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What Should I Read Next? Episode 1: Jamie Golden

3 audiobooks I loved this month

Anne chats with Jamie Golden about books that provoke visceral reactions, books that inspire blissful crying jags and sleepless nights, and what books she should read next.

Connect with Jamie here:

• Her podcast: The Popcast with Knox and Jamie

• Connect with Jamie on instagram and facebook and twitter

• Check out Jamie’s jaw-dropping cake pops at Jamie’s Sweet Revenge

Books Discussed in this Episode

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We also talk about:

47 comments

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  1. Addie says:

    Ok, I was with you until she got to Go Set a Watchman and then it just kind of went downhill from there… I continued to listen anyway because I wanted to hear what she said about The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo – but she barely mentioned that one and she said the second and third books weren’t as good as the first?!!!! Then I had to stop listening because I realized that Jamie and I probably just weren’t book compatible… sad but true… which I hate because its your first show and I usually love everything you pick… oh well, Ill just look forward to your next show!

    • Anne says:

      It’s so good to find people who ARE book compatible with you. I’ll have a variety of guests on, don’t worry, you’re bound to find more than a few kindred spirits. 🙂

    • Jamie says:

      That’s the beauty of the world – there’s a book for everyone. 😉 My struggle with GSAW is really entrenched in road trips to Monroeville, seeing the play every year, and hearing Harper Lee speak. Plus, as a creative, I know how protective I am of my own first drafts of everything, so it made me protective of hers. Anne’s picks are still fantastic – I just finished Bel Canto which was a delight. Starting A Man Called Ove next.

  2. Liesl says:

    Bel Canto is one of my favorite books! I’ve read almost all of Patchett’s novels as well as Truth and Beauty, and they are all excellent.

    I haven’t read Go Set a Watchman for the exact reasons Jamie mentions! I’m scared it will change everything and I’m not ok with that.

  3. Julie says:

    Bel Canto was made into an opera and debuted at Lyric in Chicago this fall. It looks like there are still two more performances this week if anyone is interested. My husband works there so I have a little inside scoop.

    • Leigh Kramer says:

      I was going to say the same thing! I got to go to a talk with Ann Patchett and Renee Fleming a couple of years ago and they talked about the work that was going into bringing it to the stage. I’m so sad I live too far away now to go see it.

  4. Laura says:

    This is such a perfect complement to your blog! I love it. And you have a fabulous radio voice! Is it still called a radio voice if it’s online? Well anyways….

  5. I just finished listening this morning. It was so weird (and cool) to hear your voice! 🙂 I love the premise of the show, and I really enjoyed listening. It felt more like being a part of a bookish conversation than when I read other people’s blogs. I will definitely keep listening.

    I am so impressed with your knowledge and recall of books. Your recommendations seem to match up so well with Jamie’s interests. I can recommend books I love, but I don’t know if I could match them to other people’s favorite books as well. You have a gift! Thanks for sharing it with us.

  6. Melissa says:

    Might need to announce Spoiler Alerts before the discussions 😉

    I know…shocking that not everyone has read each book– so revealing elements of the plots of any books should be a warning.

    I think I’m in love with this podcast already.

  7. This is my first ever podcast and you’ve got me hooked! It feels like I’m sitting in the room with you both : ) I love how you structured the show since I get to hear mini reviews of at least five books from the guest and three book suggestions from you. Can’t wait to hear more!

    P.S. Totally misheard the title of A Man Called Ove. I was searching forever for A Man Called Ubba. Oops hehe.

  8. B J says:

    Loved this, Anne. Always love to hear talk about books and you give just enough info to get one interested in the ones you talk about. Can’t wait to listen to the next one.

  9. Oh I am so excited about this podcast. So excited. I haven’t even listened yet. 🙂

    I just listened to you podcast on Sorta Awesome and Read Aloud Revival. Both were so fun! While listening, I wondered if you would find podcasting exhausting (compared to your co-hosts in those, who I think were both ENFPs?). I hope you enjoy it and stick with it! 🙂

    • Anne says:

      That’s funny, because I’ve heard that podcasting is ENFP heaven! I hope I don’t find it exhausting, but I think the odds are good it will be enjoyable: it’s book talk, one on one. An INFP can get behind that idea. 🙂

  10. Laura says:

    Love, love your podcast! And how have I survived this far without ever hearing about Jamie Golden? Not only did I find myself book compatible with her but have enjoyed discovering her popcast (which I listened to for the first time while at the gym and it kept cracking up much to the dismay of others around me).

  11. Emily says:

    I loved this episode! I love the Popcast so this was amazing. And also, Anne, you have a beautiful voice! In words oft used by Jamie, this episode was a delight and a treasure. I can’t wait to hear more of this podcast.

  12. Hannah Beth Reid says:

    I just listened and it was awesome! Your guest was so funny…I don’t know how you weren’t laughing the whole time! Thank you!

  13. Laura Duet says:

    I just discovered your podcast this week. I listened to the 2 most recent ones and then started with #1 this morning on the way to work. I love, love, love your podcasts!!!! They are sheer perfection. I got so excited listening to this one I almost floated into work this morning. I can’t wait to get back to my car and listen to more. I am serious; I was having excitement palpitations!!!! You are a treasure and I can’t wait to dive into all of your recommendations and blog. Thank you so much for this wonderful gift!

  14. Gigi says:

    Yes – the Man in the High Castle series is wayyyy better than the book (and I don’t say that lightly). The book does so little to go into the feelings and rebellions and relationships between people, where the show is all that and more.

    Also, since she loves suspense and gore, The Passage by Justin Cronin is amazing. It’s a bazillion pages long, but worth it (and I say that as someone who normally can’t handle horror). Also: The Girl With All the Gifts, which is much shorter.

    • Alison says:

      This is good to know about Man in the High Castle. I really enjoyed the tv series, and thought maybe I would enjoy the book. But the book list is long enough!!! Looks like season 2 releases on December 16th!

  15. Kelly says:

    A friend recommended your podcast to me yesterday and I was able to listen to three episodes today. I love this podcast so much. I love the format, the style, the feel, all of it! I know I’m going to be sad when I get caught up and have to wait for a whole week to listen to the next one. For now I’ll enjoy listening to several episodes in a day and soaking it all up.

  16. Amy says:

    I am LATE to the game…but I am in LOVE with WSIRN!!!! I have been binge listening and my TBR is sooooo long now!!! I love your format and all the guests and recommendations!!!
    AND….JAMIE — so thankful I found Anne’s podcast – because it lead me to you and Knox’s!!! and I am having so much fun listening to ya’ll too!!!
    Please keep both podcasts coming!!!!

  17. Killian Mancera says:

    Years back I picked up Truth & Beauty in a bookstore. It was bundled together with Autobiography of a Face by Lucy Grealy and with a note recommending to read the two books together. I highly recommend this as well. Ann Patchett writes about her friend Lucy Grealy in Truth & Beauty: A Friendship so it’s awesome to read Lucy tell her own story as well.

  18. Carol says:

    Bel Canto… A-mazing! loved that book and Girl with the dragon tattoo. I have A Man Called Ove and You Before Me are books from my last used bookstore haul. Yay can’t wait. Love. Love. Love. your podcast Anne and now I can’t wait to listen to Jamie’s.

  19. Diana Rosas says:

    I’m a little late to the post as I am listening to the podcast. I skipped over to view the list so I would know the books she mentiones. What about the quick read, Bridges of Madison County. So much more heart touching than the movie! I can still get a tear when I think of it!
    Ov

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