What To Read Next Podcast

Disclosure: We are part of the Amazon Affiliate/LTK Creator programs. We will receive a small commission at no cost if you purchase a book. This post may contain links to purchase books.Did you know your local library can unlock thousands of eBooks, audiobooks, and even streaming services—all for free?This week, Laura sits down with librarian and Buzzing About Romance co-host Jenni Meyers to chat about the power of libraries as community hubs, how to make the most of your library card, and easy ways to advocate for library funding. Jenni also shares her love for author Penny Reid, with tips on where to start in her quirky romance universe.

Disclosure: We are part of the Amazon Affiliate/LTK Creator programs. We will receive a small commission at no cost if you purchase a book. This post may contain links to purchase books.Bloodsuckers are back, baby. In this episode, Francesca joins Laura to dish on dark, gothic, funny, and YA vampire reads—with a special shout to Kindle Unlimited for budget-friendly bingeing.You’ll hear why vampires are resurging (thanks, romantasy!), what’s new beyond the Black Dagger era, and exactly where to start if you want broody politics, murder-mystery shenanigans, or campus drama. Plus a quick nonfiction detour for Vampire Diaries superfans.

Disclosure: We are part of the Amazon Affiliate/LTK Creator programs. We will receive a small commission at no cost if you purchase a book. This post may contain links to purchase books.Ever wondered what Jane Austen would write if she lived online? Nikki Payne reimagines romance for our era—where identity, love, and culture collide.In this episode, Laura chats with romance author Nikki Payne, a cultural anthropologist and writer of Pride and Protest, Sex, Lies and Sensibility, and The Princess and the PI. They dive into why Nikki reimagines Austen’s classics through a modern, intersectional lens, how online personas shape our identities, and what makes “weird fic” and “out-of-pocket women” so irresistible. Plus, Nikki shares her must-read recommendations across romance, mystery, and literary fiction.

Disclosure: We are part of the Amazon Affiliate/LTK Creator programs. We will receive a small commission at no cost if you purchase a book. This post may contain links to purchase books.Originally Published October 30, 2023Looking for fast-paced thrillers to binge this fall? In this replay episode from 2023, Amy from Novel Gossip joins me to share six twisty, addictive reads that are perfect for cozy nights in.If you love popcorn thrillers, domestic drama, or a touch of supernatural suspense, these backlist titles are easy to find at your local library or on audio.

Disclosure: We are part of the Amazon Affiliate/LTK Creator programs. We will receive a small commission at no cost if you purchase a book. This post may contain links to purchase books.A high-heat, spooky-season romance with a heartbeat. Author Allie Oleander joins us to talk about Willing Prey—a primal-play, midlife-awakening romance where a 40-year-old lawyer proposes a “hunt” for 30 days… and catches real feelings.This episode is for readers who love darker vibes without trauma plots: think obsession, contracts, chase-in-the-woods tension, and the guaranteed safety of a romance HEA. We dig into Allie’s indie-to-trad journey, writing an “obsessed but tender” hero, and why horror and romance are emotional cousins.Books MentionedWilling Prey by Allie Oleander — Buy on Amazon | Dark Contemporary Romance, Primal Play, Age 35+ LeadsLittle Deaths by Nenia Campbell — Buy on Amazon | Erotic Romance/Horror-adjacent, Dub-Con/Non-Con Content, Ex-Horror Actress FMCWhere to find AllieWebsite: allieoleander.meInstagram/

Disclosure: We are part of the Amazon Affiliate/LTK Creator programs. We will receive a small commission at no cost if you purchase a book. This post may contain links to purchase books.A career journalist turned thriller powerhouse, Hank Phillippi Ryan joins Laura to talk about the high-stakes cat-and-mouse ride of her latest novel, how book tour can turn terrifying, and why she writes smart women who fight for justice.In this episode, you’ll hear the real author-on-tour grind (airports, hotels, libraries, bookstores—only!), the secret that could upend everything for protagonist Tessa Calloway in All This Could Be Yours, and Hank’s philosophy on propulsive storytelling and triumphant endings. We also squeeze in a stellar “what to read next” pick.

Disclosure: We are part of the Amazon Affiliate/LTK Creator programs. We will receive a small commission at no cost if you purchase a book. This post may contain links to purchase books.In this week’s preview episode, we’re going full Stars Hollow life—think Gilmore Girls banter, cozy small-town charm, and just the right amount of romance. If you love the feeling of a Hallmark fall movie in book form, this one’s for you. We kick things off with Fall I Want by Lyra Parish, a grumpy/sunshine small-town romance set against crisp autumn days, pumpkin spice lattes, and fake-dating swoons—all available on Kindle Unlimited.This is just a taste of what you’ll find inside our new community podcast on Substack. Along with bonus episodes, you’ll also get quarterly meetups, virtual author panels, and a weekly mood-reading curated daylist to help you build the perfect TBR.Right now, you can lock in a 20% off forever annual subscription—just $48 for the year. Join us for cozy recs, community vibes, and your next favorite r

Disclosure: We are part of the Amazon Affiliate/LTK Creator programs. We will receive a small commission at no cost if you purchase a book. This post may contain links to purchase books.Dreaming of your next Disney trip but not sure where to start? In this episode, I’m joined by Disney content creator and author Becky Gandillon, who blends her love of the parks with her background in data analytics to help travelers plan smarter, save money, and skip the overwhelm.Becky is the co-author of The Unofficial Guide to Disney World and shares insider tips on:Budget-friendly strategies for resorts and ticketsWhy the Disney Dining Plan isn’t worth it (and what to do instead)What’s new at the parks in 2025, from refreshed rides to new landsHow to enjoy Disney as a family, with friends, or even soloMust-read Disney books for fans of all ages

Disclosure: We are part of the Amazon Affiliate/LTK Creator programs. We will receive a small commission at no cost if you purchase a book. This post may contain links to purchase books.Nonfiction doesn’t have to be intimidating—or boring. In this episode, I’m joined by Traci Thomas, host of The Stacks Podcast, to talk about the changing book landscape, how she built her long-running show, and why nonfiction can be just as binge-worthy as your favorite romcom.We dive into trends in publishing, the rise of BookTok, and why Traci believes there’s a nonfiction book for everyone. She shares practical tips for finding the right style of nonfiction for your taste, her favorite starter recommendations, and how to embrace memoirs, microhistories, and narrative nonfiction.

Disclosure: We are part of the Amazon Affiliate/LTK Creator programs. We will receive a small commission at no cost if you purchase a book. This post may contain links to purchase books.Star-crossed lovers, time loops, and letters that change everything. In this episode, Anastasia drops four recs where love defies lifetimes—perfect for readers craving angst, magic, and lyrical feels.We chat Bookstagram, Tampa’s Sip & Book Club, why libraries are a reader’s best friend, and a mini-tour through soulmate-through-time stories: from war-torn timelines to typewriter love letters and a cliffhanger-filled fairytale. Cozy-fantasy curious? YA at heart? Romance-first? There’s a book here for you.

Originally published July 21, 2022Disclosure: We are part of the Amazon Affiliate/LTK Creator programs. We will receive a small commission at no cost if you purchase a book. This post may contain links to purchase books.What happens when a legendary romance author daydreams in church and accidentally plots a thriller? In this archival interview, Julie Garwood shares the surprising sparks behind fan-favorite books, her love of Scottish settings, and why she only ever kills the bad guys.We trace Julie’s start from a serendipitous Russian history class to medieval romances, the Buchanan family across centuries, and the real-life moment that inspired Heartbreaker. You’ll also hear how Grace Under Fire came together, plus the comfort-read philosophy that guided her work. Perfect for romance, romantic-suspense, and cozy-mystery readers who love HEAs and strong heroines.Note: This conversation was originally recorded in July 2022 while Julie was promoting her last published novel, Grace Under Fire. Julie Garwood pas

Disclosure: We are part of the Amazon Affiliate/LTK Creator programs. We will receive a small commission at no cost if you purchase a book. This post may contain links to purchase books.Ice-princess heroines, business rivals-to-lovers, and the case for rediscovering historical romance—today Aurora Palit joins us to talk Sunshine & Spice and her spicy new standalone, Honey & Heat.We dig into how Aurora writes deliciously awkward meet-cutes, why “hotter, sooner” worked for Honey & Heat, and a mini masterclass on historical romance: the BookTok slump, gateway recs, and the authors who still slap. Plus: Sherry Thomas pining, Loretta Chase perfection, and a love letter to Julie Garwood.

Disclosure: We are part of the Amazon Affiliate/LTK Creator programs. We will receive a small commission at no cost if you purchase a book. This post may contain links to purchase books.Longing can lead us to unexpected places. In this intimate conversation, literary agent–turned–debut author Samantha Browning Shea unpacks the themes behind her novel Marrow—from fertility and “wellness” culture to coming home, belonging, and the power (and danger) of wanting something deeply.We also go behind the scenes of agent life: what submissions actually look like, how editorial advocacy works after a book sells, and why your author–agent relationship matters just as much as your editor. Samantha closes with thoughtful book recs if you loved the emotional core of Marrow.

Disclosure: We are part of the Amazon Affiliate/LTK Creator programs. We will receive a small commission at no cost if you purchase a book. This post may contain links to purchase books.Messy reality TV chat turns into a smart, warm conversation about disability representation in romance. Laura and Becky from Buzzing About Romance share go-to authors, tropes, and why authentic, own-voices rep matters.In this episode, we talk about how disability and mental health are portrayed on the page (beyond “love cures all”), the rise of neurodivergent heroines and heroes, chronic illness storylines, mobility device users, and thoughtful depictions of PTSD, OCD, dyslexia, Menière’s disease, and more—plus a stack of recs across indie and trad romance. Perfect for readers building an inclusive, feel-good TBR.

Disclosure: We are part of the Amazon Affiliate/LTK Creator programs. We will receive a small commission at no cost if you purchase a book. This post may contain links to purchase books.This episode originally aired on February 11, 2023. Canadian small-town romance author Elsie Silver joins us to chat about her writing journey, her beloved Chestnut Springs series, and the books she can’t stop recommending.We talk about how she went from academic editor to bestselling romance author, why found families and ranch life inspire her stories, and what makes Powerless such a standout childhood friends-to-lovers romance. Elsie also shares her favorite romance reads—from angsty audiobooks to hilarious banter-filled contemporaries—that will definitely add to your TBR.

Disclosure: We are part of the Amazon Affiliate/LTK Creator programs. We will receive a small commission at no cost if you purchase a book. This post may contain links to purchase books.In today’s conversation, Laura chats with Jason Blitman of the Gays Reading podcast about how he went from a non-reader to a passionate book podcaster as an adult. They talk about the joy of discovering books that speak to your identity, the overwhelm of re-entering the book world, and how reading as an adult is different—and better—than it was in school. If you’ve ever said, “I want to read more,” but didn’t know where to start, this episode is for you.

Disclosure: We are part of the Amazon Affiliate/LTK Creator programs. We will receive a small commission at no cost if you purchase a book. This post may contain links to purchase books.What happens when fat joy meets sports romance? Author and podcaster Kelly Reynolds joins me to talk about why plus-size characters in romance—especially sports romance—matter more than ever.We chat about the politics of body representation, how romance can normalize diverse body types, and Kelly’s own baseball romance series. Kelly also shares plenty of book recs—from rugby poly romances to fat girl hockey series—that will expand your TBR with joyful, body-positive reads.

Disclosure: We are part of the Amazon Affiliate/LTK Creator programs. We will receive a small commission at no cost if you purchase a book. This post may contain links to purchase books.Ready to escape into feel-good, spicy romance reads with a side of reality TV gossip? You’re going to love today’s episode.In this episode, Laura chats with Canadian romance author Ellie K. Wilde about her book Only Between Us, her obsession with reality TV (hello Love Island and Vanderpump Rules), and why she’s excited to write a surfing romance with a female athlete lead. We also get into why sometimes the best reads are ones with green flag men and laugh-out-loud moments.

Disclosure: We are part of the Amazon Affiliate/LTK Creator programs. We will receive a small commission at no cost if you purchase a book. This post may contain links to purchase books.Get your TBR ready for the messy, fascinating world of multilevel marketing. In this episode, Laura shares her comfort-watch obsession with anti‑MLM commentary and rounds up fiction and nonfiction reads that unpack pyramid schemes, wellness grifts, and the hustle‑culture mindset.You’ll learn what makes MLMs so seductive (and so costly), how “affiliate” pivots still mirror recruitment models, and the book-and-audio picks that read like page‑turners. Expect romance, cozy mysteries, and investigative nonfiction—plus audiobook recs and a few library/KU tips.

Disclosure: We are part of the Amazon Affiliate/LTK Creator programs. We will receive a small commission at no cost if you purchase a book. This post may contain links to purchase books.The Booker Prize 2025 longlist is here — and we’ve got the perfect guide to diving in.In this episode, I sit down with bookstagrammer and Substack writer Deedi Brown to talk about her book club Booker of the Month, her favorite reads from the 2024 Booker Prize, and predictions for this year’s longlist. We also chat about how to approach literary fiction, tandem reading with audiobooks, and making the Booker list feel like a fun reading project instead of homework.✨ If you’ve been curious about reading the Booker longlist but felt intimidated, this episode is your friendly entry point.