What to Read Next Podcast l Book Recommendation Show

In this episode of What to Read Next, Laura shares her personal journey of trying (and slightly failing) to create a Sunday reading retreat—and why a phone detox might be the key to getting back into a satisfying reading groove. From binge-watching Love Island UK to rediscovering how much joy a simple reading day can bring, Laura dives deep into creating your own reading retreat at home. She also dishes on Turkish TV drama, Dramione fanfic controversy, and why it might be time to rethink our relationship with social media. Highlights: * Laura’s attempt at a personal reading retreat and why it turned into a TV binge * The joy of rewatching Love Island UK vs. disappointment with the USA version * Updates on her Turkish TV Obsessed podcast, plus finishing As The Crow Flies on Netflix * Latest bookish drama: Dramione fanfics being turned into books and the controversy around them * Reflections on a past reading binge during a hurricane power outage — and why it was blissful without her phone * How doomscrolling keeps us from reading (and how trauma can make stress feel "safe") * Ideas to create your own reading retreat, including: * Planning meals/snacks ahead * Setting up a cozy space with candles, blankets, or ambiance music * Trying a "try-on" session with different books — read first chapters and see what sticks * Being okay with soft DNFs (“not right now”) * Putting your phone on Do Not Disturb or out of sight * Why it’s okay if your retreat means reading anything—from novellas to spicy books to cozy mysteries Mentioned in This Episode: 📺 TV & Media: * Love Island UK (and why Unseen Bits is the best) * As The Crow Flies (Turkish series on Netflix) * Early Birds Turkish novela fandom story 📚 Books & Bookish Talk: * Rose in Chains (Dramione-inspired, darker political themes) * Manacled and Alchemised (Dramione fanfics with heavy themes) * Brief mention of Fourth Wing (not her favorite) Favorite hurricane reading binge: * Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood * Not in Love by Ali Hazelwood * Deep End (ARC) by Ali Hazelwood * Only For One Night by Jessica James Links & Resources: 👉 Visit whattoreadnextblog.com [https://whattoreadnextblog.com] for daily updated book lists, from cozy mysteries to LGBTQ+ romances to beach reads for summer 2025. 👉 Sign up for the newsletter at whattoreadnextblog.com/newsletter [https://whattoreadnextblog.com/newsletter] to get even more book recs and updates. Let’s Connect: 🎧 If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe—it helps others find the show! 📩 Have thoughts on reading retreats or your own phone detox? Message Laura at laura@whattoreadnextblog.com [laura@whattoreadnextblog.com], she’d love to hear from you! 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]

If you’ve ever watched Bravo’s Summer House and wished you could join a messy friend group getting sunburnt in the Hamptons, this episode is for you! Laura shares her favorite books that capture the same summer vibes—from Hamptons scandals to Fire Island shares and cozy small-town beach escapes. Whether you’re lounging poolside or dreaming of a sandy getaway, these books will transport you straight into the ultimate summer mood. 📖 BOOKS MENTIONED * Hotter in the Hamptons by Tinx * Elizabeth in East Hampton by Audrey Bellezza & Emily Harding * Serendipity by Becky Chalsen * Seven Summer Weekends by Jane L. Rosen * Summer on Sag Harbor by Sunny Hostin * In Good Company by Kat Singleton 💌 JOIN THE COMMUNITY Loved these recs? Sign up for the What to Read Next newsletter for even more book recommendations delivered straight to your inbox. wtrnblog.substack.com [https://wtrnblog.substack.com] 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] Cook Unity Need fresh, chef-made meals ready in just two minutes? CookUnity delivers high-quality, fresh—not frozen—meals with flexible plans you can pause or skip anytime. Get $50 off your first week with my link in the shownotes and code LYA5453649 at checkout! Cook Unity ` [https://whattoreadnext.captivate.fm/cookunity]

Disclosure: [https://www.whattoreadnextblog.com/affiliate] We are part of the Amazon Affiliate/LTK Creator programs. We will receive a small commission at no cost if you purchase a book. This post may contain links to purchase books. In today’s off-the-cuff voice memo episode, I’m checking in with a life and reading update from the front seat of my car—literally. I talk about how my reading habits have shifted post-Kindle streak, what it’s been like to return to borrowing physical books, and how audiobooks are saving my reading life (and sleep schedule). I’m also sharing a few book recommendations, tips for using Audible and Amazon Music for less, and why rediscovering my local library has brought so much joy. If you’re navigating a reading slump, trying to read more affordably, or just curious about how life changes impact reading, this one's for you. 📚 BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS: * When She Unravels by Gabrielle Sands – Mafia romance with a runaway bride twist * Rose in Chains by Julie Soto – A dark romantasy retelling rooted in Dramione fic * My Favorite Bad Decision by Eleanor Rorke – A summery, angsty KU romance set on Mount Kilimanjaro 🔍 READING & LISTENING HACKS MENTIONED: * Cancel and rotate Audible for credit deals * Use Amazon Music’s included audiobook credit for pricey exclusives. * Combine Kindle Unlimited with WhisperSync for discounted audiobooks * Check your library for borrowable gear (cameras, ukuleles, even podcast equipment!) * Visit your library’s “on order” page to place holds early * Request book purchases through your local library (and yes, I’ve got a tutorial for that!) 🎧 Snag 4 Months of Audiobooks for FREE! Amazon Music is offering 4 months FREE of Amazon Music Unlimited—and that includes 1 audiobook credit per month! Perfect for loading up on those pricey Audible exclusives. 👉 Claim Your Deal Here [https://www.tryamazonmusic.com/jeaX7v] (https://www.tryamazonmusic.com/jeaX7v [https://www.tryamazonmusic.com/jeaX7v]) 🕒 Offer ends July 11. New subscribers only. Cancel anytime. 📌 LIFE LATELY: * Why I stopped reading ebooks daily after a 2,000-day streak * How getting a car changed my relationship with audiobooks * Rediscovering libraries after years of digital-only reading * Finally getting prescription glasses—and how that led to reading physical books again 📣 CALL TO ACTION: Loved this episode? Rate and review the show on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. And if you’re a fellow library lover or audiobook bargain hunter, drop me a comment on Substack —I'd love to hear your hacks! Substack: whattoreadnextblog.com/newsletter [https://whattoreadnextblog.com/newsletter] 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] Cook Unity Need fresh, chef-made meals ready in just two minutes? CookUnity delivers high-quality, fresh—not frozen—meals with flexible plans you can pause or skip anytime. Get $50 off your first week with my link in the shownotes and code LYA5453649 at checkout! Cook Unity ` [https://whattoreadnext.captivate.fm/cookunity]

In this episode, I’m joined by Jason Blitman, host of the Gays Reading podcast, to spotlight stunning queer books that go far beyond your usual Pride Month roundups. Jason shares four queer literary fiction recommendations that are lyrical, emotionally resonant, and incredibly diverse, plus five must-read memoirs and essay collections written by LGBTQIA+ voices. Whether you’re looking for gothic slow burns, poetic introspection, or laugh-out-loud memoirs, this list has something for you. 📚 BOOKS RECOMMENDED IN THIS EPISODE QUEER LITERARY FICTION * Martyr by Kaveh Akbar * In Tongues by Thomas Grattan * The Safe Keep by Yael Van der Wouden * When the Harvest Comes by Denne Michel Norris QUEER MEMOIRS & ESSAYS * The Dry Season by Melissa Febos * Walk Like a Girl by Prabang Gurung * This Is Your Mother by Erica J. Simpson * Congratulations, The Best Is Over by R. Eric Thomas * Here for It by R. Eric Thomas ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Intro and meet Jason Blitman 01:15 – Jason’s reading journey & Gays Reading podcast origins 02:00 – Queer literary fiction picks 06:00 – Transition to memoir & nonfiction recommendations 06:30 – Real stories and identity through memoir 10:00 – Where to find Gays Reading podcast and follow Jason Biltman 🔗 LINKS & RESOURCES * Listen to the Gays Reading podcast: gaysreading.com [https://gaysreading.com] * Follow Jason on Instagram: @gaysreading [https://www.instagram.com/gaysreading] * Sign up for our newsletter for weekly book recs, library tips, and hot book tea: whattoreadnextblog.com/newsletter [https://whattoreadnextblog.com/newsletter]

Disclosure: [https://www.whattoreadnextblog.com/affiliate] We are part of the Amazon Affiliate/LTK Creator programs. We will receive a small commission at no cost if you purchase a book. This post may contain links to purchase books. In today's episode of the What to Read Next Podcast, Laura dives deep into one of her favorite niche romance subgenres — Mafia Romance! Specifically, we’re focusing on the Captive/Captor trope where morally gray, alpha mafia heroes kidnap heroines... and somehow love follows. Laura shares six must-read recommendations that helped her break out of a reading slump, highlighting where you can find them, including through Kindle Unlimited and libraries. If you love dangerous tension, alpha heroes, and high-stakes, forbidden love stories — this episode is for you! BOOKS MENTIONED: * Dante by Sadie Kincaid https://amzn.to/3yrRggB [https://amzn.to/3yrRggB] * Mafia Mistress by Mila Finelli https://amzn.to/3WIlST4 [https://amzn.to/3WIlST4] * Mafia Madman by Mila Finelli https://amzn.to/46GEojj [https://amzn.to/46GEojj] * Carnal Urges by J.T. Geissinger https://amzn.to/3SMoi1I [https://amzn.to/3SMoi1I] * The Brit by Jodi Ellen Malpas https://amzn.to/3Am7mIZ [https://amzn.to/3Am7mIZ] * Run, Posy, Run by Cate C. Wells https://amzn.to/3AheQgk [https://amzn.to/3AheQgk] TIMESTAMPS: * [00:00] Intro: Why Mafia Romance is a current obsession * [01:00] How mafia romances helped overcome a reading slump * [02:00] What is the Captive/Captor Trope? * [02:20] Book #1: Dante by Sadie Kincaid * [04:00] Book #2: Mafia Mistress by Mila Finelli * [05:00] Book #3: Mafia Madman by Mila Finelli * [06:00] Book #4: Carnal Urges by J.T. Geissinger * [07:30] Book #5: The Brit by Jodi Ellen Malpas * [08:30] Book #6: Run, Posy, Run by Cate C. Wells * [10:00] Where to find even more Mafia Romance recommendations! LINKS MENTIONED: * 🔎 Search Mafia Romance at WhattoReadNextBlog.com [https://whattoreadnextblog.com] * 📬 Join the Newsletter for exclusive recommendations: https://wtrnblog.substack.com [https://wtrnblog.substack.com] CALL TO ACTION: If you loved today's recommendations and want even more niche mafia romance recs (think: surprise pregnancy, arranged marriage, mafia princesses!), head to WhattoReadNextBlog.com [https://whattoreadnextblog.com] and join our newsletter community! Mentioned in this episode: Cook Unity Need fresh, chef-made meals ready in just two minutes? CookUnity delivers high-quality, fresh—not frozen—meals with flexible plans you can pause or skip anytime. Get $50 off your first week with my link in the shownotes and code LYA5453649 at checkout! Cook Unity ` [https://whattoreadnext.captivate.fm/cookunity] 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]