The Gods Are Jerks

Jenn Northington Sep 7, 2017

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Amanda and Jenn discuss books with gods, weird sci-fi, believable relationships, and more in this week’s episode of Get Booked.

This episode is sponsored by Swing Time by Zadie Smith, published by Penguin Books, and A Kind of Freedom by Margaret Wilkerson Sexton, published by Counterpoint Press.

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The show can also be found on Stitcher here.

Questions

1. Hello!
A couple of days ago was the celebration of India’s independence from the UK. I want to know if there are some books of historical fiction or nonfiction that talk more about the India and Pakistan conflict. I also like other genres besides romantic and erotica (I know some of them have historical fiction but not interested).
If it is a nonfiction book I would not like it very heavy or too long. The only book related with this topic was the Biography of Malala.
–Carolina

2. Hello!

My mom and I have started a book club made up of just the two of us to help us reconnect now that I’m an adult and haven’t lived at home for years. So far it’s been going really well, but lately I’ve been trying to introduce more diverse books into our reading list. I already have some ideas, but I’d love suggestions for books with LGBT characters. I can’t seem to come up with anything that she might enjoy that isn’t either tragic (I’m so sick of the ‘bury your gays’ trope) or a coming out story. I would love something where the character(s) is most definitely queer, but it isn’t about them coming out.

I tend to lean towards scifi/fantasy and YA, so most of the books I know that fit my criteria are in that genre, but my mom is more of a literary fiction and mystery fan, and doesn’t tend to like fantasy (she’s also really not into most YA). I’m more than willing to branch out and read other genres – I like a bit of everything! Looking more for fiction than for nonfiction.

Thanks! I’d appreciate any suggestions!

— Jordyn

3. Hi Ladies!

I love listening to your podcast and am always looking for new things to read. American Gods has been on my mind lately due to the new TV show. I loved that book and was wondering if you have any other suggestions for books with Gods involved, preferably a fiction read. I would also love suggestions on books involving portals (portal sci fi/fantasy) if you happen to include a bonus recommendation.

Thank you!
–Jackie

4. I am working on a series for my Booktube channel, That’s What She Read, where I do a video where I talk about four books from every state. So far the easiest states have been California, NY, Michigan. I was wondering if you guys could recommend books set in places I’m having a hard time with- North or South Dakota, Oklahoma, Nebraska or Hawaii? Thank you so much! Love the show!!
–Stephanie

5. I’ve recently been on a huge sci-fi kick inspired by Yoon Ha Lee, my new favorite author. But I’ve gone through everything in that vein I could find, and I need more. So I’m coming to the experts. Conservation of Shadows, Ninefox, and Raven hit all of my buttons: super weird but awesome world building, gross, hive-minds, and a mathematical tilt. It’s only missing time travel! Since I’ve been on this kick I’ve also gone through: Ann Leckie, N.K. Jemisin, Six Wakes, The Rook Series, Seveneves, The Expanse Series, and The Themis Files (in rough order of preference, but I quite enjoyed all of them). I tried but didn’t like IQ84 and The Three Body Problem. But since I finished The Themis Files I’ve been having trouble finding more books in this category. I’m young-ish so there might be some older sci-fi that I’m missing (though I have read Dune/Ender’s Game/Harlan Ellison).

So lay it on me. Give me your weirdest, grossest, most ridiculous, most confusing, most convoluted, most unusual sci-fi. Bonus points for hive minds, cyborg or AI characters, time travel, mathematicians, and female/poc protagonists.
–Miranda

6. Hi guys, I’ve recently realized that amid all of my social justice, politics reading, and incredibly dark litfic reading, I’ve kind of lost any hope that romance and love are real/can exist without one of the participants dying horribly.

I just read Anne of Green Gables (for the first time ever!) and I am completely in love with Gilbert and Anne’s relationship, most especially because it emphasizes their equality of mind. (Though I think Anne is just that little bit smarter 😉 )

I was wondering if you could point me in the direction of some books with relationships. Most of the books I’ve read (especially the YA) seem to be confused on the difference between love and mild stalking, so I could really use your help.

Some of the books with relationships I liked have been: Kitchen by Banana Yoshimoto (in the middle of it), Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han, and Howl’s Moving Castle. I also like how the show Steven Universe handles relationships/love. Basically I’m looking for romance that’s both sweet/adorable, and also realistic.

Books I didn’t like: Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater, A Darker Shade of Magic by VE Schwaub, Divergent/every Divergent knockoff.

I’m not necessarily looking for “romance books,” but more just books that have relationships that a real self-respecting human might actually want to be a part of, while still providing a good story.
Thanks, love the show!!
–Anne with an E

7. I am reading Kim Stanley Robinson’s New York 2140 and enjoying it, although it is different from my usual reads. I am curious as to what other books like it you might recommend – books that address climate change and a changed world.
–Felipe

Books Discussed

Fifteen Dogs by André Alexis

The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry

Books About Partition by Female Authors

The Great Partition by Yasmin Khan

Clear Light of Day by Anita Desai

The Dime by Kathleen Kent

Modern Lovers by Emma Straub

Promise of Shadows by Justina Ireland

Brown Girl in the Ring by Nalo Hopkinson

The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton

This Is Paradise by Kristiana Kahakauwila