Outside With Cursing

Jenn Northington May 4, 2017

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Amanda and Jenn discuss nature reads, books about Iceland, sci-fi, and more in this week’s episode of Get Booked.

This episode is sponsored by Book Riot Insiders.

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The show can also be found on Stitcher here.

Questions

1. Hello! I’m looking for books that will help me find the motivation to step out of my “indoor person” comfort zone. I’ve been making steps to be a healthier person and with that I’ve been having more urges to get outside and reap the benefits of sunshine and connecting with nature. I’d love a book that talks about the benefits of getting outside more. I’d love something similar to “Wild” or a travel memoir, but fiction works too!

THANK YOU!
— Hayley

2. Dear Get Booked,

I just discovered your podcast and became instantly addicted. (seriously, since Monday I have listened to about 20 episodes)

I have not yet caught up on all of your episodes, so forgive me if you have ever covered this.
I am a huge fan of oddly formatted books, books with unique points of view and books written in letter or journal form. I loved House of Leaves, Dracula, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, and A Little Something Different. This is probably an odd request because the subject matter/genre/story line matter less to me than the format and POV.

I love the show, and cannot tell you enough how excited I am to have found you.
–Traci

3. Hello Amanda and Jenn,

I have a request that I’m hoping you can help me with before July 7th (my father’s birthday)! My dad has never been a big reader but since he’s become semiretired (from engineering) he’s started reading again on a Kindle and asking for recommendations. In the past, he’s stuck to fast paced suspense or thrillers and Michael Crichton is his favorite author. He was crushed when he passed away. He also recently started the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon and is loving it! He said he enjoys the detailed history and research in each book. If you could please help me with smart historical fiction or science-y books available on Kindle? Thank you so much for your podcast, I look forward to it each week!

–Dianna

4. Hi! I’m going on this trip in June and would love to have recommendations by May.

I’m going to Iceland this summer and would love some recs to get me in the spirit. Either set in Iceland or related to Iceland. Or Vikings! I’ve never read anything about Vikings so if there is something good, that would be awesome too. I read The Flight of Gemma Hardy a few years ago, which is a Jane Eyre adaptation set partially in Iceland, and I’ve been thinking about the place ever since.

I love Austen & the Brontës, magical realism, lighter sci-fi & fantasy, and literary fiction. Something in the realm of Life After Life would be amazing.

Thank you!
–Allison

5. Hi ladies,

I just read two great books about books. And I REALLY want to read more books about books. The two books I recently read are ‘People of the Book’ by Geraldine Brooks and ‘The Missing Manuscript of Jane Austen’ by Syrie James. I really love the historical connection. I have read all of the Jane Austen novels, love them! I have also read a few Geraldine Brooks ‘March’ and ‘Year of Wonders.’ Both great, especially ‘March.’ I loved the connection to ‘Little Women.’

Thank you in advance. Love the podcast!

–Thelma

6. I’ve read some great books since i’ve started listening to your recommendations, but i’ve had trouble in Science Fiction.

I love genre fiction, but have found it hard to stray from fantasy (and comics). I‘ve been reading fantasy since the first Harry Potter book was released, and Neil Gaiman is probably my favorite author. I love SciFi tv & movies, but the books i’m recommended always seem too lore heavy and intimidating. I don’t know where to start!

I have just recently started “The Girl with all the Gifts” (No spoilers please!) and realized there may be a whole world of SciFi i’m missing. Any recommendations of science fiction that is more character focused?

Thanks,
–Catherine

7. Recently I was assigned a business-type book to read at work (Creativity, Inc by Ed Catmull). While the story of PIXAR was interesting, the first female mentioned in the book was Jessie the cowgirl (Toy Story 2), almost halfway through. Do you have any recommendations for this same type of book that are either by women or feature women?
–Callie

8. My girlfriend loves your show and suggested I listen and write a request since I am a very picky reader. I love to read, but often find myself struggling to find books I enjoy. I really like reading the author Paul Auster. Other favorite books include Modern Romance by Aziz Ansari, the Book Thief by Markus Zusak, and Native Son by Richard Wright. I also enjoy comedy writing like I Suck at Girls by Justin Halpern and Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews. Can you help?
–Kenny

Books Discussed

A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson

Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard

The Winter People by Jennifer McMahon

A Visit From the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan

The Wanderers by Meg Howrey

Sea of Poppies by Amitav Ghosh

The Tricking of Freya by Christina Sunley

Burial Rites by Hannah Kent

Ex Libris by Anne Fadiman

100 Must Read Books About Books post

An Unnecessary Woman by Rabih Alameddine