Episode Summary: Ep 480: Branching Out with Escapist, Emotionally Resonant Novels
Podcast Information:
- Title: What Should I Read Next?
- Host: Anne Bogel
- Guest: Tynesha Coleman, Leadership Development Coach and University Lecturer
- Release Date: June 3, 2025
Introduction
In Episode 480 of What Should I Read Next?, host Anne Bogel welcomes Tynesha Coleman, a leadership development coach and university lecturer from New Jersey. The episode delves into Tynesha's reading journey, her preferences for emotionally resonant and escapist novels, and culminates in tailored book recommendations to help her—and listeners—discover their next great read.
Guest Introduction
[05:00] Anne introduces Tynesha Coleman, highlighting her multifaceted role as a coach, lecturer, and small business owner. Tynesha shares personal details, including her impending 40th birthday, motherhood, and recent career shift from a full-time university position to focusing on her consulting firm while still teaching part-time.
Tynesha Coleman:
"I've been reading a bunch since I was a kid. I would always have my nose buried in a book."
[05:10]
Tynesha's Reading Preferences and Goals
Tynesha describes herself as a lifelong avid reader who has evolved from children's literature to mystery thrillers, and more recently, to sci-fi, fantasy, and literary fiction. Her current reading objective is to find books that offer emotional resonance without plunging her into despair.
Tynesha Coleman:
"I want something that I can really dive into, like heart, soul, and mind. I want it to stick with me for a while."
[35:43]
Books Tynesha Loves
1. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
[18:29]
Tynesha praises The Night Circus for its magical realism and intricate character dynamics. She appreciates the book's atmospheric setting and the compelling competition between the magicians, Celia and Marco.
Tynesha Coleman:
"Every time I read it again, it became this book that I was like, it's time for my annual rereading of The Night Circus."
[22:24]
2. The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin
[22:32]
This book stands out for its profound emotional impact and exceptional world-building. Tynesha highlights the book's exploration of a broken world facing catastrophic natural disasters and the plight of the Origins, individuals with the power to control seismic energy.
Tynesha Coleman:
"I read this book in about five or six days, and I feel like I didn't come up for air until after I was done."
[26:13]
3. Murder Your Employer by Rupert Holmes
[26:23]
Tynesha enjoys the satirical and humorous take on dark subject matter in this novel. The book's unique premise of a corporate assassination academy intrigues her, blending dark themes with witty storytelling.
Tynesha Coleman:
"Some of the characters are morally ambiguous, but I still want to spend time with them and see what they're going to do next."
[29:36]
Book Tynesha Didn't Like
The Husbands by Holly Greisdorf
[29:49]
Tynesha discusses her disappointment with The Husbands, citing repetitive plot elements and a lack of progression. She felt the novel would have been more effective as a short story rather than a full-length book.
Tynesha Coleman:
"I felt like it was spinning and not going anywhere for quite a long time."
[31:24]
Recently Read Books
Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor
[32:04]
Tynesha describes this book as a fascinating interplay between the protagonist's life and the sci-fi novel she authors within the story. The metafictional aspect and rich world-building captivated her.
Tynesha Coleman:
"The way that Nnedi Jemisin did the world-building was so intentional. Nothing was just a throwaway."
[23:48]
Are Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng
[32:04]
She found Are Missing Hearts to be timely and resonant, particularly appreciating its exploration of family dynamics and societal issues.
Book Recommendations by Anne Bogel
1. The Phoenix Pencil Company by Alison King
[42:54]
A debut novel intertwining family drama with magical realism, inspired by the author's grandparents' history in Shanghai. The pencils in the story possess magical properties that can bring written words and memories to life.
Anne Bogel:
"These pencils are powerful, and the way the secrets are extracted made me wince every time I read about it."
[43:06]
2. Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb
[47:43]
A high fantasy novel featuring Fitz, the bastard son of a prince, who becomes an apprentice assassin. The book is lauded for its deep character development and immersive world-building.
Anne Bogel:
"The story is very much about the characters and the relationships between them."
[48:20]
3. The Kingdoms by Natasha Pulley
[52:22]
A speculative fiction tale that explores an alternate history where Napoleon conquers England. The novel combines time-slip elements with a romance subplot, centering on a mysterious postcard that propels the protagonist on a perilous journey.
Anne Bogel:
"Joe's search sends him on a journey over the sea to the Outer Hebrides and back through the stone portals."
[54:09]
4. A Spindle Splintered by Alexie Harrow
[55:06]
A genre-blending fairy tale retelling featuring Xenia Gray, who momentarily escapes her fate of not living past 21 by falling through worlds, meeting another Sleeping Beauty in the process.
Anne Bogel:
"It's a little bit snarky and sassy, and it's delightful escapist read."
[56:43]
Conclusion and Recommendations
Tynesha decides to embark on reading The Phoenix Pencil Company by Alison King, drawn by its magical elements and deep exploration of family relationships. The episode wraps up with Anne expressing excitement to hear Tynesha's thoughts on her new selection.
Tynesha Coleman:
"I think I'm gonna go with that because I'm really interested in this magical element with the pencils and the relationship between the grandma and the granddaughter."
[57:27]
Notable Quotes
-
Tynesha on Emotional Resonance:
"I want something that I can really dive into, like heart, soul, and mind. I want it to stick with me for a while."
[35:43] -
Anne on Genre Flexibility:
"Readers life doesn't happen biweekly, so why should Payday?"
[34:40] (Note: This appears to be part of an advertisement and may be excluded based on content relevance.) -
Tynesha on Reading Frequency:
"If I remember, that means it was really good."
[34:49]
Final Thoughts
Episode 480 offers a comprehensive look into Tynesha Coleman's evolving reading tastes, emphasizing the importance of emotional connection and escapism in literature. Anne Bogel provides thoughtful recommendations aligned with Tynesha's preferences, promising engaging future discussions based on Tynesha's reading experiences.
Connect with Tynesha:
- Instagram: Tynesha Coleman
- Website: TyneshaColeman.com
Follow the Podcast:
- Website: whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com
- Instagram: @whatshouldireadnext
- Subscribe on: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, etc.
Happy Reading!