Magical 1940s Lesbians

Jenn Northington Oct 18, 2018

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Amanda and Jenn discuss books set in New Mexico, horror with cars, political machinations, and more in this week’s episode of Get Booked.

This episode is sponsored by Timothy Top Book 1: The Green Pig by Gud and Good Me Bad Me, now in paperback by Ali Land.

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Feedback

Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata

Crossfire by Miyuki Miyabe

Out by Natsuo Kirino

Questions

1. I love the podcast and have actually read some of the books that have been recommended and have loved them. I am taking a trip to Portland, Oregon and will go visit Powell’s City of Books (my first time ). I noticed as I was making my wish list of books I want to buy and looked at the list of books I’ve read this year and realized I have read too many books that are emotionally heavy. I’m not trying to say those books are unimportant they are! I just need an escape every now and then.
I recently read Alan Bennett’s, “The Uncommon Reader,” and loved it so much. I need recommendations for books like that : easy to read in one sitting, grossly absorbing, and don’t leave me feeling emotionally and mentally exhausted.
I have also read the Binti trilogy by Nnedi Okorafor and “The Bookshop,” by Penelope Fitzgerald. I am not a fan of romance novels. Would like some recommendations by women, people of color, or LGBTQ. Thanks and again love the podcast.
–Rebekah

2. Hi – I send a request for book suggestions on your website (using the form I can no longer find…?) but forgot to mention that since I’m leaving for my trip in about a month, I’d really really appreciate some suggestions as soon as possible…I’m thinking you might have answered a similar question in past shows, too, since it’s pretty simple.

As I said before, I’m going to be travelling to Santa Fe, NM to live for a while, but know virtually nothing about the place! I’d love book suggestions – either modern fiction (preferred) or non-fiction / travel – that give a sense of the history & atmosphere & cultures & climate of New Mexico. I recently read Pretend I’m Dead by Jen Beagan, and thought it was great, although New Mexico is only a backdrop in that one. I’m not a big fan of cowboy / frontier type stuff, though.

Thank you so much! Your podcast was recommended by my local librarian and I’m so grateful she let me know about it!

All the best,
–Tracey

3. Hi Ladies,

My friend is looking for recommendations and I just do not feel equipped to suggest based on our differing reading interests, so I thought I would consult the experts!

He gave me his 2 favorite books: “Dark Matter” by Blake Crouch and “Dragon Teeth” by Michael Crichton. I suggested “N0S4A2” by Joe Hill based on one of your previous shows, and he loved it. But he actually moved it to the top of his TBR because of the Rolls-Royce! He absolutely loves cars – it is his passion personally and professionally.

Do you have any suggestions for what he calls “adventure” and “darker” books? HUGE plus if you can throw in a sweet car! I am trying to keep his reading flame alive.

Thank you,
–Andrea

4. Apparently I have an unpopular opinion. After watching the tv adaptations of her work, I decided to try reading one of Philippa Gregory’s books but don’t seem to be enjoying it very much. I’m confused by this since I know she is well regarded in this genre and that I enjoy these sorts of books (The Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart is one of my favorites and of course A Song of Ice and Fire) but I’m not finding the environment or characters very immersive.

Could you recommend a political machinations, inspired by history, power weddings, and rising king novel by another author? Ideally it would be realistic with a few witchy superstitions, but full fantasy is good too. Wolf Hall is on my TBR and I know I’ve heard you mention an “inclusive GoT” – was it Promise of Blood? Thank you!
–Kelly

5. My grandfather was diagnosed with dementia several years ago, but his condition has escalated recently, and he’s just moved into a nursing home. Since my family has fairly spread out, the majority of the care for him has fallen on my mother, who lives closest to the home. She loves to laugh, and hasn’t let any of this get her down, but I know it’s tough on her.

I was wondering if you had any recommendations for books that deal with aging parents in a positive or humorous tone, either a memoir or a novel of some sort.

Thanks!
–Amanda

6. Hello!
I was pretty convinced that I don’t like romance, but you ladies are always talking about great romance books. For the Read Harder challenge of a romance novel by or about a person of color, I chose Whiskey and Ribbons, by Leesa Cross-Smith. I think Amanda may have mentioned it on this podcast or on All the Books.

This book is so good! It just made me feel like love is so amazing and wonderful, and the writing is beautiful. I feel like I have been missing out by avoiding the genre, and now I need more books to feel all of the feels.

I admit that I haven’t given romance much of a chance, but the little bit I have read has annoyed me with either the characters having amazing sex immediately after meeting on page two, or just plain bad writing.

What are some good romances for people new to the genre? I usually read literary fiction and nonfiction.
–Kara

7. Hi, can you recommend any books based around tattoos and fantasy elements connected to or about them? I love fantasy, historical fiction. Favorite books are Life after Life by Kate Atkinson, Station Eleven, Discovery of Witches.
–Angela

Books Discussed

An Easy Death by Charlaine Harris

Ancillary Mercy by Ann Leckie

Passing Strange by Ellen Klages

River of Teeth by Sarah Gailey

Fire Season by Philip Connors

Night at the Fiestas by Kirstin Valdez Quade

Christine by Stephen King

Mongrels by Stephen Graham Jones

The Winter Palace by Eva Stachniak

War With the Mein by David Anthony Durham

The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by NK Jemisin (Inheritance Trilogy)