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- [00:09]
A
Hey readers. I'm Anne Bogle and this 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 today we are talking summer superlatives. It's become an annual tradition to invite our team members to come on and share what they've been reading and capital.
- [00:38]
B
L loving in this season.
- [00:45]
A
Today we're talking Best Books of Summer. So maybe it sounds silly, but I want to start by telling you about our upcoming Fall Book Preview. Today we're looking back to Greatest hits of the summer, but fall is right around the corner and at what Should I Read next and modern Mrs. Darcy HQ we've got all you need for Back to School Book Lover Style. We are hosting this year's Fall Book Preview on Thursday, September 18th. Our seasonal previews are always a ton of fun. We get together for our virtual book party while I share my most anticipated upcoming releases of the season. And this year, our Fall Book Preview has a fun back to school theme for all those readers who think a bouquet of freshly sharpened pencils is just what they need to go with their new Fall reads. We're talking big, buzzy fall releases, under the radar gems, books from a wide range of genres, and publishing between now and year's end, so much good stuff awaits. Find out more about our Fall book preview@modernmrsdarcy.com FBP that's FBP for fall book Preview Readers. Even though it's still hot and summery here in Louisville, I know that cooler days and fall rhythms are not that far away. After a hectic season, I enjoy getting back into a routine and refreshing my indoor space. Wayfair is the perfect place to find the stylish solutions I'm looking for. Wayfair has so many options, and we've found some family favorites before, like new glassware to take our dinner experience up a notch. With fall events, gatherings and celebrations right around the corner, it's a great time to explore Wayfair's wide range of options that suit any style. When fall rolls around, we often switch out our bedding and tinker with new storage solutions. And Wayfair has so many choices, it's it's easy to find exactly what I'm looking for if you've got kids going back to school. Wayfair is also a great place to find affordable and stylish upgrades for their room or study space too. I love Wayfair's selection, but I also love how convenient they make it to find the new pieces I've been hunting for. With their huge selection of outdoor and indoor items and wide range of budgets, you're sure to find something for your style and your home too. And they make delivery easy with their free shipping, even for the big stuff like sofas, beds and desks. Get organized, refreshed and back to routine. For way less, head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home. That's W A Y-F-A-I-R.com Wayfair Every style, every home Readers Summer should be full of activities and gatherings that delight you, not worries about your overpriced wireless bill. That's why Mint Mobile is worth checking out this summer. With Mint Mobile, you get the coverage and speed you're used to while you save. Their limited time offer gives you three months of unlimited premium wireless service for just 15 bucks a month delivered on the nation's largest 5G network. With Mint Mobile, they make it easy to switch, bring your own phone number and all your existing contacts. So this summer, why not ditch your overpriced wireless Service and get three months of unlimited service from Mint Mobile for 15 bucks a month? Next time our wireless contract comes up, I will definitely be checking out Mint Mobile this year. Skip breaking a sweat and breaking the bank. Get this new customer offer and your 3 month unlimited wireless plan for just 15 bucks a month at mintmobile.com readnext that's mintmobile.com readnext upfront payment of $45 required equivalent to 15 bucks a month limited time new customer offer for first 3 months only. Speeds may slow above 35 gig on unlimited plan. Taxes and fees extra. See Mint Mobile for details. Readers Today we are back with an episode we know so many of you.
- [04:19]
B
Really look forward to each season as.
- [04:21]
A
Our team joins me to talk about our favorite books of summer and what's happening in our reading lives right now. We often reference on the show when in our spaces. What's going on behind the scenes at what Should I Read Next hq Our team is constantly discussing what we're reading on Slack and Zoom and email. I mean, you know it's true, you assumed it. I think you'd be disappointed to find out anything else was the case. But you are not on our Slack channel, so these episodes invite you into our conversation. As always, our team's range of reading tastes ensures we share titles from a wide range of genres and styles that will appeal to all kinds of readers. Today, you'll hear specifically about titles that may especially appeal to readers looking for their next family drama, or who are open to a unique blend of sci fi and horror, or are ready to be pleasantly surprised by a memoir or would love to add a witty read that Jane Austen fans might especially love to your To Be Read list, as I did. You will not be surprised to hear that when you get my team and I together to talk books, we can talk so this year for the first time, we are splitting our Best Books.
- [05:29]
B
Of summer into two episodes so we.
- [05:31]
A
Don'T overwhelm you on any one Tuesday. Today you will hear from what Should I Read next? Patreon Community Manager and Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club co host Shannon Malone and our resident Spring Sheet queen Donna Hetchler. And then you'll hear the conversation I got to have with our community coordinator, Bridget Misselhorn. We've got today's long list of titles captured in our show notes, so just sit back, listen in and enjoy. Then pop over to what Should I read next podcast.com to get that list.
- [05:59]
B
Let's get to it.
- [06:01]
C
Hi, I'm Shannon Patreon, Community Manager, and I'm here with Donna. Say hi.
- [06:07]
D
Hi Shannon. I'm so excited to be here and talking about our best books of the summer.
- [06:13]
C
Okay, summer is not over. I don't care what anyone says. At the time of this recording, I just dropped the buddy man off to school for his first day at the time of this recording, which is the first week in August. Insane. But for me, summer goes all the way to Labor Day. What do you think, Donna?
- [06:35]
D
I could not agree more. My summer actually lasts longer because I'm in Palm Springs where it's super hot. Like it's supposed to be 110 today. I mean, we are in the middle of summer. But you know, here we are being team players, talking about our best books.
- [06:52]
C
So we have. I think it would be more accurate for our section to say Best Books of Summer so far.
- [06:59]
D
Oh, I like that.
- [07:02]
C
For the second year in a row. And I know this because as I was prepping for this, I reviewed the last few best books this summer from 2022 on. And I'm representing the members of the bookish community where any book that you read during the summer just might be your best book of summer because you never read that much.
- [07:26]
D
You know what? I love that, Shannon, because I hear this from a lot of people, like they kind of have these big dreams and hopes for summer reading. But when it comes down to it, like kids are out of school, maybe they got a new puppy like you. A lot of vacations going on. So sometimes we hope to read a lot and it just doesn't happen.
- [07:49]
C
Yeah, you know, I realized after that review that I do not do a lot of reading in the summer every year. Apparently. I am surprised by this. We'll see.
- [08:01]
D
We'll see if you're surprised again next year.
- [08:06]
C
So as you know, Donna, my goal for the year was to focus on 25 five star reads in 2025 listeners. You can hear more about that and my mid year check in with anne on episode 485. But and at the time of this recording, Donna, I've only read three books. Two books were four stars and one was a five star. And I have several going on that I will wrap up by Labor Day. What about you?
- [08:36]
D
Well, first of all, I believe goals are made to be adjusted. So I don't have, I don't, I don't think there's any problem with where you're at with your goals. I have to say my reading this summer is going really well. I think, you know, the summer reading guide always works for me. I'm just going to give a little shout out. These are not my favorites, but I'm going to give a shout out to the Correspondent and the Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping, which were both on the summer reading guide and were both five star books for me. But also what is interesting about the picks that I'm bringing today is I run some monthly zoom literary societies where I just get together with friends and we talk about books that we've been reading lately. And about a month ago I asked people for their favorite so far this year I picked two of those and they are my favorites here today. So, so you have two, two, two five star reads.
- [09:35]
C
Okay, so you're bringing two today and I am bringing one. So let's hear your first one.
- [09:41]
D
All right. My first one, which honestly was kind of a surprise to me, it's called the Eyes and the Impossible. This is by Dave Eggers. The reason it's a surprise is this is middle grade. I don't read a lot of middle grade. And so if I'm telling you it's a five star middle grade book. Listen up people, even if you think you don't like middle grade, which I don't, this, this might work for you. And if you don't believe me, this book did win the Newbery Award in 2024, so it came out in 2023, but won the award last year. So this is about a dog named Johannes. You have to get it, Shannon. It's about a dog and also his group of animal friends. They live in a public park and it really is about their adventures that happen in this park. It's very, very funny, very sweet, heartwarming, and honestly, some good life lessons. I wrote down multiple things in my commonplace journal where I put, you know, my favorite quotes and I was like, I need to remember this during hard times. I need to remember this quote. Now I forgot to mention usually when I do these best books of summer, I try to have a theme with my picks. And my theme this time is I have a request from our listeners that is associated with the book. So my request for the Eyes of the Impossible is if that sounds interesting and you want to read it, please do it on audio. So the narrator is Ethan Hawke. He's one of my all time favorite actors and the way he brings this book to life is incredible. Incredible. It's one of my favorite audiobooks I've ever done and it was, it was almost like watching an animated movie. That's how much he brought it to life for me. So I hope that that's how our readers will take it in.
- [11:52]
C
Sold.
- [11:53]
D
Excellent. And it's not too long, Shannon.
- [11:58]
C
Well, you know, you know, you know.
- [12:00]
D
I mean, it helps. All right, let's hear what is your favorite?
- [12:05]
C
So my best book of summer has nothing to do with what I normally like to read in the summer. It is that one five star read which when I finished it it was about a four. But then I elevated it, which I tend to do sometimes when I can't stop thinking about it and if it impacts something like my summer. And this book has impacted my summer in a very, very real way, which I'll talk about. The book was included in the summer reading guide and it is a physical education. How I Escape Diet Culture and Gain the Power of Lifting by Casey Johnston. Now, I love memoir. Most people know that if you've heard me talk about anything for any length of time. And this one, when Anne described it, I was like, okay, I have to read it. Mostly because I have this long buried dream to weight train so that I can bench press. Like, okay, I'll just say it. My hubby says I want to train like a dude. So I want to bench press and do pull ups and do square squats with the, with the bell and the plates. On it and, you know, do all of that kind of stuff. And throughout life, throughout my life, I've been doing what Casey calls planet fitness type cardio, and I really haven't liked it at all. I mean, I do do enjoy running, but other than that, I've hated it. I haven't kept it going. But when I read this book and how she describes being uncomfortable in the gym but wanting to use strength training to feel better about herself and to maybe feel a bit more empowered. And, and, and as she was describing her journey, I was like, I think perhaps I want to take that same journey. She discusses how weight training made her more aware of her body. Kind of like embodiment. And my therapist and I have been working on that for a while and I was like, oh, this is a way that I can connect or reconnect to my body because I've kind of lost it over the past five years. There's a lot of things that have been lost over the past five years, but we won't go into that now. I love books that make me think differently about something or encourage me to pursue something that I dreamed about. They always end up as my best reads. So since I've completed the book, I have started working out with a trainer. And at the time of this recording, I can bench press £40. That's amazing. That's £5 away from the standard bar, the one that everyone uses. I'm not on it yet, but I am going to get there and I am looking forward to it. One thing that she says in the book is how when you weight train, you act actively, court failure. That's something I need to learn to do because I'm trying to teach the buddy man, like, try it's okay if you fail. Try it's okay if you fail. And I, I don't, I don't subscribe to that myself. So, like, you need to learn it so you can teach it and I can practice in the gym. This book has also prompted me to go down a rabbit hole of themed books along this line. And I'm currently reading Lifting Heavy Things, Healing Trauma, One Rep at a Time by Laura Kodari. And I'm really enjoying that one as well, which is more of a step by step kind of guide of unpacking trauma along with lifting in the gym. While a Physical Education was more memoir, so. So they're really good flights to read together, especially if that's something that you're interested in, which I am.
- [16:07]
D
I love when a book can be life changing. I truly believe books can be life changing and this is a perfect example of that.
- [16:15]
C
Yes. So hopefully we'll see where we land. What's your second book, Nana? Because that's all I got.
- [16:23]
D
My second book is the Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lyon, Volume 1. This is by Beth Brower. So this came out in 2019, but it's set in 1883 England. It definitely has Jane Austen vibes. If you like Jane Austen, here's a book for you. And basically it's Emma writing diary entries in her journal and describing her day and her interactions with people. This book was truly, literally laugh out loud funny to me. And it has a very, like, sly, you know, dry kind of British wit. I will note that it's only 125 pages.
- [17:09]
C
Shannon, you can do my language.
- [17:15]
D
Okay. And once again, here's my request for the readers if this sounds like something they would like to read. So I noted that the title said Volume one. There are actually eight volumes so far. I will note that these are in Kindle Unlimited. And when I read the first volume, I will say that I enjoyed it. It was probably three and a half, four stars for me. Then I moved on to volume two and it was like five million stars. I don't know what happened between these two books.
- [17:46]
C
Okay.
- [17:47]
D
And I've heard from Nicole, who recommended this to me, that they just get better and better. So if you're going to try it and you just like volume one, please move on to volume two. That is my request.
- [18:01]
C
All right. Well, Donna, thanks for talking summer reads with me.
- [18:07]
D
This was so fun. I love the variety of books that we had.
- [18:11]
C
All right, happy reading, everyone.
- [18:13]
D
Happy reading.
- [18:16]
A
Readers. As summer starts to turn to fall, I'm reaching for the staple pieces that move seamlessly from season to season. Quince has some of my favorites for this time of year. All my favorite quince pieces make me feel stylish, even on days when I don't spend a lot of time picking my outfits. Everything mixes so well and is so versatile. Lately, I've been wearing my linen shells and silk camis from Quince regularly alone with wide leg pants and cuffed jeans. And these same pieces will make excellent base layers come full. And as the temperatures drop, I can't wait to put my favorite quince sweaters back in rotation like their chic cashmere and cotton sweater. Starting at just $40. Quince also makes fall classics like denim pants that are perfect whether you're on a college campus or just reading a campus novel. Quince makes quality pieces at a great price by cutting out the middleman, giving you luxury without the markup. Elevate your fall wardrobe essentials with quince go to quince.com readnext for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns. That's Q-U-I-N-C-E.com readnext to get free shipping and 365 day returns. Quince.com readnext readers we take our work as seriously as our reading around here, so when we need to hire a new person, we want to move fast. Finding the right person to fit a role at any business is a bit of an art, so it's great to have a resource like Indeed to bring in a wide range of candidates quickly instead of struggling to get the word out and ensure your job post is seen. Indeed's sponsored Jobs does the work for you, helping your position stand out so you can hire fast. That's why more than 3.5 million employers worldwide use Indeed to hire great talent fast. When you list a job with Indeed sponsored jobs, your post shows up at the top of the page for relevant candidates. This means more visibility and more applications. According to Indeed Data, up to 45% more applications than non sponsored jobs. With more applicants, it's easier to find the right person so you can hire quickly. And with Indeed sponsored jobs, you're not locked into a monthly subscription or a long term contract. You just pay for results. When it comes to hiring, Indeed is all you need. There's no need to wait any longer. Speed up your hiring right now with Indeed. Listeners of this show will get a $75 sponsored job credit to get your jobs. More visibility@ Indeed.com readnext just go to Indeed.com readnext right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this podcast. Indeed.com readnext terms and conditions apply. Hiring Indeed is all you need.
- [20:47]
B
Hey readers. Now it's time for Ann and Bridget.
- [20:51]
A
Why am I talking about myself in the third person?
- [20:54]
E
It fits perfectly for this episode.
- [20:56]
B
Now it's our turn to talk about our best books. Bridget, thank you for joining me to.
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A
Record this little segment. How's your summer reading going?
- [21:05]
E
You know my summer reading and well first of all, it's a pleasure to join you. This is really fun. I always look forward to this episode. I love hearing all the team members best books of summer. My summer reading has been good. I would say overall good. I always enjoy summer reading. It works for me. I like those fast paced books. I end up picking up a lot of books. If I finish some, that's great too. If I finish more than I dnf, that's ideal. That doesn't always happen. But I've been really enjoying the stuff that I've read this summer and staying at a good pace for me, like finishing a book and starting a new one, even if I'm reading other multiple books at a time. I like that. I like the pace I'm reading at. And I am not in a slump, which is always a good thing.
- [21:56]
A
My pace is a little slower this summer, too. Like Will and I just got back.
- [22:01]
B
From the beach with the kids and I feel. I don't feel. I have documented over the years how I go to the beach and I read a book a day.
- [22:10]
A
And this year I read like two for the first five days we were there.
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B
And then I read a couple really short books. So I read four total. But I spent so much time just staring at the ocean and also talking to my husband and my kids.
- [22:28]
E
I mean, sometimes that's exactly what you need on a beach vacation, just staring at the ocean and getting to talk with your family. And then sometimes you want to read like really short books very quick. And then it feels like a great accomplishment. So I think that sounds pretty good.
- [22:41]
A
So my pace has been good, but it's also been slower than usual.
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B
But I have really been enjoying the variety. I've been reading as I do every year. I finish the summer reading guide, we wrap that book list, and then it's.
- [22:57]
A
Like, what am I going to read.
- [22:58]
B
Now that was published? I don't know, a hundred years, A thousand years, or at least one before summer 2025. So I've been slowly making my way through the 1344 page book, the Power Broker. I've read a lot of Backlist, I've.
- [23:13]
A
Read a lot of nonfiction. I've enjoyed a great deal of it.
- [23:17]
B
And yet choosing my best books of summer was tricky. But I'm excited about what I landed on.
- [23:22]
E
Oh, good. I'm glad to hear it. I can't wait to hear yours. And I agree it can be tricky to pick some best books. But I was thinking about what you often say. There's always other chances to talk about books you love. You don't have to talk about every single one today.
- [23:37]
A
And we already know what we're talking.
- [23:38]
B
About in 10 minutes for our bonus episode for Patreon.
- [23:42]
E
That is correct.
- [23:42]
B
Yeah, yeah, yeah. So that helps a lot. Okay, Brigid, would you please kick it off with one of your best books of Summer.
- [23:48]
E
Oh, I'd love to. And you know what's really interesting in a roundabout way? This actually comes from this year's 2025 Summer Reading Guide, but it's not actually on it.
- [23:58]
B
Oh, I'm curious to hear the roundabout part.
- [23:59]
E
Yeah, the roundabout is okay. So one of the books I was most interested in the summer reading guide and wanting to pick up was the Ghostwriter by Julie Clark. And I even caught one of those, like, really cool copies with the burned edge papers. Oh, my gosh.
- [24:15]
D
It's.
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B
So I tried to show you all on screen when it arrived for team meeting, or I tried to show you at unboxing, and it looks like kind of cool, but it's not the same as seeing it in person.
- [24:24]
E
In person.
- [24:24]
B
But yeah, I know what you're talking about.
- [24:26]
C
It's amazing.
- [24:26]
E
I was shopping at Literati Bookstore in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with our friend Caleb, and he had just recently read it. So he basically hand sold it to me. And I knew it was on the summer reading guide, so I snagged up. It was their last copy. And then I started it later that week. I was like, ooh, this is a little bit too intense for me right now where I'm at the summer setting. Yeah. And it felt like the summer setting. And what happens in those opening, you know, the years, the kind of history of what is happening?
- [24:57]
B
I think the summary is trauma, trauma, trauma.
- [25:00]
A
Yeah.
- [25:00]
E
Right. Right in the middle of summer, which is when I was kind of picking it up. I thought, you know what? I'm gonna put that down. But then in the last week, I have seen one of her earlier books, the Last Flight, pop in.
- [25:13]
C
Yes.
- [25:14]
E
I've seen it pop into my feed, at least three or four.
- [25:17]
B
I'm going to talk about this in the bonus, actually.
- [25:20]
C
No.
- [25:21]
B
Yeah.
- [25:22]
E
Is it your bonus book?
- [25:23]
B
Yeah.
- [25:25]
C
What are the chances?
- [25:26]
B
Well, in a roundabout kind of way, I'm going to work it in there. Yeah.
- [25:29]
E
Okay. All right. Should I keep going then?
- [25:31]
B
Keep going. Keep going. I love it and I can't wait to hear what you're going to say.
- [25:35]
E
Well, it kept popping in my feed and I remembered you mentioning it and some of her other. Her other one, I think it's called the Lies I Told you. And so I was feeling under the weather this past weekend. I picked up the last flight Sunday morning, and I ended up reading that whole book in a day, and I couldn't have been happier. It was the first book this summer that's happened to me. And I know I always enjoy it when I can read something that quickly because I'm historically a very slow reader and it truly did take me the whole day. But luckily I had nothing better to do it. It really was that sweet spot type of thriller for me where it wasn't overly gory, it didn't have like extreme like the pit of my stomach dread that some other thrillers can give me. And there was some content warnings I definitely would recommend people check out like if they're sensitive for but overall I would say it felt like a Hitchcock, like a very Hitchcockian. And I thought it also probably be really good for people who like the Flight Attendant by Chris Bojillian. Now the premise of the Last Flight, if you are unaware, is about two women who are trying to escape some real tough things in their lives and then they cross paths in an airport and decide to switch plane tickets after they've gone through security. And I thought to myself, okay, I feel like this could actually happen. And granted I go along with books. I'm not really trying to say like this isn't realistic. I'm not trying to find plot holes of the time, but I enjoyed that. I thought it was a neat premise. And I'm not going to say too much more about the plot because I don't want to give too much away. But there are some aspects that involve Google Documents and Google inboxes that were so well done. I honestly never thought here's like Google Docs could be so suspenseful. Oh my gosh, this is something I use every day in my life and and she just. Julie Clark just really nailed that like suspenseful Google Docs which who would have thought?
- [27:42]
B
So I love how you're going to be updating our team agenda, readers. We use Google Docs a lot on Team mmd. What should I read next? Thinking about missing persons for sure.
- [27:53]
E
For sure. And who could really be looking at it. So I really look forward to reading more of her books. I really enjoyed that one. So thank you for the roundabout recommendation. Ann.
- [28:06]
B
Oh my gosh, I love it. This makes me so happy and I'm excited to continue this conversation in 10 more minutes for our Patreon bonus. Okay, so I thought really hard about what I wanted to share today because superlatives are hard. There's so much to choose from. But like you said, Bridget, you have to tell yourself there's always another opportunity around here to talk about great books. I decided to go for maybe not the best standalone standout books I've read, but I had such a fun nerdy literary reading experience this summer. That started with me at the beginning of the summer thinking, what can I read that's different from what I've been reading?
- [28:46]
A
And I landed on this novel from.
- [28:48]
B
Joan Silber, who I'd never read before, published in 2017, called improvement. And I found my way to it because my friend was showing me the syllabus for a writing class she was considering taking on plotting. And it had two books that weren't.
- [29:04]
A
Really on my radar.
- [29:05]
C
On.
- [29:05]
E
Yeah, I've never heard of her.
- [29:07]
B
If a book is being used in a respected classroom to teach plot, I mean, that aroused my readerly curiosity in a big way. And I've been meaning to read Joan Silber. Secrets of Happiness was recommended to me by a few enthusiastic bookselling friends who read a lot like I do when it came out in 2021. But I hadn't read made my way.
- [29:26]
A
To it yet, so I thought, why.
- [29:28]
B
Not start with Improvement? And I did. And I still have so many questions about what would be discussed in the classroom about this, But I loved it so much, and I did love it. And then I went on to read Secrets of Happiness, and then I went on to read Mercy, her 2025 fall release that we are most definitely going to be talking about at fall book preview. And I'm going to limit myself to saying about 10 seconds about it today. But what I've discovered is that Joan Silber, at least in these three novels, has a very distinctive style. I would have described it as kaleidoscopic. I've heard other readers call it that. She writes in a relay style, is in a relay race, where one character.
- [30:05]
A
Hands the baton off to another at.
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B
The end of the chapter, and they continue the story. Ron Charles wrote a little blurb for Secrets of Happiness where he said, these are linked stories, but actually think of.
- [30:18]
A
It like a roulette wheel in print.
- [30:19]
B
Where each chapter spins to some other character in a large circle of possibilities where the people aren't just one degree of separation from each other, but sometimes two or three. And it's not just across space, but also sometimes across centuries. And it's so interesting. And every time I change perspective, I feel the way I often do in such books, where I'm like, no, I wanted to hear more from that character. And then three paragraphs later, I'm like, ooh. Oh, okay. Okay. What's gonna happen? I'm ready. I'm in it. I'm with you. Okay, Joan, let's go. But in Improvement, we start and end with the story of a character named Raina and who lives in Harlem. She's a single mother to a young child. She has an aunt who's single, who's been around the world, who's always lived her life off the beaten path, who brought this valuable, beautiful rug back from Turkey ages ago. That is our way to journeying to other places and meeting other characters. But Raina's boyfriend is doing time and wants to involve Reina in this plot to smuggle cigarettes across state lines, which had me go, oh my gosh, what are the taxes in these different states on cigarettes? Just things I never wondered about before. But Raina gets herself into a bit of trouble, and her actions have unintended consequences, as they often do in life. But in fiction, more importantly here. And we spin through seven or eight different perspectives of people affected by this inciting incident in different ways. And at the end, we come back to Reina, and it's not what I expected, but I was here for all of it. So I read that and I was like, let's go. Secrets of Happiness, the 2021 novel. Cause I got to stay in my post summer reading guide, Backlist Land, and then read this book about this New York City area family, married parents, adult children. Parents have been happily married for a long time, or so they thought. But then it comes out that the husband has had a secret family living.
- [32:15]
A
In Queens for many, many years.
- [32:19]
B
And well, that's enough conflict to get you a ton of page novel going real good.
- [32:26]
E
Sounds pretty juicy.
- [32:27]
B
Yeah, yeah, yeah. I really enjoyed seeing how that story took me to places I didn't expect it to go, but really enjoyed the ride. And then for Mercy coming out this fall, we will say more in fall book preview, but this was set in 1970s New York City. Beautiful cover. Oh my gosh. I've already said more than I said I would. But it begins at the very beginning of the novel. A father is talking to his daughter and she's like, dad, what's the worst thing you ever did? And he says like, oh, ha ha, telling your mom I didn't like her kale salad cheating my college friends at poker. But then to himself, he says, oh, I know exactly what that is and no one is ever going to find out.
- [33:03]
A
I'm still so ashamed.
- [33:05]
B
And then we go back to 1970s.
- [33:06]
A
New York and we hear about it.
- [33:08]
B
And then once again spiral through the roulette wheel to see who else is.
- [33:14]
A
Going to weigh in. Like who else was downstream from that.
- [33:17]
B
First ripple in the water and what happens next. So seeing how an Author can take this distinctive style in many different plots through many different stories. Like, such good, nerdy fun.
- [33:29]
E
For me, it does sound really fun and, like, format, which I know is something you enjoy in all three. Sounds very interesting, too, so that is awesome.
- [33:39]
B
I love it. Okay, I'm talking too long. I'm gonna get in trouble with Will. Who made our guidelines? Brigid, what else did you choose for a favorite book?
- [33:46]
E
Okay, this one I'll try to be quick about, but honestly, y', all, I have. Ann, I've just been waiting to share this book with our readers since I read it. And that was actually five months ago, but it released June 3rd, so I'm counting that as a summer read. Count it.
- [34:02]
A
Count it.
- [34:03]
E
I don't care if that's too much of a workaround. You say I can count it. I'm counting it.
- [34:07]
B
All right, drumroll, please.
- [34:08]
E
Oh, my gosh. It's Of Monsters and Mainframe.
- [34:12]
A
You told me about this from forever ago.
- [34:14]
E
I did.
- [34:15]
B
By Barbara Truelove, but you didn't say very much. Okay, I can't wait.
- [34:19]
E
Oh, it is so good. It's so good. So this is the first published book by author Barbara Truelove, but it's the second book in publishing imprint about Found Family Books, and that imprint is run by Ezkat on. That's how he's known on Instagram. E Z E E K A T. It's his EZ Kat imprint from Bindery Books. His real name's Jason Hardley, but he. He's somebody I enjoy following on Bookstagram. And when I found out that he had this imprint, I was intrigued. But I hadn't picked up the first one in it, but the second one sounded right up my alley, and that was of Monsters and Mainframe. So if you are a fan of Found Family, definitely, please listen up to this one and maybe keep an open mind if it's not in the genre categories you would normally read. So the best way to describe it is to imagine classic horror monsters, like Dracula and Frankenstein, but in space. Think Murderbot with horror monsters, and that alone was enough for me to pick it up. But on top of that, you've got really, really endearing characters that are both human and non human, like the ship's main AI system, Demeter, and the Medbot. Like, there's a med bay and there's a medbot named Stuart. I just loved their interactions. And then my absolute favorite character I've met in this year in all books, the very charming and hilarious Steve, who may not be there on the ship for the right reasons. But I won't say much more about that. He just. I'm still thinking about Steve months later, as you can see. But I would say if you start this story and it is truly a sci fi slash horror. So there is some what gruesome parts. But for me, like this scaredy cat, it was fine. I could totally handle them. But if you started at the beginning and you are like Brigid, this is really disjointed. I don't know what's going on. Just know that it's going to come together real quick and it's worth it. And it begins with the ship's AI Demeter waking up after traveling hundreds of years with human passengers who are in like stasis. They've been asleep to Alpha Centauri. She's a transport ship. She's arriving to dock. She wakes up, she's starting all the pre docking and she realizes, wait, where are all the humans? Okay, they've been unalived. And the reason they've been unalived is there was a Dracula on the ship. So we get right into it. And I will say that although the audiobook narrator is fabulous, I would recommend this one in print because there is binary code sequences that actually start a few of the chapters and the narrator has to read it all out. So that can get a little tiresome listening to all the 0110111 zeros. But in print I found them delightfully nerdy because I could actually translate them and see what the ship was saying. And although that's not necessary to enjoy the book, I enjoyed doing that extra nerdy step. So honestly, I would not be surprised if this book ends up in my top books of the year or top books ever. It made me wish I was a bookseller or a librarian so I could like hand sell and push it. And then I realized, wait, Brigid, you can do that on the podcast. And I have the pleasure and honor to today. So thank you.
- [37:58]
B
I love it making all your reading and book pushing dreams come true.
- [38:03]
E
Seriously, I really appreciate it.
- [38:05]
B
Anne Bridget. I loved hearing about those so much. Thank you for pushing those books my way.
- [38:10]
E
It was so fun hearing about your reading.
- [38:12]
B
I also love that bit of bookish serendipity on Julie Clark.
- [38:15]
C
Me too.
- [38:16]
E
What are the chances?
- [38:18]
B
All right. To be continued.
- [38:21]
F
Prime delivery is fast.
- [38:23]
A
How fast are we talking?
- [38:25]
F
We're talking puzzle toys and lick pad. Delivered so fast you can get this puppy under control fast. We're talking chew toys at your door without really waiting fast pads, cooling mat and Petcimer Fast and fast. And there's training T R E A T s faster than you can say sit fast and now we can all relax and order these matching hoodies to get cozy and cute. Fast fast Free delivery.
- [38:46]
A
It's on prime.
- [38:51]
G
This episode is brought to you by State Farm. Checking off the boxes on your to do list is a great feeling. And when it comes to checking off coverage, a State Farm agent can help you choose an option that's right for you. Whether you prefer talking in person on the phone or using the award winning app, it's nice knowing you have help finding coverage that best fits your needs. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is.
- [39:14]
D
There.
- [39:22]
A
Hey readers, I hope today's Team Roundup of Favorite Reads put a few new titles on your reading list. Tell us about a book you've loved this summer on our Show Notes page where you'll also find that full list of titles we talked about today. As always, what Should I read next? Podcast.com will get you there.
- [39:40]
B
And because we have so much to say about our summer reading, we also.
- [39:44]
A
Recorded a bonus episode for patrons sharing a few more books we love this summer that will be out Friday in your Patron Only Bonus Episodes feed. If you are not yet a patron, this is a great time to join to hear more of our best books this summer summer. And you'll also get other bonuses like one Great Book and Industry Insights and of course that Fall Book Preview which is included with your Patreon membership and is coming up quick on September 18th. Join us now at patreon.com whatshouldireadnext. We've also put that link in your podcast player for easy access or you can pop over from what Should I read next podcast.com please be sure to follow us, us or subscribe on your favorite podcast player. We are on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Pocket, Cast. Wherever you get your podcasts, when you follow, subscribe, download. That really helps our show and our team. So thank you in advance if you're already following and subscribed. Thank you so much. Also, don't miss out on news by signing up for email updates at what Should I read next podcast.com newsletter. That's the best to way way to make sure you never miss out on good stuff from our team. If you want to share your favorite summer reads on Instagram and tag us so we can see too, we'd love that we are there at what Should I Read Next? Thanks to the people who make this show happen. What Should I Read Next? Is created each week by Executive Producer Will Bogle, Media Production Specialist Holly Wokachevsky, Social Media Manager and Editor Lee Kramer, Community Coordinator Bridget Mistlehorn, Community Manager, Manager Shannon Malone, and our whole team at.
- [41:16]
B
What Should I Read Next?
- [41:17]
A
And Modern Mrs. Darcy HQ, plus the audio whizzes at Studio D Podcast Production. Thanks also again to our spreadsheet queen Donna Hetchler, who was not included in.
- [41:28]
B
That list, but whose presence is so welcome and appreciated today.
- [41:32]
A
Readers, that is 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.