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[00:00:00 ] ANNE BOGEL: I love this for you and also it means we can't narrow it down seasonally.

ELLEN HEATH: Yeah, that's right.

ANNE: This is hard for me.

Hey readers, I'm Anne Bogel and this is What Should I Read Next?. 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.

[00:00:42 ] Readers, with summer keeping us on the go and under the sun more than I would like, I'm always looking for ways to keep the sun off my face. And our new well-read hat is my absolute favorite this season. You all love it too. We sold out of our first run so fast, but it's back in stock just in time for all of your summer fun.

Whether you're heading to the farmer's market, out paddleboarding with friends, or just making your weekly run to the local library, let everyone know you're a book person while doing your skin a favor.

If you're all set on summer hats, be sure to check out the rest of our new merch, like our perennial favorite To Be Read tote. It's perfect for library halls or pool days. We are picky about our totes and it is perfect.

Check out all of our new stickers, our t-shirts that are so soft and so cute, and more. That is all at modernmrsdarcy.com/shop.

[00:01:37 ] Readers, today's episode is a lot of fun and we cover a lot of ground. Are those two things related? I mean, definitely maybe.

Today I'm talking to Ellen Heath, a retired urban planner in the Atlanta area. Regular listeners may know that urban planning is a weird niche interest of mine, and I am thrilled that Ellen is bringing some of her own racks to today's show, for me and for you if you're into that kind of thing. But the focus today is on Ellen's books and her reading life and there's so much good stuff to talk about there.

For Ellen, character and setting are the most important things in the book she loves, though she'd also prefer them to be immersive, entertaining, and maybe even teach her something. I've got ideas.

Ellen reads mostly on her e-reader and she has a very interesting method for choosing her next read in that format that I get to hear more about. I gotta tell you, I've never heard a method remotely like this before. I think you're going to be interested.

[00:02:32 ] Ellen is also on a quest to DNF more books in 2025 and wants to know if I have ideas on that front. Look, I don't have the crystal ball I think she'd really like, but you know I've got those ideas.

All right, let's get to it.

Ellen, we