What Should I Read Next?

Today's guest is a Kentucky neighbor who has both a specific reading project and a dilemma we know is shared by many readers. Emily Holladay is a pastor in Frankfort, Kentucky, where she lives with her family. As a newish mom, Emily is still finding her outside-of-parenthood hobbies, but reading has been a constant throughout her life. Emily's a member of a book club at Carmichael's Bookstore, which happens to be Anne's local bookstore. When Emily completed her guest submission form and told us about her struggles with completing her Carmichael's bingo card, Anne couldn't wait to talk about this reading challenge with Emily. Emily also often finds herself browsing Libby for her next read. She often feels like every book that's top of mind for her is also on everyone else's mind, and suspects she would be happier if she had an assortment of backlist books on her radar that might be available on Libby right when she wants them. Anne has ideas for Emily, and we'd love to hear your suggestions too: please share the titles and tips you'd like to share with Emily by leaving a comment on our show notes page, where you'll also find the list of titles discussed today. Every week here on the podcast, we share an hour of enthusiastic book talk, and our podcast stays free for all to enjoy. A lot goes into crafting this hour of free bookish entertainment every week, and while we love what we do, that's why we value your support so much. Not only does it help the finances work, it's a huge morale booster to hear that you value what we do here every week. If you want to help us keep producing high-quality, human-made work like we do every week, there are many ways to support us, and we hope you can find one or even several that are right for you. If you'd like to support us financially, that's easy to do by joining our Patreon community, becoming a member of the Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club, visiting our shop, or buying Anne's books. To everyone who has already supported us in any of these ways, thank you so much. And if financial support isn't an option for you right now, or even if you're already a financial supporter, there are great free ways that support us as well. Simple actions make a big difference, like subscribing to our email list, subscribing to or following our podcast on your favorite app or player, sharing a post, a story, or an episode on social media, or by telling a friend to listen in. No matter which of these actions you take, know that our team is grateful. We truly couldn't do this without you. Thank you for listening, and thank you for supporting our show. Chapters 05:49 Meet Emily 14:48 Emily’s search for books to fill her book bingo card 33:28 The Guncle by Steven Rowley 37:02 Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell 39:47 The Almost Sisters by Joshilyn Jackson 42:52 My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh 48:18 Returns and Exchanges by Kayla Rae Whitaker 55:02 Marce Catlett: The Force of a Story by Wendell Berry  57:11 Everything Sad Is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri 1:03:02 Open Throat by Henry Hoke 1:06:43 What will Emily read next? 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