Ep 423: Quiet, compelling, and wildly popular novels

What Should I Read Next?

Anne Bogel

Books, Arts, Leisure

4.8 • 5.1K Ratings

🗓️ 26 March 2024

⏱️ 60 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Today’s guest is Susan Meissner, a historical fiction author based in the Pacific Northwest. You might know Susan from books like Only the Beautiful and The Nature of Fragile Things: Susan is also a reader and listener and today she's here to talk with Anne about her readerly dilemma. Susan writes character-driven, historical fiction: sometimes books like hers are described as “quiet” and she’s okay with that. Susan knows what she loves to write and what she loves to read. But lately, there have been whispers in the industry that this kind of “quieter” historical fiction is not what readers want right now. Instead, today’s readers are seeking out short, snappy, and plotty books. At least, that’s the conventional industry wisdom these days. So what does that mean for Susan and everyone else loves to read and write "quiet" books? As a lover of these types of books herself, Anne's been mulling over Susan's query, and in today's conversation, they unpack the quiet novel and discuss its place in today’s literary landscape. They dive into questions like what it even means to call a book “quiet” and whether readers have indeed lost their appetite for them, before sharing titles that are highly character-driven while also offering incredibly compelling plots. Whether you know you like quiet books or aren't quite sure, today's show is sure to pique your curiosity. Find the full list of titles discussed today and share your thoughts (and book recommendations) with Susan on our show notes page at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/423. Stay up to date with What Should I Read Next events and happenings, like the upcoming book festivals Anne is speaking at this season. Subscribe to our email newsletter and you’ll receive all the essential information: sign up at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/newsletter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	I know the quiet novel can do well in this market because I've seen it happen it can happen I need more books like that so that I can figure out how they pulled it off because they're highly
0:14.6	highly quiet. But they did really well.
0:20.0	So it's like they go against the grain.
0:22.4	The grain says, no, it's got to go against the grain. The grain says,
0:23.1	no, it's got to be tick-talkable.
0:25.1	And that's not always true.
0:31.1	Hey readers, I'm Anne Bogle, and this is what should I read next.
0:35.0	Welcome to the show that's dedicated to answering the question that plagues every reader.
0:40.0	What should I read next?
0:42.0	We don't get bossy on the show.
0:44.0	What we will do here is give you the information you need to choose your next read.
0:49.0	Every week we'll talk all things, books, and reading
0:51.0	and do a little literary matchmaking with one guest. Readers, if your house is anything like ours, spring is chock full of events and happenings,
1:06.7	from spring break trips to school sports, planting a garden or dusting off the outdoor furniture
1:11.6	for porch season.
1:13.0	There is a lot going on this time of year,
1:15.0	and that's also true here at what should I read next, HQ.
1:18.0	Last week on the show, we told you about a few of the upcoming book festivals
1:22.0	I'm attending this season. And if you're
1:23.8	familiar with what we do around here you know summer reading guide season must be
1:27.6	just around the corner. To make sure you don't miss out on any of our exciting events
1:32.1	and announcements take a moment and subscribe to our email newsletter so
	...

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