Best Bookrecommendations Podcasts (2025)

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Ep 506: A new way to think about your reading in the coming year 59:53

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5m ago59:53

59:53

Today's guest has been participating in reading challenges for nearly a decade, and she's putting a unique spin on this tradition in 2026 that you'll hear about today. Callie Dean lives in Shreveport, Louisiana, where in addition to reading she enjoys playing the violin in the Shreveport Symphony Orchestra, writing children's books, and running and…

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Chapter 155: Bulle the Bookseller broadens borders and births bibliophiles 1:19:11

4d ago1:19:11

1:19:11

We're back to Africa! Last month we kicked off a little Kenyan series on 3 Books and today I'm thrilled to share another chapter recorded in the heart of pulsing downtown Nairobi in the country's top bookstore. I landed after an overnight flight and immediately filled my belly with fresh samosas, pakoras, curried goat tripe, and fresh tamarind ju…

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Best Books of 2025 Superlatives with Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) | Ep. 212 1:03:57

2d ago1:03:57

1:03:57

In Ep. 212, Sarah and Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books start wrapping up 2025 with the first of the two year-end episodes: Best Books of 2025 Superlatives. In this episode, they share their picks for over 25 superlative categories, including Weirdest 5-Star Read of 2025, The Book That Made Us Furious, Most Underrated Gem, Too Dark Even for Me, a…

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Ep 505: Recs for a reader in search of "best in class" books 56:50

7d ago56:50

56:50

We love unique reading projects around here, and today's guest has maintained hers since 2021. We're going to hear all about it and explore how she's adding a new twist for 2026. Kate Mosesso is a reader and improv comedian who lives and works in Chicago. She's a lifelong reader, and while she loves the stories on the page, she's an even bigger fan…

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Ep 504: Niche and nerdy narrative nonfiction 48:10

14d ago48:10

48:10

Historical fiction is a popular genre among many, but today's guest learned a lot about her reading life when she realized this genre wasn't for her! Today Anne is talking with Laura Howard, an Atlanta-area faculty developer and part-time university professor. She’s always seen reading as both a personal joy and a form of connection, whether with t…

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Chapter 36: Two teenage Mormon missionaries on missing mom to make miracles 1:23:23

15d ago1:23:23

1:23:23

So one day I'm out taking one of my magical life-changing long walks when suddenly two guys are like "Hi! How are you?!" And I look up kind of stunned because I'm walking around downtown Toronto where no one really pops out of the woodwork to shout a "Hi! How are you?!" at you … What do I see? Two young men smiling back at me. Like, big smiles! G…

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Fall 2025 Circle Back with Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) (Ep. 211) 52:29

16d ago52:29

52:29

In Episode 211, Sarah and Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books catch up on the 14 new releases they shared in the Fall 2025 Book Preview, now that they've read them — or at least tried to! They share their reading stats and discuss which books worked and which didn't…and why. This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission…

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Ep 503: Which cozy mysteries are right for me? 52:21

21d ago52:21

52:21

Breaking into a new genre can feel intimidating. Today Anne is talking with a reader who is keen to explore cozy mysteries, but isn't sure where to begin. Amber Richcreek lives in Bellingham, Washington with her family, where she’s a pre-k teacher and enjoys baking and photography in her spare time. She’s also a lifelong reader and a fan of emotion…

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State of the Publishing Industry in 2025 with Laura McGrath, Author of the textCrunch Substack (Ep. 210) 54:07

23d ago54:07

54:07

In Ep. 210, Laura McGrath, author of the popular Substack newsletter, textCrunch, joins Sarah to take a sharp look at the State of the Publishing Industry in 2025. This packed episode covers a high-level look at the top sales and book trends, as well as Laura's insights into the future of the book world for 2026. Also, Laura shares her favorite boo…

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Ep 502: Choosing book gifts your friends will love 1:01:19

28d ago1:01:19

1:01:19

We all know that book gifts are the best gifts, and today Anne is talking with a devoted reader who's come to the show looking for guidance on selecting great bookish gifts for the season to come. Meredith Amadee lives in Tucson, Arizona, where she works as a wedding photographer and hosts a book club that's come to play a big part in her life. Eve…

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Chapter 154: Peter Kimani on conquering the curse of choreographed colonialism 2:22:53

30d ago2:22:53

2:22:53

We're heading to Africa! Over the years we have taken the 3 Books podcast on the road many times ... from recording in Judy Blume's bookstore in Key West to to the back of Jackie's Uber in St. Louis to Jonathan Haidt's kitchen in New York we've gone where the stories take us. And for the first time we are going to the 55-country and 1.5 billi…

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Ep 501: Crafting a personal curriculum for a lifelong learner 1:03:56

1M ago1:03:56

1:03:56

When she discovered the idea of a personal curriculum, today's guest couldn't wait to apply this concept to her reading life. Amy St. Amand, a primary care clinical pharmacist from Rhode Island, wants to know a little bit about a whole lot of things. She's working to build a personal learning plan that encompasses a variety of her assorted interest…

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Ep. 209: 2025 Debuts Special with Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) and Chrissie (@ChrissieWhitley) 56:21

1M ago56:21

56:21

In Episode 209, Catherine (@GilmoreGuide) and Chrissie (@ChrissieWhitley) join Sarah for the 5th annual Debuts Special! They're sharing their reading stats for debuts this year, along with their favorite debuts, new and backlist — so far for 2025. This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (a…

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Ep 500: The little things that add up to a rich reading life 1:01:13

1M ago1:01:13

1:01:13

Today marks a major milestone: the 500th episode of What Should I Read Next! To celebrate, Anne is joined by two guests today. First, you'll hear her in conversation with our What Should I Read Next Patreon Community Manager Shannan Malone as they explore what's new in our Patreon community space. Then, Anne welcomes one of our previous guests back…

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Chapter 35: Jen Agg on fussy feminism and ferocious fastidiousness 1:13:03

1M ago1:13:03

1:13:03

"Whatever Jen Agg says is worth listening to," said Anthony Bourdain. I fully agree! If you live in Toronto you probably know Jen Agg. If you don't, let me tell you she runs the best restaurants in town! Come visit and try them! Her most recent stunner is a two-story converted auto-body shop turned Toronto Life #1 ranked restaurant called "General…

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Ep 499: Weird, nerdy, and totally delightful: our conversation with Kevin Wilson 1:05:16

2M ago1:05:16

1:05:16

One of our favorite things to do in our Modern Mrs Darcy Book Club is connect with the authors we all love. Every so often we have the opportunity to share one of those conversations with all of you, too. Today you'll be hearing from Kevin Wilson, author of our 2025 Summer Reading Guide selection Run for the Hills and a writer we've long looked for…

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Ep. 208: Best of Narrative Nonfiction with Elizabeth Barnhill of Fabled Bookshop (@FabledBookshop) 56:36

2M ago56:36

56:36

Ep. 208 brings the third installment of our "Best of…" series. Elizabeth Barnhill of Fabled Bookshop joined Sarah for the Best of Narrative Nonfiction, sharing her ALL-TIME TOP books in this genre. Plus, she brings a few popular nonfiction reads that didn't work for her.⁠ This episode is chock-full of fantastic book recommendations to get you ready…

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Ep 498: Books that feel like your favorite comfort TV shows 43:26

2M ago43:26

43:26

Returning to favorite TV shows is a common stress management strategy. Today’s guest would love to find books that deliver the same soothing feelings she gets from re-watching her favorite comfort shows. Kayla King lives on a small-scale dairy and hobby farm in Spartansburg, Pennsylvania. A lifelong reader, Kayla's recently started to branch out fr…

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Ep 497: The magic of bringing book lovers together 45:31

2M ago45:31

45:31

By Anne Bogel

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Chapter: 153: Carl Honoré imparts illuminating insights into intentional idleness 1:52:51

2M ago1:52:51

1:52:51

The pace of living is accelerating. I often feel like things are happening too quickly to process ... the reels are going too fast, the scrolls have too many colors, the information feed feels like a flood. I just can't process it all! Do you feel the same way? If so you need this conversation as much as I did. Carl Honoré is the godfather of the "…

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Delirium 5:53

2M ago5:53

5:53

By Eden Rusdia

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Ep. 207: Regina Black (Author of August Lane) 50:07

2M ago50:07

50:07

In Episode 207, Sarah chats with author Regina Black about her newest novel, August Lane. A second-chance romance about two people healing from trauma, August Lane is set in Arcadia, Arkansas, with themes of family, generational scars, and a unique thread of Black country music. Regina also talks about how she got into writing Romance on top of her…

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Ep 496: Warm and inviting stories of hearth and home 53:57

2M ago53:57

53:57

When the world feels heavy, many of us reach for books. Today's guest is looking for a specific style of comfort reads. Jemima Welsh is joining Anne today all the way from Brisbane, Australia, where she lives with her family and her pets, including four chickens named for the March sisters. Right now, Jemima is specifically looking for books that f…

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An Important Podcast Announcement 3:37

2M ago3:37

3:37

Please listen to the accompanying (less than 4 minute) episode for an important update about the Sarah's Bookshelves Live podcast. Thank you, SarahBy Sarah Dickinson | Sarah's Bookshelves

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Ep 495: Fall Book Preview sneak peek 37:09

3M ago37:09

37:09

,The team at MMD HQ has always been enthusiastic about fall reading. We shared our first Fall Book Preview back in 2019, and last week we released the seventh annual edition. Today, we’re sharing a sneak peek into this year's event that concludes with Anne describing the first three books in our literary and contemporary fiction category. Our Fall …

3M ago52:38

52:38

In Episode 204, Sarah and Catherine of Gilmore Guide to Books catch up on the 12 new releases they shared in the Summer 2025 Book Preview, now that they've read them — or at least tried to! They share their reading stats, chat about what worked — and discuss which books didn't work and why. This post contains affiliate links through which I make a …