Synopsis
What to Read Next Podcast is hosted by Laura Yamin. In this show, you will find bite size book reviews, book recommendations in the romance, young adult and literary fiction genre. We have weekly guests come on the show and share their favorite books.
Episodes
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Books Like Stars Hollow: Cozy Fall Romance Recs (Preview)
04/10/2025 Duration: 05minDisclosure: 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
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02/10/2025 Duration: 27min
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
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Nonfiction You’ll Actually Love (Even If You’re a Fiction Reader)
30/09/2025 Duration: 37minDisclosure: 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.
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If You Love Star-Crossed Angst, Start Here
23/09/2025 Duration: 22minDisclosure: 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.
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Julie Garwood Talks Buchanans, Scotland & HEAs
18/09/2025 Duration: 21minOriginally 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
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Aurora Palit on Honey & Heat + Spicy Romance Recs
16/09/2025 Duration: 27minDisclosure: 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.
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From Literary Agent to Author: Samantha Browning Shea on Marro
13/09/2025 Duration: 27minDisclosure: 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.
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Romance With Neurodivergent & Disabled Leads | Disability Romance Recs
11/09/2025 Duration: 26minDisclosure: 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.
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Books Elsie Silver Thinks You Should Read Next | Angsty Romance Books Recommendations
09/09/2025 Duration: 13minDisclosure: 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.
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How to Build a Reading Habit as an Adult with Jason from Gays Reading Podcast
06/09/2025 Duration: 26minDisclosure: 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.
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Baseball, Rugby & Hockey: Plus Size Sports Romances to Love | Author Interview: Kelly Reynolds
04/09/2025 Duration: 33minDisclosure: 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.
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Why Romance Readers Love Green Flag Book Boyfriends l Author Chat with Ellie K. Wilde
02/09/2025 Duration: 15minDisclosure: 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.
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From Shampoo Scams to Cozy Sleuths—The Book List MLMs Don’t Want You to Read
22/08/2025 Duration: 22minDisclosure: 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.
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How to Read the Booker Prize Longlist (Without Feeling Overwhelmed)
19/08/2025 Duration: 24minDisclosure: 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.
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Books Like Gilmore Girls with Jules Buono
24/07/2025 Duration: 21minDisclosure: 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.Today’s episode is for every reader who dreams of Stars Hollow! I’m joined by Jules Buono of Friday Night Readers, a Gilmore Girls-inspired Substack and community. We delve into the cozy literary world of Rory and Lorelai, sharing six book recommendations that channel the same spirit—from small-town charm and quirky community vibes to poignant mother-daughter dynamics and autumnal settings. Whether you’re a longtime fan or discovering the magic of Gilmore Girls for the first time, these reads will hit all the right nostalgic notes.This might be a little different from our usual romance-heavy episodes—but if you’re into cozy vibes, bookish themes, and heartfelt storytelling, this one’s for you. (Plus, Lauren Graham narrates one of the recs!)
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What How to Be Well by Amy Larocca Reveals About the Wellness Industry
22/07/2025 Duration: 38minToday’s episode is a little different—it’s a deep dive into nonfiction and the wellness industry with journalist and author Amy Larocca. Amy’s new book, How to Be Well, unpacks the cultural obsession with self-optimization and wellness, touching on everything from fashion to functional medicine, detox diets to supplements, and the way our bodies are treated and perceived in society.As someone who was deeply embedded in the wellness and life coaching world in the late aughts (fun fact: my first two podcasts were about personal development), this conversation felt personal and powerful. Amy brings curiosity and compassion as she explores the historical, political, and very personal impacts of wellness culture on women—especially those of us who came of age in the girlboss era.We talk about:The blurred lines between wellness as care and wellness as commerceHow our generation was sold “detoxes” and green powders instead of medical careWhy so much of wellness is rooted in privilege, access, and aspiratio
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My Lazy Sunday Reading Retreat Totally Flopped… Here’s Why
07/07/2025 Duration: 16minIn this episode of What to Read Next, Laura shares her personal journey of trying (and slightly failing) to create a Sunday reading retreat—and why a phone detox might be the key to getting back into a satisfying reading groove. From binge-watching Love Island UK to rediscovering how much joy a simple reading day can bring, Laura dives deep into creating your own reading retreat at home. She also dishes on Turkish TV drama, Dramione fanfic controversy, and why it might be time to rethink our relationship with social media.Highlights:Laura’s attempt at a personal reading retreat and why it turned into a TV bingeThe joy of rewatching Love Island UK vs. disappointment with the USA versionUpdates on her Turkish TV Obsessed podcast, plus finishing As The Crow Flies on NetflixLatest bookish drama: Dramione fanfics being turned into books and the controversy around themReflections on a past reading binge during a hurricane power outage — and why it was blissful without her phoneHow doomscrolling keeps us from readin
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Books Like Summer House: NYC & Hamptons Summer Romances You’ll Love
04/07/2025 Duration: 08minIf you’ve ever watched Bravo’s Summer House and wished you could join a messy friend group getting sunburnt in the Hamptons, this episode is for you! Laura shares her favorite books that capture the same summer vibes—from Hamptons scandals to Fire Island shares and cozy small-town beach escapes. Whether you’re lounging poolside or dreaming of a sandy getaway, these books will transport you straight into the ultimate summer mood.
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Reading on a Budget? My Audiobook + Library Tips Inside
25/06/2025 Duration: 21minDisclosure: 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 off-the-cuff voice memo episode, I’m checking in with a life and reading update from the front seat of my car—literally. I talk about how my reading habits have shifted post-Kindle streak, what it’s been like to return to borrowing physical books, and how audiobooks are saving my reading life (and sleep schedule). I’m also sharing a few book recommendations, tips for using Audible and Amazon Music for less, and why rediscovering my local library has brought so much joy.If you’re navigating a reading slump, trying to read more affordably, or just curious about how life changes impact reading, this one's for you.
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9 Must-Read Queer Books That Go Way Beyond Pride Month
12/06/2025 Duration: 10minIn this episode, I’m joined by Jason Blitman, host of the Gays Reading podcast, to spotlight stunning queer books that go far beyond your usual Pride Month roundups. Jason shares four queer literary fiction recommendations that are lyrical, emotionally resonant, and incredibly diverse, plus five must-read memoirs and essay collections written by LGBTQIA+ voices. Whether you’re looking for gothic slow burns, poetic introspection, or laugh-out-loud memoirs, this list has something for you.