What to Read Next Podcast l Book Recommendation Show

Cozy Fantasy Starter Pack with Emily Krempholtz

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Looking for the perfect low-stakes escape this fall? Today I’m diving into cozy fantasy with debut author Emily Krempholtz, whose novel Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore blends plant magic, self-forgiveness, a grumpy alchemist next door, and cottagecore vibes that feel like a balm for a messy world. In this episode, Emily and I talk about reinventing yourself after a hard season, the rise of cozy fantasy since the pandemic, and why magic makes the perfect metaphor for emotional growth. We also get into identity shifts, nervous system regulation, and how fantasy can gently mirror the work we do in real life. And of course—Emily shares her must-read fall cozy fantasy picks. If you're craving comfort, whimsy, emotional depth, and a touch of magic (without the overwhelming high-stakes quests), this episode is for you. 📚 BOOKS MENTIONED  Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore by Emily Krempholtz [https://amzn.to/4pivVuw] — Cozy Fantasy, Cottagecore Romance | Audio  ✅ This Princess Kills Monsters by Ry Herman [https://amzn.to/48lAE97] — Queer Fairytale Retelling, Cozy Adventure | Audio  ✅ A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna [https://amzn.to/48kUuBj] — Cozy Fantasy, Found Family, Witches | Audio ✅ The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna [https://amzn.to/4pmABzN]— Cozy Fantasy, Romance | Audio ✅ The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohta [https://amzn.to/48dooXg]r — Lyrical Fairytale Fantasy | Audio ✅ 🕒 TIMESTAMPS  [00:00] – Intro: Why Cozy Fall Fantasy is the perfect low-stakes escape [00:45] – What Violet Thistlewaite Is Not a Villain Anymore is about [02:15] – Cozy fantasy as a genre & why it’s booming [04:10] – Low-stakes fantasy vs. high-stakes traditional fantasy [06:00] – Magic as a metaphor for emotional regulation [09:30] – Identity shifts & the “geographical cure” [11:20] – Writing characters who evolve beyond the outline [13:00] – Emily’s journey as a book coach + ghostwriter [17:30] – Real-life narrative arcs & finding meaning in your past [19:00] – Book recommendations for cozy fall vibes [24:00] – Where to find Emily 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! Mentioned in this episode: 🎧 Try Audible Today I love Audible for their original novellas, binge-worthy Plus Catalog (like Deanna Raybourn’s Veronica Speedwell series), and their amazing audiobook sales. Currently, Audible is offering a special promotion for new members and returning listeners. Audible [https://whattoreadnext.captivate.fm/audible] Advertise with Us Do you have a book or service that you want to share with our engaged audience? Check out our opportunities to sponsor with us. Advertise With Us [https://whattoreadnext.captivate.fm/sponsorship]

Southern Women’s Fiction Starter Pack l Good Hair Days by Grace Helena Walz

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. If you’ve ever picked up a Southern women’s fiction novel and thought, this feels like a warm hug, today’s episode is for you. I’m joined by author Grace Helena Walz, who writes heartfelt, community-centered stories set in the South—full of family, quirky characters, and deeply emotional themes. In this conversation, Grace and I dive into her two novels—Southern By Design and Good Hair Days—and chat about writing family-driven stories, magical realism, Southern settings, and what makes Southern women’s fiction feel so comforting. If you're curious where to start with this genre, Grace gives us a fantastic starter list featuring authors like Dorothea Benton Frank, Mary Kay Andrews, Kristy Woodson Harvey, and more. We also get into her writing process, her love for the low country, how family expectations shape her characters, and the surprising emotional depth behind her latest Steel Magnolias-esque novel. 📚 BOOKS MENTIONED  Southern By Design by Grace Helena Walz [https://amzn.to/4nZXzvl] — Women’s Fiction, Southern Fiction | Community, family legacy | Audio ✅ Good Hair Days by Grace Helena Walz [https://amzn.to/3LIzRGI] — Women’s Fiction, Southern Fiction | Sisterhood, small-town charm | Audio ✅ My Magnolia Summer by Victoria Benton Frank [https://amzn.to/4oQDsBc] — Southern Fiction | Family, coastal setting | Audio ✅ The Violet Hour by Victoria Benton Frank [https://amzn.to/4oHjOHr] — Southern Fiction | Multi-generational, emotional depth | Audio ✅ Midnight at the Blackbird Café by Heather Webber [https://amzn.to/4oL2npN] — Southern Magical Realism | Small town, heart + magic  | Audio ✅ The Charmed Library by Jennifer Moorman [https://amzn.to/4r2Mk87] — Southern Magical Realism | Books coming to life, cozy magic | Audio ✅ Bees in June by Elizabeth Bass Parman [https://amzn.to/3JYxXks]— Southern Fiction + Magical Realism | Emotional, character-driven | Audio ✅ When the Jessamine Grows by Donna Everhart [https://amzn.to/4pcKfET] — Southern Fiction | Historical notes + gothic touches | Audio ✅ Beach House Rules by Kristy Woodson Harvey [https://amzn.to/47VwUKc] — Contemporary southern women’s fiction | Audio ✅ Various Titles by Mary Kay Andrews [https://amzn.to/4inB2rn] — Southern fiction staples | Audio ✅ Various Titles by Dorothea Benton Frank [https://amzn.to/48io76n] — Classic low-country southern fiction | Audio ✅ 🕒 TIMESTAMPS [00:00] — Welcome + introduction to Southern women’s fiction [00:55] — Meet Grace Helena Walz & her writing journey [02:00] — The path to publishing Southern By Design [03:15] — Writing two books in one year [05:00] — What to expect from Good Hair Days [07:00] — Sisterhood, family legacy & emotional heartbeats [08:30] — Why “coming home” is such a powerful theme [09:30] — What defines Southern women’s fiction [10:30] — Grace’s influences: Dorothea Benton Frank & more [12:00] — College of Charleston, southern charm & sense of place [13:00] — Community, meddling, and why Southerners make great characters [14:00] — Southern magical realism: book recs [16:00] — More Southern fiction authors you should know [17:30] — Building a supportive author community [18:00] — Why recommending authors matters for readers [19:00] — Author friendships & community in publishing [20:00] — Where to find Grace 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! Mentioned in this episode: 🎧 Try Audible Today I love Audible for their original novellas, binge-worthy Plus Catalog (like Deanna Raybourn’s Veronica Speedwell series), and their amazing audiobook sales. Currently, Audible is offering a special promotion for new members and returning listeners. Audible [https://whattoreadnext.captivate.fm/audible] Advertise with Us Do you have a book or service that you want to share with our engaged audience? Check out our opportunities to sponsor with us. Advertise With Us [https://whattoreadnext.captivate.fm/sponsorship]

Literary Fiction Made Accessible — with Laura Bird

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. If you’ve ever felt intimidated by literary fiction, this episode is your warm invitation in. I’m joined by reader and library advocate Laura Bird to talk about eight accessible, emotionally rich literary fiction novels — all written by women. We chat about what makes literary fiction “friendly” for beginners, why libraries are democracy’s secret weapon, and how you can support your local branch beyond borrowing books. Whether you love short, quiet novels that pack a punch or intergenerational stories about women’s resilience, Laura’s recommendations will expand your TBR and your heart. 📚 BOOKS MENTIONED Maggie, or A Man and a Woman Walk Into a Bar by Katie Yee — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/3Joq87G] | Literary Fiction | Friendship, resilience, humor The Most by Jessica Anthony — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/43ny6EK] | Literary Fiction | Short novel, 1950s, marriage, secrets The Correspondent by Virginia Evans — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4oHWQzW] | Epistolary Literary Fiction | Letters, grief, found family Hazel Says No by Jessica Berger Gross — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/3LtHa4S] | Contemporary Literary Fiction | Coming-of-age, feminism, social justice To the Moon and Back by Eliana Ramage — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4hQL3gh] | Literary Fiction | Indigenous voices, ambition, family saga How to Read a Book by Monica Wood — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/43gHpX6] | Literary Fiction | Redemption, chosen family, forgiveness People of Means by Nancy Johnson — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/483uQ3T] | Historical Fiction | Civil rights, mother–daughter bond, social change Heart, The Lover by Lily King — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4qO0t90] | Literary Fiction | College, young love, grief, intimacy 🕒 TIMESTAMPS [00:00] — Welcome back, Laura Bird! [02:00] — How to get involved in your local library [10:00] — Library hacks and hidden perks [11:00] — Literary fiction picks for readers who feel intimidated [12:00] — Maggie, or A Man and a Woman Walk Into a Bar [15:00] — The Most [18:00] — The Correspondent [22:00] — Hazel Says No [25:00] — To the Moon and Back [27:00] — How to Read a Book [31:00] — People of Means [36:00] — Heart, The Lover [40:00] — Where to find smart literary recommendations 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! Mentioned in this episode: 🎧 Try Audible Today I love Audible for their original novellas, binge-worthy Plus Catalog (like Deanna Raybourn’s Veronica Speedwell series), and their amazing audiobook sales. Currently, Audible is offering a special promotion for new members and returning listeners. Audible [https://whattoreadnext.captivate.fm/audible] Advertise with Us Do you have a book or service that you want to share with our engaged audience? Check out our opportunities to sponsor with us. Advertise With Us [https://whattoreadnext.captivate.fm/sponsorship]

Inside An Academic Affair: Academic Rom-Com with Jodi McAlister

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Ever wish your favorite academic rivals-to-lovers romance felt real? Author and researcher Dr. Jodi McAlister joins me to prove it can be. In this episode, I chat with Australian author and romance scholar Dr. Jodi McAlister about her new novel The Academic Affair — a smart, funny rom-com set inside the cut-throat world of higher ed. We talk about how academia inspired her rivals-to-lovers + marriage-of-convenience story, what it’s like to study popular romance for a living, and how genres like New Adult and rom-coms have evolved. Jodi also shares her favorite Australian and New Zealand romance authors you need on your TBR. 📚 BOOKS MENTIONED LIST An Academic Affair by Jodi McAlister — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4iap1W9] | Rom-Com · Rivals to Lovers · Marriage of Convenience | Audio ✅ Here for the Right Reasons by Jodi McAlister — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4or1qTf] | Reality TV Rom-Com · Bachelor-style drama | KU ✅ / Audio ✅ Battle Royal by Lucy Parker — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4qOC2Z1] | Rom-Com · Enemies to Lovers · Baking Show | Audio ✅ A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/3XkGEss] | Historical Fantasy Romance · Queer | Audio ✅ The Ornithologist’s Field Guide to Love by India Holton — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/43HZWfd] | Cozy Historical Fantasy Rom-Com | Audio ✅ Five Bush Weddings by Clare Fletcher — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/3WOF2Hj] | Australian Rom-Com · Friends to Lovers | KU ✅ Love Unleashed by Melanie Saward — Buy on Amazon [https://www.amazon.com/Love-Unleashed-friends-lovers-Australian-ebook/dp/B0CS4QG791/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_w=JUDGj&content-id=amzn1.sym.238c2086-0aa2-4cb3-a3d9-873dc2d9dfee&pf_rd_p=238c2086-0aa2-4cb3-a3d9-873dc2d9dfee&pf_rd_r=136-3637298-0451725&pd_rd_wg=tTAKF&pd_rd_r=db45435e-d582-405f-9410-1e9ab61f6f2f&ref_=aufs_ap_prmt_1ead6521-bb2b-40fb-be1f-b58c7a6c0999_dsk] | Contemporary Romance · Indigenous Heroine | Paperback only  ⏰ TIMESTAMPS  [00:00] Intro + why I loved The Academic Affair [02:00] Jodi’s double life as author and academic [03:00] How romance genres evolve (+ New Adult deep dive) [07:00] Reality TV and The Bachelor franchise [14:00] Inside The Academic Affair setup and themes [19:00] Why the marriage of convenience trope still works [20:00] Australian & New Zealand romance recs [25:00] Where to find Jodi 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! Mentioned in this episode: 🎧 Try Audible Today I love Audible for their original novellas, binge-worthy Plus Catalog (like Deanna Raybourn’s Veronica Speedwell series), and their amazing audiobook sales. Currently, Audible is offering a special promotion for new members and returning listeners. Audible [https://whattoreadnext.captivate.fm/audible] Advertise with Us Do you have a book or service that you want to share with our engaged audience? Check out our opportunities to sponsor with us. Advertise With Us [https://whattoreadnext.captivate.fm/sponsorship]

The Lie She Wears: Elle Marr’s Addictive New Thriller

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. What if the person you trusted most kept one last secret — a deadly one? In this episode, I chat with thriller author Elle Marr about her newest novel, The Lie She Wears — a tense, mother-daughter cat-and-mouse story perfect for fans of Gone Girl. Elle shares how she built a propulsive plot full of twists, why she cut the romance from her early drafts, and the moment every reader gasps halfway through her book. We also talk about her recent reads — from The Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins to twisty thrillers by Yasmine Ango and Brianna Labuskes — plus what makes a good surprise ending work. 📚 BOOKS MENTIONED  The Lie She Wears by Elle Marr — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/47v7XX4] | Psychological Thriller | KU ✅ / Audio ✅ Not What She Seems by Yasmin Angoe — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4oul1BQ] | Small-Town Thriller | Audio ✅ The Lies You Wrote by Brianna Labuskes — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/3LBwlxv] | Forensic Thriller | KU ✅ / Audio ✅ The Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/49Im8cA]| YA Dystopian Prequel | Audio ✅ 🕒 TIMESTAMPS [00:00] Intro + Why The Lie She Wears is a Gone Girl read-alike [01:00] Elle Marr on how she started writing thrillers [03:00] Crafting propulsive stories and balancing twists [06:00] The setup and themes of The Lie She Wears [09:00] Writing mother-daughter relationships and grief [10:00] Elle’s recent reads and thriller recs [12:00] Discussion of The Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins [16:00] Final thoughts + where to find Elle 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! Mentioned in this episode: 🎧 Try Audible Today I love Audible for their original novellas, binge-worthy Plus Catalog (like Deanna Raybourn’s Veronica Speedwell series), and their amazing audiobook sales. Currently, Audible is offering a special promotion for new members and returning listeners. Audible [https://whattoreadnext.captivate.fm/audible] Advertise with Us Do you have a book or service that you want to share with our engaged audience? Check out our opportunities to sponsor with us. Advertise With Us [https://whattoreadnext.captivate.fm/sponsorship]