Episode Summary: "Seeking Contemporary Novels to Complement Jane Austen Classics"

Podcast: What Should I Read Next?
Host: Anne Bogel
Guest: Zippy Turner
Release Date: March 10, 2026
Episode: 517

Episode Overview

In this episode, Anne Bogel sits down with guest Zippy Turner, a dedicated reader, special education director, and aspiring Jane Austen completist. Prompted by the recent 250th anniversary of Austen’s birth, Zippy wants to tackle her final two unread Austen novels—Mansfield Park and Northanger Abbey—but needs motivation and seeks recommendations for contemporary novels to pair with each classic. The conversation explores Zippy’s reading habits, the appeal of Austen, the joy of pairings, and book suggestions designed to both complement and nudge her beyond her comfort zone.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Getting to Know Zippy

• Personal Background ([06:24])

  • Grew up in Los Angeles, now in Phoenix.
  • Special education director, new grandmother, lifelong reader.
  • Loves trading book recommendations at work and with her mom.

• Reading Habits ([07:38], [09:16])

  • Always reading; prefers physical books.
  • Splits time between fiction (novel a week) and slow-read nonfiction ("leadership books") over a month or more.
  • Sources for book recommendations: podcasts, colleagues, and her mother.
  • Comfortable DNF-ing (not finishing) books that don’t capture her interest:
    • “Life’s too short. I want to read things that I enjoy and bring something to my life.” ([10:29])

2. Jane Austen Completist Challenge

• Austen Reading Journey ([12:28], [13:48])

  • Initially disliked Pride and Prejudice as a teen; came to appreciate Austen's humor as an adult.
  • “She’s such an icon, Jane Austen. And I really want to be knowledgeable about all of her books.”
  • Only Mansfield Park and Northanger Abbey left to read.

• Motivation Challenges ([13:33], [14:12])

  • Tempted by "shiny new releases"; Austen's books feel less urgent since they'll "always be there."
  • Anne frames this as “opportunity cost”([14:12]): prioritizing the latest books over classics.
  • Zippy wants a pairing strategy to rekindle interest and make the experience richer:
    • "Is there some way to pair her books with a more contemporary novel?” ([11:30])

3. Books Zippy Loves & Why

• The Teacher of Lost Orphans – M.Z. Daskell ([18:58])

  • Historical fiction set in a British internment camp for Holocaust survivors in Cyprus, 1946.
  • Loved learning about a little-known piece of history; personal connection through author’s family.
  • “I felt like I was there in the space with all these people and empathizing with them.” ([20:43])

• The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox — Maggie O’Farrell ([21:32])

  • Enjoys piecing together family mysteries and strong, nuanced characterization.
  • “I like when I have to think when I’m reading and piece together... then as you read, other things unfold.” ([23:46])

• 10 to 25: The Science of Motivating Young People — David Yeager ([24:26])

  • “Mentor mindset” with lasting professional value; used in book studies with colleagues.
  • Loves the communal element of reading and discussing these works at work ([26:39]).

• Not a Fit: The Sideways Life of Denny Voss — Holly Kennedy ([27:41])

  • Enjoyed some aspects (representation, humor), but characters “lacked depth,” felt one-dimensional.
  • “I want to read about a character who, again, has some depth to them…” ([29:12])

4. Recent and Current Reads ([29:50])

• Wild Dark Shore — Liked the complexity of characters; “good people who do bad things...”
• Rereading The Midnight Library by Matt Haig — Anticipating author’s next related work.
• Confessions of a Grammar Queen by Eliza Knight — Loves books about books and “female community.”

5. What Zippy Seeks from Austen Pairings

• Strong Female Protagonists ([32:43])
  • “Women who are empowered, women who lean on other women... that kind of thing.”
• Modern Connections & Enrichment ([31:49], [34:07])
  • Hopes pairings will “enrich the experience,” bring new perspectives or motivation.
  • Interested in “a fun, fresh, modern spin,” seeing characters in a new light, or simply being nudged to reflect on Austen more deeply.

Book Pairing Recommendations & Literary Matchmaking

1. Non-Austen Read for Austen Fans:

• The Foundling — Ann Leary ([36:36])
  • Historical fiction set in a fictional institution for “feeble-minded women.”
  • Inspired by the author’s family history and similar to Esme Lennox for nuanced female characters and hidden histories.
  • “It feels like it might be a good fit for you... never not timely, interesting, illuminates an unknown but really important chapter in history.”

2. Burnham Wood — Eleanor Catton ([40:14])

• Eco-thriller with “compulsively readable literary mystery thriller” elements.
• Author steeped herself in Jane Austen’s style (wrote the Emma adaptation’s screenplay) and consciously infuses Austen’s narrative choices (e.g., minimal metaphor, moving plots via interior thought).
• Anne promises to link to Catton's discussion of Austen’s influence: “Just reading this little piece will perhaps change the way you read Austen.”
• “Could be really interesting... to read this totally different book, like an eco thriller, knowing how much Jane Austen inspired this.” ([44:07])

3. Potential Pairings for Mansfield Park:

• This Motherless Land — Nikki May ([46:16])
  • Contemporary “reimagining” inspired by Mansfield Park, set among British Nigerian communities across the '70s–'90s (and the 1992 Barcelona Olympics).
  • Focus on a “sister story” — cousins raised as siblings, family, social commentary, wit.
  • “I love the sibling cousin part of it. Yeah, that family connection.” ([48:59])

4. Potential Pairings for Northanger Abbey:

• The Beginner’s Goodbye — Anne Tyler ([49:06])
  • Not a Jane Austen retelling, but reminiscent in tone and sensibility.
  • Story about a widowed publisher whose wife’s ghost returns, prompting reflection and quirky, gentle transformation.
  • Celebrates love, forgiveness, and, notably, books: “You said there’s nothing better than a book about books.” ([52:02])
  • “I really love Anne Tyler and love a book about books. And the whole ghost story thing sounds appealing.” ([53:13])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Life’s too short. I want to read things that I enjoy and bring something to my life.” — Zippy ([10:29])
• “She’s such an icon, Jane Austen. And I really want to be knowledgeable about all of her books.” — Zippy ([12:28])
• “Is there some way to pair her books with a more contemporary novel?... I just wondered if some of her other novels have something that I could pair it with.” — Zippy ([11:30])
• “I felt like I was there in the space with all these people and empathizing with them.” — Zippy on The Teacher of Lost Orphans ([20:43])
• “I like when I have to think when I’m reading and piece together... then as you read, other things unfold.” — Zippy ([23:46])
• “Women who are empowered, women who lean on other women... that kind of thing.” — Zippy on what she seeks in both Austen and contemporary fiction ([32:43])
• “I wonder if you’re looking for a way to see more facets of the Jane Austen experience.” — Anne ([34:07])
• “I am glad to hear it. And then I’m so intrigued by the idea that the author, Anne Tyler, is not a Jane Austen read-alike, but definitely standing firmly in her legacy...” — Anne ([49:06])
• “They all sound amazing... I think I'm going to start with the Beginner's Goodbye. I'm just really intrigued by the whole ghost story part of it.” — Zippy ([54:41])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 06:24 – Zippy introduces herself and her work in special education
• 09:16 – How she chooses what to read; experience with TBR lists and recommendations
• 13:48 – Difficulty motivating herself to finish Austen, temptation of new releases
• 18:58 – Book #1 she loves (The Teacher of Lost Orphans)
• 21:32 – Book #2 she loves (The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox)
• 24:26 – Book #3 she loves (10 to 25)
• 27:41 – Book she didn’t love and discussion on what turns her off
• 29:50 – Recent and current reads
• 32:43 – What she wants from Austen pairings: strong women, empowerment, community
• 36:36 – Anne recommends The Foundling by Ann Leary
• 40:14 – Anne on Burnham Wood and Austen’s narrative techniques
• 46:16 – Anne recommends This Motherless Land (Mansfield Park pairing)
• 49:06 – Anne recommends The Beginner’s Goodbye (Northanger Abbey pairing)
• 54:20 – Zippy weighs the recommendations and shares her next pick

Conclusion & Next Steps

Zippy leaves the conversation excited and equipped, most drawn to starting with Anne Tyler’s The Beginner’s Goodbye alongside Northanger Abbey, while also planning to stretch into more unfamiliar territory with Burnham Wood and This Motherless Land. The episode offers a lively, practical, and reflective roadmap for other Austen lovers and “completists” seeking contemporary reads that can supplement, challenge, or illuminate classic novels.

For more information, links to books discussed, and Anne’s book matchmaking posts, visit whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com.