Project Runway Meets Mulan

Jenn Northington Dec 12, 2019

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Amanda and Jenn discuss magical seamstresses, feminist weddings, foodie fiction, and more in this week’s episode of Get Booked.

This episode is sponsored by the Read Harder Journal, JIMMY Patterson Books, publisher of Ali Cross by James Patterson, and the Read Harder Challenge.

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All of a Kind Family by Sydney Taylor (rec’d by Jaimee)

A Knight in Central Park by Theresa Ragan (rec’d by Teresa)

Time and Again by Jack Finney (rec’d by Sibyl)

A Brief History of Seven Killings by Marlon James (rec’d by Sibyl)

Questions

1. I love fantasy & science fiction and have read the genre for years, but it seems like all I can find is the Not Like Other Girls™ character. Unlike Other Girls she doesn’t like sewing or embroidery and would rather be sword fighting and is always getting in trouble for her unladylike behavior.

My question is; Where are the stories about those other girls?
I personally love sewing and I’m a quilter myself. I love working with fabric, it speaks to me. Are you going to go fight a dragon wearing nothing but a shift? How long are you going to survive a post-apocalyptic winter wearing jeans and a tee shirt? Who is creating the elaborate costumes for the time travelers?

The closest books I’ve been able to find so far are The Backstagers graphic novels/books and the Behind the Scenes!! manga by Bisco Hatori.

Thank you for your time!
-Annie

2. Hi ladies,

I absolutely love the podcast and wanted to reach out with a request for a recommendation. Recently my (cis male) partner and I have decided that we are going to get married in the new year. We are both feminists, atheists, and working hard to decrease our consumerism and live in environmentally friendly ways, so we are avoiding the wedding industrial complex as much as possible and plan to marry at the town hall with our immediate families present. As a big reader, I often go to books during major life steps to seek advice and guidance, but I am not seeing myself represented in many books about marriage. I have previously read Committed by Elizabeth Gilbert and really loved that book, and I am looking for something similar that is a thoughtful and positive nonfiction book on marriage that may offer advice and insight to those who are genuinely working to have an equal and (apparently) kind of radical partnership that isn’t defined by the trappings of a wedding or organized religion. Your recommendations would be amazing!

Thank you so much,
-Grace

3. My sister Ruth is a chef/caterer. She has read EVERY memoir, biography, history, technical and cookbook known to the universe. What she hasn’t read is any Fiction that immerses food within the story. Please don’t go for the obvious choices: Danler, Hesser, Reichl, etc. What I’m looking for is a variety of genres/authors that have great food descriptions as part of the story. Literary Fiction a plus and something crazy like SciFi can be fun too. Take your best shot! Grazzi!

-Wynne (she/her)

4. I have been adamant for years that I don’t like romance books. They are too mushy and are not for me. Then I somehow was talked into reading Red, White, and Royal Blue. And now I like romances (??) *sigh* Obviously I need help and direction. LGBT is a major plus but not required. I’ve tried the Kiss Quotient and did not like it at all. When I first came out I read Sing You Home. It was ok but not great. I really like the wit and character building in RWRB. Please help.

Thanks!!

-Jessica

5. Hello! I’m a teenager who’s very confused about a lot of things. Some examples are why people like mushrooms, how the current political climate came to be, and figuring out what crowds I identify with.

At the moment, I’m looking for some books that offer different perspectives, or some books that would make me buy merchandise and rant on instagram. Right now, my reading taste leans toward memoirs, YA fiction, dystopian, and sci-fi! Some of my favorite reads are The Giver, Yellow Star, The Hate U Give, Bad Boy, and Ender’s Game!
I’m quite tired of books that have the main protag have this boring and predictable romance with a random side character. I would love some books with interesting romances or no romance at all!
In addition, I would love books that include complex villains! Thanks!

-Aleeza

6. I recently reread Maurice and then watched the Jane Eyre miniseries and it got me to thinking about romance, and then forbidden romance. I haven’t read much romance, but I’m into the idea of reading a romance with a forbidden romance with a servant or governess or whatever. Can you guys recommend any good historical romances to scratch that itch? I know almost nothing of the genre, and have only read Courtney Milan, and some ill advised reads back in middle school days.

Thank you two for all your hard work!
P.S. I just realized Fingersmith fits this ask, but rest assured I have read it and watched the amazing movie (which if you haven’t seen GO WATCH IT RIGHT NOW). I guess I have a forbidden romance with servants fetish??? Go figure.

-Sarah

7. I’m currently looking for a tragic story (more depressing the better) for a cathartic experience. Themes like suicide, self -harm, any kind of assault and abuse are totally fine and anything that would leave me in tears is just what I need. I have a month long vacation coming in few weeks and I’d prefer a lengthy book that’s not too slow paced.

-Rija