What to Read Next Podcast l Book Recommendation Show

Magical Forest Fantasy Books with Love Stories with Elly Blake

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Romantasy before it was cool? In this episode, I sit down with Elly Blake to talk about her journey writing fantasy romance—and how the genre has completely transformed over the years. We chat about the evolution from YA fantasy to adult romantasy, what readers really want (hint: it’s the romance), and how Elly built her newest Thirstwood series from fairy tales, folklore, and a haunting “bloodthirsty forest” idea. If you love enemies-to-lovers, forbidden romance, and magical worlds with high emotional stakes, this episode is for you. 📚 BOOKS MENTIONED Frostblood by Elly Blake — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4m4eUnr] | Fantasy Romance | Audio ✅ Forest King’s Daughter by Elly Blake — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4m6JVY7] | Romantasy, Fairy Tale Inspired | Audio ✅ Curse Queen’s Daughter by Elly Blake — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4s92LPy] | Romantasy, Enemies-to-Lovers | Audio ✅ Until the Clock Strikes Midnight by Alicia Dow — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4bQ7dOk]| YA Fantasy Romance, Fairytale | Audio ✅ ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS [00:00] Introduction to Elly Blake [01:00] Her journey into fantasy & romantasy [02:30] What “romantasy” really means [04:30] How romance reshaped the fantasy market [06:00] YA vs adult fantasy—what’s changing [08:00] Overview of Thirstwood series [10:00] The bloodthirsty forest concept [11:30] Book 1: friends-to-enemies-to-lovers setup [12:30] Book 2: Hades & Persephone vibes + mystery [14:30] Coming-of-age themes in fantasy [16:00] Reading habits: paper vs audiobooks [17:00] Book recommendation: Alicia Dow [19:30] Where to find Elly Blake JOIN THE CONVERSATION Subscribe to our Substack [https://wtrnblog.substack.com/] for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com [https://wtrnblog.substack.com/]) Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog [https://www.whattoreadnext.com/] | YouTube: What to Read Next [https://www.youtube.com/@WhattoReadNextBlog] Subscribe & leave a review!

Graphic Novels for Beginners (Start Here) with Sophia Glock

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Graphic novels aren’t just for kids—and this episode completely changed how I think about them. In this conversation, I sit down with cartoonist Sophia Glock to talk about her haunting and emotional graphic novel Before We Wake. We dive into how comics can explore big themes like grief in a way that feels accessible, immersive, and deeply personal—and why adults should absolutely be reading graphic novels. We also talk about nostalgia (hello early 2000s 👀), the creative process behind blending art and storytelling, and where to start if you’ve never picked up a graphic novel before. 📚 BOOKS MENTIONED Before We Wake by Sophia Glock — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4tiHGTK] | YA Graphic Novel | Grief, paranormal, friendship Maus by Art Spiegelman — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/47CEydc] | Historical Graphic Novel | Holocaust, memoir Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4s1WKEb] | Graphic Memoir | Iran, coming-of-age Fun Home by Alison Bechdel — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/47CEHxg] | Literary Graphic Memoir | Family, identity This One Summer by Mariko Tamaki & Jillian Tamaki — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4bNR4HO] | YA/Adult Graphic Novel | Coming-of-age Spinning by Tillie Walden — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4s8lc77] | Graphic Memoir | Identity, adolescence Charity and Sylvia by Tillie Walden — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4ci3RDO] | Graphic Novel | Historical ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS [00:00] Intro + meeting Sophia Glock [01:00] Why graphic novels are underrated for adults [02:00] Writing about grief in Before We Wake [04:00] Sophia’s creative process (writing vs drawing) [05:30] Plot overview + lucid dreaming concept [07:00] Setting the book in early 2000s nostalgia [09:30] Nostalgia, pop culture, and generational memory [12:30] Where to start with graphic novels [15:00] YA vs adult tone in storytelling [16:00] Where to find Sophia online JOIN THE CONVERSATION Subscribe to our Substack [https://wtrnblog.substack.com/] for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com [https://wtrnblog.substack.com/]) Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog [https://www.whattoreadnext.com/] | YouTube: What to Read Next [https://www.youtube.com/@WhattoReadNextBlog] Subscribe & leave a review!

From Reading Slump to 200 Books a Year with Nathalie Canadas

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. From sorority sisters to bookish besties—this episode is all about finding your reading groove and building a community that keeps you turning pages. In this episode, I sit down with Nathalie Cañadas to talk about her reading glow-up—from occasional reader to devouring 200+ books a year. We chat about audiobooks, immersive reading, Kindle Unlimited, and how joining a book club completely changed her reading life. Plus, we dive into her favorite romance reads, dark twists, and underrated gems you need on your TBR. If you’ve ever struggled to find time to read—or didn’t know where to start—this episode is for you. 📚 BOOKS MENTIONED Broken Romeo by Leisa Rayven — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4lPzAiV] | Contemporary Romance | Audio ✅ Done and Dusted by Lyla Sage — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4dcFtVm] | Cowboy Romance | Audio ✅ Pen Pal by J.T. Geissinger — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4t9KYZo] | Romantic Suspense | Audio ✅ Carnal Urges by J.T. Geissinger — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4szcEXP] | Mafia Romance | Audio ✅ Bourbon Boys Series by Victoria Wilder — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4tdUkUf] | Romantic Suspense Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4bz7eGf] | Contemporary Romance | Audio ✅ ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS [00:00] – Welcome + how Nathalie and I met [02:00] – What Latin sororities actually look like [05:30] – Nathalie’s reading journey (pre-2024 vs now) [07:30] – Discovering audiobooks + Libby + Hoopla [08:30] – What is immersive reading (and why it works) [09:30] – Finding your reading groove [10:30] – Romance genre deep dive + BookTok impact [13:00] – Library hacks + how to get multiple cards [15:30] – Supporting libraries + budget reading [16:00] – Book recommendations begin [16:30] – Broken Romeo discussion [17:30] – Cowboy romance (Lyla Sage) [18:30] – Dark twist reads (Pen Pal) [20:00] – Mafia romance recs [22:00] – Dark romcoms + Lights Out [23:00] – Bourbon Boys series [24:00] – Abby Jimenez spotlight [25:30] – Inside the Baddies Book Club [27:30] – Book club retreat + community building [28:30] – Nathalie’s Instagram + where to follow Follow Nathalie on Instagram: Nats Next Book [https://www.instagram.com/natsnextbook/] JOIN THE CONVERSATION Subscribe to our Substack [https://wtrnblog.substack.com/] for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com [https://wtrnblog.substack.com/]) Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog [https://www.whattoreadnext.com/] | YouTube: What to Read Next [https://www.youtube.com/@WhattoReadNextBlog] Subscribe & leave a review!

Romance, Sisterhood and How Simi Got Her Groom Back with Sonali Dev

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. What happens when romance meets real life—immigration, identity, and the courage to choose joy anyway? In this episode, I sit down with Sonali Dev to talk about her latest novel How Simi Got Her Groom Back—a deeply emotional story about sisterhood, love, and what it really means to belong. We dive into the themes behind the book (including immigration and chosen family), plus a powerful conversation about romance as a tool for healing, self-worth, and rewriting the rules we’ve been given. If you love romance with depth, second chances, and stories that make you feel something real—this episode is for you. 📚 BOOKS MENTIONED How Simi Got Her Groom Back by Sonali Dev — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4lK0hWl] | Contemporary Romance / Women’s Fiction The Caste and the Star by Leylah Attar — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4sUsWu6] | Contemporary Romance / Second Chance Partners in Crime by Alisha Rai — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4uKGpXc]| Romantic Comedy / Second Chance / Heist Romance ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 1. 00:00 – Welcome back Sonali Dev 2. 01:00 – Behind the scenes of her latest book release 3. 03:00 – Writing process & juggling multiple books 4. 04:30 – What How Simi Got Her Groom Back is about 5. 06:30 – Immigration, legality vs. morality, and storytelling 6. 08:00 – Why joy is an act of rebellion 7. 10:00 – How books build empathy 8. 11:00 – Romance novels and self-worth 9. 13:30 – Raising your standards in love & life 10. 15:00 – Choosing joy in everyday decisions 11. 17:00 – Visibility, bravery, and showing up authentically 12. 19:30 – What Sonali loves to read 13. 21:30 – Reading across genres vs. sticking to romance 14. 24:00 – Book rec: The Caste and the Star 15. 27:00 – Book rec: Partners in Crime 16. 30:00 – Where to find Sonali Dev JOIN THE CONVERSATION Subscribe to our Substack [https://wtrnblog.substack.com/] for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com [https://wtrnblog.substack.com/]) Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog [https://www.whattoreadnext.com/] | YouTube: What to Read Next [https://www.youtube.com/@WhattoReadNextBlog] Subscribe & leave a review!

STEM Romance and the Chaos of Academia | Love and Other Brain Experiments byHannah Brohm

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. What happens when a neuroscientist writes a romance set in academia? In this episode, I’m chatting with debut author Hannah Brohm about Love and Other Brain Experiments—a workplace romance inspired by the chaotic world of research labs, anonymous peer reviews, and the surprising ways love can show up when you least expect it. We talk about Hannah’s journey from cognitive neuroscience to romance writing, how academia shaped the story, and why romance became a comforting escape during grad school and the pandemic. Plus, we dive into her reading life—from workplace romcoms to cozy mysteries—and she shares a few book recommendations that belong on your TBR. If you love smart romcoms, STEM heroines, and enemies-to-lovers tension, this conversation is for you. 📚 BOOKS MENTIONED Love and Other Brain Experiments [https://amzn.to/4beOqeb] by Hannah Brohm [https://amzn.to/4beOqeb] — Contemporary Romance | STEM Romance All in Your Head [https://amzn.to/4d8m0Vt] by Sabina Norquist [https://amzn.to/4d8m0Vt] — Contemporary Romance | Fake Dating | Disability Rep And Then There Was the One [https://amzn.to/3OVZzZW] by Martha Waters [https://amzn.to/3OVZzZW]— Cozy Mystery Rom-Com | Historical The Friendship Fling [https://amzn.to/40nKH90] by Georgia Stone [https://amzn.to/40nKH90] — Romantic Comedy | Friends to Lovers | London The Ex Talk [https://amzn.to/4baUwMr] by Rachel Lynn Solomon [https://amzn.to/4baUwMr] — Workplace Romance | Media The Spanish Love Deception [https://amzn.to/4ri1UeQ] by Elena Armas [https://amzn.to/4ri1UeQ]— Fake Dating Romance Anna and the French Kiss [https://amzn.to/40Tlkfm] by Stephanie Perkins [https://amzn.to/40Tlkfm] — YA Romance The Hating Game [https://amzn.to/4uhYfk6] by Sally Thorne [https://amzn.to/4uhYfk6]— Enemies to Lovers | Workplace Romance ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS [00:00] Introduction to Hannah Brohm and her debut romance [01:00] What cognitive neuroscience is and how it inspired the book [03:00] The realities of working in academia and postdoc life [05:00] The premise of Love and Other Brain Experiments [06:00] Hannah’s romance reading journey and early influences [07:00] Discovering adult romance during grad school and COVID [09:00] How peer review inspired the book’s enemies-to-lovers setup [10:00] Balancing academia, writing, and reading [12:00] Why writing romance can be cathartic [14:00] Hannah’s reading tastes and current reads [15:00] Fake dating romance recommendation: All in Your Head [16:00] Cozy mystery rom-com recommendation [17:00] Romcom set in London recommendation [20:00] Writing New York as a setting and personal connections to the city [21:00] Where to find Hannah online JOIN THE CONVERSATION Subscribe to our Substack [https://wtrnblog.substack.com/] for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com [https://wtrnblog.substack.com/]) Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog [https://www.whattoreadnext.com/] | YouTube: What to Read Next [https://www.youtube.com/@WhattoReadNextBlog] Subscribe & leave a review!