What to Read Next Podcast l Book Recommendation Show

Hallmark Vibes: Christmas Camp & Royal Romance with Karen Schaler

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. A royal Christmas ball, a mischievous rescue dog, and a dog trainer who drives the princess up the palace walls—what could possibly go wrong? In this feel-good holiday episode, I’m chatting with Christmas romcom queen Karen Schaler, writer of A Christmas Prince, Christmas Camp, and her new royal romance A Ruff Royal Christmas. Karen shares how she went from war correspondent and hard-hitting journalist to writing the cozy, comforting Christmas stories so many of us binge every December. We talk about the inspiration behind A Ruff Royal Christmas (including the real-life “devil dog” who inspired Stormy), how she stays in a Christmas mood all year even while living in the desert, and why she’s built a portfolio career across movies, books, audio, travel shows, and even real-life Christmas Camp retreats. We also go behind the scenes of filming Christmas Camp for Hallmark, talk about the power of comfort watches/reads, and get a sneak peek at what she’s working on next. 📚 BOOKS MENTIONED A Ruff Royal Christmas by Karen Schaler — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4rPZLZF]| Royal RomCom, Christmas Romance | KU ✅ / Audio ✅ Christmas Camp by Karen Schaler — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4iIsY4x] | Contemporary Christmas Romance, Hallmark Movie Tie-In | KU ✅ / Audio ✅ Every Day Is Christmas by Karen Schaler — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4rJff1e] | Christmas Romance, A Christmas Carol–inspired | KU ✅ / Audio ✅ Once Upon a Christmas Carol by Karen Schaler — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/3YeyNgu] | Christmas Romance, Full-Cast Audio Original | Audible Exclusive ✅ ⏰TIMESTAMPS [00:00] Meet Karen Schaler & why she literally breathes Christmas [02:00] From war zones to Christmas romcoms: Karen’s journalism background [06:00] Inside A Ruff Royal Christmas: royal hijinks, rescue dogs & a big twist [11:00] Writing Christmas all year long (from the Arizona desert!) [16:00] Portfolio creative life: movies, books, audio & Christmas Camp IRL [21:00] Behind the scenes of the Christmas Camp Hallmark movie [27:00] New non-Christmas series, TV ideas & future Christmas specials [33:00] Where to find Karen online & holiday well-wishes 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]

Pumpkin Spice, Mint to Be, and YA Comfort Reads with Katie Cicatelli-Kuc

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. When life feels heavy, sometimes you just need a cozy small town, a perfect pumpkin spice latte, and a YA romance that feels like a warm sweater. In this episode, I’m chatting with author Katie Cicatelli-Kuc about the comfort reads that got her through some of the hardest seasons of her life—and how they might help you, too. Katie and I talk about her YA novels Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice and Mint to Be, how Pumpkin Spice unexpectedly went viral on TikTok, and what it was like to write through chemo and recovery. We also get into cozy, low-gore spooky reads (perfect if you’re squeamish or easily triggered), plus YA and middle grade recommendations that balance heart, hope, and just the right amount of chills. If you’re craving comfort, holiday vibes, and gentle escape, this is the episode for you. 📚 BOOKS MENTIONED Quarantine by Katie Cicatelli-Kuc — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4rJkQ7T] | Young Adult Contemporary  It’s Going Viral by Katie Cicatelli-Kuc — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4pSdptf] | Young Adult Contemporary  Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice by Katie Cicatelli-Kuc — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4a31Z1d] | Young Adult Romance, Cozy Fall | Audio ✅ Mint to Be by Katie Cicatelli-Kuc — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/44alVvw]| Young Adult Holiday Romance, Small Town | Audio ✅ Murder Road by Simone St. James — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/44OHXUz] | Mystery, Supernatural Thriller | Audio ✅ Zyla & Kai by Kristina Forest — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4pmLvFQ] | Young Adult Romance | Audio ✅ Short Story Collection by Leonora Carrington — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4iFhQVW] | Surrealism, Magical Realism | Audio ✅ Tales to Keep You Up at Night by Dan Poblocki — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4pl8mSf] | Middle Grade Horror, Spooky Stories | Audio ✅ More Tales to Keep You Up at Night by Dan Poblocki — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/48T0YaZ] | Middle Grade Horror, Spooky Stories | Audio ✅ ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS [00:00] Meet YA author Katie Cicatelli-Kuc & her book lineup [00:01] The wild story of Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice going viral [00:02] Writing through chemo and finding escape in cozy YA worlds [00:04] Inside Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice and the town of Briar Glen [00:05] Holiday vibes, boarding school, and first love in Mint to Be [00:07] Why we need comfort reads in weird, heavy times [00:08] Spooky-but-not-gory recs: Simone St. James, Agatha Christie audios [00:09] YA romance, therapy-positive characters, and Zyla & Kai [00:10] Leonora Carrington’s surreal short stories & middle grade spooky picks [00:11] More Dan Poblocki recs and where to find Katie 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]

Love Over 40: Holiday Romances with L.B. Dunbar

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Forty is not the end of your love story—it might be the beginning of your best one yet. In this episode, I’m chatting with romance author L.B. Dunbar all about love over 40, menopause, midlife reinvention, and why Christmas romances are the perfect escape when life feels like… a lot. We dig into how L.B. pivoted her career to write romance with characters in their 40s and 50s, what makes second-chance love hit different in midlife, and why today’s Gen X and Millennial readers are craving stories that reflect their real lives—kids, divorce, therapy, hormones and all. Then we switch into full holiday mode to talk about her grumpy/sunshine Christmas romances (including a sexy maybe-Santa), plus a few cozy cowboy recs if you love a small-town escape. 📚 BOOKS MENTIONED  Scroogish by L.B. Dunbar — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4pVlBJs]| Contemporary Romance, Holiday Romance, Second Chance | KU ✅ / Audio ✅ Naughty-ish by L.B. Dunbar — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/448VZjS] | Contemporary Romance, Holiday Romance | KU ✅ / Audio ✅ Grouch-ish by L.B. Dunbar — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/3XGjqgD] | Contemporary Romance, Holiday Romance |  KU ✅ / Audio ✅ Elf-ish by L.B. Dunbar — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/48VN8Vc] | Contemporary Romance, Holiday Romance, Grumpy/Sunshine |  KU ✅ / Audio ✅ The Holiday Post by L.B. Dunbar — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4pigW4c] | Contemporary Romance, Holiday Romance, Forced Proximity | KU ✅ / Audio ✅ The Holiday Whoopi by Sarah L. Hudson — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/3MmeiMi] | Contemporary Romance, Holiday Romance, Steamy |KU ✅ / Audio ✅ Between the Pines by Amber Palmer — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4iLLRDC] | Cowboy Romance, Small-Town Romance | KU ✅ / Audio ✅ Dust Storm by Maggie Gates — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4pyC0nd] | Cowboy Romance, Grumpy/Sunshine |KU ✅ / Audio ✅ ⏱️ TIME STAMPS [00:00] Meet L.B. Dunbar & why she writes romance over 40 [03:00] Millennials, Gen X, and outgrowing 20-something romances [06:00] Menopause, hormones & not giving a f*ck in midlife [10:00] How L.B. started writing Christmas romances [13:00] Scroogish, Naughty-ish, Grouch-ish & Elf-ish: her holiday series [16:00] Sexy Santa energy & The Holiday Post [18:00] Current reads, Hideaway Harbor & The Holiday Whoopi [19:30] Cowboy romance recs: Between the Pines & Dust Storm [21:00] Where to find L.B. Dunbar online and final thoughts 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]

Beyond A Christmas Carol: Cozy Classic Reads

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Curl up with a blanket, a warm drink, and a stack of Christmas classics—Victoria from BiblioLifestyle is back to help us build a cozy, low-pressure December reading plan. In this episode, we go beyond A Christmas Carol and talk about beginner-friendly classics, emotional reads, and the magic of reading aloud at the holidays. We chat about why classics hit differently in our hyper-busy lives, how to pick approachable reads if you’re intimidated, and why some stories just land better in December. Victoria walks us through a four-week Christmas classics challenge (with lots of public-domain options), child and adult read-aloud ideas, and her own tradition of reading Letters from Father Christmas every year. I also share a bit about my childhood Christmases, Disney trips, and why I always reach for comfort reads this time of year. Whether you’re craving something short and heart-squeezing like The Gift of the Magi or want to finally tackle Little Women or Persuasion, this episode is your invitation to slow down, pick one classic, and actually enjoy it—no pressure to rush or “keep up. 📚 BOOKS MENTIONED A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4pon1w1] | Classic Christmas novella, redemption arc, ghosts of Christmas past/present/future | Audio ✅ Little Women by Louisa May Alcott — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4rIiPst] | Classic coming-of-age, March sisters, family + generosity at Christmas |  Audio ✅ Persuasion by Jane Austen — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/48yHbO9] | Second-chance romance, quiet heroine, emotional restraint | Audio ✅ Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4pq8v76]| Iconic enemies-to-lovers, witty social commentary, regency classic | Audio ✅ Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4rEoTm5] | Gothic suspense, eerie mansion, atmospheric classic | Audio ✅ Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/48X5UeU] | Gothic romance, governess heroine, broody hero | Audio ✅ The Gift of the Magi by O. Henry — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/48rVjbW] | Short story, bittersweet gift-giving, ultimate Christmas sacrifice |  Audio ✅* The Birds’ Christmas Carol by Kate Douglas Wiggin — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4iEViVk] | Short heart-squeezer, sick child planning Christmas for neighbors, bittersweet | Audio ✅ The Little Match Girl by Hans Christian Andersen — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/44czavw] | Classic fairy tale, heartbreaking winter story, emotional | Audio ✅* The Tailor of Gloucester by Beatrix Potter — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/48m92Rq] | Animal classic, Christmas Eve sewing, quiet redemption | Audio ✅* The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/48pcZVr] | Picture book, magical train to the North Pole, Christmas wonder | Audio ✅ How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4pXTfhJ]| Rhyming picture book, grumpy-to-softie arc, holiday fun | Audio ✅ The Night Before Christmas by Clement Clarke Moore — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4iOvgiG] | Classic Christmas Eve poem, Santa visit, family tradition staple | Audio ✅* Mr. Willoughby’s Christmas Tree by Robert Barry — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4ayX7kv] | Picture book, one tree shared by many, charming and clever |  Audio ✅* The Tomten by Astrid Lindgren — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4oYzpSF] | Nordic classic, quiet winter farm night, cozy snow-globe vibes | Audio ✅* The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree by Gloria Houston — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4pTrlDg] | Appalachian Christmas story, mother-child bond, love & sacrifice | Audio ✅* A Christmas Memory by Truman Capote — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/3KwzmiG] | Memoir-style story, fruitcake tradition, nostalgic and bittersweet | Audio ✅* In the Bleak Midwinter by Christina Rossetti — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/3Yi0IvW] | Classic Christmas poem, reflective and meditative | Audio ✅* A Timbered Choir: The Sabbath Poems by Wendell Berry — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/48FXSpx] | Poetry collection, stillness, nature, gratitude | Audio ✅* Letters from Father Christmas by J.R.R. Tolkien — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/3XFrSwI] | Illustrated letters from “Father Christmas” to Tolkien’s kids, polar bear mishaps, perfect December nightly read-aloud | Audio ✅* *Many of these classic/older texts are in the public domain and may be available in free ebooks and assorted audio editions. ⏱️ TIME STAMPS [00:00] Catching up with Victoria & why classics hit differently now [02:00] Christmas staples: A Christmas Carol, Little Women & Persuasion [06:00] Emotional short classics: The Gift of the Magi & The Birds’ Christmas Carol [10:00] Childhood Christmas memories, Disney trips & reading as escape [14:00] Adult read-aloud tradition: Capote, Dickens, poetry & Tolkien [18:00] Cozy comfort reads, Florida “bubble,” and a 4-week Christmas classics challenge [21:00] Where to find Victoria (BiblioLifestyle), winter reading guide & outro 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: 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] 🎧 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]

How Samantha Chase Built a Cozy Holiday Backlist

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. What if your romance career didn’t hinge on going viral—but on quietly writing your way to 118 books and counting? In this episode, I’m chatting with holiday romance queen Samantha Chase about sustainable careers, Christmas comfort reads, and why she’ll always write a Christmas book. We talk about what it really looks like to treat writing like a job (in the best way), how Samantha built a wide, library-friendly backlist instead of relying on Kindle Unlimited, and why she’s more interested in consistency than fame. Then we dive into her newest holiday romance, A Holly Brown Christmas, plus a whole sleigh-full of her backlist Christmas books and a couple of festive recs from Lauren Blakely. 🎄HOLIDAY BOOKS BY SAMANTHA CHASE Holly Brown Christmas by Samantha Chase [https://www.chasing-romance.com/a-holly-brown-christmas]  The Christmas Cottage Series by Samantha Chase [https://www.chasing-romance.com/the-christmas-cottage-series] Silver Bell Falls Series by Samantha Chase [https://www.chasing-romance.com/the-christmas-cottage-series] Mistletoe Between Friends by Samantha Chase  [https://www.chasing-romance.com/mistletoe-between-friends] Mistletoe Between Friends Snowflake Inn Duo by Samantha Chase [https://www.chasing-romance.com/mistletoe-between-friends-snowflake-inn-duo] Moonlight in Winter Park by Samantha Chase [https://www.chasing-romance.com/moonlight-in-winter-park] The Snowflake Inn by Samantha Chase [https://www.chasing-romance.com/the-snowflake-inn] Waiting for Midnight by Samantha Chase [https://www.chasing-romance.com/waiting-for-midnight] His for the Holidays by Samantha Chase [https://www.chasing-romance.com/his-for-the-holidays] Moonlight in Winter Park Waiting for Midnight Duet by Samantha Chase [https://www.chasing-romance.com/moonlight-in-winter-park-waiting-for-midnight-duet] Baking it Merry by Samantha Chase [https://www.chasing-romance.com/baking-it-merry] 🕒 TIMESTAMPS [00:00] – Intro & catching up with Samantha’s current projects [03:00] – How she plans series, works with her assistant, and stays three books ahead [06:00] – Building a 118-book backlist & why your first book won’t define you [08:00] – KU vs wide: sweeter contemporary, libraries, and diversified income [10:30] – The “old” marketing formulas that stopped working and what she does now [13:00] – Virality, fame, and why writing is a job—not a shortcut to celebrity [15:00] – The origin story of The Christmas Cottage and its Hallmark adaptation [18:00] – A tour of Samantha’s Christmas backlist (Snowflake Inn, Silverbell Falls, Baking it Merry) [20:30] – All about A Holly Brown Christmas: office party chaos, divorce drama, and a Snoopy-coded pup Schmoop [23:00] – Holiday romance recs from Lauren Blakely: My Favorite Holidate & Merry Little Kissmas [26:00] – Where to find Samantha online + buying books directly from her site 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]