What Should I Read Next?

We're kicking off 2025 with a special episode: today Anne is joined by her husband Will Bogel to discuss Anne's best books of the past year. Every week here on the show, we take a personal approach to the reading life, really digging into what readers love, what they don't, and why. Our conversations are about individual readers and their individual taste, so it's not often Anne shines a spotlight on what she loves and why. But Anne doesn't work in a vacuum: her own reading life plays a role in her recommendations, and today she's sharing some insights into her taste as she shares the books that she loved most last year, and why she loved them. Find the list of the titles discussed today on our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/460, where we'd love to hear from you in the comments section, too. Our Spring Book Preview is just around the corner, on January 16th at 8:30 PM EST. This is an annual event that invites our Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club and Patreon members to join us: we've also got a la carte tickets on sale if you're not currently part of one of those communities. There are so many incredible titles coming out this season, and Anne will be talking about her most anticipated selections with all of you. Find out more and sign up to join us at modernmrsdarcy.com/sbp. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's guest is feeling stuck between quality and quantity in her reading life. With all of the end-of-year reading reflections happening lately, Anne is here to help if you're also facing this situation. Caroline Hines lives on a Christmas tree farm, which is not really related to today's book-talk, but feels like the perfect setting for our final episode of the year. When she wrote in to get Anne's help, Caroline mentioned that since she started tracking her reading against a numerical goal, she's felt an unwelcome shift in her reading life. Rather than reaching for the heftier reads she suspects she'll love, even though they take her longer to finish, she finds herself dashing through fast-paced thrillers because she knows she'll read them quickly, not because she thinks they're perfect for her. Today she and Anne discuss the pros and cons of using a numerical reading goal, and how Caroline might enjoy that glorious feeling of falling headfirst into a book more often. Find the full list of titles mentioned and share your suggestions for Caroline by leaving a comment on our show notes page, at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/459. A quick note: our team will be taking the next two weeks off to enjoy good books and good times with our loved ones. We'll be back in January with a brand new episode—Anne's Best Books of 2024! In the meantime, enjoy our archives, or explore all of our bonus episodes, author chats, and more in our Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club and our Patreon community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When Anne was invited to speak at WriterFest, a creative gathering for aspiring writers, published authors, screenwriters, poets, and songwriters in Nashville, we couldn't wait to share that conversation with all of you. Today we're sharing Anne's conversation with WriterFest co-founder Ami McConnell. From books and reading to the common themes they've heard people are experiencing in their creative lives right now, it's a conversation to spark your own creative spirit. Thank you again to WriterFest co-founders Ami McConnell and Sara Wigal and to their their amazing teams and volunteers who made this event happen. Let us know if you have a book or a creative moment you'd like to share by leaving a comment on our show notes page, where you'll also find the list of titles mentioned today. That's at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/458. We're so looking forward to sharing our annual Team's Best Books of the year! This has become a tradition, and this year, we'll be gathering for this live party on December 19th. Members of our Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club and our Patreon Community are invited: this fun event is just one of many ways we say thank you for your financial support. Find out more and become a member at patreon.com/whatshouldireadnext. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cozy reading season is nearly here in the northern hemisphere, and today's guest wrote in with a unique question: how can she create a cozy reading experience when she's nearly always listening to audiobooks on the go? Lauren Worley is joining Anne today from Virginia. Lauren's work keeps her in the car and on the road quite a bit, so Lauren’s fully embraced audiobooks. But she doesn't just want to listen while she's driving: she's curious how she could create a cozier reading experience in her car. Today she and Anne talk about what Lauren's looking for, from small tweaks to make car listening feel more cozy, to the titles she defines as cozy audiobooks (which might not be what you'd expect.) Anne shares titles that might fit Lauren’s criteria, as well as ways she can invite that cozy reading atmosphere into her experience, even when she’s on the road. Share an audiobook you've found cozy or a reading tip for Lauren by leaving a comment on our show notes page, where you'll find the full list of titles mentioned today. That's at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/457. If you are on the hunt for perfect gifts to give the tough-to-shop-for readers in your life, my reading journal makes a great gift. My Reading Life is the perfect companion for any adult, with 100 blank entries to record what they've read, a place to keep track of their to-be-read list, and lots of book lists to help them pick what to read next. I also have a version for kids and the young-at-heart: My Reading Adventures has the same elements as well as features that will appeal kids and teenagers. Or, check out my I'd Rather Be Reading bundle, which includes my book, I'd Rather Be Reading, a matching sticker, button, and exclusive bookmark. Shop now wherever you get your new books or at our shop, ModernMrsDarcy.com/shop. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices