Add a Million Dollars, See What Happens

Jenn Northington May 31, 2018

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Amanda and Jenn discuss naturey spec-fic, New England novels, escapist reads, and more in this week’s episode of Get Booked.

This episode is sponsored by Book Riot’s gift card giveaway and Book Riot Insiders.

Subscribe to the podcast via RSS here, or via Apple Podcasts here.
The show can also be found on Stitcher here.

Questions

1. I have been listening to your podcast for a long time now and I absolutely love it! I have a request for you. I love Fantasy genre and Sci-Fi (maybe even some post-apocalyptic). My favourite books have been Harry Potter, Lord of the rings, Sword of Truth and The Dresden Files. I am looking for something fresh to read in this genre, with a unique universe, new ideas and nice characters. I know it may sound a bit challenging but I would love to find something to read that is outside the mainstream Fantasy guidelines.
Thank you and keep up the good work!
–John

2. Hello!

Thanks for all the work you put into your great podcast, my booklist has been growing exponentially every since I started following you!

I am looking for book suggestions to help me further cope with and accept all the destruction and damage to the natural world that is rampant in human society. I love fiction but also appreciate non fiction. One of my favorite books is Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer so anything like that would be appreciated. I’m also looking for comforting nature focused novels like those by Barbara Kingsolver, and thought provoking dystopia-style books where the natural world is a speculative character of its own like in Jeff Vandermeer’s Southern Reach Trilogy. Any suggestions you have would be much appreciated!
–Rhiannon

3. Looking for books by June 21.

Hello, I’m headed to New England for 2 weeks in June. Would love some books to read while up there on vacation that are set in any of the New England States or about New England and its History.

I do love books that give me all the feels and give me an emotional reaction. But I’m open to anything.

I love literary fiction, historical fiction, women’s lit and narrative non fiction. Some of my favorite books have been Unbroken by Laura Hildebrand, anything by Kristin Hannah, Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng, Trail of Broken Wings (the author escapes me …but if you haven’t go read it)., When Crickets Cry by Charles Martin, The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein, Giovanni’s Room by James Baldwin, and this oldy but Goody The Story of a Bad Boy by Thomas Aldridge (I’m pretty sure the character Sailor Sam is my all time literary character), Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston.

Thanks
–Shona

4. Hi!
I just blazed through Circe and am about half way through Song of Achilles. I have discovered I have a love of Greek mythology retelling. What book / series can you recommend to help me dive into Greek mythology? I prefer longer books so please no short stories (unless it’s a big collection) or graphic novels.
Thanks so much!
–Jessica

5. Hello!

Request date of early September for my cousin’s birthday.

My cousin is a trans-man currently going through the physical transition. Recently, while discussing books, he lamented the lack of representation he is able to find in books (and other media). When he is able to find it, the stories always end poorly for the character (suicide, violence/abuse, drugs, etc.). He has read a few memoirs, but would really love a novel.

Do you know of any that have a trans-man as the main character and a happy ending? Own-voices would be amazing.

Thanks!
–April

6. Hi! I just joined the insiders and have been hooked on this podcast for months now. I read anything and have been known to choose books by the covers. Something I haven’t really found is a book that includes Foster Families. I don’t shy away from anything. I have been a foster mom for just over a year now, I have two step children and one foster baby right now. So, good and bad are welcome. I would like one of each if possible.

I love listening to you, keep up the great work you both are doing!

Thank you,
–Sherri

7. Hello, lovely ladies! I am graduating THIS WEEK with a Masters in Social Work, and loved (almost) every moment of it, but am ready for some serious escape-from-reality reading now. Based on your podcast I listened to the audio version of Seanan McGuire’s Every Heart a Doorway and LOVED the unique complexity of worlds with differing levels of logic, nonsense, wickedness and virtue as well as the absolute normalization of the whole queer spectrum, dead bodies, and that indescribable feeling of missing a place so badly you can’t go on with your life. I’m utterly, embarrassingly new to the fantasy genre and would love more recs for stories that are dark but in that “it’ll never happen to me or the people I’ll be working with as a social worker” kind of way :). Thank you!!
–Melissa

Books Discussed

Hunger Makes the Wolf by Alex Wells

Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler

Roses and Rot by Kat Howard (tw: child abuse)

Cast in Shadow by Michelle Sagara (tw: harm to children)

Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood

Queens of Renthia series by Sarah Beth Durst

Seating Arrangements by Maggie Shipstead

On Beauty by Zadie Smith

All Our Pretty Songs by Sarah McCarry

Lavinia by Ursula Le Guin

Burnt Toast B&B by Heidi Belleau and Rachel Haimowitz