Ep 433: I'm not afraid of a fifty-hour audiobook
Digest
Ann Bogel, host of "What Should I Read Next?" welcomes Stephanie Van Parris, a gardener and audiobook enthusiast, to the show. Stephanie shares her love for audiobooks, particularly while gardening, and discusses her favorite books, including "Emily Wilde's Encyclopedia of Fairies" by Heather Fawcett, "Old Beautiful" by Jung Young, and "Desertion" by Abdulrazak Gurnah. She also reveals her dislike for Emily Henry's novels due to their flowery language and lack of strong plot. Stephanie expresses her desire to explore translated novels, particularly those from outside the US and UK, and Ann recommends several options, including "Kristin Lavransdatter" by Sigrid Undset, "A Winter's Promise" by Kristall Davos, and "Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead" by Olga Tokarczuk. Ann also suggests "Jacob Frank" by Olga Tokarczuk, a biographical and historical fiction novel set in the 18th century. Stephanie chooses "Kristin Lavransdatter" as her next read, followed by "Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead." The episode concludes with a reminder to leave a review on Apple Podcasts and sign up for the newsletter at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com.
Outlines
Introduction
This Chapter introduces the podcast "What Should I Read Next?" and its host, Ann Bogel. It also mentions the show's focus on answering the question "What should I read next?" and its commitment to providing information for readers to choose their next read.
Guest Introduction
This Chapter introduces Stephanie Van Parris, the guest for this episode. Stephanie is a gardener and audiobook enthusiast who is looking for recommendations for her summer reading.
Stephanie's Reading Habits
This Chapter delves into Stephanie's reading habits and preferences. She shares her love for audiobooks, particularly while gardening, and discusses her favorite books, including "Emily Wilde's Encyclopedia of Fairies" by Heather Fawcett, "Old Beautiful" by Jung Young, and "Desertion" by Abdulrazak Gurnah. She also reveals her dislike for Emily Henry's novels due to their flowery language and lack of strong plot.
Exploring Translated Novels
This Chapter focuses on Stephanie's desire to explore translated novels, particularly those from outside the US and UK. Ann recommends several options, including "Kristin Lavransdatter" by Sigrid Undset, "A Winter's Promise" by Kristall Davos, and "Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead" by Olga Tokarczuk. Ann also suggests "Jacob Frank" by Olga Tokarczuk, a biographical and historical fiction novel set in the 18th century.
Final Recommendations and Conclusion
This Chapter concludes the episode with Stephanie choosing "Kristin Lavransdatter" as her next read, followed by "Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead." The episode concludes with a reminder to leave a review on Apple Podcasts and sign up for the newsletter at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com.
Keywords
Audiobook
An audiobook is a recording of a book being read aloud, typically by a professional narrator. Audiobooks are a popular way to consume books, especially for people who are busy or have difficulty reading traditional books. They can be listened to on a variety of devices, including smartphones, tablets, and computers.
Translated Novel
A translated novel is a novel that has been translated from one language to another. Translated novels can offer readers a unique perspective on different cultures and literary traditions. They can also be a great way to discover new authors and genres.
Gardening
Gardening is the practice of cultivating plants, typically in an outdoor space. It can be a hobby, a profession, or a way to provide food for oneself or others. Gardening can be a relaxing and rewarding activity, and it can also be a way to connect with nature.
Sigrid Undset
Sigrid Undset (1882-1949) was a Norwegian novelist, short story writer, and essayist. She was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1928 for her powerful and evocative depictions of medieval Norwegian life in her historical novels, most notably "Kristin Lavransdatter." Her works are known for their psychological depth, realism, and exploration of themes such as love, faith, and the complexities of human nature.
Kristall Davos
Kristall Davos is a French author known for her fantasy series "The Mirror of the Visitor Quartet." The series follows Aphelia, a young woman with the ability to move through mirrors, as she navigates a world of political intrigue and dark magic. Davos's writing is known for its intricate world-building, unique characters, and page-turning plot.
Olga Tokarczuk
Olga Tokarczuk (born 1962) is a Polish novelist, short story writer, essayist, and translator. She is known for her experimental and philosophical works, which often explore themes of history, memory, and the human condition. She won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2018 and the Man Booker International Prize in 2018 for her novel "Flights." Her other notable works include "Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead" and "Jacob Frank."
Libby App
Libby is a free app that allows users to borrow ebooks and audiobooks from their local library. It is a popular choice for audiobook enthusiasts, as it offers a wide selection of titles and allows users to listen to audiobooks offline.
Libro.fm
Libro.fm is an audiobook service that allows users to purchase audiobooks directly from independent bookstores. It is a popular choice for audiobook enthusiasts who want to support local businesses and have access to a wide selection of titles.
Audible
Audible is an audiobook service that allows users to purchase and listen to audiobooks. It is one of the most popular audiobook services in the world, offering a wide selection of titles and features, including exclusive content and original productions.
Q&A
What are some of Stephanie's favorite books?
Stephanie's favorite books include "Emily Wilde's Encyclopedia of Fairies" by Heather Fawcett, "Old Beautiful" by Jung Young, and "Desertion" by Abdulrazak Gurnah. She enjoys books with strong sense of place, interesting characters, and a touch of humor.
Why does Stephanie prefer audiobooks?
Stephanie finds audiobooks a convenient way to read while gardening, as it allows her to multitask and enjoy both activities simultaneously. She also appreciates the immersive experience of listening to a story being read aloud.
What kind of books is Stephanie looking for in her reading life right now?
Stephanie is looking for translated novels, particularly those from outside the US and UK. She enjoys the unique writing styles and cultural perspectives that translated novels offer.
What are some of Ann's recommendations for Stephanie's summer reading?
Ann recommends several translated novels, including "Kristin Lavransdatter" by Sigrid Undset, "A Winter's Promise" by Kristall Davos, and "Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead" by Olga Tokarczuk. She also suggests "Jacob Frank" by Olga Tokarczuk, a biographical and historical fiction novel set in the 18th century.
What is Stephanie's next read?
Stephanie chooses "Kristin Lavransdatter" by Sigrid Undset as her next read, followed by "Drive Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead" by Olga Tokarczuk.
Show Notes
Audiobook lovers, today's conversation will help you make the most of your audiobook credits, whether you love short or long listens.
Stephanie Van Parys is a devoted gardener in Decatur, Georgia, where she loves to pair audiobooks with working in the dirt. Since she discovered this way of merging her two passions back in 2020, she's never looked back: these days almost all her reading is done in audio format.
Today, Anne and Stephanie talk about the audiobooks that keep Stephanie weeding, and the fresh perspectives she'd love to bring into her listening routine. Stephanie would especially love to discover new-to-her authors from places other than the US or the UK, which you will hear more about in today's show. Anne has suggestions to keep Stephanie's summer reading in bloom.
Visit our show notes page to see how you can connect with Stephanie, and view the full list of titles mentioned in today's conversation. That's at whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/433.
Shop summer merch and check out our assortment of fun bookish items, like our Book Camp shirts, new stickers (we especially love the Read! pennant sticker), links to all of Anne's books, our archive of seasonal reading guides, and more. See what catches your eye at modernmrsdarcy.com.shop.
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