Episode Summary: Ep 460 – Anne's Best Books of 2024

In this special episode of What Should I Read Next?, hosted by Anne Bogel, Anne's husband, Will Bogle, joins her for the third consecutive year to discuss Anne's top book selections of 2024. The episode delves deep into Anne's personal reading journey, highlighting her favorite titles, the themes that resonate with her, and the nuanced reasons behind her selections.

1. Introduction to the Best Books of 2024

Anne opens the episode by reflecting on her initial reluctance to frame the podcast around her personal favorites. However, she emphasizes the importance of sharing her own reading experiences to provide listeners with authentic recommendations.

Anne Bogel [06:37]: "I really want to share what I love and why. I love it because the what is pretty meaningless without the why."

2. Interesting Reading Experiences

Anne shares her preference for books that offer surprising and delightful reading experiences, often venturing off her usual genre preferences. She discusses books that she didn't initially seek out but found profoundly impactful.

a. The Last Tree on Easter Island by Jared Diamond

Will introduces his favorite book of the year, which Anne enthusiastically endorses after sharing her thoughts.

Will Bogle [09:35]: "One of my favorite reading experiences for the year was a book I bought at Shakespeare and Company in Paris—The Last Tree on Easter Island."

Anne appreciates the book's blend of ecological study and historical narrative, using Easter Island as a microcosm for Earth's environmental challenges.

b. What It Sounds Like by Susan Rogers and Ogie Ogis

Anne discusses this unique book that intertwines musical exploration with personal identity.

Anne Bogel [20:27]: "This book felt like the musical equivalent to what we're trying to do on this podcast."

Despite finding its structure challenging, Anne values the insight it provides into music production and personal growth through musical exploration.

c. A Song to Drown Rivers by Anne Leong

A historical fantasy based on the Legend of Zixi, Anne praises its immersive plot and contemporary themes.

Anne Bogel [24:59]: "It was really strong on a couple elements of music. But I feel like it kind of fell apart at the 60% mark. But that's okay because it was so interesting."

3. Thematic Favorites

Anne identifies recurring themes in her favorite books, such as literary family dramas, mysteries, and explorations of grief and redemption.

a. The God of the Woods by Liz Moore

A literary family saga that melds mystery with deep character development.

Will Bogle [34:17]: "This was the book that I was saying that I'd come back to. This was probably my best book of the year."

Anne highlights the book's compelling characters and intricate plot, making it a standout in her list.

b. Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson

Anne praises this family drama for its exploration of buried secrets and the impact of historical artifacts on contemporary lives.

Anne Bogel [51:29]: "If you can call a traditional black cake recipe an heirloom, in Good Dirt, the tangible object linking the contemporary family to a historical past is a beautiful, heavy, huge, valuable pottery jar."

4. Balancing Heavy and Light Reads

Anne appreciates books that tackle serious themes while balancing them with lighter, more whimsical elements.

a. The Wedding People by Alison Espach

A plot-driven narrative that interweaves humor with deep character introspection.

Will Bogle [37:15]: "It led to a lot of humor and surprise, but also gave her fresh eyes to while she's judging other people, think about her own life."

b. Who's Here by David Nichols

A quiet love story enriched with grammar jokes, showcasing Anne's unique appreciation for blending intellect with emotion.

Anne Bogel [38:23]: "It's a quiet love story about two lonely people falling in love as they trek through the English countryside. Lots of grammar jokes and writing jokes."

5. Wistful Meditations on Life and Grief

Anne shares books that provided solace and reflection during personal challenging times, focusing on themes of loss, change, and the enduring human spirit.

a. Loved and Missed by Susie Boyd

A slim British novel that packs an emotional punch, leading Anne to desire exploring more of Susie Boyd's work.

Anne Bogel [44:33]: "I immediately thought, I want to read everything Susie Boyd has ever written, and I haven't done that yet."

b. Same as It Ever Was by Claire Lombardo

A profound narrative exploring midlife crises and family dynamics set against the backdrop of Cape Cod.

Anne Bogel [24:59]: "Reading a bunch of books like that back to back would be bad for my soul, but in small doses, I love an emotionally resonant novel like this."

6. Additional Favorite Titles

Anne recounts books she almost included in her top list, providing listeners with a broader spectrum of her reading tastes.

a. One on One by Jamie Harrow

A debut romance novel set in the world of college basketball, offering pure escapist delight despite its workplace rivalries.

Anne Bogel [50:59]: "It's a workplace rivals to lovers romance, lots of banter, lots of interesting professional stuff."

b. How to Read a Book by Monica Wood

Anne expresses excitement about a forthcoming collaboration with author Monica Wood for the Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club.

Anne Bogel [45:33]: "Monica Wood is going to be our very first repeat Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club author. She's going to join us in March."

7. Bests to Finish

In the final segment, Anne and Will highlight a selection of standout books that didn't neatly fit into previous categories but left a lasting impression.

a. Colored Television by Danzi Senna

A snarky and darkly comic narrative that Anne recommends for its wit and character depth.

Anne Bogel [40:14]: "It's funny, funny, funny."

b. Motherless Land by Nikki May

A Jane Austen adaptation that surpasses Anne's expectations with its coming-of-age narrative and social critique.

Anne Bogel [57:18]: "It's a retelling where I'm constantly tracking the original versus what the author is doing with it. It's almost a crossword puzzle kind of satisfaction to me."

8. Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Anne and Will conclude the episode by encouraging listeners to explore the discussed titles and participate in the ongoing conversation about favorite reads of 2024. They also tease upcoming events, such as the Spring Book Preview and future book club selections.

Anne Bogel [61:51]: "As Rainer Maria Rilke said, 'Ah, how good it is to be among people who are reading.' Happy New Year. Happy reading everyone."

Listeners are invited to share their favorite books of the year on the podcast's website and stay updated on future episodes and events through their newsletter.

Notable Quotes:

• Anne Bogel [06:37]: "I really want to share what I love and why. I love it because the what is pretty meaningless without the why."

• Will Bogle [09:35]: "One of my favorite reading experiences for the year was a book I bought at Shakespeare and Company in Paris—The Last Tree on Easter Island."

• Anne Bogel [20:27]: "This book felt like the musical equivalent to what we're trying to do on this podcast."

• Anne Bogel [51:29]: "If you can call a traditional black cake recipe an heirloom, in Good Dirt, the tangible object linking the contemporary family to a historical past is a beautiful, heavy, huge, valuable pottery jar."

• Anne Bogel [38:23]: "It's a quiet love story about two lonely people falling in love as they trek through the English countryside. Lots of grammar jokes and writing jokes."

This episode offers an intimate glimpse into Anne Bogel's literary preferences, providing listeners with thoughtful recommendations and the reasoning behind her top picks for 2024. Whether you're seeking thrilling adventures, heartfelt dramas, or insightful meditations, Anne and Will's discussion is a treasure trove for every avid reader.