What to Read Next Podcast l Book Recommendation Show cover art

What to Read Next Podcast l Book Recommendation Show

What to Read Next Podcast l Book Recommendation Show

By: Laura R Yamin
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About this listen

 What to Read Next Podcast is a book recommendation podcast for mood readers who are always looking to add new books to their TBR. In each episode, Laura Yamin shares quick book recommendations so you can topple your TBR. This podcast is perfect for Romance and Mystery readers with the occasional romantasy episode.Copyright Laura R Yamin Art Literary History & Criticism Social Sciences
Episodes
  • This Cozy Mystery Author Turned Haunted Lighthouses Into Comfort Reads | Darci Hannah

    This Cozy Mystery Author Turned Haunted Lighthouses Into Comfort Reads | Darci Hannah
    Feb 2 2026
    This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.Haunted lighthouses, bake shops, ghost hunters, and cozy mysteries with heart.In this episode, I’m joined by cozy mystery author Darci Hannah to talk about how she went from historical fiction to building three beloved cozy mystery series — including haunted lighthouses in Michigan, small-town bake shops, and a ghost-hunting food show gone very wrong.We dive into her Beacon Bakeshop Mysteries, the origin of her haunted lighthouse setting, how real Midwest ghost stories inspired Captain Willie Riggs, and why cozy mysteries are evolving into something funnier, smarter, and more emotionally rich. Plus, Darci shares her favorite cozy mystery reads and classic comfort authors.📚 Books Mentioned Murder at the Beacon Bakeshop by Darci Hannah — Cozy Mystery | Paranormal Lite Murder at the Lemonberry Tea by Darci Hannah — Cozy Mystery | Food-Forward Murder at the Pumpkin Pageant by Darci Hannah — Cozy Mystery | Halloween A Fatal Feast at Bransford Manor by Darci Hannah — Cozy Mystery | Food & GhostsA Spirited Supper at Dundoon Castle by Darci Hannah — Cozy Mystery | Scottish FolkloreThe Quiche of Death (Agatha Raisin) by M. C. Beaton — Cozy Mystery |The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie — Classic Cozy Mystery |⏱️ Episode Timestamps[00:00] Meeting Darci Hannah & her writing origin story[03:00] From historical fiction to cozy mysteries[05:00] Michigan lighthouses & real ghost lore[08:00] Beacon Bakeshop Mysteries setup[11:00] Murder at the Lemon Berry Tea[14:00] Halloween, ghost hunts & pumpkin pageants[18:00] Food & Spirits Mysteries concept[22:00] Writing cozy mysteries with humor[26:00] Darci’s favorite cozy mystery reads[30:00] Where to find Darci Hannah onlineJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (
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    32 mins
  • Anne of Green Gables, Reimagined for a Post-COVID World with Virginia Kantra

    Anne of Green Gables, Reimagined for a Post-COVID World with Virginia Kantra
    Jan 31 2026

    This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

    Some books don’t just retell a classic — they hold your hand through a hard season. In this episode, I’m joined by Virginia Kantra to talk about Anne of a Different Island, a modern homage to Anne of Green Gables set in the shadow of COVID, nostalgia, and finding your way forward when life doesn’t follow the script.

    We talk about why Anne Shirley still resonates more than a century later, how stories help us process collective trauma, and why comfort reads matter — especially for readers who came of age during the pandemic. This conversation is about resilience, imagination, chosen paths, and the quiet power of books to make us feel seen.

    📚 Books Mentioned

    Anne of a Different Island by Virginia Kantra — Contemporary women’s fiction | Romance elements

    How to Read a Book by Monica Wood — Literary fiction | Found family

    Far and Away by Amy Poeppel — Contemporary women’s fiction

    The Last Letter from Rachel Allworth by Barbara O’Neal — Emotional women’s fiction

    How Simi Got Her Groove Back by Sonali Dev — Contemporary romance


    ⏱️ Episode Timestamps

    [00:00] Welcome + Virginia Kantra’s writing journey

    [04:00] Why Anne of Green Gables still matters

    [08:30] Why Anne of a Different Island is set on Mackinac Island

    [16:45] Writing COVID into fiction — without retraumatizing readers

    [24:00] Healthy relationships vs. romanticized toxicity

    [33:00] Comfort reads, nostalgia, and emotional safety in books

    [41:00] Book recommendations for hard seasons

    [49:00] Classroom libraries, book bans, and why representation matters


    Join the Conversation

    Subscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)

    Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read Next

    Subscribe & leave a review!
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    59 mins
  • Get Ready for Bridgerton Season 4 + Cinderella Historical Romance Recs

    Get Ready for Bridgerton Season 4 + Cinderella Historical Romance Recs
    Jan 29 2026

    This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

    Bridgerton Season 4 Is Going Full Cinderella — Here’s What to Read While You Wait

    Bridgerton Season 4 is officially heading into Cinderella territory, and I’m breaking down what that means — from class divide drama to why Benedict might finally be the Bridgerton brother we root for. Joined by returning guest Julia Diaz-Young, we talk book canon vs. show changes, why Sophie Beckett is such a compelling heroine, and which historical romances perfectly capture that upstairs-downstairs energy.

    If you love Bridgerton but don’t want to wait around for Netflix release schedules, we’ve got you covered with cozy, library-friendly historical romance recs you can borrow right now — no ballgown required.

    📚 Books Mentioned

    An Offer From a Gentleman by Julia Quinn — Historical Romance | Cinderella trope

    The Duchess Deal by Tessa Dare — Historical Romance | Marriage of convenience

    Bookshop Cinderella by Laura Lee Guhrke — Historical Romance | Class divide

    A Kiss at Midnight by Eloisa James — Historical Romance | Fairy tale retelling

    Marry Me at Midnight by Felicia Grossman — Historical Romance | Gender-swap Cinderella


    ⏱️ Episode Timestamps

    [00:00] Bridgerton as a romance gateway & genre hopping

    [00:02] Cozy mysteries, historical mysteries & reading moods

    [00:05] Why Season 4 feels like “classic” Bridgerton

    [00:07] Cinderella, class divide & Sophie’s story

    [00:09] Netflix binge fatigue vs weekly releases

    [00:11] Bridgerton music, pop covers & iconic scenes

    [00:13] Benedict as a hero & Sophie’s strength

    [00:14] Cinderella-inspired historical romance recs

    [00:17] Where to find Julia & what she’s working on



    Join the Conversation

    Subscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)

    Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read Next

    Subscribe & leave a review!
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    18 mins
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