This week on the Handsell, Jenn recommends Reverb by Anna Zabo. This post contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Book Riot may earn a commission. CW: stalking (cyber and in-person) In the Club newsletter Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Get Booked

The Handsell: March 1, 2021

Amanda and Jenn give their current favorite cozy reads across genres in this week’s episode of Get Booked. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. This post contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Book Riot may earn a commission. Books Discussed The Storied Life of AJ Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin A Bad Day for Sunshine by Darynda Jones (tw: rape) Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes All the Wild Hungers by Karen Babine (cw: cancer treatment, fertility and pregnancy issues) The True Queen by Zen Cho (Sorcerer Royal #2) Safe As Houses by Marie Helene Bertino Serena Singh Flips the Script by Sonya Lalli (tw: domestic violence) Persephone Station by Stina Leicht Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett by Annie Lyons (tw: suicide) Prey of Gods by Nicky Drayden (cw: reference to sexual assault, harm to children) Ocean Light by Nalini Singh (cw: description of panic attacks, reference to child abuse, abductions) Two Dark Moons by Avi Silver See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

E270: The Cozy Show, Or A Gossipy Blanket

This week on the Handsell, Amanda recommends The Hole by Hye-Young Pyun, translated by Sora Kim-Russell. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. This post contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Book Riot may earn a commission. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Handsell: February 22, 2021

Amanda and Jenn discuss secretly bad-ass female characters, Belgitude, adventure chapter books, and more in this week’s episode of Get Booked. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. This post contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Book Riot may earn a commission. Feedback The Sweeney Sisters by Lian Dolan (rec’d by Megan) Alastair MacLean: The Navarone series, Where Eagles Dare (rec’d by Wynnde) Questions 1. Something that I’ve been very interested in reading about is the strong bond between people forged by unique experiences. Some examples of this in literature that I’ve enjoyed are the characters in Never Let Me Go who are bonded by their childhoods and their shared horrific destiny or Ask Again, Yes who are bonded by being childhood neighbors as well as a shared tragedy. I even enjoyed this about the Hunger Games and the way the shared trauma of the games forged a tight bond between the tributes. I’m looking for other novels that have these very intimate bonds between characters brought about by certain circumstances. Other books I’ve enjoyed that also have examples of these sort of bonds: The Mothers by Brit Bennett, Commonwealth by Ann Patchett and A Children’s Bible by Lydia Millet. Thanks! -Emily 2. Hi! I’m looking for a recommendation for a friend’s birthday. She just finished The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix and has been raving about the housewife superpowers angle it takes. I’d love to get another book for her in a similar strain. She also likes the Amy Dunne of Gone Girl type of genius-borderline-crazy female characters in any book/TV show/movie so it can also lean in that direction. Thank you!! -Carol 3. I just got a new job that is for a company based in Belgium. Eventually after Covid I will get a chance to go out and visit the main office. Can you suggest some books based in Belgium or with a general Belgium- feel (this is called Belgitude!) Thanks! -Jordan 4. My name is Andy and I’m writing to ask for three different book recommendations (all in one email hehehe). First, I’m looking for a book, either fiction or nonfiction (or both, if you can) about archaeology. It seems such an exciting field. I’m looking for a book that gives those adventurous vibes but that also teaches me something about history and what that entails.  Secondly, a fiction book set in a museum. I’m looking for something exciting that makes me think, too! And finally, if you can, a nonfiction book about countries that had recovered from a civil war and how they did it. I had not mentioned before but I’m originally from Venezuela and though my country hasn’t gone through a civil war (in the strict sense), the recovery (if it ever does recover) would probably be something similar. I’ll like to read about other history cases so that, maybe, I could find some answers.  Now that that “business” is done, I wanted you to know how much happiness you bring to all of us book lovers all across the globe (I’m a Venezuelan currently living in Spain). Thank you thank you thank you. Keep doing what you are doing! I love your podcast!  Much much much love from Madrid, -Andreina  5. First, I just want to say thank you so much for this podcast. It’s my absolute favorite, and I look forward to it every week (and am super happy that I now get to listen twice a week). I have read some truly amazing books thanks to you!   I have found historical fiction cozy mysteries to be especially comforting in these wild times. I love to read mysteries that have a strong female main character and are written by women. The only problem is that almost every historical fiction series that I’ve read has white main characters and are almost all written by white authors. Do you have any recommendations for own voices historical cozy mysteries by BIPOC women?  Some historical mystery series that I have enjoyed are: The Lady Sherlock series by Sherry Thomas The Perveen Mistry series by Sujata Massey The Veronica Speedwell and Lady Julia Grey series by Deanna Raybourn The Amelia Peabody series by Elizabeth Peters The Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear The Sparks & Bainbridge series by Allison Montclair The Jane Prescott series by Mariah Fredericks The High Society Lady Detective Books by Sara Rosett The Lady Hardcastle Mysteries by T.E. Kinsey The Kendra Donovan series by Julie McElwain The Countess of Harleigh Mysteries by Dianne Freeman The Rose Gallagher Mysteries by Erin Lindsey Kitty Weeks Series by Radha Vatsal Some contemporary mysteries series by women of color that I’ve started reading are the Jaya Jones series by Gigi Pandian, An Ice Cream Parlor Mystery by Abby Collete, and the Noodle Shop Mysteries by Vivien Chien. I loved Death by Dumpling. I didn’t love Jaya Jones as much as I thought I would because I couldn’t stand how much they talked about how skinny and petite she is. I liked A Deadly Inside Scoop but felt like the main character seemed very young. -Marissa 6. I’m loving dark academia media right now, which is an aesthetic that joins dark themes, such as murder, theft, and sin, with academic settings. I read The Secret History, by Donna Tartt, in February, and have not stopped thinking about it since. I have also read The Goldfinch, by the same author, and The Picture of Dorian Gray, and loved both of them tremendously. Dead Poets Society and Kill Your Darlings are examples of movies with this setting. Could you help me find other books with a similar style? -Maria 7. Hi! Thanks for your podcast; I love it. I wonder if you can help me. I have a 7-year-old and I’m looking for a book to read aloud together as a family. We loved Thomas Taylor’s Malamander and the sequel, and we are looking for books like those–thrilling, sly, dark, funny, suspenseful middle-grade fantasies with lots of friendship and at least one girl MC. We don’t like to slog through pointless dialogue and tedious set-up. (Also, no racism, sexism, or homo-/transphobia, please–I like reading J.K. Rowling, Neil Gaiman, Eva Ibbotson, Chris Riddell, and Roald Dahl because they are so funny, but also they can STFU with their dumb jokes about Asia, queer-coded villains, and sidelined heroines.) My kid has enjoyed audiobooks of the Unicorn Rescue Society, Love Sugar Magic, Princess Pulverizer, Alice in Wonderland, Anna Hibiscus, Wollstonecraft Detective Agency, Magic Treehouse, Dory Fantasmagory, Dragons in a Bag, and Questioneers series, as well as the first Dark is Rising book. She heard the Audible sample of Akata Witch and was mesmerized (so was I) but I think it’s a little too old for her. Some violence is fine, but we’d like to stay away from heavy romance/crushes/bullying (middle-school stuff), and from really dark stuff like genocide, horrible forms of murder, any hint of sexual violence or suicide, etc. POC and queer characters a plus. Thank you so much! Best, -Mo Books Discussed Five Little Indians by Michelle Good (tw: racism, child abuse) Chosen Ones by Veronica Roth (tw: self harm, fatal overdose, torture, gore) Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff Lady Killer by Joelle Jones, Jamie S. Rich, and Chelsea Cain La Femme de Gilles by Madeleine Bourdouxhe (tw: suicide) Brussels Noir, edited by Michel Dufranne Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe The Flanders Panel by Arturo Pérez-Reverte Murder in Old Bombay by Nev March (rec’d Nicole Hill) The Lotus Palace by Jeannie Lin Catherine House by Elisabeth Thomas Bunny by Mona Awad (tw: animal cruelty/death) Furthermore by Tahereh Mafi Brightstorm by Vashti Hardy (rec’d by multiple Rioters) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

E269: An Amy Dunne Kind Of Flex

This week on the Handsell, Jenn recommends Imaro by Charles R. Saunders. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. This post contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Book Riot may earn a commission. Links and Mentions Crash Course in History of Black Science Fiction by Nisi Shawl Charles Saunders’ obituary in the NY Times Black Leopard, Red Wolf by Marlon James David Anthony Durham’s Acacia series Kai Ashante Wilson Rage of Dragons by Evan Winter See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Handsell: February 15, 2021

Amanda and Jenn discuss poetry audiobooks like Lana Del Rey’s, heartwarming reads, mythology and war, and more in this week’s episode of Get Booked. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. This post contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Book Riot may earn a commission. Feedback Tess of the Road by Rachel Hartman (tw: for sexual assault and miscarriage) (rec’d by Margot) The Secret History of the Pink Carnation by Lauren Willig (rec’d by Rose?) Current Futures: A Sci-Fi Ocean Anthology, edited by Ann Vandermeer (rec’d by Stephanie) Questions 1. Hey y’all! Could I ask for two separate recommendations? One is for my job and one is for my personal reading. I would appreciate it.  My professional recommendation: I am a 7th and 8th grade history teacher and I’m looking for some middle grade historical fiction books for the classroom, preferably Texas history and US history since those are the subjects I teach.  My personal recommendation: I really, really enjoyed True Detective, especially season 1 with Matthew McConnaughey and Woody Harrelson. I would like to read dark crime/detective/mystery/thriller books similar to True Detective.  Thank you so much for your help, I really enjoy the podcast! Respectfully, -Mason 2. I would love some recs for my Dad. He is basically retired bc of Covid. He has worked from home since March 2019 and watched ALL the tv shows and I want him to have some mental stimulation. I can’t remember the last book he read but I can tell you he loves sports, westerns, detective stuff and small town America. He would HATE anything with fantasy, sci-fi or true crime.   -Donya 3. I just finished Ask Again, Yes. And I absolutely loved it! I’m wanting to find another novel similar to it. I think I loved how the characters were so fully drawn and rich. The author did such a great job exploring all the characters personal backgrounds that way you fully understood who they were in all their complexities. I enjoyed the dynamic between the two families and the special, almost idyllic, childhood friendship between Peter and Kate. I also loved watching how the people changed over time. Books that I’ve enjoyed before that felt similar to this one are Little Fires Everywhere and Commonwealth. Thanks! -Emily  4. I’m finishing up with all the fall mysteries and spooky reads, and would love a recommendation for something heartwarming to read around the winter holidays/darkest week of the year. I typically like to read something lighthearted or at least with a happy ending, about characters with some emotional complexity and strong chosen-family relationships. LGBTQIA characters are pretty important to me, but the chosen family storyline is most important. Last year I read The Snow Child and loved it, but I could also go for something like House in the Cerulean Sea. Holiday or wintery themes are welcome but not necessary. I love fantasy, literary fiction, and memoirs (but am not into reading short stories or books that really center romance). Thanks so much, -Angela 5. I’ve been listening to your podcast for years and now need help. I finished reading The House in the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune recently and completely fell in love with it. I loved the story, I loved the adult characters and I loved the children characters. I loved their relationships with each other and I loved the growth throughout the book of Linus. This is just such a sweet cozy read and I would love to find something similar. Any suggestions you can give me would be greatly appreciated. Thank you! -Ashley 6. I have desperately been trying to find a book like Lovely War by Julie Berry. I read it back in June and haven’t found a book that even compares since.  My favourite things about this book were the mythology, the romance, the time period (1920s), the way the gods interacted with the humans, the portrayal of death, the settings (England and France with a little bit of Belgium and America), etc.  It would be SO SO amazing if you could find any books like it! Thank you.  PS: LOVE your show and have so many new amazing books because of it.  -Niamh 7. So I’m looking for poetry audiobook recommendations. I recently bought Lana Del Rey’s Violet Bent Backwards Over the Grass on audio and found it to be extremely therapeutic. I’m in law school now and don’t have the time to read anything except case books. I also found I have about zero capacity for concentration left outside of my class material and find my mind wandering during even my most favorite podcasts (Get Booked) which I listen to for the therapeutic aspect. But I found that Violet is something I can listen to over and over again and I feel soothed. I like that it’s ethereal and nostalgic. I like themes of love and love for your city and the personification of a city. I like the dreaminess of it too. I do like spoken word but I’d prefer things that aren’t particularly heart wrenching or political. I’m looking more for an escape than an awakening. Hope I haven’t made this impossible! Thanks ? -Maríacarla Books Discussed Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan The Devil All the Time by Donald Ray Pollock (cw: so much violence and gore and weirdness) The Dime by Kathleen Kent The Longmire series by Craig Johnson (Cold Dish) The Dutch House by Ann Patchett Behold The Dreamers by Imbolo Mbue Hunger Makes the Wolf by Alex Wells (disclosure: they write our SFF newsletter) Ascension by Jacqueline Koyanagi Not Your Sidekick by CB Lee Sorcerer to the Crown by Zen Cho Brimstone by Cherie Priest (tw: scenes of war) Antigoddess by Kendare Blake (Goddess War #1) I would leave me if I could by Halsey At Blackwater Pond by Mary Oliver See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

E268: Found Family That Kind of Wants to Kill Each Other

This week on the Handsell, Amanda recommends Wintering by Katherine May. This post contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Book Riot may earn a commission. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Handsell: February 8, 2021

Amanda and Jenn discuss the War of 1812, Muslim middle-grade reads, classics by women, and more in this week’s episode of Get Booked. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. This post contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Book Riot may earn a commission. Questions 1. I’d like to read one or more solid but entertaining history books or memoirs to help me understand the War of 1812. I’m especially interested in how it played out in Prince George’s County, MD. I keep seeing all of these historical markers, and I don’t really have a concept of the war. I did enjoy Chernow’s Hamilton and Goodwin’s No Ordinary Time, so I can handle a pretty hefty read. -Krista 2. I’ve gotten into romance lately and I like historical fiction so naturally I wanted to try out historical romance. I tried some books but I disliked the unequal power balance between the female love interest and the male love interest. I also disliked that the women do not seem to have a life or interests outside of the ballroom. I really liked The lady’s guide to celestial mechanics and the follow-up, The care and feeding of waspish widows by Olivia Waite. These books have women who live great lives without men and have interesting jobs/skills. Do you know of more historical romance with women who have interesting lives before they meet their love interest? I don’t care whether it’s M/F or F/F.  -Rose 3. Hello! This year I’ve decided to attempt to complete the Reading Women Challenge and the Read Harder Challenge because why not? I like to push myself. Both challenges have prompts for middle grade novels (RW is a Muslim middle grade and RH is a middle grade mystery). I’m wondering if there’s a way to combine these two and find the next great Muslim middle grade mystery! I’m normally not a fan of middle grade, so maybe this will change my mind. Thanks a bunch, love the show! -Emily 4. I’m looking for some audiobook recommendations for my dad. He has diminished eyesight and was gifted an audiobook subscription, so I’m hoping to give him some recommendations to get him excited to use it. I haven’t seen him read a book since I was very young, and those were all John Grisham. Our family is from Canada, so he wouldn’t be super into presidential biographies. He watches HGTV, History Channel, and James Bond movies, but his most rewatched movie seems to be Inglorious Basterds. He works in the pharmaceutical industry, so nonfiction like Radium Girls might tickle his fancy, however I think he would do better with fiction to get him hooked on audiobooks (one can hope). His birthday is February 1, so it would be great if I had some options to include in his birthday card. Thank you! Love your show so much ? -Kim 5. Hello!  I love reading about heroes and triumph in the face of adversity.  I just re-watched “300” for about the millionth time.  I love this movie!  I know the battle of Thermopylae is not technically a victory, but the sacrifice of the Spartans allowed for a victory down the line.  Do you know of any books with this similar topic?  Strong men willing to sacrifice for a greater good?  I also love anything from WW I or II regarding this same subject.  Thank you and God Bless!   -Catherine 6. any classical literature novels or modern readalikes, preferably written by women -Amal 7. I’m looking for a book that can help me examine the relationship between sisters. I am an older sister, and have often felt the burden of being the older sibling, especially coming from an immigrant family. I know my sister and I both bring our own strengths and weaknesses to the table, but I’m having a hard time articulating what they are. I’d like to gain some perspective on what it’s like to be the younger sibling, and to read about what the younger sibling perceives of the older one. I’d love a story with view points from both the older and younger siblings, preferably sister-sister relationships. Ideally, the story would provide insight on the unique contributions each sister brings to a healthy relationship as they navigate the ups and downs of life. Fingers crossed, such a story exists. A book that tugs at emotions and induces tears would be great, and either fiction or non-fiction is fine, but please no sci-fi or romance. Thanks! -May Books Discussed 1812: The War that Forged a Nation by Walter R. Borneman Images of America: Prince George’s County, Maryland by Katharine D. Bryant and Donna L. Schneider Prince George’s County, Maryland (Black America Series) Girl Meets Duke series by Tessa Dare (The Duchess Deal) The Brothers Sinister series by Courtney Milan (The Duchess War) The Gauntlet by Karuna Riazi More to the Story by Hena Khan Shepherd by Catherine Jinks (tw: many many many harms to animals) The Unquiet Dead by Ausma Zehanat Khan (Rachel Getty & Esa Khattak 1) Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand (tw: torture) A More Unbending Battle by Peter Nelson The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins The Living Is Easy by Dorothy West Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen Atlas of Unknowns by Tania James See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

E267: Labor Leader For Lizards

This week on the Handsell, Jenn recommends Everything Inside by Edwidge Danticat. This post contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Book Riot may earn a commission. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Handsell: February 1, 2021

Amanda and Jenn discuss romances WITH pining, some great picture books, uplifting and escapist reads, and more in this week’s episode of Get Booked. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. This post contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Book Riot may earn a commission. Feedback Mythos, Heroes, or Troy by Stephen Fry (rec’d by Alice) Questions 1. Hello! Two of my favorite books of all time are The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbaugh and The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay. The similarities I see — hopefully without spoiling too much — is that both books center on a young woman who has gone through a big traumatic event in the past, but you don’t know what it is at first and get clues as you go along. Also in both books, the main character meets a young man who eventually becomes a love interest, but he moves very slowly, is extremely respectful for her need for space, and does not “heal her trauma with his love”; instead, he provides her a safe haven of unconditional acceptance so she can reach the point on her own where she’s ready to seek outside support. What books can you recommend that follow a similar arc? -Jessica 2. I am getting my BA in Elementary Ed with an endorsement in Early Childhood Education and we need to read books from the following categories: Native American Lit, Latinx Lit, Asian American Lit, African Lit, and “other” (so, books that focus on non-mainstream religions, family structures, etc.). I am new to the world of Early Childhood so I am hopelessly lost. Would appreciate and love your help.  -either Kate or Hana (sorry!) 3. Hello! I was the person from Orkney, Scotland, last year who asked for fiction recommendations around trees. This was because we don’t have any on our island as the Vikings chopped down all the trees way back when and due to COVID-19 I had been unable to travel south to visit any woodlands and so I was missing trees. Thank you very much for those recommendations. Well it’s 2021 and I still haven’t left the island to hug some trees but rather than dwell on what I don’t have I am embracing the wonderful coastal world I live in. So, I am looking for fiction recommendations that have a marine conservation theme. Due to some super-trawlers that came through the area we have sadly had some issues with strandings and deaths of marine animals, particularly orcas (Killer Whales) and seals (we call them selkies) and it is now a rare week where I do not come across one or the other. Any fiction recommendations with a theme of marine life or conservation would be much appreciated. Thank you, love the podcast xxx Side note: Orkney is derived from the old norse name Orkneyjar which means Seal Islands ‘Orkn’ = Seals ‘eyjar’ = islands.  -Isobel 4. I am looking for more romantic heroes like Dawsey Adams from The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. The strong, silent type with still waters running very deep. Someone who falls hard but doesn’t know what to do about it. Something with lots of pining! I’d be interested in either genre romance or a significant romantic subplot in any other genre. -Leslie 5. Hi, love the show! I am looking for a recommendation for a friend who is having a hard time. She is looking for books that will be very captivating and engaging, and although they don’t have to be constantly uplifting, hopeful would be vastly preferable to bleak. Recently she has enjoyed Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine, Olive Kitteridge and books by Hannah Kent – although those were far more brutal than she is looking for right now. I recommended Sorcerer to the Crown and she is loving it. Fantasy welcomed. Thank you so much! -Laura 6. I work as a page at my local library, so I tend to judge a book by its cover when I’m shelving. I look at the cover first, then read the title, and then read the synopsis. If the cover doesn’t catch me, I usually don’t read the synopsis. Can you give me recommendations for books that you thought didn’t have appealing covers (or just didn’t catch your eye) but had a story that turned out to be super great? No romance, but all other genres (including nonfiction) welcome! -Kari 7. With the world as crazy as it is now I’d love to find some really happy novels to dig into. It doesn’t matter the genre but I just need some escapism. -Lauren Books Discussed Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman (tw: child abuse) All The Birds, Singing by Evie Wyld (cw: sexual assault, death of animals) First Laugh: Welcome Baby by Rose Ann Tahe, Nancy Bo Flood, Jonathan Nelson Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao by Kat Zhang and Charlene Chua Island of the Sea Women by Lisa See The Man With the Compound Eyes by Wu Ming-Yi, translated by Darryl Sterk (cw: suicidal ideation, loss of a child) Wrong to Need You by Alisha Rai How To Catch A Queen by Alyssa Cole (cw: description of panic and anxiety attacks) The Ruthless Lady’s Guide to Wizardry by CM Waggoner Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones The Jetsetters by Amanda Eyre Ward (tw: suicide) Big Friendship by Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman TheBookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman American Hippo by Sarah Gailey See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

E266: Biggest Queen Energy

This week on the Handsell, Amanda recommends God Land by Lyz Lenz. This post contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Book Riot may earn a commission. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Handsell: January 25, 2021

Amanda and Jenn discuss cozy murders, no pining, ending our productivity obsession, and more in this week’s episode of Get Booked. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. This post contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Book Riot may earn a commission. Feedback Bunheads by Sophie Flack (rec’d by Caroline) My Casting Couch was too Short by Marion Dougherty (rec’d by Wynnde) Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse, The Inheritance Trilogy by NK Jemisin, and The Raven Tower by Ann Leckie (rec’d by Cari) Questions 1. My book club has a “read your own book” format – each month we choose a theme and everyone chooses their own book to read based on it. For February, we’re doing an anti-romance theme. Basically, books about dysfunctional couples who should definitely not be together! The only book I can think of along these lines is Gone Girl (Nick and Amy are the worst). Do you guys have any suggestions for books about dysfunctional relationships? Thanks! -Sarah 2. I dipped my toe into capital-R adult Romance in 2020 for the first time, and… it wasn’t great, mainly because I deeply hate  grand public gestures/declarations of love, and also am not a fan of either the third-act breakup or the ‘this could be resolved in a five minute conversation’ miscommunications! So I’m looking for books that don’t contain any of the above, please! Other details: any sub-genre is fine; I like steamy kissing but not *too* much explicit sex (a little is okay); I’m not super keen on enemies to lovers but it’s not a hard no; and if it could have an easily accessible audiobook that would be extra great! (But I know this is a lot of very specific asks so if it doesn’t tick all the boxes that’s okay.) As I say, I’m very new to Romance so super mainstream things are probably fine! (The main authors I’ve read from are Christina Lauren, Alyssa Cole and Tessa Dare: my feelings on all of them were pretty ambivalent.) Thank you so much! -Hana 3. I love your podcast and listen to every episode ? I’ve gotten many great recs from other people’s requests, and now I have a request of my own! I’d like to read a “cozy” mystery novel with a sizeable cast of interesting, well-developed characters. I’m thinking something like the Orient Express or Murder on the Nile. Nothing too heavy, and no sexual violence/ domestic abuse please! There can be some violence (a la murder weapons being wielded), but preferably in the background, and not graphic.  -Radhika 4. I was unemployed for all of 2020, which forced me to examine my relationship to work and how I tie my self-worth to productivity. I’m interested in reading books about how to untie this relationship, about ending toxic productivity obsessions, or about upending or breaking capitalistic ideas about work being inherently “good”, etc.  Normally I’m a fiction reader, but this feels like non-fiction territory to me.  Thanks so much, -Josh 5. My dad reads mostly nonfiction history and political books. Recently, I found him browsing the sci-fi section of our local bookstore. I asked him if he thinks he’d enjoy reading more fiction. His response was that growing up he read a ton of science fiction, but now all the authors he enjoyed are dead. Morbid, right?! Anyways I don’t think he really knows where to start. He’s read all the classics – Dune, the Foundation series, etc. I was hoping to give him a great sci-fi anthology that will appeal to his love of these classics, but also help him discover contemporary authors that he might enjoy. Ideally the collection would be made up of multiple contemporary authors, who have full length novels or series that he could explore after.  Thanks so much! I really love your show. I’ve read a lot of great books based on your recommendations.  -Maggie 6. I just wanna say, your podcast is so great! I listen to it all the time! I’m looking for a book (young adult) that has a lot of high adventure, epic questing type stuff, but with NO PINING. I am so sick of pining, and just romance in general in YA novels or series, and I haven’t been able to find anything with none to really really really minimal amounts of it. Some books in this genre that I enjoyed (but that have too much pining in them for my tastes right now) are Children of Blood and Bone, The Hazel Wood, Aurora Burning (although I’m looking for something a little more in the fantasy realm and less sci-fi), and The Hobbit (because of course). I enjoy books with really rich language, and some authors I like are Roshani Chokshi and Catherynne M. Valente. Please help! -Quinn 7. Classics with a bright storyline(something like pride and prejudice). Ps : I am a Downton Abbey fan too. -Hash Books Discussed Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff A Separation by Katie Kitamura Off Base by Annabeth Albert (tw: homophobia) 40-Love by Olivia Dade (cw: mention of fatphobia) Murder at the Grand Raj Palace by Vaseem Khan Proper English by KJ Charles (cw: homophobia, racism) How To Do Nothing by Jenny Odell  Can’t Even by Anne Helen Petersen A People’s Future of the United States, edited by Victor LaValle Vagabonds by Hao Jingfang, translated by Ken Liu (cw: suicide) Forest of Souls by Lori M. Lee Each Of Us A Desert by Mark Oshiro (cw: abusive parents, graphic violence) Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day by Winifred Watson (cw: casual racism & misogyny) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

E265: Big Shelob Energy

This week on the Handsell, Jenn recommends Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. This post contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Book Riot may earn a commission. Books Discussed Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore (cw: PTSD, violent harm to women and children (and men, just everyone), rape, self-harm, suicide) Graceling, Fire, and Winterkeep See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Handsell: January 18, 2021

Amanda and Jenn discuss genre-benders, hopeful visions of the future, overlooked literary fiction, and more in this week’s episode of Get Booked. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. This post contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Book Riot may earn a commission. Feedback The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud and Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer (rec’d by Kelly) Questions 1. Hi, I’m Ben, I love the podcast! I wasn’t sure how to ask for a suggestion, so I’m emailing.  I recently read Stuart Turton’s “Seven and a Half Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle” and “The Devil in the Dark Water” and am trying to find more genre bending books like those. My preferences are pretty open, though I try to stay away from YA. I do love that the aforementioned books involve a complicated mystery, but the mystery aspect isn’t as important as the genre blending. Thank you for your help! P.s. your podcast has helped open my mind with the variety of books that y’all discuss, thanks for that.  -Ben 2. It’s been a rough year (for everyone), and I am struggling to really see the light at the end of the tunnel. I’m looking for a read without too much trauma on the page that imagines a better future/society. That’s pretty open-ended, but I enjoy so much of what gets recommended on the show that I trust y’all to run with it! Thank you for all you do; you’re getting me through all this shit.  -Diana 3. Hello! On your most recent episode (the final one in 2020), one or both of you mentioned reading more nonfiction books than usual this year. I haven’t gotten into nonfiction much, but would like to read more of it. So I was wondering – what were your favorite nonfiction books that you read in 2020? Thanks! Love the show! -Kathleen 4. Happy Holidays from Indonesia ? I’m looking for some new reading recommendations for my girlfriend, preferable a series she can dig into.  She and I have slightly different tastes, so I’m looking to the experts for some ideas ? She loved Game of Thrones, Harry Potter, and The Hobbit series.  Books she’s read recently that she really enjoyed were Little Eyes by Samanta Schweblin, The One by John Marrs, My Sister the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite, and now she’s loving Memoirs of a Porcupine by Alain Mabanckou.  She couldn’t get into The Handmaid’s Tale or Fever Dream.  She loves a good plot, loves dogs (including Petunia), ghosts are good, and she likes imaginative books and worlds ? Some violence is ok, but not overly brutal or too graphic.  Nothing too obscure or literary.  Thank you and Happy New Year!!!! -P 5. I have just started going through your backlist of episodes! I listen to your podcast In bed to relax after coming home from work before going to sleep, so I haven’t gotten that far in (about 27 episodes). Since I haven’t listened to all of your episodes, you may have covered this recommendation topic before (or something like it), so feel free to point me towards an episode or not answer the question if you feel like you don’t need to! I have recently (within the past couple of years) gotten into reading literary fiction and am looking for some egregiously overlooked literary fiction that you feel everyone should love and read! I’m not looking for the super popular books that have been hyped so much, but am looking for those little gems that reader’s may have missed. I have read “Ask Again, Yes,” “A Little Life” (which ruined me for about a week after reading it. I literally started and put down 5 books the day after I finished it because I couldn’t read anything else), “The Heart’s Invisible Furies,” “On Earth We Are Briefly Gorgeous,” and others And have loved them all. I just started “Everything I Never Told You” and am loving it! Why it took me so long to read Celeste Ng, I don’t know! Any recommendations you provide would be greatly appreciated. And the recommendations can be as dark or depressing as you want. In fact, I’d prefer that! Thanks for entertaining and relaxing me before I drift off to sleep each night! Here’s hoping you have a happy and healthy 2021! -Kari T. 6. I usually read darker mysteries and thrillers, but during the pandemic I’ve been turning to cozy mysteries a lot, as they really are the ultimate comfort reads, especially when you can dive into a whole series. But one thing that’s coming to annoy me in most modern cozies is that the protagonist rarely actually solves the murder through any deductive reasoning. Usually they blunder around asking questions until the murderer has had enough and decides to try to murder them as well, at which point our main character always manages a narrow escape. Can you recommend a contemporary cozy mystery series where the protagonist actually uses clues to solve the murder rather than just figures out who it is by almost getting murdered themselves?  Cozy series I’ve read during the pandemic include Agatha Raisin, the Maine Clambake series, the Meg Lanslow series, Tea Shop mysteries, and Daisy’s Tea Garden. I also really love a lot of historical series, including Flavia de Luce (who I think does use clues and logic more than most!) but I’m looking for something contemporary in this case. Nothing magical or paranormal, please, I haven’t really been able to get into any of those. Thanks!  -Sarah 7. I just read Circe by Madeline Miller and I absolutely loved it. I’m so intrigued by Greek mythology right now. Can I have some recommendations on books on Greek mythology? The Song Of Achilles by Miller is on my list. I am looking for fictional retellings or easy read non fiction.  -Amanda Books Discussed Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by VE Schwab Six Wakes by Mur Lafferty SFF Yeah episode on Genre-Blenders That Inevitable Victorian Thing by EK Johnston The Feminist Utopia Project, edited by Alexandra Brodsky and Rachel Kauder Nalebuff Third Rainbow Girl by Emma Copley Eisenberg The Mason House by T. Marie Bertineau (tw: domestic violence, alcoholism) The Old Kingdom series by Garth Nix (Sabriel, Lireal) The Old Drift by Namwali Serpell (tw: rape, racism, racial slurs) America is Not the Heart by Elaine Castillo (tw political torture) My Year of Meats by Ruth Ozeki (tw: child abuse, domestic violence, lots of weird dark stuff that i can’t remember precisely) Dead in the Garden by Dahlia Donovan (tw: racism, ableism, homophobia) Death at Breakfast by Beth Gutcheon (tw: suicide, drug abuse, child abduction, fatphobia) The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker (tw: rape) The Half-God of Rainfall by Innua Ellams (tw: rape on the page) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

E264: Consequences Are My Jam

This week on the Handsell, Amanda recommends The Road Back to You by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile. Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Handsell: January 11, 2021

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