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

That one completely blew me away. I actually dog-eared a page and I never do that. And I sat in my bed and sobbed just over like one paragraph. I would probably call that a six star read for me. And I'd never put star ratings on anything because it freaks me out. Hey, readers, I'm Anne Bogle. And this is What Should I Read Next? Welcome to the show that's dedicated to answering the question that plagues every reader. What should I read next?

We don't get bossy on the show. What we will do here is give you the information you need to choose your next read. Every week, we'll talk all things books and reading and do a little literary matchmaking with one guest.

Readers, if you love tuning in every week for Book Talk, you'll really enjoy becoming a member of our What Should I Read Next Patreon community. Every Friday, we share bonus episodes with our members. Last Friday's episode was part of our Industry Insights Loose series, in which I explore topics in the publishing landscape that impact your reading life. whether you realize that yet or not. We've talked about bestseller lists, pre-order campaigns, special editions, and more.

In our newest, much-requested episode, I dive into the details of how library digital collections work. So when you're borrowing books from Overdrive, Libby, and Hoopla, what happens behind the scenes? How do the libraries get those books? Why are the hold times so long? We get into all that and more.

When you join Patreon today, not only do you directly support our show and our team, you also get immediate access to that episode, our Library of Industry Insights episodes, and our recent fall book preview. If you'd like to check out the other bonus episodes we have planned for this

month, check out the recent preview post we shared on Instagram. We've also got it linked in the show notes of today's post for easy access. Our Patreon community members also get invited to our seasonal events, like our recent fall book preview unboxing, and often get to weigh in with questions. or suggestions that result in future episodes here on the main feed or bonus episodes in Patreon.

And on top of all the bonuses you'll enjoy in our Patreon community, you'll also be making a very real impact when it comes to supporting this weekly podcast and everything else we do here at What Should I Read Next HQ.

The podcast industry has been shifting quite a lot in recent years. And more than ever, we rely on our Patreon community members for the financial support that makes it possible for us to create this podcast each and every week. So for everyone who is already providing that support,

Thank you again. We have you to thank for the fact that we are about to celebrate 500 episodes. And if you've been listening along for years and would like to make sure we continue to show up in your podcast feeds every week, consider coming over and joining us on Patreon. You'll get all the bonus goodies and be a direct contributor to everything we do. Get all the details and sign up at patreon.com slash what should I read next. That's patreon.com slash what should I read next.

Readers, sometimes saying no is a good thing. When I know a book isn't for me, I'm not afraid to say no to finishing it. And when it comes to overpriced wireless bills, I also love saying no. At Mint Mobile, they say no to contracts, monthly bills, overages, and hidden fees. This makes it easy to say yes to their premium wireless plans, starting at just $15 a month. All of Mint Mobile's plans come with everything you need for just $15 a month.

No more outrageous monthly bills, just the high-speed data and unlimited talk and text you need to stay connected. Bring your own phone and contacts. It's easy to make the switch. I'd like to keep an eye on monthly expenses like subscriptions and utility fees.

Sometimes saving money is as easy as canceling or pausing a subscription, but wireless is something we rely on every month. So the next time I want to trim costs on our mobile service, I'll be checking out Mint Mobile's offers. Ready to say yes to saying no? Make the switch at mintmobile.com slash read next. That's mintmobile.com slash read next. Upfront payment of $45 required, equivalent to 15 bucks a month.

Limited time new customer offer for first three months only. Speeds may slow above 35 gig on unlimited plan. Taxes and fees extra. See Mint Mobile for details.

We all find comfort in different ways, and returning to favorite TV shows is a common stress management strategy. Today's guest would love to replicate the experience of watching and re-watching her favorite comfort shows by finding the books that deliver those same... soothing feelings. Kayla King is joining me today from her home on a small-scale dairy and hobby farm in Spartansburg, Pennsylvania, where she lives with her husband. Kayla's a lifelong reader.

And she's recently started to branch out from her usual genres of mysteries, thrillers, and science fiction and fantasy. When Kayla wrote in with her request to help her find books that would, to some extent, replace her regular comfort TV viewing, it felt like such a relatable question.

We had to have her on to talk about it. I can't wait to dive into this topic with Kayla and leave her with recommendations that she can reach for the next time she wants to channel those comforting vibes and experience a great story in book form at the same time. Let's get to it.

Kayla, welcome to the show. Thank you so much for having me. I'm delighted to be here. Oh, I can't wait to dig in today. When your submission came in, I told my kids, hey, y'all, listen to this. And it's a conversation I really wanted to have. Thanks for coming on to have it today. awesome I'm so glad that it was a hit Kayla I'd love to start by giving our readers a glimpse of who you are where you are in the world can you tell us a little about yourself please

Sure. My name is Kayla King. I live on a small-scale dairy and hobby farm with my husband, who's the love of my life, in Spartansburg, PA. That's in the northwestern corner. I really love to cook and I work part-time in food preparation for a small shop called Your Daily Serving. We serve healthy, ready-to-eat meals.

We can deliver them or you can pick them up. We also provide charcuterie and catering for events. And I'm super passionate about holistic health and wellness. And I became a nutritional therapy practitioner about a year and a half ago. Thanks for that overview. Now, will you tell us about your reading life, whether what it looks like right now or your history as a reader or both? Yeah, so I...

have loved reading my entire life. My mom tells me that I taught myself to read around three or four years old. Most of the pictures that my family has of me as a child, I have a book in my hand. I would regularly bring books to events. and read instead of socializing. And I've gone through phases like most people, but

Reading has been like the one thing that I have always done. And I used to exclusively read like mysteries, thrillers, sci-fi and fantasy. I was obsessed with Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden when I was younger. But recently I've started reading a little bit more. broadly.

In particular, I've added romance into my genres. That was something I never thought would happen. My mom would read a lot of like Christian romance when I was younger. And I tried a couple of them as I like turned to a teenager. And I was like, this is just not for me. I don't. at this at all. And then a couple years ago, I listened to Happy Place by Emily Henry, and I fell in love. I was like, I love this.

Along with that, audiobooks were also a fairly recent addition to my reading life. I just found out that I could read a lot more books if I listened to them as well as read them on the page. That's what hooked me. Kayla, what brings you to What Should I Read Next right now? Well, I have found myself in reading slumps over the last couple years. In those slumps, I find myself watching a lot of TV and watching the same TV shows over and over and over again because everyone has their comfort shows.

I just thought, what if there were books that felt like watching these shows that I could... turn to whenever I feel that pull to put down the book and pick up the remote. And so I submitted my submission and I just wanted to find more books that felt like watching my favorite. comfort shows i love it kayla what are your favorites My two very favorite shows are Friends and Parks and Rec. I watch those pretty much as soon as one finishes, I start the other. Once in a while, I...

get the urge to watch something else. And those shows are usually The Office, Gilmore Girls, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Abbott Elementary, Psych. I've also loved shows like Modern Family or Only Murders in the Building. The theme that I have found running through a lot of these shows is they're quirky, mostly ridiculous. They're funny and they're heartwarming. It's rare for me to get through one of those shows without crying and laughing.

Now this may seem self-evident to you but what appeals to you about finding a readerly not quite equivalent it's not going to be the same but what appeals to you about finding a literary world you can enter as well. There are so many assumptions embedded in that question that I don't actually mean to put on you, but tell me about it. Right. Well, I think the big thing right now is as like a holistic health and wellness.

junkie, I guess you could call me. I know all about the effects of blue light on our health. And so I'm not... interested in completely doing away with all screens all the time, but I need to have something I can do that's not watching TV until 10pm. So trying to find a book that I feel... interested in picking up when it's time to turn the TV off or put my phone down is probably my main motivator. And I like the way I feel after I've read more. I tend to think about the material that I read.

more than I think about the material that I've watched oh interesting this is me flashing through everything I've read and watched lately Okay. I'm going to be thinking more about that. How have your efforts been so far to find books that fill this niche? So I... haven't specifically looked for any books that I think would... fill those gaps. But something that recently happened that I think has helped me turn the TV off and pick up a book more is I got a Kindle.

My husband bought it for me after I mentioned in passing that I could probably scratch his back a little bit better if I was holding a Kindle instead of a paper book. And he immediately went out and bought me a Kindle because he wants his back scratched more. It feels like I read faster on the Kindle because now I can use Libby on my e-reader. I find myself...

going through books a little bit faster. And because I have the deadline of the Libby holds, I find myself reading a lot more and keeping the TV off. Let's see what we can do if we can find you some books that feel like watching your favorite comfort TV. Readers, if you love connecting with the authors behind your favorite books, check out a podcast hosted by past guest Zibby Owens.

Her Webby Award-winning daily podcast, Totally Booked with Zibi, features conversations with the authors you already love and those you're just waiting to discover. Zibi is a bookstore owner and bestselling author who you may recall from episode 235. Every weekday on her podcast, Totally Booked, she sits down with the best, buzziest, and underrated authors to talk books and more, all in 30 minutes or less. And now, Season 2 of Totally Booked Live is here.

This time around, you're invited to be part of the live studio audience in New York for 16 incredible interviews with authors like Danny Shapiro, Mitch Albom, Susan Orlean, and Kate Bear. Every conversation will be released on the podcast feed after so you can enjoy them from wherever you are.

Don't miss out. Add Totally Booked to your podcast player if you are looking to discover new-to-you authors and get to know your favorite authors a little bit better. Follow Totally Booked with Zibi on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you are listening now.

Readers, as fall weather brings cooler days, I'm all about wearing layers that are adaptable for our erratic weather. That's why my autumn closet includes old favorites, plus a few new items that are versatile no matter what the forecast says is coming.

Quince makes quality fall essentials that feel cozy, look refined, and won't blow your budget. They've got premium denim that fits just the way you want it to. They also make outerwear you'll reach for year after year. Their wool coats look way more expensive than they actually are.

Even better with Quince, there's no sacrificing on quality. Quince makes top-tier products at affordable prices by partnering directly with ethical factories and cutting out the middlemen. This means you'll find luxury-quality pieces at half the price of similar brands. It feels good to finally pull out my sweaters for fall, like Quince's lightweight cotton cashmere link stitch dolman sweater, which is easy to dress up or down depending on the occasion.

I also predict my new Mongolian cashmere structured cardigan will become a wardrobe staple once it cools down just a little bit more. It's pretty and polished and also it's comfy. The perfect blend of style and comfort. Find your fall staples at Quince. Go to quince.com slash readnext for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too. That's quince.com slash readnext.

to get free shipping and 365-day returns. quince.com slash readnext. You know how this works. You're going to tell me about three books you love.

one book you don't, and what you've been reading lately, and we will turn our eyes to what you may enjoy reading next in this vein. How did you choose the books you brought to the show today? I went through my Goodreads list over the last year or so and picked the ones that really stood out. Some of them I didn't even need to go to my Goodreads list for because they've just been front and center of my mind ever since I read them.

But some of them, I did kind of go to that list just to see kind of what fit the topic. And I was like, what of these books kind of felt like watching TV to me? Okay, no more questions yet. Yet? Okay. All right, Kayla, I'm going to bite my tongue on my questions right now. We'll see what we learn from the books. What's the first book you love? The first book I loved was Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Mayer. And this book felt like watching...

The Princess Bride. The author started by making TikTok videos and she was telling this story about this girl who accidentally becomes an assistant to a villain and it's just like hijinks ensue it is funny quirky mostly ridiculous There is a little bit of a romantic element, but it's pretty slow burn. But most of it was just a really fun romp. And like I said, it just...

really reminded me of The Princess Bride, which is one of my favorite movies and one that I return to a lot. So how would you say reading this book made you feel? Aside from like you just watched The Princess Bride. Yeah. It made me feel...

light, and it was heartwarming, and I was really engaged. This was one that I listened to on audiobook, which I highly recommend. It was a great experience on audio, and it made me feel like I was in the world, like I could forget about my own surroundings and just be immersed in this fictional world. Well, that sounds lovely. We have team members who love this book, but I haven't read it yet myself. Kayla, what's the second book you love?

The second book I loved was On Earth as it is on television by Emily Jane. And this is a sci-fi book that's about an alien invasion. and I did not know what to expect when I picked it up. I'd never heard of this book. I saw it at the library as I was walking through, and I was like, that looks different. It looks quirky, and I like quirky books.

So I picked it up and this is another one that sucked me right in. And I could not wait to get through it because it was, I felt like it was a page turner, but not in a thriller kind of way in a like. I can't wait to see what's happening. And all the stories are just, again, like really heartwarming. It was extremely quirky, pretty ridiculous.

I just felt myself returning to that world even after I finished the book. I would think about it and recommend this book all the time because I'm like, this book was so weird, but it was so fun. So weird, but so fun.

Is that an experience you'd like to repeat? Not the book, but those vibes? Yes. Yes, I do really like quirky or weird kind of books. And Kayla, what's the third book you love? Now this... book is actually is a series like I snuck it in there as a series but this one is probably the least like my favorite comfort shows but I wanted a representation of the kind of like sci-fi fantasy world

books that I love. And this was The Red Rising Saga by Pierce Brown. This felt more like watching like a star wars show or movie um it's it's sci-fi and fantasy but it is more of like an epic it's centered around a war and there's space travel which is something else that i really like um i love like the Star Wars universe.

Star Trek, those kinds of things. So this one isn't more like my comfort reads, but is more representative of the kind of world building that I love. And it gets you sucked into the characters and their development. Like learning about a world. Kayla, before we spoke and I was just looking at your submission, one of the things that jumped out at me about loving these shows is that...

Each show has this cast of characters that you get to know as a viewer, especially if you're watching again and again. As I'm listening to you describe Red Rising, I'm thinking how you're really bringing in that element of sinking into a world and getting to know a whole cast. Is that? Yes. That's what you're trying to tell me? Yes. Yep. Wonderful.

Okay, I'm tracking. Now, Kayla, tell me about a book that was not a good fit. And I'd love to hear why. Was it not what you expected? Not to your taste? Was the timing not right? What did you choose? So this was The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley. I know she's like a really popular author and I can't remember off the top of my head if I tried another one of hers yet or not. This one...

I don't even remember a lot of the book. I just remember at the end, I didn't care about the revelation at the end, like the big mystery solve at the end. It just didn't matter to me because at that point I was just like, I don't. care about this and I'm not sure I think part of it was I didn't care for the characters they didn't seem I wouldn't say likable I don't mind an unlikable character but they just didn't seem

I didn't care about what happened to them. And sometimes the quests in that book just felt like they were irrelevant or contrived. I honestly don't even really remember the reading experience. I remember what happens at the end, but I don't even remember how they got there. And I think it, I don't know, I think it just wasn't for me, which is, was disappointing because I do love a mystery or a thriller. Those are some books that I do really love, but this one just, it didn't hit for me.

Kayla, listening to you describe that, I'm really wondering how much the question of, do I want to spend time in this world? Does this world feel comfortable and enticing and interesting to me? How much that question factors in? I think it probably factors a lot. Like my comfort shows are definitely more like heartwarming and I guess I would say like gentle or soft or funny or...

words like that. But even in things like thrillers or mysteries or an epic saga, like the Red Rising saga, I want to feel at home in that world and like I have a place. And I did not feel that in the Paris apartment. It just kind of felt like, I don't know, like a... of voyeurism into like a CW show. No shame for people who love CW shows, but sometimes they just have that quality that's very...

I don't even know the right word for it, just kind of like flashy, but there's really no substance to it, which I enjoy those from time to time too. But that's kind of how this felt. It just kind of felt contrived. It was like one flashy scene after another. And at the end, I was like, I don't even care what happens because it doesn't have my attention. So this is a plotty... puzzle box kind of, ooh, how'd they do it kind of book. And that's not where the appeal is for you. Yeah. Okay.

Because we're talking mysteries, I think my brain is going to psych and especially Brooklyn Nine-Nine, which I've seen a lot of because my kids rewatched this as a comfort watch. And I'm thinking how there are plots, there are mysteries to be solved. Like bad stuff happens on Brooklyn Nine-Nine. It's baked in. And yet the whole thing is just kind of zany. And Lucy Foley is many things as an author. But zany and heartwarming are not her. Yeah. Okay. So.

Sounds like you read a lot of crime fiction. Yes. I mean, Assistant to the Villain feels not totally out of this space. I'm wondering how much, like, an element of warmth. matters. I do read authors like Karen Slaughter or Lisa Jewell. Karen Slaughter is like, her books aren't warm, but she writes emotion really well. And so you can connect even if you don't agree or you think the character is unlikable, you're still able to connect with them emotionally because she describes it so well.

Ooh, able to connect with them emotionally. Because warmth would not describe the book, but I'm wondering about the, not the characters, but at least one character. Okay, at least a character who seems emotionally open. Yeah. Okay, we'll put a pin in that. Kayla, what have you been reading lately?

I've been reading a lot lately. My e-reader has dramatically upticked my reading. But some of the things that I finished lately were the Mistborn trilogy by Brandon Sanderson. He's another author that I love. I read Wild Dark Shore in about 24 hours. That's by Charlotte McConaughey. And that one completely blew me away. I actually dog-eared a page and I never do that. And I sat in my bed and sobbed just over like one paragraph.

I would probably call that a six star read for me. And I'd never put star ratings on anything because it freaks me out. But that one was so good to me. And then another one that I was completely tickled by was Hello Stranger by Catherine Center. And I think that's because Catherine Center as an author in general, she's...

pretty quirky, very funny, mostly ridiculous. Like a lot of things that happens to her characters, you would be like, that would never happen in real life. But for some reason in the book, it like completely makes sense. And it's so funny. I love that you found those. Kayla, what else would you like me to know about what you're looking for right now in your reading life? I guess I'm just looking for books that...

are completely engaging to me and they feel like watching my favorite comfort shows and they like help me turn the remote off and pick up the book. They get me completely immersed and might even be a book that I would. reread because it feels like returning to friends. All right. That sounds lovely. Let's see what we can do.

It's time to streamline with WhatsApp. The secure messaging app that brings the whole group together. Use polls to settle dinner plans. Send event invites and pin messages so no one forgets mom's 60th. And never miss a meme or milestone. All protected with end-to-end encryption. It's time for WhatsApp. Message privately with everyone. Learn more at whatsapp.com.

Adjective. Used to describe an individual whose spirit is unyielding, unconstrained. One who navigates life on their own terms, effortlessly. They do not always show up on time, but when they arrive, you notice. An individual confident in their contradictions. They know the rules but behave as if they do not exist. The books you loved were Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Mayer, On Earth as it is on television by Emily Jane,

And The Red Rising Saga by Pierce Brown. The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley is not for you. And lately, you've hit it big with some of your favorite authors. Brandon Sanderson, Charlotte McConaughey, Catherine Senter, even the ones that were new to you just blew you away. Yes. What I think we're looking for is... Books that create worlds, have characters, plots that are, as you put it, quirky, mostly ridiculous, funny, and heartwarming. I think maybe not all at the same time. Is that fair?

Yeah. Yeah. They definitely don't have to all be at the same time. Okay. And another thing about the shows you're describing is you get to know a whole world populated with people and places. And I'm keeping that in mind as well.

Kayla, I hear a lot of science fiction in your choices, so I'd like to start there with a series I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if you're already acquainted with it. How about Becky Chambers and specifically her Wayfarers series? I have not read this, but I have heard about them a lot from... The show. I think the tone may be good for you. And also those adjectives we just ticked through, the quirky, heartwarming.

funny um at times i mean we are talking about intergalactic space travel so does that sound ridiculous or at least far far out to our you know pennsylvania and kentucky years yes um so this is a really joyful space opera series set in the galactic.

This is this sprawling confederation populated by many different alien species. And something that Becky Chambers has said over and over about this series specifically is that she wants to... create worlds and futures that feel good for everybody and I think you would I feel like readers are going to start yelling at their phones I tend to be pretty loose about

When you have to read series in order. But if you think you're going to check these out, why not start with the first one? It's called The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet. And it's rollicking, warm. big-hearted, quirky, just constantly surprising space opera set in this future where like, yes, the creatures. The beings will be endangered and they will have some serious problems to solve. But also, the world feels like...

a nice place to be. It's friendly, it's soothing, but it's also fast-paced. And the Wayfarer is this patched-together ship that's seen better days. It has a motley crew who take on a mission for big bucks. Like if they see it through, they will be set for years. But it's really dangerous and they might die trying and not have the opportunity to enjoy the, you know, the fruits of their labor. So the mission drives the plot.

But the point of reading these books, like the thing that readers love about them is not the exciting intergalactic exploits, but just the palpable feeling of love and community. And there are big themes, but also lots of characters. that I think you'll be delighted to see on the page. There's four books to hopefully keep you satisfied for quite a few pages. How does this sound?

That sounds amazing. It sounds like it's right up my alley, like a mixture between some of my favorite sci-fi epics, but also some of my favorite like quirky fast reads. I like that description. Next up, as you're describing the kind of books you want, I kept thinking about the Florida novelist Carl Hyasson. Are you acquainted with his work?

I just read Fever Beach not long ago. And what did you think? I thought it was all right. It wasn't one of my favorite reads, but it did hit that like quirky, ridiculous, funny. engaging kind of story. That makes sense to me. Okay, so I'm thinking Carl Hiaasen because he writes these satirical thrillers that are often madcap. They're witty.

they're often like biting. They always take place in Florida. Crime is often a key plot element, which I think is why my brain kept coming back to these. The new one especially is very... politically, satirically sharp. So if you're new to Carl Hiaasen, his novels are funny. They're absurd. He's made this big like ongoing joke in his interviews about saying like, you know what? It's actually the headlines that are plagiarizing me because I feel like I have to one up the headlines in Florida.

Because the situations he makes up are just absolutely over-the-top ridiculous. And then he reads you the news story from which he got the idea. So he says, well, I feel like I have to one-up real life. But then real life keeps one-upping me. And like only in Florida is what Carl has. Florida native often says and he's also known for things that are not heartwarming at all like I read one review once that said you know what his novels are funny but they are powered by

You often see environmental activism. You see him lampooning bad behavior. He really has it in for developers, does not like developers in Florida. But he is really big on the theme of cosmic justice. like the bad guy in a Carl Hyacinth book, who Hyacinth often describes as like, look, they are bad guys, but also they're interesting enough that you don't want them to go away right away. You want to see what they do first. Yeah.

which is fun. But often he shows the bad guys getting their comeuppance at the hands of nature. Like it's not the cops that are going to find him. It's going to be an alligator. The heartwarming is not something that's true of many of his works, except for the middle grades. Like his books for young readers might really do that best. And I wonder if you would enjoy those. Because it has the zany, over-the-top, quirky...

ridiculous, but also more of the warmth is there. So Hoot was his first for kids. That's a great place to start. I think I read Hoot when I was a kid. Really? Yeah. Yeah. I'm too old to have read it as a kid. It's been so long ago. I don't remember it, but I'm sure I remember that title. Hoot, Flush, Skink. His most recent middle grade book is Wrecker. It came out in 2023.

I wonder if you liked, was it called Fever Beach? Yes. Okay, I haven't read it yet. If you liked Fever Beach but you didn't love it, I wonder if Hoot, Flush, Wrecker would have more of what you loved. and less of what you didn't. Yeah, maybe. Like I said, it's been a long time since I've read Hoot, so it might hit those notes just right for me. Maybe. Okay, so that's the works of Carl Hiaasen.

And this, I feel like, would be a step away from what we've been doing, but I'm wondering about the world of Kevin Kwan. Have you read anything by him? No, I haven't read any Kevin Kwan. Okay. He writes these completely over the top. quirky, mostly ridiculous stuff. funny novels where some of the characters behave despicably, but there's a warm, warm center, at least in some of his protagonists that anchor these stories. Like the world itself is ludicrous. And if you don't know that world.

is the, I cannot even tell you how wealthy the characters in his books are. They mostly live in Singapore. They travel in style. I'm thinking of Emily St. John Mandel, who wrote in The Glass Castle, money is its own country. Like, the country of... Ludicrous Wealth is the country in which Kevin Kwan is setting these books in. And people are catty and shallow and gossipy and badly behaved. But many others are really charming.

likable, and you want to root for them on the page. Crazy Rich Asians would be a great place to start, especially because it's the first in a three-book series, so you get to spend more time in that world. And in this book... There's a young woman in New York who's been dating her boyfriend. And then he invites her to go with him to Singapore where he's going to be best man in a friend's wedding. But it's not just any friend.

And it's not just any family and it's not just any wedding. And what her boyfriend doesn't tell her before she goes to meet his family, because he wants to marry her one day, is that everybody here is... unbelievably wealthy, and nobody's going to like her.

As an outsider. So it's gossip and intrigue and cattiness and just Kevin Kwan's writing is so cinematic. He describes the actual physical settings so well. And as someone who loves stories told in the visual medium, I love how you'll get a lot of that here. And also, whenever I'm reading a Kevin Kwan novel, my browser history shows it because he talks about so many real locations or real designer goods or cars, but mostly the actual locations. And I just Google up.

a storm to see what is this lavish place where this scene is unfolding. If you want to start with something more recent, his standalone Lies and Weddings that came out, I think a couple years ago at this point, is just... frothy and fizzy and I thought delightful. It's a little plottier. It's not so much about character development because everyone is larger than life. And also...

obscenely wealthy. And they jet set around the world in a comedy of manners set around a lot of romantic and familial relationships. There's a little bit of a plot. There's a little bit of a mystery. At the end, I was like, oh, that was a delightful way to wrap up. But it's mostly about spending time in the world. It has a vibe that's not at all unlike the gunkle abroad. But Kevin Kwan, how does that sound to you?

That sounds absolutely fascinating. It sounds like something you would get immersed in and just want to keep returning to to find out what hijinks ensue there. It might be something you want to keep returning to. I'm curious to see how that feels. And now for another world you may enjoy spending time in, there's a lot of... romance series that I think could really feel good to you. So for whatever reason, I was...

liking the small town vibes of Sarah Adams' When in Rome series. Is this a series you're familiar with? Oh my goodness. I just read everything she has because I read When in Rome and I messaged my sisters and I said, I did not think I would like this, but it felt like watching a Hallmark movie. And for some reason, it just, it felt really cozy.

It tickled my funny bone in all the right ways. And I was like, I did not expect to like that. But it was very cute and I loved it. I'm really glad that works for you. And also to know I'm on the right path. I did like those small town vibes and the consistent universe, but I think you've given me an excuse to recommend a book series I like even more if I'm allowed to say it.

Have you read anything by Kate Claiborne? No, I haven't. I love her. She's a Virginia writer. She has this lovely little series called Chance of a Lifetime. And the basic premise of the series is this. Three young friends, I think they're in their late 20s, who live in a small-ish fictional Virginia town, who on a whim...

go in together, buy a lottery ticket, and win. They are establishing themselves in life and really thinking about how they're going to make a life, shape their life, what they want in life. And what they win is and isn't a life-changing amount of money. Like one character, the character in this first book actually, wants to spend her money on a house. And it's not a lavish house. I mean, it's a nice house, but it's not a lavish house, but it's enough to buy a home.

And that question of home, because it's really the home she's after, not the house, is really deeply meaningful to her for reasons that you will get to know in the book if you read it. So they didn't win $20 million. They want enough to buy a house. A house can change your life in your 20s and I think at any stage. But that's the scale we're talking about. So in this series, it's three books and we rotate through the friends and we see...

really how each one faces, I want to say developmental milestones. That's not at all true. Maybe I've been reading parenting books, but we see how each one faces these big forks in the road. at this stage in her life. with her friends beside her, but also each one finds love and establishes new sorts of relationships with their family of origin and deals with professional and personal crises.

And the lottery money factors into it. But it's not about money. It's really about thinking about what you want, especially if you've been given an unexpected means to pursue it at a stage when you didn't think you'd be able to do so. I like these books because, well, I like the characters. I'm not a huge comfort rereader, but I think I've been through this series three times and just recently when it finally started.

raining after a long series of hot, hot days. We're going into the fall and the colder months. I'm thinking, you know what I want to reread? The Chance of a Lifetime series. We may not have the same taste, but this is a world that... that people want to spend time in because hard things happen and yet it feels really good. I got to tell you, there's a scene in this book where the protagonist, Kit,

And the guy she's starting something up with are sitting on the couch watching Ina Garten's Food Network show. And I think about that scene all the time. It brings me such joy. So a lot of the stuff in this book is super ordinary. But there's also some quirky stuff. Like one of the characters owns this like architectural salvage place where you can find any kind of door or chandelier or pendant light or little, I don't know, doorknob from 100 years ago.

And they spend quite a bit of time in that business in the book. And it's just got some fun settings like that. You go in and out of people's old houses and their fictional town. It's not unlike when in Rome in that specific way. Three books, starts with beginner's luck. There's also a related novella that we give you book like three and a half. How is this sounding? That sounds like so much fun. I was...

Just thinking like how much it does sound like a lot of my favorite shows and like an unexpected opportunity comes up and now they have to deal with the decisions that that brings. I love that slice of life kind of stuff. And especially if it's ordinary happiness, even better if it's a little quirky and funny and heartwarming, it sounds like it hits all those.

those comfort show notes for me. I hope so. Okay, Kayla, we gave you some options today. We talked about the Wayfarer series by Becky Chambers. We talked about the works of Carl Hyasson, especially highlighting his middle-grade novels like Hoot and Flush and Skink. We talked about the world of Kevin Kwan, like the Crazy Rich Asians trilogy and Lies and Wedding.

You've already read and enjoyed the When in Rome series, although book four is coming December 30th, 2025. Yay. And we talked about the Chance of a Lifetime series by Kate Claiborne, beginning with Beginner's Luck.

Of those books, what do you think you'll pick up next? I think I'll start with the Wayfarer series. I've been reading a lot of romance over the summer, and so I think a little bit of break. with like a sci-fi series would really like feel good going into the fall. And then after that, I think I'll do the Kate Claiborne series because that one also sounded like right up my alley. I'm so glad to hear it.

I wonder if we'll be reading those at the same time because I am ready for my reread, especially after talking about it with you. Kayla, this has been a pleasure. Thank you so much for talking books and TV with me today. Thank you so much for having me.

Hey readers, I hope you enjoyed my conversation with Kayla and I'd love to hear what you think she should read next. Find Kayla on Instagram at Kayla King Wellness and find the full list of the titles we talked about today at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com. Follow our show on Instagram at whatshouldireadnext. And be sure to tag us if you share our favorite post, read, or episode to your stories.

And make sure you're on our email list. It's the best way to get updates on the show and upcoming What Should I Read Next events. Sign up at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com slash newsletter. Follow us in Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Pocket Casts, or whatever your favorite podcast player happens to be. You will automatically receive each new episode in your feed and your click and downloads tells the podcast network and our advertisers.

that you appreciate what we do and you'd like it to keep coming. Thanks for taking a moment to help out in this very simple and totally free to you way. And thank you to the people who make the show happen. What Should I Read Next is created each week by executive producer, Will Bogle.

media production specialist Holly Wolkaczewski, social media manager and editor Lee Kramer, community coordinator Bridget Misselhorn, community manager Shannon Malone, and our whole team at What Should I Read Next and Modern Mrs. Darcy HQ. Plus the audio whizzes. at Studio D Podcast Production. Readers, that's it for this episode. Thanks so much for listening. And as Rainer Maria Rilke said, ah, how good it is to be among people who are reading. Happy reading, everyone.