Ep 472: Literary + Genre = match made in heaven

Summary

Podcast Summary: What Should I Read Next?
Episode 472: Literary + Genre = Match Made in Heaven
Release Date: April 1, 2025
Host: Anne Bogel

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Introduction

In Episode 472 of What Should I Read Next?, host Anne Bogel delves into the seamless blend of literary and genre fiction with her guest, Laura Lara. This episode explores how combining rich literary elements with specific genres can create captivating and thought-provoking reads, perfect for book lovers seeking their next literary adventure.

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Guest Introduction: Laura Lara

[04:37] Laura: "I am a corporate storyteller. I live in Phoenix, Arizona, and I've lived here most of my life..."

Laura introduces herself as a corporate storyteller based in Phoenix, Arizona. She shares insights into her personal life, including her passion for reading, her involvement in multiple book clubs, and her love for community-building through literature.

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Laura’s Reading Life and Background

[05:39] Anne Bogel: "Oh, that sounds lovely. I've never been to Arizona. Would very much love to go."

Laura describes her extensive involvement in the literary community, highlighting her role in founding the Book Babes Book Club in 2013 and her participation in the online Book Bingo book club. She emphasizes the importance of books in connecting people and fostering deep conversations.

[06:30] Laura: "I think it would be really surprising if I wasn't a reader. My name comes from the famous book Dr. Zhivago..."

Growing up in a family of avid readers, Laura developed a profound appreciation for fiction that delves into the human condition. Her reading journey has been significantly enriched by her active participation in various book clubs and her collaboration on a book review column, Snotty Literati.

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The Intersection of Literary and Genre Fiction

Anne and Laura discuss the intriguing concept of combining literary fiction with strong genre elements like romance, adventure, mystery, and dystopia. This blend creates stories that are not only beautifully written but also engaging and thought-provoking.

[10:29] Anne Bogel: "I really loved the concept you brought to us on your submission where you had this aha moment..."

Laura explains her epiphany about seeking books that offer both literary depth and distinct genre characteristics, providing a richer reading experience ideal for stimulating book club discussions.

[13:29] Laura: "Exactly. And it's not to say when we say literary fiction... I do love a beautifully crafted sentence."

They define literary fiction loosely, focusing on books that are well-written and emotionally engaging without being overly dense or inaccessible.

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Laura’s Favorite Books

Laura shares three books she loves, each exemplifying the blend of literary quality and genre elements.

1. James by Percival Everett

[18:31] Laura: "This is a truly remarkable book. It's literary for sure and I honestly think it should be required reading..."

James is Everett’s reimagining of Huckleberry Finn, presenting Jim as James—a more intellectually and emotionally complex character. Laura praises the book for its literary merit, humor, and impactful twist.

2. Shark Heart by Emily Hayback

[20:01] Laura: "Shark Heart... about a husband transforming into a great white shark in his first year of marriage..."

Despite initial reservations due to its unusual premise, Laura found Shark Heart to be a profound metaphor for personal transformation and the challenges of supporting loved ones undergoing significant changes.

3. The Funny Thing About Norman Forman by Julietta Henderson

[23:45] Laura: "Speaks to the goodness of people, the goodness of humanity... a delightful story."

This heartwarming story follows Norman, a shy 12-year-old, as he honors his late friend by pursuing their shared dream of creating a comedy show. Laura appreciates the book’s depiction of community, personal growth, and resilience.

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Book Laura Didn’t Enjoy

Long Island Compromise by Taffy Brodesser-Akner Echner

[26:18] Laura: "This is always hard to choose, but a book that did not work for me was Long Island Compromise..."

Despite being well-written, Laura found the book’s graphic and abrupt narrative off-putting. She struggled with the portrayal of unlikable characters and felt the content was gratuitously intense, making it difficult for her to finish without the support of a book club.

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Books Laura Has Been Reading Lately

1. We Burn Daylight by Brett Anthony Johnston

A literary coming-of-age novel that retells the story of the Waco siege, blending historical fiction with deep character exploration.

2. The Wedding People by Alison Esposito

A seemingly light-hearted beach read that delves into serious themes with balanced humor and substance.

3. Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson

A gripping narrative told from multiple perspectives, intertwining different timelines to explore complex family dynamics.

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Anne’s Recommendations for Laura

Based on Laura's preferences, Anne recommends several books that align with her desire for literary depth combined with genre elements.

1. Broken Country by Claire Leslie Hall

[34:40] Anne Bogel: "It is a real genre bender that's really beautifully crafted..."

A multifaceted novel intertwining historical events, family drama, and literary references set in the picturesque Dorset countryside.

2. Hum by Helen Phillips

[47:27] Anne Bogel: "It's going to be deeply unsettling for a lot of readers... about the human condition."

A dystopian tale set in a near-future New York City grappling with severe climate change and the rise of AI, exploring themes of survival and familial bonds.

3. Maya and Natasha by Elise Durham

[49:12] Anne Bogel: "The twins... talented ballerinas in Soviet-era Russia..."

A historical fiction narrative focusing on contentious sibling relationships within the competitive world of Soviet ballet, enriched with cultural and historical details.

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Conclusion: Laura’s Next Reading Choices

Laura finds herself torn between Anne’s recommendations of Broken Country and Hum, both of which promise to deliver the rich, genre-blended literary experiences she seeks. She expresses enthusiasm for exploring these new titles, confident in their alignment with her literary preferences.

[54:38] Laura: "Oh, Ann, you're giving me a hard choice. And shame on me for thinking that you could have possibly chosen only books I'd read before."

Anne encourages Laura, affirming that both selections offer unique and engaging narratives that cater to her love for deep, conversation-worthy reads.

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Final Thoughts

This episode of What Should I Read Next? underscores the value of merging literary craftsmanship with diverse genres to create compelling stories. Anne Bogel and Laura Lara’s insightful discussion provides listeners with a nuanced understanding of selecting books that not only entertain but also provoke thoughtful dialogue and personal reflection.

Notable Quotes:

• Laura [00:00]: "When I talk to people about books and say, you know, my wheelhouse safe place Comfort book is contemporary literary fiction."

• Anne Bogel [04:22]: "Laura, thanks for coming on. Start by telling us a little about yourself."

• Laura [10:29]: "I think you are."

• Anne Bogel [13:51]: "Right, that's good, because I'm not ready to talk about James Joyce."

• Laura [14:39]: "Absolutely."

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For more insights and book recommendations, visit whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com and follow Laura on Instagram @onelitchick.

Happy reading!

Transcript

[Laura]

When I talk to people about books and say, you know, my wheelhouse safe place Comfort book is contemporary literary fiction. That does not mean reading books like James Joyce every day. I do love a beautifully crafted sentence, right?

[Anne Bogle]

That's good because I'm not ready to talk about James Joyce.

[Laura]

Okay, good. Me either.

[Anne Bogle]

Hey readers, I'm Anne Bogle and this is is what should I read next? Welcome to the show that's dedicated to answering the question that plagues every reader. What should I read next? We don't get bossy on the show. What we will do here is give you the information you need to choose your next read. Every week we'll talk all things books and reading and do a little literary matchmaking with one guest. Readers for our family, spring break often means travel, and spring break is coming up soon. With trips on the horizon, I'm getting myself organized and refreshing my travel essentials. Nothing's worse than getting to your destination and having all your package jumbled or especially your jewelry tangled. And for keeping things nice and neat, I love Quince's travel jewelry case. It's leather with a soft micro suede interior lining and is just the right size to hold a few necklaces and pairs of earrings or other small jewelry for my next trip. Next nothing gets lost or tangled. It's just ready when I need it. Quince also makes the clothing you'll live in on your travels, like lightweight European linen style starting at just 30 bucks and comfy lounge sets. I'm loving my latest linen jumpsuit featuring a stylish square neckline. And also I love their easy breezy dresses, which make it a breeze to look put together even when I'm getting dressed out of a suitcase. Quince pairs style, quality and savings by partnering directly with top factories that use safe, ethical and responsible manufacturing practices and premium fabrics and finishes. For your next trip, treat yourself to the luxe upgrades you deserve from Quince. Go to Quince.com ReadNext for 365 day returns plus free shipping on your order. That's Q-U-I-N-C-E.com ReadNext to get free shipping and 365 day returns. Quince.com ReadNext readers if you're trying to save money right now, it might be time to take a closer look at your data or or data however you say it. Plan for the longest time, we thought that paying a fortune for our monthly data plan was just the way it had to be. But then we heard about Mint Mobile. Mint Mobile has premium wireless plans that deliver the high speed reliable service that you're used to, starting at just $15 a month. It's such a relief to know we won't have a giant monthly bill or unexpected overage charges, just unlimited talk and text and high speed data delivered on the nation's largest 5G network. So if you are ready to save, get rid of your overpriced wireless plan and sign up with Mint mobile to enjoy three months of premium wireless service from Mint Mobile for $15 a month. No matter how you say it, don't overpay for it. Shop data [e-mail] readnext that's mintmobile.com readnext upfront payment of $45 for 3 month 5 gigabyte plan required equivalent to $15 a month new customer offer for first 3 months only, then full price plan options, taxes and fees extra. See Mint Mobile for details. Readers Finding highly discussable books for book clubs often feels like a full time job, especially if you're a member of multiple long standing book clubs. Like today's guest, Laura Lara lives in Phoenix where she works as a corporate storyteller. She started a book club in 2013 that's still going strong, and since then she's enjoyed expanding her bookish community through a variety of related hobby groups. Laura describes herself as reading for comfort and curiosity and is drawn to fiction that explores the human condition in all its messy glory. She loves these sorts of books because they give her so much to talk about with her fellow readers, and Laura thinks talking about books is one of the best parts of the whole reading experience. Laura had a big aha moment recently that shifted her thinking on seeking out what she wants to read next and what she wants to read in her book clubs. When she listened to my conversation with my husband Will here on the podcast about our 2024 reads, she heard something that struck her when I mention my appreciation for books that are literary, and that is they're literary novels that also bring in strong genre elements like romance or adventure or mystery. Laura's reaction was oh, me too. So today we're going to talk more about books that are literary and and find Laura some good ones for her tbr. Let's get to it. Laura, welcome to the show.

[Laura]

Oh Ann, thank you. I'm so excited to be here.

[Anne Bogle]

Oh well, I can't wait to dive in today. Our team was very excited about your submission and I've got ideas, but I'm not. I'm not sure where the conversation is going to take us. I'M excited to find out.

[Laura]

Oh, me too.

[Anne Bogle]

Laura, thanks for coming on. Start by telling us a little about yourself. We want to give our readers a glimpse of who you are.

[Laura]

Well, I am a corporate storyteller. I live in Phoenix, Arizona and I've lived here most of my life. Although I do call a very small part of Oklahoma home too. I have a 21 year old son with a literary name emerson and an 11 year old rescue dog. I love to travel, check out new restaurants, watch movies, binge watch shows. And you know, Phoenix gets really hot. So every summer I do try to escape for a little bit. I have a fantastic group of friends and we love getting together for concerts, movies, shows and game nights. So that's kind of me in a nutshell.

[Anne Bogle]

Oh, that sounds lovely. I've never been to Arizona. Would very much love to go. Laura, I've never heard the words corporate and storyteller back to back like that. What does that mean?

[Laura]

Oh, okay. So it essentially means that the way I describe it to people is when you're at a company, you have a marketing team that markets the company's products, services, widgets, whatever it is that they're doing. Corporate storytelling is the internal and executive communication space. So it's almost like marketing to your employees. So I lead teams that put together communication campaigns and culture and engagement campaigns to connect the teams within an organization to the company's mission, vision and values and make sure that they know where the company's headed and how their work can and their contributions can be a part of propelling the company forward.

[Anne Bogle]

Interesting. That sounds fascinating. We could talk about that all day, but we're not going to. We're going to talk about books.

[Laura]

Fair? Fair.

[Anne Bogle]

Tell me about your reading life.

[Laura]

Yes. Yes. So I come from a family of readers. I think it would be really surprising if I wasn't a reader. My name comes from famous book Dr. Zhivago. The main character, Lara, my dad, mom and stepmom are all big readers. And so I learned pretty early on in life that books, and especially stories, probably more fiction books, have a way of connecting us. As a Gen Xer, you know, I started with Encyclopedia Brown and I loved that when a case got really hard, he brought in his best gal pal, Sally Kimball, to help him solve the case. I ended up being a Judy Blume superfan. That was really a time where connecting with other people other than yourself, you know, knowing that your insecurities were not yours alone was pivotal as a young adult. But I would say a seminal moment in my Reading Life came after college. I was involved in a women's, like, philanthropic personal development networking group. And one year I was the programming chair. And I didn't know what to do for the program that month. And I thought, you know, I'm going to assign a book and see if people would do an impromptu book club with me. I had no idea how many people in the group would be interested, but we ended up having pretty great interest. And when we finished, we went to dinner, we talked about the book, and I said, does anyone want to do this again? And they all wanted to do it again. And so that evolved into what is known as the Book Babes Book Club. And it's been going strong every month, even through the pandemic, since 2013. That same year, I started an online book club called Book Bingo with women from across the country. We even had one in Canada and one overseas who just love talking about books. And we really nerd out every December with the release of the new Bingo card. We've had in person meetups. There's, like, over 30 of us. We've had in person meetups across the country. Ten of us in 2023 met up in Nashville for Ann Patchett's release of Tom Lake, and we went to her amazing bookstore, Parnassus, and we heard her speak and met with her afterward. I'm also in two other local book clubs and write a book review column with an author friend of mine that we call Snotty Literati. So I guess you could say that the first book club experiment that I did back in 2013 was the catalyst to creating a really rich reading life, which, of course includes listening to the what Should I Read Next? Podcast, where I get a lot of great ideas.

[Anne Bogle]

Oh, I'm so glad to hear it. Thanks for letting me be a part of that.

[Laura]

Of course.

[Anne Bogle]

Laura, what role does reading play in your life right now?

[Laura]

The role right now is just, I'm going to say, comfort and curiosity. Fiction is what I predominantly read, and I think it helps us understand humanity and understand the human condition. I think in the times that we're living today, that kind of clarity is a balm with how the world is working. And so it's. It's a comfort, it's entertainment, it's learning about others.

[Anne Bogle]

Okay, are we going to hear that in the books you chose?

[Laura]

I think you are.

[Anne Bogle]

Okay. I'm excited to hear more now. I really loved the concept you brought to us on your submission where you had this aha moment about what you wanted to find more of Would you tell me more of that before I put more words in your mouth?

[Laura]

Oh, for sure. So I would say 90% of the time I'm listening to your podcast in the car and I was driving around doing some errands when I was listening to your 2024 episode recap that you did with your husband Will, and you were talking about this. What I'm going to say is a concept. So it wasn't my idea that I brought to the show. It was me sharing your idea back to you of literature and literature and suspense literature and romance literature and dystopia. And I had this aha moment. I literally was driving in my car. I can see myself on my surrounded street pulling into my neighborhood and saying, yes, those are the kinds of books I love. Those are the kinds of books I want more of in my life. This idea that there is some meat, there's something to hold onto in what I'm reading that causes a deeper level of thought appreciation, ability to talk about it. So don't get me wrong, there's time and place for sure for a popcorn thriller or a breezy rom com. But I love talking about books probably as much as you do. I just don't do it on a platform that millions of people here. And I find that books that have the literature and are squarely in my wheelhouse, even if the genres are different.

[Anne Bogle]

So I really like the way that you're pulling these ideas together, saying how literary fiction is really digging into the human condition and that gives you lots of fodder for a good conversation.

[Laura]

Absolutely.

[Anne Bogle]

And also you like plot. Yeah. And some of those like genre specific explorations of. I'm just making stuff up now, but like mystery and science fiction and fantasy and romance and like a good story but also one that you know will be really, really rich and meaty.

[Laura]

Yes. I would say that that nails it.

[Anne Bogle]

I'm already tripping over my own words and concepts here because some of the, some of the books that I feel like do this really well, that I connect to personally often get slotted as like general fiction or contemporary fiction. And I want to be like, don't be a snob, publishers. So readers, when we're talking about literary fiction today, we're using the term loosely to. Laura, help me stipulate what we're talking about. Oh my gosh, is my legal background coming through? We're talking about books that are beautifully crafted, like not distractingly crafted, but like just really the words fall in just the right order. You feel like on a sentence level is good.

[Laura]

Exactly. And it's not to say when we say literary fiction and when I tell people or talk to people about books and say my wheelhouse safe place comfort book is contemporary literary fiction, that does not mean reading books like James Joyce every day. I do love a beautifully crafted sentence.

[Anne Bogle]

Right, that's good, because I'm not ready to talk about James Joyce. Okay, good.

[Laura]

Me either. And I'm not looking for books that drone on with these beautiful sentences, but nothing happens. But I do love an elevated story tell that through words drives emotion. And that emotion doesn't have to be something I love. I don't have to have characters I love. I can deal with unreliable narrators. I think one of the really amazing things is when an author can create a character that is unlikable but is relatable or has a surprise moment where you see their humanity, even if you wouldn't make the same choices they did.

[Anne Bogle]

All right, thank you, that's helpful. And as for myself, when we talk about literary fiction, I'm being really generous with my use of that phrase. I think our most important thing is to, like, get you books that you really enjoy reading.

[Laura]

Yes.

[Anne Bogle]

And we'll see where this takes us. Okay, I think maybe we start with your books. How does that feel?

[Laura]

Oh, that sounds great.

[Anne Bogle]

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[Laura]

Excellent.

[Anne Bogle]

So are these three books literary and titles?

[Laura]

Well, they sure are.

[Anne Bogle]

Okay, happy to hear it and I sure hope so. What's the first book you love?

[Laura]

Okay, the first book I love is James by Percival Everett. This is a truly remarkable book. It's literary for sure and I honestly think it should be required reading in our schools, adults who've already gotten through school. So in it, Everett reimagines the story of Huckleberry Finn. And he does it in such a way that Jim the slave from the original is now James. He's still a slave or enslaved, but he's a man with intellect and compassion and a level of emotional and intellectual agency that that Mark Twain couldn't at the time, I think, afford him because of where we were in the country's civil rights movement. And it also has an amazing twist that I think the. And here is you've got literature and humor, you've got literature and heart. And you've got a zinger at the end.

[Anne Bogle]

I'm so glad to hear that worked for you. And it's felt like well deserved attention and readership that this book has gotten in the past year. I've been so glad to see it.

[Laura]

I would agree with you, Laura.

[Anne Bogle]

What's the second book you love?

[Laura]

Shark Heart by Emily Hayback. And I'm going to start by saying that I should not have liked this book, like on paper. It's so against so much of what I enjoy in reading. And the book is about a husband transforming into a great white shark in his first year of marriage and having to be released into the ocean, which just sounds so weird to me.

[Anne Bogle]

And I've not read a book like that before.

[Laura]

No. And it really goes against my literal sensibility, but it totally worked. It was this beautiful metaphor on the changes that can befall us in our lives. So think about a loved one getting a chronic illness or being in an accident that permanently disables or changes them or is suffering from addiction. This book is about what that means for those individuals and the people who love them. And I simply adored it. If you read it. I really encourage reading a physical copy. I don't think it would work as well on audio. There's something about the spacing as the main character is morphing into a great white shark. I don't know if Emily intended this, but I felt super smart myself because I never catch these things. I felt more white space in the pages. I almost felt like the vastness of the ocean had a presence in the story.

[Anne Bogle]

That's a very cool way to think about that.

[Laura]

And the COVID is gorgeous. If you're someone who impulse buys on a cover, look at this one, it's gorgeous.

[Anne Bogle]

Okay, so you say this book shouldn't have worked for you. And it's not the kind of thing you like and yet you read it. How did that happen?

[Laura]

So the book column that I write with my writing partner called Snotty Literati, we get together once a month, every six weeks to read and review a book. And she can read stuff like this. And she texted me one day and she's like, well, and let me back up. I kept seeing this book in the bookstores, I kept hearing about it on podcasts and I was like, oh, yes, that's the one with the really pretty cover. And then they would start talking about man turning into Shark. And I was like, nope, not for me. So I would walk away or go past that recommendation and whatever I was listening to, and she started reading it. It wasn't a book we had selected. And she said, I know this is out of your comfort zone, but I actually really think you would like the themes. And would you be willing to try it? And I said, sure, let's try it. So I think what that tells me about myself and my reading is that with a trusted source, I'm willing to go out on a limb and stretch myself. But I'm probably not going to go out on it if I just see it on a table at a bookshop and read the dust jacket. And maybe I should, maybe I should do that more. But part of the reason I brought this topic to you is that you're a trusted resource. So I'd love to get some help in this area.

[Anne Bogle]

I don't know if there are any shoulds here. Let's see if this pops back up in our conversation. Okay, fair Laura, what's the third book you love?

[Laura]

If I could press a book into everyone's hands, it would be the Funny Thing About Norman Forman by Julietta Henderson. And anyone I mention this book to, they've never heard of it. They've never heard of her. So I just want it to get the love that it deserves. This is a book that really like all of the choices I'm bringing to you today, speaks to, to the goodness of people, the goodness of humanity. If you're willing to step back and look at it, look for it. So Norman is a shy and awkward 12 year old boy and he's lost his best friend to an illness. And this is not a spoiler, it's in the summary, it's in the dust jacket, it's in the first few pages of the book. And his friend of course was really dynamic and outgoing and together they always had this idea that they wanted to write a comedy show and make it to this Edinburgh Festival and perform it at this festival. And so as a Tribute to his best friend, Jax. And despite it being completely out of his comfort zone, Norman decides he's going to go ahead and write this show as a 12 year old and have his mom get him to Edinburgh to perform it. And this is a perfect example of this idea that it takes a village to grow up and it's very coming of age and push the boundaries of what you think you're capable of doing and seeking help along the way. It's a delightful story. The people I know that have read it have said thank you so much for recommending that. That was just such a sweet, heartwarming and wonderful story. And if you like audiobooks, great narrator with a Scottish Irish lilt that makes reading it even more enjoyable.

[Anne Bogle]

I do love a good accent to my American ears on an audiobook. Okay, you are going to have to enthusiastically press that one into my hands because that's a new title for me.

[Laura]

Oh, fantastic. I really think you would enjoy it and I'd love to hear what you think.

[Anne Bogle]

Now tell us about a book that wasn't right for you and I'd love to hear why. Like, was it not in sync with your taste? Was the timing terrible? Did you not realize it was a book about X when you never read about X? What'd you bring?

[Laura]

This is always hard to choose, but a book that did not work for me was Long Island Compromise by Taffy Brutiser Echner. And let me start by saying she's a great writer. Her first book, which I think was Fleischman's In Trouble, got a lot of literary acclaim. I think it turned into a Hulu series or a streaming series. And this book is very well written.

[Anne Bogle]

I mean, she writes about trauma, so I can think of all kinds of reasons.

[Laura]

Oh, yeah, she does. And I'm okay with that. I can read about trauma. This is not a book for a highly sensitive person, but the premise is really good. So I had hope going in. And the premise is there's a patriarch of a wealthy family and he's in his driveway getting ready to go to work one morning and he gets kidnapped. And he's. I believe the three siblings are teenagers at the time, and he gets returned within like a week. And that event impacted the entire family in a lot of different ways. Plus, they have all this money and they're kind of like wealthy people. Behaving badly is the undercurrent of the book. But what I struggled with was she starts the book with one of the siblings. I think it's the oldest brother, and it's a very graphic and open door storyline that came at me with no real warning. So as I said before, I can deal with unlikable characters and darker content, but this felt really gratuitous. It was off putting and just in your face. And I'm sure that was a choice. That was a choice she made. I would not have finished it if it weren't for a book club I was in.

[Anne Bogle]

Laura, it sounds like this book like really plunged you into the deep end in a way that just felt really uncomfortable.

[Laura]

That's a great way of saying it. It brought up an ick factor really fast.

[Anne Bogle]

That's good to know about yourself as a reader and I'll keep that in mind as we think about what titles you may enjoy reading next. Laura, what have you been reading lately?

[Laura]

I've been reading quite a bit lately and one of the books I recently finished is a book called We Burn Daylight by Brett Anthony Johnston, who is now someone I want to explore more of after having read this. This is a literary coming of age book that retells the story of the siege of the Branch Davidian compound in Waco, Texas back in 1993, which according to Goodreads makes this a book of historical fiction. How is 1993 historical fiction, anyone? Please tell me that kind of blew me away as much as the book itself. I'm also not a big rereader, but I did just reread Alison Espach's the Wedding People for a book club and this is a book Anne, that I think is a perfect example of literature. And it looks like a breezy summer beach read, especially from the COVID but there's really some substance here that isn't heavy handed. And the author has a way, I felt, of covering more serious topics, balancing them with the humor in a really meaningful way that doesn't just mean she put a line in to cover this topic and then checked a box and moved on and didn't address it again. I really enjoyed it. And then I also recently finished and loved Good Dirt by Charmaine Wilkerson. This is another book, I think, that balances the light and heavy. I really enjoy stories told from different points of view, different timelines, and when it's done well. And Wilkerson did it really well in this book. I just couldn't put it down.

[Anne Bogle]

We just talked with her in modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club because this is our February selection. Aw, that's awesome. She was so wonderful. But I hear you like this is another trauma book and also from about page three I felt like sinking into the story and that I was in good hands and we are going to go hard places. And also it was going to be I could trust her on the journey.

[Laura]

Yes, it felt earned and it felt like she was balancing handling the reader with care, but also bringing to light some very hard truths.

[Anne Bogle]

Right. And I've not read Long Island Compromise, but I'm thinking, like, if this is a trauma book and we know Good Dirt worked for you, why is that? And those are the things jumping out at me.

[Laura]

That makes sense.

[Anne Bogle]

Okay, Lara, what are you looking for in your reading life right now?

[Laura]

I think it really comes down to I love a rich reading experience. I want to have books that pull me in, that are engaging and interesting. I can do slower paced books, I can do faster paced action type books. But it really has to have that base of what we've kind of been talking about, that literature where there's a little more meat that I can build a conversation around, bring to a book club when it's my turn to share options. And I think I've already told you with Sharkhart that, you know, I'm not the best at suspending my disbelief. And that can make all the magical realism, fantasy dystopian books that are really hot right now really hard for me. I will tell you that in addition to Sharkheart, I did enjoy from a few years ago, Naomi Alderman's the Power, if that helps. So I would be open to trying more books like that. Books that have that literary mystery, literary suspense, dystopia. I will say I'm not a super fan of vampires, zombies or dragons, though.

[Anne Bogle]

We can work with this. So, Laura, you loved James by Percival Everett, Sharkheart by Emily Hayback, and the Funny Thing About Norman Forman by Julietta Henderson, not for your Long Island Compromise by Taffy Brodesser Eichner. And recently you've been reading We Burn the Wedding People and also really enjoyed Good Dirt. And we've talked a lot about what you're looking for. We're going to tell everybody that you asked me beforehand what happens if you've read all the books I try to recommend you, which makes me nervous, I got to admit. But we're just going to jump in with two feet. Are you ready?

[Laura]

I'm so ready.

[Anne Bogle]

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[Laura]

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[Anne Bogle]

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[Laura]

Like the Ryobi One 18 volt cordless string trimmer, now only $129.

[Anne Bogle]

Or the Ryobi One 18 volt cordeless blower. Also for only $129.

[Laura]

Save on cordless power during spring starts event at the Home depot now through April 2nd. I was never really a runner. The way I see running is a gift, especially when you have stage four cancer.

[Anne Bogle]

I'm Ann.

[Laura]

I'm running the Boston Marathon presented by bank of America. I run for Dana Farber Cancer Institute to give people like me a chance to thrive in life, even with cancer.

[Anne Bogle]

Join bank of America in helping Anne's cause.

[Laura]

Give if you can@b of a.comSupportAnn what.

[Anne Bogle]

Would you like the power to do?

[Laura]

References to charitable organizations is not an endorsement by bank of America Corporation. Copyright 2025.

[Anne Bogle]

I have been surprised and delighted to see this one everywhere. It was one of my favorite books. I read for our spring book Preview for modern Mrs. Darcy on Patreon. We featured it there. It's Broken country by Claire Leslie Hall. Have you.

[Laura]

No.

[Anne Bogle]

Okay. Do you know anything about it?

[Laura]

I'm seeing it. I'm seeing the COVID of it on Bookstagram. But no, please tell me.

[Anne Bogle]

My coping strategy in overwhelmed times has been not to be on social media. I just know that, like, it sold a bajillion copies because I did actually read my Publisher's Weekly this week. So what I like about this for you is, I mean, all kinds of things. But let's start with. It is a real genre bender that's really beautifully crafted. If you don't know what kind of book you want, you've. You've got it all here. You've got his. I mean, that's not really true, but I mean, listen to the list. It's historical. It's a family drama. It's a literary thriller. You've got crime fiction. There's an actual trial happening in interstitial chapters. And there's a love story. And this is set in a little bit in London. The trial takes place in 1969 London. And then in the past. We are in 1955 and 1968 alternating. And we are in the British countryside. Specifically, it's the Dorset countryside. And I was googling photos to see if it was really as beautiful as I was picturing in my mind. It totally is. So a woman named Beth is at the center of this story. This might actually be in the first person. She's happily married. She lives with her farmer husband, Frank for more than 10 years now. They had a child together. He died. But she has never forgotten her first love, Gabriel. They met not long before she met Frank. But they met when they were just about to go to university. Beth grew up in a family that was not of means. And she dreamed about, like, getting out and going to university and reading and reading. And reading, because that was her love. But Gabriel went before her. She never ended up following for reasons. And they parted ways not long after he attended university. And we find out why, just not in linear order. But now Gabriel is a best selling novelist who is known around the world. And he's recently returned to the countryside where Beth lives, freshly divorced and with his son in tow, his darling little boy, who is very important in the story. So the plot is set in motion when the boy's pet dog runs away. And it brings these three adults, Beth and her husband Frank, and her first love, Gabriel, together for the first time ever. And it unleashes a series of devastating consequences. And I thought this book was so beautifully written. It asks really hard questions. It looks at the human condition. Who do we love and why? What is marriage? What is commitment? What does it mean to turn your back on your dream? What does one do in the face of agonizing loss? How does one cope when that happens? And I feel like that's just the beginning. Mother brotherhood, grief, family secrets. Beautiful setting. Heads up here for copious triggers, some of which I've referred to that are not just like a paragraph here or there, but woven into the actual story of the plot. And for those who like book set in publishing, this is peppered with literary references because of Gabriel's career and Beth's love of. Of literature. How does that sound?

[Laura]

Oh, my gosh, I feel like you're speaking my book love language. It sounds fantastic.

[Anne Bogle]

Okay, I'm happy to hear it. And I'm glad we're off to a good start, even if you have read already every other title that comes out of my mouth.

[Laura]

Touche.

[Anne Bogle]

Okay, what do you know about Jean Hampff Corlets?

[Laura]

I've read the plot. That's all I've read by her. And I enjoyed it.

[Anne Bogle]

Excellent. Okay, so here's what I like about Jean Hamp Correlets for you. First, can we do a sidebar? I just learned this week, readers, that Jean Hampff Corlitz is a distant cousin of Helene Hampf, who wrote 84 Charing Crossroad and the Duchess of Bloomsbury street and all those which delighted me. I had no idea. And just stumbled upon that little nugget this week. So if you like that kind of book trivia, hope you enjoy that one. So, Corlitz has said in interviews that she wanted to be a literary novelist, but, dang it, she realized that she liked plot. So I think if she was, like, interviewing for the position of author to write books that Lara will enjoy, I mean, I don't know that she could have done better. So I'm glad you've read the plot. How did that work for you?

[Laura]

Oh, I really liked it. I think, again, as you just said, it reads. Well, it reads. That's that literary side, I guess. But there's some twist. There's an underlying, you know, something's gonna go down, but. And I won't go so hard as saying it was dark, but you have this sense that something is gonna go down. And it takes you on a good, I would say more semi realistic twist. And not like a book where it's just the twist gets so outrageous that you have to go, come on, there's no way.

[Anne Bogle]

I mean, I don't know, I think I might reach for words like dark and over the top. I mean, this book is not aiming at realism.

[Laura]

No, but I agree with you there. But I think we've all read the thriller that just gets so outlandish that I feel like this was just Landish, not outlandish.

[Anne Bogle]

Well, she's got this mischievous tone and all these nods to Ripley that I think signal to the reader, like, here's what happened. Here's what's happening here. Here's what I'm going for. Like, you good, you good, I gotcha. Let's do this. I would agree the sequel is better than the plot. I would really encourage you to pick this up. And for readers who haven't read either, I don't want to get into the details of the plot of the sequel because we would give some things away. But the devious Anna, she's in managing mode. She is going to twist the circumstances she finds herself in to her advantage and push, push, push, push. And the things that find. I mean, like, you keep wondering, like, has she met her match? Like, what's gonna happen next? Something significant happens at a Denver book signing. She gets, like, a nasty message. So that's kind of fun. Like, next time you go to a book signing, you can be, hmm, is anybody getting any anonymous threats here at this signing? But also, this is such a send up of the publishing industry, which is hysterical. Like, every chapter has a clever literary reference, which is super fun if you like Easter eggs. But also, she's just totally sending up the industry. You've got these fawning fans and obsequious publicists and like authors who are so self important you just oh, oh, I love it. But it's fun the way she does it. So the people in this book are kind, terrible, the things they do are criminal. But it makes for highly entertaining reading. But also she's so versatile. So we're just going to like work backwards from her recent books and go to the late comer, which came out maybe like 20, 22, 21 in the pandemic era. But this book has a very different feel. It's realistic fiction. It's the decades long story of an extremely wealthy Brooklyn family and their triplets. And they talk about how the triplets encompass the smart one, the weird one and the girl. And those triplets were conceived with the help of ivf. So for a lot of reasons, Correlates is examining why this family feels like they never quite came together as a family. Like the siblings go to school together and like not everybody knows these kids are related because they have nothing to do with each other.

[Laura]

Oh, interesting.

[Anne Bogle]

And there's some stuff that happened way back when that, that explains things a little bit, but it's a, it's a interest. I mean, talk about the human condition, you got a lot to think about and talk about here. But then the triplets reach college age and the mom is like, nobody loves me. You guys are gone. Let's thaw that last remaining embryo and have another baby and like maybe do it again right this time. So when that child comes, and that is the latecomer of the title, she sets in motion this course of events that blows up the whole family in really dramatic, fascinating ways. Also, she weaves some historical events into the plot in very interesting ways. I'm seeing more and more requests from what should I read next? Potential guests that say that they love books set in the world of fine art or theater or art history. There's a thread of modern art that runs through the book. The father in the story is a collector and I did so much googling of paintings and artists and neighborhoods. So if that's fun for you, yes, that may be a little bonus. So, Jean Hampff Corletts, what do you think?

[Laura]

Oh my gosh, this sounds so great. And I do have a question for you. It's been a few years since I read the plot. Do you recommend, like, I'm not a big re reader, but if it helps set tone, stage all that, would you recommend I reread the plot before diving into the sequel?

[Anne Bogle]

That's your call. I mean, I can Tell you what I would do, but I don't know what you're going to want to do. If you want to soak up every word of the experience and make sure you're in exactly the right everything's fresh frame of mind, like, sure, go for it, but you don't need to.

[Laura]

Okay.

[Anne Bogle]

I definitely don't think it's necessary. Like, she knows full well that plenty of readers read the plot when it came out several years ago, are going to scoop up the sequel when it's new, and she is seeking to orient readers in the story who are reading it like that.

[Laura]

Got it. Okay.

[Anne Bogle]

So she doesn't expect you to do a reread if you expect that of yourself. Like, you're welcome to do so, but I hope that at least helps you decide what you want to do.

[Laura]

Yeah, that makes sense.

[Anne Bogle]

Okay. Literary. And so Broken country had a lot of different historical family, thriller, crime, love story, Gene Hamp, Corletts. I mean, you can. Those are two very different books, but you've got that mystery thriller, family history. I'm wondering about something that is both, like, a real ride for the reader and also very, very serious interrogation of what's happening in the world today. Have you read Jason Mott?

[Laura]

Hell of a book. Yes, it was fantastic.

[Anne Bogle]

Okay, right track, right track. Glad to hear it. Readers. That's a good one. What about the Sentence by Louise Erdrich?

[Laura]

I have also read that.

[Anne Bogle]

Awesome. What about Hum by Helen Phillips?

[Laura]

Not only have I not read it, I've never heard of it.

[Anne Bogle]

Okay, we're going here because of your interest in dystopian and speculative. So this one, I mean, this is going to be deeply unsettling for a lot of readers. It's set in a not too distant future that really feels uncomfortably close to home. I'm picturing this is being set in New York City, though I'm not sure if that's specifically said. But this is a major American metropolis that is now inhospitable to humans because severe climate change. There aren't any trees anymore. Adults and children are like practically chained, sometimes literally, as we see in the story, to their devices. And the hums, which are these like robots that are smarter than you and me, hold nearly all the jobs. So in this story, the mother in a family of four, her name is May, her job becomes obsolete because of AI. So she decides the only way to make ends meet for her family is to become a guinea pig for an adversarial tech company. And she undergoes a cosmetic procedure that means the surveillance Cameras that are everywhere and inescapable cannot recognize her any longer. So this is a short term solution. She gets paid a lot of money to do this, but it's not gonna last forever. And her hopes of employment now are dim. And she decides impulsively to take the money and splurge on this trip to the nearby botanical garden. Which sounds lovely. Like, we're picturing, like, what we know to be a botanical gard in this city. It's the only place where you can be in a green space and see actual trees. And she makes her family, her husband and her two young kids put down their devices for a few days, but when they do, things go really, really wrong. So I like this for you because definitely, this is about the human condition.

[Laura]

This sounds really good. And I think it sounds like the level of suspending of disbelief that I can do if it helps. For some reason, when you were talking about made me think. I don't know if it's a strong connection, maybe like, distant cousins of Leave the World Behind.

[Anne Bogle]

Yeah, we can go with distant cousins.

[Laura]

Okay. And I surprisingly enjoyed that as well. So I'm excited about this.

[Anne Bogle]

You know, if you keep getting surprised by these books that ask you to suspend your disbelief, maybe I know where you're going. Thank you. I'm struggling for the words there. I mean. Yeah, you seem to. All right, theory. You seem to enjoy these books that get you outside of your life and your world so you can see them from a different angle.

[Laura]

Yes. Here's probably the linchpin of it. Even if it's bizarre and a little bit wild, there has to be a level of remote plausibility. So for me, as horrible as the environment in the hum, sounds like you could kind of stretch your brain and see that happening. What I can't see happening are things like dragons walking down Park Avenue or a giant roach the size of a UFO landing and taking over the Earth. I don't know if that helps.

[Anne Bogle]

It does. It does. All right, we have a lot more books we could discuss, but I want to end with, does everybody do this to you? How about a Dr. Zhivago book?

[Laura]

No one does this to me, so bring it.

[Anne Bogle]

I guess you don't usually hang out on book podcasts.

[Laura]

I listen to some, but, no, I'm not a regular guest.

[Anne Bogle]

All right. There's a new book by Elise Durham. I think it's a debut. It's called Maya and Natasha, and it's got strong ties to Dr. Zhivago. This is historical fiction, literary. I really Want to build you in a bunch of different literary. And I don't know that I got anything besides literary fiction, historical fiction, and.

[Laura]

Ballet, but, hey, I'll take it. That's art.

[Anne Bogle]

Okay. The twins at the center of the story, they're sisters. They're talented ballerinas, and they were born into the world of Soviet classical ballet during the Cold War. Their mother was a brilliant ballerina herself, and she dies very early in the book, actually, maybe before the action begins. They were practically raised at the ballet school. It's the only world they have ever known. So in 1958, when the main action begins, the twins are. I mean, we would call them high school seniors here. And their entire futures rest on them earning a spot in the professional company upon graduation. But then the Kremlin issues the new edict. Artists traveling to represent Russia are defecting left and right. And because of the perceived risk of defection, now the twin girls wouldn't be able to travel together, which means only one of them can be in the company because the only thing the company does is travel. That means one sister will have a spot in the company and that will be her future, and the other will. She has no idea. Like, they've never dreamt of a future that didn't include ballet. So I thought that was a really fascinating setup. I love a family drama. I love. Do I love contentious siblings? It seems like I do. This story did not go where I expected, but I very much enjoyed the journey and Dr. Zhivago as a cultural linchpin in the girls. Homeland and the actual filming of the movie that came out about that time are both very important to the plot. It felt very well researched. I'm not familiar with Durham's work or process, but I know that I enjoy Googling all the historical details that were woven into the plot. So I don't know how much that aligns with what you're looking for right now, but maybe you'll be happy to find it, to know it exists.

[Laura]

Oh, it sounds fantastic. And like you, I love contentious siblings. I love family drama. Like I always say, I don't. I don't love drama in my life and I live in a way to not have it, but I really like reading about about it.

[Anne Bogle]

I am glad to hear it. And let me tell you about some more books that we've just talked about on the podcast. A ton, or we would highlight them more, but I just recommended Kylie Reid Come and Get it to a Reader. I think that could be an excellent pick for you.

[Laura]

I just bought that.

[Anne Bogle]

Okay, so I'm glad I said that out loud, you know. Silver Sparrow by Tayari Jones.

[Laura]

I love her so much, is so good.

[Anne Bogle]

And was pub. Well, Tayari Jones story about how that book came to be published at long last involves Judy Blume as a starring character.

[Laura]

Interesting. Okay, I'm gonna have to look into that.

[Anne Bogle]

The Ministry of Time I just recommended to a reader. I think that could be an excellent pick.

[Laura]

I thought about that and I was a little nervous, but let me rethink about that.

[Anne Bogle]

There are lots of reasons to pick up a book or not.

[Laura]

Oh, for sure.

[Anne Bogle]

It definitely checks that. Literary and yes, it almost felt like.

[Laura]

It had maybe literary and. And, and, and yeah, it probably does.

[Anne Bogle]

I mean, if by that I mean, I'm thinking, well, like, so does Broken Country. Lara. Anne, what do you think? Okay, we talked about Broken country by Claire Leslie Hall, Jean Hamp Corlitz. You've read the plot, we've got the sequel, we've got the latecomer. We talked about Hum by Helen Phillips, which. This is me not making a Jetsons comment. I mean, it feels very realistic. And also it felt like the Jetsons in some senses. Okay. Maya and Natasha by Elise Durham for the namesake quality. You know, did we actually say on the audio that your name comes from Dr. Zhivaco? That feels like an important detail to wedge in here.

[Laura]

Oh, I don't think we did, but that is where my dad got my name and my grandfather asked if he could choose my middle name, which is Lenore from the Raven. So I can't imagine growing up not being surrounded by books and having a.

[Anne Bogle]

Literary life, destined to be a reader. And I'm not going to rattle off all the. You may also enjoy that we've talked about lately on the podcast, but there were quite a few of those as well. Of those titles, what do you think you'll pick up next?

[Laura]

Oh, Ann, you're giving me a hard choice. And shame on me for thinking that you could have possibly chosen only books I'd read before.

[Anne Bogle]

No shame. There's no shame here.

[Laura]

I'm torn between Broken country and Hum.

[Anne Bogle]

Okay, well, those are very different vibes. I'm curious to hear where you land and what you think.

[Laura]

Well, and please know I will read all of them.

[Anne Bogle]

All right, well, I'm glad to hear it. You've got a lot of reporting back to do.

[Laura]

Will do.

[Anne Bogle]

Laura, thanks so much for a great conversation.

[Laura]

Oh, thanks for having me, Anne. I really appreciate it.

[Anne Bogle]

Hey, readers, I hope you enjoyed my conversation with Laura, and I'd love to hear what you think she should read next. Find Laura on Instagram @onelitchick and find the full list of titles we talked about today at what Should I read next podcast.com the best way to keep up with our show is by signing up for our newsletter. Sign up at what Should I read next? Podcast.com newsletter following us on your favorite podcast platform also ensures you'll receive each week's new episode right in your feed, ready to listen to during your commute, your walk, or whatever other time of day you like. Your weekly books and reading fix. By following or subscribing to our show, you also tell the podcast algorithm that our show is important to you. This small act makes a big difference when it comes to things like our advertising revenue and exposure for our show to new listeners. So thank you so much from our team for taking a moment to make sure you are signed up through Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast. Wherever you get your podcasts, follow our show on Instagram at what Should I Read Next? Where you'll find quotable quotes, episode features, and more. Thanks to the people who make the show happen. What Should I Read Next? Is created each week by Will Bogle, Polly Wilkachevsky, and Studio D Podcast Production Readers. That's it for this episode. Thanks so much for listening and as Reiner Maria Rilke said, ah, how good it is to be among people who are reading. Happy reading everyone.