Next Monday is International Women’s Day and I’ve teamed up with Kendra Scott for a week of interviews with Kentucky women who inspire me. Today’s interview is with my friend Anne Bogel, who is the author of three books and the popular blog Modern Mrs. Darcy, as well as the host of the podcast What Should I Read Next.

Anne is an incredible writer — she writes the most exquisite essays that transform everyday occurrences into life lessons. She’s also kind and warm and funny and lovely — one of my very favorite people with whom to catch up over a cup of coffee! But, most fascinatingly, she’s found a way to read books as her full-time job! Who wouldn't want to do that?

Thanks so much to Kendra Scott for helping bring the Kentucky Women Who Inspire Me series to life — stay tuned to HerKentucky.com and my Instagram this week for previews of the newest Kendra Scott jewelry collection and a fun shopping event!

HerKentucky: Please tell me a little bit about yourself.

Anne Bogel: I’m a Kentucky girl who always thought she’d grow up and move away, but is currently happily living in her hometown of Louisville with her husband, four kids, a yellow lab named Daisy, and a few thousand books. My job is to help adult readers create and cultivate vibrant reading lives for themselves, which means I get to read books, write books, and talk books for a living.

HK: Your blog, Modern Mrs. Darcy, just celebrated its 10 year anniversary. Tell me a little about how it got started and how it has evolved.

AB: In late 2010, my husband suggested I start a blog. I told him that was ridiculous, because I didn’t even read blogs at the time. I’m so glad I decided to give it a go anyway! When I began, it was a tiny creative project that gave me a way to explore questions that interested me, and doing it in community. I quickly discovered that one of my favorite ways to approach a new idea was through the lens of a good book, and over time the books themselves became more and more central to the blog.

HK: You also have a podcast, What Should I Read Next?, which has its own incredible following. I absolutely love the premise of the pod — connecting readers with the right books. Please tell me a little more about WSIRN.

AB: As I began talking more about books online, I realized that the biggest reason people don’t find satisfaction in their reading lives is because they’re choosing books that are all wrong for them. On WSIRN, we match real readers with books that are right for them.

Here’s how it works: every week, a guest tells me three books they love, one book they don’t, and what they’re reading now, and I recommend three books they should read next. And every week, as you listen to a real reader describe what they enjoy—and don’t enjoy—and why, you gain insight into your own reading life. Plus you come away with several titles you may enjoy reading next!

My fuzzy iPhone photo of Anne interviewing Liane Moriarty. Anne looks chic as always with her trademark bangs and Tieks flats!

HK: Some of my favorite moments as a Modern Mrs. Darcy/ WSIRN/ Anne Bogel fan have been the podcast episode you recorded with Jennifer Weiner about her Big Summer release, and your interview event with Liane Moriarty. What interviews or events really stick out to you as the “wow” moments of your career as a professional book lover?

AB: It’s funny, meeting renowned authors and other Very Important People is a lot of fun, and I’ve so enjoyed my time talking books with authors like Celeste Ng, Kathleen Grissom, and (your favorite!) Elin Hilderbrand. But my favorite moments are often quieter connections with readers who feel like kindred spirits. You wouldn’t recognize their names, but I’ll never forget our conversations.

How has the past year changed your work style? We’re all adapting to “these unprecedented times” in unique ways.

This year has been rough for a lot of reasons, and with six people under one roof practically all the time, I’ve struggled to carve out that quiet alone time I prefer for focused work. I’ve been diligent about prioritizing, and have done a lot more of my quiet thinking while walking the dog than I’ve ever done before. I’m also not getting it all done these days, and I’ve had to make my peace with doing less work, but (hopefully) doing it well.

HK: You’ve written three books of your own, with subtitles that tell you everything the reader needs to know. What are those books?

AB: Don’t Overthink It: Make Easier Decisions, Stop Second-Guessing, and Bring More Joy to Your Life.

I’d Rather Be Reading: The Delights and Dilemmas of the Reading Life

Reading People: How Seeing the World Through the Lens of Personality Changes Everything

HK: What is the best piece of advice you have for others?

AB: Build in some margin. My tendency is to pack my calendar (and my bookshelves) full of good things, but both need a little room to breathe. When you build in some margin, you don’t panic when things don’t go according to plan, and you’re peaceful when things are going well.

Thanks again to Anne Bogel for the interview, and to Kendra Scott for working with me to bring this series to life! You can find Anne on Instagram or Facebook, on her blog, or on her podcast.