What Should I Read Next? – Ep 510: Finding Classics That Shine on Audio

Host: Anne Bogel
Guest: Janae Mast
Aired: January 20, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode kicks off 2026 with guest Janae Mast, a self-described lifelong Kansan, stay-at-home mom, and avid book recommender for her friends. Janae seeks Anne’s help in building a shortlist of immersive and accessible classics—especially those that come alive on audiobook—with compelling narration, strong atmosphere, and rich character development. Anne and Janae unpack why audiobooks particularly suit certain classics, share their favorite titles, and discuss what makes an audio version truly "shine."

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Meet Janae & Her Reading Life

• Janae lives in Hutchinson, KS, and cherishes her community, family life, and active book club.
• She loves reading and giving recommendations but rarely has someone do the same for her.
• "It kind of feels like, you know, when you're the one always giving the back rubs but never getting a back rub. And today I get a back rub. So thanks for giving me a literary back rub." (Janae, 06:17)
• Her reading ebbed during social teen/twenty years, revived by Goodreads and her book club in adulthood.
• Since becoming a mom, audiobooks are her main reading format—especially vital during postpartum.

2. What Janae Loves in Books & Audiobooks

• Seeks rich, transportive settings ("I want to sink into and feel transported to a different place or time" – Anne, 05:43)
• Values character-driven stories and immersive language; resists books with little character growth.
• Notes classics often feel more approachable in audio: “Sometimes if it’s old English…it makes it just flow better on audio for me. And then also sometimes there’s a great accent, and that just...adds to the story.” (Janae, 29:43)
• Accents, vivid narration, and nuanced performances hook her into classic literature.
• Loved: These Precious Days (Ann Patchett), The Dean’s Watch (Elizabeth Goudge), The Correspondent (Virginia Evans).
• Didn't Love: Jamaica Inn (Daphne du Maurier) – “I despised this book with a passion...there was very little to no character development.” (Janae, 25:12)

3. Classics on Audio: Why They Matter

• Anne emphasizes classics can intimidate, but audio versions make them accessible.
• Full-cast performances or strong single narrators lend new dimension.
• "Audio can be such an accessible way...you can find like a full cast performance that feels like you're listening to a play or a radio show." (Anne, 37:32)
• The nuances of old language and dialect become enhancements, not obstacles, when performed well.
• Prefer classics on audiobook over print for digestibility and atmosphere: “When it is on audio, I love it and it adds to the story...when it is on physical copy, then it makes it harder for me to digest.” (Janae, 39:01)

4. Janae’s Current Reading Patterns & Requests

• Enjoys reading literary nonfiction, historical explorations, and “classics” in a broad sense (“stood the test of time” rather than strict definitions).
• Recently read: Woman Watching (Marilyn Simmons), Endurance (Alfred Lansing).
• Wants a shortlist — not an overwhelming pile — of quality classics with superb narration to help anchor her reading life, especially for the upcoming postpartum season.

5. Literary Matching & Recommendations

Anne skillfully “matches” Janae’s tastes with a thoughtfully curated list of classics for audio:

Detailed Recommendations (with Notable Quotes & Timestamps):

• Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery, narrated by Rachel McAdams
  “I think perhaps hearing what I've heard from you about what you enjoy and what you hope for your postpartum reading life, that could be a lot of fun. Especially the version narrated by Rachel McAdams.” (Anne, 42:29)
• Middlemarch by George Eliot
  Serialization of provincial English life with character development; previously read and enjoyed in print by Janae.
• The End of the Affair by Graham Greene, narrated by Colin Firth
  Literary, atmospheric, WWII London setting blending character depth, big questions, and moral complexity. Notably read by Colin Firth, though Janae admits: “I don't keep track of narrators' names. I just hear voices and I'm like, oh, this guy. Oh, this girl. I love this one.” (Janae, 47:03)
• Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
  Discussed as a gothic novel with high character development – enjoyed by Janae even as she usually resists gothic mood (48:52).
• Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston, narrated by Ruby Dee
  “In the audio version, it was incredible. I...forget who read it, but she was incredible.” (Janae, 49:46)
  Anne spotlights Ruby Dee’s narration as transformative.
• Hitting a Straight Lick with a Crooked Stick (Hurston, short stories, with intro by Tayari Jones)
  “Short stories usually aren’t my thing...I want to give it a shot because of your recommendation.” (Janae, 53:24)
• Barracoon by Zora Neale Hurston, nonfiction narrated by Robin Miles
  True story of Cudjoe Lewis, last survivor of the last slave ship.
• Watership Down by Richard Adams
  Pastoral adventure about rabbits—“Channeling Elizabeth Goudge” with themes of loyalty, courage, and gorgeous description. “I think somebody whispered this in your ear...I checked it out from the library so many times before I finally read it.” (Anne, 54:42)
  Janae: “Yes, I’m going to start it today. I just know I will.” (Janae, 56:07)
• A Circle of Quiet by Madeleine L’Engle (Crosswicks Journals, nonfiction)
  “Knowing your love for These Precious Days, The Dean's Watch, The Correspondent...I think she could be really, really great for you.” (Anne, 56:16)
• The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien, narrated by Andy Serkis
  “He was so good that I had to know who was doing it.” (Janae, 59:51)
• Honorable Mentions:
  • The Blue Castle (Montgomery), Rumor Godden’s novels (In This House of Brede, An Episode of Sparrows), PG Wodehouse for lighter fare.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Book Club Life:
  “Leading the book club is one of my favorite things that I do. It's so much fun to plan parties...We're just a big part of each other's lives.” (Janae, 11:08)

• On Good Narration:
  “Ann Patchett is a great reader.” (Janae, 20:03)

• On the Power of Setting:
  “She does paint these just beautiful pictures...where you feel like you’re there.” (Janae, 36:26)

• On Classics on Audio:
  “When it's on audio, I love it and it adds to the story and to the experience of the reading and I find it interesting and fascinating.” (Janae, 39:01)

• On Immediate Next Read:
  “It's really hard to choose, except that I just can't say no to Watership Down because it's literally sitting right there waiting for me to listen to. So I have to start there.” (Janae, 60:15)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00 - Janae refuses to finish books she dislikes, except for book club picks
• 06:17–09:31 - Janae introduces herself, family, community, and reading background
• 12:15–14:03 - How audio became essential to her reading life
• 17:26–22:48 - Three books Janae loves and why
• 25:12–27:40 - Jamaica Inn — why it missed the mark
• 29:43–31:43 - What Janae wants from her reading life now: specifically, classics on audio
• 32:33–33:32 - Anne and Janae align on the definition of a “classic”
• 37:32–40:04 - Why audiobooks are a gateway for classics: accessibility, language, performance
• 42:29–54:42 - In-depth book recommendations & reasoning
• 60:15 - Janae chooses Watership Down to read next

Episode Tone & Takeaways

Friendly, enthusiastic, empathetic, and filled with literary curiosity. Lively exchanges abound, with Anne matching her recommendations closely to Janae’s needs—a postpartum mom wanting comfort, character depth, rich settings, and an enhanced experience through quality narration.

This episode is a goldmine for listeners seeking approachable classics on audio, a nuanced discussion of why narration matters, and examples of tailored book matchmaking. Anne’s recommendations and rationale offer practical, concrete starting points, demystifying classics while celebrating the unique qualities that make them beloved.

For More:
Find the full list and links at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com or follow the show on Instagram @whatshouldireadnext.