Hey everyone, I'm Ann Bogall and this is What Should I Read Next Episode 55.

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 this 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. Today's guest is Rebecca Smith,

who's joining us from Hampshire. Rebecca is a longtime reader, a former writer and

residence at Jane Austen's House Museum in Chauten, and she currently teaches creative writing

in the UK. She's the author of Jane Austen's Guide to Modern Life's Dilemmas and the recently

published book, The Jane Austen Writers Club. Around here we don't think you need Nick's use to

love Jane Austen, but if Rebecca needed one, she'd be set. I found out during our conversation

that she is Jane Austen's great great great great great niece. Today we talk about all kinds of good

books, not just Jane Austen, but if you're a fan you won't be disappointed. Let's get to it.

Rebecca, welcome to the show. Thank you very much for having me on the show. Well, Rebecca,

I'm based in America so right off we're going to notice your accent. Where are you based?

In Southampton, which is in Hampshire in the south of England. We got entouched because you

wrote a book about Jane Austen recently. I'm a big fan. We have lots of Jane Austen fans amongst

our listeners. What is your connection to Jane? What inspired your interest? Well, lots of things

really. I've always loved her novels. The first one I read was Pride and Prejudice, like so many people

in I was a teenager and at school and carried on reading them and loving them all through my life.

And then I had the immense good fortune to be the writer and residence at Jane Austen's House Museum.

Which is only really a few miles away from where I live. And while I was there, I did lots of

lovely things, seeing how the people run the museum and hanging out with the curator and the

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