What Should I Read Next?

Ep 511: Ask Anne Anything: 10 Year Anniversary Edition

January 27, 2026

Key Takeaways Copied to clipboard!

  • The podcast "What Should I Read Next?" originated from Anne's blog, Modern Mrs. Darcy, after readers frequently requested personalized book recommendations, leading to the launch of the podcast in 2016. 
  • The business grew significantly in 2016, marked by the launch of the podcast and book club, the signing of Anne's first book contract, and the hiring of key team members like Ginger. 
  • Anne and her husband, Will Bogle (Executive Producer), established clear rules and routines, such as a weekly coffee meeting, to successfully manage working together as partners since Will joined full-time in 2017. 

Segments

Podcast Origin Story
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(00:19:00)
  • Key Takeaway: The podcast’s core concept, Literary Matchmaking, was first tested on the Modern Mrs. Darcy blog in February 2014.
  • Summary: The podcast’s origin traces back to Anne’s blog, Modern Mrs. Darcy, which launched in 2011 without an initial focus on books. Readers soon requested recommendations, prompting Anne to test a ‘Literary Matchmaking’ concept in a 2014 blog post. The success of this format, where she recommended three books based on reader input, paved the way for the podcast launch in January 2016.
Business Growth and Staffing
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(00:16:00)
  • Key Takeaway: The year 2016 was pivotal for the business, coinciding with the podcast launch, the start of the book club, and the hiring of key team members.
  • Summary: The business began without any conception of it being a formal enterprise, initially relying on small affiliate income. Anne started hiring regular team members in earnest in 2015, with 2016 being a major growth year that included signing her first book contract. Will Bogle joined full-time in 2017, supported by the podcast’s growing ad revenue, despite subsequent industry volatility.
Favorite Episode Selection
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(00:22:05)
  • Key Takeaway: Episode 168, featuring Tara Nichols on ‘A Century of Good Books in a Single Year,’ is cited as a favorite because it significantly changed listeners’ approaches to reading.
  • Summary: Anne dislikes superlatives but named Episode 168 with Tara Nichols as a favorite because many listeners reported that the specific reading challenge discussed altered their reading lives. A follow-up episode, ‘Your Reading Life is in Good Hands’ (January 2022), also exists for this topic. This episode is relevant now as listeners often reflect on reading goals at the start of the year.
Reading Fatigue and Work
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(00:25:16)
  • Key Takeaway: Anne does not get sick of reading itself, but she mitigates potential weariness from required reading by adjusting the format or focus of content creation events.
  • Summary: Anne clarifies that she writes and talks about books for a living, rather than reading for a living, which keeps her passion intact. If she feels obligated to read in a way she dislikes, such as being on a ’new release treadmill,’ she works with her team to change the event format. For example, the Spring Book Preview was shifted to a more intimate chat format instead of a large overview.
Finding Under-the-Radar Books
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(00:27:17)
  • Key Takeaway: Under-the-radar recommendations are often found by looking outside typical book-focused publications, such as in science or nature magazines, or through personal connections.
  • Summary: Anne finds recommendations by browsing the Edelweiss publishing platform and talking to bookseller friends like Holland Saltzman and Andrea Griffith. She also seeks out titles in non-book-related publications like Outside Magazine or Science Magazine online. Additionally, she gathers notes from pre-show sound checks with authors and relies on recommendations from her team member, Ginger.
Managing Book Collection Size
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(00:35:01)
  • Key Takeaway: Culling physical books involves a ‘waiting and seeing’ approach, prioritizing sentimental value over library availability, and finding good homes for outgoing titles.
  • Summary: Anne regularly culls books by assessing different shelf areas with varying criteria, often letting recently acquired books ‘age’ before deciding their fate. She prioritizes keeping books given with love over copies readily available at the library. When space becomes an issue, the decision is almost always to remove books rather than build more shelving.
Reading Taste Evolution
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(00:39:00)
  • Key Takeaway: Over ten years, Anne’s reading taste has shifted toward seeking insight and appreciating sharp prose that presents familiar ideas freshly, alongside a greater willingness to try new genres.
  • Summary: Anne believes her reading lens has changed due to increased life experience, giving her a larger mental library to draw upon. She reads more fiction now than she used to, often looking for entertainment that is ‘sparkly and fresh.’ She values authors who employ unique formats or points of view, which she finds exciting in craft.
Working with a Partner
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(00:42:59)
  • Key Takeaway: Working with a spouse requires established rules and practical adjustments, such as setting aside dedicated time for non-work conversations.
  • Summary: Anne and Will sought counsel from a marriage therapist before Will quit his job to join the business full-time in 2017. A practical challenge was Anne needing uninterrupted focus time, leading to the establishment of workplace boundaries. They now maintain a Friday coffee routine specifically to discuss non-work-related topics that arise during the week.
Proudest Accomplishments
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(00:53:16)
  • Key Takeaway: Anne is most proud of the kind, enthusiastic, and nerdy community built around books, and the commitment to operating the business based on core values despite external pressures.
  • Summary: The primary source of pride is the community that loves books more than is considered ‘reasonable,’ fostering mutual admiration and support. Operationally, she is proud of running a business through the volatile internet landscape while staying true to their values, exemplified by declining an interview with a famous author whose desired interview style did not align with the show’s format.