That's one of my favorite things that reviewers say about me is the food descriptions were drool-worthy.

Hey readers, I'm Ann Bogall, and this is What Should I Read Next, Episode 234.

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, my ninth annual summer reading guide comes out this week. We're delivering it by email

to our subscribers and boxes on Thursday. Did you know we have a What Should I Read Next newsletter?

Each Tuesday, when we release a new episode here in your podcast player, we also send an

email with a little background on that day's episode. Plus, three things I love, one thing I

don't and a little peek into what I'm reading right now. I so enjoy sharing my interesting reads

and fun finds about books and reading with you each week. If you want the 3-1-1 each Tuesday and

you want that summer reading guide, text summer reading to 4-4-2-2. That's the phrase summer reading

all one word to the number 4-4-2-2. Readers, summer reading is so close you can almost taste it.

I've been investigating upcoming summer releases for months now on the lookout for new and

notable titles that should be on your summer reading list. Prepping for the summer reading guide

brings up an important question. What makes a book a summer read? What's the perfect balance of

broadly-de-grounded, fun-to-thought-provoking, or relatable to rich people problems? Today,

I brought in author Jennifer Weiner, proud author of several quintessential summer reads to discuss

her criteria for a great poolside book, the upside down and backward season the publishing world

is about to have, and her appropriately titled new book, Big Summer. Let's get to it.

Jen, welcome to the show. Thank you so much. I'm so glad to be here.

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