What Should I Read Next?

Ep 500: The Little Things That Add Up to a Rich Reading Life

Host: Anne Bogel
Guest: Michelle Accerno Loftus
Date: October 28, 2025

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In this special 500th episode, host Anne Bogel welcomes back past guest Michelle Accerno Loftus for a thoughtful catch-up on how Michelle’s reading life has evolved over two and a half years. The episode explores how little moments, choices, community, and shifting life seasons enrich a reader’s journey. It celebrates the impact of the podcast and community in shaping individual reading lives, and revisits the books and recommendations from Michelle’s previous appearance.

Table of Contents

1. Celebrating 500 Episodes & Patreon Offerings (00:40–14:32)
2. Welcome Back, Michelle — Life & Reading Since 2023 (14:40–18:06)
3. Why YA? Revisiting Lifestyle & Book Club Roots (18:06–20:40)
4. Original Recommendations: Hits & Misses (24:11–30:26)
5. Listener Recommendations: Book Club Debates & New Discoveries (31:46–36:07)
6. Reading Now: Evolution, Themes, & Life Seasons (36:16–38:17)
7. Enriching Reading: Author Events & Book Community (39:10–43:01)
8. Leading the YA Book Club: Trials & Reflections (43:11–45:25)
9. Michelle’s Recent Recommendations (45:37–47:27)
10. Looking Forward: Wishes for the Reading Life (47:34–48:12)
11. Book Recommendations from Anne (52:03–59:12)
12. Michelle’s Words of Wisdom for Listeners (59:42–60:33)
13. Notable Quotes

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1. Celebrating 500 Episodes & Patreon Offerings (00:40–14:32)

• Anne and Shannon introduce the episode and acknowledge the milestone: nearly a decade and 500 episodes of helping readers find their next great read.
• Listener demand for revisiting past guests ("alums") is higher than ever; the team is bringing follow-up interviews back—on Patreon.
• Patreon Bonus Content Highlights:
  • Industry Insights (discussed at 03:01–03:56): Deep dives into bestseller lists, library acquisitions, book marketing, and more.
  • One Great Book Episodes (04:19): Quick spotlights on team favorites in under 10 minutes.
  • Mini Matchmaking (04:52–05:40): Rapid-fire reader questions with group book recs.
  • Wildcards & Starter Guides: Fun, genre-intro series and “Dear Book Therapist” listener dilemmas.
  • Community/Events: Access to book previews, best-of lists, and the “super secret spreadsheet vault”—an up-to-date archive of every book discussed and recommended.
• Shannon thanks Patreon supporters and highlights how essential their support is for the show’s continuity.
  “I love that you believe in the show, listen to the show and support the show in this way. Thank you so much.” (09:38)

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2. Welcome Back, Michelle — Life & Reading Since 2023 (14:40–18:06)

• Michelle, a veterinary radiologist and mother of two, reflects on finding herself on the podcast both times during postpartum seasons.
• Her reading life has remained vibrant but has shifted in focus, especially after the birth of her daughter.
• The YA book club is still central, but her tastes are broadening.

Michelle: "My reading life just expands in the most hectic of times." (15:06)

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3. Why YA? Revisiting Lifestyle & Book Club Roots (18:06–20:40)

• Michelle joined a YA book club not due to a specific love for YA, but because it was “the one available”—and it unexpectedly reignited her reading life.
• She delves into nostalgia for YA/fantasy, her love of the genre’s tropes, and how YA books provided a welcoming onramp back into reading after her medical training.

Michelle: “It was an easy way to jump back into reading — to go back to that YA space that I had known and loved and then branch out from there.” (20:13)

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4. Original Recommendations: Hits & Misses (24:11–30:26)

Books Anne Recommended to Michelle in 2023:

• Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
• Picture Us in the Light by Kelly Loy Gilbert
• Bellweather Rhapsody by Kate Racculia
• The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi

How They Landed:

• Legendborn — "A big hit" for Michelle; loved the academic setting, secret society, double magic system, and the Arthurian legend connection (her son’s name: Arthur). (25:05)
• The Gilded Wolves — Enjoyed the multiple POVs and heist elements; read with her book club.
• Bellweather Rhapsody — “An interesting fugue of a book”; didn’t love most characters except Rabbit but found the story unforgettable and nostalgic for high school band days.
• Picture Us in the Light — Delayed reading due to emotional energy but, when ready, it became "the biggest hit.” Still thinks about the book vividly—a true surprise five-star read.

Michelle: “I just came away wondering, what would I do in this family situation? I just had a whole new perspective as a mom going into this book.” (28:30)

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5. Listener Recommendations: Book Club Debates & New Discoveries (31:46–36:07)

Michelle read six+ listener-recommended books, including:

• Jester by Brielle D. Porter — Fun, magical, quick read.
• Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley — “Very well received” and led to deep discussions.
• Truly Devious by Maureen Johnson — Divisive! Half her club loved the cliffhanger, others were frustrated. Led to one of the most engaged group debates.
• Tuesday Mooney Talks to Ghosts — Liked the quirky style and puzzle-solving.
• A Court of Thorns and Roses series — “Really enjoyed” books 2 and 3; glad she persisted past book 1 after reader encouragement.

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6. Reading Now: Evolution, Themes, & Life Seasons (36:16–38:17)

• Michelle’s now gravitating to adult novels with emotional depth—quiet, character-driven, high emotional stakes, especially magical realism about motherhood, marriage, relationships, and life’s transitions.
• YA still a staple, but less epic fantasy; more introspective, relatable fiction.

Michelle: “Right now, I want things that maybe will make me cry a little or force me to think and make me reflect on what the character went through long after I close the book.” (38:05)

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7. Enriching Reading: Author Events & Book Community (39:10–43:01)

• Attending author talks (R.F. Kuang, Rebecca Ross, Leigh Bardugo) with book club friends has enriched her reading—especially seeing behind-the-scenes research and author intent.
• For example, The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo meant more after learning about the author's historical and personal connections.
• R.F. Kuang’s insights on changing writing styles for Yellowface profoundly shifted her reading perspective: “It did feel like I was just in the social media milieu…” (42:32)

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8. Leading the YA Book Club: Trials & Reflections (43:11–45:25)

• Michelle became the book club’s leader by default (“voluntold”).
• Tried to revive sequel/series meetings but found it too demanding for most members (and herself). Plans to keep things “tried and true” for now.

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9. Michelle’s Recent Recommendations (45:37–47:27)

• The Scarlet Alchemist duology by Kylie Lee Baker (The Scarlet Alchemist & The Blood Orchid) — YA alchemy set in alternate-history Tang dynasty China.
  “This one is great. It has one of the most evil, evil characters ever…so delicious to read.” (46:40)

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10. Looking Forward: Wishes for the Reading Life (47:34–48:12)

• Hoping to “keep riding the different waves” of reading seasons, letting book club and life surprises push her out of her comfort zone.

Michelle: “I continue to find that to be so enjoyable — to read things that don’t, on the surface, sound like they might be for me and so I’m just looking to keep rolling with it.” (47:58)

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11. Book Recommendations from Anne (52:03–59:12)

• Thank You for Listening by Julia Whelan
  Features a touching, healthy mother–daughter relationship.
• The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow (out October 28, 2025)
  Arthurian legend, time travel, epic love story, and family bonds.
• Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett
  Zany, heart-cracking road trip featuring found family and magical elements — Anne warns: “It starts with family tragedy, but it’s also laugh-out-loud funny.”
  Michelle’s response: “I was kind of scared away from it.” (54:35)
• A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandana
  Cozy, magical nostalgia, found family; on Michelle’s TBR after Anne’s previous coverage.
• One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle
  Michelle has read and enjoyed—though prefers Serle’s other novels.
• Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson
  Family saga, sibling relationships, legacy, ties to a meaningful recipe; no magical realism, but atmospheric family drama.

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12. Michelle’s Words of Wisdom for Listeners (59:42–60:33)

“Listen closely to how the other readers...describe what they love about a book and what makes them light up. That'll help give you vocabulary to speak to your own truth about what you love about books...if you just kind of take all those little things, they add up over time and it leads to a really rich reading life.” — Michelle (59:42)

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13. Notable Quotes

• Anne (on podcast evolution): “The podcasting landscape has changed so much...having your financial support from Patreon is something that’s really helped us stay steady...” (09:58)
• Michelle (on YA): “There is just so much ripe fantasy in the young adult space. I love the Chosen One or the Hero’s Journey…and so I’ve just always had a love for young adult.” (19:18)
• Michelle (reflecting on growth): “I realize, wow, this is really enriching to my reading life. I need to intentionally seek out these author events if I can.” (41:55)
• Anne (on making recommendations): “I’m scared though…quiet introspective books about motherhood, parenthood — so many are so sad.” (48:36)
• Michelle (on letting reading evolve): “I’ve really enjoyed just leaning into the season of my life and letting it take me to discover new things.” (47:34)

[End of Summary]

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