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What Should I Read Next?

Ep 528: What should I read this summer?

6/2/20261 hr 1 min

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

Clips

Hooked By The Wolf
Guide Unboxing Watch Party
Plot Twist Deal-Breaker
No-Cry Summer Reading Vibe

Transcript preview

First 90 seconds

  1. Anne Bogel· Host0:00

    So you don't know what the books are.

  2. Ashley Cornelius· Guest0:01

    Yeah.

  3. Anne Bogel· Host0:02

    I'm gonna tell you three books today, and I'll be so curious to see if stuff jumps out at you from the summer reading guide that just would not have occurred to me based on our conversation.

  4. Ashley Cornelius· Guest0:12

    Yeah, that'll be really interesting. I'm very excited about having books to, like, keep an ear out when we're listening or watching.

  5. Anne Bogel· Host0:18

    [upbeat music] Hey, readers. I'm Anne Bogel, and this is What Should I Read Next? Welcome to the show that's dedicated to answering the question that plagues every reader: What should I read next? We don't get bossy on this show. What we will do here is give you the information you need to choose your next read. Every week we'll talk all things books and reading and do a little literary matchmaking with one guest. Readers, life is busy, and whether I'm on the go around town or out on the road, I appreciate a morning makeup routine that takes just a few minutes. Merit Beauty's lineup of clean, thoughtfully curated essentials makes it easy to get a fresh, polished look. I love how so many of their products do double duty, like The Minimalist, which replaces both foundation and concealer in your makeup bag. I like to use my Merit number one brush to blend everything out, but it's just as easy to apply and touch up with your fingers for a quick out-the-door routine. Merit's collection is especially great for travel, which I deeply appreciate this time of year, and I'm not the only one. Our team member Holly swears by their carry-on friendly

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