So Here’s What Happened

Jenn Northington Dec 7, 2017

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Amanda and Jenn discuss stocking-stuffer books, seasonal short stories, romances, and more in this week’s episode of Get Booked.

This episode is sponsored by No Time To Spare, new essays from Ursula K. Le Guin, and OwlCrate.

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The show can also be found on Stitcher here.

Questions

1. Hi Jenn and Amanda,
I’m looking for some good romances for the holiday season. All my life I’ve had my internal misogyny telling me that romance was a waste of time and bad writing, but I’m ready to get out there and expand my horizons. I mostly read YA and nonfiction, but I’m open to anything with a fun plot. I’m in the mood to curl up with something cute and fluffy.
I’m not afraid of something steamy but I’d like the story to be more about fun and intimacy then the steamy throws in the sheets. My favorite romantic thing ever is the show Hart of Dixie, just to give you a vague idea of what I like. I’m sorry this is super vague, I can’t wait to see what you guys recommend though!
Happy Reading,
–Morgan

2. Hi – Love the show. I am looking for small books – literally small for stocking stuffer size that are still good, interesting, fun. Also working with a broad group (i.e. varying political, religious positions) so not trying to start a battle or anything, but fun things – poetry, mindfulness, just delightful things to ponder? Appreciate any suggestions. Thanks!
–Shannon

3. Time sensitive! “Get Booked” is one of my highlights every Thursday, so I’m reaching out! I need help with Christmas gifts. My boyfriend has read so many different things, that I can’t even begin. I’d like a few recommendations based on stuff he loves. Fiction: all time favorite is Matthew Stover’s series Heroes Die & Larry Correia’s Monster Hunter series. Nonfiction: he’s very into paranormal testimonies, David Sedaris, Henry Rollins, and anything about survival.
He loves science fiction, ultra violence, and modern day conspiracy theories. I’m excited to see what you come up with because I’d be clueless unless I asked him! Thanks a lot!
–Jessica

4. Hello Ladies!

I am a huge fan of the podcast and tune in every week to your recommendations and witty comments! You are wonderful and make my work week brighter! I would consider myself a bookworm but definitely more like a tsunduko person. However I have gotten into the habit of reading short stories before bed since I tend to fall asleep in the middle of reading and it makes me less frustrated and guilty if I need to back track the next night. As the holiday season approaches, I am looking for a short story collection to help me get into the spirit, either about winter, snow, Christmas, or something along those lines. I read
My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories last year and loved it but having a hard time finding something this year. I love historical fiction, fantasy, YA, contemporary literature, and obviously short story collections. Not a huge fan of crime, thrillers, or horror. So anything that could help out this bookworm to get to sleep would be fantastic!

Thank you in advance! Love you both!

Sincerely,
–Kaitlin

5. Hi there,

Love your podcast and listen to it all the time. I’m trying to get a head start on my holiday shopping and I’m looking for a book suggestion for my mom.

She’s a pretty steady reader – has read most of the classics and is in an active book club so she often has read the currently popular books. She enjoyed the P.G Wodehouse series and loved Remains of the Day. Her very favourite book is Grapes of Wrath.

Hoping to find something she is unfamiliar with that she can really dive into. She is a violence abuse counselor and often really heavy subject matter is hard for her to get through in her pleasure reading. Also no horror please.

Thanks
–Sarah

6. Time Sensitive (hopefully before Christmas): My husband is really hard to pick books for and I’m needing recommendations. He really likes coming of age stories and short stories that are connected together by the same characters. He really doesn’t like books with extremely long chapters that don’t have a good stopping point within them. Some examples of books he has loved are: The Road Cormac McCarthy, anything by David Sedaris or Davy Rothbart, Hillbilly Elegy by J. D. Vance, The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls, The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini and Palo Alto by James Franco.
–Sarah

7. Hi Amanda and Jenn-
I am hoping you may be able to offer me a recommendation in time for the holiday gift buying season!

A friend and I purchase a book for one another every Christmas. We usually pick something that we loved and thought the other person would love as well. This year, I thought you may be able to help!

Here’s some info about my friend: She’s a 30 year old recent grad school graduate living in upstate NY. She works in the Human Services field and is originally from Puerto Rico. She loves Harry Potter. She usually reads YA or fantasy books, but she is really driven by stories that have characters you get to know well and fall in love with. I’m hoping to find her a book featuring a quirky underdog that wins out in the end despite facing life’s inevitable obstacles. It would be better if it didn’t feature sexual violence if possible.

Love your podcast and looking forward to the recommendations!
Thanks!
–Brian

Books Discussed

Death Comes to Pemberley by PD James

Destiny’s Embrace by Beverly Jenkins

Wild Child by Molly O’Keefe

The Tiny Book of Tiny Stories edited by Joseph Gordon-Levitt

Tiny books post: /miniature-books-for-tiny-libraries/

All My Friends Are Dead by Avery Monson and Jory John

Letters For the Year by Lea Redmond

The Library at Mount Char by Scott Hawkins (all the trigger warnings)

Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant

The Last Chance Christmas Ball anthology