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- [00:00]
A
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and then told the whole world about it.
- [00:06]
B
So you're the reason it sold so many copies?
- [00:08]
A
Absolutely. Yeah. I thought it was me. Okay. I'm such an influencer.
- [00:16]
B
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 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, this episode is coming to you in early August, which means we are underway with our 5th annual celebration of Austen in August over in the modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club. For many years now, taking a cue from the author who lends modern Mrs. Darcy its name and our love for alliteration, we mark the month of August by reading an Austen novel. This year it's Pride and Prejudice. For the second time. We'll enjoy reading through the annotated edition together, gathering for a watch party of the 1995 BBC edition and enjoying all things Austen all month long. We'd love to have you join us and and stick around into the fall for more bookish connection and conversation. Get all the details or join us now@modernmrsdarcy.com club. Readers, many of us look back at our childhood summers and remember a carefree few months of freedom from homework, school and commitments. These days summers look a bit different, but thanks to Mint Mobile's summer sale, it's possible to enjoy freedom from big wireless contracts. I'm always looking for ways to streamline our expenses and avoid long term contracts, so I love what Mint Mobile has to offer. Right now, all of Mint Mobile's Wireless plans are 15 bucks per month. They offer the same high speed data and coverage you're used to, delivered on the T Mobile 5G network, but without the overcharges and fees that come from the big wireless carriers. Bring your phone and number and pick a plan that's right for you. 3, 6 or 12 month plans are available. Mint Mobile makes it easy to sign up online and enjoy freedom from wireless contracts when you sign up for three months of premium wireless service from Mint Mobile for 15 bucks a month. To get your new wireless Plan for just 15 bucks a month, go to mintmobile.com readnext that's mintmobile.com readnext Cut your wireless bill to 15 bucks a month at mintmobile.com readnext that'S it. There's no catch. Upfront payment of $45 for three months, 90 bucks for six months or 180 bucks for 12 months. Plan required 15 bucks per month equivalent taxes and fees Extra initial plan term Only greater than 50 gig may slow when network is busy. Includes up to 20 gig hotspot capable device required. Availability, speed and coverage varies. See MintMobile.com readers as summer turns to fall, I'm thinking about easy changes to make in my everyday routines and that often looks like making sure my wardrobe is ready for the coming season. Quince is my go to shop for everyday elevated essentials for my closet and beyond. Quince makes quality clothes at a price you will love. From premium stretch denim that feels like a luxury designer brand but starts at just $50 to their bestselling Mongolian cashmere sweaters, Quince has just what your closet needs this season. Because Quince works directly with ethical factories, you only pay for quality pieces, not brand markup. I first found Quince because of their sweaters. One of my favorites is their lightweight cotton cashmere Link Stitch Dolman sweater. Featuring a breathable blend of super soft fabrics, it's easy to wear on its own or paired with a blazer or jacket for a layered look. The relaxed fit gives a luxurious drape and it comes in a range of colors as well as sizes 1 to 3x. Quinn's makes a great assortment of lightweight sweaters with cotton and linen blends perfect for this time of year, like their lightweight cotton cashmere Relax sweater tee or their cotton linen sweater tank. Upgrade your everyday Download the quince app for app exclusive offers or go to quints.com readnext get free shipping on your order and 365 day returns now available in Canada and the UK too. That's Q-U-I-N-C-E.com readnext readers we hear from many of you that you set reading goals informed by your to be read stack at home. Whether that stack is a literal tower of books or something that exists on a paper list or in the digital space, Today's guest has a specific and relatable goal of making progress through her library of already purchased ebooks and keeping her unread list balanced against those she's already enjoyed. Danielle Petrie lives and works in the Canadian Prairies, where she also enjoys a unique hobby in her downtime as an avid swing dancer. When Danielle's not working, dancing or enjoying the outdoors, you'll often find her enjoying her latest read. She has a particular enthusiasm for Canadian authors. As you'll soon hear, historically, it's been important to Danielle to keep her collection of Kindle ebooks sitting at about a 50% already read status. That is, she's read half of her purchase books already and has the other half still to look forward to. Lately, Danielle's balance has tipped heavily towards the purchased but not yet read end of the spectrum. When she reached out via our what Should I Read Next? Submission form, she was currently sitting at 36% read the balance unread and told us of her desire to create a reading challenge for the purpose of reading what she already owns on her Kindle and bringing that ratio back into balance. Today we're going to take a look at Danielle's reading light, see what's on her Kindle and how it got there, and make a plan for her to experience reading satisfaction on several different levels. Readers, this is gonna be fun. Let's get to it. Danielle, welcome to the show.
- [05:55]
A
It is so great to be here.
- [05:57]
B
Oh my gosh. Well, I'm so glad you sent in a submission. I'm really looking forward to talking today.
- [06:01]
A
Thanks for having me.
- [06:03]
B
I feel like the first question is the hardest, but we love to give our readers a glimpse of who they're hearing from each week. Can you tell us a little about yourself?
- [06:10]
A
I grew up in a small town a few hours outside of Edmonton and I work right now as a pharmacy technician and I currently specialize in research pharmacy. So I took a nerdy career and made it even more nerdy by reading protocols and being very detail oriented. It can be stressful sometimes, but I really love like working with the coordinators and the nurses and the doctors and just that professional life that I get to have when I'm not working. I'm an avid swing dancer, so we have a dance studio here that does lessons during the week, but then they also hold social dances on the weekend. So I have this opportunity to learn how to dance and then also like express that dance. I really love being able to like the combination of moving my body and being creative and connecting with people. Yeah, it's just like the perfect hobby for me. I feel like, and I obviously think everybody should do it, but that's just my bias.
- [07:09]
B
I did ballroom dance club in college for maybe one semester. Swing was the best. Oh, it was so fun. I wonder if I can do that here. I can't resist clicking on every link that says dancers are happier. Read about why and how it is about the mind, body, connection and movement makes you happy. And it's collaborative, it's artistic.
- [07:30]
A
There are days where I'm like, oh, I have to go dance tonight. And then I'm like, this is a hobby that you like. And then I leave and I'm like, oh, I'm so glad I went. That was amazing.
- [07:40]
B
Exist in its own pocket or does that influence your reading life in ways that I just never would have considered?
- [07:47]
A
Like, I've read books.
- [07:48]
B
It's okay for it to be in it.
- [07:50]
A
Yeah. Like, I mean, I've read like Swing Time by Zadie Smith and then like biography about Frankie Manning who's kind of considered the ambassador of swing dancing and so, like, things like that, but not.
- [08:01]
B
Yeah, okay, so in standard nerdy fashion.
- [08:05]
A
Yeah, yeah, okay.
- [08:06]
B
I love it. Danielle, tell us about your reading life.
- [08:09]
A
I grew up like, both of my parents were avid readers. I don't know if these are actual pictures or just memories, but my dad laying on a sun lounger with a book on his chest taking a nap kind of thing. My mom has seven sisters, so they all read these Christian romance books, them and my grandparents. So these books would just rotate between all eight of them and usually they would end up on my grandparents bookshelves with like little initials in the front cover so people could remember which ones they had read and which ones they hadn't. As I grew up in, like, was a teenager, I started reading those books as well. And then like the first series that I really remember having that was like my own and I loved these books was this series by Robin Jones Gunn. It was the Christy Miller series. And I read all 12 of those books. And then she had the Sierra Jensen series and I read all 12 of those books. And then she had these books where Sierra and Christie were in college together. I read all of those books and I just loved that whole universe. And that was really when I became like my own reader. I think I did have a little stint in my 20s where I took reading so seriously and I would only read like nonfiction and biographies. And that didn't last very long though, because I just needed reading to be fun.
- [09:23]
B
What was happening there?
- [09:25]
A
I think I just was trying to be a serious adult and wanted to learn and wanted to grow, which weren't bad things. But it didn't. It didn't need to be so serious, you know, like, it could have been both.
- [09:40]
B
I think I get it. And I imagine that wasn't just about your reading life.
- [09:44]
A
Yeah, no, it for sure was my whole life for a point there. But yeah, now I. I would say I read a lot But I really just love connecting with people through books. Like I have organized brunches and books or I do a reading weekend with my cousins and I. We did a independent bookstore crawl this year for Indie Bookstore Day. And it's like, it feels like reading is this thing that you can do in a solitary space but still feel connected. You're reading alone, but you're thinking about the person you bought the book with or the person you're going to tell the book about. And I really love that aspect of the hobby as well.
- [10:24]
B
What do you find yourself drawn to?
- [10:26]
A
I read a lot of like romance plus books is my easy reading books, like where I. They have like a little bit more story, a little bit more emotional resonance, but they don't require too much of my brain. I read literary books, like general fiction. Literary fiction. I like when books take me just a little outside my comfort zone. Like, I'm not really into full on fantasy, but there have been books like the Blackbird Cafe, I think it's called, or the Witch's Guide to Magical Innkeeping. Like those kind of books that they're set in mostly a world that I know, but they have a little magic to them. Those kind of push me out of my comfort zone. But I really like them. Mystery books that don't have. Aren't too graphic on the page, I enjoy as well, that kind of stuff.
- [11:12]
B
Okay. Now, Danielle, I'm curious about. I know you've been listening for a little while, so what should I read next? What brings you to the show right now?
- [11:23]
A
So I have a problem with my E reader. A problem? A problem. So I think what happened? So, okay, let me back up. I like to keep my E reader at like about 50% red. It feels like nice to finish a book and be able to buy two more. Like that feels like a good ratio to me.
- [11:44]
B
Okay, I apologize for what I'm about to ask.
- [11:48]
A
Why? I don't know. It just feels like the books aren't getting away from me. Like the list isn't daunting.
- [11:59]
B
Okay. Abundant but not overwhelming.
- [12:01]
A
Yeah. And then I still get the joy of buying new things because I really like buying books.
- [12:06]
B
Okay. So this is, this is like taking several of your like readerly satisfaction boxes to maintain this ratio.
- [12:12]
A
Okay.
- [12:12]
B
And everything that happens when you do.
- [12:15]
A
Yes. But I think I read a couple of books that like or picked up a couple books on my E reader that I was like, ah, not right now. Or I'm not really that interested in it. And so I set it aside, distracted by whatever library books or physical books and I haven't really picked it up again. However, I have continued to buy Kindle deals and so my ratios are off and I'm at like 36% red or something like that. So I have some catching up to do. So I would like to do kind of a little reading project where I catch up a bit on my Kindle.
- [12:50]
B
Ooh, we love a reading project. Thank you for bringing it to me. And so what should I read next? So today our goal is to help you envision a plan to take that ratio from 36 to we're getting closer to 50 is what we're aiming for. Yeah, okay, you know what, I was going to ask you a bunch of questions, but what if we talk about your books first? Sure, Readers, it is so easy to use and reuse home goods past the point when they really should be replaced. For instance, I recently found out we had family members unhappy with their very old, very beat up pillows, but they hadn't bothered doing anything about it yet. Pillows are important and this was a pain point for them every single night. So we turned to Wayfair and problem solved. With all sorts of options from down to memory foam, polyfill, cotton and more, it was easy to find the right feel and type of support for everyone's sleeping styles. Getting new pillows wasn't hard or expensive, but it just fell off their to do list and never made it onto mine. Situations like these are where Wayfair's range of options and fast, easy shipping really come in handy. Wayfair's online shop is full of furniture, decor and more, featuring quality materials that stand up to your real life. With Wayfair Rewards, you'll save even more. Get 5% back every day, all while shopping a wide range of products and price points. Once you've narrowed down your selections, you can rely on verified reviews and real photos from real shoppers to make sure you found just the right fit for your family's needs. Join Wayfair Rewards today to get 5% back on every purchase and start saving on your next home Upgrade. Head to Wayfair.com to shop all things home. That's W A Y F A I R.com Wayfair Every style, every Home Readers Many of us look back at our childhood summers and remember a carefree few months of freedom from homework, school and commitments. These days, summers look a bit different, but thanks to Mint Mobile's summer sale, it's possible to enjoy freedom from big wireless contracts. I'm always looking for ways to streamline our expenses and avoid long term contracts. So I love what Mint Mobile has to offer. Right now, all of Mint Mobile's Wireless plans are 15 bucks per month. They offer the same high speed data and coverage you're used to delivered on the T Mobile 5G network, but without the overcharges and fees that come from the big wireless carriers. Bring your phone and number and pick a plan that's right for you. 3, 6 or 12 month plans are available. Mint Mobile makes it easy to sign up online. Enjoy freedom from wireless contracts when you sign up for three months of premium wireless service from Mint Mobile for 15 bucks a month. To get your new wireless plan for just 15 bucks a month, go to mintmobile.com readnext that's mintmobile.com readnext Cut your wireless bill to 15 bucks a month at mintmobile.com readnext that'S it. There's no catch. Upfront payment of 45 bucks for three months, 90 bucks for six months, or 180 bucks for 12 months. Plan required, 15 bucks per month. Equivalent taxes and fees. Extra initial plan term only greater than 50 gig. May slow when network is busy. Includes up to 20 gig hotspot capable device required. Availability, speed and coverage varies. See mintmobile.com you know how this works. You have at the ready three books you love, one book you don't, and what you've been reading lately. Are you ready? Can we do that now?
- [16:09]
A
Yes. Okay.
- [16:10]
B
How did you choose these for today?
- [16:12]
A
I tried not to think about it too much. I just went through, I think it was goodreads. Looked at 5 star reads and was like, I liked that one. I liked that one. I liked that one. This looks like a good mix.
- [16:24]
B
Okay.
- [16:25]
A
Yeah.
- [16:25]
B
And it feels like you.
- [16:27]
A
Yeah, I think so.
- [16:28]
B
Okay. What's the first book you love, Danielle?
- [16:31]
A
The first one is the Wedding People by Alison Asbach. I adored this book. I was hesitant going in because, like, the premise is about somebody unaliving themselves and.
- [16:43]
B
Or like I almost quit at like page 13 myself.
- [16:45]
A
Yeah. Like just considering it. And I was like, I don't know if I want to read about this, but the way that this book, like the way that people will spill to a stranger. I was all in. Like, I was like, give me all the tea. And also it felt so relatable. Like, we'll do that, right? Like as humans, we'll be like, oh, like I'm not gonna see you ever again. There's no purchase here, so I am gonna just tell you my whole life story and like my Whole unfiltered story, I guess. Right. And so I just loved that aspect. And then obviously the relationships that developed throughout that. And I thoroughly enjoy this book and then told the whole world about it.
- [17:32]
B
So you're the reason it sold so many copies.
- [17:34]
A
Absolutely. Yeah. I thought it was me. Okay. I'm such an influencer,
- [17:39]
B
but I think many, many readers had the experience we did. Maybe not the experience like, oh, gulp. Do I want to read this? But does this count as a romance plus for you or do you think of this as being something different?
- [17:50]
A
No, I do think of it as being something different.
- [17:53]
B
The publisher described it as a literary beach read, which I thought was a fun phrase.
- [17:58]
A
Oh, okay.
- [17:59]
B
I mean, I'm not saying that like, yes, that's official. We could enter it in the dictionary. But I did think that was an interesting phrase. Okay, I'm going to file that away. But I do want to note, like, the dark humor in there really worked for a lot of readers.
- [18:17]
A
Yeah. They somehow took a heavy topic and made it accessible and like a way. Yeah. A way that it didn't feel oppressive.
- [18:27]
B
Yeah. I'm ready for her to write another one.
- [18:29]
A
Yeah.
- [18:31]
B
Yeah. I don't imagine. No, I've seen. I've seen your spreadsheet. You don't have any Ellison Sbach on your Kindle. So we're not going to talk about the other options. I really am going to try today to not talk about books that aren't on your E Reader because I don't feel like that's going to help you with your goal.
- [18:46]
A
Fair.
- [18:47]
B
Okay. Danielle, what's the second book you love?
- [18:50]
A
The second one I love is yous Are Here by David Nichols.
- [18:53]
B
Tell me more.
- [18:55]
A
I was looking at my own review of this book and it basically said, I don't think this is necessarily a five star read for everyone, but it's a five star read for me. And I think that that was me just identifying that. It's like this book isn't going to be like this well written, well conceived book for the whole world that the whole world's gonna like or whatever. But, like, I really loved it. I loved that the protagonists were a little bit older and had lived a bit. I loved that it was set outdoors and that they were like walking through the English countryside. I loved the romance of it, but it felt like a romance book. I've read a lot of romance books and I felt like one that just had a different feel to it. Yeah. I don't even know, like if it was just more realistic and less Fluffy or what? I don't know exactly what the term would be for it, but it felt a little bit different than maybe the other books that I've read. And I, I really liked it.
- [19:57]
B
Is it fair to say it's a little moody, little broody? Maybe that niche market is those who would appreciate grammar and copy editing jokes about improving erotica because that's her job and I love it so much. And he's a, I think a high school, although they don't call it high school in the uk. History teacher, so he's got material too.
- [20:19]
A
Their banter was so good.
- [20:26]
B
Okay. Yeah, I really, I really enjoyed not the Point, but I really enjoyed this as well. Danielle, what's your third love?
- [20:34]
A
My third book I love is maybe youe Should Talk to Someone by Laurie Gottlieb. This book for me, like one. I just think we should normalize therapy for people. And I think it is becoming more normalized. But I think it's books like this that help. Maybe somebody who feels nervous to go to like, maybe get an insight on what it could look like. But again, it was. There's like the serious side of it of like, it's really nice to hear people's stories and to get to know people and to know that like, maybe you're not alone on your own inside thoughts. But also it was a bit of a tell all and I just. Tell me more. Tell me more about people's problems and what they're going through and yeah, that sounds like kind of gossipy maybe. I do like a little bit of gossip. But I do also like the opportunities for empathy and stuff as well. Right. Like the opportunities to like know other people's stories and have a little bit more space and grace for the way that people behave. Because we don't know. We don't know what people have been through. Right.
- [21:44]
B
Okay. I'm not sure that this is about things being gossipy that appeal to you, but I have other ideas as well, so we'll talk about those. But first, tell me about the book that wasn't right for you. How did you choose this one?
- [21:57]
A
I just kind of went to the most recent book that was like a one or two star read for me and was like, sure, that one will do. I really tried to not overthink the books because otherwise I would have gotten. I probably never would have submitted, basically.
- [22:12]
B
Well, I appreciate that. I'm glad you didn't.
- [22:14]
A
Yeah. So I picked Jackpot Summer by Alyssa Friedland.
- [22:18]
B
Did it not align with your taste? Was the timing wrong? Was it about topics you don't want to read about? Where was the mismatch?
- [22:25]
A
So I really loved the premise of this book. I love, like, family relationships, and this one felt like it was going to be a little bit, like, messy family drama. And it was, but I felt like the timing was wrong for me. Like, I wanted more time spent on character development and like. Like a growth narrative.
- [22:47]
B
Tell us a little bit about what this story is about. Yeah.
- [22:50]
A
So Jackpot Summer is about a family that wins the lottery, and it's. I believe it's three siblings win the lottery, and the fourth sibling didn't go in on it. And so then it's kind of their adjusted family dynamics to these winnings and how the winnings affect each person individually, but also how it affects the family relationships. And I would say I liked it for about the first third of the book. And then the middle section was just about how awful everybody was. And it just kept doubling down on how awful everybody was. And then all of a sudden, everybody had, like, one intervention moment where somebody called them out, and then all of a sudden they were all better again. And I just wanted more of, like, a growth character development kind of thing instead of just a magical. And now they're all better, and I'm like, I don't think that's how being a human works.
- [23:46]
B
So you were talking about how you really enjoy books where there is character development and emotional resonance.
- [23:54]
A
Yes.
- [23:55]
B
And that's the version of the story that you were hoping for?
- [23:58]
A
Yeah, I think so.
- [23:59]
B
Okay, that's helpful. Danielle, what have you been reading lately?
- [24:03]
A
Yeah, so I have been on a bit of a kick of, like, reading Canadian authors. Ooh, I love it.
- [24:09]
B
Do tell.
- [24:12]
A
I don't think I did this intentionally, but I will always seek out Canadian authors. But just this last month, I've read a bunch of them.
- [24:20]
B
Danielle, this American would really love to hear you and Edmonton Dweller. Like, when you think I want to read Canadian authors, like, what do you hope to find? What do you expect to find? Would you talk to me about reading Canadian authors?
- [24:34]
A
I think reading Canadian authors, part of it comes from just the idea of being seen in a book or being able to read about spaces that I am aware of, but maybe from a different angle. So, like, an immigrant's experience in Canada would really be something that captures my attention or something set on the Canadian prairies. I'm like, okay, I want to read. I want to read about that. There's a bit of familiarity to that. I listen to a lot of the CBC So the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, they have a few book podcasts that I listen to that I get books from. And then I, like, shop at independent bookstores that always have Canadian content on their shelves. And so it's. It's easy for me to find these things that are closer to home, and I'm going to naturally gravitate towards them.
- [25:28]
B
Well, I'm glad to hear that. So, with that in mind, what have you been reading lately?
- [25:33]
A
I listened to this book on audio. It's not a very long one, and I listened to it in a day. I just. I didn't put it down. It's called Searching for Terry Punch out by Tyler Hellerd. It was one of the Canada Reads finalists. And it's about a journalist who's. He's a sports writer, and he moved away from his hometown, like, 10 years ago, went to college, started in his career, and never went back home. But now his sports journalism career is failing, and so he goes back to his hometown in Nova Scotia to reunite with his dad, who used to be an NHL player. And his idea is he's gonna write an article about his dad for Sports Illustrated, and that's gonna revive his career. And this story is about him reuniting with his dad, but it's also about him reuniting with this town. And he interacts with friends who. Some of them treat him like he's never left, and some of them are maybe a little bit more hurt that he's never been back, and he runs into an old flame. And just like a lot of different relationships that almost like he didn't even remember having or wasn't maintaining. So he returns to his hometown, and he has all these relationships that he is interacting with. And I think for me, like, I'm from a small town, so it's. And I go back regularly. But there is those aspects that you're like, oh, what is that relationship going to be like if it hasn't been maintained? What's it going to look like now? And it was interesting to see the different dynamics between the different relationships for him and his peers.
- [27:10]
B
That sounds really interesting.
- [27:12]
A
Yeah, I really liked that book.
- [27:14]
B
I'm glad to hear it. And it sounds like one that, I mean, did you. Did you just say out loud, you read this really fast, or was I just imagining one could.
- [27:21]
A
No, I listened to it on audio in one day.
- [27:25]
B
High praise.
- [27:26]
A
Yeah.
- [27:27]
B
What else have you been reading lately?
- [27:29]
A
So the next one that I finished recently is called Finding Flora by Eleanor Florence. And this one is set in Alberta in the Canadian Prairies in the early 1900s, as Alberta is becoming a province. And it's about how. So the Homesteading act of Canada only let men be homesteaders. And there was a couple of caveats that this author found where if a woman was a widow with underage children, she could get homesteading land. Or if you were a veteran from a war. So there were some nurses who were part of the Boer War who were veterans. So then they got given land as well. So that was like the only way women could own land. And so then this story talks about the women who were homesteaders and obviously it's fiction. So there became this area called Ladyville, they called it, where four different women were. Had each their own parcel of land and were developing it. And a lot of the like, sexism that they went through, as well as just the environmental factors of homesteading in the Canadian prairies. I found it really interesting. I will say the history kept me in the book. The story could have used a little bit more depth, but yeah, overall it was an enjoyable read.
- [28:50]
B
So not the made for you in a lab kind of book, but there was enough there to keep you interested.
- [28:57]
A
Yeah, for sure.
- [28:59]
B
Danielle, we've already talked about this a little bit, but what are you looking for in your reading life right now?
- [29:05]
A
Obviously, aside from the Kindle project, I have time to read. I am single and childless and I have a day job Monday to Friday, so I actually have a lot of time to read. But sometimes I have troubles sitting, like getting my butt in a chair and staying there. So that is something that I would like to improve on. Sometimes that's a matter of like leaving my phone inside and going outside and sitting on the patio or something like that. But I also noticed that different times of the day I can take on different books. So like evening reading is for sure the least mental energy book. So like, like the romance books and such. And then like, maybe if there's something more literary that I want to read, I'm going to try and read it in the afternoon or maybe on like a Saturday morning kind of thing where I have a little bit more mental energy to put in it and just kind of, I want to be more cognizant of that. I can't start a new book while I'm laying in bed at 9pm like that's. I'll never understand what that book was about, like that kind of thing.
- [30:10]
B
So I tried to do that last night. I had to start it again this morning.
- [30:14]
A
Yeah, it wasn't about the book. Yeah.
- [30:18]
B
So you Sent me your spreadsheet of what is on your Kindle. The read and the unread. And it's we, the royal we. But I think my team too. I love it when readers send me spreadsheets for a project when they want to read unread books they own in their home library or on their Libby wish list or in this case, on their Kindle. And we've seen some spreadsheets that are dozens of pages long and yours is just maybe four. So it's not overwhelming. I'm wondering if you've done the math to see how many books it would take without purchases in the meantime, which might not be reality at all, to bring you back up into your comfort zone. As far as the percentage read is
- [31:08]
A
concerned, it was somewhere between 10 and 15 books. I don't remember.
- [31:12]
B
How does that feel to you?
- [31:14]
A
Like a lot. Like a lot to balance with. Because I also have physical books and I also have library books. But I think if I have something that's going on my Kindle and something that's going in physical, like, I'm okay with that. Like with reading multiple books at a time. I just need to get the, like, get back into reading my. My e reader.
- [31:40]
B
Are there any of these that you look at and think, that was another life when I purchased that book. And I wish I could zap it from my Kindle.
- [31:48]
A
Mostly the books that. So when you're a prime member, you get a free book a month and usually it's like new releases and stuff. And I accumulated a bunch and I don't know if I read any of them. And I am just like, those could go. I don't know what they're about. I don't remember. Like, it was like, I picked one out of five, but I'm not that interested in them.
- [32:11]
B
Is that something you would consider doing?
- [32:13]
A
I didn't know you could delete things from your Kindle.
- [32:17]
B
I mean, mine's ancient, so I don't want to. I mean, on mine you just like hover on the bottom of the screen and delete permanently is an option, but I think Google is your friend. Look, if Google is still going to turn up a decent search result, we used to say Google is your friend for years. I don't know if that's actually true, but the Internet knows readers. You know, if you have tips for Danielle. Not saying you want to do this, Danielle, but if you might feel like you had more options if you knew how to do that, readers, would you tell us in comments, what should I read? Next podcast dot com. We would be grateful. Danielle, what are your like, what's your order of priorities here? I can see you saying no, I'm not going to breathe easy in my reading life until I get my ratio back where I want it or, you know, the most important thing is something else entirely. For example?
- [33:07]
A
Well, I just think my Kindle is also full of good books and I think my priority is always to just read good books.
- [33:14]
B
I mean, I'm glad to hear that, but I'd respect whatever you said.
- [33:17]
A
Yeah, like I would like to get it to a space where like I don't feel guilty buying new things or just generally have it in the rotation because it is full of books that I really want to read. But yeah, I, yeah, I think I'm happy to make my E reader a priority for a season.
- [33:37]
B
I mean that's up to you. I'm not, I'm not asking you to. I was just wondering if. I was wondering how important it was to you to bring it up. I keep coming back to this. Have you noticed this? Maybe I'm the one who needs bibliotherapy here. Okay, is there. We're going to talk about this. Is there anything else you want me to know about what you like, what you don't, about your reading life? What the season looks like? Anything at all?
- [34:03]
A
Yeah, I don't know if this has come through in like my likes and dislikes, but I really love books around friendship and community and especially when it's like groups of unlikely companions or being immersed in a life experience that's unlike my own. Like different socioeconomic backgrounds, cultural backgrounds, sexuality, like those kinds of things. I really like connecting with humanity through reading.
- [34:27]
B
That sounds lovely. Let's take a look. I scream, you scream. We all scream. Because Wendy's famous small Classic Frosty is just a buck for a limited time. More screaming happy screaming summer screaming $small
- [34:45]
A
classic frosty screaming but please don't scream in the drive thru.
- [34:51]
B
It hurts the employees ears. Get a $1 small classic frosty for a limited time only at Wendy's US Pricing participation may vary a la carte only. Not Valid for delivery. Limit 10 per transaction. Price may be higher in Alaska and Hawaii. Strength is one of the most important investments in your long term health. That's why I love orangetheory fitness. Every one hour orangetheory workout helps you build muscle, burn fat and take control of your health. Guided by a coach every step of the way. No wondering what to do next, no intimidating gym floor. Just strength built for life. Visit orangetheory.com Spotify to learn more and get your first class free. Terms and conditions apply. See website and participating studio for details. Now, readers, I am pulling up Danielle's spreadsheet and is it okay if I just rattle off some of the you haven't read yet books?
- [35:41]
A
Yeah, go for it.
- [35:42]
B
Okay. So you said that romance is your favorite. In the romance genre, I see Symphare McFarlane, Mia Sosa, Sally Thorne, Farah Rashawn. I know there's more further down the list. I see a little bit of fantasy. Like there's the Fourth Daughter from Lyn Lau Butler that I've heard good things about and that it's very much an eat, drink and be merry kind of book with that kind of community gathering over food and such. Haven't read it myself, though. And I see quite a few Louise Penny novels beginning with Book six. Your fellow Canadian.
- [36:22]
A
Yeah, I bought the first book on Kindle and then that just became how I buy Louise Penny books now.
- [36:29]
B
I gotcha.
- [36:30]
A
So I think I have one to. I don't know, whenever they're on a deal, I buy another one. So I hear ya.
- [36:35]
B
Yeah, I see some new releases, like the Ms. Connection from Tia Williams. I see some from last summer, like so Far Gone from Jess Walter, the Other side and now by Paige Harbison. I see some old Kate Claiborne and Leon Moriarty. I Wandered Away from romance. I see some mystery thriller like Julie Clark, the Ghostwriter. Let's see, there's a romance author, Katrina Jackson. Romance. I saw several of her titles. Can I share what's jumping out at me?
- [37:03]
A
Yeah.
- [37:03]
B
Okay. Low Hanging Fruit. You have two short stories. I think one is just about 40 pages and the other's closer to 100 by Ellen Hildebrand. Which have you read? Ellen Hildebrand?
- [37:17]
A
I read the one she wrote with her daughter, the Academy. Yeah, I liked that. I tried to read the one where it's like a ghost in the hotel, and I didn't get very far in that one.
- [37:29]
B
Okay, so maybe the short story is not the most obvious entry point. I don't know. But the one that really jumped out at me is the one from Mike Gale. Have you read him before?
- [37:38]
A
No.
- [37:40]
B
Okay. Mike Gale is a British author, readers. He's been in the Summer Reading Guide. Before it was the Museum of Ordinary People, but he writes novels about lonely people finding each other. And the One that Got Away is a short story. It's not a short story I've read, but I wonder if that would be a gentle and short, you know, like, low commitment. Entry point to an author whose ethos I think you may really enjoy. And if you do like stories of friendship and community and you get dropped into a world, I wonder if you may. May enjoy him. I think he's in London now, but he often sets his story in smaller towns in the uk, which, I mean, setting isn't going to be like a sure fire. If you liked, let's say, David Nichols, you'll enjoy this one. But I am noting that connection. The stories they write are very different. Mike Gale isn't sharp. He's more earnest, but he's not without humor. And I wonder if you would enjoy that. Oh, my gosh. You know what we didn't talk about? We didn't look at your loves before we started looking at your Kindle list. But this is definitely in my head. Can we roll back and talk about the books you love and do a little recap?
- [38:53]
A
Oh, okay.
- [38:54]
B
So as I'm looking at your books, I'm filtering through what I think you'll enjoy. But I didn't say that out loud. So you really loved the wedding People. You are here. Maybe you should talk to someone by Laurie Gottlieb. And I noticed that all these books have a strong element. I mean, they're funny. Is that something you really like in your books?
- [39:15]
A
Yeah.
- [39:16]
B
They're also very frank in their tone. And I think all of them. And we only talked about three loves, so maybe this is coincidence, but they are very much about confronting the reality you find yourself in, even the nonfiction. Like, you had this idea of what the world was going to be. This is where you are. You either the protagonist or the narrator is able to look at both and see the difference and talk about it in a forthright way. And I'm just interested in your thoughts on those elements. Is there something there? Am I making this up? Is there something that you really enjoy? Is that a coincidence?
- [39:55]
A
I don't know that I've ever. Yeah. Like, thought about it that way. But it's not surprising, I guess. Like, I'm interested in people's lives. I'm interested in their experiences. I'm interested in the journey more than the destination, like, those kind of things. Definitely love having, like, serious chats with people about what's really going on in their lives and stuff like that. So for books to reflect, that isn't surprising.
- [40:18]
B
Like, what's the truth under it all? And what do we do about it?
- [40:21]
A
Yeah.
- [40:21]
B
Okay. Now I really want to. Want to interrogate Jackpot Summer and See how that does or doesn't jive with what is the actual truth and how do we live in light of that? Like, I'm wondering if that answer was not satisfying or if that was not the question being asked in the book.
- [40:39]
A
Yeah, I think that the problem was just so topical in Jackpot Summer, and then they didn't get into, like, why are the people really the way that they are? It was more just like, oh, money made them terrible, and then they got better. Like, yeah.
- [40:53]
B
So when the siblings get their money or don't, as I recall, the question was, now we have this money, we're supposed to spend it, not. Oh, gulp. What happens next and why and what does it all mean?
- [41:08]
A
Yeah. And, like, what really matters to me and what do I want to. Yeah. Use this for?
- [41:13]
B
I mean, I enjoyed that book. I thought that part was really juicy. And also, I totally see what you're talking about when you pick up different books for different reasons. Okay, so this is not the only gateway onto Danielle's actual AM reading pile, metaphorical or otherwise. But books that are funny, books that are frank and forthright, and books that are about looking at reality straight on and saying, now what is definitely something I'm going to be looking for in your books. So, Mike Gale, a little earnest, but I like him for you, especially as that confronting reality. Franken, forthright, you know, merges very nicely with unlikely companions coming together because of a shared felt need, whether. Whether or not the reader perceives that felt need before they do. I could not help but notice that there are two unread Ellen Montgomery books on this Kindle list. Tell me more.
- [42:20]
A
So I never read her until I was an adult. Like, we had the Anne of Green Gables VHS series that I watched multiple times, but I never read any of her books until I was an adult. And then once I read one, I was like, I must read more.
- [42:39]
B
What did you first read as an adult?
- [42:40]
A
Oh, just Anne of Green Gables. And then there's Emily of New Moon
- [42:46]
B
is on your Kindle.
- [42:48]
A
Yeah, there's another one I read of hers, but I can't remember what it is. Is it Blue Castle? Is that her?
- [42:52]
B
It is the Blue Castle.
- [42:53]
A
Yeah, I've read that one.
- [42:55]
B
It makes perfect sense as a standalone entry point.
- [42:57]
A
Yeah.
- [42:58]
B
Okay, now you are the boss of your reading life, but the assignment I would like to give you is read the unread LM Montgomery on your Kindle. Emily is not as funny as Anne of Green Gables because Anne Shirley is funny. Yeah, Emily is very earnest, but also she I mean just give it a few pages. I don't think you'll want to put it down.
- [43:22]
A
Kate.
- [43:23]
B
I'm not going to say more.
- [43:25]
A
Yeah, I feel like I'm like twist my rubber arm on that. Like it's on my Kindle for a reason.
- [43:29]
B
But readers, these editions of these very old Ellen Montgomery books, you know, like classic Canadian literature. Is that too fancy a word? Yeah. Continue to be read by readers 100 plus years later for. For a reason, youth and adults. The Blue Castle, again, another wonderful standalone entry point. But yeah, this is a series you can really fall in love with and yeah, I hope you will. And then you might want to buy more Kindle books. But readers. Also free and 99 cent Kindle editions are widely available. Also, your library, no matter where you are, is likely to have Emily of New Moon, Anna Green Gables. The first books in each series, Emily is only a trilogy, so it's a, a smaller commitment, but emotional resonance, character development. I mean you got it Danielle. Awesome for romance plus. Now I don't know if this is how either of the authors would describe their books, but you have some Eleanor Lippman and you have some Leon Moriarty. And the Leon Moriarty on here is what Alice Forgot. It's one of my favorites. And I don't know what you know about this book. Do you remember how you happened to buy it?
- [44:42]
A
I think I just recognized the title and it was probably on sale. I've read one of her books before.
- [44:49]
B
Yeah, what Alice Forgot is one of her definitely more like lighthearted and whimsical books. And it's quite old. I mean I remember inhaling it on the couch in a day back in like 2012 or 2013 maybe. But in it a woman, a like a hard driving, she might be an attorney type, a laser focused in a failing marriage because she doesn't have time for anything else except her professional dreams as I recall. If I'm watching this, I'm so sorry readers. Falls off the bike at her spin class, bumps her head, wakes up and doesn't remember anything that happened in the last 10 years. And she wakes up and she expects to be like young and optimistic and buoyant and happily married and that's not the life she's living. And the plot is a little ridiculous and definitely like it's frothy and page turner and I just like blitz through this book and then found myself thinking about the very serious questions this book raises forever. Like I read this almost 15 years ago I think at this point and still can Remember, like, I mean, I still. The essential questions of the heart of this book come immediately to mind. And hard writing makes for easy reading. Like, that's a real skill to write something that goes down like candy. But then that really gets to important questions in life. It's funny, it's frank. She's forced to confront her reality in a very inventive way. How's this sounding?
- [46:21]
A
Very good. I think I'm picturing just like, yeah, sitting on the patio on a summer day and being like, yep, we're just gonna immerse ourselves in this world for a little bit.
- [46:33]
B
That sounds good to me. And I love that you have Eleanor Lippman on your list. I think you had some that you've also read from her as well as some you haven't. Does that sound right?
- [46:44]
A
I have read some of her books and if you ask me what they are specifically, I won't remember the titles, but yeah, I have enjoyed the ones that I've read before.
- [46:55]
B
Well, I'm glad to hear that. And she's prolific. I don't even want to guess at what you might have read, but On Turpentine Lane is one that's unread on your Kindle. And Eleanor Lippman is. I mean, she has likable characters who are often quirky, offbeat, they're funny, they're not always. I mean, she like, pushes the bounds of reality. Like, really, like, did she really purchase a house where the owner's second and third husbands fell down the basement stairs and died? Like, did that. Did that really happen? Eleanor Lippman, like, no. But it still feels like it's set in the recognizable, visible world that we live in. This happened to be my first Eleanor Lippman book. It came out about 10 years ago, and it's about a woman in a job she doesn't love. She's like. She's doing grunt work for the private school she went to as a kid. She's like writing thank you notes to donors or something. Her boyfriend is pretty terrible. Like, he. She's basically paid for him to go on this like, hike to find himself and keeps, like, sending selfies of him with ex girlfriends. Her dad is going through an identity crisis, her parents marriage isn't doing great, and she gets a handsome new co worker who's newly single. Very funny. And the combination of the new house family of origin in like, quirky upheaval and hot new office mate turns her life upside down in a way that many readers find pretty fun to read about.
- [48:32]
A
That does Sound very interesting.
- [48:34]
B
The dialogue in this is really great. Eleanor Lippman does that really well. It's funny, it's upbeat, it's character driven. I hope you're happy with their arcs. Like, is this sounding like it ended up on your Kindle for a reason?
- [48:48]
A
Yeah, I think so. All of those. Yeah. Words you're using feel like I'm like, oh, yeah.
- [48:54]
B
Oh, yeah.
- [48:55]
A
I wanna. Yeah, I wanna read that. So.
- [48:57]
B
Okay, good, good, good. I'm glad to hear it. Now for more books that are funny, frank, and like looking at reality head on. I love these Heathens for you by Mia McKenzie. So far gone by Jess Walter. The Other side of now puts, like, a magical realism spin on the confronting reality. An unhappy actress in Los Angeles takes a flight to go visit Ireland and, like, flies through a portal to her alternate life had she gone to acting school in this charming small Irish town right out of high school, like she dreamed of. So she lands and she's like, I am in the Upside Down. Who are all these people? Why is my best friend, who died in a car wreck after graduation, still alive and living here? So she gets to, like, live out an alternate version of. Of her life. You know, I never thought to compare this with what Alice forgot, but the books have a lot in common with how they have a unrealistic setup like, that would never happen, but ask, like, big questions about what does it mean to live a satisfying life? What do we do when we realize we've gone off course? Like, how do we course correct. And I think that could be interesting. But I don't want to. I don't want you to miss good books on your Kindle just because they are not funny. And you do have so much good stuff here. Like Brooklyn by Colm Toibin is earnest. It's not funny, but the prose is so lovely. And he writes so poignantly about immigrant experiences and the homesickness that comes with your family being an ocean away. You mentioned that you love Canadian immigrant stories, and this is not that. It's called Brooklyn because that's where the action takes place. And it's about Irish immigrants making a new life in America. But I imagine it ended up on your Kindle for a reason as well. And I doubt it's because it was your free book. You had Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner on here. I mean, entering an unfamiliar world, character development, emotional resonance. I mean, this is a sad book about grief, but she is such an engaging companion. I found it to be so well told. I imagine this ended up on your Kindle for a reason.
- [51:08]
A
Yeah, I think it was in one of the summer reading goods. Yeah.
- [51:11]
B
Yes. I'm fascinated by the overlap between music and written art. And I don't think it's any surprise that she's a wonderful, lyrical writer. But I read some interview or something where she talked about her editing process and said that her editor had made such an amazing difference in her book. And it was just little notes like, michelle, I want to hear more about the weather. And Michelle Zauner said that she went through and wrote in such a way that, like, the characters could really experience the world that she was moving through, not just the emotional journey alone and how it really added depth and heft to the story. I thought that was fascinating.
- [51:52]
A
I do just love a person's story, like, and I mean, this one's obviously a more emotional experience, which is just going to draw me in more. So I'm. Yeah, sure. I'll love this.
- [52:03]
B
Yeah, you have good stuff here. You do have some stuff that makes me think that definitely was one of the free books. Right. Because I'm struggling to see the match between the reading life. I mean, we didn't, of course, get an entire picture in our short time together, but it's not obvious to me what the connection is. Yeah, maybe it won't be obvious to you either. Maybe you'll pick it up and you'll. You'll realize, like, oh, I remember exactly what appealed to me here.
- [52:28]
A
I do try, I mean, maybe less with my Kindle because of those free books and stuff, but I often will forget why I picked a book, but I just try to trust my past self that wanted that book or recognized that book and be like, okay, let's just see what it ends up being.
- [52:44]
B
I love that for you. What I want to know, Danielle, is how are you feeling about your Kindle challenge? Is a plan emerging? What jumps out to you is likely priority reads.
- [52:57]
A
I think I'm gonna start with this short story because I think you're right. Like, it'll be like a good entry point. And then try to pick something that might be a little bit more fast paced to just really sit and immerse myself for a day kind of thing, get the ball rolling again.
- [53:16]
B
I love that. Danielle, thank you for coming on the show. I really enjoyed our conversation today.
- [53:22]
A
Awesome. Thank you. Me too. This was really lovely.
- [53:29]
B
Hey, readers, I hope you enjoyed my conversation with Danielle and I'd love to hear what you think she should read next. Find the full list of 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 subscribe to our emails. When you join our list, we'll send you updates about the show and other happenings and upcoming events. Sign up at what Should I read next podcast.com newsletter and please make sure you're following in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Pocket Casts, and more. It's convenient for you and it helps us in real, tangible ways with our audience and our network. So thank you if you already subscribe. Thank you in advance for doing so if that was be new for you. 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 Wokoszewski, Social Media Manager and Editor Lee Kramer, Community Coordinator Brigid Misselhorn, 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 Productions. Readers, that's it for this episode. Thanks so much for listening and as Reiner Maria Rocca said, ah, how good it is to be among people who are reading. Happy reading everyone.