Ep 498: Books that feel like your favorite comfort TV shows

Summary

Podcast Episode Summary

Podcast: What Should I Read Next?
Episode: 498 – Books that Feel Like Your Favorite Comfort TV Shows
Host: Anne Bogel
Guest: Kayla King
Date: October 14, 2025

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Episode Overview

In this episode, Anne Bogel welcomes Kayla King, a lifelong reader and recent genre-expander, to explore the central question: "Can books offer the same cozy, comforting feelings as our favorite comfort TV shows?" Together, they navigate Kayla's reading past, her favorite TV shows, and the search for book recommendations that deliver warmth, humor, and immersive worlds—much like Friends, Parks and Rec, and Brooklyn 99 do on screen.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

Getting to Know Kayla

• Kayla's Background ([05:39]):

  • Lives on a small dairy/hobby farm in Spartansburg, PA with her husband.
  • Works in food prep at “Your Daily Serving” and is a passionate holistic health practitioner.
  • Lifelong reader, recently branching out from mysteries, thrillers, sci-fi/fantasy to include romance, especially after enjoying Emily Henry's Happy Place.

• Reading History ([06:23]):

  • Early reader: "I taught myself to read around three or four years old."
  • Childhood favorites: Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden.
  • Recently adopted audiobooks to increase reading volume.

The Quest for Literary Comfort

• Comfort TV Shows ([08:29]):

  • Favorites: Friends, Parks and Rec.
  • Rotates through Office, Gilmore Girls, Brooklyn 99, Abbott Elementary, Psych, Modern Family, Only Murders in the Building.
  • Common thread: “They’re quirky, mostly ridiculous, they’re funny and they’re heartwarming. It’s rare for me to get through one of those shows without crying and laughing.” – Kayla ([08:46])

• Why Book Equivalents Matter ([09:27]):

  • Looks for alternatives to screen time, aware of “effects of blue light on our health.”
  • Wants engaging books that are as easy to reach for as the remote, and provide a lingering, thoughtful after-effect.
  • “I tend to think about the material that I read more than the material that I’ve watched.” – Kayla ([09:55])

• Getting Out of a Reading Slump ([10:34]):

  • E-reader/Kindle + Libby now help her read more and watch less TV—libby deadlines encourage more time with books.

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Kayla’s Favorite Books & Her Tastes

Three Books She Loves

• Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer ([14:43]):

  • “It felt like The Princess Bride…Funny, quirky, mostly ridiculous.” – Kayla
  • Audiobook highly recommended.

• On Earth As It Is on Television by Emily Jane ([16:14]):

  • Sci-fi, alien invasion, “weird but so fun,” extremely quirky, and heartwarming.
  • “I could not wait to get through it…just really heartwarming.” – Kayla

• The Red Rising Saga by Pierce Brown ([17:33]):

  • Represents Kayla’s love for immersive sci-fi/fantasy world-building and rich character casts.
  • Feels more like watching an epic saga, “like a Star Wars show or movie.”

Why Some Books Don’t Work

• The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley ([19:12]):
  • Couldn’t connect with characters or care about the resolution.
  • "I didn't care for the characters…sometimes like the quests in that book just felt like they were irrelevant or contrived." – Kayla ([19:32])
  • Kayla prefers stories that make her feel “at home in that world…like, I have a place.” ([20:39])
  • Not interested in “plotty puzzle box” mysteries that lack warmth or emotional connection.

Recent Reads She Loved ([23:16]):

• Mistborn trilogy by Brandon Sanderson
• Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy
  • “I sat in my bed and sobbed just over like one paragraph. I would probably call that a six star read for me.” ([23:34])
• Hello Stranger by Katherine Center ("so funny, completely tickled by it, very quirky")

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Anne’s Literary Recommendations

1. The Wayfarers Series by Becky Chambers ([27:10])

• Warm, big-hearted, quirky space opera (“sprawling confederation populated by many different alien species”).
• “She wants to create worlds and futures that feel good for everybody.” – Anne ([28:25])
• “The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet” recommended as starting point.
• Focus is on love, community, and delight in a motley crew’s adventures.

2. Carl Hiaasen—Especially Middle Grade Books ([29:54])

• Satirical Florida-set crime novels that are “quirky, ridiculous, funny, engaging.”
• Middle grade titles (Hoot, Flush, Skink, Wrecker) are warmer and hit “zany, over the top, quirky, ridiculous, but also more of the warmth.”
• Kayla read Hoot as a child; might revisit for nostalgia and warmth.

3. Kevin Kwan’s Novels ([33:17])

• Crazy Rich Asians trilogy and Lies and Weddings: over-the-top wealthy settings, gossip, intrigue, humor, heartwarming protagonists.
• “Kevin Kwan’s writing is so cinematic…as someone who loves stories told in a visual medium, you get a lot of that here.” – Anne ([35:05])
• Ideal for readers who want to immerse in a lavish, wacky, fun world.

4. Small Town Romance - Kate Claiborne’s "Chance of a Lifetime" Series ([37:54])

• Features three young friends who win a modest lottery prize, with stories centered on ordinary happiness, friendship, romance, and quirky town life.

• “I think I’ve been through this series three times…hard things happen. And yet, it feels really good.” – Anne ([40:57])

• Starts with Beginner’s Luck; recommended for cozy, slice-of-life comfort.

• Kayla has already read and loved Sarah Adams’ When in Rome series; plans to read book 4 when it releases ([37:02]).

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Standout Quotes & Moments

• Kayla on TV Comfort: “They’re quirky, mostly ridiculous, they’re funny and they’re heartwarming. It’s rare for me to get through one of those shows without crying and laughing.” ([08:46])
• On Emotional Impact of Books: “I sat in my bed and sobbed just over like one paragraph. I would probably call that a six star read for me.” – Kayla, on Wild Dark Shore ([23:34])
• On the 'World' of a Book: “Even in things like thrillers...I want to feel at home in that world. And, like, I have a place.” – Kayla ([20:39])
• Anne on Becky Chambers: “She wants to create worlds and futures that feel good for everybody.” ([28:25])
• Kayla on Kevin Kwan: “That sounds absolutely fascinating. It sounds like something you would get immersed in and just want to keep returning to, to find out what hijinks ensue there.” ([36:25])
• Anne on Kate Claiborne: “Hard things happen. And yet, it feels really good...there’s a scene in this book where the protagonist, Kit, and the guy she’s starting something up with are sitting on the couch watching Ina Garten’s Food Network show. … It brings me such joy.” ([40:57])

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Kayla’s Introduction – [05:14]
• Kayla’s Favorite TV Shows – [08:29]
• Why She Wants Literary Comfort – [09:27]
• Recent Reading Life & Kindle – [10:34]
• Books Kayla Loves – [14:43]
• Book That Didn’t Work – [19:12]
• Craving for Welcome “Worlds” – [20:39]
• Anne’s Recommendations – [27:10] (Becky Chambers), [29:54] (Carl Hiaasen), [33:17] (Kevin Kwan), [37:54] (Kate Claiborne)
• Kayla’s Next Picks – [42:43]

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Final Choices & Closing

• Kayla’s First Pick: The Wayfarers Series by Becky Chambers.
  “I think I’ll start with the Wayfarer series. I’ve been reading a lot of romance over the summer and so I think a little bit of break with a like a sci fi series would really like feel good going into the fall.” ([42:43])
• Second Pick: Kate Claiborne’s Chance of a Lifetime series.

Closing Thought:
Kayla seeks books that invite her into quirky, character-rich, and comforting worlds, akin to her favorite feel-good television. Anne offers diverse options spanning sci-fi, satire, romance, and small-town settings—all with warmth and heart.

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Episode Takeaway

If you love comfort TV and want a book to provide that same blend of laughter, coziness, and connection, Kayla’s journey—and Anne’s thoughtful recommendations—will guide you to your next cozy read.

Transcript

[Kayla King]

That one completely blew me away. I actually dog eared a page and I never do that. And I sat in my bed and sobbed just over like one paragraph. I would probably call that a six star read for me. And I never put star ratings on anything because it freaks me out.

[Ann Boeckle]

Hey readers, I'm Ann Boeckle 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 this 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, if you love tuning in every week for Book Talk, you'll really enjoy becoming a member of our what Should I Read Next Patreon community. Every Friday we share bonus episodes with our members. Last Friday's episode was part of our Industry Insights Loose series in which I explore topics in the publishing landscape that impact your reading life, whether you realize that yet or not. We've talked about bestseller lists, pre order campaigns, special editions, and more and more. In our newest, much requested episode, I dive into the details of how library digital collections work. So when you're borrowing books from overdrive, Libby and Hoopla, what happens behind the scenes? How do the libraries get those books? Why are the hold times so long? We get into all that and more when you join Patreon Today. Not only do you directly support our show and our team, you also get immediate access to that episode, our library of Industry Insights episodes, and our recent fall Book Preview. If you'd like to check out the other bonus episodes we have planned for this month, check out the recent preview post we shared on Instagram. We've also got it linked in the show Notes of Today's post for easy access. Our Patreon Community members also get invited to our seasonal events like our recent Fall Book Preview Unboxing, and often get to weigh in with questions or suggestions that result in future episodes here on the main feed or bonus episodes in Patreon. And on top of all the bonuses you'll enjoy in our Patreon community, you'll also be making a very real impact when it comes to supporting this weekly podcast and everything else we do here at what Should I Read Next? Hq. The podcast industry has been shifting quite a lot in recent years, and more than ever we rely on our Patreon Community members for the financial support that makes it possible for us to create this podcast each and every week. So for everyone who is already providing that support, thank you again. We have you to thank for the fact that we are about to celebrate 500 episodes. And if you've been listening along for years and would like to make sure we continue to show up in your podcast feeds every week, consider coming over and joining us on Patreon. You'll get all the bonus goodies and be a direct contributor to everything we do. Get all the details and sign up at Patreon.com whatshouldireadnext that's patreon.com whatshouldireadnext readers sometimes saying no is a good thing. When I know a book isn't for me, I'm not afraid to say no to finishing it. And when it comes to overpriced wireless bills, I also love saying no. At Mint Mobile, they say no to contracts, monthly bills, overages and hidden fees. This makes it easy to say yes to their premium wireless plans starting at just $15 a month. All of Mint Mobile's plans come with everything you need for just $15 a month. No more outrageous monthly bills, just the high speed data and unlimited talk and text you need to stay connected. Bring your own phone and contacts. It's easy to make the switch. I like to keep an eye on monthly expenses like subscriptions and utility fees. Sometimes saving money is as easy as canceling or pausing a subscription, but wireless is something we rely on every month. So the next time I want to trim costs on our mobile service, I'll be checking out Mint Mobile's offers. Ready to say yes to saying no? Make the [e-mail] readnext that's mintmobile.com readnext upfront payment of $45 required equivalent to $15 a month limited time new customer offer for first three months only. Speeds may slow above 35 gig on a limited plan. Taxes and fees extra. See Mint Mobile for details. We all find comfort in different ways, and returning to favorite TV shows is a common stress management strategy. Today's guest would love to replicate the experience of watching and re watching her favorite comfort shows by finding the books that deliver those same soothing feelings. Kayla King is joining me today from her home on a small scale dairy and hobby farm in Spartansburg, Pennsylvania where she lives with her husband. Kayla's a lifelong reader and she's recently started to branch out from her usual genres of mysteries, thrillers and science fiction and fantasy. When Kayla wrote in with her request to help her find books that would to some extent replace her regular comfort TV viewing. It felt like such a relatable question. We had to have her on to talk about it. I can't wait to dive into this topic with Kayla and leave her with recommendations that she can reach for the next time she wants to channel those comforting vibes and experience a great story in book form at the same time. Let's get to it. Kayla, welcome to the show.

[Kayla King]

Thank you so much for having me. I'm delighted to be here.

[Ann Boeckle]

Oh, I can't wait to dig in today. When your submission came in, I told my kids, hey y' all listen to this and it's a conversation I really wanted to have. Thanks for coming on to have it today.

[Kayla King]

Awesome. I'm so glad that it was a hit.

[Ann Boeckle]

Kayla, I'd love to start by giving our readers a glimpse of who you are, where you are in the world. Can you tell us a little about yourself, please?

[Kayla King]

Sure. My name is Kayla King. I live on a small scale dairy and hobby farm with my husband who's the love of my life in Spartansburg, Penn. That's in the northwestern corner. I really love to cook and I work part time in food preparation for a small shop called your Daily Serving. We serve healthy ready to eat meals. We can deliver them or you can pick them up. We also provide charcuterie and catering for events. And I'm super passionate about holistic health and wellness and I became a nutritional therapy practitioner about a year and a half ago.

[Ann Boeckle]

Thanks for that overview. Now will you tell us about your reading life, whether what it looks like right now or your history as a reader or both.

[Kayla King]

Yeah. So I have loved reading my entire life. My mom tells me that I taught myself to read around three or four years old. Most of the pictures that my family has of me as a child, I have a book in my hand. I would regularly bring books to events and read instead of socializing. And I've gone through phases like most people. But reading has been like the one thing that I have always done and I used to exclusively read like mysteries, thrillers, sci fi and fantasy. I was obsessed with Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden when I was younger. But recently I've started reading a little bit more broadly. In particular, I've added romance into my genres. That was something I never thought would happen. My mom would read a lot of like Christian romance when I was younger and I tried a couple of them as I like turned to a teenager and I was like, this is just not for me. I don't get this at all. And then a couple Years ago, I listened to Happy Place by Emily Henry and I fell in love. I was like, I love this. And along with that, audiobooks were also a fairly recent addition to my reading life. I just found out that I could read a lot more books if I listened to them as well as read them on the page.

[Ann Boeckle]

That's what hooked me. Kayla, what brings you to what should I read next right now?

[Kayla King]

Well, I have found myself in reading slumps over the last couple years and in those slumps I find myself watching a lot of TV and watching the same TV shows over and over and over again because they're, you know, everyone has their comfort shows. And I just thought, you know, what if there were books that felt like watching these shows that I could turn to whenever I feel that pull to put down the book and pick up the remote. And so I submitted my submission and I was, I just wanted to find more books that felt like watching my favorite comfort shows.

[Ann Boeckle]

I love it. Kayla, what are your favorites?

[Kayla King]

My two very favorite shows are Friends and Parks and Rec. I watch those pretty much as soon as one finishes, I start the other. Once in a while I get the urge to watch something else. And those shows are usually the Office, Gilmore Girls, Brooklyn, 9 9, Abbott Elementary, Psych. I've also loved shows like Modern Family or Only Murders in the Building. The theme that I have found running through a lot of these shows is they're quirky, mostly ridiculous, they're funny and they're heartwarming. It's rare for me to get through one of those shows without crying and laughing.

[Ann Boeckle]

Now this may seem self evident to you, but what appeals to you about finding a readerly not quite equivalent? It's not going to be the same. But what appeals to you about finding a literary world you can enter as well? There are so many assumptions embedded in that question that I don't actually mean to put on you, but tell me about it.

[Kayla King]

Right. Well, I think the big thing right now is as like a holistic health and wellness junkie, I guess you could call me. I know all about the effects of blue light on our health. And so I'm not interested in completely doing away with all screens all the time, but I need to have something I can do that's not watching TV until 10pm so trying to find a book that I feel interested in picking up when it's time to turn the TV off or put my phone down is probably my main motivator. And I like the way I feel after I've read more. I tend to think about the material that I read more than I think about the material that I've watched.

[Ann Boeckle]

Oh, interesting. This is me flashing through everything I've read and watched lately. Okay, I'm going to be thinking more about that. How have your efforts been so far to find books that fill this niche?

[Kayla King]

So I haven't specifically looked for any books that I think would fill those gaps, but something that recently happened that I think has helped me turn the TV off and pick up a book more is I got a Kindle. My husband bought it for me after I mentioned in passing that I could probably scratch his back a little bit better if I was holding a Kindle instead of a paper book. And he immediately went out and bought me a Kindle because he wants his back scratched more. And it feels like I read faster on the Kindle because now I can use Libby on my E Reader. I find myself going through books a little bit faster and because I have the deadline of the Libby holds, I find myself reading a lot more and keeping the TV off.

[Ann Boeckle]

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[Kayla King]

I went through my Goodreads list over the last year or so and picked the ones that really stood out. Some of them I didn't even need to go to my Goodreads list for because they've just been front and center of my mind ever since I read them. But some of them I did kind of go to that list just to see kind of what fit the topic and I was like, what of these books kind of felt like watching TV to me.

[Ann Boeckle]

Okay, no more questions yet. Yet. Okay. All right, Kayla, I'm gonna bite my tongue on my questions right now. We'll see what we learn from the books. What's the first book you love?

[Kayla King]

The first book I loved was Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Mayer and this book, Fel the Princess Bride. The author started by making TikTok videos and she was telling this story about this girl who accidentally becomes an assistant to a villain and it's just like Hijinks ensue. It is funny, quirky, mostly ridiculous. There is a little bit of a romantic element, but it's pretty slow burn. But most of it Was just a really fun romp. And like I said, it just, it really reminded me of the Princess Bride, which is one of my favorite movies and one that I return to a lot.

[Ann Boeckle]

So how would you say reading this book made you feel, aside from like you just watched the Princess Bride?

[Kayla King]

Yeah, it made me feel light and it was heartwarming and I was really engaged. This was one that I listened to on audiobook, which I was highly recommend. It was a great experience on audio and it made me feel like I was in the world. Like I could forget about my own surroundings and just be immersed in this fictional world.

[Ann Boeckle]

Well, that sounds lovely. We have team members who love this book, but I haven't read it yet myself. Kayla, what's the second book you love?

[Kayla King]

The second book I loved was On Earth as it is on Television by Emily Jane. And this is a sci fi book that's about an alien invasion and I did not know what to expect when I picked it up. I'd never heard of this book. I saw it at the library as I was walking through and I was like, that looks different. It looks quirky and I like quirky books. So I picked it up and this is another one that sucked me right in. And I could not wait to get through it because it was. I felt like it was a page turner, but not in a thriller kind of way. In a like, I can't wait to see what's happening. And all the stories are just again, like really heartwarming. It was extremely quirky, pretty ridiculous and I just felt myself returning to that world even after I finished the book. I would think about it and recommend this book all the time because I'm like, this book was so weird, but it was so fun.

[Ann Boeckle]

So weird, but so fun. Is that a experience you'd like to repeat? Not the book, but those vibes?

[Kayla King]

Yes, yes. I do really like like quirky or weird kind of books.

[Ann Boeckle]

And Kayla, what's the third book you love?

[Kayla King]

Now this book is actually is a series. Like I snuck it in there as a series, but this one is probably the least liked. My favorite comfort shows. But I wanted a representation of the kind of like sci fi fantasy world building books that I love. And this was the Red Rising Saga by Pierce Brown. This felt more like watching like a Star wars show or movie. It's sci fi and fantasy, but it is more of like an epic. It's centered around a war and there's space travel, which is something else that I really like. I love like the Star wars universe, Star Trek Those kinds of things. So this one isn't more like my comfort reads, but is more representative of the kind of world building that I love. And it gets you sucked into the characters and their development and, like, learning about a world.

[Ann Boeckle]

Kayla, before we spoke, and I was just looking at your submission, one of the things that jumped out at me about loving these shows is that each show has this cast of characters that you get to know as a viewer, especially if you're watching again and again. And as I'm listening to you describe Red Rising, I'm thinking how you're really bringing in that element of sinking into a world and getting to know a whole cast. Is that. That's what you're trying to tell me?

[Kayla King]

Yes. Yep.

[Ann Boeckle]

Wonderful. Okay, I'm tracking now. Kayla, tell me about a book that was not a good fit, and I'd love to hear why. Was it not what you expected? Not to your taste? Was the timing not right? What did you choose?

[Kayla King]

So this was the Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley. I know she's, like, a really popular author, and I can't remember off the top of my head if I tried another one of hers yet or not. This one, I don't even remember a lot of the book. I just remember at the end, I didn't care about the revelation at the end, like, the big mystery solve at the end. It just didn't matter to me because at that point, I was just like, I don't care about this. And I'm not sure. I think part of it was I didn't care for the characters. They didn't seem. I wouldn't say likable. I don't mind an unlikable character, but they just didn't seem like I didn't care about what happened to them. And it's sometimes like the quests in that book just felt like they were irrelevant or contrived. I honestly don't even really remember the reading experience. I remember what happens at the end, but I don't even remember, like, how they got there. And I think it. I don't know. I think it just wasn't for me, which is. Was disappointing because I do love a mystery or a thriller. Those are some books that I do really love. But this one just. It didn't hit for me.

[Ann Boeckle]

Kayla, listening to you describe that, I'm really wondering how much the question of, do I want to spend time in this world? Does this world feel comfortable and enticing and interesting to me, how much that question factors in.

[Kayla King]

I think it probably factors a lot like, my comfort shows are definitely more, like, heartwarming, and I guess I would say, like, gentle or soft or funny or words like that. But even in things like thrillers or mysteries or an epic saga like the Red Rising saga, I want to feel at home in that world. And, like, I have a place. And I did not feel that in the Paris apartment. It just kind of felt like, I don't know, like, a voyeurism into, like, a CW show. No. No shame for people who love CW shows, but sometimes they just have that quality that's very. I don't even know the right word for it. Just kind of, like, flashy, but there's really no substance to it, which I enjoy those from time to time too. But that's kind of how this felt. It just kind of felt contrived. It was like one flashy scene after another. And at the end, I was like, I don't even care what happens because it doesn't have my attention.

[Ann Boeckle]

So this is a plotty puzzle box kind of, ooh, how'd they do it? Kind of book. And that's not where the appeal is for you.

[Kayla King]

Yeah.

[Ann Boeckle]

Okay. Because we're talking mysteries. I think my brain is going to psych. And especially Brooklyn Nine Nine, which I've seen a lot of because my kids rewatch this as a comfort watch. And I'm thinking how there are plots, there are mysteries to be solved. Like, bad stuff happens on Brooklyn 9 9. It's baked in. And yet the whole thing is just kind of zany. And Lucy Foley is many things as an author, but zany and heartwarming are not her.

[Kayla King]

Yeah.

[Ann Boeckle]

Okay, so sounds like you read a lot of crime fiction.

[Kayla King]

Yes.

[Ann Boeckle]

And you. I mean, assistant to the villain. Feels not totally out of the space. I'm wondering how much, like, an element of warmth matters.

[Kayla King]

I do read authors like Karen Slaughter or Lisa Jewell. Karen Slaughter is, like, her books aren't warm, but she writes emotion really well. And so, like, you can connect even if you don't agree or you think the character's unlikable. You're still able to connect with them emotionally because she describes it so well.

[Ann Boeckle]

Ooh. Able to connect with them emotionally because warmth would not describe the book. But I'm wondering about the. Not the characters, but at least one character. Okay. At least a character who seems emotionally open.

[Kayla King]

Yeah.

[Ann Boeckle]

Okay, we'll put a pin in that. Kayla, what have you been reading lately?

[Kayla King]

I've been reading a lot lately. Like, my E reader has dramatically upticked my reading, but some. Some of the things that I finished lately were the Mistborn trilogy by Brandon Sanderson. He's another author that I love. I read Wild Dark shore in about 24 hours. That's by Charlotte McConaughey and that one completely blew me away. I actually dog eared a page and I never do that. And I sat in my bed and sobbed just over like one paragraph. I would probably call that a six star read for me. And I never put star ratings on anything because it freaks me out. But that one was so good to me. And then another one that I was completely tickled by was hello Stranger by Katherine Sinner. And I think that's because Katherine center as an author in general, she's pretty quirky, very funny, mostly ridiculous. Like a lot of the things that happens to her characters you would be like that would never happen in real life. But for some reason in the book it like completely makes sense and it's so funny.

[Ann Boeckle]

Oh, I love that you found those. Kayla, what else would you like me to know about what you're looking for right now in your reading life?

[Kayla King]

I guess I'm just looking for books that are completely engaging to me and they feel like watching my favorite comfort shows and they like help me turn the remote off and pick up the book. They get me completely immersed and might even be a book that I would reread because it feels like returning to friends.

[Ann Boeckle]

All right, that sounds lovely. Let's see what we can do. When did making plans get this complicated? It's time to streamline with WhatsApp, the secure messaging app that brings the whole group together. Use polls to settle dinner plans, send event invites and pin messages so no one forgets mom's 60th and never miss a meme or milestone. All protected with end to end encryption. It's time for WhatsApp message privately with everyone. Learn more at WhatsApp.com Limu Emu and Doug Here we have the Limu Emu in its natural habitat, helping people customize their car insurance and save hundreds with Liberty Mutual. Fascinating. It's accompanied by his natural ally, Doug. Limu is that guy with the binoculars watching us. Cut the camera.

[Kayla King]

They see us.

[Ann Boeckle]

Only pay for what you need@liberty mutual.com Liberty Liberty Liberty Liberty Savings Fairy undertaken by Liberty Mutual Insurance Company affiliates, excludes Massachusetts. The books you loved were Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Mayer On Earth as it Is on Television by Emily Jane and the Red Rising Saga by Pierce Brown. The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley is not for you. And lately you've hit it big with some of your favorite authors. Brandon Sanderson, Charlotte McConaughey, Katherine Center. Even the ones that were new to you just blew you away.

[Kayla King]

Yes.

[Ann Boeckle]

What I think we're looking for is books that create worlds, have characters, plots that are, as you put it, quirky, mostly ridiculous, funny and heartwarming. I think maybe not all at the same time. Is that fair?

[Kayla King]

Yeah. Yeah, they definitely don't have to all be at the same time.

[Ann Boeckle]

Okay. And another thing about the shows you're describing is you get to know a whole world populated with people and places. And I'm keeping that in mind as well. Kayla, I hear a lot of science fiction in your choices, so I'd like to start there with a series. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if you're already acquainted with it. How about Becky Chambers and specifically her Wayfarers series?

[Kayla King]

I have not read this, but I have heard about them a lot from the show.

[Ann Boeckle]

I think the tone may be good for you. And also those adjectives. We just ticked through the quirky, heartwarming, funny at times. I mean, we are talking about intergalactic space travel, so does that sound ridiculous? Or at least far out to our Pennsylvania and Kentucky. Here's yes. So this is a really joyful space opera series set in the galactic commons. This is this sprawling confederation populated by many different alien species. And something that Becky Chambers has said over and over about this series specifically is that she wants to create worlds and futures that feel good for everybody. And I think you would. I feel like readers are going to start yelling at their phones. I tend to be pretty loose about when you have to read series in order, but if you think you're going to check these out, why not start with the first one? It's called the Long Way to a Small Angry Planet and it's rollicking, warm, big hearted, quirky, just constantly surprising. Space opera set in this future where like yes, the creatures, the beings will be endangered and they will have some serious problems to solve. But also the world feels like a nice place to be. It's friendly, it's soothing, but it's also fast paced. And the Wayfarer is this patched together ship that's seen better days. It has a motley crew who take on a mission for big bucks. Like if they see it through, they will be set for years, but it's really dangerous and they might die trying and not have the opportunity to enjoy the, you know, the fruits of their labor. So the mission drives the plot, but the the point of reading These books, like, the thing that readers love about them is not the exciting intergalactic exploits, but just the palpable feeling of love and community. And there are big themes, but also lots of characters that I think you'll be delighted by. See on the page, there's four books to hopefully keep you satisfied for quite a few pages. How does this sound?

[Kayla King]

That sounds amazing. It sounds like it's right up my alley. Like a mixture between some of my favorite sci fi epics, but also some of my favorite, like, quirky fast reads.

[Ann Boeckle]

Ooh, I like that description. Next up, as you're describing the kind of books you want, I kept thinking about the Florida novelist Carl Hiaasen. Are you acquainted with his work?

[Kayla King]

I just read Fever beach not long ago.

[Ann Boeckle]

And what did you think?

[Kayla King]

I thought it was all right. It wasn't one of my favorite reads, but it. It did hit that, like, quirky, ridiculous, funny, engaging kind of story that makes sense to me.

[Ann Boeckle]

Okay, so I'm thinking Carl Hiaasen, because he writes these satirical thrillers that are often madcap. They're witty, they're often, like, biting. They always take place in Florida. Crime is often a key plot element, which I think is why my brain kept coming back to these. The new one especially is very politically satirically sharp. So if you're new to Carl Hiaasen, his novels are funny, they're absurd. He's made this big, like, ongoing joke in his interviews about saying, like, you know what? It's actually the headlines that are plagiarizing me because I feel like I have to one up the headlines in Florida because the situations he makes up are just absolutely over the top ridiculous. And then he reads you the news story from which he got the idea. So he says, well, I feel like I have to one up real life, but then real life keeps one upping me. And, like, only in Florida is what Carl Hiaasen, Florida native, often says. And he's also known for things that are not heartwarming at all. Like, I read one review once that said, you know what? His novels are funny, but they are powered by rage. You often see environmental activism. You see him lampooning bad behavior. He really has it in for developers. Does not like developers in Florida, but he is really big on the theme of cosmic justice. Like the bad guy in a Carl Hiaasen book, who Hiaasen often describes as like, look, they are bad guys, but also they're interesting enough that you don't. You don't want them to, like, go away right away. You want to see what they do first, which is fun. But often he shows the bad guys getting their comeuppance at the hands of nature. Like it's not the cops that are going to find him, it's going to be an alligator. But the heartwarming is not something that's true of many of his works, except for the middle grades, like his books for young readers might really do that best. And I wonder if you would enjoy those because it has the zany, over the top, quirky, ridiculous, but also more of the warmth is there. So Hoot was his first for kids. That's a great place to start, I think.

[Kayla King]

I read Hoot when I was a kid.

[Ann Boeckle]

Really?

[Kayla King]

Yeah.

[Ann Boeckle]

I'm too old to have read it as a kid.

[Kayla King]

So long ago I don't remember it, but I'm sure I remember that title.

[Ann Boeckle]

Hoot Flush Skink. His most recent middle grade book is Wrecker. It came out in 2023. But I wonder if you liked. Was it called Fever Beach?

[Kayla King]

Yes.

[Ann Boeckle]

Okay, I haven't read it yet. If you liked Fever beach but you didn't love it, I wonder if Hoot Flush Wrecker would have more of what you loved and less of what you didn't.

[Kayla King]

Yeah, maybe. Like I said, it's been a long time since I've read Hoot, so it might hit those notes just right for me.

[Ann Boeckle]

Maybe. Okay, so that's the works of Carl Hiaasen. And this I feel like would be a step away from what we've been doing. But I'm wondering about the world of Kevin Kwan. Have you read anything by him?

[Kayla King]

No, I haven't read any Kevin Kwan.

[Ann Boeckle]

Okay. He writes these completely over the top, quirky, mostly ridiculous, funny novels where some of the characters behave despicably. But there's a warm, warm center, at least in some of his protagonists that anchor these stories. Like the world itself is ludicrous. And if you don't know that world is the. I cannot even tell you how wealthy the characters in his books are. They mostly live in Singapore, they travel in style. I'm thinking of Emily St John Mandel who wrote in the Glass Castle. Money is its own country. Like the country of ludicrous wealth is the country in which Kevin Kwan is setting these books in. And people are catty and shallow and gossipy and badly behaved. But many others are really charming and likable and you want to root for them on the page. Crazy rich Asians would be a great place to start, especially because it's the first in a three book series. So you get to spend more time in that world. And in this book, there's a young woman in New York who's been dating her boyfriend, and then he invites her to go with him to Singapore where he's going to be best man in a friend's wedding. But it's not just any friend and it's not just any family, and it's not just any wedding. And what her boyfriend doesn't tell her before she goes to meet his family because he wants to marry her one day, is that everybody here is unbelievably wealthy and nobody's gonna like her as an outsider. So it's gossip and intrigue and cattiness and just. Kevin Kwan's writing is so cinematic. He describes the actual physical settings so well. And as someone who loves stories told in a visual medium, I love how you'll get a lot of that here. And also, whenever I'm reading a Kevin Kwan novel, my browser history shows it because he talks about so many real locations or real designer goods or cars, but mostly the actual locations. And I just google up a storm to see what is this lavish place where. Where this scene is unfolding. If you want to start with something more recent, his standalone Lies and Weddings that came out I think a couple years ago at this point is just frothy and fizzy and I thought, delightful. It's a little plottier. It's not so much about character development because everyone is larger than life and also obscenely wealthy. And they jet set around the world in a comedy of manners set around a lot of romantic and familial relationships. There's a little bit of a plot, there's a little bit of a mystery. At the end, I was like, oh, that was a delightful way to wrap up. But it's mostly about spending time in the world. It has a vibe that's not at all unlike the gunkle abroad. But Kevin Kwan, how does that sound to you?

[Kayla King]

That sounds absolutely fascinating. It sounds like something you would get immersed in and like, just want to keep returning to to find out what hijinks ensue there.

[Ann Boeckle]

It might be something you want to keep returning to. I'm curious to see how that feels. And now for another world you may enjoy spending time in. There's a lot of romance series that I think could really feel good to you. So for whatever reason, I was liking the small town vibes of Sarah Adams when in Rome series. Is this a series you're familiar with?

[Kayla King]

Oh, my goodness. I just read everything she has because I read when in Rome and I messaged my sisters and I said, I did not think I would like this, but it felt like watching a Hallmark movie. And for some reason it just, it felt really cozy and it tickled my funny bone in all the right ways. And I was like, I did not expect to like that, but it was very cute and I loved it. It.

[Ann Boeckle]

I'm really glad that worked for you and also to know I'm on the right path. So I did like those small town vibes and the consistent universe. But I think you've given me an excuse to recommend a book series I like even more if I'm allowed to say it. Have you read anything by Kate Claiborne?

[Kayla King]

No, I haven't.

[Ann Boeckle]

I love her. She's a Virginia writer. She has this lovely little series called Chance of a Lifetime. And the basic premise of the series is this. Three young friends, I think they're in their late 20s, who live in a smallish, fictional Virginia town, who on a whim, go in together, buy a lottery ticket and win. They are establishing themselves in life and really thinking about how they're going to make a life, shape their life. What they want in life and what they win is and isn't a life changing amount of money. Like one character, the character in this first book actually wants to spend her money on a house. And it's not a lavish house, but I mean, it's a nice house, but it's not a lavish house, but it's enough to buy a home. And that question of home, because it's really the home she's after, not the house, is really deeply meaningful to her for reasons that you will get to know in the book if you read it. So they didn't win $20 million. They won enough to buy a house. A house can change your life in your 20s. And I think at any stage. But, but that's, that's the scale we're talking about. So in this series we wrote, it's three books and we rotate through the friends and we see really how each one faces, I want to say, developmental milestones. That's not at all true. Maybe I've been reading parenting books, but we see how each one faces these big forks in the road at this stage in her life with her friends beside her. But also each one finds love and establishes new sorts of relationships with their family of origin and deals with professional and personal crises. And the lottery money factors into it. But it's not about money. It's really about thinking about what you want, especially if you've been given an unexpected means to pursue it at a stage when you didn't think you'd be able to do so. I like these books because, well, I like the characters. I'm not a huge comfort rereader, but I think I've been through this series three times and just received recently when it finally started raining after a long series of hot, hot days. We're going into the fall and the colder months. I'm thinking, you know what? I want to reread the Chance of a Lifetime series. We may not have the same taste, but. But this is a world that, that people want to spend time in because hard things happen. And yet it feels really good. I gotta tell you, there's a scene in this book where the protagonist, Kit, and the guy she's starting something up with or sitting on the couch watching Ina Garten's Food Network show. And I think about that scene all the time. It brings me such joy. So a lot of the stuff in this book is super ordinary, but there's also some quirky stuff. Like one of the characters owns this like, architectural salvage place where you can find any kind of door or chandelier or pendant light or little, I don't know, doorknob from a hundred years ago. And they spend quite a bit of time in that business in. In the book. And it's just got some like, fun settings like that you go in and out of people's old houses in their fictional town. It's not unlike when in Rome in that specific way. Three books starts with beginner's luck. There's also a related novella that would give you book like three and a Half. How is this sounding?

[Kayla King]

That sounds like so much fun. I was just thinking like how much it does sound like a lot of my favorite shows and like an unexpected opportunity comes up and now they have to deal with the decisions that that brings. I love that like, slice of life kind of stuff. And especially if it's ordinary happiness, you know, even better if it's a little quirky and funny and heartwarming. It sounds like it hits all those, those Comfort show notes for me.

[Ann Boeckle]

I hope so. Okay, Kayla, we gave you some options today. We talked about the Wayfarer series by Becky Chambers. We talked about the works of Carl Hiaasen, especially highlighting his middle grade novels like Hoot and Flush and Skink. We talked about the world of Kevin Kwan, like the Crazy Rich Asians trilogy and Lies and Wedding. You've already read and enjoyed the when in Rome series, although book four is coming December 30, 2025. Yay. And we talked about the Chance of a Lifetime series by Kate Claiborne, beginning with Beginner's luck of those books. What do you think you'll pick up next?

[Kayla King]

I think I'll start with the Wayfarer series. I've been reading a lot of romance over the summer and so I think a little bit of break with a like a sci fi series would really like feel good going into the fall. And then after that I think I'll do the Kate Claiborne series because that one also sounded like right up my alley.

[Ann Boeckle]

I'm so glad to hear it. I wonder if we'll be reading those at the same time because I am ready for my reread, especially after talking about it with you. Kayla. This has been a pleasure. Thank you so much for talking books and TV with me today.

[Kayla King]

Thank you so much for having me.

[Ann Boeckle]

Hey readers, I hope you enjoyed my conversation with Kayla and I'd love to hear what you think she should read next. Find Kayla on Instagram at Kayla King Wellness and find the full list of the titles we talked about today at what Should I read next podcast.com follow our show on Instagram at what Should I Read Next? And be sure to tag us if you share a favorite post, read or episode to your stories. And make sure you're on our email email list. It's the best way to get updates on the show and upcoming what Should I Read Next events. Sign up at what Should I read next podcast.com newsletter. Follow us in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Pocket Casts, or whatever your favorite podcast player happens to be. You will automatically receive each new episode in your feed and your click and downloads tells the podcast network and our advertisers that you appreciate appreciate what we do and you'd like it to keep coming. Thanks for taking a moment to help out in this very simple and totally free to you way. And thank you to the people who make the show happen. What Should I Read Next Is created each week by Executive Producer Will Bogle, Media Production Specialist Holly Wokochevsky, Social Media Manager and Editor Lee Kramer, Community Coordinator Bridget Mistlehorn, Community Manager Shannon Malone, and our whole team at what Should I Read next and modern Mrs. Darcy HQ, plus the audio whizzes at 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.