How to Start Reading Anne Bogel's Books
Anne Bogel—popularly known online as the creator of the blog Modern Mrs. Darcy and the host of the podcast What Should I Read Next?—has created a warm, inviting corner of the internet for book lovers. If you are new to her writing, you might wonder where to begin, especially since her books are non-fiction and span topics from personality profiles to decision-making and book journals.
Because her books do not follow a narrative continuity, you can read them in any order. However, the best reading path depends on what you want to get out of her work:
- For Book Lovers: Start with I'd Rather Be Reading: The Delights and Dilemmas of the Reading Life. It is a cozy collection of essays that immediately connects with anyone who has ever stayed up too late to finish a chapter.
- For Personal Development: Start with Don't Overthink It: Make Easier Decisions, Stop Second-Guessing, and Bring More Joy to Your Life. This is her most actionable, widely applicable self-help style guide.
- For Understanding Yourself and Others: Start with Reading People: How Seeing the World through the Lens of Personality Changes Everything. This is an accessible primer on personality frameworks like the Enneagram and Myers-Briggs.
Publication Order of Anne Bogel's Books
If you prefer to see how Anne Bogel's writing evolved, you can follow her publication order. Her early works began with digital guides on balancing work and family, which eventually led to her traditional non-fiction books and interactive journals published by Baker Publishing Group.
Main Non-Fiction Books and Essays
- Reading People: How Seeing the World through the Lens of Personality Changes Everything (2017) – Bogel explores various personality frameworks, helping readers understand how they and those around them process the world.
- I'd Rather Be Reading: The Delights and Dilemmas of the Reading Life (2018) – A warm collection of essays celebrating the bookish lifestyle, library habits, and the physical joy of books.
- Don't Overthink It: Make Easier Decisions, Stop Second-Guessing, and Bring More Joy to Your Life (2020) – A practical guide designed to help readers overcome mental loops and decision fatigue.
Interactive Book Journals
- My Reading Life: A Book Journal (2021) – A journal designed for adult readers to log their progress, track their thoughts, and find curated recommendation lists.
- My Reading Adventures: A Book Journal for Kids (2022) – A children's edition of her reading journal, designed to encourage kids to track their books and explore new genres.
Early Digital Releases
- Work Shift: How to Create a Better Blend of Work, Life, and Family (2012) – An early ebook exploring strategies for women to balance professional goals with family responsibilities.
- How She Does It: An Everywoman's Guide to Breaking Old Rules, Getting Creative, and Making Time for Work (2012) – A companion digital guide focusing on productivity and daily balance.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving in, it is helpful to understand the unique ecosystem of Anne Bogel's brand. Her books are an extension of the themes she explores on her blog, Modern Mrs. Darcy, which she launched in 2011, and her podcast, What Should I Read Next?. If you listen to her podcast, you will find that her conversational, empathetic tone carries over directly into her prose.
None of these books require prior knowledge, and they are designed to be read as standalone works. You can easily pick up the journals to track your own reading habits without having read her essay collections first. The journals are highly recommended if you participate in her online community or her annual Summer Reading Guide challenge.