Backing Down 17 Years After The Help, Kathryn Stockett Returns to Mississippi Connect With Me: Connect with Amy on Instagram, TikTok, or MomAdvice Support the Show With a Tip on Buy Me a Coffee
In this episode, Ross speaks with Sarah Brubaker, Programming Manager at FCPL, about this year's Summer Reading Challenge: Unearth a Story. The Summer Reading Challenge will run from May 22nd to August 5th and will feature a variety of awesome programs and grand prizes. Make sure to check out all the activities going on across the branches on our website or in the printed Summer Reading Guide available at all branches. A full transcript of this podcast episode is available on our Bookmarked Blog.
May is upon us and that means Summer Reading season is just about here! The 2026 Summer Reading Guide went through a lot of changes this year, so I'm coming to you a bit early to walk through all the details. CLICK HERE for the full Show Notes on the blog. The 2026 Summer Reading Guide is launching this coming Tuesday, May 12! And, our Summer Reading Special podcast episode will air the following day (Weds, May 13). WHAT'S DIFFERENT THIS YEAR The SRG is now a team project. You'll be getting recommendations from Catherine and Chrissie in addition to me. And, there are a couple books on the SRG that are recommended by multiple team members. But, don't worry, you will easily be able to tell who recommended each book in the Guide. The primary SRG with full write-ups on every book we included will be in a printable PDF format. Changing the primary Guide to a PDF format gives us the flexibility to include some different and helpful ways to categorize the books in the guide beyond our mood-based categories. In addition to the regular part of the Guide, we'll have lists for: Books that are now out in paperback Five star books Books that are great on audio Longer books (450+ pages) Nonfiction And, our Secret picks – which you'll hear more about in our Summer Reading Special coming on May 13 We selected our Top Picks differently. In the past, I chose my #1 pick for each of my mood-based categories in the Guide. This year, we're selecting a group of our OVERALL Top Picks regardless of which mood based category they fall in. We've chosen 6 top picks that represent a range of genres, vibes, and reading tastes. And, those will be in their very own section at the front of the Guide. HOW TO GET THE 2026 SUMMER READING GUIDEDifferent from last year The primary Summer Reading Guide PDF with full write-ups on every book will ONLY be available to paying members (via Patreon or Substack). BUT, we'll be running a Free Trial for our Patreon and paid Substack communities, so you can still technically get the full PDF guide for free. Free Trial sign-ups will be open through Friday, May 22 (the Friday of Memorial Day weekend). The Substack Free Trial will be for 30 days. The Patreon Free Trial will only be 7 days long. Patreon only allows 7 day free trials and I wish they'd change that policy. Obviously, we hope you sample our bonus content and decide to stick around on Patreon or Substack, but you can also drop your membership after 1 month if all you're interested in is the full Summer Reading Guide PDF. AND, a Cheatsheet-style list WITHOUT write-ups for the books included will be available to everyone on my website. HOW TO MAKE SURE THE 2026 SUMMER READING GUIDE LANDS IN YOUR INBOX ON MAY 12 If you are NOT already a paying member, you can sign up for a Free Trial either on Patreon (here) OR on Substack (here). If you are NOT already a paying member and you are not eligible for the Free Trial (i.e. you signed up in a previous year and dropped your membership since then), you can sign up to be a paid member on Patreon (here) OR Substack (here) for $7/month (and can drop your membership after 1 month if you don't want to stick around). If you are ALREADY a Superstars member on Patreon or a paid member on Substack, you don't have to do anything else to get the Guide. It will arrive in your inboxes on Tuesday (May 12) morning. And, don't forget that the Cheatsheet (i.e. a slimmed down version of the Guide WITHOUT WRITE-UPS on all the books included) there will be available on my website.
Today Anne is talking books with Lee Weick, a Michigan-dwelling former teacher and grandmother who knows that variety keeps her reading life going. Lee loves big, long books and is most satisfied with her reading life when she's reading those big books on a regular basis. But as you will hear, Lee has learned that the rhythms of her reading life also require a nice, steady supply of books on the shorter side. Lately, Lee is feeling stuck when it comes to finding shorter reads that still feel substantial, thought-provoking, and interesting. Anne has lots of ideas for Lee, and today she'll put a few shorter books on Lee's radar that sound right up her alley. Find the list of titles discussed and leave your suggestions for Lee on our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/524. Our Summer Reading Guide release is just around the corner, which means it's the time of year we welcome many new members to our Patreon community. When you join us there, you get immediate access to all our past Summer Reading Guides and seasonal previews, our weekly bonus episodes, and of course, this year's 15th Summer Reading Guide and Live Unboxing event. Choose from monthly or annual membership options that help you enjoy all that we do over in Patreon while also financially supporting our show and our team. Find out more at patreon.com/whatshouldireadnext. Chapters: 03:03 Meet Lee 07:25 What Lee is looking for in her reading life 16:52 Vera, or Faith by Gary Shteyngart 18:56 Patriot by Alexei Navalny 21:48 The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas 25:26 The Vaster Wilds by Lauren Groff 35:31 Wedding Toasts I'll Never Give by Ada Calhoun 38:45 Fight Night by Miriam Towes 41:48 Stone Yard Devotional by Charlotte Wood 46:22 The Summer Book by Tove Jansson 48:44 What will Lee read next? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
After completing a classics reading project, today's guest really wants to keep her reading momentum while also bringing more non-classics back into her reading life. Today we're trying something new and inviting a team member alongside Anne to help tackle one reader-specific reading dilemma. As you'll hear today, Anne couldn't help but notice that guest Cheryl Drury's tastes and recent reading project shares a lot in common with team member Ginger Horton's reading life. Ginger is our Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club community manager, and she has recently been immersed in the classics due to her current enrollment in a Great Books graduate study program. That's why Ginger seems like exactly the right reader to bring along for this conversation with Cheryl. Cheryl hails from Charleston, South Carolina. While she's always been a reader, she'd never really dabbled much in classics or Great Books until 18 months ago, when she embarked on a challenge to read through a year-long list of more than 100 influential books. The project energized Cheryl's reading life, but now she's not quite sure where to go next. Anne, Ginger, and Cheryl talk about how Cheryl may retain some of the structure from her classics project as well as where she can have more flexibility to follow where her reading whimsy takes her. Plus, they'll offer title ideas that may feel like just the right bridge between what Cheryl's been reading lately and what she'd love more of in the months ahead. Find the list of titles discussed today and share your ideas for Cheryl on our show notes page, at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/523. This year marks our 10th anniversary of Book Club. It has been so much fun along the way, and we've got great events queued up to celebrate this year. Plus, this is a wonderful time to join because it's Summer Reading Guide season. For more from Ginger and more Book Club fun, join us at modernmrsdarcy.com/club. Chapters: 07:43 Meet Cheryl 12:10 Cheryl's decision to read the classics 21:08 Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes 23:38 The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain 26:15 A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles 30:05 Dead Wake by Erik Larson 46:34 1000 Books to Read Before You Die by James Mustich 51:42 Q's Legacy by Helene Hanff 54:15 Hagseed by Margaret Atwood 55:52 What will Cheryl read next? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We often hear from readers who wish to avoid heavier topics in their reading lives, and today Anne is talking with a guest hunting for books that feel light, warm, and stimulating, but not overly stressful. Angela Frith hails from Lexington, North Carolina, where she works as a K-12 curriculum developer and is a member of our Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club and What Should I Read Next? Patreon communities. As she considers her reading life this year, Angela is hoping for titles that feature the warmth she loves, without the chaos that also sometimes marks titles in her favorite genres of memoirs, found family stories, historical fiction, or fantasy. Anne has ideas to share. You'll find the full list of titles mentioned on our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/522. Our Patreon community is full of exciting ways to get more books in your life, from our weekly bonus episodes on a variety of themes to seasonal events like our upcoming Summer Reading Guide. Your monthly or annual support helps us pay our team and keep the lights on around What Should I Read Next? HQ. We are so grateful to all of you who are or have been Patreon members. If you're not a current member of our community, this is a great time of year to join. Find out more at patreon.com/whatshouldireadnext. Chapters 03:49 Meet Angela 09:06 Angela's reading dilemma 18:52 I Miss You When I Blink by Mary Laura Philpott 21:22 Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness 23:04 The First Ladies by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray 26:10 Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier 40:12 Eddie Winston Is Looking for Love by Marianne Cronin 45:48 Shopgirls by Jessica Anya Blau 50:34 The Comfort of Crows: A Backyard Year by Margaret Renkl 55:18 What will Angela read next? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today's guest would love to add more four and five-star picks to her reading list and she's curious about techniques that might help get her there. Kelly Krause is a first grade teacher who lives in Northwest Arkansas with her family. When Kelly discovers a winning author, it feels like a slam dunk to read the rest of their work. But when it comes to branching out in new directions, Kelly is not as confident. She's wondering whether devoting more time to reflecting on her reads by analyzing what's worked well or practicing the art of writing book reviews will help her pick more winning titles. Anne can't wait to explore this with Kelly today, along with sharing titles and authors Kelly may enjoy. Find the list of titles mentioned today on our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/520. Our 15th Summer Reading Guide is coming your way next month! Creating this guide each year is truly a labor of love. Our Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club and What Should I Read Next? Patreon community members are automatically invited, and we'll also be offering our popular a la carte ticket. To make sure you get the 15th anniversary edition in your inbox and to find out how to join us for our live unboxing event, visit modernmrsdarcy.com/srg. Chapters 02:25 Meet Kelly 04:47 Kelly's reading dilemma 07:09 The Book of Hope: A Survival Guide for Trying Times by Jane Goodall and Douglas Abrams 08:44 The Kitchen Front by Jennifer Ryan 10:04 The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo 12:27 The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley 28:06 The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali 35:35 Kate & Frida by Kim Fay 38:58 Grief Cottage by Gail Godwin 50:29 What will Kelly read next? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Indie bookstore owner Nikkya joins Anne today to talk about the pain points in her reading life. Nikkya reads widely for her work as owner of Obodo Serendipity Books in Stratford, Connecticut. She is most at home as a reader in her go-to nonfiction spaces, where she knows what she likes and is able to find it. After having a real aha moment six months ago, Nikkya has been trying to strike a delicate balance between her professional reading and reading for pleasure. And it's only going okay. She's especially feeling the friction of seeking to push into genres she's less familiar with, like historical fiction, romance, and mysteries and thrillers. Today she and Anne explore what successful branching out might look like, with specific title recommendations that may feel like doable, pleasurable steps in a new direction. Find the list of titles mentioned and leave a comment sharing your suggestions for Nikkya at our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/518. Around here we believe in the power of understanding your reading life, and our Patreon community is designed for readers like you. It's a space to enjoy more conversations about the books we love and why we love them. Our Friday bonus episodes are grouped around themes, like Industry Insights, our Starter Guide series, One Great Book episodes, ongoing episodes of Mini Matchmaking, and more. On top of enjoying these bonus episodes and big events like our Spring Book Library Chat and Summer Reading Guide, the financial contributions of our Patreon members are a significant part of how we pay our team, continue to create the show each week, and keep the bookish conversations flowing. To everyone who's already a member, thank you. If you're not yet, we'd love to invite you to join us. Find out more at patreon.com/whatshouldireadnext. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Across the years, we've periodically hosted Ask Anne Anything events in our Patreon community, and today you're hearing a replay of our latest gathering. These live events invite our Patreon community members to submit their burning questions, and Anne does her best to answer as many of them as she can. As we continue to mark 10 years of this podcast and all the books and reading talk we've enjoyed across those years, we thought a live AMA would be a fun way to celebrate. You'll get to hear the range of questions and Anne's answers in this replay of a casual, fun, unscripted event that really represents the feel of our Patreon community. We hope you'll enjoy listening. Find the list of titles and links mentioned today at our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/511 Our Patreon community is an intimate corner of the book universe, where we get the chance to periodically gather in smaller groups for events like the one you're hearing today. Our community is gathering next on February 7th for our Reader's Day Spring Preview Library Chat. This is a relaxed and laid back virtual get together where Anne will talk about the spring releases she's most excited about. Members of our Patreon and Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club communities are invited, so if you'd like to join us for that event, weekly bonus episodes, and other upcoming good stuff, like our 2026 Summer Reading Guide, check out the details and join us over at patreon.com/whatshouldireadnext. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We love unique reading projects around here, and today's guest has maintained hers since 2021. We're going to hear all about it and explore how she's adding a new twist for 2026. Kate Mosesso is a reader and improv comedian who lives and works in Chicago. She's a lifelong reader, and while she loves the stories on the page, she's an even bigger fan of the connections that reading fosters. Since 2021, Kate's undertaken a community-inspired reading project: every month, she reads a book recommended by a loved one. This project has led her to a lot of great books and given her a new way to connect with people she loves: friends, family members, even favorite professors. For 2026, she's thinking of a new angle for this long-time project and is interested in discussing how to make it really work for her. Today, we're going to explore what's happening with Kate's project, the changes she'd like to make for the year ahead, and what we can do about it. Anne recommends titles and tips to infuse Kate with confidence and enthusiasm for her reading year to come. Find the full list of titles mentioned today and leave your recommendations for Kate on our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/505. If you're curious about what the Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club is all about, today Anne shares a peek behind the scenes of this online community. From our annual readers' retreats to author talks and classes to help you make the most of your reading life, Book Club is full of things to look forward to each year. Our team Best Books of the Year event is coming up in January, an event that's only available for our online communities. And looking ahead for 2026, our Book Club members will enjoy our February Readers' Day with a Spring Book Preview themed library chat, our Summer Reading Guide unboxing, Austen in August, and more good nerdy fun. We hope you'll join us in 2026 as we celebrate 10 years of the Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club. A Book Club membership also makes a fantastic last-minute holiday gift. Find out more or sign up now at modernmrsdarcy.com/club. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
One of our favorite things to do in our Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club is connect with the authors we all love. Every so often we have the opportunity to share one of those conversations with all of you, too. Today you'll be hearing from Kevin Wilson, author of our 2025 Summer Reading Guide selection Run for the Hills and a writer we've long looked forward to hosting in this space. Our conversation covers a lot of ground today, from Wilson's approach to writing his stories to topics like what it means to fit in, how weirdness impacts his writing style, and how a PT Cruiser ended up as a key feature in his book. We kick off today's conversation with a bit of behind the scenes conversation between Anne and our Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club community manager, Ginger Horton. We wanted to give you some idea of what you're going to be listening to today. Whether you've read Kevin Wilson or not, we think you'll enjoy this opportunity to hear an author talk about their work and their process in a really interesting way. Find the list of titles mentioned today on our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/499. In addition to other major milestones, we're about to celebrate our 10-year anniversary of the Book Club. Today we share insights into what exactly we do in Book Club and why you might want to consider joining us in what we call the best corner of the internet. Find out more at modernmrsdarcy.com/club. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Kelly Hooker joins me for the September's Real Time Reading episode where we highlight our current, past and upcoming reads. Kelly's Selections: Last: A Guardian and a Thief by Megan Majumdar A Good Animal by Sara Mauer Now: Indian Country by Shoba Rao Warning Signs by Tracy Sierra Next: The Sunshine Man by Emma Stonex The Exes by Leodora Darlington DNFs or Didn't Like: Adrift by Will Dean Book Mail Highlights: The First Time I Saw Him by Laura Dave Skylark by Paula McLain Cindy's Selections: Last: Life & Death & Giants by Ron Rindo The Murder at World's End by Ross Montgomery Now: The Gifted School by Bruce Holsinger Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke Next: The Academy by Elin Hilderbrand and Shelby Cunningham Family of Spies by Christine Kuehn DNFs or Didn't Like: No Rest for the Wicked by Rachel Louise Adams Book Mail Highlights: Saoirse by Charleen Hurtubise Double Shadow by Andrew Luddington Looking for some great summer reads? Check out my printable 18-page Summer Reading Guide here for a tip of your choice or for a set price here via credit card with over 60 new titles vetted by me that will provide great entertainment this summer - books you will not see on other guides. I also include mystery series recommendations, new releases in a next-in-the-series section and fiction and nonfiction pairings. Connect with Kelly Hooker on Instagram. Donate to the podcast here or on Venmo. Check out Postmark'd Studio! Want to know which new titles are publishing in June - October of 2025? Check out our fourth Literary Lookbook which contains a comprehensive but not exhaustive list all in one place so you can plan ahead. Looking for something new to read? Here is my monthly Buzz Reads column with five new recommendations each month. Link to my article about stories set on school campuses. Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Threads. Sign up to be added to my Literary Salon list here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
*Patreon and Substack-only bonus episode teaser, click here for the full episode*This month you're getting a bonus bonus episode of The Stacks Unabridged. Because we love summer and books, Sara Hildreth of Fiction Matters is here to talk about summer reading guides. We hand out a few literary superlatives like, best book to read on an airplane and most dramatic. Plus we share some books we've read since the guides were dropped that we think you should at to your reading lists. If you haven't gotten The Stacks' Nonfiction Reading Guide or Sara's Paperback Summer Reading Guide, be sure to grab those and get to listening.You can find everything we discuss on today's show on The Stacks' website:https://www.thestackspodcast.com/unabridged/2025/8/8/tsu-49-sara-hildrethCConnect with Sara: Instagram | Fiction Matters | Novel Pairings | SubstackConnect with The Stacks: Instagram | Twitter | Shop | Patreon | Goodreads | SubscribeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
A midyear reading check-in has become a small tradition around here, and today Anne is welcoming team member Shannan Malone back to the podcast. Today, you'll hear Anne and Shannan dive into the history of this practice before exploring how this year's been going so far, what they're each excited about, and what's working (and not working) in each of their reading lives. With so many books to choose from, and so much going on in all of our busy lives, a midyear check-in is a useful tool to make any adjustments or recalibrations to ensure you're getting exactly what you want from your reading life, whether that's escape, education, pure enjoyment, or all of the above. Find the links and resources mentioned today along with the list of titles discussed at our show notes page, whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/485. If you haven't yet ordered your Summer Reading Guide—either the digital version (plus the replay of our Unboxing party)—or the printed version—there's still plenty of summer reading season ahead. Grab your copy at modernmrsdarcy.com/srg. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We often discuss auto-buy authors and completist authors around here, and today's guest is a completist on a mission to discover her new favorite summer author. Stephanie Edwards-Gass is a seventh-grade English teacher and an Elin Hilderbrand completist. For years, she's turned to Hilderbrand's novels for summer reading satisfaction. She's read (and reread) every book in Hilderbrand's catalog, but now that there aren't any new Nantucket books to look forward to, Stephanie's on the hunt for a new go-to summer author that scratches the same itch. She's looking for stories with complex characters, a strong sense of place, lots of juicy details, and often salacious scandals. Stephanie's already done a lot of legwork here and has a really good idea of what has and hasn't worked for her so far. Today she and Anne talk about which author (or authors) might fill this gap in Stephanie's summer reading plan. See the long list of titles mentioned today and leave your suggestions for Stephanie at our show notes page, at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/483. Thanks to all of you who have joined us lately in our Patreon community: we could not make this show without you. If you haven't joined us yet, it's an easy way to show your support for our show and financially support the work we're doing. When you sign up, you get immediate access to the 2025 Summer Reading Guide, our unboxing video, and bonus episodes like the books Anne read and really loved but didn't include in the Guide, and of course all of our archives and the new bonus episodes we're creating this summer. To sign up and get started, go to patreon.com/whatshouldireadnext. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We always love reading on a theme, and today's guest would love to see her real-life love of the ocean mirrored in the pages of her books. Noelle Leong is a science and medicine-focused librarian at a small liberal arts college. She especially loves her work for the opportunities it provides her to join the students on trails and visiting tidepools. So it's perhaps unsurprising she'd love Anne's help finding books about the ocean, whether that means pop science, books where the ocean is the setting, or even a character—she's up for anything. While this isn't an exclusively summery theme, so many readers associate the ocean with summer vacations and family trips, so it feels like just the right time to dive in and find titles that will appeal to Noelle's reading wishes right now. Find the list of titles mentioned today and share your ocean reading recommendations by leaving a comment on our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/482 For more summer reading fun, join us in the Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club. We had a blast at our Summer Reading Guide Unboxing party, and next week, we're hosting Summer Reading Guide author Kevin Wilson for our June live author talk. Book Club is a great place to gather with fellow readers and talk all about this summer's most discussable books. Join the fun at modernmrsdarcy.com/club Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
© 2020-2026 Ivy Podcast Discovery LLC
