Hi Anastasia. Welcome to the What Your Next podcast.

Hi Laura. Thank you so much for having me.

to have you here. So Readers Anastasia is a local friend She's a Bookstagram, she's a content creator. We actually met in book club. We haven't met, we might have seen each other in person, but our book club is pretty big. We're part of the Tampa Sip Book club, which actually has, it's a unique take where they have social events like. like yoga classes, Pilates some beauty classes. We do treatments. We got a book party. So a lot of fun things and our book club meetings take place at a club or a bar at night. It is kind of like a fun party. I haven't been to one of those friends. You have been to some of those parties, so you wanna tell us a little bit about what to expect? 'cause I think it's like a unique aspect that other studies do have their own chapter, but it's kind of like they think they're looking to make new friends locally, their So.

Such a fun way to connect with fellow book lovers and people around your age and your interest circle. So shout out book love.

Yeah it's a really fun one. So there's plenty of people I can get to know local people, so it's just kind of like cool. We may not always agree on the books that they pick, but as I was saying, Anastacia, I don't read the books in the book lab. I'm one of those people's, like, I don't do homework, but

Yeah, there's something for everyone you know out there. It's okay.

So tell us a little bit about yourself.

Yeah. So, I've always been a reader ever since I was little. I just got into a lot of adventure and fantasy stories. And, as I was growing up, the golden age of dystopia, definitely got me into reading even more with the Hunger Games and the divergent stories and the lot twilight and everything, of course, definitely kept me reading into the night. In high school. I got into a lot of the classics growing up in Russia actually. It's a very rich in history and culture countries, so there's so many. Outstanding writers and definitely gave me appreciation for writing and reading and as I was, an adult, just being able to kind of pick and choose more modern things and discovering things that I like. And, discovering romances and literary fiction, thrillers and just so much to choose from. Especially nowadays, we're so rich in different genres and authors and just keeping that hobby alive and. Connecting with awesome people who are, love that hobby as well. And meeting Arthur is just a pleasure.

Yes. fact that you're like a well-rounded leader. In some ways you're kind of like a reader that I like to look forward sometimes. 'cause you're not so specialized in one niche or one genre. You read Wiley and it gives you hor. Pulling in, even the recommendations you're sharing, they're pulling from different genres. Like, it's only this, but looking at some of the elements and some of the things that may combine. And so, do you have a preference, like, doing seasonally like Julie fillers in this fall or cozy books, or what kind of like seasonally would it look like? Or are you a mood reader? It's just like basically what's right. How do you cook And the past?

Right. I definitely do like it's a sprinkle in some seasonal elements. Especially transition to fall is probably the best season for cozy hobbies. Maybe not in Florida as much, but still definitely like to read some more cozy fantasies and thrillers on fall and, beachy fun summer, maybe romance books and summer and things like that at holiday Romance. Definitely sign me up. So, definitely that, but also I try to sprinkle in different genres and have a good blend of different things. So I feel like I'm not reading the same book over and over again. And also, knowing that I have a huge pile on my TBR that I, don't wanna forget because all the new exciting books that are coming out are really easy to focus on. So I try to choose. Maybe like an old book, a new release and something seasonal each month and then just see what happens. But yeah, just trying to keep it fun.

Yeah. So are you like a book player? Like do you go book shopping? Are you like a Kindle reader? Like how do you consume your books? Are you audio like, do you have any preference or are there just like different places at your time? I.

I have some physical books. I usually buy a physical book if I think that I'm really going to enjoy the book and I will want to keep it. And or if I love the cover I am a sucker for good cover. But I do have I read for my iPad a lot and so I also have a library card and most of my audio books come out from my library. Such a great resource. And I just have like 40 holds probably on my library. And, I just let the library guides decide what my next audiobook is going to be, whenever it's ready. I usually do that. So while I'm doing chores or, doing some kind of work, I always have a audiobook, on. So yeah, just as well a blend of different media, different gadgets that I use for that.

Yeah, I love this. And yes, I am a huge library car. I am proud with the county that we live because. I've made a conscious choice because our library is so good. That's actually the reason why I live in this county. Our library is like county envious of our library. I

Yeah.

Even though it's Florida, you'll be surprised. And it's I think this is like something to decide that, if you live in a space right now, libraries are getting defunded and they'll just win things and it's kind of like Ching. But if you have a chance, support your library because. Not only they have free resources like, audiobooks and eBooks and everything, but they also have common space like wifi, printers, cameras, our libraries even borrow a camera. Did you know that? I did not know that. There is like all these other resources available. They do have events. They're also they may have BookShots where they can get some books, donate books that, that people donate and you can get them for like a dollar and you'll find some done. I've seen. Fourth wing in the library bookshop. So find some good jumps that way. Are the, great resource to, support. So, yeah. Awesome. So we gotta talk about today's recommendations 'cause I love this theme about, we gotta blend of privacy. We got a blend of link magical, we gotta blend of like just. Romance, which is like the core, but it may not be the central point, but it is so.

Yeah. So, I was thinking about what is a theme that, just something that really speaks to me and, I am a romantic, but I do love the very, complex emotion and complex characters and. So the theme that I chose is soulmates through time. Basically just people finding their way to each other no matter what and just like, love the transcends time or, and, space and curses anything really. So, the first book that I would like to talk about is, it's called In Our Infinite Fate by Laura Steven. It is actually a 2025 release. It is a YA fantasy. And we're following two souls Evelyn and Arden. And they are faded to meet each other and fall in love in every lifetime, but they're also cursed. That they have to unlive each other in every lifetime as well before Evelyn turns 18. So, it's just the, very intriguing setup that really grabs my attention right away. And the thing that's different in this lifetime that we're following is that Evelyn's sister is ill with cancer and Evelyn is determined to stay alive to save her sister. And we're also getting flashbacks from different lifetimes of how Evelyn and Arden met each other, fell in love and how things ended for them. And it's just this beautiful story of how they are determined to break that curse and, everything that follows with it. So, not to relieve too much, but it's definitely a star cross lover story that I really enjoyed. And the ending I thought was beautiful as well. So I definitely recommend that one.

Oh my gosh, I'm so excited. And you have just sold to. Each other and they have to come together. Like, I'm like, oh yes. It's like the perfect promise because I'm like, how this is gonna work and you know it's gonna work.

They like the slogan of this book. That's what got me. It's really, they've loved each other in thousand lives and they killed each other in everyone. Okay, let's do the sign me up.

yes. It has a sense of like, I curse the day you were born and I just.

Evelyn in every lifetime, she does not know why this happens, but that she remembers the past lives and how they loved each other. So it's just this doomed star lovers stories. So much angst and yarding. It's just,

oh

It is delicious.

I think this works to the recommendations. All right, so tell us about the second recommendation.

Yes. The second book that I'd like to recommend is actually probably like one of my favorite books I've ever read. It is called, this is How You Lose the Time, warm by Amal L Motor and Max Gladstone. So it is a it is a sci-fi novela. It is really a combination of like poetry letters that our main characters send to each other. Their name is red and Blue and they work for this rivaling time agencies that try to win this time war. So they try to change the time in history in one of them wants to win this sport and so they red and blue leave each other letters throughout the time. And they kind of start as like taunting and challenging each other and then they grow into something deeper and they develop deeper connection. And it is just, it becomes this forbidden love story that, it was just heartbreaking and so beautiful and so poetic and lyrical. I love a good love letter. So that got me. And the ending was really unexpected and beautiful, and I definitely recommend an audio book for this one. The audio voiceover actors were just so great and it had music and it was very immersive. And it's a novella. So I think it was something like five hour lesson. So it was, you can definitely read it or listen in one sitting, which is what I did 'cause I couldn't stop listening to it. So even thinking about that book got me wanting to reread it. So definitely one of my phase. Definitely recommend this one.

gosh. I'm excited for the audio that's novel because there's sometimes to be set up as how plans after, going through some major like devastating books or books are a little scary. Having a quick five hour complete story and freshly an immersive audio that has like all the components and I'm like, oh my gosh, you perfect. Like, just to have that maybe like a deep cleaning day. That could be exciting too. Like a deep cleaning day.

It's beautiful and definitely the book that kind of stays with you too, so.

Yeah. Again, we got so much throughout time. Awesome.

Right.

right, so the next recommendation I think is Divine. Divine Write books.

Rivals.

About that one. It's a popular book. It's a pretty big book, talk book, but I haven't read it because I'm a little bit scary. So I want you see if I can actually, if I decide to read after the recommendation.

Yeah, so Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross. It is kind of like a historical fiction slash fantasy and the fantasy is really like a backdrop for our love story. So two ancient gods awakened and they're in this war, and this is the world they we're in. And where we witnessing our main characters the development of their relationships, they are journalists that work for the same newspaper and they're, in a rivalry for the same position for the promotion in the newspaper. And we kind of witnessed them, go from rivals to like starting to understand and root for each other and this friendship, and then it grows into deeper emotion. But also at the same time there is this kind of like a anonymous correspondence happening between them through this magical typewriters. And they don't know who they're sending the letters to, but they're just starting to open up and connect with that person. And then the two like timelines kind of just come to one point where they, find out who the other person is. And we as a reader would know this whole time. So it's not even a spoiler. But, and it's a very, because it's happening in this world that is in the war and they are as journalists, they have to like, cover some of those things and, it is a beautiful, just like, kind of like a heartbreaking story. And it is, it does end on a cliffhanger because it's a ology. And I personally have not read the second part yet as, as well. So it is on my library audiobook holder. So we're waiting, but I'm excited to see how the. The story ends. But the writing is gorgeous. Beautiful also involves a love letter and we know I love a love letter. So, that's a definitely I think if you like that theme and if you like those kind of tropes, I definitely recommend picking that one up as well.

the best news is that second book is already out. It's not.

Yes.

not because we're waiting for it. It's already out. So you can control that. So if you're requesting deliver, request, both of them or I think there might be. Okay. The limit. not sure, don't quote me on that. They might come and go. But you should do that. And good news, I do have a Rebecca Ross interview, not for this book, for another book. Post this interview for listeners who are doing, I'll post a re-edited version of that interview the next day tomorrow. So you're gonna get, if you wanna like listen you Divine Royals, then we'll have Rebecca Ross interview for you to listen to. So, but yeah. Awesome.

Yeah,

So let's talk about like the fourth and final book. your final recommendation?

so my final recommendation is once a Pro, once Upon a Broken Heart by Stephanie Gardner. And so this is a, like a beautiful bland of this whimsical fairytale story that has some dark twists to it. We're following our main character, Evangeline Fox. And she is in love with this boy who is marrying someone else, and her heart is broken. So she goes to this kind of God that, they call fates in that world. He's the prince of Broken Hearts and he name is Jacks. So she goes to him to heal her broken heart and to see if, you know she can stop that wedding. And she strikes a deal with him where he helps her in exchange for three kisses. And that's kind of all you need to know about this because it's just after that the story becomes so fast paced and every chapter ends on a cliffhanger in the way that like, by the time you're done, it's 3:00 AM and you need to start the next book. It's just very like fast-paced, bingeable trilogy. So, that is definitely one of my favorite ones. And I read the whole series, I think probably in the week because I couldn't put it down. And I discovered that the CarVal series is actually in the same world that I didn't realize it. So now I have to go back and pick that up. And I know it's in a way, it's a, not a prequel, but it comes before. So I hope I didn't spoil myself too much for that book, but I'm gonna be excited either way.

did because I read the Caraval series when I started Carville series came 15, 20 16 in that era. And I was reading, I was like loving at 27. I was like, I know her. And I was like, oh my gosh, I need to read. This car series is such a magical, whimsical world. It's just fun. If you wanna read, if you wanna listen to like spicier car, Fantasma is a good parallel.

Yeah, this on my list as well. I've heard a lot of good things to give.

good, I really love the elements that I love about Caraval, but make it grown up, it little spicy and like a little bit of murder on the side. But I love Stephanie's writing and I can see like, she definitely writes content.

Yeah, and I love the characters and Jax is definitely this like morally great anti-hero that just redeems himself through the story. And he's one of those like, I can fix him, characters.

Yeah.

So I think I'll definitely be picking up whatever she writes.

More ter picture and lyrical, I think The Night Circus is another book that you heard about it.

I.

vibe. It's more ter fiction. I do appreciate the writing and I know there's a Charlotte C, which is another book. Those books are, The back list titles you might be able to get from the library. But in that theme of books, so you're like looking for, if you are Are done with the broken heart, then you got like, for since Spicy

Right.

you wanna do bigger fiction, you can go to my sources, so we are keeping you book and busy with lots of recommendations. So currently reading right now.

So I just finished the Dream Hotel actually yesterday. That was really interesting. Dystopian breed. It reminded me about what is it called? Sorry, space. Now, the Handmaid's Tale very this it is a world where people's dreams are controlled in their surveillance. And as our main character was going through a passport control at the airport, she got flagged as she has, some kind of dreams and thoughts that could be, could lead to her potentially harming her husband. And she, she, they just had, twins and she loves her husband, so she does not agree with that. But somehow, anyway, she ends up in this facility that is not a prison, but is really where they say they will hold her for 21 days until it is safe for her to be released. And then 21 days turn into months and, she just. It, her hearing keeps getting pushed back. It was really just a little bit scary realizing how some of the similarities with the, how we're get, the surveillance, the digital surveillance of our digital footprint all those concerns, security and things like that. So I'm still processing it. It was definitely a little dragged out for me. Just kind of staying in that like kind of a horrified state for the whole book. I'm still recovering, but it was really interesting. And yeah, I'm just waiting for whatever the library guys to decide for me next in terms of an audio book. But that was the last thing I read. How about you?

I heard about the book, but I am scared.

Yeah, I'm so scared. I just finished it and

It's too like,

it is scary.

triggering. I think it like, and I think we, Chris, we're, we gotta think about like where we are in our nervous system and like. The And all the different things. And I think in some ways, whatever, it's funny enough like having sought out moments. I used to be a heavily moments reader and I moved into mystery, into, there's like, someone dies and we gotta figure out how murder, or you gotta figure out puzzle or something too. I could feel like I can control it. but I feel like it's, it'll be interesting to read with dystopia, which actually your recommendations are someone dystopian. In this era, because I did read it in the 20 twelves and then 20 thirteens, like that's what I was reading. I was like, fucking busy. And that era in the 20 twelves is very different the world that we live in, 2025. And it's like, holy crap,

it hits too close to home. It is scary.

it really is. And I think it's like, where are emotionally, are you ready for it?

Right.

that's the whole point of this podcast is to give your recommendations in different areas so you can always try to like a look, maybe a pal cleanser or whatever that's gonna look like for you. And hopefully the library bots are gonna keep you from busy and give you some better books, that are little like better dreams. Better dreams,

I need a little palate cleanser.

I know.

Yeah.

Awesome. Anesia, tell us where you find online

We're fine online. Yeah, definitely. So I have my Instagram it is at Anastasia's new chapter. I share my book recommendations and things that I'm reading and just like my life and adventurous. The sunshine state of Florida and I love to connect with fellow readers and following authors and all the book trends and I love recommendations. So definitely keep 'em coming and let's connect. I would love to be book friends.

Awesome. Thank.

Thank you so much for having me, Laura.

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