Anne is joined by Gaithersburg, Maryland mayor Jud Ashman to give you an insiders’ look at what goes into the planning and establishment of those community book events. At the time of recording, they were still crossing their fingers that they’d get to meet in person at the Gaithersburg Book Festival. Between then and now, thatevent has been canceled due to COVID-19. (There will be some online programming, so watch the website for more information if you’re intrigued.)

We’re also digging into Jud’s eclectic personal reading life, from westerns to middle grade fiction to historical nonfiction, to a book he describes as JAW DROPPINGLY GOOD… and Anne recommends 3 books to him like a human, not an algorithm. That’s a joke, but also a totally real concern when literary matchmaking. Listen in to hear Anne explain the difference in the episode.

Click over to the podcast website for the transcript and full list of books mentioned in this episode:http://whatshouldireadnextpodcast.com/232

Readers, we send an email every Tuesday with 3 bookish things I love, 1 thing I don’t, and what I’m reading now. If you want fun, informative, and delightful links to all things books and reading with a little dose of my personal reading habits then sign up for the weekly newsletter.

And be sure to do that now because in 2 weeks we’re sending all subscribers my ninth annual Summer Reading Guide. This is THE answer to what you should read next this summer. So sign up now.

-Anne