Hey everyone, I'm Ann Bogall and this is What Should I Read Next, Episode 11.

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.

Before we do that, I wanted to make sure you are following What Should I Read Next on Instagram.

You can find us there at What Should I Read Next where you'll find good books

and though about the people I'm talking to, peaks behind the scenes and much more.

Today's guest is Meredith Schwartz. Meredith describes herself as a type A,

INFJ, who unapologetically loves lists and is trying desperately and a bit compulsively

to hold together all the crazy aspects of her life. There's nothing vanilla about Meredith.

She has strong opinions about her reading, which makes for a fabulous conversation. Let's get to it.

Meredith, welcome to the show. I'm so glad to be here. Thanks for coming on. First of all,

I'd love to hear a little about your reading life, especially about why you read.

I have been reading since literally since I can remember. My very happiest first memories were

that quintessential under the table reading. My parents would be mad because I always try to bring

a book to the table type of thing. I've just always absolutely loved it. As I've thought more about

why I've loved it my entire life, one of the themes for me is that reading is a total escape.

Even I actually had an anxiety disorder when I was diagnosed when I was seven.

From the time I was really young, reading could take me out of a busy head space, if that makes

sense. My whole life reading has been one of those things that I could go to and feel a lot better

really, really quickly. That's been a real theme for me. That's so interesting. When you were seven,

...