When I first read like the back and it barns a noble in 2013, like I just went,

this is it. This is everything I've waited for.

Hey readers, I'm Ann Bogall and this is What Should I Read Next Episode 177.

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 today's guest Kate Mitchell has experienced polar opposites in her reading life.

She's gone from a period of time when reading was literally her job to stretches where reading

was literally impossible. Many listeners and past guests on What Should I Read Next have shared

their stories of reading dry spells due to chronic illness, anxiety, disability and other things.

Today Kate is sharing some of the wisdom she's developed through her own roller coaster of

her reading life, including practical tips for how to accept reality and adapt your reading life

if you're having a rough go of it. We are also chatting about what realism looks like in the fantasy

genre. Books way too big to keep in your purse, some historical fiction classics and also Kate

gives me the student debt free cheat sheet to reading like you've got a master's degree in literature.

Her answer I was happy to hear involves highlighters. Readers, let's get to it.

Kate, welcome to the show. Thank you so much for having me. I'm excited to be here.

Well, it is mutual. When we got your submission here at What Should I Read Next Headquarters,

which is basically my home office. We love the sound of your books, of course,

because that's something we always pay attention to. We're looking for a really interesting mix

of reading tastes, but also there were several aspects of your personal story. I know that listeners

...