What to Read Next Podcast l Book Recommendation Show

Reading Paralysis Is Real — Here’s How We Reset

Reading should be fun… so why does choosing your next book sometimes feel impossible? In this Group Chat episode, I’m joined by Amy and Sarah for an honest conversation about how our reading lives have evolved — and how we actually choose what to read now. We talk about reading paralysis, juggling ARCs and backlist titles, the joy of cozy mysteries, why Goodreads ratings don’t tell the whole story, and how libraries, audiobooks, and Kindle Unlimited completely changed the way we read. If you’ve ever stared at your TBR feeling overwhelmed instead of excited, this episode is for you. ⏱️ EPISODE TIMESTAMPS [00:00] Welcome + reading apps & Pagebound [01:00] Reading paralysis & year-end overwhelm [02:00] Short holiday audiobooks that actually work [05:00] Reading before Bookstagram [07:00] Cozy mysteries & Chick Lit nostalgia [10:00] Finding reading community online [13:00] Virgin River & audiobook obsession [16:00] Trusting reading taste (not star ratings) [19:00] When a 3-star book is perfect [22:00] Mood reading vs forcing yourself [26:00] Backlist reading as burnout recovery [29:00] Why fantasy doesn’t work for everyone [32:00] How we organize (or don’t) our TBRs [36:00] Library browsing as self-care [38:00] Letting go of “must finish” reading guilt 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!

Pagebound: The Anti-Algorithm Reading App

What if Goodreads and Reddit had a baby—and it was actually fun to use? In this episode, I’m joined by Lucy Zhao and Jennifer Dobak, the co-founders of Pagebound, a beautifully designed, reader-first book tracking app that brings back the joy of talking about books while you’re reading them. We talk about why they built Pagebound as a community—not an algorithm—how anonymous discussion makes reading feel safer and more fun, and why gamified reading challenges (hello, sparkly badges ✨) are helping readers rediscover their love of books. If you’ve ever felt burned out by Goodreads, overwhelmed by BookTok, or just want real conversations with other readers, this episode is for you. 🔗 TRY PAGEBOUND 1. Web: https://pagebound.co [https://pagebound.co] 2. App: Search Pagebound – Social Book Tracker in your app store ⏱️ EPISODE TIMESTAMPS [00:00] Why I broke up with Goodreads [02:00] Meet the Pagebound founders [04:30] What makes Pagebound different [06:00] Talking about books while reading [08:00] Mood reading & finding reading twins [10:00] Lists, human recs, and no algorithms [11:30] Quests, badges & gamification [13:00] Importing Goodreads & StoryGraph [14:30] Supporting Pagebound & Royalty [15:30] Why Pagebound uses Substack [17:00] How to get started with Pagebound 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!

Why Heated Rivalry Changed Sports Romance | Rachel Reid's First Podcast Interview (2020)

This episode originally aired September 21, 2020. Yes, this was Rachel Reid's very first podcast interview. This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. What happens when you take one of the most toxic masculinity sports cultures in the world—and rewrite it with tenderness, queer joy, and emotional honesty? 🏒💖 In this retro What to Read Next author interview, I’m joined by my friend Amanda (from Escape from a Book) to chat with romance author Rachel Reid, the creator of the beloved Game Changers hockey romance series. We talk about Rachel’s lifelong love of hockey, why she wanted to challenge toxic masculinity in sports romance, and how Heated Rivalry broke every romance “rule” and somehow became a fan favorite anyway. Rachel also opens up about writing sex scenes with purpose, representing mental health and anxiety on the page, and what’s coming next—including Common Goal, Role Model, and the long-awaited sequel to Heated Rivalry. 📚 BOOKS MENTIONED Heated Rivalry [https://amzn.to/4paE04f] by Rachel Reid [https://amzn.to/4paE04f] — Rivals-to-lovers | Sports Romance | Queer Game Changer [https://amzn.to/4pQrFDt] by Rachel Reid [https://amzn.to/4pQrFDt] — Hockey Romance | Queer Tough Guy [https://amzn.to/48Vfj5q] by Rachel Reid [https://amzn.to/48Vfj5q] — Hockey Romance | Mental Health Rep Common Goal [https://amzn.to/49lcs7k] by Rachel Reid [https://amzn.to/49lcs7k] — Hockey Romance | Bisexual Rep Role Model [https://amzn.to/49oiGmQ] by Rachel Reid [https://amzn.to/49oiGmQ] — Hockey Romance | Redemption Arc The Long Game [https://amzn.to/3Yrb3pP] by Rachel Reid [https://amzn.to/3Yrb3pP]— Sequel to Heated Rivalry | Established Couple Two Rogues Make a Right [https://amzn.to/3LfIuZf] by Cat Sebastian [https://amzn.to/3LfIuZf] — Historical Queer Romance The Last Kiss [https://amzn.to/45m1FY5] by Sally Malcolm [https://amzn.to/45m1FY5] — WWI Historical Queer Romance | KU ✅ Spellbound [https://amzn.to/4j5u9uW] by Allie Therin [https://amzn.to/4j5u9uW] — Historical Fantasy Romance ⏱️ EPISODE TIMESTAMPS [00:00] Welcome & intro to Rachel Reid [02:00] From hockey fan to published romance author [06:00] Why queer hockey romance matters [09:00] Writing Heated Rivalry & breaking romance rules [13:00] Mental health & toxic masculinity in sports [15:00] Crafting unforgettable sex scenes [17:00] Upcoming books: Common Goal & Role Model [19:00] The Heated Rivalry sequel (The Long Game) [24:00] Rachel’s favorite books & reading recs 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!

Tropical Christmas Romances (With Mermaids!) | Christina Berry, Natalie Parker and Lizzie Stanley

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Tropical Christmas romance, but make it mermaids + bartenders + island chaos. In this episode, I’m chatting with Lizzie Stanley, Natalie Parker, and Christina Berry about their Merry Mermaids holiday novella series—aka the underserved niche of Christmas reads where nobody is pretending it’s snowing. We get into how they built a shared rom-com universe around The Salty Palms (a bar where “Happy Mermaid Hour” is absolutely a thing), plus what makes each novella hit: insta-love-turned-slow-burn injuries, reverse grumpy/sunshine with a town “bitch” heroine, and a marriage of convenience featuring ace-spectrum rep and a yacht-owning boat captain. 📚 BOOKS MENTIONED  Seas & Greetings by Christina Berry — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4pGi3ei] | Holiday Rom-Com | KU ✅ Tropical Tidings by Natalie Parker — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/48DpcWF] | Holiday Rom-Com |  KU ✅ Jingle Shells by Lizzie Stanley — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/3KLcr3i] | Holiday Romance | KU ✅ Fast and Dirty by Natalie Parker — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4iXr5RC]| Small Town Rom-Com | KU ✅ Lavender Moon by Natalie Parker — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4afLy1N] | Emotional Small Town Romance | KU ✅ Hearts of Texas (series) by Christina Berry — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/3XXaJ1F]| Small Town Firefighter Rom-Com | KU ✅ Lost in Austin (series) by Christina Berry — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/3L1gOqT] | Contemporary Romance | KU ✅ / Audio ✅ (mentioned upcoming) That Perfect Fit by Lizzie Stanley — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4qcOgd6] | Short Rom-Com | KU ✅ Wishbone Tattoo (series) by Lizzie Stanley — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/3MLUYbr] | Emotional Romance Series | KU ✅ Still by Lizzie Stanley — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/453gqyP]| Romance (Wishbone world spinoff) | KU ✅ ⏱️TIME STAMPS [00:00] Welcome + why tropical Christmas is underrated [00:01] Meet the authors + how they all became writing besties [00:04] Building the shared universe: The Salty Palms + Happy Mermaid Hour [00:06] Seas & Greetings pitch (insta-love → slow burn via injuries) [00:08] Tropical Tidings pitch (reverse grumpy/sunshine + sheriff crush) [00:10] Jingle Shell pitch (marriage of convenience + ace-spectrum rep) [00:14] Where to start in Natalie’s backlist (Fast and Dirty + more) [00:18] Where to start in Christina’s backlist (Hearts of Texas, Lost in Austin) [00:19] Where to start in Lizzie’s backlist (That Perfect Fit, Wishbone Tattoo) [00:26] Writing friendship + character crossovers + future collab ideas [00:29] Where to find each author 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]

Merry Mayhem: Small-Town Christmas Chaos (Romcom!) | Erin Nicholas

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Small-town Christmas chaos + rom-com hijinks? Yes, please. In this episode, I’m joined by romance author Erin Nicholas to talk holiday books, audio “girlie” life, and her newest festive romcom, Merry Mayhem. Erin’s been publishing since 2009/2010 (and has 70–80+ books… she’s lost count in the best way). We get into how the romance industry has shifted from the “dark ages” of early ebooks to today’s audio boom, plus why small towns hit peak magic at Christmas. 📚 BOOKS MENTIONED  Merry Mayhem by Erin Nicholas — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/49azqOp]| Holiday Romcom, Small Town | KU ✅  Boys of the Bayou Gone Wild by Erin Nicholas — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/3MzsTnL] | Small Town Romcom Series | KU ✅ / Audio ✅ In a Rush by Kate Canterbary — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/44um2SJ] | Contemporary Romance | KU ✅ / Audio ✅ Shucked by Kate Canterbary — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4iX9fhp] | Small Town Romance, Fish-Out-of-Water | KU ✅ / Audio ✅ Copper Valley Thrusters by Pippa Grant — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/48UnyyX] | Hockey Romcom Series | KU ✅ / Audio ✅ Fangirl Down by Tessa Bailey — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/3KQPiw8] | Sports Romance (Golf) | Audio ✅ Dream Girl Drama by Tessa Bailey — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4oPFEI9] | Contemporary Romance | Audio ✅ My Favorite Kidnapper by Melanie Moreland — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/3MZdlcV] | Romcom | KU ✅ / Audio ✅ A Love Most Fatal by Kath Richards — Buy on Amazon [https://amzn.to/4oSlQnu] | Mafia Rom-Com | KU ✅ ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS [00:00] Meet Erin Nicholas + 16 years in romance [00:01] Industry shifts: early ebooks → Kindle → 2020 romance boom [00:02] Erin’s origin story: writing since childhood + first publishing path [00:07] Audio “girlie” life + cozy mysteries at bedtime [00:08] Merry Mayhem setup: holiday competition + romcom chaos [00:09] Writing Christmas in September (peppermint mocha + Mariah) [00:10] Why small towns feel extra magical at Christmas [00:12] Where to start with Erin’s backlist + Boys of the Bayou Gone Wild [00:14] Erin’s romcom recs (Kate Canterbary, Pippa Grant, Tessa Bailey, etc.) [00:18] The wildest rec: My Favorite Kidnapper [00:19] Mafia romcom chat + A Love Most Fatal [00:22] Where to find Erin 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: 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]