Episode Summary: Ep 483 - Help Me Find My New Go-To Summer Author!

Podcast Information:

• Title: What Should I Read Next?
• Host: Anne Bogel
• Guest: Stephanie Edwards
• Release Date: June 24, 2025

Introduction

In Episode 483 of What Should I Read Next?, host Anne Bogel welcomes Stephanie Edwards, a dedicated 7th-grade English teacher from North Georgia, who is on a quest to discover her new favorite summer author following the retirement of her long-time favorite, Ellen Hildebrand.

Guest Background and Interests [00:00 - 09:56]

Stephanie Edwards shares her background, highlighting her journey from a small town to living solo in Madrid, Spain, and eventually settling back near her family in Georgia. She passionately discusses her deep admiration for Ellen Hildebrand, recounting memorable experiences such as attending Nantucket weekends inspired by Hildebrand's books.

Stephanie Edwards [00:00]: "I have just always loved everything that she's written, even her short stories. I could read her grocery list and still be in love with it."

Beyond her teaching career, Stephanie has launched an online business, Chapters of Care, aiming to help teachers combat burnout and foster a love for reading among reluctant middle schoolers. She emphasizes the importance of independent reading and shares heartwarming anecdotes of her students' newfound enthusiasm for books.

Stephanie Edwards [08:05]: "I have a really good sense of what kids enjoy reading. I was like, 'How do you get these kids to read?'"

Stephanie's Quest for a New Summer Author

Stephanie elaborates on her challenge: with Ellen Hildebrand slowing her writing pace, Stephanie seeks an author who can deliver complex characters, a strong sense of place, rich details, and intriguing scandals—attributes that made Hildebrand's Nantucket novels so captivating.

Stephanie Edwards [16:28]: "I really like seeing that there is something going on that nobody else really knows about in the book yet."

Despite her extensive reading, Stephanie hasn't found an author who fully satisfies her literary cravings, leading her on an active search to replenish her summer reading stack.

Recommendations and Reactions [21:05 - 40:00]

Anne Bogel offers a curated list of authors that align with Stephanie's reading preferences:

1. Taylor Jenkins Reid

   • Anne: "She writes contemporary novels, also some historical, that are focused on relationships."
   • Stephanie: "I am also a completist of hers."

2. Sally Hepworth

   • Anne: "She writes complex, likable characters. Her books are character-driven and often involve psychological suspense."
   • Stephanie: "I have read 'The Mother-in-Law' and enjoyed the secrets, though I rated it three stars."

3. Alyssa Sussman

   • Anne: "Her novels are set in Hollywood, Broadway, and are full of juicy gossip."
   • Stephanie: "I did read 'Funny You Should Ask' but didn’t find it particularly memorable."

4. Kennedy Ryan

   • Anne: "Writes contemporary women's fiction with strong romance elements and plenty of salacious scandals."
   • Stephanie: "I was initially put off by her book covers but interested in the emotional turmoil."

5. Xochil Gonzalez

   • Anne: "Writes literary fiction with atmospheric details and explores deep family relationships."
   • Stephanie: "I've always eyed 'Olga Dies Dreaming' but haven’t picked it up yet."

6. Other Recommendations:

   • Deborah Crombie, Louise Penny, Tana French for their compelling mystery elements.

Anne Bogel [43:29]: "Taylor Jenkins Reid has a sense of humor that I think you need that, like, dial turned up on the emotion."

Stephanie Edwards [48:09]: "I do remember loving the secrets and that everybody had a motive."

Advisory Insights and Further Recommendations

Anne continues to suggest memoirs and memoir-like novels that blend personal storytelling with depth and emotion:

1. "I'm Glad My Mom Died" by Jeanette McCurdy

   • A raw memoir about the challenges of being a child star, addressing personal and familial struggles.

2. "How to Lose Your Mother" by Molly Jong-Fast

   • A heartfelt exploration of Stephanie's relationship with her mother amidst personal and familial hardships.

Anne Bogel [59:38]: "There's so much richness and texture and details and I think you really like that."

Stephanie Edwards [61:38]: "I like that."

Stephanie's Final Reflections and Next Steps [41:08 - 63:53]

After considering various recommendations, Stephanie feels optimistic about her summer reading journey. She decides to start with Xochil Gonzalez's "Olga Dies Dreaming", attracted by its rich detail and deep emotional narrative.

Stephanie Edwards [63:22]: "I think that might be the one that I start with."

Anne encourages Stephanie to embrace this new path without guilt over her unread shelf, reaffirming the joy of discovering new authors and expanding one's literary horizons.

Stephanie Edwards [63:08]: "I feel like this has shown me the path of, like, which authors I want to try as new authors."

Conclusion

The episode concludes with Stephanie expressing gratitude for the guidance and excitement about exploring new literary avenues. Anne reiterates the importance of embracing the reading journey and encourages listeners to share their own recommendations.

Anne Bogel [63:47]: "Stephanie, thanks so much for opening up about your reading life today. It's been a pleasure."

Key Takeaways:

• Stephanie Edwards is actively seeking a new favorite summer author to replace Ellen Hildebrand.
• She values complex characters, strong settings, and intriguing mysteries in her summer reads.
• Anne Bogel provides tailored recommendations, introducing authors like Taylor Jenkins Reid, Sally Hepworth, and Xochil Gonzalez.
• Stephanie feels empowered to explore new authors and is excited about her upcoming summer reading selections.

Notable Quotes:

• Stephanie Edwards [00:00]: "I could read her grocery list and still be in love with it."
• Stephanie Edwards [08:05]: "I have a really good sense of what kids enjoy reading."
• Stephanie Edwards [16:28]: "I really like seeing that there is something going on that nobody else really knows about in the book yet."
• Anne Bogel [43:29]: "She writes contemporary novels, also some historical, that are focused on relationships."
• Stephanie Edwards [63:22]: "I think that might be the one that I start with."

For more details and to listen to the full episode, visit whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com.